YOur presence ( Right Reuerend Father , and beloued brethren ) puts me in mind of that censure sometimes past by Haniball of Phormio the Philosopher : The Storie is related by Plutarch . This Haniball , often happie in his victories against the Romanes , hauing at length found fortune lesse friendly then he was wont : fled to Antiochus at Athens , where being brought by the Citizens to the schooles there , visendi gratia , that he might see them , one Phormio a Philosopher , ( inferiour to none of that age ) for his better welcome , intertaines him with a Lecture full of warlicke discipline : This ended , euery one admiring the old mans dexteritie in so strange a facultie , The Souldier was demaunded what hee thought ; who answered , Se multos quidem deliros senes vidisse , neminem tamen PHORMIONE dementiorem : That hee had surely seene many doting old men , but more then Phormio , neuer any . Et merito sane ( saith Cicero ) and surely he spoke to good purpose , for what could be a matter of greater folly , then to see a Philosopher , who had led his life in ease , and tranquilitie , who neuer yet did see a Campe , nor behold an enemie , before so worthy a Captaine as Haniball was , absolute in knowledge , and perfect by experience , to discourse of things militarie , for the which wee are more beholding to vse then meditation .

De meipso narratur fabula . Me thinkes I am now in as bad case , or worse , then the fond Philosopher was then : for if hee was deseruedly condemned by Haniball for speaking of warre , whereof he was altogether ignorant , before so warie and expert a Captaine , as himselfe was ; what better measure can I expect from you ? who hauing not yet bene inured , I cannot tell whether skilfull enough to giue foode to a flocke of mine owne , haue neuerthelesse presumed at this time , ( cald hither by him , to whom I owe my selfe ) to describe a Shepheards office , and that before you , approued pastors of precious flocks , and fathers of faire families .

Especially , seeing this matter is nothing inferiour vnto that , wherein Haniball did glory , but so much the more excellent , by how much the enemie with whom wee haue to deale , is more dangerous , and deadly : neither is it to bee attained vnto , but with as much , or more experience then the other . Both the persons then before whom I am to speake , so graue and so learned ; and the thing whereof , so weighty , and worthy ; might iustly haue enioyned me to silence , and stayed me , so vnskilfull a Marriner from sayling in so vast an Ocean , where the rockes are great , and the dangers many ; had not S. Bernard like a good Captaine thus incouraged me ; Epist. 20 1. Officium tuum attende , pelle pudorem consideratione officii : Looke to thy tackling whereunto thou hast taken thy selfe , and let the consideration of thy office , bannish bashfulnesse . And goes yet further to comfort me , Non sum ( inquis ) ad ista sufficiens , quasi vero deuotio accepta non sit , ex eo quod habes , non ex eo quod non habes , Ibidem . Thou sayest ( saith he ) I am not sufficient to discharge this , as if thy deuotion be not accepted in regard of that which thou hast , not of that which thou hast not : prepare thy selfe to make answere for the talent which thou hast receiued , and trouble thy selfe no further . Si multum accepisti , da multum , Si modicum , & id tribue . If it be much , giue much , if little , yet giue that . In that which I haue then , I promise my selfe prodigall enough , vouchsafe your acceptance , and I haue an abundant recompence .

Nonnè greges a pastoribus pascuntur ? Should not the Shepheards feede their Flockes ?

Bucanus setting downe the commodities which arise from such Synods as these , makes them two , Institu . theolog . loco 42. de Sinodo . and the first , this : Quia quod a multis quaeritur , Facilius inuenitur : Because what is demaunded of many , is more easily found out . Loe here a question propounded to you all ( beloued ) not by any sophisticall questionist , but by God himselfe . And as the demand is not very obscure , so I hope the answere is not hard ; let it bee my part to explaine the former , yours to determine the latter .

Occasio . This is the one and thirtieth Sermon which our Prophet hath made against the Shepheards of Israel , who haue bene the chiefe cause why the people haue led their liues so lasciuiously , and therefore are now worthily brought to this miserie : for if they had not bene defectiue in their office , these had not bene so corrupt ; The case being so , That such as the prince is , such is the people ; like shepheard , like flocke ; like master , like man .

