The real Christian, or, A treatise of effectual calling wherein the work of God…

Secondly, What Faith was that in Peter (for faith it was the Devil aimed at, appears by Christs speech to him, Luke 22.32.) that Satan struck at? Observe it, and it was this Historical Faith: Peter, Matth. 16.16. had made ⟨p. 166⟩a good confession of Christ, Thou art Christ, the Son of the living God. So again, John 6 69. Thinks Satan, this Peter is a brisk fellow, very forward in his confessions, it I can but get leave of God, to get him unto my san, I will try what he is, whether he will hold to this confession, it may be he will not be of the same mind, though he thus now confess, and profess he will dye for him and with him: When Peter followed his Master, and stood amongst the Servants, Matth 26.69. to the end; now was the time of winnowing Peter, Luke 22.31. and now is that faith of his to be tried; for so saith Christ, I have prayed thy faith fail not: when the Servant told him, thou wast with Jesus, Mat. 26.72. he denied with an oath, I do not know the man: What not know him? This is strange. When Christ put the question to his Disciples, Whom do men say that I the Son of man am? Matth. 16.13. and when, ver. 15. he put it to his Disciples to answer the question, were not you the forward man, that answered for all, who he was? And at another time, John 6.69. did you not say, We believe and are sure that thou art that Christ the Son, &c. it seems you did know and were sure who he was, and what not so much as know the man now? If your faith were not so strong to maintain your confession of him before these, but it flabs, must you lye so abominably, to say you do not know him? and bind it with an Oath and Curse: So that Peter is far from assenting to that truth, which before he confessed.