treasury of heaven-it hath brought down heaven to earth, and (may we not say) lifted earth to heaven.* Oh! for the cry of faith from ministers and people, "Lord, we believe, help thou our unbelief."

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3. Mark we now the conflict itself of which the cry was the forerunner. Exact emblem this poor soul of many of this day! So long as he "sat by the highway side," only seeking for daily sustenance, none disturbed him; but when the cry to the Lord of Life begins, then begins the hindrance too. My brethren! you may be careless and indifferent, and the world and the professing the merely professing-Christian, will not occupy themselves with you. You may sit by the way-side of the world, and all will be well as far as regards them :-but begin the cry, "Jesus, have mercy on me," and immediately all hindrances arise. The world will bid you hold your peace. What need, will they say, for so much earnestness, so much diligence? Is "the gate" indeed so "strait" that you must thus "strive to enter in." Satan will whisper, You are not as other men are, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, that to you it should be needful thus anxiously to seek for mercy;

* Hebrews xi. 29 to end; Jeremiah xxviii. 16; Acts v. ; Daniel ix. 21, &c.; Rev. xxi. 2; 2 Cor. xii. 4.

or perhaps, more subtle still, he will say, "Too late," think you that Jesus will now hear? how many years have you neglected him? Will He now attend? Oh hold your peace—your soul is dead, "twice dead;" "trouble not the Master any farther." Awful is the thought, too, of the selfishness of human nature. The multitude were passing by, doubtless they would not be interrupted, and they bade him "hold his peace." Do you know anything of these whispers? Are you delaying on account of them? heed them not; do as this poor one did; go on and prosper; some may deride you, but Jesus will hear, and give you an answer of peace.

IV. The Triumph of Faith.

1. Its preceding token was, perseverance in prayer. "He cried the more a great deal, Thou Son of David, have mercy on me." As though he had said, Do my fellow sinners take part against me? Ah! they know not what it is to be blind. "I will cease from

man whose breath is in his nostrils,” I will yet persevere with Him "who answereth prayer;" Jesus, thou Son of David, have mercy

2. The season of blessing was at hand. Jesus

was passing on in His eventful work, but here was a cry that stayed Him-the cry of a poor, lost sinner, in need of help. "And Jesus stood still and commanded him to be called." Oh what a moment in the life of this poor blind one! Oh what a moment in the life of any soul when God, who is rich in mercy, quickens it by His grace, draws it unto Himself! Is thy heart tender on account of sin? Are you self-rebuked, and is there godly sorrow? Would you love and serve the Lord Jesus? Does the cry ascend for blessings of peace, for spiritual eternal blessings? Oh surely "Jesus stands still, and commands thee to be called." Does the world no longer please thee? Is thy cry, "None but Christ, none but Christ ?" Oh surely "He hath stood still." His word hath reached thy heart. "Be of good comfort, rise, He calleth thee."

3. The Saviour asks, "What wilt thou that I should do unto thee?" Happy inquiry for him who had his answer ready, "Lord, that I might receive my sight." Searching words to our souls were the Lord of glory now present, and in person to apply them. What, my brethren, would be the answer of our hearts?-yes, of our hearts, for He readeth them. On what are the desires of those

hearts fixed? "What wilt thou that I should do unto thee?" Indifferent careless soul! how awful the reply which thy heart gives now in the sight of God: "Let me live on in ease and plenty, and then know no hereafter;" or, "Let me live careless and yet enter heaven at the last." Mere professor, what saith thine heart, as it is read by Him who searcheth the reins and the heart: "Let my gifts be many, let my pride be satisfied, and then let me finally by thy decree, without reference to my character, my state, be admitted into glory." Vain hope, delusive thought! "Without holiness no man shall see the Lord."

Child of God! thy Saviour asks, "What wilt thou that I should do unto thee?" "Lord, make me wholly thine," is thy reply: “Oh that I may receive my sight, my spiritual sight! rather let me be blind to nature than blind to grace, rather let me lose all and win Christ, than having all things, be without thee.” Be this thy cry, and thine shall assuredly be, an answer of peace. And Jesus said unto him, Go thy way, thy faith hath made thee whole, and immediately he received his sight.".

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4. Restored to sight, rejoicing in soul, "he follows Jesus in the way." Such is the practical result of true and spiritual healing; the

soul hath a new bent, new desires, new principles; "it follows Jesus in the way;" follows Him in His lowliness of mind, in His longings for His Father's presence, and in His diligence in His Father's work.

And whither does that way lead? to peace, to holiness, to glory. He that now "followeth Jesus in the way," shall know the blessed end, even eternal life....

Brethren! again at a coming day shall "Jesus stand still, and command us to be called."

Hast thou an eye to look to that day? Art thou, by faith, now looking to that Saviour as your Hiding place Whom then you must behold as your Judge? If so, then is thy heart earnestly crying, "Jesus, thou Son of David, have mercy on me;" then art thou in His strength daily taking up thy cross, and "following Him in the way." By faith, as Bartimæus did, art thou persevering, pressing on? By faith too, like him, shalt thou prevail. For "I say unto you," (are the words of Him who is the Truth,) 66 Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you. For every one that asketh receiveth, and he that seeketh findeth, and to him that knocketh, it shall be opened," Luke xi. 9, 10.