September 7

Bishop of your souls.—1 Peter 2:25.

THE terms Bishop, overseer, and pastor, obviously signify the same office. To be a bishop therefore, is to have the oversight of the church, to be employed in governing, watching over, instructing, and feeding the flock of God. This office God has committed to faithful men, whom he calls, qualifies, and sends forth into his kingdom. The Head of these, the Great Bishop, is the Lord Jesus Christ. From him they derive all their authority, power, and ability to execute their office. They labour for him; he employs them — supports them — blesses them; to him they must give an account, "And when the chief shepherd shall appear, they shall receive a crown of glory, that fadeth not away." In the church there are teachers, but Jesus is the great teacher — there are rulers, but Jesus is the head over all — there are bishops, but Jesus is truly and preeminently the Bishop of souls. As such, he provides all spiritual supplies for his church. He leads his flock into green pastures, and by the side of still waters. He gives them all needful grace—blesses them with a supply of all good things, out of the exhaustless fulness of his grace. He breaks unto them the bread of everlasting life. And how well qualified he is, to make this provision! All resources are his. Yea, they are all within himself. He is possessed of boundless fulness; he can therefore bestow grace upon grace, so that his disciples cannot possibly want;

"And his love is as great as his power,

And neither knows measure nor end."

He constantly desires the well being of his people, they are never forgotten for a single instant. He anticipates all their desires, and often before they call, he prevents them by communications of his love and grace. His flock must be prosperous and happy. "Happy is the people that is in such a case, yea happy is that people whose God is the Lord."