“’O, the length and the breadth,
  And the depth and the height
    Of the love of Christ! 
  It passeth all understanding!”

I have here represented Peter as giving us some of his experiences; and I believe that my representations are correct; for in the chapter next preceding the one just read, we find this joyful exclamation:  “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his ABUNDANT MERCY hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead.”  I must think that the mercy was much more abundant than Peter expected, for it wrought an effect upon him which he calls a regeneration, or a sort of new birth.  At any rate, he says he was “BEGOTTEN AGAIN.”  It looks as if it made a new man of him.  It gave him new life.  He never denied his Lord again.  When called to fulfill the prophecy of the Lord concerning “the death by which he was to glorify God,” he faltered not, but met it “as seeing him who is invisible.”

Brethren, some of us may, at times, have a taste of Peter’s experience.  We feel so vile in our own eyes, that, like him, we go out, and over our sins “weep bitterly.”  Ah, but these are “pearly tears” in God’s sight.  Though we may not know it, though we may still feel too bad to repair, on bended knees, to a “throne of grace,” yet God knows how to value them.  They are precious in his sight; and it is your experience and mine that after seasons of this kind he sends us the brightest tokens of his love, and we are joyfully amazed that it is so.

I once, when a boy, disobeyed my father.  I have in mind a particular instance of disobedience, and of a character very trying to his patience.  When I came rightly to myself and realized my sin I was afraid to meet him.  He discovered, without any confession on my part, what I had done.  I expected severe punishment.  To my surprise he met me with a smile.  Taking me by the hand he said:  “Let us go out into the orchard.”  We sat down upon the fallen trunk of an apple tree, and gently placing one arm around my neck, he said:  “Peter, do you know that I love you?” I instantly broke down under the weight of this arm of love, and answered as well as my sobs would let me, “Yes, sir!” “Do you love me?” he next said.  Again I answered, “Yes, sir!” “Then never again disobey me, my boy, and we will have a sweet and happy life together.”  And I can say from my heart, right here, I never did.

I now think, dear Brethren, that you are prepared to understand what Peter meant by the words:  “Unto you therefore which believe he is precious.”  You feel that he is precious to you, because he has taken away your sins by giving you a new heart and filling you with his love.  You can now say with the Apostle John:  “We love him because he first loved us.”  Now then, inasmuch as ye love him, “abide in his love,” and “the God of love and peace shall be with you.”  May his grace, mercy and peace be with us all forever.  Amen!