to his sheep-shearers] It was the manner of old (as appeareth by this place) and it continued many yeares after this (as we see by Nabals practise, 1 Sam. 25. 36) to make a feast at the shearing of sheepe, and it is continued to this day in many parts of this kingdome; at this feast the owners of the cattell had a double evidence of Gods bountie to them; for while some sheepe parted with their wooll to cloath them, others it is like were stripped of their skinnes having lost their lives to feed them. friend] The same word here rendred friend, the pricks onely varyed, signifieth a Pastour, or Shepherd; both these acceptions happily met together in our blessed Saviour, who was both a good Shepherd to his sheepe, and a very good friend to them, laying down his life for them, John 10:11.