Tropes and Figures, Treatise 1 · Head 9 · Part 13
Miniſters compared to Shepherds.
Ezek. 34.9. O ye Shepherds, hear the Word of the Lord.
MIniſters, in divers places of the holy Scriptures of the New Teſtament, are compared to Shepherds.
| Metaphor. | Parallel. |
| A Shepherd is choſen and appointed to take care of the Flock, being a Man skilful in that Work. | SO a Miniſter is choſen and appointed to take care of the Flock and Church of God, and of the Souls of Men committed to his Charge. |
| II. A Shepherd feeds his Flock, leading them into good green Paſtures. | III. So Miniſters feed the Flock of Chriſt: Simon, Son of Jonas, loveſt thou me? Feed my Sheep, Feed my Lambs, &c. Feed them with good Doctrine, feed them with a good Example. |
| III. A Shepherd endeavours to keep the Flock together, leſt any ſhould ſtray from the Fold. | III. So a faithful Miniſter ſtrives to keep all the Members of the Church, under his Care, together, and will not (if he can help it) ſuffer any of them to go aſtray. |
| IV. A Shepherd watches over his Flock in the Night, leſt any Danger (by Dogs, Wolves, or Foxes) ſhould befall them.Luke 2.8. And there were in the ſame Country Shepherds abiding in the Field, keeping Watch over their Flocks by Night, &c. | IV. So Miniſters muſt abide with their Flock; they muſt not be at a diſtance from them, leſt Evil ſhould befall them from the Enemy, there being many Dogs, Wolves, and cunning Foxes abroad, ſeeking to deſtroy and ſpoil the Sheep and Lambs of Jeſus Chriſt, I mean, ſubtil Deceivers and Perſecutors. |
| V. Shepherds are very tender of their Flocks, and drive them as they can go, ſhewing much Compaſſion to the Weak and Feeble, and endeavouring to heal and ſtrengthen the Diſeaſed. | V. So Miniſters ſhould be very tender of the Saints, or ſpiritual Flock, and not impoſe upon them ſuch things as they are not convinced of to be their Duty; they muſt not drive them out of their Pace, and the Weak and Feeble among them they ought to take compaſſion upon, and ſtrive to heal the Diſeaſed. The Shepherds of Iſrael failing herein, greatly provoked the Owner of the Sheep againſt them: The Diſeaſed (ſaith he) ye have not ſtrengthned, neither have ye healed that which was ſick, &c. Strengthen ye the weak Hands, Ezek. 34.4 and confirm the feeble Knees. |
| VI. Shepherds ſometimes keep Sheep that are none of their own. | VI. So Miniſters keep Chriſt's Sheep: Feed My Sheep. They are Chriſt's by Choice, by Gift, by Purchaſe, by Conqueſt, &c. |
| VII. Shepherds ought to feed of the Milk of that Flock they feed. | VII. So Miniſters ought to be fed by the Flock or Church they feed:1 Cor. 9.7 Who feedeth a Flock, and eateth not of the Milk of the Flock? &c. |
| VIII. 'Tis a Shame to a Shepherd to regard the Fleece more than the Flock; it may be ſaid of ſome Shepherds, if they are fed, and have the Fleece, let what will befall the Sheep, they matter not. | VIII. 'Tis a Shame and great Reproach to a Miniſter, and a Sign he is none of Chriſt's Servant, who chiefly regards his own, baſe, and carnal Ends; if he has but the Fleece, and be well fed, let what will become of the Church, or Souls of thoſe under his Charge; he ſeeks not them, but theirs. |
Inferences.
HEnce Miniſters may be greatly encouraged to a faithful and careful Diſ…harge of their Truſt; for that they ſerve the Lord Jeſus, whoſe the Sheep are they feed, who will reward them in due Time.
II. It may alſo caution them to be very careful, that they feed Chriſt's Flock with no other Food than what is of Chriſt's providing.
III. It may inform all the Flocks and Sheep of Chriſt, over whom the Holy-Ghoſt hath appointed Shepherds or Overſeers, (1.) To prize their faithful Miniſters, obſerve their Doctrine, and eye their holy and heavenly Converſation. (2.) To walk as Sheep. (3.) To keep cloſe to their Fold.