Matthew Poole and continuators on John 9:39

39 And Jesus said , For Judgment am I come into this world ; That they which see not, might see d, and that they which see, might be made blind e.

There is a great variety in Interpreters Notions, about the Iudgment here mentioned. Some think, that by it is meant, The Divine Council and Decree. I am come into the World, to execute the just Will, and Counsels, and Pleasure of my Father; and the Event of it is this, That some who saw not, see; and some who see, in a sense are made blind. Others understand it, of Condemnation; I am come to execute the Judgment of Condemnation: (but thus it is hardly reconcileable to Iohn 3.17. Where it is said, That God sent not his son to condemn the world.) The best Notion of it is theirs who interpret it of the Spiritual Government of the World, committed to Christ, and managed by him with perfect rectitude and equity: One eminent part of this, was his Publishing the Gospel, the Law of Faith: The Event of which is, That many Spiritually blind, and utterly unable to see the way that leads to Eternal Life, might (as this [illegible: 3 letters]son that was born Blind, is now clear sighted) be enlight[illegible: 3 letters] with the saving knowledge of the Truth: and many that thi[illegible: 1 letter]k they see, should by their obstinate infidelity be more blind than they were from their Birth. Not that I cast any such ill influen[illegible: 1 letter]e upon them; but this happeneth through their own sore Eyes; I am the light of the world; and as it is of the Nat[illegible: 2 letters]e of Light, to make other things visible to men, and it hath its Effect, and doth so where mens Eyes are not ill af[illegible: 1 letter]ected with Humours and the like; so the Light of my Gospel by which I shine in the World, makes the way of Salvation by me, ordained by my Father, Act. 3.12. evident and clear to many Souls who are in darkness, and the shadow of Death: But it so happeneth through the prejudices that others are prepossessed with against me, and the Doctrine of my Gospel by which I shine in the World, so full of ignorance, malice, and hatred against me, and the Doctrine which I bring; that through their own perverseness, and the righteous Judgment of God, at last giving men over to their own Delusions, they are made more blind. In this sense, this Scripture agreeth with what was Prophecied by Isaiah, Chap. 8.14. And he shall be for a Sanctuary; but for a stone of stumbling, and for a rock of offence to both the houses of Israel: for a gin, and for a snare to the Inhabitants of Ierusalem. And the words of Simeon in Luk. 2.34. Behold! this Child is set for the fall and rising again of many in Israel. As also wi[illegible: 1 letter]h that of Paul, Rom. 9 33.

Marginal references: Chap. 5.22, 27.; Mat. 13.13.