A.D. 29. had been wrought. but.. he, this should settle all doubts. how, and how, it may be asked, could one tell precisely who was some mystery in blind, when the cure was being wrought? answered, stating Christ's instru- the simple facts of the case, and no more. where.. he? they, ments. If He too, were blind, but unwilling to be cured. "There is ever will give sight to a blind man by The man born blind.-I. The speculative inquirers._ In their impotent and un-speculation there was: 1. Wonder; 2. Curiosity. II. The bitter likely means, antagonists: 1. They were technical, rather than moral, in their they shall be a standards of judgment; 2. They were prejudiced, rather than thing out of His candid, in their examination of evidence. III. The temporising own mouth and believers: 1. False; 2. Unthankful; 3. Unfeeling. IV. The something of the heroic defender: 1. Noble in spirit; 2. Forcible in reasoning." mixture of some earth, to show that the virtue of Christ's mouth, in the earthy and clayey vessels of mortal men, is of force to open the the eyes of b M'Cheynes Nar- to the Jews. "His whole life upon earth was for our correction and discipline." -Augustine. he is questioned by the Pharisees a Lightfoot shows that the Jews were for Sabbath, or even The Pool of Siloam.-The water of the Pool of Siloam flows out through a small channel cut or worn in the rock, and descends to refresh the gardens which are planted below on terraces, illus trating the expression, ‘a fountain of gardens;' for a fountain in such a situation waters many gardens. These are the remains of the king's garden mentioned by Nehemiah and Josephus. Leav ing the pool, weproceeded up the valley of Jehoshaphat, with the village of Siloam on our right, which literally hangs upon the steep brow of the Mount of Offence. We came to the spring or fountain-head of Siloam, beneath the rocky side of Moriah. We came to a wide cavern, partly or entirely hewn out by the hands of man, and descending two flights of steps cut in the rock, worn smooth and white like marble, we came to the water. From this point it flows through the subterranean canal already mentioned, and supplies the pool of Siloam. But it flows in such perfect stillness that it seemed to us to be a standing pool, until we put our hands into it and felt the gentle current pressing them aside. Nothing could be more descriptive of the flow of these waters than the words of Isaiah,- The waters of Shiloah that go softly.' Wild flowers, and, among other plants, the caper tree, grow luxu riantly around Siloam."b 13–15. Pharisees, who would be willing judges of the act in relation to the time. sabbath-day.. eyes, how many have since received sight on that day of wh. Jesus is the Lord! asked, etc., not to learn whether there was evidence of Christ's Divinity, but to prove Him a Sabbath-breaker.a 2. Facts not theories.-I. The question proposed: 1. What was bidden to prepare designed-(1) To criminate Jesus; (2) To baffle the man; medicines on the What was admitted—(1) That the man had been blind; (2) That to use spittle for he now saw. II. The answer given. It contained: 1. A simple curing the eyes. statement of what was done (1) Jesus' acts; (2) His own obePlain truth dience; (3) The result; 2. No explanation offered. This was words. She is beyond-(1) His knowledge; (2) The scope of the question. innocent, and ac- Learn:-Let men in stating their experience keep to the simple counts it no facts of the case. must have plain naked; whereas, hides himself in shame to be seen The blind taught to see.-"Only in February last that poor blind the hypocrite or fellow who sits on the form there was utterly ignorant. See how double-dealer his delicate fingers run over the raised types of his Bible, and he shelters and reads aloud and blesses God in his heart for the precious news, ambiguities and and for those who gave him the avenue for truth to his heart. reserves."-Pal- 'Jesus Christ will be the first person I shall ever see,' he says, for my eyes will be opened in heaven.' Thus even this man Magregor; becomes a missionary. At the annual examination of this school, Jordan, one of the scholars said, 'I am a little blind boy. Once I could mer. M.A., Rob Roy' on the etc. 1 A.D. 29. Description Mr. Mott's see; but then I fell asleep-a long, long sleep-I thought I should| never wake. And I slept till a kind gentleman, called Mr. Mott, came and opened my eyes-not these eyes,' pointing to his sight- of less eyeballs, but these,' lifting up his tiny fingers-' these eyes; Mission to the and oh! they see such sweet words of Jesus, and how he loved Blind at Beirût. the blind." "b c Jo. iv. 19. d Is. xxvi. 11. 