As for those who are already in his fold, he will administer to all their wants, " binding up " the broken-hearted1, and " renewing the strength" of those who are ready to faint™. By the efficacy of his word, and the consolations of his Spirit, he will turn their sorrows into joy n : and his grace shall be
c John x. 16. d Isai. liii. 6. e Ps. li. 8.
f Rom. vii. 18, 19, 21, 23, 24. Gal. v. 17. e It is in this sense that our Lord speaks of " the whole," and " the righteous." Matt. ix. 12, 13.
h Rev. hi. 17. l Acts ix. 1—6. Mark x. 21, 22.
k ver. 11—15. with John x. 10, 11, 28. 1 Isai. lxi. 1, 3.
m Isai. xl. 29—31. n Isai. xxxv. 1, 2, 10.
sufficient for them under all the trials they may he called to endure0.
Willing as he is to pardon the very chief of sinners on their repentance, he will awfully punish the impenitent. The proud and self-sufficient, who despise his offers of mercy, shall surely feel his awful displeasure. He will " destroy " them as enemies both to himself and his flock : and, in order to their destruc- tion, he will " feed them with judgment," giving them up to follow their own delusions, till they shall have completed the measure of their iniquities, and fattened themselves for the sword of his indignation p. Yes; to eternity shall they eat of the fruit of their own ways q, and feel the judgments which they would not deprecate1.]
Application —
1. Let us put ourselves under the care of this good Shepherd —
[The more we consider our state the more shall we see, that we are straying, or, at best, diseased sheep. But here is our comfort, that we have a tender and faithful Shepherd that will forgive our wanderings, and supply our wants s. Let us then return to him, if we are afar off1 ; or, if he have brought us to his fold, let us rely upon his care and faithfulness11.]
2. Let us imitate him to the utmost of our power —
[Doubtless it is in the first place the duty of ministers to follow the steps of this great Shepherd, because his flock is more immediately committed to their carex. But it is also the duty of every one in his place and station to exert himself to the utmost to enlarge and edify the flock of Christ. And, if we were more diligent in our respective spheres, how many might be reduced from their wanderings, or strengthened in their difficulties, or comforted in their troubles! We know not how useful a word in season might prove. " Let us then, as the elect of God, put on bowels of mercies," and shew our relation to Christ by our conformity to his image.]
0 2 Cor. xii. 9. p Ps. lxxxi. 11, 12. 4 Prov. i. 31.
r Isai. 1. 10, 11. s Isai. xl. 11. * 1 Pet. ii. 25.
u Ps. xxiii. 1 — 3.
x If this were the subject of a Visitation or Ordination Sermon, this thought should he prosecuted at some length, in reference to the whole preceding part of the chapter.