pathy; no weakly, tender lamb of his flock shall perish through neglect. "He shall gather the lambs in bis arm, and carry them in his bosom, and shall gently lead those 1.hat give suck." APPLI0A.TI0N, These representations of Divine pity and tenderness are amply fulfilled in the gospel of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. In his own discourses he set forth his mission lL"3.er the similitude of the faithful, devoted shepherd. He laid down his life for the 1,l!eep. The apostles felt the justice and the beauty of the similitude. And upon the early Christians generally it ma.de a profound impression;; in their works of a.rt they delighted to picture Jesus as the good shepherd.-'!'. Vers. 23, 24.-.A pastor and a prince. Christians cannot fail to recognize the Messianic reference of this portion of prophecy. The language employed not only exactly depicts him who is "Immanuel, God with us;" it is so exalted that it is not possible to refer it to any inferior being, to any under-shepherd of the flock, e.ny over- seer aud ruler in the Church subject to human infirmities and failings. I. THE SOLE SUPREMACY OF CHRIST OVER THE FLOCK. The "one Shepherd," God's "servant David,'' who can this be but Christ? For he is the Head of the new humanity, who has made both one. "There shall be one flock and one Shepherd." This iR no other than the one Mediat-0r between God and man, the Man Christ Jesus. ll. THE SACRIFICIAL DEATH OF CHRIST FOB HIS FLOCK, Christ's people a.re a pur- chased possession; he laid down his life for the sheep. Thus he proved bis love; thus he accomplished the gracious purposes of his Father; thus he effected the deliverance of his ransomed ones from the power of the enemy. All that the Saviour does for his people is comprehended in and follows from his identification of himself with them in his incarnation and sacrifice. III. THE PERPETUAL SWAY OF CHRIST OVER BIB FLOCK. God's servant is appointed to be, not only the pastor, but the prince,, of the redeemed. His rule is marked by justice and equity, and at the Ba.Ille time by benignity and compassion. He is the Prince of righteousness and the Prince of peace. His dominion shall be universal- " from sea to sea, and from the river unto the ends of the earth." His dominion shall be imperishable-from one generation to another, "and of the increase of bis government there shall be no end." APPLICATION. 'l'hese representations of Christ summon all the members of his flock to areept with gratitude his pastoral provision and ea.re; and to submit with cheerful- ness to his just and gracious rule.-T. Ver. 26.-The promise of blessing. By general consent this promise is referred to the time of the new covenant, to the coming of Christ for man's salvation, and the outpouring of the Holy Spirit upon the Church. • I. FERTILIZING SHOWERS OF BLESSING. As the rain waters the earth, and turns barrenness into fruitfulness, so the provision of Divine grace transforms this humanity from a wilderness of sin into e. Paradise of God. 1. The need of such blessing is apparent from the spiritual barrenness which prevails where it is not bestowed. 2. The Bource of such blessing is implied in this language; for as the showers come from the elands of the sky, so the Spirit descends from the presence, the heaven of God. 3. 'l'he time of such blessing is indicated as appointed by supreme wisdom ; the shower comes .. in its season," and the promise of the Father was given in the Father's good time. 4. 'l'he abundance of such blessing. God's spiritual favours come to his people, not in drops, but in showers, such as are fitted to refresh the parched and thirsty land. 5. The effects of such blessing are life and fertility. '!'he wilderness and the solitary place are made glad, and the desert rejoices and blossoms as the rose, Spiritual growth and fruit are the blessed result of showers of Divine mercy. II. ABIDING SCENES OF BENEDICTION. By the "hill" of God must be understood the Church of God, which he ever visits, refreshes, and vivifies by the dews and ~bowers of bis pity and loving-kindness. The Church, because the object of Divine favour and the depository of Divine truth and power, becomes and remains the agent of untold benefits to the world around. It receives blessing from heaven; it commu- nicates blessing to earth. The heaven above is never as brass intercepting and restrain- ing blessing i it is as the clouds distilling and diffusing blessing. And the rills are <JH, xx:uv. 1-31.] THE BOOK OF THE PROPHET EZEKIEL. 217
never dry which convey the blessing of God from the Church to fertilize a thirsty and barren world.-T.