John 9:34

Followeth the conclusion of this contest, and the issue of all these assaults; wherein, being highly incensed, they upbraid him for his presumption, that being such a base and vile man, he would presume to teach them; and not being content with this, they excommunicate him. Whence learn, 1. The putting of persecutors to silence by reason, will not gain upon them, but rather drive them upon violent rage, as here we are taught. 2. It savours of pharisaicall pride, for men to account only themselves holy, and to look on others is vile; for, so do they compare this man with themselves. 3. It is the woful mistake of men, that they do not take notice of sinne, unlesse they may grope it in some sad afflictions; for, upon this ground it is that they say, Thou wast altogether borne in sinnes, as bearing the print of it, in being borne blinde. Albeit all have Original sinne, yet, it seemes, they laid it little to heart, but where such fruits of it did appear. 4. Mens pride, and conceit of their calling and gifts, makes them look rather to the Messenger that reproves them, then to God, and makes them despise to learn any thing from these who are baser then themselves; Therefore, say they, doest thou teach us? 5. It is also mens pride, that when sound doctrine galls them, it makes them break out upon the instruments that hold it out; as here was their practice. 6. It is also but an irrelevant objection, flowing from mens pride, when the weaknesse or sinfulnesse of a Messenger from God makes them reject the message; as here they will not be taught by him who was altogether borne in sinnes. 7. It is one part of suffering for Christ, which his followers are to resolve upon, to be unjustly excommunicate, in which case, the sentence is null before God; for, they cast him out, but little to his prejudice, as will be seen in what followeth.