Peters teares A sermon, preached at S. Maries Spittle, the xv. of Aprill 1612. By Thomas Iacksonne Bachelour in Diuinitie, and preacher of Gods holy word at Wye in Kent.

PETERS TEARES .

And immediatly the Cocke crew ; Then Peter remembred the words of Iesus , which he had sayd vnto him , before the Cocke crow , thou shalt deny me thrice : so he went out and wept bitterly .

Math 26 74.75 .

IT is a true saying of the Wiseman ( Right Honorable , 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 . Sept●agînt . Tempus et tempestitas . Tremell . right Worshipfull , and dearely beloued men , breathren , and fathers , ) that to all thinges , and to euery purpose vnder Heauen , there is ( as in most languages it is varyed ) a time and season ; a a Ecclesi. 3.1 . Judas had a time to betray his Maister , for Christ left him to himselfe , but Peter had the season to repent ; for so soone as he had denyed , the Cocke crew , and his Maister looked backe : now it is the season which is as the salt , which seasoneth all our actions ; * * Salactionum . for whatsoeuer is vnseasonable , is distastfull : And therefore , howsoeuer my Text may seeme vnseasonablely handled ( in regard of the particular ) and as a dolefull Dittie in this time of mirth : yet ( in regard of the generall ) it is high time and season , for all to mourne for their sinnes ; and therefore be it seasonable or vnseasonable , ( as the Apostle sayth ) b b 2. Tim. 4.2 . I purpose , by Gods grace , to be instant in this : And as Christ bid his hearers , Remember Lots wife ; c c Luk. 17.32 . so I say to you all , Remember Peter , and let your cheekes be watered , and all your actions seasoned with the brinish teares of vnfaigned repentance : Weepe in sorrow for your sinnes , the cause of Christes death : and laugh for ioy , for his resurrection , whereby ye are iustified from your sinnes : Weepe in ioy , and reioyce in weeping ; keepe a meane in both : a a Rom. 4. vlt. This if I shall procure my Theame , with the time , shall be both fitte and profitable , * * Commodum et accommodum . and all of vs shall depart hence pertaking in Salomons Blessing ; A word spoken in due season , is like Apples of Gold , with pictures of Siluer : which God graunt it may be .

The Gospell specially mentioneth and recordeth the stories of three , that were ledde into great temptations ; viz. Christ , Peter , and Iudas : Christ was ledde of that good spirit , whereof he was full : b b Luk. 4.1 . Peter , of that presumptuous spirit , which sayd to Christ , Though I should die with thee , I will not denie thee : c c Math. 26.35 . and Judas , of that wicked spirit , which after the Soppe , entred into him , and put it into his heart to betray him : d d Ioh. 13.2.27 . That good spirit which led Christ to the combate , gaue him power to ouercome : that presumptuous spirit , which ledde Peter , fled and forsooke him : that wicked spirit which led Judas , betrayed and ouerthrew him . Sathan thrust at Christ , and he fell not ; he thrust at Peter , and he fell , and rose againe , for his Maister helped him ; he thrust at Iudas , and he fell , and neuer rose , for his Maister forsooke him . Sathan winnowed Christ , and found all Wheate ; he winnowed Peter , and found much Chaffe ; he winnowed Iudas , and found nothing but Chaffe : he found all good in Christ , some good in Peter ; but no good in Judas : Christ was the trueth , both in heart and tongue ; Peter had trueth in heart , but not in tongue ( for his Maister had prayed for him that his Fayth might not fayle , e e Luk. 22.32 . ) and Judas had neither trueth in heart nor tongue ; for with wordes of peace , he betrayed him ; Hayle Maister f f Mark . 14.45 . Christ is the Father of the Elect , who knew no sinne : g g 2. Cor. 5. vlt. Peter a true Jabez , h h 1. Cron. 4.9 . the sonne of Sorrow , for his sinne : but Judas , that childe of Perdition , a a Iohn . 17.11 . and dyed in his sinne . In Christ , we haue the example of a spotlesse Redeemer ; in Peter , an example of a repenting Elect : but in Iudas , the example of a desperate Reprobate . Christ is a blessed example for imitation , that we may not sinne : Peter a sweete president of consolation , if through weaknes we doe sinne : but Iudas , a fearefull patterne of iust dereliction , to all such as continue in sinne : But Peter , is the subiect of my speach .

The vices aswell as vertues , the slippes and falles , aswell as the steadfast standinges , and vpright walkinges ; the crimminations aswell as commendations , of Gods best Seruantes , are fully and faythfully in holy Writ recorded ; Noahs drunkennes , aswell as his vprightnesse : a a Gen. 6.9.9.11 . Lots Incest , aswell as the grieuing of his righteous Soule : b b Gen. 19.33 . 2. Pet. 2.8 . the weaknesse of Moses at the waters of Meribah , when he spake vnaduisedly with his lippes , aswell as his zeale , when he brake the Tables as he came downe from Mount Sinaj : c c Num. 20.7 . Psal. 106.33 . Exod. 32.9 . Ionah his flying towards Tharsis , aswell as his preaching in Niniuie : d d Ionah 1.3 4. And to conclude with mine example ( passing ouer many others ) Peters denying , aswell as his confessing : nay rather the former , then the latter ; for whereas all the Euangelistes make report of his threefold deniall , e e Math. 26.69 . Mar 14.66 . Luk. 22 55. Ioh. 18.25 . onely one , recordeth his three-fold confession ; f f Ioh. 21.15 . not as if holy men of God were herein led & mooued , as carnall men are , who take a delight to be talking off , and blasing abroad the sins of others , either because in malice they would disgrace them , as Cham did his father : g g Gen. 9.22 . or in hipocrisie , commende their owne righteousnesse and holinesse , as the proud Pharisie dealt with the Publicane ; h h Luk. 18.11 . but therefore haue the holy Scribes , faythfully chronicled their owne sinnes , aswell as others , for the glory of God , and the good of his Church ; i i Iren lib. 4. cap. 45. for in their sinnes and repentance , as in a Looking-glasse of Christall , we may see and obserue ; First , Sathans malice and subtiltie , First vse . Sathans malice . who goeth about seeking whom to deuoure , and euer hateth them most , whom God loueth best ; that so we may watch continually . a a 1. Pet. 5.8 . Second vse . 2. Mans weakenes . Secondly , mans frayltie and weakenesse , if God leaue euen the best neuer so little to himselfe , that he that thinketh he standeth , may take heede , least he fall ; b b 1. Cor. 10.12 . yea condole & commiserate him that is fallen , as that reuerend Father , who with teares lamented the fall of his brother , saying ; Hee hath fallen to day , and I not vnlikely to fall tomorrow : c c Ille hodiè , et ego cras . Barn . de resurrect. dom. ser. 2. Thirdly , Gods mercy in putting vnder his hand , in raysing his children againe , and forgiuing them greatest sinnes , vpon their true repentaunce , that so we may neuer despayre .

3. Vse . 3. Gods mercy . And specially , it was requisite that Peters sinne should be knowne , that therin we may see Christes veritie , and Peters vanitie . * * Veritatem Christi , et vanitatem Petri. Hofmeist . in mar . Christ prophesied before the Cocke crow , thou shalt deny me thrice , and he did so : Peter promised , though I should die with thee , I will in no case deny thee ; d d Math. 26.34.35 . but he did not so : let God then be true , and all men lyers . e e Rom. 3.4 . Diuision .

In this Story , two thinges are principally to be obserued , viz. Peters Fall , and his Rysing againe : his Sinne , and his Repentance : As concerning his Sinne , it is to be noted , that though most , or all of the Apostles , be touched in the Gospell , for some infirmitie or other ; as the two Sonnes of Zebodie for ambitious affectation of Superioritie : f f Math. 20.21 . Thomas for his Incredulitie : g g Iohn . 20.26 . all of them often for their little Fayth , as in the Storme vpon the sea , h h Math. 8.26 . and when they so reasoned amongst themselues , because they had no Bread : i i Math. 16.8 . yea for vnbeliefe , as when they could not cure the Lunaticke ; k k Math. 17 , 20. and for hardnesse of heart , because they belieued not such as had seene him , being rysen vp againe : l l Mar. 16.14 . and lastly , for a feare-fullnesse ; for when he was apprehended , all the Disciples forsooke him & fled &c. m m Mar. 14.15 . Yet are the infirmities of Peter , both for number and measure discouered to exceede all the rest ; as his rashnesse in aduenturing to walke vpon the Sea ; a a Math. 14.29 . his vnaduised speach vpon the Mountaine ; Maister , it is good for vs to be heere , let vs buylde three Tabernacles : b b Math 17.14 . his vncharitablenesse , Maister , how often shall I forgiue my brother , till seauen times ? c c Math. 18.21 . his foole-hardinesse in drawing his Sword , and cutting off Malchus eare ; d d Iohn . 18.10 . and his curiosity asking Christ , concerning Jhon , What shall this man doe ? e e Iohn . 21.21 . I say besides these , which were but as common infirmities , and pettie slippes , there are three great sinnes recorded and aggrauated by the holy Ghost , and stood vpon by the Fathers viz.

First , 1. Sinne. . his fearefull disswading of Christ from going to Ierusalem the place of his Passion ; f f Math. 16.22 . Wherein he was an enemie to the Passion of Christ , & by consequent , to the Redemption of the elect . Secondly , 2. Sinne. . his hipocriticall seperating of himselfe , by which his euill Example , as by a law he did constraine or compell the Gentiles to Judaize ; g g Gall. 2.15 . for which Paul zealously withstood him to his face . Thirdly , his desperate , 3. Sinne. . perfidious , and most execrable denyinge , forswearinge , and anathomatizing or cursinge of himselfe if he knew the man : which sinnes , are not discouered by those holy pen-men , to disgrace their worthy Colleague ; nor by me rehearsed , to derogate any thinge , from the blessed memorie of so worthie an Apostle ( as Porphirie and Faustus the Manithie did : ) But that Man may be ashamed for presuminge , God for euer praysed for pardoning ; and the preposterous zeale of the Romanistes brideled , for ascribing two much vnto him : and so ceasing any further to speake of that sinne , which is so clearely washed away with the bloud of Christ ; forgiuen and forgotten of God ; I will proceed to breake the Bottle of Teares which he shed for his sinne , wherein he is an Example teaching all that haue sinned , how to turne vnto God , that they may be pardoned : For the more profitable handling whereof , these partes are to be obserued .