16-19. man.. .. day, their bigotry prevented them fr. seeing, a division or their malice fr. admitting, that the cure proved the contrary. among them others, having more shrewdness or honesty. division, so the a v. 31; Jo. iii. 2. world is still divided, not through lack of evidence, but by pre-b Jo. vii. 12—43. sence of evil motives, etc. say.. man, not to learn the truth, but to divert attention fr. themselves, and prevent the going over of any of their party to Christ. He.. prophet, and, as such, "No man ever having a divine commission. Jews..believe,d unbelief leads departed from to sifting of evidence and further manifesting of truth. Thus the common faith sceptics, yet unwittingly, aid our cause. parents, who certainly upon pretence of knew, but not better than the man, who said, "I am He." how avoiding any absee? the parents, alarmed (v. 22), might have taken refuge in a lie. surdities therein supposed, but that he ran him self upon the necessity of believ Keepeth not the Sabbath.-I. The Sabbath rest of the Lord similar to that of the Father: 1. An active; 2. A holy; 3. A ing greater abhappy Sabbath rest. II. The Sabbath is a day on wh. the Lord-surdities than 1. Refreshes His friends; 2. Conquers His enemies; 3. Relieves any he pretended the afflicted; and by all these means-4. Promotes the coming of to avoid."-Young. the kingdom of God. e Lange. man 42. 20-23. know.. son, and are willing to acknowledge him. the parents that.. blind, a fact that had long caused them bitter sorrow. of the blind he.. age, a proper legal witness therefore. feared," how fear of persecution operates to stifle truth and conscience! already, a Pr. xxix. 25; having prejudged the case. any man, not allowing to others Jo. vii. 13; xii. the right of judging claimed by themselves. put out, etc., exsynagogued. Dif. degrees of excommunication. This prob. the b v. 34; xvi. 2. first. Expelled fr. s. for thirty days. Not to approach wife or friends within four cubits. therefore, in hope that the fear of being excommunicated might prompt a reply favourable to their view. "There is no word or action but may be taken with two hands, either with the right hand charitable of con sinister interpretation of malice and suspicion; struction or the and all things do succeed as they are taken. Το Second and third degrees of excommunication.—But if at the end of thirty days his repentance was not declared, he was then subject to the Cherem or curse. This is supposed to be the same as the "delivering over unto Satan" mentioned by the Apostle. His offence was proclaimed in the synagogue to which he belonged; and, at the time of pronouncing the curse, lamps or candles were lighted, which, at its conclusion, were extinguished, to express that the excommunicated person was then excluded construe an 'evil from the light of heaven. The person thus publicly cursed might action well is but neither teach others nor they teach him; but by study and re- a pleasing and search he might teach himself, that, haply, he might be convinced to myself; but to of the guilt or error into which he had fallen. His effects were misconstrue a confiscated; his male children were not admitted to circumcision; he might neither hire nor be hired; no one might trade with him, or employ him in any business, unless it was a very little, to afford him the barest possible means of subsistence; and if, finally, he died without repentance, stones were cast at his bier, to denote that he had deserved to be stoned. He was not honoured with a common burial; none followed him to the grave; profitable deceit good thing is a treble wrong to A.D. 29, Nayland). odious spirit in none lamented for him. It appears, however, that even the minds is differ- persons who laboured under this fearful sentence-which was ent." Jones (of exceedingly dreaded by the Jews-were not excluded from the services of the Temple and synagogues, although they were there dishonourably distinguished from others, and not allowed to mingle with the congregation. They were, in fact, no longer considered members of the Jewish Church, and scarcely deemed members of its commonwealth. We should add, that the curse with which this form of excommunication was publicly given, was Lord attended with the blowing of trumpets and horns, as if to announce the circumstance to all the world. The number of "When certain these instruments appears to have been proportioned to the persons abuse us, alleged offence: and among the stories which the Talmudists selves what de- relate concerning Christ, they tell us that four hundred trumpets scription of cha-were brought out when "Jesus of Nazareth" was excommuniracters it is that cated. The third and last degree of excommunication was the they admire; we should often find great anathema; which was inflicted on those offenders who had this a very con- repeatedly refused to comply with the sentence of the court in the solatory ques- former instances, and who had manifested other marks of a contion."-Colton. tumacious and impenitent disposition. This was attended with corporal punishment, and sometimes with banishment or death. let us ask our will ye also be His disciples ? a Jos. vii. 19; Ezr. x. 11; Ps. 1. 