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CLASS IV.

THE RAISING OF THE DEAD.

DISCOURSES XVIII-XX.

DISCOURSE XVIII.

THE WIDOW'S SON RAISED.

LUKE VII. 11—17.

And it came to pass the day after, that he went into a city called Nain; and many of his disciples went with him, and much people. Now when he came nigh to the gate of the city, behold, there was a dead man carried out, the only son of his mother, and she was a widow: and much people of the city was with her. And when the Lord saw her, he had compassion on her, and said unto her, Weep not. And he came and touched the bier: and they that bare him stood still. And he said, Young man, I say unto thee, Arise. And he that was

And he delivered

dead sat up, and began to speak. him to his mother. And there came a fear on all: and they glorified God, saying, That a great prophet is risen up among us; and, That God hath visited his people. And this rumour of him went forth throughout all Judea, and throughout all the region round about.

If there be a subject the consideration of which, in connection with all its adjuncts and appurtenances, is peculiarly calculated to solemnize the mind, and to

check the natural licentiousness of its affections, it is the subject of death. And if, in our meditations upon that subject, there be any reflection which is in every way fitted to communicate support and consolation to the anxious and inquiring soul, it is that which fixes the attention upon Him who is "the Resurrection and the Life." Hence the paramount importance of those topics which must occupy our thoughts while, in pursuance of our plan, we are engaged in contemplating the fourth class of our Lord's miracles, on the examination of which we now enter,-namely, THE RAISING OF THE DEAD.

Three memorable instances are related in which satisfactory evidence was afforded of the power of Jesus over the last enemy that shall be destroyed, antecedent to his own personal victory, when he rose triumphant from the grave. To each of these in its proper order we propose to direct our attention,imploring the blessing of Almighty God on our meditations.

In considering that of which the narrative has just been recited, it may be convenient to notice

I. THE PUBLICITY OF THE MIRACLE:
II. ITS PECULIAR CIRCUMSTANCES:
III. ITS IMMEDIATE EFFECTS and

IV. ITS SUBSEQUENT NOTORIETY.

I. Let us first notice, THE PUBLICITY OF THE

MIRACLE.

On this point the narrative is very explicit and satisfactory. It It appears that our Lord himself was

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accompanied by many of his disciples, and much people." The afflicted individual in whose behalf he interposed was also attended by a numerous retinue; for it is stated that "much people of the city was with her." Most of the recorded miracles of our Lord, indeed, were publicly and conspicuously performed. It was wisely appointed that this should be the case, in order that his power and glory might be indisputably proved, and his high character and claims irrefragably established. But it was more especially expedient that one of so pre-eminent a nature as that which we are about to consider, should be openly and extensively exhibited. The power over life and death is so obviously the prerogative of Deity, that nothing could be wanting to certify the Divine mission of Jesus, should it be made evident that he exercised that power. This too was the first occasion on which he thus manifested his glory. On this account, perhaps, it is so distinctly recorded by the Evangelist, that both our Lord himself, and the woman whose case excited his compassion, were numerously attended.

No doubt could reasonably be entertained as to the reality of a miracle, for the truth of which a direct appeal could be made to multitudes who were present at its performance, and the greater part of whom were probably well acquainted with all the circumstances of the case, and fully competent to attest the mighty power which had been displayed by our Lord. the most important part of the narrative been false, the historian could scarcely have had the effrontery

Had

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