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receive, in exact proportion," according to their works." There hall every vile apoftate, as well as treacherous Judas, be diftinguished by peculiar marks of indignation for no guilt can be fo heinous as their's.

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Do not thefe confiderations alarm our fears? Then let us watch and pray: and efpecially let us beware of those fnares, by which others have fallen. Let us be ferious and upright, renouncing every carnal motive in our tranfactions with God. "A doubleminded man is unftable in all his ways*." But, taking hold of the Covenant in Jefus Chrift, and aiming at the divine glory with finglenefs of eye, we shall perfevere in righteoufnefs, and be "kept by the power of God through faith unto falvation †." Amen.

James i. 8. † 1 Pet. i. 5.

SAINT PETER.

CHAP. V.

SECT. I.

Peter, a fisherman, brought to Jefus by his brother An drew-took a miraculous draught of fishes-appointed an Apoftle-walked on the fea-confeffed Chrift-one of his most favoured and zealous attendants-warned at the laft fupper-flept in Gethsemane-defended his Mafter forfook and denied him-repented—had an interview with Jefus after the refurrection.

A GREAT

GREAT variety of natural difpofitions appears even among thofe, who poffefs the grace of God. Each man's peculiar temper gives a caft to his religious conduct, and, while it diftinguishes him from others, exposes him to peculiar fnares and temptations. Thofe of lively affections are apt to be unguarded and precipitate, and frequently offend through indifcreet and unfeafonable exertions of zeal. But the calm and fedate, however they may deliberate and judge wifely, often want the fervour, courage, and activity, which are neceffary for difficult undertakings and extenfive usefulness.

The hiftory, now propofed to our confideration, will evince the propriety of these remarks. Of all the perfons, who accompanied our Lord, none appears more confpicuous than Saint Peter. He has been ftyled the prince of the Apoftles, and not improperly, for he generally stood forth as their leader in every tranfaction. The excellence of his character, to which Jefus himself gave the strongest atteftations, demands our esteem. We muft admire his warm attachment

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attachment to his Mafter, his fidelity, fortitude, and vigour. Yet we allow that he had failings, and on one melancholy occafion was betrayed into very difhonourable conduct. He was naturally fanguine, bold, and confident; and, through the influence of this his prevailing temper, he fometimes appeared forward, rafh, and prefumptuous. We do not attempt to justify or palliate the faults of pious perfons; but we ought not to be vehement in our cenfures. Let not the careless and the indolent, who loudly condemn the imprudence of fome lively Chriftians, flatter themfelves that their caution and inactivity are more pleafing to God, than the honeft warmth of thofe, who, like Peter, may occafionally over-act their part. The latter may be often wrong, but the former, being deftitute of love and zeal, are never right. It is incumbent upon us to regard the Saviour, not with indif ference, but with a fervency of affection, and on every fuitable opportunity to exert all our abilities for promoting his glory.

The

Peter was an inhabitant of Bethfaida in Galilee, where, though Jefus preached often and performed many miracles, the Gofpel was generally rejected. Here he carried on the mean and laborious occupation of a fisherman, for which the place was conveniently fituated. His low rank and education, perhaps, rendered him infignificant, if not contemptible, in the eyes of the world, but he obtained favour with God, and an honourable diftinction in the Church. Lord feeth not as man feeth: He often passes by the great, the noble, and the learned, and, to accomplish his purposes, felects fuch inftruments, as are thought weak and unfit for the work. He chooses an Apostle for the publication of his rich mercy, not from the courtiers of the Roman Emperor, or the philofophers of Athens, but from the poor fishermen of Bethfaida. By fuch a difpenfation He exhibits both his power and his grace, and proves, "that no flesh should glory in his prefence.'

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Peter

Peter was the brother of Andrew, and probably, like him, had been a disciple of John the Baptist, before his acquaintance with Jefus *. Andrew no fooner obtained the knowledge of the Saviour, than he conducted Peter to him. How many have reafon to thank God for their pious friends, whofe conversation, inftructions, and exhortations have brought them into the way of peace and righteousness! Let us look with compaffion on the fouls of our affociates and relatives, recommend the Gospel of Chrift to their acceptance, and labour affiduously for. their fpiritual welfare. Jefus received the new convert with kindaefs, and fhewed by his addrefs that he was not ignorant of him though a ftranger. He alfo intimated a defign of taking him into his fervice, by giving him a new name, expreffive of peculiar firmnefs and fteadfastnefs. He faid, "Thou art Simon," (fuch being his former appellation)" the fon of Jona: thou fhalt be called Cephas, which is by nterpretation, a ftone," or rather, " a rock," for this is the proper fignification of PETER.

It is probable, that St. Peter continued with our Lord for fome time, and then, returning for a feason to his old employment, dwelt at Capernaum. There we find that Jefus went into his houfe, and miraculously healed his wife's mother of a fever +. There, alfo, Jefus met with him following hi occupation, entered into his fhip, and directed him to caft his net into the fea ‡. He had laboured all the night without fuccefs; but now, at one draught, he took an immenfe quantity of fishes. This was evidently defigned as an omen for good, and an encouragement to venture upon his Mafter's fervice with the greater confidence. The fact fo plainly afcertained the dignity of the Saviour, that Peter was overwhelmed with reverential awe, knowing hinfelf unworthy to ftand before this holy and exalted Perfonage; and therefore,

* John i. 40—42. † Luke iv. 31, 38, 39. ‡ v. I—II.

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with deepeft abafement, he cried out, "Depart from me, for I am a finful man, O Lord." If we have formed proper conceptions of the divine purity, we fhall not wonder at the fear and confufion here exprefied. The most excellent men have, in like manher, confeffed themfelves unfit to appear in the prefence of God, and, when favoured with his nearest approaches and cleareft revelations, declared the ftrongeft abhorrence of themfelves.

But Jefus immediately replied with words of comfort to his trembling fervant, and reminded him, that he mut prepare for nobler employment, and from that time be occupied with remarkable fuccefs in catching men.

The call went to his heart with irrefiftible energy: he did not then want any further inducement to become a ftated follower of his Lord. Every worldly confideration gave way to higher motives: "he forfook all," his fifhes, nets, veflels, friends, and relations, that he might devote himself to the work of the miniftry.

Soon afterwards he was appointed to the Apoftolic office, and fent out, with eleven others, to preach the Gospel, and confirm its doctrines by miraculous operations*. Whenever the twelve are enumerated in the New Teftament, Peter's name ftands in the front. He was among the first, who were taken into Chrift's fervice, and always diftinguifhed himself by his zeal and activity. But, though we allow a peculiar excellency in his character, we cannot favour the conclufion, that he poffeffed authority over the rest. There is no appearance in the facred hiftory of any fuch fupremacy or infallibility, as the Church of Rome afcribes to him. No fuperiority of this kind was ever granted by the Saviour, demanded by Peter, or acknowledged by his brethren +. The arrogant

Luke vi. 13. Matt. xxiii. 8-12. A&ts xv. 2 Cor. xii. II. Gal. ii. II.

Matt. X. 2.
13. &c.

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