Tempus . As touching the time when it was vttered , it is not here expressed : some say it was before the destruction of the citty , when men were oppressed through the tyrannie of their rulers , and deluded by the lies of false Prophets . Saint Hierom tels vs , that those Sermons following which haue no note of time , were had betwixt the twelfth yeere , and the twentie fiue of Iechonias captiuitie : but whether it was before or after , it was especially directed against the magistrates , aswell Ecclesiasticall , as Politicke , and in some sort also may seeme to concerne the people themselues .

Partes . The parts are fiue , first an accusation , wherin God doth taxe the Shepheards of Israel for neglecting the flocke committed to them , to feede themselues : from the beginning of the first verse , vnto the ende of the sixt .

Secondly a commination , wherein he threatens them with the extremity of his iustice : as they haue sowen so shall they reape , and no otherwise ; for insomuch as they haue contemned him , hee will set himselfe against them : because they haue beene carelesse in keeping his flocke , he will haue a care to call them to an account ; for that they haue not waited on their office , he will depriue them of their office , and because they haue onely studied to feede themselues , they shall feed themselues no more : from the seuenth verse to the end of the tenth .

Thirdly , a consolation wherein God doth comfort his Flocke , with promise , to gather them together , to deliuer them from these euill shepheards , to feed them in a good pasture , to instruct them , defend , and care for them : from the 11. verse to the 17.

Fourthly a reprehension , wherein he reprooues the riotousnesse of some sheepe amongst his flocke , their couetousnesse and crueltie : from the 17. to the 23.

And fiftly , and lastly , a comfortable promise , of one , and he a faithfull Shepheard , euen Christ Iesus , of whose kingdome he continues his Prophesie vnto the end of the chapter .

In the whole you may obserue , first , the difference betwixt the good Shepheard , and the bad ; what rewards are due to the one , what punishments to the other .

And secondly , what the office of a painefull Preacher is , namely to checke the bad , and to cherish the good ; to giue corasiues to the one , comfortatiues to the other . This portion which I haue read vnto you , is a part of the first of these fiue parts , and indeede a conferring and comparing of the duety of these Shepheards with their workes , quite contrary in the foure verses following , propounded by an interrogation , to note their impudence , who did peruerte and turne vp-side-downe the order of Nature : for Shepheards should feede the flockes , not the flockes the Shepheards ; whereas they fed on the flockes , eating the fatte , and cloathing themselues with the woolle , vnworthy to beare the name , that were so farre from the nature .

With both which , that we may be the better acquainted , may it please you to obserue in these fewe words , these foure things : First the Title that God giues vnto his Ministers , they are Pastores , Shepheards .

Secondly , a duety that must not be denied , which is pascere , to feede .

Thirdly , the obiect of this duetie , non seipsos sed greges , not themselues but the flockes .

And fourthly and lastly , the neglect hereof in the first word Nonne ? Should not ? Should not the Shepheards feede the Flockes ? of these foure , the Title , the Duety , the Obiect , and the Neglect .

If we begin with the first : the first is the Title , Nomina sunt notaererum ( saith the Logitian ) names are the notes of things ; Titulus . and this name is not without some note : Gods Ministers are called Pastores , Shepheards a pascendo , of feeding the Flocke .

The name is common vnto them with Kings , for Homer cals them 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Pastors of the people , which notes their excellencie . The Notation is taken ab effectis , from the effects ; and since they are so called , the title tels vs , that they , who are rightly so intituled , must be Docti , diligentes , discreti : endowed first , with a power to performe : secondly , with a will to doe well : and thirdly with discretion to discerne ; as if learning , loue , and prudence were Partes constitutiuae , the essentiall partes of a perfite Pastor . If hee want the first , Nihil dat quod non habet , woe to the flocke ; no man can giue what he hath not : if he hath the first and not the second , as good want both , since the flocke must want howsoeuer : if both the first , and not the last , as good lacke all , for they had better giue nothing , then no good thing , or then some euil thing .

He must haue these three at least then , that would be , as many would be thought to be , true shepheards of Christs flocke : they doe well together , but being separated , profite nothing . For to haue the flocke starue for food , and the Shepheard not able to helpe them is a great misery ; to be able and not willing , is Immane crueltie ; to be both able and willing , and yet want discretion how , when , what , and to whom to giue , is but a foolish , and fruitlesse industry .

