at wherever Christians are
they must suffer and be persecuted. Such is a genuine Apostle. If
such a Pope or a bishop were to be found among these men that bear
the title at the present day, we would gladly kiss his feet.

_And partaker of the glory which shall be revealed._ This is
something still more exalted, and evidently a bishop must not lightly
say it. For here St. Peter claims to be a saint. He was certain that
he should be saved, for he had strong assurance, as when Christ said,
"I have chosen you"--yet it had cost much pains ere the Apostles
attained it. They must first be humbled and wickedly derided. Now,
although he knew that he was a partaker of salvation, still he is not
proud, neither does he exalt himself, although he is a saint. But
what were the elders therefore to do? It follows:

V. 2. _Feed the flock of Christ which is among you._ Christ is the
chief Shepherd, and has many shepherds under Him,--as also many herds
of sheep which He has committed to His shepherds, here and there, as
St. Peter writes in this place, in many lands. What are these
shepherds to do? They are to feed the flock of Christ. This the Pope
has arrogated to himself, and thus claims that he is sovereign lord,
and will dispose of the sheep as he chooses. We know very well what
feeding is,--namely, that the shepherd should distribute provision
and set food before the sheep, that they may thrive. Besides, they
are to guard lest the wolves come and rend the sheep,--that is, that
they may not assault and worry them.

Now St. Peter says, particularly, the _flock of Christ_, as though he
should say: Do not imagine that the flock is yours, ye are only
servants. But our bishops speak with all confidence the reverse of
this. They say, you are _my_ sheep. But we are Christ's sheep; for so
he said above, "Ye are now returned to the Shepherd and Bishop of
your souls." The bishops are Christ's servants, and their business is
to guard Christ's sheep, and feed them. Therefore to feed them is
nothing else but to preach the Gospel, whereby souls are nourished,
made fat and fruitful,--since the sheep thrive upon the Gospel and
the word of God. This is alone the office of a bishop. So Christ says
also to Peter, "Feed my sheep,"--that is, the sheep which you are to
feed, are not yours, but mine. Yet from this they have inferred the
doctrine that the Pope has external power over all Christendom, and
yet none of them preaches to you one word out o