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BRI Q3

v.4

THE

CHRISTIAN SPECTATOR.

No. I.]

JANUARY 1, 1822.

Keligious Communications.

For the Christian Spectator.
On the character of the Apostle

Peter.

THERE are few scriptural charac ters more strongly marked, than that of the Apostle Peter. We cannot but love him for his ardent zeal, his generous feelings, his quick sensibility, his ingenuous promptness, his teachableness, his devotedness to Christ, his reverence and affection for him. The biography of this disciple is no where given in connection, but is learnt from insulated passages scattered through the New Testa

ment.

Astonished at the miraculous draught of fishes and overwhelmed with the sense of his unworthiness, he" fell down at the Saviour's feet, saying, Depart from me for I am a sinful man." When Jesus, about to give a striking and impressive illustration of the duty of humility-offered to wash his disciples' feet; Peter, unwilling to have his Master do ter, unwilling to have his Master do any thing which might lower his character, from the honesty of his heart and with his wonted quickness, exclaims, “Thou shalt never wash my feet:" And when assured that this ceremony could not be dispensed with, he goes directly to the opposite extreme;" Lord! not my feet on'y, but also my hands and my head." it the time when the Saviour reveal d to his little family that it was neessary for him to go to Jerusalem ad there, after enduring many inlts, to suffer the death of the cross; eter, we are told, with his constituonal promptness and indiscretion, Vol. 4-No. I.

1

[VOL. IV.

deluded by the carnal expectation that the Messiah would be a mighty temporal prince, seized him by the hand" and began to rebuke him, saying, Be it far from thee, Lord! this shall not be unto thee." The evethe institution of the Supper and ning previous to the crucifixion after when on the way to the garden where the bloody scene began, Christ said to his chosen band, "Ye shall be offended because of me this night, for it is written, I will smite the Shepherd and the sheep of the flock shall be scattered abroad;" the zealous disciple, unable to endure the thought of there being even a possibility of his forsaking his Lord, exfended because of thee, yet will I claims," Though all men shall be ofnever be offended." On the Saviour's replying, "Verily I say unto thee that this night before the cock crow thou shalt deny me thrice;" ignorant of his frailty, wounded to the quick by the supposition, with increased warmth he renews his protestations: "Though I should die with thee, yet will I not deny thee." Having enquired of Christ whither he was going, and being told that he could not then follow him; he with his usual earnestness as well as affection rejoins;" Why cannot I follow thee now? I will lay down my life the band entered the garden for for thy sake." Accordingly when the purpose of apprehending Christ, Peter, determined to stand by him to the last, drew his sword upon them and smote the high priest's servant, and would probably have continued

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