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 analogy 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 analogy. 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 I 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?" 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, who was moved with compassion by a bodily disorder, which could not last long, and could not affect eternity, beholds with compassion the spiritual trials of his disciples. Yet their leprosy does not often immediately depart 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. The "thorn" in St. Paul's side, of whatever nature, he did not immediately remove. He 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 Rom. vii. 21, &c. 2 wavering. He willeth the salvation of every man, much more of those who are labouring "to work out" theirs, against the lusts of the flesh, and the enmity of Satan. Surely he, who spared not his own self, will, with himself, also freely give us all things. Greater good-will hath none than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends. 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 straitly charged him, and forthwith sent him away; 44. And saith unto him, See thou say nothing to any man: but go thy way, shew thyself to the priest, and offer for thy cleansing those things which Moses commanded, for a testimony unto them.3 45. But he went out, and began to publish it much, and to blaze abroad the matter, insomuch that Jesus could no more openly enter into the city, but was without in desert places: and they came to him from every quarter. That a crowd might not be inconveniently collected, our Lord saw fit to prohibit this man from publishing his cure. He was to show himself to the priest, whose office it was by the law to pronounce a leper clean; to take off, as it were, the law under which, as leprous, he remained. This was to be a testimony unto them, that a great prophet was come into the world; yes, and more than a prophet, as they might perceive if their hearts were not hardened. 3 See "the law of leprosy," Levit xiv. The man, however, was too full of joy and gratitude to conceal the matter. He so blazed it abroad, that Jesus was forced to quit the city, and seek less frequented places. A similar zeal and gratitude will be felt by every sincere disciple of Christ Jesus. It will manifest itself in various ways; certainly not in making boast of spiritual blessings; for "let him who thinketh he standeth, take heed lest he fall." But there will exist an earnest desire and endeavour that others should apply to the same fountain of spiritual health, of which they themselves have drunk and been refreshed. Christians" are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people;" for this very purpose, that they "should show forth the praises of him who hath called them out of darkness into his marvellous light." but Do not disappoint the excellent design "let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven." 4 LECTURE LXXVII. A PARALYTIC MAN HEALED.-THE POWER OF CHRIST TO FORGIVE SINS; AND HIS REASON FOR CONVERSING WITH SINNERS. MARK ii. 1-17. (Matt. ix. 2-9. Luke v. 18-28.) 1. And again he entered into Capernaum, after some days; and it was noised that he was in the house. 2. And straightway many were gathered together, insomuch that there was no room to receive them, no, not so much as about the door: and he preached the word unto them. 3. And they come unto him, bringing one sick of the palsy, which was borne of four. 4. And when they could not come nigh unto him for the press, they uncovered the roof where he was: and when they had broken it up, they let down the bed wherein the sick of the palsy lay. 5. When Jesus saw their faith, he said unto the sick of the palsy, Son, thy sins be forgiven thee. The lowness of the houses in Judea, and their flat roofs, (often alluded to in Scripture,) made it possible to admit the paralytic man in the way described. Still there was difficulty, trouble, and expense. So that it is said, when Jesus saw their faith. Before they took such pains, they must have been very confident that it was worth while; and that he, whose presence they sought so anxiously, could make them a return. To believe this, and |