do not condemn him for it : but his loss was the same, by- whatever it might be occasioned. And have not many of us suffered loss through our absence from the house of God, or the neglect of private ordinances ? It is highly probable that the doubts and fears of many are to be traced to this source : they live without the light of God's countenance, because they are not careful " to xoalk with God :" they neglect him ; and then he hides himself from themf. We can scarcely doubt but that all of us might have enjoyed far richer manifestations of the Saviour's love, if we had been more diligent and watchful in our performance of religious duties. " Let us not then forsake the assembling of ourselves together (as the manner of some is)," or intermit our exertions in our secret chamber : but, if we should even wait without a blessing as long as the cripple waited at Bethesda's pool, let us at least secure this consolation, that we have not lost it through our own neglect ; and expect assuredly, that, if we are " steadfast and immove- able in waiting upon God, our labour shall not be in vain in the Lord."]
3. The wonderful condescension of the Lord Jesus —
[Notwithstanding the obstinate unbelief of Thomas, our Lord did not cast him off, but even appeared a second time to his Disciples, on purpose to grant him the evidence he desired. What amazing condescension was this! Yet it is precisely such as all of us experience at his hands. " He is not extreme to mark what is done amiss" by any of us : He bears with our infirmities, " not breaking the bruised reed nor quenching the smoking flax, but bringing forth judgment unto truth." We, alas ! are too often unreasonably dictating to him, when we should rather be meekly submitting to his providence and grace : we refuse to rest upon his promises, unless they be applied to us in such a particular way, or we be enabled to find in ourselves some particular warrant for our faith. But we should take his promises simply as they are given ; and expect the accomplishment of them, not because we are worthy, but " because He is faithful who has promised." We do not mean that we are to expect him to save us whilst we are living in sin ; for he has not anywhere promised any such thing : but we would have all to " walk by faith, and not by sight ;" for it is still as true as ever, that " blessed are they that have not seen, and yet have believed."]
f 2 Chron. xv. 2.
1733. J THE USE OF ouR lord's miracles. 223