14, 15. "They attempt 24-27. give.. praise," these words a form of adjuration to tell the truth-"Remember that you are in God's presence and speak as unto Him." answered, keeping himself to simple facts. one . know, the most blessed thing that he could know. said.. again, as anxious by cross-examination to shake his evidence, or elicit more concerning the act in relation to the to prepossess and time. will disciples ? ironical. by the weight of move him, as an Christ's disciples.—Î. What is implied in being a disciple of unlearned man, Christ? II. The happy privileges of such. III. Enforce the their authority, inquiry, "Will ye also?" etc.: 1. Address the poor, and answer that he should their objections; 2. The rich, and answer their excuses; 3. The call Jesus a sin- learned, and refute their false philosophy." ner, and not avow Him as the Son of God."Bengel. "I know the hate it; I see the excellency of Influence of prejudice.—A gentleman was one day stoutly asserting that there were no gold-fields except in Mexico and Peru. A nugget dug up in California was presented to him as evidence against his positive assertion. He was not in the least evil of sin and disconcerted. "This metal, sir, is, I own, extremely like gold; and you tell me that it passes as such in the market, having been declared by the assayers to be indistinguishable from the precious metal. All this I will not dispute. Nevertheless, the metal is not gold, but auruminium: it cannot be gold, because gold comes only from Mexico and Peru." In vain was he informed that the geological formation was similar in California and Peru, and the metals similar. He had fixed in his mind the conclusion that gold existed only in Mexico and Peru: this was a law of Nature. He had no reasons to give why it should be so; but such had been the admitted fact for many years, and from it he could not God heareth not sinners a 1 Pe. ii. 23. b Ps. ciii. 7; He. iii. 5. Swerve.c 28-33. reviled,a irritated by his question. thou.. disciple, of wh. they had no proof. Moses' discs., and as stiff-necked as those that meekest of men had when living. we . Moses, how did they know, but by his works and words? know.. is, yet they had one of His works bef. them then. d marvellous, altogether inexplicable. Blending nature of sin. The healing of the blind man.-I. An evidence of the omnipotence of Christ. II. This act of omnipotence proves Him to be God. III. The healed man, though unlearned, judges more rightly of Divine things than the whole learned council of the Sanhedrim. A.D. 29. c Jo. vii. 14. d Jo. iii. 10. e Ps. cxix. 18; Is. xxix. 18, 19; XXXV. 5; 2 Co. iv. 6. f Job xxvii. 7; Ps. lxvi. 18; Pr. xxviii. 9; Is. 1. 15; Je: xi. 11: Ez. viii. 18; Mi. iii. 4; Zec. vii. 13. g Ps. xxxiv. 15; Pr. xv. 29. "This, in these latter days, hath been the method A strange disciple.-One day, as Mr. Whitefield walked along, a sailor, apparently a little intoxicated, but it would seem wishing to appear more so, frequently stumbled in Mr. Whitefield's way, who, notwithstanding, took no notice of him; at length he so much interrupted the way as to prevent Mr. Whitefield getting forward. On which he took him by the shoulder, and thrust him to one side. "What do you mean?" said the sailor: "don't you know I am one of your disciples?" "I am afraid of that," replied the good man; “had you been one of my Master's Ih Dr. Whitby. should have had better hopes of you." of finding out the truth-to accuse one another of error." Farindon. 34-38. thou.. sins," in all. to former blindness (see on vv. the blind 1-3). dost.. us, yet they would teach others! cast.. out, man cast out of synagogue (v. 22). found him, blessed are the persecuted.ca v. 2. said,d anxious to confer a greater good than bodily sight. Son 6 Is. lxvi. 5. '..God, the Messiah, who is not merely the Son of David.c Ps. xxvii. 10; that.. might, willingness to believe. hast..seen, the first Ma. v. 10; Lu. thou didst see when thine eyes were opened. said.. believe, vi. 22. emphatically, heartily. worshipped,e bowed the knees in reverence (see Gk. Ac. x. 25). d 1 Jo. v. 13. e Ma. xiv. 38. See T. Arnold, D.D., Sermons i. 195. "Simple minds and unlearned country folk The important question.-I. The nature of the question."Dost thou believe?" etc. To believe implies-1. To credit the record concerning Him; 2. To trust in Him (Eph. i. 12, 13); 3. To receive Him (Jo. i. 12); 4. To realise His gracious presence. II. Offer some helps to assist you in answering it: 1. Faith is a Divine principle; 2. Self-evident; 3. Victorious; 4. Practical. often make maniIII. State some reasons why an answer should be given. The fest without guile question is-1. Important; 2. Personal; 3. Simple; 4. Doubtful the truth of a -Dost thou believe on the Son of God?