December 5 — On our Lord's stilling the Storm at Sea; and feeding the Multitude

Consider, first, the lessons we are to learn from the miracle of Jhrist’s stilling the storm at sea, by his word. Matt, viii. 23, &c. He entered into a ship and his disciples followed him: And be-- hold a great storm arose at sea so that the ship was covered with the waves; hut he was asleep. And his disciples came to him, and awaked him, saying, Lord save us; we are perishing. And Jesus suith to them, Why are you fearful, O ye of little faith 7 Then, rising up, he commanded the winds and the sea, and there came a great calm, Christians, we are all embarked, as it were, in a ship, during our mortal life, in order lo sail towards the heaven of a blessed eternity. And for our comfort, we have on board with us, not only the disciples of Christ, that is, the pastors of the church, the successors of the apostles, but also our Lord himself, according to his promise, (Matt, xxviii. 20,) Lo, 1 am with you all days, even till the end of the world. In this voyage, we are often exposed to storms, which threaten sometimes the whole church; as in cases of grievous persecutions, heresies, or other more general evils; at other times endanger particulars, as in cases of temptations and tribulations; from which, more or less, no one can expect to be exempted, in the midst of the winds and waves of the boisterous ocean of this world. But we have Christ on board with us; and therefore we have nothing to fear, if we will but have proper recourse to him, with a lively faith and confidence in him. And though he oftentimes seems to sleep, and defers his aid, for a trial of our faith, and to make us more sensible of the necessity we have of him, and more earnest in praying to him, he will not fail, in his good time, (if we continue, like the disciples, calling out to him. Lord save us, we are perishing,) to rise up, and to command the winds and the sea, and restore a calm.

Consider, secondly, the lessons we are also to learn from the miracles of our Saviour’s feeding, at one time, five thou -and men with five loaves, and at another time, four thousand, with seven loaves. Our Lord himself has taught us, upon occasion of the former of these miracles, (John vi. 20, 27,) that we are not to seek, or to follow him, for the sake of the loaves, that is, for procuring a corporal livelihood, or any temporal advantage; for this would be but catching at the shadow, and losing the substance; that we are not to Mourfor tkemeatthat perisheth, but for tAa<,saith he, which endureth unto everlasting life, which the Son of man will give you. So that the great lesson he would have us to learn from his feeding the multitudes, is, that we should have recourse to him for the food and nourishment of our souls, unto everlasting life; for that he himself is the living and life-giving Bread, which, without any consumption or diminution, he distributes to all those that come to him, seeking from him the refreshment of their souls; either by communicating himself to them really, in the holy sacrament, or spiritually, a communion of faith and love.

Consider, thirdly, in these miracles of our Lord’s feeding the multitudes, what other lessons may be learnt from the circumstances in which he wrought these wonders. I have compassion Laid he, on the multitude; for behold, they have now been with me three days, and have nothing to eat: and if I send them away fasting to their own houses, they mil faint in the way, for some of them came from afar off, Mark viii. 2, 3. The people whom he favoured with these miracles, had followed him into the desert; they had preferred the attending upon him, and the hearing of his divine word, before all other occupations or recreations; they had continued with him for three whole days, without taking any thought for their bodily nourishment; and therefore our Lord, after feeding their souls with the word of life, and healing all that stood in need of cure, was pleased to provide also for their corporal sustenance, according to what he promised. Matt vi. 33: Seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his justice, and all these things (that is, meat, drink, and clothes,) shall be added unto you. Learn from hence, Christians, what wonders your Saviour is disposed to work in favour of those that follow him into the wilderness, by a spiritual retreat, that is, by retiring from the noise and hurry of the world, to attend upon him; that are not quickly wearied with his company, but continue diligently with him, (notwithstanding the difficulties and oppositions they meet with from the world, the flesh and the devil,) and that glad ly hearken to his divine word. O, such as these will not foil of teing refreshed by him.

Conclude to follow Christ into the wilderness, by making at least a little wilderness for him in thy own soul, and there frequently attend ng upon hui by recollection and menial.prayer; aed assure thyself that he will never send thee away fasting, but will have compassion on thee, and frequently feed thee with his hidden manna, lest thou faint in the way; for.thou hast yet a great way to go, before thou canst reach thy eternal home.