June 15

JUNE 15.—“Ye are now returned unto the Shepherd and Bishop of your souls.”—1 Peter 2:25.

For they were as sheep going astray—This was their state by nature. But now they are in a state of grace. And two things are observed with regard to it. First, they enter it by a return—Ye are returned. Grace never leaves us as it finds us. It makes us the subjects of a change—not a change from one class of opinions to another, or from one denomination to another—not a change from mere gross vices to moral duties; but a change of mind, of heart, and of life; and which embodies the various representations given of it in the Scriptures. It is a turning from darkness to light, and the power of Satan unto God. It is the renewing of the Holy Ghost. It is a new birth, a new creation. The work, though always essentially the same, differs in various individuals. The means also by which it is produced are not the same in all instances. In general, it is accomplished by the preaching of the word: but sometimes it is effected by reading the Scriptures, by a good book, by pious conversation, by affliction—“Lo! all these things worketh God oftentimes with man, to bring back his soul from the pit, to be enlightened with the light of the living.”

But let us never suppose that the return is owing to himself. It is supposed the Apostle designed to express this by the form of his expression. It is in the passive voice—not ye—returned, but ye are returned—that is, as if he had said, ye have been caused to return. We would not however found a doctrine of such importance on a mere grammaticism. The truth is expressly asserted. “Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us.” “For by grace are ye saved, through faith; and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God: not of works, lest any man should boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.”

Secondly, this return brings them to Christ—“Ye are returned to the Shepherd and Bishop of your souls.” He is the personage spoken of; and how well does he deserve the titles—But observe, the grand thing in religion is our being brought to Christ. Therefore, he himself said, “Come unto me.” “Every man therefore that hath heard and learned of the Father cometh unto me.” As it pleased the Father that in him should all fulness dwell, “to him,” it is said, “shall men come.” “To him shall the gathering of the people be.” It is with him we have to do immediately in the concerns of the soul. We want a mediator between God and us; but we want no mediator between Christ and us—To him we must come as we are. “In the Lord have I righteousness and strength.”

Christians! what gratitude becomes you! Ye were darkness, but now are ye light in the Lord. Ye were in bondage, but are now in the glorious liberty of the sons of God. Ye were destitute of all spiritual good, but are now blessed with all spiritual blessings. How should your obligation to such infinite goodness be discharged? By a few languid emotions? or formal acknowledgments? A soul redeemed demands a life of praise.

Christians! what confidence, what joy becomes you! All hail, ye highly favoured of the Lord—“Ye were as sheep going astray,