Vers. 14-18.-.A tender concluding appeal. In .these words the apostle gets near, as a shepherd of souls tending the flock, to those whom he would bless. I. HE MAKES THEIR DISCIPLINE A. PLEA FOR REACHING A BLESSED IDEAL. . 1. Their discipline. How much is involved in "these things" I 2. Their ideal. "Be found in peace, without spot, and blameless." 3. Their struggle. "Give .diligence." II. HE D-'DICATES TlIAT THE MYSTERY OF DELAYED JUDGMENT JS A. MYSTERY OP DIVINE MERCY GIVING OPPORTUNITY FOR SALVATION. 1. This is taught by Paul, 2. This is affirmed again by Peter. 3. This is the clear teaching of Scripture, even though it has its things "hard to be understood." ffi HE ,vARNS THAT EVEN THE BEST MEANS OF BLESSING MAY BE PERVERTED TO HARM. The ignorant and unsteadfast wrest the Scriptures to their own destruction. IV. HE SHOWS THE PERIL THAT ·co:MES TO THE GOOD FROM EVIL MEN. "Carded away with tbe error of the wicked," etc. 1. Strong influence-" carried." 2; Great calamity-" fall." V. HE PROCLAIMS THE METHOD AND lIOPE OF TRUE SAFETY, "Grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour," This is in harmony with his emphatic teaching: ., Add to your faith virtue," etc. VI. HE A.SCRIBES PRAISE TO Hill WHO IS ITS RIGHTFUL OBJECT. 1. The glory is Christ's. "On his head are many crowns." Peter vies with Paul in passionate homage for his Lord. 2. The glory is Christ's now. Our obedience, our actual service, our praise, to-day. 3. The glory is Chrut'sfor ever. '.!.'here may be new systems of things, and these systems of surpassing grandenr; but his glory shall ever be the diadem on the very brow of the universe, the central sun amid all its constellations. For the moral evermore transcends the material. And he is for ever " the Lord our Righteousness."-U. R. T.
Vers. 1-10.-Fact of second coming, especially in its accompaniments. I. Arn OF THE EPISTLE. 1. To stir them up by i·eminding them. "This is now, beloved, the second Epistle that I write unto you; and in both of them I stir up your sincere mind by putting you in remembrance." 'l'here is here the fi~st of four designatio_n~ of them as beloved in this chapter. It was already a second Epistle that he was wntrng to the same circle; not much time had elapsed since the writing of the First Epistle, which in all probability is that which has come down to us under that title. 'l'he aim of both Epititles was the same. It is expressed in accordance with language used in the first chapter of this Epistle. He did not profess to be revealing to them new truths, but only to put them in remembrance of old truths. They ha<l a sincere mind, i.e. open to the light. '!'hey would not therefore object to truths because they were old, or to their being re-stated, but would rather welcome being reminded of them, that they might be stirred up to a deeper sense of their importance. 2. To stir them up by reminding them of certain holy words. "That ye should remember the words which were spoken orr. III. 1-18.J TBE SECOND EPISTLE GENERAL OF PETER. 85