John 9

They are not taught of God; they have Christ's Word to enlighten them, but not his Spirit to sanctify them. But, that you should have the inward, as well as the outward teaching, that Christ should anoint you with the heavenly unction of his Spirit, that you can say, as in (John…

Quest. But how comes faith to be so precious? Ans. Not as it is a more holy quality, or as if it had more worthiness than other graces, but respectu Objecti, as it lays hold on Christ the blessed object, and fetches in his fullness (John 9:16). Faith in itself considered, is but…

This could not be the Church of the Jews neither in its whole body, nor in any of its judicatories. For as at that time there was a solemn decree of excommunication against all and every one that should profess his Name (John 9:22): the Jews had already agreed that if any man di…

And you are Peter, and upon this Rock (Jesus the Christ, whom you have confessed) I will build my Church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it (Matthew 16:16, 17, 18). Many for fear durst not in those days confess Jesus to be the Christ: Instance the Parents of the…

Therefore this figment is contrary to common sense, the meaning of the words, the design of the place, and other express testimonies of Scripture, and is of no use, but to be an instance how men of corrupt minds can wrest the Scripture for their ends to their own destruction. Th…

They are not Christ's that neither know how they are called, nor can give any proof that they are called. The blind man (John 9), when they asked him, 'How did he come to open your eyes?' answered, 'How he did it I cannot tell; but this one thing I know, that whereas I was blind…

And some have well observed, that of the two, the name Christ seems to be more peculiar and distinguishing than the name Jesus. For the Jews never took offence at any for calling him Jesus, but they excommunicated such as confessed him to be the Christ (John 9:22); neither did t…

Yet this we may add withal, that if the Apostles and those primitive Christians, men of such excellent discerning were sometimes deceived, and could not always so discern, but that some hypocrites would creep into the Church: as the example of Ananias and Saphira does witness; h…

I read (Luke 4:28, 29) that Christ was in a great tumult cast out of the city of Nazareth — but this I hope no man will call excommunication. The blind man (John 9:34) was indeed excommunicated out of the synagogue, but we nowhere read that he was thereafter found in the Temple:…

It is most true, none can work faith, but the only Creator and Author of faith: but will the Author hence infer, no man, the most wicked, nor any that ever heard Christ or his Apostles preach, doubted of their faith? 2. The sun, with all its light, cannot persuade a blind man wh…

And Matthew 12:24: This fellow does not cast out devils, but by Beelzebub the prince of the devils. Generally they looked upon him as an enemy to Moses; John 9:29: We know that God spoke to Moses, as for this fellow we know not from where he is. Others had a more moderate opinio…

But when the plagues and miseries should cease, then the Lord would open the eyes of those that were his, to the end they might see and embrace the goodness of God. For this is the true way to effect the restoration of the Church; namely, in giving sight to the blind, and hearin…

We do not render to God the honor which is due to Him, unless with reverence and modesty we adore His justice, when it is concealed from us. Whoever wishes to obtain more full information on this point, may consult my Commentary on these words, Neither has this man sinned, nor h…

If we see a man that boldly calls God his Father, and commonly speaks in the most bold, familiar and appropriating language in prayer, My Father, my dear Redeemer, my sweet Savior, my Beloved, and the like,—and it is a common thing for him to use the most confident expressions b…

On the like occasion did the Pharisees ask of our Saviour that question with pride and scorn; are we blind also? Joh. 9. 40. But as he lets them know, that their presumption of light and knowledg, would serve only to aggravate their sin and condemnation, v. 41. so he plainly tel…

2. That the great reason why the Jews adhered so pertinaciously to Mosaical institutions was their persuasion of the unparalleled excellency of the revelation made to Moses. This they retreated to, and boasted of when they were pressed with the doctrine and miracles of Christ (J…

Causes of Niddui. Instance, John 9:20. Of Cherem.

