secondary importance. Whatever views we hold of re- ligious truth, let us see that we have a firm grasp ujoon the atoning efficacy of Christ's death. Let the truth so often proclaimed by our Lord to His disciples, and so diligently taught by the disciples to the world, be the foundation truth in our Christianity. In life and in death, in health and in sickness, let us lean all our weight on this mighty fact — that though we have sinned Christ hath died for sinners — and that though we deserve nothing, Christ hath suffered on the cross for us, and by that suffering purchased heaven for all that believe in Him.
Finally, let us observe in this passage the strange mix- ture of grace and infirmity which may be found in the heart of a true Christian. We see that very Peter who had just witnessed so noble a confession, presuming to rebuke his Master because He spoke of suffering and dying. We see him drawing -down on himself the sharpest rebuke which ever fell from our Lord's lips during His earthly ministry : "Get thee behind me, Satan : thou savorest not the things that be of God, but the things that be of man."
We have here a humbling proof that the best of saints is a poor fallible creature. Here was ignorance in Simon Peter. He did not understand the necessity of our Lord's death, and would have actually prevented His sacrifice on the cross. Here was self-conceit in Simon Peter. He thought he knew what was right and fitting for his Master better than his Master Himself, and actu- ally undertook to show the Messiah a more excellent way. And last, but not least, Simon Peter did it all
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