Page:Illustrations of the Holy Word.pdf/79

Rh 175. Many people, at this day, are in a similar situation with Zaccheus, the publican of old, concerning whom it is written, that he sought to see Jesus who He was, and could not for the press, [or multitude] for he was little of stature, (Luke xix. 3.) For it is no uncommon thing with man, to be influenced with a strong desire to acquire some knowledge of the Great Saviour, which knowledge is an intellectual sight of Him, when yet he is unable to acquire it, by reason of the press, [or multitude,] not of other men like himself, but of the disorderly and disturbing crowd of his own selfish and worldly imaginations, which crowd, on account of his own little stature in heavenly wisdom, he has no power to over-look, or rather to look above. It is possible, however, that men of this description, like the above publican, may be influenced by the spirit of charity, and that therefore, notwithstanding the small stature of their intellectual minds, in regard to knowledge, they may be acceptable in the sight of that God who looks at the heart, more than at the eyes, of His children (1 Sam. xvi. 7). To all such, therefore, it cannot be doubted, will, sooner or later, be addressed the consolatory language, with which the blessed Jesus announced His acceptance of the favoured Zaccheus, when He said, This day is salvation come to this house, forasmuch as he also is a son of Abraham.

176. The regenerate mind is as a consecrated ark, into which man, like Noah and his family of old, enters, and where he is shut in by the Lord Himself; (Gen. vii. 16;) so that, notwithstanding the going and returning of the waters of trial and temptation, he is