Peters Repentance, Text (2 of 3)

Peters Repentance · Text (2 of 3)

p. 27But contrarily become true friends to their Soules; it is lamentable that a Father should discourage the Child, the Husband the Wife, &c. from piety and religion, or that they should abet evill, or counsell or draw one another to ev…l; as there is the greatest hatred, so ordinarily it ends in most bitter hatred.

p. 28Warming himselfe by the Fire.]

WEE have seene Peter gotten into the Hall of the high Priest; What is he doing there? [she saw Peter warming himselfe.] Three of the Evangelists make mention of this circumstance. John 18. 18. expresseth also his company; the high Priests servants and officers stood, &c. who had made a fire of Coals, for it was cold, and they warmed themselves, and Peter also stood among them and warmed himselfe, Luke 22. 56. Peter sat by the fire and warmed himselfe. We need take no notice of that small diversity; one of the Evangelists says he stood, another he sat warming himselfe; both are true; for in so long time he somtimes stood, sometimes sat, warming himselfe as they did.

Concerning the Company of Peter he found a great change; instead of Christ and his Apostles, teaching, hearing, conferring, praying, confirming one another against Temptations, and provoking to the love of the Lord, he is among a company of Rackshels and prophane Serving-men of the high Priest, who are at busie against Christ as their Master, and all their tongues and talke bent against Christ, which was now the businesse in hand; and Peter, if he will be safe among them, must frame himselfe unto them.

Had he beene in the Mountaine or in the Temple, or in his owne House with his Master, his exercise had bin otherwise; but now he is in the Pretory of the Jewes, and in the House of the high Priest, where Christ indeed was, but taken and bound, and mockt, accused, and condemned, no safe place to confesse the truth; and what can he doe there but deny?

Note How soone even Gods children are corrupted with wicked Company;Good men quickly the worse for bad company. even Peter, a great and forward Disciple of Christ, full of zeale and courage, who will pray, professe, and immediately before draw the Sword in Christs quarrell, within two or three houres afore with Christ and his fellow Disciples, now can deny among persecutors.

Great is the force of wicked Company, to pervert even a godly minde; how easily was good Abraham brought to make a lye for his owne safety (as Peter did here) when he was in Gerar, where the feare of God was not? Gen. 20. 2.

How easily a good man may be brought to Sweare through custome and continuance with evill persons, see in godly Joseph, who dwelt in Egypt, and could swear by the life of Pharaoh.

Reason 1. A pronenesse in godly men to be withdrawne by evill Company, as the body to be infected by a Pestilentiall ayre,And why. so the minde by the contagion of bad company, it appeareth by the phrase, Prov. 1. 15. When evill men entice thee, &c. withdraw thy foot from their path; drawing backe the foot argues an inclination and propensity even in the Son of Wisdome to walke with them.

And Chap. 4. ver. 14. advising to keepe the way of Wisdome as life it selfe, as a meanes to hold in the right way, he counselleth not to enter the way of wicked men, nor walke in their way; and to acquaint us with our owne inclination that way…; marke his vehemency, ver. 15. Avoid it, goe not by it, turne from it, passe by it: What need so many repetitions if we were not prone to the lust of it?

Reas. 2. There is a bewitching focr… in evill company to draw even a good minde beyond his owne purpose and resolution. Doe you thinke Peter had a purpose now to deny his Master, whose purpose immediately before was so strong against it? but now suddenly in other company he is another man.

Wherefore else did the Lord so earnestly charge his own People, among whom he had done such marvailes as were not done in all the world, Exod. 34. 10. to looke diligently to themselves, to make no compact with the people of the Land, least they should be brought to utter departing from God, and to their most grosse Idolatry? ver. 12. 15. Numb. 11. 4. that great sinne of Lusting, so fearfully revenged, was begun by some Strangers that came out of Egypt, who fell a lusting, p. 29and turned away, and the children of Israel also lusted; and hence it is as impossible for a man to be still in the Sun and not be …and, or touch Pitch and not be fouled, as to be still in evill Company and not be evill.

Vse. 1. For Gods Children to avoyd and separate themselves from sinners society;Abhor sinfull society. the danger of infection leaves it not a thing indifferent for a man to choose any Company, but as necessary to avoyd sinne it selfe, so the company of sinners; can there be true fellowship with God and his enemies too?

Motive 1. What agreement between darknesse and light, and between righteousnesse and unrighteousnesse? 2 Cor. 6. 16. what delight for a Sheep among a herd of Swine?

2. Every mans company tels what he is; a good man may be cast into evill company by occasion or improvidence (as Peter) and be none of them; but as the company he affecteth and seeketh, is, so is he; Ravens flocke together by companies, so doe Doves flye together; so wicked men love wicked mens company,Psal. 16. 3.Ps 16:3 and godly delight in the Saints which excell in vertue.

A good man is described, that he will neither stand nor walke in the way of sinners, Psal. 1. 1. nor will sort with workers of iniquity, Psal. 1. 4.

3. The practise of wicked men should make good men shun their company; for wherein are their sports and delights, but in things which displease God and grieve his spirit, and the spirits of all that love God and his glory? what can a good man see in such company, but must either infect him, or at least offend him in every thing almost?

What else ayme they at, when a good man fals into their company, but either to allure him unto some evill, or make him more remisse in some good?

Objec. But if we should avoyd wicked company, we must goe out of the world; evill men are so rise, and bad examples so universall, 1 Cor. 5. 10.

Answ. Every conversation with wicked men is not condemned; there may be some perso…all conversation, as Lot in Sodome; neither can we expect the floore of Christ so cleansed, as that there is no Chaffe with Wheat, and Lillies must grow among Thornes; but

1. Unnecessary scandals and perilous, prejudiciall to our faith and piety, must be avoyded; Israel cannot get out of Egypt to sacrifice to the Lord.

2. If we cannot avoyd their persons, avoyd their fashions, affections, courses.

3. Mourne that thou art forced to dwell in Meshech, and to have abode in the tents of Kedar, Psal. 120.Ps 120Psal. 120. 5.

Vex thy righteous soule daily with Lot, to heare and see the uncleane conversation of the wicked.

4. Choose to sit alone rather then with such company; Jer. 15. 17. grieving he should be reserved to see such times, he professeth that he did not sit in the assembly of mockers, but sat alone: so Elias complaineth that he was left alone.

Objec. But this will be thought singularity, pride of heart, disdaining our neighbours; I shall be thought to seeme better then others, or that no company is good enough for me, or out of singularity cast off my old company and good-fellowship.

Answ. 1. Sathan hath many pretences to keepe good men in bad company; Lot having bin once or twice warned by the Angel, prolonged the time, and made not such haste to get out of the company of the Sodomites, till the fire had almost overtaken him, Gen. 19. 14.

But it will be thy safety and duty, to remember the Commandement, and linger not.

2. I must get Gods good conceit of me, and contemne what men s…nisterly judge of me; I can never approve my selfe to God and evill men.

3. When thou art fully resolved to be a good man, thou wilt utterly disdaine evill company, Psal. 119. 115. Away from me ye wicked; for I will keepe the Commandement of my God.

p. 304. Thou wouldst be ashamed of the company of a Harlot, but thy companions are impudent in sinne, as the Harlot; nay, their lives are beastly as Beasts themselves, lesse harme in dwelling with brute Beasts then these reasonable.

Vse 2. Reprove the indifferency of them that can brook all company,A sinful indifferency, to run into all company. and company with all manner of persons; if they be Atheists, Blasphemers, Ruffians, &c. can fashion to them, and be as good fellowes as the best; doest thou professe the Religion of God, and in courses joyne with open enemies? consider Psal. 50. 16. Thou runnest with the Theife, and art a companion with Adulterers; what hast thou to doe to take mine Ordinances in thy mouth, either to Preach or professe, seeing t…ou hatest to be reformed?

These men let them fall in company of good men, can personate and speake of matters of Religion, what good Sermons they have heard, give testimony to some good Preachers and others; but herein they are artificial; their other course is naturall and proper to them; this most violent and strained; out of one mouth can there issue sweet water and bitter?James 3. 10.Jas 3:10

How much blameworthy are they that choose wicked society and familiarity? Is it no sinne for Daughters of God to match and marry with Sonnes of Men?Gen. 6. 2.Gen 6:2 for a Man professing Religion to marry an idolatrous Papist? A Man acquainted with his owne perill will avoyd Alliance and bad acquaintance farther off; and be carefull to avoyd bad company for a little while; much more so neare and undivided and personall familiarity. Where is there a Trader that careth who he be familiar withall for gaine, or a Merchant almost that refuseth to live in any Idolatrous Nation, as Spaine, Italy or other, where he cannot live without bowing to Baal?

Or Gamester that careth how prophane he be that will beare him company or drinke? Remember the counsel of Peter to new Converts, Acts 3. 4. Save your selves from this untoward generation, and you may helpe to save them, by avoyding them, and making them ashamed, &c. remember the shame in the end, losse of good name, the sorrow of sinne committed, and duties omitted.

Vse 3. Joyn your selves to such as feare God,Joyne to godly company. in whom thou mayest espie Gods Image and Graces, for thy

Patterne, Example,

Provocation, Incouragement.

By whom thou mayest be admonished, instructed, strengthned, and helpt out of thy weaknesse.

It seemes very sweet to sit warme among wicked men, to eate and drinke and be joviall with them; but there is a bitter sawce for such sweet meats, as in Peter; but on the contrary, in company of godly men thou art under the shadow of Gods mercy for their sakes; God loveth his children and their friends; for Lots sake his Family was saved.

And among the wicked, Gods anger hangeth over thy head; as they are punished, so mayest thou be; therefore depart from the tents of these wicked men: A Plague is comming.

Now his Action; Warmed himselfe.]

PEter had little businesse here, but to see what would be the issue of Christs apprehension; to while away the time, he sitteth downe to warme himselfe with the Serving-men.

Note 1. Peter had one end in being there,Peter had one end, God another. God had another; had Peter savoured the revealed will of God, he had not bin there, who had no other material businesse but to sit down and warme himselfe.

