John 21:6–7

The third branch of this Narration contains the way how he came to make himselfe known unto them. He, having drawn out a confession of their want and ill successe, adviseth them where to cast out the net, promising them successe: which they obey (not because they knew him as yet, but because they are not willing to neglect any opportunity or counsel, or possibly because they have supposed him to have skill) and get a great draught, v. 6. And by this he is first discerned by John, and by him Peter is informed, v 7.—which is not to be understood as secluding the rest, (for they come also, v. 8.) but he speak it in audience of all to Peter as being nearest him, or Peter is only marked to be spoken to, because of his singular fact upon this information. Doctrine 1. Christ our Mediatour is true God, and hath a providence over all the creatures; even the fish of the sea are under his feet, and he knoweth where they swim, and can command and bring them to his peoples hands, when he pleaseth; for, he knoweth where the fishes are to be found, as having brought them (as appears) from some other part of the lake, to the place where they so long sought and found none. Cast the net on the right side of the ship and ye shall finde. 2. When Christ is about to do great things for his people, yet he will not have them neglecting means and endeavours; for, though he bring the fish to their hand, yet he will not cast them into the ship, but commands them to cast the net. 3. These to whom the bad successe of their toile is blessed, they will become tractable thereby, and will be ready to hearken to counsel; for, the Disciples, toiled with labour and bad successe all night, do hearken to the counsel of a supposed stranger, They cast therefore. 4. Christ suffered no decay of his power by his sufferings and death, but is as able to work wonders, and do for his people, as ever; for, as before he had wrought such a wonder as this, Luke 5.5, 6. so here again, after his resurrection, and now they were not able to draw it for the multitude of fishes. 5 Christ is not only a God near hand, but a God a far off also, and can do as much for his people at a distance, as when he is nearer hand them; for, Luke 5. he wrought the like miracle when he was with them, now he works this when he is upon the shore, and they in the ship. 6. Christ did afford this miraculous successe, beyond any thing they not only met with, but could expect in their ordinary diligence; Not to give his people any ground of expecting constantly such allowances in outward things; but, as to confirme by this (as by other proofes) that he is true God, and to perswade them that his allowances and workings are liberal, like himselfe; So also, to teach his people, by this and the like instances, that he could wonderfully provide outward things for them, if it were for their good. As here, the Disciples finde, they were not able to draw it for the multitude of fishes. And this should teach beleevers to rest contented with the ordinary allowances which their wise and al-sufficient Lord carveth out unto them. 7. As Christ will not alwaies keep himselfe as a stranger, but will be known to his people; So he takes pleasure to make himselfe known unto his people by a good turn done for them; for, at last he makes himselfe known, and it is by this miraculous allowance, compared with the like miracle, Luk. 5. that John knew him. 8. Christs working will speak for it selfe; and a right discerner will know him by his working, though he should never speak one word, to tell what he is; for, Therefore that disciple said, it is the Lord, though he had not told so much. 9. Love to Christ and feeding on the sense of his love, will help a Disciple to discern and know him, as soon as any; for, it is that disciple whom Jesus loved, who first knew, it is the Lord. 10. What ever singular excellency there be in any disciples, it floweth not from any thing in themselves, but from Christs love to them; for, it was because he was that disciple whom Jesus loved, that it is given him to love, and know the Lord. 11. Such as are dignified with any ability to discern Christ, ought to be communicative thereof, for the good of others; for, that disciple said unto Peter, it is the Lord.