Page:Gesta Romanorum - Swan - Wright - 1.djvu/227

Rh for the everlasting salvation, not of their parishioners alone, but of every denomination of true Christians, according to the words of our Lord, John x. "A good shepherd lays down his life for his sheep." Also, John i. "Christ laid down his life for us." And we, in humble imitation of our divine Master, ought to lay down our lives for our brethren. Fourthly, as a dog by barking betrays the approach of thieves, and permits not the property of his master to be invaded—so, the faithful priest is the watch-dog of the great King: one, who by diligence in his calling, prevents the machinations of the devil from taking effect; from drawing the soul out of that high treasury composed of the precious blood of Christ; and where alone the amazing price of our redemption is eternally reposited.