whereby it was effected. Here was no display made for the purpose of exciting admiration, no pomp of outward circumstances, but simply He spake and it was done.36 And the word spoken was not addressed to the sick person, whose spirits might seem to be revived by a word of consolation uttered in his presence; it was merely a declaration to the anxious parent, that his son was alive and well; and this was made not in the room or the house where the sick child was lying, but at a considerable distance, supposed to be fifteen miles or more from the place; so that the truth of it could not be confirmed until the following day.

Here then we have a view, not only of the mighty power of our Lord Jesus Christ, in curing a desperate disease, which no human ability and skill could have removed; but also of His omnipresence, in witnessing both the sick and the convalescent state of the child; and of His omniscience, since He knew what passed in the nobleman's house so far off, and communicated to him the intelligence of the cure that had taken place of his son's disorder, at the moment of its occurrence. That the power of our Lord Jesus Christ is almighty, we should have abundant evidence, even if this instance had not been recorded. He not only healed

36 Psalm xxxiii. 9.

the sick, when all hope of recovery was gone, but He raised the dead to life. The tempestuous waves of the sea, the wind and storm, fulfilled His word, as well as the most dangerous diseases which afflicted mankind. Such mighty power, as that which was displayed by our Lord Jesus Christ, was never exhibited by any other person. It was frequently accompanied with decisive proofs of His omnipresence and omniscience, which evinced that He was every where present, and knew all things; and it was uniformly exercised for the benefit of those who applied to Him in the time of their need and distress.

These things are written for our encouragement, that we may be led by the consideration of them to place our confidence in His almighty power. We should remember continually, that He is acquainted with all our circumstances; that there is nothing hid from His all-seeing eye. And therefore when we make our complaint to Him in the time of our need, we may be assured that He knows the truth of our statement, the cause of our sorrow, and every thing respecting it. He knows all the afflictions and troubles of His people, and His power is allsufficient for their relief from every evil which may distress them.

37 Matthew xi. 5. 38 Matthew viii. 26.

Let us then contemplate Him as ever present with us, and almighty to effect the purposes of His grace; that we may place entire confidence in Him. Let us make known to Him all our concerns. Let us consult Him in every circumstance of life, and we shall find that the more we live as under His all-seeing eye, and under the conviction of His heart-searching power; and the more we confide in His ability to bestow upon us whatever will be for our good, and to avert from us all hurtful things, the more happy shall we be. He is able to do for us exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think;39 and He will be found of them that seek Him to be willing to supply all their need. We cannot have too exalted ideas of the power of our Lord Jesus Christ, nor place too much confidence in His readiness to relieve the wants of His waiting people. His character is described to us in order that we be led to live in humble dependence upon may Him at all times; and may be happy in finding Him to be to us what His word shows Him to have been to all others who have trusted in Him. We are to consider,

Secondly, The conduct of the nobleman. His faith in the Lord Jesus Christ was remarkable in several particulars. When he had heard of

39 Ephesiaus iii. 20.

the miracles which were wrought by our blessed Saviour, he took a journey in quest of Him, being persuaded of His ability to heal the sick child, if He could but be induced to come in time to his house. He therefore went to Cana from Capernaum to present his supplication. And although the answer which he received in the first instance might somewhat have discouraged him, he did not cease from imploring the help that he needed, but his importunity to obtain the desired favour was thereby increased. And he was not importunate in vain. His petition was granted, though not in the way that he expected. By our Saviour's answer his faith was tried, while his hopes were excited. The trial, however, proved that his faith was strong. For notwithstanding it might seem to others most surprising that Jesus should know what was taking place at a distance of so many miles; when he was informed, Thy son liveth, he went home without hesitation, rejoicing that his suit had obtained the success which he desired.

It was the high commendation of this nobleman, that he believed the word that Jesus had spoken unto him. He manifested his belief by returning at once homewards with a thankful heart, as he was directed to do. And this is what all who hear the word of God are called upon to imitate. Here is an illustration of what is meant by believing. It is in the time of

affliction and trouble to take God at His word; and trust to the fulfilment of His promises, because they are made by Him who is faithful and true, who cannot lie, and will not deceive. Happy are those who seek relief from their troubles by thus having recourse to Christ, and believing in Him. Whatever be the nature of their trials, it is the privilege of the children of God to lay open all their concerns before their almighty Saviour, who seeth in secret, and whose overruling Providence ordereth all things both in heaven and earth. Every trouble, every distress, every cause of anxiety and sorrow is to be spread before Him. The Psalmist exhorts, Cast thy burden upon the Lord, and He shall sustain thee.40 Whatever be our privations, whatever our afflictions, whatever our griefs and sorrows, He can overrule all for good. He can make up for the loss of all that He has taken away. Let us only trust in Him, and all will be well. Let us in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving, make known our requests unto God, and the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep our hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.11 We are to notice Thirdly, The benefit derived by the nobleman from his application to the Lord Jesus, and the effect produced by means of the miracle wrought

40 Psalm lv. 22.

41 Philippians iv. 6, 7.