BY THE SPIRIT'S INFLUENCE, THROUGH THE SON, WE KNOW THE LOVE OF GOD, AND WALK IN LOVE AS CHRIST HATH LOVED US.

MATT. xxviii. 20.

20 teaching them to-observe τnpew all-things whatsoever I-have-commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world πασας τας ημερας, ἕως της συντε λειας του αιώνος. Amen.

through Jesus Christ our Saviour,' ver. 6-being
justified by his grace,.... made heirs according
to the hope of eternal life,' ver. 7- thus are men
prepared to render to God holy service, ver. 8.
Mt. xxviii. 20. teaching them to observe-The belief
of the truth respecting God our Father, and his Son
our Redeemer, and the Holy Ghost the Sanctifier, not
only cleanses from former filthiness, but prompts to
loving obedience; for the right direction of which
obedience, we have been given the commandments of
Christ, and these exemplified in his own life and also
in his death-see the practical use of the doctrine of
the Trinity, Eph. ii. 1, 2, 8, 9; Ph. ii. 1-5-It may be
noticed that in the greater number of the New Tes
tament epistles, we have in the first place the purify-
ing doctrine of the gospel, the knowledge of God our
Saviour ministered, and in the latter part instruc-
tion in duty, correspondent to the direction of our
Lord in the great commission.
lo, I am with you-His name, 'God with us,' ch. i.
23, § 2, p. 14; Gal. ii. 20, Christ liveth in me:'-He is
with us to see how we do his work, Rev. ii. 2, 9, 13, .9;
iii. 1, 8, 15-to help us with his almighty strength,
Ph. iv. 13-to guide us by his wisdom, 1 Co. i. 30-
to cheer us with his smile, Ac. xxiii. 11-and fully
to assure us of victory, 2 Ti. iv. 17, .8.
unto the end of the world-or, completion of the
age-When the iniquity of the inhabitants of the earth,
being full, as in the world before the flood, Ge. vi.
11-3; Lu. xvii. 26, § 72, p. 212, the Lord will de-
stroy those who destroy the earth, Rev. xi. 18-But
the meek shall inherit the earth,' Ps. xxxvii. 10, .1;
Mt. v. 5, § 19, p. 120-Christ is still with his people,
He. xiii. 5, 6-And however highly we may prize his
personal presence, which is now removed to heaven,
Ac. iii. 21, and however we may delight in the pro-
mise of his second advent, 1 Th. iv. 13-8, yet we
ought not to think the less of his being alway present
as God, even till the time when we shall see him as
he is and ever be with the Lord,' ver. 17; Col. iii. 4;
1 Jno. iii. 2.

SCRIPTURE ILLUSTRATIONS. Trinity seems to be made in the three names of the first disciple, Simon-Barjona-Peter-We should be (Simon) hearing and learning of the Father; and (Barjona, son of a dove) born of the Spirit, represented by a dove; and (Peter, a stone) as lively stones built upon Christ, the Rock-see the Trinity referred to, Eph. ii. 18, 20-2-The apostles communicated to us those rivers of living water, the doctrine of God the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost, in which the nations are to be washed, and whereby they are to be presented in holiness to the Lord-Thus in the gospel according to John, the beloved disciple gives us more especially the doctrine of the Son of God-In his epistles the doctrine of the Holy Ghost, including rules for trying the spirits, and the Apocalypse is the gift of the Father, Rev. i. 1-so Peter, in his three writings correspondent to those of John--In the gospel according to Mark, said to be written. under Peter's direction, we have the work of the Son described-In Peter's first epistle, the work of the Spirit; and in his second epistle, the work of the Father-see on Jno. xxi. 15-22, § 97, p. 507-Paul, who was more especially 'the apostle of the Gentiles,' or nations, Rom. xi. 13, although he was not sent to baptize (with water), 1 Co. i. 17, was not a whit behind the very chiefest apostles,' 2 Co. xi. 5; xii. 11, in sending forth the rivers of living water, he laboured more abundantly than they all,' 1 Co. XV. 10-see Ac. xiii.-xviii., and the epistles from Romans to Philemon-In Paul's commission, Ac. xxvi. 16-.8, that which had been expressed in the commission to the eleven, is explained, ver. 18, as being to open their eyes, and to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins, and inheritance among them which are sanctified by faith that is in me.'-The same cleansing power as proceeding from the Trinity is described, Ti. iii. 4-8-The NAME hath been manifested for the purpose of giving us 'the washing of regeneration,' which we have of God as a Father, ver. 4, 5, and renewing of the Holy Ghost; which he shed on us abundantly Mt. xxviii. 20. Alway, ráoas ràs huépas. All the appointed days.-Alford.

