his disciples to arrange them in companies at convenient distances, that their number might be ascertained, and that they might be regularly served. In obedience to his command the people sat down as they were ordered, no doubt wondered what would be the consequence of such an arrangement, & what benevolent action our great Redeemer was about to perform. The maltitude thus seated in order, our Lord, in open view, took the five loaves and two small fishes in his hands, and the whole multitude, had an opportunity of beholding what a small quantity of provisions, in the hands of the Creator of all things, were sufficient to provide a repast for such a number of persons, as were then assembled. The great master of the feast then looked up to heaven, and returned thanks to his heavenly Father, for his all-preserving and all-supporting goodness, manifested at all times to his creatures, but particularly for his paternal care, in providing for their present refreshment; he praised his Almighty Father, for the miracles which he had been enabled to perform for the benefit of mankind; and particularly for that which he was now going to perform, for the refreshment of the multitude, who had left their habitations with desires to see his mighty works, and hear his words, and follow him into the desert, where they were weary and faint for want of provisions. After which, our great Redeemer blessed the bread, and his divine blessing had so wonderful an effect, that the five small barley loaves and two dry fishes were multiplied to a quantity sufficient to satisfy the craving appetites of ten thousand persons; for the men were five thousand, and it is very probable the women and children might not be less. The great Master of the feast distributed to his disciples, and they served the multitude as they sat on the grass; and so plentiful were the provisions, that every one was satisfied, and such fullness crowned our great Redeemer's board, that when all the people had eat and were satisfied, there were twelve baskets filled with the broken meat.

Thus, the great Son of God provided a feast in the desert, for the people who followed him; and though they had no canopy but the azure sky, no table but the verdant grass, no better fare than barley-bread and dried fish, and no drink but the clear spring; yet they were more honoured by the presence of the illustrious founder of the feast, than ever was a royal banquet, which was given by the Assyrian or Persian kings; and doubtless there was more heart-felt joy, and solid satisfaction at this feast, than ever was found at the noble banquet of the gorgeous Ahasuerus, or the splendid entertainment of the imperious Belshazzar.

Have we not reason to wonder at the obstinacy and perversenes of the heads of the Jewish nation, that such a manifest display of divine power would not convince them. The account of this miracle, as recorded by the several evangelists, is very plain and circumstantial; and, it may be observed, that the particular circumstances of time and place, tended to make it more wonderful, more conspicuous, and less liable to objections and cavils. The place was a desert, where no bread could be procured, and therefore, it is manifest, beyond contradiction, that it must be produced by a miracle. Had this repast been given to the surrounding multitude, at one of the towns or villages, it might have been objected, that bread had, been secretly supplied: but neither the Pharisees of those days, nor the infidels of ours, can tell us, how it was possible for any deception of that kind to be practised in the desert. And it may be further observed that this mighty work was performed in the evening, when the people had been fasting all day, and, with the fatigue of travelling were, doubtless weary and very hungry. Had this repast been given in the morning, the miracle might have been depreciated, by supposing, that the people did not stand in need of refreshment, and this treat might have been represented as ganecessary: but the particular circumstances attending this wonderful work, cut off every shadow of an objection, and abundantly proved, that "God can furnish a table in the wilderness."

The consideration of the wonderful power of the Son of God, thus man. ifested jo procuring bread in the wilderness for so many thousands of people, ought to relieve the cares, and quiet the minds of his people concerning their daily bread. With what joy and satisfaction of soul ought we to consider, that we are under the immediate care of our heavenly Father, whose paternal goodness provides subsistence for all his creatures; and, "who openeth his hand, and satisfieth the desire of every living thing." It is the beloved Son of the Eternal Father, that showers down such wide profusion of blessings on a thankless world; and according to the beautiful language of the Psalmist," yisiteth the earth and blesseth it; who maketh it very plenteous, who watereth her furrows, and sendeth rain into the little vallies thereof; who maketh it soft with showers, and blesseth the increase thereof; who crowneth the year with his goodness, while his clouds drop fatness, making the vallies stand so thick with corn, that they laugh and sing." With what thankfulness and praise ought we to behold the constant effects of that heavenly goodness, which supplies the whole creation with food: ought we not to rely on the paternal care of the great Parent of nature, who manifests his goodness, and displays his bounty to an undeserving world, by giving them rain and fruitful seasons, and filling their hearts with food and gladness."

