they were all cured ; — Jesus Christ made them whole. The chief of sinners may yet be brought nigh to God by the blood and Spirit of Christ. Men are not lost, be- cause they are too bad to be saved, but because they will not come to Christ that He may save them.
Let us learn, in the last place, from these verses, that there is a lime to be silent about the work of Christ, as well as a time to speak.
This is a truth which is taught us in a remarkable way. We find our Lord strictly charging this man to tell no one of his cure, to "say nothing to any man." We find this man in the warmth of his zeal disobeying this injunction, and publishing and " blazing abroad" his cure in every quarter. And we are told that the re- sult was that Jesus " could no more enter into the city, but was without in desert places."
There is a lesson in all this of deep importance, how- ever difficult it may be to use it rightly. It is clear that there are times when our Lord would have us work for Him quietly and silently, rather than attract public attention by a noisy zeal. There is a zeal which is " not according to knowledge," as well as a zeal which is righteous and praiseworthy. Everything is beautiful in its season. Our Master's cause may on some occasions be more advanced by quietness and patience, than in any other way. We are not to " give that which is holy to dogs," nor " cast pearls before swine." By forgetful- ness of this we may even do more harm than good, and retard the very cause we want to assist.
The subject is a delicate and difficult one, without doubt. Unquestionably the majority of Christians are far