A Commentary on 1 Peter 1-3, Exposition of chapter 2 · Exposition of verse 24

A Commentary on 1 Peter 1-3 · Exposition of chapter 2 · Exposition of verse 24

p. 554Verse 25.

For you were as sheepe going astray, but are now returned unto the Shepheard and Bishop of your soules.

HItherto of the effects of Christs sufferings in respect of us: in respect of himselfe, the effect was his exaltation to become the Shepheard and Bishop of our soules, even the soules of all the Elect: which is so implied in the words of this verse, as withall in a passage is expressed both our misery without Christ, and our happinesse under his government.

The words of this verse in themselves containe three things. First, our misery by nature: in our selves wee are as sheep deceived, or going astray. Secondly, the meanes of our recovery ou… of that estate, and that is the causing of us to returne. Thirdly, our happinesse under the government of Jesus Christ, to whose charge we are committed when we returne.

The first words expressing our misery, are words borrowed out of the Prophet Esay, chapter 53.6, 7. and in the words unregenerate men, even Gods Elect among them, are likened to sheep. A sheep is a certaine image to resemble a man by. And so we finde in Scripture, that a sheep is the image or resemblance, first, of Christ-man: He is likened to a sheep dumb before his shearer, for his silence and patience at his arraignment, Esay 53.7. Secondly, of men that are …rue beleevers, for the harmlesnesse, tractablenesse, and profitablenesse, Mat. 25.33. Thirdly, of men that erre and wander out of the way of godlinesse. And so wicked men before their calling, are likened to wandring sheep; yea, godly men after their calling, in respect of their p. 555fals or failings, are likened to sheep going astray; as David saith of himselfe, Psal. 19. ult. But here it is understood of the Elect of God, before their calling.

The word here rendred [Going astray] properly signifies deceived, and is so used in divers places of the new Testament: but the metaphor to the which it is joyned, requires it should bee expressed, Going astray, or wandring, or erring; but so as it doth import two things. First, the evill condition of the unregenerate, they are like wandring sheepe. Secondly, the cur…e of it; and that is, they are deceived, they are as sheep deceived.

Now that this point may be distinctly understood, I propound five things to bee considered of. First, what faults in men are meant by the tearme of going astray. Secondly, what the misery of their condition is, that doe goe astray. Thirdly, what the cause is of their going astray. Fourthly, by what signes a lost sheepe may be knowne, especially such as are within the Church, which seemes to be the Fold. And lastly, the doctrines that may be briefly noted out of all the words of that part of the verse.

For the first. Under the tearme of erring or going astay,What is meant by going astray are construed in Scripture, errors in opinion, Iames 1.16. Mat. 22.29. called erring from the faith, 1 Tim. 6.10. whoredome, Numb. 5.12. idolatry, Deut. 13.5. drunkennesse, Esay 28.1, 7. bribery, and all wayes of unrighteousnesse, 2 Pet. 2.15. all devising of evill, Pro. 14.12. yea the Prophe… Esay expounds it of every turning after our owne wayes, for which we have no warrant in the Word of God, and in which men persist without repentance, Esay 53.6. It is implied, Psal. 119.110.

For the second.The misery of such a… goe astray …ppears in divers r… spects. The misery of men living in their sinnes without repentance is very great. I am tied to the consideration of it, only so far forth, as the simih… e of a sheep going astray will import. Every wicked man then is like a lost sheep, and that in divers respects.

1. Because hee is not within the compasse of Gods speciall providence: God doth not tend him, nor locke to him, he is no part of his flocke: he is without God in the World, and without Christ, as the lost sheepe is without the protection and keeping of the shepheard. Wicked men have no keeper: they are left to the way of their own hearts; which is a fearefull curse, Esay 53.6. The wicked shall be as a sheep that no man takes up, Esay 13.14.

