John 1:47–49

Nathaneel being perswaded to come to Christ by Philip, Christ by commending the sincerity of his heart, and (when Nathaneel wonders at Christ for knowing that) by declaring unto him where he had been; doth discover his Godhead unto him, which to worketh, as to draw Nathaneel to a confession of his Godhead and Office. Whence learn, 1. Christ will in mercy passe over the faults, prejudices and mistakes of these who do not persist in them, but come to him; for, Christ welcometh and receiveth Nathaneel, even while he is coming, and taketh notice of him when he minded it not, and speaks of him, and not to him. 2. Christ is an exact discerner of men, both their inside and outside, and the knowledge of this should draw men to him, for, Christ gains ground on Nathaneel, by discovering how exactly he know him. 3. Albeit all who came of Jacob after the flesh, were Israelites in the external Court, yet all that were so by visible Covenant, were not such inwardly, and in the inward Court of God; And Christ is a discerner both of the one and the other, who cannot be deceived; Therefore, saith he of Nathaneel Behold, an Israelite indeed, or truly, importing that many were not truly such, or in the spirit. 4. The true mark of a true Israelite in the spirit, is, not perfection or sinlesnesse, but sincerity, whereby men having gotten grace, and closed with Christ, and applied the vertue of his blood, are enabled to serve God from right principles, and for right ends; and are in so far purged from hypocrisie and dissimulation, that it doth not reigne in them, but they love truth, and hate guile, they labour to be in reality and in secret, what they seem to others to be, they are jealous of the unsoundnesse of their own hearts, and daily vexed with it; they set against all by ends in Religion, and aime at perfection in it; Thus was Nathaneel, an Israelite indeed, in whom is no guile, to wit, reigning or approven. 5. Albeit Christ be the Authour of every grace men have, yet he will not spare to commend it in them; and particularly, he is a notable commender of sincerity, where he findeth it, and that so much the more as men are sincere in a corrupt time; for, he commends Nathaneel, a sincere man in that time. Behold an Israelite indeed, in whom is no guile. Men need not seek themselves, for such as are sincere, Christ will commend them 6. The practical knowledge of Christ, and particularly, that he is a searcher of hearts, is such as will strike these who attain unto it, with admiration and wonder; for, saith Nathaneel, surprized with this encounter; Whence knowest thou me? as little dreaming how Christ could know him, and especially his heart and inside, seeing he had never seen him before. 7. Confused and surprizing thoughts concerning Christ, ought not to be rested on, but the knowledge of him ought to be dived further into, till we get distinct satisfaction; for, Nathaneel doth not rest here, but dives into the matter, Whence knowest thou me? that he might know whence this knowledge came, and how he should be affected with it; and Christ answereth him, to give proof of his willingnesse to satisfie modest enquiries. 8. Christs Omniscience and perfect knowledge of all things, particularly, these things that concern his people; is such, as when he hath discovered so much as may make men wonder, he hath yet more to discover if he please; for, Christ tells Nathaneel how he knew yet more of him, Before that Philip called thee, &c. A sight of this did overcome David, Psal. 139.1.— 6. 9. Christ hath an eye upon his people, before that any instrument deal with them, to draw them unto him, from whence it is that instruments fall upon them and are successeful; for, Christ condescends particularly on this to Nathaneel before that Philip called thee, I saw thee. 10 Christs Omniscience as God, and his Providence about all things, particularly, about his people, doth condescend to very meanest things, even postures of the body, circumstances of time and place, and by this he would assure them of his taking notice of greater things that may concern them; for, saith he, Before that Philip called thee, when thou wast under the fig-tree, I saw thee 11. As a sincere heart, through Gods blessing, will easily receive satisfaction concerning Christ, and be gained to him; so the kindly fruit of such a work, is, to beget an high estimation of Christ; for, Nathaneel is satisfied, and his satisfaction brings out a faire confession and commendation of Christ. 12. The more a soul know of Christ, it will not only esteem him, but think and speak the more reverently of him and to him; therefore doth Nathaneel call him Rabbi, which he did not before. 13. Christs All-seeing eye is an infallible proof of his Godhead, whereby he knoweth all things of himself, which every one would studie who embrace and close with him; for, whereas Philip had called him, the son of Joseph, v. 45. Nathaneel is convinced of more from what he heard; Thou art the Son of God, and as such a one closeth with him. 14. That which maketh Christs Godhead comfortable to his people, is that as Mediatour, and by vertue of his offices they have a peculiar interest in him; and particularly that he is a King unto them, who will employ his divine power to subject them to his Government, and to protect and defend them, therefore Nathaneel subjoyneth, Thou art the King of Israel. We need not enquire whether by Israel he understand the Nation of Israel only, being yet ignorant of the extent of Christs Kingdom, or all the Israel of God also, seeing the truth in that point is elsewhere sufficiently cleare to us.