Nor should we be unmindful of the manifest exertion of divine power, in ⚫ the constant supplies which are provided for a world of creatures, and in the abundant provision which is made for the daily support of all mankind. > Is it any less a miracle, that the supreme Lord of universal nature, should, - every day, support and feed the whole race of mankind, and all the brute creation, than that he should feed ten thousand person's in the wilderness, with five loaves and two small fishes? What proportion does ten thousand persons bear to all the myriads of men on the face of the earth, who are daily fed by it's fruits? And is not the increase of those fruits as great a miracle, and as matiifest an exertion of divine power, as the increase of the bread by the blessing of our great Redeemer.

If we had hearts to consider the works of God with attention and care, we should perceive the manifest exertions of his power, in the secret operations of Nature, and as clear proofs of his divinity in het regular productions, as in the most extraordinary and miraculous events. The marks of divine power are equally seen in the wine, which arises from the moisture of the earth, through the tubes of vegetation, and is received from the branches of the vine; as in that instantaneously made from water at the marriage at Cana. Nor ought they less to be ragarded in the corn, gradu. ally ripened, and made into bread for the support of all mankind; than in the bread miraculously blessed to the support of the multitude in the wilderness: but we are very prone to overlook the common operations of creative Wisdom and Power, without considering, that, if we are unaffected with the divine munificence and bounty, so manifestly and richly displayed in the works of nature and Providence, there is much reason to conclude, that outward miracles would not awaken us to a sense of our duty, nor effectually mend our hearts: we are, however, very apt to deceive ourselves in this particular, and often led to couclude, that had we been present at so stupendous a miracle, as that we are now considering, we should have adored the divine hand that wrought it, and never have forsaken the Lord of life. But, alas, if all the display of divine wisdom and goodness in the works of creation; if all the evidences of the omnipotence of the Son of God, in the constant supplies which he provides for his numerous creatures; if the constant manifestations of his goodness to ourselves, in providing for us, and feeding us the whole course of our lives; will not elevate our hearts, and raise them to himself in gra titude and joy, there is the highest reason to conclude, that, had we seen the blessed Jesus feed ten thousand men, women, and children, with

five loaves and two fishes; yea, had we been partakers ourselves of this miraculous repast, we should have been like many, who really enjoyed these privileges, yet, afterwards took offence at some of his words, which they called hard sayings, and walked no more with him."

默

CHAPTER XVII.

The Multitudes, after having been miraculously fed in the Wilderness, attempt to take CHRIST by Force and make him King: He shuns their Importunity by withdrawing himself from them: He walketh on the Sea to his Disciples: He saves Peter who desired to accompany him, but was sinking for want of Faith. CHRIST disputeth with the Jews in the Synagogue of Capernaum, and declareth himself to be the Bread of Life: He goes to Jerusalem at the Passover; then returns to Galilee, and reproves the Pharisees for their Superstition.

WHEN the wondering multitudes had partook of the miraculous banquet, prepared for them by our great Redeemer, a sudden flow of glad. ness and elevation of mind ran through the desert: every eye was fixed, on the great Founder of the feast; every heart was glad, and every tongue resounded his praise.

And now, being thoroughly convinced, that he was their promised Messiah, and having no notion of the reign of the Messiah, but that of his setting up a temporal kingdom, they reverenced him as the great deliverer of their nation, and stood determined immediately to make him king, whether he consented to it or not. Loud acclamations resounded through the woods and wilds, and the voice of exultation and triumph ran along the side of the mountain where the miracle had been performed: the dis ciples seemed to join with the multitude in their desires, and every thing was prepared to proclaim him king.

JESUS to prevent the execution of their design, without their perceiving his intention, sent his disciples away in a boat, with orders to sail to Bethsada. The multitude were very willing to let the disciples depart, when they saw that Jesus did not go with them: perhaps, they imagined, that the disciples were sent to provide such things as were necessary against he assumed the kingdom; nor did they refuse to disperse when our Lord dismissed them, no doubt, designing to return in the morning; which we find, was really the case.

