The elders should feed the flock of God. 295 Christ, and also a par- be a partaker of the glory, which shall hereafter SECT. taker of the glory that be revealed, when he shall appear the second ix. shall be revealed: you, taking the oversight thereof; not by mind; 1 Peter time, in circumstances so different from those in which we have seen and conversed with him v. 1. 2 Feed the flock of on earth. By all the engagements of love 2 God which is among and duty to him, and by all the regard you owe to your own honour and happiness in that imconstraint, but wil- portant day, let me beseech you to feed the flock lingly; not for filthy of God that is among you, the churches of Christ lucre, but of a ready which you are called to preside over; discharge the episcopal office, with that due inspection which its very name imports; not by constraint as if it were an ungrateful burthen, but willingly and chearfully; not for the sake of dishonourable gain but of a ready mind, and because you love the flock, and really desire its edification. and welfare. Not assuming to yourselves do- 3 minion over those who fall to your lot; but being humble, and behaving towards them with such gentle tender solicitude for their souls,and 3 Neither as being lords over God's heri tage, but being ensamples to the flock. с a Discharge the episcopal office.] This idea is so plainly suggested by the word επισκοπονίες, that I thought matter of duty, to translate it as I have done; that every reader might observe, what all candid people seem to confess, that those who are stiled bishops, from their having the oversight of others, and also presbyters or elders, are spoken of as the same persons. Compare ver. 1. And I hope the time will come, when good men will join their efforts to remove that very hard imposi tion, by which the ministers of some churches are obliged, in order to their entering into the ministry, to declare, not only that they are different orders, but that it is evident unto all men diligently reading the holy scripture, that they are so. such cal persons were invested with civil power note there. c Dishonourable gain.] See the note on 1 Tim. iii. 3. d Those who fall to your lol.] The word God's, is not in the original. I think therefore it is with abundant reason that the learned Mr. Boyse refers this to their not domineering over the particular congregations, or bishoprics, which were b Not by constraint.] It is true, that by Providence committed to their care; in the primitive church some were almost alluding to the division of Canaan by lots; against their will forced into the episcopal Boyse's Serm. Vol. II. p. 413. An interoffice by dint of importunity. And one pretation much preferable to Dr. Whitby's would hope, it was not an affected mo- who explains it of the possessions of the desty with which they declined the office, church. (Compare Col. i. 12, note k) especially as it was then attended with no And yet after proposing this interpretatemporal emoluments, but exposed them tion at large, he admits at the close of his to distinguished labours and sufferings. It note, that what is here stiled xampos, beis difficult to see how any could in the ing in the same sentence expressed by strictest sense be constrained; but perhaps won, the flock of God, it seems to estathe apostle saw some good men too unwil-blish the common interpretation. What ling to accept the office, when the churches chose them to it, and when inspired teachers urged it upon them. And though little gain could have been made of it, and the temptation to lord it over God's heritage was not so great, as when ecclesisti the learned Mr. Dodwell had offered in e Mighty 296 ix. The younger should submit to the elder. SECT. such an entire freedom from the very appearance either of avarice or ambition, that your 1 Peter examples may be rendered worthy the imitation V. 3. of the flock, and your conduct as instructive as any of your cautions and precepts can be: 4 Aud when the 4 And if this be indeed your character and beha- chief Shepherd shall viour; you will render up your account herea- appear, ye shall receive ter with joy; for when he, who does you the a crown of glory that honour to acknowledge himself the chief Shep- fadeth not away. herd of the flock, shall appear, to take the final survey of it, and examine into the conduct of those to whom he had partly committed it, you shall be most magnificently and nobly rewarded, and receive an unfading crown of glory; a crown which shall bloom in immortal beauty and vigour, when all the transitory glories of this world are withered like a fading flower. pay Yea 5 But it is proper that I should likewise address f e Mighty hand of God.] Perhaps by this expression, the apostle may intend to remind them, that the hand of a righteous Providence was concerned in those events which were owing to the wickedness of men; so far concerned, as to over-rule them, and render them instrumental and subservient to the accomplishment of his wise e 5 Likewise, ye younger, submit yourselves unto the elder: yea, all of you be subject one to another. and be clothed with humility for God resisteth the proud, and giveth grace to the humble. 