CHAPTER IX.
2. Q. _What learn you from this question, put by our blessed LORD’s Disciples to him?_
_A._ That they believed either the transmigration, or pre-existence of souls; for otherwise how could a man sin before he was born?
3. Q. _What learn you from CHRIST’s answer?_
_A._ That all our infirmities and bodily afflictions, though we may not think so, are ordained by GOD for our good, and his glory.
5. Q. _Should every christian be able to say thus for himself?_
_A._ Yes, for we are commanded to let our light shine before men.
6. Q. _Why did CHRIST put clay on the man’s eyes?_
_A._ To shew the vanity of a tradition of the _Jewish_ church, that it was unlawful to make clay on the Sabbath-day; as also to shew, that GOD sometimes works by the most unlikely means; and to represent the case of young converts, who before they come to feel the comforts of the Holy Ghost, by spiritual desertion and temptations have as it were their eyes put out.
7. Q. _Why did CHRIST send the man to wash himself?_
_A._ To make trial of his obedience; and farther to teach us, that if we will recover our spiritual sight, we must be workers together with GOD, in the appointed means.
9. Q. _What learn we from the man’s saying, “I am he?”_
_A._ That we should not be ashamed to confess that we have been healed by JESUS CHRIST.
Q. _What may we learn from CHRIST’s being kind to beggars?_
_A._ That we also ought to be kind to them.
16. Q. _What learn you from this first answer of the Pharisees?_
_A._ That ill-will speaks well of no man.
17. Q. _What learn you from the beggar’s answer?_
_A._ That we should not fear man, when called to testify of JESUS CHRIST.
18. Q. _What learn you from the Pharisees being willing to have so many evidences of this fact?_
_A._ That they were unwilling it should be true; but there being so many evidences of it, was a great proof of the truth of the miracle.
22. Q. _What learn you from this verse?_
_A._ That too many men dare not speak and practice what they know of JESUS CHRIST and his ways, for fear of losing their reputation, or some other temporal advantage.
24. Q. _What learn you from these words, “give GOD the praise?”_
_A._ That GOD should have all the glory of any mercies we receive; but here it was spoken hypocritically.
31. Q. _What learn you hence?_
_A._ A good lesson, and that we cannot expect to have our prayer answered whilst we continue in sin; but if we serve GOD to the best of our power, we may be sure we shall be regarded by him: for the effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.
34. Q. _What learn you hence?_
_A._ That proud men cannot bear to be taught by any of their inferiors.
35. Q. _What learn you from CHRIST’s seeking and finding this beggar when he was cast out?_
_A._ That when our father, mother, and the world forsaketh us, the LORD will take us up. And that the chief time for CHRIST to reveal himself to us, is, when we are cast out by men.
37. Q. _What learn we from CHRIST’s making this open discovery of himself?_
_A._ That he will most freely communicate himself to all those who are willing to receive him.
38. Q. _What learn you from hence?_
_A._ That JESUS CHRIST is GOD; for otherwise it is not to be imagined he would have suffered the man to worship him.
41. Q. _What learn you hence?_
_A._ That wilful ignorance is a damning sin.