The former part of the chapter acquaints us with that famous conference which our blessed Saviour had with Nicodemus. This man was by sect. Pharisee; which signifies. person separated and set apart for the study of the law of God, and to teach it unto others; and by calling or profession A RULER OF... [ Continue Reading ]
Christ here acquaints Nicodemus, and in him all persons, That there must be. change from nature to grace, before there can be. change from grace to glory; for though he was. Jew,. doctor, and one that had good thoughts of Christ, looking upon him as an extraordinary person, one that had received pow... [ Continue Reading ]
Two things are observable in this question of Nicodemus, HOW CAN. MAN BE BORN WHEN HE IS OLD? 1. His ignorance and weakness in propounding of such. question. So true is that of the apostle, THE NATURAL MAN RECEIVETH NOT THE THINGS OF THE SPIRIT OF GOD 1 Corinthians 2:14 What. gross conception had... [ Continue Reading ]
Nicodemus not rightly understanding Christ's meaning in the former verse, our Saviour is pleased to explain himself in this, and tells him, That the birth he spake of was not natural, but spiritual, wrought in the soul by the Spirit of God, whose working is like water, cleansing and purifying the so... [ Continue Reading ]
As if Christ had said, "As men generate men, and nature begets nature, so the Holy Spirit produceth holy inclinations, qualifications, and dispositions." Learn hence, That as original corruption is conveyed by natural generation, so saving regeneration is the effect and product of the Holy Spirit's... [ Continue Reading ]
Nicodemus making an exception against our Saviour's notion of regeneration, from the absurdity and impossibility of it, (as he thought,) our Saviour therefore proceeds to clear the matter by. similtude taken from the wind, which at once declares the author and describes the manner of spiritual regen... [ Continue Reading ]
Observe here, 1. How Nicodemus, consulting only with carnal reason, persists in his apprehension concerning the absurdity and impossibility of our Saviour's notion of regeneration, or being born of the Spirit. Nicodemus said, HOW CAN THESE THINGS BE? Learn hence, That the great cause of men's ignor... [ Continue Reading ]
Here our Saviour declares to Nicodemus, That none ever ascended up into heaven, to fetch down from thence the knowledge of divine mysteries, and to reveal the way of life and salvation to mankind by. Mediator, but only Christ himself; who, though he took upon him the human nature, and was then man u... [ Continue Reading ]
Christ having instructed Nicodemus in the doctrine of regeneration in the former verses, here he instructs him in the death of the Messiah, and in the necessity of faith in his death. THE SON OF MAN MUST BE LIFTED UP; that is, upon the cross, and die; THAT WHOSOVER BELIEVETH IN HIM SHOULD NOT PERISH... [ Continue Reading ]
Here observe, 1. The original source and fountain of man's salvation; and that is, God's free and undeserved, his great and wonderful love. GOD SO LOVED THE WORLD; he doth not say how much, but leaves it to our most solemn raised thoughts; it is rather to be conceived than declared; and admired rath... [ Continue Reading ]
Observe here, That the salvation of sinners was the intentional end, and the condemnation of them only the accidental event, of Christ's coming into the world. The design of Christ's first coming into the world. The design of Christ's first coming into the world was to save it. The end of his second... [ Continue Reading ]
Observe here, 1. The worth and dignity of. choice and invaluable privilege declared, LIGHT IS COME INTO THE WORLD.. personal light, CHRIST;. doctrinal light, THE GOSPEL. Observe, 2. The unworthiness, abuse, and great indignity which the world, through infidelity, offers to this benefit: they reject... [ Continue Reading ]
In these words our Saviour acquaints us with the different nature of sin and holiness. It is the nature of sin, and the property of sinners, to hate the light, because it discovers the evil and sinfulness of their ways unto them, and condemns them for them; as the Ethiopians are said to curse the su... [ Continue Reading ]
Our blessed Saviour having now finished his excellent sermon, preached to Nicodemus at Jerusalem, he departs thence with his disciples into the country of Judea, to make proselytes by the ordinance of Baptism. Where note, 1. Our Lord's unwearied diligence in doing his Father's work and will. He goe... [ Continue Reading ]
Observe here, What. spirit of envy there was in John's disciples against Christ, upon account of the multitude of his followers: HE THAT WAS WITH THEE BEYOND JORDAN, BAPTIZETH, AND ALL MEN COME TO HIM. Where note, 1. How meanly John's disciples think and speak of our Saviour, compared with John the... [ Continue Reading ]
Observe here, How holily and wisely John the Baptist corrects the envy and jealousy of his own disciples, and endeavours to root out all prejudice out of their minds against Christ; in order to which, he shews them. five-fold difference betwixt Christ and himself. 1. He tells them Christ was the Ma... [ Continue Reading ]
Observe, 1. Another great difference which John the Baptist teacheth his disciples to put betwixt his testimony and Christ's; to the intent that he might remove the prejustice which was upon his disciples minds against the Messiah, he shews them that his own testimony (which they so much admired) wa... [ Continue Reading ]
The Father loved the Son from eternity, as he was his Son by eternal generation; and he loved by his Mediator by special constitution; he loves him as the brightness if his own glory, and the express image of his own person, with an essential, natural, and necessary love; and he loves him as Mediato... [ Continue Reading ]
Learn, 1. That though all power be given to Christ, to dispense grace here, and glory hereafter, yet none must expect to enjoy it, but upon condition of believing in him, and of obeying him, for the original word signifies both. No faith is acceptable to Christ, nor available to our salvation, but t... [ Continue Reading ]