John 13:37–38

In these verses we have the second discourse betwixt Christ and Peter; wherein, Peter not digesting that he could not now follow, and looking on a violent death as the greatest impediment, he conceives it not impossible to hazard on that, and therefore rashly offers to follow him, though he should lay down his life for his sake, ver. 37. which presumption being detested by Christ, he represseth it by a prediction that he should deny him thrice, that same very night, before the cock should crow, ver. 38.

From ver. 37. Learn, 1. Men are not easily convinced of their presumption, till experience discover it, nor do they alwayes see reason to doubt of their own strength, even albeit Christ should warn them of it; Therefore replieth he against Christs warning, why cannot I follow thee now? 2. The greatest external impediment to hinder a man from following Christ, is a violent death for his sake; for, so doth Peter suppose here. 3. Albeit it be a very great difficulty in it selfe, to suffer death for Christ and his truth; Yet it is not a thing to be stood upon, when we are called to it; And love to Christ should make it easie, and us willing to undergo it; for, this is in it selfe commendable, that he was so willing to die, I will lay down my life for thy sake. 4. As it is commendable to be valiant, couragious, and resolved for troubles for Christs sake, so ofttimes, in stead of this, Saints may be pestered with presumptuous resting on their own strength to endure sufferings for Christ; for, this offer flowed not from true magnanimity, but rash presumption in Peter, who vilipends death, and yet trembled at a damsels voice. 5. The evidences of this presumption (as it is distinguished from true courage and resolution in God) may be gathered from Peter here. As 1. Men are presumptuous, when they heed not the words verdict concerning their weaknesse, nor are humbled by what it discovers; for, he heeds not, but contradicts Christs verdict. 2. Mens condition looks like presumption, when they lean to their present disposition and affections, and are not sent out of themselves, to deny all these, and trust in God only; for, Peter here builds too much on his present sit of affection and resolution. 3. If men would avoid presumption, they ought not to boast of their courage before they have a do, and be called to it, and get the promise of fortitude, for, Peter is now stout, when it is not his work, and he hath not the promise till afterward. 4. It is a great token of presumption, when men look only on outward impediments, and do not seriously consider their own inward fainting dispositions; for, he speaks only of death, as an impediment, but considers not his own disposition, and how much is requisite within a man for such an undertaking, without which lesser sufferings will be formidable. 5. Presumption is alwayes attended with that want of sobriety, whereof true courage is free; for, in all this he boasts, without any fear or trembling, See 1 Cor. 10.12. Rom. 11.20.

From ver. 38. Learn, 1. Presumption is detestable and abominable to Christ, were it even in his own followers; for, so much doth this question, by way of indignation, import, wilt thou lay down thy life for my sake? 2. Christ knoweth all his followers well, and what they will prove, even when he chooseth them, and leteth out his love upon them; as being God over all, and having diligently pondered all predictions concerning him as man; for, he can tell Peter what he will prove, and so all the disciples, from the predictions of the Prophets, Matth. 26.31. 3. Presumption and carnal confidence will never do service to Christ, But, on the contrary, men may be very presumptuous and confident of themselves, when they are very near a fall; for presumptuous Peter is to deny his Master, and that before the cock crow, which was the signe whereof Christ made use afterward, to reclaim him. 4. It is incredible, how contrary mens carriage, in a time of tentation, may be to their presumptuous resolutions; Therefore Christ must confirme it with a verily, verily. 5. When no other thing will convince men of their presumption and carnal confidence, Christ will refute them by letting them feele their own weight; for, when Peter will not beleeve Christ ver. 36, he gets this, to shew him his folly? Yea, it seems from Matth. 26.34, 35. that he vented the same presumption again in the way to the Garden, and would not give credit to it, when Christ over again warned him of his danger, and therefore he must be humbled with such a fall 6. When men once give way and yeel to tentation, they would make no end of defection, if mercy did not stop their course; for, Peter is warned that he shall deny Christ thrice, and would have gone on, if Christ had not reclaimed him.