miracles of jesus christ explained

7/28/2019 Miracles of Jesus Christ Explained

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MIRACLESOFJESUSCHRIST"Clowes,John"1851p.1

ACCORDINGTOTHEIR

SPIRITUALMEANING

BYTHEREV.J.CLOWES,M.A.,

LATERECTOROFST.JOHN'SCHURCH,MANCHESTER,ANDFELLOWOFTRINITY

COLLEGE,CAMBRIDGE

IfIdonottheworksofmyFather,believemenot.ButifIdo,thoughyebelievenotme,

believetheworks:thatyemayknow,andbelieve,thattheFatherisinme,andIinhim.-Johnx.37,38.

ANEWEDITION

1851

LONDON:

PRINTEDATD.BATTEN'SOFFICE

CLAPHAMCOMMON

THISEDITION

CHANGEDONLY

FROMTHEQUESTION-AND-ANSWERFORM

OFTHEORIGINAL,

ISAFFECTIONATELYINSCRIBED,

BYHERAUNT.

TOS.M.W.

Sept.,1851

PREFACE.

THEfollowingexplanationofthemiracles,wroughtbytheGreatSaviour,was

pennedunderthefullconvictionthateverymiracle,likealltheotherhistories,bothof

theOldandNewTestament,involvesinitaninternalorspiritualmeaning,applicableto


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thechurchingeneral,andtoeveryindividualmemberofthechurchinparticular;and

that,byvirtueofsuchinternal,orspiritualmeaning,therecordofthemiracleisin

reality,asitiscalled,theWordofGod.Ifthereader,then,beindisposedtomakethis

acknowledgment,heisadmonishedinstantlytoJaydownthebook,andnottoproceed

totheexplanation,lestitshouldonlygivehimoffence,andleadhimtoclosehiseyes

moreobstinatelyagainstthelightoftruth,andfinallytoprofaneit.Ontheotherhand,ifhebedisposedtobelieveinthespiritualcontentsoftheWordofGod,and,thus,in

thespiritualmeaningofthemiraclesrecordedinit,lethimthenproceedtothe

followingexplanation,becauseitmaybehumblyhopedthatitwillthentendatonceto

confirmhisfaith,andtoinfluenceandregulatehisconduct.Forhewillthenbeenabled,

throughthedivinegraceandmercy,todiscernthattheoperationoftheGreatandHoly

God,orofJesusChristandHisDivineHumanity,iseverconstantanduniform;andthat,

consequently,HeiseverwillingandurgenttodothesamemightyworksinHischurchat

thisday,andineveryindividualmemberofHisChurch,whichHeoncedidinthelandof

Judea,withthisonlydifference,thatinthelandofJudeaHismiraculousoperationwas

appliedtothebodiesofmen,whereasatthisdayitisexercisedoiltheirsouls,and

thenceontheexternalman,andbody.Buthewillnotrestmerelyinthisbeliefofwhat

theSaviourisdisposedtooperate,becausehewilldiscoverfurtherthenecessityofco-

operationonhispart,inordertogivefulleffecttothedivineoperation.Thusbewillbe

ledtoseewhatJesusChristmeantwhenHesaid,HethatbelievethonMe,theworks

thatIdoshallhedoalso;andgreaterworksthantheseshallhedo;becauseIgounto

myFather.(Johnxiv.12.)Forco-operatingwithHisSaviourGod,inthegreatworksof

instruction,ofreformation,ofpurificationfromsin,ofregenerationthroughthedivine

loveandwisdom,thusofdeliverancefromallspiritualdiseaseandinfirmity,andof

resurrectiontothenewnessandblessednessofheavenlyloveandlife,hewillperceive

clearly,thathedoeththeworkswhichJesusChristdoeth,andevengreaterworks,

becausetheyaredonefrom,orundertheinfluenceof,theDivineHumanityofJesusChrist,madeonewiththeFather:thustheyaredone,notonlyonthebody,butonthe

soul;andnotonlybyJesusChristalone,butbyJesusChristinconjunctionwiththe

cooperatingwillofman;consequently,theyaregreaterworksthanthosedonebyJesus

ChristprevioustoHisfinalglorification,becausetheselatterweredoneonlyonthe

body,andwithoutco-operationonthepartofmanandweredonealsoataperiod

whenthehumanityoftheIncarnateGodwasnotsofullyglorifiedasitwasafterHis

ascension.*

*Seeafullerdiscussionofthissubjectatthecloseofthiswork,underthe

articleentitled,Thesignswhichfollowthemthatbelieve,page262.

Thereaderthen,ifhebewise,willlearnfromthefollowingexplanationofthe

Lord'smiracles,thatheiscalledperpetuallytodothesamemiracles,notindeedonthe

bodyeitherofhimselforofothers,stilllessbyanypowerwhichhepossessesmerelyof

himself,butonhisownsoulandthesoulsofothers,byinstructioninthewaysof

righteousness,andbyconsequentreformation,regeneration,andresurrectionto

newnessoflifeandallthisbyvirtueofapowercommunicatedcontinuallyfromthe


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DivineHumanityoftheIncarnateGod.ThusbewillbefurthertaughtwhatJesusChrist

meantwhenHesaid,Thesesignsshallfollowthemthatbelieve;Inmynametheyshall

castoutdevils;theyshallspeakwithnewtongues;theyshalltakeupserpents;andif

theydrinkanydeadlything,itshallnothurtthem;theyshalllayhandsonthesick,and

theyshallrecover.(Markxvi.17,18.)Forinproportionasunderdivineinfluence,yetin

perfectfreedomasofhimself,herenouncesandrejectsallknownevils,hewilldiscoverthathe,atthesametime,castsoutdevilswhoareincloseconnexionwiththoseevils.

Inproportion,too,asheprofessesandpractisesevangelicaldoctrineoffaithinthe

IncarnateGod,andofalifeaccordingtoHisdivineprecepts,hewillmakethefurther

discovery,thatbespeakswithanewtongue.Inproportionagain,asbeelevateshis

sensualprinciple,withallitsappetites,toconjunctionwithaspiritualoreternalend,be

willrejoiceinperceiving,thatbetakesupserpents.Again,inproportionasbeescapes

infectionfromthefalsepersuasionsinjectedintohisunderstanding,hewillexperience

anadditionaljoyfromthedivinepromise,thatifhedrinksanydeadlything,itshallnot

hurthim.Andlastly,inproportionasheappliesthedivineaidofGod'sHolyWordand

Spirittotheremovalofallhisspiritualmaladiesandinfirmities,hewillofferup

continualpraisestohisGodfortheassurancegivenhim,thatwhenheshalllayhands

onthesick,theyshallrecover.

Thatthefollowingpagesmayberenderedinstrumentalinbegetting,cherishing,

andstrengtheningtheprinciplesofsuchafaith,asmanifestsitselfbytheabove

unequivocalsigns,isthedevoutprayerof.

THEAUTHOR

Manchester.

INTRODUCTION.

Amiracleisthemanifestationofasupernaturalpower,controlling,insome

degree,thecommonorestablishedlawsofnature.

Miraclesingeneralmaybereferredtotwoclasses,-divinemiracles,andwhat

maybecalledmagicalorinfernalmiracles.Adivinemiracleistheexertionandeffectof

asupernaturalagency,exercisedbytheAlmightyHimselfforthebenefitofmankind.A

magical,orinfernalmiracleistheexerciseandeffectofmagicalandinfernalagency,

separatedfromdivineagency,andinoppositiontoit.

WehaveaninstanceofthislatteragencyrecordedintheWordofGod,whereit

iswrittenintheBookofExodus,thatMoseslifteduptherodandsmotethewatersthat

wereintheriver,inthesightofPharaoh,andinthesightofhisservants;andallthe

watersthatwereintheriverwereturnedtoblood.Andthefishthatwasintheriver

died;andtheriverstank,&c.Anditisthenadded,thatthemagiciansofEgyptdidso


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withtheirenchantments(chap.vii.20,21,22).Again,itisdeclaredbyJesusChrist,that

inthelatterdaysthereshallarisefalseChrists,andfalseprophets,andshallshewgreat

signsandwonders;insomuchthat,ifitwerepossible,theyshalldeceivetheveryelect.

(Matt.xxiv.24.)ThebeastalsointheRevelationisdescribedasdoinggreatwonders,so

thathemakethfirecomedownfromheavenontheearthinthesightofmen,and

deceiveththemthatdwellontheearthbythemeansofthosemiracleswhichhehadpowertodointhesightofthebeast(chap.xiii.13,14.)

ItmaybeaskedwhytheAlmightyshouldpermithisenemiestoexercisea

miraculouspowerinoppositiontoHimselfandtoHiskingdom?butthereiseverygood

reasontosupposethattheAlmightygrantsthispermissionforthesakeofHisown

children,orwithaviewtothetrialoftheirfaith,andtoitsfurtherconfirmationin

consequenceofsuchtrial.Forthenecessaryeffectofaninfernalormagicalmiracle,on

themindofawell-disposedpersonmustbetoinducedoubtrespectingthetruthofa

divinemiracle,andtheresultofthatdoubtwouldbeaclearerdiscriminationbetween

thetwoclassesofmiracles,andthus,finally,arejectionoftheinfernal,ormagicalmiracle,andanestablishmentofthepowerandvalidityofthedivinemiracle.

Thisdiscriminationisgrounded,notsomuchintheexternalaspectorformof

thetwokindsofmiracles,asintheirinternalcharactersandqualities.Fortheinternal

qualityandcharacter,whichdistinguishesthedivinemiracle,is,thatitisrepresentative

andexpressiveofthedivineandspiritualprincipleswhichgaveitbirth.Thus,when

JesusChristraisedthedeadtolife,thismiraclecontainedinitsinwardbosomaDivine

andlivingprinciple,andwasthusexpressiveoftheoperationofthatprinciple,notonly

inimpartingalsoinimpartingnewlifetoadeadbody,butandspirituallifetoadead

soul,byraisingitfromthedeathofsintothelifeofrighteousness.Thiswasthecase

too,withalltheothermiracleswroughtbythatIncarnateGod,everyoneofwhichwas

thusfigurativeofadivineoperationexercised,notonmatteronly,butonspiritalso,

producinginthelatteraneffectcorrespondingtothatwhichwasproducedinthe

former.Butinthecaseofmagical,orinfernalmiracles,nosuchinternalprinciplewas

operative,andofcoursenosuchprinciplecouldbeexpressed,andthereforethemiracle

wasamereoutwardanddeadform,withoutanimationfromanyspiritualprincipleof

lifewhatsoever.Onthecontrary,theLord'smiracleswereincontestableproofstoallHis

followersofadivinesupernaturalagency,andnotonlyso,butofadivinemercyand

loving-kindness.ThustheyproducedadoubleeffectonallHispenitentdisciples,

convincingtheirunderstandings,inthefirstplace,ofthedivinityoftheirLordand

Master;and,inthenextplace,operatingontheirwills,bymakingthemsensibleofHisdivinetendernessandcompassiontowardsthechildrenofmen.Itis,therefore,wellto

beunderstood,thatitwasnottheintentionofHismiraclestomakeconvertstoHis

doctrine,sincethereiseveryreasontobelievethatnoonecanbeconvertedtothe

truthbyanymiraculoustestimonywhatsoever,agreeablytowhatisintimatedinthe

ParableoftheRichManandLazarus,whereitiswritten,IftheyhearnotMosesandthe

Prophets,neitherwilltheybepersuadedthoughonerosefromthedead.Accordingly,

JesusChristtestifiesinanotherplace,Ifanymanwilldohiswill,heshallknowofthe


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doctrinewhetheritbeofGod;instructingusbythesewords,thatthequalificationto

admittheevidenceofdivinedoctrinedothnotarisesomuchfrommiraculous

testimony,asfromasinceredesiretodothewillofGod,thusfromawell-disposed

heartandlife.Accordingly,theunbelievingJewswerenotconvincedbyourLord's

miracles,nordoesitappeartohavebeenHisintentiontopromotetheirconvictionin

thatway,and,therefore,hesaysinanotherplace,Anevilandadulterousgenerationseekethforasign,butthereshallnosignbegiven.Theconclusion,therefore,is,that

theLord'smiracleswereintendedfortheconfirmationofthefaithofHispious

followers;butnotfortheconvictionandconversionofthosewhohadnoprevious

disposition,orinclinationtobecomeHisfollowers.

