ble proofs of his resurrection, and those inftructions, which their work required, "while they be held, he was taken up; and a cloud received him out of their fight."

THIS ViGIt was made to a part of the difciples at the sea of Tiberias; whither they had retired after the crucifixion; but whether to follow their former occupation, or in expectation of meeting there the rifen Savior, who had promifed to manifeft himself to them in Galilee, we are not informed. They were however engaged in fishing, when after the fruitless labors of a night, they faw Jefus in the morning ftanding on the fhore.

GOD looks favorably on his people when he fees them employed in honeft fecular bufinefs; and fometimes manifefts himself to them.

THIS was a kind inftructive vifit, to these difciples; especially to Peter. Peter was of a bold, forward disposition, naturally eager and confident, and so strongly attached to his Lord, that he thought nothing could feparate him, from him-neither allurements, nor terrors. Therefore when Christ warned his family of his approaching fufferings, and the effect which they would have on them that "they would be offended because of him-yea be scattered from him and leave him a lone" Peter did not believe him! He had fuch love to Christ, and felt fo determined to adhere to him, in all extremities, that he dared to declare, "Though all fhall be offended, yet will not I." And when his Lord, affured him that he would thrice deny him that very night, he was not con.

vinced! It only ferved to draw from him a more vehement and pofitive affertion, "If I fhould die with thee, I will not deny thee in any wife.". But he foon found his mistake. Three times, before the next morning dawned, did he deny his Savfor-with oaths and imprecations did he deny him!

THIS finner was foon renewed by repentance. And one defign of Chrift's vifit at this time, feems to have been to affure the penitent, that his fin, in denying the Lord who bought him," was pardon. ed, and that he was confirmed in the office to which he had been previously called. But the manner in which this was done carried in it a reproof, which must have called his fin to remembrance, causing his foul to be humbled in him. Let us turn our attention to the subject.

In the text we fee Chrift queftioning Peter, and try. ing his love-Peter appealing to Chrift, for the reali ty of it-and Chrift directing Peter how to manifeft his love to him-by feeding his flock.

I. We fee Chrift queftioning Peter and trying his love. Simon, fon of Jonas, loveft thou me more than thefe ?

SIMON was the original name of this apostle. Cephas and Peter, which fignify a rock, or stone, were names given him of Chrift, expreffive of that firmness of character, for which he was remarkable. These though commonly used, after they were given him, were omitted on this occafion; probably as a tacit reproof of his denial of his Lord, a little before; which had been occafioned

by the failure of his courage-by the deficiency of his firmness.

THE manner in which his divine mafter, here, addreffed this disciple, feemed to imply a doubt of his love; or of the fupremacy of it.

CHRIST knew the heart. Peter's love was not hidden from him. But while he dwelt with men, he treated people according to their apparent characters; thereby fetting an example to his followers, who can judge others only by appearances, or that which is external.

JESUS did not immediately address himself to Peter, as foon as he had made himself known; but after he had been fome time in the company of thefe friends and followers, and they had made a friendly meal together, he turned to this difciple, and in the presence of his brethren, who had witneffed his high professions of love, and determination never to forfake or deny him, and the part he had acted foon after, addreffed him, as in the text; Simon, fon of Jonas, loveft thou me more than thefe ?

WHAT had happened a little before, rendered this queftion highly proper. One of the twelve had fallen. One, whom the others had not fufpected. Nothing had appeared, which marked out Judas for the traitor, during the time of his going out and in with the other disciples, Chrift, though he knew him, and gave frequent intimations that there was a traitor among them, had nev er defignated him. When they were told that one of them should betray their Lord, their eyes were

not turned upon Judas, but each one appeared jealous of himself, "Lord is it 1?" But his hypocrify had now been made manifeft and he had gone to his own place." Such bad he been found, who was the steward in Chrift's family! That with respect to him, the other difciples, had been deceived, now appeared. And Peter, who had been fo forward and zealous, and profeffed fuch warm love to Chrift, had lately denied him! And though he had returned, profeffing himself a penitent, his fincerity is queftioned, and he is called on, to clear up his character.

It was important that this matter fhould be determined, that the other difciples might know how to treat this late offender-whether he was to be received as a brother, or to be confidered as depofed from his office, and to be fucceeded by another. This was probably the reason of Christ's addreffing him, as here in the presence of his brethren. Loveft thou me more than thefe ?

Ir he had the love of Chrift dwelling in him, and that love was fupreme, Chrift would forgive the past and continue to employ him as a fhepherd to feed his flock. Therefore did he apply to this late offending paftor, and demand of him in the presence of his brethren, whether he really lov ed him, with fuch a love as was neceffary to conftitute him a difciple.

THIS had been long before fettled, and determined, to be love fuperior to that which is borne to the world, or the riches and honors, or friend. ships and relations of it, or even life in it, "He

that loveth father or mother more than me is not worthy of me: He that loveth fon or daughter more than me is not worthy of me: He that tak eth not his crofs and followeth after me, is not worthy of me: He that findeth his life fhall lofe it; and he that lofeth his life for my fake fhall find it."*

THE purport of this and parallel declarations of the divine teacher, are not obfcure; they plainly teach that we cannot be Chrift's difciples, unless our love to him furpaffeth that which we bear any thing terrestrial. Therefore the question put to Simon, agreeably to these prior definitions of that love to Chrift which is neceffary to conftitute a perfon his difciple, marked particularly by the laft clause of it, more than these?

EXPOSITORS have generally put another sense on this question, and in our apprehension, a mistaken fense. They have confidered our Lord as inquiring of Simon whether his love exceeded that of his fellow difciples. Loveft thou me more than thefe thy fellow difciples love me?

THIS cannot be the fenfe of the queflion. This is a queftion which Simon could not have anfwered; and which it would have been wrong in him to have attempted to answer; a question therefore which Chrift would not have put to him, or required him to anfwer. To have answered it, Simon must have known the hearts of others; but to have pretended to the knowledge of them, would have been claiming a divine prerogative.

* Matthew x. 37.