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sufferings of the righteous, speak of "the end of them that obey not the Gospel of God 2"

18. If the righteous scarcely be saved, where shall the ungodly and the sinner appear?

CHAPTER V.

EXHORTATION TO THE ELDERS TO THE YOUNGER, AND GENERALLY TO ALL.

Recite the apostle Peter's exhortation to the elders of the church, to feed and take the oversight of the flock.

1. 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:

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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.

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

away.

What was Peter's counsel to the younger disciples, and generally to all ?

5. 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.

How does the apostle conclude this epistle?

10. The God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered awhile, make you perfect; stablish, strengthen, settle you :

11. To Him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.

THE

SECOND EPISTLE GENERAL OF PETER.

CHAPTER I.

THE PROMISES OF THE GOSPEL ARE PRECIOUS.-TO USE DILI GENCE IN THE EXERCISE OF CHRISTIAN VIRTUES, AND THERÈBY TO SECURE OUR INTEREST IN CHRIST.-PETER'S TESTIMONY CONCERNING CHRIST.--THE WORD OF PROPHECY, HOW TO BE REGARDED.

Recite the exordium of Peter's second Epistle. 1. Simon Peter, a servant and an apostle of Jesus Christ, to them that have obtained. like

precious faith with us, through the righteousness of God, and our Saviour Jesus Christ :

2. Grace and peace be multiplied unto you,› through the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord :

3. According as his Divine Power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him that hath called us to glory and virtue.

How does the apostle set forth the rich and important blessings, that are derived through the knowledge of Him that hath called us to glory and virtue ?

4. Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the Divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.

What will best prove that we are neither barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ?

5. Giving all diligence, add to your faith, virtue; and to virtue, knowledge;

6. And to knowledge, temperance; and to temperance, patience; and to patience, godli

ness;

7. And to godliness, brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness, charity:

8. For if these things be in you and abound,

they make you that ye shall neither be barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.

If we are wanting in Christian virtues, is it not a proof that we are blind to the Truth, and that we have need to use all diligence to secure our interest in Christ?

9. He that lacketh these things is blind, and cannot see afar off, and hath forgotten that he was purged from his old sins..

10. Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure; for if ye do these things ye shall never fall.

11. For so an entrance shall be ministered unto you abundantly, into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.

Was not the apostle Peter qualified to assert from the highest authority, that Jesus was the Son of God?

16. We have not followed cunningly devised fables, when we made known unto you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ; but were eye witnesses of his majesty.

17. For He received from God the Father honour and glory, when there came such a voice to Him from the excellent glory: This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.

18. And this voice which came from heaven

we heard, when we were with Him in the holy

mount.

Do not the Scriptures bear a clear testimony to Christ, and direct us to the influence of his Spirit in the heart ?-How are they to be regarded, and what is their authority ?

19. We have also a more sure word of prophecy; whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day-star arise in your hearts.

20. Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the Scripture is of any private interpretation. 21. For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.

CHAPTER II.

TO BEWARE OF FALSE TEACHERS THE AWFUL CONSEQUENCE OF TURNING AWAY FROM THE TRUTH.

Did he not foretell of false teachers under the Gospel, even as there were false prophets of old; and what will be the end of such ?

1. But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you; who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought

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