reproved." They have no ears to hear, no eyes to see any thing that condemns themselves ; but are all eye, and all ear, when a religious person is to be exposed. Nor is this charac- ter found only among the profane; but often among those who affect a great regard for religion, and sometimes even among those, whose office calls them to propagate and defend itb.]
Difficult as the path of Jesus was hereby rendered, he was enabled to preserve himself unblameable in,
II. His conduct towards them —
In every part of our Lord's demeanour he was a pattern of all perfection. On this occasion in par- ticular we cannot but admire,
1. His wisdom —
[Conscious as he was of the rectitude of his ways, he was nevertheless concerned to obviate the prejudices which sub- sisted in the minds of others. On this account he put the question respecting the sanctification of the Sabbath, before he proceeded to work the miracle ; and again, after he had wrought it, appealed to them respecting their own practice. Thus, though he did not convert, he at least confounded them, and prevented those clamours which they would otherwise have raised against him. Worthy is this example to be fol- lowed by all who embrace the Gospel. We cannot extirpate the prejudices of men ; but we should blunt the edge of them. We should condescend to reason even on the most obvious truths, and to defend, by argument, the most blameless con- duct. We should endeavour to " cut off occasion from those who seek occasion" against usc. We should " shew out of a good conversation our works with meekness of wisdom*1';" and prevent, as much as possible, " our good from being evil spoken ofe."]
2. His fortitude —
[When he saw their obstinacy, he was not deterred from doing his Father's will. He would do good, even at the peril of his life, rather than lose the opportunity afforded him. He therefore healed the man of his dropsy, and dismissed him, lest he also should be exposed to their murderous rage. Thus should we act, whenever we are opposed in the way of duty. While we labour to disarm our adversaries by a meek and gentle behaviour, we must not fear them. We should say, like Nehemiah, " Shall such a man as I flee ? " We should be ready to face any danger and suffer any extremity rather than
b The lawyers, as well as Pharisees, are mentioned in the text. c 2 Cor. xi. 12. d Jam. iii. 13. e Rom. xiv. 16.