Page:Meditations For Every Day In The Year.djvu/257

 and that  which  was  driven  away  I  will  bring  again: and I  will  bind  up  that  which  was  broken;  and  I  will strengthen that  which  is  weak,  and  that  which  is  fat  and strong I  will  preserve,  and  I  will  feed  them  in  judgment." (Ezech.  xxxiv.  11.)  Such  is  the  Shepherd  who invites  you  to  receive  Him.

III. It is  your  duty  to  take  care  that  there  be  nothing in your  soul  which  may  offend  this  pure  and  all-seeing Shepherd. Purify yourself,  therefore,  from  all  sin,  and divest yourself  of  all  affections  to  sin. Besides, He  says, " My  sheep  hear  My  voice,  and  I  know  them,  and  they follow  Me." (John x.  27.)  Listen  then  to  Him,  and obey Him,  in  order  that  you  may  ever  remain  in  His  fold.

I. "  There  were  together  Simon  Peter,  and  Thomas, and  Nathanael." (John xxi.  2.)  Peter  invites  them  to fish,  and  they  all  show  a  readiness  to  accompany  him: "We also  come  with  thee." This is  an  emblem  of  that union which  ought  to  exist  among  evangelical  laborers, whom Christ  pronounces  to  be  "fishers  of  men." The disciples employ  themselves  in  this  occupation,  both  to relieve  their  poverty  and  want,  and  to  prevent  idleness. Imitate their  example;  and  know  that  every  descendant of Adam  is  destined  some  way  or  other  "  to  eat  his  bread by  the  sweat  of  his  brow;"  and  that  idleness  is  the  root of every  evil.

II. " They  labored  all  night  and  caught  nothing." Thus human industry  is  ever  vain,  unless  blessed  with  the divine concurrence. " Except  the  Lord  build  the  house, they  labor  in  vain  that  build  it." (Ps. cxxvi.  1.)  This Is chiefly  the  case  in  regard  to  the  conversion  of  souls,