Mark 5

REFLECTIONS UPON CHAP. V.—Dreadful is the case of natural men, who are filled with and governed by devils. Cruelly they tyrannize over their vassals, and furiously work in them, so that no restraints of human laws, solemn vows, awful or engaging providences, nor even common operations of the Holy Ghost, can in the least avail! But great is the mercy that Christ’s compassion is infinitely greater than Satan’s implacable malice, and his saving power infinitely superior to all his fury: and when he casts out the unclean spirit, he puts a new heart and a right spirit within us. In the most fearful forms he sometimes punishes worldlings by the hand of their own master, for the manifestation of his own justice and grace. And great is their folly and wickedness who prefer their secular interests to Jesus Christ and his salvation, and, from inordinate love to the world, desire him to depart from them. If he take them at their word, how dismal is the consequence! But, if some reject him, he will make others ready to receive him. And no distance, no filthiness, no shame, no fear, no discouragement, no derision, no death, shall hinder their health, their comfort, their life, who apply to him; while vain, and even hurtful, are all other means of relief, when used without due subordination to him. Even saints are ready to tremble when they ought to triumph: for Jesus often, by voluntary delays, lets the case, even of his most earnest supplicants, become apparently desperate before he grants relief. And justly he excludes scoffers from the means of their conviction. But, if his mighty works must sometimes be only the subjects of private adoration and praise, cheerfully ought we to proclaim them, when it is most seasonable, and subservient to his and his Father’s glory and the benefit of mankind. 3