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النشر الإلكتروني

LECTURE XXXIX.

THE ELDERS AND MEMBERS OF THE CHURCH EXHORTED TO DILIGENCE AND HUMILITY.

1 PETER V. 1-7.

1. The elders which are among you I exhort, who am also an elder, and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, and also a partaker of the glory that shall be revealed:

We are told (Acts xiv. 23) that Paul and Barnabas went through the different countries where disciples had been made, and "ordained them elders in every church." So likewise, before he left that part of Asia, Paul sent to Ephesus, (Acts xx. 17,) "and called the elders of the church," and besought them" to take heed to themselves and to all the flock, over which the Holy Ghost had made them overseers." Those, therefore, were the teachers and pastors of the christian congregations whom Peter now exhorts, as himself an elder. Though an apostle, to whom pertained the duty of ordaining elders, he could not forget the time when the commission was so solemnly given him; "Simon, lovest thou me ? Feed my sheep. Simon, lovest thou me? Feed my lambs."1 Such was the office of the elders, whom

1 John xxi. 16, 17.

he now encourages to act the part of diligent and tender shepherds: reminding them that he had been himself a witness of the sufferings by which the church was purchased, and was also looking forward to the glory which should be revealed, when the church now militant on earth should become the church triumphant in heaven.

By such motives he exhorts the elders.

2. Feed the flock of God which is among you, taking the oversight thereof, not by constraint, but willingly; not for filthy lucre, but of a ready mind;

3. Neither as being lords over God's heritage, but being ensamples to the flock.

4. And when the chief Shepherd shall appear, ye receive a crown of glory that fadeth not away.

shall

The disciples of Christ are often described under the image of a flock; partly because it suggests the idea of separation. A flock is kept by itself: distinguished from others who do not belong to it. So our Lord said of his people: "I know my sheep, and am known of mine." "A stranger will they not follow; but will flee from him; because they hear not the voice of strangers.'

A flock also is under protection: defended from the dangers which in some countries would destroy it and restrained from straying out of its proper place, its place of safety.

A flock, too, is fed, or tended. This is the shepherd's office; to provide his flock with the nourish

2 John x. 15.

ment which they require; to direct them into good pastures, and to supply them with salutary food.

And there are two ways in which a flock may be governed. Sometimes they are harshly treated : urged along with violence hastily and rudely driven, by those who act as lords over God's heritage. Sometimes the shepherd leads his sheep with a quiet, steady pace, stopping for a while when he sees it fit that they should rest, and moving onward at the proper season showing them, not forcing them, the way they should go. There he is an example to the flock: like "the great Shepherd" himself," he calleth his own sheep by name, and leadeth them out: he goeth before them, and the sheep follow him, for they know his voice." "He maketh them lie down in green pastures, he leadeth them beside the still waters."4 Such is the true shepherd: an

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example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity."5 Though he takes the oversight of the flock, not by constraint, but willingly; his inducement to take it is not base or sordid: not temporal, but eternal. He looks forward to the promise; that when the chief Shepherd shall appear to take account, he shall receive a crown of glory.

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:

3 John x. 3, 4.

4 Ps. xxiii.

5 1 Tim. iv. 12.

7. Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for

you.

The fruit of the natural disposition is too commonly mutual strife. The natural disposition of Christians is subdued by the Spirit of God; and the fruit is mutual submission. Yea, all of you be subject one to another. And this grows out of humility. As pride and self-conceit engender strife, so humility disarms contention. Now humility is the Christian's distinctive dress, the garb in which he should be clothed. He who, but for the death of God's own Son, would have been lying under God's wrath and condemnation, must be clothed with humility. He who has daily need to come before God, entreating, not that his merits may be weighed, but his offences pardoned,—must be clothed with humility. He who, whatever he is, owes all to the grace of God, must be clothed with humility. Nor is this any new commandment, though there were fresh reasons for observing it. The same has been the rule from the beginning: God resisteth the proud, and giveth grace unto the humble. And therefore humility is the surest road to honour. God is the source of all true honour; and he exalts in his own due time the humble and meek. Submit yourselves therefore to his will concerning you; not giving place to anxious fears or cares, but casting all your care upon him, for he careth for you.

It might be said, and justly said, to a child, Leave yourself in your parent's hand dismiss anxiety he will provide for all your need.

But earthly parents are not always faithful to

their duty. As the prophet writes, “Can a woman forget her sucking child? Yea, they may forget, yet will I not forget thee." 6 God is ever mindful of his people, and "will have mercy on his afflicted."

Again, an earthly parent may have the will, but not the power. It cannot be so with our heavenly Father. He is able to do above all that we ask or think. You may cast your care on him with confidence, that "all things shall work together for good to them that love him." It is part of the order of his providence, that they who "seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness," are preserved by his love, and defended by his power.

LECTURE XL.

EXHORTATION TO WATCHFULNESS AND
PERSEVERANCE.

1 PETER V. 8-14.

8. Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour.

It is a known character of the worst men, that they desire to involve others in their own ruin. Such is the character of the devil. Having himself lost all hope, he strives to make the case of man as

6 Isa. xlix. 15.

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