Application—^
1. The text is addressed to all the sinners of the Gentiles —
[How gracious is God in thus inviting sinners to " be- hold" his Son! And Jioio powerful the recomviendaUon that is thus enforced hy the example of God, himself! But can any thing be a stronger reproof to those, who, instead of choosing Christ, and being well pleased with him, have uniformly despised and rejected him? Say then, ye ungrateful world, whom will ye condemn ; yourselves, or God ? Still however, the invitation is addressed to you, *' Behold my Son." O that you may behold him now to your joy, and not hereafter to your confusion !]
2. But the words are more eminently suited to the zveak and desponding —
[More consolatory declarations could not have been desired by man, or given by God. The lowest possible state of grace is here described in most appropriate terms, and an assurance given that it shall prove victorious in the issue. Let the desponding soul then learn to " trust" in Jesus; and even in the midst of conflicts sing, " Thanks be to God, who giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ."]
Matt. xii. 22, 23. Then was brought unto him 07ie piossessed tvith a devil, blind and dumb : and he healed him, insomuch that the blind and dumb both spake and saw. And all the people were amazed, and said, Is not this the son of David ?
IN establishing the Mosaic dispensation, God in- troduced it with many miracles. It might well be expected therefore that, when he should supersede that dispensation, and establish another in its place, he would confirm that also with miracles, so as to leave no doubt but that he was the author of " that which should remain, no less than of that which was to vanish away." Accordingly our blessed Saviour wrought miracles without number, and appealed to them as substantiating his claim to divine authority : " Though ye believe not me, believe the works ; that ye may know and believe, that the Father is in me.