blood affords that nourishment to his faithful disciples, which the increase of the loaves afforded to his followers in the desert. 66 Hungry and thirsty, their soul faints within them," as they carry on their conflict against the world without, and the flesh within. Perhaps Satan takes advantage of an hour of natural weakness, and harasses them with unusual trials. They remember that "the Lord Jesus, the same night that he was betrayed, took bread; and when he had given thanks, he brake it, and said, Take, eat, this is my body which is broken for you: this do in remembrance of me. After the same manner also he took the cup, saying, This cup is the new testament in my blood; this do ye, as oft as ye drink it, in remembrance of me." In this memorial of his cross and passion, this proof of his inexhaustible goodness, they find enough to revive their hopes, and encourage their exertions. And as the inhabitants of Bethsaida were strengthened to return home by the miraculous nourishment supplied to them, so now the disciples of Christ proceed in their warfare against the enemies of their salvation, strengthened by "the bread of life," and refreshed by the "blood shed for them and for many for the remission of sins."

4 1 Cor. xi. 23-25.

5 The place was the desert of Bethsaida.

6 See a striking instance in the account of Scott's last illness, as related in his "Life," ch. xvi. p. 512.

LECTURE XXXIX.

THE DISCIPLES ALARMED AND COMFORTED.

MARK Vi. 45-56.

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.

Oppressed by the multitude which followed him, and wearied with doing good;-for he " was made flesh;" he had taken on himself the bodily infirmities of man :—with what delight would Jesus ascend the hill or mountain side, where he might be alone and pray. Yet he was not alone; for the Father was with him: was always with him: but in these moments of retirement his presence would be enjoyed without distraction or disturbance.

Those whom he has "brought to God" experience the same. God is always with them: but they must have their seasons when they may "enter into their closet, and shut the door, and pray to their Father in secret:" and so return to the business of the world refreshed, better able to sustain its cares and resist its temptations.

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: and about the fourth watch of the night he cometh unto them, walking upon the sea, and would have passed by them.

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

50. For they all saw him, and were troubled. And immediately he talked with them, and saith unto them, Be of good cheer it is I; be not afraid.

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.

52. For they considered not the miracle of the loaves: for their heart was hardened.

This passage of history may afford an useful subject of reflection.

Observe, first, the groundless alarm of the disciples. When they saw him walking upon the sea, they supposed it had been a spirit, and cried out: for they all saw him and were troubled. Quickly, however, he made himself known to them; gently reproving them while he calmed their fears, which implied a doubt of his protection. Immediately he talked with them, and saith unto them, Be of good cheer; it is I; be not afraid. And he went up unto them into the ship, and the wind ceased.

This assurance, It is I, be not afraid, is the abiding comfort of the sincere Christian; of those who, like the apostles, have followed the Redeemer and devoted themselves to him. Faith places them under his protecting care, and nothing can befall them in which he is not concerned.

They are not free from the troubles and the trials of life; they suffer them like other men; the wind

may be contrary, as to the disciples in this voyage; they may be forced to toil in rowing: but they have a security and a comfort peculiar to themselves. Perhaps they are deprived of their dearest friends: "the desire of their eyes" is taken from them, and they seem to be left alone in the world. Perhaps they are afflicted with hardships; poverty weighs them down; or it becomes difficult for them to serve God without offending man, and risking the loss of all their earthly good. Whatever their sorrows are, and who can reckon up all the sorrows which encompass us in this world of trouble!—their Lord is nigh them though they perceive him not. He whispers, It is I, be not afraid. It is I who have directed this trial, that thy faith might be proved; and I too will give thee strength to bear it rely on me; be not afraid.

This comfort makes the anxieties and distresses of a Christian more tolerable, than the ease and prosperity of a man who lives without Christ in the world.

One certain trial awaits us all. In other respects men differ. Some escape the pains of sickness; and some escape the troubles of poverty; and to some God gives the rich enjoyment of domestic comforts. But in this all are equal; that there is one trial which none escape. The hour of death must come upon every individual. A fearful hour; when the

soul is about to leave this world, and all that is known and dear to it, and to enter on a strange country; and when illness makes the body weak, and less able to resist a man's own fears, and sustain the grief of surrounding friends. A fearful

hour; when the present feeling is the feeling of pain and misery; and the next step will lead to the throne of God, where we shall be called to give account of our works, and to "receive according to the things done in the body."

This then is the hour, when every man, who has the faculty of thought, must stand in need of comfort. And the Lord Jesus affords that comfort to the sincere Christian. He whispers, It is I, be not afraid. Thou couldest not be summoned from the world, except as I see fit; thy pain, thy sickness, is a messenger from me; I have witnessed thy faith, and heard thy earnest prayers; and now I call thee out of this world of trial, to inherit the kingdom prepared for all who trust in me; that where I am, thou mayest be also. Be not afraid. It is I who shall preside at the judgment-seat; God will "judge the world by that man whom he hath ordained ;” · and "whoever shall confess me before men, him will I also confess before my Father which is in heaven." 3

Such is the support which Christ furnishes to all his faithful servants in the day of their trials. Under his protection sorrow loses its bitterness, and death is disarmed of its sting. Learn daily to make him more and more your friend, by meditating more on what you owe to him; by so dwelling on your sinfulness, as to attain a full sense of the value of his atonement; by desiring to learn his will, and studying to perform it faithfully. Thus "draw nigh to him, and he will draw nigh to you."

John xvii. 24.

2 Acts xvii. 31.

3 Matt. x. 32.