John 9:40–41

Christ maintains this doctrine against the exceptions of some of the Pharisees, who following still upon him, and understanding him to speak of spiritual blindnesse, do carp that he should insinuate they were blind, verse 40. To which Christ answers, that if they were sensible of their ignorance, their case were more tollerable, and lay nearer help; but their conceit that it was otherwise, rendered it incurable. Whence learn, 1. Christ and his followers will never want observers, who lye in wait, to take advantage against them and their doctrine; for, albeit he had left the Pharisees Chap. 8. 59. and the man was cast out by them while they are sitting in Council, verse 34. yet some of the Pharisees, which were with him, heard these words, 2. Men may have abilities and judgement to understand Christs doctrine, and to apply it pertinently; who yet want grace to make right use of it; for, that they do understand his speech to be spoken concerning spiritual blindnesse, and do apply it to themselves, is in it selfe right and imitable; and yet it produceth but bad effects in them. 3. It is an evidence of mens blind conceit of themselves, when they will not beleeve their misery, when Christ tells them of it, nor can they endure to hear tell of it, or to take with misery, what ever advantage Christ hold out to them who do so; for, say they in a rage are we blinde also? even we who are Teachers, as well as others? 4. However conceited men please themselves in their own dreams; Yet it were their great advantage to take with that they like so ill: And their being sensible of misery, were an evidence that they lay near mercy; for, albeit they could not endure to be accounted blinde; Yet Christ tells them, If ye were blinde, it were your greater advantage. 5. Let mens condition be never so bad, yet when they become sensible thereof, they are in the way to have the sting taken out of it: And an acknowledged evil condition is nothing, in comparison of mens swelling with conceit under it, and in respect that Christ will really heal and pardon such: for, in these respects it holds true; If ye were blinde, (in your own esteeme, and coming to me with it) ye should have no sinne, to wit, in comparison of your guilt now, and I would really pardon and heal you, and it should not remain, as is after declared. 6. Mens conceit of their own condition as good enough, is a sinne against the very remedy; as hindering them from seeing their case, and consequently, they labour not to cure it, but do go on in it, and as standing in the way of a pardon from Christ; for, but now you say we see: therefore your sinne remaineth — that is, I do not pardon it, and ye go on to encrease it daily. 7. There needs no more to make sinners miserable, but to let them go on and lie over in their sinne, and not be helped by Christ; for, this is the sad sentence against them, therefore your sinne remaineth.