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The Spirit of Prophecy Volume 2
were more corrupt in heart and life than the poor sufferers whom they
condemned.
The palsied man had sunk into despair seeing no help from any
quarter, till news of the miracles of mercy performed by Jesus had
aroused hope again in his breast. Yet he feared that he might not be
allowed in his presence; he felt that if Jesus would only see him and
give him relief of mind by pardoning his sins, he would be content
to live or die according to his righteous will. His friends assured him
that Jesus had healed others who were in every respect as sinful and
helpless as himself, and this encouraged him to believe that his own
petition would be granted.
He felt that there was no time to lose; already his wasted flesh
was beginning to decay. If anything could be done to arrest mortality,
it must be done at once. The despairing cry of the dying man was,
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Oh that I might come into his presence! His friends were anxious to
assist him in gratifying his wish, and several projects were suggested
to bring about this result, but none of them seemed feasible. The sick
man, although racked with bodily pain, preserved the full strength of
his intellect, and he now proposed that his friends should carry him on
his bed to Jesus. This they cheerfully undertook to do.
As they approached the dense crowd that had assembled in and
about the house where Jesus was teaching, it seemed doubtful that they
could accomplish their purpose. However, they pressed on with their
burden, till their passage was completely blocked up and they were
obliged to stop before they arrived within hearing of the Saviour’s
voice. Jesus was within, and, as was customary, his disciples sat near
him; for it was most important that they should hear his words, and
understand the truths which they were to proclaim by word or pen over
all lands and through all ages.
The haughty Pharisees, the doctors and the scribes, were also
gathered near with wicked purposes in their hearts, and a desire to
confuse and confound the sacred Teacher, that they might accuse him
of being an impostor, and condemn him to death. Jealous of his power
and wisdom, they concealed their intense hatred, for the purpose of
closely watching his words, and calling him out upon various subjects
with the hope of surprising him into some contradiction or forbidden
heresy that would give them an excuse to prefer charges against him.
They were present when Jesus healed the withered hand upon the