words of mercy and of grace that fell from his lips. He was possessed at once of the power and the faculty of using the restored senses that were thus given him. In the ordinary course of things, if a man that was blind had sight restored, or a man that was dumb were enabled to speak, a long period might be requisite in order to acquire the habits and the associations necessary for the right use of these powers; so that a great part of the miracle consisted, not merely in restoring the faculties, but in giving them such a power as superseded the ordinary process, and secured all the effect of habit to those who had this blessing granted. This is one of the distinguishing features of all the miracles of Christ; they were perfect, they were complete; nothing was left to be added to them. In this particular they were worthy of the omnipotence and the divinity by which they were effected.

in a spiritual sense, blind and dumb; they see not the glory of Christ, they speak not the praises of Christ. They are incapable of enjoying spiritual communion. They have no taste for what is holy and divine. The character of the man among the tombs, the raving demoniac, is a mournful demonstration of the case and condition of thousands and millions around us, seeking happiness in momentary gratification, and preparing themselves for everlasting ruin. But Jesus came that he might save. I am addressing many who have experienced his healing power, who have been turned from darkness to light, and from the power of sin and Satan unto God.

WHAT WAS THE EFFECT PRODUCED BY THIS MIRACLE ON THE MINDS OF THE PEOPLE? The people were amazed; their minds were raised to a high degree of astonishment, and overwhelming emotion, approaching almost to ecstasy. What reasons would an event like "They were amazed, and said, Is not this present for joyous congratula- this the Son of David?" The Son of Dation on the part of those who brought vid was one of the well-known phrases the man to Jesus. It was no slight in current use among the Jews, as deproof of their faith that they brought scriptive of the character of the Meshim; it would be an ample reward siah; who, whenever he was to appear, for their toil and labour to find the was expected to be, and to prove to be miracle so complete. They might have the Son of God: for it was a part of encountered no small measure of deri- the promise in the covenant of royalty sion and opposition from their friends made to David, typical of the greater and neighbours, because they took so covenant established with the Mesmuch trouble to bring this demoniac siah, "I will be to him a Father, and to the despised Nazarene; but they he shall be to me a Son." The Meswould feel all their labour well re- siah was emphatically pronounced to warded by the effect that was thus be of the seed of David: "the Son of secured. Jesus still goes about doing David" was, therefore, a phrase degood; he still healeth all manner of scriptive of the character of the Mesdiseases; he is able to save to the ut- siah. They felt at once, from the natermost. The works he performed on ture of this miracle, the completeness the bodies of men, during his ministry of it, the instantaneousness of it. It on earth, were but illustrative of the exhibited such a combination of power greater works he still performs. We and mercy-sight to the blind-speech are encouraged and commanded to to the dumb-reason and all the faculbring others to him; and if we come ties of a well-ordered and rightly goin faith, using the means divinely ap- verned mind to the demoniac, at once, pointed-if we come reposing confi- by one act of mercy secured and imdence in the power of the Redeemer, parted that they might well be amazed. our labour shall not be in vain. What They said, "Is not this the Son of Daan encouragement to ministers, to Sab- vid? Is not this the Messiah? Is he bath-school teachers, to parents, to not proved in this way to be the Holy those who have it in their power to One of God." This was a natural influence others! What a motive to conclusion. A miracle is itself a deperseverance! What an encourage-viation from the ordinary course of ment to labour and effort in the great nature, intended to exhibit the power cause of doing good! Men are still, of the Almighty, or to confirm the di

