SECTION XIV.

Chap. iv. ver. 30—41.

PARABLE OF THE MUSTARD SEED: CHRIST STILLETH THE TEMPEST.

30. And he said, Whereunto shall we liken the kingdom of God? or with what comparison shall we compare it?

31. It is like a grain of mustard seed, which, when it is sown in the earth, is less than all the seeds that be in the earth:

Our beginning in grace is small, and next to nothing; but if there be the life and virtue of a seed in it, it will, with God's blessing, grow and prosper beyond our hopes. Faith is that seed.

32. But when it is sown, it groweth up, and becometh greater than all herbs, and shooteth out great branches; so that the fowls of the air may lodge under the shadow of it.

The contrast between the small seed and the large herb produced therefrom, marks the abundant fruits of the Spirit, which the almost invisible seed of the word yields, when it is sown in a heart before prepared of God for its reception. The plant of grace, however small it is when it is planted in the heart by the Holy Ghost, will grow large and fair, and shadowy: "But every plant," says Christ, "which my heavenly Father hath not planted shall be rooted out." -Edit.

33. And with many such parables spake he the word unto them, as they were able to hear it.

Jesus suited himself to their capacities, and taught them in such a manner as best to answer the end of his instructions.

A parable, when it is understood, enters deeper into our minds and takes faster hold of us, than a plain discourse. All is in the application. Let each one of you ask himself, What am I? Shall I account myself a way-side hearer,

or a downright worldling, busy about everything but the one thing needful? Have I received the good seed of the word into my heart, and committed the growth of it, in faith and prayer, to God?

34. But without a parable spake he not unto them: and when they were alone, he expounded all things to his disciples.

Even so, Lord Jesus, do thou expound all things to us, by speaking them to our hearts.

Matt. xiii. 15. None but those who are converted and healed know what it is to understand with the heart.

35. And the same day, when the even was come, he saith unto them, Let us pass over unto the other side.

36. And when they had sent away the multitude, they took him even as he was in the ship. And there were also with him other

little ships.

37. And there arose a great storm of wind, and the waves beat into the ship, so that it was now full.

38. And he was in the hinder part of the ship, asleep on a pillow and they awake him, and say unto him, Master, carest thou not that we perish?

So we are apt to think when we are in trouble, that God does not regard us, and especially when spiritual trouble has raised a storm within us. But though Christ suffers his servants to come into danger for their good, he knows how to deliver them.

39. And he arose, and rebuked the wind, and said unto the sea, Peace, be still. And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm.

And is he not as marvellous in changing us? To set our wills against sin, to bring down our pride, to persuade us to xchange our hatred and selfishness for love, and our boisterous passions for meekness, to take our hearts from the world, and make us heavenly-minded, is not less wonderful, than to speak a storm into a calm.

40. And he said unto them, Why are ye so fearful? how is it that ye have no faith?

This passage is for fearful and desponding Christians; they do ill, and are great enemies to themselves, in doubt

ing and fearing. And Christ here rebukes them for it, but nevertheless he will not leave them to perish.

41. And they feared exceedingly, and said one to another, What manner of man is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him ?

It is a happy circumstance when we can say, from some experience of what he hath wrought in us, "What manner of man is this?" If, however, he does not do more for us, it is because we are insensible of what we want from him, and do not ask it of him. What was it that awoke him? was it not this cry, "Lord, save us, we perish." But this is too humble a prayer for us, and the generality had rather perish than submit to it.

SECTION XV.

Chap. v. ver. 1–9.

A MAN POSSESSED WITH DEVILS.

1. And they came over unto the other side of the sea, into the country of the Gadarenes.

2. And when he was come out of the ship, immediately there met him out of the tombs a man with an unclean spirit,

3. Who had his dwelling among the tombs; and no man could bind him, no, not with chains :

Bring thyself to this passage of Scripture, and let it strike up a light within thee. Thou art the man, and God himself hath not been suffered to bind thee with the fetters and chains of his law. See, how thy heart rises against it, and in how many instances thou art a breaker of it.

4. Because that he had been often bound with fetters and chains, and the chains had been plucked asunder by him, and the fetters broken in pieces: neither could any man tame him.

5. And always, night and day, he was in the mountains, and in the tombs, crying, and cutting himself with stones.

Every sinner is a greater madman, and does greater mischief to himself.

Who would not have thought this poor man's case desperate? And yet Satan must give way when a stronger than he comes upon him. Learn from hence to conceive highly of the power of Christ; and that though your corruption is strong, and your sins many, he will certainly pity your condition, and work your cure, when you come to him for that purpose. Do not pretend to help and heal yourself. The man could as soon have cast out his legion of devils, amounting to some thousands, as you can cast out one without Christ.

6. But when he saw Jesus afar off, he ran and worshipped him,

Acknowledging his power, and beseeching him not to give him up immediately to his punishment: for the devils do not suffer the whole of their torments, but are reserved unto the judgment of the great day." Jude v. 6. We have our choice, whether we will be of their number, and be doomed to their misery in that day, or accept the mercy of a Saviour now.

7. And cried with a loud voice, and said, What have I to do with thee, Jesus, thou Son of the most high God ?

It is a dreadful thing to say this, and yet every unconverted man does say it from the bottom of his heart; for so long as he cleaves to his corruption, Christ can be nothing but a torment to him. When Christ tells a sinner that he must give up all, and let all go; the answer is, no; for this would be death to him. And when any one of us refuses to know himself according to the light of Scripture, is not this saying in effect," What have I to do with thee?" In any one instance you may go a great way with Jesus, and think yourselves very sincere: but if you shrink from him, with an exception, or reservation, in any

one respect, he knows that to be the language of your heart. That one thing is the test of your sincerity, and not a thousand others, which cost us little or no selfdenial.

7. I adjure thee by God, that thou torment me not.

It is a sore trial, and will put the soul hard to it, when the devil is to be cast out in some darling lust. Christ deals with thee about thy bosom sin, and the necessity of giving up every sin, and does thy heart refuse its consent? His will is evidently thy plague, and thou sayest this very thing to him, "I adjure thee-torment me not." Some continue in this mind a shorter, some a longer time, and many always.

8. For he said unto him, Come out of the man, thou unclean spirit.

He commanded every one of them to come out of him. He would not leave one behind to torment the man. So he would, so he must say to the earthly, sensual, devilish nature, to every lust in us: for one devil, one sin, is enough to make us miserable. And so he will say, when we desire it of him in faith, knowing our condition.

9. And he asked him, What is thy name? And he answered, saying, My name is Legion: for we are many.

This is the name of sin in us. Jesus spake the truth; let us confess it too.

SECTION XVI.

Chap. v. ver. 10-20.

HE IS HEALED.

10. And he besought him much that he would not send them

away out of the country.