Blind _Bartimeus_.
MARK x. 52.
_And JESUS said unto him, Go thy way; thy faith hath made thee
whole. And immediately he received his sight, and followed
JESUS in the way_.
WHEN the apostle _Peter_ was recommending JESUS of _Nazareth_, in
one of his sermons to the _Jews_, he gave him a short, but withal a
glorious and exalted character, “That he went about doing good.” He
went about, he sought occasions of doing good; it was his meat and
drink to do the works of him that sent him, whilst the day of his
public administration lasted. Justly was he stiled by the prophet, the
sun of righteousness. For, as the sun in the natural firmament diffuses
his quickening and reviving beams through the universe, so, wherever
this sun of righteousness, the blessed JESUS arose, he arose with
healing under his wings. He was indeed a prophet like unto _Moses_,
and proved that he was the Messiah which was to come into the world,
by the miracles which he wrought; though with this material difference,
the miracles of _Moses_, agreeable to the Old Testament dispensation,
were miracles of judgment; the miracles of JESUS, who came to bear our
sicknesses and heal our infirmities, were miracles of mercy, and were
wrought, not only for the cure of people’s bodies, but also for the
conversion of their precious and immortal souls. Sometimes, one and the
same person was the subject of both these mercies. A glorious proof of
this, we have in the miraculous cure wrought upon a poor blind beggar,
named _Bartimeus_, who is to be the subject of the following discourse,
and to whom the words of the text refer. “JESUS said unto him, Go thy
way, thy faith hath made thee whole. And immediately he received his
sight, and followed JESUS in the way.”
My design is, _First_, to make some observations on the matter of fact,
as recorded by the evangelists. And then,
_Secondly_, To point out the improvement that may be made thereof. May
JESUS so bless this following discourse, that every spiritually blind
hearer may receive his sight, and, after the example of _Bartimeus_,
“follow JESUS in the way!”
If we would take a view of the whole story, we must go back to the
46th verse of this chapter. “And they (our LORD and his disciples,
who, we find by the context, had been conversing together) came to
_Jericho_,” a place devoted by _Joshua_ to the curse of GOD; and
yet, even this place yields converts to JESUS; _Zaccheus_ had been
called there formerly; and _Bartimeus_, as we shall hear by-and-by,
in all probability, was called now. For some good may come even out of
_Nazareth_. CHRIST himself was born there, and his sovereign grace can
reach and overcome the worst of people, in the very worst of places.
JESUS came to _Jericho_. Let not his ministers, if providence points
out their way, shun going to seemingly the most unlikely places to
do good, some chosen vessels may be therein. JESUS and his disciples
came to _Jericho_. They were _itinerants_; and, as I have frequently
observed, seldom stayed long in a place; not that this is any argument
against the stated settlement of particular pastors over particular
parishes. But however, our LORD’s practice, in this respect, gives a
kind of a sanction to itinerant preaching, when persons are properly
called to, and qualified for, such an employ. And I believe we may
venture to affirm (though we would by no means prescribe or dictate
to the Holy One of _Israel_) that, whenever there shall be a general
revival of religion in any country, itinerant preaching will be more in
vogue. And it is to be feared, that those who condemn it now, merely on
account of the meanness of its appearances, would have joined with the
self-righteous Scribes and Pharisees, in condemning even the Son of GOD
himself, for such a practice.
“And as he went out of _Jericho_ with his disciples, and a great
number of people;” ♦ὄχλου ἱκανοῦ a great number of mob, or rabble,
as the High-priests of that generation termed them: for these were
the constant followers of JESUS of _Nazareth_; it was the poor that
received his gospel, the common people heard him gladly, and followed
him from place to place. Not that all who followed him, were his true
disciples. No, some followed him only for his loaves, others out of
curiosity; though some undoubtedly followed to hear, and be edified by
the gracious words that proceeded out of his mouth. JESUS knew this,
and was also sensible how displeasing this crowding after him was to
some of the rulers of the _Jewish_ church, who, upon every occasion,
were ready to say, “Have any of the Scribes and Pharisees believed on
him?” But, notwithstanding, I do not hear of our blessed LORD’s sending
them home but once; and that was, after they had been with him three
days, and had nothing left to eat, he saw they were as sheep having
no shepherd, and therefore had compassion on them, and taught them. A
sufficient warrant this for gospel-ministers to preach to poor souls
that follow to hear the word, whatever principle their coming may
proceed from. At the same time, they should caution people against
thinking themselves christians, because they follow CHRIST’s ministers.
