“But all this was done, that the scriptures of the prophets might be fulfilled. Then all the disciples forsook him, and fled.” ~ Matthew 26:56“Do not censure them, reader, in thy thoughts, nor despise them for this their weakness. Neither say in thy heart, Had I been there as they were, I would never have done as they did. They thought as little of doing what they did, as you, or any of the saints do; and as much did their souls detest and abhor it: but there thou mayest see whether a soul that fears God may be carried, if his corruptions be irritated by strong temptations, and God withholds usual influences.”
The best of men know not their own strength till they come to the trial. Little did these holy men imagine such a cowardly spirit had been in them, till temptation put it to the proof. Let this therefore be a caution for ever to the people of God. You resolve never to forsake Christ, you do well; but so did these, and yet were scattered from him. You can never take a just measure of your own strength till temptation have tried it. It is said, Deuteronomy 8:2 that God led the people so many years in the wilderness, to prove them; and to know them, (i.e. to make them know) what was in their hearts. Little did they think such unbelief, murmurings, discontents, and a spirit bent to backslidings, had been in them; until, their straits in the wilderness gave them the sad experience of these things.”
“Did the disciples forsake Christ, though they had such strong persuasions and resolutions never to do it? Then we see, that self-confidence is a sin too incident to the best of men. They little thought their hearts would have proved so base and deceitful, as they found them to be when they were tried. “Though all men forsake thee (saith Peter) yet will not I.” Good man, he resolved honestly, but he knew not what a feather he should be in the wind of temptation, if God once left him to his own fears.”
Flavel, John.
The Works of John Flavel. Vol. 1.
Cambridge: Universit Press,
1997. 349-55. 6 vols. Print.
