11 The wise and patient pilgrim turns not aside to the right hand or to the left-pleasure or profit move not him from his path homeward. confounded. Unto you therefore which believe he is precious: but unto them which be disobedient, the stone which the builders disallowed, the same is made the head of the corner, and a stone of stumbling, and a rock of offence, even to them which stumble at the word, being disobedient: whereunto also they were appointed. 9 Jew and Gentile share, in Christ 9 But ye are a chosen gener- Jesus, all these high privileges. ation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light: which in time past were not a people, but are now the people of God: which had not obtained mercy, but now have obtained mercy. "Dearly beloved, I beseech you as strangers and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts, which war against the soul; having your conversation honest among the Gentiles: that, whereas they speak against you as evildoers, they may by your good works, which they shall behold, glorify God in the day of visitation. 13 Submit yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord's sake: whether it be to the king as unto them that are sent by him and for the praise of them that do well. 15 For so is the will of God, that with well the ignorance of foolish men: liberty for a cloke of maliciousness, but as the servants of God. 17 Honour all men. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honour the king. 18 Servants, be subject to your masters with all fear; not only to the good and gentle, but also to the froward. For this is thankworthy, if a man for conscience toward God endure grief, suffering wrongfully. For what glory is it, if, when ye be buffeted for your faults, ye shall take it patiently? but if, when ye do well, and suffer for it, ye take it patiently, this is acceptable with God. 21 For 13 The Gospel weakens neither our civil rights, nor our civil responsibilities. supreme; or unto governors, as for the punishment of evildoers, 15 A good life is the best refutation of calumny. Virtue shames a lie. doing ye may put to silence as free, and not using your 17 An admirable summary of Christian duty in public, and in private life. 18 A Christian spirit is the best preservative against disunion, both in social and domestic life. 21 In our troubles, we feel that 66 we most righteously have deserved them" at God's hands. Jesus suffered, yet was without offence. What a motive for patience! his steps: who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth who, when he was reviled, reviled not again; when he suffered, he threatened not; but committed himself to him that judgeth righteously: who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed. 25 For ye were as sheep going astray; but are now returned unto the Shepherd and Bishop of your souls. 25 Jesus is that good shepherd who, did "lay down his life for his sheep.” He died for you. Follow Him. 1 CHAPTER III. APRIL 19, AUGUST 18, DEC. 15. 1 If this concord was required where Christian and Heathen were united, how is the requisition strength ened between Christians themselves. LIKEWISE, ye wives, be in subjection to your own husbands; that, if any obey not the word, they also may without the word be won by the conversation of the wives; while they behold your chaste conversation coupled with fear. Whose adorning let it not be that outward adorning of plaiting the hair, and of wearing of gold, or of putting on of apparel; but let it be the hidden man of the heart, in that which is not corruptible, even the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit, which is in the sight of God of great price. For 4 A gentle spirit is more precious than fine gold. It is a gem, shining brightest in the dark hour of afflie tion-so firm, that force breaketh it not down; so enduring, that time changeth it not. (Ephes. v. 22.) 5 It is the female triumph to win by kindness and affection-not by the sturdier efforts of selfwill. after this manner in the old time the holy women also, who trusted in God, adorned themselves, being in subjection unto their own husbands: even as Sara obeyed Abraham, calling him lord: whose daughters ye are, as long as ye do well, and are not afraid with any amazement. Likewise, ye husbands, dwell with them according to knowledge, giv 7 What an affecting motive! As parents, you offer up prayers for your children. Would you for the sake of indulging a bad temper, * It was for Christianity to give to female influence its proper scope, and to elevate woman in the social scale; fitting her to be the gentle companion and affectionate counsellor, the faithful and tender friend, the soother of every care, the sharer alike of his sorrows and joys— man's greatest earthly blessing. Till the Gospel thus raised female character, woman was, as indeed she is now where Christianity is unknown, in a servile and degraded state. (See Gal. iii. 28.) defeat the very object of your prayers, and deprive your children of the blessings for which you pray?