Meditations on the fall and rising of St. Peter by Edward Reynolds ...
         Reynolds, Edward, 1599-1676.
      
       
         
           1677
        
      
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             Meditations on the fall and rising of St. Peter by Edward Reynolds ...
             Reynolds, Edward, 1599-1676.
             Reynolds, Edward, 1629-1698.
          
           [28], 111 p. : port.
           
             Printed for Thomas Parkhurst ...,
             London :
             1677.
          
           
             Edited by his son Edward Reynolds.
             Reproduction of original in Cambridge University Library.
          
        
      
    
     
       
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         eng
      
       
         
           Peter, -- the Apostle, Saint.
        
      
    
     
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           Meditations
           ON
           THE
           FALL
           AND
           RISING
           OF
           S
           t
           PETER
           .
        
         
           By
           
             Edward
             Reynolds
          
           ,
           late
           Lord
           Bishop
           of
           Norwich
           .
        
         
           LONDON
           ,
           Printed
           for
           
             Thomas
             Parkhurst
          
           ,
           at
           the
           Bible
           and
           
             Three
             Crowns
          
           in
           Cheapside
           near
           Mercers-Chappel
           ,
           and
           at
           the
           Bible
           on
           London-Bridg
           ,
           1677.
           
        
      
       
         
         
         
           AN
           ADVERTISEMENT
           TO
           THE
           Reader
           .
        
         
           
             Courteous
             Reader
             ,
          
        
         
           AS
           I
           cannot
           expect
           thy
           Thanks
           ,
           so
           I
           need
           not
           fear
           thy
           Censure
           for
           the
           Publication
           of
           these
           Meditations
           .
           For
           by
           
           the
           forwardness
           of
           the
           Book-seller
           to
           promote
           thine
           (
           I
           hope
           )
           as
           well
           as
           his
           own
           profit
           ,
           they
           passed
           the
           Press
           altogether
           without
           my
           knowledg
           ;
           and
           before
           I
           received
           the
           least
           Intimation
           of
           any
           such
           Design
           ,
           they
           were
           by
           him
           presented
           to
           me
           intirely
           Printed
           ,
           desiring
           my
           attestation
           of
           their
           Legitimacy
           .
           To
           prevent
           therefore
           thy
           doubt
           and
           suspicion
           
           touching
           their
           true
           Author
           ,
           I
           do
           from
           good
           and
           manifold
           Evidence
           assure
           thee
           ,
           they
           are
           the
           genuine
           ,
           though
           early
           off-spring
           of
           that
           Reverend
           Person
           whose
           name
           is
           prefixed
           to
           them
           .
           In
           his
           Lordships
           life-time
           I
           have
           often
           heard
           him
           mention
           ,
           not
           only
           in
           general
           this
           Tractate
           ,
           as
           one
           of
           his
           
             First
             Theological
             Essays
          
           ;
           But
           likewise
           in
           particular
           ,
           his
           
           Presenting
           thereof
           to
           a
           Pious
           and
           Charitable
           *
           Gentlewoman
           ,
           who
           by
           an
           holy
           emulation
           of
           her
           name-sake
           Joanna
           in
           the
           Evangelist
           ,
           did
           minister
           unto
           Christ
           of
           her
           Substance
           ,
           by
           liberal
           Gifts
           to
           his
           Preachers
           and
           Poor
           .
           From
           this
           Copy
           fairly
           written
           with
           the
           Authors
           own
           hand
           ,
           and
           prefaced
           
           with
           a
           short
           paper
           of
           Verses
           to
           that
           his
           Friend
           ,
           were
           they
           Printed
           by
           the
           Stationer
           .
           And
           since
           the
           Decease
           of
           my
           Father
           ,
           and
           his
           only
           Brother
           *
           (
           both
           within
           the
           compass
           of
           two
           Months
           )
           ,
           two
           Copies
           of
           the
           same
           came
           into
           my
           Possession
           ;
           amongst
           each
           of
           their
           Papers
           ,
           one
           :
           Both
           the
           fruit
           
           as
           of
           the
           Heart
           and
           Head
           ,
           so
           of
           the
           Hand
           too
           of
           the
           Author
           ,
           exactly
           agreeing
           together
           ,
           as
           I
           found
           upon
           perusal
           of
           them
           ;
           and
           (
           as
           far
           as
           my
           Memory
           can
           assist
           me
           ,
           absent
           from
           my
           Study
           in
           comparing
           them
           )
           fully
           according
           with
           this
           Third
           ,
           now
           made
           publick
           .
        
         
           The
           first
           Lisping
           salutes
           of
           young
           Children
           ,
           
           and
           the
           last
           Gasping
           Farewells
           of
           dying
           friends
           ,
           of
           all
           words
           ,
           are
           wont
           to
           make
           most
           deep
           and
           lasting
           impressions
           upon
           us
           .
           That
           these
           short
           Meditations
           ,
           some
           of
           the
           first
           Juvenile
           Breathings
           in
           Divinity
           of
           that
           devout
           Soul
           now
           with
           God
           ,
           may
           obtain
           like
           effect
           ,
           is
           the
           prayer
           of
        
         
           
             Thy
             faithful
             Servant
             
               EDW.
               REYNOLDS
            
             .
          
           
             London
             ,
             
               March
               13
               ,
               1676
               /
               7.
               
            
          
        
      
       
         
         
         
           TO
           THE
           READER
           .
        
         
           THis
           Reverend
           Author
           ,
           of
           great
           renown
           for
           Piety
           and
           Learning
           ,
           needs
           no
           Letters
           of
           Commendation
           :
           For
           as
           it
           was
           said
           of
           righteous
           
             Abel
             ,
             That
             he
             being
             dead
             ,
             yet
             speaketh
             ,
             Heb.
          
           11.
           5.
           so
           this
           profound
           and
           pious
           Divine
           yet
           lives
           ,
           and
           speaks
           in
           his
           excellent
           Works
           ;
           wherein
           he
           hath
           studied
           (
           as
           the
           Apostle
           
           gave
           in
           charge
           to
           
             Timothy
             )
             to
             approve
             himself
             a
             workman
             that
             needeth
             not
             to
             be
             ashamed
             ,
             rightly
             dividing
             the
             word
             of
             truth
             ,
          
           2
           Tim.
           2.
           15.
           
           Yet
           because
           many
           eminent
           Writers
           not
           only
           after
           they
           were
           dead
           ,
           but
           even
           whilst
           they
           were
           alive
           ,
           have
           been
           much
           abus'd
           and
           injur'd
           by
           surreptitious
           ,
           or
           supposititious
           ,
           at
           least
           by
           imperfect
           Copies
           of
           their
           Works
           ;
           therefore
           I
           thought
           my self
           obliged
           (
           as
           being
           an
           ancient
           and
           intimate
           acquaintance
           of
           the
           worthy
           Author
           )
           to
           give
           this
           Testimony
           to
           the
           
           Truth
           ,
           viz.
           That
           these
           ensuing
           
             Meditations
             concerning
             Saint
             Peters
             Fall
             and
             Rising
             ,
          
           are
           the
           genuine
           issue
           of
           the
           Head-labours
           ,
           and
           Heart-labours
           of
           the
           Author
           ,
           whose
           name
           they
           bear
           ,
           and
           whose
           stile
           they
           resemble
           as
           face
           in
           water
           answers
           face
           ,
           
             
               —
               Sic
               oculos
               ,
               sic
               ille
               manus
               ,
               sic
               ora
               ferebat
               .
            
          
           Neither
           do
           they
           only
           resemble
           his
           stile
           (
           which
           is
           much
           of
           an
           evidence
           to
           be
           his
           )
           but
           they
           are
           printed
           according
           to
           his
           own
           
             Original
             Manuscript
          
           .
           These
           Meditations
           were
           pen'd
           and
           sent
           (
           as
           
           a
           New-years
           Gift
           )
           to
           one
           of
           his
           ancient
           Friends
           in
           Oxford
           ,
           much
           about
           that
           time
           ,
           when
           he
           wrote
           those
           two
           Learned
           Treatises
           ,
           One
           
             of
             the
             Passions
             and
             Faculties
             of
             the
             Soul
             of
             Man.
          
           The
           other
           ,
           
             of
             Meditations
             of
             the
             Sacrament
             of
             the
             Lords
             Supper
             .
          
        
         
           When
           he
           was
           Fellow
           of
           
           Merton-Colledg
           ,
           Oxon
           ,
           his
           pregnant
           Gifts
           and
           Graces
           shined
           forth
           even
           in
           his
           younger
           years
           .
           How
           well
           he
           hath
           improv'd
           his
           time
           not
           only
           in
           his
           elder
           years
           ,
           but
           in
           his
           younger
           
           also
           ,
           his
           Learned
           Labours
           declare
           ,
           publisht
           for
           the
           great
           benefit
           of
           the
           Church
           of
           God.
           This
           consideration
           deserves
           such
           a
           special
           remark
           of
           Honour
           to
           be
           fixt
           upon
           him
           ,
           as
           to
           perpetuate
           his
           blessed
           memory
           to
           posterity
           ,
           and
           to
           remain
           for
           the
           living
           as
           a
           signal
           pattern
           worthy
           of
           imitation
           .
        
         
           It
           's
           observable
           ,
           that
           in
           his
           preaching
           and
           writing
           (
           as
           the
           Wiseman
           chargeth
           )
           
             Whatsoever
             his
             hands
             found
             to
             do
             ,
             he
             did
             it
             with
             all
             his
             might
             ,
          
           Eccles.
           9.
           10.
           
           He
           was
           such
           a
           Preacher
           as
           the
           same
           
           Wiseman
           mentions
           ,
           
             The
             Preacher
             sought
             to
             find
             out
             acceptable
             words
             ,
             and
             that
             which
             was
             written
             was
             upright
             ,
             even
             words
             of
             truth
             ,
          
           
           Eccles.
           12.
           10.
           
           David
           said
           to
           Araunah
           ,
           when
           he
           would
           have
           given
           him
           freely
           Oxen
           for
           Burnt-Sacrifice
           ,
           
             I
             will
             surely
             buy
             it
             of
             thee
             at
             a
             price
             ,
             neither
             will
             I
             offer
             Burnt-offerings
             unto
             the
             Lord
             my
             God
             which
             doth
             cost
             me
             nothing
             ,
          
           2
           Sam.
           24.
           24.
           
           It
           's
           abundantly
           evident
           ,
           that
           this
           eminent
           Preacher
           and
           Writer
           bestowed
           
           much
           pains
           and
           studies
           in
           whatever
           he
           Preacht
           or
           Printed
           .
           His
           Works
           smell
           of
           the
           Lamp
           ,
           and
           of
           indefatigable
           industry
           .
           I
           shall
           add
           no
           more
           concerning
           the
           Author
           ,
           because
           I
           cannot
           say
           enough
           of
           his
           deserts
           :
           And
           the
           sayings
           are
           vulgar
           ,
           
             Nemo
             vituperat
             Herculem
             .
             Expede
             Herculem
             .
          
        
         
           The
           Subject
           of
           these
           Meditations
           is
           
             Peter's
             Fall
             and
             Rising
          
           .
           One
           thing
           is
           added
           in
           Saint
           Mark
           ,
           which
           is
           not
           mention'd
           in
           the
           other
           three
           Evangelists
           :
           
           For
           it
           's
           said
           ,
           
             And
             when
             he
             thought
             thereon
             ,
             he
             wept
             .
          
           If
           we
           peruse
           the
           Original
           word
           ,
           we
           shall
           find
           that
           he
           cast
           something
           over
           his
           head
           (
           as
           Mourners
           and
           Delinquents
           us'd
           to
           do
           when
           they
           were
           asham'd
           to
           be
           seen
           )
           ,
           
           and
           so
           Theophylact
           interprets
           the
           place
           .
           Peter
           denied
           shamefully
           ,
           and
           therefore
           he
           wept
           bitterly
           .
           Great
           Sins
           will
           cost
           even
           God's
           dearest
           Children
           great
           and
           bitter
           sorrows
           .
           
           We
           might
           add
           more
           Instances
           of
           
             David
             ,
             Mary
             Magdalen
             ,
             Paul
             ,
          
           &c.
           
           But
           this
           instance
           of
           Peter
           is
           a
           sufficient
           evidence
           .
        
         
           It
           's
           a
           saying
           of
           
             Justin
             Martyr
             ,
             That
             it
             's
             best
             of
             all
             not
             to
             sin
             :
             and
             next
             ,
             to
             amend
             upon
             the
             punishment
             .
          
           But
           who
           of
           any
           understanding
           would
           therefore
           break
           his
           head
           ,
           because
           he
           hopes
           to
           have
           a
           good
           Medicine
           to
           cure
           it
           ?
           The
           Uses
           which
           we
           ought
           to
           make
           of
           this
           Instance
           of
           Peter
           ,
           are
           mention'd
           by
           Saint
           
             Paul
             ,
             Thou
             standest
             by
             Faith
             ,
             be
             not
          
           
           high
           minded
           ,
           but
           fear
           ,
           
             Rom
             10.
          
           20.
           
