re
not their body. We should also restrain the body that it do not
become too wanton, yet not so as to destroy it; and we should submit
to suffer if another sends suffering upon us, but not of our own
choice fall therein. That will be the question: if it is God's
will--if he has appointed it--for then it is better; while you are
also more happy and fortunate that you suffer for well-doing.

V. 18. _Since also Christ has once suffered for us--the just for the
unjust._ There St. Peter presents us, once for all, the example of
our Lord, and points us evermore to Christ's sufferings, that we all
of us alike should follow his example, so that he need not present a
particular exemplar for the estate of every individual. For just as
Christ is held forth as an example to all in the whole Church, so it
is the duty of every individual in the Church,--each for himself, of
whatever state he is,--to copy thereafter, in his whole life, as it
is set before him; and he will speak after this manner: "Christ was
righteous; yet, for well-doing, has suffered on our account, who were
unjust; yet he sought not the cross, but waited till it was God's
will that he should drink the cup; and it is He that is our pattern,
whom we are to imitate." Thus St. Peter here adduces this one
example, to this end especially, that he may thus designate that by
which every estate is to be instructed; and now he goes on to declare
more fully the suffering of Christ.

But, more particularly, he says here, Christ has suffered _once_ for
us; that is, Christ has borne many sins upon himself, but he has not
done it in such a way as to die for every individual sin; but at
once, for all together, has done enough to remove the sins of all who
come to Him and believe on Him--who are now freed from death, even as
He is free.

_The righteous for the unrighteous_, he says. As though he had said,
much rather should we suffer, since we die for the righteous who had
no sin. But He has died for the unrighteous, and for the sake of our
sins.

_That He might present us to God._ This is all said to teach the
peculiar end of Christ's sufferings; namely, that He died,--not for
His own sake,--but that He might present us to God. How is that
consistent: has He not offered up Himself? Answer: It is true that He
has offered up Himself upon the Cross for us all who believe on Him,
but at the same time He offers up us with Himself, since all they who
believe on Him must suf