First then he must be 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 learned , for Shepheards are called 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Seers , Doctus . Phil. 3.7 . and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 ( sayeth the Poet ) they see twice as much as others who are seene in learning . Menander . This same 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , is 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , the staffe of life , the shepheards staffe , without which hee can neither support himselfe , nor rule others . In literis prudens inuenerit , Jn Epistola quadam . vnde sapientior fiat , ibi bellator reperit vnde animi virtute roboretur &c. In learning ( saith Chrysologus ) the wise man hath found what hath made him more skilfull : The Warriour how to confirme his mind against all dangers : The Prince , how to gouerne his people with equality , Nec aliqua in mundo potest esse fortuna , quam literarum non augeat gloriosa notitia . Nor can there be any condition in the world , which the noble knowledge of learning doth not make more honourable . Wherefore Socrates the wisest Philosopher that euer was , being demaunded what creature was most excellent , made answere , Homo doctrina ornatus : A man beautified with learning . If this be so necessarie and commendable in euery calling , how much more in the Minister and Messenger of God , who is the eye of the world , and as it were a Sunne in the Firmament of the Church , to disperse the clouds of ignorance , and giue light vnto such as sit in darkenesse . And what maruell if wee call such Sunnes , when our Sauiour himselfe said vnto such , Vos estis lux mundi , you are the light of the world , Matth. 5.14 For as God in the beginning of the world did set the Sunne and other lights in the heauens , to shine vpon the earth ; so in the firmament of the Church hee hath placed Bishops as Sunnes ( who onely properly may be said to be Sunnes , because while others are but 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . Seers , 1. Pet. 5.2 . they are 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . Ouerseers ) and other teachers , as the rest of the lights and starres , to enlighten the mindes of men , and to impart to others , what they haue receiued from God themselues .

If therefore it belong to a Shepheard to teach his flocke , how can he performe this , if he hath not learning ? The Sunne cannot giue light if it be eclipsed , no more can a Pastour performe his duetie , who is drowned in the deepes of darke ignorance . Where the case stands so , what can follow but that which our Sauiour himselfe said ? If the light which is in you be darkenes , how great is that darkenes ? Matth. 6.23 . What is there in the whole office of a Shepheard that stands not in great neede of the light of learning ? for to iudge of the grounds of faith , to take away contentions in the Church , to decide Controuersies , to instruct the people , to discerne the Leaper from him that is cleane ; learning is so necessary , that without it , he can no more determine any thing , then hee that is blinde can iudge of colours . Wherefore the Lord purposing to bestowe a benefite vpon his people , promiseth them Pastors according to his owne heart , who should feed them with knowledge , and vnderstanding . Ier. 3.15 . Which benefite will appeare the greater , if we compare it with the contrary , for that must needs be a great good , the defect wherof is so great an euill . And what an euill that is , the Prophet Isayah will tell vs , who reckoning vp the miseries of the people , makes this one , that God would take from them the Iudge , and the Prophet , the prudent , and the aged , the Counsellor , and the eloquent man . Isa. 3.2 . When the Apostle Peter was ready to lay downe his Tabernacle , he did appoint , that Clement an holy man , and very learned , should be his successor , and gaue commandement that the same Clement should signifie so much in his letters to Iames the brother of our Lord , then Bishop at Ierusalem . And feare not ( saith he ) least hee be much sorrowfull for my death , seeing he cannot doubt but that I suffer for righteousnes sake : Erit autem ei grande solatium , si didicerit quòd post me non imperitus aliquis , Primo Tom. Concil. aut ignorans Diuini verbi misterium , & Ecclesiastici ordinis disciplinam , vel doctrinae regulam nesciens , susceperit Cathedram meam . And it will be a great comfort vnto him to know , That no Illiterate Prelate , ignorant of Gods word , and Church discipline , That no stranger to Learning , and good Arts shall vsurpe my Chaire : For he knoweth well that if some rude and vnskilfull Person should take vpon him the place of a Pastour , the flocke wandring in the Thickets of ignorance , must needes runne headlong to destruction . Hitherto are the words of Peter , as Clement himselfe relateth them in his Epistle to Iames at Ierusalem , how true , I cannot tell , yet profitable I am sure for our instruction , Since it appeares hereby , how necessarie a thing Learning is in the place of a Pastor . I will therefore passe from this to the next , with that good saying of a godly man , Ridiculosa res est , vel potius periculosa , Gilbert . speculator caecus , Doctor inscius , proecursor claudus , Praelatus negligens , & praeco mutus . A blind Seer , a lame forerunner , a negligent Prelate , and a dumbe crier , is a thing ridiculous or rather dangerous .