Deuision . First , the meanes of his Repentaunce , ( And immediatly the Cocke crew , and Peter remembred . ) Secondly , the Testification of his repentaunce , ( So he went our and wept bitterly . ) Concerning the Meanes ; the time is to be noted , when these Meanes were vouchsafed vnto him , ( Immediatly : ) then the Meanes themselues , which were of two sortes , viz. Externall , and Internall : The meanes Externall two , viz first ( the Cockes crowing ) and ( as S. Luke addeth ) Jesus his looking backe vpon him : ) The meanes Internall two , viz. ( his remembring of his Maisters words : ) & ( as S Marke addeth ) the waying of thinges with himselfe : ) The Testification of his Repentaunce , was two-fold , viz. first his breaking out of the company , and forsaking of their fellowship , by whom he had been so occasioned to sinne , ( so he went out : ) and secondly , his sorrow for his sinne , ( hee wept , yea , and that bitterly : ) of which , in order ; and though not all that might be sayd of euery little , yet a little of euery part , as the time and your patience , or both , will giue leaue .

1. Part , the time when the meanes of Peters repentance , were affoorded . The first thing to be considered , is the Time , when God vouchsafed to Peter , the blessed meanes to reclaime or recall him ; which is the more carefully to be obserued , because all the Euangelistes doe purposely front the Storie of his Repentance therewith , and yet dispatch it in one word , ( Immediatly , a a 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 Statim . ) or ( as S. Luke hath it ) while he yet spake , b b 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 Adhuc loquente . Doct. Euen whilst he was swearing and cursing , the Cocke crew , and ( as it were ) tooke the wordes out of his mouth ; which circumstaunce teacheth : That though God see good to let his Children fall , yet he will not long leaue them , and suffer them to lie in sinne ( as S. Iohn sayth this wicked world doth ) c c 1. Iohn . 5 19 but will seasonably and speedily put vnder his hand to helpe them vp againe ; and strike their heartes , before they be canterized a a 1. Tim. 4.2 . through custome , which taketh away the sense of sinne . No sooner had Adam eaten of the forbidden fruite , and forfeited that excellent Glorie of his Creation ; but in the coole of the day , God came and called vnto him , Adam where art thou ? b b Gen. 3 9. No sooner had Dauid receiued the number of his people , but his heart smote him . c c 2. Sam. 24.10 No sooner was Jonah got into a shippe and vnder sayle for Tharshish , but the Lord sent out a great wind , d d Ionah . 1.4 . dispatched a Pursiuant from Heauen , to attache him , shipped vengeaunce in a Whirle-wind , which sayled aloft in the ayre , to ouertake and bring in againe that fugitiue Prophet : And surely Peter receiued no lesse grace , for euen whiles he was speaking , swearing , and cursing , the Cocke crew , and called vpon him for repentaunce .

The Reasons hereof are principally these two ; first , 1. Reason . because Sathan maketh great haste , to driue men downe the staires vnto Hell . What they doe , he would haue them doe quickly ; if he might haue his will , no man should swallow his spittle , before he were in the lowermost Hell : see how hasty he was with Euah , that in so little a time , had gotten her , looke vpon , lust for , eate of , and giue to her husband . What haste did Jonah make towards Tharshish , downe to the key , found a shippe , payed the fare , and downe in it ? What haste did Peter make ? in how little a while , was he come to the feare-full height of sinne ? a presumer , a denier , a forswearer , a curser ; Lord what would haue become of him , if his Maister had let him alone a while longer ? But ( Immediatly ) the Cocke crew .

Secondly , because continuance in sinne , and custome , 2. Reason . taketh away sense , and breedeth incurable hardnesse ; yea the greater and nearer daunger is at hand , the lesse it is perceiued ; Peter is come to the very threshold of Hell , a a Ad lìmen inferni . Orig. and seeth it not : as Dauid swore to Ionathan : As the Lord liueth , there is but a steppe betwixt me and death ; b b 1. Sam. 20.3 . so there was but one steppe more , and Peter had been in the bottomlesse pitte : wherfore as a man that will saue the Lame that is alreadie in the mouth of the Lyon , must make haste ; that will saue the Brand from burning , must make haste to pull it out of the Fire ; so God maketh haste to saue a sinner . When Peter walked vpon the sea , he no sooner began to sincke , but he cryed out , Maister saue me ; c c Math. 14.30 . serua domine . But now that he is in farre greater daunger , sincking into the floods of sinne , yea suncke to the very chinne , he seeth no danger , but holdeth on ; yet such was his mercie , whom he denied , that remembring him , who had forgotten himselfe , ( Immediatly ) the Cocke crew .

Vse . The vse is , that as God is in loue hasty , when wee haue sinned , to affoord vs the meanes of repentance and saluation : So we in wisedome make haste , by the vse of them , to turne vnto God ; for he is blessedst that sinneth not : next to him , is he that soonest repenteth , according to that of Dauid , Blessed is the man that doth not walke in the counsell of the wicked , nor stand in the way of sinners , nor sit in the seate of the scornefull : d d Psal. 1.1 . For if from suggestion , wee proceed to consent ; from consent , to delight ; from delight , to action ; 1. Meanes externall . from action , to custome ; from custome , to senselesnesse , to haue no pricke , no remorse , no dislike , woe be vnto vs .

The first externall meanes , whereby Peter was brought to the sight and sorrow of his sinne , was the crowing ( of the Cocke . ) The Grecians will , that a Cocke be so called in their tongue , because by his crowing , he doth waken men , and rayse them out of their beddes : * * 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 ex priuatiua perticula , et 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 tubile quod excitet e tubii , Aristoph . He crew , as we say in English ; or lift vp his voyce , according to the Greeke ; e e 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 , vocem emisit , vociferatus est Montan. or according to the vulger , he songe : f f Cantauit , Galli cantus . And this is the ordinarie phrase with the Latines , The song or singing of the Cocke : and well may his crowing be called singing , because when he is fattest or best liking , and findeth his hotte nature refreshed with the coldnesse of the night , and vapors of the ayre , he croweth most , and ( in his kinde ) as with a song , doth prayse his Creator : a sweete domesticall Creature , by singing , teaching vs to lift vp our heartes , and to prayse our God with our tongues ; from whom , euery good and perfect gift proceedeth : But I proceede from the Letter , to Obseruations .

Wise Philosophers haue obserued , 1. Obseruation . that Cockes by crowing , doe wake men out of sleepe , and therfore lay-on towards day , when it is time to awake ; and also foretell a shower comming . a a Zanch. de operib . Dei . lib. 3. cap. 4. Thest. 5. de signis pluuiae . Peter is fast on sleepe in the bedde of carnall securitie , and must be awakned , or else he sleepeth in death for euer ; b b Psal. 13.3 . a shower of teares is at hand , not for the causing of his bedde onely to swim , c c Psal. 6.6 . But as when God destroyed the old World , the Windowes of Heauen were opened ; d d Gen. 7.11 . so the Sluces and Flood-gates of Peters eyes are to be opened , and such Fountaines to breake out , as if his little world were to be drowned with teares , no maruell then , though the Cocke crow .

Obserue we also the extent of Gods gracious prouidence , who is so great in the greatest thinges , 2. Obseru. as he is not lesser in the least . * * Ita magnus in maximis , vt non minor in minimis . There haue been Philosophers who thought , that the Gods had no regard of humane affayres ; whose opinion ( sayth Tullie ) if it be true , what pietie can there be , what sanctitie , what Religion ? Others , though they went not so farre , as to exempt all thinges , yet they withdrew the smaller from the Heauenly prouidence ; for it was thought most iniurious , to bring downe the Maiestie of God so low , as to the husbanding of Bees and Pismyres ; as if in the number of the Gods , there were some Myrmecides , to carue out the smaller workes . * * Minutorum operum fabricator . Another sect of Philosiphers , viz. the Peripateticks , who housed the prouidence of God aboue the Moone , and thought it had no desent beneath the cyrcle thereof , to intend inferyor businesses , like those Epicures who sayd , ( or at least Eliphaz , in their names ) How should God know ? can he iudge through the darke clouds ? The clouds hide him that he cannot see , and he walketh in the cyrcle of heauen ; a a Iob. 22.13.14 Aueroës , sirnamed the Commenter , a Spanish Phisition , that he may seeme to be madde with reason , by reason fortifieth the former iudgement , for he thinketh , that the knowledge , and vnderstanding of God , would become vile , if it were abased to these inferior , and infirmer obiectes : But from the Schoole of God we learne , that ( wherof these wise Ethnicks were ignoraunt ) that our God , though he haue his dwelling on high , yet he abaseth himselfe , to behold the thinges in Heauen & Earth , b b Psal. 113.6 . as he made all thinges by his word ; c c Psal 33.6 . so he beareth vp all thinges by his mightie word : d d Heb. 1.3 . or ( according to the Hebrew phrase , who vse the Abstract for the Concrete , the Substantiue for the Adiectiue , or Epithite ) with the word of his power . e e D. King L. B. of Lond. on Iona. lect. 10. His Creation , was as the Mother to bring foorth ; his Prouidence , as the Nurse to bring vp : his Creation , a short Prouidence ; his Prouidence a perpetuall Creation : his Creation gaue beeing ; his prouidence maintayneth in beeing : his Creation , erected the Fabricke ; his Prouidence keepeth reparation f f Plenus negotiideus . Cicer. de nat. deo . In a word , ( as a Heathen man sayd ) he is full of businesse ; g g Ioshu. 10.13 . all eye , to obserue ; and all hand , to dispatch all businesse : by it the Sunne mooueth , for he made it to stand , h h Esay . 38.8 . yea to goe backe : i i Iob. 38.25 . the Raine falleth , for the Cloudes are his Bottles : k k Psal. 77.18 . the Ayre ratleth , for it is the glorious God that maketh the thunder : l l Psal. ●35 . 7 . the Wind bloweth ; m m Math. 10.29 . for he bringeth it out of his treasure : n Birdes doe flye , o o Math. 6 28. Plants and Grasse doe grow , p p Ionah . 1. vlt. Fishes doe swimme , Wormes doe bite ; b b Ionah . 4.7 . yea , and ( to conclude with my Text , ) Cockes do crow , Immediatly the Cocke crew ; for hee that gouerneth all thinges , had sayd , Before the Cocke crow , thou shalt deny me thrise . c c Iohn . 23 vlt.