           Wherefore
           let
           him
           that
           thinketh
           he
           standeth
           ,
           take
           heed
           lest
           he
           fall
           ,
           1
           
             Cor.
             10.
             12.
             
             What
             St.
          
           Austine
           
             said
             of
          
           David
           ,
           
             may
             be
             well
             applied
             particularly
             unto
             our selves
             ,
          
           Let
           such
           
             (
             saith
             he
          
           )
           who
           have
           not
           fallen
           ,
           
           hear
           ,
           and
           take
           heed
           of
           falling
           :
           such
           as
           have
           fallen
           ,
           let
           them
           hear
           and
           rise
           again
           .
           Here
           is
           not
           propounded
           an
           example
           of
           falling
           ,
           but
           an
           example
           of
           rising
           again
           
           after
           falling
           .
        
         
           This
           Treatise
           (
           though
           short
           )
           is
           pithy
           and
           solid
           ,
           and
           contains
           the
           quintessence
           of
           good
           invention
           ,
           and
           sound
           judgment
           ,
           (
           which
           are
           the
           two
           parts
           of
           Logick
           .
           )
           It
           may
           be
           compar'd
           to
           an
           Illiad
           in
           a
           Nutshell
           ,
           or
           to
           a
           Map
           describing
           in
           a
           little
           compass
           of
           paper
           ,
           a
           large
           Country
           ,
           which
           is
           contain'd
           in
           a
           few
           significant
           words
           ;
           and
           the
           Motto
           may
           be
           —
           
             
               Pondere
               non
               numero
               .
            
          
        
         
         
           The
           same
           Renowned
           Author
           hath
           preacht
           many
           Excellent
           and
           Elaborate
           Sermons
           upon
           that
           Mysterious
           Prophecy
           of
           Zachariah
           .
           And
           likewise
           he
           hath
           preacht
           many
           profound
           Sermons
           upon
           several
           Cases
           of
           Conscience
           :
           Both
           which
           he
           hath
           unfolded
           with
           great
           dexterity
           of
           judgment
           ;
           many
           whereof
           I
           my self
           (
           with
           others
           far
           better
           able
           to
           judg
           )
           have
           heard
           him
           preach
           (
           about
           twenty
           and
           six
           years
           since
           )
           in
           Oxford
           ,
           both
           to
           admiration
           and
           satisfaction
           .
        
         
         
           It
           's
           much
           to
           be
           desir'd
           and
           hoped
           that
           it
           may
           be
           obtain'd
           for
           the
           publick
           good
           ,
           that
           the
           Reverend
           and
           Learned
           Doctor
           his
           only
           surviving
           Son
           ,
           who
           doth
           Patrissare
           ,
           (
           to
           whom
           may
           be
           applied
           that
           of
           the
           Poet
           ,
           —
           
             
               Vno
               avulso
               ,
               non
               deficit
               alter
               Aureus
               ,
               &
               simili
               frondescit
               Virga
               metallo
               .
            
             Virg.
             )
          
        
         
           Would
           be
           prevail'd
           withal
           to
           print
           those
           Elaborate
           
           Sermons
           ,
           which
           (
           questionless
           )
           will
           much
           conduce
           to
           the
           publick
           good
           of
           the
           Church
           of
           God.
           
        
         
           In
           the
           mean
           time
           let
           us
           be
           thankful
           unto
           God
           who
           hath
           given
           such
           Gifts
           and
           Graces
           unto
           men
           ,
           and
           let
           us
           make
           the
           best
           improvement
           of
           them
           whilst
           we
           have
           them
           ;
           and
           let
           us
           (
           according
           to
           our
           Saviours
           example
           )
           
             Work
             the
             works
             of
             him
             that
             sent
             us
             ,
             while
             it
             is
             day
             :
             the
             night
             cometh
             when
             no
             man
             can
             work
             ,
          
           Joh.
           9.
           4.
           
        
         
           I
           shall
           not
           detain
           thee
           (
           Reader
           )
           any
           longer
           in
           a
           
           preliminary
           discourse
           from
           reading
           these
           choice
           Meditations
           .
           Thy
           profiting
           by
           them
           is
           as
           well
           desired
           for
           thee
           ,
           as
           for
           him
           ,
           who
           desires
           thy
           Prayers
           ,
           and
           remains
           thy
           servant
           for
           Christs
           sake
           ,
        
         
           
             H.
             W.
             
          
           
             March
             20.
             1676
             
             /
             7
          
        
      
       
         
         
         
           TO
           My
           Good
           Friend
           Mrs.
           NIXSON
           .
        
         
           THe
           Season
           is
           of
           Joy
           ,
           the
           Gift
           of
           Tears
           :
        
         
           This
           seems
           a
           discord
           unto
           common
           ears
           .
        
         
           But
           he
           that
           makes
           the
           ficrcest
           wolf
           to
           sleep
           ,
        
         
           And
           feed
           in
           friendship
           with
           the
           weakest
           sheep
           ,
        
         
           Vnites
           remotest
           passions
           ,
           and
           can
           bring
        
         
           Waters
           of
           comfort
           from
           griefs
           bitter
           spring
           :
        
         
           The
           Jolliest
           Baltaser
           on
           earth
           may
           borrow
        
         
           True
           Joy
           of
           him
           who
           seems
           o'rewhelm'd
           in
           sorrow
           .
        
         
           Begin
           the
           Year
           ,
           and
           pass
           it
           in
           these
           Tears
           ,
        
         
           They
           'l
           yield
           you
           joy
           against
           your
           greatest
           fears
           .
        
         
           And
           kindly
           entertain
           your
           poor
           friends
           thrift
           .
        
         
           A
           Renew'd
           Peter
           ,
           for
           a
           New-years-gift
           .
        
         
           
             Your
             true
             Friend
             ,
             
               E.
               R.
            
             
          
        
      
       
         
         
           IMPRIMATUR
           Hic
           liber
           ,
           cui
           titulus
           
             (
             Meditations
             on
             the
             Fall
          
           ,
           &c.
           )
        
         
           
             G.
             Jane
             R.
             P.
             D.
             Hen.
             Epis.
             Lond
             ,
             a
             Sacris
             Domest
             .
          
        
      
    
     
       
         
         
           MEDITATIONS
           ON
           THE
           Fall
           and
           Rising
           OF
           PETER
           .
        
         
           
             MEDITAT
             .
             I.
             
          
           
             PRide
             and
             Presumption
             have
             been
             ever
             ,
             as
             well
             in
             the
             godly
             as
             in
             the
             wicked
             ,
             the
             forerunners
             of
             a
             Fall.
             The
             first
             man
             ,
             Adam
             ,
             the
             
             first
             Apostle
             ,
             Peter
             ,
             both
             fell
             by
             these
             .
             Had
             Adam
             given
             less
             ear
             to
             the
             proud
             perswasion
             of
             a
             weak
             Sex
             ,
             and
             Peter
             to
             the
             presumptions
             of
             a
             weak
             Confidence
             ,
             the
             one
             had
             not
             plung'd
             his
             posterity
             into
             a
             depth
             of
             wretchedness
             ;
             nor
             both
             ,
             themselves
             into
             a
             depth
             of
             sorrow
             .
             High
             conceits
             and
             resolutions
             built
             on
             shallow
             ground
             ,
             can
             promise
             nothing
             but
             ruin
             on
             the
             head
             of
             him
             that
             rais'd
             them
             .
          
        
         
           
           
             MED
             .
             II.
             
          
           
             WHat
             can
             we
             expect
             from
             Peter
             but
             a
             triple
             denial
             of
             his
             Masters
             person
             amongst
             his
             enemies
             ,
             who
             dares
             even
             to
             his
             own
             face
             make
             a
             double
             denial
             of
             his
             Truth
             ?
             He
             that
             will
             adventure
             to
             deny
             the
             truth
             of
             Christs
             Word
             ,
             will
             quickly
             upon
             temptation
             deny
             the
             profession
             of
             his
             Truth
             .
             
               You
               all
            
             (
             saith
             Christ
             )
             
               shall
               be
               offended
               because
               of
               me
               this
               night
               .
               Nay
               ,
               Lord
               ,
            
             answers
             Peter
             ,
             
               though
               all
               ,
               yet
               never
               
               I.
               Yes
               ,
            
             Peter
             ,
             
               thou
               more
               than
               any
               :
               for
               this
               very
               night
               thou
               shalt
               thrice
               deny
               me
               .
            
             O
             no
             Lord
             ,
             I
             know
             mine
             own
             strength
             ,
             I
             am
             so
             confident
             of
             my
             love
             unto
             thee
             ,
             that
             neither
             life
             nor
             death
             can
             separate
             me
             from
             it
             .
             I
             have
             a
             sword
             in
             my
             hand
             ,
             and
             I
             have
             a
             sword
             in
             my
             mouth
             ;
             my
             Blade
             and
             my
             Profession
             shall
             both
             follow
             thee
             unto
             death
             .
             Peter
             hath
             not
             yet
             learn'd
             ,
             not
             to
             contradict
             his
             Master
             ,
             though
             once
             he
             got
             nothing
             but
             a
             Satan
             for
             it
             .
             It
             is
             not
             one
             either
             rebuke
             or
             disgrace
             ,
             can
             root
             
             up
             the
             untowardness
             of
             a
             corrupt
             disposition
             .
             Weak
             man
             !
             seest
             thou
             not
             how
             thou
             hast
             already
             begun
             to
             deny
             thy
             Lord
             ?
             and
             even
             then
             hast
             enter'd
             upon
             a
             revolt
             ,
             when
             thou
             seemest
             most
             fortified
             and
             constant
             in
             thy
             resolution
             ?
             That
             man
             denies
             him
             ,
             who
             denies
             his
             Word
             ,
             he
             being
             no
             longer
             Christ
             than
             he
             is
             true
             .
             Why
             then
             shouldest
             thou
             either
             distrust
             thy
             Masters
             word
             ,
             which
             told
             thee
             ,
             
               that
               all
               should
               be
               offended
            
             ?
             or
             else
             have
             any
             such
             confident
             presumption
             of
             thine
             own
             
             strength
             ,
             or
             uncharitable
             conceit
             of
             thy
             fellows
             weakness
             ,
             as
             to
             believe
             his
             prediction
             touching
             their
             falling
             ,
             and
             yet
             think
             he
             was
             deceiv'd
             in
             thee
             ,
             who
             art
             peremptory
             and
             confident
             of
             thine
             own
             standing
             ?
             That
             God
             which
             out
             of
             true
             weakness
             hath
             ordained
             strength
             ,
             doth
             here
             out
             of
             presumed
             strength
             foretel
             weakness
             ;
             and
             as
             he
             can
             make
             the
             mouths
             of
             babes
             and
             sucklings
             to
             confess
             him
             ,
             so
             can
             he
             suffer
             the
             mouth
             of
             an
             Apostle
             ,
             a
             Peter
             ,
             to
             deny
             him
             .
             Shewing
             in
             both
             the
             
             dependance
             as
             well
             of
             strong
             as
             of
             weak
             on
             his
             Goodness
             :
             The
             strongest
             Apostle
             being
             not
             able
             without
             his
             sustaining-grace
             to
             confess
             him
             ;
             and
             with
             it
             ,
             the
             weakest
             infant
             in
             the
             street
             being
             enabled
             to
             cry
             Hosanna
             unto
             him
             .
          
        
         
           
           
             MED
             .
             III.
             
