John 2:6–8

Thirdly, John recordeth Christs part with the servants, which is contained in two directions given by Christ, and their obedience. The first is, to fill up some great vessels (used by them for holding of water for purifying themselves) with water, which they did: And this was by way of preparation to the miracle. The second is, to draw out and carry this wine to the governour of the feast, whose skill was best, and his senses most entire; which they also obey; And this direction presupposeth the miracle wrought by his secret power, and their obedience maketh way to the manifesting of it. Doctrine 1. This manner of the purifying of the Jewes, for which they had the water-pots, to have water still in readinesse, whether it be understood of purifications enjoyned by the Law, or of the multiplyed washings brought in among them by tradition, Mark 7.3, 4, &c. doth teach; That Apostates and such as have lost the life of Religion, may yet be unwilling to quit all shew of Religion, but may hold up external ceremonies, yea may be ready then to multiply them most, as quieting any thing of a natural conscience that is left, and as being very easie, and craving no inward exercise of the heart; for, so was the manner of the Jewes, in their declining times. 2. It is not in vaine to wait for any thing Christ giveth hope of by his Word, for he will make it good in due time; As here, the want of wine is supplyed by miracle, of which he gave some hope by his speech to his mother. 3. Christ doth not deceive people in the good turnes he doth for them, but they are all real, and every circumstance of them being marked, doth confirme the same, and set out his glory; Therefore, are the circumstances so narrowly marked, to set out his glory, in proving that there was no deceit in the miracle; the water-pots, and not hogsheds, where wine dregs might have given some relish to water, do prove there was no jugglery; their matter, being of stone, not capable of the sent of former liquor, confirmeth the same; their great capacity prevented suspition of stealing in of wine, which might have been suspected of lesser vessels; his employing of the servants, and not his disciples, takes off any suspition of collusion; his sending it to the Ruler, or orderer of the feast, without so much as tasting it himself, shewed how certain he was of the thing. 4. Where ever Christ cometh, he is worthy of his own roome, and doth liberally recompence any entertainment he, or his receive from any; for, whether his presence and his disciples (being beyond the number of guests expected) occasioned the want or not; yet he payed his dinner well with abundance of wine in six water pots, containing two or three firkins apiece. 5. Miracles wrought by Christ for confirming his doctrine, were such works as were useful and profitable to men; such as this here. Whereby he would condemn such as boast of idle and uselesse miracles, serving for no profit, which favour not of Christ, not of power from him, nor of his doctrine, to be confirmed by them; And by this also he would prove himself to be the merciful Saviour of sinners, in that he manifests himself to be God by these works and the like, when he might have proved it by sad judgments on sinners. 6. It is no difficultie for Christ to work the greatest work he pleaseth, and to make a change from worse to better; for, this miracle is wrought immediately by his Godhead, without so much as a word, only he bids them fill water and draw wine. 7. Christ, in his deepest humiliation and abasement, is full of Majestie, and he knoweth how to get instruments to do him service when he pleaseth; yea, he can bow their hearts, who in appearance know nothing of him, to be foot and hand for his work; for, being in the forme of a servant, yet these servants, who knew him not, as would seem, obey all his directions, how uselesse — like soever they seemed to be.