This our LORD frequently did. For there are many that followed JESUS,
and now follow his ministers, and hear them gladly; nay, perhaps do
many things, as _Herod_ did, who, it is to be feared, will never follow
them into the kingdom of heaven. Much people followed JESUS out of
_Jericho_, but how many of them were offended in him; and afterwards,
it may be, cried out, “Crucify him, crucify him.” Who would depend on
popularity? It is like the morning cloud, or early dew, that passeth
away. But what a press, and seemingly continued hurry of business did
the blessed JESUS live in! he could not be hid; go where he would,
much people followed him. He had scarce time to eat bread. Happy is it
for such who are called to act in a public station in the church, and
to be more abundant in labours, that their JESUS has trodden in this
dangerous path before them. Popularity is a fiery furnace, and no one,
but he who kept the three children amidst _Nebuchadnezzar_’s flames,
can preserve popular ministers from being hurt by it. But we can do all
things through CHRIST strengthening us. And I have often thought, that
there is one consideration sufficient to extinguish, or moderate at
least, any excess of joy and self-complacence, which the most popular
preacher may feel, when followed even by the greatest multitudes;
and that is this, “How many of these hearers will go away, without
receiving any saving benefit by my preaching; nay, how many, it may be,
will only have their damnation increased by it!” As we find many will
say at the great day, “hast thou not taught in our streets;” to whom
JESUS shall answer, “Verily, I know you not.”
♦ “ὓγλουικανοῦ” replaced with “ὄχλου ἱκανοῦ”
But to proceed, “As our LORD went out of _Jericho_ with his disciples,
and a great number of people, blind _Bartimeus_, (the son of _Timeus_)
sat by the highway-side begging.” It should seem that he was a noted,
though by no means what we commonly call, a sturdy beggar; having no
other way, as he had lost his sight, to get his bread; his case was
still the more pitiable, if he was, as some think the name imports, the
blind son of a blind father. It may be, he begged for his father and
himself too; and if so, then this may give us light into that passage
of _Matthew_ xx. 22. where we are told, that “two men spake to JESUS.”
It might be father and son, though only one is mentioned here, because
he only followed JESUS in the way. Thus that holy, judicious, and
practical expositor of holy writ, Mr. _Henry_. But however this be, he
is not blamed for begging, neither should we discommend others for so
doing, when providence calls to it. It was the unjust steward that said,
“To beg I am ashamed.” It is our pride that often makes us unwilling
to be beholden; JESUS was not thus minded, he lived, as it were, upon
alms; the women that followed him, ministred to him of their substance.
