Matthew 26:74

King James Version (1611 Edition)

Then beganne hee to curse and to sweare, saying, I know not the man. And immediatly the cocke crew.

Parallel Translations

Christian Standard Bible®
Then he started to curse and to swear with an oath, “I don’t know the man!” Immediately a rooster crowed,

King James Version
Then began he to curse and to swear, saying, I know not the man. And immediately the cock crew.

English Standard Version
Then he began to invoke a curse on himself and to swear, "I do not know the man." And immediately the rooster crowed.

New American Standard Bible
Then he began to curse and swear, "I do not know the Man!" And immediately a rooster crowed.

New Century Version
Then Peter began to place a curse on himself and swear, "I don't know the man." At once, a rooster crowed.

Amplified Bible
Then he began to curse [that is, to invoke God's judgment on himself] and swear [an oath], "I do not know the man!" And at that moment a rooster crowed.

New American Standard Bible (1995)
Then he began to curse and swear, "I do not know the man!" And immediately a rooster crowed.

Legacy Standard Bible
Then he began to curse and swear, "I do not know the man!" And immediately a rooster crowed.

Berean Standard Bible
At that he began to curse and swear to them, "I do not know the man!" And immediately a rooster crowed.

Contemporary English Version
Peter began to curse and swear, "I don't know that man!" Right then a rooster crowed,

Complete Jewish Bible
This time he began to invoke a curse on himself as he swore, "I do not know the man!" — and immediately a rooster crowed.

Darby Translation
Then he began to curse and to swear, I know not the man. And immediately [the] cock crew.

Easy-to-Read Version
Then Peter began to curse. He said, "I swear to God, I don't know the man!" As soon as he said this, a rooster crowed.

Geneva Bible (1587)
Then began hee to curse himselfe, and to sweare, saying, I knowe not the man. And immediately the cocke crewe.

George Lamsa Translation
Then he began to curse and to swear, I do not know the man. At that very hour the cock crowed.

Good News Translation
Then Peter said, "I swear that I am telling the truth! May God punish me if I am not! I do not know that man!" Just then a rooster crowed,

Lexham English Bible
Then he began to curse and to swear with an oath, "I do not know the man!" And immediately a rooster crowed.

Literal Translation
Then he began to curse and to swear, I do not know the man. And immediately a cock crowed.

American Standard Version
Then began he to curse and to swear, I know not the man. And straightway the cock crew.

Bible in Basic English
Then with curses and oaths he said, I have no knowledge of the man. And straight away there came the cry of a cock.

Hebrew Names Version
Then began he to curse and to swear, "I don't know the man!" Immediately the cock crowed.

International Standard Version
Then he began to invoke a divine curse and to swear with an oath, "I don't know the man!" Just then a rooster crowed.Mark 14:71;">[xr]

Etheridge Translation
Then began he to imprecate and to swear, I know not the man ! And in that hour the cock crowed.

Murdock Translation
Then he began to imprecate and to swear, I know not that man. And in that hour the cock crew.

Bishop's Bible (1568)
Then began he to curse, & to sweare, that he knewe not the man. And immediatly the Cocke crewe.

English Revised Version
Then began he to curse and to swear, I know not the man. And straightway the cock crew.

World English Bible
Then began he to curse and to swear, "I don't know the man!" Immediately the cock crowed.

Wesley's New Testament (1755)
Then began he to curse and to swear, I know not the man.

Weymouth's New Testament
Then with curses and oaths he declared, "I do not know the man." Immediately a cock crowed,

Wycliffe Bible (1395)
Thanne he bigan to warie and to swere, that he knewe not the man. And anoon the cok crewe.

Update Bible Version
Then he began to curse and to swear, I don't know the man. And right away the rooster crowed.

Webster's Bible Translation
Then began he to curse and to swear, [saying], I know not the man. And immediately the cock crowed.

New English Translation
At that he began to curse, and he swore with an oath, "I do not know the man!" At that moment a rooster crowed.

New King James Version
Then he began to curse and swear, saying, "I do not know the Man!" Immediately a rooster crowed.

New Living Translation
Peter swore, "A curse on me if I'm lying—I don't know the man!" And immediately the rooster crowed.

New Life Bible
Then he began to say bad words and swear. He said, "I do not know the Man!" At once a rooster crowed.

