Meditations on the fall and rising of St. Peter

HOW leprous and spreading is sin? how weak and impotent is nature? how unsatisfiable and importunate is the Devil and his Instruments? A double temptation is not enough on Satan's part, after a double denial; nor is a double denial on Peter's part enough confirmed by a single perjury. The Devil goes farther in Tempting, the poor Disciple goes farther in Denying: ⟨p. 65⟩The truth whereof, that he may the more easily enforce it, he confirms, according to the Law, by two, but those wicked Witnesses; and to a second Oath is there joined an Execration. An Execration strong and deep enough to make Peter no liar, though an Apostate; I mean to verify the truth of his denial, and to make him indeed none of those who alone knew their Saviour For it was (if the word retain here the same force which it doth in St. Paul's Epistle to the Romans) ⟨p. 66⟩a curse greater than any curse, even an Anathema, a wish of eternal separation from the presence of God. It is no wonder if he dare deny Christ in earth, and in dishonour, who can adventure to wish an eternal absence from him in Heaven in his Glory. I never remember any Anathema that proceeded not from Love and Fear; That of Moses and Paul from love of the safety, and fear of the destruction of their Brethren; that of Peter, from a love of himself, and a fear ⟨p. 67⟩of death. How strong and violent are Passions, whether holy or natural, when once truly apprehensive of their object? How secure and negligent can they make Peter of his eternal estate, to avoid perhaps but the displeasure of a mortal man? It is the misery and error of corrupt nature, to shelter it self against danger under sin, and to think it self sufficiently safe, when it is violently wicked.