And what was the effect of his compassion? He endeavoured to remove their ignorance; he knew it would not excuse them, and therefore did not leave them to perish in it.

35. And when the day was now far spent, his disciples came unto him, and said, This is a desert place, and now the time is far passed:

36. Send them away, that they may go into the country round about, and into the villages, and buy themselves bread for they have nothing to eat:

:

37. He answered and said unto them, Give ye them to eat.

You, his ministers. Look with his eye of pity,—of pity on the wants of your flocks, and withhold not what he puts into your hands for them. If it is but a little, he can increase it. Let all beseech it for themselves, to give the word of command for their spiritual nourishment.

37. And they say unto him, Shall we go and buy two hundred pennyworth of bread, and give them to eat?

The disciples were yet weak in faith, though they had seen Christ's miracles, and had been enabled by him to do the same; they considered not that a desert-place, and want of bread, were nothing to him. So a convinced sinner, in his strait and need of all things, finds it hard to believe in Christ's power.

see.

38. He saith unto them, How many loaves have ye? go and And when they knew, they say, Five, and two fishes. 39. And he commanded them to make all sit down by companies upon the green grass.

40. And they sat down in ranks, by hundreds, and by fifties.

They were hungry, and did not need to be bidden twice. What is the reason that we are so backward to feed upon Christ's better meat, his word,-himself,-his blessed body and blood in the sacrament of his supper? It is because we do not feel a want within ourselves: our hunger and thirst are for other things.

41. And when he had taken the five loaves and the two fishes, he looked up to heaven, and blessed,

So should we, since every morsel we put into our mouths must be blessed to us, or else bread will nourish us no more than a stone. Let us not fail to bless God for our food, and to ask his blessing upon it, after Christ's example. 41. And brake the loaves, and gave them to his disciples to set before them; and the two fishes divided he among them all.

42. And they did all eat, and were filled.

Does not God work a miracle equally wonderful before our eyes continually? Does he not multiply a few grains sown in the earth into a great number? Is not this as plain a proof of his presence and power, as it was of Christ's, when he multiplied the loaves and fishes? But who regards common benefits, so as to consider them duly, and say, God is here, and let us be thankful for them!

43. And they took up twelve baskets full of the fragments, and of the fishes.

44. And they that did eat of the loaves were about five thousand

men.

45. And straightway he constrained his disciples to get into the ship, and to go to the other side before unto Bethsaida, while he sent away the people.

46. And when he had sent them away, he departed into a mountain to pray.

He sent them away, that he might be at leisure to perform a still better office for them; knowing that it would be no intermission to his work, but the way to carry it on effectually. Prayer is for help from above; and this example should be instead of a thousand arguments to con vince us of our want of help, and the necessity of prayer in order to obtain it. Never think yourselves in earnest, till you pray in earnest : never give over praying till you are more righteous than Christ.

SECTION XXII

Chap. vi. ver. 47–56.

CHRIST WALKETH ON THE SEA.

47. And when even was come, the ship was in the midst of the sea, and he alone on the land.

48. And he saw them toiling in rowing; for the wind was contrary unto them:

If you are diligently employed about your proper work, though it may seem to go on heavily, you may rest assured that Jesus has his eye upon you for good.

48. And about the fourth watch of the night he cometh to them,

Christ will come to his saints in his own time. trial leave all quietly to him.

In every

In the demonstration of his power; believe and trust in it.

48. And would have passed by them.

He seemed as if he took no notice of them, though what he did was for their sakes, and to make their deliverance more welcome. Think of this in a time of darkness, or desertion.

49. But when they saw him walking upon the sea, they supposed that it had been a spirit, and cried out:

50. For they all saw him, and were troubled.

When Christ comes to help his saints in their distress, the first feeling they have is frequently that of fear.-Edit. 50. And immediately he talked with them, and saith unto them, Be of good cheer: it is I; be not afraid.

These are precious words to one whose heart is faint on account of his sins. Christ is still the same, and, if we

trust in him, he will carry us safely through all storms and difficulties.

51. And he went up unto them into the ship; and the wind ceased: and they were sore amazed in themselves beyond measure, and wondered.

Behold the effects of Christ's presence, and manifestation of himself. Nature is calmed, but the unbelieving heart is full of amazement. Look however for his presence in thy soul, in faith and holiness, and fear shall be cast out.

52. For they considered not the miracle of the loaves: for their hearts were hardened.

They saw the power of Christ, and could not but own it, and yet did not truly believe. Knowledge is not faith. Knowledge is in the head, but faith is in the heart; and it is God's work there.

53. And when they had passed over, they came into the land of Gennesaret, and drew to the shore.

54. And when they were come out of the ship, straightway they knew him,

55. And ran through that whole region round about, and began to carry about in beds those that were sick, where they heard he

was.

So eager ought we to be to come to him for our spiritual healing.

56. And whithersoever he entered, into villages, or cities, or country, they laid the sick in the streets, and besought him that they might touch if it were but the border of his garment :

They gave Jesus glory by trusting to his power to heal them even by a touch, and he honoured their faith.— Edit.

56. And as many as touched him were made whole.

So shall we, if we can only touch him with the hand of faith. May the Lord enable us so to do, for the sake of Jesus Christ!

SECTION XXIII.

Chap. vii. ver. 1—13.

FAULT IS FOUND WITH CHRIST'S DISCIPLES.

1. Then came together unto him the Pharisees, and certain of the scribes, which came from Jerusalem.

2. And when they saw some of his disciples eat bread with defiled, that is to say, with unwashen, hands, they found fault.

3. For the Pharisees, and all the Jews, except they wash their hands oft, eat not, holding the tradition of the elders.

4. And when they come from the market, except they wash, they eat not. And many other things there be, which they have received to hold, as the washing of cups, and pots, of brasen vessels, and of tables.

5. Then the Pharisees and scribes asked him, Why walk not thy disciples according to the tradition of the elders, but eat bread with unwashen hands?

6. He answered and said unto them, Well hath Esaias prophesied of you hypocrites, as it is written,

That is, in his prophecy he has exactly described all such hypocrites as you are. We read the Scriptures as becomes us, when we take to ourselves what belongs to us, though originally it may have been spoken of others.

6. This people honoureth me with their lips, but their heart is far from me.

Observe what hypocrisy is; it is an outward show of religion when the heart is not turned to God. Consider, therefore, in all thy worshipping of God, where thy heart is. Thou art a miserable man, if he sees it separated from thy lips!

7. Howbeit in vain do they worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men.

8. For laying aside the commandment of God, ye hold the tradition of men, as the washing of pots and cups: and many other such like things ye do.