IntheScripturesoftheNewTestament,mentionismadeofsignsaswellasof

miracles.

Byasign,istobeunderstood,adivinesupernaturalagencyoperativeonthe

understandingsofmen,andtherebyproducingconvictionrespectingreligioustruth,whichconviction,sofarasitrelatestotheunderstanding,mayatanytimebewrought

bytheAlmighty,andwouldatalltimes,bewrought,ifitwasagreeabletotheorderof

Hisprovidence,andconducivetotheregenerationandconsequentsalvationof

mankind.Butinasmuchassuchconvictionoftheunderstanding,separatefromthe

conversionofthewill,wouldbeofnoavail,orratherwouldbeinjurioustoman,by

renderinghimthesubjectofamoreseverecondemnation,supposinghimtobe

unfaithfultoit,thereforesuchsignsarenotgiven,andtoseekthemisdeclaredbyJesus

Christtobethepropermarkandcharacterofanevilandadulterousgeneration.

Miracles,ontheotherhand,donotproduceconvictionoftheunderstandingonly,but

areintendedtoaffectthewill,aswasaboveobserved,and,therefore,miraclesare

vouchsafedoftheDivineMercyforthereasonsabove-mentioned,becausedivine

miracleshavearepresentativesignification,byvirtueofwhichtheybecomeinstructive

andedifyingtoallthosewhoareinastateofmindcapableofbeingbenefittedbythem,

inotherwords,whoareinastateofmindsincerelydesirousbothtoknowandtodothe

wholewilloftheirHeavenlyFather.

Weought,then,tobeaffectedwithunfeignedadorationoftheLord'sDivine

PowerandDivineGoodness,manifestedineverymiraclewhichHeperformed.We

oughtalsotoberightlyaffectedwiththesignificativesenseofeverymiracle,andwith

thisviewtoexploreattentivelywhattheirdistinctsignificationis,thatsowemaygaina

clearerinsightintothenatureofthedivineoperation.Lastly,weoughttoconsider,andtoconsiderseriously,thatJesusChrist,inHisadorablemercy,iseverdisposedtowork

allHismiraclesinthemindandlifeofeachoneofus,andsincethiscannotbedone,

onlysofarasweco-operatefreelywithHimintheworkingofsuchmiracles,therefore

weoughttoconsiderfurther,thatweareappointedunderHim,toperformthesame

miracles,agreeablytoHisowndeclaration,wherehesays,concerningeveryoneofHis

truefollowers,TheworksthatIdoshallhedoalso;andgreaterworksthantheseshall


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hedo;becauseIgototheFather.(Johnxiv.12.)Letusresolvetherefore,henceforthto

paydueattentiontothemeaningandimportofeverydivinemiracle,andtotakeheed

toourconductandconversationthatwemayalwaysbeinafitstatetobesubjectsof

themiraculousoperationofourGodandSaviour,andmaythusco-operatewithHimin

theremovalofallournaturalinfirmities,ignorance,anddisorders,untilwebefinally

restored,throughHisDivineAgency,tothefullandcompleteorderofthatheavenlylife,whichHeiseverwillingtore-establishineveryprincipleanddegreebothofoursoul

andbody.Amen.

CONTENTS.

Matt.viii.1-4.PageTheLepercleansed

........................................1

Matt.Viii.5-13TheCenturion'sServanthealed............................7

Matt.viii.14,15Peter'sWife'sMotherhealed..............................15

Matt.viii.16,17.TheDevilscastout.......................................19

Matt.viii.23-27.TheWindandWavesrebuked................................25

Matt.viii.28-34.ThePossessedwithDevilscomingoutoftheTombs.........33

Matt.ix.2-8.TheSickofthePalsyhealed..............................38

Matt.ix.18-26.TheRuler'sDaughterraised...............................45

Matt.ix.20-22.TheBloodyIssuecured....................................50

Matt.ix.27-31.TheTwoBlindMenrestoredtoSight........................55

Matt.ix.32-35.TheDeviloutfromtheDumbMan...........................60

Matt.xii.9-13.ThewitheredHandrestored................................67

Matt.xii.22-28.TheDevilcastoutfromtheBlindandDumb................74

Matt.xiv.14-21.TheFiveLoavesandTwoFishes............................79

Matt.xiv.22,33.JesusWalkingontheSea..................................91


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Matt.xiv.34-36.TheSickedhealedintheLandofGennesaret...............102

Matt.xv.21-28.TheDevilcastoutfromtheDaughteroftheWomanof

Canaan..............................................107

Matt.xv.30,31.TheLame,Blind,Dumb,Maimed,andmanyothers,healed.....

116

Matt.xv.32-39.TheSevenLoavesandFishes...............................122

Matt.xvii.1-9.TheTransfiguration.......................................128

Matt.xvii.14-21.TheLunatichealed........................................141

Matt.xvii.24-27.ThePieceofMoneyfoundintheFish'sMouth..............149

Matt.xx.29-34.SightrestoredasecondtimetoTwoBlindMen.............156

Matt.xxi.18-20.ThebarrenFigTreecursed................................162

Lukev.4-11.ThemiraculousDraughtofFishes..........................168

Lukevii.12-16.TheWidow'sSonraised....................................178

Lukexiii.11-17.TheWomanwhohadaSpiritofInfirmity...................183

Lukexiv.1-6.TheDropsycured..1Dropsycured...theWomanofMinme,andI

inhim.-s:thatyeayknowGE,CAMBRIDGE191

Lukexvii.12-19.TheTenLeperscleansed...................................198

Johnii.1-11.TheWaterturnedintoWine................................206

Johnv.2-14.TheimpotentManatthePoolofBethesda..................216

Johnix.1-7.TheManblindfromhisBirth..............................224

Johnxi.1-44LazarusraisedfromtheDead..............................234

Matt.xxviii.1-20;Markxvi.1-20;Lukexxiv.1-53;Johnxx.1-31,xxi.1-25.The

ResurrectionandAscensionofJesusChrist............245


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Johnxiv.12;Markxvi,17,18.TheSignswhichfollowthemthatbelieve

..................262

Actsii.1-36TheMiracleatPentecost..................................270APrayer

.................................................283

1


THEMIRACLESEXPLAINED.

THELEPERCLEANSED.

MATT.VIII.1-4.

Whenhewascomedownfromthemountain,greatmultitudesfollowedhim

andbehold,therecamealeperandworshippedhim,saying,Lord,ifthouwilt,thou

canstmakemeclean.AndJesusputforthhishand,andtouchedhim,saying,Iwill;be

thouclean.Andimmediatelyhisleprosywascleansed.AndJesussaithuntoHim,See

thoutellnoman;butgothyway,shewthyselftothepriest,andofferthegiftthat

Mosescommanded,foratestimonyuntothem.

THEleprosy,likeallotherbodilydiseasesprevalentatthetime,wasa

representativefigureofspiritualdisease,andthespiritualdiseasewhichitrepresented,

wastheprofanationofGoodandofTruth,whichthenprevailedintheJewishChurch.

Manisguiltyofprofanation,andspiritualleper,whensoeverhehasbeen

initiatedintotheknowledgeofwhatistrue,andintotheloveofwhatisgood,and

afterwardsactscontrarytosuchknowledgeandlove.Thisevilofprofanationis

representedbywhatJesusChristsaysconcerningtheuncleanSpirit,thatwhenheis

castouthesays,IwillreturnintomyhousefromwhenceIcameout.Thengoethhe,

andtakethwithhimselfsevenotherspiritsmorewickedthanhimself,andtheyenterin

anddwellthere:andthelaststateofthatmanisworsethanthefirst.(Matt.xii.44,45.)

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TheLord,therefore,inhismercifulprovidence,exercisesapeculiarcareovermankind,

toprevent,asfaraspossible,theirreceivingmoreknowledge,andbeing,affectedwith

moreloveofwhatisrightandgood,thantheycanbesupportedintotheendoflife,

becausetheprofanationofwhatisgoodandtrueexposesmantoamoregrievous

condemnationthanhecanbeexposedtobymereignoranceof,andinsensibilityto,

whatisgoodandtrueagreeablytothosewordsofJesusChrist,wherehesays,That

servantwhichknewhislord'swill,andpreparednothimself,neitherdidaccordingtohis

will,shallbebeatenwithmanystripes.Buthewhoknewnot,anddidcommitthings

worthyofstripes,shallbebeatenwithfew.(Lukexii.47,48.Theleper,then,whoisthe

subjectofthismiracle,isarepresentativefigureofallthose,whohaveonceadmitted

intotheirmindstheknowledgeofheavenlythings,andbeenmadesensibleofthelove

ofthem,andwhoafterwardsdeclinefromsuchknowledgeandlove,inconsequenceofimmersingtheirthoughtsandaffectionsagainintheselfishandworldlylovewhichthey

hadforsaken.

Butitissaidoftheaboveleper,thatheworshippedJesusChrist,saying,Lord,ifthou

wilt,thoucanstmakemeclean.TheworshipofJesusChristimpliesthe

acknowledgementofHisDivinity,andthusthatBewasGodmadeManinOnedivine

Person.Suchworship,therefore,ishererecordedoftheaboveleper,becausethe

acknowledgementoftheDivinityofJesusChrististhenecessaryqualificationtodraw

fromHimtheoperationof.HisDivineVirtueforthecureofdisease,whether,mentalor

bodily.

3


ThewordsLord,ifthouwilt,thoucanstmakemeclean,involveconfidence,onthepart

oftheleper,intheOmnipotenceoftheIncarnateGod,whomhenowworshipped,

whichconfidencewasgroundedintheconviction,thatJesusChristisabletoaccomplish

everypurposewhichisinagreementwithHisOwnDivineOrderandProvidence;in

otherwords,thatHehaspowertoeffectallwhicharenotcontrarytothelawsofHisownappointmentthustothedeterminationsofDivineWill.Thisconfidence,therefore,

ishererecorded,becauseitisanotheressentialqualificationforreceivingallthe

benefitsandblessingsresultingfromtheDivineoperation.

Itfollows,thatJesusputforthhishandandtouchedhim,saying,Iwill;bethouclean.

Andimmediatelyhisleprosywascleansed.Bythehandindenotedpower,becausethe

handisformedtoexecutethedeterminationsofthewill,inwhichallpoweroriginates.


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BythehandofJesus,therefore,isrepresentedDivinePower,whichisOmnipotence,

andbyputtingforththehandissignifiedtheexerciseofthatOmnipotence,thusthe

fulfilmentofthepurposesoftheDivineMercyandLove.Accordingtothissense,itisto

beunderstoodthattheblessedJesusisalwaysputtingforthHishand,becauseHeis

alwaysintheactofrelievingthesoothingthesorrows,andhealingthespiritual

distempersofallHischildrenwhobelieveinHisdivinity,andhaveconfidenceintheomnipotencewhichHepossessesastheonlyGodofearth.

TouchingdenotesthecommunicationofthatOmnipotencewhichissignifiedbyputting

forththehand;inotherwords,itsapplicationtothedistemperedprincipleswhichit

intendedtocure.Itisthereforeadded,Iwill;bethouclean,becausetheexpression,I

will,issignificativeoftheDivineIntention,orPurpose,asoriginatingintheDivine

Mercy,orLove;whilsttheexpression,Bethouclean,denoteswithequalemphasis,the

accomplishmentofthatintention,orpurpose,throughtheapplicationofanomnipotent

energytothemaladywhichwastoberemoved.

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Itis,therefore,furthertobeunderstood,notonlythatJesusChristisperpetuallyputting

forthHishand,andtouchingHisdistemperedchildren,whowithconfidencesupplicate

HisDivineAid,butlikewisethatHeisperpetuallysaying,asinthepresentinstance,I

will;bethouclean;inotherwords,thatHeisperpetuallydeclaringthepurposeofHis

mercytorelievethewantsandhealtheinfirmitiesofHispenitentandhumblechildren,

andisalwaysintheactofexecutingthatpurpose,whensoeverhischildrenareinaproperstateofheartandoflifetoadmitHisDivineOperation.

