Vol. 2

:578 ST. LUKE.back a sinner; but none but a pastor and a fatherseeks until he find him." 5. And when lie hath found it, he layeth it onhis shoulders, rejoicing."The third duty of a pastor is, to support the infirmitiesof souls with a discreet mildness, regulatedby the divine law; to be sensible of their woundsthrough a compassion which laments them ; and tobear their sins as his own, by an humble and ferventrepentance. The fourth duty of a pastor is, joyfullyto undergo the labour which is necessary tobring souls back to their duty. Nothing is burdensometo charity ; nothing is difficult or troublesometohim who loves souls for the sake of God, and considershow great things Christ has done for them.A woman becomes a mother, only by bringing forth ;and she cannot bring forth without pain. This isan emblem of a true pastor." 6. And when he cometh home, he calleth togetherhis friends and neighbours, saying unto them,Rejoice with me; for I have found my sheep whichwas lost."The fifth duty of a pastor is, to manifest by hisjoy his charity for sinners, and his value for souls.A soul is a kingdom. As many as we can bringback to God, are so many kingdoms reconqueredand nothing equals the joy of a conqueror. Wemust ultimately refer this joy to Christ, since thevictory and conquest proceed froni him. The sixthduty of a pastor is,to excite others to return thanksand praise to God, for the graces which souls havereceived by his ministry.It belongs properly to thechurch, to praise God for the conversion of sinners;