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of me. And he looked round about to see her that had done this thing. And when the woman saw that she was not hid, she came fearing and trembling, knowing what was done in her, and fell down before him, and told him all the truth; and declared unto him before all the people, for what case she had touched him, and how she was healed immediately. And when he saw her, he said unto her, Daughter, be of good comfort, thy faith hath made thee whole; go in peace, and be whole of thy plague. And the woman was made whole from that hour.

While he yet spake, there came from the ruler of the synagogue's house certain which said to him, Thy daughter is dead, why troublest thou the Master any further? But as soon as Jesus heard the word that was spoken, he answered and said unto the ruler of the synagogue, Be not afraid, only believe, and she shall be made whole. And when he came into the house of the ruler of the synagogue, he suffered no man to go in, save Peter, and James, and John the brother of James, and the father and the mother of the maiden. And when he saw the minstrels, and the tumult, and the people making a noise, and them that wept and wailed greatly, he saith unto them, Why make ye this ado, and weep? Give place, and weep not, for the maid is not dead, but sleepeth. And they laughed him to scorn, knowing that she was dead. But when he had put them all out, he taketh the father and the mother of the damsel, and them that were with him, and entereth in where the damsel was lying. And he took the damsel by the hand, and said unto her, Talitha cumi, which is, being interpreted, Damsel, (I say unto thee) arise. And her spirit came again, and she arose straightway, and walked: and he commanded that something should be given her to eat. And her parents were astonished with a great astonishment. And he charged them straitly, that they should tell no man what was done. And the fame thereof went abroad into all that land.

MATTHEW IX. 27-34.

AND when Jesus departed thence, two blind men followed him, crying, and saying, Thou Son of David have mercy on us. 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. Then touched he their eyes, saying, According to your faith be it unto you. And their eyes were opened, and Jesus straitly charged them, saying, See that no man know it. But they, when they were departed, spread abroad his fame in all that country.

And as they went out, behold, they brought to him a dumb man possessed with a devil. And when the devil was cast out, the dumb spake. And the multitudes marvelled, saying, It was never so seen in Israel. But the Pharisees said, He casteth out devils through Beelzebub the prince of the devils.

We have here a scene of complicated wonders, worthy to be had in everlasting remembrance. Any single story of this kind might justly move our admiration; but when we are reading the life of Christ, such a constellation of miracles rises, that the number renders us less sensible of the lustre and glory of each.

We may observe in the story of the distempered woman a mixture of weakness and of faith. She could not reasonably think to steal a cure, without the knowledge of him by whom it was wrought; or imagine a charm in the garment that Christ wore, which could produce so glorious an effect, independent of his agency and will. Yet she acted as if she had thought thus; and a compassionate Redeemer commended her faith, and excused her infirmity. Such candour should we exercise towards those in whom we find any thing truly valuable; not despising the day of small things, but ready to encourage and support the weak, and to commend whatever good we may discover in them.

We have already beheld Christ frequently giving sight to the blind, and casting out evil spirits; but we have here a second instance of his power over death, and behold one under its dominion hearing the voice of the Son of God! In how majestic, and yet in how gentle a manner, does he address himself to this admirable work! Damsel, I say unto thee,

Arise. And immediately she heard and obeyed. Thus shall he, with equal ease, call forth myriads of his saints, who now seem perished in the dust and it may be said with regard to them also, in reference to that day, They are not dead, but sleep. The maiden, of whom we here read, arose only to a dying life; a life which needed the support of food, and was in no respect more noble or more secure than that of other mortals but we look for a better resurrection, in which all the infirmities of the body shall be left behind in the grave; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying. (Rev. xxi. 4.)

In expectation of this, let us restrain immoderate sorrow when our pious friends are taken away: let us not make too much ado on the occasion, nor allow ourselves to be thrown into a tumult of passion, even when our children are stretched on the bed of death; but believing in Christ, and governing ourselves by his precepts and maxims, let us in humble resig nation, and submissive, though mournful silence, wait the issues of his providence and grace; since he knows how, as in this instance, to over-rule the calamities of our families to the good of our souls, and even to strengthen our faith by those exercises, which might seem most likely to overthrow it.