NOTES.

xxiv. 3, [§ 86, p. 324,] the completion of the state of time. After that he will be no more, properly speaking, with us, but we with him [Jno. xvii. 24, § 87, [Unto the end of the world. Ews TNS OUTEλRías Tou p. 401] where he is. To understand use μ only of alvos. That time of which they had heard in so the apostles and their (?) successors, is to destroy many parables, and about which they had asked, ch. the whole force of their most weighty words.'—Ibid.] PRACTICAL REFLECTIONS. those kingdoms and states who recognise not his authority, are doing despite to their rightful sovereign, and cannot expect peace until their submission to him is sincere. Let us not be content to accept any inglorious terms for our Prince, any compromise with the powers of darkness; but ever claim for Christ the right to reign over all.]

into subjection to Christ; but by flooding them with
the knowledge of God, as having made himself known
in the love of the Father, the grace of our Lord Jesus
Christ, and the communion of the Holy Ghost.]
cleansing word-the doctrine of Christ, but also to
20 ver. We should not only seek to dispense the
train in the practice of all christian virtue, those
who have received the knowledge of the truth.
The things we as Christians ought to observe, are
the things which Christ commanded his disciples,
which commandments we may reasonably expect to
find embodied in the New Test. histories and epistles.
[The injunctions given to the disciples when our
Lord was upon earth, belonged not alone to his im-
mediate followers, but were given to them, that they
might communicate them to all the nations-And it
is the duty, not only of individuals, but of nations, as
such, to do what Christ hath commanded-to seek
first the kingdom of God and his righteousness.-See
his instructions, ch. v.-vii., § 19, pp. 120-.42; x. § 39.]
[Christians are encouraged to do in the strength
of Christ all that by his authority they are com-
manded. His sympathy is ever with his followers
upon earth. His wisdom is able to direct, and his
power to uphold them. He is ever with us, even until
we shall ever be with the Lord.' There He who now
is really present with us, will also be so visibly.]
To all Christ hath taught, let us heartily say,

[Mt. xxviii. 19, 20. The way to make disciples of all nations is as clearly stated as is the authority under which the work is to be performed. It is by ministering the saving and purifying truth respecting Father, Son, and Holy Ghost, and by instructing them in the performance of the duties taught and exemplified by Christ, by leading them into the faith and walk becoming the Christian.] [Let us not be content with any baptism, inferior to the baptism which it was promised Christ would minister; and in the ministration of which he promised to employ his disciples, when he said, 'He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water,' Jno. vii. 38.] [Let us regard the doctrine of the Trinity, not merely as objective truth, upon which the intellect is to be exercised, but as a practical revelation of the God in whom we trust; intended to purify and rejoice our hearts, and prepare us for the holy service of our God, serving him in the sonship, through the power of the Holy Ghost.] [It is neither by coercive legislation, nor by priestly performances, that the nations are to be brought | AMEN.

would begin with xai idou merely; the usual formulary, both of transition and of connection, which occurs so often in St. Matthew, when he would pass from one memorable particular to another, without affirming anything of the relative order between them, of which idiom, ix. 1, 2, [§§ 22, 35, pp. 164, 274,] in his gospel is decidedly an example.....

504]

BE CLOTHED WITH HUMILITY:-1 Pet. v. 5.

[VOL. 11.

THE THINGS THE SON OF GOD CONSTANTLY TAUGHT, MIGHT ALSO BE READ IN HIS WHOLE LIFE AND DEATH.

BLESSED BE THE GOD AND FATHER OF OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST, WHICH ACCORDING TO HIS ABUNDANT MERCY

SECTION 97.-(G. 13.)—[Lesson 99, continued.]—JESUS APPEARS TO CERTAIN OF HIS DISCIPLES, WHILE FISHING ON THE LAKE OF GALILEE WHICH IS HIS EIGHTH APPEARANCE.-John xxi. 1-24. HE APPEARS TO JAMES, "THE LORD'S BROTHER -1 Cor. xv. 7: WHICH IS HIS NINTH APPEARANCE.

