June 9

PART III.—Matthew 9:12.

As a Physician, Christ's invitations are universal. He does not confine his practice to any grade or class of society: the world is his hospital; and all mankind may become his patients: the poor are alike welcome with the rich: he healeth all who come unto him. In curing the diseases of the soul, he employs the agency of his word. It is said he sent his word, and healed them: the word contains a revelation both of the disease and mode of cure: the word is emphatically the word of salvation—the word of life. He also employs the catholicon of his blood: the blood of Jesus is the true balm of Gilead—that in which alone we have redemption, even the forgiveness of sin. It is this which speaks peace to the guilty mind, and which cleanseth from all unrighteousness. Both the word and blood of Jesus are applied to the mind by the influences of his Spirit. It is the Spirit's prerogative to convince of sin—to embitter sin to the soul, and to deliver from its painful and destructive consequences. The Spirit reveals the word to the mind, and applies the precious blood of Christ to the heart, and thus the malady is removed, and the soul is made whole. The cure which Christ imparts to the sin-sick soul is radical, universal, and abiding. He heals every wound, and restores every faculty: he gives beauty for deformity; strength for weakness; and blooming health for weakness and decay. How important that we ascertain our true state and condition. Hath he healed us? have we been convicted of sin—have we loathed it—and have we been delivered from it? Have we the signs of spiritual health upon us? do we live in the exercise of godliness? is the pain and smart, arising from consciousness of sin, removed? have we the indwelling of the Spirit testifying that we are the sons of God? Let spiritual health be carefully cultivated. Avoid all that is pernicious to the soul. Cherish the influences of the Spirit, and thus grow in grace, and in the knowledge of the

Lord Jesus Christ. The spiritually sick, who despise this Physician, must inevitably perish. There is no other balm in Gilead, nor any other Physician there.