righteousnesR. No power but that of the cross could be "the power of God unto salvntion" to such men. And in this they were representatives of mankind. The gospel of Christ both kills and makes alive. It slays the principle of sin ; it quicken., the principle or obedience to God. Those who are pardoned and justified by the grace of God, nnd through faith in that Christ who "loved us, antl gave himself for us," are brought under the power of new and spiritual motives-the motives of gratitude, devotion, and love. Ri~hteousness thus becomes the atmosphere the Christian breathes, the element in which he lives. It is for Christ's sake that he aspires to participation in Christ's character. And by fellowship with Christ he grows into what his Lord would have him be. The two motives thus coalesce. Believing in Jesus, the Christian comes to live, as a ransomed being, a life of devotion to his Redeemer and Liberator. Honouring Jesus, pondering his character, studying his will, he is" changed into the same image, from glory to glory, even ns by the Spirit of the Lord." Thus is verified the exquisite and figurative language of Peter, "By whose stripes ye were healtd." He walked in darkness, thnt you might walk in the light. He was vanquished, that you might conquer. He suffered and stooped, that you might reign. He tasted the gall and the wormwood of the crucified, that you might drink the wine of the kingdom and share the banquet of the blessed. He entered the prison-house, that you might go forth into glorious liberty. He died, that you might live. He gave himself up to the blows and stripes of the smiter, that your wounds might be healed, that you might come to spiritual strength and soundness. Christian people! the practical lesson of the text is plain for you to read. Whether by persecution, or by opposition and enmity, or by misunderstanding or calumny, you must needs have something to bear in this world of probation and discipline. Remember what this Apostle Peter says, "'rhis is thankworthy, if a man for conscience toward God endure grief, suffering wrongfully." "If when ye do well, and suffer for it, ye take it patiently, this is acceptable with God. For even hereunto were ye called." When distressed by the treatment you receive from wicked, unjust, or unreasonable men, forget not this. Then is the time to prove the reality of your religious principles. Flee to the mediation and sympathy of Christ. Ponder the example, and cultivate the spirit of Christ. Act as a friend, a slave, of Christ. Revile not again. Commit yourselves to him that judgeth right- eously. Fret not yourselves because of evil-doers. Trust in the Lord. He sllall bring out your righteousness as the light, and your judgment as the noonday. Hearers of the gospel! the principles of life now unfolded must appear to you the noblest, the purest, and the best in the universe of God. Yet, as sinners, you have not acted under the influence of those principles. Undershmd that you are in need of the bless- ings of that redemption wbich Jesus wrought, in order that you may die unto sin, and live unto righteousness. It is good news for you that Christ died for you, that the past of sin and anger and hatred may be slain, and that yours may be the new creation, which is the incorruptible seed of the new, spiritual, and endless life.-J. R. T,
Ver. 25.-The strayed sheep recovered. For the inspired apostle, and for every Christian teacher, no duty or relation of life is too low to be considered; and at the same time, no motive is too high to be urged. Peter is urging bondservants to sub- mission and patience. 'fheir character and conduct were not beneath his regard. In order to influence them aright, he reminds them of the spirit and the example of Christ himself, and exhorts them, remembering their indebtedness to his humility and self- denial, to imitate his conduct. I. A PICTURE OF THE FLOCK. 1. What were those for whom the good Shepherd suffered and died? They were strnyed sheep, who had wandered from the pastures of obedience in different directions, but all into positions of danger aml beyond power of return. 2. What are thoy now that God's mercy has in Christ followed and found them? 'l'hey have returned from their wanderings, and have re-entered the enclosure of safety; they are enjoying the favour of the Shepherd, the abundance of the pasture, the security of the fold. How true was this of Peter himself, of those to whom he wrote, of every Church gathered, whether from Judaism or from heathenism, to the love and caro and fellowship of Christ 1 II. A PIC'l'URE OF THE SHEPHERD AND OVERSEER OF THE FLOCK, 1. He is repre- sented as seeking- aud recoverilli the lost. 'l'hus early Christian art delighted to depict 'l'HE FIUST EPISTLE GENEl~AL OF PEl'Eil. [cu. n. 1-25,