As night approaches, or when a storm threatens, we observe the fowls of the air resorting to the shelter of some well known tree, and defending themselves beneath its branches. But it is their ancient haunt; their accustomed place of refuge. They have not then to seek one, when the darkness or the storm has come on. So it must be with all who desire to find at last the shelter of the gospel. They must have foreseen the danger will arrive, and have provided for their souls in time. They must have prepared a shelter from the darkness during the proper season: whilst it is day. Our Lord has left a solemn caution against delay: "Many, I say unto you, will seek to enter in, and shall not be able." 6

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

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

Luke xiii. 24.

'Alluding especially to the parables concerning the progress of his kingdom, as the tares of the field, the pearl of great price, the treasure hid in a field, the net cast into the sea; which are all related by St. Matthew in this connexion.

LECTURE XXIX.

THE STORM LULLED.

MARK iv. 35-41.

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?

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.

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

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

There is much in this short narrative which we may turn to our own use. It furnishes the Christian with an example of dangers and difficulties to which he may be exposed in his passage through this tempestuous world. It shows him the defence which he must secure to himself: it describes the security which under that protection he may enjoy.

Consider, first, the company which encountered

the storm.

Embarked in this little ship, were Jesus and his disciples. Jesus, the Son of God, who had come to bless the world, by reconciling it to God: and his disciples, who received him as the promised Saviour, and believed that "he had the words of eternal life." Their case, then, ought to be ours also. For he has called us, as he called them, to follow him, to enter into his service, to put ourselves into his hands, to be guided by him "into the way of peace." And those who have listened to his call, are passing through the world, as these disciples were crossing the sea, in company with God their Saviour.

But they have not yet entered into their rest. It is not a sea without storms. There arose a great storm of wind, and the waves beat into the ship.

Here, too, is life, every-day life. The Christian is not secure from difficulties, and dangers, and sorChrist himself was tossed with winds and

rows.

waves and so must his disciples be, both from within and from without, even whilst they have him with them, and are sailing by his direction.

Whilst this tempest was raging, Jesus was asleep. And they awake him, and say unto him, Master, carest thou not that we perish?

In this there is something to blame, and much to approve. There is this to blame, that they show some signs of murmuring, because he had suffered them to fall into such peril: some signs of doubting, whether he could or would deliver them. Yet is not this a picture of ourselves? How feeble is faith,

when pressed with heavy trials! How apt are secret complaints and repinings against God to mingle with our supplications! As if our Redeemer, had he really loved us, ought to have preserved us from falling into those troubles. Master, carest thou not that we perish?

At the same time there is this to approve in the disciples, that they knew at once to whom to apply in the hour of trial.

Over those who do thus commit themselves to him, and are found with him in the way of duty, he is ever watchful. True, as man, he was asleep for he had taken upon him the weakness of our nature. But as God, he is ever waking: "he that keepeth his people, neither slumbers nor sleeps ;" and not one of his little ones shall ever perish, through want of his protection or failure of his care. This was soon seen, when at the call of his disciples he arose, and rebuked the wind, and said unto the sea, Peace, be still. And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm. As it happens sometimes in life, when prayer has a gracious answer, and sorrow is turned into joy, or troublesome opposition ceases, or some apprehended danger is unexpectedly removed.

Having thus assured them of their safety, he gently reproves the alarm of his disciples. Why are ye so fearful? how is it that ye have no faith? As much as to say, Have ye not seen enough of my kindness and enough of my power, to believe that ye must be safe when ye are in my hands? They had witnessed many of his miracles; they had heard his gracious promises; they knew the services which they were chosen for, and destined to perform; yet,

L

in the hurry of the present danger, all these thoughts vanished from their minds: as too often, when the hour of temptation arrives, we forget every thing we have heard, and every thing we have believed, and every thing we have determined. And well might the Lord say, Why are ye so fearful? how is it that ye have so little faith? Has it not been promised, "Fear ye not, for I am with you;" "My grace is sufficient for thee;" "My strength is made perfect in weakness;" "Ye can do all things, through Christ who strengtheneth you."

Christians have learnt to expect this, by the recorded experience of their brethren. It was new to those who witnessed it; and they feared exceedingly, and said one to another, What manner of man is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him?

But

They might well be struck with awe and wonder, who knew not what manner of man he was. we cannot wonder, to whom it is revealed, that by Him God made the worlds, and "without Him was not any thing made that was made." It is really no wonder that the thing created should yield to the power of its creator; that he who "fixed the bounds of the sea by a perpetual decree," should say, "Hitherto shalt thou come and no farther, and here shall thy proud waves be stayed."

Our chief lesson is, however, that Christ may be trusted to deliver us both from outward and from internal enemies. Outward difficulties, which seem to threaten our course, are often turned aside when we meet them in the strength of the Lord. And so are the far worse and more dangerous hindrances