OBSERVATIONS
ON
Select Passages of Scripture.
TURNED INTO
Catechetical Questions.
Begun, March 12, 1738.
OBSERVATIONS on Select Passages of Scripture.
LUKE, Chapter XXIII.
Ver.
8.Q. WHY would not Jesus Christ shew Herod a miracle?
A. Because in all probability, it was only to satisfy his curiosity that he desired to see one.
Q. What may we learn from Herod’s never having seen Christ before?
A. That Christ was no friend to courts; that pomp and greatness keep thousands from Jesus Christ; and that we ought therefore rather to thank God for our being in a lower estate.
12.Q. What may we learn from the friendship made between Pilate and Herod, by the death of Christ?
A. That Jew and Gentile, by Christ’s death, were to be united together in one body: Herod being a Jew, and Pontius Pilate a Gentile.
18.Q. When do we as these Jews did?
A. When we prefer our sins, (which are robbers, because they rob us of God’s favour) to our Saviour’s service.
26.Q. What may we learn from Simon the Cyrenian’s bearing the cross?
A. That they who would follow Christ, must follow him by the way of the cross.
31.Q. What is the meaning of this verse?
A. A good man in scripture is compared to a green fruitful tree, (See Psalm 1st.) and wicked men to chaff, and are represented also by a barren fig-tree: the meaning of the verse therefore seems to be this: If they do this to me, who am a good man, how will God deal with that wicked people the Jews?
32.Q. Why was Christ crucified with the thieves?
A. To fulfill this saying, “And he was numbered with the transgressors.” Isaiah liii. 12.
Q. Why between them?
A. As though he was the unworthiest and basest of the three.
34.Q. What may we learn from hence?
A. To pray for our most bitter enemies.
38.Q. Why was the superscription written in Hebrew, Greek, and Latin?
A. To shew that Jesus Christ was to be the Saviour of all nations, tribes, and languages.
39.Q. What may we learn from the behaviour of the impenitent thief?
A. That for the generality, those who live all their lives in sin, die hardened.
40.Q. What may we learn from the behaviour of the penitent thief, and Christ’s behaviour towards him?
A. That there is mercy for the worst of sinners, through Christ the Saviour.
Q. May wicked men draw any reasons from hence, to defer their repentance till a death-bed?
A. No, by no means.
Q. Why?
A. Because probably this thief had never heard of Christ before. 2dly, He might not have been so notorious a sinner as is imagined, though drawn in by surprize or temptation to commit the crime for which he suffered. 3dly, God converted him, to honour his Son’s death, that he might in the very agonies thereof triumph over the devil. 4thly, Because he gave uncommon instances of his faith: he calls Christ, “Lord,” when his own disciples had forsook him, when the High-priest, scribes, and rulers were deriding him, and his own divinity under an eclipse: none of which circumstances are applicable to a wilfully wicked man, that defers repentance till he comes to die.
44.Q. What is the sixth hour?
A. Twelve at noon.
Q. What the 9th?
A. Three in the afternoon.
45.Q. What was the vail of the temple?
A. A curtain that parted the two places, where the Jews and Gentiles worshipped.
Q. Why was it rent in twain?
A. Because by the death of Christ, the partition wall between Jew and Gentile was to be broken down.
46.Q. Why did Christ cry with a loud voice?
A. To shew that he died full of vigour.
Q. What may we learn from his calling God, Father?
A. That we are to acknowledge God to be our father, though under the severest dispensations of his providence.
51.Q. What learn you from hence?
A. That we must not follow a multitude to do evil.
53.Q. Why was it remarked, that Christ’s grave was hewn out of a rock?
A. Because then it could not be said, that his disciples digged under, and stole it away.
Q. Why that he was laid in a grave, where never man before was laid?
A. Because then if any one’s body did rise, it must be that of the Lord Jesus.
56.Q. What may we learn from the last part of this verse?
A. That even the most civil offices due to our nearest friends, ought not to hinder us, if possible, from keeping the sabbath-day holy.
CHAPTER XXIV.
1.Q. What may we learn from this first verse?
A. That we should rise early in the morning on the Lord’s-day, and offer him the spices and odours of praise and thanksgiving.
4.Q. What is meant by the two men?
A. Two angels in the shape of men.
7.Q. Why must the Son of Man be crucified?
A. Because we had deserved to be accursed by God; and crucifixion being an accursed death, (for it is written, “cursed is every one that hangeth upon a tree”) he became a curse for us.
11.Q. What may we learn from the disciples not believing the women’s report?
A. That we ought more firmly to believe the truth of our blessed Lord’s resurrection, since his own disciples were the last who gave credit to it.
14.Q. What may we learn from hence?
A. That christians ought to talk of good things as they walk together.
17.Q. What from hence?
A. That Jesus Christ takes notice of the conversation, and more especially of the griefs of his people.
26.Q. Why must Christ rise again and enter into glory?
A. To assure us God was satisfied for our sins; that he was no impostor or cheat; and to assure us of the resurrection of our bodies after death.
