THE SERMON. 123 



to life and liberty and fui-ther labour in bis divine Master's 

 cause — tbat Peter wbo wben condemned to crucifixion by 

 tbe cruel Nero, did not deem bimself wortby to die a deatb 

 of agony in the same manner as our divine Redeemer, and 

 was at bis own request fastened to tbe cross witb bis bead 

 dowTiwards — tbus, in meekness and bumiliation following 

 tbe footsteps of bis Saviour, on eartb, obtaining a martyr's 

 crown, in beaven securing a saint's diadem of everlasting 

 glory. 



" At tbe time be gave utterance to tbe words of our text, 

 seven of our Lord's disciples bad assembled togetber on 

 tbe sbore of tbe sea of Tiberias ; as soon as Peter 

 announced bis intention to tbem to ' go a fisbing,' tbey 

 all agreed to accompany bim, and spent tbe nigbt in fruit- 

 less toil, for tbey caugbt notbing. 



" Wben tbe morning came, as tbey approacbed tbe land, 

 tbere stood upon tbe sbore One wbom tbey did not recog- 

 nise, and wbo inquired of tbem wbetber tbey bad any 

 meat ? On tbeir answering in tbe negative, be directed 

 tbem to cast tbe net at tbe rigbt side of tbe sbip, and 

 assured tbem tbey sbould find. 



" Tbey cast tbe net mthout besitation, and immediately 

 enclosed so great a multitude of fisbes tbat tbey were 

 unable to draw it. 



" Tbis miracle was so similar in its nature and circum- 

 stances to tbat wbicb bad preceded tbe calling of Peter 



