Two discourses concerning the Holy Spirit, and His work the one, Of the Spirit…

Surely he hath born our Griefs, and carried our Sorrows: Which is afterwards interpreted, By being wounded for our Transgressions, and being bruised for our Iniquities, Ver. 5. As also by Peter, by his bearing our Sins in his own Body on the Tree: 1 Pet. 2. 24. is applied by Matthew unto the curing of Diseases and Sicknesses, Mat. 8. 16, 17. Now this was for no other Reason, but because this Healing of Diseases was a Sign and Effect of his bearing our Sins, the Causes of them, without a Supposition whereof healing would have been a false Witness unto Men. It was therefore on these Accounts a Sign unto Believers also.

(§ 16.) 2ly. Because it had a peculiar Goodness, Relief and Benignity towards Mankind in it, which other miraculous Operations had not; at least, not unto the same Degree. Indeed this was one great Difference between the miraculous Operations that were wrought under the Old Testament, and those under the New; that the former generally consisted in dreadful and tremendous Works, bringing Astonishment, and oft-times Ruin to Mankind; but those other were generally Useful and Beneficial unto all. But this of Healing had a peculiar Evidence of Love, Kindness, Compassion, ⟨p. 181⟩Benignity, and was suited greatly to affect the Minds of Men with Regard and Gratitude. For long afflictive Distempers or Violent Pains, such as were the Diseases cured by this Gift, do prepare the Minds of Men, and those concerned in them, greatly to value their Deliverance. This therefore in an especial manner declared and evidenced the Goodness, Love and Compassion of him that was the Author of this Gospel, and gave this Sign of Healing Spiritual Diseases by healing of Bodily Distempers. And doubtless, many who were made Partakers of the Benefit hereof, were greatly affected with it; and that not only by Walking, and Leaping, and Praising God, as the Cripple did who was cured by Peter and John, Acts 3. 8