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practical lesson to be derived from Peter's unfaithfulness, is that we strengthen ourselves by all the means which Scripture supplies, against the hour of temptation. The case of Peter shows, how different a thing it is to act consistently, when surrounded by pious connexions, and when mixed with those who are opposed to Christian truth. Yet many live in the midst of such trials, and every Christian must expect to meet with them. Let him be prepared for them. Peter shut his eyes against the possibility of danger. When the Lord foretold it, he "rebuked him, saying, Be it far from thee, Lord; this shall not be unto thee." 8 Such security is no protection against the evil day. But it is a protection, to anticipate the trial, and prepare the means of encountering it to be aware of the enemy, and clothe ourselves in the armour which will resist him. This St. Paul had done; who says, "Now I go bound in the Spirit unto Jerusalem, not knowing the things that shall befall me there; save that the Holy Ghost witnesseth in every city, saying that bonds and afflictions abide me. Yet none of these things move me; neither count I my life dear unto myself, so that I might finish my course with joy, and the ministry which I have received of the Lord Jesus, to testify the gospel of the grace of God." he armed himself for the conflict, and sought that Spirit from above which should enable him to open his mouth boldly, and speak " as he ought to speak," " not denying his Lord, but proclaiming him as "the only name given under heaven whereby we may be saved."

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Thus

Acts xx. 22-24. 5 Eph. vi.20.

In another way, transgressions like that of Peter are recorded for our use and instruction. They show us that the people of God may fall into sin, but cannot continue in sin. The fulfilment of the Lord's prophecy struck conviction upon Peter's mind. Before the cock crow twice, thou shalt deny me thrice. And when he thought thereon, he wept. "He went out," says St. Matthew, left the place where he had been betrayed and the company which had betrayed him, "and wept bitterly." He felt that he had "sinned against the Lord :" and that his unworthy fears and false denials were a bad return for the kindness he had received and the privileges he had enjoyed. If there are any who desire to take comfort from Peter's example of transgression and forgiveness, let them remember this, and be certain that they imitate his peuitence; and show, like him, by a life of obedience and zeal, that this was no momentary feeling, but evidence of a permanent conversion to his God and his Saviour. And then his example may be justly used to "comfort those that mourn." A sincere disciple of Christ may be overcome by temptation; may repent, and be forgiven. Perhaps there are those who, when living amongst pious friends, or in a season of alarm and sorrow, have made resolutions like that of Peter, "Though I should die with thee, yet will I not deny thee." Perhaps they have afterwards acted as if they knew not the man to whom they had vowed such obedience and loyalty. This might produce a feeling of despair, if they had not in this history a proof before them to prevent despair. Their Lord "knoweth their infirmities." He may visit their offences with

the rod, and their sin with scourges; but his loving kindness he will not utterly take from those who " acknowledge their transgressions, and whose sin is ever before them." 6

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Still let it be observed, that every wilful sin leaves a stain behind it which shows its awful nature. The tears of penitence which Peter shed might prove a tender heart, which grace had not deserted but they : could not efface the sin. And as the account of Mary's reverence for the Lord, when she poured the ointment upon his head, has been recorded for ever that we may imitate it, so this account of Peter's transgression will remain for ever on the page of Scripture, that we may learn from it the danger of entering into temptation, and the need of knowing our own weakness, in order that we may avoid that danger. Of all the disciples, Peter alone had said,

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Though all men shall be offended because of thee, yet will I never be offended." 8 It is a lesson, that we" be not high-minded, but fear."9 All the disciples did forsake Jesus: but Peter alone denied him. "Therefore let him that thinketh he standeth,

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LECTURE XCI.

CONDEMNATION OF JESUS.

MARK XV. 1—15.

1. And straightway in the morning the chief priests held a consultation with the elders and scribes and the whole council, and bound Jesus, and carried him away, and delivered him to Pilate.

2. And Pilate asked him, Art thou the King of the Jews? And he answering said unto him, Thou sayest it.

3. And the chief priests accused him of many things : but he answered nothing,

4. And Pilate asked him again, saying, Answerest thou nothing? behold how many things they witness against thee.

5. But Jesus yet answered nothing; so that Pilate marvelled.

Pilate marvelled. For he knew not the scripture which was now fulfilling, and which had described the whole as it is written, "He was brought as a lamb to the slaughter; and as a sheep before her shearers is dumb, even so opened he not his mouth." He marvelled also at the character which he saw before him: not now displaying his "glory," for this "the hour of darkness;" but "full of grace and truth" disdaining to deny what formed the

was

2

'Isa. liii. 7.

See John i. 14.

3

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ground of his condemnation, that he was "King of the Jews:" yet sufficiently proving by his demeanour, that his was not a kingdom which should rival that of Cæsar, or he a king who would support his claim by the weapons of this world. My kingdom,” he said, "is not from hence:" else " would my servants fight, that I should not be delivered to the Jews." So that Pilate marvelled; and more than marvelled; his conscience was sorely troubled, when he saw the innocence of Jesus, and yet knew the malice of the chief authorities of Jerusalem against him. He tried to escape the embarrassment by sending Jesus to Herod, having learnt that being reputed a Galilean, he came within Herod's jurisdiction. But neither did this succeed; for Herod, though he mocked and insulted Jesus, sent him back to Pilate, and so accomplished another prophecy, which signified "what death he should die." 5

One resource still remained to Pilate.

6. Now at that feast he released unto them one prisoner, whomsoever they desired.

7. And there was one named Barabbas, which lay bound with them that had made imsurrection with them, who had committed murder in the insurrection.

8. And the multitude crying aloud began to desire him to do as he had ever done unto them.

9. But Pilate answered them, saying, Will ye that I release unto you the King of the Jews?

10. For he knew that the chief priests had delivered him for envy.

3 John xviii. 36.

4 Luke xxiii. 7.

5 i. e. By the Roman punishment of crucifixion, and not the Jewish, by stoning. See John xviii. 32.

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