But by the secret will and providence of God Peter must be here, not onelyonly to accomplish the word of Christ, but for another speciall purpose; he must be here more for the Churches good then his owne, that while by being here his owne Faith failes, he might be a meanes to confirme the Faith of the Church; so God p. 31one rules his weaknesse, as he must be an eye witnesse of all Christs sufferings in the house of the high Priest, both from the councell, the Servants, and Master himselfe.

Never did any evill befall any of Gods Servants, but by Gods overruling power was turned to some good to themselves and others, not onelyonly of evill punishment, but of sin it selfe; for even that is under all things, Rom. 8. 28. turned to the best. The greatest poysons are by the skill of the learned Physitian tempered to the best remedies; all Satans temptations chase them but to the throne of grace; all will worke in the end for good, in all estates expect this good end.

Note 2. Peter was cold,Warming the body sometime chilleth the Soule. and it was not unlawfull to warme himselfe; but better he had beene cold and comfortlesse alone in the darkenesse of the night, then to have set within warming himselfe in such company.

Peter was now colder by the warme fir…, then he was without in the cold ayre; his heart grew cold, and his faith and zeale.

Vse. 1. Let us resolve that that is a cold and comfortlesse place (though the fire be never so great) where Christ is bound, where Christ cannot be professed, where Christ is scorned, and Disciples of Christ set upon as Peter here.

Vse. 2. Let us labour how cold soever the weather be without, to keepe the heart warme in grace; it had beene better for Peter to have sitten cold without and warme within, then for outward warmth to freeze and starve inwardly; the season is generally cold, heat of zeale counted madnesse, godlinesse disguised, &c. labour in this generall coldnesse to keepe our heat.

Note. 3. When thou sittest by a warme fire,When by a warme fire, take heed of temptation. take heed of temptation; Peter when he followed Christ, suffering cold and want, was strong and zealous; now he cometh to the warme fire he is quite overthrowne; the warme fire of prosperity and outward peace hath overthrowne a number, who in their wants and trouble stood fast in grace; how many Worthies coming to enjoy the warmth of worldly prosperity, have revolted from their good beginnings and proceedings in piety?

David while he was in the field fighting the Lords battels, how watchfull, how conscionable, how gracious, how observant, full of holy meditations, Psalms, &c. but setled in the Kingdome, and fighting by his Captaines and Generals, himselfe at some quiet & ease, committed these two fearful sins of murther and Adultery, 2 Chron. 26. 5. Vzziah sought the Lord in t…e dayes of Zachariah, and serving him he made him to prosper, but ver. 16. when he was strong his heart was lifted up to destruction.

This cause the Lord giveth of the backsliding of Israel, Hos. 13. 6. they were filled and their heart was exalted, and they have forgotten me, and those were they that in affliction could serve the Lord diligently, ver. 5.

The pitt…full experience of many gives light hereto who in their youth or entrance into the World were diligent Christians and conscionable in their wayes, carefull Hearers, Readers, &c. but growne full and fat, and sitting in the warmth of worldly wealth and prosperity, have clogged themselves with cares, and surfeited of ease, as far gone from their zeale and diligence as Peter here; who followed a far off, and now by the fire farthest off of all, as the Moone never eclipsed but in the full.

How doth the same warme fire prevaile with many, who because they see they cannot sit so warme in their places, if they should be so precise and follow the word in all points, grow first to remit, and then relinquish all their care, growing in the end to the height of prophanesse by Gods just judgement on them? others to sit by a warme fire, are as easily drawne to lye and use injustice in their trades and dealings as Peter here.

Many godly men are too secure, as he that sits by a warme fire is subject to sleep; Let this be a stay and some strength if thou hast not prosperity and wealth which others have in the World, and thou desirest; thou wantest the snares of others; p. 32God in mercy withholds hurtfull wealth, and keepes thee cold without, least thou shouldest grow cold within; thinke not thy selfe stronger then: Peter, Prov. 30. 8. least I be full and deny thee.

And contrary if thou beest in affliction and want be not too much cast downe, for in this estate thou standest firmer in grace then in abundance; therefore when prosperity maketh wicked men grow wild and secure, God useth by affliction to reclame them, Psal. 119. 71. It is good I was afflicted; before I was afflicted I ment a stray, but now I keepe thy law.

Prosperity is not alwayes a signe of Gods favour; but when it provoketh to humility and duty; ordinarily the Grasier putteth his Cattell for slaughter into best pasture; too much ranknesse hurts the Corne, and too much fruit breaketh the Trees; what is the cause of few great and rich are truly religious? but then God giveth gifts in mercy, when he maketh us better, not worse. We proceed.

Vers. 67. She looked on him and said, thou wast also with Jesus of Nazareth.

HERE

1. The Tempter,Occasion of Peters sin by the Priests maide. a Maid seeing Peter, and looking on him said.

2. The Temptation, Thou wast also with Jesus of Nazareth.

Peter warming him by the high Priests fire, presently meets with a Tempter.

Note. 1. Note he that tempts God, a Tempter shall meet with him; he that runs out of his way,When a man tempts God, a Tempter soon meets him. and without the limits of his Calling, shall not want temptation; good David when he gives up his holy prayers and exercises, and getteth up to the top of his Gallery idle, he hath met with a Bathsheba a Tempter, and moyles himselfe in fearfull sins; thus many save the Divell a labour in tempting, run afore the temptation, Hunters of Ale-houses, of lacivious company, light persons, playes and enterludes, temptation need not come to them; they will find him if he be in any corner of the Countrey.

Vse. Keepe thee in thy way, let not Satan thrust thee out of both Callings; every sin is a tempting of God, Mal. 3. 15.

Note. 2. The Maid that let him in,Favors of wicked deare bought. now tempts him; she had done him a kindenesse as she thought, but she payeth him with a mischiefe; a godly man commonly buyes a wicked mans favour very deare.

1. Commonly an evill man if he be an instrument of good to a good man, it is against his mind, being overruled and drawne secretly by God, or inwardly by some sinister end; they cannot shew sound mercy, being a fruit of the Spirit, but counterfeit a corrupt love and favour.

2. Sometimes pretending favour, they intend mischiefe, as the Machiavels of our Age; so Saul will prefer David, maketh him his Son, and giveth him his daughter, 1 Sam. 18. 17. but intended to bring him to destruction by the Philistines.

In Anno 1572. the most bloody Massacre of Paris was thus effected, under pretence of love, favour, mariage.

3. Truly saith Solomon of the mercies of the wicked, they are cruell, Prov. 12. 10. for commonly if they intend not cruelty as before, neither did this Maid, yet they overturne their good turnes at one time or other with mischiefe or hurt, either outwardly or inwardly, if occasion be offered.

Pilate would shew mercy to Christ and plead for him, but command him to be whipped, being an Innocent; and the Apostles seeme very mercifully delt with to escape with whipping if Gamaliel himselfe give none of the malitious sentence, Act. 5. 40. it is the mercy of wicked men to whip Christ, and if any mercy indeed must be shewed, it must be to Barrabas, not Christ.

Vse. 1. Count it an hard case to be beholden to evill men;An ill case to be beholden to wicked men. Jacob knew the inconvenience, and refused the kind offer of Esau, who either himselfe or his Servants would guard him in his way, Gen. 33. 13.

p. 33Balaac will not inrich Balaam, but first he must curse Gods people.

Vse. 2. See thy favour benot mingled or poysoned, doing harme and mischeife; The Heathen Emperors would shew mercy, if the Martyrs will cast but one graine into the fire; their favour must be bought dea… ▪ The Witch will favour thee; the Divell will cure thy Body, but he must have thy faith, thy soul; the Father, the Master will allow his Children or Servants sports, recreations, but on the Sabbath day, when the refreshing of the Body is the corruption and destruction of the Soule.

Many Fugitives goe away, and find favour and preferment in Rome, Doway, and in Popish Countryes, but on condition they be come traytors to God in open Idolatry, and to their Prince and Country in open rebellion and practice, like Satans kindnesse to Christ; all this will I give thee, if thou wilt fall downe.

Note. 3. By what manner of Tempter Peter fals,Weak tempeters can foyle stout men. a Woman, not a man, a silly Maid, a very weake party.

Quest. Why?

Answ. 1. Peter presumeth that all men could not cast him downe, Christ had denominated Peter for his solidity and firmnesse, and he thought himselfe …ure enough; but now he shall see more evidently his frailty, to be so suddenly cast downe by a fraile Woman; he shall see now that the strength he boasted off is blowne away by the breath of a silly girle.

2. To shew him the more, as his pride was more then the rest, a shamefull fall for so great a professor, to fall before so vain a Woman; Abimelech would rather kil himselfe then endure the disgrace to dye by the hand of a Woman; Judg. 9. 54.Judg 9:54but as pride goeth before shame, so Gods justice will shame proud Peter, that when he cometh to himselfe, this circumstance shall kill him, and touch him at the quick, the shame shall be as ill as the hurt.

Vse. 1. How easily God overthroweth the pride of man;Mans pride easily overthrowne. he need not come in his owne person, he need not bring a Champion or man of War against him, but the sillyest creature is strong enough to confound them; a silly boy or girle shall be Tempter too strong for as presumptuous a Professor as Peter.

The Lord who resisteth all sinners,Jam. 4. 6.Jas 4:6 is said often to resist the proud; that is, after a speciall and severe manner, because they will draw Gods glory upon themselves; he commonly so resisteth them as he turneth their glory into shame, and confoundeth their pride by weaknesse; hath God neither Angels nor men to command against Pharaoh? yes, but will rather confound him with an army of frogs, flyes, Catterpillars in derision of his pride; the same God could have turned the dust of the Earth into Lyons, Wolves, Bears of strange greatnesse and fiercenesse to have met that fierce and cruell King that said, who is the Lord? and in spight of him oppressed the People, but in scorne of his pride he turned the dust of the Earth into Lice, who made him and his enchanters confesse it was the finger of God.

Proud Herod, Acts 12.Acts 12who assumed the glory of God to himselfe, it is the voyce of God, not of man, the Lord consumeth him with lice the basest of the Creatures, and not so much honoured as wicked Jezabel to be eaten of Dogs, but of Lice.