As he must be learned , so must he be louing , The first makes him able , Diligens . the second willing : Though hee speake with tongues of men , and Angels , yet if he hath not loue , hee is as sounding brasse , or a tinkling Cymball . 1. Cor. 13.1 . And this likewise ariseth out of the notation of the word . For it is 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 quasi 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , of 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 which signifieth a Sheepe , & 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 to desire earnestly , or to seeke , for it hath both . Which loue how great it should bee who cannot coniecture by Christs thrice iterated Question to Peter ? Simon Ioannes , diligis me plus his , &c. Iona , louest thou me more then these ? Feede my sheepe . Ioh. 21.15 . As if he should haue said , If thou louest me truely , and sincerely , if thou desire to glorifie my Name , if thou loue my Sheepe , as it seemes thou dost , whose safetie is more regarded of me , then mine owne life ; if for all the benefits thou hast receiued , thou desire to gratifie me in any part , and with loue to requite loue , feede my Sheepe which I haue fed with my dearest blood ; for whilest thou feedest those , thou feedest me in them , thou fats me , and dost nourish me , and whatsoeuer thou bestowes on them , thou conferres on me ; for I am hee who haue sometime spoken it , Mat. 25.40 . Whatsoeuer you haue done to the least of these , ye haue done it vnto me .

This loue then of the Shepheard to the Flocke , proceedes from the loue which hee beareth vnto Christ , for hee doeth not say ( which is worthy your obseruation ) If thou loue my sheepe , feede them , which should seeme a good consequent , Cum probatio dilectionis ( as S. Gregorie saith ) exhibitio est operis : Greg. in Homil. When the proofe of loue is the performance of the worke . But he saith , Si diligis me , If thou loue me feed my sheepe . As if hee should say , If thou loue me , thou oughtest likewise to loue those things that are mine , and belong to me , and there is nothing more mine , then my Sheepe are , to whom I haue giuen my flesh for foode , and my blood for drinke , whom by my death , I haue recald to life : If therefore nothing bee more deere to me than life , how much more deere are those , for whom I haue humbled my selfe to death . The summe then of this , is , Those that loue Christ , will loue his Flocke , and those that loue it will feede it . And for our encouragement herein , Super. Ezech. Gregorie tels vs , Quod nullum potest esse Deo gratius sacrificium , quam Cura animarum , That there can be no Sacrifice more acceptable vnto God , then the Cure of soules : And this Cure doth God require at euery mans handes , who hath a Cure . As he did of Moses , as Moses himselfe doth witnesse ; when he Complaines vnto the Lord , saying , Haue I conceiued all this people , or haue I begotten them , that thou shouldest say vnto me , Carie them in thy bosome ( as a Nurse beareth the sucking child , ) &c. Numb. 1.12 . In which kind how zealous S. Paul was , himselfe can tell vs , who thus much is bold to say of himselfe , and his fellowes to the Thessalonians , We haue beene gentle among you , euen as a Nurse cherisheth her children : Thus being affectionate towards you , our goodwill was to haue dealt vnto you , not the Gospel of God onely , but also our owne soules , because yee were deare vnto vs . 1. Thess. 2.8 . What is it that a Nurse will denie vnto her child , and what will not Paul performe to this people ? He was ready to doe any thing , because he was affectionate , his affection made him ready .

To these two adde the third ; and that is Prudence , he must bee 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , Prudens . wise and discreet likewise , that must be a good Shepheard : For as those who are skilfull in Phisickes Art , doe not minister all things to all men , nor at all times , but to euery one according to the qualitie of the disease , or the complexion , and constitution of the body of the patient : So must he that is a healthfull feeder of Gods flocke , bee wise to consider the nature of each sheepe , and the strength of their stomackes , and to minister foode there after , to some milke , to some flesh : Some must haue comminations , some consolations , some must be gently intreated , others seuerely reprehended : Sometimes Wine will be necessarie , sometimes Oyle , sometimes one thing , sometimes another .

This Prudence , Paul requires in a Pastor , 1. Tim. 3.2 . And that good old Abbat alluding to his owne profession , Cals it Abbatissam virtutum , Bernard . The Abbatisse , the Lady or chiefe of all vertues ; which who so wanteth , may rightly suspect himselfe , since nothing is more necessary by Gods own testimonie , Mat. 10.13 . Thus are Ministers called Pastors , feeders , to shew that they must bee like Nurses in abilitie , in affection , and in discretion .