Itnextfollows,andimmediatelyhisleprosywascleansed.TheBlessedJesushadbefore

expressedthepurposeofHislove,andalsoitsoperation,intheemphaticwords,Iwill;

bethouclean;and,therefore,nowtheeffectofthatpurposeandoperationis

described.ThusweareinstructedthateveryDivineWorkisthreefold,includinginit

intention,whichisoflove,design,whichiswisdom,andeffect,whichisofoperation;

andthustooweareinstructedfurther,thatineveryeffecttheremustbeacauseor

design,andineverycauseordesigntheremustbeapurposeorend;andthat,

consequently,ineveryworkofcreationandredemptionthereisamanifestationof

DivineLoveandWisdom,ofwhichsuchworkistherefore:anexactrepresentativetypeorfigure,sothatthewholeofcreationmayberegardedasatheatrerepresentativeof

theDivinePrinciplesinwhichitoriginates,whicharelove,wisdom,anduse.

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ItiswrittenthatJesussaithuntohim,Seethoutellnoman;butgothyway,

showthyselftothepriest,andofferthegiftthatMosescommanded,foratestimony

untothem.

Accordingtothesenseoftheletter,theinjunctionthoutellnoman,implies,

thatthecleansedbesilentrespectingtheDivineOperawhichhehadreceivedsuchan

extraordinarybenefit,andinthissenseoftheterm,itanusefulcautiontothose,who

areforwardtospeakoftheexperiencetheyhavehadhadtheDivineMercy,andwho

consideritasacrimetoconcealfromotherstheblessingswhichgavebeenbestowed

onthemselves.Butaccordingthespiritualidea,theinjunctionimpliesthatthemiracle

wroughtshouldnotaffecttheunderstanding,bybeingregardedmerelyinanview,oras

apointofcuriousspeculationbutshouldaffectthewillofitscleansedbybeingregarded

asaneffectofthepureloveandmercyoftheMostHighGod.Itthere,Gothyway,

show,thyselftothepriest,MegiftwhichMosescommanded,forauntothem.Forbytheinjunction,Gotobeunderstoodarequirementtolivewhichhadbeenexperienced;

unction,showthyselftothepriest,istobeunderstoodanopeningofthemindionand

receptionofthegoodofandlife,whichgoodwasfiguredandrepresentedbythepriest

undertheJewishlastly,bytheinjunction,offerthegiftwhichHosescommanded,fora

testimonyuntothem,istobeunderstoodthegratefulanddevoutacknowledgmentthat

allspiritualcleansingandpurification,especiallyinthecaseofprofanationofGoodand

Truth,isthesoleeffectoftheDivineLovingkindness,andaproofmostpositiveofthe

DivineOmnipotence.

6


Welearnfromthismiracle,inthefirstplace,toadorethatDivinePowerand

Goodness,whichwhenmanifestedhereonearthinabodilyform,wasexercisedonthe

bodiesofmen,bytheremovalofbodilydiseaseandinfirmity,andthusprovesthe

originalofthatformtobefromtheFatherofMercies.Andwelearnfromit,inthenext

place,toreflectwithconsolationandconfidence,thatthesameDivinePowerand

GoodnessiscontinuallyflowingfromtheglorifiedbodyoftheGreatRedeemer,to

removeallspiritualdiseaseandinfirmity,eventhatgreatestofalldistempers,the

profanationofGoodandTruth,inallcaseswhereDivineAidissupplicatedoutofa

humbleandpenitentheartforthepurposeofremoval.Lastly,welearnwhatarethe

qualificationstoreceivethehealinggiftoftheDivineMercy,andthattheyconsist,first

intheacknowledgmentoftheIncarnateGodinHisDivineHumanity;andsecondly,in


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theconfidencethatHehathomnipotence;inotherwords,thathecandoallthings

consistentwithHisownorder,andwiththelawsofoperationwhichHeHimselfhath

beenpleasedtoappoint.Letusresolve,therefore,fromhenceforth,tobelieveinthis

omnipotenceoftheIncarnateGod,andtoapplytoHim,andtoHimaloneforrelief

underallourspiritualdistempers,andnevertodespairofHisDivineAid,eventhough

weshouldinadvertentlyoffendagainstHisholylaws,andthusincurtheguiltofprofaningthem.Amen.

7


THECENTURION'SSERVANTHEALED.

MATT.viii.5-13.

AndwhenJesuswasenteredintoCapernaum,therecameuntohimacenturion,

beseechinghim,andsaying,Lord,myservantliethathomesickofthepalsy,grievously

tormented.AndJesus8aithuntohim,Iwillcomeandhealhim.Thecenturionanswered

andsaid,Lord,Iamnotworthythatthoushouldestcomeundermyroof:butspeakthe

wordonly,andmyservantshallbehealed.ForIamamanunderauthority,having

soldiersunderme:andIsaytothisman.Go,andhegoeth;andtoanother,Come,and

hecometh;andtomyservant,Dothis,andhedoethit.WhenJesusheardithe

marvelled,andsaidtothemthatfollowed,Verily,Isayuntoyou,Ihavenotfoundso

greatfaith,no,notinIsrael,andIsayuntoyou,Thatmanyshallcomefromtheeastand

west,andshallsitdownwithAbraham,andIsaac,andJacob,inthekingdomofheaven.

Butthechildrenofthekingdomshallbecastoutintoouterdarkness:thereshallbe

weepingandgnashingofteeth.AndJesussaiduntothecenturion,Gothyway;andas

thouhastbelieved,sobeitdoneuntothee.Andhisservantwashealedintheselfsame

hour.

Accordingtothesenseoftheletter,bythecenturion,hererecorded,istobe

understoodaRomancommanderofahundredsoldiers;andbyhisservant,istobeunderstoodoneofhisdomesticsemployedinhisservice;andbythepalsywithwhich

hewasafflicted,isfurthertobeunderstoodabodilydiseasecalledbythatname,and

consistinginthewantofapropercirculationofthebloodinsomepartofthebody,in

consequenceofwhichthepartaffectedwasrenderedincapableofperformingthe

functionsforwhichitwasintended.


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8


Butaccordingtothespiritualideawhichisinvolvedineverypartofthismiracle,aswell

asofalltheothermiraclesperformedbytheGreatRedeemer,bythecenturionabove-

mentioned,istobeunderstoodthechurchamong,theGentiles,andparticularlythe

churchcombatingagainstspiritualadversaries,forthecenturionherespokenofwasa

Gentilesoldier.Agreeablytothesamespiritualidea,bythiscenturion'sservantistobe

understoodsomelowerprincipleinthenaturalmindintendedtoadministertothe

higherprinciplesofthespiritualmind;and,therefore,bythepalsy,withwhichthe

servantwasafflictedistobeunderstoodadefectoftruthinthelowerprinciplesofthe

naturalmind,inconsequenceofwhichdefecttherewasawantofcirculationof

heavenlylifeandlovefromthehigherprinciplesofthespiritualmind,whichrendered

thenaturalmindunabletoperformthefunctionsforwhichitwasintended,particularly

inthewayofcombatagainsttheevilprinciplesandfalsepersuasionswithwhichitwas

infected.Itisaccordinglysaid,concerningthisservant,thathewassick,andgrievously

tormented,becausesicknesshasrelationtotheevilswhichwereunsubduedandthus

unremoved,whilstgrievoustormenthasrelationtothefalsepersuasionsoriginatingin

thoseevils.

FromthewordsoftheBlessedJesus,Iwillcomeandhealhim,welearnnotonlyHis

willingnesstoadministertothereliefoftheservanthererecorded,butalsohis

willingnesstoadministertothereliefofallotherHisafflictedservants,whoapplyto

Himoutofpureandpenitenthearts.9


Itis,therefore,tobeunderstood,andattentivelyconsidered,thatJesusiseveruttering

thissameexpression,Iwillcomeandhealhim,overeveryindividualchild,orservant,

labouringunderanydiseaseorsorrow,whethermentalorcorporeal.FortheGreatRedeemeristhesamecompassionatemercyyesterday,to-day,andforever,and,

consequently,asliewaswillinginthedaysofhisfleshtolistentotheprayersofHis

afflictedchildrenandtorelievetheirdistresses,soHeisalikewillingatthisday,and

alikeintheactofcoming,toremovetheinfirmitiesofallthosewho,likethegood

centurionofold,supplicateHisDivinePowerandPresence.Itistoberemarked,further,

concerningthetwoexpressions,comingandhealing,thattheformermust,inallcases,

precedethelatter;inotherwords,thattheBlessedJesuscannotheal,unlesshebefirst


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allowedtocome,andhealing,therefore,istoberegardedastheeffectofHisDivine

Presence,andthat,consequently,whosoeverwishestoexperiencethepowerofHis

healing,mustfirstlabourtoopenhismind,andtokeepitopen,totheDivinePresence,

favourandbenediction.

Itisadded,thatthecenturionansweredandaid,Lord,Iamnotworthythatthou

shouldestcomeundermyroof:butspeakthewordonly,andmyservantMallbeheated.

Welearnfromthesewordstwoqualificationstosecurethefavourandblessingofthe

HolyJesus,whichishumility,asmanifestedinthesewords,Lord,Iamnotworthythat

thoushouldestandthesecondis,confidenceinDivineaid,groundedinthathumility,

andexpressed,speakthewordonlyandmyservantshallbehealed.

10


Fromthewordswhichfollowwelearnathirdqualification,necessarytosecurethe

favourandblessingoftheGreatRedeemer,whichqualificationconsistsinawell-

arrangedmind,resultingfromthetwoformerqualifications,humilityandconfidencein

DivineAid.Forthesoldiersherespokenofasbeingunderthecenturion,havereference

tothesubordinateprinciplesofthenaturalmind,andtosaytoone,Go,andhegoeth;

andtoanother,Come,andhecometh;andtomyservant,Dothis,andhedoethit,

denotestheorderlyarrangementofthoseprinciples.Itisfurthertobeobserved

concerningthisarrangement,thattosaytoone,Go,andhegoeth,denotesthefirst

energyandeffectofthewillintheexecutionofanypurpose;whilsttosaytoanother,Come,andhecometh,denotestheexcitationandpresenceofmeansinthe

understandingfortheaccomplishmentofthesamepurpose;andtosaytomyservant,

Dothis,andhedoethit,denotestheeffect,orthefullaccomplishmentofthepurpose

inwordandinwork.

Itfollows,thatwhenJesusheardithemarvelled,andsaidtothemthatfollowed,VerilyI

sayuntoyou,Ihavenotfoundsogreatfaith,no,notinIsrael.

ByJesusmarvelling,welearn,thatthecaseofthecenturionwassingularand

extraordinary;andbyhissaying,Ihavenotfoundsogreatfaith,no,notinIsrael,weare

furthertaughtinwhatrespectthecasewasbothsingularandextraordinary,viz.,

becausethefaithofthecenturionwasafaithnotgroundedinhimself,butintheaffectionofcharity,thusintheGodfromwhomthataffectionisderived,onwhich

accountitiscalledagreatfaith,forthetermgreat,isalwaysapplied,accordingtothe

spiritualidea,todenoteheavenlygood,whichisthegoodofloveandcharity.

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Andsincethefaith,whichprevailedatthattimeintheIsraelitishchurch,wasnotofthat

description,being,groundedinselfishandworldlylove,andthusnotinGod,itis

thereforeadded,Ihavenotfoundsogreatfaith,no,notinIsrael.Jesusadds,andIsay

untoyou,thatmanyshallcomefromtheeastandwest,andshallsitdownwith

Abraham,andIsaac,andJacob,inthekingdomofheaven.Butthechildrenofthe

kingdomshallbecastoutintoouterdarkness:thereshallbeweepingandgnashingof

teeth.

