John 11:16

This conference closeth with a particular discovery of Thomas, Didymus, or, the twin, as his name Thomas, in the Hebrew also imports. He seeing Christ so resolute, invites the rest to go and dye with him, not with Lazarus, but with Christ: And the meaning is, That since Christ would not follow their counsel, but would run on his own death; there was nothing better for them, then to run on the hazard with him, and so once be out of troubles and fears. In this resolution there doth indeed appear. 1. Affection, in cleaving unto Christ, and, 2. Zeal in exciting others to the same. Yet this resolution is but full of fear and dissidence, for, had he beleeved what was spoken ver 15. he would not have expected this issue of the journey. Doctrine, 1. It is the duty of Christs followers not to quit him, though it should cost them their lives; for, so much doth this resolution teach. 2. It is their duty also, to excite one another to duty, in times of hazard; Let us go, saith he, and die. 3. Christs followers have more fears and sad apprehensions, then there is just cause; for, let us go and die, when Christ had told of another thing, imports so much. This produced an untimous exercise about suffering, wherein he proved not so resolute, when he was called to it. 4. It breeds men much needlesse exercise, that they will not beleeve nor expect the good that Christ promiseth them, but will judge of all things by their own apprehensions; for, so was it with him, his eye was so on feared danger, as he little regarded what Christ had promised. 5. The Lord doth not approve of that resolution in dutie or suffering, that doth not slow from faith, but from distrust; for, herein did Thomas resolution faile. 6. The Lord also dislikes mens willingnesse to suffer, when it proceeds from a desperate wearing of their present lot, which makes them content to rid themselves of it by sharp sufferings; for, this was also one of his faults, as hath been before explained.