The ease,

as it seems, a death upon the cross. the liberty, of his earlier years is compared with the bondage of the latter days of his life, when he should fall into the hands of enemies, be dragged to execution, have his hands stretched out upon the cross, and be girded to it. Sometimes the criminals were bound to the cross with cords, sometimes nailed to it; sometimes both bound and nailed. It is generally agreed that St. Peter was crucified; and there is an account that he was crucified with his head downwards; saying, that he was not worthy, after having denied his Lord, to die as his Lord died. However this may be, there is no question that he suffered crucifixion, according to ver. 19.

19. This spake he, signifying by what death he should glorify God. And when he had spoken this, he saith unto him, Follow

me.

Having pressed upon Peter his duty, and informed him of his death, Jesus encourages him to look to His own blessed example; they who follow Christ in His sufferings and are faithful unto death, shall follow him in a glorious resurrection from the grave, and shall receive " a crown of life." We may conclude the Gospel at the next reading.

By every fresh instance, in which we behold the love of our blessed Saviour manifested for us, we should be drawn towards Him, and bound to Him, with a deeper interest and an additional tie. Here we see His great and gracious concern for

His

spiritual flock, for us

as members of that flock. He demanded of St. Peter but one proof of affection, to feed His lambs, to feed His sheep every care bestowed, upon one of His fold, He reckons as a proof of love to Him; " inasmuch as thou hast done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, thou hast done it unto me." (Matt. xxv. 40.) Truly there is no love like unto that which the Lord Jesus has borne, and does continually bear, towards us; and how ought we to love Him in return! All the powers of our understanding, and all the affections of our heart, should be earnestly and altogether devoted to Him; all our faculties, of nature and of grace. It is not a mere matter of feeling that is required of us; but a principle of living gratitude, and an affectionate service. And we must each of us manifest this principle and this affection in every path of life, at every opportunity, and under every circumstance in which we are placed; and especially by promoting the spiritual and eternal well-being of our brethren in the Lord, according to our means and ability. Moreover, we must be able, with all humility, yet with all sincerity, to appeal unto the Lord, and Lord, Thou knowest all things, Thou knowest that I love Thee." Imperfect as we are, defective as we are, we must be able to appeal to our hearts and

say,

66

lives, for a decided testimony and proof of our love to the Lord, our only Redeemer and Saviour. Thus we shall be enabled to follow Him whithersoever He may call or lead us; through every trial, through every suffering, even unto death; so that in our lives, so that in our departure from life, we may glorify the Lord. "For whether we live, we live unto the Lord; and whether we die, we die unto the Lord: whether we live therefore, or die, we are the Lord's. For to this end Christ both died, and rose, and revived, that He might be Lord both of the dead and living." (Rom. xiv. 8, 9.)

LECTURE LXXVI.

Jesus had been signifying to Peter by what death he should glorify God; by some violent death, seemingly on the cross: Peter therefore, having heard of his own martyrdom, wished to know what end awaited St. John, whom he saw near at hand.

CHAP. XXI. 20.

20. Then Peter, turning about, seeth the disciple whom Jesus loved following; which also leaned on his breast at supper, and said, Lord, which is he that betrayeth thee? 21. Peter seeing him saith to Jesus, Lord, and what shall this man do?

Matt. 16. 27, 28.

It is manifest, that this was a question for no real use, but of mere curiosity; it was no concern whatever of Peter's, to know what should become of another; his concern was with himself; to follow his master in the way of his own calling, even unto the end appointed, even unto death. Perhaps it may be here implied, that Peter was the more anxious and desirous to hear what would become of John, as he was the beloved disciple, and had been especially honoured with the familiar intercourse and confidence of his Lord. Jesus, in His answer, checks and reproves this spirit of curiosity; and teaches us, that we are to mind our own proper duties, and not busy ourselves with matters which do not belong to us; with the condition and affairs of other people.

22. Jesus saith unto him, If I will that he tarry till I come, what is that to thee? follow thou me. 23. Then went this saying abroad among the brethren, that that disciple should not die yet Jesus said not unto him, He shall not die; but, If I will that he tarry till I come, what is that to thee?

The brethren supposed, that "till I come" meant, "till I come at the end of the world :" whereas it probably meant "till I come to destroy Jerusalem, and execute vengeance on the Jewish nation." John did live till after that time; and seems to have been the only one of the apostles who did.

Chap. 19.35.

24. This is the disciple which testifieth of these things, and wrote these things: i. e. I John, the writer of this Gospel, bear witness to the truth of these things, and we know, it is a John 12. matter well known, that his testimony is true. 25. And there are also many other things Chap. 20. 30. which Jesus did, the which, if they should be written every one, I suppose that even the world itself could not contain the books that should be written. Amen.

This is a strong figure of speech, merely meant to shew how very numerous the books would have been. Truth is often conveyed in this striking manner. Thus, when the very numerous seed is promised to Abraham, it is said to be "as the stars of the heaven, and as the sand which is upon the sea-shore." And Gen. 22. 17. there are many such figures in scripture. It would indeed have been almost impossible to have recorded every word and deed of Jesus. Very often He cured great multitudes of sick and diseased, at once, or in a short time; so that they could not well be distinguished or numbered. And even if they could have been Matt. 4. 23 mentioned, the account of them would have 9. 35, &c. filled so many books, that few people could have possessed them all, and still fewer have studied and remembered them enough is recorded, an ample sufficiency, for the faith of all men who are disposed to believe; and if they

25.8. 16.