Bymanycomingfromtheeastandwest,weareinstructedinthecalloftheGentiles

intotheChristianchurch,bothofthosewhowereinastateofmoreenlightenedgood,

signifiedbytheeast,andofthosewhowereinastateofmoreobscuregood,signified

bythewest;andbytheirsittingdownwithAbraham,Isaac,andJacobinthekingdomof

God,wearefurthertaughttheseveraldegreesofgoodnessandofblessednesstowhich

theywillbeadmitted,whilstsomeattaintoacelestialdegree,signifiedbyAbraham;sometoaspiritualdegree,signifiedbyIsaac;andsometoanaturaldegree,signifiedby

Jacob;inotherwords,whilesomebecomeprincipledinlovetotheLord,othersin

charitytowardstheirneighbour,and,lastly,othersinsimpleobediencetothetruth,

becausetheybelieveittobetheirdutytoliveuprightlyandsincerelyoneamongst

another.Foraccordingtoanyotheridea,whatcanbemeantbysittingdownwith

Abraham,Isaac,andJacob,inthekingdomofGod?And,again,bythechildrenofthe

kingdombeingcastoutintoouterdarkness,wherethereisweepingandgnashingOf

teeth,wearefurtherinstructed,thattheywhoareprincipledinfaithandtruthalone,

separatefromalifeofcharity,orobediencetothetruth,willberemovedfromall

communionwiththeblessed,andplungedintoamoreterribledarknessthantheywho

areignorantofthetruth,andwillthusbedeprivedofallheavenlyloveandwisdom,and

leftapreytoeveryevilpurposeandfalseprinciple,signifiedbyweepingandgnashingof

teeth.

12


Itislastlywritten,thatJesussaiduntothecenturion,Gothyway;andasthouhastbelieved,sobeitdoneuntothee.Andhisservantwashealedintheselfsamehour.

ByJesussayingtothecenturion,GothywistobeunderstoodDivine

exhortationtoliveaccordingtothegreatfaithwithwhichhewasgifted;fortogo,and

togoinaway,accordingtothespiritualidea,signifiestowalk,ortoliveaccordingto

theknowledgeofheavenlytruthwhichhasbeenreceived;and,therefore,weare


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instructedbythesewords,thateveryonewhohasbeenblessedwiththeknowledge

andbeliefoftheEternalTruth,oughttoendeavourtoformhislifeandloveaccordingto

itsheavenlydictates.ByJesussayingfurther,asthouhastbelieved,sobeitdoneunto

thee,weareagaininstructedthattheDivineblessing,withitsoperation,attendsevery

one,accordingtohisfaith;inotherwords,accordingtotherulingpersuasionsofhis

mind,asgroundedinhisrulinglove,ifthatlovebeinagreementwiththeDivineWill,andthatforthisplainreason,becausethosepersuasionsareinconjunctionwiththe

EternalTruth,andtheEternalTruthiseverconnectedwithOmnipotence,agreeablyto

whichideaitiswritteninanotherplace,thatallthingsarepossibletohimthat

believeth.

13


Lastly,weareinstructedbytheconcludingwords,hisservantwasheatedinthe

selfsamehour,thataDivineeffectalwaysattendsaDivineIntentionandloving-

kindness,inallcaseswhereobstructionstoitsoperationareremoved,asinthepresent

instanceofthefaithfulcenturionandhisafflictedservant,andthatthusthepalsyis

healedinallthelowerprinciplesofthehumanmind,whensoeverthehigherprinciples

areopened,bygenuinefaithandlove,tothereceptionoftheDivineMercyanditsfull

operation.

Welearnfromthismiracle,first,thatthereisaspiritualpalsyaswellasanaturalone,

andthataspiritualpalsyconsistsinsomespiritualobstructioninthemindandlife,wherebythefreecirculationofheavenlyloveandwisdomisimpeded,sothatthe

mentalfacultiesarenotabletoperformtheirproperfunctions,whichfunctionsconsist

inopposingevilandfalseprinciples,andincherishingsuchasareinagreementwiththe

SupremeGoodandtheSupremeTruth.Weareinstructedyetfurther,thatnoradical

cureistobefoundforthisspiritualpalsybutintheIncarnateGod,orintheGreat

Saviour,JesusChristinHisDivineHumanity,andnoteveninthisGodandSaviour,

unlesshebeapproachedinarightfaith,thatistosay,withafaithgroundedinloveand

charity,producingarightarrangementinallthesubordinatepowersandprinciplesof

thenaturalmind.Welearn,stillfurther,fromtheabovedivinemiracle,thatletthe

obstructionstoheavenlylifeandlovebeeversoformidable,andthedivinecirculationofblessingbeeversomuchimpeded,yetifJesusChristinHisDivineHumanitybe

believedinandapproachedwithasincereheart,andinthespiritoftruerepentance,

everyobstructionwillthensoonberemoved,whichpreventsthefreecirculationofHis

blessedinfluence,untilatlengththewholemindandlifeberestoredtotheirproper

healthandstrength,bybeingenabledtocomplywillinglyandfreelywiththeDivine

operation.

14


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Letusresolve,therefore,henceforth,whensoeverwefeelthemindaffectedwitha

spiritualpalsy,toapplyimmediately,likethefaithfulcenturionaboverecorded,toour

GodandSaviourforHishealingvirtue,andtoapplytoHimwiththatlivingfaithinhis

DivineOmnipotence,forwhichthecenturionwassoeminentlydistinguished.Letus

resolve,also,toattendwelltotheoperationsofourownminds,thatsoallourpowers

andfacultiesmaybebroughtintorightarrangement,andthusrenderedstrongto

withstandtheassaultofevilandfalseprinciples,andeagerandearnesttocherishall

heavenlyandholyinfluences.Lastlyletusresolvetobelieveconfidently,thatifourfaith

inourGodandSaviourbegroundedinHisloveandwisdom,itwillthenconnectus

perpetuallywithhisOmnipotence,andthroughthatOmnipotenceeveryobstructionto

thecirculationofthedivineblessingwillfinallyberemoved,andweshallfeelourselves

restoredtothefreeexerciseofeverymentalfaculty,andtothehappyperceptionofits

closeconjunctionwiththemercy,favour,peace,andblessednessofourHeavenly

Father.Amen.

15


PETER'SWIFE'SMOTHERHEALED.

MATT.VIII.14,15.AndwhenJesuswascomeintoPeter'shouse,hesawhis

wife'smotherlaid,andsick,ofafever.Andhetouchedherhand,andthefeverlefther:

andshearose,andministereduntothem.

Thesewordshavebothaliteralandaspiritualmeaning,likethewordsofallthe

othermiraclesperformedbytheLord,andaccording,totheliteralmeaningtheyrelatetoPeterasaman,andtohiswife'smotherastoapersonsickofabodilydisordercalled

afever;butaccordingtotheirspiritualmeaning,theyrelatetoPeterandtohiswife's

mother,asrepresentingspiritualprinciplesappertainingtothechurch,thatistosay,to

themembersofthechurchatthatperiod,andtothedistemperwithwhichthe

membersofthechurchwerethenaffected.

ByPeter,asanapostle,isrepresentedtheprincipleoffaithinthechurch,and


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especiallyofthatfaithwhichacknowledgestheDivinityoftheGreatSaviour(SeeMatt.

xvi.13-20),andbyhishouse,therefore,arerepresentedtheinteriorsofthatfaith.Thus,

byJesusenteringPeter'shouseistobeunderstoodHisDivineInfluxintotheinteriors

whichconstitutedthefaithofthechurch.

Accordingtothespiritualidea,byPeter'swife'smother,istobeunderstoodtheaffectioninwhichthegoodofthefaithofthechurchoriginates;andbyJesusseeing,

herlaid,andsickofafever,isfurthertobeunderstoodDivineInspectionintothat

affection,andaconsequentdiscoveryOfitsbeingmerelynatural,andinfectedwith

evilsofconcupiscence:forbyJesusseeingissignifiedDivineInspection;andbybeing

laid.,andsickofafever,isfurtherdenotedthattheaffectioninwhichthegoodofthe

faithofthechurchoriginateswasimmersedinmerenaturallove,andthusinfestedwith

theconcupiscencesoriginatinginthatlove.

16


Agreeablytotheabovespiritualidea,byJesustouchingherhand,istobe

understood,theCommunicationofDivinePowertotheaffectioninwhichthegoodof

thefaithofthechurchoriginates;andbythefeverleavingher,inconsequenceofthat

touch,istobefurtherunderstood,thatwhenthataffectionbadcommunicationopened

withtheDivinePoweroftheLord,andbecamethusconjoinedwithHislove,itwasthen

immediatelyliberatedfromtheconcupiscencesofevilwhichhadbeforeinfestedit,and

wasthusrestoredtoitsproperstrength,purity,andactivity.

Thewords,shearose,andministereduntothem,liketheforegoing,havebotha

literalandaspiritualmeaning;intheirliteralmeaningtheyrelatetoPeter's-wife's

mother,andtoherarisingoutofherbed,andfulfillingherappointedduties;butinthe

spiritualsense,asappliedtotheaffectioninwhichthegoodofthefaithofthechurch

originates,theywereintendedtorecordtheelevationofthataffection,andits

consequentapplicationtoworksofserviceandofuseinthechurch.Andsinceall

spiritualelevationimpliesanelevationtowardstheGreatandHolyGod,andthus

conjunctionoflifewithHim,andtheperformingofusefulservicesunderHisDivineInfluence,therefore,thisalsoistobeunderstoodbyarisingandministeringuntothem.

17


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Welearn,fromtheabovemiracle,inthefirstplace,byitsletter,orhistory,to

adorethatDivinePower,bywhichtheGreatSaviour,atoneandthesametime,

manifestedHisDivinity,andrelievedthenaturalinfirmitiesofHissufferingcreatures;

andbytheinteriorcontentsofthatletter,orhistory,welearn,inthenextplace,to

acknowledgewithequaladorationandgratitudethesameDivinePowerinits

applicationtoremovespiritualinfirmityanddisease.Welearn,further,fromthe

significanthistoryofabodilyfever,toreflectonthatmoreterriblementalfeverin

whichitoriginates,andwhichitwasintendedtorepresentandmakemanifest,andto

becontinuallyuponourguardagainstitsassaultsanddestructiveeffects.Andsincethis

mentalfeverconsistsinthoseconcupiscencesofthenaturalman,whichinfestand

defiletheaffectionoftruth,orofarightfaith,inthespiritualman,wearefurther

instructedbythespiritualsenseofthismiracletobecontinuallyonthewatchagainst

theinfectinginfluenceofthoseconcupiscences,whichalloriginateinself-love,andan

inordinateloveoftheworld.Letusresolve,therefore,fromhenceforth,throughtheDivineGraceandMercy,totakeheedtoourselveslestatanytimethedefilinginfluence

ofmerenaturalloveshouldinfectthehigherprinciplesofthelifeofourimmortal

spirits,andthusplungeusintothatmostterribleanddangerous,yetleastdreaded,of

alldisorders,afeverofthemind.Still,shoulditcometopass,throughtheweaknessof

ourcorruptnature,thatwe,atanytime,becomethepreyofsuchinfection,letus

resolvenottodespairofdivineaidandreliefrather,inallhumilitybuttothrow

ourselvesaofpenitenceandcontritionDivinetothrowourselvesatthefeetour

MercifulSaviour,andimplorethehealingpowerofHisDivineBenediction.

18


Thusmaywehope,likePeter'swife'smotherofold,whohadthehappinessto

experiencetheblessedtouchofherSaviour'shand,tobepartakersofthesamehigh

Privilege,andtoreceivefromthattouchthecureofallourspiritualmaladies.Andthus,

too,likeher,shallwealsoariseandminister;inotherwords,becomeelevatedtoan

eternalconjunctionoflifewithourGod,andbyvirtueofthatelevation,beenabledtoperformallusefulservicestoourfellow-creatures,toHisgloryanourownhappiness.

Amen.

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THEDEVILSCASTOUT.

MATT.VIII.16,17.

