though I have given you abundant evidence that I am not destitute of the means of deliverance, if I was inclined to use them.

Then all the disciples, who but a little while before had solemnly protested that they would never leave him, when they now saw him bound in the hands of his enemies, according to his repeated predictions, forsook him and fled *_ each of them shifting for his own safety, as well as he could, and seeking to shelter himself either among friends or strangers. And a certain youth, who was lodged in a house near the garden, and who was waked by the noise of this tumult, having an affection for Jesus, and apprehending him in danger, arose out of his bed, with nothing but a linen cloth, in which he lay, cast about his naked body; and he followed him a

*" (All the disciples forsook him and fled.) Perhaps they were afraid that the action of Peter should be imputed to them all, and might bring their lives into danger. But whatever they apprehended, their precipitate flight in these circumstances was the basest cowardice and ingratitude; considering not only how lately they had been warned of their danger, and what solemn promises they had made of a courageous adherence to Christ; but also what an agony they had just seen him in; what zeal he had a few moments before showed in their defence; and what amazing power he had exerted to terrify his enemies into a compliance with that part of his demand which related to the safety of his friends. He had also at the same time intimated his purpose of giving them a speedy and kind dismission; so that it was very indecent thus to run away without it; especially as Christ's prophecy of their continued usefulness in his church was equivalent to a promise of their preservation, whatever danger they might now meet with. But our Lord probably permitted it, that we might learn not to depend too confidently even on the friendship of the very best of men."

little way, after the rest of his disciples were gone, transported into a forgetfulness of his own dress, by his concern for Jesus; and the young men that made a part of the guard, suspecting he was one that belonged to Jesus, laid hold of him; but he leaving the sheet that was wrapped about him in their hands, fled away from them naked, in the utmost consternation. After which Jesus was led away to Annas first, (for he was father-inlaw to Caiaphas, which was the high-priest that same year.) Now Annas sent him bound unto Caiaphas the high priest; where, though it was now the dead time of the night, all the chief priests, and the scribes, and the elders or the chief persons of the Sanhedrim, with their proper officers, met together on a summons from Caiaphas, and were assembled with him, waiting for Jesus to be brought before them.

"And though Simon Peter had at first forsaken Christ, and shifted for himself, as the rest of his companions did, yet afterward he and another disciple, even the evangelist John, bethought themselves, and determined to return; and accordingly they followed Jesus afar off,* desiring to see what would become of him; and as the other disciple was known to the high priest,† he was admitted without

* " (Followed Jesus afar off.) It appears from hence that Peter and John recovered themselves quickly after their flight, or else they could not have followed at some distance, and yet be so near as to be ready to go into Caiaphas' house with him."

+ "(That disciple was known to the high priest.) We cannot imagine the acquaintance was very intimate, considering the

any objection or impediment, and went into the palace of the high priest, with Jesus and the guard that attended him. But Peter, who had no interest or acquaintance there, stood waiting without at the door; that other disciple, therefore, who was known to the high priest, went out of the inner room, into which Jesus was then carried, in order to his examination, and spake to her who kept the door to open it, and so by her consent brought in Peter. And when they had kindled a fire of coals in the midst of the large hall, and were set down together, Peter hoping to pass undiscovered, by mingling with the rest of the company, sat down among them with the servants, that he might be at hand to see the end of this affair; and while he thus waited for this purpose, though warned of what would happen, most shamefully and basely denied, even with oaths and imprecations, all knowledge of his blessed Lord and Master. And Jesus having been examined by the council in a more retired room, was now brought back into the hall, while they were consulting what they should do with him so that he stood within sight of Peter when he thus ungratefully denied him; and hearing such shocking language from a voice so familiar to him, just as those dreadful words proceeded out of his mouth, though tortured by his own unparalleled anguish, yet lost not for a moment his

great diversity of their rank and station in life: but a thousand occurrences occasion some knowledge of each other between persons whose conditions are as unequal as those we have been speaking of."

solicitude for the spiritual welfare of his unworthy friend; but turning him about, looked upon Peter, with such a mixture of earnestness and tenderness in his countenance, as, through the secret energy of the Holy Spirit that accompanied this look, pierced Peter to the heart; and he then recollected the word of the Lord Jesus, how he had said to him but that very evening, before the cock crow twice, thou shalt deny me thrice. And Peter could no longer bear the place, nor stand in the sight of his injured Master, but immediately went out,* quite overwhelmed with grief and shame; and reviewing with the deepest contrition his weakness and ingratitude, he wept bitterly.

"We now return to the examination of Jesus before the council. The high priest therefore asked Jesus, as he stood before him, concerning his doctrine-what it was that he taught, and with what view he had gathered so many followers? Jesus answered him and said, What I have taught has been delivered in the most public manner, and I have spoken it openly and freely to the world. I have always, as I had proper opportunity, taught in the synagogue, and

* " (And Peter went out.) It is observable that Luke, in two or three lines, here calls him three times by the name of Peter, that memorable name which Christ had given him, with a particular view to that fortitude and resolution with which he was to defend the gospel; perhaps thereby intending to intimate how low this courageous hero was now fallen; and yet to what a height of holy magnanimity he was afterwards raised, and thereby enabled to stand as a rock in that sacred cause, and so fully to answer the name with which his Master had honoured him."

VOL. III.

C

in the temple, whither the Jews continually resort in the greatest numbers, and have said nothing in secret, even to my most intimate friends, but what has been perfectly agreeable to the tenor of my public discourses; why dost thou therefore ask me, whose testimony in my own cause will not, to be sure, be much regarded in such a circumstance as this, when I am standing as on a trial for my life? Ask those that heard me, what I have spoken to them in the whole series of my ministry; for behold, they know it, and I am willing to appeal to any impartial person among them as to the innocence, propriety, and usefulness of what I have said.

"Such was the calm and rational reply which Jesus made to those that examined him. But when he had spoken these things, one of the officers belonging to the court, who then stood by, rudely struck Jesus with the palm of his hand, saying, Dost thou presume to answer the high priest thus, by sending him to others for a reply to his question? And Jesus, with his usual mildness, answered him, If thou hast been one of my hearers, and canst say that I at any time have spoken evil, either of God or man, in the course of my preaching, then thou wilt do well to bear thy testimony concerning that evil; but if I have spoken well, why smitest thou me? Can reason be answered by blows? or can such a sober appeal to it deserve them? Now the chief priests and elders of the people, and the whole Sanhedrim, with all its officers, not being able to make out a sufficient accusation against Jesus from such answers as