John 20:29

The last particular in this Narration, is, Christs reproving of Thomas, now when he is recovered; wherein he extenuates his beleeving now, and not till now, and commends and blesseth all these who shall beleeve, though they see not. As all they do, who embrace and close with Christ crucified and risen again, as he is held out in the Gospel, as all these also who beleeved before his Incarnation, though they were not eye-witnesses thereof. Doct. 1. Though Christ be tender and condescending to cure the unbelief of his people, and though they may recover out of their fits, and give a faire Profession of their faith; yet he would not have them forgetting the evil of their unbelief, to reprove and judge themselves for it; Therefore, now when Thomas is beleeving, yet he will rebuke him for his weaknesse. 1. Christ is a skilful and tender Physitian, who allows not, nor intends that we should be put away, or our faith weakned, by his reproofs; Therefore, he will not reprove, except in an indirect way, v. 27. till first he beleeve and be strengthened. 3. To suspend our beleeving upon our sight is reproof-worthy, and in some sort extenuates that faith, in Christs account: And such as get satisfaction to their sense to cure their unbelief, ought yet to consider that Christ hath a quarrel at them, whereof they ought to be sensible and humbled for it; Therefore, saith Christ, by way of extenuation, Thomas, because thou hast seen me thou hast beleeved. Where he doth not condemn the rest of the disciples, who both beleeved and saw, but only his suspending his faith on his seeing. 4. It is a great blessednesse and mercy to beleeve and get faith, as putting them who get it, in a blessed and sweet estate of calmnesse and assurance, and furnishing them with a shield, whereby to ward off many fiery darts, and being a pledge and fore-runner of sweet manifestations and performances from the Lord; for, blessed are they that have beleeved. See Luke 1.45. And this holds true of all beleevers, even of Thomas his own faith, though some share more in it then others. 5. The lesse sensible evidence there be of the object of faith, (provided it be revealed in the Word) there is the greater blessednesse in beleeving thereof; and such faith will be the more excellent and commendable in Christs sight, as participating more of the nature of faith, and giving more glory to him; for, blessed are they that have not seen, and yet have beleeved. See Rom. 4.19, 20. Matth. 15.22.—28. 1 Pet 1.8.