-I. The nature of this matter, as the thing is; but, on inquiry; II. The claims which this question has upon our the other hand, regards; III. The grounds on which a satisfactory answer may a crafty wickedbe given.s-Credo. This man's great faith-I. Was produced ness studies how gradually: 1. Faith cometh by hearing; 2. It is fostered by an falsehood experimental knowledge of the power of God; 3. It is strengthened glorying words." by the realisation of the presence of Christ (v. 37). II. Was -Rabanus. evidently genuine. III. Was strikingly confessed. "Lord, I "Those who canbelieve," was said: 1. While base insinuations as to Christ were fresh in his mind; 2. When his heart was wounded by a cruel excommunication (v. 34); 3. Was followed by a practical demon stration." to recommend by not hear plain dealing hurt themselves most, for by this they seldom hear the truth."-Gurnall. Anon. Couching for blindness.-Since the beginning of last century, a common form of blindness has been rendered curable by a surgical operation called couching, first performed in England by 9 Anon. A.D. 29. Mr. Cheselden, in 1728; and in this way persons who became blind too early in life to remember the use and objects of sight, h Stems and Twigs. have been healed; but there is still no instance on record of a person absolutely born blind obtaining the use of sight. i Kitto. blindness of the Pharisees a Jo. v. 22, 27; xii. 47. b 1 Pe. ii. 9. e Ma. xiii. 13; Jo. iii. 19. d Ro. ii. 19; Re. iii. 17. e Jo. xv. 22, 24. f Is. v. 21; Lu. xviii. 14; 1 Jo. i. 8-10. "All quarrelling is about the application of general granted rules to personal pri vate cases. Epictetus. "There is no such hindrance to proficiency as too timely a con ceit of knowledge." -Dr. Hammond. dom, had they Seneca. 39-41. judgment, making manifest the rightness of the sentence that shall be presently pronounced. see not, but desire to see, and have faith. might see, bodily, as the proof to others; spiritually, as evidence to themselves that I am the Messiah. they.. see, or think they do, and hence reject the truth. blind, judicially left in spiritual darkness. said.. also,d conscience app. the words. if.. blind,e if you felt and acknowledged your blindness. ye.. sin, for your sin consists in the proud and impenitent assumption and monopoly of light and knowledge. now.. see, calling such knowledge as you have the true light and insight into God's will. remaineth, unpardoned, because unconfessed. Discriminating effects of the Gospel.-I. The need there was of Christ for the developing and disclosing the characters of men. II. The suitability of His appearance to produce that discovery. III. The actual effect of His advent: 1. Whilst He Himself was on earth; 2. In the whole of the Apostolic age; 3. At the present hour.g Examples of prejudice.-The Mahommedan cleaves, from century to century, to his prophet and Alcoran, and no reason or force can induce him to renounce either, and seek a better Saviour and Prophet, by reading and following the direction of a wiser, richer, older, and Diviner book. His hatred to one is complete, and his love for the other is supreme. He has made up his mind, "I suppose that and ages, with their associations, have added their blending and many might have incrustating power to his infatuated faith and blind adherence. attained to wis- The atheistic sceptic, though professing candour, and that his not thought they logic has led him to his present unenviable position; yet, if you had already at- recommend a reading of the Sacred Volume, attention to the tained it." duties of Christian truth, an impartial examination of the whole The more thou departments of evidence, and a modest doubt of the premises, knowest and the processes, and conclusions of his logic, his prejudice is a barrier better thou un- which he cannot break, and a gate over which he cannot leap. derstandest, the He is kept by its power in the dungeon and slime of infidelity. more grievously shalt thou be Such is the power of prejudice in the different sects among men, judged, unless that they refuse to acknowledge each other in the street; they thy life is more cannot preach the same Gospel in the same place; they refuse to holy."-Bacon. "It is a woeful read the works written by one another; they will not meet on the condition of a same platform; and even refuse admittance to Christians to the Church, when no Lord's table, because they cannot bring their minds to believe as man will allow himself to be ig- they do; and even members of the same body will not hold comnorant."-Bp. Hall. munion with one another; like the Egyptians who would not g Rev. C. Simeon, eat bread with the Hebrews, for that was abomination in their sight. In fact and in practice they call one another heretics continually." M.A. h T. Hughes, Esq., M.P. the Shepherd of the sheep a Ro. x. 15; He. V. 4. CHAPTER THE TENTH. 1-3. verily.. you, He now discourses on the character and duty of pastors. sheepfold,a all. to sacred enclosure of the Church. climbeth, resolved to enter for sake of pay and power. thief, thinking more of the fleece than the flock. door," by the |