his mouth." Neither was it prayer for the inward renewal of the Spirit, for he needed no renewal, who was "without spot of sin," "holy, harmless, undefiled." But we may believe it was prayer that his labour should not be vain; that the hearts to which he addressed his warning words, might be open to receive them that they whom he was desirous to gather into his bosom might consent to take refuge there; that he might "see of the travail of his soul, and be satisfied." It was prayer that the great work which he had undertaken for the redemption of mankind, might redound to the Father's glory : that the Father might be glorified in the Son: that the world might know the only true God, through Jesus Christ whom he had sent. It was prayer for those whom he had chosen, that they might be "sanctified through the truth," and "kept from the evil" which is in the world." It was prayer not for those alone, but for all that should hereafter believe in him through their word, whether spoken in their ministry, or left written for our instruction through every age that zeal for his name and love of the brethren might prevail amongst them, and the glory of God might be extended by the proofs of his power and his mercy openly manifested to the

world.

In this, as in all things, he has "left us an example;" an example that we be "not slothful in business, but fervent in spirit, serving the Lord:"--an example, that business, needful business, that duty, even sacred duty, must be sanctified; carried on as

3 Isa. liii. 11.

* Ib. xvii. 17, &c.

4

John xiii. 31.

by those whose "conversation is in heaven," and whom nothing must hinder from communion with their Father which is in heaven. For Jesus, rising up a great while before day, went out, and departed into a solitary place, and there prayed.

36. And Simon and they that were with him followed after him.

37. And when they had found him, they said unto him, All men seek for thee.

38. And he said unto them, Let us go into the next towns, that I may preach there also for therefore came 1 forth.

:

39. And he preached in their synagogues throughout all Galilee, and cast out devils.

Therefore came he forth, that he might preach the gospel and whether in more populous towns, or in the secluded villages, might spread abroad the welcome tidings that "God had remembered his mercy and truth toward his people Israel." He healed many that were sick of divers diseases, that he might at once show the power in which he came, and also signify that he came in mercy. But the great purpose of his coming was not to heal the sick and diseased in body; though it was to receive the benefit of those cures that then all men sought for him. These diseases were signs of sin, for they had their beginning through sin: and the healing them was an emblem of that far greater deliverance which he was prepared to effect for all who should apply to him as the true physician, not of the body but the soul. For therefore came he forth, and therefore he preached in their synagogues throughout all Galilee, and cast out devils.

LECTURE XI.

A LEPER CLEANSED.

MARK i. 40-45.

40. And there came a leper to him, beseeching him, and kneeling down to him, and saying unto him, If thou wilt, thou canst make me clean.

41. And Jesus, moved with compassion, put forth his hand, and touched him, and saith unto him, I will; be thou clean.

42. And as soon as he had spoken, immediately the leprosy departed from him, and he was cleansed.

There is sufficient resemblance between bodily and spiritual diseases, to render one an example of the other. It is a reason, perhaps, why many of the miracles which Jesus wrought are described with much minuteness and particularity of circumstances, that we may be led to pay attention to this resemblance.

The leper, here spoken of, had heard or witnessed many wonderful and merciful cures. His own case weighed upon his mind. And irremediable as it was by the hand of man, it might be relieved by the power of Christ. So he came with much earnestness and humility and faith, beseeching him, and kneeling down to him, and saying to him, If thou wilt, thou canst make me clean.

Thus far his case is similar to that of many a suppliant of Christ's mercy, who feels the misery of sinful habits or sinful inclinations, and equally feels the impossibility of subduing them by any power of his own. It is true, there is this great difference : the leper could not be unconscious of his state, or of its wretchedness; while many are unconscious of theirs, who labour under the disease of sin. But suppose the case of one who is not unconscious of one who falls under the apostle's description, “I find a law, that when I would do good, evil is present with me. For I delight in the law of God after the inward man: but I see another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin that is in my members. O wretched man that I am, who shall deliver me from the body of this death?"

1

This person, like the leper, may be led to apply to Christ Jesus in the prayer of faith, with a confidence like his, founded on the promises of Scripture, If thou wilt, thou canst make me clean.

The prayer of the leper was immediately and evidently answered: Jesus, moved with compassion, put forth his hand, and touched him, and saith unto him, I will be thou clean.

;

The diseases of the soul seldom receive such immediate cure. We cannot doubt, whether He beholds with compassion the spiritual trials of his disciples, he who was moved with compassion by a bodily disorder, which could not last long, and could not affect the sufferer's eternal state. Yet it often happens that their leprosy does not immediately de1 Rom. vii. 21, &c.

part from them. Commonly, faith and patience are proved by the protracted existence of evil desires and passions. They remain, like the enemies of the Israelites, as "thorns in the side" of the Christian: partly because corruption is so deeply seated in him, and partly that he may know his own weakness, and be brought to more entire dependence upon his Saviour. St. Paul himself experienced this. The "thorn in his flesh," whatever may have been the nature of that infirmity, was not immediately removed. The Lord did not say, even in the case of the chief apostle, I will; be thou free from trial; but he said, "My grace is sufficient for thee; my strength is made perfect in weakness." And the same grace will be found sufficient for all who seek it without reserve, and rely on it without wavering. He willeth the salvation of every man, much more of those who are labouring " to work out their own salvation," against the lusts of the flesh, and the enmity of Satan. Surely he who spared not his own self, will, with himself, freely give us all things, "All things that pertain to life and godliness."

Such considerations as these may justly confirm our faith and animate our prayers, and keep us stedfast unto the end, "striving against sin."

43. And he straightly charged him, and forthwith sent him away;

44. And saith unto him, See thou say nothing to any man: but go thy way, show thyself to the priest, and offer for thy cleansing those things which Moses commanded, for a testimony unto them.

2 2 Cor. xii. 7.

3 Phil. ii. 12.