The second externall meanes , was Christ his looking vpon him , for so S. Luke sayth ; 2. Meanes externall . The Lord turned backe , and looked vpon Peter : d d Luk. 22.61 . and this I call Externall , in regard of the Act , though it were Internall , in regard of the effect . For this , this , was it that wounded his heart ; he denied and repented not , because his Maister looked not vpon him ; he forsware and repented not ; but when he cursed himselfe , he repented , for his Maister looked vpon him ; Peter had thought his Maister had not heard or knowen , or regarded his words ; But he that knew when he was thronged that some faythfull body had touched him , for vertue was gone out of him : e e Luk. 8.46 . now knew that his faythfull disciple , had forsworne him , & that it was high time , that vertue should proceede from him , for to cure him ; and therfore most graciously turned backe , & looked vpon him , that by seeing Peter , he might cause Peter to see his sinne , & repent of it : Which yet the act of seeing could not effect , for euery one repented not , that Iesus looked on , for doubtles , he looked on Iudas , when he gaue him the soppe , yea he spake most louingly & mildly to him when he came with souldiors to apprehend him , friend wherfore art thou come ? f f Math. 26.50 and Iudas betrayest thou the sonne of man with a kisse ? g g Luk. 22.48 . wordes which might haue broken his heart , if hee had not been dead in sinnes ; Hee doth but looke vpon Peter , and it serueth the turne ; For with Christ his bodily eye , the sweete influence of his grace and spirit , being conuayed to his soule , he repented vnfaignedly , and no meruaile , for how could he remayne in the darknesse of his denyall , whom the light of the world , had so graciously looked vpon ? h h Non enim fieri poterat , vt in negationis tenebris permaneret , quem lux perspexerat mundi . Gloss. Ordin .

Now hath Peter that blessing , which the Church so earnestly begged , Aryse ô North , and come ô South , and blow vpon my Garden , that the Spices thereof may flow out : a a Cant. 4. vlt. the Garden is the Soule , the Spices are the sweete graces of Fayth , Repentaunce , Loue , Zeale : The Northerne winde , are the cold and chilling blastes of Sathans temptations ; the South winde , the warme meelding , and fruitfull breath of Gods spirit : the tender graces of Peters soule haue been frozen , nipped in the head , and blasted with Sathans temptations . Oh it was a cold time with Peter , b b Algebat affectu . Well doth the Euangelist note , that Peter went to warme himselfe at the Fire , for it was cold : c c Iohn . 18.18 . yet was he colder in his soule , * * Magnum frigus est vbi Christus non agnoscitur . Ferus de pass. pag. 273. then in his body , though he perceiued it not . But now the South wind bloweth , the Sunne of righteousnes shineth : d d Malach. 4.2 . and he whose eyes are like a flame of fire , e e Reu. 1.14 . looking vpon him , his graces flow , and he doth euen melt into teares .

1. Obseru. Our Obseruations for instruction , are of two sortes : the first is , from the Historie we may obserue , the infinite loue of Christ towardes poore sinners : he is but newly come foorth of the Garden , where , in his agonie and distresse , he sweat like droppes of blood ; and is now in the very throng of his enemies , where his Eares glow to heare their Blasphemies , his Eyes dazle to see their derisions , his Cheekes swell with their buffetinges , * * Inter calumnias sacerdotum , inter falsitates testium , inter caedentium et conspicentium iniurias constitutus , turbatum discipulum respicit . Leo. de pass. dom. Serm. 3. Apostrophe . and all his body soare , yea blacke and blew , with their nippinges and punsings ; yet in the midst of all these his troubles and indignities , he remembreth poore Peter , his most vnworthy Disciple , and graciously looked vpon him . Oh sweete Iesu , that vouchsafedst such fauour to him , that slept in the Garden , followed a farre off in the way , and hath denyed in the Hall ! that remembrest him , who forgot thee ; and vouchsafest to looke vpon him , that sware he neuer knew thee . Did hee thus remember Peter when he was in the deapth of such mortall miserie , and hath he forgotten vs , now he is in the height of such immortall Glory ? No , no , he remembreth whereof we be made , and knoweth both how and when we sinne ; and though we deserue to be left vnto our selues , yet will he not fayle in good time , to put vnder his hand , and helpe vs vp againe .

Secondly , from the mysterie we may obserue , 2. Obseru. the meanes of a sinners conuersion , and meanes of his recouery by repentaunce , the Cocke is the Minister of the word , * * Vox Galli , predicatio resipiscentiae . Muse . who cryeth aloude , & lifteth vp his voyce , like a trumpet , and sheweth the people , their transgressions and sinnes ; a a Esay . 58.1 . such a Cocke , was Nathan to Dauid , thou art the man ; b b 2. Sam. 12.7 . Jonah to Nineuie , yet fourty dayes , and Nineuie shall be destroyed ; c c Ionah . 3.4 . John Baptist to Judeah , Repent , for the Kingdome of Heauen is at hand ; d d Math. 3.2 . Peter to Jerusalem , Repent and turne , that your sinnes may be put away . e e Act 3.19 . But the Cocke by crowing could not awaken him , for he crew once , and Peter repented not ; Then the second time he crew ; f f Mar. 14. vlt. yea he might haue crowen a thousand times in vayne , had not his Maister looked vpon him : whervpon the reuerent fathers comment sweetly , he denyed first , and wept not , because his Maister looked not vpon him ; he denyed the second time , and wept not , because yet his Maister looked not vpon him ; but he denyed the third time , and wept bitterly , for his Maister , then looked vpon him . * * Negauit primo , et non fleuit , quia non respexerat dominus . Chrisost. in loc. Alub , lib. 10. Comment. in Luc. This teacheth vs , that it is not the outward ministry of the word only , be it neuer so excellent , that is able to worke repentaunce in the heartes of the hearers ; let the Preacher be who he will , one of a thousand , g g Iob. 33.23 . for the excellencye of his giftes ; as prompt in the law of God , as Ezra ; h h Ezra . 7.6 . as mightie in the Scriptures as Apollos ; i i Act. 18.24 . as eloquent to quicken and enliue his speach , as if he spake with the tongue of an Angell ; k k 1. Cor. 13.2 . as paynefull as Paul , who laboured more then they all ; * * 1. Cor. 15.10 . As blameles of conuersation , a a Luke . 1.6 . as Zacherie ; b b mar. 6.20 . let the people heare neuer so gladly , as Herod heard Iohn ; c c Ezech. 33.32 . neuer so earnestly , as the Jewes heard the Prophet , as one that had a pleasaunt voyce , and could singe well ; d d Acts. 20.7 . let them heare neuer so long , as those that heard Paul vntill midnight ; let the matter handled , be neuer so heauenly & gratious , as all the Synagogue wondred at the gratious words , which proceeded out of Christs mouth ; e e Luke . 4.22 . yet if the Lord giue not a blessing , it is but the bitter sauour of death , vnto death , f f 2. Cor. 2.16 . for though Paul himselfe Plant and Apollo water , it is God , and God only , that must giue the increase . g g 1. Cor. 3.6 .

Vse . Let not then any Minister , be puffed vp with an high conceipt of his giftes , though neuer so excellent ; for what hath any man that he hath not receaued , h h 1. Cor. 4.7 . nor yet contemne his brother , though farre meaner , for God vseth weake meanes , to confound the mightie ; i i 1. Cor. 1.29 . neither let the people haue the Persons of Gods Ministers , in factious admiration , to say I am of Paul , I am of Apollos , & I am of Cephas ; k k 1. Cor. 1.12 . But let Ministers giue louingly to one another , the right hands of fellowship ; l l Gal. 2.9 . & let all the people haue all Gods Ministers in singuler loue for their Works sake ; m m 1. Thes. 5.13 . and let both Ministers and people , pray to God for a blessing ; & if we see any fruite of our labours , or yee reape comfort and good by our Ministry ; let not the least of Gods glory cleaue vnto vs , but all , be giuen vnto him , that hath looked vpon vs , and blessed vs .

Application . To conclude this poynt , with Application to our selues , consider what I say , and the Lord , giue you vnderstanding in all things ; n n 2. Tim. 2.7 . we haue all of vs sinned with Peter , God and euery mans conscience know best how , Gods Cocks haue crowen againe and againe , how many hundred times hath God knocked at the portals of our consciences , by the Ministry of his word , to awaken vs , and yet we sleepe and snorte in sinne : yea his Cocks crow thicke , great is the number of diligent , and faythfull Preachers , for the darcke night of sinne and ignoraunce , is almost ouer , and the long looked for day of glory , and eternall saluation , beginneth to dawne , and no man knoweth whether this day , or this night , the last Cocke shall crow , euen the Trumpet sound vnto Iudgement . Looke downe vpon vs , Lord Iesus , that at last we may repent , and mourne for our sinnes . Amen . And so much for the Externall meanes of Peters repentance ; the Internall follow , which are also two .

First , ( hee Remembred the wordes of Jesus , 1. Internall meanes . which he had said vnto him , before the Cocke crow , thou shalt deny me thrise : ) amongst the manifold graces of God , wherewith the soule of man , created after Gods image , was endewed ; that is none of the least vse , which is vsually called Memorie , * * 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 . by vertue whereof , man doth safely keepe what the minde hath once truely conceyued ; and as occasion serueth , like a faythfull Register , it doth giue the sayd knowledge backe againe to the minde , to be thought vpon , * * Memoria , qua epetit animus , quae fuerunt . Cicer. in Rhetor secund. Aristotel , de Memor. and vttered in word , and followed in deed : Great was the holinesse and happinesse of this facultie by Creation , so as man in state of innocencie had been able , to haue remembred any matter of importance , which either God had reuealed vnto him , or himselfe conceiued , by any naturall facultie : but though the memories of some men haue been wonderfull , as of Mithridate King of Pontus , who could readily speake two and twentie Languages : a a Galen , et Plin. of Seuere , that hearing two hundred verses repeated , could rehearse them againe , beginning at the last : b b Seneca de Scipso . Orat. of Thom●stocles , that desired to learne the Art of Forgetfulnesse ; yet indeed generally , by mans fall , this facultie is exceedingly weakned , euen concerning earthly thinges . Pharaohs Butler forgat Joseph , c c Cicer. 2. de Orat. the man that seeth his naturall face in a Glasse , immediatly forgetteth the fashion of it : a a Iames. 1.24 . the Disciples forgot to take Bread with them ; b b Math. 16.5 . and Trapeznutius forgot all Learning : c c Voleteran . lib. 21. yea , Messala Coruinus forgot his owne name . d d Iolin . lib. 7. cap. 24. But much more is the memorie brittle , concerning Heauenly thinges , both because the minde doth not well conceiue them , nor the affections take any great delight in them . How many good Sermons haue we heard , good Lessons haue we learned , and comfortes haue we receiued , and haue we not forgotten them ? Assuredly , many forget God himselfe ; e e Deut. 32.18 . Iudges . 3.7 . 1. Sam. 12.9 . Psam. 50.22 . yea , wee should forget the death of Christ , if it were not for the Sacrament of remembrance : I , and no maruell , for Peter forgot the wordes of his Maister , but now remembreth ; yea his memorie was not before so dull and forgetfull , but now it is as fresh and liuely : Sathan wrought vpon his memorie before , that remembring nothing , he might presumptuously runne on in sinne ; and now he worketh vpon his memorie , to set an edge vpon it , that by remembring all thinges , he may despayre for sinne : If God had left him to himselfe , I know not whether Peter had been more miserable in his first forgetting , or after remembring ; for both of them had carryed him with a full swing to Hel-ward : but now through Christ , blessed is Peter ; hee forgot , and sinned ; hee now remembreth , and repenteth .

