Looking unto Jesus a view of the everlasting gospel, or, the souls eying of…

2. The Disciples hearing this discovery of the shepherd being smitten, and the sheep being scattered, they are amazed; what shall Christ die? and shall we like cowards run away, and leave him alone in the combat? Peter, who seems boldest, he speaks first; Though all men shall be offended because of thee, yet will I never be offended. O rash presumption! It appears in these particulars;—1. Peter prefers himself before the rest, as if all the other Disciples had been weak, and he only strong; though all should be offended, yet will not I. 2. Peter contradicts Christ's great discovery of his Fathers great design from all eternity, with a few bragging words; q. d. what though Zechary hath said it, and God hath decreed it, yet on my part, I will never do it; Though I should die with thee, I will not deny thee. 3. Peter in his boast never mentions God's help, or God's assistance; whereas in relation to future promises, and future purposes, the Apostles Rule is,¹ ye ought to say, if the Lord will, we shall live, and do this, and that: So Peter should have said, by God's assistance I will not be offended; by the Lord's help, I will not deny thee; if the Lord will, I will do this and that; I will live with thee, and die with thee, rather than I will deny thee; but we find no such word in all the Story; and therefore Christ takes him off his bottoms in the first place;² Verily I say unto thee Peter, that this night before the Cock crow twice, thou shalt deny me thrice: Oh no, saith Peter; he will not go off his presumptuous confidence; though I should die with thee, I will not deny thee; likewise also said all his Disciples. But I must not dwell on these passages.

1. 1Jam. 4.15.
2. 2Mat. 26.35.