Vol. 2

:temporal.CHAPTER VII. 107We do not see upon what account Christleaves one country to pass into another: the reasonshereof are hidden in the secret desixrns of God,-One advantage which Christ draws from it is, toshow us that he is absolute master of his own gifts,and that he owes us nothing, to keep men under theapprehension of losing him, and to induce them toprofit by his word and benefits while they enjoy him." 32. And they bring unto him one that was deaf,and had an impediment in his speech; and they beseechhim to put his hand upon him."Human nature was incapable of hearing the doctrineof salvation, and of acknowledging its own misery,when the Son of God came to seek it : and everysinner left to himself has this double inability insome degree. A man is deaf and dumb, when herefuses to hear the truth, to be attentive to it, and toobey it. Deplorable deafness this, which is voluntary,and of which a man is unwilling to be curedfor as soon as ever he is willing, and humbly begs aremedy, he is no longer either deaf or dumb. Thecharity of the church supplies the sinner's impotencyby her prayers and sighs; and her authority, denotedhere by the imposition of hands, applies those gracesto him which her charity has obtained.**33. And he took him aside from the multitude,and put his fingers into his ears, and he spit, andtouched his tongue;"How great is the mercy shown towards a sinner,when God chooses him out of a multitude of others,on purpose to give him faith, and the grace to confesshis name ! Nothing but the merits, word, andgrace of him who is both God and man, can open our