Doct. From whose example we learne , that it is the Word , yea the holy Word of God , which is the preseruatiue and restoratiue Phisicke of the Soule ; it is a preseruatiue , for so sayth Dauid , J haue hidde thy word in my heart , that I should not sinne against thee : f f Psal. 119.11 . Yea , assuredly he had not committed Adultery , but that for a time , the God of this world , had blinded the eyes of his vnderstanding : g g 2. Cor. 4.4 . and it is a restoratiue , for no sooner did Nathan put him in minde of his sinne , but he repented , and as my Text is , Peter no sooner remembred the wordes of his Maister , but he went out , and wept bitterly .

For this cause , Sathan hath a foure-fold dangerous policie , whereby to robbe men of the vse of the word : Satan a great enimy to the word through a foure-fold pollicie . First , to keepe men from hauing the word preached vnto them ; which policie of Sathan the Apostle descried , when he wrote to the Thessalonians , First pollicie . That at the least , once or twise , he would haue come vnto them , but Sathan hindred him : a a 1. Thess. 2.18 . If herein he cannot preuaile , then hath he a second , viz. by suggesting wandring thoughtes , exposing of idle obiectes , 2. Policie . casting into drowsines & dulnes , as he did Eutichus : b b Actes . 20.9 . to make the word vnprofitable , that in hearing , they may not heare : c c Esay . 6.9 . and hence it is , that many hearers of the word yet remaine as ignorant , as if they had neuer heard at all : or if he cannot herein preuaile , then hath he a third , 3. Pollicie . viz. to hinder the remembrance of the word ; and these hearers , our Sauiour compareth to the High-way , receiuing seed : d d Math. 13.19 . and thus hee dealt with our example heere , whom hee sifted , as he doth dayly such as heare at one eare , and let it goe out at the other ; nay , whose eares are like Sieues that take in Water at one place , and let it goe out at an hundred : And this pleaseth the Deuill well , for he careth not how much men heare , so they remember nothing ; nay , to choose , he would haue men to heare much , so they forget all , that so they may stand guiltie before God , for that which they haue heard : But if all these fayle , hee hath a fourth policie , 4. Pollicie . viz. to robbe men of their Fayth , that so they may not beleeue the Word ; without which , all hearing , knowing , and remembring , are vnprofitable ; as the Apostle sayth , The Word which they heard , profited them not , because it was not mixt with Fayth , in those that heard it . e e Heb. 4.2 .

The consideration whereof , may teach vs a fourefold Wisedome : First , ( as S. 1 Vse . Iames biddeth ) To be swift to heare f f Iames. 1.19 . and to this end , to pray heartily , ( as Christ hath taught vs ) That the Lord of the Haruest would thrust foorth Laborers into his Haruest ; g g Math. 9. vlt. and to send Preachers , that people may heare the Word at their mouthes . a a Rom. 10.14 .

2. Vse . Secondly , when we heare , to take heede how we heare ; b b Luke . 8.18 . and to pray vnto God to open our heartes , as he did Lydias , c c Act. 16.14 . and his Disciple , d d Luk. 24 31. that we may vnderstand the word .

3. Vse . Thirdly , by Prayer , Meditation , Conference , and all good meanes , let vs labour to remember the Word ; for Christ hath sayd , Blessed are they that heare the Word of God , and keepe it . e e Luk. 11.28 .

4. Vse . Lastly , let vs pray vnto God , to increase our Fayth ▪ that we may beleeue his Word ; for if we heare , vnderstand , remember , and beleeue , we shall neuer fall : But if we care neither for hearing , vnderstanding , remembring , nor beleeuing , we shall sinne with Peter ; but we shall neuer repent with him , for he remembred .

But what remembred he ?

Quest. Answ. Many thinges ; Peters Memorie was neuer better then now ; Whilst he was in sinning , and before his Maister looked backe vpon him , he was like a man that hauing receiued a great rappe on the head , is astonyed and amazed : Peter thought on nothing ; but now that he is come to himselfe , what is it he doth not remember ? Now , he remembreth , how he had bene but a poore & base Fisherman , and his Maister had called him to be a Fisher of men : f f Math. 4.19 . how he had cured his wiues mother , lying sicke of a feauer ; g g Math. 8.14 . yea saued his life when he was sinking into the sea ; h h Math. 14 31. how he made him one of his inwardst friends , tooke him with him into the mountaine , when he was transfigured ; i i Math. 17.1 . & into the house when he raysed Jayrus his Daughter ; k k Luk 8.51 . & into the garden , where he was in such agonye ; l l Math. 26.37 . how he had borrowed mony of a Fish to pay his Trybute ; m m Mat. 17. vlt. and is this the requitall of all such fauoures , to deny and forsweare him ? he remembreth what a commendation Christ gaue him for his confession . Blessed art thou Symon bar Jonah ; n n Mat. 16 17. and doth he not now know that man , whom before he confessed to be the sonne of God ? he remembreth , how he had , time and time been reproued , as for disswading his Maister from Ierusalem , a a Math 16.23 . for his drowsines in the garden , Symon sleepest thou ? b b Mar. 14.37 . and for his rashe striking with the Sword : c c Iohn . 18.11 . But what reproofe may he now looke for , hauing so denyed and forsworne him ? It is hard to say what he did not remember , then what he did remember ; assuredly , whatsoeuer did aggrauate the greatnesse of his sinne , that did he now perfectly remember ; but this aboue all other , that his Maister had told him , that , Before the Cocke crew , he should deny him thrise ; as Dauid , after he had murthered Vriah ▪ saw nothing but blood : d d Psal. 51.14 . so Peter after his deniall , could heare nothing from Belles that rung , or Birdes that sung , but this dole-full dittie , Peter , thou hast denied thy Maister . By whose example ; we are to be warned ; Vse . for howsoeuer our sinnes may be super-annate , and as old Leases worne out of date , so as few remember the sinnes of their youth : yet if we haue not vnfaignedly repented of them , the time shall come , when God shall giue our Consciences such a touch , as we shall remember our sinnes with a witnesse , yea be as a thousand witnesses against our selues .

But examine we the words , and with your patience , let me paralell or ballance , a commandement and this promise togeather , that , concerning a principall Patriarch & this , a prime Apostle ; both of them deliuered , in words of greatest weight , emphasis , & signification , that can be imagined : marke how God prooued Abraham , e e Gen. 27.1 . he biddeth him not resigne or deliuer but ( Take ) not a beast , or bondman , but a ( Sonne ) not one of many , but an ( Only ) sonne ; not Jshmaell , but Isaack , the sonne of laughter , in whom he was so glad a Father ; not stubborne and disobedient , and therfore hated ; but ( Beloued ) as the bowels of his owne breast , yea as his owne soule , for in him were the Promises of saluation established ; he must not sacrifice him at his doore , but trauell three dayes iourney , to the Mount ( Moriah ) not leaue him there as an Orphant , as Moses was left in the Arke , but he must kill him , and commit slaughter vpon his flesh ; not then burie him , but burne him ; and neither spare him liuing nor dead , till he be in ashes , which with the least puffe of Winde might be scattered into a thousand places : Oh what waightie wordes are these ! and ( if God had not strengthned him ) able to haue broken his bones , and crushed him to peeces . * * D. King on Ion. lect. 2. pag. 25.

You haue heard the Commaundement , now marke this Prophecie ; ( 1. Thou ) not Judas , Herod , or Pilate , but Peter ; thou that hast been with me so long , heard my Doctrine , seene my Miracles , and made such an excellent Confession . ( 2. Mee ) not a forriner , a straunger , an enemie ; but ( Mee , ) thy Friend , Familiar , Maister , God , Creator , and Sauiour ; ( Mee , ) that was so many thousand Yeares desired and looked for ( Mee ) that haue euery way testified my loue & fauour vnto thee , euen ( Mee , ) that am now taken & ready to die for thy sinnes : ( 3. Deny ) not flie from , and forsake , or hang aloofe off , or not come neere , but ( Denie ) 4. not once in rashnes & vnaduisednes , as thou hast been often inconsiderate , but twice yea ( thrice ) as it were with purpose , and deliberation : not in a yeare , Month , or day , but in a short space , ( euen this night before the Cocke crow . ) Jehu did not march more furiously towards Jzreell , then Peter did towards Hell ; a a 2. king . 9.20 . as if he had receaued the posting commission , to salute no man by the way , and as if he had vowed , not to swallow his spittle , before he had dyued as deepe as he could , into the botomlesse pitt ; * * Sic sic iuuat ire sub vmbras . are not these words of the Prophesie , as heauie ( in their kinde ▪ ) as the words of the charge ? And yet , as the Queene of the South , would not beleeue , what was told her of Salomon , till she had seene it with her eyes , but loe then she sayd ; the one halfe was not tolde her : so , a man would not beleeue this Prophecye , and yet loe ! the one halfe is not tolde you , for the least part of his sinne was bare denying ; from thence he proceeded to swearing ; yea from thence to cursinge , and that vpon small occasions : Sathan not contented with a bare denyall , laboureth by all meanes , to make him two-folde more the childe of hell , then himselfe . a a Math. 23.15 . Preuention .

