He fills their nets, and they discover who he was. and now they were not 473 cc. They cast therefore, they threw the net therefore as he had directed SECT. able to draw it for the them; and now they were not able to draw it up into the ship again, on account of the multitude of fishes which they had enclosed in it. multitude of fishes. 7 Therefore that loved, saith unto Peter, Lord, he girt his fisher's sea. John XXI. 6. Then John, that disciple whom Jesus pecu-7 disciple whom Jesus liarly loved, when he saw such astonishing sucIt is the Lord. Now cess after all their fruitless toil and disappointwhen Simon Peter ment before, says unto Peter, it is undoubtedly heard that it was the the Lord, who has, on this occasion, renewed coat unto him, (for he that miracle which he wrought in thy ship some was naked,) and did years ago, when he first called us to attend him. cast himself into the (See Luke v. 4—10, Vol. I. sect. xxxiv.) Simon Peter therefore hearing him say, with the appearance of such good reason, that it was the Lord, was so transported, that he immediately girded on his coat (for he was in a manner naked, having nothing on but his inner-garment), and threw himself directly into the sea, and swam to shore, that he might pay his earliest duty to his dear Lord, and testify his joy in the condescending visit he was making them. And the other 8 disciples making the best of their way, came to him as fast as they could with the boat, drawing the net [full] of fishes after them; for they were not far from the land, but about two hundred the net with fishes. cubits, or one hundred yards. 8 And the other disciples came in a were not far from land, but as it were two hundred cubits,) dragging little ship, (for they land, they saw a fire of coals there, and fish laid thercon, and bread. 9 As soon then as As soon then as they came ashore, they saw a fire g they were come to of burning coals laid ready there, and fish laid upon it, and a sufficient quantity of bread at hand; which Jesus had miraculously prepared, that they might see how easily he could make provision for them, even when they were destitute of the ordinary means of supply. And, 10 that due notice also might be taken of the miraculous draught they had now made, Jesus said to them, Bring hither [some] of the fish which 11 Simon Peter went you have now taken. And Simon Peter went 11 up, and drew the net aboard, and, with the help of his brethren, drew fishes, an hundred and the net to land; and it was full of great fishes, 10 Jesus saith unto them, Bring of the fish which ye have now caught. to land full of great fifty They were not able to draw it up into the ship again, &c.] This was not merely a demonstration of the power of our Lord, but a kind providential supply for them and their families, which might be of service to them when they waited afterwards in Jerusalem according to his order: and it was likewise a sort of emblematical representation of the great success which should attend their attempts to catch men in the net of the gospel. Compare Luke v. 9, 10. Vol. VI. p. 183. which, f In a manner naked, having nothing on : Come 474 CC. Reflections on Christ's appearance at the sea of Tiberias. for all there were so many, yet was not the SECT. which, upon taking the number of them, they fifty and three and found to be no less than an hundred and fiftythree; and though they were so many and so net broken. XXI. 11. great, yet the net was not broke. John 12 13 14 Ver. 12 Jesus saith unto And none of the dis Lord. Then Jesus said to them, Come [and] refresh yourselves, after the fatigue you have had for them, Come and dine. so many hours. And none of the disciples pre- ciples durst ask him, sumed to ask him, Who art thou? or took upon Who art thou? knowthem to inquire how he came thither, or whence ing that it was the he procured the provision he then offered them? well knowing that it was the Lord, though he conversed with them in something of a distant manner ; but left him to proceed in his own way, as judging it most respectful to leave it to him to direct the discourse to more intimate and particular subjects, in such a manner, and by such degrees, as he should think fit; which he presently after did. Jesus therefore came and took bread, as the master of the feast, and, having blessed it, as he used to do, gave [it] to each of them: and likewise gave them some of the broiled fish. And this was now the third time that Jesus 13 Jesus then cometh, and taketh bread, fish likewise. and giveth them, and 14 This is now the shewed himself to his shewed himself to such a number of his disciples third time that Jesus IMPROVEMENT. CHRIST first called