make its own impression, and to be a warning to all men of the deceitfulness of sin, and its awful results.-Edit.

SECTION XXXIV.

Chap. xiv. ver. 13-21.

CHRIST FEEDETH FIVE THOUSAND.

13. When Jesus heard of it, he departed thence by ship into a desert place apart: and when the people had heard thereof, they followed him on foot out of the cities.

For what they followed him so eagerly, we cannot certainly say; they were probably filled with the common expectation of his worldly kingdom. We can have no such end in view. We must follow him and keep close to him for heavenly instruction. And, if we do, he has his eye upon us for good, according to what follows.

14. And Jesus went forth, and saw a great multitude, and was moved with compassion toward them, and he healed their sick.

He also spake to them of the kingdom of heaven, Luke ix. 11. He had always the greater mercy in view: he relieved their bodies that they might commit their souls to him, and healed them, that he might heal us.

15. And when it was evening, his disciples came to him, saying, This is a desert place, and the time is now past; send the multitude away, that they may go into the villages, and buy themselves victuals.

Unbelief was still prevalent in the disciples, notwithstanding the miracles they had seen. Let us not deceive ourselves, we are also backward to believe in the power of Jesus; some in their despairing moments, under a deep sense of their guilt and weakness; but the most, because they do not desire to experience it. How is it with you,

after what you have already heard of him? Do you think worthily of his power? And are you come to a resolution to be helped by him?

16. But Jesus said unto them, They need not depart give ye them to eat.

He was able to provide for them. The words say more to us, we must not depart from Jesus. Our spiritual wants can no where else be supplied; and, if we depart but one hair's breadth from him, it is at the hazard of our souls. Christ says, "Give ye them to eat." They answered at once, they could not. He will bring every penitent to this sight and knowledge of himself, and draw this confession from him, before he grants him relief.

17. And they say unto him, We have here but five loaves, and two fishes.

18. He said, Bring them hither to me.

Now, therefore, hear the words, and bring yourselves to him, your guilty souls, your wretched impotence. Here the comparison fails; the disciples had some small matter to bring to him, we have nothing.

19. And he commanded the multitude to sit down on the grass,

Think, we are now here set down to be fed by him. And O! that we were, in obedience to his command, and with a true hunger for his bread of life!

19. And took the five loaves, and the two fishes, and looking up to heaven, he blessed,

See the effect of his blessing! Can it be less, now that he is in heaven, where he is interceding for us, and has all blessings in his hands to bestow upon us, if we do but look up to him for them? Let us also learn from hence to do as he did, to pray over our food, and to bless and give thanks.

19. And brake, and gave the loaves to his disciples, and the disciples to the multitude.

So he still conveys his blessings of grace to man by man. This is the order of his appointing, and the method he commonly takes. For though he alone has anything to give, and he only blesseth what is given, yet he employs others, his ministers, and faithful followers, to dispense it. Lord, if thou wilt, thou canst put it into my hand; and, if thou lookest down from heaven, and commandest a blessing, great will be the increase.

20. And they did all eat, and were filled: and they took up of the fragments that remained twelve baskets full.

21. And they that had eaten were about five thousand men, beside women and children.

Well, the miracle is apparent; there was enough and to spare for five thousand, out of five loaves and two fishes. What use do we intend to make of this? What is the miracle to us, if we always continue empty, and do not regard it as designed to raise our faith in Christ, and to quicken our call to him to receive of his fulness?

SECTION XXXV.

Chap. xiv. ver. 22-36.

CHRIST WALKS ON THE SEA.

22. And straightway Jesus constrained his disciples to get into a ship, and to go before him unto the other side, while he sent the multitudes away.

23. And when he had sent the multitudes away, he went up into a mountain apart to pray:

For himself, and all mankind; that the good pleasure of the Lord for their salvation might prosper in his hands;

that we might hear all the words of this book, and live through him. He who came to fulfil all righteousness, could not but be a man of prayer, and was our pattern in this, as well as every other instance of duty and holiness. If he needed prayer, how much more do we, and how can we ever think ourselves alive unto God without it?

23. And when the evening was come, he was there alone. 24. But the ship was now in the midst of the sea, tossed with waves: for the wind was contrary.

It is said in verse 22nd he constrained them to get into the ship. Probably the wind was high, and they were not willing to go, or not without him. He forced them into danger, to show them their want of him, and his power in saving them from it.-O my soul, it is thy condition. If sin brings thee into a storm, see what thou hast to do; cry for deliverance; know thyself and thy Saviour.

25. And in the fourth watch of the night Jesus went unto them,

In the last of the four watches into which the night was divided; that is to say, in his own time. It is the excellence of faith to leave all to him, and contentedly to wait, in full assurance that he will do everything for the best. 25. Walking on the sea.

This was quite unexpected, and so strange to the disciples, that they could not tell how to believe it was he. So we are sometimes ready to think there are insurmountable difficulties in the way of his coming to us; but nothing can divide betwixt us.-Lord, what hast thou not done to raise our faith and encourage our trust in thee?

26. And when the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were troubled, saying, It is a spirit; and they cried out for fear. 27. But straightway Jesus spake unto them, saying, Be of good cheer; it is I; be not afraid.

This is the very thing we have to learn, and what

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all Scripture is intended to bring us to; to know Jesus, and, in the faith of him, to dismiss our fears, and come boldly to the throne of grace. And great will be our comfort, when, after all our trouble for sin, all our mistakes and misapprehensions of Christ, and all our false methods of healing ourselves, we hear and receive this saying, "Be of good cheer, it is I," who am your only keeper and all-sufficient Saviour;-O my soul! Sinner as thou art, be not afraid.

28. And Peter answered him and said, Lord, if it be thou, bid me come unto thee on the water.

Not doubting he could, at his bidding. So he might, if he had known more of Christ and himself.

29. And he said, Come.

Whatever we may think of our unfitness, he also says, Come to us, as certainly as he did to Peter.

29. And when Peter was come down out of the ship, he walked on the water, to go to Jesus.

Here was a high degree of faith, and Peter ventured a good deal in the strength of it. Nevertheless, it failed in the end. What reason have we to pray continually, Lord, make us sensible of our weakness, increase our faith, increase our dependence on thee, that we may be supported in all trials ?

30. But when he saw the wind boisterons, he was afraid; and beginning to sink, he cried, saying, Lord, save me.

Alas! we have great cause to fear in ourselves, and when we look only at ourselves, our hearts cannot but fail us. If, like Peter, we implore his help when we are brought into straits, and find ourselves beginning to waver, he will help us. If we cry, Lord, save, we shall not sink.

31. And immediately Jesus stretched forth his hand, and caught him, and said unto him, O thou of little faith, wherefore didst thou doubt ?

See the very hand of Jesus which is ready to be stretched