such diversity of doctrines, that unless great diligence and consideration be employed, a man is in much danger of running into irremediable error. And there is little difference in fact, so far as it regards the end, whether "others wreck us, or we wreck ourselves." The consequences are the same. Nor is it so much the point itself at issue which concerns us-(for that may be of little or no moment), but the effect which it may have upon our life and conduct, or upon the life and conduct of others. A man, for example, who thinks it religion to frown upon every harmless amusement and to tear himself from every social affection, if he acts from conscience, vitiates no rule of faith. But his overstrained feelings occasion the disgust of his neighbour and the abandonment of duties which his situation demands. Thus a series of evils arise, indirectly but certainly, which he never could contemplate; and therefore the utmost precaution is required, in order that we may not become to our weaker brethren a stumbling-block or rock of offence. This we cannot always avoid; but where we can, it is our duty to do so.

We read, that " to whom little is forgiven, the same loveth little." Mary was forgiven much, and she loved much: her gratitude rose in proportion. When, at a later period, her sister Martha "was cumbered with much serving". she continued placidly at the feet of her Lord,

120

SERMON IX.

PETER'S DENIAL OF CHRIST.

And Peter went out and wept bitterly.-LUKE Xxii. 62.

THROUGHOUT the whole history of the Bible, there does not exist a more extraordinary fact than the one alluded to in this part of St. Peter's life. Never did human nature afford such melancholy proof of frailty-never was there a more striking lesson of caution given to the race of man.

On the evening in which our Lord had appointed to eat the passover with His disciples, Peter and John were sent forward to make the necessary preparations. "And when the hour was come, he sat down, and the twelve apostles with him." At table, a conversation commenced relating to the future, and Christ announced to His disciples, that by one of them He would be betrayed. With the exception of Judas, all might have indignantly disowned the charge: but it is singular, that instead of the warm protestations of an impossible occurrence, each of them diffidently asks-" Lord, is it I?" Here we observe none of that proud assurance of

beam of Him and of His grace. It is His allperfect light-His ever-glorious Essence!

Let none then despair, though his sins be red as crimson. There is a remedy for every illfor crime of deepest dye—a remedy which never fails, if it be sought for with penitence and prayer. Christ still retains the same forgiving power which He so readily extended to the weeping Magdalene-the same disposition to relieve distress, and the same promptitude to reward genuine affection. "Come," says He, "unto me, ye that are heavy laden, and I will refresh you." Ye, whose sins and whose sorrows weigh you to the earth-ye, upon whom eternal justice is ready to fall-ye, who have drunk deep at the bitter fountain of iniquity, come hither; come with repentance-come with prayer, and I will send you away in peace. I will refresh and change you. Your sins, which are many, shall be forgiven-your afflictions, which they have occasioned, shall be removed-your hopes, which they have blasted, shall bud afresh. You shall inherit those eternal mansions, prepared for the holy and the just; and taste of that happiness "which eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither hath it entered into the heart of man to conceive."

not crow this day, before thou shalt deny that thou knowest me."

Peter's affection for his Master was undoubted; and the supposition that a thing so contrary to his heart's most powerful emotions could not occur, would be the natural belief of all men, from that age down to this. But ought it to have been under circumstances of such a nature? Peter well knew the Divine character-the prescient faculties of his Lord. He was thoroughly convinced that truth only issued from His lips; and it might, therefore, have given rise to some prudent distrust-some modest hesitation-some prayer for help-some urgent entreaty, either to avert the danger, or enable him to endure it. But no-Peter rested upon his own strength -upon his own confident belief of integrity, and, in the moment of trial, he became as a reed shaken by the wind, as a house built upon the sand.

Pursuing the history of this eventful period, we find, that they passed from the guest-chamber to the Mount of Olives. In this place it would seem, from St. Mark, that Jesus again spoke of the smiting of the shepherd and the dispersion of his sheep. Again did Peter reiterate his assurance in language still more vehement: "If I should die with thee, I will not deny thee in any wise."

They were now in Gethsemane; and Jesus,

full of the arduous duty which He had to undergo, retired to hold communion with the Father and the Holy Spirit. Peter, and James, and John, accompany Him: but the secret oppression, the mysterious agonies of His celestial nature weighing Him to earth, He proceeds alone, with an injunction to the three to "watch and pray, lest they enter into temptation:"-and He thereby shows they might have avoided it—that it was not inevitable. He returns and finds them all asleep: but let it be observed, that the reproach is only made to Peter. "Simon, sleepest thou? couldst thou not watch one hour?" Couldst thou not, on the very eve of denying thy Lord-of uttering falsehood on falsehood, blasphemy on blasphemy -couldst thou not watch and pray but for an hour? Thy danger foreknown, dost thou pay so little regard to its offensive character-to the shame, the sorrow, the remorse that await thee? Arise and pray; temptation is at hand; if thou wilt not pray, most surely thou wilt fall. "And while he yet spake, behold a multitude; and he that was called Judas, one of the twelve,went before them, and drew near unto Jesus to kiss him."

In this distressing exigence, while all the spirits of the disciples were perplexed and their hearts failing them, Peter, as if urged by what had passed to greater energy-as if stimulated by what seemed an imputation on his courage, and by hearing those around debate upon resist