Vol. 2

!24 ST. MARK.it, that one cannot have a perfect knowledge in thebusiness of salvation without being a good man." 8. And immediately when Jesus perceived inhis spirit that they so reasoned within themselves,he said unto them, Why reason ye these things inyour hearts?"A true pastoral charity bears with the weak andeven the wicked, is not discouraged at the defects ofthe one, or the malice of the other, applies itself totheir cure, and reprehends, with a spirit of meekness,even those who sin out of envy. Admirable condescension,to bestow a new miracle on those whomso many others had only blinded ! But dreadful judgment,if it serve only to blind them the more, insteadof forcing them to confess,that since he knows thethoughts of the heart, he is God, and not a blasphemer.Inconceivable delusion of the sinner ! tohide himself from man when he commits a sin,andnot to fear the eyes of him who sees the very secretsof the heart" 9. Whether is it easier to say to the sick ofthe palsy, Thy sins be forgiven thee? or to say.Arise, and take up thy bed, and walk ?"Nothing is more or less easy to him who canequally do all things; but by visible miracles hemakes known those which are invisible. O indefatigablegoodness of our Saviour ! He worksmiracles upon miracles, to overcome the incredulityof his enemies : and yet pastors will not vouchsafeto clear the doubts of a soul full of faith,nor to supportthe weakness of a scrupulous conscience.Thesole consolation of sinners is, that Jesus Christ canforgive their sins ; and it is to assure them of this