IN this Chapter and the next that followeth , the Holy Euangelist doth at large set out the History of the passion and suffering of our Sauiour Christ , together with all the circumstances and seuerall partes thereof .

Now in these words the course of the History is interrupted , to inserte a briefe narration of the fall and repentance of the Apostle Peter : which was necessarily done , that the truth of that which Christ had foretold him , Verse 34. namely that before the cocke crow , he should denie him thrice , might appeare .

It is worthy to bee obserued , that all the foure Euangelists doe diligently describe this Story of Peters fall . Manie things there are , which some one of the Euangelists doe make mention of , which are omitted by all the rest . But here , as if they had taken consent , they all leaue this registred to all posteritie . Shall we thinke , that they are delighted in blasing and publishing this horrible and shamefull fault of their fellow Apostle ? Indeed carnall men loue to rippe vp other mens vices , either to satisfie their owne enuie and malice , whereby they are mooued to disgrace and defame their brethren : or to commend their own righteousnesse and holinesse aboue other men , as the proud Pharisie dealt with the poore Publican . But farre be it from vs to imagine , Luke 18.11 . 2. Tim. 3.16 . 2. Pet. 1.21 . that so holy men , being inspired , and , as it were , led by the Holy Ghost , should be carried either with enuie or arrogancie in this case . But as their heart and pen was guided by the Lord in the rest of the Scripture : so no doubt they were also directed in this particular , and that for the publique benefit and great good of the whole Church . Rom. 15.4 . For as Whatsoeuer things are written , they are written for our learning : so this narration is richly furnished with many excellent and heauenly instructions for our vse . For first of all , it hath pleased the Lord in Saint Peter , the chiefe of the Apostles , to giue vs a memorable example of the frailtie and weaknesse of mans strength , if he bee left neuer so little to himselfe . Secondly we may see in it the beginning and progresse of sinne , how being yeelded to at the first , by degrees it commeth to the height . Thirdly wee may behold as in a glasse , the great loue of God towardes his children , who will not suffer them to perish in their sins , nor cast them off when they fall , but mercifully putteth vnder his hand , Psal. 37.24 . as Dauid saith . Last of all , wee haue here a liuely patterne of true and sound repentance , for our direction in the like case . All which are most necessarie to be knowne , and therefore the Holy Ghost would haue the Story related by all the Euangelists . As then it hath pleased the Lord to vse such diligence in setting it down : so let vs vse the like diligence in attending to it for our benefit and edification , And that we may proceed orderly in the handling thereof , let vs consider .

Peter sate without &c. ) It was a dutie of pietie in the Apostle Peter , to follow his Master to this place ; and a great argument of his loue towardes him , aboue all his fellowes For it is said before in this Chapter , verse 58. that howsoeuer Peter followed a farre off , yet hee came after to the high Priests hall and went in , and sate with the seruants to see the end . It was an honest affection in him , that he did not hide himselfe , as the other Disciples did , verse 56. Who all forsooke their Master and fled : but did earnestly desire to see what the issue would bee , and what would become of Christ . All this , I say , was commendable in the Apostle . But because our Sauiour had forewarned him of the weaknesse of his nature , and had plainely told him , that before the cocke crowe he should denie him thrice : he should rather haue kept himselfe close in some secret place , then thus to offer and expose himselfe to temptation , and to the occasions of sinne . He could not but know that euery body would obserue and take notice of him aboue all the rest , because he had bin such a tickler in his Masters quarrell , and had cut off one of their eares with his sword , that came to apprehend him . And besides , he had alwayes accompanied his Master whether soeuer he went and therefore there was no hope , that he should escape vnknowne .