Q. Why must he rise the third day?
A. Because if he had continued longer, the body must have seen corruption; and then the prophecy would not have been fulfilled, which says, that “God’s Holy One was not to see corruption.” Nor would he have fulfilled the type of Jonah.
28.Q. What may we learn from Christ’s first refusing to go in?
A. That in small matters, though we may at first refuse a thing, yet we may afterwards, without forfeiting our words, comply therewith; it being supposed, that we promised on the supposition we had no better reason to the contrary.
29.Q. What may we learn from hence?
A. That we should, when evening comes on, constrain Christ by our prayers, to tarry with and watch over us all night.
30.Q. What may we learn from hence?
A. That we should never presume to eat, without first asking a blessing.
31.Q. What may we learn from Christ’s vanishing so soon out of their sight?
A. That the spiritual visits of Jesus Christ in this life, are but of a short continuance; which should set us upon preparing for that place, where we shall see and be with Him to all eternity, without interruption.
36.Q. What may we learn from Christ’s saying to his disciples, “Peace be to you,” though they had all so lately forsook him?
A. That we ought never to upbraid those who have offended us, when they give marks of repentance; and also, this should encourage sinners to hope for blessings from Jesus Christ, though they have sinned against him.
45.Q. What may we learn from hence?
A. That it is impossible to understand the scriptures, without the illumination of the Spirit of Jesus Christ: “For the natural man discerneth not the things of the Spirit.”
Q. Ought we therefore to pray before we read the scriptures?
A. Yes, by all means.
49.Q. What is meant by the promise of the Father?
A. The Holy Ghost, which was to come upon the Apostles at the feast of Pentecost.
53.Q. What is meant by their being continually in the temple?
A. That they were there at all hours of public prayer.
Q. What should we learn from thence?
A. That we ought to go and do likewise.
JOHN, Chapter I.
Q. Who was the author of this gospel?
A. John, the disciple whom Jesus loved.
Q. Why did he write it?
A. To confound the heresy of Ebion and Cerinthus, who denied the divinity of our blessed Lord: and therefore, through the whole gospel we find he takes all opportunities of proving, that Jesus Christ was very God of very God; another thing he had in view when he wrote it, was to supply what was wanting in the other Evangelists; therefore he chiefly relates to us those particulars which the other Evangelists had omitted.
Q. What may we learn from God’s permitting some of the Evangelists to leave out what the others put in, and again some inserting what others have left out?
A. That God would hereby oblige us to read all; and also to exercise our understanding, that by comparing spiritual things with spiritual, we might find out the truth.
1.Q. Who is meant by the Word?
A. Jesus Christ.
Q. Is there any proof in this verse, that Jesus Christ is God?
A. Yes: “And the Word was God.”
Q. Why was it necessary that Jesus our Saviour should be God?
A. Because it was impossible for any creature to satisfy for our sins.
3.Q. Is here any proof of the Divinity of Christ?
A. Yes: because the work of creation is ascribed to him.
4.Q. Is there any proof of it in this verse?
A. Yes: “In him was life.” For whosoever has life in or of himself, must be God.
5.Q. Who is meant by the word “light.”
A. Jesus Christ, who came to enlighten us, by revealing God’s will to us.
Q. What mean you by the word “darkness?”
A. The dark minds of men.
11.Q. What is meant by the word “own?”
A. The Jews, who were God’s peculiar people.
13.Q. Can you paraphrase this verse?
A. Which were born not of blood, i. e. not by any natural generation; nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, i. e. not by human adoption, but of God, or by the free grace and power of God only.
14.Q. What does the Evangelist allude to here?
A. The tabernacle, with the shekinah, or glorious appearance that used to be in it; which were types of Jesus Christ: the former representing his humanity, the latter his divinity residing or abiding in it. It is therefore said in the margin of some bibles, “Tabernacled amongst us,” plainly alluding to the Jewish tabernacle in the wilderness.
16.Q. What mean you by these words, “Grace for grace?”
A. That Christ came to give us grace, that we might get more of it: or rather it should be rendered, “Grace upon grace.” For Jesus Christ came to purchase for us not only a sufficiency, but an abundance of grace.
41.Q. What may we learn from hence?
A. That when we are converted ourselves, we should endeavour to bring others, especially our own relations, to the knowledge of Jesus Christ.
Q. What may we learn from these words, “We have found the Messiah?”
A. That young converts are very apt to think they have apprehended Christ, whereas they are rather apprehended by him.
49.Q. What may we learn from Nathaniel’s behaviour, and Christ’s answer?
A. That a child-like simplicity, is the best preparative for the reception of divine truth.
51.Q. When was this fulfilled?
A. Acts i. when his disciples saw him carried up into heaven; and it will be more fully accomplished, when Jesus Christ shall come to judgment in the glory of his Father, with his holy angels, to be admired by his saints.
CHAPTER II.
2.Q. What may we learn from Christ’s being at the marriage in Cana?
A. That it is an honourable state, otherwise he would not have been present at it.
Q. What may we learn from these people’s calling Christ to the marriage?
A. That those who are about to enter on a marriage state, ought above all things, by prayer to invite Jesus Christ, it being for want of that we have so few happy matches.
