be revealed ye may be glad also with exceeding joy.

6

For our conversation is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ; who shall change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like unto his glorious body, according to the working whereby he is able even to subdue all things unto himself.' Phil. iii. 20. 21. Beloved, now are we the sons of God; and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is. And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure.' 1 John iii. 2,3.——If ye be reproached for the name of Christ, happy are ye: for the spirit of glory and of God resteth upon you. 'Therefore,' says an Apostle, I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ's sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong.' 2 Cor. xii. 10. Blessed is the man that endureth temptation for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him.' James i. 12. on their part he is evil spoken of, but on your part he is glorified. It is in the highest degree interesting and consolatory to observe how Christ in the gospel represents himself as being honoured or glorified, and rejoiced, by the services of his faithful followers. It is likewise to be remarked that this glory and joy are declared to be mutual. Thus: Wherefore also we pray always for you, that our God would count you worthy of this calling, and fulfil all the good pleasure of his goodness, and the work of faith with power; that the name of our Lord Jesus Christ may be glorified in you, and ye in him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ.' 2 Thess. i. 11, 12. And our blessed Lord himself, after having delivered the beautiful parable of the vine and its branches, added, These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full.' John xv. 11. -But let none of you suffer as a murderer, or as a thief, or as an evildoer, or as a busy-body in other men's matters. This is a more specific precept to the same pur

pose as those general admonitions in chap. ii. 12, and iii. 16, by which Christians are exhorted to abstain from all iniquity, not only on account of its inherent evil, but also because of its additional turpitude as being the means of bringing disgrace upon the Christian profession. Yet if any man suffer as a Christian let him not be ashamed; but let him glorify God on this behalf. It is in this spirit that St. Paul also writes to Timothy, and displays, amidst persecution and suffering in the cause of Christ, a good portion of that hope which maketh not ashamed. Be not thou therefore ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, nor of me his prisoner: but be thou partaker of the afflictions of the gospel according to the power of God; who hath saved us, and called us with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began; but is now made manifest by the appearing of our Saviour Jesus Christ, who hath abolished death, and hath brought life and immortality to light through the gospel: whereunto I am appointed a preacher, and an apostle, and a teacher of the Gentiles. For the which cause I also suffer these things: nevertheless I am not ashamed: for I know whom I have believed, and I am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day.' 2 Tim. i. 8—12.

6

-For the time is come that judgment must begin at the house of God. As on other occasions which are recorded in the History of the Church. 'Wherefore it shall come to pass, that, when the Lord hath performed his whole work upon mount Zion and on Jerusalem, I will punish the fruit of the stout heart of the king of Assyria, and the glory of his high looks.' Isa. x. 12. For, lo, I begin to bring evil on the city which is called by my name, and should ye be utterly unpunished? Ye shall not be unpunished for I will call for a sword upon all the inhabitants of the earth, saith the Lord of hosts.' Jer. xxv. 29. For thus saith the Lord, Behold, they whose judgment was not to drink of the cup have assuredly drunken; and art thou he that shall altogether go unpunished? thou shalt not go unpunished,

but thou shalt surely drink of it.' Jer. xlix. 12.-—and if it first begin with us, what shall the end be of them that obey not the gospel of God? For if they do these things in a green tree, what shall be done in the dry?' Luke xxiii. 31. The Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with his mighty angels, in flaming fire, taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ: who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of his power.' 2 Thess. i. 7-9.- And if the righteous scarcely be saved, where shall the ungodly and the sinner appear? 'Behold, the righteous shall be recompensed in the earth much more the wicked and the sinner.' Prov. xi. 31. Is not destruction to the wicked? and a strange punishment to the workers of iniquity?' Job xxxi. 3. • And thinkest thou this, O man, that judgest them which do such things, and doest the same, that thou shalt escape the judgment of God? Or despisest thou the riches of his goodness, and forbearance, and long-suffering; not knowing that the goodness of God leadeth thee to repentance. But after thy hardness and impenitent heart, treasurest up unto thyself wrath against the day of wrath, and revelation of the righteous judgment of God; who will render to every man according to his deeds.' Rom. ii. 3-6. How long, ye simple ones, will ye love simplicity, and the scorners delight in their scorning, and fools hate knowledge? Turn you at my reproof; behold, I will pour out my spirit unto you, I will make known my words unto you.' Prov. i. 22, 23.Wherefore let them that suffer according to the will of God commit the keeping of their souls to him in well doing, as unto a faithful Creator. An exhortation to follow the example which was given us, under very solemn circumstances, by our blessed Redeemer. And when Jesus had cried with a loud voice, he said, Father, into thy hands I commend my spirit; and having said thus, he gave up the ghost.' Luke xxiii. 46. The faith of Christ's followers may enable them to resemble their pattern in this respect, as well as in others. Who shall separate us from the love

of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? As it is written, For thy sake we are killed all the day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter. things we are more than conquerors, loved us.' Rom. viii. 35-37.

Nay, in all these

through him that

SECT. X.

Chap. 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 re2 vealed: 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 4 ensamples to the flock. And when the chief Shep

herd shall appear, ye shall receive a crown of glory 5 that fadeth not away. 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 6 humble. Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due 7 time casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.

The elders which are among you I exhort, who am also an elder. The original is very emphatic; a fellow-elder.' 'There was also a strife among them, which of them should be accounted the greatest. And he said unto them, The kings of the Gentiles exercise lordship over them; and they that exercise authority upon them are called Benefactors. But shall not be so: but he that is greatest among you, ye