228 Chrlh. Care of his Church. VERSE 2. 11110wwww.gessamows Aetao.28. t Tim.3.z. Corm.28. Ioh rat2,/3. 10h.17.13,12. thofe finnes vtihich are committed again(} it. And there- fore in all thefe confiderations we should labor towalke worthy of fo glorious a Gofpell, and of fo great a falva- tion. Thus have we at large fpoken ofthe Rod of Chrills firmed), as it is InAgnerezium, or Sccptrum thajeitatio, an Entire and Rodof Majettie : we are now to fpeake a little of it as it is Pedum pallorale, an epifccpall Rod, which dcnoteth much hcedfulnefle and tender care. This is the Prt cept which the Apofile giveth unto the Pa (lots ofthe Church that they fhould cW3('I'XIV tc.7 niWilf Take. ?eclat! heed to all thepeke over which the ho) Ghof? hadmade them overfeers. And the Apotrile againe reckoneth rigilancieor care over thepeke arriongli the principal) chara6ters ofa bifhop : and lice profeffeth of himfeife,that there did daily lye upon him ,,,cena« ntoay ix4471.,,The Care ofallthe Churches. And this confide- rationafFordeth us another note outofthe words,name- ly,That Chriffin the moullerie of his Golpell andOen- fettion ofhis [pow, full of care and tenderneffe towards his Church. This Chrifi maketh one ma inepoint of op- pofition betvveene himfelfe and hirelings, that thefe Carenot for theflock ,but fuller the Woolte to come,and to fcatter themwhile they fly away; whereas hee kee- peth them, that nonema y bee loft, and prayeth unto the Father tokeepe them through his owne name.The Lord Icommitted the Church untoChrifl as their Head, gave them into his hands,, not as anordinary gift, wherein he did relirqua hisowne intereft in them or came ofthem (for hee careth for them fill) but as a bleffed depo/ittim entrufcd themwith him, as the choiceffof hisJewels, as the moll precious casket amongfl all the treafures of theCreation that he fhouIcl polifb,preferve,prefent them faultleffe, and without fpot before the pretence of his glory at the lafl day. And for this purpofe bee gave hima Commandment oftheg reatell care and tendernelle that Pet.(.'; MaL3.17.,
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