2. Because hee hath no certaine pasture. The provision for his life, for soule and body, is altogether uncertaine. Hee is like Cain, a vagabond upon the earth. Hee is here to day: he knowes nor where he shall be tomorrow. God hath not given him any assurance of the keeping or getting of any thing he hath or desires. Hee is like the stray sheep, that hath all the world before him, but knowes not where to settle, Mat. 9.26.

3. Because in the midst of all the best possessions of this life, they have no peace, Esay 57. ult. The sound of feare is alwaies in their eares. If a stray sheep get into a good pasture, yet he is still in feare, apt to be frighted with every sound, ready to runne away upon every occasion: so is it with them that are rich in the world, and not ri…h with God, 1 Tim. 6.10.

4. Because he is shut out from all comfortable society with the godly: he enjoyes not the sound fruit of communion with Saints. The stray sheep may sort with hogges or wilde beasts, but from the sheep it is gone away. Evill company is a miserable plague of a mans life, to sort with such all a mans da…es, from whom he may have a world of vanity and filthinesse, but not any thing scarce worthy of the nature of men in an age. Every wicked man is an alien, a stranger and forainer from the Common-wealth of Israel, Ephes. 2.12.

5. A sheepe going astray, is easily taken by a strange Lord: it is driven p. 556any whither by anybody, it is so silly. And such is the fearefull estate of a man living in sinne: strange Lords may easily surprize him: false teachers may easily seduce him: evill company may carry him to any wickednesse: a Prince may turne him to any religion: a very Atheist or Divell incarnate may easily lead him captive.

6. A Sheep is apt to be worried with Dogs, or devoured with Wolves or wilde Beasts, when there is no Shepheard to tend him. So it is with wicked men: their soules, their bodies, their estates, are all in danger to bee seized upon by Divels, by unjust and unreasonable men; especially as any of them are more simple, so they are more liable to become a prey to the mighty ones of the earth.

7. Men that wander out of the way of understanding, shall remaine in the congregation of the dead, Ps. 49.15. Pro. 21.16. And therefore he that converts a man from the er…our of his way, is said to save a soule from death, Iam. 5 ult.

And this going astray of unregenerate men is the more grievous, because they are liable to many aggravations: for

Aggravations,of their misery.First, they goe astray from the womb: they were never yet in the right way, Psalm. 58.3.

Secondly, because they wander in every worke they do, as was said of Egypt, Esay 19.14. All their works are abominable, Psal. 14. All things are impure.

Thirdly, because this is the curse of all unregenerate men: we are turned every one to his owne way, Esay 53.6.

Fourthly, because they delight to wander, place their felicity in their sins, and will not be reclaimed or advised.

Fiftly, because they may provoke God so long, that he may sweare they shall never enter into his rest, Psal. 95.10,11.

… mens … as…ray.The third point is the cause of their going astray, and that is noted in the originall word. They were deceived. Now then it is to bee considered distinctly, who are the great deceivers of the world, that cause millions of …oules to goe astray.

First, the Divell is the Arch-deceiver, he hath beene a lier and a murtherer from the beginning; he deceived our first Parents, and made them and all their posterity goe astray, Iohn 8.44. 1 Tim. 2.14. And by him are all wicked men drawne out of the way, and led captive at his will, 2 Tim. 2.26.

Secondly, Antichrist is the next great deceiver, who by his sorceries made all Nations in the time of the Gospell goe astray, Eccles. 18.23. with his divellish doctrine, and by wicked sorceries he deceived the Christian world.

Thirdly, a …arme of wicked ministers have deceived whole Townes and Countries, and made the sheep goe astray, even their whole flocks in many places, some of them because they take the fleece, and never feed the flock, Ezech. …4.2. &c. Iohn 10.12. some of them by preaching lies, and flattering the people with devices of men, and say, Peace, when there is no peace, Ierem. 23.17, 19, 20, 32.

Fourthly, the world is a mischievous deceiver, and it deceiveth by evill example, and evill company, and evill report raised against the godly and the good way, and the inticements of profits and pleasures, and vanities of all sorts, and honours, and the like.

