t them to the door, nor give them up to themselves always,
when their corruptions would provoke him thereunto? And what a madness
is this in many, to stand a-back from Christ, because of their
infirmities; and to scar at him, because of their weakness, when the
more corruption we find the more we should run to him? and it is soon
enough to depart from Christ when he thrusts us away, and saith, he will
have no more to do with us; yea, he will allow us to stay after we are
thrice thrust away. Only, let us take heed that we approve not ourselves
in our evils, that we hide them not as unwilling to part with them, that
we obstinately maintain them not, nor ourselves in them; but that we lie
open before him, and deal with him, with honesty, ingenuousness, and
plainness.

III. We see, further, That ignorance ingenuously acknowledged and laid
open before Christ, puts the soul in a fair way to get more instruction.
Thomas having candidly, according as he thought, in the simplicity of
his heart, professed his ignorance, is in a fair way now to get
instruction. For this is Christ's work, to instruct the ignorant, to
open the eyes of the blind.

Why then are we so foolish as to conceal our ignorance from him, and to
hide our case and condition from him; and why doth not this commend
Christ's school to us so much the more? why do we not carry as ingenious
scholars, really desirous to learn? But,

IV. We may learn, That our ill condition and distempers put into
Christ's hand will have remarkable out-gates, and an advantageous issue;
seeing Christ taketh occasion here from Thomas his laying open his
condition, not without some mixture of corruption, to clear up the truth
more fully and plainly than it was before; for hereby, 1. Christ giveth
an open declaration of the glory of his power, mercy, goodness, wisdom,
&c. 2. He hath occasion to give a proof of his divine art and glorious
skill of healing diseased souls, and of making broken bones stronger
than ever they were. 3. Thus he effectually accomplished his noble
designs, and perfecteth his work, in a way tending to abase man, by
discovering his infirmities and failings; and to glorify himself in his
goodness and love. 4. Thus he triumpheth more over Satan, and in a more
remarkable and glorious manner destroyeth his works. 5. Thus he
declareth how wonderfully he can make all things work together for good
to his chosen ones that love him and follow him. 6. Yea, thus he
engageth so