We ought to notice, lastly, in these verses, the gracious promises of special help which our Lord holds out in His parting words to His apostles. He knew well the enormous difficulties of the work which He had just commissioned them to do. He knew the mighty battle they would have to fight with heathenism, the world, and the devil. He therefore cheers them by telling them that miracles shall help forward their work. " Signs shall follow them that believe. In my name they shall cast out devils ; they shall speak with new tongues ; they shall take up serpents ; and if they shall drink any deadly thing it shall not hurt them ; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover." The fulfilment of most of these promises is to be found in the Acts of the Apostles.
The age of miracles no doubt is long passed. They were never meant to continue beyond the first establish- ment of the Church. It is only when plants are first planted, that they need daily watering and support. The whole analogy of Grod's dealings with His church, forbids us to expect that miracles would always continue. In fact, miracles would cease to be miracles, if they hap- pened regularly without cessation or intermission. It is well to remember this. The remembrance may save us much perplexity.
But though the age of physical miracles is past, we may take comfort in the thought that the church of Christ shall never want Christ's special aid in its seasons of special need. The great Head in heaven will never forsake His believing members. His eye is continually upon them. He will always time His help wisely, and come to their succor in the day that He is wanted.