IV. We notice, lastly, THE RESULTS WHICH ENSUED

UPON THIS DISPLAY OF POWER AND MERCY.

"And he charged them that they should tell no man: but the more he charged them, so much the more a great deal they published it; And were beyond measure astonished, saying, He hath done all things well he maketh both the deaf to hear and the dumb to speak."

It is not necessary that any remark should be made on the injunction pronounced by our Lord, or on the practical disregard of that injunction by those to whom it was addressed. We have had occasion to speak on both these points in preceding discourses,1 and the observations that were then advanced may be considered as applying also to the instance now before us.

The powerful impression made upon the minds of those who witnessed the miracle which we have been considering, demands, however, a more particular attention. The terms in which the surprise excited by it is expressed, are especially remarkable. Nowhere, perhaps, in the narratives of our Saviour's life, do we find a description of surprise so forcible, or an expression of it so comprehensive. They were

beyond measure," or as it might more literally be rendered, "they were" superabundantly "astonished, saying, He hath done all things well: he maketh both the deaf to hear and the dumb to speak." A description such as this can scarcely be supposed to

1 Discourses IX, and X.

denote less than that a most extraordinary effect had been produced upon the minds of those to whom it is applied. A deep conviction had been wrought there, the nature and extent of which we may probably in some degree infer by carefully attending to the declarations to which it gave occasion. On examining these declarations we may perhaps fairly be conducted to the conclusion, that the surprise excited was not so much on account of the power which had been manifested in this special this special interposition of our Lord, as on account of the consistency of this and other mighty works which probably recurred to the minds of the speakers, with the character of the Messiah, whom, we may suppose, they now believed him to be. They say not, He hath done all things with power,—or, he hath done all things in mercy,— or, he hath done all things in such a way as was never before known;-though all this would have been indisputably true;-but they say, "He hath done all things well:"-that is, if our exposition be correct, He hath done all things exactly as it was to be expected that the Messiah would do, whom we now confidently believe him to be.' Then, referring to the particular cure which he had just wrought, which was a confirmation, so far as it went, of the general declaration to which it had given occasion, they add-" He maketh both the deaf to hear and the dumb to speak." The miracles which our Lord wrought were of such a kind as it had been distinctly foretold by the prophets that the Messiah, when he should appear, would perform. Among other things

it was intimated that when He should come with salvation, "Then the eyes of the blind should be opened, and the ears of the deaf should be unstopped. Then should the lame man leap as an hart, and the tongue of the dumb sing." Well therefore might those who witnessed the corresponding works of our Lord, be surprised at the exact fulfilment of the predictions, and be deeply impressed with the animating conviction that this was indeed He that should bring redemption to Israel.' Whether their expectation extended beyond a temporal deliverance, an emancipation from the bondage of the Roman yoke, with such national and religious privileges as might be supposed necessarily to follow that deliverance, we need not take upon us to inquire. Suffice it to believe that they recognised in Jesus the promised Deliverer. Be it ours, my beloved brethren, gratefully to acknowledge in the Messiah, thus recognised in his mighty works, that Prince and Saviour whose office and prerogative it is to " give repentance to Israel, and forgiveness of sins." A bare acknowledgment, however, ought not, and for the salvation of our souls, will not, suffice.

Having therefore thus far contemplated the narrative, let us now apply ourselves to the important duties which it suggests.

Let us earnestly beseech Him who literally opened

1 See this argument ably stated in Bishop Horsley's Sermon on the latter verse of our text.

the ears of the deaf, spiritually to open the ears of our understandings and of our hearts, that we may diligently listen to the truths which are inculcated in his holy Word, and cordially receive the wholesome instructions which it conveys. Be it our constant and unfeigned prayer that we may joyfully hear and thankfully learn those things that belong to our everlasting peace. Naturally we are dull of hearing and slow of heart to understand these most interesting and momentous subjects. Jesus Christ alone, by the power of his Holy Spirit, can unstop our deaf ears, and thus prepare them to hear and receive the truth to the saving of our souls. Nay, moreover, when the natural obstruction has been removed, He alone can prevent its return, and preserve us in that happy state in which we shall continue to hear with gladness the joyful sound. Are any then conscious that they have hitherto been deaf in regard to spiritual subjects? We earnestly entreat them, by the inestimable value of their immortal souls, and by all the arguments which the importance of eternity involves and may suggest, to seek from the Lord Jesus Christ the removal of that infirmity, which, if it be not removed, will inevitably terminate in everlasting death. Those, on the other hand, whose ears have been graciously opened for the reception of Divine truth, we as earnestly exhort fervently to pray that they may evermore continue to possess the hearing ear and the understanding heart, and that their souls may be filled with holy joy and peace in believing.

If, again, we are happily conscious that our natural

deafness as to spiritual things has been removed, then let us earnestly beseech Him to whom we are indebted for this unspeakable blessing, to loose the string of our tongue-to open our lips, that our mouths may shew forth his praise. It is much to be lamented that many, even among the sincerest followers of Jesus Christ, are unaccountably backward to speak on those subjects which are of the highest interest to themselves and their fellow Christians. Too great forwardness indeed in this matter is justly to be deprecated; inasmuch as it savours of selfishness and spiritual pride, and may be productive of baneful consequences to an unknown extent. But surely the humble-minded Christian, depending upon the grace of God, which he should devoutly implore, would find it conducive to his own spiritual welfare, and perhaps too he might be instrumental in communicating benefit to others, were he habitually prepared to tell of the goodness and mercy of his adorable Saviour, revealed in the Scriptures or illustrated in his own experience. That Saviour, alas! knows too well how deficient we all are in this important qualification. Oh Oh may He make us ashamed of our past neglect, and enable us for the time to come more duly to consult both our own interest and his glory!

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Finally While with astonishment and gratitude we reiterate the language of those who exclaimed, "He hath done all things well; he maketh both the deaf to hear and the dumb to speak ;"-let our attention be constantly directed to Him who was the subject of that language; and, with a view to our personal and