Vol. 2

—452 ST. LUKE.people; that is, he must fill them with solid instructionsand the knowledge of salvation, furnish themwith means of attaining it,the doctrine which hasand put into their handsbeen transmitted down fromChrist by those of the apostles." 17. And they did eat, and were all filled : andthere was taken up of fragments that remained tothem twelve baskets."The word of God is extremely nourishing, andnot to be exhausted or consumed. The more one isfilled therewith, the more plentifully does it aboundto him who reads it. That pastor, who, upon anunforeseen necessity of preaching God's word, commitshimself to him, and, in speaking out of theabundance of his heart, trusts entirely to his promise,finds sufficient both to fill his people, and plentifullyto feed himself. Even the fragments, which remainafter the feast of God's word, are precious : a manought togather them up for himself by meditation,after he has fed others by preaching.Sect. III.be borne.St, Peter's Confession, The Cross toWe must lose all in order to be saved.''18. 51 And it came to pass, as he was alonepraying, his disciples were with him : and he askedthem, saying. Whom say the people that I am?"Christ asks his disciples concerning their faith,after prayer, and in the privacy of retirement; onpurpose to teach bishops, not to instruct, nor examineinto the faith of inferior pastors in the presenceof the people ; and to do it with abundance ofprudence, and after having begged of God the Spiritof wisdom. He asks for his apostles that very faith,