_Bartimeus_, not being able to dig, begs for his living; and, in
order to make a better trade of it, sat by the highway-side, in all
probability, without, or near the gate of the city, where people must
necessarily pass in and out. But though he had lost his sight, he had
his hearing perfect; and it should comfort us, if we have lost one
sense, that we have the use of another, and that we are not deprived
of the benefit of all. Happy was it for _Bartimeus_ that he could
hear, though not see. For in all probability, upon hearing the noise
and clamour of the much people that followed after our LORD, his
curiosity set him upon enquiring into the cause of it, and some one or
another told him, “that JESUS of _Nazareth_ was passing by;” JESUS of
_Nazareth_, called so, because he was bred there, or out of contempt;
_Nazareth_ being either a very mean, or very wicked place, or both,
which made guileless _Nathaniel_ say, “Can any good come out of
_Nazareth_?” And what does _Bartimeus_ do when he hears of JESUS? We
are told, verse 47; “And when he heard that it was JESUS of _Nazareth_,
he began to cry out.” This plainly denotes, that though the eyes of
his body were shut, yet the eyes of his mind were, in some degree,
opened, so that he saw, perhaps, more than most of the multitude that
followed after JESUS; for, as soon as he heard of him, he began to
cry out; which he would not have done, had he not heard of him before,
and believed also, that he was both able and willing to restore sight
to the blind. “He began to cry out.” This implies, that he had a deep
sense of his own misery, and the need which he had of a cure; his
prayers did not freeze as they went out of his lips; he began to cry
out, that JESUS might hear him, notwithstanding the noise of the throng;
and he began to cry out, as soon as he heard he was passing by, not
knowing whether he might ever enjoy such an opportunity any more. “He
began to cry out, JESUS, thou Son of _David_, have mercy upon me.” The
people called him JESUS of _Nazareth_. _Bartimeus_ stiles him, “JESUS,
thou Son of _David_.” Thereby evidencing, that he believed him to be
the Messiah who was to come into the world, unto whom the LORD GOD was
to give the throne of his father _David_, and of whose kingdom there
was to be no end. “JESUS, thou Son of _David_;” or, as it is in the
parallel place of St. _Matthew_ xx. 30. “O LORD, thou son of _David_;”
of whom it had been long foretold, _Isaiah_ xxxv. that when he should
come, “the eyes of the blind should be opened.” “Have mercy upon me,”
the natural language of a soul brought to lie down at the feet of a
sovereign GOD. Here is no laying claim to a cure by way of merit; no
proud, self-righteous, GOD I thank thee that I am not as other men are:
no bringing in a reckoning of performances, nor any doubting of JESUS’s
power or willingness to heal him, but out of the abundance of the heart,
his mouth speaketh, and, in the language of the poor, broken-hearted
publican, he cries out, “JESUS, thou Son of _David_, have mercy on me.”
JESUS, thou friend of sinners, thou Saviour, who, though thou be the
true GOD, wast pleased to become the Son of _David_, and to be made man,
that thou mightest seek and save those that were lost, have mercy upon
me; let thy bowels yearn towards a poor, miserable, blind beggar!
One would have thought that such a moving petition as this would have
melted the whole multitude, that heard his piteous cry, into compassion,
and induced some at least to turn suitors in his behalf, or help to
carry him to the blessed JESUS. But instead of that, we are told, verse
48, that “many charged him.” The word in the original seems to imply a
charge, attended with threatning, and spoken in an angry manner. They
charged him “to hold his peace;” and it may be, threatned to beat him
if he did not. They looked upon him beneath the notice of JESUS of
_Nazareth_, and were ready enough to ask, whether he thought JESUS
CHRIST had nothing else to do but to wait upon him. This was, no doubt,
very discouraging to blind _Bartimeus_. For opposition comes closest
when it proceeds from those who are esteemed followers of the Lamb. The
spouse complains as of something peculiarly afflicting, that her own
mother’s children were angry with her. But opposition only serves to
whet the edge of true devotion, and therefore _Bartimeus_, instead of
being silenced by their charges and threatnings, “cried out the more a
great deal, thou Son of _David_, have mercy on me.” Still he breaks out
into the same humble language, and, if JESUS, the Son of _David_, will
have mercy on him, he cares not much what some of his peevish followers
said of, or did unto him. This was not a vain repetition, but a devout
reiteration of his request. We may sometimes repeat the same words, and
yet not be guilty of that Βαττολογια, or vain speaking, which our LORD
condemns. For our LORD himself prayed in his agony, and said twice the
same words; “Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me.”
Thus _Bartimeus_, “JESUS, thou Son of _David_, have mercy upon me.”