Yet was this no sinne against the holy Ghost ( as the mercilesse Nouations dreamed , who held euery grosse sin , committed by a Christian , to be the sin against the holy Ghost , & therfore to such as so fell , ( though they testified neuer so great repentance , yet ) they would not yeeld the priuiledges of the Church ; nor communicate with them in the participation of the blessed Sacramentes : ) * * Euseb. Eccles. hist. lib. 6. cap. 42. for the Apostle sayth , first , this sinne , is a knowne sinne , yea a knowen sinfullnesse ; b b Heb. 10.26 . such was not Peters ; for though he had heard Christ say , 1. Witting . he that denyeth me before men , him will I denie before my father which is in heauen ; c c Math. 10.23 . yea and in particuler , told Peter , before the Cocke crow , thou shalt deny me thryce ; yet the holy Ghost witnesseth , that he had forgotte this ; and therfore , as he gaue comfort to those that had betrayed , and denyed Christ , in the presence of Pylat , that through ignoraunce they did it ; d d Act. 3.17 . so may he take the like comfort to himselfe , in the like sinne , 2. Willing . that he did it ignorauntly and forgetfully . Secondly , the Apostle sayth , that is a willing sinne , a sinne without cause ; * * Sine vlla causa , aut causae specie , aliquid facere . Bez. yea , this is a despightfull , and malicious sin , a crucifying agayne of the sonne of God , and making a mocke of him : e e Heb. 6.6 . whereas alas Peter would , and would not ; f f Voluit , noluit . Bucer . in Hom. 9. pag. 325. the present daunger , and feare of death , 3. Malicious . extorted these Othes , and drew these execrations from Peter : his teares did sufficiently witnesse , that he could truely protest with Paul , he did not allow , that which he did ; a a Rom. 7 15. & therfore might with comfort , looke towards the mercie-seate , for sin hurteth not if it doe displease vs . * * Peccata non nocent , si non placent . Hiero. Generall . Thirdly , the Apostle sayth , that this sinne is not a perticular lapse but a generall prolapse and totall Apostasie , an vtter falling away ; b b 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 Prolab●ntes . prolapsus . it is not like a perticuler ill distemperature ” ” 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 . of some one humour , in the body , but as a generall ill disposition of the whole body : * * 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 . D. Denison Sermon at the Crosse . this is an vtter falling away from all grace , a renouncing of all Religion , & a very congeries of all abhominations : such was not Peters sinne , for his Maister had prayed for him , that his fayth should not fayle ; c c Luk 22.32 . the word in the originall , signifyeth an vtter fayling , or a fayling altogeather , neither is it to be referred to the time , but the thing , that should not fayle . d d Non dicit simpliciter , 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 , sed 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 , nec refertur ad tempus s●d ad rem Zanch. mi c. lib. 2 cap 3. pag. 148. So that Peters fayth was mooued , but not remoued ; shaken , but not shaken off ; he denyed Christ with his mouth , but beleeued in him with his heart : e e Mota , non amota . con●ussa , sed non excussa , negauit ore , sed tenuit corde . Tertul. Peter is like the Church , that sayd of her-selfe , shee slept , but her heart waked : f f Cant. 5.2 . that was but a slumber , like Eutichus g g 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 . Septu . of whom S. Paul said ; There is life in him , though he seeme dead : h h Act. 20.10 . that was but a traunce ; and in deed , such spirituall traunces and apoplexies , the best of Gods Children are subiect vnto , to draw the breath of spirituall life so inwradly , that euen to them-selues , and others , they seeme dead . And lastly , he is like a Tree in Winter , which by the barrennes of the boughs , & drynesse of the barke , seemeth dead , yet hath life in the Roote : the spirit of the temptor , like a mightie Northerne wind , had blasted , & blowne away the leaues of Peters chearefull and bold confession ; but life was in the roote , sayth remayned in the heart . 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 . Chrisost. in Luc. 22.

But though this was no sinne against the holy Ghost , it was a fearefull proceeding towardes that sinne ; and how farre he would haue gone , if he had been let alone , Admonition . the searcher of heartes knoweth ; and therefore a faire warning this is vnto all , that no man presume of the like Grace , but euery man cut off sinne betime , and destroy it whilst it is in the blossome : no man is hardened at the first , but one sinne draweth on another ; and as the Psalm ● sayth , Men fall from one mischiefe to another : and as we see a small Spring at the first runneth not farre , but becommeth a great Streame , breaketh downe banckes , and carrieth all vnresistable before it : so in the inundation of sinne , the beginning is small ; but if the current be not stopped , in the end it will become violent , breake downe the banckes of Gods threatninges , and carry a man vnresistably into destruction . Iudas was first a dissembler , a a Mar. 14.5 . then a thiefe , b b Iohn . 12.6 . then a lyer c c Math 26.25 . then a traytor , d d Luk. 22.48 . then a cursed reprobate : e e Math. 2.57 . Peter , first a presumer , then a denyer , then a swearer , and then a curser ; and if his Maister had not looked vpon him , God knoweth what he would haue been next : no man commeth to the height of misery at first , f f Nemo repentè fit miser . wherfore , If through weaknesse we sinne , ( as no man liueth and sinneth not , ) yet let vs not sleepe in our sinne , nor suffer the temples of our heads , to take any rest , till by repentaunce , we be reconciled vnto God , and haue a blessed Quietus est , sealed to our soules , and infallibly witnessed by Gods good spirit .

Lastly , here we see spirituall pryde and arrogancie fearefully corrected , Instruction . to teach vs all to walke in humilitie with God , g g Michah . 6 8. yea suspecting our selues , to cleaue fast vnto God , praying heartily , that he leade vs not into temptation ; h h Luk. 22.40 . great was the pride & arrogancy of Peter , both in regarde of his fellow Apostles , and Romayne power , yea in regard of Christ , and God him selfe : Christ told all them , All ye shall be offended with me this night , i i Math. 26.33 . Peter replyed , Though all men be offended , yet will I neuer be offended : i i Math. 26.33 . Herein he exalted himselfe aboue his Colleagues , yea aboue all men : the Romaines sent to apprehend Christ , Peter drew forth his sword , k k Math. 26.51 . and exalted himselfe against Gods ordinaunce ; l l Rom. 13 2. Christ told him playnly , that he should deny him , Peter sayd he would rather die with him , a a Math. 26.35 . & herein exalted himselfe against Christ , and contradicted him ; yea when Christ asked him , shall not I drincke of the cuppe , which my Father hath giuen me ? b b Iohn . 18.11 . he playnly intimated that in seeking to saue Christ from his passion , he exalted himselfe against God , as if he were wyser then God , to finde out another way of redemption , then he had appoynted : * * Supra Deum patrem extulit , in hoc , quod resistit voluntati eius . Brent . de pass ful . 695. and therfore most iust with God , that of an egregious presumer , he should become a most disperate denyer ; ” ” Ex egregio presumptore , creber negator effectus . August . Epist. 120. and as he lifted vp himselfe , so to let him take the greater fall , and that , first for his owne good , for as Paul deliuered the incestious Corinthian to Sathan , for the destruction of his flesh , and sauing of his spirit : c c 1. Cor. 5.5 . and Himeneus and Alexander to Sathan , that he might learne not to blaspheme ; d d 1. Tim. 1.20 . so God let this man fall , for the destruction of his carnal presumption , and that he might learne Davids lesson , not to lift vp his horne on high , 1. Vse . no more to speake presumptuously , nor suffer arrogancy to proceede out of his mouth , yea how good a scholler herein he was , the story of the gospell witnesseth ; for when our Sauiour after his resurrection , was pleased , to renew Peters pastorall commission , & to restore him from whence he had fallen , by a triple denyall ; by making a triple confession , he asked him , Peter louest thou me ? e e Iohn . 21.15 . yea , & as it were purposely to try , whether he knew himselfe any more , or would compare any more he propounded the question comparatiuely ▪ Peter , louest thou me more then these ? But Peter had paied for his comparisons , he had done with them ; * * Priori periculo doctus causius respondet . Enian . Sa. in loc. if he had asked him such a question at his last Supper , he had had a ready comparatiue Answere ; Yea Lord , I loue thee more then these , and more then all men : But now marke how humbly , and warily he answereth , * * Non iam se prefert caeteris . Toll . in loc. Lord thou knowest that I loue thee ; hee hath learned neuer to preferre himselfe before others againe : yea , when Christ asked him the third time , the Euangelist saith , Peter was sorrie , as hauing learned that Christ knew him better then himselfe , * * Re ipsa experius not inrem se Christo quam sibiipsi . Musc. and as afrayde that his owne heart deceiued him againe , hee answered with teares ; Lord , thou knowest all thinges ; thou knowest that I doe loue thee : So that he might well confesse to Gods glory with Dauid , and say , Before I fell , I went wrong , and presumed of that which was not in me ; but now I haue learned to know my selfe .

Secondly , 2. Vse . this is chronicled for the good of all Gods people , to the end of the world ; for at his cost , we may all learne how great the wretchednesse of mans nature is , and that there is no sinne we can presume we shall not fall into , if God leaue vs to our selues ; for , did Peter , that had been with Christ , heard his doctrine , and seene his Miracles ? Did Peter , that had made such an excellent confession of Christ ; and ( as it were ) tasted the ioyes of heauen vpon the holy mount ? did Peter , a Cephas , a prime Apostle , a piller in the church , did Peter , ( as it were ) the bel-weather of Gods flocke , who had protested , he would rather dye with Christ , then denye him ? Did , he I say , in so short a time vpon so small occasion , not only deny , but forsweare his maister ? Then let no man be high mynded , but feare ; a a Rom. 11.20 . he that thinketh he standeth , take heede least he fall ; b b 1 ▪ Cor. 10.12 . yea euery man worke out his saluation with feare and trembling , c c Phil 2.12 . cleauing fast vnto God , & praying him , not to leade him into temptation ; d d Math. 6.13 . Peter hath fallen , let others beware : * * Cadìt Petrus vt reliqui caueant . Hugo . in locum . let not the fall of the greater , be the imitation of the lesse : but the fall of the greater , the feare of the lesser . ” ” Non sit lapsus matorum , imitatio minorum· sed casus maiorum , sit timor minorum . Augu. in ps. 51. 2. Meanes .

The second internall meanes of his repentaunce was his wayinge and considering with himselfe ; for so ( in most translations ) it is by S. Marcke added , e e Mar. 14. vit. ( and waying that with himselfe ) as the careles banckrupt , who being priuie to the weaknesse of his estate & meaning to breake , he borroweth of euery one that will lend , and neuer considereth , how to repay it againe ; or selling his wares doth not waygh them , but deliuer at randome : so Peter in sinning , runneth in debt vnto God , and neuer once thinketh or considereth with himselfe , how it shall be satisfied ; & deliuereth his sins in grosse , as fast as any one came to be serued ; but now at the last he beginneth to waigh & ponder things ; and laying in the one end of the ballance , his Maisters Prophecy , & the fulfilling thereof ; he found them to carry waight , yea to be as heauie as Lead ; but laying in the other end , his owne Promise , and the performance thereof , he findeth it as light as the wind , yea lighter then vanitie it selfe , and most worthie of the impression of Belthashars Embleme , Thou art weighed in the Ballaunce , and art found too light ; a a Dan. 5.27 . Doct. and therefore , hee went out , and wept bitterly .

Which teacheth vs how necessary and profitable a thing it is for men to thinke & consider with themselues , what God commaundeth , promiseth , threatneth , rewardeth , and punisheth : and therewith to waigh and ponder our owne words , actions , and behauiour , that finding them too light , with Peter we may be sorry ; and with Dauid , make haste to amende ; as he sayd , J considered my wayes , & made haste to keepe thy Commaundements : but seeing this is not in the letter of my Text , no nor in the originall at all , I will passe it ouer , & come to the Testification of his repentance ; which is two-fold .

