of the great i~visible Ki_ng.. And they re: n 1;1P?n the earth ; for they have given their hearts to Christ to be his kingdom; and 7this 1s the benefit of receivincr the kincrdom of Christ into a man's heart, that it make~ him a king himself. All the subje~ts of Christ are kings, not only in regard of that pure crown of glory they hope for and shall certainly attain; but in the present they have a kingdom which is the plecl:e of that other, overcoming the world, and Satan, and themselves, by the power of f;ith" (Leighton), The true Christian has a royal heart; he reigns with Christ the Kin" over the passions, affections, and desires of his lower nature. The free Spirit of God dis- penses to the contrite "the princely heart of innocence" (' Christian Year : Sixth Sunday after Trinity'), (3) "A holy nation." One nation, though living in different lands, under different forms of earthly government; but all citizens of the one heavenly country, all subjects of the one Almighty King. And holy, because they are his, separated to his service, bound by that dedication to follow after holiness of heart and life. (4) "A peculiar people." The children of Israel were to be God's "peculiar treasure above all people" (Exod. :x:ix. 5). The Christian Church, the Israel of God, is his t,reasure now, his special possession. He spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for them; and that Church, purchased at such a price, is very precious: "They shall be mine, saith the Lord of hosts, in that day when I make up my jewels; " or rather, as in the Revised Version, "in the day that I do make, even a peculiar treasure." 6. What is their bounden duty. All these high and holy dignities are theirs. The estate of Christians is very lofty; they are the children of the Most High, heirs of God,'.and joint· heirs with Christ. They should maintain a greatness of mind, a holiness of life suitable to their exalted station; they "should show forth the praises of him who hath called them out of darkness into his marvellous light-." For they were once not a people; they had no centre of unity, no part in the heavenly kingdom, no hope; for they had not obtained mercy. But now God hath called them, " Say ye unto your brethren, Ammi; and to your sisters, Ruhamah" (Hos. ii. 2) ; they are his people; they have obtained mercy. " Ammi, my people." There is a treasure of holy meaning in that word. We are his; he cares for us ; we belong to him. Then we must show forth his praises, and that not only with our lips, but in our lives. We must proclaim to others the blessed- ness of religion. He has called us out of the darkness of sin and ignorance into the light of his presence. That light is wonderful. Christians never cease to wonder at the glory and blessedness of that light which in times of near communion with God streams into their hearts. If they walk in that light, it must kindle a. holy flame in their own souls ; they must become a light also (" Ye are the light of the world," the Saviour said to his chosen); they must let their light shine before men, that men may see their good works, and glorify their Father which is in heaven, LESSONS. 1. "Taste and see that the Lord is good." Having once tasted, yon will long for his presence, you will desire the heavenly food. 2. Seek to be built up in Christ; not loose stones lying round the one Comer-stone, but restiog upon it, joined as living stones to the one Foundation. 3. Be faithful priests unto the Lord. Offer every day tbe daily sacrifice of prayer and praise; renew every day the sacrifice of self. 4. Consider the great dignity of Christians; be full of thankfulness; rejoice in the Lord ; show forth his praises.
Vers. 11-17.- Various exhortations. I. To PURITY OF LIFE. 1. The ground of the exhortation. St. Peter has been dwelling on the high dignities and privileges of the Christian life. 'l'hey who are living stones in God's spiritual temple must rememtier their close union with Christ, the chief Corner-stone; they who belong to the holy, the royal priesthood must remember that "Holiness to the Lord" is the badge of those who are consecrated to liis service (Exod. :x:xviii. 36). The living stones in the spiritual temple are to become pillars in the heavenly temple (Rev. iii. 12), the priests in that spiritual temple are to be priests of God and of his Christ in the glory of the Resurrection (Rev. xx. 6). They must remember their high destiny. Here they are sojourners and strangers; they must not follow the example of those among whom their lot is cast during the time of their sojourning. Fleshly lusts are of the earth, earthy. "The lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eye, and the pride of life, are not of the F11ther, but are of the world." Aud God's people are not of the world; they are sojourners and stra.ngers iµ. it for a little time ; thev ,;nust not imitate its modes of L PETJIB. G THE FIHST EPISTLE GENERAL OF L'ETER. [on. u. 1-25.