Peter (1 Epist. ch. 5. v. 2, 3.) which instructs us all in our duty, and ought to make us think with humility of our own weaknesses and failings, their malicious Reflections will not hinder us Ministers from finding our Comfort in this Passage, while we find nothing in it, but what we study to do by the grace of God, according to our ability, and what we incessantly ask of him in our prayers. As to the passage of the Prophet Ezekiel, (if I did not fear to lay open in too strong a light the Infirmities of some of my flock, over which it is proper to draw a vail) I could call out of the Crowd these Diseased Sheep, whom I have strengthe)ied, and the broken whom I have hound up, &c. (Ezek. 34. v. 4.) And who can testifie whether this Passage hath been well applyed by them; or no; But I should he imprudent in glorying, 2 Cor. xii. 11. tho' I am compeWd in my defence, it is better to wait for that time, wlien, it any of us have done well, every man shall have praise of God, 1 Cor. 4. 5. Instead of stopping at that verse of Ezekiel, and at the first part of tlie Chapter, where they have maliciously been searching, wherewithal to sting their Minister, and wherein

M: turns his own Accuser, they had better have

read on what follows from the 16th & 17th verses, to tlie 22d. inclusive, and to take good heed to what God saith by his Prophet, now no longer to had Shepherds, but to. had Sheep, to Sheep that rebel, that will not bear Teaching, and that are stubborn and headstrong, tliat are fat and strong, &.C. v. 16. confer