John 7:33–34

Followeth Christs Sermon on this occasion, spoken in audience of all the people, as appeareth, ver. 35. and of the officers also, as may be gathered from, ver. 46. The summe of it is; That however they thought him a thorn in their side, and that they would never be well till he were gone; Yet he would continue the time appointed him, and then he would returne to the Father. But they needed not be so earnest, for they would want him but too soone, and should not finde him, though they would gladly have him. So that this doctrine contains not only a consolation which Christ takes unto himselfe, that he would be preserved from their fury till his hour was come, and then would returne unto his Father, where he would be without their reach: But a threatning also against the persecutors. For albeit the same be also said to his disciples, Chap. 13. 33. yet in different senses; for though the outward separation was the same, yet his heart was diversly affected toward them; The separation of the one was but for a time, and in part only; but the others, perpetual, and total, as is to be cleared in its own place. Here the meaning is, that they would want him but too soone, and he being gone, in their ensueing calamities, they should misse their promised Messiah, but finde none, since they sought another then him. And though they would be glad of him, yet they should not be able to finde or come to him in heaven, seeing they understood not spiritual seeking, and wanted faith, whereby to obtain accesse. Doctrine 1. It beseemeth Christs followers, not to be moved with dangers, but rather to be affected with pity toward persecutors, and to warne them of their danger; for, so doth Christ here; He is not daunted with the coming of these officers, but preaches out his own encouragements, and their hazard to them. See Acts 20.23, 24. Jer. 26.14, 15. 2. It is but folly for persecutors to think to gain their point by violence, or to put away Christ and his truth, for they will not be rid of him till he have done his work, but so long as he pleaseth, he will stay, and vexe them more who are already angry enough; Therefore, saith he, notwithstanding their great hast, yet awhile am I with you. See Luke 13.31, 32, 33. 3. Men have little cause to be weary of Christ, nor need they seek to put him away by violence and persecution, for their contempt and malice against him, and their not making use of him, will cause him to go away but too soone; Therefore, saith he to them, it is but yet a little while I am with you, being now near the end of his Ministry, and so he tels them they would have him but too short while. 4, When persecutors are doing their utmost, yet it is but a little while that Christ and his followers will be troubled with them, for death will put an end to the worst of it; So much also is imported in this, yet a little while I am with you, and then I go, &c. 5. While Christ expresseth his violent death and sufferings in these termes, I go, &c. he not onely imports that he voluntarily underwent that death, otherwise none of them had power over his life, John 10.18. But also teacheth his followers not to be strangers unto death, nor to look even upon a violent death for truth, in these colours wherein sense would present it, but to be so familiar with death, and dwelling on thoughts of mortality that they may willingly close with it, when they get a call, and say, I go. 6. It may sweeten the godlies thoughts of death, even a violent one, to consider, that here they are strangers, then they go home; here they are unknown and persecuted, there they will be owned and respected by God; for, so doth our forerunner cast us the copy, I go unto him that sent me, where I will be at home with my Father. See 2 Cor. 5.1, 2.3, 4 6. Phil. 1.23. 7. Albeit it be sufficient matter of comfort to the godly, that God can, and when he pleaseth, will preserve them in the midst of dangers; yet it addes to their comfort, that the day cometh, wherein they will be visibly above the reach of all their enemies, and be made to triumph over them; for, so much also is held out here in Christs encouragement, that when he is gone, he would be above their fury, and they should not reach him, though they would. See 1 Cor. 15.54, 55. 8. Greatest despisers of Christ may be made to misse and desire him, when he is gone; for, saith he, ye shall seek me. Not onely shall many of them desire to have him to persecute, but to no purpose (as is said before;) but in the ensuing calamities, they would earnestly long for, and desire their Messiah, to be a comfort unto them. 9. There are many who may earnestly seek after Christ, who yet, in Gods judgement, shall never finde him; for, ye shall seeke me, and shall not find me. See Amos 5.11, 12. For not onely was their desire too late, now when he is gone, (and seldome is such a desire sincere) But. 1. They failed in seeking their Messiah in general, continuing to despise him, and persecute him in his members; and so many pretend to love piety, when it is spoken of in a general notion, and yet do persecute it, when they see particular effects of it in any. 2. They failed in desiring a Messiah bodily present with them, when now he is gone to heaven. And herein they reap the just fruit of their despising him, when they had him among them, and of their carnal dispositions, that could not ascend by faith to him, if they had acknowledged him to be the Messiah. 3. They failed in their end in desiring the Messiah, not that he might expiate their sin and being in everlasting righteousnesse, but onely that he might deliver them from trouble, and make them prosper under him in the world. And therefore it is just, that such seekers come no speed, how earnest however they seem to be. Doctrine 10. Such as desire not Christs company, where they are, in this life, are justly secluded from coming to be where he is; for, therefore saith he to these who would persecute him from among them; where I am, thither ye cannot come. Not onely shall they be denied accesse in their seeking, but shall be secluded for ever from his, and his peoples blessed society.