give thanks for what God has given is a devout acknowledgment of dependence upon him, a tacit expression of hope in his goodness for the time to come, and the most likely means of increasing our store. He acted as the great pattern of his disciples, teaching them in difficulty to look up to hea ven for direction and assistance, to improve the blessings of Providence by referring them to their great Author, and to cast every future care on him who hath helped hitherto. Man cannot pronounce a benediction capable

gifts of bread and rest are bestowed at once, | of words, employed by Christ on this occaand both unhoped for, both unasked. "Make sion, most probably blended both ideas, as the men sit down:" and it is remarked, indeed they cannot be easily separated. To “Now there was much grass in the place." What a delicious assemblage of natural and interesting beauties! It was the still evening of a day in spring; the fragrant fertile earth had spread an ample carpet, at once delightful to behold, pleasant to the smell, and softened to the pressure of the faint. Twenty thousand eyes are turned in silent expectation to their common friend and benefactor. The very order of their arrangement embellishes the scene, and the subdivisions and straight lines of art set off the majestic irregularity of nature: a hun-of communicating efficacious virtue, but, dred rows of fifty men each. What, compared to this, was the royal" feast which the king Ahasuerus made unto all his princes, and his servants: the power of Persia and Media, the nobles and princes of the provinces!" What, compared to this, was the great, but impious feast, which "Belshazzar the king made to a thousand of his lords!" These noisy and profane revels were quickly disturbed, and issued in sorrow. What a different spectacle did the mountain in the desert of Bethsaida present! All is calmness and harmony, all is peace and joy. The great Master of the feast surveys his vast family with complacency and delight! they behold in him their condescending teacher, their merciful physician, their liberal provider, their almighty Lord, in whom all fulness was pleased to dwell.

what is equivalent to it, he can "in every thing, by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving, let his requests be made known unto God;" and time employed in devotion is not loss, but unspeakably great gain.

"He distributed to the disciples and the disciples to them that were set down: and likewise of the fishes as much as they would." The fare was ordinary, barley bread and dried fish. "The full soul loatheth an honeycomb; but to the hungry every bitter thing is sweet." Mark, the quality of the food is not changed, the quantity only is increased for the object of the miracle was not to pamper luxury, but to satisfy hunger. The dis ciples had nothing to give but what they first received. And what must have been their astonishment, their satisfaction, as they walked from rank to rank, to behold the food "And Jesus took the loaves." He mira- not diminish, but multiply to the mouth of culously supported his own body for forty the eater! No murmuring could arise on days in the wilderness, without eating or account of a partial distribution, for all had drinking; and the same divine power could enough and to spare. No doubt could arise undoubtedly have refreshed and sustained respecting the fountain of supply, for every this great multitude, for a night, without ear heard the gracious words which probread, as easily as by a supernatural multi-ceeded out of his mouth; every eye beheld plication of it. But this would have been his face lifted up to heaven, and his hands less sensible and convincing; and natural vigour of constitution might have been supposed equal to the load. In the method of relief which our Lord was pleased to employ, every man had the witness within himself, and could bear a clear testimony concerning all around him, that not the powers of nature, but the God of grace had ministered to their common necessities. "And, when he had given thanks" two different words are employed by the evangelists to describe this action of our Saviour. The first three say, "he blessed" the loaves, pronounced upon them a solemn and powerful benediction, in virtue of which they became prolific, and multiplied far beyond the extent of the demand. Our evangelist represents him as giving thanks," ascribing to God his heavenly Father the glory of every gift of an indulgent Providence, whether bestowed in the order of natural increase, or produced by an extraordinary interposition. The form

extended to diffuse plenty. The body and the mind were refreshed together, with food convenient for them. Thus seasonable, thus suitable, thus satisfying are the good and perfect gifts which come down immediately from the Father of lights. The self-same miracle, my friends, is repeated day by day, through a different process, and we observe it not, we feel it not. An unseen hand "causeth the grass to grow for the cattle, and herb for the service of man:" it "bringeth forth food out of the earth; and wine that maketh glad the heart of man, and oil to make his face to shine, and bread which strengtheneth man's heart." "O that man would praise the Lord for his goodness, anu for his wonderful works to the children of men!"

"When they were filled, he said unto his disciples, Gather up the fragments that remain, that nothing be lost." There is a criminal forethought about to-morrow which

of the five barley loaves, which remained over and above unto them that had eaten.” Thus the miracle was complete: ample provision was made for the moment, and a lesson of prudence given for all generations. The bodies of thousands were refreshed by homely but wholesome food, and the sacred impress of divine truth was applied to the human heart. Thus transitory things are rendered permanent, and provision made for supporting the body is converted into food for the immortal soul.

