And Jesus, immediately knowing, &c.— It was for the reasons alleged in the last note, that Jesus would by no means allow the opinion which this woman entertained of his power and goodness to pass silent and unapplauded: therefore he immediately turned about in the crowd, and asked who it was that had touched his clothes. He knew the person, for he knew all things; and no virtue or miraculous cure could be derived from him, unless by his own consent; but he spake in this manner, that the woman might, of her own accord, make a confession of the whole matter, by which the strength of her faith and the greatness of her cure would appear, tothe glory of God; and that he might have an opportunity to instruct and comfort her. Accordingly, when the persons nearest to him cleared themselves, and Jesus insisted upon knowing who it was that had done the thing, the woman, finding it impossible to conceal herself any longer, came to him, trembling, and told him all. Perhaps the uncleanness of her distemper was the reason of her fear, thinking that he would be offended with her for touching him: but the divine Physician, far from being angry, spake kindly to her, commending the honesty of her disposition, and the strength of her faith; and telling her that it was on account of her faith he had consented to make her whole. This incidental miracle appears very grand, when the relation which it bears to the principal one is considered. Jesus is going to give a specimen of that Almighty Power, by which the resurrection of allmen to immortality shall be effected at the last day; and behold, virtue little inferior to that which is capable of raising the dead to life, issues from him through his garment, and heals a very obstinate disease, which, having baffled the power of medicine for twelve years, had remained absolutely incurable, till the presence of Jesus, who is the resurrection and the life, chased it away! The cure, though complete, was performed in an instant, and the woman knew it by the immediate easewhich she felt, by the return of her strength, by the cheerfulness of her spirits, and by all the other agreeable sensations which accompany sudden changes from painful diseases to perfect health. St. Mark expresses this shortly and elegantly; εγνω τω σωματι, she felt in her body. See the learned and excellent Ader's 12th Enarration, in his Treatise on Scripture Diseases. We may render the last words of Mark 5:34. Thy faith hath made thee well, or hath cured thee; go in peace, and be healed of thy trouble.

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