Besides that S. Paul commaundeth that the pastor should be a paterne or example in al good∣nesse,* 1.1 & holinesse of life vnto his flocke, & our sauiour Christ saith that when the she〈1 line〉〈1 line〉harde hath 〈◊〉〈◊〉* 1.2 forth his sheepe, he goeth before them, but if the Pastor be not amongst his flocke▪ and haue not his conuersation there, they can not follow him. If they haue not the example before their eyes, 〈◊◊〉〈◊◊〉 not make the like vnto it. Therfore this commaundement also bindeth them to residencie amongst their flockes. S. Peter willeth the Pastors of the Churches, that they shoulde feede the flockes. What flockes? Not euery one, but those, which are committed to their faith or trust, or which de∣pendeth vpon them. And S. Paule speaking to ye ministers or Bishops of Ephesus, willeth them* 1.3 that they should take heede vnto the flockes, ouer the which the holy Ghost had made them ouer∣seers, where he restra〈1 line〉〈1 line〉eth, as S. Peter did their ouersight and watch vnto their particular flock.* 1.4 S. Paul saith that he toke it heauily that he was separated from them but a small time. If ther∣fore the Apostle was away with griefe from them, whom he had taught, whō his calling compel∣led to be awaye, and woulde not suffer to be alwayes there: what shall be thought of the Pastors, whose callings is to be with their flockes, & which are consecrated vnto them, euē as the Apostles were vnto ye whole world? what I say shal be thought of them, that are away monethes & yeeres?
Christ is a paterne and an example to vs in all goodnesse, whome we muste fol∣lowe,* 1.5 and yet we neuer saw him, but haue only heard of him by his word. S. Paule willed the Corinthians. 1. Cor. 4. &. 11. and the Philippians chap. 3. to followe him, and yet was he not perpetually resident among them. A man may be throughly knowne touching his externall conuersation, of those with whom he is diuers times conuer∣sant, although he be not alwayes abiding with them. I thinke there be Pastors very well knowne to their flockes both for their life and doctrine, and yet doe not continu∣ally remaine with them: you and I haue not bin long nor much conuersant together, and yet surely I suppose that I know you both touching your Religion, conuersation, and affectiō, as well as if I had béen twentie yéeres companion in your chamber with you. And therfore this is no good argument, to say that the pastor muste be an example to his flocke, and therfore he must of necessitie be continually among them, for he maye so be, and that perfectly, if he be sundry times among them, and likewise if they heare of his good conuersation in place where he remayneth, when he is not among them.
The same answere serueth for that which is alleaged out of the. 10. of S. Iohn.
S. Peter. 1. Epist. Chap. 5. doth not onely exhort Pastors and such as be addicted to some certain place, but all other also to whom this word presbyter doth reach, as it may appeare in that he himself sayth qui sum & ipse presbyter, whiche am also my selfe an el∣der.* 1.6 Wherfore it is an exhortation generall to al preachers and Ministers of ye word, and not only proper to pastors: the words that follow be diuersly expounded: some say feede the flocke of God, which dependeth vpon you, some, which is committed vnto you, and othersome, as muche as lyeth in you, which is the most common interpretation, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 it is as much as though he should say, according to the Talent that God hath gyuen