The conviction produced was perfectly natural, and it operated uniformly on the minds of the whole assembly: "Then those men, when they had seen the miracle that Jesus did, said, this is of a truth that Prophet that should come into the world." There was, therefore, it is evident, a generally prevailing expectation of the appearance of the august personage whom the prophets had announced; and what proof of a divine mis

the Gospel condemns, because it implies distrust of the care, wisdom, and goodness of Providence, and because it mars the enjoyment, and encroaches upon the duties of today. But there is likewise a prudent and pious forethought, which both reason and religion highly approve and powerfully recommend, because it is the co-operation of human sagacity with the benignity of Providence; and the happiest and most honourable condition of man is exertion, as if no supernatural aid were to be expected, and reliance on God, as if human efforts a nounted to nothing. "Gather up the fragments;" was the command of Him who had the power of multiplying without end, but who would lay himself under no obligation to exert a miraculous energy to repair the profusion, or supply the negligence of thoughtless man. What occasions the present dearth of every necessary of life? Not the unkindness of heaven, for the earth has yielded her increase, and our garners are full; but cruel oppression more illustrious could be displayed, than sion on the one hand, and abominable waste on the other. The precious fruits of the ground are, contrary to nature, hoarded up in expectation of glutting avarice with a higher return, till they corrupt; or they are vilely cast away by the minions of opulence and grandeur, who care not what they destroy, because the master's fortune is able to support the expenditure. It is one, and not the least of the evils of war, that of the provision necessary to the maintenance of fleets and armies, one half at least goes to loss, through dishonesty, carelessness, and wilful prodigality. This profusion is often found in company with a hard and stony heart. It appears to have constituted great part of the criminality of the rich man in the Gospel. He" was clothed in purple and fine linen, and fared sumptuously every day." But this was not in itself sinful, nor is it charged upon him as guilt. The offal of his table was not wisely used. While detestable luxury reigned within doors, the cry of misery at the gate was disregarded. The beggar Lazarus desired, but desired in vain, "to be fed with the crumbs which fell from the rich man's table." It is in every man's power to reduce the price of provisions. Let him purchase no more than what is needful, and let him be careful to look after the fragments which remain. The opulent man is responsible for the inhumanity, the extravagance, the criminal neglect of his domestics, and to no purpose does he exclaim against the rapacity of combinations to engross and enhance, wnile he is fostering the mischief by the wretched economy of his own household. "Let nothing be lost" is the economy of nature, the maxim of true wisdom, and a precept of Christianity. "Therefore they gathered them together, und filled twelve baskets with the fragments

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that which had just reached the understanding through all the avenues of sense? But it is truly humbling to observe the perpetual intrusion of a worldly spirit. That prophet whom all ranks looked unto and waited for, all ranks thought proper to invest with temporal power and splendour. The idea of raising him to kingly supremacy is immediately entertained. What quality could a prince possess that led more certainly to success than that of subsisting his armies, without the expence and incumbrance of magazines? Under this impulse the multitude are disposed instantly to rear his standard, and to enlist in his service. And when a man faithfully examines himself, he will find that the world, in some form or another, is lurking in his heart. He will find time, and sense, and self blending with his purest, most generous, most exalted views, and directing his most seemingly disinterested exertions. Jesus demonstrates that he is much more than a king, by withdrawing from popular applause and proffered royalty. "When he perceived that they would come and take him by force, to make him a king, he departed again into a mountain himself alone." He meets and relieves their real necessities, but retires from their projects of power and ambition. To the demand of Pilate, “Art thou the king of the Jews?" this was his modest reply: "My kingdom is not of this world. If my kingdom were of this world, then would my servants fight, that I should not be delivered to the Jews: but now is my kingdom not from hence."

We conclude with a few practical reflections.

1. The law of man's nature is a stated religious monitor to him. Every day he hungers, he thirsts, he waxes faint, he must lie down and go to sleep. He is as often admo50*

minish. Nature, says the proverb, is satisfied | every one does that which is right in his with little, and grace with still less. The own eyes, and of consequence every thing disciple of Jesus knows and feels that he has here no continuing city, and therefore seeks one to come. He "coveteth no man's silver, or gold, or apparel." While the rich worldling is pulling down his barns and building greater, in which to bestow his fruits and his goods, laying up treasure for himself, without being rich towards God, the follower of Christ is employed in laying up "treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal." He desires "a better country, that is, an heavenly:" he looks for "a city which hath foundations, whose builder and maker is God." His master has taught him, when he prays, to say not, "give me much goods to be laid up for many years," but "give us this day our daily bread;" "my heavenly Father knoweth what things I really need." He knows that the day of the Lord cometh, "in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also, and the works that are therein, shall be burnt up." He, according to the promise of God, who cannot lie, "looks for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness." Hence he learns "in whatever state," Providence may be pleased to put him, "therewith to be content." "I know," says Paul, "both how to be abased, and I know how to abound: every where, and in all things, I am instructed, both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.' Brethren, the time is short, it remaineth, that they who weep be as they who weep not; and they that rejoice, as though they rejoiced not; and they that buy, as though they possessed not; and they that use this world, as not abusing it; for the fashion of this world passeth away."

