THE

GOSPEL MIRACLES;

IN A SERIES OF

POETICAL SKETCHES:

WITH

ILLUSTRATIVE CONVERSATIONS.

BY

RICHARD MANT, D.D. M.R.I.A.

LORD BISHOP OF DOWN AND CONNOR.

LONDON:

GILBERT AND RIVINGTON, PRINTERS,

ST. JOHN'S SQUARE.

TO E. M.

THIS little book, meet inmate of thy bower,
Accept, a husband's gift, beloved wife!

It wooes the mind to scan the SAVIOUR'S life;
And, if He will, may haply have the power

To cheer a sad, or soothe a restless, hour;

To smooth with oil, from Salem's mountains brought,

The rising billows of o'er-anxious thought,

And light with rainbow hues the darkling shower.
Peace be within thy dwelling! Who, as thou,

May claim for comfort all my feeble aid?

For thrice nine years affection's mutual vow
Hath thee my heart's and life's companion made :
Once dear in health and youth; but dearer now,
When youth hath waned, and health begun to fade!
R. D. & C.

December 22, 1831.

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PREFACE.

Of the following "Conversations," the first explains the Author's views in this little volume. Those which succeed are intended to be illustrative of the "Poetical Sketches," with respect to their subjects, and to their scriptural, geographical, and other incidental allusions: such illustrations having been judged conducive to the interest of the "Sketches ;" and the mode of friendly "Conversation" being preferred, as less formal, and likely to be more pleasing, than professed Introductions and Notes.

January, 1832.

A 3