the Psalmist, to feed the young ravens that call upon him; and our blessed Lord hath observed to the same purpose, that our heavenly Father feedeth the fowls of the air. This he doth, by an instinct of affection, which he hath implanted in the parent birds, to bring food to their young in their first helpless condition; and, when they are fledged and grown, by an instinct which he hath also given them, of diligence and sagacity in seeking for themselves, the nourishment which he hath scattered for them over the face of the earth, and provided for all seasons of the year. Much higher abilities he hath given to mankind, and a more liberal sustenance. But, in general, he requires them to exert and exercise those powers of mind and body, with which he hath endowed them; in order that they may obtain the blessings of his bounty. If they thus use their reason and diligence, in the fear of God, without anxiety and over-carefulness, and in an humble dependence on his providence, there is cause to hope and believe, that he will not fail nor forsake them. We see, by this miracle, the goodness of his providence, and that nothing is impossible to it. Without interposing so visibly, it can work in a thousand ways, unexpected and unthought of by us, for the good of them that seek Him ; of those especially, who have a charitable heart,

and a readiness to do according to their ability. The disciples of our Lord were in the same situation with the rest of the multitude; at the same distance from towns and villages, where they might provide themselves more food: yet they made a ready offer to their divine Master of what they had, for the support of the multitude, as far as it would go. They offered it, and He received it of them: they gave into his blessed hands five loaves and two small fishes; with which the whole multitude was fed and, after this trial of their faith was made, they received back twelve full baskets of the remaining food. In this they saw his saying verified to them; " Give, and it shall be given unto you: good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, shall men give into your bosom." At the same time, by ordering what remained to be carefully gathered up, he instructs us, that man may not be wasteful, where God is bountiful.

Thirdly, we have in this transaction a lesson against ambitious desires, and eagerness for glory and honour. It is, indeed, natural for man to wish for them: but let us not be earnest for them, where only a faint and short-lived im ve of them is to be found; I mean in th world: nor before God's appoi bestowing them. The peop

had miraculously fed, would gladly have proclaimed Him their King: but we see, he carefully withdrew himself from them. A King He was born to be, but not of this world; a kingdom He was to receive of transcendent power and glory; but he was to receive it, not from men, but from his heavenly Father. His time, therefore, of bestowing it, he humbly and patiently expected. In the meanwhile, he was contented, to be coarsely nourished, for his bread on this occasion was but of barley; to be ill accommodated, for he often had not where to lay his head; and, instead of power and worship, to receive disgrace and reproach. Under all which humiliating circumstances, he had not a wish to forerun or change the times appointed by the Father. All true Christians are heirs with Him, and through Him, of his kingdom. Let them not lose this substance, by catching at a shadow; by an eager pursuit of the pomps, and vanities, and possessions, of the world. If they have a plentiful share of its good things, let them endeavour to turn it to their advantage in the age to me, by moderation, temperance, d ch le

they are placed in an humbler aspire after these things, than vine Master, in the graces of

ignation. And when Christ,

who is our life, shall appear, then shall they also appear with Him in glory.

Fourthly, in the behaviour of our blessed Lord on this occasion, we have a pattern set us, of true charity, and unfeigned piety.

He had retired from the labours of his ministry, into the wilderness, for a little repose and comfort in private devotion. But when the multitude, impatient of his absence, had followed and found him out, He, who came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, cheerfully sacrificed his own ease and satisfaction, to their wishes and improvement. He received, and taught and healed them, as he was used to do. From which example, we may form to ourselves a rule of conduct, when acts of charity, and of private or public devotion, interfere with each other, so that one of them must be omitted, in order to perform the other. Christ interrupted or delayed his prayers to His heavenly Father, not to please Himself, but to show mercy, and do good to others: and when he had satisfied this duty, he repaired to his devotions with fresh ardour, and went up into a mountain to pray. In like manner may we act both innocently and religiously; when we do not make pretended charity a cloak for indolence or disregard of God's worship, but really wish to

attend it, and absent ourselves from it, only because the duty of taking care of a family, or some office of charity to a neighbour, cannot well be deferred. It is thus that God will have mercy and not sacrifice.

We may observe another instance of our Lord's great piety, in returning thanks, and blessing the bread, before he gave it to be distributed. This was his constant practice at his meals; and he did it with such singular devoutness, that this action discovered him to the two disciples, with whom he walked to Emmaus after his resurrection. "He took bread, and blessed it, and brake and gave to them, and their eyes were opened, and they knew Him." Which example of Christ, ought surely to be followed by us, who, after his worthy name, call ourselves Christians: as such, let us never fail to return thanks to God, for our food and sustenance; and humbly to beseech him to bless us in the use of them.

Fifthly, Our thoughts of Christ may be yet more exalted, by spiritual contemplation of this miracle. He is our teacher and example, whom we ought to obey and imitate. But he is far more than this, a higher and dearer benefactor, who hath given us bread from heaven, even his own precious self. It was thus he instructed