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see JESUS walking on the sea, and drawing nigh unto the ship: and they were afraid.

Saying, It is a spirit: and they cried out for fear, For they considered not te miracle of the loaves, for their hearts were hardened.

But straightway JESUS spake unto them, saying, Be of good cheer, It is I, be not afraid.

And Peter answered him, and said, LORD, if it be thou, bid me come to thee on the water.

And he said, Come. And when Peter was come down out of the ship, he walked on the water, to go to JESUS.

But when he saw the wind boisterous, he was afraid : and beginning to sink, he cried, saying, LORD, save

me.

And immediately JESUS stretched forth his hand, and caught him, and said unto him, O thou of little faith, wherefore didst thou doubt?

And when they were come into the ship, the wind ceased. And immediately the ship was at the land, whither they went.

Then they that were in the ship came and worshipped him, saying, Of a truth thou art the Son of God. And when they were gone over, they came into the land of Gennesaret,

And when the men of that place had knowledge of him, they sent out into all that country round about, and brought unto him all that were diseased, and besought him, that they might only touch the hem of his garment; and as many as touched were made perfectly whole.

ANNOTATIONS

ANNOTATIONS AND REFLECTIONS.

It seems to have been our LORD's constant practice to retire to prayer, after every extraordinary display of divine power; for he never forgot that this power was derived from GOD the FATHER, and such as he could not have obtained by human means.

After the wonderful miracle which JESUS had lately wrought, one would have supposed that his disciples, instead of being terrified and astonished at beholding him walk on the surface of the sea, would rather have fallen into transports of joy that he was come to save them; but from the expression, their hearts were bardened, we may judge that they still continued to desire that he might declare himself king of Israel.

Simon Peter was of a warm and zealous temper, ready to undertake any thing his LORD required; but his resolution was apt to fail in times of extreme danger. Our SAVIOUR knew and pitied the frailty of his nature, and, on his calling to him to save him, stretched forth his hand immediately, gently reproving him for doubting of his protection.

It must have been very amazing to every one on board to find themselves suddenly at "the haven where they would be," after all their ineffectual toil to reach it. This was a very extraordinary circumstance, and as miraculous as his walking upon the sea. Those who be held this astonishing transaction, professed their faith in CHRIST, by paying adoration to him as the Son of GOD; and who that reads of it can forbear to do the same?

No sooner was Christ arrived at the land of Gennesa ret, than the inhabitants flocked to him; and that the whole neighbourhood might have the benefit of his.

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coming, they sent to the adjacent places to give notice of his arrival. It is likely, by the extraordinary respect which the multitude shewed at this time, that it partly consisted of those who had been partakers of the miracu▴ lous supply of loaves and fishes. They must certainly have believed that JESUS was a divine Being, otherwise they could not have supposed that the mere touching him would effect their cure; and as such was their faith, our LORD was pleased to confirm it by a great

number of miracles.

Though we never can be exactly in the situation that the Apostles were, and, therefore, strictly speaking, can neither imitate nor avoid the errors of their conduct, yet the history of this transaction abounds with spiritual instruction, which may be generally applied.

Christians, in order to exercise their faith, are frequently exposed to the storms and tempests of adversity, when, forgetful that their SAVIOUR is always at hand to hear them, they are too apt to give way to terror and apprehension, till he kindly speaks peace to their souls, by the inward efficacy of his grace, or by the con. solations of his written word.

The number of persons who are, like St. Peter, zealous to come to CHRIST, and who profess resolution to endure all dangers and sufferings for his sake, is now comparatively sinall: but these few may learn, that they may safely rely on the divine protection in all emergencies, if they will call on their SAVIOUR with fervour and humility.

SECTION

SECTION LV.

JESUS DISCOURSES WITH THE JEWS CONCERNING

BREAD.

From John, Chap. vi.

THE day following, when the people which stood on the other side of the sea, saw that there was none other boat there, save that one whereinto his disciples were entered, and that JESUS went not with his disciples into the boat, but that his disciples were gone away alone:

(Howbeit there came other boats from Tiberius, nigh unto the place where they did eat bread, after that the LORD had given thanks).

When the people therefore saw that Jesus was not there, neither his disciples, they also took shipping, and came to Capernaum, seeking for Jesus.

And when they had found him on the other side of the sea, they said unto him, Rabbi, when camest thou hither?

JESUS answered them, and said, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Ye seek me, not because ye saw the miracles, but because ye did eat of the loaves, and were filled.

Labour not for the meat which perisheth, but for that meat which endureth unto everlasting life, which the Son of Man shall give unto you; for him hath GoD the Father sealed.

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Then said they unto him, What shall we do, that we work the works of God? may JESUS answered and said unto them, This is the work of GOD, that ye believe on him whom he hath sent.

They said therefore unto him, What sign shewest thou, then, that we may see, and believe thee? what dost thou work?

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Our fathers did eat manna in the desert; as it is written, He gave them bread from heaven to eat.

Then JESUS said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Moses gave you not that: bread from heaven; but my Father giveth you the true bread from heaven.

For the bread of God is he which cometh down from heaven, and giveth life unto the world.

Then said they unto him, LORD, evermore give us this bread.

And JESUS said unto them, I am the bread of life: he that cometh to me shall never hunger; and he that believeth on me shall never thirst.

But I said unto you, that ye also have seen me, and

believe not.

All that the Father giveth me, shall come to me: and him that cometh to me, I will in no wise cast out:

For I came down from heaven, not to do mine own will, but the will of him that sent me.

And this is the Father's will which hath sent me, that of all which he hath given me, I should lose nothing, but should raise it up again at the last day.

And this is the will of him that sent me, that every one which seeth the Son, and believeth on him, may have everlasting life and I will raise him up at the last day...

The Jews then murmured at him, because he said,. I am the bread which came down from heaven.

And they said, Is not this Jesus the son of Joseph, whose father and mother we know? how is it then that he saith, I came down from heaven.

Jesus therefore answered and said unto them, Murmur not among yourselves...

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No man can come to me, except the Father which hath sent me draw him; and I will raise him

last day..

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