2. His compassion to the afflicted —
[He will have respect to the state of his flock, even as Jacob had, who " would not overdrive them one day, lest they should all dieb." So our blessed Lord " will gently lead that which is with young." There are amongst his people many who are weary and heavy-laden with a sense of sin, and bowed down greatly by reason of the difficulties of their way. But to the former he sends a special invitation, with an assured promise of restc: and to the latter he authorizes us to declare, that " he will raise them upd." In truth, he is pre-eminently distin- guished by this, that " he will not break the bruised reed, nor quench the smoking flax ; but will bring forth judgment unto
1 Ezek. xxxiv. 16.
y John xxi. 15.
b Gen. xxxiii. 13, 14.
u Ps. xxiii. 5, 6.
x Zech. iv. 10.
z Mark x. 14.
a 2 Cor. xii. 9
c Matt. xi. 28.
d Ps. cxlvi. 8.
victory e. Consider what is implied in these metaphors : a bruisedreed is, according to human appearance, incapable of ever sending forth a melodious sound ; and smoking flax has, as it were, but a hidden spark of fire, whilst it is sending forth whole clouds of corruption : yet will Christ fan the expiring spark to a flame, and attune the reed to send forth the most heavenly strains. Let none then despond, however destitute they may be of any thing to encourage them from within ; but let them " be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his
might f" ]
Let me now add a few words,
1. In commendation of this good Shepherd — [Whence is it that all do not put themselves under his
care ? Is there any want of love, or tenderness, or power in him ? God frequently, by his prophets, called on his rebellious people to testify against him, and to say, whether there had been any want of kindness or care in him : " O my people, what have I done unto thee 1 and wherein have I wearied thee ? Testify against meg." " What could I have clone more for my people than I have doneh?" So do I now, in the name of this good Shepherd, call upon you all this day, to bear, if you can, your testimony against him. Whom did he ever neglect or despise? Whom that sought him did he ever refuse to re- ceive ? Whom that trusted in him, did he ever omit to supply
according to his necessities ? If then no complaint ever
was, or could be made against him from the world, let every heart appreciate his excellency, and every soul commit itself to its care *]
2. For the augmentation and encouragement of his flock—
[You who have to this hour been going astray, and walk- ing in the way of your own hearts, reflect upon your guilt and danger, and " return now without delay to the Shepherd
and Bishop of your soulsk" As employed by him, I
come now to search you out, and to bring you home to his
fold1 O think, how delightful it will be to "hear his
voice calling every one of you by name m," and " going in and out with you" as long as you shall remain in this dreary wil- derness", and then performing the same office for you in the
realms of bliss0; "O listen not to the voice of strangers"
but, follow him that you may be one fold under one
Shepherd for ever and everp.]
e Matt. xii. 20. fEph.vi. 10. s Mic.vi.3. Jer.ii.5,31. hIsai.v.4.
1 If this were a subject for an Ordination or Visitation Sermon, the
Clergy should be urged to follow the example of this good Shepherd.
k 1 Pet. ii. 25. > Eph. iv. 11. Mark xvi. 15. Jer. xxiii. 4.