Wicked Men Blind

    WICKED MEN BLIND

    "Can the Blind lead the Blind?" &c., Lu 6:39.

    "Thou Blind Pharisee," &c., Mt 23:26.

    "Miserable, poor, and Blind," &c., Re 3:17.

    An unconverted Man, or Man in his natural state, is Blind.

    PARALLELS

    I. Some Men are born Blind. All mankind spiritually may be said to be born Blind; for as they are under a privation of life, it follows they are Blind, that is, their understanding is darkened.

    II. Some Men are Blind casually, either by age, or some accident. Adam before his fall, could see, originally Man's eye-sight was good, but sin hath put his eyes out.

    III. Blind Men hare not the comfortable benefit of the sun: so Wicked Men receive not the heavenly and sweet benefit of the Sun of Righteousness.

    Though the sun shines never so bright, a Blind Man is never the better for it, unless his eyes were opened. So though the Gospel be preached never so powerfully, yet wicked Men see not, nor can they, till the eyes of their understanding are enlightened.

    IV. Blind Men stumble, and know not many times at what they, stumble; they also are in great danger, without a sure guide. So Wicked Men know not what they stumble at; they stumble at God himself, and at Christ, when they stumble at his truth, and his people. They know not whither they go, nor the dreadful danger they are in; they think they are in the right way to heaven, and yet are in the broad way to hell; they are led oft-times by those who are as blind as themselves: "And if the Blind lead the Blind, they will both fall into the ditch."

    V. Some Men's natural Blindness hath been by the just judgment of God upon them, for their sin. So God in a way of judgment Blinds the eyes of some Men, after common illuminations. He is said to Blind their eyes, and harden their hearts, that is, he denies them his grace, and withdraws those common influences of it from them, suffering Satan to take full power of them, leaving them to their own hearts' lusts, and so consequently to final impenitency, Isa 44:18; Ro 11:8.

    DISPARITY

    I. Men who are naturally Blind, would gladly see; they lament nothing more than the loss of their eye -sight. But Wicked Men are willingly Blind, they love darkness rather than light, and refuse the means God is pleased to afford them, in order to the opening their eyes.

    II. Men who are naturally Blind, do gladly accept of a faithful and sure guide. But Wicked Men, who are spiritually Blind, refuse that guide God directs them to, viz., his holy Word; they are neither thankful to God, nor good Men, for any help afforded them; nay, they vilify such as would take them by the hand to save them out of the pit of eternal misery. There is no blindness like spiritual Blindness. Call upon wicked Men, and entreat them never so often and earnestly, pray do not go that way, take heed, Man, take heed! there is a pit before you; alas! you are going into the lion's den, nay, worse, into everlasting fire, to death and hell. Yet these Blind wretches will go on, live or die, sink or swim, all is one. No advice or warning will be received.