“Not to say any more of this usual resemblance of a flock, importing the weakness and tenderness of the Church, the continual need she stands in of inspection, and guidance, and defence, and the tender care of the Chief Shepherd for these things; the phrase enforces the present duty of subordinate pastors; their care and diligence in feeding of that flock. The due rule of discipline not excluded, the main part of feeding is by doctrine, leading them into the wholesome and _green pastures_ of saving truths, revealed in the Gospel, accommodating the way of teaching to their condition and capacity; to be, as much as may be, particularly acquainted with it, and suit diligently and prudently their doctrine to it; to _feed the sheep_, those more advanced; _to feed the lambs_, the younger and weaker; to have special care of the infirm; to learn of their Master the Great Shepherd, to _bind up that which is broken_, _and strengthen that which is sick_, {200a} those that are broken in spirit, that are exercised with temptations, _and gently to lead those that are with young_, {200b} in whom the inward work of grace is as in the conception, and they heavy and weak with the weight of it, and the many difficulties and doubtings, which are frequent companions and symptoms of that work. Oh! what dexterity and skilfulness, what diligence, and above all, what affection, and bowels of compassion, are needful for this task! _Who is sufficient for these things_? {200c} Who would not faint, and give over in it, were not our Lord the _Chief Shepherd_; were not all our sufficiency laid up in His rich fulness, and all our insufficiency covered in His gracious acceptance?” {201} Animated by a high sense of duty, and enlightened, strengthened, and guided by an abundant outpouring of Divine grace, may all the “pastors and teachers,” who have been ordained, “For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ;” “Preach the word, be instant in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort, with all long-suffering and doctrine;” “Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ: that we henceforth be no more children tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men and cunning craftiness whereby they lie in wait to deceive: but speaking the truth in love, may grow up into Him in all things which is the Head, even Christ: from whom the whole body, fitly joined together, and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body, unto the edifying of itself in love.” God grant that none of His servants may faint or grow weary under the increased weight of duty laid upon them by the circumstances of the times! May they all labour, and “pray without ceasing for the church and