Scriptures, hearing sermons, prayer, and other means of grace to our souls; but he has no blessing for our souls without the use of these means. Let us also learn from the example of Christ to beg a blessing from God upon our food, and not to expect it otherwise.

Christ employed the ministry of his disciples, and he still uses others in the distribution of his blessings, though all comes originally from him; and the little we have, he first gives, and then increases.

7. And they had a few small fishes: and he blessed, and commanded to set them also before them.

8. So they did eat, and were filled: and they took up of the broken meat that was left seven baskets.

9. And they that had eaten were about four thousand: and he sent them away.

The loaves and the fishes were a provision for Christ, and his attendants. He gives all away; and in so doing most effectually taught the disciples, what a supply they had at all times in him. We need not keep what the wants of others call for; we may trust Jesus for the supplies we need.

Ver. 1-9.-Christ never forsakes those that follow him, and will not leave them to perish with hunger. But one chief end of this, and all his other miracles, of feeding and curing the bodies of men, was that we might believe in him as the Saviour of the world, and come to him for the life of our souls. Do you follow him, hunger and thirst after him, and then he will supply you out of his fulness, and be your support in all straits and difficulties. His power is still the same; his love for the souls of men is greater than ever it was for their bodies; his aim in all he did was chiefly at them; and if we do not neglect them ourselves, by keeping them from him, he who fed the multitude, has food in abundance for our souls, and will nourish us unto everlasting life. This is the spiritual opening of

Scripture, and the right understanding of it, and the way to get life from it. Christ is always at hand to help.

Think whether you have a heart to ask of him, what he waits to give you peace with God, and inward strength to do his will.

SECTION XXVII.

Chap. viii. ver. 10-21.

CHRIST REPROVES THE PHARISEES, AND WARNS HIS

DISCIPLES.

10. And straightway he entered into a ship with his disciples, and came into the parts of Dalmanutha.

Christ carried a blessing with him wherever he went; and he imparted it to all who were disposed to receive it. It may be profitable to you to pause upon the words "he came." He is now here, and always coming in his word, his grace, and his Spirit. Are you ready for him? Do your hearts say, come? There is great danger in putting him off time after time.

11. And the Pharisees came forth, and began to question with him,

We have all too much of this pharisaical spirit of questioning with Jesus, when all our own safety lies in a full submission to his authority, and we have no wisdom but what we learn of him. There is no disputing what Nicodemus said his miracles prove him to be, "a teacher come from God," and whoever believes this has his way plain before him.

:

11. Seeking of him a sign from heaven, tempting him.

Perhaps such a sign as Moses, Joshua, and Elijah wrought; that is, something more than enough. We have

sufficient proof of Christ's power and will to heal us; but if we have no desire and will to be saved by him, more would do us no good, and only increase our condem

nation.

12. And he sighed deeply in his spirit,

He was greatly concerned at their hardness and unbelief. Let this sigh pierce deeply into our souls! Will not the knowledge that Christ sighs for them, draw one sigh, or groan from us?

12. And saith, Why doth this generation seek after a sign? verily I say unto you, There shall no sign be given unto this ge

neration.

They required a miracle so striking and convincing that they should not be able to withstand the force of it. The same prejudice, pride of self, and stubbornness in unbelief, which resisted the evidence they already had, would have held out against all other.

13. And he left them, and entering into the ship again departed to the other side.

Fear, lest he should leave you! And take notice that if you would keep him with you, you must be humble and teachable.

Those who do not desire to be convinced, cavil, and pretend to want more light, but no additional light, however abundant, would open their eyes. Christ, who knew their hearts, and what it was fit for him to do, leaves all such to themselves.

14. Now the disciples had forgotten to take bread, neither had they in the ship with them more than one loaf.

15. And he charged them, saying, Take heed, beware of the leaven of the Pharisees, and of the leaven of Herod.

The leaven of the Pharisees was hypocrisy: the leaven of Herod was the error of the Sadducees, courtiers who believed no resurrection, angels, nor spirit, and who pre

tended to take Herod, an earthly king, for the Christ. Either of these opinions would have been sour leaven, yea poison to their hearts.

16. And they reasoned among themselves, saying, It is because we have no bread.

17. And when Jesus knew it, he saith unto them, Why reason ye, because ye have no bread? perceive ye not yet, neither understand? have ye your heart yet hardened?

It is a hardened heart that causes darkness in the understanding, makes men deaf and blind; and forgetful of everything that is good. Suppose the sun to shine upon two men, one blind, the other not; one would see every thing clearly by it, the other nothing, though it is the same sun, and gives forth the same light to both. So it is with men in reading the Scripture; it is clear, or dark to them, just as they are fitted, or not fitted to receive it.

18. Having eyes, see ye not? and having ears, hear ye not? and do ye not remember?

19. When I brake the five loaves among the five thousand, how many baskets full of fragments took ye up? They say unto him, Twelve.

20. And when the seven among four thousand, how many baskets full of fragments took ye up? And they said, Seven.

21. And he said unto them, How is it that ye do not understand?

You who read, and hear so much of Christ, if you do do not know enough of him for your salvation, the fault is certainly in yourselves. You have heard the reason—a hard heart is barred against him.

See, O my soul, whether all that is here said to the whole of the disciples, in the way of sharp rebuke, does not come home to thyself; and whether thou art not still backward to understand and believe the grace and power of Jesus, notwithstanding the proof thou hast of his allsufficiency, in this, and many other miracles, wrought on purpose, and recorded for thy conviction and assurance. Art thou without righteousness and without strength, and

ready to despond at the sight of thy corruption, manifold wants, and utter helplessness? Dear soul, why wilt thou shut thine eyes, stop thine ears, and harden thy heart against what thou here readest and hearest? Why dost thou ever forget it? How is it that thou dost not yet understand who Jesus is, and what he is able to do for thee?

The earthly sense still prevailed in the disciples, and they turned all Christ's sayings that way. So hard is it for those whose hearts are in the world, to have an understanding and relish of spiritual things.

SECTION XXVIII.

Chap. viii. ver. 22-38.

THE MIRACLE OF RESTORING SIGHT TO ONE BLIND, the CONFESSION OF PETER.

22. And he cometh to Bethsaida; and they bring a blind man unto him, and besought him to touch him.

Spiritual blindness is worse than natural; all are blind till Christ opens their eyes; and none but he can do it. Have you come to him for a cure? If you have not, you are blind to this day!

23. And he took the blind man by the hand, and led him out of the town;

O condescending, compassionate Jesus! So thou wouldest take every one of us by the hand, and guide us thyself, to thy Father, thy truth, thy heaven.

23. And when he had spit on his him, he asked him if he saw ought.

eyes, and

put

his hands upon