vine commission of him who works | Beelzebub was one of the gods of the the miracle. It was a just impression. Phenicians. We find a reference to Prophecy had distinctly announced, this god in 2 Kings, i. 3. "The angel that when the Messiah appeared, he of the Lord said to Elijah, the Tishbite, should prove his Messiahship, by Arise, go up to meet the messengers works of this kind. In the 32d chapter of the king of Samaria, and say unto of Isaiah you find this distinctly fore- them, Is it not because there is not a told "A King shall reign in righte- God in Israel that ye go to inquire of ousness, and princes shall rule in Baal-zebub the god of Eknon?" He judgment. The eyes of them that see was the chief god among the Phenishall not be dim, and the ears of them cians, the fly god, the lord of the flies, that hear shall hearken. The heart because it was supposed they invoked also of the rash shall understand this imaginary deity to deliver them knowledge, and the tongue of the from the plague of flies when they stammerers shall be ready to speak happened to be infested with them. plainly." In the 35th of Isaiah you The Jews were led to speak of this find this written:-"Say to them of a deity as the prince of the demons, as fearful heart, Be strong, fear not: be- presiding over that rebel horde which hold your God will come with venge- they considered as especially under ance, even God with a recompense; the influence and agency of the power he will come and save you. Then the of darkness. Therefore, to attribute eyes of the blind shall be opened, and the miracle that Christ wrought to the the ears of the deaf shall be unstop- prince of the devils, was to charge the ped. Then shall the lame man leap Holy One, Jesus of Nazareth, with a as an hart, and the tongue of the dumb close alliance with the powers of darksing; for in the wilderness shall wa- ness, and those infernal beings that ters break out, and streams in the were supposed to be the prime movers desert." Prophecy was thus accom- of idolatry itself, and more especially plished, in this miracle especially; concerned in the infliction of demoniaand in the general character of our cal possession. Lord's benevolent work he was proved to be the Son of God.

Mark, in the third place, the IM

PIOUS CALUMNIES OF THE ENEMIES OF

CHRIST, notwithstanding this just and natural expression. Here we are at a loss to employ language that shall be adequate to the expression of the malignity, the desperate malignity of the enemies of our divine Redeemer. How opposed to all reason, and humanity, and religion! His actions were a constant indictment against theirs his humanity condemned their selfishness; his devotion their rapacity and malignity. He went about doing good, while they were indeed like whited sepulchres-corruption within, amidst all the appearance of piety without. Their malignity appears to have increased in proportion to the manifestation of the power and mercy of our Lord. What did they charge upon Christ as the true cause of this miracle? "When the Pharisees heard it, they said, This fellow," or rather, "this man"-they did not use the word fellow-" this man doth not cast out devils, but by Beelzebub, the prince of the devils."

Now, this charge displayed their malignity. It was not a sin of ignorance it could not be accounted for on any misconception. It was impossible the enemies of Christ could think what they alleged against him. The very argument employed by Christ, in refutation of this slander, was an argument so obvious and decisive that it must have occurred to their own minds if they had given themselves, in the midst of their rage and passion, a moments' time for reflection. One allied with the powers of darkness would not be employed in ejecting them from their strong hold, adopting a line of conduct in opposition to their agency. And when the Saviour, in all the meekness of wisdom, employed this argument, there could be no possible refutation; it applied to the hearts and the understandings of men. They said, "He casts out devils by Beelzebub, the prince of the devils. And Jesus knew their thoughts, and said unto them, Every kingdom divided against itself is brought to desolation; and every city or house divided against itself shall not stand: and if Satan

cast out Satan, he is divided against himself; how shall then his kingdom stand? And if I by Beelzebub cast out devils, by whom do your children cast them out? therefore they shall be your judges." But when men reason under the influence of their natural propensities, their carnal hearts, their enmity against God, and against pure and undefiled religion, it is amazing how irrational, how unreflecting they are in their reasonings and conclusions. In all ages of the world there have been similar displays of the unreasonable and the absurd in the opposition of men to the pure religion of Christ. So it is still. We are often astonished at the infatuation which can lead men to the conclusions they exhibit on the subject of religion-how they misrepresent motives-how they draw wrong conclusions from premises by no means warranted-how they discover an absolute and positive destitution of every thing like correct reasoning; a defect which they will at once condemn in application to any other matter. So it has always been, and so it will be, till the righteousness of God go forth as brightness, and the reign of peace and truth shall be universal.

porary reign, yet he will overturn and annihilate their power, effect the purposes of his mercy, and triumph over them even by his cross. Have you not, my brethren, in the actual conquests of his truth and grace in your own hearts, inward demonstration that greater is he that is in you, and greater is he that is for you, than all that are against you? Even Satan can go no further than he is permitted. There is an invisible power curbing and checking all his movements, and rendering them subservient to a higher and a more benevolent work. Yes, brethren, rejoice that the Lord reigns; and in your own experience, amidst all your doubts and apprehensions, when you sometimes think that you shall fall by the hand of your spiritual adversary, and the temptation prevails that Satan will effect his malignant purpose, look to him who is stronger than he, who has all might and power, who has the sevenfold influences of the Spirit to impart, and who has promised to perform that which concerns you.

