Page 357
PAR. 8.
COncerning this Cocke-crowing; two not unnecessary Questions may be mooted.
- 1. Whither, the Cocke did crow naturally of himselfe, or was by meanes Divine, spurred, stimulated, or pushed on unto it?
- 2. How the Evangelists different variations may be reconciled? In which, ma∣ny other Quaeres are inwrapped.
Concerning the first, some may probably thinke, that our blessed Saviour (being Valdè Naturae mystes, acquainted exactly with the course of it; and divinely fore∣seeing, and fore-knowing what would come to passe in an usuall, and ordinary way) was content to let the creatures, Exercere actus suos proprios; to exercise their proper acts: S. Peter to deny his Master for feare, yet voluntarily; and the Cocke to crow at his usuall times. So that the Cocke did not crow, because Christ had fore∣told so much; or because he was provoked otherwise, than of himselfe to crow: but because Christ fore-knew that S. Peters deniall would be about the crowing of the Cocke; therefore did Christ fore-tell it. But I may more probably thinke, the whole course was above the levell of Nature, and that Satan desiring to winnow S. Peter. put a great and sudden feare into him, and that Christ for a little time did desert S. Peter; and turned, as it were his backe unto him. That afterward, Christ pittying S. Peter, did inwardly, and tacitly command the Cocke to crow; as hee in all likelihood, forbade the fish by some hidden motion, or instinct, to ap∣proach nigh the ships, where S. Peter and the Apostles toyled all the night, and tooke nothing, Luke 5.5. and precepted the fish, extraordinarily, and immediatly, to come in troopes, in obedience to Christs Will, to this end, that his miraculous power might be the better seene, when they let downe their Net for one draught; and the great multitude of fishes breake their net, Luke 5.6. and began to sinke their ships, ver. 7. And all this astonishing wonder was but divinely preparatory to make Peter beleeve the words of Christ, who promised, that thenceforth Peter should catch men, Luke 5.10. and as he commanded againe, in a way best knowne to him∣selfe, the fish to bring a stater, or halfe a crowne of silver in his mouth, unto the same S. Peter; and yet to bite at the bayte, which was fastned on the hooke, which S. Peter cast into the sea, Matth. 17.27. For I will not thinke that Peter cast in an hooke without a bayte; or if he did, it was the greater wonder. All which are things above the bounds of Nature. Likewise, when at the crowing of the Cocke, Peter remembred the words of Jesus, Mat. 26.75. My opinion is, the Cocke might have crowed for tie times, and S. Peter never a whit the rather have remembred the words of Christ; nor repented; but that our mercifull Saviour, even in the midst of his owne sufferings, remembred, and pittied S. Peter: for the Lord turned and looked upon S. Peter; and Peter remembred the words of the Lord, Luke 22 61. When Christ turned his face to Peter, and looked on him; it was an operative looke, and piercing eyes, vertue flew from them; and with divine power reached to turne Pe∣ter: now Peetr saw Christ, as well as Christ looked on Peter: Peter did read his own fault in his Masters countenance; the language of Christs lookes did Peter under∣stand; and it was not a naturall, but a divine motion, which made him remember the words of Christ. Augustine de gratia Christi. 1.45. saith, That Christs looking on Peter, was spirituall; with the spirituall eyes of mercy, reducing Peter to repen∣tance. He looked not on him with bodily eyes; Sed hic Augustinus non tenetur: Here S. Austine was awry. I doubt not, but Christ beheld Peter both corporally, and spiritually. Indeede, it is said, Marke 14.66. Peter was beneath in the Palace warming himselfe. And Peter was without in the Palace, Matth. 26.69. and hee was gone out into the Porch, ver. 71. which imply, that Christ and Peter were in severall roomes; Christ within, and above; Peter without, and beneath. I answer, that they were in severall roomes at first, none can deny: but that Peter went not