Though all men have always sin enough to be the meritorious cause, yet oftentimes sin is not the moving cause of their afflictions. When the disciples put that question to Christ concerning the blind man (John 9:2), 'Master, who did sin, this man or his parents, that he was born…

Others denie the Historie of Moses to be true, by reason of Noahs Arke, which (they say) as it is described for quantitie could not containe a couple of every kind of creatures, with prouision and fodder for them, for a whole years space: of this opinion was Appelles an auncient…

It is imprudence for one to begin to work for Heaven, when he is past his labor. There is a night of sickness and death coming, and our Savior says, The night comes when none can work (John 9:4). Sure a man can put forth but little violence for Heaven when old age, and old sins…

He was called a blasphemer, and was accounted by many a wizard, or one that wrought miracles by the black art, and communication with Beelzebub. They excommunicated him, and agreed to excommunicate any man that should own him, as, John 9.22. They wished him dead, and were contin…

3. Neither may we dispute or racket arguments with Satan. Object. We may dispute with Heretics, and convince them, though they be Satan's instruments (Titus 1:9; Titus 3:10), and the blind man (John 9) hold up a dispute in defence of Christ against the Pharisees; therefore we ma…

It were good men were not permitted to treasure up pieces of brass and copper, and suffered to dream they have a treasure of gold. 4. Sense of deadness in prayer oftener speaks the life of prayer; and a godly sense of blindness is a large measure of seeing (John 9:41). Obj. 2. T…

3. There is a spiritual disposition in the conscience of the Centurion (Luke 23:47), in Thomas (John 20:27), in Peter (1 Peter 5:8). The contrary whereof was in the Pharisees and Rulers wrestling against the manifest light of God (Matthew 12:22, 23, 24; Matthew 21:33, 34 & 45, 4…

Job 26:7. He stretches out the North over the empty place, and hangs the Earth upon nothing; give a reason of East and West. 3. The Lord puts forth sovereignty on Jeroboam's arm to dry it up, on Mephibosheth's feet, upon the man's eye-holes (John 9) that they should be empty of…

It's better experiencedly to feel, than literally to search how the word is the chariot, the Spirit the driver of the chariot. 2. Such as receive the ingrafted word, or the word and Spirit, shall not much dispute how or by what cleft quâ rimâ the Lord came in, here he is now, th…

I have heard (and my soul is grieved for it) that since my departure from you, many among you are turned back from the good old way to the dog's vomit again. Let me speak to these men: it was not without God's special direction that the first sentence that ever my mouth uttered…

But there is also a believing on him, called believing on the name of the Son of God (1 John 5:13). So also (John 9:36) yea the distinct affixing of faith, affiance and confidence on the Lord Jesus Christ the Son of God, as the Son of God; is most frequently pressed. John 3:16.

The word which is Metaphoricall, as to the businesse we have in hand, is used in the Scripture, both in its primitive, native sence, in reference to things Naturall, as also in the tralatitious use of it about things Politick and Spirituall or Morall. In its first sence we have…

As then was said before, the Scriptures being [illegible], is not the case the same, as with a man that was so? is there any thing in the Writing of it by Gods Command, that should impair its Authority? nay is it not freed from innumerable prejudices that attended it, in its fir…

Thus That is often taken in Scripture. John 9:39. Christ says there, For judgment I am come into the world, that they which see not, might see; and that they which see, might be made blind. It was not Christ's scope to do so, but Christ foresaw that this would be the event of hi…

There is far more reason why we should hear God, than God hear us: for there is more equity in his precepts, than there is reason in our prayers; and we are bound to obey God's will, more than he is to grant our request: and therefore if we would not have God turn away his ear f…

This is a great hindrance to the entertaining of the word. So Christ tells the Pharisees who were conceited of their own knowledge (John 9:39), For judgment am I come into this world, that they which see not, might see; and they which see, might be made blind. The Pharisees were…

So (2 Chronicles 18:23) he smote him on the cheek, and said, "When went the spirit of the Lord from me, to speak to you?" So the Pharisees hated Christ, because of his free reproofs (John 9:40): "Are we blind also?" They cannot endure to hear of their faults, especially from one…

And our Lord Jesus came to be, and give light to them that sat in darkness (Luke 1:76-79). And indeed none but he can open the eyes of them that are born blind (John 9). He was the light of the world, which without him is a dark dungeon.