New Revised Standard
Then he began to curse, and he swore an oath, "I do not know the man!" At that moment the cock crowed.

J.B. Rotherham Emphasized Bible
Then, began he to be cursing and swearing - I know not the man! And, straightway, a cock crowed.

Douay-Rheims Bible
Then he began to curse and to swear that he knew not the man. And immediately the cock crew.

Revised Standard Version
Then he began to invoke a curse on himself and to swear, "I do not know the man." And immediately the cock crowed.

Tyndale New Testament (1525)
Then beganne he to course and to sweare that he knewe not the man. And immedyatly the cocke krewe.

Young's Literal Translation
Then began he to anathematise, and to swear -- `I have not known the man;' and immediately did a cock crow,

Miles Coverdale Bible (1535)
Then begane he to curse and to sweare: I knowe not the man. And immediatly the cock crew.

Mace New Testament (1729)
then he fell to solemn imprecations, and swore, "I don't know the man." and immediately the cock crew:

THE MESSAGE
Then he got really nervous and swore. "I don't know the man!" Just then a rooster crowed. Peter remembered what Jesus had said: "Before the rooster crows, you will deny me three times." He went out and cried and cried and cried.

Simplified Cowboy Version
Then Pete started cussin' himself and everyone else and said, "I ain't never rode with no man named Jesus!"Immediately, off in the distance, a rooster crowed.