          
           
             I
             Cannot
             be
             so
             uncharitable
             as
             not
             to
             believe
             ,
             That
             it
             was
             Peters
             Faith
             and
             Love
             which
             made
             unto
             Christ
             this
             promise
             of
             perseverance
             in
             his
             profession
             :
             such
             fruit
             and
             sweetness
             had
             he
             found
             in
             those
             words
             of
             eternal
             life
             ,
             such
             power
             in
             that
             Son
             of
             the
             living
             God
             ,
             that
             he
             could
             not
             but
             think
             it
             blessedness
             to
             follow
             and
             enjoy
             his
             society
             even
             unto
             death
             ,
             who
             was
             able
             to
             sweeten
             and
             sanctifie
             death
             it self
             .
             But
             
             behold
             ,
             in
             the
             same
             soul
             ,
             nay
             in
             the
             same
             action
             ,
             a
             mixture
             ,
             I
             had
             almost
             said
             a
             predominancy
             ,
             of
             faith
             and
             flesh
             !
             The
             desire
             and
             the
             purpose
             come
             from
             faith
             ,
             the
             confidence
             and
             resolution
             came
             from
             flesh
             .
             Self-dependance
             ,
             pride
             ,
             or
             any
             other
             carnal
             affection
             which
             is
             more
             deeply
             rooted
             in
             the
             particular
             nature
             of
             any
             man
             ,
             do
             often
             intermix
             themselves
             in
             his
             most
             holy
             actions
             .
             It
             was
             faith
             that
             made
             Peter
             go
             down
             upon
             the
             Water
             ,
             but
             it
             was
             flesh
             that
             made
             him
             begin
             to
             sink
             :
             Faith
             made
             him
             
             zealous
             in
             Christs
             Cause
             ,
             but
             flesh
             drew
             hls
             sword
             at
             Malchus
             his
             ear
             :
             Faith
             made
             him
             follow
             Christ
             ,
             but
             flesh
             made
             him
             follow
             afar
             off
             :
             Faith
             made
             him
             accompany
             Christ
             to
             the
             garden
             ,
             but
             flesh
             made
             him
             sleep
             when
             he
             should
             have
             sorrowed
             :
             Faith
             made
             him
             promise
             perseverance
             ,
             but
             flesh
             made
             him
             peremptory
             in
             that
             promise
             :
             in
             a
             word
             ,
             Faith
             made
             him
             resolute
             to
             confess
             ,
             but
             flesh
             to
             contradict
             his
             Master
             .
             Vows
             and
             Promises
             unconditionally
             addressed
             ,
             cannot
             but
             prove
             dangerous
             to
             the
             
             strongest
             Faith.
             God
             must
             first
             give
             us
             perseverance
             ,
             before
             we
             can
             promise
             it
             ;
             It
             is
             not
             in
             our
             power
             ,
             though
             it
             be
             our
             duty
             to
             perform
             it
             .
             Though
             Peter
             may
             in
             the
             vertue
             of
             Christs
             promise
             be
             sure
             not
             to
             fall
             into
             Hell
             ,
             he
             cannot
             in
             the
             vertue
             of
             his
             own
             promise
             be
             sure
             not
             to
             fall
             into
             temptation
             ;
             though
             he
             can
             be
             secure
             that
             Faith
             shall
             have
             the
             last
             victory
             ;
             yet
             he
             cannot
             that
             it
             shall
             have
             every
             victory
             :
             though
             it
             cannot
             die
             and
             be
             finally
             dried
             up
             ,
             yet
             it
             may
             ebb
             ,
             and
             languish
             ;
             and
             though
             even
             
             now
             it
             can
             look
             undauntedly
             on
             the
             nails
             of
             a
             Cross
             ,
             yet
             presently
             it
             may
             be
             affrighted
             at
             the
             voice
             of
             a
             Maid
             .
             He
             only
             that
             hath
             given
             faith
             unto
             us
             ,
             can
             give
             life
             and
             action
             unto
             our
             faith
             .
             Christ
             is
             both
             the
             quickner
             ,
             and
             the
             object
             of
             our
             Faith
             ,
             by
             whose
             power
             it
             worketh
             ,
             and
             on
             whose
             merits
             it
             relyeth
             .
             When
             He
             therefore
             is
             pleas'd
             to
             remove
             and
             withdraw
             himself
             ,
             Faith
             must
             needs
             be
             there
             unoperative
             ,
             where
             both
             its
             Object
             and
             its
             Mover
             is
             absent
             .
             As
             we
             cannot
             see
             the
             Sun
             but
             by
             the
             
             light
             of
             the
             Sun
             ,
             so
             neither
             can
             we
             believe
             in
             Christ
             but
             by
             the
             Grace
             of
             Christ.
             Who
             can
             wonder
             that
             the
             outward
             parts
             of
             the
             body
             should
             be
             benum'd
             and
             stupid
             ,
             when
             the
             spirits
             and
             animal
             vertues
             which
             should
             enliven
             them
             ,
             have
             retir'd
             themselves
             ?
             Lord
             !
             let
             me
             never
             barely
             promise
             ,
             but
             let
             me
             withal
             pray
             unto
             thee
             ;
             and
             let
             ever
             my
             purpose
             to
             die
             for
             thee
             ,
             be
             seconded
             with
             a
             supplication
             that
             I
             may
             not
             deny
             thee
             ;
             when
             ever
             I
             have
             an
             arm
             of
             confidence
             to
             lift
             up
             in
             defence
             of
             thy
             Truth
             ,
             let
             me
             have
             a
             knee
             
             of
             humility
             to
             bow
             down
             before
             thy
             Throne
             :
             Lord
             ,
             give
             me
             what
             I
             may
             promise
             ,
             and
             I
             will
             promise
             what
             thou
             requirest
             .
          
        
         
           
           
             MED
             .
             IV.
             
          
           
             WEre
             not
             the
             other
             Disciples
             taught
             from
             the
             same
             holy
             mouth
             ?
             did
             they
             not
             with
             the
             same
             holy
             faith
             receive
             what
             they
             had
             been
             taught
             ?
             Why
             then
             should
             Peter
             give
             credit
             to
             the
             word
             of
             Christ
             so
             far
             as
             concern'd
             their
             weakness
             ,
             and
             yet
             distrust
             it
             in
             the
             presumption
             of
             his
             own
             strength
             ?
             What
             though
             he
             be
             the
             chief
             in
             following
             his
             Master
             ,
             may
             he
             not
             as
             well
             be
             the
             chief
             in
             falling
             from
             him
             ?
             I
             never
             
             knew
             a
             priority
             of
             Order
             priviledg'd
             with
             a
             precedence
             of
             Grace
             .
             Yet
             such
             is
             the
             nature
             of
             Greatness
             ,
             that
             it
             conceits
             it self
             secure
             from
             danger
             ,
             and
             apprehends
             spiritual
             immunity
             in
             temporal
             honour
             .
             How
             erroneous
             is
             the
             frailty
             of
             mans
             nature
             !
             How
             ready
             to
             trust
             upon
             an
             arm
             of
             flesh
             ,
             confidence
             ,
             free-will
             ,
             supremacy
             ,
             even
             against
             divine
             predictions
             of
             danger
             ,
             and
             thinks
             it self
             sufficiently
             arm'd
             with
             that
             ,
             than
             which
             there
             is
             no
             greater
             cause
             of
             its
             weakness
             and
             ruin
             !
          
        
         
           
           
             MED
             .
             V.
             
          
           
             ONE
             would
             have
             thought
             that
             Peter
             upon
             the
             noise
             of
             a
             denial
             ,
             should
             have
             begun
             to
             tremble
             ,
             and
             not
             to
             boast
             ;
             to
             arm
             ,
             and
             not
             to
             presume
             ;
             to
             suspect
             his
             strength
             ,
             and
             not
             promise
             it
             :
             But
             that
             a
             double
             warning
             should
             find
             a
             double
             presumption
             ,
             would
             make
             a
             man
             confident
             to
             expect
             an
             invincible
             resolution
             ;
             and
             believe
             that
             even
             naked
             and
             empty
             nature
             ,
             being
             so
             deeply
             engaged
             ,
             would
             have
             ,
             if
             not
             courage
             ,
             
             yet
             shame
             enough
             to
             persist
             in
             such
             a
             purpose
             ,
             which
             being
             broken
             ,
             could
             not
             but
             infer
             the
             discredit
             not
             only
             of
             a
             weak
             ,
             but
             of
             an
             inconstant
             spirit
             ;
             more
             faithless
             in
             the
             execution
             of
             a
             promise
             ,
             more
             impotent
             in
             its
             contempt
             of
             death
             ,
             than
             could
             well
             stand
             with
             the
             honestly
             or
             courage
             of
             a
             Peter
             .
             But
             it
             is
             the
             justice
             of
             God
             to
             give
             over
             nature
             to
             faintings
             and
             falls
             ,
             when
             it
             relyes
             upon
             it self
             ;
             and
             to
             make
             him
             fear
             the
             least
             assault
             ,
             who
             hath
             not
             arm'd
             himself
             with
             that
             which
             
             should
             defend
             him
             against
             the
             greatest
             .
             One
             tear
             or
             sigh
             ,
             though
             emblems
             of
             weakness
             ,
             could
             more
             have
             prevailed
             to
             strengthen
             
             Peter's
             Faith
             ,
             than
             so
             many
             fruitless
             boasts
             ,
             the
             gildings
             and
             flourishings
             of
             a
             rotten
             confidence
             .
             A
             little
             Peble-stone
             will
             overturn
             and
             sink
             down
             a
             Goliah
             ,
             when
             all
             the
             Armor
             of
             Saul
             will
             rather
             cumber
             than
             profit
             in
             such
             a
             conflict
             .
          
        
         
           
           
             MED
             .
             VI.
             
          
           
             GReat
             Promises
             require
             great
             cares
             ;
             and
             he
             who
             hath
             deeply
             engag'd
             himself
             in
             any
             service
             ,
             must
             needs
             be
             either
             very
             vigilant
             ,
             or
             very
             faithless
             .
             How
             is
             it
             then
             that
             after
             so
             many
             promises
             I
             find
             Peter
             sleeping
             even
             then
             when
             his
             Master
             is
             sweating
             ?
             and
             that
             that
             Garden
             should
             be
             the
             bed
             of
             so
             secure
             a
             rest
             ,
             which
             was
             the
             Theater
             of
             so
             exquisite
             and
             unimitable
             an
             anguish
             ?
             Can
             he
             follow
             Christ
             a
             whole
             night
             to
             
             his
             Judgment
             ,
             that
             cannot
             watch
             one
             hour
             for
             his
             comfort
             ?
             can
             he
             command
             his
             life
             to
             be
             laid
             down
             for
             Christs
             Truth
             ,
             that
             cannot
             command
             his
             eyes
             to
             be
             the
             witnesses
             of
             his
             sorrow
             ?
             so
             long
             as
             we
             are
             out
             of
             the
             view
             of
             danger
             ,
             we
             can
             make
             large
             promises
             of
             our
             strength
             to
             bear
             it
             ;
             but
             when
             once
             it
             draws
             near
             ,
             and
             creeps
             upon
             us
             ,
             we
             begin
             to
             look
             with
             another
             colour
             both
             on
             it
             and
             our selves
             ,
             and
             become
             either
             desperately
             fearful
             ,
             or
             supinely
             stupid
             .
             Like
             untoward
             and
             forgetful
             
             children
             ,
             which
             never
             fear
             the
             Rod
             till
             they
             feel
             it
             .
          
        
         
           
           
             MED
             .
             VII
             .
          
           
             I
             Cannot
             wonder
             that
             Peter
             should
             fall
             off
             ,
             being
             tempted
             ,
             who
             is
             already
             ,
             though
             unquestion'd
             ,
             so
             far
             behind
             ;
             that
             he
             should
             tremble
             at
             the
             terror
             of
             Death
             ,
             who
             cannot
             endure
             the
             trouble
             of
             a
             Watch.
             He
             must
             learn
             more
             to
             deny
             himself
             ,
             before
             he
             can
             take
             up
             his
             Cross.
             The
             nights
             of
             a
             resolved
             Martyr
             ,
             must
             be
             spent
             in
             the
             studies
             of
             patience
             ,
             not
             in
             security
             and
             ease
             ;
             he
             must
             first
             be
             a
             persecutor
             of
             himself
             ,
             
             and
             exercise
             a
             holy
             cruelty
             on
             his
             own
             flesh
             ,
             by
             cruncifying
             the
             lusts
             thereof
             ,
             before
             he
             can
             be
             able
             to
             overcome
             the
             wit
             ,
             and
             most
             exquisite
             inventions
             of
             his
             tormentors
             ,
             in
             a
             holy
             and
             undaunted
             patience
             .
             The
             Soul
             must
             be
             first
             rais'd
             unto
             Heaven
             ,
             before
             the
             body
             can
             be
             willing
             to
             go
             down
             into
             the
             earth
             .
             Had
             Peter
             watch'd
             and
             accompanied
             his
             Master
             ,
             he
             might
             have
             receiv'd
             further
             encouragement
             in
             his
             resolution
             to
             die
             for
             him
             ,
             and
             learn'd
             from
             the
             extremity
             of
             his
             anguish
             ,
             if
             not
             to
             hate
             
             life
             ,
             which
             could
             make
             a
             man
             subject
             to
             such
             expressless
             sorrow
             ;
             yet
             at
             least
             willingly
             to
             embrace
             the
             present
             opportunity
             of
             glorifying
             God
             by
             a
             constant
             death
             ;
             even
             for
             this
             respect
             ,
             that
             thereby
             he
             might
             be
             freed
             from
             the
             capacity
             and
             danger
             of
             those
             afflictions
             ,
             which
             he
             should
             there
             have
             seen
             flesh
             and
             blood
             lyable
             unto
             .
             Of
             how
             many
             precious
             occasions
             of
             good
             does
             the
             too
             great
             love
             of
             our
             flesh
             and
             ease
             deprive
             us
             ?
             Every
             man
             would
             love
             God
             more
             ,
             if
             he
             could
             be
             more
             out
             of
             love
             with
             himself
             .
          
        
         
           
           
             MED
             .
             VIII
             .
          
