"Almighty God, whose kingdom is everlasting, and power infinite, have mercy upon the whole Church ; and so rule the heart of thy chosen servant * * * * * our king and governor, that he, knowing whose minister he is, may above all things seek thy honour and glory : and that we, and all his subjects, duly considering whose authority he hath, may faith- fully serve, honour, and obey him, in thee, and for thee, according to thy blessed word and ordinance, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen."
1 Pet. ii. 19 — 23. This is thankworthy, if a man for con- science toward God endure grief, suffering wrongfully. For what glory is it, if, when ye be buffeted for your faults, ye sliall take it patiently ? but if, when ye do well, and suffer for it, ye take it patiently, this is acceptable with God. For even hereunto were ye called : because Christ also suffered for tis, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps : who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth: who, when he tvas reviled, reviled not again ; when he suffered, he threatened not ; but committed himself to him that judgeth righteously.
THE practical nature of the Gospel meets us through every part of the New Testament, from the beginning to the end. Our Lord's sermon on the mount was wholly of this character; as are also his addresses to the seven Churches of Asia, in the book of Revelations. Nor are the epistles, which were written by different Apostles, at all different in their scope and tendency : they do indeed insist more on doctrines : but yet the preceptive parts of them are singularly minute and full ; and arc distinctly ad- dressed to persons in every situation and relation of life. The passage before us is a peculiar address to servants, to shew them how they are to conduct themselves towards their masters, who shall be embittered against them for embracing the Gospel of Christ.