work wickedness"? And is it not the greatest wisdom to be stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as we know that our labour is not in vain in the Lorda?

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"May we therefore so seriously consider the frailty and uncertainty of this mortal life, as diligently to apply our hearts to that holy and heavenly wisdom whilst we live here, which may in "the end bring us to life everlasting; through the "merits of Jesus Christ our blessed Saviour and Redeemer! Amen."

THE EIGHTH MIRACLE.

Five thousand fed with five loaves and two fishes.

JOHN vi. 5, 6.

When Jesus lifted up his eyes, and saw a great company come unto him, he saith unto Philip, Whence shall we buy bread, that these may eat? And this he said to prove him: for he himself knew what he would do, &c. THE fame of Jesus being now spread abroad far and wide, by reason of his frequent miracles, and admirable sermons, and public disputes with the chief of the Jews, in which he always put them to silence, great numbers of people began to throng after him. Some in hopes of being cured of their diseases, others possibly out of curiosity, and a desire of seeing strange sights, and others as believing him to be the Messiah, the Christ and Saviour.

And this made it needful for him to retire sometimes into unfrequented desert places, partly for privacy and devotion, and partly for refreshment; as we find him now gone aside privately with his apostles into a mountainous desert place belonging to the city of Bethsaida, that they might rest a while for there were many coming and going, and they had not leisure so much as to eat.

But he was soon found out by the people, who in great numbers followed him thither; and when he lift up his eyes, and saw a great company come b Mark vi. 31.

a Luke ix. 10.

unto him, he was moved with compassion towards them, because they were as sheep not having a shepherd, and he healed their sick, and began to teach them many things concerning the kingdom of God d

And questionless it was a very moving sight to the most compassionate Jesus, (as every miracle gives us new occasion to style him,) who came to seek and to save that which was lost, to see so great a multitude pressing after him into a desert, barren place, faint and tired, and full of expectations from him, and some with great labour and difficulty bringing their sick along with them as to a certain cure; this must needs make his bowels yearn within him, who was all love and tenderness to mankind, and left the blissful bosom of his heavenly Father, that he might rescue them from all their miseries.

He was retired to that desert solitude, as was said, to refresh himself and his apostles with a little rest and quiet, and plain homely food, and that he might have some leisure for devotion, after a great fatigue which we find he underwent at Jerusalem e. But yet, as soon as he saw the people flocking to him, which probably was as soon as he came there himself; for it is said, that the people outwent them, and came together unto him f; instead of being angry at their intrusion into his privacy, and vexed at the disappointment they gave him of his desired retirement and intended meal, which was but necessary to recruit his wasted spirits, he received them with much gentleness and pity, and, weary as d Mark vi. 34. Luke ix. 11. 33

e John v.

f Mark vi.

he was, went on again with the great good works he had but just left off, and healed those that had need of healing, and discoursed to them many things of the kingdom of God.

Indeed, as he said, John iv. 34, his meat was to do the will of him that sent him, and to finish his work; and that good Shepherd, who afterwards laid down his life for his sheep, and came into the world purposely to do it, thought no pains or selfdenials too much to do them good, and gather them into the safeguards of his fold.

Now this may be of excellent instruction to us, and teach us to deny ourselves many satisfactions for the service of God, and the benefit of our brethren; and when Providence shall give us a fair opportunity of doing good to one another, and especially of advancing the interest of our holy religion, to let no consideration of trouble be our hinderance, but make even the necessary refreshments of nature to give place sometimes to what cannot be done every day, and is of so much greater consequence.

He hath very little of our Lord's compassion in him, and holy zeal for the kingdom of God, and love to those that have the same nature and interest, the same hopes and fears with himself, who thinks much to take more than a little pains, and suffer though it be repeated inconveniences, and debar himself of what otherwise he might enjoy, not only with innocence, but great advantage; when he may be the happy instrument of relieving the greatest necessities, and promoting the salvation of those for whom Christ died.

And those who are the pastors of the flock of Jesus, to whose care he hath committed his lambs and

his sheep in his absence, though their labours are such as make moderate refreshments necessary, and their duty such as requires a frequent recess from the world, to prepare them for the better discharge of it, and to beg God's blessing and assistance; yet neither the one nor the other should be indulged to any further than is conducive to the best interest of the flock even the divine pleasures of contemplation in retirement and solitude, however delightful and improving to a pious mind, must be broke off, that due attendance may be given to our charge; and give place to the cares and labours and vigilance, and many incidental perplexities and troubles, of the pastoral office.

8.

He that will be chief among you, says the great Shepherd to his substitutes, shall be the servant of all. Even as the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many . When therefore we lift up our eyes, and consider what numbers, and it may be multitudes, our great Master hath committed to our care and inspection, and of whom we must give an account; when we consider their spiritual necessities and dangers, and see them coming to us for succour and relief, or, it may be, for the most part wandering as sheep without a shepherd, hasting with all the speed they can to ruin; how should our bowels yearn over them, and our utmost diligence be excited to seek and reduce the one, and preserve and nourish the other; to heal the sick, and bind up the broken-hearted, and reprove and correct, as there is just occasion, and by degrees instruct them in

g Mark x. 44, 45.