Part 237

A natural man, indeed, goes no further than the outward court of the Scripture, and reads this, and the other miracles of our blessed Saviour, just in the same manner as he reads _Homer_’s battles, or the exploits of _Alexander_. But GOD forbid, that we should rest in only hearing this matter of fact. For I tell thee, O man, I tell thee, O woman, whoever thou art, that sittest this day under a preached gospel, that if thou art in a natural state, thou art as blind in thy soul, as _Bartimeus_ was in his body; a blind child of a blind father, even of thy father _Adam_, who lost his sight when he lost his innocence, and entailed his blindness, justly inflicted, upon thee, and me, and his whole posterity. Some think indeed, that they see; but alas! such talk only like men in their sleep, like persons beside themselves; the scriptures every where represent fallen man, not only as spiritually blind, but dead also; and we no more know, by nature, savingly the way of salvation by JESUS CHRIST, than _Bartimeus_, when he was blind, knew the colours of the rainbow. This, I trust, some of you begin to feel, I see you concerned, I see you weeping, and, was I to ask some of you, what you want to have done unto you? I know your answer would be, that we may receive our sight. And GOD forbid, that I should charge you to hold your peace, as though JESUS would not regard you! no, your being made sensible of your natural blindness, and crying thus earnestly after JESUS, is a sign at least, that you are awakened by his holy Spirit (though it is possible, that you may cry with an exceeding bitter cry, as _Esau_ did, and be lost at last); however, christian charity induces me to believe and hope the best; I will therefore, in the language of those who afterwards encouraged _Bartimeus_, say unto you, Arise, take comfort; for, I trust, JESUS is calling you; follow therefore the example of _Bartimeus_, cast away your garment; lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth most easily beset you, arise, and come to JESUS. He commands me, by his written word, to call to you, and say, “Come unto him, all ye that are weary, and heavy laden, and he will refresh you, he will give you rest.” Be not afraid, ye seek JESUS of _Nazareth_, behold, he comes forth to meet you; ye are now on the highway side, and JESUS, I trust, is passing by; I feel his presence, I hope many of you feel it too; O then, cry mightily to him, who is mighty and willing to save you; lay yourselves at the feet of sovereign grace, say unto him, “JESUS, thou Son of _David_, have mercy on me,” in the same frame as _Bartimeus_ did, and JESUS will answer you, he will not cast out your prayer; according to your faith, so shall it be done unto you. Blind as you are, you shall, notwithstanding, receive your sight; Satan, indeed, and unbelief, will suggest many objections to you, your carnal relations will also join issue with them, and charge you to hold your peace; one will tell you, that your blindness is too inveterate to be cured; another, that it is too late; a third, that though JESUS can, yet he will not have mercy upon such poor, blind, despicable beggars, as ye are; but, the more they charge you to hold your peace, do you cry out so much the more a great deal, “JESUS, thou Son of _David_, have mercy on us.” JESUS, thou Saviour, thou friend of sinners, thou Son of _David_, and therefore a Son of man! gracious words! endearing appellations! be encouraged by them, to draw nigh unto him. Though _David_’s Lord, yet he is become _David_’s Son, after the flesh, that ye through him may be made the sons of GOD: no matter what thou art, O woman, what thou art, O man; though thou art literally a poor beggar, think not thy condition too mean for JESUS to take notice of; he came into the highways and hedges, to call such poor beggars in; or, if you are rich, think not yourselves too high to stoop to JESUS; for he is the King of kings; and you never will be truly rich, until you are made rich in JESUS; fear not being despised, or losing a little worldly honour: one sight of JESUS will make amends for all: you will find something so inviting, so attracting, so satisfying, in the altogether-lovely Lamb of GOD, that every sublunary enjoyment will sicken, and die, and vanish before you; and you will no more desire your former vain and trifling amusements, than _Bartimeus_, after he had received his sight, desired to go back again and fetch his garment. O that there may be many such blind beggars among you this day!