Son of man, I have made thee a watchman unto the house of Israel: therefore hear the word at my mouth, and give them warning from me.
Ver. 17. Son of man.] So Christ constantly calleth this prophet, to keep him humble. See Ezekiel 2:1 .
I have made thee a watchman.] I, who am the chief Bishop and Shepherd of souls, 1Pe 2:25 have set thee in thy watch tower, with charge to look well to my flock with golden fleeces, precious souls, that none be lost for want of warning. See therefore that thou be Episcopus, not Aposcopus; an overseer, not a byseer; a watcher, not a sleeper: Somnoleatia Pastorum est gaudium luporum. a Shall the shepherds sleep whenas the wolves watch and worry the flock? Act 20:29-30 Herodotus b telleth of one Euenius, a city shepherd, who for sleeping and allowed the wolf to enter the fold and kill sixty sheep, had his eyes pulled out. God threateneth the like punishment upon sleepy watchmen, idol shepherds. Zec 11:17
Therefore, hear the word at my mouth.] Who am the arch-prophet, the only doctor of my Church; Matthew 23:8 ; Mat 17:4 admonish them therefore in my words, foresee and foretell them their danger in my name and stead. See Habakkuk 2:1 2 Corinthians 5:20 .
a Ephrem., Tract. de Tim. Dei.
b Lib. ix.