Now you that are Shepheards , who haue taken vpon you the feeding of Christs flocke , which hee with such care committed vnto Peter , & consequently to you , Examine your selues vpon these three Articles , whether you be able , if able , whether willing , if willing , whether wise enough to discharge so great a charge , whilst I set this Shepheard , which I haue brought into the field thus furnished , to attend on his Office .

Next to the Title , followed the Duety , which is Pascere , to feede : what is he , Officium . and what call you him , sayeth one in the Dialogue , 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , Plato in Mino● . who is excellent in feeding a flocke of sheepe ? Answere is made 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , A Shepheard , the name is taken from the office ; hee therefore that fulfilleth not the one , cannot challenge the other : He must feede , that would be called a Feeder ; and the necessitie of this Consequent , was to Dauid an occasion of great comfort , for calling God his Shepheard , hee triumphs in it , and hee giues this reason , he can therefore want nothing , God will feed him in greene pastures . Psal. 23.1.2 .

This is a large field , and the further I walke in it , the more subiect I am to wander : I will therefore follow the path wherein Saint Bernard hath trod , and take him to be my guide , who vpon those words of our Sauiour vnto Peter , Serm. 2. Resurr . domini . pasce oues meas , Feed my Sheepe , hath these ; pasce mente , pasce ore , pasce opere , and then expounds himselfe , pasce animi oratione , verbi exhortatione , exemplï exhibitione . Feed with prayer , feed with preaching , feed with thy life , and godly conuersation . These as the three former , doe well together , but being a sunder profit little .

The most precious foode of the soule , is the word of God , Pasce ore . This is that which perisheth not , but endureth vnto euerlasting life . Iohn . 6.27 . And this is conferd vpon the flocke by the action of preaching : wherein how industrious the Apostles were , none that are conuersant in the Scriptures can be ignorant : What was the great charge giuen by S. Paul to his Scholler Timothie ? was it not to preach the word , to bee instant in season , and out of season , to improue , rebuke , and to exhort with all long suffering and doctrine ? 2. Tim. 4.2 .

This he was to performe , as he would answere before the tribunall seat of God , when the secrets of all hearts shall be disclosed . And this he confirmes with his owne instance , when being to depart from Ephesus , he committed the keeping of Gods flocke vnto the Elders of the Church with this memento , Remember that by the space of three yeeres , I ceased not to warne euery one both night and day with teares . Acts 20.31 .

To whom was it said , but to Shepheards , Negotiamini , dum venio , Labour till I come , Luke 19.13 . Quod profecto negotium , tunc verè nos agimus , Libr. 2. Epist. 39. Si viuendo & loquendo proximorum animas lucramur ( saith Saint Gregorie ) which businesse wee surely then performe , if by our preaching and liuing , we gaine the soules of men , if wee rebuke and reproue such as are obstinate , if we comfort the penitent , if we strengthen the weake , heale the infirme , bind vp the broken , seeke what is lost , and bring againe what was driuen away , by the example of the good Shepheard . Ezech. 34.16 .

As they must preach , so must they pray , for when they haue studied the word diligently , Mente . preached it purely , exhorted gently , reproued sharpely , and laboured euery way sincerely , to what end will all this come : Paul may Plant , Apollo may Water , but it is God that must giue the increase , 1. Cor. 3.6 .

As therefore Shepheards are the mouth of God to speake vnto the people , so must they be the peoples mouth to pray vnto the Lord : And herein wee haue our Sauiour himselfe for an example , who albeit he was very God , aswell as man , and had power of himselfe to sanctifie the eares and hearts of his hearers , and to make his preaching as profitable as himselfe listed ; yet he prayed to his Father both for himselfe , and them , Iohn 17.9 . Whose example the Apostles followed : Paul did bend his knees for the Ephesians , ( As himselfe professeth ) vnto the Father of our Lord Iesus Christ , that he would grant them accorcording to the riches of his glory , that they might be strengthened by his spirit in the inner man , Ephe. 3.14

And deepely protesteth to the Romanes , calling God to witnesse , that without ceasing , he made mention of them alwayes in his prayers , Rom. 1.9 . And he thankes God that without ceasing he had remembrance of his Scholler Timothie in his prayers , night , and day . 2. Tim. 1.3 .

