152 READY TO PARDON.

have helped his master then; betrayed by one, denied by
another, forsaken by all; insulted, scourged, tortured, nailed
on the cross, before another night came, He lay in the
grave.
 But when he arose on the third day after, on the first
day of the week, the very first of the twelve disciples to
whom he showed himself was Peter! Jesus knew that
those bitter tears were tears of true sorrow and real
repentance for sin; and the gracious Saviour gave him
that proof of full and free pardon and love.
 Peter afterwards gave a life of service and endured
much for Christ's sake, even the prison and death he was
once so ready to promise. But when after many years
he was about to die as a martyr, it is said that he asked
to be put on the cross with his head downward, for when
he remembered how he denied Him in His hour of trial,
he did not feel worthy to die as his Master had died.