1. Testification of his repentance . First , ( Hee went out , ) if Peter had not been forewarned of the frailtie of his nature , & plainely told , and fore-told of his sinne , I should haue commended him much for his pietie , & honest affection , in following into the High-priests Hall , as earnestly desiring to see , what the issue would be , & what would become of his Maister : but seeing he was fore-warned and fore-told , and had made himselfe the more noted , by being such a stickler in his Maisters quarrell , and cutting off one of the high Pristes seruants cares ; b b Iohn . 18.10 . hee is much to be condemned , that he would so rashly offer and expose himselfe , to such violent occasions of sinne , and temptations therevnto , oh why rather did he not flie with his fellowes , or hide himselfe close in some secret place , til the storme should be ouerpast ? Neither doe I altogeather commende him for his going out , for if his heart were truly smitten with sorrow , & remorse for his sinne , why did he not make amendes , by publicke confession ? Why doth he not in an holy zeale , where and before whom he had denied , there testifie his repentaunce ? Hath he sinned in publicke , and doth he runne out at doores to sorrow in priuate ? Oh it had been much more valiant , to haue confessed , where he had denyed ; and repented , where he had sinned . ” ” Fecisset constantius et fortius , si quo loco peccauerat , eodem paenitentiam egisset . Mald. But we see his feare is not altogether ouer yet : * * Verisimile Petrum metu egressum , quia flere coram testibus non audebat . Calu. in Math. his Repentance is true , but weake ; yea the best vertues of Gods Saints , are stained with some wantes , euen their righteousnes as a menstrous Cloath : a a Esay . 64.6 . and therefore though S. Paul say truely , that Godly sorrow causeth repentance , not to be repented of ; b b 2. Cor. 7.10 . Ob. Sol. yet in some sense I may say , Peters sorrow brought foorth such a repentance , as when he had repented , he might well repent thereof ; because he had not perfectly repented in his former repentance , for , Hee went out .

Some say , this was to auoyde all appearaunce of hipocrisie . I answere , that as no sinne is more odious to God , or hatefull to Gods people , that worshippe him in spirit and trueth , then hipocrisie , and therefore most carefully auoyded by Dauid , who caused his Bedde and Couch to swimme with teares : c c Psal. 6.6 . And Ezekiah ( though he could not goe out of the roome , yet ) bee turned his face to the wall , and wept sore ; d d Esay . 38.2 . Whereas Hipocrites , neuer weepe but in publicke ; but then they haue most teares at commaunde , when they haue most witnesses thereof : * * Vt sterent oculos erudiere suos , addidit et lachrymas tanquam mundasset et illas Ouid Yet some-times to weepe in publicke , is no note of hipocrisie : are teares the Preachers praise ? Lachrymae auduorum sint laudes tua . Jerom : and are they not also the hearers prayse ? yes assuredly , & a sweet argument , as God witnessed of Josiah , that their hearts do melt ; as when the Congregation is assembled to Preaching or Prayer , and specially in time of some great humiliation ; as in the Niniuites fast : or of the aboundance of a sorrowfull spirit , the eyes gush out ; as in Hannah , who poured out her soule before the Lord. a a 1. Sam. 1.15 . Oh then , that Peter had gone so through-stitch with his Repentaunce , that as it is recorded , that in the Pharisies house , euen before all that sate at Table with him , a Woman in sorrow for her sinnes , did wash his feete with teares ; b b Luk ▪ 7.38 . so it might haue been recorded , that in the High-priestes house , there was a man , an Apostle , yea Peter , who in true sorrow , for denying his Maister before them all , did weepe bitterly before them all : but alasse , herein he fayled , through feare , he sinned publickly , and is afrayde to repent publickely ; so , hee went out .

1. Vse . Whose example , affoordeth great consolation , seeing God is well pleased with the poore endeauours , and desires ; the lame and halting obedience of his children , so that , what they do , be in trueth : and also is a fayre warning and admonition , that when we haue done any thing , Vse . ( and as we conceaue in best maner ) yet still , to suspect some want , and to confesse , we are but vnprofitable seruants , c c Luk. 17.10 . Serui inutiles sumus . we eyther , haue not done what we ought , or not in that manner we ought ; for Peter went out to weepe .

Yet finde we heere , some good , some sweete , for Peters commendation , and our imitation : first , that Peter delayeth not , 1. Commend . nor deferreth not his repentaunce , he stayeth not till his Maister be condemned & executed , but so soone as euer God stroke his heart with remorse , he made haste into some conuenient place , where he might poure out his soule , and his teares vnto God : Doct. and therby teacheth vs , with all speed , to put holy motions in effect ; pray , when God moueth thee ; read , when God moueth thee ; repent , when God moueth thee ; giue almes , when God moueth thee : quench not , checke not , grieue not the spirit ; with Cras , cras , thou knowest not , whether euer God will moue thee any more ; or at least , it may cost thee deare to recouer such motions agayne : wherfore whilst it is called to day , harden not your hearts ; but let euery soule marche valiently , when God soundeth and stryketh the drumme .

The Reason hereof is , Reason . because sinne and the allurements thereof , do neuer cleaue so fast , as when men bethinke , to part from them ; so that he that is not fitte to day , without the great mercy of God , will be lesse fitte to morrow ; * * Qui non est bodie , cras minus aptus crit. wherfore take no day with God , but as Abrahams seruant bad Laban and Bethuell , hinder me not : a a Gen. 24.56 . and the blind man in the Gospell , cast away his Cloake when Christ called him : b b Mar. 10 50. so let vs say to father , mother , husband , wife , or friend , hinder me not : yea cast away all hindrances , c c Heb. 12.1 . though as pleasant , profitable , and deare vnto vs , as right hand , or right eie ; d d Math 5 29. yea as Zache came downe hastily to entertaine Christ ; e e Luk. 19.6 . and Lot did scape for his life , out of Sodome ; f f Gen. 19.17 & ( as Paul biddeth ) let vs flee g g 1. Tim. 6.7 . from our sinnes , and make euen all the speede wee possibly can , to leaue our sinnes , when God calleth and moueth .

But now if we make Application to our selues , Application . Oh Lord how many are there , who hearing their sinnes boldly and plainely reprooued , and their Consciences thereof powerfully conuicted , that during the hearing of the Word , they haue been at least ( as Agrippa said to Paul ) almost perswaded , h h Act. 26.28 . to leaue their swearing , lying , drinking , whoring ; yea , how many are there , who when the hand of God is heauy vpon them in sicknesse , will with teares confesse their sinnes , and promise great reformation ; but are no sooner recouered , but all their good motions vanish like a mornings deaw : a a Hose. 6.4 . all their almostes come to nothing at all , they returne to their former courses , as the Dogge to hivomite ; b b 2. Pet. 2.22 . they liue , but their sicke repentance is dead ; yea euen repent , of that their repentance : * * Jpsius paenitentiae agunt paenitentiam . Ambros . de paenit . lib. 2. cap. 9. so did not Peter , the Waxe was warme , and he put too the Seale ; the Iron was hotte , and he stroke ; God gaue a good motion , and he presently put it in execution ; so , Hee went out .

2 Commend . The second thing commendable in Peter , is , that finding such great occasions and temptations , whereby he had been drawen to sinne , in the High-priestes Hal , he staieth no longer there , but went out ; yea though our Euangelist vse a word of ordinarie and milde signification ; yet S. Marke vseth a more emphaticall word , signifying , to rush out with haste , or with a speedie violence : hee came in peakingly , and by leaue and leasure ; but he goeth out with a witnesse , as if he would haue broken downe the doore , if it had been shut against him .

Doct. Whereby we learne , that it is a singuler testimonie of true Repentance , for a man to hate , and auoyde all the meanes and occasions of sinne ; the Prouerbe is , The burnt Child , will beware of the Fire : We see by experience , the Horse will not be forced to the Ditch , where he hath been plunged ; and the Dogge will not come neare , nor abide the man , that hath beat him : the Bird will come no more to the shrape , that hath once been in the Nette ; the Fish will bite no more , that hath been once wounded with Hooke ; yea , the Marriner that hath once suffered ship wracke , will not onely auoyde those Rockes and Sandes , but is also afrayde euen in greatest calmes : * * Tranquillas etiam naufragus horret . aquas . Ouid. Now amongst all the occasions of sinne , there is none more dangerous then euill company ; for can a man take Coales in his bosome , and not be burnt ? or handle Pitch , and not be defiled ? or fly with Ostriges and Pellicanes , and not grow wilde ? or dwell in the Tentes of Wickednesse , and not learne to be Wicked ? Assuredly , there is no spedier coniunction betwixt Fire & Tow , Tinder or Gunpowder , or any other such combustible matter , then there is betwixt our corrupt Nature and Sinne , vpon the least occasion , vnlesse the grace of God doe preuent it ; which thing the true penitent , by woeful experience finding , as God biddeth , Come out ; so with Peter , they runne out , and come no more amongst such , as it is a thousand to one , he shall doe no good vnto , but take much hurt from . * * Rerum natura sic est , vt quoties bonus malo coniungitur , non ex bono malus oritur sed ex malo bonus contaminetur , Chrysost. So much for the first Testification of his Repentance .

( And wept bitterly . ) Wherein two thinges are to be considered , viz. first , his Weeping ; second , the manner how , ( Bitterly . ) For the first , it is sayd , ( That he wept ) or , ( as the word signifieth ) he shedde teares aboundantly . ” ” Lachrymor , fleo , quasi fluo . Dauid had so long wept for his fins , 2. Tectificatiō of repentance . & mingled his drinke with teares , that his moysture was turned into the drought of Sommer , and his very boanes burnt like an hearth : a a Psal. 102.3.9 . Peter beginneth but now to weepe for his sinnes , but his drought is turned into the moysture of Winter ; the Clouds returne after the raine ; b b Eccles. 12.3 . one shower of teares followeth another , as if his eyes were fountaines of brine , so he wept , as if with Niobe he would transforme himselfe into a Rocke , and become a right Peter indeed ; or as hauing lost the power of Baptisme in Water , hee would now be baptised in a flood of teares .