these disciples when they were employed 1,3 in the duties of their proper profession in life, and he now manifests himself to them while they were so engaged; perhaps particularly g Come and refresh yourselves.] So I choose to render the word αριςησαίε, rather than dine; as Homer sometimes uses apig or to signify a morning's meal. h The third time he shewed himself to such a number, &c.] Grotius explains this of the third day of his appearance; for he had first appeared to several on the day of his resurrection; then, after eight days, he came to his disciples, when Thomas was present; and now again, he shewed himself at the sea of Tiberias. And it is plainly neces sary that the words should be understood with some such limitation, to make them consistent with the accounts given by the other evangelists and St. Paul; which, when laid together, will prove, that this was indeed at least the seventh appearance that Jesus had made since his resurrection. For he appeared first to Mary Magdalene (Mark xvi. 9.) and then to the women as they returned from the sepulchre (Mat. xxviii. 9.) after this he was seen of Peter (1 Cor. xv. 5.) and then the same day by the two disciples that were going to Emmaus (Luke xxiv. 13-31.) and again the same evening he appeared to the disciples when Thomas was absent (John xx. 19.) on that day sevennight he appeared to the eleven when Thomas was with them (John xx. 26.) and now after these things he shewed himself a seventh time to the disciples at the sea of Tiberias (John xxi. 1.)-But, as John had particularly mentioned before the two appearances which Jesus made to his disciples when they were together (John xx. 19, 26.) it seems most reasonable to conclude, that he reckons this the third as referring to thesc. a Dost 475 CC. Jesus asks Peter if he loved him, and bids him feed his lambs. particularly intending thereby to encourage an honest industry, SECT. in which indeed we are far more likely to enjoy his presence, and to converse with him, than when we throw away our time in idle- John ness and inactivity. xix. 1, 3 A while he leaves them to labour in vain, that when the plenti-3-6 ful draught of fishes came, it might be the more remarkable. Sometimes he may deal thus with his ministers, in their endeavours to catch men; that we may be convinced thereby, to whose power we owe our success, and may not sacrifice to our own net, or burn incense to our own drag. (Hab. i. 16.) All the disciples rejoiced at his appearance; but Peter was the 7 foremost to cast himself at his feet. Conscious that so much had been forgiven him, he is solicitous to shew that he loves much. (Luke vii. 47.) So may the remembrance of our miscarriages work upon us, to make us more vigorous in Christ's service, and to inspire us with such zeal and affection as many waters may not be able to quench, nor the floods to drown! (Cant. viii. 7.) Let us not imagine this miracle was merely intended for a de-11--13. monstration of Christ's Divine power over all that passeth through the paths of the sea (Psal. viii. 8); it was also the work of wisdom and bounty. By the sale of so many large and fine fishes a seasonable provision was made for the subsistence of his disciples at Jerusalem, while they were there waiting for the descent of the Spirit. (Luke xxiv. 49.) Let every circumstance of this kind encourage us to trust him, as the Lord of nature and of grace, who will withhold from us no necessary supply of either, while we are making it our humble and faithful care to promote his glory. SECT. CCI. Christ discourses with Peter at the sea of Tiberias, and gives a remarkable prophecy concerning the death of that apostle. John XXI. 15-24. JOHN XXI. 15. So when they had JOHN XXI. 15. dined, Jesus saith WHEN therefore they had made a plentiful SECT. to Simon Peter, Si mon, son than these? He saith meal on this kind provision which Jesus cci. of Jonas, had supplied them with, there happened some John lovest thou me more circumstances in his succeeding discourse with XXI. 15 unto him, Yea, Lord; his disciples which may be worthy of more disthou knowest that I tinct notice; and particularly this: Jesus said love to Simon Peter, Simon [son] of Jonas, dost thou love me more than these do? Or wilt thou now main a Dost thou love me more than these do?] The original words whey lay, are amVOL. VII, 3 biguous; and, besides the sense I have love 476 cci. John He thrice renews the question and the charge. He saith Feed my SECT. maintain that thou hast such a zealous regard love thee. unto him, for me above any of thy brethren, as thou once lambs. didst profess, when thou saidst, that though all XXI. 15 should forsake me, thou wouldst not do it? (Mat. xxvi 33, p. 343.) He saith unto him, Yea, Lord, thou knowest that I love thee sincerely, though I presume not to say more than any of my brethren. [Jesus] said to him, If so, feed my lambs; and as I shall favour thee so far as to commit my church, in part, to thy apostolic care, remember that the most acceptable way of expressing thy love to me will be by taking care even of the weakest and feeblest of my flock. 