THIS was a doctrine which the Lord Jesus taught to his twelve apostles; yet He had frequently to lament the want of faith in some, and its weakness in others. O my soul! think what virtue and power are contained in a true and living faith in the Lord. The miraculous cures which the merciful Saviour wrought for the benefit of the afflicted, were chiefly in accordance with the nature of the faith and confidence which the applicants had in Him. The woman who had an issue of blood twelve years, came and pressed through the crowd to touch the garments of Jesus, saying within herself, "If I may touch but his clothes I shall be whole." She persevered, and came in the press behind and touched his garments. She instantly felt the healing virtue of Jesus! She was whole! and the Lord addressed her with, "Daughter, thy faith hath made thee whole; go in peace, and be whole of thy plague." (Mark v. 28-34.) Blind Bartimeus implored the Saviour to have mercy on him: and Jesus said unto him, "What wilt thou that I should do unto thee?" "Lord, that I might receive my sight." Jesus, who knew the state of this poor sufferer, replied, "Go thy way, thy faith hath made thee whole. And immediately he received his sight, and followed Jesus in the way." (Mark x. 46-52.) The leper had a firm faith and confidence in the power of Jesus, when he worshipped Him and said, "Lord, if thou
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