When Christ was borne , it was a ioyfull time , and there was great mirth ; Simeon sung , and Annah sung , yea the Angels of Heauen sung , and bade the Shepheardes sing , for they brought them tydinges of great ioy , which should be to all the people : c c Luk. 2.10.13 . but when Christ suffered , it was a dolefull time , and there was much weeping ; Christ him-selfe wept , a a Luk. 19.41 . yea , and prayed with strong crying and teares vnto him that was able to saue him from death : b b Heb. 5.7 . the Disciples , they wept ; c c Mar 16.10 . the Daughters of Ierusalem , they wept ; d d Luk. 23.27 . the Sunne was darckned , and that wept ; e e Luk. 23 45. the Temple rent it Vaile , and that wept : the Stones were clouen asunder , and they wept ; f f Math. 27.51 . yea , all senseles creatures in their kindes did lament the passion of their maker : but Peter wept bitterly : others wept chiefly for Christ ; but Peter chiefly for himselfe , as his Maister counsailed , Weepe not for me , but weepe for your selues : g g Luk. 23.28 . Peter wept in passion , others wept but in compassion : nay , herein was Peters compassion true , because it began at himselfe , for howsoeuer , it is good to pittie others , and to wipe away teares from their eyes with the spunge of compassion ; as the Apostle biddeth , weepe with them that weepe ; h h Rom. 12.15 . yet the greatest compassion , and best pleasing vnto God , is for a man to haue pittie on himselfe , as the wise-man biddeth : i i Eccle. 30.23 . and to open his owne heart veine , with the launce of compunction ; how could Peter haue had pittie on his Maister , if he had had none of himselfe ? Wherefore he beginneth right ; first , for himselfe , and his owne sinnes , he wept bitterly . Which thing , he well learned from his Cocke ▪ which by clapping his winges to his owne sides , first wakened himselfe , and then Peter .

There are three thinges required to make the loue of Christ perfect in vs : 1 Trueth : 2. Wisedome : 3. Courage : * * Ad perfectam dei dilectione tria requiruntur , 1. Veritas , 2. Prudentia , 3. Fortitudo . Ferus de pass. pag 277. for so saith the Law , Thou shast loue the Lord thy God , 1. with all thine Heart , 1. truely : 2. With all thy Soule , 1. wisely : 3. with all thy Strength , a a Deut 65. 1. valiantly , and couragiously : when Peter sayd to his Maister , pittie thy selfe , this shall not be vnto thee ; b b Mat. 16.22.23 . he loued him truely , but not wisely , therfore his Maister rebuked him , Get thee behynd me Sathan : When he put vp his sword and followed Christ ; a a Math. 26.58 . he loued him truly and wisely ( hauing learned not to hinder , but to imitate , ) * * Vera est prudentia passione non impedire . sed etiam imitari . but he loued him not valiantly , he denied his Maister , and wept , that his loue was no perfecter : but after his resurrection , by his threefold confession , b b John . 21.17 . he declared , that he had attayned the third degree of perfection in loue , he loued him , as valiantly , as he did truely , and wisely : some ( I know not in what besotted charitie , or prepostrous Zeale ) haue gone about to excuse , or ( at least ) extenuate Peters fault ; that he might say , he knew not the ●a ; for he knew and had confessed him to be God : * * Nescio hominem , quia scio ●eum Hill . ●mb Copus . vide Iuel defense . Apolog. pag. 665. but ( sayth another ) we must take heed , we do not so iustifye the Apostle , as we condemne Christ of a lye , who was the trueth it selfe ; for he told Peter , thou shalt denye ( Mee ) he sayth not , my manhood , but ( Mee . ) ” ” Me negabis , non hominem . Heiron . Christ knew best , that he would do , and Peter knew next that he had done ; and in the guilt of a great sinne wept bitterly , and with his teares , doth sufficiently reprehend those that would defend him . * * Lachrymis , suos defensore● arguit . August Exposit. in Ps. 140. et tract . in Johann 66.

It is obserued by some , that Peter wept , but spake not a word ; and indeed , it may seeme strange , for Daui● confessed , a a 2. Sam 12.13 the Mariners cried , b b Ionah . 1.14 . and the Publicane prayed , God be mercifull to me a sinner , c c Luk. 18.13 . and Peter dost thou hold thy peace , thou that criedst so earnestly to Christ , when but thy body was in daunger of drowning ? Maister saue me : dost thou now hold thy peace , when as thy soule is in daunger of destroying ? What though he that made the heart and tongue vnderstand the language of both alike ; and is as neare to our reines as our lipps , the voyce of the one being no more audible to him that heareth without eares , then the intention of the other ? Hath the tongue therfore immunitie from doing that homage to the Lord , which he hath enioyned it ? No verily , as we must beleeue with the heart , so must we make confession with the mouth ; d d Rom. 10 . 1● . as Gods priestes , were appoynted to weepe betwixt the Porch and Altar , euen in the Body and Nauell of the Church ; so also to speake , spare thy people , ô Lord : a a Ioel. 2.17 . Wherfore let vs learne , ( specially in the house of prayer ) to pray with Dauid , Lord open our mouthes , and our lippes shall shew foorth thy prayse : b b Psal. 51.15 . but of Peters silence , at this time there may be these three Reasons rendred .

First reason of Peters silence . First , the Greatnesse of his Griefe ; which was such , as stopped the course of his speach , * * Curae leues loquuntur . Senec. now to remember , vpon so small an occasion , in so short a time , to deny , yea and forsweare his louing Maister ; yea , his blessed Sauiour . Oh Lord , how it astonished him ! so as for the time , he could not possibly speake , but weepe .

2. Reason . Secondly , the Greatnesse of his Shame for his sinne ; which was such , as he was ashamed to speake of it vnto God or men ; but it is no shame to weepe for that sinne , which it is a shame to confesse : * * Bene fleuit , et tacuit , lauat enim lachryma delictum , quod voce pudorest , confiteri . Amb. Wherefore Peter doth well to weepe , and hold his peace .

Thirdly , the Greatnesse of his Sinne required great intercession for pardon ; wherefore he sendeth not messengers of ordinarie nature , as a few penitent wordes , J haue sinned , 3. Reason . sayd Pharaoh and Saul ; ) but he dispatcheth his Teares as his Embassadours , * * Mittit legatos lachrymas . Cypr. lib. 2. Epist. 7. that ( if it were possible ) before the cry of his sinne should be heard in the high Court of Heauen , his Teares might pray & plead for pardon : where , of all Messengers , they are most gracious , being ( as one sayth ) ” ” Barn . in Cantic . the Blood of the soule , and Wine of the Angels : which , flowing from the Wine-presse of a brused and contrite spirit , are more forcible to perswade God , then all the Eloquence , then all the Rhetoricke in the world ; * * 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 . Cypr. therefore sayth God to Ezekiah , J haue seene thy Teares : c c Esay . 38.5 . as if these Embassadours can no sooner appeare , but Gods gracious Eye is vpon them . Yea Dauid sayth , God heard the voyce of his weeping : d d Psal. 6.8 . wherevpon one demaundeth this Question , What should the meaning of this be , trow you ? Haue Teares Tongues , I maruell ; or can they speake , that they may be heard ? and returneth this Answere ; The cloud-cleauing Thunder of the Almightie , cannot make such a ratling sound , and roaring noyse in the eares of man , as our Teares doe , in the eares of God : a a D. Playf . Serm. meane in mourning . pag. 19. so truely , the Heathen man hath sayd , they are waightie wordes . b b Interdum lachrymae , pondera vocis habent . Ouid. de Pont. lib. 3. Eleg. 1.

It is no disgrace then ( as the Heathen man imagined ) c c Nihil viro turpius muliebri fletu . Natt . de immortal ▪ anim . lib. 1. for a man to weepe ; nay , how many Examples haue we in the word , of men of great courage and valour , as Dauid , Ezekiah , Iosiah , Manasses , Peter , and others , who could hardly for any wordly occasion , no not for feare of death , haue wrung foorth one Teare ; yet for their sinnes , haue wept most bitterly , and plentifully , as if they had a certaine pleasure in weeping , d d Est piis , quaedam etiam flendi voluptas . Amb. de obit. valent . and had teares at commaund .

Yet must I not thus commend all manner of teares , without difference , for the Apostle sayth , there is a worldly sorrow , which causeth death , e e 2. Cor. 7.10 . Cayn , Saul , & Judas , were thus sorry , yea Esau , sought the blessing with teares , yet found no place to repentance , f f Heb. 12.17 . wherefore , if we would haue our teares acceptable vnto God , & put into his bottle , as the Psalmist speaketh , g g Psal. 56.8 . & haue them comfortably wiped from our eyes , h h Reu. 21.4 . they must be faythfull , and true , and declared to the world to be so , by bringing fourth fruites worthie of amendment of life ; * * Nihil prosunt lamenta ▪ vbi explicantur peccata . Aug. as Peter , who for the world , would not so sinne agayne ; Yea was euer after this time , so farre from boasting of himselfe , that he would neuer compare with any man ; i i Iohn . 21.15 . so farre from denying his Maister , that he did most boldly confesse him and his trueth , to the beards of his greatest enemyes , euen when their hands , and speare , did reake with his blood ; k k Act. 2.23 . and so of a denyer , was made a pastor ; by his tongue to gouerne others , * * Alios regen . dos accepit , qui prius se non rexit . Amb. who could not gouerne his owne :

Exhortation . Let vs not then mocke God , with a counterfeit repentaunce , * * Jrrisor est , non vere paenitens , qui adhuc agit , quod peniteat . Bara . medit . carrying sinne in one hand , & sorrow in another ; with teares washing away our former sinnes , and yet dayly defyling our selues , with the filth thereof ; but let vs become new Creatures , of proud , humble ; of hurtful , harmeles ; of cruel , meeke ; of Woolues , Lambes ; of Adulterers , chast liuers ; of Drunckerds , sober men ; of swearers , reuerent speakers ; of despysers , embracers ; of scoffers and hators of Gods trueth , friends and louers : then shall God be glorified , the deuill confounded , the world amazed , and our saluation exceedingly furthered , * * Lapsus sanctorum vtilis est . Amb. comment . in Luc. lib. 10. audeo dicere , superbis vtile esse cadere in aliquod apertum peccatum , vnde sibi displiceant . August . de ciuti . lib. 14. c. 13 though with Peter we haue sinned , if with him , we haue truely wept and repented .

( Bitterly . ) This word declareth the manner of Peters weeping , viz. hauing greiuously sinned , hee now as greatly lamented them : which teacheth vs , that true repentaunce is a bitter , yea and a paynefull thing , the paynes of whipping the body , as the Flagellants doe , or of launcing it with kniues , as the Priestes of Baa did ; Doct. or of sicknesses , ach , famine ; are not comparable to the paynes of true repentaunce ; which thing , the titles and Epithites thereof do declare : the Prophet calleth it a renting of the heart ; a a Ioel. 2.13 . what a payne is it to haue the heart rent , and ( as it were ) racked vpon tenter-hookes , and torne with grypes and conuulsions ? And Dauid saith a mans heart , must be contryte and broken , b b Psa. 51.19 . euen ( as it were ) beaten to pouder , with Godly sorrow : the Grecians call it , by such a word as signifieth , a carefull griefe , & sorrow of heart , the Latines call it , by such a word as signifyeth , payne or torment ; * * Paenitentia , a paena : paenitet , quem paena tenet . August . Examples of true penitentes , shew no lesse : it is said of Dauid , that his heart did smite him , or scourge him : c c 2. Sam. 24.10 A fit metaphore to expresse the nature of Repentance ; which is the very scourge of the soule . d d Flagellum animae . D. Denison of sinne against the holy Ghost pag. 63. In what paine was the Prophet , when he complained , My leannesse , my leannesse , woe is mee ? a a Esay . 24.16 . And that other Prophet , when he complayned , My belly , my belly ; I am payned euen at my very heart , mine heart is troubled within me , J can not be still . b b Ierom. 4.19 . And to conclude with our owne Example , in what paine was Peter , when ( as if all were turned into Gall or Worme-wood ) he wept bitterly ?

