John 16:19

In this verse is contained Christs preface to the explication of this encouragement; wherein, by making known that he understood their perplexity, and their desire to be resolved, he testifieth his willingnesse to clear their doubt, and makes way for it, preventing their enquiry. Whence learn, 1. Whatever be the perplexities of Saints, and their weaknesse under them; yet they know Christ to be the only resolver of their difficulties, and they cannot be at rest till they get light; for, their enquiry among themselves not succeding, it is subjoyned, notwithstanding their indirect carping, that they were desirous to ask him, that so they might attain to light in the matter. 2. Albeit believers stand, oft-times, in sensible need of Christs help, and be desirous thereof, yet they are kept back from employing of him partly, by their unwillingnesse to bewray their own indigence; and partly, by reason of their ill-ordered respect to him, which keeps them at a needlesse distance with him; for, albeit they were desirous to ask him, yet they proceeded no further then a desire, as being unwilling to bewray their ignorance, and respecting their Master so as they were afraid to ask him. 3. Christ is so infinitely omniscient, and hath so vigilant an eye over the condition of his people, as he knoweth and taketh notice of their secret doubts and perplexities, before they be propounded to him; for, Jesus knew that they were desirous to ask him, and by that question, do ye enquire among your selves, &c? he lets them see he knew their secret reasonings and debates. 4. Christ will not cast off his dull and weak followers, but their necessity hath a mouth of its own to his omniscience and infinite love, whereof he will give proof by preventing their enquiry; as here, however they were ignorant, and stood off from asking him, yet he prevents them with a resolution of their doubt. 5. When disciples are about the use of some means, for resolving of their doubts, Christ will in due time come and clear them; for, so much is imported in that he takes notice that they were enquiring among themselves of that he said; and while they were about that mean, he cometh and resolveth them. 6. Albeit Christ do prevent his perplexed people, and do approve of their use of any lawful means; yet he accounts it still a fault, that they should not employ him in doubtful cases; for, this question, do ye enquire among your selves, &c? doth not only import his notice-taking of their exercise, and an approbation thereof, in so far as they were not resting in ignorance, but making use of that mean; but also, an indirect challenge that they should enquire among themselves, and not employ him.