and three times He gave to Peter the pastoral care of His flock. This charge, therefore, was a sign of forgiveness, a proof of love, a pledge of salvation. This pledge was not exclusively given to Peter. It comes through Peter to us all. The pastoral care which we receive through him is to us also a test of our love, a proof of the love of Jesus, and a pledge of our salvation.
1. For first, to be a priest, as we have seen, is the highest predestination. The priest is called and ordained for the greatest glory of God. He is the first-fruits of the first-fruits of the new creation. He is called to the nearest approach to our Divine Redeemer, and to be a fellow-worker with Him in gathering out the elect from this evil world. In him are summed up all the tokens of acceptance that God ever gave to man. Peter of Blois says, "A priest has the primacy of Abel, the patriarchate of Abraham, the government of Noe, the order of Melchisedech, the dignity of Aaron, the authority of Moses, the perfection of Samuel, the power of Peter, the unction of Christ."[1] These are all so many seals hanging to the writ of His promise to save us. They are not mere titles but realities. The Good Shepherd said of His disciples, "My sheep hear My voice; and I
- ↑ Serm. lx. ad Sacerdotes, Opp. p. 373.
