Vol. 2

!CHAPTER VIII. 441out being in the least afFected with them, and fromthe ingratitude of those who look upon them as a debt" 48. And he said unto her, Daughter, be ofgood comfort : thy faith hath made thee whole ;goin peace.")There is no inward peace, but only by the cureof our lusts ; no cure but by the grace of Christ ; andno grace but by faith, which is the first of all. Christfrequently praises faith, not with design to oppose itto good works, but to show that it is the fountain ofthem, and to take the Jews off from their confidencein the works of the law and in their own righteousness.Do thou, O Jesus, give, preserve, increase,perfect, and consummate in us this principle of truerighteousness and of every good work !thou, who artthe Author and Finisher of faith." 49. 5[ While he yet spake, there coraeth onefrom the ruler of the synagogue's house, saying tohim, Thy daughter is dead ;trouble not the Master."It is usual for faith to find itself tempted andweakened by flesh and blood, when it is at the verypoint of receiving that which it desires. Thosewhom the devil cannot ruin by a confidence in themselves,he endeavours with all his might to ruin bytaking from them their confidence in God and Christ.In losing this confidence, they lose the very soul ofprayer; and in losing that, they lose all. Let us onno account be afraid to importune God with the earnestnessof prayer : it is this importunity which herequires; in this consists the perseverance of prayer,to which every thing is promised." 50. But when Jesus heard it, he answered him,t3