Doct. 1. We must carefully auoide all occasions of sinne . From hence then wee learne for our first instruction , that he that would preserue himselfe from sin , must carefully auoid all the occasions thereof . It is a true saying , He that would no euill doe ; must doe nothing that belongs thereto . The occasion in euery thing is a great matter . The occasion of good preuaileth much to draw men to good , and the occasion of euill , to drawe them to euill , euen when before the occasion bee offered , there is no great desire to either of them . But especially occasions to euill are most forcible . The reason is , first , because of our selues we are so prone to euill . Our nature is like drie wood , which is apt to kindle , assoone as euer fire is put to it . So giue a man the least occasion , and presently he yeeldeth to sinne . There is no speedier coniunction of fire and gunpowder , or of fire and towe , or tinder , or any other such combustible thing , then ther is between our corrupt nature and sinne vpon the least occasion , vnlesse the grace of God doe preuent it . There needeth no Deuill to tempt vs ; Nemo laeditur nisi à se . Nihil mihi contrarium est , nisi ego ipse . Mecum est quiquied mihi nocere potest . Bern. Med. c. 11. let but any occasion be offered , and we straight way become tempters to our selues . It is a true saying , No man is hurt but by himselfe . The Diuell , and all the Diuels in hell could not preuaile against vs , if our owne hartes , by yeelding to euery occasion of sin , did not betray vs . And this is that which the Apostle Iames saith , Euery man is tempted , Jam. 1.14 . when hee is drawne away , and entised by his owne concupiscence . Wee harbour a secret enemie in our owne bosomes , without which wee could not so easily be ouercome . As wee see in our Sauiour Christ , who saith of himselfe , Iohn 14.30 . Diabolus plus confidit in adiutorio carnis , quoniam magis nocet domesticus hostis . Illa verò ad subuersionem meam , ●um illo faedus inijt . Bern. Med. cap. 15. Iam. 5.11 . that the Prince of this world came to him but he found nothing in him . The Diuell tempted and assaulted him with might and maine , but because there was no corruption in his nature to worke vpon , he could not preuaile . Yea holy Iob , against whom Heauen and earth might seeme to conspire so long as he hurt not himselfe by impatiency , hee was not hurt by all his afflictions , but rather became more famous thereby , being set forth as a patterne of patience to all posterity . So would it be with vs , were it not that we are as ready to lay hold vpon euery occasion of sin , as the Diuel or the world is to offer the same vnto vs . The truth of this point appeareth in many examples in the Scriptures . Gene. 3.6 . Euah the Mother of vs all , had no sooner an occasion of sin offered her , by the beholding the fairenesse of the forbidden fruit , but presently shee consented to the suggestions of the Serpent . Neither did this corruption rest in her ; Gene. 6.2 . but it hath likewise ouerspread all her posteritie . When the sonnes of God saw the daughters of men that they were faire , they tooke themselues wiues of all that they liked : Gene. 39.6.7 . Iosephs Mistris no sooner casther eyes vpon Ioseph and sawe that he was a faire person , and welfauoured , but straight shee intised him to commit folly with her . Gene. 34.1.2 . When Dinah the daughter of Iacob , in a curious humour , beganne to walke out to see the daughters of that countrie : though it is like shee went not with any such purpose , yet occasion being offered , she lost her virginitie . Iosh. 7.21 . When Achan sawe in the spoile a goodly Babylonish garment , and two hundred shekels of siluer , and a wedge of gold of fifty shekels waight , presently he coueted them , and tooke them . Yea Dauid a man otherwise after Gods owne heart , 1. Sam. 13.14 . assoone as euer he saw Bathsheba washing her selfe , 2. Sam. 11.2.3.4 by and by lusted after her , Diabolus dum decipere quenquam quaerit , prius naturam vniuscuiusque intendit , & inde se applicat , vnde hominem aptum ad peccatum inspexerit . Bern. de ordine vitae . sent for her , and lay with her . So violent is mans corrupt nature in apprehending euery occasion that may drawe him to sinne . Againe another reason hereof is this , because the Deuill is so ready to watch euery occasion , and whensoeuer hee seeth vs any whit inclining , there he taketh aduantage , and bendeth all his force against vs .

This Doctrine serueth first for admonition 1. that wee be carefull in performing this dutie . As the Marriner is Vse . 1 carefull to auoide all the rockes and sandes which might be occasion of shipwracke : so should wee with like care and diligence auoide all the occasions of sinne . To this end , we must examine our selues to what sinnes we are most addicted , and what haue beene the occasions , whereby we haue beene prouoked to the committing thereof : and when we haue found them out , wee must shunne them as wee would doe a Serpent . To giue instance in some particulars . If any man be giuen to whoredome , he must follow the practise of Iob ; Iob. 31.1 : Who made a couenant with his eyes , that he would not looke vpon a maide . To which purpose the sonne of Sirach giueth good counsell . Vse not saith hee , the companie of a woman that is a dancer , Eccle. 9.4.5 . least thou bee taken by her craftinesse . Gaze not vpon a maide , that thou fall not by that that is precious in her . 8. And a little further . Turne away thine eyes from a beautifull woman , and looke not vpon others beautie : 11. for many haue perished by the beautie of women . And againe , Sit not at all with an other mans wife ( namely , without warrant , either from thy generall or particular calling ) neither banket with her , least thine heart encline vnto her , and so through thy desire fall into destruction . The feare of this danger , made Ioseph so carefull as hee was , Gene. 39.10 . who knowing the lewde minde of his Mistris would not onely not consent to lye with her , but not so much , as to be in her companie . But because many times it is hard to rule the eye , but it will be full of adulterie , as the Apostle Peter saith , and will cause a man to looke vpon a woman to lust afer her : therefore , 2. Pet 2.14 . Matth. 5.28 . besides all a mans owne endeauour , he must earnestly pray vnto God , as Dauid did , Turne away mine eyes from beholding vanitie . Psal. 119.37 . If a man bee enclined to drunkennesse , hee must follow the aduice of Salomon . Looke not vpon the wine when it is red , Prou. 23.31 . and when it sheweth his colour in the cup ; hee that knoweth the weaknesse of his braine , and how easily he is ouertaken , hee should vtterly abstaine from strong drinke . Better were it for him to drinke water all his life , then to fall into so filthy a sinne . The Prophet Isaiah pronounceth a heauie woe vpon all such , Isa. 5.11 . as rise vp early to follow drunkennesse , and continue till night , that the wine doe inflame them ; that is , such as are not carefull to auoide the occasions of this sinne . So likewise , if a man bee inclined to swearing , or to any other abuse of the tongue , because , as Salomon saith , in many wordes there cannot want iniquitie , Prou. 10.19 . he must doe as Dauid did in the like case , euen take heed to his wayes , and keepe his mouth bridled , Psal. 39.1 . that he may not sinne with his tongue . But because the tongue , Iam. 3.5.8 . though it bee but a little member ; yet it is an vnruly euill , and can hardly bee tamed by the industry of man : therefore , hee must pray with Dauid , Set a watch , O Lord , Psal. 141.3 . before my mouth ; and keepe the doore of my lips . The like may be said of anger and all other sinnes whatsoeuer .

