carried their sick friend to Christ. Their faith was plainly shewn by their conduct. It must have been a full conviction, that there were no other means of getting him cured so effectually; and an entire confidence that Jesus both could and would do what they asked. If they had not felt all this, they would have been discouraged by the difficulties in their way, and they would hardly have ventured upon the bold step which they took. But, under such a belief, every hindrance was overcome; and they found that Jesus did for them more than they asked, or could have thought of asking. (Eph. iii. 20, 21.) Although Jesus is no longer to be seen on the earth, as he was at that time, yet he is always near us, by his Spirit; and is ready to satisfy those who come to him in spirit, by granting them blessings as large and unlooked for as he did upon this occasion. But the faith with which we now endeavour to come to him spiritually, must be of the same kind as that of the four men here spoken of. It must be plainly seen by our conduct-it must be a full conviction that we cannot obtain what we want, except from Christ-it must be an entire confidence in his power and his love and it must be strong enough to overcome every difficulty rather than give up the great object of receiving His blessing.

QUESTIONS.

Is my faith like the faith of these men?

Have I reason to

think that I am earnestly set upon coming to Christ?

What difficulties have I overcome fo: the love of Christ? Or, have the hindrances in my christian course made me give up my first religious desires and impressions?

2. We should remark (for it is distinctly stated in this Scripture) that Jesus forgave the sins of the palsied man, upon seeing the faith of his friends.

We need not suppose that the affection and the faith in the hearts of these friends induced our Lord to do what he would not otherwise have done: but we are warranted to believe, from this passage of Scripture, together with others (1 John v. 16. Eph. vi. 18, 19. James v. 16. Acts xii. 5, 11, 12. Dan. ix. 20-23. Job. i. 5; xlii. 8-10.), that God does make use of the particular affections of his faithful people, as the means of bringing to Christ those whose sins He forgives: and it is one of the most merciful parts of the blessed Gospel of Christ, that he is thus pleased to make use of our hearts in a manner so suited to our natural affections. One of the reasous why so many people continue under the influence of the dreadful disease of sin, is because their christian friends have so little of that bold and persevering faith, of which we have here given us an example. Such a faith would lead us to be more frequent and earnest in bringing before Christ in prayer those friends who have no power to pray to Him themselves; and it would make us more patient and persevering in speaking to them of that Saviour whom they are prevented from seeing, by the crowd of worldly and sinful thoughts, which keep out of their minds any serious thoughts about their salvation.

QUESTIONS.

Are there any persons for whom I am in the habit of praying? Do I especially pray for those of my friends, who I think are hindered from coming to Christ themselves?

Am I particular and earnest in these prayers? or, do I only pray for my friends in a general and cold manner?

Am I encouraged by the promises which are made in Scripture to those who pray for others?

3. In healing this man, our Lord was pleased to declare that such miracles ought to have the effect

of making us clearly understand that he possessed the divine power of forgiving sins. We have many such miracles written for our learning: and these must make us inexcusable, if we doubt Christ's power and willingness to forgive our own sins; or if we neglect to take advantage of his mercy offered in the Gospel. Instances of greater power, than that of curing the palsy by a word, may very frequently be seen in our own days. Many open and profane sinners, who have lived in shameless wickedness, have been led by the Spirit of Christ, under the teaching of the Gospel, entirely to forsake their evil ways; and to live in a manner, which glorifies God as plainly as the palsied man praised him with his lips. When we see such a divine power exercised through the Spirit of Christ's religion, it should bring this miracle to our minds, and lead us to glorify him for the forgiveness of our sins.

QUESTIONS.

Do I sincerely believe that Christ Jesus has the power entirely and freely to forgive sin?

Am I encouraged by this belief fully to trust in him for the forgiveness of my own sins?

Am I living so as to glorify God, as a sinner should do who has been freely forgiven?

VII. HEADS FOR PRAYER.

1. Pray that your faith may be strengthened, so that no diffi culties may hinder you from having a continual intercourse in prayer with Christ.

2. Pray to have a lively interest in the spiritual welfare of your friends, and a more earnest spirit of prayer on their behalf. 3. Pray for a firm belief in the divine power of Christ, to forgive sins; and for a comfortable and Scriptural conviction that your own sins are forgiven.

4. Ask for grace to live in such a manner as will shew to ourself and others that you do praise God for the forgiveness f your sins.

VIII. THE PRAYER.

[1]0 Almighty Saviour, the author and finisher of our faith, teach me to believe thy gracious Word: increase and strengthen this faith in me, so that I may never think any thing too hard to do, in order that I may come to Thee: let no difficulties turn me from the way which leadeth to Thee, but enable me to overcome every hindrance, and continue in constant communion with Thee. [2] Increase my love for those amongst whom I dwell; and direct that love to seek their spiritual welfare. Teach me how great a privilege it is to be permitted to pray for those whom I love; and give me a more earnest spirit of prayer for them. [3] I know, O my Lord and Saviour, that thou canst forgive sin: Lord, I believe, help thou mine unbelief; confort me with a sure hope and trust that thou hast forgiven my sins, though more in number than the hairs of my head. [4] I know how needful it is, that they whose sins are thus pardoned, should shew their thankfulness for this Thy mercy, not only with their lips, but in their lives: help me Lord, by thy Holy Spirit, that in my life and conversation I may glorify Thee, as one whose sins are forgiven. Amen.

Our Father, &c.

FORTY-SIXTH PORTION.

I. BEGINNING PRAYER.

MAY GOD, for the sake of JESUS CHRIST, give me the HOLY SPIRIT, that I may understand this portion of his Holy Word, and that I may profit by it. Amen.

II. THE SCRIPTURES.

Read St. Matthew's Gospel, chapter ix. verse 9 ; St. Mark's Gospel, chapter ii. verses 13 to 22; and St. Luke's Gospel, chapter v. verses 27 to 39.

II. THE MEANINGS:

or sense in which some words are used in this portion. Matthew ix. verse

Our Lord was in the habit of walking by the sea side, and after the circumstances explained in the last portion, he went there as usual. All the people knowing that this was his custom, assembled there to meet him, and he preached to them.