           
             I
             Cannot
             expect
             other
             ,
             but
             that
             he
             should
             follow
             Christ
             afar
             off
             ,
             who
             goes
             sleepily
             after
             him
             ;
             nor
             can
             I
             hope
             for
             courage
             from
             his
             tongue
             ,
             whose
             feet
             begin
             so
             soon
             to
             play
             the
             Cowards
             .
             It
             is
             not
             likely
             that
             he
             will
             come
             near
             Christ
             in
             Golgotha
             ,
             that
             follows
             him
             afar
             off
             in
             the
             Judgment-hall
             :
             if
             he
             be
             unwilling
             to
             seem
             his
             ,
             he
             will
             be
             quickly
             ready
             to
             deny
             him
             .
             Behold
             the
             
             beginnings
             of
             
             Peter's
             backsliding
             in
             his
             very
             following
             of
             Christ
             !
             To
             follow
             him
             indeed
             is
             a
             work
             of
             Faith
             ;
             but
             to
             follow
             afar
             off
             ,
             is
             nothing
             else
             but
             by
             little
             and
             little
             to
             go
             back
             from
             him
             .
             See
             how
             the
             preparations
             unto
             
             Peter's
             fall
             second
             each
             other
             .
             After
             sleeping
             ,
             he
             follows
             afar
             off
             ;
             and
             from
             that
             ,
             he
             comes
             to
             sitting
             still
             ;
             and
             that
             not
             in
             private
             to
             pray
             or
             repent
             ,
             but
             in
             publick
             to
             warm
             himself
             at
             that
             fire
             ,
             where
             his
             Conscience
             ,
             though
             not
             seared
             ,
             was
             yet
             made
             more
             hard
             .
             He
             which
             
             prefers
             the
             heat
             of
             a
             fire
             ,
             compassed
             in
             with
             the
             blasphemies
             of
             wicked
             men
             (
             the
             nearest
             pattern
             that
             can
             be
             of
             Hell
             )
             to
             the
             sweet
             society
             of
             his
             Saviour
             ,
             with
             the
             discommodity
             of
             a
             cold
             air
             ,
             and
             an
             ensuing
             Judgment
             ,
             cannot
             be
             far
             from
             denying
             of
             him
             .
             That
             man
             whom
             the
             enjoying
             of
             any
             temporal
             benefit
             ,
             or
             the
             opportunity
             of
             any
             sensual
             and
             worldly
             delight
             ,
             can
             induce
             to
             forsake
             the
             company
             of
             Christ
             ,
             (
             who
             is
             ever
             present
             in
             his
             Ordinances
             )
             is
             at
             the
             next
             
             door
             (
             if
             occasion
             were
             given
             )
             to
             Apostacy
             and
             backsliding
             .
          
        
         
           
           
             MED
             .
             IX
             .
          
           
             THE
             Devil
             hath
             a
             kind
             of
             method
             and
             colour
             of
             modesty
             in
             his
             Temptations
             .
             He
             knew
             that
             it
             would
             not
             sort
             with
             the
             Holiness
             of
             Peter
             ,
             to
             shoot
             at
             the
             first
             a
             fiery
             dart
             towards
             him
             ,
             and
             tempt
             him
             in
             the
             very
             beginning
             of
             his
             onset
             ,
             unto
             a
             perjur'd
             and
             blasphemous
             denial
             of
             his
             Master
             .
             Peter
             would
             have
             at
             the
             first
             trembled
             at
             so
             fearful
             a
             suggestion
             .
             And
             
             therefore
             ,
             like
             a
             cunning
             Captain
             ,
             he
             so
             ranks
             and
             musters
             up
             his
             forces
             ,
             as
             that
             the
             first
             Temptation
             shall
             like
             weaker
             Soldiers
             make
             way
             for
             the
             latter
             ,
             which
             are
             the
             old
             experienced
             and
             sturdy
             fighters
             ;
             the
             former
             serve
             only
             to
             weaken
             Peter
             ,
             the
             latter
             to
             overthrow
             him
             .
             At
             the
             first
             the
             Devil
             tempts
             us
             to
             small
             sins
             ,
             to
             remit
             something
             of
             our
             wonted
             vigor
             ,
             to
             indulge
             a
             little
             unto
             our
             corrupt
             desires
             ,
             to
             unbend
             our
             thoughts
             ,
             and
             to
             slacken
             our
             pace
             in
             prosecution
             of
             good
             courses
             ,
             that
             
             by
             cooling
             our selves
             we
             may
             be
             able
             to
             hold
             out
             the
             better
             ;
             but
             when
             he
             hath
             drawn
             us
             thus
             far
             ,
             he
             hath
             gotten
             the
             advantage
             of
             us
             ;
             and
             having
             a
             door
             open
             ,
             le
             ts
             in
             his
             more
             ugly
             and
             horrid
             Temptations
             .
             Sin
             hath
             its
             several
             ages
             and
             growths
             ;
             first
             ,
             it
             is
             but
             conceiv'd
             and
             shap'd
             in
             the
             womb
             of
             Concupiscence
             ;
             then
             it
             is
             nourished
             and
             given
             suck
             by
             the
             embraces
             and
             delights
             of
             the
             Will
             ,
             as
             of
             a
             Nurse
             ;
             then
             lastly
             ,
             it
             grows
             into
             a
             strong
             man
             ,
             and
             doth
             of
             it self
             run
             up
             and
             down
             our
             
             little
             World
             ,
             invade
             all
             the
             faculties
             of
             Soul
             and
             Body
             ,
             which
             are
             at
             last
             made
             the
             instruments
             of
             Satan
             to
             act
             and
             fulfill
             it
             .
             Satan
             at
             the
             first
             leads
             us
             downward
             towards
             Hell
             ,
             as
             it
             were
             ,
             by
             steps
             and
             stairs
             ,
             which
             though
             they
             go
             lower
             and
             lower
             ,
             yet
             we
             seem
             still
             to
             have
             firm
             footing
             ,
             and
             to
             be
             able
             to
             go
             back
             at
             pleasure
             .
             But
             at
             last
             we
             find
             ,
             as
             the
             way
             more
             and
             more
             slippery
             ,
             so
             the
             enemy
             ready
             at
             hand
             to
             push
             us
             down
             into
             a
             dungeon
             of
             unrecoverable
             misery
             ,
             did
             not
             Gods
             mercy
             
             pluck
             us
             as
             a
             brand
             out
             of
             the
             fire
             .
             Peter
             first
             sleeps
             only
             ,
             that
             seemed
             the
             exigence
             of
             his
             nature
             ;
             then
             he
             followed
             afar
             off
             ,
             that
             haply
             was
             pretended
             to
             be
             only
             the
             drowsiness
             of
             his
             sleeping
             ;
             then
             he
             sits
             down
             at
             the
             sire
             ,
             and
             that
             was
             but
             the
             coldness
             of
             the
             air
             :
             But
             then
             comes
             denying
             ,
             swearing
             ,
             cursing
             ;
             and
             had
             not
             Christ
             in
             time
             looked
             back
             upon
             him
             ,
             the
             next
             step
             and
             regress
             ,
             would
             have
             reach'd
             unto
             the
             jaws
             of
             Hell.
             But
             it
             was
             the
             great
             Wisdom
             and
             Mercy
             of
             Christ
             
             to
             honour
             the
             estate
             of
             his
             ignominy
             and
             reproach
             ,
             his
             death
             and
             judgment
             ,
             with
             two
             of
             his
             greatest
             Miracles
             ,
             The
             assuming
             of
             a
             repentant
             Thief
             ,
             and
             the
             re-assuming
             of
             a
             revolted
             Disciple
             .
          
        
         
           
           
             MED
             .
             X.
             
          
           
             IT
             is
             no
             wonder
             if
             Peter
             be
             tempted
             to
             forsake
             his
             Master
             ,
             when
             he
             is
             far
             off
             from
             him
             .
             How
             can
             he
             chuse
             but
             stumble
             and
             fall
             ,
             who
             hideth
             himself
             from
             the
             Sun
             of
             Righteousness
             ,
             who
             is
             absent
             from
             the
             Light
             of
             the
             World
             ,
             who
             wanders
             out
             of
             the
             way
             of
             Life
             ,
             who
             is
             beyond
             the
             voice
             of
             that
             word
             of
             Truth
             which
             only
             succoreth
             ,
             directeth
             ,
             leadeth
             ,
             instructeth
             in
             Holiness
             and
             
             Security
             ?
             He
             which
             testifieth
             his
             Faith
             by
             following
             ,
             and
             yet
             lays
             open
             his
             flesh
             and
             weakness
             by
             following
             afar
             off
             ,
             shall
             be
             sure
             to
             meet
             with
             such
             an
             enemy
             as
             hates
             our
             Faith
             ,
             and
             therefore
             takes
             advantage
             by
             our
             weakness
             to
             oppose
             it
             .
             Our
             Faith
             provokes
             him
             to
             enmity
             ,
             for
             he
             is
             adversary
             to
             none
             so
             much
             as
             those
             that
             are
             out
             of
             his
             power
             ;
             and
             our
             weakness
             invites
             him
             to
             an
             assault
             ,
             for
             he
             trembles
             and
             flies
             from
             opposition
             .
             Had
             Peter
             abode
             in
             the
             company
             of
             his
             Lord
             ,
             Satan
             
             would
             not
             have
             dar'd
             to
             tempt
             him
             unto
             a
             Tripledenial
             in
             the
             presence
             of
             such
             a
             power
             ,
             whence
             he
             had
             formerly
             received
             such
             a
             Triple-overthrow
             ,
             having
             been
             himself
             broken
             with
             those
             stones
             ,
             and
             hurled
             down
             from
             that
             Pinacle
             and
             Mountain
             ,
             in
             which
             he
             thought
             to
             have
             batter'd
             and
             broken
             in
             pieces
             the
             Salvation
             of
             the
             World
             by
             the
             overthrow
             of
             its
             Saviour
             .
             Or
             if
             perhaps
             he
             would
             have
             been
             so
             impudent
             ,
             or
             so
             venturous
             ,
             as
             to
             thrust
             into
             the
             presence
             
             of
             his
             Maker
             ,
             and
             before
             him
             to
             issue
             forth
             his
             Temptations
             ;
             yet
             this
             advantage
             should
             Peter
             have
             had
             ,
             that
             he
             should
             have
             been
             directed
             with
             more
             light
             ,
             and
             assisted
             with
             greater
             strength
             to
             resist
             so
             impudent
             an
             assault
             ;
             his
             Faith
             haply
             should
             bave
             been
             confirmed
             ,
             though
             his
             adversaries
             malice
             had
             not
             been
             abated
             .
             And
             we
             know
             the
             Devil
             never
             overcomes
             any
             ,
             that
             is
             not
             first
             overcome
             of
             himself
             .
             What
             danger
             is
             there
             in
             fighting
             ,
             where
             ,
             there
             is
             no
             danger
             of
             falling
             ?
             or
             what
             difference
             
             is
             there
             between
             an
             unoppos'd
             security
             ,
             and
             an
             assaulted
             strength
             ,
             save
             that
             this
             is
             more
             glorious
             ,
             the
             other
             no
             whit
             the
             more
             safe
             ?
             He
             is
             not
             far
             from
             Satans
             temptations
             ,
             who
             belonging
             to
             Christ
             ,
             is
             yet
             far
             off
             from
             his
             presence
             and
             assistance
             .
             None
             nearer
             the
             fury
             of
             a
             strong
             and
             bloody
             malice
             ,
             than
             a
             weak
             and
             stragling
             enemy
             .
          
        
         
           
           
             MED
             .
             XI
             .
          
           
             I
             Never
             read
             of
             more
             dangerous
             falls
             in
             the
             Saints
             ,
             than
             were
             
               Adams
               ,
               Lots
               ,
               Sampsons
               ,
               Davids
               ,
               Solomons
            
             and
             Peters
             ;
             and
             behold
             in
             all
             these
             ,
             either
             the
             first
             Inticers
             ,
             or
             the
             first
             Occasioners
             are
             Women
             .
             A
             weak
             Creature
             may
             be
             a
             strong
             Tempter
             ;
             nothing
             too
             impotent
             or
             useless
             for
             the
             Devils
             service
             .
             We
             know
             it
             is
             the
             pride
             of
             Satan
             to
             imitate
             God
             ;
             As
             God
             magnifies
             his
             
             power
             in
             bringing
             strength
             out
             of
             weakness
             ,
             so
             doth
             the
             Devil
             labour
             to
             gain
             the
             glory
             of
             a
             strong
             enemy
             ,
             by
             the
             ruinating
             of
             a
             great
             Saint
             with
             the
             Temptation
             of
             a
             weak
             Sex.
             Nor
             is
             he
             herein
             more
             apish
             than
             cunning
             :
             for
             the
             end
             of
             the
             Devils
             conflicts
             is
             the
             despair
             of
             his
             enemy
             .
             He
             gets
             Judas
             to
             betray
             his
             Master
             ,
             that
             he
             may
             after
             get
             him
             to
             hang
             himself
             .
             And
             he
             hath
             the
             same
             end
             in
             
             Peter's
             Denial
             ,
             which
             he
             had
             in
             Judas
             his
             Treason
             .
             Now
             what
             is
             there
             that
             can
             more
             draw
             a
             man
             to
             Despair
             ,
             
             than
             an
             apprehension
             of
             greatness
             in
             his
             sin
             ?
             and
             what
             fall
             greater
             ,
             than
             to
             be
             foiled
             by
             a
             Question
             by
             a
             Maid
             ?
             What
             could
             more
             aggravate
             
             Peter's
             sin
             ,
             than
             that
             the
             voice
             of
             a
             Maid
             should
             be
             stronger
             to
             overcome
             him
             ,
             than
             the
             Faith
             in
             a
             Jesus
             to
             sustain
             him
             ?
             The
             Devil
             tempts
             us
             ,
             that
             he
             may
             draw
             us
             unto
             sin
             ;
             but
             he
             tempts
             us
             by
             weak
             Instruments
             ,
             that
             he
             may
             draw
             us
             unto
             despair
             .
          