3.Q. What may we learn from the blessed Virgin’s acquainting Christ that they wanted wine?
A. That it is good, when we go to poor people’s houses, to see what they want; and if we cannot relieve them ourselves, to apply to others, especially to Jesus Christ, to grant them what they want.
4.Q. What may we learn from Christ’s answer to his mother?
A. That in some measure she was to be blamed, for making so free with our Saviour; that our relations, even our parents, ought not to be regarded, when they would hinder us in religion; and that it can never be presumed, that the Virgin has such power over our Lord, as the Church of Rome supposes, now he is in heaven, since he said to her upon this occasion, “Woman, what have I to do with thee,” when he was on earth.
Q. May it not be supposed that Christ had shewn some miracle before he entered on his public ministry?
A. There is great reason to think he had, or otherwise it is hardly to be imagined, she should so readily apply to him to work a miracle on this occasion, or bid the servants to take such notice of his orders.
Q. What is meant by Christ’s saying, “Mine hour is not yet come?”
A. Mine hour for working this miracle is not yet come; the wine being not quite, though very near out, as the original word signifies: our extremity is Christ’s opportunity.
5.Q. What may we learn from this verse?
A. That what the Virgin said to these servants, we should think said to ourselves; and whatsoever Christ saith unto us, we must do.
6.Q. May there any thing be gathered from this verse, to confirm the truth of our Saviour’s miracle?
A. Yes: the watering-pots being made use of by the Jews, to purify or wash themselves, as they came in and out, as the Papists now make use of their ridiculous holy-water; it was plain nothing but water used to be put in them, and being made of stone, supposing wine had formerly been put in them, no tincture of it could remain to colour the water that Jesus Christ commanded to be put in; which could not be said, had they been made of wood.
7.Q. Who were they that Jesus bid to fill the water pots?
A. The servants of the house.
Q. What may we learn from that?
A. It confirms the miracle; since he did not employ his own disciples, but the servants of the house, who were entire strangers, therefore could not be supposed to join in a cheat.
Q. What may we learn from the servants filling the vessels up to the brim?
A. That therefore no wine could possibly be put in to colour the water, or mix with it.
8.Q. What is meant by the governor of the feast?
A. It alludes to a custom among the Jews, who at their entertainments used to chuse one particular person in the company, to preside over the rest for that time, in order to prevent disorder and excess.
9.Q. Why is it remarked, that the Governor knew not from whence it was?
A. Because then he could have no hand in it, therefore his testimony could be the more relied on.
Q. What spiritual meaning is under this miracle?
A. The wine represents the Spirit, which Jesus Christ pours into the hearts of true believers; but though the comforts of the Holy Ghost, with which they are filled, are exceeding rich here, yet those in heaven will so far surpass them, that when we come there, we shall have reason to say with the Governor of the feast, “Jesus Christ has kept his good wine until now.”
13.Q. Why is it so often remarked, that Jesus went up to Jerusalem to the passover?
A. To teach us how careful he was to submit to every ordinance of God, and to set us an example to follow his steps. Never, therefore, if possible, be absent from the gospel passover, the sacrament or memorial of his own blessed body and blood.
14.Q. How came there tradesmen to be in the temple?
A. There was a command from God, that all the males should appear before him at Jerusalem three times in a year, (of which the feast of the passover was one) and that none was to appear before him empty. Now it being inconvenient to bring cattle, &c. so many miles as some of them were distant from the temple, these persons sat here with oxen, &c. to sell to those who came up to Jerusalem to worship and offer sacrifice.
Q. Was not this a plausible pretence?
A. Yes; but our blessed Lord’s resenting it in this manner, shews us how jealous he is of the honour of his house, and how he resents the least misbehaviour in the public service of the church.
Q. Was it not a bold thing of Jesus Christ to venture himself among such a company of persons?
A. No doubt of it; and therefore some have thought, that this was the greatest miracle Christ performed; and by this our Lord would shew those in power, that if they will be zealous in reforming abuses, and go out in the name and strength of God, they know not what great success they may meet with.
16.Q. What may we learn from Christ’s saying to them that sold doves, “take these things hence?”
A. That our zeal ought to be according to knowledge; that we should pray for that wisdom which dwells with prudence; and, more especially, be very cautious how we act in works of reformation; as Christ here did not loose the doves and let them fly about the temple (which would have occasioned a confusion) but ordered those that sold them, to take them thence.
Q. When do we make the house of God a house of Merchandise?
A. When we go on purpose to seem religious, in order to get business; and when we talk with others, or let our own thoughts run on worldly things at public worship.
25.Q. What may we learn from the Evangelists saying, that Jesus knew what was in man?
A. That Jesus Christ therefore was God, it being impossible for any one but God to know what is in man.
CHAPTER III.
1.Q. What may we remark from Nicodemus’s coming to Christ?
A. That it is a good thing to see rulers come to Jesus Christ; and though not many mighty, not many noble are called, yet some are.
2.Q. Why did Nicodemus come by night?
