defirous were the people of this fpiritual food, that they sometimes forgot the requifites for the body: and there are two inftances, when many of them would have fainted with hunger, had they not been relieved by the miracle of the loaves and fifhes. In these miracles we fhall never find an unmeaning process, and a mere arbitrary difplay of power. On the contrary, they were always fignificant and rational and there was a due call for the operation. They likewife proceeded from confummate benevolence and compaffion: and tended to the good both of the body and the foul. When he was going with his difciples to a city called Naïn, not far from Capernaum, it is faid that he was attended with much people. And when be, came nigh to the gate of the city, behold there was a dead man carried out. But people die daily what reafon was here for any divine interpofition? Upon further inquiry we fhall find, there was a juft cause both for compaffion, and affiftance. For the deceased appears to have been a young man, unexpectedly taken off: add to this

be

he was an only fan of his mother: and this mother a widow. And we may judge of her worth, and the character of the deceafed, from the numbers, that followed her to pay their last regard at the funeral. And when the Lord faw her, he had compasfion upon her; and faid unto her, Weep not. And he came and touched the bier; and they that bare him flood fill. And he faid, Young man, I say unto thee, Arife. And he that was dead fat up, and began to speak: and he delivered him to his mother. And the rumour of him (Chrift Jesus) went forth (not only in Galilee: but) throughout all Judea: and the region round about. Luke vii. 11, &c. We find here fufficient reason for the compaffion of Chrift to be moved; and his heavenly powers exerted; as the distress of an excellent but unhappy mother was relieved: and the whole tended to the glory of God; to which fuch numbers bore witness.

Of the Centurion's Servant healed.

There is a preceding miracle in the fame part of St. Luke's gofpel, which was performed

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formed upon the Centurion's fervant, whom our Saviour healed of his infirmity. In all there hitories there is a great deal contained in a finall fpace: and they abound with many hidden truths, which demand proper attention to be brought to light. When Christ was at Capernaum, a certain Coration's forvent, who was dear unto him, was it, and ready to die. And when he the Centurion heard of Jefus, he fent to hin the elders of the Jews, beseeching him cour de would orne, and heal bis fervant. fuk ahe thy came to Jails, they befought Dayland, Sving, that he was worthy, for s. For be loveth our

malary and be barb bullt us a fynagogue. How again we have another rational indamer for cer Saviour to exert his beacokeve and power. For the Centurion was unbederally a profelyte, a worfhipper of the one tre God: and at the fame top external a trong faith in Chrift, se voie e dance he looked up. The eces gooy nho fought in his behalf, Nad the like faith, as appears by their ary. This was always a neceffary

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article towards obtaining the divine interpofition. Our Saviour accordingly went with the elders in order to perform this falutary office. But when he was not far from the house, the Centurion fent friends to him, faying-Lord, trouble not thyfelf, for I am not worthy, that thou shouldst enter under my roof: wherefore neither thought I mySelf worthy to come unto thee: but say in a word; and my fervant shall be healed. And yet I am a man, who have authority and command* conferred upon me, having foldiers under me and I fay to one, Go, and he goeth; and to another, Come, and he cometh: and to my fervant, Do this, and he doeth it. Here we find strong faith and a fuitable humility; with great reverence towards the perfon addreffed: and all this from one much esteemed, and of rank in the part of the world, where he refided. Our Saviour accordingly granted his request, and healed his fervant at a word: and turning to his disciples and the people, who followed him,

This certainly was meant by the Centurion, when he delivered his fentiments. The context proves it.

fhewed his approbation of the Centurion's behaviour. I fay unto you, I have not found fo great faith: no, not in Ifrael. Luke vii. 2, 3, 4, &c.

We have a great many of Chrift's miracles recorded: but there were far more performed, as we may learn from the evangelifts. For when John the Baptist sent his difciples, on account of their diffidence, to know of Christ, whether he was the Messiah, or not; it is said, in that same hour he cured many of their infirmities and plagues, and of evil spirits: and unto many that were blind, he gave fight. By this he intimated, what he, at another time, declared more plainly-if you believe not me, yet believe. my works for they plainly teftify who I

am.

Concerning the raifing of Lazarus from the dead.

Out of thefe miracles recorded I fhall mention one more; which is described very minutely and circumftantially by St. John, as abounding with matter well worthy of our confideration. It relates to a perfon