"If any man thirst, let him come unto me, and John vii. "Him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out. 37. John vi. 37. EDINBURGH: JOHNSTONE, HUNTER, & CO. 141. k. 543. COME AND WELCOME. JOHN VI. 37. All that the Father giveth me shall come to me, and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out. A LITTLE before, in this chapter, you may read that the Lord Jesus walked on the sea, to go to Capernaum, having sent his disciples before in a ship, but the wind was contrary; by which means the ship was hindered in her passage. Now, about the fourth watch of the night, Jesus came walking on the sea, and overtook them; at the sight of whom they were afraid. Note. When providences are black and terrible to God's people, the Lord Jesus shews himself to them in a wonderful manner; the which, sometimes, they can as little bear as they can the things that were before terrible to them. They were afraid of the wind and water; they were also afraid of their Lord and Saviour, when he appeared to them in that state. But he said, "Be not afraid, it is I." Note. That the end of the appearing of the Lord Jesus unto his people (though the manner of his appearance be ever so terrible) is to allay their fears and perplexities. Then they received him into the ship, and immediately the ship was at land whither it went. Note. When Christ is absent from his people, they go on but slowly, and with great difficulty; but when he joineth himself unto them, O how fast they steer their course; how soon are they at their journey's end! The people now, among whom he last preached, when they saw that both Jesus was gone and his diciples, also took shipping, and came to Capernaum, seeking for Jesus. And when they had found him, they, wondering, asked him, Rabbi, when camest thou hither? But the Lord Jesus, slighting their compliment, answered, “Verily, verily, ye seek me, not because ye saw the miracles, but because ye ate of the loaves and were filled." Note. A people may follow Christ far for base ends, as these went after him be |