        
         
           
           
             MED
             .
             XII
             .
          
           
             WOman
             was
             the
             first
             Sinner
             ;
             and
             behold
             in
             the
             two
             greatest
             falls
             ,
             and
             most
             immediate
             denials
             of
             God
             ,
             
             Adam's
             ,
             and
             
             Peter's
             ,
             Woman
             is
             made
             the
             first
             Tempter
             .
             So
             much
             as
             any
             one
             is
             the
             Devils
             slave
             to
             serve
             him
             ,
             so
             much
             is
             he
             his
             Instrument
             to
             assist
             sin
             .
             A
             Sinner
             will
             be
             presently
             a
             Tempter
             .
          
        
         
           
           
             MED
             .
             XIII
             .
          
           
             PEter
             hath
             no
             sooner
             denied
             his
             Master
             ,
             but
             he
             goes
             out
             farther
             from
             him
             .
             See
             what
             a
             concord
             there
             is
             between
             our
             Members
             in
             sinning
             !
             how
             the
             action
             of
             the
             Foot
             bears
             witness
             to
             the
             apostacy
             of
             the
             Tongue
             !
             But
             why
             should
             Peter
             get
             him
             out
             for
             fear
             of
             an
             Attachment
             ,
             and
             farther
             Examination
             ,
             having
             already
             by
             his
             denial
             clear'd
             himself
             ,
             and
             (
             for
             ought
             he
             sees
             )
             satisfied
             
             his
             adversay
             ?
             Surely
             there
             is
             no
             security
             to
             be
             expected
             from
             the
             denial
             of
             our
             Lord.
             He
             which
             thinks
             to
             gain
             ease
             by
             sinning
             ,
             misseth
             of
             his
             end
             ,
             and
             shall
             be
             more
             afraid
             after
             he
             hath
             clear'd
             himself
             by
             Apostacy
             ,
             than
             he
             was
             before
             .
             'T
             is
             not
             the
             way
             to
             avoid
             the
             storms
             of
             danger
             ,
             by
             making
             shipwrack
             of
             a
             good
             Conscience
             ;
             and
             to
             free
             our selves
             from
             the
             hands
             of
             men
             ,
             by
             running
             upon
             the
             wrath
             of
             God.
             He
             which
             hides
             himself
             in
             the
             hedg
             of
             wickedness
             from
             danger
             ,
             
             shall
             meet
             with
             a
             Serpent
             instead
             of
             safety
             ;
             and
             shall
             be
             so
             much
             the
             more
             suspicious
             of
             other
             mens
             fury
             and
             persecution
             ,
             by
             how
             much
             the
             more
             he
             is
             sensible
             that
             he
             hath
             deserv'd
             it
             .
             Peter
             sate
             boldly
             amongst
             them
             while
             he
             was
             in
             danger
             ;
             he
             hath
             no
             sooner
             made
             his
             Apology
             ,
             but
             he
             is
             gone
             straight
             .
             The
             same
             that
             befell
             Peter
             here
             in
             denying
             his
             dependance
             on
             his
             Saviour
             ,
             did
             once
             befall
             Adam
             in
             denying
             the
             Truth
             of
             his
             Maker
             ;
             the
             next
             news
             which
             you
             hear
             of
             them
             ,
             is
             
             their
             flight
             ,
             their
             fear
             .
             Sin
             is
             ever
             deceitful
             ,
             and
             pays
             nothing
             less
             than
             what
             it
             promiseth
             .
             The
             first
             thing
             that
             ever
             painted
             it self
             ,
             was
             Sin.
             
          
        
         
           
           
             MED
             .
             XIV
             .
          
           
             IS
             the
             nature
             of
             Woman
             more
             inquisitive
             ,
             or
             more
             malignant
             ,
             that
             amongst
             so
             many
             other
             servants
             ,
             a
             Woman
             should
             begin
             the
             second
             accusation
             ?
             The
             Devil
             will
             double
             a
             weak
             Temptation
             ,
             if
             it
             have
             proved
             prosperous
             ;
             and
             looks
             rather
             to
             the
             issue
             ,
             than
             to
             the
             Instruments
             of
             his
             assaults
             .
             The
             first
             Maid
             tempted
             Peter
             by
             questioning
             him
             ;
             this
             second
             by
             accusing
             him
             to
             the
             other
             Servants
             :
             
             from
             which
             latter
             we
             may
             infer
             ,
             That
             those
             who
             are
             aptest
             to
             Tempt
             ,
             are
             aptest
             to
             Accuse
             .
             These
             two
             are
             the
             Devils
             grand
             Instruments
             to
             work
             the
             ruin
             of
             Mankind
             .
             He
             first
             tempts
             a
             man
             to
             sin
             ,
             and
             then
             he
             accuseth
             him
             to
             God.
             And
             therefore
             he
             hath
             both
             names
             in
             an
             equal
             propriety
             ,
             a
             Tempter
             ,
             and
             an
             Accuser
             ,
             and
             these
             on
             all
             sides
             .
             He
             first
             tempted
             man
             to
             forsake
             his
             Maker
             ,
             and
             accused
             his
             Maker
             of
             deceiving
             man
             ;
             next
             he
             tempts
             God
             to
             Judgment
             upon
             man
             ,
             by
             accusing
             
             man
             of
             wickedness
             towards
             God
             :
             and
             lastly
             ,
             after
             he
             hath
             tempted
             any
             man
             unto
             sin
             ,
             he
             begins
             to
             accuse
             him
             to
             his
             brethren
             without
             ,
             and
             his
             own
             Conscience
             within
             .
             Ever
             when
             thou
             feelest
             an
             assault
             ,
             begin
             to
             fear
             an
             accusation
             ;
             and
             learn
             to
             prevent
             the
             Devils
             Malice
             ,
             by
             resisting
             his
             Temptation
             .
          
        
         
           
           
             MED
             .
             XV.
             
          
           
             WE
             may
             here
             see
             the
             method
             of
             Satan
             .
             His
             first
             Temptation
             is
             by
             one
             only
             Maid
             ,
             his
             second
             by
             many
             Servants
             that
             stood
             by
             .
             The
             more
             weak
             and
             naked
             he
             finds
             us
             ,
             with
             the
             greater
             force
             he
             makes
             upon
             us
             ;
             using
             his
             first
             assault
             to
             try
             ,
             but
             his
             second
             to
             wound
             us
             :
             As
             in
             the
             battery
             or
             breaking
             open
             of
             a
             City
             ,
             one
             man
             may
             serve
             for
             a
             spie
             to
             watch
             the
             Gates
             ,
             to
             take
             notice
             of
             the
             
             Defences
             ,
             and
             to
             make
             relation
             of
             the
             weaknesses
             or
             force
             of
             either
             ;
             but
             when
             they
             are
             by
             his
             report
             found
             unable
             for
             resistance
             ,
             there
             then
             follows
             the
             irruption
             of
             a
             whole
             army
             ,
             bringing
             nothing
             but
             the
             threats
             of
             blood
             and
             slaughter
             :
             So
             is
             it
             with
             Satan
             towards
             our
             Souls
             ;
             after
             he
             hath
             sent
             one
             smaller
             Temptation
             as
             a
             spie
             to
             observe
             our
             Fortifications
             ,
             and
             upon
             the
             success
             and
             report
             of
             it
             ,
             finds
             how
             weak
             we
             are
             to
             withstand
             his
             forces
             ,
             he
             then
             rushes
             in
             upon
             us
             with
             a
             multitude
             of
             his
             armed
             
             and
             more
             able
             servants
             ;
             who
             certainly
             would
             take
             possession
             of
             us
             ,
             and
             hold
             us
             in
             peace
             as
             their
             own
             ,
             did
             not
             a
             stronger
             than
             he
             come
             upon
             him
             ,
             and
             overcome
             him
             ,
             and
             divide
             the
             spoils
             .
          
        
         
           
           
             MED
             .
             XVI
             .
          
           
             THE
             form
             and
             manner
             of
             
             Peter's
             second
             Denial
             ,
             is
             (
             not
             without
             special
             reason
             as
             I
             conceive
             )
             diversly
             related
             .
             In
             one
             Evangelist
             the
             words
             are
             ,
             
               I
               know
               not
               the
               man
            
             ;
             in
             another
             ,
             
               I
               am
               not
               of
               them
            
             .
             One
             would
             think
             these
             were
             two
             Denials
             .
             May
             not
             a
             man
             know
             him
             ,
             unless
             he
             follow
             him
             ?
             No.
             Behold
             a
             mystery
             of
             Faith
             in
             the
             fall
             of
             Peter
             .
             No
             
             man
             knows
             Christ
             unless
             he
             be
             one
             of
             them
             that
             follow
             him
             ,
             and
             to
             whom
             he
             hath
             united
             himself
             .
             If
             it
             had
             been
             true
             ,
             
               I
               am
               not
               one
               of
               them
               ,
            
             it
             had
             been
             true
             also
             ,
             
               I
               know
               not
               the
               man.
            
             All
             knowledg
             consists
             in
             mixture
             and
             union
             ,
             whereby
             the
             understanding
             receiveth
             into
             it
             the
             image
             and
             similitude
             of
             the
             thing
             which
             it
             knows
             ;
             which
             made
             the
             Philosopher
             say
             ,
             That
             the
             Soul
             in
             understanding
             a
             thing
             is
             made
             the
             very
             thing
             which
             it
             understands
             ;
             namely
             ,
             in
             that
             sense
             as
             we
             call
             the
             Image
             of
             the
             
             Face
             in
             a
             Glass
             ,
             the
             Face
             it self
             ;
             or
             the
             Impression
             in
             Wax
             ,
             the
             Seal
             it self
             .
             Now
             then
             there
             is
             no
             union
             between
             Christ
             and
             us
             ,
             no
             dwelling
             of
             him
             in
             us
             ,
             no
             ingrafture
             ,
             or
             incorporation
             of
             us
             into
             him
             ,
             without
             that
             Faith
             whereby
             we
             follow
             him
             ,
             which
             makes
             us
             to
             be
             so
             nearly
             one
             with
             him
             ,
             that
             (
             in
             the
             judgment
             of
             the
             learned
             )
             the
             name
             of
             Christ
             is
             sometimes
             in
             the
             holy
             Scriptures
             taken
             for
             the
             Church
             of
             Christ.
             And
             therefore
             to
             those
             that
             believe
             ,
             to
             them
             only
             he
             hath
             given
             to
             
             know
             .
             Christ
             is
             not
             truly
             apprehended
             either
             by
             the
             fancy
             or
             the
             understanding
             .
             He
             is
             at
             once
             known
             and
             possess'd
             .
             It
             is
             an
             Experimental
             ,
             and
             not
             a
             Speculative
             knowledg
             that
             concieves
             him
             :
             He
             understands
             him
             ,
             that
             feels
             him
             .
             We
             see
             him
             in
             his
             Grace
             and
             Truth
             ,
             in
             his
             Word
             and
             Promises
             ,
             not
             in
             any
             carnal
             or
             gross
             presence
             .
             Pilate
             knew
             him
             in
             that
             manner
             ,
             and
             Judas
             ,
             as
             well
             as
             Peter
             .
             A
             true
             Believer
             can
             see
             and
             know
             him
             better
             in
             Heaven
             at
             the
             right
             hand
             of
             his
             Father
             ,
             by
             a
             Sacramental
             ,
             
             than
             a
             Papist
             can
             on
             the
             Altar
             ,
             in
             the
             Jewish
             and
             
             Pilate-hands
             of
             a
             Mass-Priest
             ,
             by
             a
             Transubstantiated
             bread
             .
             Let
             their
             Faith
             have
             the
             assistance
             of
             teeth
             and
             jaws
             ;
             ours
             ,
             though
             toothless
             ,
             eats
             him
             with
             less
             injury
             ,
             and
             with
             more
             nourishment
             .
          
        
         
           
           
             MED
             .
             XVII
             .
          
