has made to his people. Were but the eyes of our faith quick and clear-sighted, what effects would not those wonderful conversions produce in us, which are frequently the subject of the world's raillery? So great is the blindness under which it lies, that a sinner is often frightened at such conversions, and is really afraid lest the grace and mercy of God should. come and snatch him away from his pleasures and the other objects of his passions. We glorify thee, O Lord, for all thy mercies toward sinners, and we desire and implore them for ourselves. The common people readily acknowledge that miracles are the necessary proof of an extraordinary mission in the church; and learned men, puffed up with pride, refuse to acknowlege the necessity thereof, and choose rather to deliver themselves up to seducers.

17. And this rumour of him went forth throughout all Judea, and throughout all the region round about.

God changes offence or scandal into edification by the conversion of sinners. Even an outward change of life is a thing scarce ever heard of out of the true church. She alone has this privilege, because she only has the Holy Ghost, who alone can change the heart. Let us inviolably adhere to this house of mercy.

SECT. III.—JOHN'S DISCIPLES SENT TO CHRIST.—THE PRAISES OF JOHN.

18. And the disciples of John shewed him all these things.

John's humility and charity, by a holy kind of address, turn that to the advantage of his Master which, perhaps, the emulation of these disciples caused them to look upon with an evil eye. He who is ambitious of having the pre-eminence, knows how to set his own advantages in the best light, and to expose the infirmities of others. John takes the time when Christ appears with the greatest lustre, and he himself is under the lowest state of humiliation, to undeceive his disciples. Curiosity, perhaps, as well as jealousy, causes these disciples to talk of the news of what passes in the world: John takes from hence an occasion to instruct them. It is thus that we may make a good use of worldly news, when we

are either in such circumstances that we cannot well be acquainted with it, or have not virtue enough to live without it.

19. ¶ And John calling unto him two of his disciples sent them to Jesus, saying, Art thou he that should come? or look we for another?

He who is only to conduct souls to Christ ought to send all his disciples to Him, and not retain them in attendance. upon himself. That man does enough for the souls under his care who puts them in the way of addressing themselves to God and Christ as they ought, and of being attentive to his word and inspirations, to the voice of faith and to his miracles, and to the instructions, mysteries, and conduct of his life. John shows us that all the science taught in his school consisted only in disposing men to expect the deliverer. Lord, we expect and look for no other; but we expect thee in another state and condition. They expected thee as the Author of faith and righteousness; but we expect thee as He who is to be the Finisher and Crown thereof.

20. When the men were come unto him, they said, John the Baptist hath sent us unto thee, saying, Art thou he that should come? or look we for another?

How commendable is this simplicity and fidelity of these disciples, in doing and saying nothing but what was prescribed to them! It is by the way of the obedience of faith that we must go to Christ, that we must speak to him, hear him, and contemplate his wonders. They ask but one thing, because that comprehends all. It is sufficient to be once assured that it is Christ who speaks to us, that it is our Redeemer who promises us his grace, and draws us after him.

21. And in that same hour he cured many of their infirmities and plagues, and of evil spirits; and unto many that were blind he gave sight.

The language of a Christian is, to do the works of a sick man healed, and of a slave set at liberty; as that of Jesus Christ is, to perform those of a sovereign physician, and of an almighty deliverer. Lord, we know thee by this language. It is thou who must cure our infirmities and diseases, and close the wounds of our hearts. It is thou who comest to deliver us from our darkness and blindness, and from all the

remains of the evil spirit's dominion within us. Perform thy work in us, O Jesus; for nothing can hinder thee from accomplishing thy will, and working our salvation.

22. Then Jesus answering said unto them, Go your way, and tell John what things ye have seen and heard; how that the blind see, the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, to the poor the gospel is preached.

The mission of Jesus Christ is extraordinary, and therefore he proves it by his miracles. He works them upon the soul as well as the body, (1.) Enlightening the understanding. (2.) Rectifying the will. (3.) Blotting out sins. (4.) Making himself heard by the ears of the heart. (5.) Converting even the most hardened sinners, and restoring to them the life of the soul. And, (6.) Teaching his ways to the humble. We must be of the number of these poor, if we desire to have any part in the riches of faith and of the true knowledge of the gospel. Grant us, Lord, this poverty of spirit, which gives a sight to the treasure of the divine truths. Disperse the false glimmerings of human wisdom, to make way for the light of thy Holy Spirit!

