DENIAL.
Whosoever shall deny me before men, him will I also deny before my Father which is in heaven.—Matthew, x. 33.
Peter answered and said unto him, Though all men shall be offended because of thee, yet will I never be offended.
Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, that this night, before the cock crow, thou shalt deny me thrice.
Peter said unto him, Though I should die with thee, yet will I not deny thee. Likewise also said all the disciples.—Matthew, xxvi. 33, 34, 35.
I think that look of Christ might seem to say:—
“Thou, Peter! art thou then a common stone,
Which I at last must break my heart upon,
For all God’s charge to His high angels may
Guard my foot better? Did I yesterday
Wash my feet, my beloved, that they should run
Quick to deny me, ’neath the morning sun,—
And do thy kisses, like the rest, betray?
The cock crows coldly,—Go, and manifest
A late contrition, but no bootless fear!
For when thy deathly need is bitterest,
Thou shalt not be denied, as I am here—
My voice to God and angels shall attest,—
‘Because I know this man let him go clear.’”
Elizabeth Barrett.
She in her Saviour’s ranks had done
A veteran’s service, and with Polycarp
Might say to Death, “For more than fourscore years
He was my Lord—shall I deny Him now?”
No! no! thou could’st not turn away from Him
Who was thy hope in youth, and on whose arm
The feebleness of hoary hairs were staid.
Before His Father, and the Angel host,
He will adjudge thee faithful. So farewell,
Blessed and full of days.
Mrs. Sigourney.
Numbers before have try’d,
And found the promise true;
Nor yet one been deny’d,
Then why should I or you?
Let us by faith our footsteps trace,
And hasten to the throne of grace.
John Newton.