Contextual Overview

⁶⁹span data-lang="eng" data-trans="kja" data-ref="mat.26.1" class="versetxt"> And it came to passe, when Iesus had finished al these sayings, hee said vnto his disciples, Ye know that after two dayes is the feast of the Passeouer, and the Sonne of man is betrayed to be crucified. Then assembled together the chiefe Priests, and the Scribes, and the Elders of the people, vnto the palace of the high Priest, who was called Caiaphas, And consulted that they might take Iesus by subtiltie, and kill him. But they said, Not on the feast day, lest there bee an vproare among the people. Now when Iesus was in Bethanie, in the house of Simon the leper, There came vnto him a woman, hauing an alabaster boxe of very precious ointment, and powred it on his head, as he sate at meat. But when his disciples saw it, they had indignation, saying, To what purpose is this waste? For this ointment might haue bin sold for much, and giuen to the poore. When Iesus vnderstood it, he said vnto them, Why trouble ye the woman? For she hath wrought a good worke vpon me. For ye haue the poore alwayes with you, but me ye haue not alwayes. For in that she hath powred this ointment on my body, shee did it for my buriall. Uerely I say vnto you, Wheresoeuer this Gospel shall be preached in the whole world, there shall also this, that this woman hath done, be told for a memoriall of her. Then one of the twelue, called Iudas Iscariot, went vnto the chiefe Priests, And said vnto them, What will ye giue me, and I will deliuer him vnto you? And they couenanted with him for thirtie pieces of siluer. And from that time he sought opportunitie to betray him. Now the first day of the feast of vnleauened bread, the disciples came to Iesus, saying vnto him, Where wilt thou that we prepare for thee to eat the Passeouer? And he said, Goe into the citie to such a man, and say vnto him, The Master saith, My time is at hand, I will keepe the Passeouer at thy house with my disciples. And the disciples did, as Iesus had appointed them, and they made ready the Passeouer. Now when the euen was come, he sate downe with the twelue. And as they did eate, he said, Uerely I say vnto you, that one of you shal betray me. And they were exceeding sorowfull, and began euery one of them to say vnto him, Lord, Is it I? And he answered and said, Hee that dippeth his hand with mee in the dish, the same shall betray me. The sonne of man goeth as it is written of him: but woe vnto that man by whom the sonne of man is betrayed: It had bin good for that man, if hee had not bene borne. Then Iudas, which betrayed him, answered, and said, Master, Is it I? He said vnto him, Thou hast said. And as they were eating, Iesus took bread, and blessed it, and brake it, and gaue it to the Disciples, and said, Take, eate, this is my body. And he tooke the cup, and gaue thankes, and gaue it to them, saying, Drinke ye all of it: For this is my blood of the new Testament, which is shed for many for the remission of sinnes. But I say vnto you, I will not drinke henceforth of this fruite of the vine, vntill that day when I drinke it new with you in my fathers kingdom. And when they had sung an hymne, they went out into the mount of Oliues. Then saith Iesus vnto them, All ye shall be offended because of me this night, For it is written, I will smite the Shepheard, and the sheepe of the flocke shall be scattered abroad. But after I am risen againe, I will goe before you into Galilee. Peter answered, and said vnto him, Though all men shall be offended because of thee, yet will I neuer be offended. Iesus said vnto him, Uerily I say vnto thee, that this might before the cocke crow, thou shalt denie me thrise. Peter said vnto him, Though I should die with thee, yet will I not denie thee. Likewise also said all the Disciples. Then commeth Iesus with them vnto a place called Gethsemane, and saith vnto the Disciples, Sit yee heere, while I goe and pray yonder. And hee tooke with him Peter, and the two sonnes of Zebedee, and beganne to be sorrowful, and very heauie. Then saith he vnto them, My soule is exceeding sorrowfull, euen vnto death: tary ye heere, & watch with me. And he went a little further, and fell on his face, and prayed, saying, O my father, if it be possible, let this cup passe from me: neuerthelesse, not as I will, but as thou wilt. And he commeth vnto the Disciples, and findeth them asleepe, and saith vnto Peter, What, could ye not watch with me one houre? Watch and pray, that yee enter not into temptation: The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weake. He went away again the second time, and prayed, saying, O my father, if this cup may not passe away from me, except I drinke it, thy will be done. And he came and found them asleep againe: For their eies were heauie. And he left them, and went away againe, and prayed the third time, saying the same words. Then commeth he to his Disciples, and saith vnto them, Sleepe on now, and take your rest, behold, the houre is at hand, and the sonne of man is betrayed into the hands of sinners. Rise, let vs be going: behold, he is at hand that doeth betray me. And while yet spake, loe, Iudas one of the twelue came, and with him a great multitude with swords and staues from the chiefe Priests and Elders of the people. Now he that betrayed him, gaue them a signe, saying, Whomsoeuer I shall kisse, that same is he, hold him fast. And forthwith hee came to Iesus, and said, Haile master, and kissed him. And Iesus said vnto him, Friend, Wherefore art thou come? Then came they, and laid handes on Iesus, and tooke him. And behold, one of them which were with Iesus, stretched out his hand, and drew his sword, and stroke a seruant of the high Priests, and smote