Whentheevenwascome,theybroughtuntohimanythatwerepossessedwith

devils:andhecastOutthespiritswithhisword,andhealedallthatweresick:thatit

mightbefulfilledwhichwasspokenwasbyEsaiastheProphet,saying,himselftookour

infirmities,andbar,oursicknesses.

Thecomingofeven,accordingtothesenseoftheletter,denotesthecloseof

thenaturalday,orthetimewhenthesunsetstothislowerworldofnature;but

accordingtothespiritualideacontainedundertheletter,itdenotesastateofobscure

faithandloveinthechurch,orthecloseofthespiritualday,whentheSunofHeaven

setsonbenightedmortalinconsequenceoftheirwantoffaithinthebrightnessofhis

rays,andtheirwantofloveforthatheavenlywarmthwhichtheyinspire.

BydevilsaretobeunderstoodthespiritsandPowersofdarknessintheinfernal

world;andbybeingPossessedofthesedevilsaccordingtothesenseoftheletter,isto

beunderstoodthepossessionwhichthesespiritsandpowerstookattimeofthebodies

ofthemen;forsuch,atthattime,wasthedeplorablestateoftheJewishchurch,inits

departurefromGodandHiskingdom,thatinfernalinhabitantsenteredevenintothe

corporealpartofman,andruleditatpleasure.Butbybeingpossessedofdevils,accordingtothespiritualidea,istobeunderstoodthepossessionwhichtheinfernal

powerstakeofthesoulsofmen,byvirtueofwhichpossessiontheyobtainentire

governmentoverthethoughtlessandimpenitent,andrulethemwiththeironrodof

diabolicalmaliceandagency.

20


Forsuchistheawfulsituationofmaninthislowerworld,thatheisplacedasitwere

betweentwokingdoms,thekingdomoflight,whichisthekingdomofGod,andthe

kingdomofdarkness,whichisthekingdomoftheenemyofGod,calledthedeviland

satan;thedevil,byreasonofthediabolicalevilbywhichheisimpelledtoallkindof

mischief;andsatan,byreasonofthefalseprinciplesinwhichthatevilworks,and


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effectsitsmischievouspurposes.Moreover,theinhabitantsofboththesekingdoms

haveaccesstoman,andhebecomesofnecessityassociatedwiththeoneortheother,

accordingtohisrulinglove,thatistosay,accordingasheisdesiroustosubmithimself

tothegovernmentofthedivineloveandwisdomofGod,ortogovernhimself,by

exaltinghisownwillandwisdomabovethewillandwisdomoftheMostHigh.Itis

furthertoberemarkedconcerningsuchassociation,that,manacquiresalifeandaformaccordingtoit,-anangeliclifeandformifhisassociationbeangelic,butaninfernallife

andformifhisassociationbeinfernal.JesusChristaccordinglydeclares,concerningthe

wickedandunbelievingJews,Yeareofyourfatherthedevil,andthelustsofyourfather

yewilldo.(Johnviii.44.)

ThereasonwhythepossessedofdevilswerebroughttoJesuswhentheevenwascome,

isevident,iftheevenbeunderstoodaccordingtothespiritualideaaboveexpressed,as

denotingtheabsenceofgoodandoftruthinthechurch,forwhensoeverthisisthe

case,thenthemembersofthechurchmustofnecessitybecomeapreytoeviland

error,andofcoursemustbepossessedofdevils,becausewheresoeverevilanderror

are,therethepowersofdarkness,calledthedevilandsatan,musthavetheirabode.

21


Itisonly,therefore,intheeven,accordingtoitsspiritualmeaning,thatmankindcan

becomepossessedofdevils,andthusbroughtuntoJesusfordeliverance.

Itfollows,thatHecastoutthespiritswithHisWord,andhealedallthatweresick.

Thespirits,herespokenof,arethepowersofdarkness,whohavetheirabodesinallman'snaturalevilsanderrors;andbytheWordofJesusChrist,istobeunderstoodthe

complexofHisdivineloveandwisdombroughtdownintotheletter,orliteral

expression.ByJesuscastingoutthespiritswithHiswordisconsequentlytobe

understoodtheremovalofevilanderrorthroughtheimplantation,thegrowth,and

fruitfulnessofheavenlyloveandwisdom,or,whatamountstothesame,ofheavenly

goodnessandtruth.Itisnot,therefore,tobeunderstoodthatJesuscastoutthespirits

bythemereSoundofHisvoice,orbyanyextraordinaryactofdivineauthorityor

omnipotenceseparatefromHisdivineloveandwisdom,forevilcanneverbe

supplantedbutbygood,norcanerrorbesupplantedbutbytruth,and,therefore,itisto

beunderstood,thatthevoiceoftheBlessedJesusoperatedtothecastingoutthespiritsbyvirtueoftheomnipotenceofHisdivineloveandwisdom,asformedandcontainedin

it.Hence,then,maybediscoveredtheobligationimposedoneveryone,whoisdesirous

ofexperiencinginhisownmindthecastingoutofthepowersofdarkness,tocherish

carefullyinhimselfthecontrarypowersofheavenlyloveandwisdom,orgoodnessand

truth,fromafirmconvictionthatoneoppositecanneverbecastoutbutbyanother,in

likemannerasdarknesscanneverbecastoutbutbylight,norcoldbutbyheat.

22


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Thesick,accordingtothespiritualsense,heremeanthosewhoarespiritually

sick,andthespirituallysickareallthosewhoaredistemperedintheirunderstanding,by

reasonoftheinfluenceoffalsepersuasionsandpervertedthoughts.Byhealingthesick,

therefore,istobeunderstoodtheremovalofsuchfalseprinciplesandperverted

thoughtsbytheinseminationandgrowthofheavenlytruthandknowledge.This

operationofhealingthesickaccordinglyfollowsthatofcastingoutthespirits,because

bythespiritsaremeantthespiritsofevilinfectingthewillofmanwithdisorderlylove,

anduntilthesespiritsarecastout,itisimpossiblethesickcanbehealed,since,ifthe

lovebedisorderlyinthewill,itmustofnecessitygivebirthtofalsepersuasionsinthe

understanding;butnosoonerisevilextirpatedfromthewill,thanerrorisatthesame

timeextirpatedfromtheunderstanding,andthusthesickarehealed.

Itisadded,thatitmightbefulfilledwhichwasspokenbyEsaiastheprophet,

saying,Himselftookourinfirmities,andbareoursicknesses;bywhichwordsweare

instructedthatallthemiracleswroughtbytheBlessedJesuswereofdivineprediction,

andthatthusthepropheticWordandtheevangelicalareinthemostperfectharmony,

andaccordwitheachother;thelatterbeingtheaccomplishmentoftheformer,inthe

personoftheIncarnateGod.BythisGodtakingourinfirmities,andbearingour

sicknesses,wearefurtherinstructed,thatbesubjectedHimselftotheassaultofall

thoseevilsanderrorswhichinfestthenatureofman,andwhichareinconnexionwith

thepowersofdarkness,totheintentthathemightfinallysubduethosepowers,anddelivermanfromtheirtyrannicalusurpation.

23


Mentionisaccordinglymadebothofinfirmitiesandsicknesses,becauseinfirmitiesrelatetothedisordersofevilinthehumanwill,whilstsicknesseshaverelationtothe

disordersresultingfromfalseprinciplesintheunderstanding.

Welearn,fromthismiracle,inthefirstplace,toadorethepowerofthatIncarnateGod,

whowasmanifestedtodestroytheworksofthedevil,bothintheheart,inthe

understanding,andintheoperationofman,bydeliveringtheheartfromtheloveof

evil,andtheunderstandingfromthedarknessoferror,andtheoperationfromthe

mischievouseffectsofboth.Welearn,inthenextplace,toveneratethatHolyWord,


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whichproceedsfromthisIncarnateGod,andisembodiedintheletterorliteralsenseof

thedivinerecords,andtoregarditasthegrandcomplexofthedivinewillandwisdom

letdownfromheavenfortheuseofman,byforminginhimthesameheavenlyloveand

wisdomwithwhichitselfisfilled.Welearn,also,thattheIncarnateGodeffectsallhis

savingpurposesbytheinstrumentalityofthishisHolyWord.Welearn,further,thatso

faraswedeliberatelycherishanyevilorerror,inthesameproportionweadmitintoourselvesinfernalagency,andbydegreesbecomethelivingformsofdiabolical

influence,fromwhichwecanneverbyanypossibilitybedelivered,butthroughthe

receptionoftheeternaltruth,producinginustheblessedfruitsofrepentance,offaith

inJesusChrist,andofaholylifeaccordingtoHisdivineprecepts.Welearn,lastly,to

adorethatDivineMercy,whichwaspleased,inthefulnessoftime,toassumeabodyof

flesh,andinthatbodytosubmittoalltheassaultsofthepowersofdarkness,forthe

purposeofsubduingthem,andthusremovingthemfromman.

24


Letusresolve,therefore,fromhenceforth,totakeJesusChristforouronlyGodand

Saviour,bybelievingthatHealonehaspowertodeliverusfromournaturalevils,and

thusfrominfernalassociationandusurpation.Letusresolve,also,tovenerateHisHoly

Word,bybelievingittoproceedfromHim,andtocontaininitsinmostbosomallthe

fulnessofHisloveandwisdom,byvirtueofwhichitisincontinualcloseconnexionwith

Him.Lastly,letusresolvetocherishthisHolyWordinheart,understanding,andlife,

fromafullconvictionthatwecanneverattainanyascendancyoverourownnaturalevils,andthusoverthepowersofdarkness,onlysofarastheheavenlygoodsandtruths

oftheEternalWordareimplantedandbringforththeirblessedfruitsinourlifeand

conversation.Amen.

25


THEWINDANDWAVESREBUKED.

MATT.viii.23-27.


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AndwhenHewasenteredintoaship,hisdisciplesfollowedhim.And,behold,

therearoseagreattempestinthesea,insomuchthattheshipwascoveredwiththe

waves:buthewasasleep.Andhisdisciplescametohim,andawokehim,saying,Lord,

saveus:weperish.Andhesaithuntothem,Whyareyefearful,Oyeoflittlefaith?Then

hearose,andrebukedthewindsandthesea;andtherewasagreatcalm.Butthemen

marvelled,saying,Whatmannerofmanisthis,thateventhewindsandtheseaobeyhim!

ByJesusenteringintoaship,andHisdisciplesfollowingHim,istobe

understood,accordingtotheliteralsenseofthehistory,thatHeandHisdisciples

enteredintoanaturalship,suchasfloatsonthenaturalwatersofthesea;but

accordingtothespiritualidea,istobeunderstoodthattheyenteredintowhatis

signifiedandrepresentedbyaship,andthisisnothingelsebuttheknowledgeofwhatis

goodandtrue,asderivedfromtheHolyWord,sincewhatashipisastoitsnaturaluse

andservice,thattheknowledgeofwhatisgoodandtrueisastoitsspiritualuseand

service.ItmaybeprovedfromtheauthorityoftheSacredScriptures,thatshipshavesuchaspiritualmeaningandsignification.

ItissaidintheprophecyofBalaam,inreferencetothegospeldispensation,

thatshipsshallcomefromthecoastofChittim,andshallafflictAsshur,andshallafflict

Eber,andhealsoshallperishforever;(Num.xxiv.24.)whereitmustbeevidentto

everyconsiderateperson,thatbyshipsarenotmeantships,buttheknowledgesof

goodandtruthderivedfromtheWordofGod,whichweretoopposeandoverturnthe

reasoningsofthenaturalman,signifiedbyAsshurandEber.

26


ItiswrittenagainintheprophetIsaiah,whereheisspeaking,inlikemanner,ofthe

Lord'sAdvent,andofitsextraordinaryeffects,thatthedayoftheLordshouldbeupon

alltheshipsofTarshish;(chap.ii.16.)whereitisagainmanifestthatbyshipscannotbe

meantships,buttheknowledgesofgoodandtruth,andintheoppositesensethe

knowledgesofwhatisevilandfalse,whichweretobesupplantedattheappearingoftheIncarnateGod.TothesamepurportitiswrittenintheRevelationsconcerningthe

destructionofBabylon,orofthecorruptchurchsignifiedbyBabylon,Alas,alas,that

greatcity,whereinweremaderichallthathadshipsinthesea,byreasonofher

costliness;(ch.xviii.19.)fromwhichwordsitisagainplain,thatbyshipsarenotmeant

ships,butthedoctrinalstaughtinthatcorruptchurch.

