Vol. 2

CHAPTER VI. 375" 8. But he knew their thoughts, and said to theman which had the withered hand, Rise up, andstand forth in the midst. And he arose, and stoodforth."What pleasure would a revengeful person take,in being able to discover the criminal thoughts whichhis enemy hatches in his mind ? But how very differentan example does our divine Pattern give uson this occasion !Docility and obedience are the firstdispositions of a sinner, who desires to be cured.is to the church, which has the ministry of spiritualhealing, that we must be obedient; it is to her thatwe must discover our disease." 9. Then said Jesus unto them, I will ask youone thing; Is it lawful on the sabbath-days to dogood, or to do evil? to save life, or to destroy it?"Days dedicated to the worship of God, and to thecommemoration of his benefits, cannot possibly behallowed better, than by performing all sorts of goodworks, and abstaining from all such as are evil. Bya wise and charitable question, Jesus confounds theseobstinate sinners, without discovering the bad dispositionof their heart: how much rather ought weto conceal that of the weak, and to spare their reputation,modesty, and infirmity, before men ?ItChristdoes not content himself with confounding his adversariesin secret ; but he instructs them with humility,and edifies them." 10. And looking round about upon them all, hesaid unto the man. Stretch forth thy hand. And hedid so: and his hand was restored whole as theother."The envy of some enemies ought not to hinder us