them: As every man has received the gift. Learn, 2. That gifts are given for the benefit of others, we are to minister one to another, that is, to improve our gifts to the mutual edification of each other. Learn, 3. That such as look upon themselves as stewards of the manifold gifts of God, will wisely improve them for his glory, and the good of others, the great ends for which he has conferred them.

11 If any man speak, let him speak as the oracles of God; if any man minister, let him do it as of the ability which God giveth: that God in all things may be glorified through Jesus Christ to whom be praise and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.

If any man speak, that is, 1. As a public minister, or teacher, let him speak as he is instructed from the oracles of God. Or, 2. If he speaks as a private christian, let his discourses be grave and serious, for mutual edification, especially when he speaks of divine things: speech is a noble and advantageous benefit to man, by which he excels the whole creation; our tongue is our glory, the instrument of our Creator's praise; and there is no subject so sublime and honourable for the tongue of man to be employed about, as the word and oracles of God; but then we must never mention them but with reverence. Woe be to those men that bring forth scripture in their discourse, as the Philistines brought forth Samson, only to make them sport, rendering it the theme of their giddy mirth and profane drollery; but these men ere long will find Almighty God in earnest, though they be in jest; such men forget this injunction of the apostle's, If any man speak, let him speak as the oracles of God.

-If any man minister,—

To supply the necessities of others, either as a deacon, whose office it then was to take care of the poor, or as a private christian, by charitable contribution, let him perform that duty readily and cheerfully, according to the ability God hath given him. Where observe, That he that with his wealth ministereth to the necessities of others, if he doth it not according to the ability which God has given him, his charity is not acceptable in God's account; not acceptable to God, because not proportionable to what he has received from

God: the reason of this injunction is added in the next words, That God in all things may be glorified through Jesus Christ :in whose strength these gifts are rightly employed, and by whose merits and intercession our intention to glorify God by them is accepted.-To whom, that is, to which Jesus, as to God blessed for evermore, be all honour and dominion everlastingly ascribed. Amen.

12 Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you: 13 But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ's sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy.

Observe here, 1. The metaphor which the apostle uses to set forth the christian's afflictions and persecutions by; he calls them fiery trials: burnings, because very painful and afflictive, very grievous and burdensome to sense, and also because men are tried by them as metals are by fire. Observe, 2. The warning given by the apostle to all christians, not to think it strange concerning these fiery trials; that is, not to look upon them as unusual things, but to expect them, and prepare for them; for unexpected trials fall upon the soul in their full weight, and suddenly overthrow it: what we fear, for that we prepare; but when trials come, and we never looked and prepared for them, they strike us to the heart, because not arined to receive the blow. Observe, 3, The gracious end that God has in the afflictions and persecutions which fall upon his people: they are to try them, not to consume them; to try their graces, and destroy their corruptions, to give them opportunity to make proof of the truth of their faith, sincerity, and constancy. Observe, 4. The high honour which God puts upon his suffering saints and servants : they are said to be partakers of Christ's sufferings, because they suffer for him, and he suffers with them, and in them, and also because he suffered the same things before them, and much worse things for them. Observe lastly, The duty which God expects and requires from them who suffer these fiery persecutions for the sake of his Son; and that is, to rejoice and be exceeding glad. From the whole learn, 1. That no afflictions or persecutions should seem

Observe here, 1. The persons exhorted, The elders that are amongst you, the guides and governors of the church: el ders by age and office, who were both to rule well, and also to labour in the word and doctrine; and for doing both faithfully, were to be accounted worthy of double honour. Observe, 2. The person exhorting, I exhort, who am also an elder. Mark, he says not, "I who am the universal Head of the church, Christ's vicar upon earth; but I, who am an elder by age, and by apostleship, who have been long the minister of the circumcision, I exhort, beseech, and entreat you, as my brethren, fellow-labourers in our Lord's vineyard." Observe, 3. The humble testimony which St. Peter gives of himself: he doth not say, "I command, who am the chief of the apostles, with whose confession of faith Christ was so well pleased, that he said, Thou art Peter, and upon this rock will I build my church;" but, "I exhort, who am a witness of the sufferings of Christ, an eye-witness of what our dear Lord and Master suffered in the faithful discharge of his office, both in his life and at his death; and also a partaker of the glory that shall be revealed: I was also an eyewitness of Christ's glory in his transfiguration here on earth, and hope to be partaker of that glory which shall hereafter be revealed in heaven." Learn hence, That such ex

hortations to duty are likely to be most ef fectual and successful, which are propoundSt. Peter ed in the humblest manner. was placed in an high degree above these elders, being an apostle, a chief apostle; yet he gives himself no such title, but says, The elders I exhort, who am also an elder; not an apostle, much less the head and chief of the apostles.

2 Feed the flock of God which is among you, taking the oversight thereof, not by constraint, but willingly; not for filthy lucre, but of a ready mind: 3 Neither as being lords over God's heritage, but being ensamples to the flock.