off his eare. Then said Iesus vnto him, Put vp againe thy sword into his place: for all they that take the sword, shall perish with the sword. Thinkest thou that I cannot now pray to my father, and he shall presently giue me more then twelue legions of Angels? But how then shall the Scriptures be fulfilled, that thus it must be? In that same houre said Iesus to the multitudes, Are ye come out as against a thiefe with swords and staues for to take mee? I sate daily with you teaching in the Temple, and ye laide no hold on me. But all this was done, that the Scriptures of the Prophets might be fulfilled. Then all the Disciples forsooke him, and fled: And they that had laid hold on Iesus, led him away to Caiaphas the high Priest, where the Scribes and the Elders were assembled. But Peter followed him afarre off, vnto the high Priests palace, and went in, and sate with the seruants to see the end. Now the chiefe Priests and Elders, and all the councell, sought false witnesse against Iesus to put him to death, But found none: yea, though many false witnesses came, yet found they none. At the last came two false witnesses, And said, This fellow said, I am able to destroy the Temple of God, and to build it in three dayes. And the high Priest arose, and said vnto him, Answerest thou nothing? What is it, which these witnesse against thee? But Iesus held his peace. And the high Priest answered, and said vnto him, I adiure thee by the liuing God, that thou tell vs, whether thou bee the Christ the Sonne of God. Iesus saith vnto him, Thou hast saide: Neuerthelesse I say vnto you, Hereafter shall yee see the Sonne of man sitting on the right hand of power, and coming in the clouds of heauen. Then the high Priest rent his clothes, saying, He hath spoken blasphemie: what further need haue wee of witnesses? Behold, now ye haue heard his blasphemie. What thinke ye? They answered and said, He is guiltie of death. Then did they spit in his face, and buffeted him, and others smote him with the palmes of their hands, Saying, Prophecie vnto vs, thou Christ, who is he that smote thee? ⁷⁰ Now Peter sate without in the palace: and a damosell came vnto him, saying, Thou also wast with Iesus of Galilee. ⁷¹ But hee denied before them all, saying, I know not what thou saiest. ⁷² And when he was gone out into the porch, another maide saw him, and saide vnto them that were there, This fellow was also with Iesus of Nazareth. Then beganne hee to curse and to sweare, saying, I know not the man. And immediatly the cocke crew. And Peter remembred the words of Iesus, which said vnto him, Before the cocke crow, thou shalt denie mee thrice. And hee went out, and wept bitterly. And againe hee denied with an oath, I doe not know the man. And after a while came vnto him they that stood by, and saide to Peter, Surely thou also art one of them, for thy speech bewrayeth thee. ⁷³span data-lang="eng" data-trans="kja" data-ref="mat.26.1" class="versetxt"> And it came to passe, when Iesus had finished al these sayings, hee said vnto his disciples, Ye know that after two dayes is the feast of the Passeouer, and the Sonne of man is betrayed to be crucified. Then assembled together the chiefe Priests, and the Scribes, and the Elders of the people, vnto the palace of the high Priest, who was called Caiaphas, And consulted that they might take Iesus by subtiltie, and kill him. But they said, Not on the feast day, lest there bee an vproare among the people. Now when Iesus was in Bethanie, in the house of Simon the leper, There came vnto him a woman, hauing an alabaster boxe of very precious ointment, and powred it on his head, as he sate at meat. But when his disciples saw it, they had indignation, saying, To what purpose is this waste? For this ointment might haue bin sold for much, and giuen to the poore. When Iesus vnderstood it, he said vnto them, Why trouble ye the woman? For she hath wrought a good worke vpon me. For ye haue the poore alwayes with you, but me ye haue not alwayes. For in that she hath powred this ointment on my body, shee did it for my buriall. Uerely I say vnto you, Wheresoeuer this Gospel shall be preached in the whole world, there shall also this, that this woman hath done, be told for a memoriall of her. Then one of the twelue, called Iudas Iscariot, went vnto the chiefe Priests, And said vnto them, What will ye giue me, and I will deliuer him vnto you? And they couenanted with him for thirtie pieces of siluer. And from that time he sought opportunitie to betray him. Now the first day of the feast of vnleauened bread, the disciples came to Iesus, saying vnto him, Where wilt thou that we prepare for thee to eat the Passeouer? And he said, Goe into the citie to such a man, and say vnto him, The Master saith, My time is at hand, I will keepe the Passeouer at thy house with my disciples. And the disciples did, as Iesus had appointed them, and they made ready the Passeouer. Now when the euen was come, he sate downe with the twelue. And as they did eate, he said, Uerely I say vnto you, that one of you shal betray me. And they were exceeding sorowfull, and began euery one of them to say vnto him, Lord, Is it I? And he answered and said, Hee that dippeth his hand with mee in the dish, the same shall betray me. The sonne of man goeth as it is written of him: but woe vnto that man by whom the sonne of man is betrayed: It had bin good for that man, if hee had not bene borne. Then Iudas, which betrayed him, answered, and said, Master, Is it I? He said vnto him, Thou hast said. And as they were eating, Iesus took bread, and blessed it, and brake it, and gaue it to the Disciples, and said, Take, eate, this is my body. And he tooke the cup, and gaue thankes, and gaue it to