purpose ! And will he now be inattentive to our spiritual wants? When we rush, as it were, with holy violence into his presence, and seek to touch him, will he forbid us ? Will he withdraw himself from us, or say, ' Stand off; thou art too vile to be admitted to my presence?' Has he not said, on the contrary, that " whosoever cometh unto him, he will in no wise cast outy?" Let the trembling sinner then take courage ; for his sighing shall soon be turned into that triumphant song, " Bless the Lord, O my soul, and all that is within me bless his holy name, who forgiveth all thy sins, and healeth all thy diseases2 !"
Behold also his compassion ! There was not one of all the multitudes that came to him, dismissed without a cure. Though many of them probably had despised him, and though he foresaw that many of those very persons would join in that general cry, " Away with him, crucify him, crucify him!" (as it is highly probable they did) yet his bowels of compassion yearned over them. Many, no doubt, were as unthankful as the nine lepers ; yet did he not withhold his mercy from their bodies. How much more then will he have compassion on those who seek him for their souls ! When he beholds them supplicating for the pardon of their sins, and the renovation of their hearts, will he turn from them, and shut his ear at their cry? no; he will rather fall upon their neck, and kiss thema; or, as the prophet speaks, " He will save ; he will rejoice over them with joy, he will rest in his love, he will joy over them with singingV Only let us seek him in truth, and we shall find him rich in mercy unto all that call upon himc.
Lastly, behold his power! However inveterate the diseases of many might be, the whole multitude were healed. And has he less power now that he is in heaven ? Has he not " the residue of the Spirit," yea, and "all the fulness of the God- head dwelling in him?" Why then should any be discouraged? What though our sins be great ? can he not forgive them ? What though our habits be deeply rooted ? can he not over- come them ? What though our temptations be manifold ? can he not deliver us out of all ? Be our " enemies ever so mighty, he that dwelleth on high is mightier." Let us all surround him in expectation of his benefits ; and " we shall find him able to save us to the uttermost."]
To CONCLUDE
[Let us now picture to ourselves the state of the multi- tudes who had touched him : what joys ! what raptures ! what ecstasies ! what congratulations from surrounding friends !
y John vi. 3, 37. z Ps. cih. 1 — 3. a Luke xv. 20.
b Zeph. hi. 17. c Rom. x. 12.