and not be burned!" But their folly will sooner or later be manifest, even as Peter's was. As then our Lord cautions us against worldly-mindedness by the example of Lot's wife, so would I caution all of you, my brethren, against self-confidence by the sad example of Peter. On another occasion, Peter sinned yet far more grievously through a mistaken notion of his power to maintain his integrity. He went from mere idle curiosity to see the issue of his master's trial in the hall of Pilate, and there he denied his Lord with oaths and curses. And what may result from an unnecessary exposure of your- selves to temptation, God alone knows. But 1 would put you all upon your guard, and say to every one amongst you, * Remember Peter's infirmity, with the danger consequent upon it.'
But you may further learn from this history,]
n. That, if in the way of providence we are called to trials, we need not fear them —
[When Peter had once obtained his Lord's command to come to him upon the waters, he had no occasion for fear. If the water was made so firm as to sustain his weight, what reason had he to fear the waves ? Hence our Lord justly reproved his unbelief, saying, '' O thou of little faith, wherefore didst thou doubt?" In this he has shewn how weak we all are, when we come into temptation. Though we ourselves, both in body and soul, are living miracles, yet we forget the power that has hitherto upheld us, and are ready to tremble at the prospect of some overwhelming calamity, as though it were im- possible for us to support it. The Hebrews had seen all God's wonders in Egypt, and yet on every fresh occasion of difficulty they yielded to desponding apprehensions. And thus we also are prone to fear, whenever any heavy trial occurs. But if we saw an armed host behind us, and an impassable ocean before our face, we should not question for a moment the power or veracity of God, but say to the one, " Who art thou, O great mountain ? before Zerubbabel, thou shalt become a plain ;" and to the other, " God will make the depths of the sea a way for the ransomed to pass over." All that we have to ascer- tain is, whether we are in the path of duty : and, if in that respect we can see the pillar and the cloud leading the way, we need not fear all that either men or devils can do against us. This was the experience of David % and it should be ours. For it is certain,]
in. That whatever trials we may be brought into, the prayer of faith will be effectual for our deliverance —
a Ps. xlvi. 1—3.