With  an  echo  that  will  never  become  fainter,  he  will  hear  it
resound  throughout  life.  And  when  that  which  was  now
shewn  him  in  the  distance  should  actually  befall  him,  that
word  "  verily  "  would  serve  to  support  the  consolatory  con-
viction that  the  Lord,  cognisant  of  his  future  destiny,  had
not  averted  it,  simply  because  He  foresaw  that  it  would  be
advantageous  and  salutary  for  him.  Peter  then  knew  that
whatever  hai)pened  to  him  formed  an  indispensable  part  of
His  gracious  leadings,  and  that  nothing  in  the  world  gives
so  firm  a  footing  as  a  w^ord  from  the  mouth  of  the  ''  true
and  faithful  Witness."  Let  us  also  rejoice  that  the  most  im-
l^ortant  revelations  and  teachings  of  Holy  Scripture  are
confirmed  by  our  Lord's  asseveration,  "  Verily,  verily."  Not
only  does  this  expression,  "verily,"  place  them  in  an  elevated
position  like  beacons,  but  our  Lord,  at  the  same  time,  pledges
for  their  truth  the  glory  of  His  divine  mission — ay,  all  His
prophetic  and  moral  honour.  *'  /  say  unto  thee,"  the  Lord
proceeds  to  declare  to  Peter,  "  When  thou  luast  young,  thou
girdedst  thy  self,  and  ivalkedst  tuhither  thou  7Uouldest."  In  a
wider  sense  this  declaration  is  true  of  man's  youth  generally.
In  the  full  consciousness  of  his  expanding  vital  power,  the
young  man  fancies  himself  able  to  make  his  way  through  all
obstacles,  and,  were  it  requisite,  to  move  mountains.  But
our  Lord  has  our  condition  by  nature  especially  in  view,
which  is  one  of  alienation  from  all  fellowship  with  God,
since  man,  listening  to  no  other  suggestions  than  those  which


1 58  PETER'S  WAY.
