accompanied with three conditions, which are requisite to every good prayer. 1. They were humble, for "they stood afar off." 2. They prayed with unanimity and fervor, " they lifted up their voice." Earnest and fervent prayer is pleasing to God; hence holy David says: "when I cried to Him, He heard me." (Ps. xxi. 18.) 3. They did not pray that he would restore them to health, but that "He would have mercy on them," thus with resignation leaving the whole affair in the hands of God. Imitate them in your prayers.
II. " When He saw them, He said, Go show yourselves to the priests." Christ might have cured them in an instant, but He wished to try their obedience and to impress on His followers a respect for the priesthood, and the observances of the law. He wished moreover to teach us, that- we ought to repair to the priests and unfold ourselves to them, as often as we are struck with the leprosy of sin. Do not dare to pass a night in this state of spiritual leprosy, for what would be the consequence, if during that night, God called your soul to appear before Him? Your leprosy would attach to you for all eternity.
III. "It came to pass, as they went, they were made clean." Ponder their prompt obedience, and its fruit. So it often happens to those who are laboring under some temptation; while they are going to manifest themselves to their ghostly Father, they are freed and the enemy has fled. So also, many, who are preparing for confession, are justified beforehand by Almighty God, who gives them perfect contrition. "I said," cries out the prophet, " I will confess against myself my injustice to the Lord, and Thou hast forgiven the wickedness of my sin." (Ps. xxxi. 5.)
