tained the approbation of God, and were blessed; or be amongst the number of those who disregard his command, and whose treasures corrupt, and prove a curse rather than a blessing to their possessors. 27 SERMON II. MATT. xi. 5. The blind receive their sight, and the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, and the deaf hear, the dead are raised up, and the poor have the gospel preached to them. It was foretold by the prophets who preceded the gospel dispensation, that the miracles which are related in the verse from which our text is taken, should characterize the gospel times; thus, in the 29th chapter of Isaiah, the 18th verse, we read, "In that day shall the deaf hear the words of the book, and the eyes of the blind shall see out of obscurity, and out of darkness. The meek, also, shall increase their joy in the Lord, and the poor among men shall rejoice in the Holy |