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;CHAPTER II. 25consolation, that he establishes, by all sorts of ways,this fundamental truth." 10. But that ye may know that the Son of manhath power on earth to forgive sins, (he saith to thesick of the palsy,)"If Jesus Christ in his mortal state had power toforgive sins, how great ought the confidence of a sinnerto be in him now dead for sinners, glorious inheaven, and enjoying all his rights and all his power?"11. I say unto thee, Arise, and take up thybed, and go thy way into thine house."What is sin, but a deplorable fall, a grovelling onthe earth, a repose in the creature, often followed bya universal palsy of the soul ; namely, an utter inabilityto help itself, to break off its evil habits, towalk in the ways of God, to rise,step toward him ?or to take one goodGrace can repair all in a momentbecause it is nothing else but the almighty will ofGod who commands, and does whatever he commands.When God will save a soul, the undoubtedeffect, always and every where, follows the will ofGod." 12. And immediately he arose, took up the bed,and went forth before them all; insomuch that theywere all amazed, and glorified God, saying, Wenever saw it on this fashion."Whence comes it, that we less admire the conversionof the soul, than the cure of the body, but onlyfrom the want of faith, and from the love of thepresent life, which makes us most intent and concernedabout the latter? Amazement and admirationcaused by miraculous works, and especially bythose of grace, should not be barren and withoutVol. II. B 57