namee." Here it is clear that they thought the evidence arising from this miracle fully conclusive ; and that, if those who had wrought it were suffered to testify of Jesus, they must carry all before them. At the raising of Lazarus by our blessed Lord, the chief priests and elders argued, " If we let the man (Jesus) alone, all men will believe on him :" so did the elders at this time, in reference to the Apostles ; " Tf we do not silence them, they will soon fill the whole land with their doctrine, and establish on an immoveable basis the faith they profess."]
Thus clear was it, as an attestation to Christ's Messiahship. But it was also, II. A characteristic emblem of his salvation —
All the miracles shadowed forth some part of the Gospel salvation. But this gave a peculiarly instruc- tive view of it. It shewed,
1. Its operation on the soul —
[In this view it was explained by the Apostles themselves : " Be it known to you all, and to all the people of Israel, that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom ye crucified, whom God raised from the dead, even by him doth this man stand here before you whole. This is the stone which was set at nought of you builders, which is become the head of the corner. Neither is there salvation in any other : for there is none other name given under heaven whereby we can be saved." The import of which is simply this : ' You have seen how this man's body has been healed, even by faith in the Lord Jesus Christ ; and it is in this way that your souls must be saved : for there is no other power that can effect such a change within you ; a change from weakness to strength, from death to life f.
Hence it appears that the state of this poor cripple exhibits a just view of every man that is born into the world. He from the very womb was incapable of those exertions for which the limbs were originally designed. And so it is with fallen man, in reference to the powers of his soul. He cannot walk before God as Adam did in Paradise, nor as God's saints and servants do even in their fallen state. But, by the name of Jesus Christ, who is there that may not be healed ? Who is there, however deplorable his state, whom the power of Divine grace cannot renovate, so as to make him altogether a new creature? Can any thing be conceived more elfectually changed than the converts on the day of Pentecost? From blood-thirsty lions, they at once became meek and patient
e Acts iv. 11 — 18. f Acts iv. 10. 12. with Acts iii. 20.