John 9:25

The man in his answer, doth wave and passe what they had asserted concerning Christs person, but as to the matter of fact, wherein they required a confession, he clearly asserts that he being blinde was made to see by him. As for his answer concerning Christs person, it may be conceived that it flowed from his weaknesse and dissimulation, in part, that he should say, whether he be a sinner or no I know not; Seeing he knew well enough he was no sinner, in their sense, as appears from verse 17. verse 31, 33. So hard is it to keep our feet in continuing trials; And because of this his shifting, it may be conceived he is put to it, to speak out his light more clearly afterward. But if we consider the manner of the expression more narrowly, whether he be a sinner or no I know not, one thing I know &c. it would appear that he not onely adherers to the confession of what Christ had done, but brings a most convincing argument to refute their calumny against his person, That let them judge of him as they would, yet he would not stand to debate it with words, when he could refute them by Christs deeds; For he, or any else, could not in reason judge him to be a sinner, who had done so notable a miracle, and he who had received a benefit, could not but think well of him; Wence learn, 1. It is a great injustice to calumniate Christ and his followers, when yet their practice and works do refute these calumnies; Therefore doth he think their charge against Christ to be a sinner, not worth the answering, when this miracle did clearly refute it. 2. Such as have received kindnesses from Christ, will not have an ill thought of him, nor will the prejudices or opinions of any sway them in that matter; Therefore doth he reject all their thoughts of Christ, upon the consideration of what he had done for him. 3. Such as have participate of Christs goodnesse, will not conceal his glory, by denying the same, whatever hazard there be, or whoever shift to confesse it; Therefore, albeit his parents had declined to give a confession of this truth, and there was manifest hazard in confessing it; yet he will not deny it, one thing I know, that whereas I was blinde, now I see. 4. No man can set such a price upon mercies, or on Christ the Author of them, as they who have tasted of the bitternesse of wanting of them; Therefore, albeit the favour of eye-sight be common generally to men, yet few are so affected with it as he, and that because it was given him after he had wanted it long, whereas I was blinde, now I see.