6 Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time : 7 Casting all your care upon him, for he careth for you. They should resist their adversary, the devil. 8 Be sober, be vigilant: because your ad versary the devil, as a he may devour. 9 Whom resist, stedfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accom 297 ix. wise occasion it, upon him; leaving it to his all- SEC1. wise and all gracious Providence to determine every event of your lives; for he careth for you 1 Peter in a manner the most effectual; and his tender V. 7. care will accomplish infinitely more than your utmost anxiety can possibly effect. Turn your 8 solicitude therefore into the right channel; be roaring lion, walketh sober in the government of your appetites and about, seeking whom passions; be watchfuls against every occasion of mischief from your spiritual enemies; for your great and inveterate adversary the devil is continually walking about, like a roaring lion, or evening wolf, prowling round the fold, seeking whom he may assault with the greatest likelihood of success, and may suddenly devour and swallow up: Whom therefore, as you regard your 9 safety and life, be careful stoutly to resist, being stedfast in your adherence to the Christian faith, plished in your bre- and armed with the most heroic courage and rethren that are in the solution in its defence. And to this you should the rather attend, as knowing that the trials, with which you are exercised, are not peculiar to you; but that the same afflictions, which you are called out to encounter, are accomplished in others of your Christian brethren, who are in the world; and you may reasonably hope, the same grace which is their support, will be also yours. 10 But the God of But may the God who is the great fountain of all 10 all grace, who hath grace, from whom descendeth every good and nal glory by Christ Je- every perfect gift, and who hath displayed his sus, after that ye have goodness in innumerable important instances, suffered a while, make even He who has called us to the hope and you perfect, stablish, enjoyment of his eternal glory in Christ Jesus; may he grant you his perpetual presence and enlivening favour; and when you have suffered for a little while; such trials as his infinite wisdom shall see fit to appoint, may he make you perfecti world. called us unto his eter strengthen, settle you. g Be watchful.] St. Peter might wel. give such a caution as this, having himself received such particular and express warning from Christ his Master, (Luke xxii. 31, &c.) and so shamefully fallen immediately after, for want of the watchfulness be here recommends. h Walking about.] I chose to express wepeal with this exactness, that the force of its signification in this similitude might be observed. The word xalanın expresses more than devouring, even swallowing up; and so represents the infatiable rage of the in enemy of our salvation, with great advan- i Make you perfect.] If any one please 298 Reflections on the regard due to St. Peter's testimony, SECT. in every good disposition; in whatever improvements you are enabled to make, may he IX. 11 To him be glory and ever. Amen. bave written briefly, 1 Peter Confirm, strengthen, and establish [you] upon a V. 10. firm and unshaken foundation. To him, there 11 fore, who of all beings is infinitely most worthy and dominion for ever of it, [be] glory and dominion ascribed for ever 12 By Silvanus, a 12 and ever, Amen. I have written briefly unto you faithful brother unto by the bearer Silvanus, in whom I place great you (as I suppose) I confidence, as I suppose and conclude him to be exhorting and testifya sincere Christian and faithful brother; one ing, that this is the true who hath the interest of Christ at heart, and on grace of God wherein ye stand. whose fidelity we may rely; and I send it, exhorting and testifying with the greater solemnity that this is the true grace of God wherein ye have hitherto stood; and urging it therefore upon you, that you steadily adhere to it in the midst of all your difficulties and persecutions. 