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.