the world God did not create man to be full of aches, and pains, and infirmities. These things are the fruits of the Fall. There would have been no sickness, if there had heen no sin.
No greater proof can be shown of man's inbred un- belief, than his carelessness about sin. " Fools," says the wise man, "make a mock at sin." (Pro. xiv. 9.) Thou- sands delight in things which are positively evil, and run greedily after that which is downright poison. They love that which God abhors, and dislike that which God loves. They are like the madman, who loves his enemies and hates his friends. Their eyes are blinded. Surely if men would only look at hospitals and infirmaries, and think what havoc sin has made on this earth, they would never take pleasure in sin as they do.
Well may we be told to pray for the coming of God's kingdom ! Well may we be told to long for the second advent of Jesus Christ! Then, and not till then, shall there be no more curse on the earth, no more sufiTering, no more sorrow, and no more sin. Tears shall be wiped from the faces of all who love Christ's appearing, when their Master returns. Weakness and infirmity shall all pass away. Hope deferred shall no longer make hearts sick. There will be no chronic invalids and incurable cases, when Christ has renewed this earth.
We are taught, for another thing, in this passage, hoic great is the mercy and compassion of Christ. He " saw" the poor sufferer lying in the crowd. Neglected, over- looked, and forgotten in the great multitude, he was observed by the all-seeing eye of Christ. *' He knew " full well, by His Divine knowledge, how long he had been *' in that case," and pitied him. He spoke to him unex- pectedly, with words of gracious sympathy. He liealed him by miraculous power, at once and without tedious delay, and sent him home rejoicing.