for "twelve years," and that she "had spent all her living upon physicians," and that she could not be " healed of any." The state of many a sinner's heart is placed before us in fliis description as in a gla^. Per- haps it describes ourselves.
There are men and women in most congregations who have felt their sins deeply, and been sore afflicted by the thought that they are not forgiven and not fit to die. They have desired relief and peace of conscience, but have not known where to find them. They have tried many false remedies, and found themselves " nothing bettered, but rather worse." They have gone the round of all the forms of religion, and wearied themselves with every imaginable man-made device for obtaining spiritual health. But all has been in vain. Peace of conscience seems as far off as ever. The wound within appears a fretting, intractable sore, which nothing can heal. They are still wretched, still unhappy, still thoroughly discon- tented with their own state. In short, like the woman of whom we read to day, they are ready to say, " There is no hope for me. I shall never be saved."
Let all such take comfort in the miracle which we are now considering. Let them know that " there is balm in Qilead," which can cure them, if they will only seek it. There is one door at which they have never knocked, in all their efforts to obtain relief. There is one Physician to whom they have not applied, who never fails to heal. Let them consider the conduct of the woman before us in her necessity. When all other means had fedled, she went to Jesus for help. Let them go and do likewise.
Let us see, secondly, in the conduct of the woman be-