And how does the Son of _David_ treat him? does he join issue with the
multitude, and charge him to hold his peace? or does he go on, thinking
him beneath his notice? no; for, says St. _Mark_, verse 49. “And JESUS
stood still,” though he was on a journey, and it may be in haste (for
it is not losing time to stop now and then on a journey to do a good
office by the way) “and commanded him to be called:” why so? to teach
us to be condescending and kind even to poor, if real beggars, and
tacitly to reprove the blind, misguided zeal of those who had charged
him to hold his peace. By this also our LORD prepares the multitude
the better to take the more notice of the blind man’s faith, and of his
own mercy and power exerted in the healing of him. For there are times
and seasons when we are called to perform acts of charity in the most
public manner, and that too very consistently with the injunction
of our Saviour, “not to let our right hand know what our left hand
doth.” For there is a great deal of difference between giving alms, and
exercising acts of charity, that are seen of men, and doing them, that
they may be seen; the one is always sinful, the other often becomes
our duty. JESUS commanded _Bartimeus_ to be called, “and they called
him.” Who called him? it may be, those who a little before charged
him to hold his peace. For it often happens, that our opposers and
discouragers, afterwards become our friends. “When a man’s ways please
the LORD, he makes his enemies be at peace with him.” And it is to
be wished, that all who have charged poor souls, that are crying
after JESUS, to hold their peace, and to spare themselves, and not be
righteous over-much, would imitate the people here, and encourage those
they once persecuted and maligned. “They call the blind man, saying
unto him, Be of good comfort, rise, he calleth thee.” The words, and
manner of speaking them, implies haste, and a kind of solicitude for
the blind man’s relief. O! that we might hereby learn to be patient,
and long-suffering, towards opposers. For it may be, that many may
oppose awakened souls, not out of enmity, but through prejudice and
misinformation, through ignorance and unbelief, and a real, though
perhaps false, persuasion, that their relations are going in a wrong
way. By and by they may be convinced, that CHRIST is indeed calling
them, and then they may become real and open friends to the cause and
work of GOD; if not, it is our duty to behave with meekness towards
all, and not to render railing for railing, but contrarywise blessing,
knowing that we are thereunto called, that we may inherit a blessing;
JESUS did not break out into harsh language against these opposers,
neither did _Bartimeus_. “Our LORD stood still, and commanded him to
be called; and they call the blind man, saying unto him, Be of good
comfort, rise, he calleth thee; and he, casting away his garment, rose
and came to JESUS.” Had _Bartimeus_ not been in earnest when he cried,
“JESUS, thou Son of _David_, have mercy upon me,” he might have said,
why do you mock me? why bid ye me arise; rise indeed I can, but after I
am risen, how can I, being blind, find my way unto him? If he will come
to me, it is well; if not, all your calling availeth nothing, it being
impossible for me to find my way. Thus thousands now-a-days object to
evangelical preachers, saying, Why do you bid us come to, and believe
on JESUS CHRIST, when you tell us it is impossible of ourselves to
turn to GOD, or to do good works; and that no one can come unto him,
unless the Father draw him. Is not this like the people’s calling upon
_Bartimeus_, to arise and come to JESUS, when he could not possibly see
his way before him? true, it is so; and would to GOD that all who make
this objection, would imitate _Bartimeus_, and put forth the strength
they have! What if we do call you to come, and to believe on the LORD
JESUS CHRIST, that you may be saved? does this imply, that you have a
power in yourselves to do so? no, in no wise, no more than JESUS saying
unto _Lazarus_’s dead and stinking carcase, “Come forth,” implied,
that _Lazarus_ had a power to raise himself from the grave. We call
to you, being commanded to preach the gospel to every creature, hoping
and praying, that CHRIST’s power may accompany the word, and make it
effectual to the quickening and raising of your dead souls. We also
call to you to believe, upon the same account as JESUS said unto the
lawyer, “do this, and thou shalt live;” that you seeing your utter
inability to come, might thereby be convinced of your unbelief, and
be led to ask for faith of him, whose gift it is, and who is therefore
in scripture emphatically stiled the _Author_, as well as _Finisher_,
of our faith. Add to this, that it is your duty to wait at the pool,
or to make use of the strength you have, in the earnest and steady
performance of all commanded duty. For though you cannot do what is
spiritually good, because you want spiritual principles of action,
yet ye may do what is morally and materially good, inasmuch as ye are
reasonable creatures; and though doing your duty as you can, no ways
deserves mercy, or entitles you to it, yet it is the way in which you
are required to walk, and the way in which GOD is usually found. While
you are attempting to stretch out your withered arm, peradventure it
may be restored; and who knows but JESUS may work faith in you, by his
almighty power?
