The pastoral office opened in a visitation-sermon preached at Ipswich October 10, 1662. /The pastoral office opened in a visitation-sermon preached at Ipsvvich October 10, 1662. /

The word Feed is an usual Metaphor to express the tender Care and Gentle Government which men are to exercise over those who are Committed to their Custody. It is used frequently not only in Scripture, Psal. 77. 20. 78, 71. Ezek. 34. 23. Isa 40. 11. John 10. 11. 21. 15 17. 1 Pet: 5. 2: but in profane authors, as Xenophon makes the Comparison in ⟨p. 21⟩the beginning of his Cyropaedia, and Homer calls Agamemnon [Greek or Hebrew], the Pastor of the people, [Greek or Hebrew], one that takes care of the flock. There is likewise a Synecdoche of the part for the whole, one particular of the Office being put for all the rest. Here then we might enter into a large field, 1. In opening the Pastoral Office of Christ, as he came to Seek and to save his Lost sheep; to Rule them by his royal authority; to Lead them by his most holy example; to feed them [Greek or Hebrew], by his Body, Blood, Spirit, and Word; to Heal and bind them; to fold and defend them, to rescue and deliver them out of the mouth of the Wolf and Lion 2 In setting forth the whole duty of the Under-shepherds which they owe to the flock of Christ, as they have entrusted unto them the Ministry of Reconciliation, which Ministry standeth in 4 things, 1 In offering up the spiritual Sacrifices of prayers and praises in the name and behalf of the Church ⟨p. 22⟩unto God, and to bless in his name. 2 In administration of the Seals or Sacraments. 3 In Exercising the power of Binding and loosing, of retaining and remitting of sins towards particular contumacious sinners in the one Case, or penitent sinners in the other. 4 In Preaching the glad tidings of Salvation to the Church: But because it is not possible to handle so many weighty particulars in this little Scantling of time, I shall keep to the most narrow and formal sense of the word Feed, as it relateth to the spiritual food of the soul, the pastures of life, the word of God, for [Greek or Hebrew], as Basil Seleuc. speaketh, The food of the soul is the feast of the word, whereunto possibly the Apostle may allude, when he requireth Timothy [Greek or Hebrew],