them, saying, Drinke ye all of it: For this is my blood of the new Testament, which is shed for many for the remission of sinnes. But I say vnto you, I will not drinke henceforth of this fruite of the vine, vntill that day when I drinke it new with you in my fathers kingdom. And when they had sung an hymne, they went out into the mount of Oliues. Then saith Iesus vnto them, All ye shall be offended because of me this night, For it is written, I will smite the Shepheard, and the sheepe of the flocke shall be scattered abroad. But after I am risen againe, I will goe before you into Galilee. Peter answered, and said vnto him, Though all men shall be offended because of thee, yet will I neuer be offended. Iesus said vnto him, Uerily I say vnto thee, that this might before the cocke crow, thou shalt denie me thrise. Peter said vnto him, Though I should die with thee, yet will I not denie thee. Likewise also said all the Disciples. Then commeth Iesus with them vnto a place called Gethsemane, and saith vnto the Disciples, Sit yee heere, while I goe and pray yonder. And hee tooke with him Peter, and the two sonnes of Zebedee, and beganne to be sorrowful, and very heauie. Then saith he vnto them, My soule is exceeding sorrowfull, euen vnto death: tary ye heere, & watch with me. And he went a little further, and fell on his face, and prayed, saying, O my father, if it be possible, let this cup passe from me: neuerthelesse, not as I will, but as thou wilt. And he commeth vnto the Disciples, and findeth them asleepe, and saith vnto Peter, What, could ye not watch with me one houre? Watch and pray, that yee enter not into temptation: The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weake. He went away again the second time, and prayed, saying, O my father, if this cup may not passe away from me, except I drinke it, thy will be done. And he came and found them asleep againe: For their eies were heauie. And he left them, and went away againe, and prayed the third time, saying the same words. Then commeth he to his Disciples, and saith vnto them, Sleepe on now, and take your rest, behold, the houre is at hand, and the sonne of man is betrayed into the hands of sinners. Rise, let vs be going: behold, he is at hand that doeth betray me. And while yet spake, loe, Iudas one of the twelue came, and with him a great multitude with swords and staues from the chiefe Priests and Elders of the people. Now he that betrayed him, gaue them a signe, saying, Whomsoeuer I shall kisse, that same is he, hold him fast. And forthwith hee came to Iesus, and said, Haile master, and kissed him. And Iesus said vnto him, Friend, Wherefore art thou come? Then came they, and laid handes on Iesus, and tooke him. And behold, one of them which were with Iesus, stretched out his hand, and drew his sword, and stroke a seruant of the high Priests, and smote off his eare. Then said Iesus vnto him, Put vp againe thy sword into his place: for all they that take the sword, shall perish with the sword. Thinkest thou that I cannot now pray to my father, and he shall presently giue me more then twelue legions of Angels? But how then shall the Scriptures be fulfilled, that thus it must be? In that same houre said Iesus to the multitudes, Are ye come out as against a thiefe with swords and staues for to take mee? I sate daily with you teaching in the Temple, and ye laide no hold on me. But all this was done, that the Scriptures of the Prophets might be fulfilled. Then all the Disciples forsooke him, and fled: And they that had laid hold on Iesus, led him away to Caiaphas the high Priest, where the Scribes and the Elders were assembled. But Peter followed him afarre off, vnto the high Priests palace, and went in, and sate with the seruants to see the end. Now the chiefe Priests and Elders, and all the councell, sought false witnesse against Iesus to put him to death, But found none: yea, though many false witnesses came, yet found they none. At the last came two false witnesses, And said, This fellow said, I am able to destroy the Temple of God, and to build it in three dayes. And the high Priest arose, and said vnto him, Answerest thou nothing? What is it, which these witnesse against thee? But Iesus held his peace. And the high Priest answered, and said vnto him, I adiure thee by the liuing God, that thou tell vs, whether thou bee the Christ the Sonne of God. Iesus saith vnto him, Thou hast saide: Neuerthelesse I say vnto you, Hereafter shall yee see the Sonne of man sitting on the right hand of power, and coming in the clouds of heauen. Then the high Priest rent his clothes, saying, He hath spoken blasphemie: what further need haue wee of witnesses? Behold, now ye haue heard his blasphemie. What thinke ye? They answered and said, He is guiltie of death. Then did they spit in his face, and buffeted him, and others smote him with the palmes of their hands, Saying, Prophecie vnto vs, thou Christ, who is he that smote thee? Now Peter sate without in the palace: and a damosell came vnto him, saying, Thou also wast with Iesus of Galilee. But hee denied before them all, saying, I know not what thou saiest. And when he was gone out into the porch, another maide saw him, and saide vnto them that were there, This fellow was also with Iesus of Nazareth. ⁷⁴ Then beganne hee to curse and to sweare, saying, I know not the man. And immediatly the cocke crew. ⁷⁵ And Peter remembred the words of Iesus, which said vnto him, Before the cocke crow, thou shalt denie mee thrice. And hee went out, and wept bitterly. And againe hee denied with an oath, I doe not know the man. And after a while came vnto him they that stood by, and saide to Peter, Surely thou also art one of them, for thy speech bewrayeth thee.

