I am the good shepherd:— "I am not a hireling shepherd, appointed by the owner to take care of the flock; but I am the good Shepherd, promised Isaiah 40:11.Ezekiel 34:23; Ezekiel 34:31 and the proprietor of the sheep; as is evident from hence, that I cheerfully endanger my life for the safety of the flock: whereas a hireling, proposing nothing but his own gain, when he sees the wolf coming,deserts the sheep, because, instead of loving them, he loves himself, and will not expose himself to any danger on their account; so that the beast of prey, without any resistance, tears some of the flock to pieces, and disperses the rest." Hence it plainly appears to be the duty of every minister of the gospel to spend his whole time in ordinary with his flock or flocks; for if approaching danger is no excuse for his fleeing away, and leaving them, far less will interest, or pleasure, or any less matter, be an excuse for such unfaithfulness.

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