Ministers Compared to Shepherds

    MINISTERS COMPARED TO SHEPHERDS

    "O ye Shepherds, hear the word of the Lord," Eze 34:9.

    MINISTERS, in divers places of the holy scriptures of the New Testament, are compared to Shepherds.

    METAPHOR

    I. A Shepherd is chosen and appointed to take care of the flock, being a man skilful in that work.

    PARALLEL

    I. 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.

    METAPHOR

    II. A Shepherd feeds his flock, leading them into good green pastures.

    II. So Ministers feed the flock of Christ: "Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? feed my sheep, feed my lambs," &c., Joh 21:16. Feed them with good doctrine, feed them with a good example.

    METAPHOR

    III. A Shepherd endeavours to keep the flock together, lest any should stray from the fold.

    PARALLEL

    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.

    METAPHOR

    IV. A Shepherd watches over his flock in the night, lest any danger, by dogs, wolves, or foxes should befal them. "And there were in the same country Shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flocks by night," &c., Lu 2:8. '

    PARALLEL

    IV. So Ministers must abide with their flock; they must not be at a distance from, them, lest evil should befal 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, subtle deceivers and persecutors.

    METAPHOR

    V. Shepherds are very tender of their flocks, and drive them as they can go, showing much compassion to the weak and feeble, and endeavouring to heal and strengthen the diseased.

    PARALLEL

    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 strengthened, neither have ye healed that which was sick," &c., "Strengthen ye the weak hands, and confirm the feeble knees," Eze 34:4.

    METAPHOR

    VI. Shepherds sometimes keep sheep that are none of their own.

    PARALLEL

    VI. So Ministers keep Christ's sheep: "Feed my sheep." They are Christ's by choice, by gift, by purchase, by conquest, &c.

    METAPHOR

    VII. Shepherds ought to feed of the milk of that flock they feed.

    PARALLEL

    VII. So Ministers ought to be fed by the flock or Church they feed: "Who feedeth a flock, and eateth not the milk of the flock," &c., 1Co 9:7.

    METAPHOR

    VIII. It is 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 befal the sheep, they matter not.

    PARALLEL

    VIII. It is a shame and great reproach to a Minister, and a sign he is none of Christ's servants, 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.

    I. Hence Ministers may be greatly enceuraged to a faithful and careful discharge of their trust; for they that serve the Lord Jesus, whose the sheep are, and 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, (a.) To keep close to their fold.