John 7:10

Followeth the third part of the Chap. wherein is recorded Christs going up to the feast, with what followed thereupon. In this ver. it is shewed, that at his own appointed time he went up, yet in a private way, not in the company of his kinsmen & friends, but with his disciples and some few followers, possibly (among other reasons) that they might not intercept him by the way, and that he might try their thoughts of him, before he appeared, as afterward it fell forth. And here John passeth over some things that occurred in his journey, which are recorded by some of the rest, that so he may hasten to the following history. Doctrine, 1. Such as have not embraced nor closed with Christ, but remain still in their natural condition, may yet be very careful to observe outward ordinances; for, his brethren were gone up. 2. Albeit the Lords servants may for a time, in some cases, withdraw themselves from danger; Yet when God calls them to appeare, they should do it without shrinking, though the danger continue; for, when his time was full come, he also went up unto the feast, though the malice of the Jewes was not yet abated. 3. The cruelty and ingratitude of a people will not hold Christ away, where he hath any good to do, for, he went up again to Jerusalem, however they stood affected to him. 4. Courage in following of a calling, should not be looked on as inconsistent with prudence; and with the carriage of our selves in a secret or open way, as may most contribute for the great work of our calling; Therefore Christ went up, not openly, but as it were in secret, whereby he not only sheweth that he subjected himselfe to this wary way, that he might purchase unto us boldnesse before God; But as in the former purpose, we are taught how he sanctified slight and retirement in his own person, and as afterward he leaveth us a pattern of undoubted boldnesse: So here, by carrying himselfe privatly till he come up, and till the people be conveened, and his enemies somewhat settled, after they misse him at the beginning of the feast, he would teach them that as faint-heartednesse is none of his lessons, so neither is temerity and rashnesse approven by him; And that great circumspection should be used in our engageing in trial, and then it should be resolutely managed.