INTRODUCTION AND ANALYSIS. Jno. xxi. I. Jesus shews himself to his disciples by the sea of Galilee. 2, 3. Having received commandment from Jesus to go into Galilee, seven of them proceed as far as the sea of Galilee, when they stop short in their journey. Peter expresses his determination to go a fishing; the others readily agree to join him. They immediately take ship and commence operations; but, as in a former case, this night they catch nothing. See on ver. 14, next column.

4. In the morning Jesus stands on the shore; but the disciples know not that it is Jesus. 5. As if to point out the unproductiveness of their self willed efforts, Jesus, addressing them as children, asks whether they have any food? They answer, 'No.' 6. As in a former instance, Jesus bids them cast the net on the right side of the ship, and now, as before, the quantity of fish taken is so great as to be unmanageable.

7, 8. The beloved disciple, probably remembering the former remarkable instance, immediately discerns that he who in this manner reproved their unfaithfulness before, has again been giving them a lesson of a like kind; he accordingly says to Peter, 'It is the Lord.' Upon which Peter, girding himself for more active exertion, casts himself into the sea; and the other disciples in a little boat come dragging the net full of fishes to land.

9. As soon as they reach the shore, they witness the power and willingness of the Lord to spread for them a table in the wilderness. 10. Jesus tells them to bring of the fish they have caught. 11. Peter goes up, dragging the net to land, and it is probably from him that we are supplied with a description of the fish, a report of their number, and of the condition of the nets. 12. Jesus invites them to come and dine.' They ask him no question, knowing that it is the

Lord.

1

16.

Jno. xxi. 14. This is the third time of Christ's appearing to his disciples generally after his resurrection: twice probably in Jerusalem, and now at the sea of Galilee. This may, therefore, have preceded his appearance on the mountain, as recorded by Matthew. * 15. Peter having been the leader in this divergence from the appointed course, and having so exerted himself in securing the draught, and particular in taking account of the nets and the fishes, in place of hastening to meet his Master; our Lord, giving him only the names he bore before becoming a disciple, asks, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me more than these?' It would ill become Peter now to boast of his love, as compared with that of his fellow-disciples, but surely he loves his Lord better than he does those things in which he had been so earnestly engaged he answers, 'Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee." seeking to obtain a living for himself, 'Feed my lambs.' Jesus says to Peter, who has by his own means been Jesus questions whether it be so before, and Jesus gives him a command to shepherd that Peter does at all love him; Peter answers as his sheep. 17. Jesus puts the question a 'third time, whereat Peter is grieved, and answers, 'Lord, thou knowest all things; thou knowest that I love thee.' Jesus says to him, 'Feed my sheep.' 18, .9. Jesus reminds Peter of his former desertion of the service of his Lord, points forward to the manner in which he should finally glorify God, and directs to present duty, saying, 'Follow me.' 20, .1. Peter, perhaps thinking that he is given an oversight of the other disciples, turns and sees the beloved disciple following, and asks, 'What shall this man do?' 22. Jesus apprizes Peter that he is to leave to his Master the disposal of the beloved disciple, and apply himself to the performance of what his Lord has commanded him to do. 23. The inference of the disciples from the words of Jesus with regard to John. 24. The writer of these things writes with a consciousness of reporting the truth.

No. 97.-Jesus appears to certain of his disciples, while fishing on the lake of Galilee : which is his eighth appearance.-John xxi. 1–24. Lake Tiberias.

[Ch. xx. 31, 100, p. 518.]

After these-things Jesus shewed himself again to-the disciples at the sea of Tiberias; 2 and on-this-wise shewed-he himself. There-were together Simon Peter, and Thomas

SCRIPTURE ILLUSTRATIONS.

Jno. xxi. 1. After these things-After twice appearing to his disciples collectively, first, the day he rose from the dead, ch. xx. 19, § 95, and again, a week after, ver. 26, § ib., both on the first day of the week. shewed himself-Ac. i. 3, He shewed himself alive .... by many infallible proofs,'-x. 41, Not to all the people, but unto witnesses chosen before of God,'

sea of Tiberias-called, ch. vi. 1, § 40, p. 310, the sea of Galilee,'-The message sent to the disciples. when Jesus was risen from the dead, was, Mt. xxviii. 7, $93, p. 487, Behold, he goeth before you into Galilee; there shall ye see him: '-10, § 95, p. 501, Tell my brethren that they go into Galilee, and there shall they see me.'

NOTES.

Jno. xxi. 1. After these things. After the appearances mentioned in ch. xx.

