Vol. 2

360 ST. LUKE.grace, no human will resists him. That which heperforms by himself" on this leper, he does in all agesby the ministry of his church. It is the hand indeedof the priest which is stretched forth upon the humbledsinner, it is his voice which is heard ; but it isthe will and power of Christ which makes the sinnerclean." 14. And he charged him to tell no man : butgo, and show thyself to the priest,and offer for thycleansing, according as Moses commanded, for a testimonyunto them."Not to shun applause in performing good works,and chiefly in serving souls, is to expose our wealthand treasure to robbers.What blessing soever Godis pleased to give to the extraordinary and subsidiarylabourers of the church in the direction of souls, theyought to imitate Christ, in still inspiring them witha submission to ordinary pastors. We follow theappointment of God, when we do nothing but withregard to them. Miracles are for the edification ofsome, and the condemnation of others. Nothingever was more wise, more exact, more submissive toGod and the church, and more peaceable with respectto men, than the conduct of Christ. They who willnot imitate it,are not worthy to serve souls.*'15. But so much the more went there a fameabroad of him :and great multitudes came togetherto hear, and to be healed by him of their infirmities.16. H And he withdrew himself into the wilderness,and prayed."It is sometimes necessary, after the example ofChrist, to prefer retirement and prayer to the exerciseof charity, when the objects of it crowd upon us