The favoured party, were, "Simon Peter, and Thomas, called Didymus"-he had lost much by his absence before, but now he keeps close to his brethren-" and Nathanael, of Cana in Galilee"-we thought well of him from the beginning; for though at first he had some infirmities, he was open to conviction, and loved retirement; and he who saw him under the fig-tree, assured him that he should see greater things than these-" and the sons of Zebedee"-John and James-" and two other of his disciples"-who are not named. But it may be asked, How came the disciples here, seeing when he rose from the dead they were (unless, perhaps, Nathanael) at Jerusalem? The Saviour had said, "The hour cometh, and now is, when ye shall be scattered every one to his own;" and it is said, "Then the disciples went away again unto their own home"This was the effect of fear. But though fear made them flee, yet their repairing down into Galilee was enjoined them by the angel, who appeared to Mary Magdalene and the other Mary. And Jesus himself had said, before his death, "After I am risen, I will go before you into Galilee." They believed his word, and obeyed; and he was faithful that had promised.

-But how did he find them engaged? "Simon Peter," who had a house of his own, and perhaps had retained the implements of his business," saith unto them, I go a fishing. They say unto him, We also go with thee" This was not, as some imagine, blameable; as if they ought to have remained fasting and praying; or as if this exertion was the effect of their despondency, with regard to his appearance, and his care to provide for them. We are persuaded they acted commendably. It shewed their humility-that, though advanced, they were not elated, nor ashamed of their former engagement; and their wish-not to be burdensome to any, if they could supply their own wants, and with quiet

ness work, and eat their own bread; and also their diligence-in redeeming their time, and not waiting for him in idleness. And he appeared to them, though not engaged in a religious exercise, but in a secular, honest calling; as the angels had appeared to the shepherds, when keeping their flocks by night. And if he came to any of us, by death, how much better would it be for him to find us active, in fulfilling the duties of a useful station, than telling our beads, or kneeling before a skull, or a crucifixion, in a cell! When Elijah was consciously waiting for the chariot, that was to carry him to heaven, what did he? Retire, to fast and pray? No; but he continued talking with his pupil and successor, for improvement-determined to be useful to the last, and to live, as long as he breathed-And blessed is that servant, whom his Lord, when he cometh, shall find so doing.

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-But" that night they caught nothing." Though, in an ordinary way, the hand of the diligent maketh fat, yet this rule has its exceptions; and these should be sufficient to teach us, that the blessing of the Lord, it maketh rich; and that, except the Lord build the house, they labour in vain that build it— The race is not always to the swift, nor the battle to the strong. Men, and even good men, may for a while be baffled in their efforts to teach them the lesson of dependence upon Providence; and to keep them, when success cometh, from sacrificing to their own net, and burning incense to their own drag, as if, by these, their portion had been made plenteous.

He loves to astonish, as well as relieve, his people he therefore often delays his appearance, till our hopelessness has prepared us for the display of his glory to the greatest advantage. Weeping may endure for a night; but joy cometh in the morning-"When the morning was come, Jesus stood on the shore." But they knew not

that it was Jesus-supposing him to be some common person, waiting their coming a-shore, to purchase what they had caught. And this was the meaning of the question, "Children, have ye any meat?"-i.e., Have you succeeded in fishing? And have you any provision to dispose of?-Upon their answering, No; he shewed his omniscience. He saw where a shoal was approaching the boat, and ordered them to cast the net on the right side of the ship-assuring them, that they should find. They did so and who ever lost by obeying him? So signal was their success, that they were not able to draw the net for the multitude of fishes!

Thus good men sometimes see their affairs, after many a fruitless struggle, taking a favourable turn, and every thing succeeding beyond their expection. At evening tide it shall be light. "It is vain for you to rise up early, to sit up late, to eat the bread of sorrows: for so he giveth his beloved sleep."-We shall look at this narrative again.

JULY 31.-" And on this wise shewed he himself."

John xxi. 1.

WE have traced this appearance down to the moment when the disciples ascertained who he was, John recognized him first; reminded, as it would appear, by a former miracle of the same kind; and on the performance of which, Peter had exclaimed, Depart from me, for I am a sinful man, O Lord. Yet Peter was not at present struck with the recollection himself. But no sooner does John say to him, "It is the Lord," than the ship can hold him no longer; but girding himself with his fisher's coat, he plunges into the sea to reach him! What rash

ness! What zeal! How perfectly in character does this man always appear! He was fervent, but acted by feeling, rather than reflection. He had a warm heart. The Lord had lately turned and looked upon him in the Judgment Hall, and he went out and wept bitterly. He had had much forgiven; and he loved much. The Saviour had more than pardoned his late sad conduct; and had sent a message to him distinctively, "Go, tell my disciples, and Peter!" And how could he love Him enough? And love is strong as death. Many waters cannot quench love; neither can the floods drown it.

-The rest of the disciples followed slowly, but surely, dragging the net. Had all done like Peter, the fish had been abandoned, and the vessel left to be drifted and injured. While we admire some, we must not condemn others. The dispositions and the duties of men are various: and while some perform splendid actions, and excite notice, others go ploddingly on in the sober discharge of their common calling-But they also have the testimony that they please God.

What did they find when they came to land? "A fire of coals, and fish laid thereon, and bread." This was to show that he cared for them; that they should be furnished, not only with grace sufficient for them, but with food convenient for them; and that verily they should be fed. He had reminded them of this on a former occasion. When he sent them forth on their missionary excursion unprovided, they had misgivings how they were to be supplied-though they were ashamed to make known their fears but he who employed them was bound to maintain them-and when they returned, he said, "When I sent you forth without purse and scrip, lacked ye any thing?" And they said, Nothing. "O fear the Lord, all ye his saints; for there is no want to them that fear him! The young lions may lack and suffer hunger; but they that seek the Lord

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shall not want any good thing." You serve a kind Master, and the world is his, and the fulness thereofJehovah-jireh!-But we read, "Thou shalt eat the labour of thine hand;" and nothing has such a peculiar relish as what is gained by the blessing of God upon our own endeavours. He therefore also said unto them, "Bring of the fish which ye have now caught. Simon Peter went up and drew the net to land full of great fishes, an hundred and fifty and three and for all there were so many, yet was not the net broken." And thus, while they must have marvelled and adored at what was nothing less than a miracle, they were not only supplied for their immediate use; but the sale of the capture would pay their expenses back to Jerusalem, and while waiting there, for the promise of the Father.

-Filled with reverence and awe, they seemed reserved, and disposed to keep back-He therefore invited them-"Come and dine. And none of his disciples durst ask him, Who art thou? knowing that it was the Lord." But still keeping back: "Jesus then cometh" to them, "and taketh bread, and giveth them, and fish likewise." The meat was ordinary, and coarsely dressed; but it was wholesome; and the appetite of labour made it welcome. We do not live to eat, but eat to live. Nature wants little; and grace, less. Luther often dined upon a herring; and Junius, on an egg. If it be, as is said, beneath a philosopher to be nice and finical in his food, how much more is it so in a Christian! in a minister! Jesus censured Martha; and commended Mary. The table— He spreads for us is frugal and simple-It is the world, the flesh, the devil, disease, and death, bring in the rest. No mention is made of his blessing the repast; but there is no doubt but he did-It was his constant usage to teach us to be religious in our common actions; and that man liveth, not by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God.

But did he actually partake of the provision