Butitissaidonthisoccasion,thattherearoseagreattempestinthesea,insomuchthat


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theshipwascoveredwiththewaves.

Accordingtothesenseoftheletter,bythetempestistobeunderstoodanatural

tempest,orstorm,andbytheshipbeingcoveredwithwaves,istobeunderstoodthe

naturaleffectofthattempest,orstorm,incoveringtheshipwiththewatersofthesea.

But,accordingtothespiritualidea,byatempestistobeunderstoodaspiritualtempest,

whichisnootherthantheagitationandperturbationofthenaturalman,occasionedbytheknowledgesofgoodandtruthderivedfromtheWordofGod,whicharehere

treatedof.

27


Forinregardtothoseknowledges,thecaseisthis,thatwhentheyarefirst

communicatedtothenaturalman,theydisturbhiminhisnaturalloves,andthuscause

whatiscalledspiritualtrial,trouble,ortemptation,herecalledatempest.Andbythe

shipbeingcoveredwiththewavesisthereforetobeunderstood,thattheknowledges

ofheavenlygoodandtruthwereobscuredbytheagitationandperturbationofthe

naturalman,signifiedbythewaves.

Thesleepherespokenof,(whereitiswrittenthathewasasleep,)accordingtothe

spiritualidea,hasreferencetothestateofthenaturalman,undertheagitationand

perturbationwhichisheredescribed.Forwhenthenaturalmanisinsuchastate,then

Jesusappearstobeasleep;inotherwords,HisDivinepresenceisnotnotedorattended

to,beingimmersedinthedistractedaffectionsandthoughtsofthenaturalmind.Sleep,

therefore,insuchcase,isascribedtotheBlessedJesus,inlikemannerasangerandwrathareascribedtoHim,whenyettheyareonlyappearances,arisingfromtheevil

andfalseprincipleswhichprevailinthemindofman,leadinghimtosupposethat,

becauseheisagainstGod,thereforeGodisagainsthim.ThusJesusissaidtobeasleep,

wheninrealitythesleepappertainsonlytoman,whoispronouncedtobeasleep,when

hethinksnaturally,andnotspiritually,thatistosay,whenhisunderstandingis

immersedinthethingsofnature,andnotawaketotheperceptionandenjoymentof

thingsspiritualandeternal.

Itisadded,thatHisdisciplescametoHim,andawokeHim,saying,Lord,saveus;we

perish.

28


Bythedisciplescomingtohimistobeunderstoodthattheiraffectionswere


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excitedtowardsHim,becauseeverymancomesorgoesaccordingtothestateofhis

rulingaffection.If,therefore,thataffectionbedirectedtowardsJesusChristmanisthen

saidtocometothatGreatandHolyGod,as,ontheotherhand,hegoesawayfromthat

God,whensoeverhisaffectiongrowscoldtowardshim,bybeingfixedoninferior

objects.AndasbycomingtoJesusChrististhustobeunderstoodastateoftheruling

affection,sobyawakinghimistobefurtherunderstoodastateoftherulingthought,orastateoftheunderstandinginitselevationupwardstowardsthingsspiritualand

eternal,agreeablytowhatwasjustnowobservedconcerningJesusbeingasleep.This

stateofelevatedaffectionandelevatedthoughtisfurtherdescribedinthesewords,

whichthedisciplesspokeontheoccasionLord,saveus;weperish:forbytheprayer,

Lord,saveus,isevidentlydescribedastateofelevatedaffection;andbytheadditional

words,weperish,isasevidentlydenotedastateofitelevatedthought,sincewithout

suchastatewouldhavebeenimpossibleforthemtodiscernthedangeranddestruction

whichthreatenedthem.

Itisafterwardswritten,Hesaithuntothem,Whyareyefearful,Oyeoflittlefaith?

Bytheinterestingquestion,Whyareyefearful?BlessedJesusintendedtolead

Hisdisciplestoexploreintheirownmindsthecauseandoriginoffear,thatsothey

mightdiscoverthatallfearhathitssourceinmerenaturalaffectionandthought

separatefromspiritualaffectionandthought;andthereforeHeadds,Oyeoflittlefaith,

bywhichwordsHemanifestlypointsoutadefectofthosespiritualprinciples.

29


Forallfaithaproperlysocalled,isthecomplexofspiritualandspiritualthought,sinceif

spiritualaffectionbewanting,itisimpossibletosupposethattherecanbeanytrue

faith;andinlikemanner,ifspiritualthoughtbewanting,theprincipleoffaithcannotbe

supposedtoexist.When,therefore,theBlessedJesusappliedthewordsofcensure,O

yeoflittlefaithHemanifestlydesignedtoinstructHisdisciples,andthroughthemall

succeedinggenerationsofmankindthatfearistheconstantresultofthewantorweaknessofheavenlyprinciplesinthehumanmind,inconsequenceofwhichwantor

weaknessthemindisseparatedfromthatDivinestrengthandomnipotenceinwhichall

truecourage,originatesandisleftapreytoallthosefearsandalarms,whichbesetthe

naturalmindinsuchstateofseparation,byplungingitintoadreadfulassociationwith

thepowersofdarkness,ofterror,anddismay.

Itisadded,thatthenHearose,andrebukedthewindsandthesea;andtherewasa


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greatcalm.

ByJesusarisingistobeunderstood,accordingtothespiritualidea,Hisexaltationinthe

intheSupremeGoodandtheSupremeHisdisciplesasbesaidtoariseinanyTruth,for

Godcannever,othersensethanthis.When,therefore,thePsalmistsaysLetGodarise,

andletHisenemiesbescattered,hemanifestlyprayforsuchanexaltationofGod,that

istosay,ofhisDivineloveandwisdomofGod,thatismindandlife,byvirtueofwhichinhemightexperiencepoweroverallhisspiritualenemies.Itisaccordinglyaddedin

thehistoryofthismiracle,thatwhenJesusarose,herebukedthewindsandthesea,

andtherewasagreatcalm,becausetorebukethewindsandtheseadenotesthe

exerciseofHisomnipotenceinsubduingtheinfernalinfluencesignifiedbythewind,and

theevilsanderrorsofthenaturalmansignifiedbythesea,whichexerciseistobe

consideredastheresultofHisarising,inotherwords,ofHisbeingexaltedtothe

supremeplaceintheaffectionsandthoughtsofHisdisciples.

30


Itis,therefore,tobewellunderstood,thatinfernalinfluence,evilanderror,cannever

beremovedinman,untiltheBlessedJesusisfirstexaltedinhismindandlife,butthat

nosoonerdothsuchexaltationtakeplace,thanpresentlythewindandtheseaare

rebuked,andtheagitationsandperturbationsofthenaturalmangiveplacetothe

tranquilandcomposingprinciplesoperativefromtheGreatRedeemerinthespiritof

man.Thus,asitishererecorded,thereisagreatcalm,becausethegreatcalm,here

spokenof,hasrelationtothegentleandpacificruleofheavenlyprinciplesandpersuasionsinthehumanmindontheremovalofthecontraryprinciplesand

persuasionssuggestedbythepowersofdarkness,anditgreatcalm,todenoteitsDivine

origin,iscalledashavingitssourceintheoperationoftheDivinemercyandlove,for

thetermgreatisalwaysappliedtodenotethatoperation.

Itisfurtherwritten,thatthemenmarvelled,saying,Whatmannerofmanisthis,that

eventhewindsandtheseaobeyhim?

Bythemenmarvelling,wearetaughtwhatisthegenuineeffectonhumanminds,

resultingfromthedisplayoftheDivineOmnipotenceinremovinginfernalinfluencein

thenaturalman,andthatthiseffectistheacknowledgmentofthatomnipotence,orof

adivinepowerinfinitelyexceedingallhumanagency,whatsoever,fortomarvel,accordingtothespiritualidea,istorecognisesuchapower.

31



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Itaccordinglyfollowsthattheysaid,Whatmannerofmanisthis,thateventhewinds

andtheseaobeyhim?bywhichwordsitisevident,thattheybegantoregardthe

BlessedJesusasabeingmorethanhuman,andevenasDivine,sincenootherthana

Divinebeing,canbesupposedtoexercisecontroloverthewindsandsea,andespecially

overwhatissignifiedandrepresentedbythewindsandsea,viz.,thetempestuous

influencesofthepowersofdarknessoperatingonthedisorderlypassionsandappetitesofthenaturalman.When,therefore,themenexclaimed,Whatmannerofmanisthis?

itisthesamethingasiftheyhadsaid,ThismancanbenootherthantheGreatandHoly

God.Thusthefirstdiscipleswereconvincedbythismiracle,oftheSupremeDivinityof

theirLordandMaster,andthustooallfuturedisciples,maybeconvincedofthesame

divinity,whensoevertheyobserveinthemselvestheturbulenceofunrulypassions

subdued,andintheirplacethetranquillity,thepeaceandgentlenessrestored,which

everflowfromtheadmissionofthemeekandmildSpiritoftheHolyJesus.

Welearnfromthismiracletoadore,inthefirstplace,theDivineAgency,bywhichthe

AlmightyhasbeenpleasedtomanifestHisabsolutecontrolovertheelementsof

nature;andinthenextplacetoadorethesameDivineAgency,asexerciseduponthe

higherelementsofhumanminds.Welearn,further,totraceupthatagencytothe

IncarnateGod,soastobeholdinHisDivineHumanityallthefulnessofdeityandof

omnipotence.Weareinstructed,yetfurther,bythespiritualsenseofthismiracle,to

lookuptothatIncarnateGodforprotectionunderallourspiritualtrialsand

temptations,andespeciallyfordeliverancefromthewindsandwavesofourown

boisterouspassionsexcitedbythedestructiveinfluenceofthepowersofdarkness.

32


Lastly,wearetaughtthatinsuchperturbationandtempestsofthenaturalmind,the

BlessedJesusfrequentlyappearstobeasleep,andthatHecanonlybeawakenedby

ferventprayerarisingfromamindsensibleofitsdangerandofitsinabilitytobeitsown

deliverer.Letusresolve,therefore,henceforth,inallourspiritualtrialsandtroubles,to

applyto,andputourwholetrustin,theHolyJesus,andthenwemayhumblyhopethat

hewillarise,andrebukethewindsandsea,soastoproduceagreatcalminour

disturbedminds.Then,too,shallwealsobeledtomarvelattheomnipotenceofHis

operations,andtoanswertheinterestingquestion,Whatmannerofmanisthis,bythedevoutandgratefulacknowledgmentthatHeisGodoverall,blessedaforever,the

AlphaandOmega,theBeginningandtheEndingofallspirituallife,power,protection,

benediction,andsalvation;towhombeascribedallpraise,honour,andglory,forever.

Amen.

33


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THEPOSSESSEDWITHDEVILSCOMINGOUTOFTHETOMBS.

MATT.viii.28-34.

AndwhenhewascometotheothersideintothecountryoftheGergesenes,

theremethimtwopossessedwithdevils,comingoutofthetombs,exceedingfierce,so

thatnomanmightpassbythatway.And,behold,theycriedout,saying,Whathavewe

todowiththee,Jesus,thouSonofGod?artthoucomehithertotormentusbeforethe

time?Andtherewasagoodwayofffromthemanherdofmanyswinefeeding.Sothe

devilsbesoughthim,saying,Ifthoucastusout,sufferustogoawayintotheherdofswine.Andhesaiduntothem,Go.Andwhentheywerecomeout,theywentintothe

herdofswine;andbehold,thewholeherdofswineranviolentlydownasteepplace

intothesea,andperishedinthewaters.Andtheythatkeptthemfled,andwenttheir

waysintothecity,andtoldeverything,andwhatwasbefallentothepossessedofthe

devils.And,behold,thewholecitycameouttomeetJesus:andwhentheysawhim,

theybesoughthimthathewoulddepartoutoftheircoasts.