To these two , adde sanctitie of life , and no more can be required : Oper● . be vnto them that beleeue ( saith S. Paul to Timothie ) an example in word , and in conuersation , 1. Tim. 4.12 . For he that saith , and doth not , is like him who hauing mony , can put it to no other vse but to tell it ; Plutar. de profectu morum . which Anacharsis the Scythian somtimes spake of the Grecians , who were great Philosophers in words , but in life , and manners , most lewd , and light .

Jn Lacon . Plutarch tels a Story to this purpose , of a certaine old man , who hauing a long time walked vp and down amongst the Grecians at the games of Olimpus , and finding no place to rest him in , at length he went among the Lacedemonians , where not onely all the children did rise to giue him place , but many of the men likewise ; which when the Grecians , as many of them as were present and did obserue , did with great applause approue of ; The old man cries out , He● misertam ! Omnes graeci norini quid sit honestum , sed eo soli vtuntur Lacedemonii . All the Grecians doe know what is honest , but the Lacedemonians onely practise it . I would not our Shepheards proued Grecians , and the flockes Lacedemonians , and then that follow , which the Lord spoke by his Prophet , They that should minister the law , knew me not , and the Pastors also offended against me . Iere. 2.8 .

Gods ministers are called the salt of the earth ; and if the salt be vnsauorie , Mat. 5.13 . wherewith then can it season other things . Qui sibi nequam , Cui bonus ! hee that cannot rule himselfe , is not fit to rule others . They are called lux mundi , the light of the world , Mat. 5.14 . for the example of their vertues , If therefore that light be put vnder a bushell , how can it enlighten others ? It was a good saying , that of Senecaes , Eum elige tibi doctorem , quem magis admireris , cum videris , quam cum audieris : Epist. 34. make choice of such a teacher , as thou maist admire more hauing seene him , then when thou heardst him . Whose life is more commendable then his learning . And therefore Paul commaunds Titus , that aboue all things , he should show himselfe an example of good workes , Titus 2.7 . For , plus mouent exempla quam verba . Examples do moue more then precepts , Gregorie . and a good life then a good lesson . Et facilius homines ad bene faciendum exemplis , quam verbis inuitantur : Origen . and men are incited sooner by works then by words , and by liues then by lawes to doe well .

And this manner of teaching is very admirable , and powerfull to inflame the minds of men with a desire to doe well . A good souldier , Non sentit sua , cum benigni ducis contuetur vulnera : Bernard . feeles not his owne wounds , when hee sees the soares of his kinde Captaine .

Iulius Caesar , ( as Tullie tels it ) neuer said to his followers , Goe , but Come : for the labour seemes alwaies the lesse , when hee that commands , cannot be idle . Let Shepheards learne to instruct their flockes , as Abimilech did his subiects , by making himselfe an example ; who when he had cut downe boughs , and bare them on his shoulders , spoke to those that were with him , Quemadmodum vidistis me facientem , ita & vos facite . As you haue seene me doe , so doe you , Iudg. 9.48 .

But as the godly life of good Shepheards is powerfull to perswade the people vnto good , So the lewd life of bad Shepheards is of as much , or farre greater force , to draw them vnto euil : since such is our nature , that we learne nothing sooner then filthines , & forget nothing more hardly . And therefore saith Saint Gregorie , Greg. in past . There is no man more daungerous in the Church , then hee that liues wickedly and carries a name , or degree of sanctitie : whereupon saith Saint Austen , August . lib. de past . Omnis qui male viuit in conspectu eorum , quibus praepositus est , quantum in ipso est , occidit . He that liues badly in the sight of those ouer whom he is placed , as much as in him is , is a murderer . Wherefore I will conclude this point with that of Saint Bernard to Eugenius , Lib. 2. de considerat . Monstrosa res est , gradus summus , & animus infimus , sedes prima , & vitaima , Lingua magniloqua , & manus otiosa , sermo multus , & fructus nullus , vultus grauis , & actus leuis , caput Canum ▪ et cor vanum , facies rugosa , & lingua nugosa , ingen authoritas , & nutans stabilitas . And thus much of the Shepheards office .