Bible Verse Review
  from Treasury of Scripure Knowledge

began: Matthew 27:25, Judges 17:2, Judges 21:18, 1 Samuel 14:24-28, Mark 14:71, Acts 23:12-14, Romans 9:3, 1 Corinthians 16:22

saying: Matthew 10:28, Matthew 10:32, Matthew 10:33, John 21:15-17, Revelation 3:19

And: Mark 14:30, Mark 14:68, Mark 14:72, Luke 22:60, John 18:27

Reciprocal: Numbers 5:21 - an oath 2 Samuel 11:6 - Send me Psalms 22:11 - none to help Psalms 31:11 - a fear Proverbs 16:18 - General Proverbs 30:9 - and take the name Matthew 26:72 - I do not Mark 14:70 - a little Luke 22:34 - the cock Luke 22:59 - confidently John 21:17 - the third James 3:9 - therewith curse

Gill's Notes on the Bible

Then began he to curse, and to swear,.... He swore before, and now he began "to curse"; not Christ, as Saul compelled some to blaspheme him, who professed him, and as the Jews formerly cursed Christ, and his followers, in their synagogues: for Peter's crime was bad enough, it need not be made worse than it was: he could never call Jesus accursed; in so doing he would have sinned the sin against the Holy Ghost; but he cursed himself; "he began to imprecate himself", as the Arabic version renders it; he made dreadful imprecations and wishes; wished that all the miseries and calamities he could think of might fall upon him, if he was one of the disciples of Jesus of Nazareth, or knew anything of him: saying,

I know not the man; if I do, God do so to me, or more also: let vengeance light upon me; may I be the most miserable creature in the world, if I know anything of him;

and immediately the cock crew: as he was swearing and cursing in this manner; as soon as ever the words were out of his mouth, and he had in this sad and solemn manner three times denied that he knew Christ, or was ever with him, or a disciple of his. It is forbid, by a Jewish canon, to keep cocks at Jerusalem; it runs thus c:

"they do not bring up cocks in Jerusalem, because of the holy things, neither do the priests in all the land of Israel, because of the purifications.''

Whether this canon was then in being, or how it was dispensed with, or whether there was any particular providence in the cock being here now, and so nigh the high priest's palace, is not certain; but one there was: nor can the Jews deny that there were cocks at Jerusalem; for they themselves speak of a cock, שנסקל בירושלים d, "that was stoned at Jerusalem".

c Misn. Bava Kama, c. 7. sect. 7. T. Bab. Bava Kama, fol. 82. 2. Abot R. Nathan, c. 35. Maimon. Hilch. Beth Habechirah, c. 7. sect. 14. Shalshelet Hakabala, fol. 9. 2. d T. Hieros Erubin, fol. 26. 1. Caphtor, fol. 42. 1.

Barnes' Notes on the Bible

Then began he to curse ... - Peter was now irritated beyond endurance. He could no longer resist the evidence that he was known. It had been repeatedly charged on him. His language had betrayed him, and there was a positive witness who had seen him. He felt it necessary, therefore, to be still more decided, and he accordingly added to the sin of denying his Lord the deep aggravation of profane cursing and swearing, affirming what he must have known was false, that he knew not the man. Immediately then the cock crew - that is, the second crowing, or not far from three in the morning.

Clarke's Notes on the Bible

Verse Matthew 26:74. Then began he to curse and to swear — Rather, Then he began positively to affirm - καταθεματιζειν, from κατα intensive, and τιθημι, I lay down, place, affirm. But the common reading is καταναθεματιζειν, which signifies to wish curses on himself. The former reading is supported by almost every MS. of value, and is, beyond dispute, the true reading, and has been received by Griesbach into the text. The business is bad enough, but the common reading makes it worse. In Matthew 26:72, Peter is said to deny with an oath; here, he positively affirms and swears, probably by the name of God, for this is the import of the word ομνυειν. This makes the fourth and final gradation in the climax of Peter's fall. From these awful beginnings it is not unfair to conclude that Peter might have gone almost as far as Judas himself, had not the traitorous business been effected before. Yet all this evil sprung simply from the fear of man. How many denials of Christ and his truth have sprung since, from the same cause!

The cock crew — This animal becomes, in the hand of God, the instrument of awaking the fallen apostle, at last, to a sense of his fall, danger, and duty. When abandoned of God, the smallest thing may become the occasion of a fall; and, when in the hand of God, the smallest matter may become the instrument of our restoration. Let us never think lightly of what are termed little sins: the smallest one has the seed of eternal ruin in it. Let us never think contemptibly of the feeblest means of grace: each may have the seed of eternal salvation in it. Let us ever remember that the great Apostle Peter fell through fear of a servant maid, and rose through the crowing of a cock.