Historians writes of a City in France that was depopulated and wasted, and the Inhabitants driven away by Frogs. A History reporteth of a Town in Thessalonica rooted up and overthrowne by Moles. We read of Pope Adrian choaked with a Flye.

Thus the Lord playeth as it were with his Enemies, scorneth to come himselfe in field upon them, but armeth the meanest of his creatures against them.

Let this humble us under the mighty hand of God; presume of nothing in our selves, be proud of nothing, least we know by wofull experience that a thing of nothing shall cast us down.

If our pride shall resist God, Gods weaknesse shall resist us, and we shall know to our cost, that the weaknesse of God is stronger then man; never was pride of heart unrevenged with fals, sin and shame.

p. 34Note. 4. The temptation is the same in effect with the former.Accusation enough if thou belong to Christ. This man is one of them; she accuseth not Peter for a Malefactor, or a wicked Liver, but onelyonly that he is one of Christs Disciples; and this is matter of accusation (she thinkes) sufficient.

Note what are the many quarrels of evill men against the godly, and what are their accusations: because they are of the number of Christs Disciples and Followers. Act. 15. 19. the Accusers brought no crime of such things as I supposed, but had certaine questions concerning their owne superstitions, and concerning one Jesus, &c. Here they hate not Peter, but so farre as he was with Christ.

Reas. 1. Evill men cannot hate evill for it selfe,And why? but for sinister respects, yea, they love it, and will not leave it, and therefore evill men commonly accuse not for evill, but for good.

Reas. 2. Darkenesse fights not against darkenesse, but light, and the greatest light most, John 7. 7. because it testifyeth of Christ himselfe most, and against the Members for the head sake; a Thiefe hates the light.

Reas. 3. Wicked men lie still under the woe of them that call good evil, Esay 5. 10.Isa 5:10and evil good, through corruption of judgement not renewed by grace; and therefore you shall still observe, that the greatest fault objected by the wicked against the godly, is for most part the doing their duty as here in Peter; was it not Peters duty to be with his Lord? what other cause in Prophets, Apostles, in Christ himselfe?

Vse. In these dayes also to be with Christ,Wonder not if so it fall out now a dayes. is matter of accusation enough against a godly man, John 9. 22. 34. the blind man was excommunicated because he had been with Jesus.

Papists after the same manner exercise deadly hatred against the Gospell, and excommunicate as Heretiques all that stand to the Doctrine of justification by the only grace of Jesus renouncing merits of works of Papists, and after a subtill manner out of the depth of Satan, have laid under the reproach of Heretiques, such as walke according to the Rules of Christ and his profession in their course, renouncing the Libertine wayes of the World and watching more narrowly over their owne.

These at the first restoring of religion and casting out of superstition and Romish Idolatry, Papists who gnashed their teeth for envy at the Lords great worke, branded with the names of Puritans, Precisians, and holy brethren, &c. ever since, and at this day more then ever; what is the ordinary quarrell and scorne but the same taken out of the mouths of Enemies, thou art one of them, a Disciple, a Puritan, a Professor, a Brother, all one with this of the Maid, thou wast also with him; now weake things and small goe for currant to bring good men into danger, as Peters here being with Christ; even looking toward good men is ground enough; and evill men can make great noise of it, as Jewes against Christ, he is a friend of Publicans and Sinners.

As Spyders can turn every thing into poyson; so wicked men turne wholsome things into poyson and malicious accusations.

Acts 21. 28. Oh men of Israel helpe; this man, &c. Paul gave the Law his due, onelyonly denyed justification by it, nor spoke against the Temple, but their hypocrisie who could discover all by coming to the Temple, nor dishonoured their place, but all their faire shewes in that place would not serve, but it was as the offering of a Dog without faith or Repentance; this was his duty to teach; nor brought he Gentiles into their Temple, but they supposed so; and suspition is enough for evill men, and helpeth them well; I thought it had beene thus; but what if he had? now the Temple was free for all; Moses Law ceremonial was at an end; so as when these wicked men had said all they could, equity could find no substance in their accusation, yet these grounds were enough against Paul to draw him to death, ver. 31.

Let a godly Preacher come and lift up his voyce as a Trumpet against sin;Esay 58. 1.Isa 58:1 oh he is an intolerable man, he is so sowr, so tart, so judging, he preacheth nothing but p. 35damnation, he makes Reprobates of us all; when all this while he doth hi… duty in telling Israel her sin and Judah of her transgressions.

Let him preach often, and be more diligent then some idle drones, so that the word prevaile with men, and they begin to taste the soundnesse and the sweetnesse of it, and frequent it with more gladnesse then the eye of envy would they should; oh then he is factious, draweth Disciples, is popular; if we let him alone, all men will beleeve him say the Pharises.

Let him preach with authority, and not as the Scribes, and convince evill men, and seeke to pull their lusts out of their hearts and hands, and now they perceive the word too strong for them, then they fetch another windlace; Christ teacheth wonderfull well, and he is Teacher from God, and teacheth the way of God truly, but he healeth on the Sabbath day, or breaks some traditions of the Elders; a good man otherwise, but his Disciples wash not, fast not, and the failing in some idle tradition or Ceremony is enough to hate Christs own Doctrine and to hurt him in his owne person to the unmost extremity.

Secondly, the Temptation; Thou wast also with Jesus of Nazareth; or as John 18. 17. Art thou one of this mans Disciples? Belike both asking the question, and affirming that he was.

THE Tempter light, not Caiphas himselfe, but his Doore keeper, and that not a man, but a silly Maid. The Temptation as light: she doth not scorne him or his Master; she saith not, belongest thou to this Seducer, nor art thou a follower of this factious fellow, who is now brought in question for his life? but in simplicity and gently enough, Art thou one of this Mans Disciples? yet Peter is too weake for so weake a temptation.

Note. He that is presumptuously confident where he should not,A presumptuous spirit is usually a …imerous spirit. is basely fearfull where he need … …rist foretels Peters fall, but Peter feares nothing; but a silly Damsels … him; an unkinde word, and fear hath oppressed him.

1. It is a just reveng… …hat he that feareth not God,And why? should feare every thing else; and if the feare of God be shaken out of the heart, the feare of man, yea of a veery worme shall be let in; had Peter retained the fear of God, he had not here so feared, but now must fear where no fear is.

2. God in this kinde punisheth the presumption and boldnesse which a man hath in himselfe, by turning his carnall courage, which resists true feare, into terrours of heart and vaine feares, that were there nothing without him to fear, he shall not want terrors of minde that shall leave him but a little rest. Herod is told enough to behead John, and no man can feare him for it, but his owne thoughts fear him; O, John whom I beheaded, is risen; now he fears where no fear is, Prov. 28. The wicked flye none pursuing; his own fancy shall fear him.

Vse. Peter shrinkes not before Caiphas, Take heed of carnall confidence, which will faile at last.but his Maid asking but a question; see that carnal confidence and human strength will leave a man in the suds at length; this courage of flesh and blood had carried Peter a great way in the cause of Christ in resisting his apprehenders, following him to the high Priests Hall, brings him to the …ire, but now leaves him.

If a man had all the courage we read of among the famous Roman Warriers, it will not carry him after Christ, whethersoever he goeth; it might carry him to contemne death for his Countrey, for his credit, &c. but for Christ it will faile him.Phil. 1. 29.Phil 1:29 It is given as well to suffer for Christ as to believe.

Vse 2. Examine well thy boldnesse, whether it be for God or Man, ere thou trust it; the boldnesse of flesh will make us couragious before the Battle, but when the Alarum is sounded, then the shaking of a Pike or report of a Musket feareth him as a Childe, out of the field.How to know true courage.

Quest. How shall I know?

p. 36Answ. If thou beest strong in the power of Christs might, then thou art strong in thine infirmities; 2 Cor. 12. 10.2 Cor 12:10that is, hast a strong sence of thine owne weaknesse, and findest thy frailty, and art driven out of conceit with thy selfe; and having no strength in thy selfe, leanest onelyonly on the strength of thy Captaine. Stand in this strength, and in question of thy life, thou shalt have boldnesse, as John before Herod, Elias before Ahab, when poore Peter, stout in himselfe, shall fall before a poor Maid, almost unquestioned.

Vse 3. Let him that stands take heed least he fall, Take heed to thy standing.1 Cor. 10. 12. Thou sayest thou lovest Christ; so did Peter, else he would not have followed now; thou mayest account of strength to stand if all other should fall, so did Peter; but thou seest a Pillar here shaken with a Wenches word, that thought all the threats and tortures of the Rulers could not make him shrinke.

Seest thou the foreman of the Apostles so neere and deare unto Christ, who would have confirmed his brethen, so foulely to fall? be not thou high-minded, but feare.Rom. 11. 20.Rom 11:20

Mot. 1. Consider thy selfe a childe, weake and feeble, soone cast downe, and being ready to stumble and fall, get to a stay as fast as thou mayest.

2. The Adversary is strong, and flesh is weake, Mat. 26. 41. and is onelyonly supported by strength of grace; the Lyon of the Tribe of Judah foyles the roaring Lyon.

3. Hypocrites not fearing to fall, fall fearefully; but the godly fearing to fall, fall not, at least prevent many fals, and rise out of them all.

Note. Peter resembles here the state of every Christian,Satan either allures to sin, or deales with terror. set betweene a warme fire on the one hand, and a dangerous temptation on the other. Thou art one of them.

Satans ayme is, either to allure and entise us to sinne, by a number of weapons out of the storehouse of Prosperity, or daunt us by weapons out of the Armory of Affliction and Persecution. Rabshekeh, 2 Kings 18. 31, 32. offereth peace and promiseth in his Masters name, if we will lay aside our Armes; and mixeth threats and boasts in his strength: so here.

Satans subtilty hath plots amongst all men; if low …, he will brouse and make them ordinary fuell for fire; if high Trees, he hath lightning and thunder, and violence of every tempest.

And in all Estates, Adversity is a sharpe Winter, to nip sprigs of Grace; Prosperity as an hot Sun and Summer to nourish Weeds; Peter here feeles the force of both.

