offer his appointed gift lie went instantly, and with great gladness; but he knew not how to check the ardour of his love and gratitude; nor can we wonder that he overlooked the command given him. We mean not however to justify his disobedience : for the word of God utterly condemns every deviation from the Divine willf : but the leper's disobedience most assuredly sprang from a good principle; nor can we doubt but that the indulgent Saviour, who well knew his motives, would readily pardon it.]
Though evil consequences ensued, yet were they overruled for good —
[Our Lord's fame spread with great rapidity through all the country. Hence he was much incommoded by the multi- tudes who nocked around him ; nor " could he any more openly enter into the city by reason of them." He was forced to seek for solitude and retirement " in desert places :" but the mul- titudes who came were desirous " to hear" his word; and occa- sion also was afforded by them for the working of many other miracles g. Thus great benefit accrued to the bodies certainly, and we trust also, to the souls, of many.]
Address —
1 . Are there any here who feel themselves infected
with the leprosy of sin ?
[The corruption of our hearts is often set forth under this figure : nor is there one amongst us that is not infected with it. Indeed so fatally has it spread, that we may well apply to ourselves that lothesome description11 — and, in reference to this very disorder, exclaim with the prophet1, " Woe is me, I am undone !" Let not any one however who feels the infection, hope to heal himself: the disorder bids defiance to every hand but God's. Come then to Jesus, the almighty, the only, phy- sician of souls: come to him, like the leper, with the deepest humility, and reverence; nor doubt his willingness, any more than his power, to heal you. Ask yourselves, wherefore he came from heaven ? Was it not to seek and save the lost ? Wherefore was the fountain of his blood opened, but for sin, and for uncleannessk ? Let then the declaration he has made, encourage every one amongst you1. However polluted you be, he will condescend to touch you, and by his sovereign power will remove the guilt and pollution of your sins.]
2. Are there, on the other hand, any who hope that they have been healed of their leprosy ?
f Deut. xxvii. 26. e Luke v. 15. h Isai. i. 5, C.
' Isai. vi. T). ^ Zech. xiii. 1 * John vi. 37.