2. That wee watch continually ouer our harts in regard Vse . 2 they are so prone and so easily drawne to sinne . Keepe thine heart with all diligence saith Salomon ; Prou. 4.23 . wee should watch and ward ouer our heartes , more then any treasure in the world . And it is the exhortation of the Apostle : Take heed , brethren , Heb. 3.12 . least there be at any time in any of you an euill and an vnbeleeuing heart , to depart away from the liuing God . Wee must at all times haue especiall regard to the heart , or els wee cannot stand . So also the Apostle Peter , Be sober , saith he , and Watch. 1. Pet. 5.8 . & 4.7 And though a man bee otherwise neuer so sober , yet if hee doe not watch against the occasions of sinne , hee is easily ouercome . And it was the charge which our Sauiour gaue his Disciples , Matth. 26.41 . Watch and pray that yee enter not into temptation . As the Iaylour , watcheth ouer the prisoner , for whose escape hee is to answere : so must wee watch ouer the corruptions of our owne heartes . We must take notice of our pronenesse to sinne in euery part of the body and faculty of the soule , and giue diligent heed that it breake not out , to the dishonour of God , and offence of our brethren . For want of this care many of Gods children haue beene ouertaken with grieuous sinnes . As we haue a fearefull example in Iudah , Gene. 38.15.16 . who going forth about a lawfull and honest businesse , namely to see his sheepshearers ; and intending no euill , yet meeting with an occasion , because his heart was not guarded , hee defiled himselfe in a very vile and filthy manner . Yea manie times euen in those things which wee knowe to bee euill , and whereof we are conuicted in our owne consciences , wee are so blinded for want of this care , that we rush into them . As the Marriner knoweth all the dangerous shelues and straites in the Sea , yet many times for want of present heed , he rusheth vpon them and suffereth shipwracke .

Vse . 3 Secondly , this Doctrine serueth for the reproofe of all those , that are so farre from auoiding the occasions of sinne , as that they rather secke them , and follow after them . Neuer rauenous beast did more eagerly pursue the pray , nor hungry fish more greedily follow the bait , 1. Pet. 4.4 . Ephes. 4.19 . then they doe hunt after occasions of sinne : running into all excesse of ryot and working all vncleanesse , euen with greedinesse , as the Apostle saith . What madnesse is this for a man thus to expose himselfe vnto danger , as if the flesh were not prone enough of it selfe vnto that which is euill ? There is no man wil bring a great deale of drie straw , into an house where fire is , and leaue it there , vnlesse hee meane to fire the house . So no man will wilfully rush vpon the occasions of sinne , but hee that is carelesse of his soule . Blessed is the man , saith Salomon , that feareth alway , but he that hardneth his heart shall fall into euill . And it is a good speech of Ecclesiasticus , Ecclesiast. 3.27 . Hee that loueth danger shall perish in it . It is in vaine for men in this case to boast of their owne strength ; For as wee see by experience ; that a weake man that is alwayes out of gunshot , Pro. 28.14 . is likely to liue longer then a strong man that is euer in the middest of the pikes : so a weake Christian , that by all good meanes guardeth himselfe from occasions of euill , is more like to bee preserued from sinne , then hee that presuming of his owne strength , is carelesse of danger , and therefore shunneth no prouocations whereby he may be ouercome .

In the Hall . ] This action of Peter in it selfe was not simplie euill . For howsoeuer hee was among the prophane seruants of the high priests , yet he had nothing to doe with them ; there was no societie at all betweene them : yea the end of his being there , was farre different from theirs . For they were there to doe seruice to the high Priest , in abusing and disgracing of our Sauiour Christ : but hee was there , as hath beene said , in an honest affection to his Master to see what would become of him . But though the occasion of his being in this place was honest , and the end good : yet the very place it selfe , and the companie is hurtfull to him , and ministreth diuerse occasions and temptations of sinne . Hee had preserued himselfe from this fearefull fall , if hee had fledde with the rest of his fellowes , and hidden himselfe as they did . Joh. 18.18 . But when once he was bold to enter into the Hall of the wicked high Priest , though hee did it not with any purpose to denie his Master , yet there he met with temptations , wherby he was ouercome . He sate among the prophane persons by the fire to warme himselfe : but it had beene better for him to haue frozen with colde , rather then to indanger himselfe in this manner .