           
             THE
             encrease
             of
             the
             Enemies
             Temptation
             ,
             accumulates
             unto
             the
             Apostles
             sin
             .
             When
             Peter
             is
             pressed
             a
             second
             time
             ,
             and
             with
             more
             strong
             opposition
             ,
             he
             conceives
             a
             naked
             and
             empty
             denial
             ,
             to
             be
             an
             implicite
             confession
             ;
             and
             therefore
             that
             he
             may
             make
             them
             more
             credulous
             ,
             he
             makes
             himself
             more
             impious
             ;
             and
             to
             gain
             Faith
             with
             men
             ,
             he
             not
             only
             denies
             ,
             but
             forswears
             his
             
             Faith
             with
             God
             ,
             making
             Christ
             himself
             the
             Witness
             and
             Patron
             not
             only
             of
             a
             Lie
             ,
             but
             also
             of
             a
             Revolt
             .
             With
             how
             deep
             a
             die
             of
             sin
             ,
             with
             how
             many
             degrees
             of
             corruption
             ,
             will
             the
             habit
             of
             Faith
             consist
             !
             That
             failed
             not
             Peter
             ,
             though
             the
             exercise
             thereof
             were
             a
             while
             smuther'd
             and
             suspended
             .
             Christ's
             prayer
             was
             stronger
             to
             preserve
             it
             ,
             than
             his
             denial
             to
             root
             it
             out
             .
             That
             very
             action
             ,
             which
             if
             it
             had
             proceeded
             from
             a
             heart
             qualified
             with
             other
             dispositions
             of
             stubborness
             ,
             malice
             ,
             
             and
             obduration
             ,
             would
             have
             been
             the
             irremediable
             sin
             against
             the
             Holy
             Ghost
             ;
             was
             in
             Peter
             ,
             proceeding
             from
             fear
             and
             weakness
             ,
             the
             sin
             of
             a
             believing
             and
             faithful
             heart
             .
             How
             may
             the
             Godly
             in
             this
             one
             Example
             both
             learn
             to
             despair
             of
             their
             own
             strength
             ,
             which
             cannot
             without
             Christ's
             assistance
             uphold
             them
             from
             so
             deep
             a
             fall
             ;
             and
             not
             to
             despair
             of
             his
             mercy
             ,
             which
             can
             keep
             Faith
             in
             a
             corner
             of
             that
             very
             heart
             ,
             which
             lies
             drench'd
             and
             weltering
             in
             its
             own
             blood
             ;
             and
             can
             raise
             up
             unto
             
             Martyrdom
             a
             man
             that
             had
             so
             deeply
             plung'd
             himself
             into
             Apostacy
             !
             He
             that
             suffer'd
             Judas
             to
             be
             the
             horrid
             subject
             of
             his
             Judgment
             ,
             rais'd
             Peter
             from
             a
             sin
             (
             I
             verily
             think
             )
             in
             it self
             as
             great
             ,
             to
             be
             the
             Preacher
             and
             Witness
             of
             his
             Mercy
             .
          
        
         
           
           
             MED
             .
             XVIII
             .
          
           
             HOW
             leprous
             and
             spreading
             is
             sin
             ?
             how
             weak
             and
             impotent
             is
             nature
             ?
             how
             unsatisfiabl
             and
             importunate
             is
             the
             Devil
             and
             his
             Instruments
             ?
             A
             double
             temptation
             is
             not
             enough
             on
             Satans
             part
             ,
             after
             a
             double
             denial
             ;
             nor
             is
             a
             double
             denial
             on
             Peter's
             part
             enough
             confirm'd
             by
             a
             single
             perjury
             .
             The
             Devil
             goes
             farther
             in
             Tempting
             ,
             the
             poor
             Disciple
             goes
             farther
             in
             Denying
             :
             
             The
             truth
             whereof
             ,
             that
             he
             may
             the
             more
             easily
             enforce
             it
             ,
             he
             confirms
             ,
             according
             to
             the
             Law
             ,
             by
             two
             ,
             but
             those
             wicked
             Witnesses
             ;
             and
             to
             a
             second
             Oath
             is
             there
             join'd
             an
             Execration
             .
             An
             Execration
             strong
             and
             deep
             enough
             to
             make
             Peter
             no
             lyar
             ,
             though
             an
             Apostate
             ;
             I
             mean
             to
             verifie
             the
             truth
             of
             his
             denial
             ,
             and
             to
             make
             him
             indeed
             none
             of
             those
             who
             alone
             knew
             their
             Saviour
             For
             it
             was
             (
             if
             the
             word
             retain
             here
             the
             same
             force
             which
             it
             doth
             in
             St.
             
             Paul's
             Epistle
             to
             the
             Romans
             )
             
             a
             curse
             greater
             than
             any
             curse
             ,
             even
             an
             Anathema
             ,
             a
             wish
             of
             eternal
             separation
             from
             the
             presence
             of
             God.
             It
             is
             no
             wonder
             if
             he
             dare
             deny
             Christ
             in
             earth
             ,
             and
             in
             dishonour
             ,
             who
             can
             adventure
             to
             wish
             an
             eternal
             absence
             from
             him
             in
             Heaven
             in
             his
             Glory
             .
             I
             never
             remember
             any
             Anathema
             that
             proceeded
             not
             from
             Love
             and
             Fear
             ;
             That
             of
             Moses
             and
             Paul
             from
             love
             of
             the
             safety
             ,
             and
             fear
             of
             the
             destruction
             of
             their
             Brethren
             ;
             that
             of
             Peter
             ,
             from
             a
             love
             of
             himself
             ,
             and
             a
             fear
             
             of
             death
             .
             How
             strong
             and
             violent
             are
             Passions
             ,
             whether
             holy
             or
             natural
             ,
             when
             once
             truly
             apprehensive
             of
             their
             object
             ?
             How
             secure
             and
             negligent
             can
             they
             make
             Peter
             of
             his
             eternal
             estate
             ,
             to
             avoid
             perhaps
             but
             the
             displeasure
             of
             a
             mortal
             man
             ?
             It
             is
             the
             misery
             and
             error
             of
             corrupt
             nature
             ,
             to
             shelter
             it self
             against
             danger
             under
             sin
             ,
             and
             to
             think
             it self
             sufficiently
             safe
             ,
             when
             it
             is
             violently
             wicked
             .
          
        
         
           
           
             MED
             .
             XIX
             .
          
           
             HE
             hath
             not
             only
             deserv'd
             a
             Curse
             ,
             but
             provok'd
             it
             ,
             that
             hath
             prayed
             for
             it
             ;
             who
             could
             but
             expect
             the
             Execution
             after
             the
             Petition
             ?
             But
             behold
             the
             mercy
             of
             a
             provoked
             God!
             Though
             Peter
             have
             asked
             a
             stone
             ,
             a
             corner-stone
             to
             fall
             upon
             him
             ,
             and
             grind
             him
             to
             powder
             ,
             yet
             he
             giveth
             him
             instead
             
             thereof
             ,
             the
             bread
             of
             Eternal
             Life
             ,
             the
             wine
             of
             repentant
             tears
             :
             Though
             he
             craye
             a
             Serpent
             ,
             a
             fiery
             Serpent
             to
             sting
             him
             for
             ever
             unto
             death
             ,
             yet
             he
             like
             a
             compassionate
             Saviour
             gives
             him
             the
             voice
             of
             a
             Cock
             ,
             the
             sight
             of
             a
             brazen
             Serpent
             to
             recover
             his
             wounds
             .
             Peter
             hath
             provided
             a
             whole
             load
             of
             sins
             for
             Christ
             to
             carry
             to
             his
             approaching
             Cross
             ;
             and
             Christ
             hath
             thrown
             on
             him
             such
             a
             burden
             of
             Mercies
             ,
             as
             shall
             sink
             him
             deeper
             in
             the
             waters
             of
             Repentance
             
             and
             admiration
             ,
             than
             he
             was
             before
             in
             danger
             .
          
        
         
           
           
             MED
             .
             XX.
             
          
           
             ONE
             would
             think
             ,
             that
             such
             a
             great
             recovery
             should
             be
             effected
             by
             the
             hand
             of
             some
             glorious
             Ministry
             ,
             by
             the
             voice
             of
             an
             Angel
             or
             a
             Prophet
             .
             But
             see
             a
             Miracle
             in
             weakness
             !
             A
             Cock
             is
             made
             ,
             as
             it
             were
             ,
             a
             
               John
               Baptist
            
             ,
             to
             forerun
             the
             look
             of
             Christ
             ,
             and
             to
             preach
             Repentance
             .
             That
             God
             which
             can
             in
             power
             work
             without
             means
             ,
             does
             in
             wisdom
             make
             use
             of
             the
             befest
             ,
             
             and
             can
             open
             the
             mouth
             of
             a
             beast
             for
             the
             conversion
             of
             a
             man.
             How
             careful
             ought
             we
             to
             be
             in
             the
             use
             of
             Means
             ,
             when
             God
             seldom
             worketh
             without
             them
             ?
             How
             humble
             in
             the
             use
             of
             Prayer
             ,
             when
             the
             Means
             work
             not
             without
             God
             ?
             The
             ordinary
             courses
             of
             nature
             ,
             the
             most
             accidental
             occurrences
             in
             the
             World
             ,
             are
             sanctified
             unto
             the
             good
             of
             the
             Elect
             ,
             and
             are
             the
             Instruments
             of
             God
             for
             their
             Salvation
             .
          
        
         
           
           
             MED
             .
             XXI
             .
          
           
             BUT
             why
             should
             our
             Saviour
             in
             this
             great
             work
             chuse
             the
             service
             of
             a
             Cock
             for
             the
             ministry
             of
             Repentance
             ?
             There
             is
             ever
             some
             mystery
             in
             Christ's
             Instruments
             .
             If
             he
             will
             give
             sight
             to
             a
             blind
             man
             by
             impotent
             and
             unlikely
             means
             ,
             they
             shall
             be
             a
             mixture
             
             of
             something
             out
             of
             his
             own
             mouth
             ,
             with
             something
             out
             of
             the
             Earth
             ,
             to
             shew
             that
             the
             vertue
             of
             Christ's
             mouth
             in
             the
             earthy
             and
             clayie
             Vessels
             of
             mortal
             men
             ,
             is
             of
             force
             to
             open
             the
             eyes
             of
             the
             ignorant
             and
             impenitent
             .
             Christ
             in
             this
             Crow
             of
             the
             Cock
             hath
             given
             Peter
             as
             well
             an
             Example
             to
             follow
             ,
             as
             an
             Occasion
             to
             repent
             ;
             as
             well
             taught
             him
             in
             the
             execution
             of
             his
             Apostleship
             ,
             as
             converted
             him
             from
             the
             estate
             of
             a
             backslider
             .
             A
             true
             Minister
             that
             loves
             
             Christ
             and
             his
             Sheep
             ,
             must
             have
             the
             Wings
             of
             a
             Cock
             to
             rouze
             up
             first
             himself
             from
             security
             ;
             and
             then
             being
             converted
             ,
             powerfully
             to
             awaken
             and
             strengthen
             others
             :
             and
             the
             Watchfulness
             of
             a
             Cock
             ,
             to
             be
             ever
             ready
             to
             discover
             and
             forewarn
             danger
             ;
             and
             the
             Voice
             of
             a
             Cock
             ,
             to
             cry
             aloud
             ,
             and
             tell
             Israel
             of
             their
             sins
             ,
             and
             terrifie
             the
             roaring
             Lion
             that
             seeks
             to
             devour
             them
             :
             and
             lastly
             ,
             the
             Hours
             of
             a
             Cock
             ,
             to
             preach
             in
             season
             ,
             and
             out
             of
             season
             ,
             
             the
             glad
             tydings
             of
             Salvation
             .
          
        
         
           
           
             MED
             .
             XXII
             .
          
           
             WHO
             would
             think
             that
             a
             weak
             Cock
             should
             be
             able
             to
             do
             more
             with
             Peter
             ,
             than
             Prophets
             and
             Apostles
             with
             other
             men
             ?
             That
             the
             noise
             of
             a
             Cock's
             Crow
             should
             be
             heard
             so
             deep
             as
             the
             confines
             of
             Hell
             ?
             Surely
             no
             man
             ,
             if
             these
             weak
             means
             were
             not
             quickned
             and
             seconded
             with
             the
             look
             of
             Christ.
             He
             first
             turns
             and
             looks
             back
             in
             mercy
             upon
             Peter
             ,
             before
             Peter
             can
             return
             
             in
             sorrow
             and
             repentance
             unto
             him
             .
             By
             him
             live
             ,
             and
             move
             ,
             and
             have
             their
             being
             ,
             as
             well
             Christians
             as
             Creatures
             .
             The
             very
             Faithful
             themselves
             would
             lie
             still
             in
             that
             depth
             of
             sin
             whereinto
             they
             have
             been
             plunged
             ,
             if
             that
             Power
             which
             in
             wisdom
             suffers
             them
             to
             fall
             in
             ,
             should
             not
             in
             grace
             and
             pity
             raise
             them
             up
             .
             Peter
             cannot
             remember
             the
             word
             of
             his
             Master
             ,
             till
             Christ
             remember
             the
             misery
             of
             his
             Disciple
             .
          
        
         
           
           
             MED
             .
             XXIII
             .
          
           
             SEE
             here
             the
             greatness
             of
             Christs
             Grace
             !
             one
             would
             think
             that
             he
             should
             have
             been
             wholly
             taken
             up
             with
             the
             dishonour
             of
             his
             present
             condition
             ,
             with
             the
             sense
             of
             his
             Father's
             Desertion
             ,
             with
             the
             foresight
             of
             his
             approaching
             sufferings
             .
             And
             yet
             behold
             ,
             when
             he
             is
             wholly
             possess'd
             of
             weakness
             ,
             he
             is
             yet
             at
             leisure
             for
             
             a
             work
             of
             power
             .
             The
             righteous
             Justice
             of
             his
             God
             ,
             and
             the
             unjust
             cruelty
             of
             his
             enemies
             ,
             were
             not
             able
             to
             drive
             him
             from
             the
             remembrance
             or
             exercise
             of
             his
             mercy
             .
             He
             that
             came
             to
             suffer
             all
             these
             things
             for
             man
             ,
             does
             in
             the
             midst
             of
             his
             sufferings
             remember
             man
             ,
             honouring
             the
             scorns
             and
             buffets
             of
             his
             Judgment
             ,
             with
             the
             Conversion
             of
             a
             faln
             Apostle
             ;
             and
             the
             Nails
             and
             Ignominies
             of
             his
             Cross
             ,
             with
             the
             Conversion
             of
             a
             reviling
             Thief
             .
          
