Sermons on Selected Lessons of the New Testament

^6. There is a something in the words of that man who was blind, which may cause perplexity, and perhaps make many who understand them not aright despair. For he said among the rest of his words, the same man whose eyes were opened, “We know that God hears not sinners.” What shall we do, if God hears not sinners? Dare we pray to God if He hears not sinners? Give me one who may pray: lo, here is One to hear. Give me one who may pray, sift thoroughly the human race from the imperfect to the perfect. Mount up from the spring to the summer; for this we have just chanted. “You have made summer and spring;” that is, “Those who are already spiritual, and those who are still carnal have You made;” for so the Son Himself says, “Your Eyes have seen My imperfect being.” That which is imperfect in My Body, Your Eyes have seen. And what then? Have they who are imperfect hope? Undoubtedly they have. Hear what follows; “And in Your Book shall all be written.” But perhaps, Brethren, the spiritual pray and are heard, because they are not sinners? What then must the carnal do? What must they do? Shall they perish? Shall they not pray to God? God forbid! Give me that publican in the Gospel. Come, you publican, stand forth, show your hope, that the weak may not lose hope. For behold the publican went up with the Pharisee to pray, and with face cast down upon the ground, standing afar off, beating his breast, he said, “Lord, be merciful to me a sinner. And he went down justified rather than the Pharisee.” Said he true or false, who said, “Be merciful to me a sinner”? If he said true, he was a sinner; yet was he heard and justified. What then is that, that you whose eyes the Lord opened said, “We know that God hears not sinners”? Lo, God does hear sinners. But wash your inferior face, let that be done in your heart, which has been done in your face; and you will see that God does hear sinners. The imagination of your heart has deceived you. There is still something for Him to do to you. We see that this man was cast out of the synagogue; Jesus heard of it, came to him, and said to him, “Do you believe in the Son of God?” And He said, “Who is He, Lord, that I should believe in Him?” He saw, and did not see; he saw with the eyes, but as yet with the heart he saw not. The Lord said to him, “You both see Him,” that is, with the eyes; “and He that talks with you is He. He then fell down, and worshipped Him.” Then washed he the face of his heart.