Accordingtotheliteralsenseofthismiracle,aretobeunderstoodtwomen,

who,astotheirbodies,werepossessedorobsessedbyinfernalspirits,comingoutfrom

amongstthefilthandimpurityofsepulchres,andsoexceedingfierceandungovernable,thatitwasunsafeforanyonetocomenearthem.Andbythedevilsrequestingtobe

permittedtoenterintotheherdofswine,andbytheherd,whensuchpermissionwas

granted,runningdownasteepplaceintothesea,andperishinginthewaters,isfurther

tobeunderstood,thatthedevilsfinddelightinenteringintothebodiesofunclean

animals,andthenininstigatingthoseanimalstotheirowndestruction.

34


Accordingtothespiritualsense,however,bytwoarenottobeunderstoodtwo

men,buttwoprinciples:andbytheirbeingpossessedofdevilsandmeetingJesus,is

furthertobeunderstoodthatthoseprincipleswereinconnexionwiththepowerof

darkness,andthusinoppositiontotheHolyJesus,thatistosay,toHisdivineloveand


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thedevilsrequestingpermissiontoenterintothem.Itfollowsandhesaiduntothem,

Go.ThesignificanttermGo,involvesinitthewholeofthedivinewillrespectingthe

powersofdarkness,whichis,thattheybeeternallyseparatedfromHim,Hiskingdom,

andHischildren,soastobeincapableofdoinganymischiefeithertotheGreatFather

orBeing,ortoHishappyfamily.

36


Undereveryspiritualtrial,therefore,stirredupbythepowersofdarknessintheminds

ofthehumbleandthepenitent,theGreatSaviouriseverutteringthesame

authoritativecommand,GO,andtheeffectofthisdivinewordistoremovethosepowersfromtheirusurpedabode,thattheymayenterintomindscongenialtotheir

own,andprecipitatethemintotheirowninfernalkingdom.

Welearnfromtheabovemiracle,toadorethatdivinepowerwhichwasmanifestedto

destroytheworksofthedevil,andoverturntheirempire,whetherestablishedinthe

bodiesorinthesoulsofmen.Welearnalso,thatthepowersofdarknessareindirect

oppositiontotheloveandwisdomofJesusChris,andthattheirgreatesttotorment

consistsinbeingexploredbythelightofthedivinetruth,andinthediscoverythus

madeoftheirsecretpurposes,thoughts,anddevice.Wearealsofurtherinstructed,

thatasinglewordutteredbytheGreatSaviourisabletoputtoflightahostofinfernals,

andthatthatSaviouriseverutteringsuchawordofsalvationintheheartsofallHis

penitentandsufferingchildren.Lastlywelearntotrembleundertheideaoftheeffectofinfernalinfluence,Andthosedefiledconcupiscencesinwhichitoperates,sincethis

effectisnothinglesswhichthanarapidityofmotiondownwards,hurryingitsmiserable

subjectsfromtherealmsofbliss,tothedisturbedwatersOfperisheverlastinginthe

disturbedwatersofimpietyandiniquity.Letusresolve,therefore,henceforth,tobe

uponourguardagainstsuchinfernalagencyandforthispurposetoendeavour,through

divinemercytokeepourmindspurefromalldefiledaffections,andconcupiscences.

Thus,undertheassaultofallourspiritualenemies,wemayhopetohearthe

authoritativeword,GopronouncedagainstthembyourGodandSaviour,andmaythus

beholdeveryinfernalpowercastout,andtheBlessedJesusglorifiedintheirseparation

ofHishumbleandgratefulchildren.37



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Thus,too,weshallbepreservedfromimitatingthefollyandwickednessofthepeople

amongstwhomtheabovemiraclewaswrought,andofwhomitiswritten,thatwhen

theysawJesus,theybesoughtHimtodepartoutoftheircoastssincebytheexperience

whichwehaveourselvesoftheomnipotenceandmiraculous,energyofourGodand

Saviour,weshallbeledto,cleavetoHimthemoreclosely,andtobeseechhimthe

moreearnestly,nottodepart,butrathertotakeupHiseternalabodeinourpurifiedandgratefulhearts.Amen.

38


THESICKOFTHEPALSYHEALED.

MATT.ix.2-8.

And,behold,theybroughttohimamansickofthepalsy,lyingonabed:and

Jesusseeingtheirfaithsaiduntothesickofthepalsy;Son,beofgoodcheer;thysinsbe

forgiventhee.And,behold,certainofthescribessaidwithinthemselves,Thisman

blasphemeth.AndJesusknowingtheirthoughtssaid,Whereforethinkyeevilinyour

hearts?Forwhetheriseasier,tosay,Thysinsbeforgiventhee;ortosay,Arise,and

walk?ButthatyemayknowthattheSonofmanhathpoweronearthtoforgivesins,

(thensaithhetothesickofthepalsy,)Arise,takeupthybed,andgountothinehouse.

Andhearose,anddepartedtohishouse.Butwhenthemultitudessawit,they

marvelled,andglorifiedGod,whichhadgivensuchpoweruntomen.

Wehavealreadyseen,intheexplanationofaformermiracle,whatistobe

understoodbothnaturallyandspirituallybythesickofthepalsy,andthatitimplies

someobstructiontothecirculationofthebloodinthebody,andoftruthinthemind,in

consequenceofwhichboththecorporealandmentalorgansarerenderedincapableof

performingtheirproperfunctions.Wehavenowtoconsiderwhythesickofthepalsy,

ashererecorded,isdescribedaslyingonabed.

Thereasonis,becauseabed,accordingtoitsspiritualsignification,figuresand

representsthenaturalprincipleofthelifeofman,sincewhataliteralbedistothebody

ofaman,thatthenaturalprincipleistothespiritofaman.Forman,itiswellknown,or

maybeknown,consistsoftwodistinctprinciples,theonenatural,theotherspiritualin

otherwords,theoneformedtobeaffectedby,andtotakecognizanceofthethingsof


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thisworld;andtheotherformedtobeaffectedby,andtotakecognizanceofthethings

ofanotherworld,viz.,God,Hislaw,Hiskingdom,Hisprovidence,Hisperfections,and

therelationshipsubsistingbetweenHimandHiscreatures.

39


Agreeably,then,tothisidea,thenaturalprinciple,asbeingthelowest,mayberegarded

asthebedofthespiritualprinciple,whichisaboveit,becausethespiritualprinciple

restsupon,andfindsitsreposeinthenatural,inlikemannerasthebodyofmanrests

uponandfindsitsreposeinaliteralbed.Thatbedbathsuchaspiritualsignification,

maybeplainfromthepassagesintheholyword,whereitismentioned.ThusitiswrittenintheBookofPsalms:Communewithyourownheartonyourbed;(Psalmiv.4.)

andagain,hedevisethmischiefuponhisbed;(Psalmxxxvi.4.)andagain,Thouwilt

makeallhisbedinhissickness;(Psalmxli.3.)andagain,WhenIrememberTheeupon

mybed;(Psalmlxiii.6.)andagain,inIsaiah,Thebedisshorterthanthatamancan

stretchhimselfonit;(chap.xxviii.20.)inallwhichpassages,bybedisnotmeantabed

literally,butthenaturalmind,orprinciple,onwhichthespiritualmind,orprinciple,

rests,andinwhichitthinks.Theawfulsentence,therefore,againstJezebelwas

denouncedinthesewords,Behold,Iwillcastherintoabed,(Rev.ii.22.)todenotethat

shewouldbelefttothenaturalmind,orprinciple,andtoitsfalsepersuasions.

Itdeserves,however,tobenoted,thatthespiritualbed,herespokenof,varies

accordingtothestateofthenaturalprinciple,beingasoftandeasybedifthenaturalprinciplebebroughtintorightsubordinationtothespiritual;butahardanduneasybed,

ifsuchsubordinationbewanting.

40


Bythesickofthepalsy,therefore,lyingonabed,istobeunderstoodtheconnexionofthespiritualprinciplewiththenatural;andthatinthisconnexiontherewassome

obstruction,whichpreventedtheduecirculationofspiritualprinciplesandpersuasions

inthenaturallifeanditsprinciplesandpersuasions.

Itissaid,thatJesus,seeingtheirfaith,saiduntothesickofthepalsy,Son,beofgood

cheer;thysinsbeforgiventhee.

Jesus,incallingthesickofthepalsy,Hisson,announcesHisdivineparentalaffectionto

allHisdistemperedandsufferingchildren,andthisinlanguageatoncethemosttender,


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mostconsolatory,andmostencouraging.WhenHesaysagaintothisson,Beofgood

cheer,Hemeanstoannounce,further,thepresenceandcomfortofHisownmercyand

love,sinceitisimpossiblethatamancanbeofgoodcheer,[or,asitisexpressedinthe

original,haveconfidence,]byanyothermeansthanthecommunicationandreception

ofthedivinefavourandloving-kindness.Andagain,whenHepronounces,thysinsbe

forgiventhee,Hemeanstodeclarethesavingblessedeffectofsuchfavourandloving-kindness,inremovingandseparatingalltheprinciplesofsinanddisorder,thusin

purifyingtheaffectionsandthoughtsfromallthedefilementofiniquity,andfinally

restoringthewholeman,withallhisprinciples,bothnaturalandspiritual,totheorder,

theimage,thepeaceandblessingofGodandheaven.

Itisadded,thatcertainofthescribessaidwithinthemselves,Thismanblasphemeth.

AndJesusknowingtheirthoughtssaid,Whereforethinkyeevilinyourhearts?

41


Fromthesewords,welearn,thatsinfulmen,especiallyiftheirsinbe

strengthenedandsupportedbyhumanlearning,andwhatarecommonlycalledgreat

talents,areeverreadytomisinterpretthewordsoftheMostHigh,andtocallHis

wisdomfoolishness,andthedeclarationsofHismercyblasphemy.Welearn,further,an

additionalproofofthedivinityofourSaviour,manifestedsoevidentlyinHis

discernmentofthethoughtsofthosewithwhomhewasconversing;forwhobutthe

OnlyGodcanpossesssuchdiscernment?Thirdly,fromthesignificantquestion,

Whereforethinkyeevilinyourhearts?wearetaughttoreflect,notonlythatallevilthoughtsproceedfromacorruptheart,butalsothattheyareinthemselvesmost

unreasonableandgroundless,beingnothingmoreorlessthanoppositionstothedivine

loveandwisdomoftheMostHighGod.

TheBlessedJesusadds,asaproofoftheunreasonablenessofsuchevil

thoughts,Whetheriseasier,tosay,Thysinsbeforgiventhee;ortosay,Arise,andwalk?

OurSaviourwouldinstructusbythissignificantquestion,thattoforgivesins

andtocurebodilydisease,areactswhichequallyrequiretheexerciseofDivine

Omnipotence,andthat,consequently,thesupernaturalcureofabodilydiseaseimpliesthepowertocureamentaldisease.Hewouldinstructus,therefore,toregardallHis

healingoperations,exercisedonthebodiesofmen,asproofsmostpositiveofHisdivine

powertoexercisesimilaroperationsonthesouls,orspirits,ofmen.Andthereasonis

plain,becausesin,properlyconsidered,isnothingbutadistemperofthesoul;andto

forgivesin,therefore,[or,asitisexpressedintheoriginal,toremitit,]meansnothing

moreorlessthantoremovethatdistemper.


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42


TheBlessedJesus,therefore,byeveryactofhealingexercisedonthebodiesofmen,

gaveafulldemonstrationofHisDivinePowertohealtheirsouls,orspirits;inother

words,toforgivesins:towhichpurposeHedeclaresafterwards,Butthatyemayknow

thattheSonofManhathpoweronearthtoforgivesins,(thensaithHetothesickofthe

palsy,)Arise,takeupthybed,andgountothinehouse.

Theinjunctiontoarise,involvesinit,spiritually,anelevationoftheaffectionsand

thoughts,orofthewillandunderstanding,fromearthlythingstoheavenly;inother

words,fromself-loveandtheloveoftheworldtotheloveofGodandneighbourlylove.

