consideration to that of obtaining a cure from him. . And who could blame them? They felt their need of healing, and knew that they might obtain it by going to him, and therefore they would on no account lose the opportunity afforded them : and, when they could in no other way get access to him, they would go up to the top of the house, and let down their diseased friends in a couch through the tiling1. Would to God that we were all thus earnest for the salvation of our souls ! that no consideration whatever were suffered to detain us from the Lord ! and that not one of us might delay another hour to go unto him ! We are far more favourably circumstanced than they were, since we can go to him without removing from our chamber, or intermitting our earthly business. He is every where present to heal us ; if we can only break through the crowd of lusts and cares that are within our own hearts, there is no other crowd that can keep us from him. How anxious should we be to get immediate relief from an acute disorder, especially if there were but one physician able to heal us, and his continuance in our neighbourhood were likely to be very short ! Let us then shew the same care for our souls, and go to Jesus without delay, knowing that " this is the accepted time, this is the day of salvation."
Once more — Follow them in their faith. They were not only convinced of Christ's power and willingness to heal them, but were assured that, if they could but touch his garment, they should be whole". They did not stand reasoning about the matter, or go and try other means, but applied to him as their all-sufficient helper. So must we go to him, not endea- vouring first to heal ourselves by our repentance, or labouring to make ourselves fit for him by our amendments, or question- ing whether he be willing to receive us : we must go to him just as we are, altogether filthy and abominable ; and be firmly persuaded that we shall not seek his face in vain. To be rea- soning and yielding to doubts and fears will be of little avail ; but to go to Christ in faith, will prove an infallible remedy for every ill : whatever be our complaint, he will say, " Go thy way ; and, as thou hast believed, so be it done unto thee ;" and we shall be made whole from that very hour*.]
2. For encouragement —
[We cannot conceive any thing more encouraging than the behaviour of our blessed Lord to the people.
Behold his condescension ! How wonderful was it, that he, the Lord of glory, should suffer such a multitude of miserable and filthy objects to press upon him! yea, that he should go about through all cities, towns, and villages, for that very
1 Luke v. 19. u Matt. ix. 21. x Matt. viii. 13.