Chapter I: SUPPOSE I may take it for granted, that all of you, among whom I am (4)

_Thirdly_ and _Lastly_, If the torments reserved for the wicked hereafter are eternal, then this may serve as a reproof for those who quarrel with GOD, and say it is inconsistent with his justice, to punish a person to all eternity, only for enjoying the pleasures of sin for a season. But such persons must be told, that it is not their thinking or calling GOD unjust, will make him so, no more than a condemned prisoner’s saying the law or judge is unjust, will render either duly chargeable with such an imputation. But knowest thou, O worm, what blasphemy thou art guilty of, in charging GOD with injustice? “Shall the thing formed say to him that formed it, why hast thou made me thus?” Wilt thou presume to arraign the Almighty at the bar of thy shallow reasoning? and call him unjust, for punishing thee eternally, only because thou wishest it may not be so? But hath GOD said it, and shall he not do it? He hath said it: and let GOD be true, though every man be a liar. “Shall not the judge of all the earth do right?” Assuredly he will. And if sinners will not own his justice in his threatenings here, they will be compelled ere long to own and feel them, when tormented by him hereafter.

But to come to a more practical application of what has been delivered.

You have heard, brethren, the eternity of hell-torments plainly proved, from the express declarations of holy scriptures, and consequences naturally drawn from them. And now there seems to need no great art of rhetoric to persuade any understanding person to avoid and abhor those sins, which without repentance will certainly plunge him into this eternal gulph. The disproportion between the pleasure and the pain (if there be any pleasure in sin) is so infinitely great, that supposing it was only possible, though not certain, that the wicked would be everlastingly punished, no one that has the reason of a man, for the enjoying a little momentary pleasure, would, one might imagine, run the hazard of enduring eternal pain. But since the torments of the damned are not only possible, but certain, (since GOD himself, who cannot lie, has told us so) for men, notwithstanding, to persist in their disobedience, and then flatter themselves, that GOD will not make good his threatenings, is a most egregious instance of folly and presumption.

_Dives_ himself supposed, that if one rose from the dead, his brethren would amend their lives; but Christians, it seems, will not repent, though the Son of GOD died and rose again, and told them what they must expect, if they continue obstinate in evil-doing.

Would we now and then draw off our thoughts from sensible objects, and by faith meditate a while on the miseries of the damned, I doubt not but we should, as it were, hear many an unhappy soul venting his fruitless sorrows, in some such piteous moans as these.

“O wretched man that I am, who shall deliver me from this body of death!” O foolish mortal that I was, thus to bring myself into these never-ceasing tortures, for the transitory enjoyment of a few short-lived pleasures, which scarcely afforded me any satisfaction, even when I most indulged myself in them. Alas! are these the wages, these the effects of sin? Are all the grand deceiver’s inviting promises come to this? O damned apostate! First to delude me with pretended promises of happiness, and after several years drudgery in his service, thus to involve me in eternal woe. O that I had never hearkened to his beguiling insinuations! O that I had rejected his very first suggestions with the utmost detestation and abhorrence! O that I had taken up my cross and followed CHRIST! O that I had never ridiculed serious godliness; and out of a false politeness, condemned the truly pious as too severe, enthusiastic, or superstitious! For I then had been happy indeed, happy beyond expression, happy to all eternity, yonder in those blessed regions where they sit, cloathed with unspeakable glory, and chanting forth their seraphic hallelujahs to the Lamb that sitteth upon the throne for ever. But, alas! these reflections come now too late: these wishes now are vain and fruitless. I have not suffered, and therefore must not reign with them. I have in effect denied the LORD that bought me, and therefore justly am I now denied by him. But must I live for ever tormented in these flames? Must this body of mine, which not long since lay in state, was cloathed in purple and fine linen, and fared sumptuously every day, must it be here eternally confined, and made the mockery of insulting devils? O eternity! that thought fills me with despair: I must be miserable for ever.

Come then, all ye self-deluding, self-deluded sinners, and imagine yourselves for once in the place of that truly wretched man I have been here describing. Think, I beseech you by the mercies of GOD in CHRIST JESUS, think with yourselves, how racking, how unsupportable the never-dying worm of a self-condemning conscience will hereafter be to you. Think how impossible it will be for you to dwell with everlasting burnings.

Come, all ye christians of a lukewarm, _Laodicean_ spirit, ye _Gallio_’s in religion, who care a little, but not enough for the things of GOD; O think, think with yourselves, how deplorable it will be to lose the enjoyment of heaven, and run into endless torments, merely because you will be content to be almost, and will not strive to be altogether christians. Consider, I beseech you consider, how you will rave and curse that fatal stupidity which made you believe any thing less than true faith in JESUS, productive of a life of strict piety, self-denial, and mortification, can keep you from those torments, the eternity of which I have been endeavouring to prove.

But I can no more. These thoughts are too melancholy for me to dwell on, as well as for you to hear; and GOD knows, as punishing is his strange work, so denouncing his threatenings is mine. But if the bare mentioning the torments of the damned is so shocking, how terrible must the enduring of them be!