Theinjunctionagain,totakeupthebed,involvesinitasimilarelevationofthenatural

mind,withallitspurposes,wordsandworks,agreeablytowhatwassaidabove

concerningthespiritualsignificationofthetermbed.And,lastly,theinjunction,gounto

thinehouse,spirituallyconsidered,involvesinitadivineexhortationtothesickofthe

palsy,andthustoeverydistemperedchildofman,toretireintotheinteriorsofhisown

mind,wheretheMostHighhasHisconsecratedabode,andtheretodwellcontinuallyin

theenjoymentofthedivinepresence,favourandbenedictionoftheGodwhohealeth

allhisinfirmities.

Intheconclusionitissaid,thathearose,anddepartedtohishouse.Butwhenthe

multitudesawit,theymarvelled,andglorifiedGod,whichhadgivensuchpowerunto

men.

43


Bythesickofthepalsyarising,anddepartingtohishouse,wearetaughtto

discerntheeffectofthedivinewordoftheMostHigh,producedintheultimatesof

nature.Forsuchisthequalityofthedivineintentionandthought,whichisthesame

thingwiththedivineword,orspeech,thatiteverproceedstoitseffect,whicheffectterminatesintheultimatesofthenaturalworld,andfromthencereturns,byreaction,

toitsdivinesource.Andfromthemultitudemarvellingatthesightoftheeffect,and

glorifyingGodwhichhadgivensuchpoweruntomen,wearefurtherinstructedinthe

truedispositionandgenuinecharacterofthefollowersoftheBlessedJesus,thatisto

say,ofthereallivingmembersofHischurchandkingdom,viz.,thattheyadorewith

wondertheeffectsofHisomnipotence,inremovingthedisordersbothofbodyand

mind,andthusofrestoring,mantohisoriginalpurity,order,andlife;and,further,that


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theyrefertheseeffectstotheunionofthedivineandhumannatureinthepersonof

theIncarnateGod,andthusworshipJesusChristinHisDivineHumanityasOnewiththe

EternalFather,consequentlyastheSupremeandOnlyGod,whohathallpowerbothin

heavenandearth.

ThismiracleteachesustoadorethepowerofthatmercifulGodandSaviour,whichwefindexercisedinhealingthebodilyinfirmitiesofmankind.Butwelearn,still

more,toadorethatsamedivinepowerasappliedtotheremovalofspiritualinfirmity

anddistemper,andasexpressingitselfinthedivineconsolatorywords,Son,beofgood

cheer;thysinsbeforgiventhee.Fromtheaccount,too,oftheabovemiracle,wereceive

anadditionalconfirmationofourfaithinthedivinityofourLordandSaviour,ofwhom

wefinditwritten,thatHeknewthethoughtsofthosewithwhomHeconversed,for

suchknowledgeisapeculiarcharacteristicofdivinity,and,consequently,a

demonstrationthatthepersonpossessingitcouldbenootherthantheSupremeGod.

44


Again,welearnthatthepowerofhealingbodilydiseaseinvolvesinit,ofnecessary

consequence,thepowerofhealingspiritualdisease,andthat,therefore,theBlessed

Jesus,incontrollingthedisordersofmatter,exhibitedaproofmostpositivethatthe

kingdomofmindalsowassubjecttoHisauthority,andthatofcourseHewasable

likewisetocontrolallitsdisorders,andtorestoreittoitsproperhealth,vigour,and

enjoyment.Lastly,welearnwhatisthetruetemperandspiritofthefollowersofthis

IncarnateGod,orofthemembersofHischurchandkingdom,andthattheirmindsare

continuallyfilledwithwonderandadorationatobservingtheeffectsofHismercyand

omnipotence,asexhibitedbothinmatterandinmind;andfurther,thattheyareledby

thoseeffectstotheacknowledgmentoftheIncarnateGod,andtothedevoutworship

ofHiminHisDivineHumanity,thusinHisOnenesswiththeEternalFather.Letus

resolve,therefore,fromhenceforth,totakethisGodforourGod,andtobelieveinand

followHim,astheRestoreroftheBreachinalltheprinciplesbothofourbodiesandof

ourminds.Somaywehumblyhope,inalloursorrowsandinfirmities,tohearfromHis

divinemouththeconsolatorywords,Son,beofgoodcheer,thysinsbeforgiventhee;andpenetratedwithalivelyandgratefulsenseofthemercyandpowerofthesedivine

words,wemayfinallyexperiencetheirblessedefficacy,inenablingeachofustoarise,

andtakeuphisbed,andgotohishouse.Amen.

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THERULER'SDAUGHTERRAISED.

MATT.IX.18-26.

WhileHespokethesethingsuntothem,behold,therecameacertainruler,and

worshippedhim,saying,Mydaughterisevennowdead:butcomeandlaythyhand

uponher,andsheshalllive.AndJesusarose,andfollowedhim,andsodidhisdisciples.

.And,behold,awoman,whichwasdiseasedwithanissueofbloodtwelveyears,came

behindhim,andtouchedthehemofhisgarment:Forshesaidwithinherself,IfImay

buttouchhisgarment,Ishallbewhole.ButJesusturnedhimabout,andwhenhesawher,hesaid,Daughter,beofgoodcomfort;thyfaithhathmadetheewhole.Andthe

womanwasmadewholefromthathour.AndwhenJesuscameintotheruler'shouse,

andsawtheminstrelsandthepeoplemakinganoise,Hesaiduntothem,Giveplace:for

themaidisnotdead,butsleepeth.Andtheylaughedhimtoscorn.Butwhenthepeople

wereputforth,hewentin,andtookherbythehand,andthemaidarose.Andthefame

hereofwentabroadintoallthatland.

Accordingtothesenseoftheletter,byacertainruleristobeunderstooda

personwhowasinauthorityamongsttheJews;andbyhisdaughterIstobeunderstood

hisdaughteraccordingtotheflesh;butagreeablytothespiritualsenseofthisMiracle,byacertainruleristobeunderstoodthechurch,orthemembersofthechurch,

principledinheavenlytruths,fromwhichcomesallspiritualruleordominion;andbyhis

daughter,inagreementwiththesamesense,istobeunderstoodtheaffectionderived

fromthattruth,forsuch,inthelanguageofinspiration,isthesignificationoftheterm

daughter,and,therefore,sofrequentmentionismadeofthedaughterofZion,the

daughterofJerusalem,andthedaughteroftheuncircumcised,denotingtheaffectionof

good,theaffectionoftruth,andtheoppositeaffectionsofevilandoferror.

46


Bybeingdead,accordingtothesenseoftheletter,istobeunderstoodnatural

death,ortheseparationofthesoulfromthebody,butbybeingdead,accordingtothe


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spiritualsense,istobeunderstoodspiritualdeath,ortheseparationofthesoulfrom

thelifeoftheloveofGod,anditsconsequentimmersionintheuncleanlovesofselfand

oftheworld.When,therefore,itissaidbytheruler,Mydaughterisevennowdead,itis

tobeunderstoodthattheaffectionoftruthwasthusseparatedfromheavenlylove,and

therebyimmersedinuncleanloves.

Butitisaddedconcerningtheruler,thathesaiduntoJesus,Comeandlaythy

handuponher,andsheshalllive.Thesewordsareexpressiveofastrongfaithinthe

divinityoftheGreatSaviour,andare,therefore,recordedfortheinstructionandbenefit

ofthechurchinallsucceedingages.Forwhentherulersays,Come,inapplicationtothe

GreatSaviour,hemanifestlyintendedtosupplicate;Hisdivinepresence,mercy,and

benediction;and,whenbeadded,laythyhanduponher,hemeant,further,to

supplicateacommunicationwiththeDivineOmnipotence;andlastly,whenhe

concludes,sheshalllive,heexpressesastrongconfidenceintheeffectofsuch

communication,byrestoring,adeadaffectiontothenewnessofheavenlylife,vigour,

andenjoyment.

Itisfurtherwritten,thatJesusarose,andfollowedhim,andsodidhisdisciples.

47


Accordingtothesenseoftheletter,bythesewordsistobeunderstood,thatJesusand

hisdisciplesroseup,andfollowedtherulertohishouse;butaccordingtothespiritual

sense,byJesusarising,istobeunderstoodtheelevationofHishumanitytoacloserand

fullerunionwithHisdivinity,agreeablytotheprocessbywhichhegraduallymadeHis

humanitydivine,byunitingitfullywiththeEternalFatherinHimself.Thisdivineprocess

iscalledHisglorification,agreeablytoHisownwords,wherehesays,NowistheSonof

Hanglorified,andinanotherplace,Father,glorifythyname.AndbyHisfollowingthe

ruler,istobeunderstood,accordingtothesamesense,theintensenessofHisloveto

fulfilthedesirewhichHehadbeforeimplantedintheruler'smind.Itisadded,andso

didHisdisciples,todenotethatJesusandHisdisciplesarealwaysunited,becauseHisdisciplesareallthosewhoadmitintotheirwillsandunderstandingsHisdivineloveand

wisdom.

Thenextwords,liketheforegoing,havetheirspiritualaswellastheirliteralmeaning,

andaccordingtotheirspiritualinterpretation,byJesuscomingintotheruler'shouse,is

signifiedHisdivineinfluxintothemindsofthosewhoarerepresentedbytheruler,viz.

suchasareprincipledintheknowledgeoftheEternalTruth,butwithoutthataffection,


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whichthetruthiscalculatedtoproduce.AndbyHisseeingtheminstrels,andthepeople

makinganoise,isfurthersignified,accordingtothesamesense,Hisdivineinspectionof

thedisorderlystateoftheiraffectionsandthoughts;forbytheminstrelsarespiritually

denotedthethingsrelatingtothewill,andbythepeoplethethingsrelatingtothe

understanding;andbytheirmakinganoise,issignifiedthedisorderlyanddisturbed

stateofboth.48


Again,byHissayinguntothem,Giveplace;forthemaidisnotdeadbutsleepeth,isto

beunderstood,Hisdivinecontroloverthatdisorderanddisturbance,thatsohemight

restoretheaffectionoftruthtoitsproperstateofvigourandactivity,inasmuchasit

wasnotreallydead,orvoluntarilyanddeliberatelyimmersedinevillove,butasleep;in

otherwords,immersedforatime,andunintentionally,inmerenaturalappetitesand

affections.AndbytheirlaughingHimtoscorn,isfurthertobeunderstood,thatthey

wereincapableofapprehendingthisdistinctionbetweendeathandsleep,and

thereforemadelightofit,asadistinctionnotworthattendingto.

Itislastlywritten,thatwhenthepeoplewereputforth,hewentin,andtookherbythe

hand,andthemaidarose.Andthefamehereofwentabroadintoallthatland.Bythe

peoplebeingputforth,istobeunderstoodtheseparationofdisorderlythoughts;and

byHisgoingin,andtakingherbythehand,istobeunderstoodHisdivineinfluxintothe

affectionoftruth,andacommunicationtherebyofdivinepower;andbythemaid

arising,isfurthertobeunderstoodtheelevationofthataffectionoutofthenaturalaffectionsandappetitesinwhichithadbeenimmersed.Lastly,bythefamethereof

goingforthintoallthatland,isdenotedthechurch'sacknowledgmentofadivine

supernaturalagency,proceedingfromtheHumanityoftheIncarnateGod.

Welearn,fromthismiracle,toadorethedivineomnipotenceofourGodandSaviour,as

exercisedinthedoublekingdomofmatterandofmind;ofmatter,byraisinguptolifea

deadbody;andofmind,byelevating,outofuncleanloves,amentalaffection.

49


Welearn,further,todistinguish,inourselves,betweenanaffectionwhichisdead,and

anaffectionwhichisasleep,andtoseethatthelatteriscapableofadmittingdivine

influxandpower,andthusofbeingraisedoutofsleep;inotherwords,ofbeing,

elevatedoutofthenaturalstateintowhichitwasfallen,intoaspiritualoneoflifeand

miracles of jesus christ explained

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