_Bartimeus_ has set before such objectors an example; O that they would
once submit to be taught by a poor blind beggar! For he, casting away
his garment, rose, and blind as he was, came to JESUS; “casting away
his garment.” This seems to be a large coat or cloak, that he wore to
screen himself from the rain and cold; undoubtedly, it was the most
necessary and valuable vestment he had, and one would have thought,
that he should have taken this along with him; but he knew very
well, that if he did so, it might hang about his heels, and thereby
his reaching JESUS be retarded at least, if not prevented entirely.
Valuable therefore as it was to him, he cast it away. The word implies,
that he threw it from off his shoulders, with great precipitancy and
resolution, knowing that if he got a cure, which he now hoped for, by
CHRIST’s calling him, he should never want his garment again. And thus
will all do that are in earnest about coming to JESUS here, or seeing
and enjoying him in his kingdom eternally hereafter. They will cut off
a right-hand, they will pluck out a right-eye, they will leave father
and mother, husband and wife, yea, and their own lives also, rather
than not be his disciples. The apostle _Paul_, therefore, exhorts
christians, to “lay aside every weight, and the sin that doth most
easily beset them,” or hang about their heels, as the word in the
original imports; alluding to the custom of the _Romans_, who wore
long garments. Such a one was this, which _Bartimeus_ had wrapped round
him. But he, to shew that he sincerely desired to recover his sight,
casting it away, arose and came to JESUS. And what treatment did JESUS
give him? did he say, come not nigh me, thou impudent noisy beggar? No,
“he answered and said unto him, What wilt thou, that I should do unto
thee?” an odd question this, seemingly. For did not our LORD know what
he wanted? yes, he did; but the LORD JESUS dealt with him, as he deals
with us. He will make us acknowledge our wants ourselves, that we
thereby may confess our dependance upon him, and be made more sensible
of the need we stand in, of his divine assistance. The blind man
immediately replies, “LORD, (thereby intimating his belief of CHRIST’s
divinity) that I might receive my sight.” Methinks, I see the poor
creature listening to the voice of our Saviour, and with looks and
gestures bespeaking the inward earnestness of his soul, he cries out,
“LORD, that I may receive my sight.” As though he had said, I believe
thou art that Messiah who was to come into the world. I have heard
of thy fame, O JESUS! and hearing the long-wished-for glad-tidings of
thy coming this way, I cry unto thee, asking not for silver and gold,
but what thou, thou alone canst give me, LORD, that I might receive
my sight. No sooner does he ask, but he receives. For, verse 52,
“JESUS said unto him, Go thy way, thy faith hath made thee whole; and
immediately he received his sight.” With the word there went a power;
and he that spake light out of darkness, saying, “Let there be light,
and there was light,” commanded light into this poor blind beggar’s
eyes, and behold there was light. The miracle was instantaneous;
_immediately_ he received his sight. And next to a miracle it was,
that by breaking into open light all at once, he was not struck blind
again: but he that gave the sight, preserved it when given. O! happy
_Bartimeus_! thy eyes are now opened, and the very first object thou
dost behold, is the ever-loving, altogether-lovely JESUS. Methinks I
see thee transported with wonder and admiration, and all the disciples,
and the multitude, gazing around thee! And now, having received thy
sight, why dost thou not obey the LORD’s command, and go thy way? why
dost thou not haste to fetch thy garment, that thou just now in a hurry
didst cast away? No, no! with his bodily eyes, I believe he received
also a fresh addition of spiritual sight, and though others saw no
form or comeliness in the blessed JESUS, that they should desire him;
yet he by an eye of faith discovered such transcendent excellencies
in his royal person, and felt at the same time such a divine attraction
towards his all-bountiful benefactor, that instead of going his way to
fetch his garment, “he followed JESUS in the way;” and by his actions,
says with faithful, honest-hearted _Ruth_, “entreat me not to leave
thee; for whither thou goest, I will go; where thou lodgest, I will
lodge; thy people shall be my people; and thy God, my GOD.” He followed
JESUS in the way; the narrow way, the way of the cross; and I doubt not
but long since he has followed him to his crown, and is at this time
sitting with him at the right hand of his Father.