SECTION XXVIII.

1-6.

MATT. XIII. 54-58, Ix. 35-38. MARK VI. AND he went out from thence, and came into his own country; and his disciples follow him. And when the sabbath-day was come, he began to teach in the synagogue: and many hearing him were astonished, and said, From whence hath this man these things? and what wisdom is this which is given unto him, that even such mighty works are wrought by his hands? Is not this the carpenter's son? Is not his mother called Mary? and his brethren, James, and Joses, and Simon, and Judas? And his sisters, are they not all here with us? Whence then hath this man all these things? And they were offended in him. But Jesus said unto them, A prophet is not without honour, save in his own country, and among his own kin, and in his own house. And he could do there no mighty works because of their unbelief, save that he laid his hands

on a few sick folk, and healed them. And he marvelled because of their unbelief.

And he went round 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. 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. Then saith he unto his disciples, The harvest truly is plenteous, but the labourers are few. Pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he will send forth labourers into his harvest.

Since the blessed Jesus vouchsafed to renew his visit to Nazareth, where they had attempted to murder him on his first preaching among them, let us not be weary of well-doing, nor refuse to renew our attempts on the most obstinate sinners, where the interests of their immortal souls are concerned.

But though they were astonished at his wisdom, and could not but allow the mighty works that he had wrought; yet these ungrateful creatures went on to reject him, and in so doing were condemned out of their own mouth: nor can we be at any loss for instances of those who in later ages have fallen under the like condemnation.

He is spoken of as the carpenter; which intimates that he once wrought at that mean employment. What amazing condescension was this in the Son of God, and the Heir of all things, by whom also the worlds were made! (Heb. i. 2.) Yet surely while the hands of Christ were employed in these daily labours, his soul was rising in holy contemplations and devout affections. So may we intermingle pious meditations with our secular cares, and have our conversation in heaven, while our dwelling is on earth!

How much did these Nazarenes lose by their obstinate prejudices against Jesus! How many diseased bodies might have been cured, how many lost souls might have been recovered and saved, had they given him a better reception! May Divine Grace deliver us from that unbelief, which does as it were disarm Christ himself, and render him a savour of death, rather than of life, to our souls!

Still he continued his gracious labours, and, when rejected in one city, went and preached in another; still surrounded with a crowd of admirers, whom he viewed with tender regard.

Let his ministers, learn of him, tenderly to pity those, who are faint and exposed to danger, and are as sheep having no shepherd. The extreme necessities of his churches in many places are but too apparent: let us earnestly pray, that God would behold them with compassion; that he would graciously provide for their instruction, and would thrust forth such labourers among them as may be diligent and faithful in their work, and prove the happy instruments of gathering in fruit to everlasting life. (John iv. 36.)

SECTION XXIX.

MATT. X. 1-15.-MARK VI. 7—11.—LUKE IX. 1—5. AND when he had called unto him his twelve disciples, he gave them power against unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal all manner of sickness and all manner of disease.

These twelve, Jesus called unto him, and began to send them forth by two and two, and commanded them, saying, Go not into the way of the Gentiles, and into any city of the Samaritans enter ye not. But go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel. And as ye go, preach, saying, The kingdom of heaven is at hand. Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out devils: freely ye have received, freely give. Provide neither gold nor silver, nor brass in your purses, and take nothing for your journey, save a staff only: No serip, no bread, neither shoes, neither have two coats apiece. For the workman is worthy of his meat. And into whatsoever city or town ye shall enter, inquire who in it is worthy and there abide till you go thence. And when ye come into an house, salute it; and if the house be worthy, let your peace come upon it: but if it be not worthy, let your peace return to you. And whosoever shall not receive you, nor hear your words, when ye depart out of that house or city, shake off the very dust from under your feet for a 'testimony against them. Verily, I say unto you, It shall be more tolerable for the land of Sodom and Gomorrha in the day of judgment, than for that city.

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