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Jesus over the spiritual world in the eyes both of the Jews and heathens'.

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The report of this event caused a general consternation amongst the inhabitants, who flocked in great multitudes to see the person who had wrought so stupendous a miracle; and, as if struck with a sense of their unworthiness, and afraid of their sins, lest He should bring some deserved judgment upon themselves, they besought Him to depart out of their coasts. Instead of feeling gratitude and joy at having one among them, who could command the infernal legions as He pleased, they seem only to have regarded their worldly profit in the loss of the herd of swine, and in consequence requested Him to go away. and unfitted these people were to receive the presence of so mighty a Saviour. The persons who had been delivered from Satan's influence were instantly restored to reason and comfort, and they were found in their proper place, "sitting at the feet of Jesus." They wished to accompany Him; and following Him down to the ship, they "prayed Him that they might be with Him;" but He considered that they might become instruments of greater usefulness as a standard evidence of His power amongst a people immersed in ignorance and sin. He therefore sent them back to their friends, that they Bragge.

This shows how unworthy

1

Abp. Sumner.

2 Dr. Robinson.

3

might "tell them how great things the Lord

hath done." Jesus had usually commanded the persons healed, not to divulge the miracle ; but in this instance He commanded the contrary. The reason of this seems to have been, that this place was inhabited by heathens as well as Jews, and on that account, as well as on account of its distance from Judæa, there was not the same danger in having it known there, before His time was come, that He worked miraculous cures, as there was from the same being publicly known in Judæa and Galilee 3. SECT. LIII.-Christ healeth the Bloody Issue.-Matt. ix. 20-22; Mark v. 25-34; Luke viii. 43-48.

As Jesus goeth on His way, a woman "having an issue of blood," of twelve years' continuance, came behind Him, and touched the hem or fringe of His garment. The malady of this woman was an uncleanness, according to the law. The woman was sensible of it, and came behind Him by stealth, trembling and fearing, because she had in her uncleanness touched Jesus. She saw that she was not hid from Him, for He said, notwithstanding the multitude pressed and thronged Him, somebody had touched Him, "for virtue had gone out of Him"." It is evident, from this and other similar expressions in the Gospel, that the

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"virtue" by which Jesus performed these miraculous cures, resided in Himself, which is not said of any of the Apostles or Prophets. The cures wrought by them are inscribed to God, but those wrought by Christ to the Divine virtue dwelling in Himself'. The woman was immediately made whole when she had touched Him; according as she had "said within herself, That if I may but touch His garment, I shall be whole." And she "declared unto Him, before all the people, for what cause she had touched Him, and how she was healed immediately." Jesus turned Him about, and, for the encouragement not of her alone, but of those that were around her, He told her, that her belief that He could do this, was the occasion of His healing her 3.

SECT. LIV.-Christ raiseth from Death Jairus' Daughter.Matt. ix. 18, 19. 23-26; Mark v. 21-24. 35-43; Luke viii. 41, 42. 49-56.

UPON Jesus again crossing the lake "much people gathered unto Him," and "gladly received Him, for they were all waiting for Him," and immediately He showed forth fresh evidence of His power and compassion. And He was still "nigh unto the sea," when Jairus, one of the rulers of the synagogue at Capernaum, who had seen so many miracles done by Christ there, that if he were not already a disciple, yet he so

7 Dr. Whitby.

8

Bishop Mann.

P

confidently believed that Christ could recover his now dying daughter, that he came away to Him as she was giving up the ghost; for he says, "My daughter is even now dead," or at the point of death, "but come and lay Thy hand upon her, and she shall live." Our Lord acceded to his request, and forthwith followed him, accompanied by immense crowds, who were desirous of witnessing the event.

Before reaching the house of Jairus, messengers arrived saying, "Thy daughter is dead; why troublest thou the Master any further?" But "Jesus said unto the ruler of the synagogue, Be not afraid, only believe." It has been always, and still is, the custom in the East, for multitudes to assemble in a place where a person has lately expired, and to bewail in a noisy manner in honour of the deceased'. A multitude get together on a sudden, neighbours out of civility, minstrels perhaps for the sake of gain, all the more officious, insomuch as the deceased is of more eminent quality'. All this is recorded by the Evangelist of the daughter of Jairus as the more unquestionable marks of her dissolution: so that the intimation of her revival was altogether derided. But Jesus said, The maid is not so departed that she shall not return again; her death shall continue no longer than an ordinary sleep'; and He took

9 Harmer.

'Dr. Lightfoot.

2 Dr. Hammond.

with Him into the ruler's house no more witnesses than were sufficient to confirm the fact, lest He should seem to be desirous of vain glory, and also for the injunction of secrecy, which, in this instance, may have been necessary, in order to prevent the dead from being continually brought to Him that they might be restored to life3. Jesus "went in, took her by the hand, and the maid arose."

SECT. LV.-Christ giveth Sight to two Blind Men.—
Matt. ix. 27-31.

AND as He returned from the house of Jairus into the house where He now dwelt at Capernaum, (thought to be that of St. Matthew,) two blind men followed Him, addressing Him by a title clearly signifying the Messiah; for it was the same that was given Him by the angel before His birth1, and He questioned the blind men if they thought He was able to restore them to sight, and they answering it in such a manner, as to evidence to Him their faith, Jesus said, (urging the point the rather because of the general untowardness and unbelief of the place where He then was,)" According to your faith be it unto you."

SECT. LVI.-Christ healeth one Dumb Possessed of a Devil.— Matt. ix. 32, 33.

IMMEDIATELY afterwards a dumb person, under a demoniacal possession, was brought to Him

3 Mant and D'Oyly.

4

Bishop Pearce.

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