16 And, to impress this with the greater force upon his mind, he says to him again the second again the second time time, Simon [son] of Jonas, dost thou indeed lovest thou me? He love me? He answers him as he had done be- saith unto him, Yea, fore, l'ea, Lord, I appeal to thee for the sincerity that I love thee. He Lord; thou knowest of that regard which I have to thee, thou know- saith unto him, Feed est that I truly love thee. [Jesus] says to him my sheep. again, Feed then my sheep with tenderness and care, and thereby demonstrate the truth of thine affection to me. 16 He saith to hing Simon, son of Jonas, 17 He saith unte 17 And, that it might never be forgot by him, him the third time, love me more than thou lovest these nets, and b Feed my lambs] The paraphruse and cause he trifling, nor can any example of the like distinction be produced. It is much more natural to suppose in general, that lambs here (as in Isa. xl. 11, and many other places) may signify the weakest of the flock, which, by the way, it is by no means to be taken for granted that the laity always are. So that, on the whole, this argument for the Pope's supremacy seems almost as contemptible as that which some writers of that communion have drawn from these words, to prove that heretics, though princes, are to be put to death by authority derived from Peter; cause feeding the flock implies a power of killing wolves. (See Boyle's Philos. Comment. Vol. I. p. 82.)-I shall only add, that some have observed, that apvie, being the diminutive of age, signifies the least of my lambs; and, if we interpret this as an intimation of the care which Peter, as a minister of Christ, was to take of little children, it seems perfectly congruous to the wisdom and tenderness of the great Shepherd of the sheep, to give so particular an injunction concerning it; as I have shewn at large in my Ten Sermons on the Power and Grace of Christ, Serm. vii, < When Peter is told by what death he shall glorify God. thou me? And he said 477 eci. John Cause he said unto him and will that love of thine bear the severest trial? SECT. the third time, Lovest Peter was exceedingly grieved, that he said to unto him, Lord thou him the third time, Dost thou love me? And he knowest all things; said to him with great earnestness, My dear XXI. 17, thou knowest that Lord, thou knowest all things; thou seest the ve love thee. Jesus saith unto him, Feed my ry hearts of men, and, seeing mine, thou knowest sheep. that I do indeed love thee; though my late lamentable fall might justly bring it into question, and my repeated denial of thee renders me worthy of such a rebuke as this repeated inquiry im plies. Jesus says to him, Well, Peter, I acknowledge thou dost indeed love me, and know how to distinguish between frailty and treachery; and therefore I not only own thee as a disciple, but confirm thee in thine apostolic office, again requiring thee to feed my sheep; and be assured, that I consider thy zeal for the edification and comfort of my church, as the most acceptable token thou canst possibly give of thy love to 18 Verily, verily, thou wast young, thou me. And indeed thou shalt approve that love, not 18 say unto thee, When only by labours, but by sufferings too: for ve girdedst thyself, and rily verily, I say unto thee, and would have thee walkedst whither thou to remember it as what shall surely come to pass, wouldst : but when that when thou wast a young man, thou didst gird shalt stretch forth thy thyself, and walk about without controul whitherhands, and another soever thou wouldst; but when thou art grown shall gird thee, and old, thou shalt stretch out thine hands, and ancarry thee whither thou other shall gird thee, as a helpless prisoner, and thou shalt be old, thou wouldst not. 19 This spake he, death he should glorify at length shall carry thee whither thou wouldst And this he said, signifying and intimating by 19 low me. 20 Then Peter turn And Peter did so with great alacrity; but 20 ing about, seeth the turning about, he saw that other disciple whom disciple whom Je sus Jesus e When thou art grown old.] Peter's cru- years after this; but the time is not exactly tifixion is said to have bappened about forty and certainly known. |