Meditations on the fall and rising of St. Peter

MED. XXI.

BUT why should our Saviour in this great work choose the service of a Cock for the ministry of Repentance? There is ever some mystery in Christ's Instruments. If he will give sight to a blind man by impotent and unlikely means, they shall be a mixture ⟨p. 74⟩of something out of his own mouth, with something out of the Earth, to show that the virtue of Christ's mouth in the earthy and clay Vessels of mortal men, is of force to open the eyes of the ignorant and impenitent. Christ in this Crow of the Cock hath given Peter as well an Example to follow, as an Occasion to repent; as well taught him in the execution of his Apostleship, as converted him from the estate of a backslider. A true Minister that loves ⟨p. 75⟩Christ and his Sheep, must have the Wings of a Cock to rouse up first himself from security; and then being converted, powerfully to awaken and strengthen others: and the Watchfulness of a Cock, to be ever ready to discover and forewarn danger; and the Voice of a Cock, to cry aloud, and tell Israel of their sins, and terrify the roaring Lion that seeks to devour them: and lastly, the Hours of a Cock, to preach in season, and out of season, ⟨p. 76⟩the glad tidings of Salvation.

BUT why should our Saviour in this great work chuse the service of a Cock for the ministry of Repentance? There is ever some mystery in Christ's Instruments. If he will give sight to a blind man by impotent and unlikely means, they shall be a mixture ⟨p. 74⟩of something out of his own mouth, with something out of the Earth, to shew that the vertue of Christ's mouth in the earthy and clayie Vessels of mortal men, is of force to open the eyes of the ignorant and impenitent. Christ in this Crow of the Cock hath given Peter as well an Example to follow, as an Occasion to repent; as well taught him in the execution of his Apostleship, as converted him from the estate of a backslider. A true Minister that loves