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4. Let the ministers of Christ remember that they are "stewards of the mysteries of God," and that "it is required in stewards, that a man be found faithful." That which they deliver to others, they themselves received from the Lord. There is one and the same fare provided for them, and for their fellow-servants, and the provision is at once excellent and abundant. Every one is entitled to the portion most suitable to him, and in the proper season. "New born babes," in Christ,"desire the sincere milk of the word, that they may grow thereby." "But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age, even those who, by reason of use, have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil." In various ways may a steward be found unfaithful to his trust. He may be negligent, and then the household runs into confusion and every evil work;

goes wrong. He may withhold what is due, and the family starves. The food may be improperly mixed, and thereby changed into poison. He may be injudicious, and the aliment of the healthy and vigorous is administered to the puny and feeble, while the delicate nourishment that suits sickliness and imbecility is presented to maturity and strength. He may be deliberately wicked, and betray the trust which he was appointed to guard. As a contrast to this melancholy picture, turn your eyes to the portrait of that faithful steward, and able minister of the New Testament, the apostle of the Gentiles, in the solemn appeal which he makes to the elders of Ephesus, on bidding them a final farewell: "Ye know, from the first day that I came into Asia, after what manner I have been with you at all seasons, serving the Lord with all humility of mind, and with many tears and temptations which befell me by the lying in wait of the Jews; and how I kept back nothing that was profitable unto you, but have showed you, and have taught you publicly, and from house to house, testifying both to the Jews and also to the Greeks, repentance toward God, and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ. And now. behold, I go bound in the spirit unto Jerusalem, not knowing the things that shall befall me there: save that the Holy Ghost witnesseth in every city, saying, that bonds and afflictions abide me; but none of these things move me, neither count I my life dear unto myself, so that I might finish my course with joy, and the ministry which I have received of the Lord Jesus, to testify the Gospel of the grace of God." "I take you to record this day, that I am pure from the blood of all men; for I have not shunned to declare unto you the whole counsel of God-remember, that, by the space of three years, I ceased not to warn every one night and day with tears.-I have showed you all things, how that so labouring ye ought to support the weak; and to remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he said, it is more blessed to give than to receive." But there is an appeal still more solemn and affecting, and in circumstances infinitely more interesting, that of the chief Shepherd himself, addressed to his heavenly Father, in the near prospect "of his decease which he should accomplish at Jerusalem." "I have glorified thee on the earth: I have finished the work which thou gavest me to do. And now, O Father, glorify thou me with thine own self, with the glory which I had with thee before the world was. I have manifested thy name unto the men which thou gavest me out of the world; thine they were, and thou gavest them me: and they have kept thy word. Now they have known that all things, what

soever thou hast given me, are of thee: for gain. With what a different eye does a I have given unto them the words which devotional spirit contemplate Deity spreadthou gavest me: and they have received ing a table for every thing that lives! The them, and have known surely that I came Christian considers the fare upon his own out from thee, and they have believed that board, whether simple or sumptuous, flowing thou didst send me." Holy Father, keep in whatever channel, coming from the east through thine own name those whom thou or from the west, from the south or from the hast given me, that they may be one, as we north, as a supply immediately furnished by are." the hand of his heavenly Father, as children's bread, as a foretaste of the rich provision of his Father's house above. This communicates to ordinary things a relish unknown to the banquets of the luxurious and the proud. With the five thousand he beholds his God in person feeding him. He passes from the table which he calls his own, and at which his divine Master sat as a guest, though invisible, to that which Jesus emphatically calls his, and he finds it replenished "with all the fulness of God." "He eats and is satisfied, he goes on his way rejoicing, he advances from strength to strength, he mounts up as on eagles' wings, he runs and is not weary, he walks and faints not. Thus may every one of us in the Zion that is above appear before God. "The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Ghost, be with you all. Amen."

5. Let not the constant and regular operations of Deity, in the course of nature and providence be overlooked. Like the people who "did eat of the loaves and were filled," we take and enjoy the repast, but discern not the miracle which produced it. The naturalist traces the progress of vegetation as an amusement, as a branch of science. The husbandman pursues it as his destined occupation, he casts seed into the ground, leaves it there and goes to sleep, observes it day after day springing and growing up, he knoweth not how; first the blade, then the ear, after that the full corn in the ear, but his eye and his heart are all the while set on the time of putting in the sickle, when the harvest is come. The eager merchant too watches the process, as a commercial speculation, as favourable or unfavourable to his plans of buying, and selling, and getting