John Trapp on John 21:18

Verſe 18. Another ſhall gird thee] That is, cord thee, manacle and pinion thee, carry thee priſoner whither thou wouldſt not. Peter would, and he would not ſuffer. Every new man is two men, hath two contrary principles in him, fleſh and ſpirit. The spirit is willing, the fleſh weak and way ward. This made the Martyrs many of them, chide themſelves, and crave prayers of others. B. Ridly ſaid to the Smith, as he was knocking in the ſtaple, Good fellow, knock it in hard, for the fleſh will have it's courſe. So, Act. and Mon. fol. 1605. Rawlins White, Martyr, going to the ſtake, and meeting with his wife and children, the ſudden ſight of them ſo pierced his heart, that the very tears trickled down his cheeks. But he ſoon after, as though he had miſliked this infirmity of his fleſh, began to be, as it were angry with himſelf; inſomuch that in ſtriking his breaſt with his hand, he uſed theſe words, Ah fleſh, ſtaieſt thou me ſo? Wouldſt thou fain prevail? Well, I tell thee, do what thou canſt, thou ſhalt not, Ibid 1415. by Gods grace, have the victory. So Latimer in a letter to B. Ridley, Ibid 1565. Pray for me, I ſay; pray for me, I ſay; for I am ſometimes ſo fearfull, that I would creep into a Mouſe-hole, ſometimes God doth viſit me again with his comforts: ſo he cometh and goeth, to teach me to feel and know mine infirmity.