of the reality of his human prefence amongst them, and to confirm the truth of the refurrection of his body; fince, we are told in the Acts of the apostles, (ch. x. v. 41.) He did eat and drink with them after he rose from the dead. St. Luke, alfo, relates, (chap. xxiv. ver. 42. 43. :) "And they gave him a piece of a broiled 'fifh, and of an honeycomb. And he "took it, and did eat before them." This appears to have been the night after his refurrection.

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15. So when they had dined, Jefus "faith to Simon-Peter, Simon fon of Jonas, "loveft thou me more than thefe? He

faith unto him, Yea, Lord: thou know"eft that I love thee. He faith unto him, Feed my lambs.

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"16. He faith to him again the second

time, Simon fon of Jonas, lovest thou

me? He faith unto him, Yea, Lord:

"thou knoweft that I love thee. He faith unto him, Feed my fheep.

"17. He faith unto him the third time,

"Simon fon of Jonas, loveft thou me? " Peter was grieved, because he said unto "him the third time, Loveft thou me? "And he faid unto him, Lord, thou knoweft all things: thou knowest that "I love thee. Jefus faith unto him, Feed my sheep.

"18. Verily, verily, I fay unto thee, "When thou waft young, thou girdedft

thyfelf, and walkedft whither thou "wouldeft; but when thou shalt be old, "thou shalt ftretch forth thy hands, and "another fhall gird thee, and carry thee "whither thou wouldest not.

"19. 19. This fpake he, fignifying by "what death he should glorify God. And "when he had spoken this, he saith unto him, Follow me."

St. Peter, who, in every refpect (except in the inftance of the denial of his Lorda fault from which he inftantly recovered, and which he redeemed by the fincerity of his repentance,) had been, and ftill was perfectly fteady in his love and affection 4T 2 towards

towards his Master, was grieved to be fo repeatedly questioned by him If he loved him; as it seemed to imply a doubt of it. He therefore, after twice affuring him of his love, upon being asked the third time, refers to that intimate knowledge of the human heart which his Lord poffeffed, and from which no fecrets could be hid, to judge of the extent of it. It is certain, that our merciful Lord and Saviour never grieves the hearts of his faithful fervants but for their good; and whether he meant by these repeated queftions to bring to Peter's mind the recollection of his former fault, for the purpose of guarding him against presumption and fhewing him the neceffity of an entire reliance on God's affistance upon every occafion, or whether it was to mark more clearly the importance of the charge he was investing him with, in the care of his church, is a point of no consequence: probably they might be asked with a view to both. The mode by which he was to prove his attachment, (and which will equally apply to us all

in our respective stations,) was not merely by barren professions, but by zeal and activity in the cause of his Master, and unceafing attention to his brethren committed to his charge. How well he fulfilled these duties, and the success by which his faithful and obedient conduct was rewarded, we may learn in the second chapter of the Acts of the apoftles, (ver 41.) where we shall find that, on his first preaching, by the affiftance of the Holy Spirit, he converted a numerous multitude to the gospel :-(" Then they that gladly "received his word, were baptized; and "the fame day there were added unto "them about three thousand fouls.")

Our Lord, in the eighteenth verse above recorded, foretels to St. Peter the particular death which awaited him, and by which he should glorify God. The expreffion that another fhould carry him whither he would not,' does not mean that he should not be a true martyr: it only points out that human nature, as fuch, will shrink back at the prospect of great

great fufferings; though the spirit may be willing, the flesh is weak. Nay, our blessed Lord himself prayed That if it were poffible, (that is, if it could be confiftently with the office he had undertaken of man's redemption,) he might escape the fufferings which awaited him. The fincere and faithful fervants of God, however refolute in their determination to perform their duty, may, at the hour of suffering, wifh for deliverance from torture; but if they support their fufferings, rather than dishonor him or give up their interest in him, the natural weakness and imperfection of their nature will not be imputed to them as guilt, but they will furely receive a glorious reward from their heavenly Father.

"20. Then Peter turning about, feeth "the difciple whom Jefus loved, following; (which also leaned on his breast at fupper, and faid, Lord, which is he that "betrayeth thee?)

"21. Peter