subjects of sorrow, we may follow his conduct, and be especially kind to the widow; for none need our commiseration and attention more than the bereaved female. Here the Saviour showed his power over death, by delivering one from his hands. Since then he has conquered death, by rising from the grave by his omnipotent power; and there is a day coming when he will bid all the dead arise and come to judgment. O that it may be our lot then to be raised to everlasting happiness. Lo! in this forlorn condition, When he came to set me free; THE EVIL SPIRITS CAST OUT. Lo! the poor maniac, possess'd, WE have already contemplated the power that Christ exercised over disease; he could remove it at pleasure; and we have also beheld death itself surrendering its prey to him. Here we see him exercising his authority over the powers of darkness, and making the devil to flee before him. It appears there was a man possessed with an unclean spirit, who lived among the tombs, whom no one could bind; for though he had been often bound, yet he broke the chains, and was continually crying and cutting himself with stones. Matt. viii. and Luke viii.) What a lamentable state for a poor creature to be Р (See in! The devil had got possession of his body and mind, and made him truly wretched. In our days Satan does not seem to be often allowed to exercise such power over the bodies of men; but alas! he has entire control in the will and affections of very many; there he reigns with a powerful sway, and leads his unhappy subjects captive at his will; plunging them into every wretchedness, and but for divine grace will plunge them into eternal woe. Well does it become us daily to cry for grace to withstand the wiles of Satan, and that we may be kept from his power. When Jesus saw this poor object of misery, he bade the evil spirits come out, and they obeyed, for they could not withstand the command of the Son of God. This wretched man had often been bound |