And now, are not some of you ready to cry out, “These are hard sayings, who can bear them?”

But let not sincere christians be in the least terrified at what has been delivered: No, for you is reserved a crown, a kingdom, an eternal and exceeding weight of glory. CHRIST never said that the righteous, the believing, the upright, the sincere, but the wicked, merciless, negatively good professors before described, shall go into everlasting punishment. For you, who love him in sincerity, a new and living way is laid open into the Holy of Holies by the blood of JESUS CHRIST: and an abundant entrance will be administered unto you, at the great day of account, into eternal life. Take heed, therefore, and beware that there be not in any of you a root of bitterness springing up of unbelief: but on the contrary, stedfastly and heartily rely on the many precious promises reached out to you in the gospel, knowing that he who hath promised is faithful, and therefore will perform.

But let no obstinately wicked professors dare to apply any of the divine promises to themselves: “For it is not meet to take the childrens meat and give it unto dogs:” No, to such the terrors of the LORD only belong. And as certainly as CHRIST will say to his true followers, “Come, ye blessed children of my Father, receive the kingdom prepared for you from the beginning of the world;” so he will unalterably pronounce this dreadful sentence against all that die in their sins, “Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels.”

From which unhappy state, may GOD of his infinite mercy deliver us all through JESUS CHRIST; to whom, with thee O Father, and thee O Holy Ghost, three Persons and one eternal GOD, be ascribed, as is most due, all honour, power, might, majesty, and dominion, now and for evermore.

SERMON XXVII.

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_!

SERMON XXVIII.

Directions how to hear Sermons.

LUKE viii. 18.

_Take heed, therefore, how ye hear._

THE occasion of our LORD’s giving this caution, was this: Perceiving that much people were gathered together to hear him out of every city, and knowing (for he is GOD, and knoweth all things) that many, if not most of them, would be hearers only, and not doers of the word; he spake to them by a parable, wherein, under the similitude of a sower that went out to sow his seed, he plainly intimated, how few there were amongst them, who would receive any saving benefit from his doctrine, or bring forth fruit unto perfection.

The application one would imagine should have been plain and obvious; but the disciples, as yet unenlightened in any great degree by the Holy Spirit, and therefore unable to see into the hidden mysteries of the kingdom of GOD, dealt with our Saviour, as people ought to deal with their ministers; they discoursed with him privately about the meaning of what he had taught them in public; and with a sincere desire of doing their duty, asked for an interpretation of the parable.

Our blessed LORD, as he always was willing to instruct those that were teachable, (herein setting his ministers an example to be courteous and easy of access) freely told them the signification. And withal, to make them more cautious and more attentive to his doctrine for the future, he tells them, that they were in an especial manner to be the light of the world, and were to proclaim on the house-top whatsoever he told them in secret; and as their improving the knowledge already imparted, was the only condition upon which more was to be given them, it therefore highly concerned them to “take heed how they heard.”

From the context then it appears, that the words were primarily spoken to the Apostles themselves. But as it is to be feared, out of those many thousands that flock to hear sermons, but few, comparatively speaking, are effectually influenced by them, I cannot but think it very necessary to remind you of the caution given by our LORD to his disciples, and to exhort you with the utmost earnestness, to “take heed how you hear.”

In prosecution of which design I shall,

_First_, Prove that every one ought to take all opportunities of hearing sermons. And,

_Secondly_, I shall lay down some cautions and directions, in order to your hearing with profit and advantage.

_First_, I am to prove, that every one ought to take all opportunities of hearing sermons.

That there have always been particular persons set apart by GOD, to instruct and exhort his people to practise what he should require of them, is evident from many passages of scripture. St. _Jude_ tells us, that “_Enoch_, the seventh from _Adam_, prophesied (or preached) concerning the LORD’s coming with ten thousand of his saints to judgment.” And _Noah_, who lived not long after, is stiled by St. _Peter_, “a preacher of righteousness.” And though in all the intermediate space between the flood and giving of the law, we hear but of few preachers, yet we may reasonably conclude, that GOD never left himself without witness, but at sundry times, and after divers manners, spoke to our fathers by the patriarchs and prophets.

But however it was before, we are assured that after the delivery of the law, GOD constantly separated to himself a certain order of men to preach to, as well as pray for his people; and commanded them to enquire their duty at the priests mouths. And though the _Jews_ were frequently led into captivity, and for their sins scattered abroad on the face of the earth, yet he never utterly forsook his church, but still kept up a remnant of prophets and preachers, as _Ezekiel_, _Jeremiah_, _Daniel_, and others, to reprove, instruct, and call them to repentance.

Thus was it under the law. Nor has the church been worse, but infinitely better provided for under the gospel. For when JESUS CHRIST, that great High-priest, had through the eternal Spirit offered himself, as a full, perfect, sufficient sacrifice and satisfaction for the sins of the whole world, and after his resurrection had all power committed to him, both in heaven and earth, he gave commission to his Apostles, and in them to all succeeding ministers, to “go and preach his gospel to every creature;” promising to “to be with them, to guide, assist, strengthen, and comfort them always, even to the end of the world.”

