I. Our subject teacheth the folly of felt dependence. Who ever appeared to have stronger confidence in himself than Peter? Yet few have fallen more shamefully than he. If we lean to ourselves, like things will probably befall us. Our strength is weakness. Our enemies are many and powerful; they are long versed in the arts of deception; well acquainted with our weakness; know how, and when, and where to attack us to advantage. Left to ourselves, we should doubtless be snared and taken by them. Simon was naturally bold and resolute; had great love to Christ, and zeal for his honor: Yet all did not enable him "to stand in the evil day." If Peter fell, who, left to himself, can stand? Not one. But God is able to make the weakest and most feeble stand, and will make them stand if they trust in him. "My grace is sufficient for thee, for my strength is made perfect in weakness." Blessed are they who trust in him. II. An high opinion of a person's own strength, or love to God and the Redeemer, is most commonly the prelude to a fall. When one thinks himself strong, and feels secure, he is soon taught weakness and dependence, and the need he stands in of a divine guardian, by some advantage gained over him by the enemy: Whereas, those who are sensible of their own weakness, and trust in God, are holden up, and made to stand. "Most gladly, therefore, will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon--me for when I am weak, then am I strong." III. As self knowledge is of great importance, unnecessary to our reforming that which is amiss, and to our trading in him who is able to keep us, we should often try ourselves, as in his presence--his, to whom our hearts are open. It becomes us often to retire inward, and examine whether the love of Christ dwelleth in us? _Whether we love him more than these_? Than the world and the things of it? If Christ is not uppermost in our hearts, "we are not worthy of him." But if we can answer the question put to Simon, as he answered it, _Lord thou knowest all things; thou knowest that I love thee_, happy are we. We remain in a state of imperfection--may often have occasion to mourn some practical denial of Christ; still, if _he who knoweth all things, knoweth that we love him_, our love to him will not he overlooked; he will own us before his Father, and reward us with eternal rewards. IV. Christ's disciples, while in the body, often err; if acquainted with ourselves, we must often know this of ourselves; do we then see our faults?