Chapter 109 of 325

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Jer. 3.15. Let us listen to Latimer’s plain and faithful exhortations. Speaking of “the Shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night,”—he adds—‘I would wish that all clergymen, the curates, parsons, and vicars, the bishops and all other spiritual persons would learn this lesson by these poor shepherds; which is, to abide by their flock, and by their sheep—to tarry among them—to be careful over them—not to run hither and thither after their own pleasure, but to tarry by their benefices, and feed their sheep with the food of God’s word, and to keep hospitality, and so to feed them both soul and body. For I tell you, these poor unlearned shepherds shall condemn many a stout and great learned clerk; for these shepherds had but the care and charge over brute beasts, and yet were diligent to keep them and to feed them; and the others have the care over God’s lambs, which he bought with the death of his Son, and yet they are so careless, so negligent, so slothful over them; indeed, and the most part does not intend to feed the sheep, but they long to be fed by the sheep: they seek only their own pastimes, they care for no more. But says Christ to Peter—What he said? “Peter, lovest you me?” Peter made answer, Yes. “Then feed my sheep.” And so the third time he commanded Peter to feed his sheep, etc. Luke 2.8-12. Compare Quesnel on Luke 13.22.

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