of so many and such fierce enemies, that the Shepherd must lose His own life to save theirs. He lays down His life for the sheep, and by this act of amazing love and faithfulness, He overcomes their enemies, and rising again from death, gathers together His scattered flock, and assures them of perfect safety if they will but follow in His steps. The path is still rugged, and beset with difficulties and dangers; but now He has overcome them, and in His victory (gained by His death,) the sheep have not only encouragement, but power also given them to follow in the way which He points out.

Such is the figure used in the Gospel to express our redemption in Christ; and in the Epistle St. Peter dwells upon all this, no longer in the language of the parable, but as it were plainly. He is declaring how great a duty, and how blessed a privilege it is, to be meek and patient under ill treatment. "This is thankworthy if a man for conscience towards God, endure grief, suffering wrongfully." Some persons might think it enough to be patient and submissive when they are justly punished for their faults. But the Apostle says, no; that is the very least that any

one can do. A Christian is called to something higher and better. To do well, and if our welldoing brings us into trouble, then to take it patiently; this, he says, is acceptable with God. And he goes on to say that unto this, this patient endurance of undeserved ill treatment,we have been called. If this should seem strange to any of us, let us consider the explanation which he gives us. He says that the Christian religion to which we have graciously been called, requires of us that we should willingly submit to ill treatment, even when we have been acting rightly, and he explains this,-how? "Because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example that ye should follow His steps." It is not merely because Christ suffered-though, indeed, that would be enough to silence all complaintsbut it is because He suffered for us, and thereby reconciled us in Himself to God. The sufferings of Christ are therefore first represented as enabling, and then as inciting us to follow His steps. He is first our Redeemer, then our Example. Because He is our Redeemer, therefore He is our Example. We are first called to be partakers of the salvation which He has accom

plished, and then because we have been made partakers of it, and in order to continue in it, we are exhorted to make our calling sure by setting Him before us as our Example, and by following His steps. His Example, perfect though it be, and adapted to every condition, every age, and every circumstance of life, could not in itself profit us unless He had first made us partakers of the inestimable benefit of His precious Death and glorious Resurrection. How could we venture to raise our eyes to the bright Pattern of His most holy life, unless He had by the sacrifice of Himself once offered, cleansed us from the sin in which we were born, clothed us in His righteousness, given us strength for our present need, and assured us of His continual help and favor? But having received such blessings at His hands, mercy, grace, and hope, we are able (in Him and through Him,) to receive the blessing of His Example also.

And surely, called as we are by His voice, informed by His Spirit, endowed with His strength, we may well understand how great a blessing it is to be provided with a perfect Example by which to direct our lives. We may understand too that

since He, the Author and Giver of all spiritual gifts, has been pleased to furnish us with this also, it cannot be a matter of indifference how we set ourselves to use it. So far from being an indifferent matter, it is we know of far more moment than all other things together. It is a matter of everlasting moment. Better had it been for us never to have received the inestimable benefit of His Death, (miserable as our portion must then have been,) than having received it to put away from us His Example of holiness unto which, by being made partakers of His Death, we have been mercifully called. To order our lives, (in some good measure, and in all sincerity of heart,) after His Example,-to follow, (at least in purpose and endeavour though with manifold shortcomings,) the blessed steps of His most holy life, this He has Himself made the condition, on which alone His mercy, freely given, shall still be continued to us, and not be turned, as otherwise it will be turned, to our greater condemnation, and more intolerable woe.

This reflection, and every other which speaks to the same effect, will seem abundantly called for, if we consider how little (after all) the Example of

our Lord is thought of by Christians in general. Too commonly it is quite forgotten; men look for their standard some in one quarter some in another, with as little regard to Him, who is Himself the true standard, as if His earthly life had not been left on record for their learning, and was a matter rather of speculation than of fact. And if the question is brought home to them-if they are referred to the conduct of their Saviour as a rule of action-if they are told to behold Him now in that awful character which He will one day visibly assume, and so by faith to bring their thoughts, words and works before His judgment-seat, and make Him the present Judge of their principles and practices,— will they not often answer that such notions are too high or too deep for them,—they do not wish to be better than other people? Such a course (they will say) may be very well for those who have no worldly concerns to attend to-but as for themselves they do not profess so much religion-they do their best in their own way,they know they do not live quite up to the Gospel Way-but they hope God will have mercy on them. Now we should spare no effort to