PRACTICAL

Jno. xxi. 1, 2. A seeming opportunity of making worldly gain, or even of obtaining a living by an accustomed and honest employment, may at times be only a temptation, and not by Divine providence

VOL. II.]

At the sea of Tiberias. That is, the sea of Galilee. -See GEOG. NOTICE, §§ 26, 32, 42, pp. 203, .50, 323.

REFLECTION.

designed for our acceptance. The disciples should
have hastened to the place appointed for their meet-
ing with Jesus, and not have lingered by the sea of
Galilee.

* Mr. Greswell's arrangement is retained.-See § 96, p. 503.
HE THAT LIVETH, AND WAS DEAD;-Rev. i. 18.

[505

HATH BEGOTTEN US AGAIN UNTO A LIVELY HOPE BY THE RESURRECTION OF JESUS CHRIST FROM THE DEAD,-1 Pet. i. 3.

IT IS A MERCY WHEN WE ARE DISAPPOINTED IN OUR OWN WAYS, AND

JOHN xxi. 3-7.

called Didymus, and Nathanael of Cana in-Galilee, and the sons of-Zebedee, and two 3 other of his disciples. Simon Peter saith unto-them, I-go a-fishing. They-say untohim, We also go with thee. They-went-forth, and entered into a ship immediately; 4 and that night they-caught nothing. But when-the-morning-was-now-come, Jesus 5 stood on the shore: but-the disciples -knew not that it-was Jesus. Then Jesus saith 6 unto-them, Children, have-ye any meat poodaylov? They-answered him, No. And he said unto them, Cast the net on the right-side of-the ship, and ye-shall-find. Theycast therefore, and now-they-were-not-able to-draw it for the multitude of fishes. 7 Therefore that disciple whom Jesus loved saith unto Peter, It-is the Lord. Now whenSimon Peter-heard that it-was the Lord, he-girt his fisher's-coat unto him, (for he-was

SCRIPTURE ILLUSTRATIONS.

NOTES.

Jno. xxi. 2. Nathanael of Cana. See SCRIP. ILLUS., than Jesus was in the work unto which he had called supra, and § 27, ADDENDA, p. 216, John.'

PRACTICAL REFLECTIONS.

[6, 7 ver. Immediately before finally calling Peter from his fishing, Jesus gave the same directions and with the like success. When such lessons are repeated, we may take it for granted that they are needed, and that God expects we should profit by them. It is a lesson which the disciples of Christ are frequently taught, and which they are too apt to forget-that Christ is better able to provide for them in minutely following his instructions than they are to provide for themselves in turning aside after the world. Let us be ready to recognise the Saviour's voice, and oft amid the disappointments of life, we shall have occasion to say, 'It is the Lord.']

WE CAN DO NOTHING AGAINST THE TRUTH,-2 Cor. xiii. 8.

ARE MADE TO FEEL, THAT IT IS OUR WISDOM TO FOLLOW THE INSTRUCTIONS OF CHRIST.

WHEN OUR HEARTS AND HEADS ARE IN DANGER OF BECOMING TOO MUCH OCCUPIED WITH THE THINGS OF THE WORLD,

JOHN XXI. 8-15.

8 naked,) and did-cast himself into the sea. And the other disciples came in-a little-ship; (for they-were not far from land, but as-it-were two-hundred cubits,) dragging the net 9 with fishes. As-soon-then-as they-were-come to land, they-saw a-fire-of-coals there, 10 and fish laid-thereon, and bread. Jesus saith unto-them, Bring of the fish which ye11 have-now-caught. Simon Peter went-up, and drew the net to land full of-great fishes,

an-hundred and-fifty-and-three: and for-all-there-were so-inany, yet-was-not the net12 broken coxioon. Jesus saith unto-them, Come and dine. And none of-the disciples 13 durst ask him, Who art thou? knowing that it-was the Lord. Jesus then cometh, and 14 taketh bread, and giveth them, and fish likewise. This is-now the-third-time-that Jesus shewed-himself epavepwen to his disciples, after-that-he-was-risen from the-dead. 15 So when they-had-dined, Jesus saith to Simon Peter, Simon, son of Jonas, lovestthou ayanas me more than-these? He-saith unto-him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest

SCRIPTURE ILLUSTRATIONS.

Jno. xxi. 9. fish laid thereon, and bread-Thus still farther did Jesus convict them of folly in mistrusting his ability, or willingness to provide for them in his service-see on ver. 3, p. 506, supra.