Vse. That Christians watch both in Prosperity and Adversity; know that frowns and fawns of Sathan and the World are alike dangerous; flattery and force, both enemies, and more dangerous if both assault at once; as here Peter.

Verse 68. But he denyed it, saying, I know him not, neither wot I what thou sayest.

HEre is the first denyall of this Champion,Foulnesse of Peters sin. by a silly Girle; wherein see the foulenesse of his sin.

1. He denies flatly, and peremptorily, saying, I know him not.

2. In doubling it, implying more resolution, neither wot what thou sayest; both which speeches were manifest untruths and lyes against his own conscience; for Peter well knew Christ, having bin long with him; and one of his first Disciples, he had confessed him, thou art the Son of God; besides, he knew well what she meant, and therefore it was another lye.

3. In denying him so openly amongst a multitude; before them all, saith Matthew.

1. The fault is so foule, as one witnesse were too much; but Peter provides witnesses enough, a cloud of witnesses.

p. 372. He that denyeth Christ before any man, shall be denyed before the Father, Mat. 10. What a great sin to deny him before all men?

3. In so great a company were a number of wicked men; and now Peter exposeth the name of Christ to all their scorne and opproby; he hardens and animates them, and stands with them in rejecting of Christ.

There were also some weake ones and well-wishers to Christ, as he that carried Peter in, and some that might be coming forward; and Peter by his example being the foreman of the Disciples, weakens and scandalizeth all these, and destroyeth so many soules, and if he that offends one of these little ones, better a Milstone were hanged about his neck, and he cast into the sea; what a case is Peter in that offends so many?

Note 1. How far soever the courage of flesh and blood carries a man,Carnall courage will faile sooner or later. and rash zeale, if not a stronger prop, it will leave a man in the suds at length; for, what is become of all these great words, I will lay downe my life for thee; and why can I not follow thee now? And I will dye with thee before I will deny thee.

Is this to follow the Master, to deny himselfe, his Disciples? is this to lay down the life for the Master, to fear the voyce of a silly Girle? Is this not to deny Christ, to deny thy selfe a Christian? for if thou knowest not him to be the Christ, thou knowest not thy selfe to be a Christian.

Thus in one word bold Peter denyeth and renounceth his Lord, his faith, his profession and salvation by him.

Vse. Let us looke well to our zeale,Take heed to thy spirit. that it serve us not as Peters did him; the drugs have Adulterates, and the most cunning Coynes their slips, and the best graces have in this corruption their cracks and defects; let us try and weigh and sound our zeale for its truth, and that by these markes.

1. True zeale is earnest for good,True zeale what. but it is not for a fit or passion, as John at his entrance, and Peter here; but it is a gift of the Spirit, and a grace which is constant and lasting.

2. It riseth out of knowledge of God and our selves; zeale not guided by knowledge is hurtfull, as Rom. 10. 2. so here Peter had zeale for Christ, but knew not himselfe; as mettle is dangerous in a head-strong Horse; so zeale degenerated in a head-strong passion, not guided by knowledge.

3. It is attended ever with godly sorrow, 2 Cor. 7. 11. and griefe, first for his owne sin, and then others; God is dishonoured in both, and he is troubled in both.

4. Carried with care and feare of falling, not selfe-conceitednesse, trusting to himselfe, his strength, his judgement, as this of Peters did.

5. Coveteth spiritual things in the world; Christs was zeale to Gods house; so David, John 2. 17.John 2:17Oh how love I thy house! how deare are thy words unto me! how sweet, &c.

These ardent desires dryed him, and consumed him; Peter coveted Gods honour; but how? his owne name, reputation, life, and safety was deare unto him.

Note 2. The nature of Peters sinne which was the most direct deniall of Christ that might be.Peters sin of an hainous nature.

First, not to professe and confesse his Doctrine outwardly and secretly, is a denyall.

2. Not to expresse the Doctrine and power of Religion, which we acknowldge true, whether for fear or otherwise, is an high denyall of Christ.

3. To subvert or overthrow some fundamental point of Religion, is fearfully to deny Christ; for it is all one to deny his doctrine as himselfe, being of the same nature with himselfe.

But Peters denyall was beyond all these, not against his Doctrine onelyonly, but against his Person immediately, and this not to deny him by silence, but by speech, whom himselfe had confessed the Son of God, and had heard him so professed from Heaven by God himselfe once and againe.

p. 38Yes, when he needed not have openly disclaimed him, for the Maids speech was, whether he was with Christ; he might have contented himselfe to have belyed himselfe, and said I was not, rather then have sinned directly against his Lord and Master. Or what lawfull authority had this Maide to examine Peter; he was not bound to confesse that he knew him; neither doth Peter confesse some, and conceale some, to fumble or equivocate to tell you; for if this could have saved Peter, he needed not have wept for denying his Master, though some Fathers would excuse him; but he flatly, and stoutly denyeth all, that ever he knew him, or had to doe with him; he doth not say, I know him not so well as I should doe.

Alas what a poore case is Peter now in; for if he deny Christ, who doth not confesse him that others may know he doth so as well as himselfe, what a feareful denyall is to make others even boyes and girles know we disclaime him.

Doctr. Note hence what a hard matter it is to confesse Christ in time of danger and perill,Hard to confesse Christ in danger. when so great a Disciple as Peter before any great danger so resolutely denyeth him.

Reas. 1. Satans malice;And why? he winnowes and tempts Peter here, and the Saints to plucke them from this confession, because he knoweth that God is greatly honoured by the confession of his Servants. That the truth is notably confirmed which shakes the Wals and foundation of this Kingdome.

That confessing him before men, notably incites and provokes others to the love and likeing of the truth, and to the imitation of such holy examples, and because he would hinder the happinesse of Saints, well knowing that … that denyeth Christ, shall be denyed of him.

Reas. 2. Strength of corruption in us makes it very hard at such times.

1. How hard is it to deny our selves? and not denying our selves, we cannot but deny him; we not onelyonly reason with flesh and blood, but conclude with flesh and blood against the yoke of Christ; Paul communed not with flesh and blood. Gal. 1. 16.

2. How doe we blush at the Chaine, and shame at the Crosse of Christ, which indeed is the glory and crowne of a Christian? he that is ashamed of Christ, how can he confesse him? 2 Tim. 1. 12. I suffer these things, and am not ashamed; for I know whom I have believed; one cause why many among the Rulers beleeved and durst not confesse Christ, was, because they feared to be cast out of the Synagogue, John 12. 42.

3. How are we glued to the love of the profits, and glory of the World? loth we are to be too great losers by Christ, much lesse forsake all to follow him; this maketh it hard to confesse Christ in cases of losse and disadvantage; this cause is in John 12. 43. the Rulers confessed not Christ whom they knew, because they loved the praise of men more then the praise of God. Demas would not have his commodityes hindred, and so forsooke the Apostles, 2 Tim. 4. 10.

Reas. 3. Weaknesse of faith and graces; Peter had now true faith in his heart, but weake and raked up in a heape of corruptions; where is no faith, is no confession; a strong faith, a strong confession.

Peter was now as a man in a sowne or qualme; living, but little shew or sense of life.

Nicodemus a Beleever, a lover of Christ, his faith made him come to Christ, but the weaknesse of it made him speake little and low, and not directly for him.

Joseph of Arimathia a Disciple and a Beleever, but a secret one for fear of the Jewes, John 19. 38.

Vse 1. Conceive it no easie thing to confesse Christ in tryall,Study to confesse Christ in danger. nor a thing to be performed by our owne power, but pray for the gift of the Spirit called the Spirit of strength, Isa. 11. 2. which sustaineth us, no cause shall daunt it.

2. Pray for wisedome when and how to confesse, that the Lord opening our eyes aud mouthes we may speak as we ought.

p. 393. Pray for Faith, Psalme 116. I beleeved, therefore I spake, Rom. 10. 10. with heart beleeve.

2. Resolve of the nec…ssity of confessing Christ, being called thereto, 1 Peter 3. 15. be ready to give an answer to every man that asketh a reason of the hope that is in you.Necessity of it.

Philippians 2. 10. Every tongue must confesse Jesus Christ is the Lord, to the glory of God.

Arg. 1. Consider here first the end of our being in the World, to honour God and his truth, and promote our owne and others salvation; therefore not onelyonly not deny but confesse.

2. The excellency of the truth confessed and witnessed unto, not by us onelyonly but by the whole Trinity, the blessed Augels, the holy Prophets, the inspired Apostles and constant Martyrs in all ages.

3. It is Gods right thou shouldest confesse him, even to thy utmost perill, to whom thou art given of the Father, by whose blood redeemed, whose peculiar thou art; how couldest thou brooke that servant, to whom thou payest Wages, that being ashamed of thee would deny thee his Master?

4. Christians must be considered not onelyonly as private men, but in the communion of Saints, glorifying the Gospell, not onelyonly by walking worthy of it, but also suffering for it, as lights, not for it selfe, but for others.

5. Thou wouldest not be denied of him hereafter, but desirest he should acknowledge thee in another life; but if we deny him, he will deny us, 2 Tim. 2. 12.

6. Conversion produceth confession, as in the converted Thiefe; and confession is accompanied with salvation, Rom. 10. 10. with the mouth confesse to salvation: onelyonly this man is of God, 1 John 3. 4.

7. Thou canst not but confesse Christ, nor keepe Faith at home; it is as fire within; and Christ saith, He that is not with us, is against us.

Quest. How shall I be able to confesse Christ in trials?

Answ. 1. Settl… …hy selfe in a sound knowledge and judgement of the truth;How we may doe this. unstable persons that hang between two Religions, as Meteors, will never abide the triall. If trials should come, many of our ordinary Hearers, for want of setlednesse of judgement and sound measure of knowledge, will prove as Potters Clay, fit for any forme, or as Wax ready for any stamp or impression; so Meteors between two Religions, enemies to Confession.

2. Get sound love to the Truth; else God will send strong delusions to beleeve lyes, on them that receive not the truth in the love of it, 2 Thes. 2. 10, 11, 12.