        
         
           
           
             MED
             .
             XXIV
             .
          
           
             AND
             now
             methinks
             I
             see
             in
             the
             face
             of
             Christ
             ,
             a
             throng
             and
             a
             conflict
             of
             Affections
             .
             One
             while
             I
             see
             an
             angry
             and
             upbraiding
             face
             against
             
             Peter's
             revolt
             ;
             another
             while
             a
             pitiful
             face
             ,
             commiserating
             his
             frailty
             ;
             then
             a
             merciful
             face
             ,
             converting
             him
             ;
             and
             next
             a
             gracious
             and
             favourable
             face
             ,
             inviting
             him
             .
             If
             it
             were
             a
             face
             of
             Anger
             ,
             see
             then
             the
             nature
             of
             Faith
             in
             Peter
             and
             all
             
             the
             Godly
             ,
             which
             through
             the
             clouds
             of
             his
             displeasure
             can
             discover
             the
             comfortable
             light
             and
             beams
             of
             a
             Saviour
             ,
             as
             well
             as
             through
             his
             vail
             of
             flesh
             and
             dishonour
             ,
             discern
             the
             Power
             and
             Majesty
             of
             God
             ,
             like
             the
             Woman
             in
             the
             Gospel
             ,
             whose
             Faith
             could
             interpret
             the
             very
             odious
             name
             of
             Dog
             ,
             uttered
             from
             the
             mouth
             of
             Christ
             ,
             to
             be
             a
             trial
             of
             her
             ,
             and
             not
             a
             rejection
             ;
             rather
             a
             hiding
             than
             a
             denying
             of
             mercy
             .
             If
             it
             were
             a
             face
             of
             Grace
             and
             Invitation
             ,
             see
             the
             nature
             of
             sin
             ,
             which
             is
             
             to
             make
             a
             man
             afraid
             even
             of
             an
             appeased
             God
             ;
             and
             of
             Repentance
             ,
             which
             when
             the
             Soul
             is
             invited
             to
             the
             rivers
             of
             joy
             which
             make
             glad
             Gods
             City
             ,
             can
             be
             at
             leisure
             to
             drink
             of
             those
             bitter
             tears
             ,
             which
             make
             heavy
             the
             hearts
             of
             sinners
             .
             If
             it
             were
             a
             pitiful
             and
             commiserating
             face
             ,
             see
             how
             it
             works
             alike
             Qualities
             in
             Peter
             ,
             who
             then
             only
             can
             begin
             to
             lament
             himself
             ,
             when
             he
             is
             first
             lamented
             by
             his
             Saviour
             .
             Lord
             !
             never
             let
             thy
             saving
             face
             be
             turned
             back
             from
             me
             ,
             but
             be
             thou
             always
             pleased
             to
             
             look
             upon
             me
             ,
             whether
             in
             tender
             displeasure
             ,
             or
             in
             a
             pitiful
             mercy
             ;
             that
             so
             I
             may
             be
             driven
             by
             sorrow
             out
             of
             my self
             ,
             and
             by
             faith
             unto
             thee
             .
          
        
         
           
           
             MED
             .
             XXV
             .
          
           
             THE
             first
             beginning
             of
             
             Peter's
             Repentance
             ,
             is
             a
             Remembrance
             of
             the
             words
             of
             Christ
             ,
             an
             applicative
             and
             feeling
             recordation
             of
             them
             .
             How
             powerful
             is
             Temptation
             to
             banish
             out
             of
             mans
             mind
             all
             conceit
             of
             Gods
             Truth
             ,
             or
             his
             own
             danger
             !
             He
             that
             is
             too
             mindful
             of
             his
             safety
             ,
             will
             be
             too
             unmindful
             of
             his
             Faith.
             A
             sanctified
             Memory
             ,
             whether
             in
             retaining
             of
             Divine
             Truth
             ,
             or
             in
             
             presenting
             our
             own
             sins
             ,
             is
             an
             excellent
             preparative
             to
             Repentance
             ;
             and
             like
             a
             steddy
             wind
             ,
             doth
             collect
             and
             draw
             together
             those
             clouds
             ,
             whence
             shall
             after
             issue
             forth
             those
             happy
             tears
             .
          
        
         
           
           
             MED
             .
             XXVI
             .
          
           
             BUT
             what
             was
             it
             that
             Peter
             remembred
             ?
             It
             is
             not
             said
             ,
             Peter
             now
             consider'd
             how
             he
             stood
             naked
             and
             open
             to
             the
             flames
             of
             Hell
             ,
             or
             how
             he
             had
             expos'd
             himself
             to
             the
             scourges
             of
             an
             inward
             Tormentor
             ,
             to
             the
             scorchings
             of
             a
             bosom-hell
             ,
             his
             Conscience
             ,
             or
             to
             the
             fearful
             judgment
             and
             revenge
             of
             him
             whom
             he
             had
             injur'd
             by
             denying
             ;
             and
             therefore
             he
             went
             out
             and
             
             wept
             :
             It
             was
             fear
             that
             made
             him
             fall
             ,
             it
             made
             him
             not
             repent
             :
             But
             it
             was
             only
             the
             merciful
             prediction
             of
             Christ
             which
             he
             remember'd
             ;
             what
             slight
             esteem
             he
             had
             made
             of
             that
             gracious
             caution
             which
             should
             have
             arm'd
             him
             against
             Temptations
             :
             and
             this
             made
             him
             go
             out
             and
             weep
             .
             The
             abuse
             of
             Gods
             mercy
             ,
             the
             grieving
             of
             Gods
             Spirit
             ,
             the
             undervaluing
             of
             Gods
             Truth
             ,
             more
             wounds
             the
             Soul
             of
             a
             repentant
             sinner
             ,
             than
             all
             the
             gripes
             of
             Conscience
             ,
             or
             flames
             of
             Hell.
             
          
        
         
           
           
             MED
             .
             XXVII
             .
          
           
             BUT
             what
             makes
             thee
             (
             O
             blessed
             Convert
             )
             thus
             to
             start
             and
             turn
             upon
             the
             Look
             of
             thy
             Lord
             ,
             and
             the
             remembrance
             of
             thy
             sin
             ,
             as
             if
             the
             repentance
             for
             the
             denial
             of
             thy
             Tongue
             ,
             had
             made
             thy
             Foot
             again
             to
             deny
             thy
             Master
             ?
             Whither
             runnest
             thou
             ,
             Peter
             ,
             from
             such
             a
             fountain
             of
             Mercy
             ?
             Hast
             thou
             either
             mistaken
             the
             Look
             of
             thy
             Saviour
             ,
             which
             was
             to
             draw
             and
             reunite
             
             thee
             unto
             him
             ,
             not
             to
             drive
             or
             banish
             thee
             from
             him
             ?
             or
             hath
             thy
             sorrow
             drown'd
             thy
             Faith
             ,
             and
             made
             thee
             forget
             that
             glorious
             profession
             which
             thou
             once
             didst
             make
             out
             of
             a
             happy
             knowledg
             of
             experience
             and
             belief
             that
             Christ
             had
             the
             words
             of
             Eternal
             Life
             ?
             and
             whither
             then
             goest
             thou
             ?
             Hast
             thou
             forgotten
             that
             he
             had
             balm
             to
             cure
             thy
             grief
             ,
             and
             blood
             to
             blot
             out
             thy
             sin
             ?
             that
             he
             could
             at
             once
             both
             comfort
             and
             restore
             thee
             ,
             and
             render
             unto
             thee
             thy
             former
             joy
             and
             grace
             ?
             
             Why
             didst
             thou
             not
             run
             into
             his
             embraces
             ,
             and
             in
             token
             of
             thy
             repentance
             and
             belief
             ,
             in
             thy
             body
             lay
             hold
             upon
             him
             ,
             and
             wash
             him
             with
             thy
             tears
             against
             his
             Burial
             ?
             But
             behold
             the
             mystery
             of
             Peter's
             recover'd
             Faith
             !
             see
             how
             he
             acknowledgeth
             his
             Saviour
             when
             he
             turneth
             from
             him
             ;
             and
             is
             reinvested
             with
             the
             honour
             of
             a
             Disciple
             ,
             though
             he
             seem
             still
             rather
             to
             forsake
             ,
             than
             to
             follow
             his
             Lord.
             His
             Repentance
             doth
             in
             action
             confirm
             ,
             what
             his
             Faith
             once
             did
             in
             words
             confess
             ,
             That
             
             Christ
             was
             the
             Son
             of
             the
             Living
             God.
             Behold
             in
             the
             departure
             of
             Peter
             ,
             an
             Article
             of
             thy
             Faith
             ,
             even
             the
             Divinity
             of
             thy
             Saviour
             .
             Had
             not
             Christ
             been
             as
             well
             without
             ,
             where
             Peter
             wept
             ,
             as
             within
             the
             Hall
             where
             the
             Jews
             blasphemed
             ,
             Peter
             had
             again
             denied
             ,
             and
             not
             return'd
             unto
             his
             Lord
             :
             and
             that
             which
             is
             now
             a
             mystery
             ,
             would
             have
             been
             a
             revolt
             .
             It
             is
             nothing
             but
             Faith
             that
             from
             without
             could
             still
             through
             the
             Walls
             look
             into
             the
             House
             ,
             and
             there
             through
             the
             infirmity
             of
             a
             
             buffetted
             and
             contemned
             body
             ,
             descry
             the
             glory
             of
             a
             merciful
             and
             reconciled
             God.
             It
             is
             nothing
             but
             Faith
             that
             can
             from
             Earth
             look
             into
             the
             highest
             Heaven
             ;
             and
             when
             it
             is
             absent
             from
             Christ
             ,
             not
             only
             groan
             after
             him
             ,
             but
             grasp
             and
             lay
             hold
             upon
             him
             .
             The
             Ubiquity
             of
             Christ
             gives
             unto
             that
             Believer
             who
             hath
             interest
             in
             him
             ,
             a
             kind
             of
             Ubiquity
             also
             :
             And
             as
             he
             is
             in
             Earth
             by
             his
             Power
             ,
             though
             in
             Heaven
             by
             his
             Presence
             :
             So
             a
             Believer
             ,
             though
             in
             his
             Body
             on
             the
             Earth
             ,
             yet
             is
             in
             Heaven
             by
             
             his
             Faith.
             It
             is
             the
             nature
             of
             Faith
             to
             give
             ,
             as
             subsistence
             and
             being
             unto
             things
             yet
             to
             come
             ,
             so
             a
             kind
             of
             presence
             also
             unto
             things
             most
             remote
             and
             distant
             ;
             and
             can
             even
             converse
             ,
             and
             lay
             hold
             on
             Christ
             ,
             though
             he
             be
             in
             Heaven
             .
          
        
         
           
           
             MED
             .
             XXVIII
             .
          