A. For fear of man.
Q. What may we learn hence?
A. That when religion is out of fashion, there will be many Nicodemites.
Q. Is not the fear of man common to all converts?
A. Yes; but where the heart is upright towards God, it wears off daily.
3.Q. What do you learn from Christ’s answer?
A. That it is not sufficient to have an historical faith of Christ, without being born again from above.
Q. What is it to be born again from above?
A. It is to have a principle of new life implanted in our hearts by the holy Spirit, which life must be evidenced by a man’s bringing forth the fruits of the Spirit.
Q. Why cannot a man see the kingdom of God unless he be born again?
A. If by the kingdom of God, be understood to mean the kingdom of grace, then it is plain an unregenerate man cannot see it; or cannot understand its doctrines, because they are spiritually discerned. But if by the kingdom of God, be meant the kingdom of glory; then, unless a man be born again he cannot see it, because we being impure by nature, except we are renewed, we cannot dwell with a pure and holy God.
5.Q. Does not this verse urge the absolute necessity of water baptism?
A. Yes, where it may be had; but how God will deal with persons unbaptized we cannot tell. What have we to do to judge those that are without?
10.Q. What learn you from this verse?
A. That it is a shame for ministers to pretend to teach others, who are not taught of God themselves.
13.Q. What learn you from these words, “The Son of man which is in heaven?”
A. That Jesus Christ is God, since he declares he was then in heaven, though discoursing at that time with Nicodemus, which could not be, unless he was God.
CHAPTER IV.
4.Q. Why must Christ needs go through Samaria?
A. Because there was a woman to be converted there.
Q. What learn you from thence?
A. That where God has got people to be called, he will find means to bring them to himself.
6.Q. What may you observe from Christ’s being weary?
A. That he was truly man.
7.Q. What learn you from Christ’s saying “Give me to drink?”
A. That our blessed Lord underwent much fatigue in going about to preach to sinners. And that we ought not to be ashamed to beg, when providence reduces us to an indigent life, or to pressing circumstances.
9.Q. How can it be said that the Jews had no dealing with the Samaritans, when in the foregoing verse we are told, the disciples were gone to buy food?
A. They might do some few good offices to, but had no general commerce with each other.
10.Q. What may we learn from Christ’s introducing religious talk by asking for a little water?
A. That we ought to spiritualize every thing we meet with, and take all proper opportunities to introduce religious conversation wherever we are.
14.Q. What does Christ mean by “the water he should give?”
A. The holy Spirit.
Q. Why is the holy Spirit represented by water?
A. Because, as water washes away the filth of the body, so the holy Spirit cleanses the pollution of the soul; and as water refreshes the thirsty, so do the comforts of the Holy Ghost refresh the spiritual man.
Q. What may we learn from these words, “shall be in him a well, &c.?”
A. That where God has begun a good work, he will carry it on to the day of our Lord Jesus Christ.
15.Q. What may you learn from this verse?
A. That we should pray to Christ, as this woman did, and beg him to give us his holy Spirit, that we may not apply to outward things for comfort.
20.Q. Why did the woman mention this to Christ?
A. Because, there was a dispute between the Samaritans and Jews, which was the proper place of worship, Jerusalem or mount Gerizim. And from hence arose such an enmity between them, that they would have no dealings with one another.
23.Q. What is the meaning of this verse?
A. That now Jesus Christ was come, God’s worship could not be confined to any particular place, but persons might every where lift up holy hands to God.
24.Q. When may we be said to worship God in spirit and in truth?
A. When we are inward with him in our worship, and not only honour him with our lips, but with our affections and lives.
26.Q. What may we learn from Christ’s revealing himself so freely to the woman?
A. That he will as freely and spiritually reveal himself to every believing heart.
27.Q. What may we learn, from the disciples wondering that he talked with a woman?
A. That men, especially ministers, ought not too freely to converse with persons of that sex.
28.Q. What learn you from the woman leaving her water-pot to go into the city?
A. That we should leave our worldly business, rather than neglect at proper times to attend on the means of grace.
29.Q. Did not the woman tell an untruth here?
A. No, for Christ might have told her all. However, as Christ had revealed to her the greatest secret of her life, she might easily infer that he could tell her every thing else.
32.Q. What may we learn from this answer?
A. That we ought, after the example of our master, to forego our ordinary meals sometimes for the sake of doing good. And we may also learn, that a true christian has meat to eat, spiritual comforts, which the world knows not of: a stranger intermeddleth not with his joys.
34.Q. What learn we hence?
A. That it ought to be our meat and drink, or as much pleasure and our constant business to do the will of God, as to supply our bodies with proper food.
35.Q. What does Christ mean when he bids his disciples “to lift up their eyes?”
A. In all probability, he pointed to the Samaritans whom he saw crowding over the fields, coming to hear his doctrine.
38.Q. What does Christ mean by this?
A. That the prophets had prepared the way for his coming, by their prophecies, which made the disciples work far more easy.
41.Q. What learn you from hence?
A. That though there are many external proofs of the divinity of Christ’s doctrine, yet his own words or his doctrine best explains itself: the divine image and superscription being written on every precept and line of it.
47.Q. What learn we from the Nobleman’s coming to Christ about his sick son?