23. And blessed is he, whosoever shall not be offended in me.

How corrupt is man, since he takes occasion of scandal or offence from the best things, and even from Christ himself! The sinner would willingly have such a Saviour as should comply with human passions; and would fain go to God by ways conformable to those of the world: he finds the directly contrary in Christ and his gospel, and this is what offends and keeps him at a distance from them. Religion is contrived after such a manner that every thing therein tends to make God known to the children of faith, to edify them, and unite them to Jesus Christ; and, at the same time, to offend, discourage, and keep off the wise and the lovers of the world, and to hide the truth, and even God himself, from such as have no other eyes but those of flesh and human reason. A God concealed and hid in the flesh, in infancy, humiliations, sufferings, etc., this is what exercises and nourishes the faith, and inflames the charity of the former, but increases the infidelity, and disgusts the pride of the latter.

24. ¶ And when the messengers of John were departed, he began to speak unto the people concerning John, What went ye out into the wilderness for to see? A reed shaken with the wind?

The humility of John renders him unmovable. Whoever has not this virtue, is a reed shaken with the wind.

25. But what went ye out for to see? A man clothed in soft raiment? Behold, they which are gorgeously apparelled, and live delicately, are in kings' courts.

The world is the seat of excess, sensual delights, and impenitence, and of all things which are opposite to Christianity. Happy is he who lives at a distance from it! It is not absolutely impossible to be saved therein, because with God all things are possible; but it is extremely dangerous and very toilsome to have the work of our salvation to do in a place where every thing is contrary thereto. Solitude and the court are set in opposition the one to the other by Jesus Christ. In the former piety and repentance take refuge, to be secure from the wickedness of this world; to the latter resort luxury and pleasure, in order to reign there without control.

26. But what went ye out for to see? A prophet? Yea, I say unto you, and much more than a prophet. 27. This is he of whom it is written, Behold, I send my messenger* before thy face, which shall prepare thy way before thee. ~ [* Fr. Angel.]

It is a very great sight, and most worthy of the holy curiosity of a Christian, to see a religious man disengaged from all earthly things, and devoted entirely to God and Christ. In this short description which Christ here gives of John, he draws the character of a holy pastor and of a perfect director of souls. (1.) He must, like a prophet, be illuminated of God, replenished with his word, and instructed in his ways, and in the methods of his conduct. ( (2.) He must be more than a prophet, and have somewhat more than light and knowledge in his mind. He ought to have so lively a faith, as not to see Jesus Christ only at a distance, but, as it were, even to touch him, to breathe nothing but him, to be an image of him in his whole life, and, like John, to represent him in all his actions. (3.) He must have all the qualities which the Scripture requires in a pastor, insomuch that it may seem to have spoken of him. (4.) He must be sent by a lawful call and mission. (5.) He must be as it were an angel, having

VOL. II.-2

no interest on earth but that of the church, stooping even down to the earth by his humility and zeal in the service of souls, and ascending up to heaven by his prayers and his love of heavenly things. (6.) He ought to have no other business than to prepare the way for Jesus Christ in souls, and to count all things else as nothing. (7.) He must learn, even from his function itself, that souls are to be conducted to Christ by degrees, and that this is not the business of a moment; that he is to instruct them by the word, to cleanse. them by repentance, and to keep them in the way, before he admits them to the enjoyment of Christ in the communion, which is only for those who are well prepared.

28. For I say unto you, Among those who are born of women there is not a greater prophet than John the Baptist: but he that is least in the kingdom of God is greater than he.

There is a very great difference between the saints of this life and those of the other: a greater still between such as have only gifts profitable to others, namely, gifts of prophecy, of preaching, or of directing souls; and those who are united to God by his love, in whom his grace reigns, and who are rich in Christian virtues. True greatness consists in God's living and reigning in us, and in our being obedient to his will, and our relying upon his Spirit. That which proceeds from external gifts, and such as do not sanctify of themselves, is dangerous, and to desire them is pride and presumption.

29. And all the people that heard him, and the publicans, justified God, being baptized with the baptism of John.

How happy is a man when he knows how to value as he ought the grace of repentance, and to improve the time of mercy! It is by repentance that the designs of God are accomplished, and that he is most glorified; because nothing more fully displays his goodness in giving up his own interests, his wisdom in bringing good out of sin itself, which is the greatest evil, and his almighty power in changing the heart at his pleasure, and causing men to love and embrace that which is most contrary to his inclinations. It is by the works of a true conversion, and not by bare words, that men express a sincere acknowledgment for the gift of repentance.