THE associates here were Peter and John. We should not have noticed this particularly, had we not found them so frequently and constantly together in the Scripture. The instances will readily occur to all attentive readers of the New Testament. But the reasons of this peculiar intimacy are mot mentioned. Each of the two had a brother among the apostles. But there is an amity superior to relationship; there is a friend that sticketh closer than a brother. It is commonly supposed, that those who attract each other and unite, very much resemble each other; whereas Peter and John seem to have been more dissimilar than any other two of the apostles that could have been selected. Yet may not the unlikeness be considered as one of the causes of this friendship? Peter knew the excellences of John were the opposites to his imperfections, and would tend to rectify them. Peter was eager and severe; John was more patient and affectionate. Peter was the hand, John the eye. But they were the more mutually necessary to each other.
Peter had denied his Lord, and rendered his attachment to him questionable. Perhaps John had been more compassionate towards him after his fall, and more ready to restore him in the spirit of meekness. David, after his backsliding, prayed, " Let them that fear thee turn unto me;" and some do this much more freely than others.
But connections and intimacies are not always to be accounted for. They often depend on things impossible for us to describe. They come from God, who has peculiar purpose, to answer, and link us together by invisible chains. See an instance of this : "It came to pass, when he had made an end of speaking unto Saul, that the soul of Jonathan was knit with the soul of David, and Jonathan loved him as his own soul. Then Jonathan and David made a covenant, because he loved him as his own soul. And Jonathan stripped himself of the robe that was upon him, and gave it to David, and his garments, even to his sword, and to his bow, and to his girdle.'' Though an heir apparent, Jonathan was at once attached to a man who was to exclude him from the succession. But the thing was of the Lord. How often do we read of God's giving a man favor in the eyes of another.
We have here a word in recommendation of friendship. It is sanctioned by Scripture and example. It is not good for man to be alone but we are not required to put even every one we love into our bosom. Peter had many colleagues, but one companion, one friend.
Their friendship was religious, and instead of leading them to walk in the counsel of the ungodly, or stand in the way of sinners, or sit in the seat of the scornful, it took them to the house of God in company. Those connections are the most valuable in which the bible is a witness between us; in which another world is not forgotten; in which we are bound by faith and love which are in Christ Jesus ; in which we walk together as heirs of the grace of life, that our prayers be not hindered.
We see that public devotion has claims upon us. God has commanded us not to "forsake the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is ;" and he has said, " In all places where I record my name, I will come unto thee, and I will bless thee." The worship of the sanctuary enlivens our feelings, endears us to each other, and keeps the distinctions of life from becoming excessive. There the rich and the poor meet together, and seek and serve a Being with whom there is no respect of persons. Happy they who love the place where his honor dwelleth. Let me always avail myself of the duty, the privilege, and be glad when they say unto me, Let us go up into the house of the Lord.
RETURN
TO REV. WILLIAM JAY'S HOMEPAGE
RETURN
TO REV. THOMAS BOSTON'S HOMEPAGE