We may learn, secondly, from this part of our Lord's answer, that the manifestation of his superior power establishes his claims as the author of the new Our Lord's reply was admirably dispensation. This is his own concluadapted by its meekness and wisdom, sion from the reasoning: "If I cast out by the temper with which he uttered it, devils by the Spirit of God, then the and the force of the reasoning itself, to kingdom of God is come unto you.". produce the strongest impression on The kingdom of God is the new dis.. the minds of those around. There are pensation, the reign of Christ, the reign two important principles involved in of grace, of truth and mercy. It was his answer. The first is, That the power then commencing-it was then estabof Christ is greater than that of all the lishing; and the very manifestation powers of darkness. If I cast out devils of his power proved that the kingdom then I am greater than these devils; of God was then amongst them, comfor if a strong man is despoiled of his mencing its glorious and peaceful trigoods and his habitation, it must be by umphs. And we ought to rejoice that one that is stronger. Jesus Christ had what was thus presented at the comall power in heaven and earth. This mencement of this kingdom of God was is one of the facts and doctrines of our intended to be the pledge and the holy religion, on which we rest in guarantee of its future triumphs in the greatest confidence. When we con-hearts of men, and over all the nations template the power of sin, error, and of the world. Satan, exerting themselves in ten thousand forms; when we see idolatry and superstition ruling among the heathen world; when we see vice and infidelity prevailing around us at home; it is a matter of consolation that Jesus Christ hath greater power than all the powers of darkness; and though he may permit mysteriously their tem

But though the Saviour was thus awfully and impiously opposed by his enemies (and their gainsaying was indeed blasphemy against the son of man, and those guilty of the blasphemy against the son of man were, in fact, guilty of the blasphemy against the Holy Spirit); yet it is more than probable that there were some who listened

to this part of the discourse, who might positive and direct enemies. It is disthink, We are not like these blasphe-honourable to Christ himself; it goes mers-we are not like these opposers on the wretched presumption that of the Nazarene we would not, we Christ is not worthy of being owned durst not utter a calumny against one and acknowledged; or that we must who is performing such miracles of postpone the matter, and investigate mercy; but whether or not we shall whether or not he may at some other acknowledge him-whether we shall period be more worthy than he now is. take part with him against these ma- It is most hurtful to others. Instead of lignant foes-whether or not we shall concentrating, as it were, the powers avow ourselves on his side, is another of the friends of Christ, it weakens question; we will wait and see the them, it divides them, it disperses them. result of the conflict between him and If a man is engaged in an important his foes. I apprehend that in rela- contest with another, and there are tion to such reasoning and such feel- others associated with him, he would ings, which might be very naturally find himself more injured by the neuawakened in the minds of certain par- trality and indecision of those who ties that beheld this miracle, our Lord, were not avowed enemies, than by after refuting the calumny, utters the avowed enemies themselves. This was language at the close of the passage the very sin of the inhabitants of Mebefore us; "He that is not with me is roz: the angel was made to pronounce against me; and he that gathereth not a curse upon them. "Curse ye Meroz, with me scattereth abroad." Those who said the angel of the Lord, curse ye made these reflections upon Christ were bitterly the inhabitants thereof,"-for obviously against him; their calumny what?" because they came not to the proved the blackness and malignity of help of the Lord." Perhaps some of their hearts. But others might have them might say, We were planting in applied the flattering unction to their our fields, we were reaping our harspirits, because they were not so vio- vest, or we were engaged in our dolent in their opposition. mestic operations; we were doing what was perfectly right in itself; we could not come: we were not opposing. But this is not the ground of the charge. "Curse ye Meroz, curse ye bitterly the inhabitants thereof, because they came not to the help of the Lord, to the help of the Lord against the mighty." You have the same sentiment in our Lord's declaration :-"He that is not with me is against me; and he that gathereth not with me scattereth abroad."

TO AWAKE SALUTARY SELF-INSPEC-
TION THE REDEEMER UTTERED THE
SOLEMN ADMONITION RESPECTING THE

DANGER OF NEUTRALITY AND INDECI-
SION IN REFERENCE TO HIS CLAIMS.

