Exposition of John, Chapter 1 · Verse 24
Ver. 37. And the two Diſciples heard him ſpeak, and they followed Jeſus.
38. Then Jeſus turned and ſaw them following, and ſaith unto them, What ſeek ye? They ſaid unto him, Rabbi, (which is to ſay being interpreted, Maſter) where dwelleſt thou?
39. He ſaith unto them, Come and ſee. They came and ſaw where he dwelt, and abode with him that day; for it was about the tenth hour.
From this to the end of the Chapter we have the calling of five diſciples, not to the Apoſtleſhip, for that was afterward, nor yet ſimply by converſion, at leaſt all of them, for ſome of them were Johns diſciples, and beleeved in the Meſſiah to come; and Nathan…el was a ſincere man: But to the acknowledgment and embracing of the perſon of Jeſus Chriſt as the promiſed Meſſiah.
The firſt two wrought upon by Johns laſt teſtimony, are Andrew, as appeareth from ver. 40. and (belike) John, becauſe he marketh the circumſtances ſo punctually. They hearing Johns doctrine, are taken with it, and follow Chriſt. And Chriſt enquiring their errand, they declare they ſought to him as their Teacher, and to have more acquaintance with him; Upon which they are warmly invited, and ſtay with him all night, learning excellent things, as appeareth from the effects. Doctrine 1. Small ordinances and few words may do much good, when Chriſt is pleaſed to breath, and that which hath no effect at one time, may yet be bleſſed at another; for, John, ſhort teſtimony doth now work on all that were his hearers at that time, though we read of no effect the ſame doctrine more amply enlarged, had the day before. The two diſciples heard him ſpeak, they ſo heard now as their hearts were touched and drawn to beleeve. 2. As the doctrine of Chriſt, as a ſacrifice for ſin, is ſweet to ſuch as are trained in the ſchool of repentance, as Johns diſciples were; So this doctrine is the chief inſtrument of converſion: Whatever other divine doctrine men receive, it will but turne them Moraliſts, unleſſe they alſo receive and embrace the doctrine of Chriſt crucified, and himſelf ſo held out in it, to make them Chriſtians indeed; for, behold the Lamb of God, was the doctrine they heard him ſpeak, which wrought upon them. 3. Such as do rightly hear Chriſt preached, will never get reſt till they attaine to ſome more acquaintance with himſelf; The heart touched by the Word, is ſet on work to follow after and ſeek communion with him, and for this end, will miſſe and follow after him, never reſting till they get him; So much are we taught by theſe diſciples practice, they heard him ſpeak, and they followed Jeſus. 4. Chriſt taketh notice, and knoweth wel-enough who they are that follow him, although his back ſeeme to be toward them; for, his turning, and ſeeing them follow, importeth, that he knew they were behinde him. 5. Albeit Chriſt ſeeme to go away from theſe who follow him, and let them follow awhile that ſo he may ſtirre them up, and exerciſe and diſcover their faith the more: Yet ere all be done, he will turn and manifeſt himſelf unto them: ſo much are we taught by this practice, Jeſus turned and ſaw them following. 6. Such as follow Chriſt would very ſeriouſly try and enquire their end in ſo doing; Whether it be eaſe and outward things, o… ſpiritual ends; Whether himſelf, or his gifts; and, What eſtimation they have of him, if they be ſeeking himſelf; And before they do this, and be ſingle in their aime, they will not finde Chriſts ſweet entertainment. Therefore, Chriſt at firſt propoundeth this Queſtion, What ſeek ye? …s needful to be anſwered, and till then he keeps a diſtance. 7. One right end of ſeeking to Chriſt, is, out of the ſenſe of our ignorance and errours, to employ him to be our ſouls Maſter and Teacher, who can infallibly and effectually inſtruct. So much may be gathered from that title they give him; They ſay unto him, Rabbi, which is to ſay being interpreted, Maſter, or, Teacher. 8. Such as have any ſound knowledge of Chriſt will uſe meanes to be more acquainted with him; And ſuch as come to him for right ends will not have ſoone done their errands with him, nor get enough of him; So much is imported in their anſwer; Where dwelleſt thou? as minding to have more familiar acquaintance with him, then to get a little information by the way onelyonly. 9. Such as ſeek Chriſt for himſelf, will get warme invitations and entertainment from him at laſt; And as they are not willing to have ſoone done with Chriſt, ſo he will finde meanes to hold them on with him; for, be ſaith unto them, come and ſee, he doth not tell them, that they might come when they liked, but draweth them along with him: And if we take it up ſpiritually, it imports, That his ſincere followers will be made to know by experience the place where his honour dwelleth, by taſting of the bleſſing of publick Ordinances, till they come to dwell with him for ever. And, That they can better take up theſe things by ſeeing and experience, then by any report. 10. When Chriſt giveth invitations, it is wiſdome in his people to embrace the offer, and not to ſit their time, when either the Word, or the lively operation of the Spirit with it, is calling and alluring their hearts; for, upon his call, they came and ſaw where he dwelt 11. Such as follow Chriſts call, may not onelyonly get what good they expect, but his providence may caſt unexpected benefits in their way; for, they abode with him that day, for it was about the tenth hour, or, (according to the Jewes calculation, who divided every day into twelve hours, which therefore were longer in Summer, and ſhorter in winter) two hours before night. They came onelyonly to know the place of his abode, but providence ordered, that they got a nights lodging with him, that they might learn more of him.