3. Expresse the power of Religion now in dayes of peace; for he that denyeth the power of Religion now in the time of peace, God will never give him the honour to professe in time of persecution; he that will deny by a warme fire, will deny more easily in a fiery triall.

4. Arme thy selfe against the sweet and sower, the best and worst of the world; beware of preferring of the best things as better and sweeter then Christ and the glory of heaven; God is not so prodigal of his glory, nor of the gracious merits of Christ, as to bestow it on such as love earth better then himselfe or his Sonne; neither gaze with both eyes upon outward things never so little, but on the power of God, which is manifest in weaknesse.

5. Set thine eye upon the glory of being confessed by Christ before his Father and his Angels; oh this my servant was more willing to dye for me then deny me; and the terrour and disgrace that Christ should deny us, when our own consciences are up in armes against us, then he shall proclame and disclame us, in that we preferred every trifle before himselfe, &c.

6. Looke on examples of Saints, keeping the profession without wavering in losses and crosses, Heb. 10. joyfully enduring the spoyling of Goods. Pauls life not deare: compare thy selfe with these, &c.

p. 40Then he went out into the Porch, and the Cocke crew.

PETER having denyed his Lord, beginneth to perceive himselfe in some danger; for he seeth that better then his sinne; and seeing it was not safe for him to be there, he beginneth to withdraw himselfe, and goeth into the Porch; he beginneth to be weary both of the person and place, and perceiving he was gone in too far, he would get back againe if he could.

Note 1. It is not good to goe too far into the houses of wicked men;Not good to goe far into wicked houses. And why? for hardly shall a man get out without a scar, no more then Peter.

Reason 1. There can be no agreement betweene light and darknesse, righteousnesse and unrighteousnesse.

2. All their Counsels, courses and examples, being pestilent and hatefull to God; a good man should either offend them in reproving, or God in not reproving; thou must doe as they doe, or leave thy roome to such as will.

Reason 3. What good canst thou expect from them, or what good canst thou hope to do to an obstinate person, who is unworthy of a reproof, unfit for Christian counsell, Prov. 23. 9. Speak not in the eares of a foole, for he will despise the wisdome of thy words.

Vse 1. To wonder that many can be inwardly conversant with all Companies, and enter bands of society with all manner of persons, Papists and Protestants, Church-Papists and Recusant Papists, Ruffians, swearers, Drunkards, railers and scorners of good men and good things; how men professing godlinesse can be inward with such, eat and drinke with them, ordinarily uphold them in their courses, fall to their games and exercises; certainly these men cannot hold their owne, no more then Peter here, but mustneeds counterfeit▪ an outside. Peter is almost no sooner in the high Priests Hall, but he denyeth his Lord as fast as any.

Vse 2. He that resolveth to uphold his integrity, must say with David, Psalme 119. 115. Away from me ye wicked, for I will keepe Gods Commandements: and hide himselfe away from wicked company; neither is it out of singularity, to seeme better then others; nor of pride, as disdaining neighbours, or thinking no company good enough for them; but out of sense of their owne weaknesse, and feare of infection from them.

Vse 3. Learne a point of wisdome in Peter; seeing we must be cast among evil men, be not too familiar with them; rather stand without in the Porch then thrust into the …all; keepe aloofe from them, for so thou shalt escape best; thus Peter began to do when he discerned his danger by them.

Note 1. Peter went forth, but not farre enough; for he went but into the Porch, but came backe.

Quest. Why did he not goe quite away and leave the House as well as the Hall? or going backe, why returned he backe againe?

Answ. Peter was now as a Bird that had lost his nest, knew not what to doe with himselfe; in staying was danger, and in going now was as much danger; for if now being questioned he should flye upon it, he should confirme their suspition against him; and confesse that which he would fain dissemble.

Againe, he had heard that Servants perhaps mutter against him; for it appeareth there was a great many more then three that set upon him, and feareth they will pursue him, if he should flye, and there resolveth to returne among them, set as good a face on the matter as he can, and falleth into familiar and free talke with them, if by that means he might prevent suspicion.

Note here,Get out of the Hall, yea and out of the Porch too. that whosoever would keepe himselfe free from the danger of sinne and sinners, must not onelyonly get out of the Hall, but out of the porch of sinne too, as Solomon out of the wicked womans house, so every wicked mans house, Pro. 5. 8. keepe thee far from her, and come not neer the door of her house.

p. 41Peter should have done better if he had left the house, and not stucke in the Porch; it had beene in him, and should be in each of us.

1. Christian wisedome, to keepe without the Harlots reach.

2. Christian zeale, hating all sin even the appearance.

Many step out of the midst of sinne, but hang about the Porch, would not be outragious sinners, but retaine a smatch or taste; not open Adulterers, but Adulterous eyes, thoughts and speeches; not noted drunkards, but company keepers and Bibbers; not blasphemous Swearers by Wounds and Blood, but by Faith, Troth, God, &c. not workers on the Sabbath, but idle and prophane in words and deeds; not open Railers and scorners of good exercises, and men, but secret haters or dislikers; all which is to sticke in the Porch of Sin, and as Peter thou art not gotten out, but coming backe into the Hall againe.

Note 2. In that Peter sticks in the Porch and cometh backe among them whom he had forsaken,Hard to leave ill company. how hardly a man that hath beene long used to bad company and courses, is brought backe to leave it altogether, but either he will looke backe, or tarry in the Porch; Peter that is but new come in, and scarce warme in his place among them, cannot resolve to leave them though he be warmed by sense of perill and danger.

Sin and Sinners are like Bird-lime; the more Peter strives to get out, he seeth himselfe more lymed and intangled.

How much harder is it to get out of the custome and habit of sin and sinfull Companionship?

Lots Wi…e gotten out of the midst of Sodome, looketh backe; nay good Lot himselfe cannot be got out, but the Lord must stay his leasure, and the Angell must pull him out that the flame catch him not.

Vse 1. Pray that we never fall into bad company,Never enter among such. and bad places, bad alliance, bad acquaintance or courses among earthly minded and ungodly minded men; for surely we will hardly be got out, we will have as many carnall arguments as Peter to carry us back into their company, we must not part with old friends, we shall be thought uncivill, or strange, or it may be we may here some say, what, art thou one of his Disciples, what, become precise? then all is mard, and then if an Angell, yea two Angels bid thee away in haste for our lives, we will with good Lot still prolong the time.

Vse 2. Beware if thou hast set forth out of the company and courses of sinners,Or having entred return and never return back. so far as the Court, that thou dispute not with Peter, much lesse resolve to goe backe againe; for Peter made his case worse then before, 2 Pet. 2. 20. better never have knowne the way of truth, Luke 9. 62.Luke 9:62then forsake it; was Lots wi…e a… better for getting out of Sodome that looked backe? nay, was she not worse, being made an eye marke of Gods justice to all posterity.

Is it not a fearfull thing to be weary of well doing, and a fearfull wickednesse to make defection from God? is he fit for the Kingdome that puts his hand to the Plough, and looketh backe.

Beware thou beest not one of those Dogs that returne to their vomit, nor a Swine washed returning to her wallowing, all the former motions and endeavours were deceitfull and hypocriticall; for, were they sound, they should have lasted.

The Divell once cast out and returning, brought seven worse then himselfe, and the end is worse then the beginning.

Note also the contrariety of the wicked from God himselfe, he provideth safety for his Children by night; Esau was admonished by night not to speake roughly to Jacob. The Wicked alway tend to destruction of themselves and others.

p. 42And the Cocke crew.

NOTE 1. It appeareth it was in the Night that Christ was apprehended,Wicked in the night devise mischiefe. …nd in that, how watchfull and diligent Christs Enemies were to worke malice and mischiefe against him; so were the Sodomites busie all Night to abuse themselves and doe mischiefe. Gen. 19.

Solomon saith wicked men cannot sleep till they have done evill, Prov. 4▪ 16. and sleepe departeth from them unlesse they cause some to fall; Judas will watch an opportunity against Christ, even in the night to betray him.

Reas. 1. Because they are carried wholly and naturally unto evill without any inward restraint;And why? it is a sweet morsell, and perhaps the Lord seeth them not.

2. Darkenesse maketh them more bould, and fitter for a worke of darkenesse, as Judas apprehends, and Soldiers lead him away.

3. Malice against Christ and his Members in the wicked never sleepeth, but watcheth occasions against them; they resemble Satan their guide.

4. Having got occasion, they will not slip it, but execute presently, though at midnight; they breake their sleep for it.

5. Yet God overruleth that it should be typifyed by a Paschall Lambe, killed by night, Exod. 12. 6. as himselfe was slaine in the evening of the World.

Vse Good men on the contrary learne to watch in the Night for good and gracious purposes;Study thou in the night to do good. let thy reines teach thee Wisedome in the Night; David professeth he will not go up to his Bed, nor suffer his eye▪ lids to slumber, till he have found out a place for God.Psal. 132. 3.Ps 132:3

Tully saith it were a shame for him that Catiline should be more watchfull for the destruction of the Common-wealth, then he for the safety and preservation of it.

In sparing sleep for good purposes is a recompence, Gen. 19. 4, 29. Consider that Night-sins, have day plagues, 2 Sam. 12. 12. consider, Job 35. 10. God giveth Songs in the Night, and his mercyes walke round about thee all night long, he keepeth watches for thee, he thinketh on thee, and doth for thee, that thou doest not for thy selfe, keepeth thy house, Body, Goods, Soule, while thou sleepest; and therefore in the night do thou thinke of him.

Psal. 119. 55. In the night season oh Lord I thought on thee. In the night commune with the Lord by prayer, meditation and confession. Psal. 77. 60. In the night I commune with my heart, and search out my spirit; in the night desire after the Lord, Isa. 26. 9. so the Church, with my Soule have I desired thee in the night; yea, with my spirit within me, will I seeke thee early; in the night praise the Lord; at midnight I will rise and praise thee.

Examine thy imployment of thoughts in the night, when thou goest to bed and risest, whether thy thoughts run after money and mucke, world and businesse, whether on revenge, pride, hatred, sports, or whatsoever.

