"diseases of our souls may be healed, through "Jesus Christ our Lord."

In this prayer moral disease is supposed to be epidemic; for we are all taught to implore a cure. This supposition corresponds with the general confession which is made by all the members of our church, that "there is no health "in us."

The church of Christ on earth is a hospital or infirmary, into which diseased souls are admitted by baptism for the purpose of obtaining a cure of their spiritual maladies. Many who are thus admitted derive no benefit from the charitable institution, in consequence of their refusal to take the medicine which is prescribed, and to comply with the rules of the house. Many of these are in a comatose or delirious state, and, of consequence, are unconscious of the nature of the place wherein they reside, and of the end proposed by their admission; and not a few give evidence of the awful effects which moral disease has produced on their understandings, by eulogizing the pleasures of their mansion, not under the notion of a hospital, but as a permanent abode in which they wish to continue, while their fellow-sufferers rend the air with groans of anguish. Some, however, among the numerous patients, are sensible of their diseases, know the gracious design of their reception into the church of Christ, and pray that "all the diseases of their souls may be "healed" by "the wholesome medicines" which are administered to them, and with this view submit thankfully to the rules which are given for their conduct.

There is an analogy between the diseases of the body and those of the soul. The various

cures which our Lord wrought on the bodies of men during His abode on earth, are specimens and representations of the more stupendous miracles which He performs for the salvation of men's souls. The blind, the deaf, the dumb, the lame, the lepers, the paralytics, &c. whom He healed of their various infirmities, were, in their outward condition, what we all are spiritually; only it is to be observed, that our souls. are afflicted not with a single disease only, but with all those calamities at once. Ours is a complicated case. There is not perhaps a bodily complaint that can be named, with which some disorder of our souls may not be found to correspond. Symptoms of lethargy, asthma, dropsy, &c. &c. are combined in every fallen soul.

The health of the body consists in the vigour of its several constituent parts for the performance of their proper functions. And the same definition may be given of spiritual health. When the faculties of the soul fully answer the end for which they were created, it may be pronounced to be in a state of convalescence. What then was the end for which the rational soul was created? Was it not for the enjoyment of God and the glorification of His name? Let us feel then our spiritual pulse. Let us scrutinize the tendency of our affections, whether God be their object or not, and whether they beat with regularity and vigour. Do we respire freely and without obstruction the breath of Divine life, inhaling the gracious influence of the Holy Ghost, and exhaling gratitude, love, and praise, without difficulty or labour? Can we engage in spiritual exercises at all times without reluctance, and continue in them without lassitude?

Is our appetite for the bread of eternal life uniformly keen? Do we with facility digest it, and are we duly nourished by it? These and such like inquiries will determine the state of our souls, whether they be sickly or in health. And surely they will prove, that "there is no "health in us."

The dreadful nature of that spiritual disease, or rather of that complication of diseases, under which all mankind labour, is apparent from many considerations. It is not indeed felt by all, because in many cases it has produced stupefaction or delirium. But when, in the progress of the cure, sensibility is restored, the pain which is felt, and the bitter complaints which are uttered by the patients, (see Rom. vii. 24) sufficiently shew its dreadful nature. The rapidity of its progress towards its crisis, (which is certain death, unless the specific remedy be administered to check its progress) and the costly nature of that remedy, together with the manner in which it was prepared for use, testify the same.

The doctrine of the Gospel is compared in our collect to medicine. For as the latter, through the blessing of God, is the means of restoring health to the body under the pressure of disease, so does the former to the sin-sick soul. Hence, in the language of Scripture, those who undertake to administer spiritual advice and consolation, are called physicians, (Job xiii. 4. Jer. viii. 22) and our Lord has exhibited Himself under this character. (Matth. ix. 12.) The goodness of God in providing remedies for the relief or cure of our corporeal maladies in so great a variety of forms, in both the vegetable and mineral kingdoms, is very admirable. But the medicines provided for the soul demand higher wonder, love, and praise;

as its diseases are more terrible than those of the body, their consequences more fatal, and their cure more difficult.

The doctrine of the gospel is compared to "medicines" in the plural number; because, though the medicine is but one, it is exhibited under a great variety of forms, and has infinite virtue, being applicable to all the innumerable and complex symptoms of every patient's case. It will soften a callous heart, and heal one that is broken. The fever of ambition, the dropsy of covetousness, the flatulency of pride, the gangrene of envy, the atrophy of unbelief-these, and all other mental disorders, are provided for in the dispensatory of the gospel.

These medicines, provided at the cost of the great Physician, and freely dispensed without money and without price to all who feel their need of them, were compounded and prepared for our use by the "physician of the soul St. "Luke," who was Divinely called to this office, and inspired with ability to fulfil it. If it be asked, What is St. Luke's doctrine of which our collect speaks? 'the answer is easy: There is a perfect correspondence in the mode of practice adopted among the inspired physicians of the soul. For their doctrine is not theirs, but His "who sent them." The prescription of one who was consulted in a very dangerous case by a sick patient at Philippi, is the prescription of all the rest: Believe in the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou "shalt be saved." The atoning blood of Christ is the panacea, the universal medicine. St. Luke therefore" determined," in unison with his brethren in the college of Apostles, "to know no"thing" among his patients "but Jesus Christ

"and Him crucified." The doctrine of salvation by grace is the only medicine of the soul; and it is a safe, efficacious, and infallible remedy. In our present collect we pray "that by the "wholesome medicines of the doctrine delivered by St. Luke, all the diseases of our souls may "be healed." Important petition! But are we sincere in the use of it? Do our hearts concur with our lips? Are we earnestly desirous of a cure? Do we painfully feel our diseases, and long for relief from them? Do we not only long for pardon, but also for sanctification? Holiness is spiritual health; depravity is moral sickness. Do we wish not only to be freed from some of the more troublesome symptoms, but from them all-to be enabled to love the Lord our God with all our minds, souls and strength, and to serve Him with unceasing vigour, and in the constant employment of all our faculties? If these be indeed the prevailing desires of our souls, they will discover themselves by the use which we make of the remedy prescribed.

It appears to be a strange question, which our Lord addressed to the impotent man at the pool of Bethesda, "Wilt thou be made whole?" (John v. 6.) Could the wretch who had laboured under infirmity for thirty and eight years, hesitate a moment about the acceptance of relief? Certain however it is that the same question, addressed to sinners with relation to spiritual infirmities, is not always answered in a decisively affirmative tone. Oh no! many are insensible of their malady, nay, are in love with it, and have no desire to be healed. The same question is proposed to us. It is a most gracious proposal; but it is also one of a most searching