In answer to his inquiry, when his son "began to amend,"-in which he evidently supposed the restoration to have been gradual,—the exact time is mentioned when the fever" left him,"-that is, when it at once and completely disappeared. The coincidence of the event with the assurance which he had received of it from the lips of our Lord at the very time when it took place was too remarkable to escape his observation: "So the father knew that it was at the same hour, in the which Jesus said unto him, Thy son liveth."

The result is highly interesting and important. It is thus briefly recorded by the Evangelist: "And himself believed, and his whole house." The nobleman indeed, as we have already seen, had before believed. But we may be well assured that his faith in Jesus was abundantly strengthened and confirmed, when he heard the testimony of his servants on the way, and more especially when, on his arrival at home, he found his son in perfect health and vigour. It is pleasing too to learn that he was not alone in the exercise of his faith: "his whole house" believed. His domestics were convinced that Jesus was divinely sent,-that he was possessed of divine power, and that he had exercised that power on this occasion. We may hope too that this was not the full extent of their faith; but that in simplicity and sincerity of heart they believed in the Lord Jesus Christ to the saving of their souls;-that they became his avowed and devoted disciples, and adorned their Christian profession by a conversation such as

becometh the Gospel of Christ. Oh that similar effects may from time to time be produced, through the influence of Divine grace, upon the hearts and lives of those who contemplate the works of power and compassion which our blessed Redeemer performed!-Let us turn our attention

III. TO THE

INSTRUCTION

WHICH WE MAY

DERIVE FROM THE WHOLE OF THIS INTERESTING

NARRATIVE.

1. In the first place we may observe that no elevation can secure us from distress. Whatever may be our rank in life-whatever the resources of wealth, power, and influence which Providence may have allotted us, affliction may still visit us. It may assail us in our persons, in our families, or in our connections, so as to mar our enjoyments, and to prove the vanity of earthly things, when we confide in them as sources of comfort and delight. Nevertheless all will eventually be well, if such experience should be the means of urging us to seek our happiness where alone it is to be found, in the knowledge and love of God as our reconciled Father in Jesus Christ. As, in the capacity of his creatures, we are momentarily dependent upon God for life and breath and all things, and find that He supplies our necessities;-so, if we are true Christians, we have the strongest reason to believe that all things shall work together for our good. If this be the case, well may we "glory in tribulations also knowing that tribulation worketh patience; and patience, experience; and experience, hope; and

hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us." Afflictions then are mercies indeed, if either in the first instance they lead us to Jesus Christ, or subsequently confirm and establish that faith in Him, which it has already been our privilege to possess.

2. In the next place we may learn, that wheresoever we are, the healing power of Jesus Christ can reach us, so as to remove our maladies, and to communicate substantial comfort and blessing and joy,-either to ourselves, or to those in reference to whom we are peculiarly concerned. While he sojourned on earth, he went about doing good: exalted in heaven, as he now is, he still has the same disposition and the same power. His bodily presence is not necessary, in order to his conferring upon us the blessings which we need for the welfare and salvation of our souls; -and these are the blessings which in his exalted state he more especially bestows. As a divine power and energy constantly attended him during the period of his ministration in this lower world, to the relief and joy of multitudes around him; so can we without hesitation declare, for the permanent encouragement of the contrite in heart, "Him hath God exalted with his right hand to be a Prince and a Saviour, for to give repentance to Israel, and forgiveness of sins." His power is unlimited, his compassion is unchanged, his knowledge is perfect, his will is effectual: "all power is given unto him both in heaven and in earth;" and he can at any moment supply our neces

sities, alleviate our anxieties, and remove the causes of our complaints, and consequently those complaints themselves. To Him then let us resort as humble supplicants for ourselves and for others; believing in his power, and confiding in his mercy, to grant us the blessings of his great salvation.

We

3. We may further learn from this impressive narrative the importance of being urgent and persevering in prayer. We may not perhaps immediately obtain the objects of our petitions; nor may we at last obtain them exactly in the way that we expected or desired. It may be the will of God to put our faith to the test, by appearing for a time to withhold the blessings which we implore. But he will not ultimately dismiss the sincere and persevering supplicant, without granting him at least an equivalent for the desire of his heart. Had the nobleman desisted from his entreaty when he heard the censure which was pronounced by our Lord, he would probably have departed without attaining the object of his errand. But in consequence of his importunity, the blessing conferred exceeded his utmost expectation. His request was," Sir, come down, ere my child die: -the answer returned him was, "Go thy way; thy son liveth"-that is, he is perfectly restored and well. If then, my brethren, this nobleman was so earnest in seeking a temporal blessing in the recovery of his son, and was thus successful in his importunity ;how urgent ought we to be, and what encouragement is afforded us, in seeking spiritual blessings for ourselves and others, in the health and welfare of our

immortal souls. May we not confidently trust that he who sent the nobleman away in peace and joy, will be equally gracious in hearing and answering our persevering prayers,-doing for us exceeding abundantly above all that we can ask or think?--He has said, "Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you." "Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need."

4. It may be proper briefly to remark that encouragement is here afforded us to intercede for others, especially for those who are more peculiarly near and dear to us. Let parents then, in particular, intercede for their suffering children; and let them constantly bear in mind, that even if those children are free from bodily maladies, they are all infected with the moral distemper of sin;-a distemper, the effects of which, if not graciously averted, will be far more dreadful than the most distressing ravages of the severest sickness by which the human frame can be assailed. Go then, Christian parents, to the throne of grace, and earnestly pray in behalf of your beloved offspring, that they may be healed of their spiritual infirmities, and may obtain the mercy of God in Jesus Christ, through his sanctifying Spirit, unto eternal life.

5. Finally. We may learn from this instructive narrative, the importance of declaring to others what God has been pleased to discover to ourselves. The power and grace of Jesus Christ had been clearly

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