A good heart hath a better treasury within it selfe, and without it for thee to feed on; meditate and be serious, and remember still how diligent we should be in Gods wo…ke; cursed is he that doth Gods worke negligently, Jer. 48. 10.

Note 2. God would admonish Peter according to his word by the Cocks crow, if so be Peter will take knowledge of himselfe; but Peter doth not.

Quest. Why? it may be being midnight, he was sleepy and could not hear.

Answ. But Peter had got his first sleepe before, Christ went thrice and found them sleeping; besides Peter was now afraid, and feare and danger kept him waking enough, and therefore the cause was,

1. His heart was asleepe and regardlesse of his sin, and so long all the Cocks in the World cannot wake him.

2. The time appointed for his wakening was not yet come; he had denyed but once as yet; he must deny thrice, let the Cock crow never so often.

p. 43Note. A fearfull consequent and Companion of sinne is induration and blindenesse; Induration a fearful consequent of sin.here we see even the godly themselves sleep fearefully after sin; how did David cast hit conscience asleep after he had committed Adultery? his heart is hardened; and after the Adultery, he falleth into Murther, and yet along time he is not wakened till the Lord by his Prophet wakeneth him.

Gen. 37. 24, 25. when Josephs Brethren had taken him, and stript him, and cast him into a pit, then they sat-downe to eat bred; a man would have thought they should have sat downe to weepe for their sin; but their sin hath so blinded them, they rejoyce together as if they had nothing offended; nay, now almost twenty yeares they carry their sin, and never take notice of it.

Reas. 1. Because mans heart naturally is hard,And why? being infected with the poyson of originall sin; and this hardnesse is increased by our owne sins conceived or consented to, or committed, or repeated, or continued; there was no deadnesse or dulnesse in Adams conscience in innocency.

2. Sinne hath a property,Culpa claudit oculos, Greg. to stun and benum the conscience and Soul of man; for as a man falling from an high place, lieth a great while in a swoon or trance, and cannot help himselfe; so the Children of God in their fals of Sin.

David afte… his Sinne was a dead man without sence of sinne, or of comfort; he had lost his heart, his joy, his feeling, till God created and restored him againe, Psal. 51.

3. The supposed pleasure of sinne doth drowne Judgement, disturbe Reason, and blinde Conscience, so as it can sooth it selfe, and thinke his owne sinnes lesse, or scarce sinnes; every man thinkes his owne breath sweet; and delight in sinne brings on custome, and custome in sinne taketh away the sense of sinne.

Vse 1. Beware of a sleepy heart and benummed conscience,Beware of a sleepy conscience. a most fearfull fruit of sinne, and far worse then sinne it selfe; most men are in love with their Consciences when they lye still and quiet; and this is the case and conscience of the common Protestant, who takes that for quietnesse and peace which is indeed death it selfe, or a deadly lethargie of Conscience. But this dead Conscience is like a dead body layed in the grave, sleepes, lyeth still, and is cleane forgotten, but shall awake, and rise again & be more active then ever it was, either in Mercy, and in season, as in the godly, when they shall sustaine sorrow enough, and taste the soure sauce of their sweet meats, and out of deepe sorrow recover their joy, as in Peter; Or in Justice, and too late, as in Judas, who slept all the while he conspired against his Lord, but no sooner wakened, but he went and hanged himselfe; here was the most fearefull wakening, because his denyall of his Lord was of maliciousnesse, Peters of infirmity.

Many living in grosse sinnes thanke God they never were troubled in Conscience, proclame their shame and misery.

Vse 2. If a Conscience renewed in part can be so blinded by sinne,Worst still in the Wicked. oh what grosse corruption and wickednesse reigneth in a Conscience unregenerate? this will make stop at nothing, but groweth senselesse in the foulest wayes of sinne; this goeth on from evill to worse without remorse, till sometimes they be delivered up to a reprobate sence; Cain to kill his Brother, Absolon to rebell against his own Father, Amnon to defile his sister Thamar.

A Smith layeth as many hard blowes on the Anvill as on the Iron he works; the Anvill is the same not dinted, but the other yeelds to his desire; so here is the difference, but that one hath heat and fire in it, softning it, the other cold without all fire within; so here, God speaketh as loud stroakes and as hard on the wicked mans heart, as on the godly; the same voyde, the same hand, but without all fire and heat of the Spirit mollifying without all impression, onelyonly recoyls the voyce and stroake.

Vse 3. Oh that we could come to feele and cry out of the stone in the heart as we will of the stone in the kidneyes, and esteeme hardnesse of heart a fearfull plague, as indeed it is.

p. 44If God take away a mans bodily sight or hearing, every man taketh notice, and mourneth under such a rod of God, but when sinne hath taken away the inward ear and eye, that there is no seeing or hearing of admonitions and rebukes of sinne, no man thinkes this a judgement, but a benefit; seeing therefore soft a hearing heart and eare is so great a blessing, as the contrary is a curse, labour for soft hearts, pray against hardnesse; use meanes to waken thee; get wise and understanding hearts to observe the crow of the Cocks, to observe the steps and wayes of God with us, and his degrees and dealing with us.

Motive 1. This is a part of Gods revenge against sinne, both in godly and wicked; David will secretly take another mans Wife, his Wife shall be taken openly on the house-top in the sight of Israel, in which all Israel shall read the sinne of David so secretly contrived.

2. That which the wicked feareth must come upon him; he feareth nothing but light, nothing so much as mans eye, so if he cannot carry his businesse Caste tamen cau…è therefore God brings this feare on him, and oft Boyes and Girles come to know and speake of that they most sought to cover.

3. Shame and Sin goe hand in hand; and in effect.

The Sinner hateth not onelyonly his owne soule, but his owne good name; the Adulterer that watcheth the twilight, and hideth himselfe in the night, shuts the doores, windowes, drawes curtaines, &c. cannot shut out Gods eye, nor the eye of his owne conscience, no nor the mouthes of men, but some one or other spyeth him, and for the most part he is reputed as he is.

The Drunkard that is drunke in the night, he is ashamed of his sin in the day, though many deboyst Persons be not; yet because the Wife, Children, Servants, Neighbours, Companions spye him, he beareth justly the name and shame of his sin, which he thought darkenesse could beare off; so the Usurer, the unjust trader that smootheth over deceit, one time or other, one Maid or other, one occasion or other, shall detect them, and cast the shame of their sinne in their faces, and on their names.

Nay more, hide thy hypocrisie, thy distaste of Gods Servants in the darkest cave and corner of thy heart; lock up secret wrath and displeasure in the most inward Closet of thy breast, God will one day detect thee, he needes neither man nor Maid to discover thee, the sparkes of thine owne fire within thee shall fly abroad, and make men know thee better then thou wouldst be knowne; he that hath birds of Heaven to carry forth curses of the thoughts against the King, Eccles. 10. 20. and by that which hath wings can declare the speeches of thy bedchamber, can and will easily in his time declare what thou art in things which of all others thou wouldest be masked in.

Note 1. Here is another Maid of the high Priest as good as the former,Like Master, like Servant. and both as good as their Master, all of them very busy against Christ and his Disciples, the Master against the Master, and the Servants against his Servants.

But these Maids forgetting their businesse, their Sexe, their modesty, their place, shew themselves very rude in that, in the presence of so many men, they take upon them to prate to a man; a stranger, in a businesse not concerning themselves or places.

But learne, that as the Master is, commonly such are the Servants, such is the Family; a good Master will have good Servants, a bad contrary.

The Centurion, Luk. 7. 8. being a good man, hath a number of good Servants and trained in good order and subjection.

And we scarce read of a convert, but we read of the faith and conversion of his Family, Acts 16. 33. The Jaylor. chap. 18. 8. Crispus beleeved, and all his House.

But how contrary we see that of Solomon? Prov. 29. 12. If the Prince be given to lyes, all the Servants are wicked.

If Esau be wickedly and malitiously minded against Jacob, he hath three or four hundred Servants all at his heeles ready to destroy him, Gen. 33. 1.

p. 45If Absolon unnaturally plot the death of his owne Brother Amnon, he keepeth Servants ready enough to act and execute it.

A swearing Master, hath blasphemous Servants; a Popish Master, Popish Servants; an Atheist Master, hath Atheist Servants; he careth not, nor careth whether their Religion be for God or the Divell.

Reas. 1. A good man hath a care to provide himselfe good Servants,Why a good Master hath good Servants sober, teachable, at least inclinable to goodnesse; David Psal. 101. will not suffer a vicious Person in his house, a Lyer, a Slanderer.

No man is willing to entertaine a Thiefe in his house, to rob him; and art thou more carefull of thy Goods, and weary of him, then he that will rob God of his glory by blaspheming, cursing and wicked courses?

2. If he find them not so good, he is carefull to teach and instruct them; so Abraham was commended that he would teach his Family after him, Gen. 18. 19. and become a good patterne and example of piety and grace; every man for his owne advantage will teach and traine up his Servants and Apprentices in the knowledge of their owne trads and occupations, and much more good men hold themselves bound to traine them in the knowledge of God, and way of godly life.

3. He will carefully reforme his Family with Abraham, cast out the Scorner, the prophane and incorrigible Scoffers, and such as will not yeild to instruction and admonition or correction, he will and must remove and expell as desperate and infectious members, that the whole be not corrupted or infected.

Reas. 2. Why a wicked Master hath a wicked Family and Servants.Why a bad Master hath bad Servants.

1. Because he delighteth in no other, but such as abett his own evil and execute it; some men thinke it not for their profit to keepe a Servant that cannot lye and sweare as fast as speak, so it be to others, not themselves; they must not have their Servants blockish, for then they will neglect their businesse, nor have too much knowledge; for they will see their faults, and make scruple of their commandements.

2. Because of the contagion of Sin; Sin is of a strong and swift motion, it can move up hill and ascend from Inferiors to superiors; from the Wife to the Husband, as Jehoram did evill, for Ahabs Daughter was his Wife, 2 King. 8. 18. and Ahab was wicked, whom Jezabell provoked.