           
             BUT
             what
             ,
             Peter
             !
             though
             thou
             canst
             find
             thy
             Saviour
             without
             the
             Hall
             ,
             is
             there
             no
             comfort
             to
             be
             taken
             in
             his
             sensible
             Presence
             ?
             doth
             the
             possession
             of
             Faith
             make
             vain
             and
             fruitless
             the
             fruition
             of
             sight
             ?
             Is
             it
             not
             some
             joy
             to
             see
             him
             ,
             because
             it
             is
             so
             much
             Blessedness
             to
             believe
             in
             him
             ?
             Was
             there
             health
             in
             his
             Garment
             ,
             and
             is
             there
             no
             pleasure
             in
             his
             Presence
             ?
             Was
             the
             Womb
             
             blessed
             that
             held
             him
             ,
             and
             is
             there
             not
             some
             blessedness
             in
             the
             eyes
             that
             see
             ,
             and
             the
             hands
             that
             embrace
             him
             ?
             Was
             it
             from
             Temptation
             ,
             which
             had
             before
             foiled
             thee
             ,
             that
             thou
             didst
             fly
             as
             a
             burnt
             Child
             from
             the
             fire
             ?
             Was
             the
             voice
             of
             a
             Virgin
             able
             to
             drive
             thee
             from
             the
             Son
             of
             a
             Virgin
             ;
             or
             the
             Challenge
             of
             a
             Servant
             ,
             from
             the
             presence
             of
             a
             Lord
             ?
             Was
             not
             that
             Look
             able
             to
             confirm
             thee
             ,
             which
             was
             able
             to
             convert
             thee
             ?
             Or
             couldst
             thou
             fear
             to
             fall
             from
             the
             Rock
             ,
             thy
             Saviour
             ,
             
             because
             thou
             hadst
             before
             faln
             from
             the
             Sand
             ,
             thy
             Presumption
             ?
             Or
             was
             it
             out
             of
             a
             loathing
             of
             that
             place
             of
             blasphemy
             where
             thy
             Master
             and
             thy
             God
             did
             suffer
             the
             base
             reproaches
             of
             wicked
             men
             ?
             could
             the
             air
             of
             that
             place
             be
             infectious
             ,
             where
             was
             so
             precious
             ,
             so
             innocent
             ,
             so
             saving
             a
             breath
             to
             sweeten
             it
             ?
             Was
             the
             blasphemy
             of
             a
             Jew
             more
             pestilent
             to
             pollute
             ,
             than
             the
             Grace
             of
             thy
             Jesus
             to
             sanctifie
             the
             High-Priests
             Hall
             ?
             The
             presence
             of
             Christ
             could
             make
             that
             place
             
             a
             Heaven
             to
             Peter
             ,
             which
             the
             blasphemies
             of
             a
             Jew
             had
             made
             his
             Hell.
             It
             was
             neither
             the
             vileness
             of
             the
             place
             ,
             nor
             the
             question
             of
             a
             Servant
             which
             could
             have
             done
             thee
             any
             violence
             .
             They
             might
             tempt
             ,
             they
             could
             not
             wound
             thee
             .
             A
             Mountain
             stands
             unmov'd
             though
             the
             Winds
             be
             impetuous
             ,
             when
             a
             smaller
             breath
             not
             only
             shakes
             but
             breaks
             down
             a
             reed
             .
             If
             thy
             Lord
             have
             given
             thee
             strength
             ,
             thy
             Adversary
             cannot
             give
             thee
             a
             fall
             :
             If
             he
             beckon
             on
             thee
             to
             turn
             ,
             
             thou
             art
             by
             his
             finger
             sufficiently
             arm'd
             against
             a
             Torment
             ,
             a
             Devil
             ,
             much
             more
             against
             a
             Temptation
             ,
             a
             Maid
             .
             But
             such
             is
             the
             recovery
             of
             Faith
             ,
             as
             of
             Health
             ,
             it
             proceeds
             by
             degrees
             ,
             from
             weakness
             unto
             strength
             ,
             from
             fear
             unto
             confidence
             ,
             and
             dares
             not
             trust
             in
             Christ
             without
             some
             trembling
             .
             Peter
             is
             assured
             of
             his
             Master's
             love
             ,
             and
             yet
             he
             is
             ashamed
             of
             his
             own
             sin
             .
             Shame
             is
             ever
             sins
             companion
             .
             He
             durst
             not
             to
             look
             that
             Master
             in
             the
             face
             ,
             whom
             so
             lately
             he
             had
             denied
             :
             He
             could
             with
             the
             
             Publican
             knock
             his
             breast
             ,
             he
             could
             not
             look
             up
             to
             Heaven
             ,
             to
             the
             face
             of
             his
             Master
             ;
             he
             could
             pray
             unto
             Christ
             ,
             he
             could
             not
             accompany
             him
             .
             And
             as
             the
             modesty
             of
             nature
             makes
             a
             man
             able
             to
             deliver
             more
             of
             his
             mind
             in
             absence
             than
             in
             presence
             :
             so
             the
             shame
             of
             sin
             makes
             Peter
             more
             confident
             without
             ,
             than
             within
             the
             Hall.
             
          
        
         
           
           
             MED
             .
             XXIX
             .
          
           
             WE
             find
             not
             that
             Peter
             after
             this
             ,
             saw
             Christ
             till
             his
             Resurrection
             :
             And
             then
             none
             so
             particularly
             invited
             unto
             his
             sight
             ,
             none
             so
             forward
             and
             hasty
             to
             have
             recourse
             unto
             the
             Garden
             .
             Was
             it
             grief
             at
             his
             Master's
             misery
             ,
             or
             at
             his
             own
             sin
             (
             with
             the
             lamentation
             of
             both
             which
             ,
             he
             could
             best
             in
             private
             glut
             himself
             )
             ?
             or
             was
             it
             fear
             of
             the
             Majesty
             in
             his
             Master's
             face
             ,
             or
             of
             weakness
             
             in
             his
             own
             breast
             ,
             which
             drave
             him
             out
             of
             the
             Hall
             to
             weep
             ?
             surely
             perhaps
             all
             .
             He
             departed
             from
             the
             face
             of
             his
             Lord
             ,
             from
             the
             company
             of
             his
             Tempters
             ,
             provoked
             thereunto
             by
             the
             shame
             of
             his
             Fall
             ,
             by
             the
             experience
             of
             his
             frailty
             :
             He
             departed
             from
             the
             committing
             of
             more
             sin
             ,
             from
             the
             sight
             of
             more
             misery
             ,
             because
             he
             knew
             not
             whether
             he
             should
             find
             more
             mercy
             ,
             or
             be
             able
             to
             bear
             more
             sorrow
             .
             But
             when
             once
             Christ
             through
             the
             power
             of
             his
             Resurrection
             ,
             
             had
             cloth'd
             himself
             with
             Glory
             ,
             and
             Peter
             by
             the
             Angels
             message
             was
             uncloth'd
             of
             fear
             ,
             none
             more
             hasty
             to
             enjoy
             the
             benefit
             of
             his
             real
             Presence
             .
             He
             ran
             ,
             and
             went
             down
             into
             the
             Sepulcher
             ,
             not
             hoping
             to
             see
             there
             a
             weak
             and
             captive
             body
             ,
             but
             (
             as
             he
             did
             )
             a
             conquer'd
             and
             deceived
             grave
             ;
             only
             the
             relicks
             of
             weakness
             ,
             and
             the
             witnesses
             of
             power
             .
             What
             haste
             ,
             think
             we
             ,
             made
             he
             to
             rise
             up
             unto
             his
             Saviour's
             Kingdom
             ,
             that
             was
             so
             ready
             to
             go
             down
             into
             his
             
             grave
             ?
             when
             Nature
             is
             rais'd
             up
             from
             her
             ruins
             and
             decays
             ,
             when
             the
             Conscience
             is
             cleans'd
             from
             the
             guilt
             of
             sin
             ,
             or
             burden
             of
             sorrow
             ,
             when
             a
             lapsed
             Saint
             hath
             regain'd
             his
             measure
             of
             Grace
             and
             Tranquility
             ,
             he
             is
             so
             much
             the
             more
             speedy
             in
             Heavenly
             pursuits
             ,
             by
             how
             much
             his
             former
             fall
             had
             been
             a
             disadvantage
             to
             his
             progress
             :
             and
             those
             sharp
             sins
             which
             ,
             being
             acted
             ,
             did
             wound
             him
             ,
             do
             now
             ,
             being
             remembred
             ,
             only
             spur
             him
             forward
             in
             his
             way
             .
             The
             very
             sins
             of
             the
             Godly
             ,
             
             contrary
             to
             the
             barrenness
             of
             their
             own
             nature
             (
             which
             bringeth
             forth
             nothing
             but
             death
             )
             ,
             are
             by
             the
             Mercy
             and
             Wisdom
             of
             God
             ,
             made
             fruitful
             and
             of
             use
             unto
             them
             .
             The
             Devil
             in
             wounding
             them
             ,
             wounds
             himself
             ;
             and
             though
             his
             fiery
             darts
             may
             perhaps
             at
             first
             find
             entrance
             ;
             yet
             when
             they
             come
             to
             the
             bottom
             of
             a
             faithful
             heart
             ,
             they
             meet
             there
             with
             a
             Rock
             of
             Salvation
             ,
             from
             whence
             they
             are
             driven
             back
             into
             the
             face
             of
             him
             that
             threw
             them
             .
             When
             the
             Devil
             batters
             any
             one
             
             Vertue
             in
             a
             Saint
             ,
             he
             does
             in
             the
             issue
             nothing
             else
             but
             pluck
             out
             the
             stones
             of
             his
             own
             building
             .
             Though
             he
             breaks
             
             David's
             bones
             ,
             though
             he
             sift
             and
             winnow
             
             Peter's
             Faith
             ;
             yet
             both
             ,
             when
             they
             are
             restor'd
             ,
             will
             be
             like
             a
             broken
             bone
             ,
             stronger
             ;
             and
             like
             Wheat
             sifted
             ,
             finer
             ;
             and
             will
             also
             by
             instructing
             and
             confirming
             of
             others
             ;
             draw
             more
             men
             from
             him
             ,
             than
             he
             before
             had
             done
             Graces
             from
             them
             .
          
        
         
           
           
             MED
             .
             XXX
             .
          
           
             PEter
             had
             expected
             great
             security
             in
             the
             Denial
             of
             his
             Saviour
             ;
             and
             behold
             the
             issue
             and
             upshot
             of
             all
             ,
             
               He
               wept
               birterly
            
             .
             Now
             are
             his
             eyes
             turned
             ,
             as
             it
             were
             ,
             into
             a
             Valley
             of
             Megiddo
             ,
             his
             head
             into
             a
             fountain
             of
             water
             ,
             and
             his
             soul
             is
             even
             drench'd
             in
             whole
             floods
             of
             sorrow●
             Sin
             is
             not
             only
             deceitful
             in
             depriving
             us
             of
             those
             hoped
             Immunities
             which
             we
             seek
             for
             in
             it
             ,
             but
             
             fruitful
             likewise
             in
             an
             ample
             encrease
             of
             evil
             .
             It
             not
             only
             depriveth
             us
             of
             comfort
             ,
             but
             heapeth
             unto
             our
             misery
             .
             Like
             a
             great
             thick
             cloud
             ,
             which
             not
             only
             interposeth
             between
             the
             Sun
             of
             Righteousness
             and
             us
             ,
             hiding
             the
             light
             of
             his
             Countenance
             from
             us
             ,
             but
             withal
             also
             showres
             down
             on
             our
             deceived
             Souls
             whole
             storms
             of
             wo
             and
             shame
             .
             There
             is
             ever
             a
             Weeping
             follows
             Sin.
             Either
             such
             a
             desperate
             weeping
             as
             hath
             that
             dreadful
             Concomitant
             added
             unto
             it
             ,
             Gnashing
             of
             teeth
             ,
             or
             such
             a
             
             Repentant
             weeping
             as
             is
             sealed
             up
             from
             the
             mouth
             of
             Christ
             himself
             with
             a
             Blessing
             until
             the
             day
             of
             Redemption
             .
             And
             blessed
             indeed
             are
             the
             tears
             of
             a
             converted
             revolter
             ;
             and
             happy
             is
             this
             very
             misery
             of
             a
             mourning
             offender
             ;
             for
             as
             water
             boiling
             and
             running
             over
             ,
             puts
             out
             that
             fire
             which
             first
             rais'd
             it
             up
             ;
             So
             the
             Tears
             of
             true
             Repentance
             serve
             to
             extinguish
             those
             flames
             and
             terrors
             of
             Conscience
             ,
             and
             to
             blot
             out
             those
             burning
             sins
             (
             the
             issues
             of
             Satans
             fiery
             Temptations
             )
             which
             first
             
             caused
             them
             ,
             by
             the
             means
             of
             Christ's
             Grace
             ,
             to
             run
             over
             .
             Lord
             !
             give
             us
             in
             the
             first
             place
             thy
             sustaining
             Grace
             ,
             which
             may
             preserve
             us
             from
             the
             danger
             of
             great
             and
             scandalous
             offences
             :
             But
             if
             thy
             Wisdom
             find
             it
             otherwise
             requisite
             ,
             to
             punish
             our
             presumptions
             with
             a
             temporary
             desertion
             ,
             and
             by
             withdrawing
             thy
             power
             to
             let
             us
             be
             foiled
             with
             the
             assault
             of
             carnal
             Temptations
             ;
             yet
             never
             deny
             us
             that
             Restoring
             Grace
             ,
             which
             may
             re-establish
             us
             in
             the
             favour
             .
             Give
             us
             ,
             if
             not
             the
             Grace
             of
             Standing
             ,
             
             yet
             the
             Grace
             of
             Weeping
             ;
             that
             though
             we
             cannot
             be
             Innocent
             ,
             we
             may
             be
             Repentant
             .
          
           
             FINIS
             .
          
        
      
    
     
       
         Notes, typically marginal, from the original text
         
           Notes for div A57146-e190
           
             *
             Mrs.
             Nixon
             of
             Oxon.
             
          
           
             *
             Mr.
             John
             Reynolds
             Rector
             of
             Blaby
             .
          
        
         
           Notes for div A57146-e340
           
             Verba
             desiderii
             ,
             Verba
             rectitudinis
             ,
             Verba
             veritatis
             .
          
           
             Mark
             14.
             72.
             
             
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
            
             .
             Theouph
             .
          
           
             Audiant
             qui
             non
             ceciderunt
             ne
             cadant
             ,
             qui
             ceciderunt
             ut
             surgant
             .
             Non
             cadendi
             exemplum
             proponitur
             ,
             sed
             si
             cecideris
             ,
             resurgendi
             ,
             
               August
               .
               in
               Psalm
            
             51.