Take us the foxes, the little foxes, that spoil the vines: for our vines have tender grapes.
It should seem that Christ is in this verse giving direction to his servants, perhaps the pastors in his church, to be on the lookout for the enemy, who, like a fox is insidious, sly, and crafty, deceiving Christ's church: And to show the subtleness of the foe, even the little foxes are to be taken. The smallest heresy in the church, the least sin if allowed to have hold in the heart, will prove of fatal consequence. They spoil the tender vine, that is, they wound the peace and comfort of young believers. And Jesus hath an especial eye to the lambs of his fold. Dear Lord! give grace to all thy faithful servants in thy church, to have a constant regard to this precept. Oh! for the Lord's constant grace to be imparted to all that minister in holy things, and for his strength to be perfected in their weakness. Give them, Lord, more of thy tender mind and will, that they may lay themselves out for greater usefulness, and take the foxes, the little ones of craft, and subtilty, and design; those foes which from their apparent smallness too often escape unnoticed, and yet commit greater evil. And oh! may they in imitation of their divine Lord, not only feed the flock of Christ in the whole body of believers, but carry the lambs of the fold in their arms, and gently lead those that are with young.