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consideration. Let it then be our prayer that we may constantly be preserved from the error into which this disciple fell; and that while we are zealous in the best of all causes, namely that of our Divine Lord and Master, we may ever exhibit that gentleness and forbearance in our deportment towards those who oppose themselves, which He not only inculcated in his precepts, but enforced by his holy example. Thus shall we at once honour our blessed Redeemer, and evince the practical excellence of that religion which it is our happiness to have received from Him.

2. In the next place we learn from the subject we have been considering, that patient submission to the will of God is our bounden duty. We must not contend against the appointments of Divine Providence, when those appointments are known to us; nor ought we to be ignorant of them, when the means of knowing them are placed within our reach. All this appears to be intimated in that emphatic question of our Lord, "The cup which my Father hath given me, shall I not drink it?" And surely if He, our Lord and Master, was fully prepared patiently to sustain all which it was the will of God that he should suffer in accomplishing the great work of our salvation, we ought cheerfully to acquiesce, under every afflictive dispensation, in the will of Him to whose unmerited love we are indebted for so great and so gracious a Saviour! If indeed the injunction and the example of our Lord had their full and proper influence on our minds, nothing more would be required to insure our entire resignation to the will

of our Father who is in heaven, and whose dealings with his children are the result of wisdom and mercy.

3. We are further reminded by the subject before us, that mercy is to be extended by us even to our enemies. I say, reminded of this, for the lesson had been before inculcated in the instructions directly communicated by our Lord, to a very numerous audience, to whom he addressed his Sermon on the Mount. Did he in the course of those instructions deliver the ever-memorable precept, "Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you and persecute you-?" We find him acting in the very spirit of this precept, in his conduct toward Malchus. Thus, my brethren, he has doubly taught us how we are to demean ourselves towards those who are adverse to us, or oppose our principles, if we would be his true disciples, and appear as his consistent followers. this important lesson be impressed on our minds; and may God enable us by the grace of his Holy Spirit, in this and in every other respect, to tread in the steps of our blessed Lord, and to walk as he also walked, to the glory of his holy name.

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4. We go on still further to remark, that the confidence which we have in our Saviour, may well be strengthened and confirmed, on a review of the subject which has now occupied our thoughts. We have contemplated his compassionate interposition in behalf of Malchus, who was in the ranks of those who laid violent hands upon him. If then he was thus gracious to one who appeared before him as an enemy,

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how much more will he be gracious to those who approach him in humility and reverence, desiring to enjoy the blessing of his favour and protection! To their wants he will ever be attentive; their necessities he will always be ready to relieve: for he "forgiveth all their iniquities; he healeth all their diseases; he redeemeth their life from destruction; he crowneth them with loving-kindness and tender mercies." And though it may be conducive to their present welfare, and to their ultimate happiness, that they should experience trials and distresses while they are in the body, still are they kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation, ready to be revealed in the last time." Trust therefore in Him at all times, ye his people rely on his power, his compassion, his faithfulness; and doubt not that in due season, that is, in his own time, he will supply all your need. Every believer in Jesus Christ is interested in the gracious assurance which is recorded for the encouragement of his Church: "The mountains shall depart, and the hills be removed; but my kindness shall not depart from thee, neither shall the covenant of my peace be removed, saith the Lord that hath mercy on thee."

5. Finally. We may infer from this subject, that He who shewed himself powerful to heal, is no less mighty to destroy. This inference is abundantly confirmed by numerous testimonies of his own Word ;and that Word is truth. There we learn that his forbearance, though long extended, has nevertheless its appointed limits, which it will not, which it cannot,

pass. Justice will at length put in its claim; and those who resolutely and perseveringly oppose the Saviour, and reject the mercy of his Gospel, which alone can deliver them from the wrath to come, will inevitably perish in the outpouring of his vindictive anger, in the hour of death, and at the day of judgment. Of that destructive vengeance, nothing can check the tremendous course.

Oh then, impenitent sinner, think on thy condition; reflect on thy imminent danger, and beware of " treasuring up unto thyself wrath against the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of God, who will render to every man according to his deeds." "Who," then, it may well be asked,— "Who" of his adversaries " may abide the day of his coming? and who" among them" shall stand when he appeareth?" Oh ye who have taken counsel in your hearts against the Lord, and against his anointed, saying, Let us break their bands asunder, and cast away their cords from us,"-hear the gracious invitation which is still mercifully addressed to you, "Kiss the son, lest he be angry, and ye perish from the way, when his wrath is kindled but a little. Blessed," it is added, "are all they that put their trust in him."

Oh may this blessedness be ours! then shall we be blessed indeed, both in time and throughout eternity. God Almighty grant it, through Jesus Christ our Lord!

DISCOURSE IX.

SIGHT COMMUNICATED TO TWO BLIND MEN.

MATTHEW IX. 27-31.

And when Jesus departed thence, two blind men followed him, crying, and saying, Thou Son of David, have mercy on us. And when he was come into the house, the blind men came to him: and Jesus saith unto them, Believe ye that I am able to do this? They said unto him, Yea, Lord. Then touched he their eyes, saying, According to your faith be it unto you. And their eyes were opened: and Jesus straitly charged them, saying, See that no man know it. But they, when they were departed, spread abroad his fame in all that country.

THE dispensations of Providence are in many respects inscrutable, though doubtless they are invariably the result of unerring wisdom. What we know not now on this intricate and inexplicable subject, it is probable we may know hereafter. In the mean time, we should cultivate a spirit of humble submission to the will of God under every affliction which may be allotted us, and of unfeigned gratitude for every

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