Notice, in conclusion, the impression made on the disciples, as disclosed in Peter’s words, “It is good to be here.”  Peter knew when he was in good company.  He was not very wise himself, but he had sense enough to recognise wisdom in others.  He was not himself a finished saint, but he had a hearty appreciation of those who had attained saintliness.  He had reverence, power to recognise, and ungrudgingly to worship, what was good.  He had an honest delight in seeing his Master honoured, a delight which, perhaps, some of us envy.  It was not a forced expression, it was not a feigned delight.  He was a man who always felt that something should be said, and so here what was uppermost came out.  Why did Peter feel it was good for him to be there?  Possibly it was in part because here was glory without shame; recognition and homage without suffering; but no doubt partly because he felt that in such company he was a better man than elsewhere.  Christ kept him right; seemed to understand him better than others; to consider him more.  There was no resentment on Peter’s part on account of the severe answers he received from Christ.  He knew these were just, and he had learned to trust his Lord; and it suddenly flashes upon him that, if only he could live quietly with Jesus in such retirement as they then enjoyed, he would be a better man.  We have the same consciousness as Peter, that if ever we are right-minded and disposed for good, and able to make sacrifices and become a little heavenly; if ever we hate sin cordially—­it is when we are in the presence of Christ.  If we find it as impossible as Peter did to live retired from all conflict and intercourse with all kinds of men; if, like Peter, we have to descend into a valley ringing with demoniacs cries; if we are called upon to deal with the world as it actually is—­deformed, dehumanised by sin; is it nothing that we can assure ourselves of the society and friendship of One who means to remove all suffering and all sin, and who does so, not by a violent act of authority, but by sympathy and patient love, so that we can be His proper instruments, and in healing and helping others, help and heal ourselves!

INDISCREET IMPORTUNITY.

    “I gave thee a king in mine anger.” 
        Hosea xiii. 11.

    “Ye know not what ye ask.” 
        Matthew xx. 22.

    Psalm lxxviii. 27-31.

That God sometimes suffers men to destroy themselves, giving them their own way, although He knows it is ruinous, and even putting into their hands the scorpion they have mistaken for a fish, is an indubitable and alarming fact.