the Lord Jesus. Well therefore might the disciples exclaim, *' What manner of man is this!"]
So stupendous a miracle should lead us to consider^ II. What views of Christ will naturally arise from this display of his power —
The disciples, through their ignorance and per- plexity, scarcely knew what to think. But to us his conduct naturally suggests the following truths :
1. Christ is the true and living God —
[His sleeping, through fatigue, shewed him to be a man like ourselves; but his exercise of such power proved him to be God also. Moses had opened the sea by his wonder-working rod; and Elijah had made a path through Jordan by his mantle: but both confessedly wrought their miracles in dependence on God. Jesus, on the contrary, performed this miracle by his own power : and who, but God, is sufficient for such things ? It is spoken of as the peculiar prerogative of God to rule the sea^. Let us then bear this in mind in all our addresses unto Jesus. Let us indeed make this the ground of our application to him''.]
2. He is never unmindful of his people's troubles, however he may appear to be so —
[The Apostles rather reflected on him as though he " cared not" for them. But his providential care was not the less exerted because he was asleep. We also are ready on some occasions to think him unmindful of us. We too often adopt the impatient language of the Church of old — ' ; but the answer he gave to them, is equally applicable to us — ^. We never need to be afraid if we be embarked with him. His ark may be tossed about and driven by tempestuous winds ; but though every thing else should perish, that would outride the storm.]
3. He will not withhold his aid on account of the weakness of our faith —
[The excessive fears of his disciples shewed their want of faith. He therefore reproved them for having so little confi- dence in him. But he would not on that account refuse their request. In us also he too often sees the workings of unbelief: but he will " not be extreme to mark what is done amiss." He frequently, when on earth, relieved those who doubted his power or his willingness to help them': and it is well for us that he still exercises the same pity and forbearance. Doubtless,
e Prov. XXX. 4. Ps. Ixv. 7. •' Isai. xlv. 22.
> Isai. xlix. 14. ^ Isai. xlix. 15, 16.
' Matt. viii. 2. Mark ix. 22.