When things of night, when things of shame, Pealed for a hissing and a curse Then Awful Judge, most Awful God, To bloom with blossoms, and to give I plead Thyself with Thee, I plead Jesus, most Merciful of Men, Show mercy on us then; Lord God of Mercy and of men, Show mercy on us then. St. Peter, APOSTLE. 29 JUNE. The Sacred Text. NDREW, Simon Peter's brother. He first findeth his own brother Simon, and saith unto him, We have found the Messias, which is, being interpreted, the Christ. And he brought him to Jesus. And when Jesus beheld him, He said, Thou art Simon the son of Jona: thou shalt be called Cephas, which is by interpretation, A stone.-St. John i. 40, &c. Jesus, walking by the sea of Galilee, saw two brethren, Simon called Peter, and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea for they were fishers. And He saith unto them, Follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men. And they straightway left their nets, and followed Him.St. Matthew, iv. 18, &c. When Jesus was come into Peter's house, He saw his wife's mother laid, and sick of a fever. And they besought Him for her.-St. Matthew viii. 14; St. Luke iv. 38. He went out, and departed into a solitary place. And Simon and they that were with him followed after Him. And when they had found Him, they said unto Him, All men seek for Thee.-St. Mark i. 35, &c. He stood by the lake of Gennesaret, and saw two ships standing by the lake: but the fishermen were gone out of them, and were washing their nets. And He entered into one of the ships, which was Simon's, and prayed him that he would thrust out a little from the land. And He sat down, and taught the people out of the ship. Now when He had left speaking, He said unto Simon, Launch out into the deep, and let down your nets for a draught. And Simon answering said unto Him, Master, we have toiled all the night, and have taken nothing: nevertheless at Thy word I will let down the net. And when they had this done, they inclosed a great multitude of fishes: and their net brake. And they beckoned unto their partners, which were in the other ship, that they should come and help them. And they came, and filled both the ships, so that they began to sink. When Simon Peter saw it, he fell down at Jesus' knees, saying, Depart from me; for I am a sinful man, O Lord. For he was astonished at the draught of the fishes which they had taken: and so was also James, and John, which were partners with Simon. And Jesus said unto Simon, Fear not; from henceforth thou shalt catch men. And when they had brought their ships to land, they forsook all, and followed Him.-St. Luke v. 1, &c. He called unto Him His disciples: and of them He chose twelve, whom also He named Apostles: Simon, whom He also named Peter.-St. Luke vi. 13, 14. This know, that if the goodman of the house had known what hour the thief would come, he would have watched, and not have suffered his house to be broken through. Be ye therefore ready also for the Son of man cometh at an hour when ye think not. Then Peter said unto Him, Lord, speakest Thou this parable unto us, or even to all?-St. Luke xii. 39, &c. Jesus said, Who touched Me? When all denied, Peter and they that were with him said, Master, the multitude throng Thee, and press Thee, and sayest Thou, Who touched Me?-St. Luke viii. 45. When He came into the house, He suffered no man to go in, save Peter, and James, and John, and the father and the mother of the maiden.-St. Luke viii. 51. Jesus went unto them, walking on the sea. And when the disciples saw Him walking on the sea, they were troubled, saying, It is a spirit; and they cried out for fear. But straightway Jesus spake unto them, saying, Be of good cheer; it is I; be not afraid. And Peter answered Him and said, Lord, if it be Thou, bid me come unto Thee on the water. And He said, Come. And when Peter was come down out of the ship, he walked on the water, to go to Jesus. But when he saw the wind boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink, he cried, saying, Lord, save me. And immediately Jesus stretched forth His hand, and caught him, and said unto him, O thou of little faith, wherefore didst thou doubt? And when they were come into the ship, the wind ceased.-St. Matthew xiv. 25, &c. Many of His disciples went back, and walked no more with Him. Then said Jesus unto the twelve, Will ye also go away? Then Simon Peter answered Him, Lord, to whom shall we go? Thou hast the words of eternal life. And we believe and are sure that Thou art that Christ, the Son of the Living God.-St. John vi. 66, &c. He asked His disciples, saying, Whom do men say that I the Son of man am? And they said, Some say that Thou art John the Baptist: some, Elias; and others, Jeremias, or one of the prophets. He saith unto them, But whom say ye that I am? And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the Living God. And Jesus answered and said unto him, Blessed art thou, Simon Bar-jona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but My Father which is in heaven. And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build My Church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. And I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.-St. Matthew xvi. 13, &c. From that time forth began Jesus to shew unto His disciples, how that He must go unto Jerusalem, and suffer many things of the elders and Chief Priests and Scribes, and be killed, and be raised again the third day. Then Peter took Him, and began to rebuke Him, saying, Be it far from Thee, Lord: this shall not be unto Thee. But He turned, and said unto Peter, Get thee behind Me, Satan: thou art an offence unto Me: for thou savourest not the things that be of God, but those that be of men. -St. Matthew xvi. 21, &c. Jesus taketh with Him Peter, and James, and John, and leadeth them up into an high mountain apart by themselves and He was transfigured before them. And there |