should enter into the peculiarities to which we advert, any further than it may be thought expedient for the purpose of illustrating the power and declaring the glory of our Lord, in connection with the removal of so distressing a calamity.

In this part of our arrangement, two cases only will be brought forward as sufficient for the proposed end, and for the suggestion of suitable reflections conducive to personal admonition and edification. The first is that of which an account is contained in the passage which has now been recited, and to the consideration of which we shall immediately proceed. May the Holy Spirit of God be graciously pleased to direct us, and grant us His blessing in the prosecution of our subject! It is proposed then,

I. In the first place, TO PREMISE SOME OBSERVA

TIONS ON THE MALADY ITSELF:

II. Secondly, TO NOTICE THE SHORT NARRATIVE HERE RECORDED: and,

III. Thirdly, TO DEDUCE SOME REFLECTIONS, BY

WAY OF IMPROVEMENT, from the whole.

I. In the first place then, LET US PREMISE SOME

OBSERVATIONS ON THE MALADY ITSELF.

As to its nature, it was a cutaneous distemper of a very painful and distressing kind. It occasioned the greatest uneasiness and a constant irritation to the afflicted sufferer. It was rapid in its progress, general in its spread over the body, and frightfully destructive in its effects upon the various parts of the frame. Nor was it only thus painful and pernicious to the patient

himself, but in a high degree loathsome and offensive to others; who were fain to retire from its unsightliness, while they dreaded its contagion. This contagion was sometimes so pestilent, that it not only tainted the clothes of the diseased, but spread itself over the walls of his house, and infected the timber of the beams. It was sometimes so inveterate, that there was no other possible way of eradicating it, but only by burning the garment, and demolishing the building.' An opinion seems to have been extensively prevalent, both among the heathens and the Jews, that this disease was, in a peculiar sense, a divinely-inflicted malady. That in some instances it was sent as a direct punishment from God cannot indeed be doubted. So it was in the cases of Miriam, Gehazi, and king Uzziah. But that it was invariably so, no proof, it is presumed, can be afforded. When, however, the disease had attained its height, it was regarded as altogether incurable, excepting by the special hand of God. Moses, therefore, in the Law, prescribes no natural remedy for its cure.

Hence we are led to observe, that the legal enactments in reference to this malady are particularly remarkable. Whenever a person was supposed to be infected with it, he was required to present himself before the priest, who was carefully to examine the symptoms of the complaint, for the purpose of determining whether it were a real leprosy or not. In case it should on due examination prove to be such, the

1 Hervey.

leper was to be separated from the rest of the people, and to reside without the camp, and, at a later period, without the city or town to which he belonged. He was also required to have his clothes rent, his head bare, and a covering on his upper lip, that he might be readily distinguished and avoided; and at the same time, for further security against the danger of contact, whenever he went forth he was to reiterate the exclamation, "Unclean, unclean." Unclean, unclean." When it pleased God to remove the malady, the person who had been afflicted with it was required again to appear before the priest, that on the satisfactory result of another scrutiny, he might be declared clean, and offer the sacrifice enjoined in that case; and when purified, that he might be again admitted into civil society, and restored to a participation of its privileges.' 1

1

These general observations may suffice in reference to the malady itself. We proceed therefore,

II. Secondly, TO NOTICE THE SHORT NARRATIVE

HERE RECORDED.

Our Lord had been communicating those various and comprehensive instructions which are contained in his memorable Sermon on the Mount. Having descended from that eminence, he was followed by great multitudes; many of whom, we may naturally suppose, were hoping to derive benefit in some way or other from his presence and power. Among those who resorted to him with such expectation, one appeared conspicuous, who was afflicted with that dis

1 Horne's Introduction, &c.

tressing malady of which we have given a general description. This poor man had doubtless heard of the character of our Lord, and of the works of mercy which he had so frequently and so graciously performed. Hence he approached him as an earnest supplicant, declaring his conviction that Jesus could bestow the blessing which he needed, and was so anxious to obtain. "And behold," says the Evangelist, "there came a leper, and worshipped him, saying, Lord, if thou wilt, thou canst make me clean." A painful consciousness of his malady brought this man to Jesus. He knew-he felt-that he was unclean; that he was the subject of a distressing and loathsome distemper, without the removal of which it was utterly impossible that he could have any real comfort or enjoyment. Nothing short of such a conviction would have urged him to make so humble and so earnest an application to our Lord. Nor, my brethren, will any thing less than a similar conviction of our wretchedness and need, as guilty and polluted sinners, bring us in humble and fervent prayer to Him who is mighty to deliver from the inveterate malady and the direful effects of sin. Oh that a deep sense of our natural corruption may be impressed upon our minds, and stimulate us importunately to apply for that sovereign power which is alone efficacious to restore us to a state of spiritual soundness and acceptance before God! That power is vested in the Lord Jesus Christ, and is mercifully exercised on those who sincerely and devoutly implore his compassionate relief.

The man whose case we are considering, though he was persuaded of the ability, does not seem to have been so fully satisfied of the willingness of our Lord to deliver him from his dreadful malady. Lord," saith he, if thou wilt, thou canst make me clean." A like mixture of unbelief as to the disposition, with an avowed confidence in the power of Jesus Christ to relieve the afflicted, is too frequently apparent in those whose advantages and opportunities of information on this all-important subject are probably very much greater than this poor sufferer possessed. The state of mind with which such feelings are connected, is no less dishonourable to the Saviour, than it is painful to those who are under its influence. He has given us abundant assurance of his readiness to relieve our spiritual necessities, and to remove our spiritual maladies. To entertain any doubt therefore on this point, is in effect, so far as that doubt extends, to deny the veracity of our Lord-to disbelieve the testimony of the faithful and true Witness. From the guilt and danger of such unbelief, may we through Divine grace be kept at the greatest possible distance and to this end may our supplications be habitually addressed to the God of all mercy, in the name of our ever-living and prevalent Intercessor !

The leprous man, convinced, as we have observed, of the power of Jesus to afford him relief, proceeds under the influence of that conviction to importune his aid; determined not to lose the benefit for want of application. That application he makes in a very suitable and appropriate manner. He came to our