Vol. 2

;CHAPTER V. 359The former are a voice, which speaks to the senses;there must also be one, which may speak to the heart.I ought to render thanks to thee, O Lord, for themiracles recorded here, since it was by means of thesethat thou first gavest us apostles, and drewest afterthee the fathers of our faith.Sect. II.— The Leper. Itetirement and Prayer," 12. 51 And it came to pass, when he was in acertain city, behold a man full of leprosy; who, seeingJesus, fell on his face,and besought him, saying,Lord, if thou wilt, thou canst make me clean."A prayer, humble and full of faith, is necessaryin order to obtain the cure of the leprosy of sin.True faith speaks little, but sighs much. He whois sensible of his own unworthiness, is extremely willingto depend upon the pure bounty of God.confusion of a sinner,Theat the sight of him whom hehas ofiended, hinders him from lifting up his eyestowards him, and makes him hide his face in the dustbut trust and confidence causes him to pray.Howuniversal soever the corruption of a heart, full ofthe leprosy of sin, may be; yet it cannot be incurableto him who is the universal physician, the plenitudeof holiness, and the Almighty.No, Lord, Iwill never despair but of myself, and I will eternallyhope in thee, notwithstanding the number of mysins, and the deepness of my wounds." 13. And he put forth his hand, and touchedhim, saying, I will; be thou clean. And immediatelythe leprosy departed from him."When it is the will of God to save a soul, and hetouches it powerfully with the internal hand of his