ness and resolution; till at length she came behind him, and touched the hem of his garment: for she said within herself, If I may but touch his garment, I shall be whole.

It is not

This feeling, this earnest movement of the heart, is exactly what scripture calls, "believing :" it is that act of faith which lays hold of the Gospel, as offering that of which we feel the need, and which by all means we must attain for ourselves. the mere acknowledgment that Jesus is the Son of God: as we might acknowledge of one, that he is an excellent physician, to whom if we were sick or in danger we might apply: but it is the actual application to him, because we both know our disease, and feel that we are in danger. Why did the ruler, towards whose house Jesus was now proceeding, entreat him so earnestly? He felt, that without him he must be childless. Why did this woman press through the crowd, till she reached him and touched his clothes? During twelve years she had spent much in hope of cure, and "could not be healed of any" and she felt that unless she gained her point she must carry her plague with her to the grave. And such must be our conviction, in order that our faith may be accepted of him: "We have no health in us" but he can "make us whole." We are not obliged to approach by stealth, and with fear and trembling touch the hem of his garment. He opens his arms to receive us; he sends out his proclamation to invite us. He treats all who in their hearts lay hold of him with the same mercy as was experienced by this poor woman; to whom he turned

See Mark v. 26. Luke viii. 43.

2

about, as she, "praying and trembling, knowing what was done in her, came and fell down before him, and told him all the truth." And when he saw her, he said, Daughter, be of good comfort; thy faith hath made thee whole. Thy faith hath brought thee to him, who alone has the will and power to heal; and therefore thy faith hath made thee whole, because without that faith, thou couldest not have been healed. The same means of recovery might have been within thy reach, but would have availed thee nothing. But now, be of good comfort: "go peace, and be whole of thy plague."

in

3

23. And when Jesus came into the ruler's house, and saw the minstrels and the people making a noise,

24. He said unto them, Give place: for the maid is not dead, but sleepeth. And they laughed him to scorn.

25. But when the people were put forth, he went in, and took her by the hand, and the maid arose.

26. And the fame hereof went abroad, into all that land.

We will charitably hope, that many who heard the fame hereof, were not so lost in indifference, or in stupid amazement, as to seek no benefit to themselves. He who raised up this young person from the bed of death, would have been no less ready to raise all around her from "the death of sin." He who took her by the hand and she arose, would not abandon her, "if she continued in his word:" but would lead her onward, and raise her affections too, and set them on things above.

He will do no less for us also, who "not having seen" these things, "have yet believed." All who

Mark v. 33.

3 Ib. 34. Luke viii. 48.

are "his disciples indeed," he takes by the hand, and they arise; arise to a new life, a life which without him they never would have led, and walk before God in righteousness and holiness, as heirs of his everlasting kingdom.

LECTURE LXIII.

SHEEP WITHOUT A SHEPHERD.

MATT. ix. 27-38.

27. And when Jesus departed thence, two blind men followed him, crying, and saying, Thou Son of David, have mercy on us.

28. And when he was come into the house, the blind men came to him and Jesus saith unto them, Believe ye that I am able to do this? They said unto him, Yea, Lord.

29. Then touched he their eyes, saying, According to your faith be it unto you.

30. And their eyes were opened; and Jesus straitly charged them, saying, See that no man know it.

31. But they, when they were departed, spread abroad his fame in all that country.

He who performed this miracle, was also the best judge whether it were right, in this particular case, to spread the fame of it abroad, or to let no man know it. They, however, who had been restored to sight, were too full of gratitude and joy to keep

the secret to themselves. They made it known unto all that country.

No such injunction as was laid upon these blind men, is imposed now upon any who have felt the benefit of the same divine power. We certainly, if we find in our own souls the blessings of an earnest faith in Christ, we may disclose the peace which we enjoy to others, and violate no command. We need not "hide his righteousness within our heart." We should rather exhort all, over whom we have influence, to seek the same benefit and realize the same comfort; that knowing in whom they have believed, they may "commit the keeping of their souls to him in well doing, as unto a faithful Creator."

32. As they went out, behold, they brought to him a dumb man, possessed with a devil.

33. And when the devil was cast out, the dumb spake : and the multitudes marvelled, saying, It was never so seen in Israel.

34. But the Pharisees said, He casteth out devils through the prince of the devils.

The multitudes marvelled, saying, It was never so seen in Israel. So we are told by St. John, "Many of the people believed in him, and said, When Christ cometh, will he do more miracles than these which this man hath done?" 2 "The Pharisees heard that the people murmured these things concerning him; and it became necessary for them to account for his performing wonders, the fame of which was spreading far and wide. So they allowed what they could

11 Pet. iv. 19.

John vii. 31.

not deny, he casteth out devils; but they persuaded the ignorant multitude, perhaps they were themselves persuaded, that he was in league with Satan; he casteth out devils through the prince of the devils. And yet, to cast out devils was a good work, and good works do not proceed from Satan. But their minds were blinded; a veil was upon their hearts, and they could not perceive, what one of those whom they despised at once perceived, and taunted them with: 3 "We know that God heareth not sinners; but if any man be a worshipper of God, and doeth his will, him he heareth. If this man were not of God, he could do nothing."

The short and ready answer, he casteth out devils through the prince of the devils, was sufficient, no doubt, to silence and satisfy many. We know by

experience how easily the minds of men are confirmed in their old prejudices, and prevented from religious inquiry. A plausible remark, or even a reproachful name has often sufficed to keep many in ignorance of things which, like the miracles of Jesus, might have opened the way to light, and knowledge, and lasting peace.

35. And Jesus went about all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues, and preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing every sickness and every disease among the people.

36. But when he saw the multitudes, he was moved with compassion on them, because they fainted, and were scattered abroad, as sheep having no shepherd.

37. Then saith he unto his disciples, the harvest truly is plenteous, but the labourers are few:

3 John ix. 31.