We need not here notice what every one must acknowledge to be the real case, that he has not done all. This passage applies to those who, like the apostles, have devoted themselves to God, to perform the work appointed to themselves particularly in their respective stations. It describes what should be their habitual feeling and sentiment. They are unprofitable servants after all: and can only come before God with an humble hope that he will receive them, not weighing their merits, but pardoning their offences, through Jesus Christ our Lord.

And in this humility they have a comfort which nothing else can give them. There is no comfort in casting up accounts of service, and defect of service, and trying to prove that God is our debtor. Truth and conscience will always cloud any such calculation and disturb the balance which we vainly endeavour to establish in our favour. Such a confidence may suffice, when judgment seems to be at a distance. But when we most need support, it proves but a broken reed.

It is not till men use, and feel, the language of the apostle :-"By the grace of God, I am what I am: "-"Not according to works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us:"-" By grace are ye saved; not of works, lest any man should boast:"-it is not till then, that they enjoy comfort: and "humility" is found to be before honour," not only in the sight of God, but in the satisfaction which it confers upon the mind.

At the same time, though this is the feeling

which every man must cherish in himself, it does not follow that his services are not really pleasing and acceptable to God. We are his bondmen. But he does not treat us as a master treats his bondmen. For he does both graciously acknowledge, and bountifully reward, the poor services to which he has a claim. We know that "whatsoever good thing any man doeth, the same shall he receive of the Lord." "Thou hast been faithful over a few things; I will make thee ruler over many things enter thou into the joy of thy Lord."

Neither does it follow, because the Christian puts no confidence in his works, that he has no comfort in them. He looks upon that obedience which the grace of God has enabled him to pay, as a testimony that God is with him of a truth. Nay, he looks upon his devotedness to the will of God here, in reference to the reward prepared for him. He has nothing at all to claim. But God is not so limited, as to confine his bounty to man's actual desert and great indeed is that crown of righteousness which is laid up for all them that, "by patient continuance in well-doing, seek for glory and honour and immortality."

Such is the ground of the apostle's earnest exhortation; "I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present yourselves, your souls and bodies, a willing sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. For God is not unrighteous, to forget your work and labour of love, which ye have showed towards his name." 4

4 Romans xii. 1. Heb. vi. 10.

LECTURE LXV.

TEN LEPERS ARE HEALED-ONE RETURNS TO GIVE THANKS.

LUKE Xvii. 11-19.

11. And it came to pass, as he went to Jerusalem, that he passed through the midst of Samaria and Galilee.

12. And as he entered into a certain village, there met him ten men that were lepers, which stood afar off:

13. And they lifted up their voices, and said, Jesus, Master, have mercy on us.

The law of Moses prescribed strict regulations concerning the plague of leprosy. Those afflicted by it were required to "dwell alone:" to have "their habitation without the camp: not to inhabit the towns, and communicate the contagion of so grievous a disorder. This accounts for the number here collected together. Misfortune had united them. Deprived of the general comfort of society, they might comfort and assist each other.

For the same reason, they stood afar off, whilst they entreated the help of Jesus. How different from the case of those whom the leprosy of Adam's sin has infected, and left unclean! They are permitted to "draw near with faith:" they are at liberty to "come boldly to the throne of grace, that they may find grace to help in time of need.”

The leper, when healed, was not considered free from the restraints laid upon him, till he had been declared so by the priest, and certain solemnities observed. Hence the answer of Jesus.

14. And when he saw them, he said unto them, Go shew yourselves unto the priests. And it came to pass, that as they went, they were cleansed.

15 And one of them, when he saw that he was healed, turned back, and with a loud voice glorified God.

16. And fell down on his face at his feet, giving him thanks: and he was a Samaritan.

17. And Jesus answering, said, Were there not ten cleansed? but where are the nine?

18. There are not found that returned to give glory to God, save this stranger.

19. And he said unto him, Arise, go thy way; thy faith hath made thee whole.

It was evident that nothing except the power of God immediately exercised in behalf of these men, could have wrought their cure. And whether we consider the greatness of the miracle, or the greatness of the blessing, we should equally expect that gratitude would be kindled within them, and bring them to the feet of him through whom the benefit was received. But there are not found that returned to give glory to God, save one Samaritan. Here, as in the case of the Roman centurion, our Lord met with more faith in a stranger, than in Israel: the best spirit, where was the least outward privilege.

2

And happy would it be, if the ingratitude which is here exhibited, occurred less frequently in the experience of the christian ministry. Restoration from

1 Lev. xiv. 2--32.

2 Matt. viii. 10.

other dangerous diseases gives the same occasion of showing the heart, as the recovery of these lepers. One who has lived a careless, ungodly life, is seized with illness. The sense of his unfitness to meet God in judgment comes strongly upon his mind. He prays, Jesus, Master, have mercy on me. "Spare me a little, that I may recover my strength, before I go hence, and be no more seen." Nay, he commonly does more than these lepers; for his prayer accompanied with earnest protestations and resolutions that he will return and glorify God, if he may be allowed to live, and not die.

is

In the dispensations of Providence the opportunity is often given of trying the strength of these resolutions. And what is the result of experience? Are there not ten cleansed? But where are the nine? Restored in body, but with no change of heart. The near view of eternity had roused the mind, so that it had perceived the vanity of this present world, and the necessary connexion between holiness and the happiness of heaven: but the heart is not therefore converted: and when the light which broke in upon it no longer shines, the man remains what he was before, and is not found to return and give glory to God.

We learn from this how little can be trusted to the effect of bodily illness: and how great is the mistake of supposing that it will necessarily produce repentance. It often leads a man to sorrow that he has not repented: but sorrow is not grace, and does not convert the soul.

The ingratitude of these lepers meets with another unhappy parallel, in the case of those who