Observe here, 1. The title given to the church, it is the flock of God; denominations are given in scripture to persons and things, proper to the state of things and persons: thus here the church is called a flock, and sometimes a little flock, in opposition to the herds and huge droves of the men of the world; yet the flock consists not of a few absolutely, but comparatively only; a flock contains a multitude. Again, as the church is called a flock for their number, so for their order; a flock is under inspection and government continually, Christ Jesus is the great overseer of this flock; and farther, it is a flock in respect of the unity and love that is amongst them; though the church be scattered over the world, yet there is an holy combination and sweet communion of the members amongst themselves. Observe, 2. The duty exhorted to, and that is double, to feed the flock, and to be an example unto the flock. 1. Feed the flock, taking the oversight of it; feed it with wholesome doctrine, guide and govern it by strict discipline, overlooking it continually, and watch over it with unwearied diligence; and that you may do so, be perpetually resident, feed the flock that is among you How can the flock be duly watched over, when the shepherd lives several miles from the fold, and is following his pleasure when he should be feeding his sheep? Feed the flock among you. Observe, 3. The manner directed to, how, and after which, the shepherds should feed and watch over the flocks. 1. Not by constraint, but willingly; that is, not as a burthen, but a pleasure, with a free and ready mind; what men do out of compulsion from base

fear, they do with no satisfaction either to God or man. 2. Not for filthy lucre: to feed the flock purely for the sake of the fleece, and to take a living only to get a living, is an horrid impiety; to be driven into the ministerial office by necessity is bad, but to be drawn by covetousness is much worse. 3. Not as being lords over God's heritage. Where note, The title given to the church, they are God's heritage, his people, not our own, his lot and portion, he having a special and peculiar right unto them, and property in them; therefore they are not to be lorded over,

not to be treated with insolence and imperiousness, ruling them by the sword, and outward force, which has made many hypocrites, but not one convert. Lastly, He requires that they be ensamples to the flock; that is, in their daily conversation. Now how can they be examples to them, if they live not amongst them? They must be examples of such meekness and humility, of such patience and charity, of such mortification and self-denial, as become persons of their holy character and profession; and be patterns of those virtues amongst their people in conversation which they recommend to them from the pulpit. This duty of ministerial exemplariness in conversation is bound upon us by innumerable arguments taken from the command of Christ, from the glory of God, from the preciousness of the soul, from the dignity of our office, from the success of our ministry, which depends more upon our practice than upon our preaching; from our own interest, with respect to our present comfort and future happiness; from the influence it has upon our people, an encouraging and confirming influence.

4 And, when the chief Shepherd shall appear, ye shall receive a crown of glory that fadeth not away.

As if our apostle had said, "It is possible you may miss of your reward here from the hands of men; but when Christ, the great and good Shepherd, shall appear, when the owner, ruler, and lover of his church, shall come to judgment, you shall have from him your full reward, a neverfading, ever-flourishing, crown of glory, for faithfully discharging your duty to God and his people." Learn hence, 1. That Jesus Christ, the chief Shepherd, will at length appear, 2. That when he doth appear,

he will call the under shepherds to account, how they have discharged every part of their ministerial office, as well private inspection, as public preaching. 3. That to all such, and to only such, as have been faithful to the interest of Christ and souls, shall the reward be assigned, even a crown of glory that fadeth not away: When the chief Shepherd shall appear, ye shall receive a crown of glory, &c.

5 Likewise, ye younger, submit yourselves unto the elder; yea, all of you be subject one to another,

Having laid down the duties of pastors in the former verse, he points out the duties of the people in this, whom he calls the younger, either because they were generally younger in years than their spiritual guides, or because they ought to show that reverence and obedience to them which is suitable in young ones towards their elders; these young ones he exhorts to submit themselves to the guidance of their elders and teachers: Likewise, ye younger, submit yourselves unto the elder: instruction and jurisdiction belonged to the elders, subjection and obedience to the younger. Note here, That the duties of pastor and people are mutual and reciprocal; not that their duties are alike, but because there is a like reason for the performance of their respective duties, a like engagement and obligation upon both: the duty of the one is subjection; of the other ministerial direction. He adds,

yea, all of you be subject one to another; intimating thereby that there is a duty of mutual subjection, which all christians owe one to another in love: they ought to condescend to the meanest offices one towards another; to bear with the infirmities of each other.

-And be clothed with humility: For God resisteth the proud, and giveth grace to the humble.

The original word, rendered clothed, signifies, first, an upper garment, a frock or cloak, put over all the rest of our clothes; and so imports, that we should be wrapped up all over with this grace, that this should be most visible in our conversations, words, and actions, and conspicuous beyond all other virtues. Secondly, It signifies a belt which girds about our garments, and so imports, that we should tie it fast unto us, and have those considerations always fixed