Page:Meditations For Every Day In The Year.djvu/458

 thou teach  us?"  Such  are  the  resolution  and  patience of  a  soul,  which  is  enlightened  by  the  grace  of  God. Examine  how  you  may  imitate  this  man.

II. That man  was  immediately  driven  out  of  the  synagogue, for  speaking  so  well  of  Christ. Learn to  suffer willingly in  a  good  cause,  for  "  all  who  will  live  piously in  Christ  Jesus,  shall  suffer  persecution." (2 Tim.  iii. 12.)  Christ  did  not  abandon  this  man,  whom  the  Pharisees had  rejected,  but  went  to  see  him  and  revealed  His divinity to  him,  "  and  the  man,  falling  down,  adored Him." (John ix.  38.)  Often  excite  yourself  to  similar acts of  faith,  and  adore  your  God,  in  an  humble  posture.

III. Christ reproved  the  pride  of  the  Pharisees,  who. were nevertheless  wise  and  quick-sighted  in  their  own opinions. " For  judgment,"  He  says,  "I  am  come  into this  world,  that  they  who  see  not  may  see,  and  they  who see  may  become  blind." (John ix.  39.)  The  poor  and simple are  to  become  acquainted  with  the  truth,  but  the proud and  the  wise  ones  of  this  world  will  be  struck blind at  the  greatness  of  Christ's  splendor. Hence the author of  the  Proverbs  advises  us,  "  Be  not  wise  in  thine own  conceits"  (Pro.  iii.  7),  lest  becoming  blind,  thou  run headlong into  perdition.

I. "  It  came  to  pass,  that  when  Jesus  drew  nigh  to Jericho,  a  certain  blind  man,  sat  by  the  way-side  begging." (Luke xviii.  35.)  This  blind  man  is  a  perfect type of  every  sinner. For in  the  first  place,  a  sinner sits in  darkness  and  finds  rest  and  satisfaction  in  his