The History of the Reformation of the Church of Scotland

And first, That Peter seeing a mighty wind, was afraid, and so, when he began to sink, he cried, Lord save me, are three things principally to be noted: The first, From whence cometh the fear of Gods Elect. The second, What is the cause that they faint and fall in adversity. The third, What resteth with them in the time of this fear and downsinking.

And first, That Peter seeing a mighty winde, was afraid, and so, when he began to sink, he cryed, Lord save me, are three things principally to be noted: The first, From whence cometh the fear of Gods Elect. The second, What is the cause that they faint and fall in adversity. The third, What resteth with them in the time of this fear and downsinking.

And first, it is plain, That so long as Peter had his eyes fixed upon Christ, and attended upon no other thing but the voice of Christ, he was bold and without fear: But when he saw a mighty wind (not that the wind was visible, but the vehement storm and waves of the Sea that were stirred up and carried by the wind were seen) then began he to fear, and to reason (no doubt) in his heart, that better it had been for him to have remained in his Ship; for so might Christ have come to him: But now the storm and rage of wind was so vehement, that he could never come to Christ, and so he greatly feared. Whereof it is plain, That the only cause of our fear that have left our Ship, and through the storms of the Sea would go to Christ with Peter, ¹is, That we more consider the dangers and lets that are in our journey, then we do the Almighty power of him that hath commanded us to come to himself. And this is a sin common to all the elect and chosen children of God, That whensoever they see a vehement trouble appearing to let them, and drive them back from the obedience of God, then begin they to fear and to doubt of Gods power and good will.

And first, it is plain, That so long as Peter had his eyes fixed upon Christ, and attended upon no other thing but the voyce of Christ, he was bold and without fear: But when he saw a mighty winde (not that the winde was visible, but the vehement storm and waves of the Sea that were stirred up and carried by the winde were seen) then began he to fear, and to reason (no doubt) in his heart, that better it had been for him to have remained in his Ship; for so might Christ have come to him: But now the storm and rage of winde was so vehement, that he could never come to Christ, and so he greatly feared. Whereof it is plain, That the onely cause of our fear that have left our Ship, and thorow the storms of the Sea would go to Christ with Peter,