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without making a somewhat similar observation. Who, and what manner of person could this be? He did not work this miracle in the name of the Lord; he offered no prayer; he appealed to none, nor called in the aid of God or man; but with the voice of authority and power "he arose, and REBUKED the wind, and said unto the sea, Peace, be still;" he spake to inanimate creation as though it were his vassal! He rebuked the storm, he issued his commands, and the utterance of his voice instantaneously stilled the tempest! What voice could this be? what manner of man was this? We would put this question in all its force and energy to the heart and conscience of every one who admits the authority of inspiration! We would put it to every sceptic, to any one who is so unhappy as to be blind to his Saviour's power and Godhead, "What manner of man is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him?" To whom would the elements submit themselves but to Him who made them? Whose voice and whose authority would they acknowledge but His who called them into being? Would the almighty God, who is ever represented as jealous of his honour, permit a creature to exercise the powers of the Creator, and that without the smallest reference to Him who had given him this authority? If ever there was a display of the character and power of Godhead, it was exhibited on this remarkable occasion! There is no alternative-we

must deny the miracle altogether, attribute imposition to the evangelists as historians; or if the story be true, with reverence be it spoken, we must impute deception to the Lord Jesus himself, or we must at once admit that "though appearing in fashion as a man," he was at that moment, as he is now, and ever has been, and shall be, one with God—yea, the Almighty God himself!

Every true christian will welcome with gratitude this display of his power and Godhead! With what perfect composure may we commit all our own cares, and trials, and difficulties, into the hands of such a Saviour as this! He who spake unto the winds and waves, and they obeyed him, can speak peace to our souls, and give us that "quietness and assurance for ever" which is the portion of his people:-What storm so terrible that he cannot quell it? What dangers so formidable to the church of his redeemed, or to the humble and most obscure members of it, from which he cannot with a word deliver them? Well may we then again ask the servants of God, "O ye of little faith, wherefore should you fear?" Who can harm, who can injure you? He saith unto you,"Fear not, for I have redeemed thee, I have called thee by name-thou art mine. When thou passest through the waters I will be with thee, and through the rivers they shall not overflow thee. When thou walkest through the fire thou shalt not be burned, neither shall the

flame kindle upon thee."* May every believing soul rest on the promises of God in Christ Jesus, and be at peace: the Lord of hosts is with us, the God of Jacob is our refuge-therefore shall we not be moved even when the earth shall fade away and the elements shall melt with fervent heat! "We will trust in the name of the Lord, and stay upon our God!"

But may we all take these consolations to ourselves? Do the power, and glory, and sufficiency of the Lord Jesus Christ speak peace and comfort to every one here present? Are we all his true disciples, enjoying his presence, and holding sweet communion with him continually; so that we can look forward to approaching storms and tempests without dismay? Alas! some consciences perhaps whisper that it is not so with them! Let us then remember, that if we would have the Lord upon our side in troublous times, we must seek him now; if we would enjoy his protection in the storms and tempests which will one day or other burst upon us all, we must now seek reconciliation and favour with him; we must now repent and believe the gospel, or in the day of his wrath we shall perish! Men of all creeds and nations can call upon their gods loudly and anxiously in a moment of danger and alarm; but they alone can enjoy sweet peace and comfort in such seasons who have habitually sought and * Isa. xliii. 1, 2.

known the true God in times of comparative ease and prosperity. O let us then seek the Lord; acquaint ourselves with him, and be at peace; desire his favour and blessing more than life itself; and so shall we pass safely and calmly through all the trials and troubles of this world, yea through the dark valley of the shadow of death itself; until we rest upon the everlasting hills, and lie down in the green pastures, and repose beside the still waters of that paradise which God has prepared for them that love him.

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SERMON XVI.

UNIVERSAL OBLIGATION OF THE SABBATH.

EXODUS XX. 8.

"REMEMBER THE SABBATH DAY, TO KEEP IT HOLY."

So various and conflicting are the opinions which prevail in the present day relative to the obligation of the sabbath, that it behoves all who reverence the word and will of God most carefully to investigate the subject. No inconsiderable peril is incurred by an error on such a point as this. The day may indeed be observed as religiously by some who deny, as by those who maintain its divine obligation. But IF the fourth commandment be of equal authority with the rest of the decalogue, and IF God have attached to it a universal moral obligation; IF it be a part of that perfect rule of life which God has revealed for our guidance-then heavy responsibility rests upon that man who denies its authority, although from other motives he may comply

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