Theologicall questions, dogmaticall observations, and evangelicall essays, vpon the Gospel of Jesus Christ, according to St. Matthew Wherein, about two thousand six hundred and fifty necessary, and profitable questions are discussed; and five hundred and eighty speciall points of doctrine noted; and five hundred and fifty errours confuted, or objections answered: together with divers arguments, whereby divers truths, and true tenents are confirmed. By Richard VVard, sometimes student in the famous vniversities of Cambridge in England: St. Andrews in Scotland: and Master of Arts of both the kingdoms; and now a preacher in the famous city of London.

VERS. 25. And his Disciples came to him, [Vers. 25] and awoke him, saying, Lord save us, wee perish.

§. 1. His Disciples came to him. [Sect. 1]

This action of the Disciples, in comming to Christ, may teach us the degrees of our com∣ming unto Christ.

How do we come unto Christ? [Quest.] or by what steps?

First, the carnall man is absent from Christ, [Answ. 1] and a stranger unto him, Mat. 18.11. Luke 15.13. Ephes. 2.12. and 1 Pet. 25.

Secondly, therefore God sends affliction; as [Answ. 2] to the prodigall poverty, and to the Jews misery, Psalme 107.

Thirdly, and then we come to him (Psal. 119.67.71.) [Answ. 3] One of these two wayes, either

I. By prayer, as the Disciples here did, crying, Lord save us. Or

II. By repentance, as the Prodigall did: Fa∣ther I have sinned against heaven, and against thee.

§. 2. They awoke him. [Sect. 2]

Christ indeed is sometimes absent from his children, which is here expressed by his being asleep.

How is Christ absent from his children? [Quest.]

First, sometimes he is absent from them, by [Answ. 1] withdrawing his grace from them▪ and permit∣ting them to sin: thus he absented himselfe from Peter, and David, for a time.

Secondly, sometimes he is absent from them, [Answ. 2:] in comfort; when hee permits them to fall into

grievous afflictions; thus hee absented himselfe from Iob for a time, and from David, Psal 22.

[Sect. 3] §. 3. Save us, or wee perish.

The Disciples here in their distresse pray unto Christ, and are preserved: whence we may learn:

[Observ.] That the prayers of the righteous shall certain∣ly be heard.

[Object.] But many pray, whom God answers not.

[Answ. 1] First, God is alwayes able to heare, and helpe us if he please, Daniel 3.17.

[Answ. 2] Secondly, if he do not helpe us when we pray, yet he will turn his deniall, and our distresse unto our good: for all things worke together for the best unto the righteous, Rom. 8.28.

[Answ. 3] Thirdly, and although hee do not helpe us at the first, yet he can afterwards; as we see in Is∣raels fighting against Benjamin, who was over∣come once & againe (Iudg. 20.21.25.) although God bad them fight (verse 18.23.) but at length they wholly overcome them, verse 35. &c.