11. yet was not the net broken-Thus was this case distinguished from the former, in which their net brake, Lu. v. 6, § 20, p. 154.

14. This is now the third time-Both the former instances had taken place in a house, when the doors were shut for fear of the Jews, ch. xx. 19, 26, § 95, pp. 498, 500-The meeting, which had been specially appointed by Jesus for their seeing him, and for which they had been directed to go into Galilee, may

not yet have taken place, otherwise this would be the fourth time-see Mt. xxviii. 16-20, § 96, p. 502. 15. more than these?-Peter having before this once and again gone back to his fishing after being first. brought to Jesus-see on ver. 3, p. 506, supra-and this being the third time that his Lord, since his resurrection, had come to them, see on ver. 14, before Peter's reaching the place appointed; and now if in place of delighting in the society of his Lord, he busied himself about the fishes, counting them most carefully, 'an hundred and fifty and three,' looking well also to the condition of the nets, ver. 11, there is some occasion for Jesus asking him, 'Lovest thou me more than these?'-See NOTE, infra.

NOTES.

[3-13. There is much depth and richness of meaning in this whole narrative. The Lord appears to his disciples busied about their occupation for their daily bread; speaks and acts in a manner wonderfully similar to his words and actions on a former memorable occasion, when we know that by their toiling long and taking nothing, but at his word enclosing a multitude of fishes, was set forth what should happen to them as "fishers of men." Can we miss that application at this far more impor tant epoch of their apostolic mission? Besides, He graciously provides for their present wants, and inthat in their work hereafter they should never want, vites them to be his guests. Why, but to shew them but he would provide? And as connected with the parable, Mt. xiii. 47, [§ 33. p. 262,] has this net enclosing "a great multitude," " and yet not broken," no meaning? Any one who recognises the teaching character of the acts of our Lord, can hardly cast all such applications from him; and those who do not, have yet the first rudiments of the gospel to learn.'Alford.]

Jno. xxi. 7. Cast himself into the sea. It is likely that they were in very shallow water; and, as they were only two hundred cubits from the land (about one hundred and thirty-two English yards), it is possible that Peter only stepped into the water that he might assist them to draw the boat to land, which was now heavily laden. It is not likely that he went into the water in order to swim ashore; had he intended this, it is not to be supposed that he would have put his great coat on, which must have been an essential hindrance to him in getting to shore.'-A. C. [9. They saw a fire, &c. This might, indeed, be accounted for without supposing miraculous agency; but from the air of the passage it should rather seem that the fire and food were not only provided by Christ, but provided miraculously, as the draught of fishes had been a little before. Both of the miracles being probably intended to teach them, by symbolical actions, that their Lord could, and would, abundantly supply the temporal as well as spiritual necessities of his disciples.'-Bloomf.] [And fish. fápiov. Render, "a fish; " not, as has 14. The third time he shewed himself to the discibeen generally done, fish; for that use of the word, to suggest plurality, is not found either in the scripples collectively; for the two former, see ch. xx. 19, tural or classical writers.'-Ibid.] 26, § 95, pp. 498, 500.

11. Yet was not the net broken. Our Lord is able to disappoint us when we think ourselves most successful, as well as to prosper us when all things seem against us. In the former instance (see Lu. v. 1-11, $20, p. 154) the net brake; in this, when they feared disaster, the net was not broken.

·

12. Come and dine. Apornoare, "refresh your selves." Homer uses the word for a morning's meal.' Doddr.-See ver. 3, 4, supra. And none.... durst ask him. They sat down in silence, wondering at, while at the same time they well knew, Him who was thus their Host. 13. Jesus.... taketh bread, &c. Reminds us of the similar occurrence at Emmaus, Lu. xxiv. 30, § 94,

p. 496.

[15. Simon, son of Jonas. A reminiscence, probably, of Peter's original name and parentage, as distinguished from his apostolic name of honour, Cephas, or Peter.- See ch. i. 42, [§ 10, p. 71]. Thus we have . Bap 'Iava, Mt. xvi. 17, [§ 50, p. 37,] connected with his natural state of flesh and blood, which had not revealed to him the great truth just confessed; and Lu. xxii. 31, [§ 87, p. 376,] "Simon, Simon," when he is reminded of his natural weakness.'-Alford.]

[More than these. λelov Tourov. Some (as Whitby, Pearce, and Myddleton) by Touro understand "these things," namely, the nets, boats, and other implements of his trade; q. d., "Dost thou prefer my service to these thy secular employments ?" But to this somewhat jejune sense it has been well objected PRACTICAL REFLECTIONS.

Jno. xxi. 9. How plainly the Lord made it appear that he could provide for them by the way; and that without his help they could do nothing!

[10,1 ver. Peter appears to have been very exact in taking an account of the fishes, and also in examining the state of the nets. These were on this occasion quite uninjured, although the fish were large in size and in number 153. How strange that the disciples, and especially Peter, did not lose sight of such trifling concerns in their desire to enjoy the society of their Lord, so soon to be taken from them !]

VOL. II.]

12 ver. Jesus attends to the temporal necessities of his followers. Here even after his resurrection we find him providing for them a table in the wilderness. Let us use hospitality with such things as we

have.

15 ver. See margin.

[It does not become us to say, that we love the Lord more than our fellow-disciples love him; this would be to judge the hearts of others, and to act even worse than did Peter, when, before the apprehension of Christ, he boasted of his own faithfulness.]

EXAMINE YOURSELVES, WHETHER YE BE IN THE FAITH;-2 Cor. xiii. 5. [507

LET US HEAR CHRIST ASKING US, AS HE DID PETER, LOVEST THOU ME MORE THAN THESE'?

THE PRINCIPAL QUALIFICATION IN THOSE WHO ARE OCCUPIED IN TEACHING THE YOUNG, IS LOVE TO JESUS.

JOHN xxi. 16, .7.

16 that I-love pλw thee. He-saith unto-him, Feed Booke my lambs. He-saith to-him again the-second-time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest-thou ayanas me? He-saith untohim, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I-love pw thee. He-saith unto-him, Feed 17 Пouave my sheep. He-saith unto-him the third-time, Simon, son of-Jonas, lovest-thou φιλεις me ? Peter was-grieved because he-said unto-him the third-time, Lovest-thou

SCRIPTURE ILLUSTRATIONS.

Jno. xxi. 15. Feed my lambs-Peter, having been given such evidence of his own weakness, and of the chief Shepherd's compassion and care, might be expected to shew henceforth all tenderness for the weak of the flock he may be supposed to have been obedient to this command, by his ministering, through Mark, that knowledge of our Saviour's history which is the nourishment best adapted for the lambs of his flock, and which ought never to be lost to the Christian's remembrance-see 2 Pe. i. 15-The beloved disciple, also, in the gospel according to John, ministered to the little children, as well as to the young men and fathers see 1 Jno. ii. 13.

16. Feed my sheep-The word here translated feed, is different from that used in ver. 15, and means to rule or tend, and more especially regards those of the flock who are grown up, and require guidance, and perhaps some measure of correction, that so they may be directed aright in the use of their growing strength; of which kind of feeding we have an eminent example in Peter's first epistle, which presents a clear and practical view of christian doctrine, especially in regard to the purpose of our Lord's first coming, ch. i.; ii. 1--10-It also abounds in warnings of danger, and in directions for those who are entering upon the sufferings and activities of the christian life, ver. 11-Christ in his sufferings is the great exemplar of the purity, i. 18, .9, and meekness, ii. 21-5, there recommended-Peter himself uses the same word near the end of this epistle, v. 1-4, The elders which are among you I exhort, who am also an elder, and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, and also a partaker of the glory that shall be revealed: 2, feed the flock of God which is among you, [marg. as much as in you is,] 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.
4, And when the chief Shepherd shall appear, ye
shall receive a crown of glory that fadeth not away."
Then he again addresses those younger, ver. 5-10,
Likewise, ye younger, submit yourselves unto the
elder. Yea, all of you be subject one to another, and
be clothed with humility: for God resisteth the
proud, and giveth grace to the humble. 6, Humble
yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God,
that he may exalt you in due time: 7, casting all
your care upon him; for he careth for you. 8, Be
sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil,
as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he
may devour: 9, whom resist stedfast in the faith,
knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in
your brethren that are in the world. 10, But the God
of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal
glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a
you. For whose use this first epistle is more particu-
while, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle
larly designed, see i. 13, .4, 'Wherefore gird up the
loins of your mind, be sober, and hope to the end for
velation of Jesus Christ; as obedient children, not
the grace that is to be brought unto you at the re-
fashioning yourselves according to the former lusts
adapted more especially for the same class-the
in your ignorance: The epistles of John are
young men-although the little children and fathers
are also addressed, I Ep. ii. 14—.8.
17. Lovest thou me? The whole was calculated
to remind Peter of his boastful profession, Lu. xxii.
33, § 87, p. 376, Lord, I am ready to go with thee,
both into prison, and to death.'-Mk. xiv. 29, p. 406,
Although all shall be offended, yet will not I.'-
Ver. 31,If I should die with thee, I will not deny
thee in any wise.'-And of his thrice denying him
with oaths and curses, ver. 68-72, § 89, pp. 431-..3.