Having thus sent the disciples, and the multitude away, Jesus ascended to the summit of the mountain alone, spending the night in heavenly contemplation, and ardent prayer to his almighty Father.

But the disciples, meeting with a contrary wind, could not continue their course to Bethsada, which lay about two leagues northward of the desert mountain, where the multitude had been miraculously fed.. They, however, did all in their power to land as near the city as possible: but a tempest arising they were tossed all night in the tumultuous sea, witout being able to make the desired port. At the conclusion of the fourth watch, which was about five o'clock in the morning, they were advanced no further than about a league from the shore'; they were tossed by the foaming waves, and opposed in their course by the stormy wiud; and though they toiled hard, had no prospect of reaching the place where they desired to land.

Our Lord had, from the mountain, beheld the distress of his disciples, & was now coming to their relief, though they had not the least expectation of

his presence. Thus the Christian, when storms and tempests of trouble and affliction overtake him, is too prone to forget his almighty support, and overlook the promise of his great deliverer: but it would be well for him to remember, that the blessed JESUS beholds every particular of his distress, and hath not forgotten to be gracious," but in his own time and way, will certainly appear in all his mightiness to save and work out his deliverance. Nor ought it to be forgotten, that the time when human wisdom fails, when our distresses and troubles arises to its highest pitch, when there appears no refuge, no help, no deliverer, then is the time for a God to manifest his divine power; and at such a time, he hath often been found to be nigh at hand, and hath brought deliverance to his people in the most wonderful and unexpected manner.

"

Thus the disciples, when tossed by the mighty tempest, and in danger of being swallowed up by the foaming seas, saw their divine master at a distance, walking upon the frothy surface of the mighty waters; they saw, but they knew him not: nor were they convinced by his nearer approach, but thinking they had seen an apparition, shrieked with fear. Their terrors, however, were soon at an end; with kind compassion, and condescending goodness, in his well kown voice, the blessed JESUS dispelled their fears with these words, Be of good cheer; It is I; be not afraid." No sooner had our great Redeemer uttered these words, than every fear vanished, and satisfaction and joy filled every heart. Peter was so elated with the sight of his Master, and so overjoyed to see him walking on the sea, that he felt in his mind a strong desire to accompany him; and accordingly, begged his master to premit him to come upon the water.

Our great Redeemer having, with condescending goodness, granted his request, he left the boat, and walked on the surface of the sea; and some small time continued the miraculous course, wondering at himself, and rejoicing in the power of his master. But the storm increased, the whistling winds roared around him, and the wild surges tossed their raging heads on high, and dashed about their foam; so that it was with the ut most difficulty that he kept on his feet. Peter was not so strong as he imagined; his presence of mind forsook him; his faith failed; he forgot the presence of his divine master, and he began to sink in the mighty waters. In this extremity, he looked earnestly for his divine supporter, and, upon the brink of being swallowed up, he cried. "Lord, save me!" His kind, compassionate master immediately relieved him; "he stretched out his hand and caught him;" at the same time, gently rebuking his staggering resolution and wavering faith, he said unto him, "O thou of little faith, wherefore didst thou doubt ?"

The case of Peter should be a standing warning to the Christian, and excite him to be very cautious of putting a vain confidence in his own strength. Peter thought that he could endure all things in the company of his master, and, while he felt his heart warm, he supposed, that his resolation and courage would bear him above every fear. But on this, as well as on a future occasion, which will hereafter be remarked, he found himself mistaken. When he perceived the storm to increase, and foaming billows rage more horribly than before, his fears suggested, that either his master would be unable, or unwilling to support him amidst the furious blasts of the tempest. He had, on various occasions, beheld the divine power and goodness of his master, and his fears were unreasonable, and he was justly to be blamed; because the same power which had before been so fally manifested, and which now had enabled him to walk on the sea, was able to support him there, notwithstanding all the horrors of

the storm.

*Peter might have reasoned thus, had he been in his right mind; but his fear prevailed, his courage and resolution. which he depended so much upen, forsook him, and he began to sink. Thus the Christian, when he en