The Grey Monk

William Blake’s writings come across as highly suspicious of formal religion, but in this poem he clearly shows his belief in Christ and the spiritual world. Indeed its message is similar to when Christ taught Peter about a ’stone’ he should build his church upon. This ’stony bed’ was the revelation that he was the Christ and only upon this revelation would it withstand the ‘gates of hell.’ (Bible, Matt. 16). When Jesus was betrayed by Judas and the Pharisees came to arrest him with their weapons, Peter drew his sword to cut off the ear of a nearby servant. After healing the wounded servant, Jesus rebuked Peter, “Put up thy sword into thy sheath: the cup which my Father hath given me, shall I not drink it?” (Bible, John 18). This should’ve reminded Peter of the stern rebuke he received when Peter was taught of the ’stony bed.’ On that occasion, Peter bravely insisted the suffering and death of Jesus ’shall not be unto him.’ Jesus upbraided Peter, “Get thee b