II. The fruits and consequences of her faith —
Though despised and condemned by the Pharisee, she was well rewarded by her Lord. She obtained from him,
1 . The pardon of her sins —
[Numerous as her iniquities had been, they were all in one moment blotted out from the book of God's remembrance. Jesus, who " had all power on earth to forgive sins," pardoned all her offences, and " cast them, as it were, behind him into the very depths of the sea." What a blessed fruit and conse- quence of her faith was this ! Had she been subjected to all the evil treatment that could have been shewn her, she would have had no reason to regret that conduct by which she had obtained so inestimable a blessing.
And was this peculiar to her ? Shall not we also have our iniquities forgiven, if we apply to him in humility and faith ? Shall the greatness of our sins be any bar to our acceptance with him, if we repent and believe ? Let the word of God be deemed worthy of any credit, and all such apprehensions will vanish in an instant11 ]
2. An assurance of her acceptance —
[Twice did our Lord repeat to her the joyful tidings, that her sins were pardoned, and that her soul was saved ; and to confirm it, he bade her depart in peace. What a cordial must this have been to her drooping spirit ! How transported must she have been with the joyful sound! And what comfort must she enjoy through life in a sense of the Divine favour!
But neither was this peculiar to her. It is true, that many real Christians never attain to this high privilege: but it is owing to the weakness of their faith : if their faith operated as her's did, if it shewed itself in such humility, such contrition, such love, such confidence, such zeal, they also should hear him say to them, "Be of good cheer ; thy sins are forgiven thee." What though he should not utter it by an audible voice from heaven, can he not reveal it to the soul by his Spirit, and enable us to say, " My beloved is mine, and I am his1?" Yes: let us only glorify him to the utmost of our power, and he will give us a peace that passeth all understand- ing1^ and a full assurance of hope unto the end1.]
3. Everlasting happiness and glory —
[In the declaration of Jesus she received both a pledge and an earnest of her eternal inheritance. Nor can we doubt
h Acts xiii. 39. Isai. i. 18. j Cant. ii. 16. k Phil. iv. 7.
1 Heb. vi. 11. See also 2 Tim. i. 12. and iv. 8.
1503. J TIIE sinner's faith. 371
but that, after waiting her " appointed time upon earth," she was admitted to the enjoyment of her Lord in heaven, not any longer to weep at his feet, but to sit with him on his throne, and to participate his glory.
Thus also shall it be with all who truly believe : " they shall never perish, but shall have eternal lifem" ]
From this history we may learn,
1. The nature of faith —
[We cannot too carefully inquire into the nature of faith ; for there is nothing respecting which so many, and such fatal, mistakes are made. Faith is not a mere assent to any doctrines whatsoever ; but it is a living principle in the soul, which evidences itself by precisely such a regard to Christ as this woman manifested on this occasion. Would we then ascertain whether our faith be genuine and saving? let us inquire whether it lead us to Christ, in spite of all obstacles from without or from within, with humility and contrition, with love and con- fidence ? For in proportion as we abound in these graces, or are destitute of them, we either possess, or are destitute of, a living faith.]