as to venture even to the door of the palace, where Christ was to undergo his trial. However, he might still have been safe here, and been informed of the issue of his master's trial. At last he went into the palace; but this was not enough, he even crowded among the servants. All this, Peter imagined to be only the effect of a strong faith; whereas it was in reality nothing but extreme rashness. So proud is frail man, that he will not confess his weakness and irresolution. If he is admonished to beware of keeping ill company, he thinks he is no longer a child, and knows how to govern himself. When he is in such company, he cannot bear to pass for a precise, gloomy, and unsociable person; but joins with the rest in committing a thousand things, which are displeasing to God, and wound his conscience. However, he will be upon his guard against any gross and enormous sins, that he may not cast any blemish on his character, &c. In the mean time, satan, into whose dominion he has wilfully ventured, excites him still farther on, and draws the snare of temptation nearer and nearer; so that at last he proceeds to drunkenness and intemperance, and then to other heinous sins, and scandalous debaucheries. Therefore, let none of us be rash and presumptuous, but humble and diffident. Let none confide too much in himself, but carefully avoid every occasion of sinning. A man cannot promise himself the divine protection, and assistance of the Holy Spirit, if he himself willingly runs into dangers and trials.

2. The disciples of Christ cannot long be concealed among the multitude of the profligate children of this world. Had Peter, like the rest, inveighed against Christ, and ridiculed his doctrines, he would have avoided all suspicion. But as he remained silent, and possibly, was sometimes unable to suppress his sighs, being under such a violent perturbation of mind, he was soon suspected to be one of Jesus's disciples..

Thus it is still with the children of God, when they mingle with the wicked: They are not long undistinguished from those about them. Their deportment, their words and actions are so different from those of the bulk of mankind, that they are soon discovered; and others think it strange, that they do not run with them to the same excess of riot, and prophaneness. Therefore, however they may dissemble and conceal themselves, they never remain long undiscovered. God himself will bring them to light, that they may be put to the test, whether they will suffer contempt or ill-treatment for the sake of Christ. Whoever does not think himself strong enough to bear this, cannot be too cautious in avoiding the company of the wicked, and prophane; otherwise it will prove a dangerous snare to him.

3. In times of public persecution, it is accounted the greatest of crimes, to be a disciple of Christ. The damsel did not charge Peter with any criminal action; but his whole fault was, being Jesus's disciple. This was a prelude to what was afterwards practised in the Heathen persecutions. When any one was by them convicted of being a Christian, he was sure to forfeit his life. It was common among the Heathens to observe, that such a person was a worthy man; but then he was a Christian. Such an aversion had the Heathens conceived for this name, that they looked upon those who were distinguished by it, as an execrable set of men. And thus the prediction of Christ was fulfilled,They shall lay hands on you, and persecute you for my name's sake.' (Luke xxi. 12, 17.)

II. In the account of Peter's first denial is mentioned, first, the witnesses: He denied it before them all,' before the whole croud of servants, &c. who were in the court together; and by this means, gave public offence. Secondly, The words that he spoke; which, according to the harmonised account. of the Evangelists, are as follows. I am not;' I am

no disciple of Jesus of Nazareth. But that was not all; he farther added, "I know him not ;' I have no acquaintance with the man, and have no manner of connection with him. Nay, "I know not what thou savest I understand not your meaning. So strongly did Peter dissemble, as if he never had any thing to do with Jesus of Nazareth, and did not in the least care what became of him. At these words of the damsel, he was, as it were, thunder-struck; and, all his boasted resolution disappeared at this one attack. He thought the High Priest's servants would iminediately lay hold of him, bind him, and carry him before the council to be tried; who would immediately sentence him to die. Thus he already began to faint, only at the distant appearance of danger.

Here I must beg leave to observe, that the following incident, according to St. Matthew's account of it, seems to be a wise intimation to Peter of what would befal him at the time of our Saviour's sufferings. This remarkable incident is thus related by the Evangelist. (Matt. xiv. 22-53.) And straightway Jesus constrained his disciples to get into a ship, and to go before him unto the other side, while he sent the multitudes away. And when he had sent the multitudes away, he went up into a mountain apart to pray: And when the evening was come, he was there alone. But the ship was now in the midst of the sea, tossed with waves; for the wind was contrary. And in the fourth watch of the night, Jesus went unto them, walking on the sea. And when the

disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were troubled, saying, It is a spirit: And they cried out for fear. But straightway Jesus spake unto them, saying, Be of good cheer; it is I; be not afraid. And Peter answered him, and said, Lord, if it be thou, bid me come unto thee on the water. And he said, Come. And when Peter was come down out of the ship, he walked on the water, to go to Jesus. But when

he saw the wind boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink, he cried, Lord save me! And immediately Jesus stretched forth his hand, and caught him, and said unto him, O thou of little faith! wherefore didst thou doubt? And when they were come into the ship, the wind ceased.'

Here we may consider,

First, The agitated sea, is an emblem of the tumultuous Jewish populace, who were instigated by their priests and elders, to rage with all possible violence against Jesus and his disciples.

Secondly, The blessed Jesus, during this storm, was absent from his disciples, who were then separated from him, and tossed by the outrageous waves; and he walked on the sea, without being swallowed up by the waters. This clearly represents to us, that our blessed Lord, in the most difficult and violent temptations, never permitted himself to be overcome by the strength of them; but by his confidence, obedience, and love towards his Heavenly Father, remained firm and unmoved, and trod the boisterous surge under his feet; while his poor disciples who, by flight, had separated themselves from him, were driven from one place to another like a ship at the mercy of the waves.

Thirdly, Peter conceited that he had more strength than in reality he was possessed of; for he alone of all the disciples, on seeing Jesus walking on the sea, desired that he might come to him down on the raging deep. Thus the same Peter desired of his Lord and Master, that he might accompany him to prison and to death, and consequently undergo the same severe trials with Christ himself; whereas the blessed Jesus alone was able to go through the conflict.

Fourthly, Christ permitted Peter, on his own request, to walk on the sea and come to him. So the Lord Jesus seems to permit, that Peter alone should follow him afar off into the High Priest's palace,

while the other disciples remained behind; in order to put him to the proof, whether he could, like his master, walk on the tumultuous waves of trials and temptations.

Fifthly, When Peter first ventured to commit himself to the boisterous waves, they had no power over him; but when his confidence in Christ began to shake at the rising of a sudden storm, then Peter sunk, and was like to perish. This same Peter, after he had mingled with the tumultuous multitude which foamed and raged, like the troubled ocean, against Christ, was no sooner questioned by a servant maid, but his courage forsook him, and he was brought to the very brink of final destruction; so that the waves of trial very nearly swallowed him up.

Sixthly, When Peter was in such imminent danger, our blessed Lord was graciously pleased, not only to stretch forth his hand and support him, but lifted him out of the water and secured his goings. In like manner, Christ was moved with tender compassion to Peter in the instance before us, cast a look at him as he was sinking, and by that means moved him to repentance, and confirmed him in his former faith.

Lastly, Peter being thus supported by Christ, walked firmly with him on the water, after the example of his Lord and master. This same Peter, being raised again from his grievous fall, undauntedly preached the gospel of Christ, notwithstanding a variety of persecutions, and even strengthened his brethren. Thus the Lord Jesus, in his gracious wisdom, a whole year before the event, seems, by this incident, to have set before Peter's eyes what would afterwards befall him.

But to return from this digression. Peter, after giving the first proof of his weakness, this beginning of his sinking under his trial, went out into the court, i. e. stole away from the crowd of servants and soldiers to the porch, near the gate which opened out of