'' Besides, he li;id just refused to be made a kinjr. ® Job ix. 8. f ver. 33. with Mark vi. 52. s Job i. VI, 19.
These fears however were amply compensated by, III. The condescension he manifested —
He instantly dispelled their fears in the kindest and most condescending manner —
[He at first appeared as though he would pass by them ; but, having tried them for a moment, he revealed himself unto them, and bade them dismiss their groundless fears. He more- over went up into the vessel to them ; and immediately the ship was wafted to its destined port*^.]
Thus does he at this time also allay the fears of
his people —
[Are they distressed by reason of fierce opposition ? he reminds them that, with Him on their side, they have none to fear'. Are they overwhelmed with heavy trials ? his presence with them is urged by him as an abundant ground of conso- lation and encouragement*^. Are they desponding under an apprehension that they are forsaken by him ? he gently reproves their unbelief^ and assures them of his unremitting care"'. Whatever be the source of their discouragement, he bids them not fear"; and commands his ministers to labour more espe- cially in comforting their afliicted minds". Thus, by revealing himself to them, he removes their trouble ; and, by his presence with them, carries them forward towards the haven of rest.]
Infer —
1. There is no state in which Christ can not save us —
[Our difficulties may be greatly multiplied, and appear utterly unsurmountable; but " his hand is not shortened that it cannot save ; nor is his ear hetivy, that it cannot hear. He who " made the depths of the sea a way for the ransomed to pass over," and saved Jonah in the belly of a fish, can never be at a loss for means to deliver us. On the contrar}', the greater be the obstacles to our salvation, the more will he magnify his power and grace in effecting it.]
2. There is no state in which Christ will not save us —
[He sees us when we little think of it ; and is often nearer to us than we imagine. Our conflicts may be long ; and he may suffer all our endeavours to be frustrated : but he will appear for us in some unexpected way ; and his presence with us shall both alleviate our labours, and crown us with success. Only let us invite him into the vessel with us, and we shall gain in safety the desired haven.]
h John vi. 21. » Isai. xli. 10 — 15. ^ Isai. xliii. 1, 2, 5.
1 Isai. xl. 27 — 31. "' Isai. xlix. 14, 15. " Luke xii. 32. o Isai. XXXV. 4.