woman, by this unseasonable interruption of his disciples. Let us hence learn to possess ourselves in peace and quiet of mind, in every circumstance of life.-Ed.

32. And he looked round about

What do you think when you hear these words? Would not any one of you give the world, that he was now looking round about for you?

32. To see her that had done this thing.

This is the sum of Scripture, and the sole end of its being written, to bring us to this knowledge and belief. Hear then, and the Lord awaken you. O how happy you will be in full desire! O how happy in the full experience of this power!

33. But the woman fearing and trembling, knowing what was done in her,

And cannot we know what is done for us, when we find our hearts turned within us? When we see ourselves undone without Christ, when we fly to him in our distress, thankfully receive him as our Saviour, and cleave to him in sincerity?

33. Came and fell down before him, and told, him all the truth.

Can not some one of us say, Lord, I have long been in an evil case, wanted healing, came to thee for it in faith, and thou hast healed me. Those whom Christ heals, are not shy of confessing the truth. Unawakened persons are all upon shifts and excuses to hide their sins from themselves and others.

34. And he said unto her, Daughter, thy faith hath made thee whole;

It was precisely faith in his power and goodness for her healing, and nothing else would have made her whole. And the substance of faith is always the same, namely," of things hoped for ;" but since the death of Christ, and his

full opening of the gospel by the apostles, with a peculiar reference to the remission of sins through blood-shedding, and acceptance with God for his sake.

34. Go in peace, and be whole of thy plague.

This is for all who truly believe. Here are the very words, just as Christ spake them, and they are written for our comfort. Know thy plague: believe in Christ; and this saying assuredly belongs to thee, this very moment, as much as it did to her, to whom it was spoken.

SECTION XVIII.

Chap. v. ver. 35—43.

JAIRUS' DAUGHTER RAISED TO LIFE.

35. While he yet spake, there came from the ruler of the synagogue's house certain which said, Thy daughter is dead: why troublest thou the Master any further?

They did not know with whom they had to do. Let it be our care to learn from hence, to know Jesus better, and never think our case desperate, till Jesus has lost his power. For here in what follows is another remarkable instance of it.

36. As soon as Jesus heard the word that was spoken, he saith unto the ruler of the synagogue, Be not afraid, only believe.

Observe, this cannot be said to one who feels no distress, knows no fear, and has no reason in himself for believing. To those who are awakened to a sense of their danger, misery, and helplessness, it is sweet encouragement, and all little enough to dispel their fears, and to confirm their faith. But, thou enemy to thyself, what more wouldest thou have, and why wilt thou not take the Saviour at his word?

37. And he suffered no man to follow him, save Peter, and James, and John the brother of James.

The Rock and the two Sons of Thunder, may follow him chap. iii. ver. 16, 17. He would have a few chosen witnesses of the miracle, to report it at the proper time, and no more than these three; to prevent the noise and tumult it might have occasioned, as at that time it would have had no other effect upon the multitude than to put them upon declaring for his temporal Kingship. And for the same reason he straitly demanded of those who were present at it, not to make him known: ver. 43. He knew his enemies would be ready to fasten a charge of sedition, and worldly view upon him; and as nothing could be more contrary to his pretensions, his real character, and the whole design of his religion, he was particularly careful to avoid it. Compare Luke xxiii. 5.; John xviii. 33; xix. 12; Acts xvii. 7.

38. And he cometh to the house of the ruler of the synagogue, and seeth the tumult, and them that wept and wailed greatly.

39. And when he was come in, he saith unto them, Why make ye this ado, and weep? the damsel is not dead, but sleepeth.

Not dead to continue so; but immediately to awake, as from sleep.

40. And they laughed him to scorn. 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.

41. And he took the damsel by the hand, and said unto her, Talitha cumi; which is, being interpreted, Damsel, I say unto thee,

arise.

O my soul, what is Jesus, his birth, his miracles, and almighty power to thee, if thou dost not hear this voice, in thy effectual conversion, and rising from thy death in trespasses and sins!

42. And straightway the damsel arose, and walked; for she was of the age of twelve years. And they were astonished with a great astonishment.

43. And he charged them straitly that no man should know it; and commanded that something should be given her to eat.

The life which Christ gives, he maintains.

Ver. 35-43.-Here is another instance of Christ's mighty power, miracle upon miracle, to raise and assure our faith in him. The poor trembling sinner, overwhelmed with a sense of his guilt, is apt to say, can Christ save? Yes, as sure as he cast out a legion of devils, as sure as the woman was healed by a touch of his clothes, as sure as he raised the ruler's daughter from the dead, with a word speaking. Look at these passages of Scripture, not as the history of some things done and past, but as the continued present words of Jesus to the world. Consider them, as your present call, to make a deep search into yourselves, and as the earnest of his salvation to all.

SECTION XIX.

Chap. vi. ver. 1—13.

CHRIST SENDETH OUT THE TWELVE.

A

1. And he went out from thence, and came into his own country; and his disciples follow him.

2. And when the sabbath day was come, he began to teach in the synagogue and many hearing him were astonished, saying, 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?

They saw what he did, and could not help admiring his wisdom, and yet were unconvinced and unconverted by him-they perished with their eyes open. Belief in the heart is a different thing from wondering at Christ, and, in a sort, owning him.

3. Is not this the carpenter, the son of Mary, the brother of James, and Joses, and of Juda, and Simon? and are not his sisters here with us? And they were offended at him.

As all are, for some reason or other, whatever they may think, who do not truly believe in him. God knows their hearts, and has that grievous sin to lay to their charge, that they are offended at Christ.

4. But Jesus said unto them, A prophet is not without honour, but in his own country, and among his own kin, and in his own house.

Christ, though without sin, was a man, and they fixed their eyes wholly upon the meanness of his birth and kindred, and were blind to the prophet. What must his ministers expect?

5. And he could there do no mighty work, save that he laid his hands upon a few sick folk, and healed them.

Their unbelief hindered him, as it always will. We tie up his hands, by the hardness of our hearts.

6. And he marvelled because of their unbelief.

And has he not cause to marvel at us of this* place? Ask yourselves, one by one; does he now see me this moment in unbelief? and is he wondering at me? May God in infinite mercy deliver us from so great a judgment !

6. And he went round about the villages, teaching.

If we knew that Christ was going about preaching in this neighbourhood, the generality would flock to hear him. We have the words he preached; and if we do not hear them, we should not have regarded him. It is the Holy Spirit working with our wills, which does all.

Ver. 1-6. You see, in this passage of Scripture, how easily men catch at pretences for not believing in Christ. Notwithstanding his miracles, and the power of God visible in them, they could see nothing in him, but the car

VOL. II.

*

Wintringham, in the county of Lincoln.-Ed.

E