The History of the Reformation of the Church of Scotland

¹That Christ called Peter of little faith, argueth and declareth (as we before have noted) That Peter was not altogether faithless, but that he fainted, or was uncertain in his faith, for so soundeth the Greek term [Greek or Hebrew], whereof we ought to be admonished, That in passing to Christ through the storms of this world, is not only required a fervent faith in the beginning,² but also a constancy to the end; as Christ saith, He that continueth to the end, shall be saved; and Saint Paul, Unless a man shall strive lawfully, ³he shall not be crowned. The remembrance of this ought to put us in mind, That the most fervent man, and such as have long continued in profession of Christ, is not yet sure to stand at all hours, but that he is subject to many dangers, and that he ought to fear his own frailty, as the Apostle teacheth us, saying, Let him that standeth take heed lest he fall; for if Peter that began so fervently, yet fainted ere he came to Christ, what ought we to fear, in whom such fervency was never found? No doubt we ought to tremble and fear the worst; and by the knowledge of our own weakness,⁴ with the Apostles, incessantly to pray, O Lord increase our faith. Christs demand and question, asking Peter, Why doubtest thou? containeth in it self a vehemency;⁵ as if he should have said, Whether doubtest thou of my power, or of my promises, or of my good will? If my power had not been sufficient to have saved thee, then could I neither have come to thee through the stormy Sea, neither have made the waters obey thee, when thou beganst to come to me; and if my good will had not been to have delivered thee, and thy Brethren, then had I not appeared unto you, neither had I called upon thee, but had permitted the Tempest to devour and swallow you up:⁶ but considering that your eye saw me present, your ears heard my voice, and thou Peter especially knewest the same, and obeyedst my commandment, why then doubtest thou? Beloved brethren, If this same demand and question were laid to our charge, we should have less pretence of excuse then had Peter; for he might have alleged, That he was not advertised that any great Storm should have risen betwixt him and Christ,