The Second Tear of Chrift's Ministry. Jefus cleanfeth the Leper; avoids the Crowd; returns to Capernaum, where a vaft Multitude meet to fee him. He pardons the Paralytic, and cures him; the Doctors of the Law repining, and all others being in admiration at it.

IT happen'd while he was publishing his Gofpel at a certain City of Galilee, according to his Cuftom, there came a Leper to him, who falling down at his feet, Mafter, faid he, If thou wilt thou canft make me clean, which I moft earneftly intreat of thee. Jefus pitying his condition, ftretch'd forth his Hand, and touched him, faying, I will, be thou cleans'd. The words were no fooner pronounc'd than the Leprofy departed from him, and his Skin recover'd its former

N 2

Colour.

Colour. The man ftill continuing there, Jefus rebuk'd him for it, and commanded him to depart immediately, charging him withal not to difclofe the manner how he had been cur'd and further advis'd him to repair as foon as might be to Ferufalem, and offer himself to the examination of the Priest, who was to determin in the cafe of Lepers, whether they were rightly heal'd or not; putting him in mind of the Gifts requir'd by the Mofaic Law, that having pe: form'd all the legal Rites, his Cure might be deem'd authentick, and he adjudg'd to be cleans'd by a publick Declaration. By which means fefus avoided the Envy of the Priests, who were Judges in this Affair, and who otherwife might have calumniated him as an Invader of the Sacerdotal Office, and perhaps through fpite would have pronounc'd the man not cleanfed, tho they were never fo well fatisfied of the contrary. But the man that had been cur'd, not able to contain his Joy, and looking upon it as a piece of Ingratitude fo long to conceal fo great a Benefit, divulgd the matter where e'er he came, and with it the Fame of his Benefactor, which was now fo great, that Multitudes flock'd to him to hear him, and be cur'd by him: fo that

be

he could enter into no City publickly, without a Crowd about him; which oblig'd him to retire into defert places, that he might have fome leifure, and be unmolested in his Devotions.

Having made a pretty long ftay at Perea, he took Ship, and return'd to Capernaum, a place he very much refided in; and was fcarce come to the House he us'd to lodg at, when the Rumor of his being arriv'd was fpread over all the City. This, as ufual, brought a Concourfe of People from all parts to hear him; and among the reft were feveral Pharifees and Doctors of the Law, who came from Galilee, Judea, and Jerufalem it felf, and fat down in the Porch of the House. Fefus mean while cur'd all that fled to him for Succour, by the miraculous Bower. he had receiv'd from God.

Fort

1

For which reafon there was fo great a Crowd, that the Porch was unable to contain, the Multitude. While Jefus was here preaching to the People, there came certain men, bearing upon their fhoulders one stretch'd on a Couch, who was fick of the Palfy, and endeavour'd to prefs thro, that they might lay him at Jefus Feet, and befeech him to have compaffion on him, which not being able to accomplish, the greater part being loth to quit their places, they got up into the Gallery of the Houfe, and from thence to the top of the Porch, and draw'd up the Paralytic, and his Bed after them: Then uncovering the Roof, they let him down with Ropes into the middle of the Porch before Jefus, who by this Action

of

of theirs perceiving the fingular Opinion thefe men had of the Divine Power with which he wrought his Miracles, and the affured expectation they were in of his performing a cure upon him, addreffing himself to the Paralytic, he faid unto. him, Son, be of good comfort, this Punishment for thy Sins is remitted to thee.. Which words were taken notice of by the Pharifees and Lawyers, and look'd upon. by them as injurious to the Deity. Jefus knowing their Thoughts by the Divine Spirit which was in him, Wherefore, faid he, do you make this wrong judgment: of what I faid, in your minds? There is no greater Authority requilite to pronounce those words, This Punishment for thy Sins is remitted to thee, than thefe, Take up thy Bed and walk. But that you may be convinc'd that I, as con

*

temptible: