Vers. 11, 12.-Tlie threefold plea agai11,5t disorderly passions. What is meant here by "fleshly lusts"? Not alone the desires and appetites that are gratified through the flesh-" sensuality," as we sometimes say. No; for three reasons. 1. The flesh in itself is neither good nor bad; it has no moral qualities. 2. 'l'he category of evils' here enumerated includes envying, pride, heresies. 3. 'l'he "flesh" is used figura- tively, and is a symbol of the old and lower nature of man. The phrase points to the disorganized, disproportioned, disordered desires of man, and so includes intemperance, gluttony, voluptuousness, bad temper, false ambitions, covetousness, all of which are included in the accursed trinity of St. John, "'l'he lust of the flesh, the lust of the eye, the vain-glory of life." We are here taught that- I. INDULGENCE IN THESE DISOBDERLY PASSIONS IS DECOMING NEITHER TO OUB PHESF.NT CONDITION KOR TO OUR DESTINY. "\Ve are "sojourners j " foreigners, not staying here. But more, we are "pilgrims," bent on. a higher destination. "Arise ye, and depart ; for this is not your rest." II. THE INFLUENCE OF THESE DISORDERLY PASSIONS IS HOSTILE TO OUB OWN INWARD LIFE. "Which war against the soul;" war against all the garrison and inmates of the soul-against reason, defying and dishonouring it; against memory, burdening and crushing it; against hope, darkeuing it and turning it into terror; against imagi- nation, polluting and degrading it-; against conscience, cutting and maiming, though they cannot kill it; against the affections, ravaging and spoiling them; in a. wor~, against " the soul" lIL FREEDOM FROM TIIESE DISORDERLY PASSIONS, BESIDES DELIVERING FRO:ll INTEnNAL STRIFE, WILL MAKE OUR OUTWARD LIFE A SOO[AL BLESSING. Four facts are here suggested on this point. 1. Outward life scrutinized. '!'hey "behold" it. 2. Outward life readily calumniated. "They speak evil of you." Slanders b_rought against early Christians were many, foul, and baseless. It was a king who said," It is kingl:v to do good, and to be evil spoken of is kingly." Paul, James, Peter, and our Lord teach that to do good and be evil spoken of was the lot of a Christian. 3. Outward life should be beautiful. "Good works;" i.e. beautiful works. No scenery can be or should be so fascinating, so awe-inspiring, as the scenery of souls, They rnav show forth most of the beauties of holiness, the beauty of God. 4. Such outward life.leads to God being glorified. "They may glorify God." Many a man bas found some noble or gracious life of kinsman, or of friend, or of hero_to be" the_gate Beau- tiful," by wbich ho has gone into the temple of the fellowship and service of God. -U. R. 'f. Vera. 13, 14.-The liigliest motive/or a loyal life. This passage teaches- !. THE NEC~SSITY OF LOYALTY. In our present condition there must be the ruled and rulers. It may be well to seek a change of rulers; it certainly is often well to atek a change of laws; but while rulers, whether" kings or governors," are for" ven- geance on evil-doers, and a praise to them that do well," it is tho duty of tl:e true c:tizen to be loyal. ll. 'l'HE FREQUENT CHARG~ OF DISLOYAT,TY DROUGll'f BY Till!: VOOl.lSU AO,\lNST on. II. l-2G.J 'l'HE FmS'r EPISTLE GENERAL OF PETER. 115
IlEFOIDITms. Such men as St. Paul was arl<lres~ing were, as Christians are, of necessity, reformers. 'rhcre wo.s all the more nee<l that they should, by fittin"' loyalty, put to shame the ignorance of foolish men who calumniated then. Even th;ir very freedom, as being undor a higher thrm mere human law, might seem to be usecl as "a cloke of wickedness." Therefore they were to be the very bonclservants of God. III. LOYALTY IS INCO.IIPLETE UNLESS IT INCLUDES HONOUR FOR ALL MEN, LOVE FOR TIIE CmusTIAN nnonllm!IOOD, AS WELL AS onEDIENCE TO THE RULER. The true loyalist is no recluse, but a philanthropist and a Church-member. • IV. 'l'IIE BUFFICIEl'll' AND ~BIDIKG MOTIVE FOR BUCH LOYALTY Iii DIVDIE, "For the Lord's sake."-U. H. T. Vers. 18-25.-Tlie Christian as a servant. As the sun extracts no sweeter odours than when its rays fall on the tiny lily of the va.llay or the modest violet, so the truth of Christ never fills the air with more fragrance than when, as here, it is addressed to men and women of lowly station and occupation-to" bondmen." I. THE DUTY OF THE CIInISTIAN AS A SERVANT. "Be in subjection." Obedience is the essential virtue of servitude. Fulfil commands. Discharge tasks. "With all fear." Not terror, but proper awe. The craven is not the product of Christianity, but the respectful man is. Widen the application to all employis. How this teaching oils the wheels of the social machine I II. 'l'BE DIFFICULTIES OF TIIE CHRISTIAN AS A BUFFERING SERV Als"T. There is no one-sided view of social duty here. It is implied: 1. Difficulties often arise from the character of employers. There is an exquisite ideal for masters here-" good and gentle." But many a servant "endureth griefs, suffering wrongfully." Some masters are " froward,'' i.e. like a crooked stick you do not know bow to hold. Some are rough. 'J'heir servants are buffeted-tongue, fist, temper, strike. 2. Such difficulties, when rightly met, bring honour and Divine praise. 'l'his leads to- III. 'fHE DIGNITY OF TilE CHRISTIAN AS A SUFFERING SERVANT. 1. Dignity, inasmuch as a suffering servant may resemble the blessed Saviour. Follow his steps who was (1) perfect, yet wronged; (2) reviled, yet unreviling; (3) suffering, yet not vindictive. 2. Dignity, because inasmuch as for our salvation our Lord became a. suffering Servant. Burdened, we aro relieved by him; dead, we are quickened by him; diseased, we are healed by him ; wandering, we are restored by him; and that by hi1 being burdened and dying.-U. R. T.