no room to receive them, no, not so much as about the door; and He preached the word unto them. And that when the men who carried the paralytic could not come nigh unto Jesus for the press, they uncovered the roof where He was; and when they had broken it up, or had forced out from the wall some of the fastenings of the awning which covered the court, they let down the bed wherein the sick of the palsy lay. The palsy is a disorder which generally affects both the mind and the body of the afflicted patient; and deprives the parts of the body, that are affected by it, of feeling and motion. As this poor man was carried by four persons upon a couch, it seems as if he was affected by the disorder in its worst state; that it was what is termed a complete or general palsy, which reaches to every part except the head. In this deplorable condition, in which there was no hope of cure by any human means, his friends brought him to Christ. At this time it is said by St. Luke, that there were Pharisees and doctors of the law sitting by, which were come out of every town of Galilee, and Judea, and Jerusalem.62

The eastern houses usually have a large area or court in the centre. In a place of this kind, the people appear to have been assembled to hear our Saviour's instructions. There are also

stairs from the outside leading up to the roof, which is generally flat, and surrounded with a parapet wall. And over the court there is frequently a covering or awning, to protect it from the rays of the sun. The people who carried this poor man, took him up to the top of the house, and forced out of the wall the fastenings of the covering, to enable them to let down into the court the bed which contained the sick patient; being satisfied that if they could but place him in a situation where his miserable condition would be presented to our Saviour's observation, his disease would soon be removed. The manner in which they acted, showed their belief in the mighty power of the Lord Jesus. The report of His miracles which He did on them that were diseased, had reached their ears; and they believed that what He had done for others, He was able to do for this man also.

63

The case of the poor paralytic may represent to us that of the sin-sick soul. The manner in which sin affects mankind, may be compared to the effect which is produced by the disease of the palsy upon the human frame. It paralyses the whole man. All the faculties of the mind, and all the powers of the body, are affected by it. In consequence of sin, the feet cannot walk in the ways of God: the hands cannot act in His

63 John vi. 2.

service the tongue cannot pray to Him, nor praise Him the ears will not listen to His word: the eyes do not behold His majesty and glory. The senses are all so entirely occupied with things visible and temporal, that they are benumbed and paralysed as to those things which are unseen and eternal. What multitudes, alas, are there in this state, who are, at the same time, totally insensible to the evil of it. They are in a stupor as to spiritual things, and have no feeling with regard to them. Those who are afflicted with bodily diseases, are commonly alive to the misery of their condition. But sin so benumbs the faculties of the soul, that the sinner is frequently insensible to the danger of his state. He is under an infatuation, a kind of delirium, so that he takes pleasure in that which is bringing upon him destruction, both of body and soul; and he imagines that happiness consists in fulfilling the natural desires of the flesh and of the mind, in walking according to the course of this world, according to the evil suggestions of the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that worketh in the children of disobedience.6+

The poor paralytic in the text was, there is reason to suppose from our Saviour's address to him, sensible of his state, and greatly depressed on account of it; as well as exceedingly desirous

64 Ephesians ii. 2, 3.

of being healed of the disorder with which he was afflicted. And it seems, further, that he had kind friends who anticipated or seconded his wishes, and therefore brought him to Jesus, and took all the trouble that has been mentioned, in order to introduce him to the notice of our blessed Saviour. And they did not do this in vain. For Jesus seeing their faith, said unto the sick of the palsy, Son, be of good cheer, thy sins be forgiven thee. He comforted the sick man, in the first instance, with an assurance of pardoning mercy; as a prelude to the temporal benefit which He was about to bestow upon him. He thus manifested His approbation of the faith of those who had brought the paralytic to Him. They had shown by their act and deed, that they were resolved not to be discouraged by any impediments which might be in their way, from placing him in the presence of Jesus; notwithstanding the trouble it gave them to carry him up to the top of the house, and then to let him down into the court below.

The kindness and compassion of the Lord Jesus, which are here recorded, may afford encouragement to the friends of those who are spiritually in a state which may be illustrated by that of the palsy, whose spiritual faculties are benumbed and powerless, who are insensible of their spiritual wants and necessities, to lay their case before Him, and intreat Him to show

mercy on them. As our Saviour addressed the sick man, Son, be of good cheer, thy sins be forgiven thee; we may presume that He who knew what was in man,65 knew that forgiveness of sins was the subject of his anxiety, and that he was as desirous of obtaining the spiritual blessing, as his friends were for the healing of his bodily disorder. The forgiveness of our sins is that which we should be most anxious to obtain from Him who came into the world to save sinners,66 and is exalted a Prince and a Saviour, to give repentance and forgiveness of sins. To those who desire the spiritual blessings which He came to procure and to bestow upon the sinful children of men, He kindly says, Son, be of good cheer, thy sins be forgiven thee. He is always ready to manifest His kindness and compassion to sinners who implore forgiveness from Him. Let us earnestly seek this blessing at His hands, and it will not be denied to us.

The address of our Saviour to the sick man, filled His hearers with astonishment; and led His enemies to give utterance to the evil thoughts which occupied their minds respecting Him. Behold, certain of the scribes said within themselves, This man blasphemeth. St. Mark states that, There were certain of the scribes sitting there, and reasoning in their hearts, Why doth this man thus

65 John ii. 25. 661 Timothy i. 15.

67 Acts v. 31.