John 7:14

Followeth the second thing which occurred at this feast, containing Christs preaching in the mid-dayes of the feast, with the consequents that followed thereupon, to ver. 37. In this ver. is recorded that Christ went publickly into the Temple and taught, whereby he supplyed the defect of the dumb and corrupt Priests, who at such solemnities were bound to teach the people out of the law. Whence learn, 1. Christs not appearing till the midst of the feast, sheweth, that albeit he subjected himselfe to fulfil all righteousnesse, yet his great errand was not the feast, but the gaining of souls at it. And it teacheth, that the gaining of souls to Christ is the great work and end, to which the use of all Ordinances should be directed. 2. While they are about sacrifices in the Temple; Christ goeth up and teacheth there; no doubt, (as appeareth from the following Sermon, ver. 37.) inviting them to himselfe, as the substance of all these shadows; And it teacheth, that when people are taken up with the practice of external Ordinances, they have much need of Christs teaching, that they rest not on these, but presse after the marrow and substance of them. This was the great sinne of that time, that they rested on these rites, and had few or none to bid them go forward. And albeit the true Religion be a living way, wherein men may still continue fresh and lively, even to old age, Psal. 92.13, 14. Yet formality is a very frequent disease, and they who labour hard till they attain to somewhat, may be ready to sit down, when they have attained it. 3. In that Christ, who before lurked and kept himselfe secret, doth now appeare openly in the Temple; It teacheth, that whatever caution Christs servants should use, yet when their calling presseth them, they should without fear, cast themselves, if it were in the midst of bodily dangers; as their Master did before them. 4. Albeit John record many Sermons, which the rest omit; yet he doth not expresse what Christ preached at this time; only it appeares from the following ver. that his doctrine was admirable. This the Lord hath, in deep wisdom, ordered, to teach, That as we are bound to know what Christ revealeth, so we should be sober, and set bounds to our curiositie, when he is pleased to keep up any thing: And as Christ hath revealed all that is necessary for salvation; so by his wrapping up some things in silence, he would sharpen our appetite, and encrease our desire after that day, wherein we shall know as we are known.