This chapter hath been reckoned by some worthy and good christians, as the miraculous scripture, having contained in it, the most wonderful acts of clemency and mercy, the greatest display of divine love and tenderness that could possibly be possessed, and as such I have chosen my text, as our blessed Lord and Master, found it necessary to exhibit wonders and perform miracles as you may all observe in this place, rather than so many souls should be lost, let me compare the present situation of sinful men, in these our more improved and enlightened days, that although, the greatest: rewards and punishments, are held out to mankind, the former as an incitement and encouragement and exhortation to every good work, and the latter as a terror to every evil and wicked one; yet the wicked must cry out and say, Lord, save us, we perish, remembering the blessed Jesus, hath born all our infirmities, yet we have a resting place, a rock of defence, in time of trouble to flee unto, we are not as our blessed Saviour described he was, when he said unto his disciples, the foxes have holes, and the birds of the air have nests, but the son of man hath not where to lay his head. I will add a few observations on our blessed Saviour’s manner of teaching, before I shew the great necessity of all sinners, becoming truly penitent, lest they perish, and that is first, his manner was grave and serious, pious and ardent, plain and profitable; brevity without obscureness, gravity without affectation, eloquence without meretricious ornament, such was the great power and influence of Christ’s doctrine, that it made all that heard him admirers and believers, and caused great astonishment in their minds and reformation in their manners and had every reason to confirm these words of scripture, we verily believe him to be the son of God, for never knew we any spake, and act, as he hath done; and it came to pass, when Jesus had ended these sayings, the people were astonished at his doctrine, for he taught them as one having authority; his authority was the best, his religion was the purest, it breathed forth charity and love, his love, was visibly displayed to the whole human race, that their souls might be saved, his charity was exhibited in covering a multitude of sins, and healing all the infirmities human nature endures; even the leper was cleansed of his spots, the paralytic received strength, who had been grievously tormented, and Peter’s mother in law had been cured of a fever on a sudden, which miracles are particularly described in a preceding chapter.