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.