Page:Lives of the apostles of Jesus Christ (1836).djvu/115

 his lord, neither is he that is sent greater than him that sent him. If ye know these things, happy are ye if ye do them."—A charge so clear and simple, and so full, that it needs not a word of comment to show any reader the full force of this touching ceremony.

Shortly after, in the same place and during the same meeting, Jesus speaking to them of his near departure, affectionately and sadly said, "Little children, but a little while longer am I with you. Ye shall seek me; and as I said to the Jews, 'whither I go, ye cannot come,'—so now I say to you." To this Simon Peter soon after replied by asking him, "Lord whither goest thou?" Jesus answered him, "Whither I go thou canst not follow me now, but thou shalt follow me afterwards." Peter, perhaps beginning to perceive the mournful meaning of this declaration, replied, still urging, "Lord, why cannot I follow thee now? I will lay down my life for thy sake." Jesus answered, "Wilt thou lay down thy life for my sake? I tell thee assuredly, the cock shall not crow till thou hast denied me thrice."—Soon after, at the same time and place, noticing the confident assurance of this chief disciple, Jesus again warned him of his danger and his coming fall. "Simon! Simon! behold, Satan has desired to have you (all) that he may sift you as wheat; but I have prayed for thee (especially) that thy faith fail not; and when thou art converted, strengthen thy brethren." Never before had higher and more distinctive favor been conferred on this chief apostle, than by this sad prophecy of danger, weakness and sin, on which he was to fall, for a time, to his deep disgrace; but on him alone, when rescued from ruin by his Master's peculiar prayers, was to rest the task of strengthening his brethren. But his Master's kind warning was for the present lost on his immovable self-esteem; he repeated his former assurance of perfect devotion through every danger, "Lord, I am ready to go with thee into prison and to death." Where was affectionate and heroic devotion ever more affectingly and determinedly expressed? What heart of common man would not have leaped to meet such love and fidelity? But He, with an eye still clear and piercing, in spite of the tears with which affection might dim it, saw through the veil that would have blinded the sharpest human judgment, and coldly met these protestations of burning zeal with the chilling prediction again uttered, "I tell thee, Peter, the cock shall not crow this day, before thou shalt thrice deny that thou knowest me." Then making a sudden transition, to hint to them the nature of the dangers which would soon try