John 7:1

CHAP. VII.

IN this Chap. John continueth his Narration of Christs life and doctrine; Recording, first, That to avoid the fury of these in Judea, be continued still in Galilee after the former Sermon, till the feast of Tabernacles, ver. 1. Secondly, That he refused to go up with his friends to that feast, ver. 2.—9. Thirdly, That at last he went up, ver. 10. with what he did, and what occurred concerning him at that feast. And namely, 1. The peoples carriage and speeches about him, before he shewed himselfe, ver. 11, 12, 13. 2. His preaching in the mid dayes of the feast, and his conferences and debates with the people, and inhabitants of Jerusalem, and his hazard from the Pharisees thereupon, ver. 14. — 36. 3. His sweet Sermon on the last day of the feast, with the effects thereof, and the confusion that arose in the councel of the Rulers about him, from, ver. 37. to the end.

In this ver. it is shewed that after these things which are mentioned in the former Chap. Christ abode still in Galilee, avoiding the fury of these in Judea, who sought to slay him, because of that work he had long since done, in curing the impotent man on the Sabbath day, Chap. 5. as appeares from ver. 19. and 23. of this Chap. So the ver. sheweth the connexion of the History, that Christ stayed away from that passover mentioned, Chap. 6. 4. and continued in Galilee till the feast of Tabernacles, of which ver. 2. And it contains also a briefe transition of what occurred betwixt the former Sermon and that feast, wherein John briefly passeth over many things, which are recorded at length by other Evangelists, that he may dwell on these things which they had omitted. Doctrine. 1. Christ is not bound to any place, were it never so eminent, but he may abandon it, and betake himselfe to another, according as he seeth cause; for, he forsakes eminent Jury, and betakes himselfe to base Galilee; And the reason why he stayed there when he left Jury, was, because he was the Minister of the Circumcision, and therefore behooved to be still in some of the places where Israel dwelt, such as Galilee was. 2. Whatever may be the suspitions of men concerning Christs proceedings; yet he hath wise reasons, which may and will justifie them all; for, whereas it should seeme that he should rather have conversed where the learned Rabbi’s were, then among the simple Galileans, and his remaining in corners might give men occasion to suspect the candor of his proceedings; yet the reason he giveth being considered, doth sufficiently evince that he had just cause for what he did. 3. A violent death is the least that Christ and his faithful servants may expect, for their good offices to a wicked world, if it were not prevented; for, the Jewes (or, men of Judea, and especially their Rulers) sought to kill him. 4. The rancour and malice of wicked men against Christ, is so inveterate, that no length of time will mitigate or allay their fury; for, although that work was long since done, yet they still sought to kill him. 5. Albeit Christ will not take away his presence and ordinances from a people, because of every sinne, but doth rather offer himselfe to sinners, as a Physician to the diseased; Yet cruelty and persecution is a just cause, and forerunner of his departure: And faithful Ministers may for a time, withdraw themselves, being threatned with personal hazard, if they may conveniently get it done. Both these are imported in this resolution, he would not walk in Jury, because the Jews sought to kill him. 6. Albeit Christs servants may warrantably, in some cases, withdraw from personal danger; yet they would beware of dishonouring God, by doing it out of slavish feare, or in a timerous way, but would use that mean of selfe preservation, as a dutie commanded; for, so much doth his own practice teach, of whom it is not said, he durst not, but he would not walk in Jury, because he was cammanded to preserve himselfe till his hour came. 7. Albeit Christ knew that his hour was not come, and so needed not feare them, though he were in the midst of them; yea, being God, he could restrain them, or rid himselfe out of all their hands, as oft-times he did: Yet it pleased him to use this mean, of retirement and withdrawing of himselfe, for his own preservation; Not only, that, as sometime he proved himselfe God, by miraculous preserving of himselfe; so, he might also temper these manifestations, that they might not be kept back from doing that which he came into the world to suffer; But further also; that he might give proofe of his deep humiliation and abasement, for our sake; that he might, in his own person, sanctifie such a lot to his people; and, that he might teach them to expect Gods providence about them, for their preservation, in the use of lawful means. 8. As Christ and his servants will not want employment in some places of the world, however they be entreated in others; So albeit they may be secluded from many places and parts of their calling, yet they have no warrant to be idle, but ought still to be doing good, as they may; Therefore, albeit he stayed in Galilee, yet he did not lurk there, but walked in Galilee, or, went about from place to place, preaching and working miracles, as was his way, Act. 10.38. 9. Christ is not only tender to such as come to him, but will also be at pains to seek them who have need of him, to do them good; for, he walked in Galilee, he stayed not in one place, that any who had need, might come to him, but he walked about, to seek them.