A. That parents should apply to Christ for their sick children, and that afflictions should drive us to God.
48.Q. Wherein was this Nobleman to be blamed?
A. In that he confined Christ’s power to his bodily presence. Therefore to convince him of his frailty, and to strengthen his faith, Christ cured his son at a distance.
52.Q. What is meant by the seventh hour?
A. One in the afternoon.
53.Q. What learn we from this verse?
A. That bodily distempers are all cured by the power of Christ, and that those who are now recovered from sickness, are raised up as certainly though not so visibly by him, as was the Nobleman’s son.
CHAPTER V.
6.Q. What learn you from Christ’s asking this question? “Wilt thou be made whole?”
A. That he will know our wants from ourselves.
8.Q. What learn you from Christ’s bidding him to take up his bed and walk?
A. That though Christ is the first mover in recovering us from our natural and spiritual impotency, yet we must concur in the use of means.
9.Q. What learn you from Christ’s doing so many works on the Sabbath?
A. That doing good, is a proper way of sanctifying the Sabbath.
13.Q. What learn you by Christ’s conveying himself from the multitude?
A. That we should do good, but endeavour at the same time to avoid the praise of man.
14.Q. What learn you from Christ’s finding the man that was healed, in the temple?
A. That it is good to see people, after they are recovered from their sickness, going to the temple to return thanks unto God.
Q. What learn you from the latter part of this verse?
A. That sickness is often sent as a punishment for sin. That if we do not mend when God chastises us with whips, or light afflictions, we must expect to be chastised with scorpions, or greater trials.
18.Q. What learn you from the latter part of this verse?
A. That the Jews thought, though the Arians deny it, that Jesus Christ believed and made himself to be very God.
35.Q. What learn you hence?
A. That people generally like a good minister for a little while, but afterwards familiarity breeds contempt.
41.Q. What learn you hence, and in the 44th verse?
A. That we should seek that honour only which cometh from God, as also that it is impossible to be a christian, if we seek to please the world.
CHAPTER VI.
2.Q. What do you learn from hence?
A. That it is too common, for people to follow a minister through curiosity, more than to be edified by his doctrine.
5.Q. What learn you from Christ being solicitous for the feeding of his hearers bodies?
A. That the body is to be taken care of, and that Christ is as careful for us now he is in heaven, as he was for the multitude when on earth. That ministers after his example, should do all the good they can to the bodies of men, to convince them they have a love for, and to open a way for giving good advice to, their souls.
6.Q. What learn you from this verse?
A. That the reason why Christ brings us into straits, is to prove us, whether we will trust in him or not.
9.Q. What gather you from the words of Philip, “What are these among so many?”
A. That when we look only upon outward means, no wonder that our faith fail us.
12.Q. What learn you from Christ bidding them “Gather up the fragments that remained?”
A. That we ought to be frugal, though not coveteous; and that they will certainly have much to answer for, who waste their whole estates in gaming.
14.Q. What learn you from the latter part of this verse?
A. That the certainty and greatness of our Saviour’s miracles, is an undoubted proof that he was the true Messiah, since God would never so visibly set his seal to an impostor.
15.Q. Why did Christ depart to a mountain?
A. To teach christians, and particularly ministers, to fly worldly honours; and also to set us an example, that when we are beset with temptations of that kind, it is best to retire alone, to pray to God to be delivered from the evil of it.
26.Q. What learn you from what Christ here said to the people?
A. That he knows from what principles and motives we come to hear the word of God; therefore we ought to take heed how we hear.
53.Q. Have the papists any grounds from hence for their doctrine of transubstantiation?
A. No; for Christ tells us in the 63d verse, that the flesh profiteth nothing, and that his words are spirit and life; i. e. they are not to be understood in a carnal but spiritual sense; and frequently by interpreting them literally, men do greatly err.
CHAPTER VII.
1.Q. What learn you from Christ’s walking no more in Judea when the Jews sought to kill him?
A. That it is our duty, not to expose ourselves to needless dangers; and when we are persecuted at one place, to flee to another, when the glory of God and the good of the church do not require our staying.
7.Q. What learn you from hence?
A. That ministers must expect to be accounted the enemies of mankind, if they are faithful to reprove them, and tell them the truth.
12.Q. What learn you from the different opinions men had of Christ?
A. That every christian, especially every minister, must expect to be variously thought of, and sometimes to be accounted deceivers of the people.
37.Q. Why did Christ cry out thus on the last day of the feast?
A. Because on that day, they used to go and draw water and bring it up to the temple, saying these words of Isaiah. “And they shall draw water out of the wells of salvation.” Jesus Christ seeing them therefore do this, took occasion to discourse of the holy Spirit under the similitude of water.
39.Q. Why was not the Holy Ghost given, till Jesus Christ was glorified?
A. Because till then he was himself on earth, and had not taken on him the kingly office, nor pleaded the merits of his death before his heavenly Father, by which he purchased that invaluable blessing for us.
50.Q. What learn you from the boldness of Nicodemus, in owning Christ before the Jewish Sanhedrim, though at first he came to him by night?