-Let the contentious meditate well upon this. 8 We have all one object-to gain heaven. There can be but one road thither. ing honour unto the wife, as unto the weaker vessel, and as being heirs together of the grace of life ; that your prayers be not hindered. Finally, be ye all of one mind, having compassion one of another, love as brethren, be pitiful, be courteous: 'not rendering evil for evil, or railing for railing: but contrariwise blessing; knowing that ye are thereunto called, that ye should inherit a blessing. For he that will love life, and see good days, let him refrain his tongue from evil, and his lips that they speak no guile: "let 11 Blessed are the peace-makers! ? We are called to charity towards man, as well as to love towards God. him eschew evil, and do good; let him seek peace, and ensue it. For the eyes of the Lord are over the righteous, and his ears are open unto their prayers: but the face of the Lord is against them that do evil. And who is he that 13 13 Evil men may revile, scorn, persecute you-so they persecuted your divine Master. Still they cannot harm you. will harm you, if ye be fol- 16 having a good conscience; that, whereas they speak evil of you, as of evil doers, they accuse your good conversation in Christ. 17 For it is and be not afraid of their 15 The clearest answer you can give to those who ask a reason for your Christian hope, is your Christian life. That is an answer which every body can understand. you with meekness and fear: 16 Live down calumny. may be ashamed that falsely 17 Every honest mind feels this to be true. better, if the will of God be so, that ye suffer for well doing, than for evil doing. For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh, but quickened by the Spirit; by which also he went and preached unto the spirits in prison: 20 which sometime were dis- 20 Jesus, by the ministry of his obedient, when once the long- word and Spirit, preached to the suffering of God waited in antediluvians, who were captives to the days of Noah, while the sin. ark was a preparing, wherein few, that is, eight souls were 21 The like saved by water. 21 Baptism doth well represent us, as dying unto sin, and rising again unto righteousness-new creatures: partakers of a new covenant; entering upon new duties; animated by new hopes-children of God. 22 We pray in hope, for Jesus is at the throne of grace, himself making our prayers acceptable. and is on the right hand of God; angels and authorities and powers being made subject unto him. CHAPTER IV. APRIL 20, AUGUST 19, Dec. 16. 1 The mind of Christ was in a state of unreserved submission, as that of a son to the will of his father. 1 FORASMUCH then as Christ hath suffered for us in the flesh, arm yourselves likewise with the same mind: for he that hath suffered in the flesh hath ceased from sin; that he no longer should live the rest of his time in the flesh to the lusts of men, but to the will of God. 3 For the time past of our life may suffice us to have wrought the will of the Gentiles, when we walked in lasciviousness, lusts, excess of wine, revellings, banquetings, and abominable idolatries: wherein they think it strange that ye run not with them to the same excess of riot, speaking 5 This thought should check the evil of you: ' who shall give first risings of evil. The Judge is account to him that is ready ready. to judge the quick and the dead. For for this cause was the gospel preached also 3 The licentiousness of the wicked among the heathens was unbounded. 6 The Gospel calls us from the death of sin to the life of righteous ness. to them that are dead, that they might be judged according to men in the flesh, but live according to God in the spirit. 8 7 But the end of all things is at hand: be ye therefore sober, and watch unto prayer. * And above all things have fervent charity among yourselves for charity shall cover the multitude of sins. hospitality one to another without grudging. As every man hath received the gift, even so minister the same one to another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God. If 7 Death is always at hand-and then there is an end to us of all worldly things. 8 Charity is not extreme to mark the sins of others. Use any man speak, let him speak as the oracles of God; if any man minister, let him do it as of the ability which God giveth: that God in all things may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom be praise and dominion for ever and ever. 12 Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial. which is to try you, as Amen. 12 We are born to trouble. Trials are the Christian's proper element. though some strange thing happened unto you: but rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ's sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy. If ye be reproached for the name of Christ, happy are ye; for the spirit of glory 14 In the world we must have tribulation. Yet if any man suffer as and of God resteth upon you: on their part he is evil spoken of, but on your part he is glorified. 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. a Christian, let him not be ashamed; but let him glorify God on this behalf. 17 For the time is come that judgment must begin at the house of God and if it first begin at us, what shall the end be of them that obey not the gospel of God? And if the righteous scarcely be saved, where shall the ungodly and the sinner appear? 19 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. 17 If Christians suffer, it is but for a time a heavenly hope sustains them. Alas! for the unbeliever in his sufferings ! no such hope cheers him. 19 Commit your soul to the care of God. He hath redeemed you, and loveth you, and careth for you abundantly. CHAPTER V. '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: 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; neither as being lords over God's heritage, but being ensamples to the flock. And when the chief Shepherd shall appear, ye shall 1 This exhortation comes with greater weight, as it states the dignity and authority of the ministerial office, and the sure recompence of reward for a faithful discharge of it. |