[ 1001] The certainty, not the time of our Calling, to be so much looked into.
WHat a deal of do did the Pharisees make with the poor man,* 1.1 that was born blind? Ioh. 9. first, his neighbours, they begin with him, How were thine eyes opened? vers. 10. then the Pharisees asked him, How he had received his sight? vers.* 1.2 15. The poor ••an tells them, That one called Iesus made clay, and annointed his eyes, &c. After many questions, they bid him give God the praise, for they knew that that man Iesus was a sinner, vers. 24. Well, (saies the poor man) whether he be a sinner or not, that's more then I know; but so much I know for certain, that whereas I was blind, now I see: It matter'd not with him, what the man was that cured him, nor the place where, nor the time when; this he took notice of, that he was blind, but now he did see. So the question is not, When, or, How any man is called of God; but the main will be, Whether he is yet called. A woman with child, if the babe stir in her womb, she takes no thought, when it was that the child first quickned, but is glad that it is quickned. If a man can but see marks and signes of salvation within him, and perceive that the blessed Spirit of God, hath wrought wonderfully on his soul, he may certainly conclude, that he is called, let the time, place, and manner be never so uncertain.