fore us, a striking picture of the first heginnrngs of saving faith and Us effect. We are told that she '^oame behind" our Lord, and '^ touched the border of His garment, and immediately her issue of blood stanched/' The act ap- peared a most simple one, and utterly inadequate to produce any great result. But the effect of that act was most marveUous I In an instant the poor sufferer was healed. The relief that many physicians had failed to give in "twelve years/' was obtained in one moment. It was but one touch, and she was well I
It is hard to conceive a more lively image of the ex- perience of many souls than the history of this woman's cure. Hundreds could testify that, like her, they long sought spiritual help £rom physicians of no value, and wearied their souls by using remedies which brought no cure. At last, like her, they heard of One who healed la- bouring consciences, and forgave sinners, " without money and without price," if men would only come to Him by faith. — The terms seemed too easy to be credible. The tidings sounded too good to be true. — But, like the woman before us, they resolved to try. They came to Christ by faith, with all their sins, and to their amazement at once found relief. And now they feel more comfort and hope than they ever felt before. The burden seems rolled off their backs. The weight seems taken off their minds. Light seems breaking in on their hearts. They begin to " rejoice in hope of the glory of God." (Rom. v. 2.) And all, they would tell us, is owing to one simple thing. They came to Jesus just as they were. They touched Him by faith, and were healed.
For ever let it be graven on our hearts that faith in
282 EXPosnoRT thoughts.
Christ is the grand secret of peace with God. Without it we shall never find inward rest, whatever we may do in religion. Without it we may go to services daily and receive the Lord's Supper every week, — we may give our goods to the poor, and our bodies to be burned, — we may fast and wear sackcloth, and live the lives of hermits, — all this we may do, and be miserable after all. One true believing touch of Christ is worth all these things put together. The pride of human nature may not like it. But it is true ! Thousands will rise up at the last day and testify that they never felt comfort of soul till they came to Christ by faith, and were content to cease from their own works, and be saved wholly and entirely by His grace.
Let us see lastly, in this passage, how much our Lord desires that those who have received benefit from Him should confess Him before men. We are told that He did not allow this woman, whose case we have been reading, to retire from the crowd unheeded. He enquired, "who had touched Him." He enquired again, until the woman came forward and "declared" her case before all the people. And then came the gracious words, " Daughter, be of good comfort. Thy faith hath made thee whole."
Confession of Christ is a matter of great importance. Let this never be forgotten by true Christians. The work that we can do for our blessed Master is little and poor. Our best endeavours to glorify Him are weak and full of imperfections. Our prayers and praises are sadly defective. Our knowledge and love are miserably small. But do we feel within that Christ has healed our souls P Then can we not confess Christ before men? Can we