distinguished by the ardour of his affection for Jefus, which was ready to overflow upon all occafions He was faithful, bold, and vigorous in the work affigned him, ever watching the motions, and springing forward, before all the reft, to execute the will of his Lord. O that both minifters and private Chriftians poffeffed a larger measure of his diligence and zeal ! Alas! we lofe many opportunities of ufefulness, through the coldness of our hearts in fpiritual things, and dishonour our principles by the defect of our services.

A

We now advance to a part of the facred narration, which may juftly excite much fear and diftress. mournful fpectacle is exhibited in the fall of this eminent Apostle. We prefume not to allege any excuses for his conduct, which was finful in the extreme, and marked by peculiar aggravations. May we be properly affected by the view, and learn to diftruft ourselves! How prepofterous it is, for creatures fo depraved and helpless to be lifted up with vain confidence! Who fhall be able to ftand, if God withdraw his fupport?

"Lord, not my feet only, but also my hands and my

head."

Peter requested his Lord to explain the hints which he had given about his departure, and was then informed, that he himfelf muft follow him, not indeed at that time, but after fome years fervice in the Church*. He considered the reply as containing an intimation of unwillingness in him to fuffer with Jefus; and, feeling his heart warm with love, he boafted that he could inftantly and cheerfully meet de..th in his Master's defence. The declaration accorded with his real fentiments, but favoured too much of prefumption, and proved that he was not properly fenfible of his own weakness and danger. To check this vain boafting, and put him upon watchfulness and prayer, Jefus reprefented, in a molt affecting manner, that Satan his fubtle adverfary was about to affault both him and his companions with peculiar vehemence it was fuggefted, that he in particular, after fuffering a fevere lots in the conflict, would be preferved from a total defeat, and recovered for the confirmation of his brethren, in confequence of the Saviour's interceffion for him †.

Such an information, and from fuch a perfon, we fhould fuppofe, was enough to trike a damp upon the Apoftle's fpirit. But he was yet two confident of his own ftrength to listen to the warning, and therefore he repeated the declaration, that neither bonds nor death fhould feparate him from his Lord. Jefus then added a more exprefs and tremendous admonition, folemnly affirming, that before the morning watch, in the course of that very night, Peter would thrice difavow all acquaintance with him. And did not this caution produce the proper effect? No: he went out with his Mafter to Gethsemane, but not with fufficient humility, vigilance, or prayer. Upon the road, he

* John xiii. 33-38. + Luke xxii. 31-34.

was

was again reminded of his approaching fall; and, still thinking himself incapable of fuch bafenefs and treachery, he again maintained with renewed affeverations, and in the moft peremptory manner, that he would ftand by his Lord in all extremities, and that, however the reft might defert him, he would rather die in his defence. This was honeft language; but it clearly betrayed a haughty spirit," which "goeth before a fall +.” It always bodes ill, when men fufpect others rather than themfelves, and boaft of their firmnefs, inftead of calling upon God for ftrength and protection. O how needful is that petition, "Hold thou me up, and I fhall be fafe ‡ !

When they came to the garden of Gethsemane, St. Peter, with the two other favoured difciples James and John, was admitted to behold the Saviour in his deepest diftrefs §. There he received a folemn charge to watch with his Lord, and pray againft temptation. But, even on that occafion, he discovered a very finful remiffness. He neglected the directions given him, and, instead of being employed in holy exercises, fell asleep. His companions did the fame; but a fharp reproof was addreffed to him in particular, as he had been more confident than the others, "Simon, fleepest Thou? couldst not thou watch one hour?" The injunction was renewed; yet again and again he funk into the fame exceffive ftupor. A poor preparation for a season of severe trial!

A tremendous conflict enfued. Jefus was appre-hended by a band of armed men; and on that event, it fhould feem, St. Peter maintained an unfhaken conftancy and courage. Remembering his vow, he drew his fword for the protection of his Master, and wounded a fervant, who was, probably, one of the moft forward among the impious crew. Thus, as he had

*Matt. xxvi. 31-35. + Prov. xvi. 18. Matt. xxvi. 36-46. Mar. xiv. 32-42. Matt. xxvi. 47-54. John xviii. 1--11.

Pfal. cxix. 117. Luke xxii. 40-46.

determined,

determined, he hazarded his life rather than he would forfake Chrift: and, confidering this forcible refiftance, it is furprifing that both he and his companions were not inftantly cut to pieces. He thewed his zeal, but fhewed at the fame time a very blamable rafhnefs and impetuofity. Jefus, therefore, reproved him, and reminded him, that, if any defence had been neceflary, he could have procured thousands of Angels for that purpose. Chriftians, whofe natural difponition is fanguine, are in great danger of adopting violent measures, even for the truth's fake. caufe of God is not promoted by fuch means. weapons of our warfare are not carnal *."

But the

"The

Peter beheld his Mafter taken, bound, and led away as a prifoner; and, perceiving him quietly fubmit to this treatment, he, toge her with the other difciples, forfook him and fled †. Hs boaited courage failed; and, probably, he began to tremble for his own fafety. This was a fad change indeed. Yet he feemed to be foon recovered: recovered, alas! to fall the more fcandaloufly. Not long after, he followed Jefus, but it was "afar off," evidently under an impreffion of fear. He wilhed to be upon the watch, that he might obferve how the whole tranfaction terminated. He obtained admiffion into the place of trial, and, to avoid fufpicion, mingled with the crowd. He fat down among the idle and profane lervants: ah! what poor fociety was this for an Apoltle of Chrift! There the temptation commenced; yet it was fuch, as appeared in itself trifling: at leait, he had withitood many, which we

2 Cor. x. 4.

+Matt. xxvi. 56, 58, 69–75. Mar. xiv.66-72. Luke xxii. 54-62. John xvii. 15-27. St. Peter's fall is related by all the Evangelifts; and none have defcribed it in a more heinous light than St. Mark: and if, as is generally fuppofed, that Gospel was reviewed by Peter himfeif, and written even under his direction, this circumftance may be confidered as an evidence of his integrity and fincere contrition.

might have thought greater. But Satan was then permitted to have a ftrong afcendancy over his mind, and to render him, contrary to his naturai temper, a moft abject coward.

A certain female attendant in the high priest's palace charged him with being a difciple of Jesus. He was inftantly confounded, and exprefsly declared that he did not fo much as know him Perhaps fhocked at his own words, he went out, and heard the cock crow. Did not that found bring to his recollection the caution, which he had received? Poffibly, this might be the cafe; yet immediately after that warning, being interrogated by different perfons, he fell again, and in the very fame manner, confirming his former denial of his Mafter with stronger affeverations, and even with an oath. An hour afterwards, the accufation was renewed by fresh witneffes; and the third time this eminent, diftinguished, and zealous Apostle difavowed all connection and acquaintance with Jefus. This he did in language, which might be calculated to clear him from the imputation, but which we should have fuppofed could never come out of fuch a mouth: " he began to curfe and to swear."

We stand amazed, while we view the atrocious fin, with all its aggravations. If we have been preferved from fo fhameful a declenfion, O what thanks and praises are due to Him, who hath kept our fouls! But this hiftory will teach us not to prefume on our imagined steadfastness. We are still liable to be tempted and overcome. Nay, there is no wickedness. fo heinous, which we might not be induced to perpetrate. Our danger is the greater, as we are conftantly watched by a fubtle and malicious adverfary, who defires to have us, that he may fift us as wheat." O let us be the more vigilant, and prepared to refift his attacks! There were fome preceding fteps, which led to Peter's calamitous mifcarriage. He depended upon his own ftrength, neglect

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