There are moreover spiritual judgments, which sin is the woeful cause of; judgments that light immediately on the souls of men, and which are indeed the most fearful; though sinners themselves are for the present the least sensible of them: a blind mind is a dreadful judgment. J…

What it was in the sermon that could possibly offend, I cannot guess, unless the eighth head; and I wonder not much at their offence at that, since it appears they are weak brethren. It is sad that men should walk not as wise but as fools, when the drift of the discourse was to…

The word there used in the original implies a sleight of hand as we call it, when such wily spirits can turn themselves into all shapes, to [reconstructed: slip past] the evidence of the Truth; so many windings and turnings, so many twistings of devices, so many outs and doubtin…

For it is above the power of natural generation, that the substance of one creature should be really turned into the substance of another, as the substance of a rod into the substance of a serpent. Of the like kind, were the standing of the sun in the firmament without moving in…

Now this they cannot do, for if the blind, lead the blind both shall fall into the pit of destruction. And here I might have just occasion of complaint: first, of the superstitious pride of the late clergy of this land, who could not endure to have their doctrine tried by their…

That under such ceremonies is contained no higher mystery, they shall easily judge who note how great liberty the Lord and his Apostles used in these outward things. The Lord going about to restore sight to the blind man, made clay of dust and spittle, some he healed with touchi…

This text and sermon would be out of season to preach to the damned in hell. If I should bid them work, it is too late, their time is past; 'tis night with the devils, 'tis yet day with you; work while it is day (John 9:4). If you lose your day, you lose your souls.

And (1 Peter 2:8): The stone which the builders refused is made a stone of stumbling, and a rock of offence, even to them which stumble at the word, being disobedient, to which also they were appointed. With that of our Saviour himself (John 9:39): For judgment I am come into th…

The places are: Matthew 12:32; 13:22, 39, 40, 49; 24:3; 28:20; Mark 4:19; Luke 1:70; 16:8; 20:34, 35; Acts 3:21; Romans 12:2; 1 Corinthians 1:20; 2:6, twice, 7, 8; 3:18; 10:11; 2 Corinthians 4:4; Galatians 1:4; Ephesians 1:21; 2:2; 6:12; 1 Timothy 6:17; 2 Timothy 4:10; Titus 2:1…

This is manifestly the argument, by which he presses on us the present diligent discharge of our duty; and this argument would be utterly inconclusive, if there were another state, in which what our hand now finds to do, might be done. Of similar import is (John 9:4): I must wor…

No man would understand the expression in any other sense than this, that in the midst of the war and battle, he was struck with conviction of his wickedness, and became cordially reconciled to his sovereign. If the Doctor depended on the original words [in non-Latin alphabet],…

When my father and mother, says David, forsakes me, the Lord will take me up (Psalm 27:10). Have you not read of that poor man which the Pharisees excommunicated for cleaving to me, and how the Lord Jesus graciously received him (John 9:35)? Come, Poverty, don't fear, the worst…

Wildfire cannot roast raw flesh. 2. God hears not sinners (John 9:31). Let his prayer be sin (Psalm 109:7).

That which is next, is a word of the Essential principle of true Faith, and that is a proportionable measure of grace (Philippians 1:29) required in Faith: men naturally imagine that faith is a work of nature; hence that speech of a multitude of Atheists (I believe all my days,…

It is time of war with the saints in this life: and then all cities keep watch, and strangers without a pass are examined, searched and tried, what correspondence they have with the enemy. 4. God's way of hardening by Satan is often mysterious, silent, dumb and speaks not (John…