The Pulpit Commentary — 1 Peter — Section 218

he died for them. .And he appointed under-shepherds to work under his eye. He still gives the pastoral spirit to those who are faithfully serving him in their sacred calling; -ioal, self-denying charity, the strong lo·,e of sonls, are his gift. For he is the chief Shepherd, and under-shepherds must gather round him, and learn of him, and imitate him, if they are to become in any truo sense shepherds and bishops of souls. They see him now, by faith, "through a glass, darkly; " but in the time appointed of the Father he shall come nearer, he shall be manifested-they shall see him face to face. "Behold, I come quickly, and my reward is with me." 2. What it is. Not filthy lucre, not high place and rank, not the praise of men. But an amaranthine wreath ; not a wreath that withereth, such as those worn at festive gatherings, or the wreaths so highly prized that were bestowed on victorious athletes. The wreath which the chief Shepherd giveth is of amaranth, imperishable; it is a wreath of glory-glory that cannot fade, for it is the Lord's own glory, the glory which he had before the foundation of the world, which he giveth to his chosen. Eye bath not seen that glory; it bath not entered into the heart of man; it is the glory of the chief Shepherd. He shaH. bestow it in the great day upon those faithful shepherds of the sheep, who for his love have stiiven in patience and self-forgetfulness to fulfil the charge which was once give.'.l to St. Peter, and is given still to those who have succeeded the apostles in the sacred ministry of the Church: "Lovest thou me? then, feed my lambs, tend my sheep." LESSONS. 1. If we are to exhort others with success, we must live very near the cross; wt1 must have the blessed hope of glory in heaven. 2. Prtsbyters must tend the floci._ for it is the Lord's ; and to neglect it is to neglect him. 3. They must work out of love, willingly, zealously, humbly. 4. They must follow the chief Shepherd now, and look to him for their reward, Vers. 5-9,-Geneml exhortations. I. To HUMILITY. 1. In the case of the yoong. They must submit themselves to the elder. Young men are often tempted to despise their seniors, to regard them as antiquated, as obstructive; to be impatient to remodel everything according to their own devices; to put more trust in the impetuosity characteristic of youth than in the mellow wisdom of age. Therefore the Scriptures exhort young men to be sober-minded (Titus ii. 6). 'rhey must learn to keep in check the extravagance of their aspirations, and to remember that the experience of years gives greater weight to the opinions and advice of their elders. They must submit themselves to the elder; for" the hoary head is a crown of glory, if it be found in the way of righteousness." ".A graceless old age," Leighton says, "is a most despicable and lamentable sight. ·what gains an unholy man or woman by their scores of years, but tb.e more scores of guiltiness and misery? 'rheir white hairs speak of nothing but ripeness for wrath. But, found in thri way of righteousness, the hoary heat.l shines, and ha.a a kind of royalty." To such young; men should submit themselves. Respect for age is graceful and becoming in the young, and bas the sanction of Holy Scripture. 2. Generally. .All should be subject one to another. "Honour all men," the apostle has already taught us (eh. ii. 17). Respect is due to all men, whatever their outward condition; the true Christian will respect the feelings of his humblest dependants. For all men are the creatures of the one Father; all are redeemed with the precious blood of Christ; all are dear to the Saviour; and he who loves the Lord who bought us must care for all those whom he bought with bis blood. Therefore the Christian will in a true sense be subject to all men. He will make himself, like St. Paul, the servant of all; he will understand that he has duties even to the wicked and the most degraded; he will readily give up his own wishes, and submit sometimes to work and surroundings which are coarse and offensive and utterly distasteful to his feelings; he will be content to be "made all things to all men, that be might by all means save some" (1 Cor. ix. 22). 'l'hus he will be clothed with humility. He will wear it like a close-fitting dress, firmly fastened on; for unless it is woven into the very character, it is quickly driven away and dissipated by the constant incitements to proud and self-seeking thoughts, which the varying circumstances of daily life continually suggest. It may be despised, it may be regarded as a garment fit for slaves; but he knows how precious it is; he will wrap it tightly round him, and will be careful not to let it go; for while he i'J covered with it, his inner soul is kept white and clean from many stains and spots which, but for the robe of humility, he would inevitably coutract in the stir and bustle of every• 2H THE FIRST EPISTLE GENERAL OF PETER. [OR, v. 1-14.