A. That where there is true grace, the fear of man will wear off daily.
CHAPTER VIII.
11.Q. Why would not Christ condemn the woman caught in adultery?
A. Not because he approved of her sin, but because it did not belong to him as a prophet, to be the judge of such matters.
9.Q. What learn you from the persons being convicted from their own consciences, and going out one by one?
A. That wicked men need no other accuser but their own consciences; and that it is absurd to condemn and be inveterate against another, for a crime we have been, or are guilty of ourselves.
Q. Is it to be supposed that all this woman’s accusers had been guilty of adultery?
A. Perhaps not in the very act, but guilty of heart-adultery, as our Saviour explained it in the 5th of Matthew.
6.Q. How did the Jews intend to ensnare our blessed Lord, by bringing this woman before him?
A. They wanted to impeach him, either as severe if he ordered her to be stoned, or as one that gave license to sin, if he forgave her.
Q. What may we suppose Christ wrote when he stooped down?
A. It is presumption to give the least guess, since God has not thought proper to reveal it to us.
Q. What may we learn from Christ’s stooping down, as though he heard them not?
A. That we ought to be unwilling to hear, and not take pleasure in hearing of our neighbour’s faults.
12.Q. How can it be said, that Jesus then spake again unto them, when it is said before, that they went out one by one?
A. Some have supposed, that the discourse which follows at this verse, was at another ♦time; but if the word then should confine it to the present time, it may be reconciled thus. We may suppose where Christ was sitting, there was a vacant place to which the scribes and pharisees brought the woman, and in which Christ might stand alone with her. Now these being convicted one by one, (for it seems plain that Christ spoke only to them verse 7th) they might go out; while such as were there before the scribes and pharisees came might remain; and to them Christ proceeded with his discourse, and spake again on the point which he did, before he was interrupted.
31.Q. What learn you from our Saviour’s discourse with the Jews who believed on him?
A. That young converts ought to be exhorted to continue in well doing; and that perseverance only can denominate us true disciples.
39.Q. What learn you hence?
A. That this is the language of all mere professors: they say, we have Christ for our Saviour; but if they were Christ’s disciples they would do the works of Christ; for in vain we call him “Lord, Lord,” if we do not the things that he says.
48.Q. What learn you from hence?
A. That if Christ who was innocence itself was called a devil, much more will the members of his houshold.
56.Q. What learn you hence?
A. That if Abraham rejoiced at a distance to see Christ’s day, much more ought we to rejoice and give thanks, who enjoy it as present.
57.Q. Does it appear from hence that Christ was fifty years old?
A. No, for it is plain he was not above thirty-four when he was crucified; but we must consider that people in such cases generally speak within compass; and besides, our Lord being a man of sorrows and acquainted with grief, he might look older by far than he really was.
58.Q. What learn you from hence?
A. That Jesus Christ is God, since he takes that title to himself, which God himself made use of when He sent Moses to Pharaoh, Exodus iii.
CHAPTER IX.
2.Q. What learn you from this question, put by our blessed Lord’s Disciples to him?
A. That they believed either the transmigration, or pre-existence of souls; for otherwise how could a man sin before he was born?
3.Q. What learn you from Christ’s answer?
A. That all our infirmities and bodily afflictions, though we may not think so, are ordained by God for our good, and his glory.
5.Q. Should every christian be able to say thus for himself?
A. Yes, for we are commanded to let our light shine before men.
6.Q. Why did Christ put clay on the man’s eyes?
A. To shew the vanity of a tradition of the Jewish church, that it was unlawful to make clay on the Sabbath-day; as also to shew, that God sometimes works by the most unlikely means; and to represent the case of young converts, who before they come to feel the comforts of the Holy Ghost, by spiritual desertion and temptations have as it were their eyes put out.
7.Q. Why did Christ send the man to wash himself?
A. To make trial of his obedience; and farther to teach us, that if we will recover our spiritual sight, we must be workers together with God, in the appointed means.
9.Q. What learn we from the man’s saying, “I am he?”
A. That we should not be ashamed to confess that we have been healed by Jesus Christ.
Q. What may we learn from Christ’s being kind to beggars?
A. That we also ought to be kind to them.
16.Q. What learn you from this first answer of the Pharisees?
A. That ill-will speaks well of no man.
17.Q. What learn you from the beggar’s answer?
A. That we should not fear man, when called to testify of Jesus Christ.
18.Q. What learn you from the Pharisees being willing to have so many evidences of this fact?
A. That they were unwilling it should be true; but there being so many evidences of it, was a great proof of the truth of the miracle.
22.Q. What learn you from this verse?
A. That too many men dare not speak and practice what they know of Jesus Christ and his ways, for fear of losing their reputation, or some other temporal advantage.
24.Q. What learn you from these words, “give God the praise?”
A. That God should have all the glory of any mercies we receive; but here it was spoken hypocritically.
31.Q. What learn you hence?
A. A good lesson, and that we cannot expect to have our prayer answered whilst we continue in sin; but if we serve God to the best of our power, we may be sure we shall be regarded by him: for the effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.
34.Q. What learn you hence?