Should not the Shepheards feed ? But whom should they feede ? Obiectum . This is our third part , the obiect of the duetie . Pasce gregem . Non seipsos sed greges , Not themselues , but the flockes : Should not the Shepheards feede the flockes ? The Elders which are among you , I beseech ( saith S. Peter ) feede the flocke of God , 1. Pet. 5.1.2 . Be diligent ( saith Salomon ) to know the state of thy flocke , and take heede to thy heards , Prou. 27.23 . Two things there are of speciall moment to persuade hereunto , The first whereof is the price , the second the perill . If we respect the first , experience tels vs , Praetium . that we must regard what we hold deerest , we loue most , and what is most worth ; And what I pray you , is more precious then the safetie of soules , for which the onely begotten sonne of God did not sticke to shed his blood , to lay downe his life , to humble himselfe to an opprobrious death ?

If the second , what is subiect to more apparant dangers , Periculum . since our life is a warfare ( as Iob cals it ) vpon earth . In which wee haue to deale with three cruell and bloody enemies , The world , the flesh , and the diuell . The first vaine and curious , the second , fraile and rebellious , the third euill and malitious . Saint Austine compares our life vnto a sea , and such an one , Vbi & ventus est & procellae non desunt tentationum . Tract. 14. in Ioan. Wherein there are both windes of aduersitie , and stormes of temptations . And Saint Chrysostome to the Aegean sea , where there are venti , angustiae , Charibdis , stagna , syrtes , winds , waues , rocks , sands , very hard to be sayled . In the Marsilian sea , ( saith Saint Bernard ) ex decem nauibus , vix vna aliqua periclitatur , of ten ships scarce any one is endangered , but in the sea of this world , often soules , scarce any one is saued . To be short ( for I would not likewise trouble you with tediousnesse ) amongst all the dangers of this world , tell me of any , either more imminent , or eminent then this of soules , and amongst all those things that are had in price , what is more precious ? what is gold , what is riches , pearles , kingdomes , Empires , yea and whatsoeuer else is contained within the circuit of this vniuersall , if it be weighed with the worth of one soule ? The least of these then might be a sufficient motiue to stirre vp each Shepheard to respect this obiect , were there nothing else , but there is something yet further , as namely the accompt which they are to yeeld , for all must come to an accompt , and euery one shall receiue his wages , according to his labours . 1. Cor. 3.8 . To him that hath bene faithfull , God shall giue an incorruptible crowne of glory , 1. Pet. 5.4 . But to him that destroyeth , and scattereth the flocke , wo shall be vnto him ( saith the Lord ) Ier. 23.1 . Shepheards must feed the flocks then , not feed on the flocks .

Now from hence may some couetous accursed caitiffe , spider like , suck poyson , and gather this conclusion . Since Shepheards must feed the flocks , the flocks must not feed the Shepheards ; the Shepheards must not at all feed on the flockes .

There are too many , I know , that lay hold on such latchets : But this is not our Prophets meaning , who albeit he condemne those , that make that their greatest care , yet is he not so carelesse of them as altogther to restraine them . For who planteth a vineyard , & eateth not the fruit therof ? 1. Cor. 9.7 . or who feedeth a flocke , and eateth not the milke of the flock ? If we sow vnto you spirituall things , ( saith the Apostle ) is it a great thing if we reap your carnall things , Galat. 6.7 . 1. Cor. 9.11 . Be not you then deceiued ( beloued ) for God is not mocked . As you sow so shall you reape ; you are called a flock , and compared vnto sheepe ; then which , no creature is more simple , whence came the Prouerbe 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , after the maner of sheepe . And as this ought to teach you vitae innocentiam to be like vnto Sheep , sine fraude , doloque without guile , or deceit : patience to beare , meekenesse to forbeare ; so likewise it preacheth to you humility , to acknoledge your weaknesse , and ignorance , and consequently obedience to your Pastors ; with a will to giue what the Apostle commaunds : namely double honour to those that rule well , especially to such as labour in the word , and doctrine . 1. Tim. 5.17 . And thus much likewise of the Obiect of the duety .

These three thus curiously handled ( for the matter better befits the Presse then the Pulpit ) I haue almost fulfild my promise , and vndergone my taske . Quod reliquum est , vestrum est . It remaines now for you that are Shepheards , to resolue the question . And I pray you tell me , Should not the Shepheard feede the flocke ? Doubtlesse the conclusion passeth for currant , your silence shall assure mee your consent . How comes it to passe then , that this duetie is neglected ; and the flockes are vnfedde : to resolue this wee must come to our last part , the Neglect : lend mee your eares a little , I will not long detaine you .