John 13:6–7

Followeth to v. 12. an exposition of this fact, upon occasion of an interruption made by Peter; wherein chiefly this fact, and his doing of it, is explained, as it is a signe of another inward washing. This Exposition may be drawn out in three branches, contained in his threefold answer to Peters proposals and resolutions. In the first branch of the Exposition upon occasion of Peters question, testifying his admiration, and shunning of such condescendence, he gives notice in general, that there was somewhat more in it then the bare act, or then he saw for present, whereof he should be informed in due time. And this relates to his doing this act, both as it was a signe, and as it was a servile employment in it selfe. We need not curiously determine, whether he had washen any before he came to Peter, who had made no such scruple of it; But shall hold to what John here records, that coming to Peter, he meets with this stop flowing from Peters forwardnesse, and gives an answer to it.

From v. 6. Learn, 1. Our Lords humility yet further shineth, in that not only doth he stoop to do meanest services to his people, but will be at all the pains himself to do them good; for, he cometh to Simon Peter, to wash him, while he is sitting still at Table. 2. There is no interruption or impediment laid in the way of Christ and his working, but he can, and doth emprove it to precious ends and advantages; for, out of Peters refusal and interruption he beings out these precious instructions, which he would inculcate by his washing of their feet. 3. Christs abasing of himself, and condescending to his people, ought not to obscure his Majesty, nor make them forget it; for, in the midst of this his stooping, he is to Peter, Lord. 4. Christs abasement and condescendence for his peoples good, is truly admirable, and will be so in the eyes of the truly godly; for, saith he, by way of admiration; Lord, dost thou wash my feet! 5. The admirablenesse of Christs condescendence will appear, if we consider, either how glorious he is who stoops, even the Lord, or how low he doth stoop, even to wash feet; or, to whom he stoops, even to them who are unworthy of what he doth, and whom it beseems not to be so dealt with, though it beseem him well so to deal; doest thou wash my feet? saith humble Peter. 6. As it is commendable to fear, even at Christs manifested goodnesse, Hos. 3.5. So Saints ordinarily run to an extremity in that case, and do so fear and tremble at it, as they are ready to decline and not to embrace it; for, Peters question imports not only his admiration at, but his desire to shun this condescendence, and doth put a stop to Christs washing and conferring this favour on him. See Luke 5.8. 7. Albeit Christs stooping to us be a great abasement of himself; yet it is the great errour of Saints, to think that he will not account it his great glory to serve them; for, herein also Peter failed, in thinking Christ had forgot himself in this condescendence.

From v. 7. Learn, 1. Christ is very tender of the weaknesses of his own, so long as they discover no obstinacy therein; for, he gives a milde answer to Peter at first, till afterward his weaknesse burst forth. 2. Every work of Christ toward his people, beside the work it self, carrieth some precious thing of him in the bosome of it, and is loaden with lessons and great things of his wisdom, power, goodnesse, &c. for, so is supposed here, that Christ is doing somewhat which Peter knows not. Which is not to be understood of the simple washing their feet, (for Peter knew well enough that he was about to wash his feet) but that this washing carried somewhat in the bosome of it. 3. That which the Lord is doing by his works, is not often seen in the mean time, by them to whom it is done; for, What I do thou knowest not now. Yea, wherein do not we proclaim our ignorance and mistakes of what he is about? And no wonder we be in the dark here, if we consider, 1. That the worker of these works is wonderful in counsel, and excellent in working, Isa. 28.29. Infinitely beyond Politicians, whose projects and purposes are oft-times hid from us, and therefore much more his. 2. That the way of his working and bringing about of his purposes, is very strange and unperceivable; for, he brings things out of nothing, Rom. 4.17. one contrary out of another, as light out of darknesse, 2 Cor. 4.6. he brings meat out of the eater, and takes enemies in their own snares. 3. That his end in working is not to satisfie our sense and curiosity, but he chooseth such a way, as may leave enemies to harden their hearts, and may try and humble his people. Doct. 4. Albeit we cannot dive into the depth of Christs counsel in his working, yet we ought to reverence and adore him therein, and not to contest with him; and to yield implicit obedience to his Will, revealing our duty in such a case; for, albeit Peter know not now, what he doth, yet he would have him so far crediting that he did it not in vain, as to submit to have his feet washed. 5. Christ will have us first yielding obedience to his Will, because it is his Will, and to wait his leisure till we know the reason of it: Otherwise, we do not obey because it is his Will, but because of the reason of his Command; for, he will absolutely have him stoop to be washed by him, and then wait till hereafter, to know what it means, and for what end he doth it. 6. Such as in dark cases do absolutely submit to Gods Will, in the matter of duty or dispensations; they shall, in due time, see a reason of his Will, and know so much of his counsel and purpose in his working, as is needful for them; for, upon Peters obedience is promised, that though what I do, thou knowest not now, yet thou shalt know hereafter. As accordingly was made good in the following explication of all this, and when the Spirit was poured out, he, with the rest, understood more fully this and other things.