Vol. 2

CHAPTER XV. 577the miserable to mercy ?To draw near to Christ byfaith, prayer, love, and meditation upon his word, isalmost every thing which is to be done in this life." 2. And the Pharisees and scribes murmured,saying,them."This man receiveth sinners, and eateth withPride corrupts the best principles.avoid sinners on some occasions,We ought toeither through fearof being corrupted, or in obedience to the church,which would put them to shame, in order to theirspiritual good. But we must not avoid them eitherout of contempt or ill-nature, or to the prejudice ofthe duties either of Christian charity or the pastoralcare. Envy and ignorance in the ways of God, makemen find an occasion of scandal or offence in the mostedifying charity. An envenomed heart puts a badconstruction upon the very best actions of its neighbour." 3. ^ And he spake this parable unto them,saying, 4. What man of you, having an hundredsheep, if he lose one of them, doth not leave theninety and nine in the wilderness, and go after thatwhich is lost, until he find it?"Several duties of a good pastor towards a soulwhich is gone astray, are here denoted. The firstis, to have, in some measure, a greater regard andconcern for it, than for those which are safe in the fold.The second is, to seek it with care and perseverance.As a mother never shows herself more a mother,than when she has lost her child : so a pastor cannotbetter show the bowels of his charity, than by hiszeal and tenderness for sinners. A hireling mayperhaps be a little diligent in seeking and bringingVol. II. 2 B 57