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HE restoreth my Soul: The Phrase is variously ren∣dred and as variously understood. Briefly it seems to hint one i of these two senses here. Either when my Soul is even gone out of my body, (as in a swoon) he returns or brings it back by powerful refreshings: thus the words are used, Lament. 1. 11. 16. or he seth me to return, viz. into the good right way,
when I wander and go astray, Psal. 119. 176. we may make issue both waies, and first of the first.
The Shepherds care is not only for the strong and healthy Sheep, to provide food for them; but also for the sick and distempered ones, that Physick may be pre∣pared for them. The variety of diseases to which Sheep are incident, will be our consideration hereafter, when we discourse to the nature of the Sheep. Our present work is to consider the care which every faithful Shepherd hath of the weak and distemper'd Sheep; not to let them lye in the ditch and perish: but to study the distemper, and a suitable remedy, and make speedy and careful application of it. They that are healthy and strong can better shift, than they that are weak and infirm, and therefore the greater care is expected of such, that they faint not, droop not, dye not. The neglect of this care 'tis that God reproves his naughty Shepherds for, Ezek. 34. 4. where the omission of their care is noted by their neglect toward those that were not in a good condition, for if these be neglected how are the rest cared for? He reckons up also five distinct male-affections wherewith he mentions the Sheep to be troubled: diseased, sick, broken, driven a∣way, lost, under which all other like troubles are com∣prehended It's not much worth our time to enquire what may be the difference between one and the other of these: probably he calls those diseased, whose pain or grief lay in one member or limb: and those sick, whose whole body was distemper'd and diseased: that which was broken intends either wounds received from some beast of prey, or casual slip, &c. that which was driven away is that which was pusht, or had fallen into some ditch, hole, &c. This speaks how much it is the duty of Shepherds to have regard to, and care of such
as are thus distressed. Ye have somewhat a like com∣plaint of the like falshood, Zech. 11. 16. where the Prophet hints that the broken and diseased have as much need of cure, as those that are strong and well of care for food. There are in a Flock the hidden or cut off, lost and gone out of the way, whom it is a fault not to visit and seek out: there are young ones more apt to wander than others, whom it is the Shepherds duty in a special way to seek, and have an eye to: There are the broken with afflictions or any Casualties, who are to be healed, not crushed; and there are that stand still for weakness, not being able to go on, and these are to be fed, and born (as the word is) with tenderness and compassion, if need be. The good Shepherd therefore in perâ gestat unguentum, hath his Medicine ready in his scrip to apply as need requires: he not only not breaks the sound, but also he binds up the broken. The neg∣lect of this care Virgil reproves k as in the margent, the Flock is spoild, whilst the Shepherd neglects his care and cries God help.
Me languentem refocillat promissionibus, Pisc. Me errantem a ••ectâ vivendi & credendi ratione reduxit. Gen.
Alitur vitium, vivit{que} tegendo, Dum medicas adhibere manus ad vulnera pastor Abnegat & meliora Deos sedet omnia poscens, lib. 3. Bucol. 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 omnim̄oda rei perditio.