7. Sheep are incident to divers Diseases; many of them are weak and feeble, sick and distempered, and therefore must by their Shepherd be strengthened and healed, with much care, skill, and faithfulness: So are Christ's Sheep, his Saints, subject also to manifold spiritual Diseases, Weaknesses, Temptations and Afflictions, which of old moved the Almighty to great Compassion, and sorely to rebuke the Shepherds of Israel, for their Cruelty and great Remissness towards his Flock: The diseased have ye not strengthened; 1neither have ye healed that which was sick, &c. And therefore the great Shepherd saith, he would take the Work into his own Hand: I will bind up that which was broken, and will strengthen that which was sick. Some of God's People are attended with one spiritual Disease, and others with another: Some with a spiritual consumption of their Graces, decline in their Faith, Zeal, Patience, brotherly Love, Charity, &c. Others are afflicted with the Tympany of Pride; some with the Fever of Passion, &c. Which were it not for the care and faithfulness of their Shepherd, would prove fatal to them.
7. Sheep are incident to divers Diseases; many of them are weak and feeble, sick and distempered, and therefore must by their Shepherd be strengthned and healed, with much care, skill, and faithfulness: So are Christ's Sheep, his Saints, subject also to manifold spiritual Diseases, Weaknesses, Temptations and Afflictions, which of old moved the Almighty to great Compassion, and sorely to rebuke the Shepherds of Israel, for their Cruelty and great Remisness towards his Flock: The diseased have ye not strengthned; 1neither have ye healed that which was sick, &c. And therefore the great Shepherd saith, he would take the Work into his own Hand: I will bind up that which was broken, and will strengthen that which was sick. Some of God's People are attended with one spiritual Disease, and others with another: Some with a spiritual consumption of their Graces, decline in their Faith, Zeal, Patience, brotherly Love, Charity, &c. Others are afflicted with the Timpany of Pride; some with the Fever of Passion, &c. Which were it not for the care and faithfulness of their Shepherd, would prove fatal to them.
- 1Ezek. 34.
