near to God wiiJi boldness, and cast fear away. Out of Christ God is a consuming fire. In Christ He is a reconciled Faflier. Without Christ the strictest moralist may well tremble, as he looks forward to lus end. Through Christ the chief of sinners may approadi God with confidence, and feel perfect peaca
We should observe, lastly, in tiiis passage, the mighty promise which Jesus holds out to Peter : " Fear not,*' He says, " from henceforth thou shait catch men.^'
That promise^ we may well beHeve, was not intended for Peter only but for all the Apostles,--^aAKl not for all the Apostles only, but for all faithful ministers of the Gospel who walk in the Apostles' steps. It was spoken lor their encouragement and consolation. It was intended to support them under that sense of weakness and unprofitableness by which they are sometimes almost overwhelmed. They certamly have a treasure in earthen Tessds. (2 Cor. iv. 7.) They are men of like passions with others. They find their own hearts weak and frail, like the hearts of any of their hearers. They are often tempted to give up in despair, and to leave off preadung. But hel^ stands a promise, on which the great Head of the Church would have them daily lean : ^' Fear not, thou sbalt catch men.''
Let us pray daily for all ministers thai they may be true successors of Peter mxi his brethren, thart Siej may fireaoh the same foU and free Gospel which they fpreached, and live tiie same holy lives which they lived, lliese affe the only ministers who will 'ever prov« sue- cesdM fishermen. To »ome of them God may give more honour, iuid to othooB less. But aU true and &ithfiil