the mouth speaketh:" Simon Peter could not restrain his impetuous feelings. He was overwhelmed with a sense of our Lord's greatness and of his own unworthiness; he threw himself down at his knees, and confessed his sins and his weakness. That weakness was overlooked, those sins were forgiven. Jesus graciously encouraged him, and bade him "fear

Now this conduct of St. Peter was the effect produced by one miracle: shall we, then, read of many miracles, and shall our hearts not be moved? Shall we contemplate all the great and gracious works which Christ has performed, and shall we not feelingly exclaim with David," Lord, what is man, that thou art mindful of him, or the son of man, that thou visitest him?"

With knowledge before us, far more abundant than that which St. Peter could then have enjoyed, can we boast of hearts better disposed, better prepared, to profit by the instructions of our religion; or can we pretend to less sinfulness than St. Peter? If, then, we address Christ as our Lord and our God, should we not imitate Peter's humility, bewail our sinfulness, and acknowledge our unworthiness? If we believe Christ to be our Saviour, should we not at the same time de

rive encouragement from the transaction before us, to fall down as it were "at his knees?" should we not hope, notwithstanding all our imperfections, to be graciously accepted by him, who received Simon's acknowledgment with benevolence and mercy, and bade him "Fear not."

Lastly. The conclusion of this narrative harmonizes with all that precedes. Simon Peter and his partners had received indisputable testimony respecting the nature of our Saviour's character. In his discourse they had discovered undoubted marks, that his was the wisdom" which cometh from above;" by the miracle which he had wrought, they were convinced of his almighty power; by his gracious and merciful reception of Simon's humble acknowledgment, they were assured both of his goodness, and that their unworthy and imperfect services would be indulgently accepted. Upon these grounds their part was chosen at once; their resolution was formed without any hesitation; without the slightest reserve. No sooner had they brought their ships to the shore, than "they FORSOOK ALL AND FOLLOWED HIM."

They had chosen the good part.

For

every one," (said our Lord', when reminded

* Matt. xix. 27.

U

by St. Peter of this very occasion,) "that hath forsaken houses, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands for my name's sake, shall receive an hundred fold, and shall inherit everlasting life."

Their choice we must approve. The wis dom of it we cannot deny. The event has justified it. But let not the approbation of their conduct be the condemnation of our own. If we approve, it is our duty to imitate.

You well know, from your earliest infancy you have known, the infallible wisdom, the almighty power, the unwearied goodness of your Redeemer. You have known too, that notwithstanding your unworthiness, your imperfect services will be graciously accepted. You have known that through Christ's merits and mediation, salvation is offered to all that believe in him, and obey his commandments. You have long known then, all and more than the Apostles then knew; consequently your resolutions ought long ago to have been decided, and firmly taken. You ought long ago, to have made up your minds to "forsake all," if necessary, and follow Christ. If this resolution has not been already adopted, adopt

it now.

Moved by the example before you,

* Matt. xix. 29.

decide without reserve, and without hesitation. Turn with all your heart and with all your soul to your Redeemer. Be prepared to lay down all to follow him. Say, in the spirit of St. Peter, "Lord, to whom shall we go? thou hast the words of eternal life".

Bend your thoughts often and seriously upon that eternal life; fix your attention upon the example of that blessed Redeemer, whom you are to follow. Loosen the ties that bind you too closely to the things of this world, things which must, sooner or later, be forsaken, whether we will or not. Loosen, I say, those ties, have your mind in that state of discipline and preparation, that you may be able cheerfully to forsake these things, for Christ's sake, instead of being forced to forsake them. Meditate upon your eternal destination; value your blessed hopes of immortality. Be ready, ever ready when your Saviour requires it, to forsake with resignation, nay, with joy, "the treasures which moth and rust doth corrupt," for the "incorruptible inheritance which is in heaven." Be ready to forsake the pleasures of this vain world for those which are at the right hand of God. Be ready to forsake even this dust-formed tenement, and to commit your spirit to the hands of a faithful Redeemer,

whensoever he shall be pleased to call you. And, above all, be ready to forsake your sins: forsake them not with reluctance, when age, or disease, or want of strength denies you the power of indulging them. But forsake them now; in the day of health and vigour. Abhor them; cast them from you, as an emulous racer would cast off a cumbrous garment which impeded his course. Thus forsake them, thus "laying aside every weight, and the sin that doth so easily beset us, let us run with patience the race that is set before us'." Thus let us strive with all our might to follow Jesus.

May the grace of God poured abundantly into our hearts; be ever with us in this course, confirm our resolution, aid our feeble efforts to follow this great and glorious leader. Through "all the changes and chances;" through all the trials and temptations of this mortal life, may we be enabled to tread closely and steadily in his blessed steps. May we follow him, not only through life, but also through the grave and gate of death," "to our joyful resurrection"," and to his kingdom in heaven.

66

▾ Heb. xii. 1.

Collect for Easter Even.