NOTES.

by Dr. Jortin, that Peter might love his Lord more than those, and yet not love him much. The true meaning seems rather to be (what the words in their obvious sense would suggest), "Dost thou love me more than those do?" an interpretation which was adopted by all the ancient, as it has been by the most eminent modern commentators, including Lampe, Campbell, Kuinoel, and Tittman. In this question our Lord may be supposed to have alluded to the profession of superior attachment to him, which Peter had made on a former occasion, Mt. xxvi. 33, "Though all men," &c.'-Bloomf.; and so Alford.] Lovest thou me more than thou lovest these thy Bishop Lonsdale supposes the question to be, fellow-disciples?'-See in loc.—But see REFLECTIONS. [The distinction between ayarav and piλeir must not here be lost sight of..... Why do the Lord's two first questions contain ayamas, while Peter's have PA, whereas the third time the question and answer both have pie? This does not look like accident.] [Jno. xxi. 15. Feed my lambs. Books тà ȧpvía nov. We can hardly ... hold Booke, ver. 15 and 17, and Toiuave, ver. 16, to be synonymous, or doría, ver. 15, and póßará, ver. 16, 7.... Everything speaks for a gradation of meaning. See Isa. xl. 11; 1 Jno. ii. 12, .3.-Alford.]

which signifies to tend a flock, not only to feed, but to take care of, guide, govern, defend, &c.; by which he seems to intimate that it is not sufficient merely to offer the bread of life to the congregation of the Lord, but he must take care that the sheep be properly collected, attended to, regulated, guided, &c.; and it appears that Peter perfectly comprehended our Lord's meaning, and saw that it was a direction given not only to him, and to the rest of the disciples, but to all their successors in the christian ministry; for himself says, 1 Ep. v. 2, Feed the flock of God (ποιμάνατε το ποιμνιον του Θεού) which is among you, willingly; not for filthy lucre, but of a ready mind." taking the oversight (TOKOTOUTES, acting as superin tendents and guardians) thereof, not by constraint, but Every spiritual shepherd of Christ has a flock, composed of LAMBS-young converts, and SHEEP-experienced Christians, to feed, guide, regulate, and govern. To be properly qualified for this, his wisdom and holiness should always exceed those of his flock. Who is sufficient for these things? The man who lives in God, and God in him.'-A. C.] 16. Yea, Lord. After all that had occurred, Peter certainly could not say that he loved Jesus more than the beloved disciple; but although his conduct had justly given occasion for Jesus' inquiry, he could say, notwithstanding his unfaithfulness in thrice denying his Lord, Thou knowest that I,' &c. Feed my sheep. Rather, Be a shepherd to thy sheep. The word in the original is not the same as that translated feed in ver. 15, .7, but one which expresses all the duties of a shepherd to his flock.' 17. Peter was grieved. Not merely on account of the PRACTICAL REFLECTIONS.

Lambs... sheep. The flock of Christ is made up of young as well as old; and Christ would have each receive his proper kind of nourishment. [In ver. 15 and 17, our Lord uses the verb Boaxew, to feed, and in ver. 16 he uses the word wav,

If we at all love Jesus, we love him more than our worldly goods and gain. And yet how many of those who profess to be disciples of Christ, act as if they were more interested in the things of this world than in him or his work!-And see margin.

508]

[Jno. xxi. 16. Love to Christ is an indispensable qualification, not only to the instructors of babes, but also for those who are to be employed in guiding in the Divine life those who are farther advanced.] [Not only should the little children be fed, but

GRIEVE NOT THE HOLY SPIRIT OF GOD,-Ephes. iv. 30.

[VOL. II.

ONE PRINCIPAL WAY IN WHICH WE ARE TO SHEW OUR LOVE TO JESUS, IS A TENDER CARE FOR THE YOUNG OF HIS FLOCK.