Mark 16:17-20

And these signs shall follow them that believe Bengelius subjoins, “That believe with that very faith mentioned in the preceding verse.” (Though it is certain a man may work miracles and not have saving faith, Matthew 7:22.) “It was not one faith by which Paul was saved; another, by which he wrought miracles. Even at this day, in every believer, faith has a latent miraculous power: (every effect of prayer being really miraculous:) although in many, because of their littleness of faith, and because the world is unworthy, that power is not exerted. Miracles in the beginning were helps to faith; now also they are the objects of it. At Leonberg, a town in Wirtemberg, in the memory of our fathers, a cripple, that could hardly move with crutches, while the dean was preaching on this very text, was in a moment made whole.” See note on Mark 11:22; where many similar instances are referred to; the number of which might easily be increased on the most certain evidence. Shall follow them that believe The gospel word, and faith therein, must precede, and then the signs shall follow. In my name they shall cast out devils, &c. That is, by my authority committed to them, and by my power attending them. Raising the dead is not mentioned here; so our Lord performed even more than he promised. If they drink any deadly thing But not by their own choice: God never calls us to try any such experiment; it shall not hurt them. They shall lay their hands on the sick, and they shall recover Immediately, without the use of any further means. Such was the purport of our Lord's discourses with his disciples till his ascension, as is more largely related by Luke and John. And after he had spoken unto them In this and a similar manner, time after time, for forty days; he was received up into heaven While they were steadfastly beholding him; and sat on the right hand of God That is, was invested with the highest dignity and authority, there to reign in all the glory of his mediatorial kingdom: And they went forth and preached everywhere Through all parts of the Roman empire, and even to divers barbarous nations, and that with amazing success; the Lord working with them, according to his promise, and confirming the word with signs following Which were at once the most solid, as well as the most obvious and popular demonstration of those divine truths which they delivered. Amen So may the presence of the Lord be always with his faithful ministers! and may his gospel be attended everywhere with success, as well as with convincing evidences of its divine authority!