Vol. 2

have of Fiira,CHAPTER IX. 131and may have recourse to prayer withthe greater earnestness. He sometimes comes totheir assistance in a very surprising manner, to theend that his own hand may evidently appear, andthat they may not give that to man which is dueonly to God." 16. And he asked the scribes. What questionye with them ? 17. And one of the multitude answeredand said, Master, 1 have brought unto theemy son, which hath a dumb spirit; 18. And wheresoeverhe taketh him, he teareth him; and he foaraeth,and gnasheth with his teeth, and pineth away:and 1 spake to thy disciples that they should cast himout;and they could not."When Jesus Christ absents himself from us, weare nothing. A minister must not expect to havealways success in the conversion of sinners. Sometimesthe greatest care, application, and talents, signifynothing ; because God designs to effect thething by himself, and to make his ministers more fitfor his work, by making them more humble.Childrendiseased and possessed, are an evident proof oforiginal sin; because, under a just God, none aremiserable unless they deserve it.Bodily possessionis a consequence and emblem of that of the soul, andof the dominion which the devil exercises over theheart by means of the passions." 19. He answereth him, and saith, O faithlessgeneration ! how long shall 1 be with you ? how longshall I suffer you? Bring him unto me."Let us imitate, on occasion, the obedience andcharity of Christ, which detained him in the world,though the incredulity and contradiction thereof were