slaves may express also the power every Christian should have, by the help of GOD, over his inferior and corrupt nature, the power of rejecting evil thoughts, and cherishing good ones; so as to say to the bad," Go," and they go, and to the good," Come," and they come, and to his servant the body, Do this work of chastity, abstinence, or charity, and it shall obey.

Meditations.

O that I could come thus to my Saviour, and make such request to Him for myself. "LORD, my soul is sick of unbelief, sick of self-love and inordinate desires :" I should not need to say more. Thy mercy, O Saviour, would not then stay by for my suit, but would prevent me, as here with a gracious engagement, "I will come and heal thee." It is the manner of that Divine munificence, where He meets with a faithful suitor, to give more than is requested, and to give when He is not requested.

"I will come and heal him." Even so, O Saviour, that which Thou offeredst to do for the centurion's servant, Thou hast done for us. We were sick unto death, so far had the dead palsy of sin overtaken us, that there was no life of grace left in us; when Thou wert not content to sit still in heaven, and say "I will cure them," but addedst also, "I will come and cure them." Thou Thyself camest down accordingly to this miserable world, and hast personally healed us; so

that now we shall not die, but live, and declare Thy works, O LORD. And O that we could sufficiently praise that love and mercy, which has so graciously abased Thee, and that we could be so humbled before Thee, as Thou hast stooped low unto us; that we could but be as lowly subjects of Thy goodness, as we are unworthy. The centurion's humility was not more low than his faith was lofty; that reaches up into heaven, and in the face of human weakness descries Omnipotence; "Only say the word, and my servant shall be whole." (S. Luke v.) Do but say the word, O Saviour, my sin shall be remitted, my soul shall be healed, my body shall be raised from dust, and both soul and body shall be glorious. Our wealth, beauty, wit, learning, honour may make us accepted of men, but it is our faith only that shall make GOD in love with us.

Whereupon then was the steady confidence of the good centurion ? He saw how powerful his own

word was with those that were under his command. Well therefore might he argue that a free unbounded power might give infallible commands, and that the most obstinate disease must yield to the beck of the GOD of nature.

O that I could be such a servant to my heavenly Master! alas, every one of His commands says, “Do this," and I do it not; every one of His inhibitions says, "Do it not," and I do it. He says, "Go from the world," I run to it; "Come to Me," and I run from Him. Woe is me! this is not service but enmity; how can I look for favour while I return rebellion? It is a gracious Master Whom we serve;

He says,

there can be no duty of ours that He sees not, that He acknowledges not, that He crowns not. The measure of our receipts in the matter of favour, is in the proportion of our belief. The infinite mercy of God, which is ever like itself, follows but one rule in His gift to us, which is the faith that He gives us. Give us, O GOD, to believe, and be it to us as Thou wilt, and it will be to us what we will.

If the prayers of an earthly master prevailed so much with the SON of GOD for the recovery of a servant, how shall the Intercession of the Son of GOD prevail with His FATHER in heaven, for us His impotent children and servants on earth? What can we want, O Saviour, while Thou suest for us? He that hath given Thee for us, can deny us nothing for Thee. In Thee we are happy, and shall be glorious. To Thee, O Thou mighty Redeemer of Israel, with Thine Eternal FATHER, together with Thy Blessed SPIRIT, One GoD, infinite and incomprehensible, be given all praise, for ever and ever. Amen.

Prayer.

O LORD JESUS CHRIST, I am not worthy that Thou shouldst enter under my roof, for my soul, as the slave of sensuality, lieth sick of the palsy of sin, and grievously tormented with divers lusts and passions; but come Thou, gracious LORD, by the inspiration of Thy grace, and speak the word of truth only, and Thy servant shall be healed, and rise again from sin. Grant, O merciful GOD, to me, a miserable sinner, brought

under the influence of Thy grace, that I may have strength to repel evil thoughts and hurtful passions, and to cherish those which are good; and may I so rule my body, and bring it into subjection, that it may be the servant of my spirit, and a fit instrument to do Thee faithful service.

Amen.

175

CHAPTER XVII.

THE POVERTY OF OUR LORD'S LIFE.

Prophecy.

See Isaiah liii. 3.

Scripture Narrative.

Reflections.

Although JESUS CHRIST was the King of Glory, and possessed all the treasures of heaven and earth, He vouchsafed to become poor, and in this world He