Matthew Poole and continuators on Matthew 26:75

Mark saith, Ch. 14.72. And the second time, the Cock crew, and Peter called to mind the Words, that Iesus had said unto him: Before the Cock crow twice, thou shalt deny me thrice; and when he thought thereon he wept. Luke saith, Ch. 22.61. And the Lord turned, and lookt upon Peter, and Peter remembred the Word of the Lord, how he had said unto him, Before the Cock crow, thou shalt deny me thrice. And Peter went out and wept bitterly. We have in this last Verse Peters Repentance, and the Occasion and Cause of it. A good Man may fall, and that foully, but he shall not fall, so as to rise no more: David lay longer than Peter under the Guilt of his sin, but bo[illegible: 1 letter]h of them wept bitterly. He went out of the Porch, whither he went is not said, possibly he was afraid, to what this Detection of him might rise, or else sought a place (as Ioseph did) to weep more privately, and plentifully than be durst do, or thought convenient to do in the Porch of the High Priest. That which gave occasion to this Reflection, was the Crowing of the Cock the second time, and his Remembrance of the Words of Iesus, v. 34. Our Memories serve us much in the business of Repentance, and therefore, that the Soul should be without knowledge of the Law of God, is not good. Peter remembred what Christ had personally said to him. True Peniten[illegible: 1 letter]s are still excited to Repentance, by remembring the Law of God, what Christ hath in his Word said to them; and considering their own ways: The Crowing of the Cock the second time, hel[illegible: 1 letter]t him to remember the Words of Jesus, for he had said, Before the Cock crow twice, &c. But the Cause of his Repentance, is expressed by Luke: The Lord turned, and looked upon Peter. More must be understood by this Look of Christ upon him, then the meer cast of Christ's bodily Eye, with that Look there was a Vertue which went from Christ, which healed Peter exciting his Habit of Grace, and assisting him in the Exercise of it, which double influence of Grace, is necessary to every renewed Soul. Christ lookt upon Iudas, when Iudas kissed him: Yea, and said to him, Iudas betrayest thou the Son of Man with a kiss? Yet, Iudas went on in his Villany without Remorse. He lookt upon Peter, and he went out and wept bitterly. He lookt only upon the Face of Iudas, but he lookt upon the Heart of Peter, as well as upon his Face.

Marginal references: Verse 3[illegible: 1 letter] ▪ Mark 14.32 John▪ 13.[illegible: 2 letters]