13 The [church, which is] here in Babylon' chosen is at Babylon, elected with [you] to partake of the privileges of the together with you, sagospel, saluteth you; and [so doth ] Marcus, Marcus my son. luteth you; and so doth whom I may call my son, as being my convert and behaving to me with all filial tenderness and respect. Salute one another with a kiss of pure and unfeigned love in your Christian assemblies; another with a kiss of and the truest hap- with you all that are charity. Peace be and may grace and peace, piness, ever [be] with you all who are in Christ in Christ Jesus. Amen. Jesus, who is the corner-stone which God hath laid in Sion, and the great foundation of all our eternal hopes. Amen. 14 Ver.1. IMPROVEMENT. 13 The church that 14 Greet ye one THIS apostolic charge should be received with the profoundest regard and submission, by all those who profess to reverence the authority of Christ, who thus, by the mouth of his servants, instructive pieces of that excellent and k Silvanus, as I suppose, a faithful bro- 1At Babylon.] Hence Bishop Cumberland and Mr. Cradock argue, that probably St. Peter wrote from the neighbourhood of Babylon, and found many Jews remaining there ever since the Babylonish captivity, among whom he had preached the gospel with considerable success. be m Marcus my son.] That is, my convert, or at least my assistant in the minis. terial work. I have observed, Vol. VIII. sect. xxviii. note b, that John Mark, who was the companion of Barnabas and Paul, was a different person from Mark the evangelist, who was the intimate companion of the apostle Peter. And as he was so, it is likely that the evangelist is the Mark of which the apostle here speaks. Under St. Peter's instructions be is said to have written his gospel, probably receiving at different times historical facts from him, which he records without very exact or der, and which St. Luke afterwards greatly illustrated, without changing the order by adding many more important circum-. stances. Reflections on the regard due to St. Peter's testimony, 299 bespeaks their attention; and it should both regulate their con- SECT. duct, and animate and exalt their hopes. Let us therefore at- ix. tend to this venerable elder, this witness of the sufferings of Christ, Ver, who on the mount of transfiguration had been favoured with an i illustrious representation of that glory, wherein our Lord shall be hereafter revealed, and with which he will then invest all those, who, in his cause, have approved themselves faithful until death. Let ministers, especially, ever maintain a most affectionate and respectful regard for the flock of God, and take the oversight thereof 2 with a ready and generous mind, and be examples to it, in the mild and condescending temper of their common Master, as well as in 3 all other graces and virtues. It is indeed possible, they may pursue such a conduct as this, and meet with very little esteem or recompence, yea, with injurious and unworthy treatment, from their fellow-men. But a crown of glory, a royal diadem, incor-4 ruptible and immortal, will be hereafter conferred on them by their exalted Saviour, in the day of his triumphant appearance; and this crown, in itself so illustrious, will be a mark of still more distinguished honour, as it will be placed on their victorious heads in a season of such solemnity, in the view of the whole assembled world, and of the innumerable company of angels.-But in the mean time, while we are continued in so lowly a condition 5 in the present world, let us all cultivate humility of mind, being cloathed with that amiable virtue, which is certainly the most graceful ornament of our nature; an ornament of singular value in the eye of that God, whose approbation is the surest mark and criterion of excellence and honour. And that we may accordingly entertain the more humble and lowly conceptions of ourselves, and the more grand and venerable ideas of the almighty Creator, Preserver, and Disposer of all things, let us often and seriously reflect upon his mighty hand; how gloriously it hath been 6 displayed in the infinite variety of the works of nature, in the continual agency and operation of Providence, and in the wonderful scheme of redemption and salvation; how powerful and resistless it is in the execution of all its works; and yet how graciously its awful power is tempered and moderated, and to what kind and merciful purposes it hath been already exerted, and still is, in behalf of such degenerate and unworthy creatures as ourselves. By these considerations, let us be disposed to bow to every Divine dis pensation with all resignation and submission; fixing our dependence upon a power so wisely and graciously exerted; rejoicing that we are permitted to cast our cares on God, and abhorring both the ingratitude and folly of fainting and sinking under our burdens, 7 when we are favoured with the permission of relying on him; indeed, with a paternal command, as well as permission; which VOL. X. accordingly PP |