saith the Lord, Even the captives of the mighty shall be taken away, and the prey of the terrible shall be delivered: for I will contend with him that contendeth with thee, and will save thy children." 4

We must observe, further, the conduct of the man that had been possessed with a devil. He prayed Jesus that he might be with him. Howbeit, Jesus suffered him not, but saith unto him, Go home to thy friends, and tell them how great things the Lord hath done for thee, and hath had compassion on thee.

Those who enjoy the blessing of " peace with God through Jesus Christ," will be with him, not indeed in presence, but in spirit, in the exercise of prayer, and in the habit of obedience; and they will publish the great things done for them: that is, by their instruction, their advice, and their example, they will recommend to all around them the same faith which is the source of their own comfort, and the guide of their own lives.

4 Isaiah xlix. 25.

LECTURE XXXI.

THE FAITH OF A WOMAN WHO HAD LONG SUFFERED UNDER A DISEASE, REWARDED BY A CURE.

MARK V. 21-34.

21. And when Jesus was passed over again by ship unto the other side, much people gathered unto them: and he was nigh unto the sea.

22. And, behold, there cometh one of the rulers of the synagogue, Jairus by name; and when he saw him, he fell at his feet,

23. And besought him greatly, saying, My little daughter lieth at the point of death: I pray thee, come and lay thy hands on her, that she may be healed; and she shall live.

24. And Jesus went with him; and much people followed him, and thronged him.

25. And a certain woman, which had an issue of blood twelve years,

26. And had suffered many things of many physicians, and had spent all that she had, and was nothing bettered, but rather grew worse,

27. When she had heard of Jesus, came in the press behind, and touched his garment.

28. For she said, If I may touch but his clothes, I shall be whole.

This is one of the miracles which sets before us the power of faith, and is therefore profitable, not only for the conviction of those who saw it, but for

the instruction and example of us for whom it is recorded.

The woman had heard concerning Jesus, of the mercy which he had shown, and the power which he possessed she had so strong a persuasion of it as to say, If I may but touch his garment, I shall be whole.

A like persuasion must prevail in all who seek the benefit of his atonement. "He that cometh to God, must first believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him." He that cometh to Christ, must first believe that he is the Son of God, and that " his blood cleanseth from all sin." Therefore he says to Jairus, (v. 36,)" be not afraid; only believe." And in another case; "If thou canst believe; all things are possible to him that believeth." I

Together with this faith in his saving power, there must be the same personal application of it to ourselves. His "virtue," the virtue of his sacrifice, remains the same, whether it is sought or no; but we must ask, that we may receive; we must seek, that we may find the benefit. He would have retained his power to heal; but this woman would not have profited by it, unless she had pressed through the crowd, and touched the border of his garment, saying to herself, If I do but touch his clothes, I shall be whole.

Her conduct, then, is an example of that faith which claims for itself the blessing covenanted to us in baptism, applies the promises of the gospel, and seeks for remission of sin and acceptance with

1 Ch. ix. 23.

And

God through Christ the Saviour of the world. what follows is the proof of its reward. This poor woman received an immediate cure.

29. And straightway the fountain of her blood was dried up; and she felt in her body that she was healed of that plague.

30. And Jesus, immediately knowing in himself that virtue had gone out of him, turned him about in the press, and said, Who touched my clothes?

31. And his disciples said unto him, Thou seest the multitude thronging thee, and sayest thou, Who touched me? 32. And he looked round about to see her that had done this thing.

33. But the woman fearing and trembling, knowing what was done in her, came and fell down before him, and told him all the truth.

34. And he said unto her, Daughter, thy faith hath made thee whole; go in peace, and be whole of thy plague.

There were many who crowded upon our Lord. But he at once distinguished the application which had been made in faith. He said, "Somebody hath touched me; for I perceive that virtue is gone out of me.

993

In the same manner he distinguishes between those who bear his name, or profess his faith, but go no further than a name or a profession; and those who really feel their own wants, and understand his power, and exercise the privilege to which they are entitled, and seek deliverance by the vir

This faith is promised by their sureties for those who are baptized in infancy, "which promise, when they come to age, themselves are bound to perform."

3 So St. Luke relates it, viii. 46.

tue of his propitiation. To the eye of man there may often be as little difference, as there was to the eye of the disciples between the multitude and this woman. The faithful and the faithless are baptized alike; they worship in the same church; they attend the same memorial of his death. But he discerns a difference, because he discerns the heart; He "knows his sheep," as he is known by them. He knows those who are really penitent, really humble before God, really desirous of living "righteously, soberly, and godly," really looking for the "blessed hope" of his second "glorious appearing." And such may take the comfort of the words, Thy faith hath made thee whole; go in peace.

There is indeed a difference. This woman was immediately sensible of the mercy granted her. She felt in her body that she was healed of that plague. But the Christian has not always the same confidence, that he has received pardon of his sins. It may be better for him not to enjoy such assurance. That inward peace is the gift of the Holy Spirit; and, like other blessings, it may be wisely and mercifully withheld from many who are objects of their Redeemer's tenderest care. They are, however, not less secure when fearing, than when rejoicing. He knows their faith, though he may keep them uncertain of their pardon. Groundless fear, in such a case, is far preferable to groundless security. And as it often happens in nature, that a day of cloud and rain ends in a bright gleam of sunshine,-so, likewise, in the dispensations of grace, it sometimes pleases God that the soul which has lingered long in gloom and in heavi