heart, or cures the distempered soul. The one is a miracle of power, the other of grace: and as the former, so the latter is no deception. Heal thou me, says the prophet, and I shall be healed. The cure will be wrought, if thou undertake it. All others are mere empirics: they may skin over the wound, but thou wilt heal it. They may palliate the disorder, but thou wilt remove it. Oh bring your sick and polluted souls to Christ, and say as the centurion of his servant, "Speak but the word, and I shall be healed;" or as the leper concerning himself, "Lord, if thou wilt, thou canst make me clean."

III. The effects of the cure. These are described in our text.

1. He leaped up. Finding fresh strength coming into his withered and distorted limbs, he immediately makes use of it. Thus it is with the sinner recovered

by divine grace. The word of the Lord, the way of the Lord, the joy of the Lord, and especially the Christ of God, is his strength; and this strength he employs for the purposes for which it is bestowed. I will go in the strength of the Lord God. Earnestness and intentness of mind is also implied. He not only exerted himself, but did it to the utmost of his power. Thus when a sinner is capable of acting, especially in the warmth of his first love, he will act with all his might. "She hath done what she could," says Christ of the good woman who poured the precious ointment on his head. It also shews alacrity and cheerfulness. "He will make my feet, (says Habakkuk) like hind's feet." I shall not only move, but move with speed, with pleasure, and satisfaction: and thus does every real convert when in a lively frame. He rejoices like a strong man to run a race, and sings in the ways of the Lord.

2. He stood. Formerly he could not stand without leaning and trembling: this therefore was another

evidence of the reality of his cure. He stood ready for action, as one that would hereafter get his livelihood by working, and not by begging. He also stood to shew himself to the people; as much as if he should say, I am the very person who was lately the object of your pity. Behold in me a wonderful display of divine mercy! See and admire; see and adore! Real grace inspires with zeal, fortitude, and activity in the service of God. Thus Christ bid the man with the withered arm rise up, and stand forth in the midst; and he arose and stood forth. That was before the

cure, this was after. Luke vi. 8.

3. He walked. This was a new exercise to him. He who had never walked before, walked now; walked without help, and without limping. Thus we read of another cripple, to whom Paul said, Stand upright on thy feet, and he leaped and walked. Thus by the power of divine grace, those that are spiritually lame are made to walk. They walk with God, and before him. They walk honestly and uprightly in the footsteps of the flock, and in newness of life; in the light, in the truth, in the ways of God, and at liberty. The Spirit is their guide, the word their rule, the excellent of the earth their companions, glory their end, and Christ their way.

4. He entered with the apostles into the temple. He had seen it, and been at it; but it is probable had never been in it before. At the gate of it he had got many an alms from man: now he would enter into it to get an alms from God. Probably he now had quite different thoughts of it, and entertained a higher esteem for it than formerly. From this part of his conduct we may learn two things:-(1.) What place the saints make their chosen residence, even the house of God. My feet shall stand within thy gales, oh Jerusalem! Especially when recovered from disorder, and released from confinement. The first place they will visit is the temple, there to pay those

Vows which they made in the time of their distress, and present their humble and thankful acknowledgments unto God.-(2.) What persons they chuse for their companions. Those whom God has made useful to them, as hoping still to receive the benefit of their prayers and instructions. Thus the jailor brought Paul and Silas into his house, and Lydia constrained them to abide in her house. Beautiful in the eyes of all real converts are the feet of those that bring good tidings: they honour, revere, love, and hope to improve by them.

5. Still he walked and leaped, like one in an ecstasy and transport, and praised God. Whence we may observe, that though he loved the instruments, yet he did not praise them. He gave the praise where it was due. The praise immediately followed the mercy received. He did not let a sense of it wear off before he praised God for it, as this would greatly diminish the fervour of his soul, and the warmth of his praises. Thus Hezekiah: The living, the living, he shall praise thee as I do this day. (Isai. xxxviii. 19.) To which I may add, it is likely that body and soul were healed together, which called for more abundant praise. Bless the Lord, ob my soul, who forgiveth all thine iniquities, and healeth all thy diseases. The latter called for praise; the former for greater and both together for the greatest of all.

As the whole discourse has been of a practical nature, all that I shall add by way of improvement is, let awakened sinners take encouragement from this wonderful instance of divine grace; and let the saints imitate the example here set before them, in the warmest gratitude and most affectionate praises.

Motives to Usefulness.

SERMON XIII.

MARK XIV. S.

She hath done what she could.

A WOMAN, infinitely indebted to the Lord Jesus

Christ, expresses her gratitude by pouring a box of precious ointment upon his head, and Christ here vindicates her from the bad construction put upon this action. She is not chargeable, (as if he had said) either with imprudence, or extravagance; but hereby hath given a convincing proof of her faith and love to me. "She hath done what she could." These words may be improved, as an instruction to all christians. They should not be remiss and negligent, but exert themselves to the utmost in the service, and for the honour of their blessed Redeemer ; and as prudence should regulate, so zeal should animate their endeavours.

Here it may be proper, first, to set before you some circumstances, by which our ability to act for Christ may be measured and ascertained; and secondly, propose some motives which, with a divine blessing, may excite you to imitate the pattern here exhibited; or in other words, do what you can for Christ.

I. Enquire in what way our ability to act for Christ may be judged of and ascertained.

1. By our natural capacities, and mental endowments. Though God for the most part hath chosen persons of mean parts, and slender accomplishments, as subjects of divine grace, and heirs of eternal glory; yet he sometimes goes out of his ordinary way, and snatches here and there one, as a brand out of the fire, whose intellectual powers fit him for a large sphere of usefulness. Now, where much is given, much is required: a greater improvement is expected from the man who has five talents, than from him who is possessed of two. A clear understanding, penetrating judgment, lively imagination, strong memory, and the like, are given to men to profit withal; and the service they perform should certainly be proportioned to their superior abilities. Otherwise, a price may be said to be put into the hands of a fool, who has no heart to improve it.

2. By our external advantages; such as, wealth, riches, credit and influence. Persons in affluent circumstances, though they are exposed to greater snares, and stronger temptations than others, yet are capable of doing more good, bringing more glory to God, and of being more useful to their fellow-creatures. Hence they are exhorted to be rich in good works, ready to distribute, willing to communicate. (1 Tim. vi. 17.) Those (says one) who are in a low and private condition, can only shine to a few; but those who are advanced to a great height above others, may, like the heavenly bodies, dispense a general light and influence, and scatter happiness and blessings amongst all that are below them. Thus did Job: I was eyes to the blind, says he, and feet to the lame. I was a father to the poor: when the ear heard me, then it blessed me; and when the eye saw me, it gave witness to me. His bounty to others was proportioned to God's bounty to him.-And what has been said of wealth and riches, may be applied to credit and interest. The influence we have should be improved for