I. UNSEEN IN ITS BEGINNING.

It was our Lord's pleasure that this miracle of healing should be wrought privately. He leads the man out of the town, to have his eyes opened; and when the work is done, even then he will not have it immediately known.

Now the work of regenerating grace is conducted, in its beginnings, with somewhat of the same secrecy. As "the wind bloweth where it listeth, and thou canst not tell whence it cometh... so is every one that is born of the Spirit." Often, before ministers or friends are aware, Christ has taken a man aside, and has in some mysterious way begun to enlighten his blinded heart. The variety of the methods which he employs, is one means of concealing his operation. We are hoping that the obstinate sinner may be converted by terrors and threats; Christ meanwhile draws him by love. We hope a faithful sermon may do the work; Christ effects it by some chance-word of a pious friend, some sentence out of a good book. We try persuasion, kindness, and reasoning; Christ sends some sharp affliction. 'Lo, all these things worketh God oftentimes with man, to bring back his soul from the pit, to be enlightened with the light of the living." He "will lead the blind by a way that they know not."

2

From this consideration, faithful Ministers may take encouragement in their work. In praying and labouring for the conversion of sinners, they seem in many cases to labour in vain. But let them not forget, that it is Christ, not they, who must change the heart. And can I certainly know, that nothing yet has been wrought on your souls? No-Christ, I would hope, has spoken to your conscience, when others knew not of it perhaps he is even now secretly drawing you aside, 2 Job xxxiii. 29, 30.

1 John iii. 8.

3 Isaiah xlii. 16.

and beginning to open your eyes. God grant it may be so! Let me hope that I shall have you as my "joy and crown of rejoicing," in the day of our Lord Jesus.A like encouragement is open to Christian Parents, while striving to bring their families to Christ. He

will give success, when you least expect it: he is often

actually working, when you are unaware of it." "Cast," therefore, "thy bread upon the waters, and it shall be found after many days." "In the morning sow thy

seed, and in the evening withhold not thine hand: for thou knowest not whether shall prosper, either this or that; or whether they both shall be alike good."' Again-the work of grace is

II. GRADUAL IN ITS PROGRESS.

It was an unusual circumstance in this miracle, that the means employed by our Lord seemed at first to succeed but partially. The man could see, but it was so indistinctly, that those who walked near him looked more like trees than men. Now can we suppose it possible, that here was any thing like a failure? Surely not; otherwise the second touching of the eyes of the blind man would not have been likely to do more than the first. In both cases, indeed, the touch was but an outward sign-not the means; the work, first and last, was effected by nothing but Divine Omnipotence. No-here again we have a specimen of his way of proceeding, in the work of spiritual Conversion. Undoubtedly, the Spirit of Christ could in a moment subdue the power of sin, and change completely the corrupt heart. But this is not his usual course. He chooses rather to effect the work by degrees-degrees, differing in almost every respect in different individuals. In some penitents, humiliation for sin appears for a while to be the 2 Eccles. xi. 1, 6.

1 1 Thess. ii. 19.

principal change going on. They very slowly get to understand the gracious and encouraging doctrine of Christ. They do indeed look to Christ, as their hope; but they behold him very indistinctly. Like this man, who saw people as if they were trees, they do not discern "the breadth and length, the depth and height, of the love of Christ; " being more intent upon their own miseries, than upon his all-sufficiency. In others, again, knowledge seems to grow faster than grace ; while they fancy that they clearly understand the doctrine, they are still very dim-sighted and purblind to their own guilt, pollution, and weakness. They still need" line upon line, precept upon precept," 2 (to the great mortification of their pride and self-sufficiency) before they know the Gospel as they ought to know it.

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It is thus that the great Physician conducts the cure of his spiritual patients. And his design is ever the same: to "stain the pride of all glory; "' 3 to work patience experience-hope; to call forth a more simple dependence, and a more earnest desire. Wait therefore his time, and he will bring it to pass.-Suppose that this man, in his impatience, had departed with his blindness half-cured. How much would he have lost! Perhaps the disease might have returned; and he would have said, that Christ had shewn himself unable to heal. Many, alas! do so now. They get a little comfort— a little knowledge—and they seek no more: nay, that little is soon lost; and then they complain, that there is "no balm in Gilead, no Physician there!"s I got no good by religion, and so I gave it up.' No! you gave it up, and therefore you got no good by it.— Hear how God complains of such behaviour; "Oh that my people had hearkened unto me, and Israel had 3 Isa. xxiii. 9.

Eph. iii. 18.

2 Isa. xxviii. 10.

walked in my ways ! I should soon have subdued their enemies, and turned my hand against their adversaries."1 No, brethren, the patient must wait; happy if, by any means, and after any delay, however long, he may "have the light of life." 2

And he will find, that the work is

III. UNFAILING IN ITS ACCOMPLISHMENT. Whatever this blind man might think or fear, Christ steadily proceeds to finish the miracle. Gradual as he might chuse to make it, he from the very first intended it to be effectual. A second time, therefore, was that sacred hand laid upon the blind eyes; and then "he was restored, and saw every man clearly."

Nor does he undertake to cure the soul, and to enlighten the heart, without the power and the intention to succeed. And he does succeed.-Has he "begun the good work in you?" he "will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ."3 Hath he justified you? he will sanctify you, and that wholly. Are you one of his sheep? "you shall never perish, nor shall any pluck you out of his hand." 5 Are you built on the true foundation? it "standeth sure, having this seal, The Lord knoweth them that are his.""

It is true-many seem partially healed, and considerably enlightened, who afterwards fall away. It was so in the Apostles' days-nay, even under the personal ministry of Christ himself. But see how their case is explained by the Apostle John: "They went out from us, but they were not of us: for if they had been of us, they would no doubt have continued with us: but they went out, that they might be made manifest, that they were not all of us."7 Here was the difference between

1 Ps. lxxxi. 13-16. 2 John viii. 12, 3 Phil. i. 6. 41 Thess. v. 23. 5 John x. 27, 28. 62 Tim. ii. 19. 71 John ii. 19.

Judas Iscariot and Peter. You need not be told why it was, that Peter alone rose from his fall: "I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not.” 1 It is not said that Christ prayed for Judas. Where he interposed, then, his interposition was effectual: and it is so still. The Lord will not forsake his people, perverse and wayward as they may be. In due time, the blind eyes shall be effectually opened the dead affections quickened-the old heart renewed-the lost soul saved. will" do all things well." 2 conquerors, through him that In conclusion, I ask,

He

We shall be " more than loved us.

3

1. Do you feel your own ignorance, blindness, and guilt? Then you see what you have to do. Come to that Redeemer, who is mighty to save! Prayer will yet reach his ears, and "his hand is stretched out still." Go aside with him-in your closet-in your heart. Be not impatient: "Oh tarry thou the Lord's leisure; be strong, and he shall comfort thine heart." 4 You shall "not return ashamed; the poor and needy shall praise his name." 5

1

of

2. Have you a good hope that Jesus has undertaken your case? Is the cure proceeding? Has the prayer faith been effectual, in comforting your guilty mindremoving doubts-giving you power against sin? If so, your duty is the very opposite to that which is enjoined here. You must not conceal the kindness of your heavenly Friend. "When thou art converted, strengthen thy brethren." Let this be your resolution-not in a spirit of ostentation, but of humble, adoring gratitude—

Now will I tell to sinners round
What a dear Saviour I have found:
Will point to his atoning blood,
And say, Behold the way to God!

1 Luke xxii. 32. Psalm xxxi. 24.

2 Mark vii. 37. Prayer Book.

3 Rom. viii. 37. 5 Psalm lxxiv. 21.