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THE LEPER CLEANSED.

O! if a wretch like me may sue and speed,
(Though none than me had ever greater need)
Since, Lord, to will and do is one with thee,
Regard my prayer, and heal my leprosy.

THE leprosy was a very offensive disease making those who were afflicted with it very loathsome to the eye, and, under the Jewish dispensation, excluded the person from all intercourse, either civil or religious; for it was not only considered that all such persons were under the especial visitation of divine displeasure, but the disease in itself was so highly infectious, that it was shunned with the greatest horror.

"And there came a leper and worshipped Jesus, saying, Lord, if thou wilt, thou canst make me clean; and Jesus put forth his hand and touched him, saying, I will; be

thou clean." (Mark i. 40, &c., and Luke v. 12, &c.) We have a very affecting account of this dreadful malady in the 13th chapter of Leviticus. This disease was sometimes sent as a punishment for sin, as in the case of Gehazi, (2 Kings, v. 27.) and was always considered as coming directly from God, and as being under his control only; so that we do not learn that the afflicted made use of the physician, but applied to the priest merely to see if the disease had abated or was removed.

Here we are presented with a man so afflicted, who had heard of Christ, and perhaps had followed him, and listened while he spake to his hearers. This man had faith in Christ; he viewed him as having authority to do for him more than any human hand could, and therefore he addressed him, not doubting his ability; only

fearing lest he should not be willing to bestow so great a blessing upon him.

The blessed Saviour was moved with compassion, and put forth his hand and healed him. What power was here displayed! It was but a word, and the effect was produced. Now what are we to learn from this great miracle? The leprosy was a typical disease; it represented sin, which makes a man loathsome in the sight of God; it excludes him from his favour now, and will, if not put away by divine grace, shut him out of heaven hereafter for ever.

The disease of sin we are all afflicted with; but it is our mercy to have One revealed to us in the word of God who can remove this malady; it is Christ, who has showed us by this miracle, how willing he is to heal every repentant sinner. It is in this way we are to understand the things we read of Jesus ; and

the use we are to make of them, is to apply them to ourselves. Did the poor leper come to Christ ?-then let us come. Did he exclaim, "Lord, if thou wilt, thou canst make me clean ?" Thus let us come; and since he healed him, we need not doubt his willingness, for his power does not exceed his inclination. No doubt the leper, when cleansed, was exceedingly glad; but how small the blessing he received, compared with being cleansed from all sin! The mercy he received enabled him to enjoy life with more comfort; and if Christ makes us clean from our sins, it will prepare us to enjoy happiness in heaven above to all eternity.

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