Young preachers, to you in an especial manner are these words of exhortation sent. Of all people in the world, you had need watch most against spiritual pride. It is a fly that often spoils your whole pot of ointment. This made aged _Paul_ so careful to warn _Timothy_ not to lay hands upon novices, lest, says he, “being puffed up with pride, they fall into the condemnation of the devil.” How many awful instances have we had of this in various places within these few years last past? Young men, therefore, I exhort you to be humble. For CHRIST’s sake, for your own souls sake, for the sake of the church of GOD which he hath purchased with his own blood, pray without ceasing that you may be cloathed with humility. Take care of carrying too high sail. Popularity is a dangerous sea, and nothing but the special and almighty grace of GOD can keep you from oversetting in it. Mark the rocks against which others have made shipwreck, and beg of the LORD JESUS night and day, to help you to steer such a course as to avoid and keep clear of them: he alone can preserve you. _Satan_ envies the honour put upon you; he has a particular enmity against those whom he sees the Redeemer making use of. He knows your weak sides, and will desire to have you, as he desired to have _Peter_, that he may sift you as wheat. Watch, therefore, and pray always, that you may not fall in an hour of temptation. If _Peter_ could not stand when left to himself, what are we?
Have any from among ourselves of late given proofs of this? Nay, have any that once appeared boldly for our LORD, and seemed ready to follow him to prison or to death, have any such, I say, been permitted not only to follow him afar off, but shamefully and openly to disown and deny both him and his people? Let us not marvel as though some strange thing happened unto us, but let us search the scriptures. Many such instances are recorded there; and we know who hath forewarned us to expect them now. “It must needs be, says the unerring, all-seeing JESUS, that offences come. Let us not therefore be high-minded, but fear; and let him that standeth take heed lest he fall.” Brethren, pray for them. Who knows but they may yet rise, and the locks at present cut off, grow again? Who knows but the cock may yet crow, JESUS may yet look, and such grievous backsliders, being as it were reconverted, may appear more zealous than ever in strengthening their brethren? When shall this once be? “We wait for thy salvation, O LORD: make no long tarrying, O our GOD!”
In the mean while, let none of us be discouraged, GOD will take care of his own cause. The Redeemer hath declared, that the gates of hell shall never be able to prevail against his church: and, therefore, though the ark may totter, he can keep it from falling; and though driven for a while into the _Philistine_’s country, he assuredly can bring it back. He that healed the wound imprudently given by _Peter_ to the ear of the High Priest’s servant, he can and will heal all wounds, and repair all breaches that have been occasioned either by the backslidings, or unguarded conduit of those whom he vouchsafes to employ. “Out of the eater shall come forth meat, and out of the strong shall come forth sweetness.” The wicked, no doubt, rejoiced when they heard of _Peter_’s fall, and in all probability frequently vented their spleen in saying, “Here is religion for you! Here is a pretty family of reformers, and setters forth of new doctrines. One of them hath betrayed his master with a kiss, and another with oaths and curses denied that ever he knew him: if this be the beginning, what will the end of their boasted reformation be?” What will the end of it be? Ye fools! I have an answer ready: CHRIST shall be glorified, _Satan_ and all his emissaries confounded, and a multitude of souls out of every nation, language, and tongue, redeemed and finally saved. Oh what a CHRIST have we! Courage then, my brethren, courage! I beat to arms again in the name of the LORD of hosts. Let us not quit the field of battle, but in the strength of our once crucified, but now exalted JESUS, renew the combat. “He is faithful who hath promised not only to make us conquerors, but more than conquerors through his love.” Yet a little while, and our warfare shall be accomplished, death will put an end to all. A wicked world, a wicked heart, a wicked devil shall then cease from troubling us, and our weary souls shall never be so much as tempted to deny our blessed LORD any more.
Where is _Peter_ now? Yonder he sits, not weeping bitterly, but rejoicing in GOD his Saviour, on a throne of never-fading glory. To Him, at whose right hand he is now sitting, and who alone is able to keep us from falling, and to present us faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy; to Him the only wise GOD our Saviour, be glory, majesty, dominion, and power, both now and ever. _Amen._