A. That proud men cannot bear to be taught by any of their inferiors.
35.Q. What learn you from Christ’s seeking and finding this beggar when he was cast out?
A. That when our father, mother, and the world forsaketh us, the Lord will take us up. And that the chief time for Christ to reveal himself to us, is, when we are cast out by men.
37.Q. What learn we from Christ’s making this open discovery of himself?
A. That he will most freely communicate himself to all those who are willing to receive him.
38.Q. What learn you from hence?
A. That Jesus Christ is God; for otherwise it is not to be imagined he would have suffered the man to worship him.
41.Q. What learn you hence?
A. That wilful ignorance is a damning sin.
CHAPTER X.
20.Q. What learn you from this verse?
A. That if they called the Master of the house Beelzebub, much more will they those of his houshold. Christ’s children were always the world’s fools.
22.Q. What learn you from hence?
A. That as Jesus was present at the feast of dedication, which was purely of human institution, 1 Maccabees, 4th and 9th, therefore we may conform to things indifferent in themselves, though only of human appointment.
30.Q. Does not this verse prove Christ to be God?
A. The Jews thought so, by their immediately taking up stones to stone him.
34.Q. How does our Saviour argue in this and the following verses?
A. It is what logicians call an argument ad hominem, when you confute or confound a person from something which he himself says or grants. It is also an argument a minori ad majus, when you prove a greater thing from the less. The process of the argument runs thus: If you call magistrates, gods, to whom the word of God only came, how much more ought you to own me to be God, and not to be angry with me for calling myself so, or the Son of God, who shew by my works, that I dwell in my Father and my Father in me?
CHAPTER XI.
3.Q. What learn you hence?
A. That it is not our piety will exempt us from sickness and other calamities of life, since he whom Christ loved, was sick: That when any of our relations are sick, we should apply, as these sisters did, to Jesus Christ to heal them: That it is a peculiar encouragement to pray, when we know those for whom we pray, are beloved of Christ: And that in all our addresses to God, both for ourselves and others, we ought to mention rather his love to us, than ours to him, for we love God because he first loved us; and our love is so little, that it is not worth speaking of.
6.Q. What learn you hence?
A. That God’s continuing his rod upon us, is no certain sign of his displeasure; nay that it is rather a token of his love, since Christ knew that Lazarus was sick, and yet abode two days before he went to his deliverance.
7.Q. What may we learn from Christ’s going to Judea again?
A. That though we have met with persecution in a place, yet when God calls us thither again, we must answer, “Lo, we come;” for the way of duty is the way of safety.
8.Q. Did not this argue a fear in the Disciples?
A. Yes; and from hence we may learn that we ought to beware of our carnal relations, who will dissuade us from doing our duty, if difficulties attend it, as these Disciples did Christ.
9, 10.Q. What is the meaning of these verses?
A. The meaning of them seems to be this: There is a certain time appointed by my Father for me to do my work in, and in that time I shall be as safe from danger, as a man that walketh by day is from falling; but when that time is over, I shall be taken by them, as a man falls when he walks in the dark.
11.Q. Was not Lazarus actually dead? why then does Christ say, “he sleepeth?”
A. Because death is but as a sleep to a good man; for, as sleep frees us from the labour of the day, so does death free good men from the troubles of life.
Q. What learn you from Christ’s calling Lazarus his friend?
A. That he loves us as dear as himself; for a friend is said to be as dear to a man as his own soul: “And thy friend which is as thy own soul.”
16.Q. What learn you from this saying of Thomas?
A. That in times of difficulty, it is the christians duty to encourage, exhort, and provoke one another to keep close to Christ.
18.Q. How much are 15 furlongs?
A. Two miles.
19.Q. What learn you hence?
A. That it is the duty of christians to visit their friends; particularly at the death of their relations, and to comfort them with the hopes of seeing them again raised in glory.
20.Q. Why did Mary sit still?
A. Probably out of humility, thinking herself unworthy to go, till Christ called her.
21.Q. Did Martha shew faith in saying thus?
A. Yes; but she expressed a weakness in it, since she confined Christ’s power to his bodily presence.
22.Q. Does not this verse likewise prove the weakness of her faith?
A. Yes; for she seems to look upon Christ not as God, but as a Prophet only acting under him.
24.Q. What learn you hence?
A. That the Jews believed the doctrine of the resurrection, though that as well as other doctrines is brought to a fuller light by the gospel.
25, 26.Q. What is the meaning of these two verses?
A. They may be understood two ways: that though a person be dead in sin, yet he shall live a spiritual life, if he believes in Christ; and 2dly, that a true believer, though worms destroy his body, shall yet in his flesh see God.
Q. What may we learn from Christ’s asking Martha the question at the latter end of the 26th verse?
A. That it is good when we are reading the scripture doctrines, particularly the doctrines of the resurrection, and the new birth, to ask ourselves, whether we believe them or not.
28.Q. Did Christ call Mary?
A. Not as we hear of, though he might and did probably; charity will incline us to think, she did not tell an untruth.
29.Q. What learn you from hence?
