John 7:6–9

In these verses, we have Christs answer and refusal returned to their desire, both by word and practice; Wherein, 1. Christ sheweth that there was a great difference betwixt him and them, verse 6. His time was not yet come, whereas theirs was alway ready. Which however it be true in general, that natural men, though, by right, they have not allowance to do what they list, at any time; yet in effect and practice, they walk as they list, and take any time they please; Whereas he behoved to choose times, and walk according to his Fathers direction: yet it seemes here rather to shew what difference there was betwixt him and them, in this going up. He who was maligned and hated, behoved to wait for a sit time and season, lest he should cast himself on a snare, and tempt God, but they could come no time wrong, being in no such peril. This difference (2.) he confirmes from a reason, verse 7. They might go up at any time, seeing the world could not hate them, who were but yet children of this world; but he behoved to choose his sit time, being hated of the world, because of his plain and free doctrine. 3. From this he inferreth, verse 8. that they might go when they list, but he would not go till his full time came, 4. His practice is recorded, verse 9. as agreeing with his resolution: from verse 6. Learn, 1. Meeknesse doth beseeme Christ and his followers; and that they meet the impertinencies of carnal men, without heat or passion: Therefore doth Christ so meekly answer their carnal desire. 2. The Lord hath appointed times and seasons for every course and lawful action, which prudent and godly men are bound to observe; for, so doth Christ observe, that his time is not yet come, to go to that feast. 3. Times of trouble and danger to the godly, should make them very tender, to wait on Gods direction for every step of their walking, that they neither cast themselves needlessely on trouble, nor yet do sinfully labour to avoid it; for, so much doth Christs practice teach, who being in danger, found that his time is not yet come to go up, albeit the feast was near, because he was to go up privately. And as he knew his time by the Spirit of the Lord resting on him; So he used this caution, that he might professe his voluntary humiliation, even to sinlesse fear, for his peoples good, and that he might leave a pattern to them. 4. Such is the ordinary temper of this world, that Christ and his followers must oft-times lurk, when carnal men may appear in it without hazard; Therefore, saith he, but your time is alwayes ready.

From verse 7. Learn, 1. Unrenewed men, what ever their priviledges be, yet, are but of the same stamp, and in the same condition with the rest of the world; they do savour of it, and continuing in that condition, will get their portion in it; Therefore are the Jewes and the Rulers, from whom Christs hazard was at this time, called the world, albeit they judged far otherwise of themselves, considering their priviledges. 2. Albeit the Lord, in his righteous judgement, do sometime make the men of the world plagues and scourges one to another; Yet as there can be no communion kept with the world, unlesse men will share in their wickednesse: So it is most usual that worldlings agree well enough together. Therefore saith he, The world cannot hate you, being such as themselves are. 3. Such as the men of the world are, such are their actions and fruits; for, the works of the world are evil. Not onely have they grosse vitious actions, but even such actions as are in themselves good or indifferent, are in them, evil. 4. Unrenewed men will not readily be troubled or vexed about their actions, but would sleep securely, if others did not vex them with telling them of their way; for, this is the worlds trouble here, that he testified that their works are evil. 5. Whatever be the hazard, yet Christs servants are bound, in their stations, to bear witnesse against the evil courses of the world; for, so doth Christs practice teach. 6. Such as would be faithful in their generation, in witnessing against the courses of the world, must lay their accompt to be hated for their pains; for, such was Christs lot, but me it hateth, because I testifie of it, &c. And this he did encounter with, not onely to expiate our love to the world, and our sinful communion with it, but to cast us a copy of what we are to expect. 7. Such is the perversity of the corrupt world, that no evidence of affection, in dealing with them for their good, will gain them, but rather insence them; for, albeit he but testified of their works, by his innocent life and doctrine, to reclaime them from them, yet the world hated him. 8. Whatever pretences of zeal persecutors of Christ and his followers may have; Yet the true cause of their spleene, is the opposition that is made to their wickednesse and hypocrisie; for albeit they pretended to hate him, because he had prophaned the Sabbath, as they alledged; yet Christ sheweth the true cause of this hatred, because I testifie of it, that the works thereof are evil

From verse 8. Learn, 1. Christ approveth that Ordinances be reverenced; And albeit men be corrupt who administer them, and they but carnal who go unto them; yet he allowes not that they neglect, or give over the use of the lawful Ordinances, as his appointed means; Therefore, saith he, Go ye up unto this feast, which however, in some respects, it imports onely a permission, and giving up of them to themselves, who were so carnal, (as is to be after cleared;) yet, simply considered, it imports an approbation of that Ordinance, and that it was their duty to frequent it. 2. Such as seek Christs company onely for carnal and ambitious ends, may expect to want it, even in going about sacred Ordinances; for, in so far did Christ give them up, as to want his company in this journey, where they expected onely carnal advantages by him. Go ye up, I go not up yet to this feast. 3. Tender walkers, especially in times of trouble and hazard, will be very acurate in the least circumstances; So much appeareth in Christ, who goeth not up yet, because albeit the time in general was come, yet it was not yet full come, and therefore he would not yet stir.

From verse 9. Learn 1. It is not enough, especially in times of trial, that men have clear light and good principles, unlesse they have also honesty and resolution, to follow their light; for, herein Christ hath given us example, who, upon these grounds, abode still in Galilee. 2. Christ is not changable, and one thing in his expressions, and another in his doings and actions, but is uniforme and still the same, in his doings and sayings; as here we see. 3. When the Lord giveth clear light to any to know their duty, they must not be shaken from it upon any termes, whatever pretences might militate to the contrary, to brangle their resolution; Therefore, albeit Christ knew that men would take advantage, to carp at him, because of his lurking in Galilee, and this refusal might savour of contempt of his kinsmen; yet knowing that his time was not yet full come, he abode still in Galilee.