Chapter IV.

A prophecy of the extent of the Kingdom of Christ-Several of our Lord's miracles wrought in connection with the seaA French captain's fear.

T is foretold of the Redeemer—

'He shall have dominion also from sea to sea, Psa. 72. 8. and from the river unto the ends of the earth.'

I will set his hand also in the sea, and his Psa. 89. 25. right hand in the rivers.'

11.

The earth shall be full of the knowledge of Isa. 11. 9, the Lord, as the waters cover the sea. And it shall come to pass in that day, that the Lord shall set his hand again the second time to recover the remnant of his people . . . from the islands of the sea.'

'The abundance of the sea shall be converted Isa. 60. 5. unto thee.'

'The land of Zabulon, and the land of Neph-Mat. 4. 15, thalim, by the way of the sea, beyond Jordan,

Galilee of the Gentiles; the people which sat in

Luke 5. 4-6,

11.

John 6. 24, 28, 29.

darkness saw great light; and to them which sat in the region and shadow of death light is sprung up.'

Many of Christ's disciples were fishermen ; but without the Divine blessing success cannot be attained either in temporal or spiritual fishing.

He said unto Simon, Launch out into the deep, and let down your nets for a draught. And Simon answering, said unto him, Master, we have toiled all the night, and have taken nothing nevertheless, at thy word I will let down the net. And when they had this done, they inclosed a great multitude of fishes. And when they had brought their ships to land, they forsook all, and followed him.'

When Jesus was on earth, souls seeking salvation made use of ships to find Him.

'When the people therefore saw that Jesus was not there, neither his disciples, they also took shipping, and came to Capernaum, seeking for Jesus. Then said they unto him, What shall we do, that we might work the works of God? Jesus answered and said unto them, This is the work of God, that ye believe on him whom he hath sent.'

Here we have the way of salvation clearly and simply set forth by Christ Himself, and though we cannot now find him on earth, He is everywhere present by His Holy Spirit, and His ear

is ever open to the cry of all who seek His mercy and grace, whether on sea or land. It has been well said that 'There are no "Office Hours," marked on the door of heaven: we have always access at the "mercy-seat."

We also read, that Jesus sat by the sea while teaching, and used a ship as His pulpit.

'The same day went Jesus out of the house Mat. 13. 1-3. and sat by the sea side. And great multitudes were gathered together unto him, so that he went into a ship, and sat; and the whole multitude stood on the shore. And he spake many things unto them.'

Is not that a warrant for Bethel ships, and preaching on board all sorts of vessels ?

One is

Several of the miracles of our Lord were wrought in connection with the sea. recorded in Matthew xvii., when, in order to show an example of submission to the laws of the country in which He then sojourned, Jesus caused a fish to be the means of providing money for paying tribute.

And when they were come to Capernaum, they that received tribute money came to Peter, and said, Doth not your master pay tribute? He saith, Yes. And when he was come into the house, Jesus prevented him, saying, What thinkest thou, Simon? of whom do the kings of earth take custom or tribute? of their own

Mat. 17.24

27.

Mat. 8. 23

27.

children, or of strangers? Peter saith unto him, Of strangers. Jesus saith unto him, Then are the children free. Notwithstanding, lest we should offend them, go thou to the sea, and cast an hook, and take up the fish that first cometh up; and when thou hast opened his mouth, thou shalt find a piece of money: that take, and give unto them for me and thee.'

'And when he was entered into a ship, his disciples followed him. And, behold, there arose a great tempest in the sea, insomuch that the ship was covered with the waves: but he was asleep. And his disciples came to him, and awoke him, saying, Lord, save us: we perish. And he saith unto them, Why are ye fearful, O ye of little faith? Then he arose, and rebuked the winds and the sea; and there was a great calm. But the men marvelled, saying, What manner of man is this, that even the winds and the sea obey him?'

What caused the disciples to be so alarmed? Unbelief. They forgot that Jesus had power to still the storm and deliver them. It may have been sent as a test of their faith, just as trials of various kinds to prove God's children now; and we often do not realise our own weakness till the trial comes: therefore let us not judge harshly of the actions of others who are placed in circumstances that we have never known.