A. That this shews Mary sat still, only because Christ did not call her; and also, that we should imitate her behaviour; when Christ calls us to repentance, we should arise quickly, and come unto him.
32.Q. Was not here the like weakness in Mary’s faith as in her sister’s?
A. Yes, they both confined his power to his bodily presence.
34.Q. Was it consistent with Christ’s innocent resignation to be troubled?
A. Yes, as he was troubled; for it was a trouble that did not discompose him: some therefore have represented it by a glass of pure crystal water, which, though shaken, is not muddy. And in the margin it is said, “Christ troubled himself.”
35.Q. Why did Jesus weep?
A. Probably, on seeing and considering what havoc sin had made, to show sympathy for the afflicted relations; but more particularly for the hardness of the people’s hearts, who he knew would not be converted, though he was about to shew them so great a miracle.
36.Q. What learn you hence?
A. That if the Jews said, “Behold how he loved him,” when he shed only a few tears, well may we say, “Behold how he loved us,” when he shed his precious blood for us.
37.Q. What learn you hence?
A. That ill-will speaks well of nothing.
39.Q. What learn you from Martha’s saying, “Lord, by this time he stinketh?”
A. That looking upon human improbabilities, is a great weakener of our faith; when Peter began to fear, he began to sink.
41.Q. Do we hear that Christ prayed audibly at this time?
A. No; but he did it secretly, to teach us, that it is possible to pray though we do not speak. For the Spirit maketh intercession for us, with groanings that cannot be uttered.
46.Q. What learn you hence?
A. The folly of our modern unbelievers, who would desire a repetition of miracles, to convince them of the truth of the christian religion; whereas it is to be doubted, whether they would be convinced by them or not, since here were some who saw this great miracle of the resurrection of Lazarus, and would not believe. “If ye believe not Moses and the Prophets, neither will ye believe though one rose from the dead.”
55.Q. What learn you hence?
A. That before the christian passover, the Lord’s supper, christians ought to study to prepare themselves by prayer and examination.
CHAPTER XII.
2.Q. What learn you from Martha’s serving, though Christ before this had condemned her too great solicitude?
A. That religion does not call us from our common business, but teaches us to follow it, with a proper principle, obedience to God; and that too not at the expence of the one thing needful.
5.Q. What learn you hence?
A. That all who speak well, are not saints, though it is best to judge charitably of all.
8.Q. What learn you hence?
A. That if Christ was not to be with us always, then he is not bodily present at the mass, as the Romish church supposes.
39.Q. Did the Prophets foretelling their hardness of heart, lay the Jews under a necessity of not believing?
A. No more than our knowing the sun will rise to-morrow, obliges the sun to rise. The Prophet foreknew by the Spirit of God that it would be so, therefore foretold it.
40.Q. Does God harden any one’s heart?
A. Not till they have hardened their own hearts: thus Pharaoh first hardened his own heart, and then it is said God hardened it.
42, 43.Q. What learn you hence?
A. That a fear of contempt, &c. &c. keeps many well-disposed people from confessing Christ before men; and that we can never be christians, till we are content only with that honour and praise which cometh from God.
CHAPTER XIII.
10.Q. What is the meaning of this verse?
A. It seems to be this. He that is once really converted, needs not that justification and sanctification, which other sinners want; but yet should mourn over his daily sins, and daily seek to have them washed away by the blood of Christ.
14.Q. Ought we to make a rite of, and really wash one another’s feet?
A. Some have thought so; but if we do what is meant by this condescension of our blessed Lord, submit to the lowest offices for the benefit of one another, it seems to be sufficient.
26.Q. What learn you from Christ’s giving Judas a sop?
A. That those are not always the greatest favourites of heaven, to whom God gives outward blessings. And also, that after our Saviour’s sop, if we are not better we shall be the worse; if we do not improve our advantages and serve our Master, we shall betray him.
27.Q. Did Christ’s saying unto Judas, “What thou doest do quickly,” lay him under an obligation to do it?
A. By no means; the meaning of it is this, If thou art resolved to betray me, the sooner the better.
34.Q. Why is the loving one another, a new commandment?
A. Because it is to proceed from a new motive, and measure; even Christ’s love towards us.
38.Q. What learn you hence?
A. That when we make any resolutions, they ought to be made in the name and strength of God; otherwise he must in pity let us fall, to convince us of our weakness.
CHAPTER XIV.
26.Q. What learn you hence?
A. That it is one of the peculiar offices of the Holy Ghost, to bring to our remembrance what Christ has told us. And this every sincere christian knows by experience.
30.Q. What learn you hence?
A. That the less corruption we have in our hearts, the less power will the devil have over us.
CHAPTER XV.
2.Q. What learn you hence?
A. That every unprofitable servant, and all mere professing christians, will perish; and that those who are true christians must expect afflictions and trials to prepare them for greater services.
9.Q. What learn you hence?
A. That the world hates christians on account of their conformity to Christ; therefore if christians will be conformed to Christ, it is impossible for them to avoid contempt.
22.Q. What is meant by that expression, “they had not had sin”?
A. They would not have had so great sin; or no sin at all in comparison of what they will have now.