⚫ the old prophets was rifen again. And Herod faid, John have I beheaded: but who is this ❝ of whom I hear fuch things? and he defired to

fee him.' Here we find Herod, .fpeaking like Herod John have I beheaded; and contemning the idea of his having rifen from the dead. He only adds-but who is this, of whom I hear fuch things? let me fee him. Jefus knew better than to come in his way voluntarily. And St. Luke informs us that when he was compelled to appear before him, he was treated with contempt. The three evangelifts agree that when this report was made to Jefus, by his disciples, he withdrew with them privately into a defert place. John fays nothing about it. Matthew informs us, that when Jefus came from this retreat, he was joined by a great multitude out of the cities, healed their fick; and with five loaves, and two fifh, he fully fatisfied the hunger of about five thoufand men, befides women and children. (Mark fays above 5000. Luke does not record the miracle. John fays five barley loaves and two small fish.) Add to this a miracle more extraordinary; out of the remains, or with the fragments which remained, they filled twelve baskets. And yet this double miracle had not a proper effect even upon his difciples. St. Mark (who was no difciple) fays, ch. vi. v. 52. . For they confidered not the mi

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racle of the loaves, for their heart was hardened.' Chapter Verfe But St. John (who was a difciple) tells us, ch. vi. v. 15. it had fuch an effect upon the multitude, that Jefus perceived they would take him by force, and make him a king, to avoid which, he withdrew himself into a mountain alone till night. St. Matthew, on the contrary, faysAnd ftraightway Jefus conftrained his difciples to getxiv. into a ship, and to go before him unto the other fide, while he sent the multitude away. And when be bad fent the multitude away, he went up into a mountain apart to pray. And when the evening was come, he was then alone. About the fourth watch of the enfuing night, he walked upon a very rough fea, to join his difciples in the fhip; they, taking him for a fpirit, cried out through fear. But upon his speaking to them, Peter was fo much encouraged, that he requested permiffion to join him on the water. That being granted, he made the experiment, but was foon under the neceffity of crying out for affiftance. Jefus gave it him, faying-O thou of little faith wherefore didst thou doubt? When they came into the fhip, the wind ceafed, and they 'that were in the fhip came and worshipped him faying-Of a truth thou art the Son of God.' Mark, contrary to his ufual cuftom, gives us a very different account of this matter; he faysAnd when even was come, the ship was in the midft of the fea, and he (Jefus) alone on the

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land. And he faw them toiling and rowing: for the wind was contrary unto them. And about the fourth watch of the night, he cometh unto them, walking upon the fea, and would have paffed by them. But when they faw him walking upon the fea, they supposed it had been a fpirit, and cried out for they all faw him, and were troubled. And immediately he talked with them, and faith unto them-Be of good cheer, it is I, be not afraid. And he went up unto them into the fhip, and the wind ceafed and they were fore amazed in themselves beyond measure, and wondered. For they confidered not the miracles of the loaves, for their heart was hardened. Here nothing is mentioned of Peter's mifadventure, which is, or perhaps is not extraordinary confidering that Mark wrote under Peter's direction. The two evangelifts contradict each other in their account of the effect this miracle had upon those in the fhip. One tells us, they worfhipped him and faid-Of a truth thou art the Son of God. The other fays-They were fore amazed beyond measure, and wondered, for their heart was hardened. That is, I apprehend, they fuppofed him to have been an evil fpirit, while he continued in the fhip, for Mark tells us→

And when they were come out of the fhip, ftraightway they knew him. John's account of this matter, will perplex us ftill more; he tells us-' And when even was now. come, his difci

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ples went down unto the fea, and entered into Chapter Verse

a fhip, and went over the fea towards Caper

naum: and it was now dark, and Jefus was not come to them. And the fea arose by reafon ❝ of a great wind that blew; fo that when they ⚫ had rowed about twenty-five or thirty furlongs, they fee Jefus walking on the fea, and drawing nigh unto the fhip: and they were afraid : But he faith unto them, It is I, be not afraid. Then they willingly received him into the ship, and immediately the fhip was at the land whither they went.' Thus we find Matthew and John, who were both prefent, fay not a word of their unbelief, or hardness of heart. John fays nothing of Peter's mifadventure, but he fays it was dark when they had rowed twenty-five or thirty furlongs where Jefus came to them. Matthew and Mark say the ship was in the midst of the sea, and Jesus alone, fays the latter, on the land: from whence (notwithstanding John's dark nefs) he saw them toiling and rowing. From Luke we can derive no information, to determine thefe difcordant accounts of a very extraordinary miracle, he fays not a word about the matter. Therefore we will proceed with St. Matthew's hiftory- And when xiv. they were gone over (the fea) they came into the land of Gennezaret. And when the men ⚫ of that place had knowledge of him, they fent ' out into all that country round about, and brought unto him all that were difeafed, and

7 befought

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Chapter Verfe befought him, that they might only touch the 'hem of his garment and as many as touched

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whole.' Mark gives nearLuke and John none. But

were made perfectly ly the fame account. the latter tells us, that the people left on the first fhore miffing Jefus the next day took fhipping and followed him to Capernaum. Having found him on the other fide of the fea, they faid-Rab25 bi, when cameft thou hither? He, in reply tells them they followed him, not because they had seen the miracles, but because they had been fed : advises them not to labour for perifhable bread, but for that which endureth unto everlasting life, 27 which the Son of Man fhall give unto you: for him hath God the Father fealed.' They afk 28 him-What shall we do, that we might work the 29 works of God? He replied-This is the work of God, that ye believe on him whom he hath fent. 30 They very properly rejoined-What fign fhewest thou then, that we may fee and believe thee? What doft thou work? adding Our fathers did 31 eat manna in the defert: as it is written-' He gave them bread from Heaven to eat.' Upon 32 which Jefus faid to them-Verily, verily I fay unto you, Mofes gave you Heaven but my Father

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not that bread from giveth you the true bread from Heaven. For the bread of God is he which cometh down from Heaven and giveth life unto the world. Then faid they unto him34 Lord, evermore give us this bread. And Jesus