For the second: The story of Peters denial is at large set down by the Evangelists, and therein three things are noted; the occasions of his fall, the manner of it, and the event. The occasions are observed by the Evangelists to be four: or, by four steps and degrees he is brought into the snare of this temptation. For first he followed Christ afar off, Matth. 26. 58. That he followed him, it was his affection ⟨p. 352⟩and devotion; but that he followed him afar off, it was his fear: and in this fear is laid the first ground of his fall. To expose himself to danger, when he felt his heart afraid of it, especially when there was no necessary cause to venture himself upon it, was a strong occasion to the temptation. Secondly, a Disciple that was known to the High Priests, and •ent in with Jesus into the Palace, spake to him that kept the door, and so got Peter in, John 18. 15, 16. and this was a second step to his temptation. The courtesy of his friend proves a snare to him, and the rather because he went in out of curiosity, and not out of any settled reason or cause to glorify God: for Saint Matthew saith he went in but to see the end, that is, to observe what would become of Christ, Matth. 26. 58. Thirdly, he sate and warmed himself by the High Priests fire, with the servants of the High Priests, John 18. 18. He that was for a long time accustomed to the holy conversation of Christ, and his fellow Disciples, where he was accustomed to goodness in words and deeds, now comes into the company of the ungodly without calling, whose tongues were bent to mischief, and their throat an open sepulchre, and here as a man coming suddenly into a new world, receives strong impressions of evil, his fearful heart being not able to cast up the poison he received from their Society: and this was the third degree or step to his fall. Fourthly, he was examined and accused to be one of Christs followers, and so charged in that part in which he was weakest: For first, a Damosel that kept the door, asked him whether he was not one of them, Joh. 18. 19. and then the servants by the fire-side charge him again, vers. 25.
For the second: The storie of Peters deniall is at large set downe by the Euangelists, and therein three things are noted; the occasions of his fall, the manner of it, and the euent. The occasions are obserued by the Euangelists to be foure: or, by foure steps and degrees he is brought into the snare of this temptation. For first he followed Christ afarre off, Matth. 26. 58. That he followed him, it was his affection ⟨p. 352⟩and deuotion; but that he followed him afarre off, it was his feare: and in this feare is laid the first ground of his fall. To expose himselfe to danger, when he felt his heart afraid of it, especially when there was no necessary cause to venture himselfe vpon it, was a strong occasion to the temptation. Secondly, a Disciple that was knowne to the High Priests, and •ent in with Iesus into the Palace, spake to him that kept the doore, and so got Peter in, Iohn 18. 15, 16. and this was a second step to his temptation. The courtesie of his friend proues a snare to him, and the rather because he went in out of curiositie, and not out of any setled reason or cause to glorifie God: for Saint Matthew saith he went in but to see the end, that is, to obserue what would become of Christ, Matth. 26. 58. Thirdly, he sate and warmed himselfe by the High Priests fire, with the seruants of the High Priests, Iohn 18. 18. He that was for a long time accustomed to the holy conuersation of Christ, and his fellow Disciples, where he was accustomed to goodnesse in words and deeds, now comes into the company of the vngodly without calling, whose tongues were bent to mischiefe, and their throat an open sepulchre, and here as a man comming suddenly into a new world, receiues strong impressions of euill, his fearefull heart being not able to cast vp the poison hee receiued from their Societie: and this was the third degree or step to his fall. Fourthly, he was examined and accused to be one of Christs followers, and so charged in that part in which he was weakest: For first, a Damosell that kept the doore, asked him whether he was not one of them, Ioh. 18. 19. and then the seruants by the fire-side charge him againe, vers. 25.