From Counsellors to Kings,1 King. 12. 14.1 Kgs 12:14 as the evill counsell of Rehoboam, and from Servants to Masters,1 Chr. 19. 3.1 Chr 19:3 from People to Ministers, Isa. 6. 5.

If it goe up Hill so fast, how swift is it downe Hill? if it can rise from the feet to the Head so quickly; how suddenly from head to feet? from Superiors to Inferiors?

3. Because of the countenance sin gets from Superiors; if sin be so bold and active as all the Authority and care of Superiors can scarce represse and restraine it; how can it but thrive, when it hath gotten Authority, countenance, and confirmation, when it is incited, commanded, backed and abetted?

It's2 Chr. 12. 1…2 Chr 12:1 said Rehoboam did commit Idolatry, and all Judah did the like under every greene Tree, and on every greene Hill, so here, all the Servants, men and maids are as ready as their Master to mischiefe and wrong Jesus Christ; and it is so in most wicked Familyes ordinarily, such as depend on Masters for approbation, or preferment, conforme to their humors.

Vse. 1. For Masters to provide even for their credit by reforming their Familyes;All should mind the reforming of their familyes Many professe Religion and the fear of God, but it is in the Church, not in his house; he cares not who they be he keepeth in his House, Swearers, godlesse and pophane Persons, and they serve his turne, and doe his businesse, using them as Beasts rather then men, who have soules for which they must make account; say thou art no Swearer, no Sabbath-breaker, no Atheist, no rude or disordered Person; if thou keepest such in thy house, surely thou art either such or mayst justly be so accounted.

p. 46Say not thou hast such bad Servants, and it is so hard to get a good Servant; feare rather thou art a bad Master, who neither carest to choose better, or make them better; and perhaps th…y come out of such rude and disordered Families as thine owne be; thou hast run to the Hedge and hast taken in Bryars and Thornes, and now complainest: takest them in whom thou canst not governe, and then complainest of incumbrance.

2. Let Masters hence learne to looke to their own wayes first,Let the Master be first good himself. and doe nothing which they would not have their Families doe after them, but as the Sunne giveth light to all the Regions round about him, and by his shine expels all darknesse; so the Master by his godly example, should be as a light to his Family, inciting and encouraging all goodnesse, and chasing away sinne by Instruction, Example, and all due severity.

Say with

Joshuah,Josh. 24. 15.Josh 24:15 first, I and my house will serve the Lord.

Hester,Hester 4. 16.Esth 4:16 I and my Maids will Fast.

Thou art a Master, know that true Reformation of thy Family must begin at thy selfe; if thou canst not abide it in thy selfe, thou wilt not brooke it in others so neer thee; sinne is a good fellow, is sociable, and would have all like it selfe.

Againe,Mat. 7. 5.Matt 7:5 thou canst not truely hate sinne in another, and cherish it in thy selfe, correct it in another, and cocker it in thy selfe. Cast out thine owne beame first.

Vse 3. Masters in the disorders of their Families should humble themselves,Or be humbled, if not. suspect themselves; turne part of their anger against themselves; say, Truely I and my house serve not the Lord; I have not instructed, I have failed in my example, I have not corrected the sinne when I might, I have not made right steps to my feet, which hath turned out others, Heb. 12. 13. I have eaten foure Grapes, and set their teeth on edge.

Vse. 4. Servants learne hence,Servants should looke to their …ule, not bad example. not to thinke they can be borne out in their evils by their Masters example, nor doe any thing against a good Conscience; your rule is not the rule of your Master, or framing to his example, but to the rule of the Word. If thy Master should doe or command thee to doe any thing that is unhonest, unjust, unlawfull or ungodly, thou must not in any wise doe it, but now know thou hast a Master in heaven; happy had it bin for this Maid, now her Master was so busie against Christ, if she had taken his part, and the part of his Disciples, Acts 4. 19, and 5. 29. Whether it be right to obey God or men, judge yee.

Let not Masters thinke themselves wronged; for neither Prentice nor Parent, nor Husband must be obeyed but in the Lord. Eph. 6. 1.Eph 6:1It was Sarahs great infirmity, to dissemble twice at her Husbands request; Masters must not drinke that water gotten by the hazard of the soules of their Servants, as David.

Caution 1. If a command be onelyonly inconvenient and unmeet, thou must obey; if not unlawfull, make conscience.

2. If thou be sure it be sin, not a conceit or opinion.

Object. But I am in doubt.

Answ. Here labour to be grounded: but till then, better doubt and obey, then doubt and disobey.

3. If sure it be sin, looke to the manner of disobedience; though God free thee from obedience in act, yet not from obedience in suffering.

Though from the Action thou knowest ungodly, yet not from reverent, humble, and dutifull subjection, affection and demeanour.

To deny unlawfull things with sturdy and insolent words or carriage is utterly unlawfull.

Note 3. In the Instrument that Peter fals twice here by two Women; the Papists hence declame, and make invectives against women, not onelyonly because Eve was the cause of Adams fall, but for that these 'two Maids were meanes to cast downe the pillar of their profession, Saint Peter.

p. 47Indeed the Scripture shew what great power is in wicked women to draw men to evill as in Solomon, Jezabell, Herodias, many Women whose hands are as Bands to drag men to sin, who are taken with their perswasion as saith Solomon, even as an Oxe to the slaughter.

Neither is it marvell that sin comes upon us in our nearest friends, nor that Satan first overcomes the weaker Vessell.

Nor that by that he overcomes the stronger; for we fight not with flesh and blood,Ephes. 6. 12.Eph 6:12 but with spirituall wickednesses in them; and we can easily heare the whisperings and Syren voyces of sin, being altogether corrupt.

All which should teach 1. Women to be sure their perswasions of Husbands be just,Inst…uctions to Women. holy and good; never to dare to perswade men into sin; as knowing they were given as helps unto men, to helpe them out of sin; and whereas they are weaker Vessels, and most impotent in their passions and desires, be sure to examine what they perswade too, so much more diligently, least they be circumvented as Eve, and if they meet with so good a nature, as is easie to be perswaded, and heare them, it is a double sin to abuse it, and seduce it to evill; it is said of a good woman,Prov. 31. 26.Prov 31:26 that she opens her mouth in wisedome.

2. It should teach Men to care not to be drawne to evill by womens perswasions;And men… should aman be weake and womanly impotent? Joseph would not be won from his fidelity by any perswasion.

That all wisedome is little enough to support a man matched with an evill Woman, see in Solomon, to whom no warnings, no wisedome was enough.

But in these two Maids observe more specially, that as the Women had the first hand in the first sin; so women had hand also in this great sin of the death of Christ; forthough they could passe no sentence against him in publique, yet in their places they could scorne him, and endanger his Disciples.

And consequent it is that women had need of their redemption by Christs death as well as men; whosoever have hand in the transgression, stand in need of the benefit and meanes of pardon.

Many Women are carelesse of the main businesse,Luke 10. 42.Luke 10:42 of the one thing necessary; Marthas; this consideration should stir them up to chuse the better part.

3. All Women learne this;What speech Women should use. seeing much of their speech is directed to men, and they are much in speech, how to guide their speeches.

1. To open her mouth in wisdom, as the vertuous woman, Prov. 31. 26. the law of grace in her lips; to stir up the grace of God in any, and not the corruption of their heart, and not as many, who if they find their Husband or friends forward or backward make them more backward, and if there be but a sparke of goodnesse, are means quite to dead and extinguish it.

2. To perswade and councell good things; not as Hamans Wife when he told her of all his prosperity, but Mordecai troubled all, Hester 5. 14. She councelled him to set up a Tree fifty cubits high; and speake to the King to hang Mordecai, which councell came home to her selfe.

But rather as the Shunamite to her husband, 2 King, 4. 9. I know this is a man of God, let us make a little Chamber, and set him up a Table, Bed, Stoole and Candlestick, that he may turne in to us.

2. Comfort him in his troubles with good and approved comforts,; not as Jezabell did Ahab sick; up, art thou King of Israel? I will get thee Naboths Vineyard, 1 King. 21. 7. but as Manoahs wife, Judg. 13. 23. If the Lord would kill us, he would not have received our sacrifice, nor shewed us all these things.

Note 2. The Cocke crows according to Gods word,Heart hardned no means do a man good. which should have beene a checke to Peter for that he had done already, and a stop to goe no farther; but the warning that Christ gives him, wakens not his heart, doth no good; while the heart is hardened, no meanes can do a man good; here was meanes enough to stop Peter.

1. Christs prediction yet in his eares.

p. 482. Christs care in affording him a signe of his sinne, to lay to his heart.

3. The accomplishment of the signe in the Cocks voyce, bringing now his sin to his ear, that he might take notice of himselfe; but yet Peter doth not, because of the senslesnesse and hardnesse of his heart.

Vse. As with Peter, so with most men; God offers Peter a great blessing in the crowing of the Cocke, but Peter never sees it, nor receives it; Christ by his word as a powerfull Cocke, would awaken men out of their sins, graciously admonisheth them of their danger of their fals, but men are as deafe as Peter, they will not be dis-eased or wakened, and reformed.

2. Observe the true cause of not profiting by the voice of Christ in his ministry;True cause of not profiting by preaching. not in Christ, not in the Cocke here, but in Peter himselfe not acknowledging that voyce; so the word is preached, few profit, few are reclaimed; where is the fault? is it in God? what can he doe more then warne the Sinner, is it in the word,Rom. 1. 16.Rom 1:16 which is the Power of God to Salvation? is it in the Cocke or Teacher? may things be made more plaine, more intelligent and powerfull? no, it is in mens hardning their owne hearts, closing their eyes, shutting their eares; oh Israel, thy destruction is of thy selfe.Hos. 13. 9.Hos 13:9

Note 3. What a great plague of God an hard heart is,Hard heart a great plague of God. because it binds their sins upon them; how doe Swearers, Lyers, Sabbath-breakers, Usurers, heare the voyce of the Cocke, nay of Christ himselfe in his word, crying out of their sins, denouncing damnation for them, and yet persist without reformation, but that custome of sin hath made them so deafe that they take no notice either of the sin, or that there is any need of reformation? why doth yet the Adulterer blush, the Drunkard shame, the blasphemous Swearer hide his face for shame at so foule sins,Eph. 4. 19.Eph 4:19 so cryed and crowed out upon, but that the conscience by sin is past feeling, and heart dead asleep?

