John 16:29–30

In these and the two following verses, is contained the third part of the chapter, wherein Christ doth give a meet entertainment to their faire profession of proficiency and faith concerning him. These verses contain their profession; wherein, 1. Being satisfied with his former way of doctrine, they professe that he spake plainly, and without proverbs, and consequently, that they had made proficiencie and understood him. 2. They deduce two inferences from this, testifying their further proficiencie, beside the understanding of what he said, 1. That by his preventing their question, v. 19. they were perswaded of his omniscience, and that none needed to informe him of their case by questions, as if he were ignorant thereof. 2. That the knowledge and experience of this his omniscience, did further confirme them in the faith of his Deity. Now concerning this profession, as it cannot be denied but there is some good in it, and they had sound faith, which Christ acknowledgeth, v. 27. and they had already professed it, chap. 6.69. so when we consider Christs entertainment thereof, we will finde some excesse of presumption in it; for, albeit Christ did indeed speak plainly, yet the time was not come, wherein he had promised they should ask him nothing, v. 23. And therefore they presumed more of their knowledge, then they had cause; and albeit they believed that truth, that he came forth from God, and that upon solid ground; yet their faith was not full enough, since they had not employed their faith about the matter of his removal, which he had pressed upon them, v. 28. Doct. 1. Whatever divine truth Christ seems to speak more obscurely in one place, it will be found fully cleared and explained elsewhere; for, now, say they, speakest thou plainly, and speakest no proverb. 2. It is a great comfort to Christs followers to understand his Word, and it is the propertie of divine truths, that when they are apprehended in any measure, they do wonderfully affect and refresh the heart; for, say they, by way of admiration, lo, now speakest thou plainly, &c. being wonderfully refreshed with the light they received. 3. Christ will be found omniscient, by all them who know him rightly; for, we are sure that thou knowest all things, &c. 4. Preventing means give his people but little to do, and are very affecting when they are found; for, it held in their pains, and did very much affect them, that he gave proof, he needed not any man should ask him. 5. Christ doth then become very precious to hearts, when he by his Word meets with what is in their hearts; for, this did ravish them, that he needed not be asked, but lighted upon what was in their thoughts, v. 19. 6. Christ is then rightly taken up in his properties, when he is acknowledged to be God, and when faith closeth with him as such; for, it followeth on the former, By this we beleeve thou camest forth from God. 7. When weak beginners get any measure of knowledge or faith, they are in peril to run upon the extremities of rashnesse, and presumptuous conceit; for, with this was their profession here hinted, wherein they speak, as if they had attained to a full measure, and needed not depend on the promise of the Spirit. 8. When we try the solidity of our faith, we should look especially to its ground, whether it be the solid Word of God, or some extraordinary work only, which may affect for a time, but not prove constant enough; for, in this their professed faith was faulty, that it was begotten, rather by the act of his proving his omniscience, then by the Word. 9 We may have very low thoughts of our own faith, as its best, when we consider the many defects thereof, and how far short it cometh; for, in this their faith was faulty, that however they beleeved he came forth from God, yet their faith fell short in what was their present exercise, concerning his return to the Father.