The Reason of this Doctrine , is worthy our consideration ; which is , because in Repentance , Reason . the spirit is wounded with the liuely sense and apprehension of Gods wrath against sinne , which in other Plagues of the body it is not ; and therefore in greatest distemperatures of the body , when the Bones are broken , Loines filled with a sore Disease , Woundes stincke and are corrupt , c c Psal 38.5 . and that a man may truely say with him in the Comedie ; Mine Heart is sicke , my Reynes are sicke , my Spleene is sicke , my Liuer is sicke , and all other partes are out of frame ; * * Cor dolet , renes dolent . Plaut. yet if a man haue peace with God , his Spirit will beare his infirmities : but if the Soule be sicke , and the Spirit it selfe wounded , who can beare it ? d d Prou. 18.14 . These are the onely paynes , which are like the paines of Hell , whence the Prouerbe came ; That good men haue their Hell in this life ; meaning , that the paines of Repentance , are so smart vnto them , that it differeth many times very little , from the Plagues of the other life : Which doctrine thus confirmed , yeeldeth two very necessary vses .

First , First vse . it may serue to reforme the erroneous Iudgementes of many , concerning Repentance . Some thinke , that euery Sorrow is Repentance ; but then should Worldlinges repent . Some thinke euery Confession , to be Repentance : then should Pharaoh and Saul repent ; some thinke euery weeping , repentaunce , M. Dent. Ser. of repent . pag. 7. then should Esau repent ; some thinke euery little humiliation repentance , then should Achab repent ; some thinke euery good word & promise repentaunce , then should most sicke men repent ; some thinke to crie God mercy , is repentaunce ; then should euery Foole repent : but if we remember what hath been sayd , true Repentance is more then the hanging downe of the head like a Bulrush , or to wring out a Teare , or weare Haire-cloth , or from the teeth outward to cry , Lord haue mercy on me , and so away . Oh it is a scourging , a renting , a racking of the very Soule , and a filling of the Reynes with exceeding bitternesse , and griefe for sinne .

Second vse . Secondly , heere is matter of great comfort for the godly , who are perplexed with the terrours of God , and troubled mindes , for sinne ; that they can truly say , The paines of Hell came about vs : a a Psal. 18.5 . Let them remember what Christ hath sayd , Blessed are they that so mourne , for they shall reioyce : b b Math. 5.4 . Heauinesse shall endure but for a night ; c c Psal. 30.5 . the time is at hand , when all sighing shall be turned into singing , lamentation into laughing ; All Teares wiped from their eyes : d d Reu. 21.4 . and those which they haue shedde , be rewarded with an eternall weight of comfort and glory . e e 2. Cor. 4.17 .

( Bitterly , ) but not immoderately , like Heraclitus , or Niobe ; for Nature , Reason , and Religion , forbidde such immoderate weeping : Nature , ( as the Philosophers haue obserued ) hath giuen vnto the Eye , twise as many dry Skinnes or Filmes , like Sluces , to damme vp the course of Teares ; as moyst humours like Channels , to let them runne forth ; but three of these , and sixe of the other : a a Tol. in lib. 2. Aristot . de anima . Reason , sayth to much of a thing is naught ; * * Ne quid nimis . too many droops of sweete honny are not good ; b b Prou. 25.27 . much lesse too many teares as bitter as wormewood : but Religion goeth further , and forbiddeth Christians to weepe , as those that haue no hope ; c c 1. Thess. 4.13 so that nature , which teacheth all things ; reason , which teacheth all men ; and Religion , which teacheth all Christians ; do ioyne togeather to teach this lesson , we must weepe bitterly but not Immoderatly ; for it is the manner , not the measure ; the qualitie , not the quantitie of our teares , which God respecteth : yea euen three sillables pronounced with one true teare , are more powrefull with God ; * * Quantum valent tres sillabae , peccaui . Amb. Then tenne thousand confessions , vttered with a flood of detestable , ” ” Detestandae lachrimae , quae non habent modum . Hierom. hippocritycall , teares :

Lastly , he wept ( bitterly ) but not desperatly , as Esau and Judas did ; Peter , hath sinned , and that was the death of his soule , but there was mercy with God , to reuyue it agayne , but had he despayred he had descended into hell , forth of which , there is no Redemption : Some are bold to affirme , that Iudas sinned more in despayring of mercy , then in betraying of his Maister ; for in this , he did but chiefly wornge his humanitie , and bring vpon it that death which his Father had euerlastingly appoynted ; a a Act. 4.28 . but in the other , he wronged his deitie , as if this sinne were greater , then his infinite mercy could forgiue . * * Iicron . in ps. 108.

The hope of a Christian , is very nicely and fearefully placed betwixt two extremities ; bold presumption , and timerous desperation : only , shee is accompanyed with two Sisters to keepe her from this Scylla and Charibdis where so many poore soules suffer shipwracke & ouerthrow ; viz. Faith and Loue ; Faith layeth hold vpon the mercies of God , and keepeth from despaire : and Loue , teacheth to keepe the commaundements of God , and beware of a sinfull and lycentious life , * * D. King on Ion. Lect. 27. pag 364. whatsoeuer then our sinne be , let vs beware of despaire ; which ( as it were ) bindeth Gods Armes , and shutteth the Doore of Gods gracious Indulgencie against vs ; and is therefore a wound which can neuer be cured . ” ” Plaga insanabilis . Apostrophe .

Say we vnto Christ , Oh sweete Iesu , thou camest to saue sinners : a a 1. Timo. 1.15 . If I were not a sinner , thou couldst not be my Sauiour : Thou callest all such as trauell and are heauie loaden ; b b Math. 11. penult. and promisest to cast away none that come vnto thee : c c Iohn . 6.37 . Thou didest not cast away the Theese vpon the Crosse , confessing : a a Luk. 23.41 . nor Mathew sitting at the receipt of Custome : b b Math. 9.9 . nor the Woman washing thy feete with Teares : c c Luk. 7.38 . nor the Canaanite , begging for her Daughter : d d Math. 15.28 . nor the Publicane standing a farre off : e e Luk. 18.13 . nor Peter denying , nor Paul persecuting , the sauiour of these Examples ; make mee to loue thee , and run after thee . * * Barn . Serm. in Cantic. 22. in odore horum currimus . Say we vnto God ; O Lord , thy name is Jehouah , f f Exod. 3.14 . thou art a God not in shew , but in substaunce : not for a season , but in continuaunce : thy nature , is rich in Mercie ; g g Ephe 2 4. thou art rich in Power , rich in Wisedome , rich in Iustice ; yea infinitely rich in whatsoeuer may be sayd , thou art : but as thy Mercie is ouer all thy Workes ; h h Psa. 145 9. and as the Oyle , which couereth all Liquors ; so is the riches of thy Mercie , aboue all other thy Riches : Thy Couenaunt is , I will be thy God , and the God of thy seed : i i Gen. 17.7 . thy Promise is , At what time ( Whensoeuer ) a sinner ( Whosoeuer ) shall repent of his sinne , ( Whatsoeuer ) thou wilt forgiue and forget it k k Psal. 119.49 . Lord remember thy Name , remember thy Nature ; remember thy Couenant , remember thy Promise ; for these thinges haue caused mee to trust in thee : And though thou killest me , I will trust in thee l l Iob. 13.15 .

Say we to Peter , Oh blessed man , Christ hath suffered Sathan to giue thee the foyle ; but he hath raysed thee he hath suffered thee to shame thy selfe , that he might crowne thee with Glory : thou hast sinned , and hast sorrowed ; thou denyedst , and hast wept bitterly : thou offendedst in thy Tongue and thine Heart hath been rent for it : thy Teares are come vp into remembrance with God , and the guilt & punishment ▪ shame and disgrace of thy sinne , are gone with God , Angels , and men : so long as the World standeth , thou shalt be honoured in the Church as a chiefe Apostle : i i Gall. 2.9 . Now are all Teares wiped from thine eyes ; and now thou keepest turnes with those Angels , which did ioy in thy repentance ; yea , art admitted into the bottomlesse and boundlesse ioyes of thy Maister , for euer . * * Non intrabit gaudium in gaudentes , sed totì gaudentes , in gaudium domini . August . tuan . Conclusion .

To conclude , wee haue all sinned , some one way , some another ; most , many wayes ; but few haue yet sorrowed and repented : they can weepe extreamely for any worldly Crosse or Calamitie , euen as Rachel did for her Children , and would not be comforted ; a a Math. 2.18 but for their sinnes , they haue no touch , no remorse , no compunction at all ; their heartes are of as inuincible hardnes as the Adamant , which can neither be softned with Fire , nor wrought with Hammer : and their eyes as dry as Pumiest stones : ” ” Corda Adamantiua et oculos Pumi ceos . Plant. nay , I wold there were not a generation so far past grace , as in stead of sorrowing for sinnes , to glory in them , & to say vnto them , as God did to his Creatures , Increase and multiply ; b b Gen. 1.22 . proclayming , as with a trumpet , their owne damnation : well , the night of ignoraunce and sinne is almost ouer , c c Rom. 13.12 . yea all time is wel-nigh gone , d d Reu. 10.6 . the day beginneth to dawne , the Cocks do crow thicke and shrill , Repent , Repent , for the Kingdome of Heauen is at hand ; e e Mat. 3.2.4.17 . there remayneth no more but the crow of the last trumpet , which shall be so loude and shrill , as shall awaken all that sleepe in the dust of the Earth , f f Esay . 26.19 . and cause such as would not weepe for their sinnes in this world , to weepe and waile , and gnash their teeth in hell for euer . g g Math. 22.13 .

Were I then , as happie as Salomon to haue whatsoeuer I would aske , h h 1. King . 3.5 . this is the greatest blessing which I would or could desire for vs all , that with the crowing of the Cocke this day , he would be pleased graciously to looke vpon vs , & so effectually to touch our soules with his holy spirit , that from them might flow ryuers of teares of true repentannce , that so sorrowing with Peter , we might be forgiuen , and for euer comforted with him : Which God , for his infinite mercie graunt vnto vs all , Amen .

FINIS .