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PROLOGUE TO THE

purpose of seeking promotion; but steadily kept home, and guarded well the fold. He was the true shepherd, and no hireling. Moreover, holy and virtuous as he was, he turned an eye of pity upon the sinful man, mingling his lecture with discretion and benignity. It was the business of his life, by good example, to lead his fellow creatures gently to heaven. The obstinate and stiff necked, however, whether in high or low estate, were sure to receive from him a severe rebuke. A better priest I know not, far or near. He craved neither pomp nor reverence, or betrayed any affected scrupulousness of conscience: but the doctrine of Christ and his apostles he taught with simplicity, first following it himself.

He had a brother with him—a Ploughman, who had in his time scattered many a load of dung: a thorough hard labourer, living in peace and perfect charity with all men. Above all things, and at all times, he best loved his God and Creator, and then his neighbour as himself. When it lay in his power he would finish a job of threshing for a poor man without hire. He paid his tithes fairly and punc-