A funeral sermon for Mrs. Esther Sampson the late wife of Henry Sampson, Dr.…

Therefore miracles were to be done, as rarities, sometimes, not at all times, and at such a time, and upon such an occasion most of all, to notify, and signalize the Redeemer, at his first appearance, to draw mens eyes upon him, that they might take notice of him, and demean themselves towards him accordingly. This was to be done sufficiently once for all. And the great stupidity of the world made a matter which needed some supernatural evidence, need so much in that kind. Except you see signs and wonders, you will not believe. And if he did so far comply with the necessity of degenerate humanity, as to give once some signal convictive evidence that he was the Christ, the divine Wisdom would take care it should not be so often done, as to become trivial, and insignificant to it's proper end; the importance whereof was such, as that it ought to transcend any regard to the welfare of mens bodies; but not to exclude it; which we now come briefly to show in the next place. viz.

Therefore miracles were to be done, as rarities, sometimes, not at all times, and at such a time, and upon such an occasion most of all, to notifie, and signalize the Redeemer, at his first appearance, to draw mens eyes upon him, that they might take notice of him, and demean themselves towards him accordingly. This was to be done sufficiently once for all. And the great stupidity of the world made a matter which needed some supernatural evidence, need so much in that kind. Except you see signs and wonders, you will not believe. And if he did so far comply with the necessity of degenerate humanity, as to give once some signal convictive evidence that he was the Christ, the divine Wisdom would take care it should not be so often done, as to become trivial, and insignificant to it's proper end; the importance whereof was such, as that it ought to transcend any regard to the welfare of mens bodies; but not to exclude it; which we now come briefly to shew in the next place. viz.

2. That tho' compassion towards an infirm creature, under bodily distemper, was not the principal inducement unto this cure, it was a real one. Our Lord doth really compassionate the frailties of those that relate to him, while they dwell in mortal flesh. He himself bears our sicknesses. He has a tenderness towards them, even while he doth not think it fit actually to release, and set them free; which makes way to what was proposed in the last place to be insisted on, as preparatory to the intended use.