Vers. 69. Then a Maid saw him againe, and began to say to them that stood by, this is one of them; but he denyed it againe.

NOW we come to the second assault and temptation; for Peter lies now in security, and security is never without temptation; a sleeping man fals with a small motion; Satan needs doe but little to thrust him downe, he will fall of himselfe, as Eutychus Acts 20. 9.

Then a Maid saw him againe.] A very little while after, a Maid, whether the same Maid, or she had told it to some of her fellows, it is not material, but likely it was another Maid; Matthew saith it was another saw him againe.

Peter was bold to go to Caiaphas house, because it was night, he was in hope to be hid, and that no body should see him; but one Maid spyes him, another wench spyes him, and now he sees that he was known well enough.

Note hence the boldnesse of Sinners,Foolish Sinne…s thinke to keep all secret. who thinke to carry their sins close and secret from the eye of man; besides, that the Lord sees them through the blacke cloud, sometimes while they thinke themselves in a mist, and that they walke invisible; in this path they are espyed well enough, and while they thinke to deceive others, themselves are most deceived.

If Peter would never so faine shuffle himselfe in among the high Priests Servants, one maid after another shall descry and disclaime him to be Peter; let him hide himselfe in the darke, a Maid shall see him hide himselfe, onelyonly Christ shall spy him.

And whereas it were very hard if they could not devise some quarrell against their Preacher; yet sometimes the Lord so upholdeth his Lights, as they have no just cause that they dare bring into the light, which they can quarrell directly against; his profession and preaching is accused to be the cause of so many evils in the World, and so much preaching makes the World worse, and so as mad dogs p. 49they bark at the Sun, and would pull the Sun of out Heaven, because it draws out the stink of a Dunghill; so the word, because it discovers evill is the cause of evill.

How are good and godly men and Women, Brethren and Sisters of Jesus Christ, members of his body, and one of another reproached and reviled at this day, and charged to be the worst of all sorts of People that live and the common cry runs against them, as Sectaryes, hypocrites, and worse then Idolators; why, but saith Pilate what evill hath he done? you charge him with many severall things, but I see no evill in him; nay (say they) as if we would have brought him to thee, if he were not an evill doer; Pilate must take their word, for that other sufficient matter can he wring none.

Oh but there be great matters against these precise Professors, they be Runners to Church, great Hearers of Sermons; nay they carry Bibles under their Armes, they repeat Sermons when they come home, and sing Psalmes in their houses, can goe about no worke till they have solemnly prayed, nor goe to bed without reading and praying, so great is their hypocrisie. They be Jewes in keeping the Sabbath, they must doe nothing, nor speake but holy things, scarce make their Beds, dresse any meat, or eat it when dressed.

Nay, they have beene accused sometimes in Pulpits, sometimes on Stages, that they would not sweare, nor suffer an oath in another unreproved, nor they will not be drunke, nor abide to run to Tavernes or Ale-houses; they are so strict as they will not indure any merry company, nor be merry themselves, as Israel a People that dwelt alone, Deut. 33. 38.Deut 33:38and numbred not themselves among the Nations; and are not these proper accusations? or are there any other greater justly cast upon them; so as our Saviour concluds the matter; if ye were of the world, the world would love her owne;1 Pet. 4. 4.1 Pet 4:4 and Peter, because ye run not with them to the excesse of errour, but stand with Christ in your owne duty and station, and therefore they hate you.

This so being, let godly men be so much the more wary of themselves and courses, as small things are made great matters in them. Judge your selves in small things, let the righteous smite you, and the word of God wound your infirmityes, least you fall into their hands.

Oh that Professors would so walke, as all their accusations would vanish into shadowes and smoake; oh that you would by innocency thus dull and blunt all their keen Weapons! the wisdome of a man will make a benefit of an Adversary, much more the wisedome of God in his Servants.

Lastly, this may be a comfort and incouragement to godly men; if they have nothing but thy profession to upbraid thee for,Job. 31. 36.Job 31:36 thou mayst take the Adversaryes booke, and weare it as thy crowne; make account if thou in thy life testifie of the evill of the World,How Christ witnesseth against the world. it will accuse thee, if not for evill, yet for good, Christ witnesseth against the World.

1. By unweariable paines in doctrine, that their workes were evill, calling it to repentance, to mortification, remission of sins, and newnesse of life.

2. By accusing the hypocrisie of it,Mat. 5. 20.Matt 5:20 except your righteousnesse exceed the Pharisee; a faire righteousnesse must they thinke they had, that shut them out of Heaven.

3. By condemning not onelyonly their Adulteryes, Vsurers, Oppressions, Thefts, murthers, but even their prayers, Almes, Fasts, Chastity and piety, abstracted from faith and repentance; could the World endure this?

4. By innocency of life, opposed to their corruptions, he made both shine cleare.

5. By separating from their company in their evill, plainely declaring what he thought of them and their courses, and do thou the like, be sure thou shalt heare of the World on both sides.

p. 50Ver. 70. But he denyed it againe.

WHERE

1. Repetition.

2. Manner, with an oath, Mat. 26. 72.

Peter had first denyed his Lord for feare, now he denyes againe for shame; least having lyed, he be found a Lyar; Peter was better contented to be a Lyar then so accounted, and therefore stood still in denyal.

Beware of acquainting thy tongue with the least untruth, least it easily come to be repeated, and into a custome.

Note He that once crackes his conscience,Conscience once crackt, a man adventures …arther. will not much straine at it the second time; see it in good Jacob, Gen. 27. 12, 19. he is at first very fearfull to seeme a mocker to his Father, and to delude him with a lye, but coming unto his Father, maketh a long speech, and professeth himselfe boldly and securely his eldest Son Esau; and after when Isaac suspected his voyce, and asked him, ver. 29. But a…t thou my Son Esau? he answered againe, yea.

Good Joseph, Gen. 42. 15. 16. to shew his vehemency to his Brethren, rapt out one oath after another, as it seemes was the manner of the Court of Egypt (as now of England) but not fit for Joseph or seemely, nor fit for Joseph or seemely, nor lawfull for any.

Reas. 1. Sin is very bold where once it is bid welcome; if it once enter,And why? it knowes the way againe, and once admitted will plead, not possession, but prescription; an army is easier kept out, then beaten out.

2. The Sinner is lesse able to resist the second time, then he was the former, so Peter here; for grace is weakned and decayed by yeilding to the first temptation, and the strength of God which onelyonly makes the way of grace easie, plucked away by grieving his holy spirit.

Therefore Peter here denyes as often as he is tempted, and would have denyed a thousand times if the Lord by his prediction had not limited the temptation, and returned with new strength.

3. The way of sin once set open, is as the Gates of a City cast open for the Enemy, by which Satan bringing in his forces, strongly plants them, and quickly so fortifieth them, as a great strength shall hardly raze or remove them.

Every sin admitted, not onelyonly weakens, but corrupts the facultyes of the Soul by which it is upheld, it darkens understanding, corrupts the will, disturbs the affections, and raiseth a cloud of passions to dazel reason, as Peter here in feares and perplexityes, and doubts, marvelous blind for a time.

Vse Be exhorted to give sin no entrance at all,Keep sin out or drive it out quickly. or if thou canst not keepe it out, drive it out presently by repentance; as the wise Mariner carefully keeps his Ship from leaking; and if he cannot ever prevent, but it will take in some water, he emptyes and pomps it out at the beginning, because then it is easier emptyed then afterward.

A wise man is carefull to prevent a disease, and preserve his health; but if he cannot alway do it, he will run to the remedy betime, knowing that an old disease troubles the Physitian, which not distemper onelyonly, but age and continuance hath confirmed.

It is a folly to taste of Sin, and the sweet meates of it; but to sit downe to feed upon it, is madnesse to him that knowes he must vomit up every morsell, yea every crumb of it, before he can be well.

Againe, seest thou sin let in by sin? though it may sollicite thee, yet let it no settle on thee; cast thine eye about, and see how hard, how impossible almost to remove a custome of swearing, of lying, drunkennesse, or any evill habit which hath fastened on us; how seldome are such habituall Sinners reclamed? how hard is it to turne the course of the Thames or River, which time out of minde hath kept his owne Channell? how hard to plucke out a Naile which one hath beene driving in forty or fifty yeares? cast thine eye within thy selfe, observe p. 51how some favoured corruption let in, and let go, hath weakened thy Soule, quenched thy good desires, deaded good dutyes dimmed thy judgement, and wholly unfitted thee for exercise of grace and expectation of glory.

The manner of his denyall, with an Oath.

A Dicer (they say) will grow to be a Beggar in a night, and in a night Peter will grow from a Dissembler to be a Swearer and forswearer.

Note 1. How ill Peter prov…des for himselfe,Good men too apt to helpe themselves by bad meanes. to winde himselfe out of danger and perplexity; evill men set upon him, and he sets upon God, and sets his own conscience against him by increasing sins and evils as the dangers increase; not onelyonly evill men, but good men are too prone to helpe themselves by evill meanes.

Not Esau onelyonly, being almost dead for hunger, must supply himselfe by selling his birth-right; but Jacob will get it by lying; not Saul onelyonly will seeke to a Witch to helpe him in a straight; but good Sarah wanting a child, although having a promise, will give her maid to her Husband.

Reas. 1. Want of judgement, when passion hath darkened it, takes it for a case of necessity,And why? as Peter here, which we say hath no Law, but falsity; it is not necessity to breake the commandement, but necessity not to breake it; no necessity for David to kill Vriah so to hide his Adultery.

2. Weaknesse of faith which makes hasty and weary of waiting on Gods power and providence, his promise and truth set aside; and if he delay our helpe a little we easily thinke he denyes it.

Vse Let the Godly in their straits seeke their enlargement from God alone,In straights seek to God for enlargement. and not to increase their owne bonds as Peter.