Parallels.

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 darkned.

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 have not the comfortable Benefit of the Sun: So wicked Men receive not the heavenly and sweet Benefit of the Sun of Righteousness.

Tho the Sun shines never so bright, a blind Man is never the better for it, unless his Eyes were opened: So tho the Gospel be preached never so powerfully, yet wicked Men see not, nor can they, till the Eyes of their Understanding are enlightned.

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 Dan∣ger 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 Mens 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.