Here (eh. ii. 11) begins the practical part of the Epistle. Men who havo these high privileges ond these lofty hopes must live a~ pilgrims and strangers here. They mnst abstain from fleshly lusts; their life shonl<l exhibit a moral beauty which might attract the heathen to follow their example. St. Peter singles out the duty of submission to constitnted 11nthority (often in those times a very difficult duty), and draws it out into its details. Subjects shonld obey their rulers, servants should obey their masters, for the Lord's sake. And when this duty is especially difficnlt, when Christians are called to suffer for well-doing, they must fix the eye of faith steadfastly on the great Example, and learn of him to suffer, remem- bering always that by his death he took away our sin, and by his stripes he healed the diseases of our souls (eh. iii.). Christian wives, too, must obev their husbands; they mnst be modest and retiring, wearing the orna.- me~t of a meek and qniet spirit. Christian husbands should give honour to their wives; the weaker vessel should be treated with delicate care, not with roughness. All have their dnties one to another; those dnties centre in brotherly love. Remembering the blessings assured to them, they must bless others; there must be no cursing, no thonght of revenge. If they are called to suffer for righteousness' sake, they must think that the eyes of the Lord are upon them, and it may be that their patient and holy endnrance will win the souls of their persecutors. It is bett-er to suffer for well- doing than for evil-doing; the Lord Christ set the high example-he su:ffered for sins, the Just for the unjust; he did not render evil for evil; he preached, even in the under-world, to those who once were disobedient; they perished in the waters of the Flood, which was a type of that baptism through which Christians (if they continue in grace, inquiring after God) were to die unto sin. He was now ascended into heaven ; all power was his; he could succour those who suffered for him. Therefore (eh. iv.) they must arm themselves with the holy resolve of Christ; they must take suffering patiently; they must regard it as a means of destroying the power of sin; they must break off altogether their old heathen life, not heeding the taunts or the wonder of men; for believers and unbelievers alike must stand before the judgment-seat of God, whose gospel was preached both to the living and to the dead, that they might be judged in the flesh, but might live in the spirit. In view of the coming judgm,mt, they mnst watch and pray, and keep their love towards one another intense, and use all such gifts as God had given them to his glory. The apostle retnrns to the approaching persecution. It would be a fiery trial; but they must not think it strange; like St. Peter and the other apostles, they should rejoice that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for the Name of Christ (Acts v. 41). Judgment must begin at the house of God; even the righteous would scarcely be saved: what, then, would be the lot of the unrighteous? Let those who are called to snffer commit their souls to God (eh. v.). The apostle proceeds to exhort the presbyters of the Church; they must feed the flock of God, looking for the glory-crown which the chief Shepherd xit" lNTRODUCTION TO THE FIRST EPISTLE GENERAL OF PETER.
shall give, as their reward. Younger Christians must submit themselves unto the elder; all must be clothed with humility, and cast alJ anxious ea.re upon God, trusting in his providence. Yet they must also watoh, for the evil spirit is ever seeking to destroy them; they must resist him, steadfast in the faith. The Epistle ends with blessing and greetings.
VIL CoMMF.NTARIES. Bengel's 'Gnomon Novi Testamenti;' Luthcr's 'Exposition of the First Epistle of St. Peter;' the Commentaries of Gerhard, Stei~er, lluther, De W ctte, \Viesinger, Fronmliller; Arch bishop Leigh ton's 'Comment.'\ry; the notes of Dean Alford, Bishop Wordsworth, Dean Plumpt.rc; those contained in the' Spe.'lker's Commentary' and in Bishop Ellicott's 'Commenwy;' Archdeacon Farrar's 'Early Days of Christianit7.' THE