And now, my dear hearers, how find you your hearts affected at the
relation of this notable miracle which JESUS wrought? are you not ready
to break out into the language of the song of _Moses_, and to say, “Who
is like unto thee, O LORD, glorious in holiness, fearful in praises,
continually doing wonders!” Marvellous are thy works, O JESUS, and that
our souls know right well! But we must not stop here, in admiring what
the LORD did for _Bartimeus_; this, no doubt, as well as other parts
of Scripture, was written for our learning, upon whom the ends of the
world are come; consequently, as was proposed in the
_Second_ place, we should see what spiritual improvement can be made of
this history, upon which we have already been making some remarks.
A natural man, indeed, goes no further than the outward court of
the Scripture, and reads this, and the other miracles of our blessed
Saviour, just in the same manner as he reads _Homer_’s battles, or the
exploits of _Alexander_. But GOD forbid, that we should rest in only
hearing this matter of fact. For I tell thee, O man, I tell thee, O
woman, whoever thou art, that sittest this day under a preached gospel,
that if thou art in a natural state, thou art as blind in thy soul,
as _Bartimeus_ was in his body; a blind child of a blind father, even
of thy father _Adam_, who lost his sight when he lost his innocence,
and entailed his blindness, justly inflicted, upon thee, and me, and
his whole posterity. Some think indeed, that they see; but alas! such
talk only like men in their sleep, like persons beside themselves; the
scriptures every where represent fallen man, not only as spiritually
blind, but dead also; and we no more know, by nature, savingly the way
of salvation by JESUS CHRIST, than _Bartimeus_, when he was blind, knew
the colours of the rainbow. This, I trust, some of you begin to feel,
I see you concerned, I see you weeping, and, was I to ask some of you,
what you want to have done unto you? I know your answer would be, that
we may receive our sight. And GOD forbid, that I should charge you to
hold your peace, as though JESUS would not regard you! no, your being
made sensible of your natural blindness, and crying thus earnestly
after JESUS, is a sign at least, that you are awakened by his holy
Spirit (though it is possible, that you may cry with an exceeding
bitter cry, as _Esau_ did, and be lost at last); however, christian
charity induces me to believe and hope the best; I will therefore, in
the language of those who afterwards encouraged _Bartimeus_, say unto
you, Arise, take comfort; for, I trust, JESUS is calling you; follow
therefore the example of _Bartimeus_, cast away your garment; lay aside
every weight, and the sin which doth most easily beset you, arise, and
come to JESUS. He commands me, by his written word, to call to you,
and say, “Come unto him, all ye that are weary, and heavy laden, and he
will refresh you, he will give you rest.” Be not afraid, ye seek JESUS
of _Nazareth_, behold, he comes forth to meet you; ye are now on the
highway side, and JESUS, I trust, is passing by; I feel his presence,
I hope many of you feel it too; O then, cry mightily to him, who is
mighty and willing to save you; lay yourselves at the feet of sovereign
grace, say unto him, “JESUS, thou Son of _David_, have mercy on me,”
in the same frame as _Bartimeus_ did, and JESUS will answer you, he
will not cast out your prayer; according to your faith, so shall it be
done unto you. Blind as you are, you shall, notwithstanding, receive
your sight; Satan, indeed, and unbelief, will suggest many objections
to you, your carnal relations will also join issue with them, and
charge you to hold your peace; one will tell you, that your blindness
is too inveterate to be cured; another, that it is too late; a third,
that though JESUS can, yet he will not have mercy upon such poor, blind,
despicable beggars, as ye are; but, the more they charge you to hold
your peace, do you cry out so much the more a great deal, “JESUS, thou
Son of _David_, have mercy on us.” JESUS, thou Saviour, thou friend
of sinners, thou Son of _David_, and therefore a Son of man! gracious
words! endearing appellations! be encouraged by them, to draw nigh unto
him. Though _David_’s Lord, yet he is become _David_’s Son, after the
flesh, that ye through him may be made the sons of GOD: no matter what
thou art, O woman, what thou art, O man; though thou art literally a
poor beggar, think not thy condition too mean for JESUS to take notice
of; he came into the highways and hedges, to call such poor beggars
in; or, if you are rich, think not yourselves too high to stoop to
JESUS; for he is the King of kings; and you never will be truly rich,
until you are made rich in JESUS; fear not being despised, or losing
a little worldly honour: one sight of JESUS will make amends for all:
you will find something so inviting, so attracting, so satisfying, in
the altogether-lovely Lamb of GOD, that every sublunary enjoyment will
sicken, and die, and vanish before you; and you will no more desire
your former vain and trifling amusements, than _Bartimeus_, after he
had received his sight, desired to go back again and fetch his garment.
