Luke vi. 19. And the whole multitude sought to touch Mm: for there went virtue out of him, and healed them all.
IN perusing the histories of ancient heroes, we may often be led to admire their skill and valour ; but we shall much oftener be shocked at the means they used to exalt and aggrandize themselves; and, when we see them raising trophies to themselves on the ruins of slaughtered nations, we shall be induced to consider them rather as the plagues and scourges of mankind. But how different will be our sensations, when we
read the history of Jesus ! There we shall meet with nothing which will not be delightful to a benevolent mind. If we trace him in his circuits through the country, and view in every place the objects that surround him, we shall behold at one time the eyes he has just now opened, gazing on him with wonder and amazement ; and at another time the ears he has unstopped, drinking in his words with insatiable eager- ness and attention. Here we shall behold the hands he has restored to use, stretched forth to proclaim his praises ; and the feet he has strengthened, leaping and dancing round him with inexpressible delight: there we shall hear the tongues he has loosed, shouting with exquisite love and gratitude ; and see those whom he has dispossessed of devils, sitting with composure at the feet of their Benefactor. Sometimes we shall see the very dead starting forth into life and vigour at his command, and either rapturously saluting their disconsolate relations, or rending the air with their acclamations and hosannas. Such accounts as these, if considered only in a temporal view, cannot but excite in us a sympathetic joy, and afford the most pleasing sensations : but, no doubt, they were intended also to convey some spiritual instruction ; in which view they acquire an additional, and almost an infinite, importance. Perhaps it may be too much to say that the miracles, wrought by our Lord, were types of the spiritual blessings he conveys ; but we may affirm without hesitation, that there is a very strong analogy between them : and therefore, when we see what he did to the bodies of men, we have, at least, a very just occasion of considering what he will do for our souls. In this view we propose to consider the account given us in the chapter before us. We are informed that a great multitude came to him out of Judaea and Jerusalem, and from the sea coast of Tyre and Sidon, to hear him, and to be healed of their diseases : and then it is said, in the words of the text, " The whole multitude sought to touch him : for there went virtue out of him, and healed them all."
To illustrate this subject we shall,