What poor spite was here, that the devil should disturb poor swine! And the city, therefore, was so grieved for the loss of a little wealth, that they came and besought CHRIST to depart; they did not want his company; they preferred a few poor swine before the company of CHRIST; a few worldly goods, a little pleasure, or any thing rather than CHRIST, part with CHRIST before any thing; but one, who is sensible of the love of CHRIST, will part with all, rather than with the LORD JESUS CHRIST.
Thus far the letter of the story goes; perhaps you think there is nothing to be learned herefrom, and that this is all you are to understand by it; but if so, my brethren, you are much mistaken; for here is an excellent lesson to be learned, and that you will see, by considering the words again, in a spiritual sense.
_And behold, there arose a great tempest in the sea, insomuch that the ship was covered with the waves: but he was asleep._
And do not you frequently experience great tempests in this world? does not the sea of temptation beat over your souls? you are afraid lest you should be overcome by them; you can see no way to escape, for your souls are covered with waves, and you expect to be swallowed up in the tempest; you are afraid lest you should fall into the hands of the evil one. O do not fear, for JESUS CHRIST, though he may be asleep to your thinking, yet will keep you, he will preserve you from the raging of the men, of the Pharisees of this world; they may rage and spit forth all their venom against you, still CHRIST will deliver, preserve and protect you; if you but seek unto him in a sense of your own helplessness and unworthiness, you will soon find he is a GOD ready to pardon and forgive. O that all that hear me would be persuaded to bow their knee, and their hearts, as soon as they go home: but alas, how many of our christians go to GOD, day by day, and call him, Father, which is but mocking of GOD, when the devil is their father: None have a right to call him father, but those who have received the spirit of adoption, whereby they have a right to call him, “Abba, Father.” Could the brute beasts speak, they might call GOD father as well as some of you; for he is their Creator to whom they owe their being; but this will not entitle you to call GOD father, in a spiritual sense; no, you must be born again of GOD; however you may flatter yourselves, you must have an inward principle wrought in your hearts by faith. This you must experience, this, this you must feel before you are christians indeed.
The LORD JESUS CHRIST takes notice of each of you: you may think the LORD does not take notice of us, because we are in a field, and out of church walls; but he does observe with what view you came this evening to hear his word; he knows whether it was to satisfy your curiosity, or to find out wherewith you might ridicule the preacher. The thoughts and intentions of all your hearts are not hidden from JESUS CHRIST; though he may seem to be asleep, because you are, at present, insensible of his workings upon your heart, and he may not seem to take notice of you, and regard you, no more than he did the _Syrophœnician_ woman; yet he will turn to you and behold you with love; the LORD will be mindful of you in due time, and speak peace to your troubled soul, though the sea of troubles is beating over you, though the Pharisees of this day are scoffing at you, yet, when CHRIST rebukes, then they shall cease.
Do not depend on yourself: say unto him, “Save us, LORD, or we perish:” beseech him to be your guide, and your salvation: I beseech you, by the tender mercies of GOD, which are in CHRIST JESUS, that you present yourselves to him, as your reasonable service.