how pure, unearthly, and immortal that religion was which they were appointed one day to promulgate; how it associated itself more with human suffering than with human glory and pride; more with the secret sympathies and internal affections, much more than with the outward adornments of our nature; and the early death of their Master an event which they could not bear to think, and could hardly conceive of, but which he, the Divine Master, saw with a clear and steady vision was yet to teach them that the infant doctrine which was to go through the world, consoling the sorrows of the mourner, and pouring balm into wounded bosoms, was itself first to be nurtured with tears and baptized in blood.

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There is no doubt that Peter received his Master's rebuke properly, for we find that he was still distinguished and confided in by him. He, together with James and John, was selected to witness the transfiguration on the mount; and in the same company he had also witnessed the resurrection of the daughter of Jairus. It appears, moreover, that about this time he and his Lord dwelt together at Capernaum, in the same house; for when the gatherers of the annual tribute came to Peter, he went into the house, and was there told by Jesus how he was to obtain a piece of money which would pay for them both. It would appear, therefore, that they lived to

gether, and, if so, that the disciple was high in the favor and confidence of his Master. He seems also to have exercised a sort of conceded preeminence among the twelve, as we often find him speaking in their name and behalf, both in asking and in answering questions. His rank is now evidently fixed. He is honored by his Master, notwithstanding his imperfections, and he is the head of the apostles, both from appointment and character.

But his fault of impetuosity is not yet mended. It is one of the last faults, perhaps, which ever is mended, because it is constitutional. On that most solemn night of the last supper, Jesus, in order that he might at once testify his affection for his disciples, whom he loved unto the end, and show them also an example of practical humility, began to wash their feet, as if he had been their servant. When he came to Peter, that disciple, hurt and grieved that his Master should undertake so menial an office, gives way to his feelings, again presumes to dictate to that very Master, and exclaims, "Lord, dost thou wash my feet? Jesus condescends to expostulate with him, and to assure him that he would soon explain to him the act which now appeared so strange. "What I do, thou knowest not now, but thou shalt know hereafter." But Peter will not yield, nor listen, but answers, "Thou shalt

never wash my feet." To which Jesus replies, "If I wash thee not, thou hast no part with me." That is, "If you will not receive this symbolical lesson of humility; if you cannot cease your disputes about who shall be greatest in my kingdom; if you will not divest yourselves of your notions of place and dignity, and become lowly, meek, and mutually kind, as my disciples ought to be, and must be, if they desire my approbation, then I must discard you from my service, and deprive you of my friendship." Peter, subdued at the bare intimation of forfeiting his Master's esteem, and again driven beyond the just limits of duty by the sudden revulsion of his ungoverned feelings, cries out, "Lord, not my feet only, but my hands and my head. Wash me all over, if it be thy will, only take not from me. thy love." How perfectly natural is the whole of this scene; how consistent with the previous character of Peter; how just to the character of his Lord!

And now the time draws near when the first of the apostles is to be tried more severely and to fall more sadly than ever. Soon after Jesus had washed his disciples' feet, he began to talk to them, in a most affecting strain, of his speedy death and his return to his Father. Peter's feelings are again alarmed, and he declares that, wherever his Master may go, he will follow him,

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and go with him, even into prison and to death. Though all men shall be offended because of thee, yet I will never be offended; I will lay down my life for thy sake." Jesus, better aware of his disciple's weakness, and knowing that it would not be equal to the approaching trial, mournfully answered, "Wilt thou lay down thy life for my sake? Verily, verily, I say unto thee, the cock shall not crow till thou hast denied me thrice." And yet the ardent disciple spoke the more vehemently, and said, "Though I should die with thee, yet will I not deny thee."

Let us mark the result. After discoursing to his disciples, in those beautiful words which are to be found in the fourteenth, fifteenth, and sixteenth chapters of the Gospel of John, Jesus went out with them, and, coming to a place which was named Gethsemane, left them there, and, taking with him Peter, James, and John, to watch with him, withdrew apart to pray to his Father. When he returned to these favored three, he found them, not watching, but asleep. It was towards morning; and with frames oppressed with fatigue, and minds made heavy with sorrow, they had not been able to watch with their suffering and agonized Lord during his short absence, but had sunk down in a leaden slumber. More in pity than in wrath, the Saviour, addressing himself particularly to Peter, as the individual who had boasted

the loudest, and had the most need of warning, said to him, "What! could ye not watch with me one hour? After all your professions, can you not banish sleep, and prove your attachment, by a vigil, for my sake, of one short hour? Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation; the spirit indeed is full of courage, but the flesh is weak." Again and again he returns to them, and still finds them sleeping. Then comes the traitor Judas, with his band, and they are roused effectually; and Peter, who could not watch for his Master at his earnest request, undertakes, without his authority, to fight for him; and he drew his sword, and smote a servant of the high priest, and cut off his ear. So much easier is it to fight than to be dutiful; and so much the more readily could Peter obey the impulses of his passions than the behest of his Lord. Jesus calmly reproves the offender, and then all his disciples forsook him and fled.

There were two, however, who did not wholly forsake him; but still, though at a distance, followed him. One of these two was Peter; he sincerely loved his Master, and, though just rebuked by him, he resolves not to lose sight of him, but follows him afar off, even into the court of the high priest's house. There, trembling, anxious, and vibrating between fear and affection, he takes his seat with the servants at the fire. He does