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can despair of Thy goodness； when he； that in the morning was posting
to hell； is in the evening with Thee in Paradise？〃Bishop Hall。
＇43＇ 〃He that puts off his repentance and seeking for pardon to the
very last； in reliance upon this example； does but tempt God； and turn
that to his own poison； which God intended for better ends。 〃The
mercies of God are never recorded in Scripture for man's presumption；
and the failings of men never for imitation。〃Lightfoot。 Sermon。 1684。
〃Most ungrateful and foolish is the conduct of those who take
encouragement from the penitent thief to put off repentance to a dying
moment； most ungrateful in perverting the grace of their Redeemer into
an occasion of renewing their provocations against Him； and most
foolish to imagine that what our Lord did in so singular circumstances；
is to be drawn into an ordinary precedent。〃Doddridge。
＇44＇ 〃I know not that since the creation of the world there ever was a
more remarkable and striking example of faith。〃Calvin/s mentary on
the Gospels。 〃A great faith that can see the sun under so thick a
cloud； that can discover a Christ； a Saviour； under such a poor；
scorned； despised； crucified Jesus； and call Him Lord。 〃A great faith
that could see Christ's kingdom through His cross； and grave； and
death； and when there was so little sign of a kingdom； and pray to be
remembered In that kingdom。〃Lightfoot。 Sermon。 1684。 〃The penitent
thief was the first confessor of Christ's heavenly kingdomthe first
martyr who bore testimony to the holiness of His sufferingsand the
first apologist for His oppressed innocence。〃Quesnel on the Gospel。
〃Probably there are few saints in glory who ever honoured Christ more
illustriously than this dying sinner。〃Doddridge。 〃Is this the voice
of a thief or a disciple？ Give me leave； O Saviour； to borrow Thine own
words； Verily I have not found so great faith； no not in Israel。' He
saw Thee hanging miserably by him； and yet styles Thee Lord。 He saw
Thee dying； and yet talks of Thy kingdom。 He felt himself dying； yet
talks of a future remembrance； O faith； stronger than death； which can
look beyond the cross at a crown； beyond dissolution at a remembrance
of life and glory！ Which of Thine eleven were heard to speak so
gracious a word to Thee in these Thy last pangs？〃Bishop Hall。
＇45＇ 〃We ought not to enter into curious and subtle arguments about the
place of paradise。 Let us rest satisfied with knowing that those who
are engrafted by faith into the body of Christ are partakers of life；
and there enjoy after death a blessed and joyful rest； until the
perfect glory of the heavenly life is fully manifested by the ing of
Christ。〃Calvin's mentary on the Gospels。
＇46＇ 〃We give Thee hearty thanks； for that it hath pleased Thee to
deliver this our brother out of the miseries of this sinful
world。〃Church of England Burial Service。 〃I have some of the best
news to impart。 One beloved by you has acplished her warfare； has
received an answer to her prayers； and everlasting joy rests upon her
head。 My dear wife； the source of my best earthly fort for twenty
years； departed on Tuesday。〃Venn's Letter to Stillingfleet；
announcing the death of his wife。
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XII。
THE RULER OF THE WAVES
〃And there arose a great storm of wind； and the waves beat into the
ship； so that it was now full。
〃And He was in the hinder part of the ship； asleep on a pi How： and
they awake Him； and say unto Him； Master； carest Thou not that we
perish？
〃And He arose； and rebuked the wind； and said unto the sea； Peace； be
still。 And the wind ceased； and there was a great calm。
〃And He said unto them； Why are ye so fearful。 How is it that ye have
no faith？〃Mark iv。 37…40。
IT would be well if professing Christians in modern days studied the
four Gospels more than they do。 No doubt all Scripture is profitable。
It is not wise to exalt one part of the Bible at the expense of
another。 But I think it should be good for some who are very familiar
with the Epistles； if they knew a little more about Matthew； Mark；
Luke； and John。
Now why do I say this？ I say it because I want professing Christians to
know more about Christ。 It is well to be acquainted with all the
doctrines and principles of Christianity。 It is better to be acquainted
with Christ Himself。 It is well to be familiar with faith； and grace；
and justification； and sanctification。 They are all matters 〃pertaining
to the King。〃 But it is far better to be familiar with Jesus Himself；
to see the King's own face； and to behold His beauty。 This is one
secret of eminent holiness。 He that would be conformed to Christ's
image； and bee a Christ…like man； must be constantly studying Christ
Himself。
Now the Gospels were written to make us acquainted with Christ。 The
Holy Ghost has told us the story of His life and deathHis sayings and
His doings； four times over。 Four different； inspired hands have drawn
the picture of the Saviour。 His ways； His manners； His feelings； His
wisdom； His grace； His patience； His love； His power； are graciously
unfolded to us by four different witnesses。 Ought not the sheep to be
familiar with the Shepherd？ Ought not the patient to be familiar with
the Physician？ Ought not the bride to be familiar with the Bridegroom？
Ought not the sinner to be familiar with the Saviour？ Beyond doubt it
ought to be so。 The Gospels were written to make men familiar with
Christ； and therefore I wish men to study the Gospels。
On whom must we build our souls if we would be accepted with God？ We
must build on the rock； Christ。 From whom must we draw that grace of
the Spirit which we daily need in order to be fruitful？ We must draw
from the vine； Christ。 To whom must we look for sympathy when earthly
friends fail us or die？ We must look to our elder brother； Christ。 By
whom must our prayers be presented； if they are to be heard on high？
They must be presented by our advocate； Christ。 With whom do we hope to
spend the thousand years of glory； and the after eternity？ With the
King of kings； Christ。 Surely we cannot know this Christ too well！
Surely there is not a word； nor a deed； nor a day； nor a step； nor a
thought in the record of His life； which ought not to be precious to
us。 We should labour to be familiar with every line that is written
about Jesus。
e now； and let us study a page in our Master's history。 Let us
consider what we may learn from the verses of Scripture which stand at
the head of this paper。 You there see Jesus crossing the lake of
Galilee； in a boat with His disciples。 You see a sudden storm arise
while He is asleep。 The waves beat into the boat and fill it。 Death
seems to be close at hand。 The frightened disciples awake their Master
and cry for help。 He arises and rebukes the wind and the waves； and at
once there is a calm。 H