O that there may be many such blind beggars among you this day!
Here is a great multitude of people following me, a poor worm, this
day. I rejoice to see the fields thus white, ready unto harvest, and
to spread the gospel-net amidst so many; but alas! I shall return
home with a heavy heart, unless some of you will arise and come to my
JESUS; I desire to preach HIM, and not myself; rest not in hearing and
following me. Behold, believe on, and follow the Lamb of GOD, who came
to take away the sins of the world. Indeed, I do not despair of any
of you, neither am I discouraged, on account of my preaching in the
highways and hedges; JESUS called _Zaccheus_; JESUS called _Bartimeus_,
as he passed through _Jericho_; that cursed, that devoted place; and
why may he not call some of you, out of these despised fields? is his
arm shortened, that he cannot save? is he not as mighty now, and as
willing to save, even to the uttermost, all that come to the Father
through him, as he was seventeen hundred years ago? assuredly he is;
he hath said, and he also will do it, “Whosoever cometh to me, I will
in no wise cast out.” In no wise, or by no means. O encouraging words!
sinners, believe ye this? arise then, be of good comfort, for JESUS is
indeed calling you. Some of you, I trust, have obeyed this invitation,
and have had a sight of him long ago; I know then, you will bless and
love him; and if he should say unto you, as he did unto _Bartimeus_, go
you your way; your answer would be, we love our master, and will not go
from him. But suffer ye the word of exhortation:
Suffer me to stir up your pure minds by way of remembrance, shew that
you have indeed seen him, and that you do indeed love him, by following
him in the way; I mean, in the way of the cross, the way of his
ordinances, and in the way of his holy commandments; for alas! the love
of many waxeth cold, and few there are that follow JESUS rightly in the
way; few there are that cast away their garments so heartily as they
should; some idol or another hangs about us, and hinders us in running
the race that is set before us. Awake therefore, ye sleepy, though, it
may be, wise virgins. Awake, awake, put on strength; shake yourselves
from the dust; arise and follow JESUS more closely in the way, than
ever you did yet. Lift up the hands that hang down, and strengthen
the feeble knees. Provide right paths for your feet, lest that which
is lame be turned out of the way, but rather be ye healed. For though
the way be narrow, yet it is not long; “though the gate be straight,
(to use the words of pious bishop _Beveridge_) yet it opens into
everlasting life.” O that ye may get a fresh sight of him again this
day! That would be like oil to the wheels of your graces, and make
your souls like the chariots of _Aminadab_. It is only owing to your
losing sight of him, that you go so heavily from day to day. A sight
of JESUS, like the sun rising in the morning, dispels the darkness and
gloominess that lies upon the soul. Take therefore a fresh view of him,
O believers, and never rest until you are translated to see him as he
is, and to live with him for evermore, in the kingdom of heaven. Even
so, LORD JESUS, _Amen_ and _Amen_!