John 11:9–10

Followeth Christs answer to their objection against his resolution, consisting of two parts; The first whereof (in these verses) is general. Concerning which, they who understand this day, and the houres thereof, of mans life time, wherein he is to go about his bussiness, do indeed speak this for truth, that the time of Christs calling in that way, was to be ended at his death, and that men could not reach him till the houres of his life were expired, and therefore he needed not feare But neither doth that so fitly agree with what is subjoyned, ver. 10. of mens stumbling in the night, nor yet with Christs own practice, who, albeit he knew he should be in safety till his houre came, yet he did use lawful means, and follow the Fathers call, in removing from place to place, as is manifest in his going lately out of Judea. Therefore, if we consider, 1. The order that God hath established in nature, in appointing the day for mens labour, in all the houres thereof, and not the night, because men cannot but stumble in it, Psal. 104 20. 21, 22, 23. 2. Christs particular answer, ver. 11. wherein he shewes his calling for this journey, If I say, we consider these, we will finde the sense of this general answer to be this; That a calling from God is like day-light to a man, to prevent fear of stumbling, or inconveniency and danger: whereas he who neglects the opportunity thereof, may fall in many inconveniences, like a man who neglects his journey till the evening or night, and therefore cannot choose but stumble, seeing he wants the light of day, and hath no light in him to supply that defect. And by this, Christ leads them to understand, that as he had a calling to leave Judea, so if he could clear a calling to return to it again, there was no danger, whereas to sleight a calling would draw on real inconveniences Doctrine 1. The great task and exercise of Christians ought to be, to turn their eyes from studying inconveniencies and hazards, to study their duty and calling, as their work and care, and then leave the care of events unto God; Therefore, doth Christ draw them, who were affected with fear of dangers, to consider seriously what calling there was for that undertaking. 2. As the Lord hath honoured the children of men by appointing unto them lawful callings, wherein they may serve him, whatever their calling be in it selfe; So he hath appointed times and opportunities of these callings, which are not to be neglected: for, a calling is like the day, wherein a man may walk, and there are twelve houres in this day, that is, a prefixed time for going about this calling, (as there is for day-light;) which is not be neglected, more then a man would neglect the day time to go about his businesse in it. The expression alludes to the custome of the Jewes, who divided the day and the night, each of them in twelve houres, and that both summer and winter, only they shortned the houres of the day in winter, and lengthned them in summer; and so, (contrariwise) the hours of the night. 3. A man that followeth a calling from God, and emproveth all the opportunities thereof, is in a safe course, and so needs fear no danger; for, as, if any man walk in the day, he stumbleth not because he seeth the light of this world, or the sun; so he that hath the light of his calling, needs not stumble, but that may be to him as day-light is to passengers. See 1 Pet. 3.13. For, albeit following of Gods call will not alwayes keep men from trouble, but Christ himself, when his course was finished, and very shortly after this met with it: Yet, 1. They will get their day finished, and shall not be interrupted till they have finished their work, as Christs experience teacheth, See Luk. 13.31, 32. 2. If they be not kept from difficulties, yet following their calling, they are kept from the guilt of procuring them sinfully. 3 They may be sure they shall be blessed, and 4. That God who employes them, will make up all their losses to them So that the clearnesse of Gods call affords more peace, then all the difficulties men can meet with in a calling, can make void. Doctrine 4. As mans life is but short, so the opportunities of following of a calling from God are but short, and soone [lost irredeemably]; for, it is but a day of twelve hours, after which a night cometh 5. As men who run on danger without a calling, may meet with many a snare; So they who neglect Gods call for fear of trial, may meet with sover difficulties in their own way; for, if a man walk in the night, he stumbleth because there is no light in him, to take up hazards, which God hath appointed the Sun to point out unto men. The meaning is, not only that he who runs without a call, stumbleth, but that as a man who, having business to do in the day time, yet, doth not set out till night, doth exceedingly prejudge himselfe; so he who either rejects Gods call, and takes him to follow his own counsels, or he who fits the opportunities of doing his calling, and comes too late, may meet with sharp trials.