The MINISTRY OF HEALING,
Or, Miracles of Cure in All Ages.
-- A. J. Gordon
Pastor of Clarendon St. Church in Boston
Second Thousand Revised 1883
Copyright 1882
CONTENTS.
I.—THE QUESTION AND ITS BEARINGS.
Have there been any miracles since the apostles ?—
Traditional answer —
Unreasonable dread of miracles —
Healing and regeneration —-
Demand of the age respecting the supernatural —
Growing sway of naturalism —
How it can be resisted. ... 1.
II.—THE TESTIMONY OF SCRIPTURE.
Christ bearing our sicknesses —
Forgiveness and healing —
Signs promised in the great commission —
Comments of Bullinger and Bengel on the same —
Promise in James —
The threefold test of perpetuity —
Lange on Anointing ... 16
III.—THE TESTIMONY OF REASON.
Archbishop Tillotson. --
"Very agreeable to reason" --
The cessation theory against analogy —
Miracles not abnormal—
Considered as signs —
The first fruits of redemption—
Miracles of healing distinguished from other miracles —
Views of Ellicott and Godet as to their continuance ... 39
IV.—THE TESTIMONY OF THE CHURCH.
Dr. Gerhard Uhlhorn's verdict on the teaching of the Fathers —
Justin Martyr, Irenaeus, Terullian, Origen, Clement —
Decline of apostolic miracles —
The age of Constantine —
Revival of miracles with revival of faith —
Doctrine of the Waldenses on miraculous healing—
The Moravians hold and practice it —
The Huguenots —
Wonderful records among the Covenanters—
Friends, Baptists and Methodists all bear witness —
Joseph Benson's story. ... 58
V.—THE TESTIMONY OF THEOLOGIANS.
Augustine —
His view defined by Trench —
He tells the story of a miracle of healing —
Luther's strong faith —
He raises Melancthon from mortal sickness—
Mycon-ius called back from the gates of death —
Baxter's strong testimony and personal experience —
Bengel pronounces for modern miracles —
Edward Irving's views —
Thomas Erskine's doctrine and proof—
Bush-nell, "miracles and supernatural gifts not discontinued "—
Other witnesses. ... 87
VI.—THE TESTIMONY OF MISSIONS.
Importance of evidence from this field —
Argument of Prof. Christlieb —
His strong endorsement of missionary miracles —
Instances cited by him —
Testimony of Grotius—
Witness of missionaries themselves—
Preaching the gospel with signs following —
A commentator's prayer. ... 116
VII.—THE TESTIMONY OF THE ADVERSARY.
False miracles a witness to the true.—
Antichrist and his lying wonders —
Spiritualism and Necromancy —
The spurious should not prejudice us against the genuine —
Christlieb on miracles in the last days —
Erskine on Satan's use of the church's denial —
Caution and watchfulness required. ... 131
VIII.—THE TESTIMONY OF EXPERIENCE.
Some who have practiced the ministry of healing —
Dorothea Trudel — Her remarkable consecration, and power in prayer—
Her persecutions and triumphs —
Home for healing at Mannedorf—
Samuel Zeller her successor—
Pastor Blumhardt —
His devoted life—
Striking instance of cure and its effect —
Pastor Stockmayer —
His exposition of the doctrine of sickness and healing—
Pastor Rein —
His saintly character and apostolic works —
Lord Radstock's views —
Dr. Cullis and his work of faith in Boston. ... ... 144
IX.—THE TESTIMONY OF THE HEALED.
" One thing I know " — Value of experience —
Story of Miss Fancourt's healing —
Her venerable father's confirmation —
Evil entreated — A cripple healed —
Comment of Rev. Morgan Edwards —
The Doctor's story —
Broken arm restored —
Miss Jennie Smith —
The all night prayer meeting —
The victory of faith —
Reflections. ... 174
X.—THE VERDICT OF CANDOR.
Jellet on miracles —
False theory of sickness—
Healing rare because faith is rare —
God's sovereignty not to be contravened —
Value of testimony cited —
Danger of denying the supernatural —
Unbelief of our time —
Effect of miracles of healing on their subjects. ... 195
XI—THE VERDICT OF CAUTION.
Too much not to be demanded of the church of to-day —
Heresy to be avoided — Dangers of fanaticism —
Need of study and quietness —
Prof. Godet —
The true secret of knowledge —
A memorable instance of national prayer —
Caution against dogmatism and pride. ... 209
XII—THE CONCLUSION.
The prayer of faith a great attainment —
Coleridge's testimony —
How reached —
Three conditions —
Communion, obedience, submission —
Thy will be done —
Words to the sick. ... 224
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