But if it be the duty of ministers to preach, (and woe be to them if they do not preach the gospel, for a necessity is laid upon them) no doubt, the people are obliged to attend to them; for otherwise, wherefore are ministers sent?

And how can we here avoid admiring the love and tender care which our dear Redeemer has expressed for his spouse the church? Who, because he could not be always with us in person, on account it was expedient he should go away, and as our forerunner take possession of that glory he had purchased by his precious blood, yet would not leave us comfortless, but first settled a sufficient number of pastors and teachers; and afterwards, according to his promise, actually did and will continue to send down the Holy Ghost, to furnish them and their successors with proper gifts and graces “for the work of the ministry, for the perfecting of the saints, for the edifying of his body in love, till we all come in the unity of the spirit, to the fulness of the measure of the stature of CHRIST.”

O how insensible are those persons of this unspeakable gift, who do despite to the Spirit of grace, who crucify the Son of GOD afresh, and put him to an open shame, by wilfully refusing to attend on so great a means of their salvation? How dreadful will the end of such men be? How aggravating, that light should come into the world, that the glad tidings of salvation should be so very frequently proclaimed in this populous city, and that so many should loath this spiritual manna, this angels food, and call it light bread? How much more tolerable will it be for _Tyre_ and _Sidon_, for _Sodom_ and _Gomorrah_, than for such sinners? Better, that men had never heard of a Saviour being born, than after they have heard, not to give heed to the ministry of those, who are employed as his ambassadors, to transact affairs between GOD and their souls.

We may, though at a distance, without a spirit of prophesy, foretel the deplorable condition of such men; behold them cast into hell, lifting up their eyes, being in torment, and crying out, How often would our ministers have gathered us, as a hen gathereth her chickens under her wings? But we would not. O that we had known in that our day, the things that belonged to our everlasting peace! But now they are for ever hid from our eyes.

Thus wretched, thus inconceiveably miserable, will such be as slight and make a mock at the public preaching of the gospel. But taking it for granted, there are but few, if any, of this unhappy stamp, who think it worth their while to tread the courts of the LORD’s house, I pass on now to the

_Second_ general thing proposed, to lay down some cautions and directions, in order to your hearing sermons with profit and advantage.

And here, if we reflect on what has been already delivered, and consider that preaching is an ordinance of GOD, a means appointed by JESUS CHRIST himself for promoting his kingdom amongst men, you cannot reasonably be offended, if, in order that you may hear sermons with profit and advantage, I

1. Direct or entreat you to come to hear them, not out of curiosity, but from a sincere desire to know and do your duty.

Formality and hypocrisy in any religious exercise, is an abomination unto the LORD. And to enter his house merely to have our ears entertained, and not our hearts reformed, must certainly be highly displeasing to the Most High GOD, as well as unprofitable to ourselves.

Hence it is, that so many remain unconverted, yea, unaffected with the most evangelical preaching; so that like St. _Paul_’s companions, before his conversion, they only hear the preacher’s voice with their outward ears, but do not experience the power of it inwardly in their hearts: Or, like the ground near _Gideon_’s fleece, they remain untouched; whilst others, who came to be fed with the sincere milk of the word, like the fleece itself, are watered by the dew of GOD’s heavenly blessing, and grow thereby.

Flee therefore, my brethren, flee curiosity, and prepare your hearts by a humble disposition, to receive with meekness the engrafted word, and then it will be a means, under GOD, to quicken, build up, purify, and save your souls.

2. A second direction I shall lay down for the same purpose, is, not only to prepare your hearts before you hear, but also to give diligent heed to the things that are spoken from the word of GOD.

If an earthly king was to issue out a royal proclamation, on performing or not performing the conditions therein contained, the life or death of his subjects entirely depended, how solicitous would they be to hear what those conditions were? And shall not we pay the same respect to the King of kings, and LORD of lords, and lend an attentive ear to his ministers, when they are declaring, in his name, how our pardon, peace, and happiness may be secured?

When GOD descended on mount _Sinai_ in terrible majesty, to give unto his people the law, how attentive were they to his servant _Moses_? And if they were so earnest to hear the thunderings or threatenings of the law, shall not we be as solicitous to hear from the ministers of CHRIST, the glad tidings of the gospel?

Whilst CHRIST was himself on earth, it is said, that the people hung upon him to hear the gracious words that proceeded out of his mouth. And if we looked on ministers as we ought, as the sent of JESUS CHRIST, we should hang upon them to hear their words also.

Besides, the sacred truths that gospel ministers deliver, are not dry insipid lectures on moral philosophy, intended only to amuse us for a while; but the great mysteries of godliness, which, therefore, we are bound studiously to listen to, lest through our negligence we should either not understand them, or by any other means let them slip.