the history of the cure ^whioh is here described. We read that our Lord said to the man whose hand was withered, '' Stretch forth ihj hand." The commandy at first sight, seems unreasonable, because the man's obedi- ence was apparently impossible. But the poor sufferer was not stopped by any doubts or reasonings of this kind. At once we read that he made the attempt to stretch forth his hand, and, in making it, was cured. He had faith enough to belieye that He who bade him stretch forth his hand, was not mocking him, and ought to be obeyed. And it was precisely in this act of implicit obedience, that he received a blessii^. " His hand was restored whole as the other.''
Let us see in this simple history, the best answer to those doubts, and hesitations, and questionings, by which anxious inquirers often perplex themselves, in the matter of coming to Christ. — ''How can they believe P" they ask us, — " How can they come to Christ P How can they lay hold on the hope set before them P" — ^The best answer to all such inquiries, is to bid men do as he did who had the withered hand. Let th^n not stand still reasomng, but act. Let them not torment themselves with metaphysical speculations, but cast themselves, just as they are, on Jesus Christ. So doing, they will find their course made dear. How, or in what manner, we may not be able to explain. But we may boldly make the assertion, that in the act of strivii^ to draw near to God, they shall find God drawing near to them, but that if they deliberately sit stiU, they must never expect to be saved.
LITKBy CHAP. VI. VBB. 12—19.
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NcTTBS. Lux* YI. ft— 11.
8. — [Stand forth in the midat.^ Here we have a striking example of the publicity of our Lord's miracles. He performs the cure of 4 disease with a few words, in the presence of a large assembly of persons unfriendly to Him, and in the face of open day. He does not do it suddenly or hurriedly. He does it in such a man- ner that the attention of the whole assembly is neoessarily con^ centrated on the thing done. '
These things should be carefiiUy noted. Herein lies the great difference between the miracles wrought by Christ and His apostles, and the pretended miracles of Mahomet, or the lying miracles of the Church of Rome. Those who wish to see this point fully worked out should read Leslie's "Short and easy method with Deists."
10. — [Stretch forth thy hand.'] Ford gives a quotation from FuUer on this passage, which is worth reading. "God's commands are grants. When He enjoins us, Repent, or Believe, it is only to draw from us a free acknowledgement of our impotence to per- form His commands. This confession being made, what He enjoins, He will enable us to do. Man's owning his weakness is the only stock for God to graft thereon the grace of His assistance.'
11. — [Madneas.l The word so translated, is only used in one other place, 2 Tim. iii. 9., and is there translated " folly." The sens© we now put on the word " madness," is probably stronger than the Greek word here bears.