This is the last topic demanding our
attention. "He that is not with me is
against me; and he that gathereth not
with me scattereth abroad." This fur-
nishes matter for faithful examination.
Thousands in all ages are deluded by
a negative religion. What is the charge
brought against those on the left hand
at the day of final judgment? It is not
said, Ye opposed me; it is not said,
Ye hated me; it is not said, Ye took
part with my enemies; it is not said,
Ye rejected me; but, "Ye did it not.'
It was a charge of not doing. This
actual character of negation-this not
doing what the cause, and the claims,
and the authority of the Son of God
required, involved them in ruin and in
condemnation. Such a negative mode
of conduct-nottaking part with Christ
-not being on the side of Christ-not
avowing ourselves the disciples of
Christ is injurious to ourselves, for it
will involve us in the charge of being

I would wish those before me now, whose consciences tell them that to this very hour they have been neutral and undecided in the profession of religion, to reflect on the awful danger of that state. Jesus Christ demands your confidence, your decision, your love. His cause is worthy of the whole consecration of your lives to its promotion: and if you are not decidedly with him, and for him, by devoting your talents, by occupying your time, by consecrating your lives to his service; if you are not taking part with his friends, and doing all you can to help his cause in every practicable way, you are highly injuring the cause, you are in the way

then found not with him will indeed be tremendous-ruin unutterable.

of others. Many persons look at you, teracting the influences of the gospel. and say, Why, this man is not found a The lesson comes to us in most solemn member of a Christian Church-That accents. "He that is not with me is man exerts not himself in doing good, against me, and he that gathereth not in instructing the ignorant, in visiting with me scattereth abroad." The very the afflicted-If that man is deemed a thought of being found by our negaChristian, I see no particular mark of tive, neutral, undecided, good-for-noreligion, of devotion in him. Religion thing kind of religion against the Son is now and then a matter of specula- of God ought to awaken the deepest tion; its observances are regarded with solicitude-ought to lead us to ask, external decency; there is an atten- Will he disown us? Will he condemn tion to what is formal and visible, but us? Will he say, "I never knew nothing more: the men do not trouble you," at that day when he shall make us with their religion-you would up his jewels, and gather together his have us make religion every thing.elect? The very possibility of being Thus you perceive how neutrality and worldly-mindedness and indecision are all strengthened and confirmed and perpetuated by referring to the examples of the neutral and the undecided. Now, we live in times that require decision and open avowal, that require visible fellowship, that require direct communion with Christ and his cause, that require the occupation of talent and property in his service. The man, whatever may be his amiableness, or integrity, or whatever may be the opinion formed of him on the principles of a merely political and selfish morality, if he be not decided for God, if he be not active in the service of God, if he be not found in the occupation of his talents in some sphere of actual service, if he is not devoting himself with what measure of influence and property and talent he may have, to the advancement of truth, in the suppression of vice, in the salvation of his fellow creatures; if this be not his object and his aim, he is not with Christ. These are not times for men to bolster up themselves in fatal confidence, and lie down on the pillow of self complacency, dozing away their days and their years in the anticipation of their own future happiness, while all around claims exertion and devotion and decision in the cause of the Son of God. Look at the activity of the enemies of Christ. Look at the thousands and millions leagued against the Son of God. Look at the power of infidelity and superstition. Look at the instances of worldly mindedness. See how the enemies of God are not ashamed of their character and profession, and how actively they are employed in doing mischief, and coun

Let us adore the gracious power of Christ. He is strong, and he can work in us to will and to do of his good pleasure. Let us therefore come to him in the earnestness of supplication, and pray that he would take possession of our hearts, that he would reign within us, that he would rule over us, that he would bring our thoughts and imaginations into sweet subjection to himself; and thus by the attractive force of his love expel every hostile power, and constrain us to love him supremely. Let us imitate the meekness, and at the same time the fidelity of Christ. When his enemies opposed and reproached and bitterly slandered him, how gentle was his vindication; and yet with what fidelity he delivered the testimony of truth, and appealed to the understandings of those who heard him. Be it our concern by the meekness of wisdom to put to silence the ignorance of the foolish, and by holding fidelity to commend ourselves to the consciences of men.

Let us rejoice in the service and cause of Christ. He is a master who demands and will reward our decision. We ought to take a lesson from the men of the world. With what eagerness do they engage in contests for power and influence and elevation. How they avow themselves with decision. How they act with promptitude. How they employ their influence to bring others to their side. With what energy, with what concentration do they act. Let us imitate their policy in the little interests of this world, by devoting a similar energy and decision to the cause of our divine Master.