Fiftly, mans owne heart deceiveth him, yea the heart of man is deceitfull above all things, Ier. 17.19. It will use such carnall reasons, pretend such vaine excuses, entertaine such deceivable hopes, and joyne it selfe to such swarmes of temptations and lusts, as it cannot avoid wandring, if there were no other deceivers to go withall the way of our own harts is alwaies to go out of the way.

p. 557Sixtly, ignorance of the Scripture is a chiefe cause of erring and going astray, both in opinion and life, Mat. 22.29.

Seventhly, the love of some particular sin doth utterly undoe many a man, that will not be warned of the deceitfulnesse of sin, Heb. 3.12. Thus covetousnesse made many a man to erre from the faith, 1 Tim. 6.20.

Eighthly, God himselfe in a fearefull kinde of justice many times not only consents, but permits a very spirit of perverinesse and errour to seize upon some men, that refused to be guided or kept by God: so as they are given over to eternall perdition and destruction by reason of it.Esay 16.1…. Job 12.28. Signes of a l…s… sheep….Isa 16:1Job 12:28

Fourthly, the signes of a lost sheepe follow: and they are,

First, he that refuseth reproofe is out of the way. Men that cannot abide to be told of their faults are not healed, Pro. 10.17. as he is in the way of life that keepeth instruction.

Secondly, he that liveth in any knowne sinne without repentance, is a lost sheepe.

Thirdly, he that fouleth with his feet that which the good sheepe should eate or drinke, and he that thrusts with the side, and pusheth the diseased with his hornes, is no good sheepe, Ezek. 34.17, 19, 21. They are so farre from feeding upon the good Word and Ordinances of God, that by wicked reproaches they soule it as much as they can, and they, that if they find a poore Christian that is diseased with some infirmities will push at him, to dishearten him utterly from a religious course, these are wicked beasts, they are no good sheepe.

Fourthly, he that lives without God and Christ, that can spend whole daies and nights without any communion with God, yea, that when he is present before God, finds his heart continually carried with wandring distractions, that constantly draw him away from all inward attendance upon God. Ephes. 2.12. Esay 29.13. he erres in his heart, Psal. 95.10.

Fiftly, he that hath no other companions of his life but swine and wilde beasts, that is, wicked men of all sorts, especially when it is joyned with willing neglect and shunning of the society of the godly, Psal. 5. 2 Cor. 6.

Sixtly, he that tastes nothing but earthly things, and findes no savour in spirituall things, it is a signe that he is out of the pasture, and feeds in the wildernesse, Rom. 8. 1 Iohn 2.18.

Seventhly, he that when he is told he is out of the way, blesseth himselfe in his heart, when it is plainely found that he openly wandereth, Psal. 36.1, 2. Deut. 29.19.

Eighthly, he that lives in any of the grosse sins expressely mentioned in the Catalogue in Scripture, without repentance, as swearing, Com. 3. adultery, covetousnesse, drunkennesse, railing, extortion, 1 Cor. 6.9. or the knowne sins of deceit, Micah 6.10.

Ninthly, he that doth his workes of purpose to be seene of men, resting only in the praises of men, not seeking the praise of God, Mat. 6. Rom. 2.26.

Tenthly, he that knowes not Gods wayes, especially if he desire nor knowledge, or entertaine wilfull objections against the meanes of knowledge, Psal. 95.10.

Eleventhly, they that spend their zeale in meeting with other mens infirmities, neglecting sound reformation in themselves. It is the wisedome of the prudent to understand his owne wayes: but to be a busie-body in other mens matters is erring, and the folly only of fooles, Pro. 14.8. Every busie-body is out of the way.

The Doctrines follow: and so divers things may be observed out of these words.

Doct. 1. Even godly men, before their calling, were out of the way, as lost p. 558sheep, as well as others, Ephes. 2.2. Tit. 3.3. Which should serve, first, to set out the riches of Gods free grace, as the only first cause of the happinesse and salvation of the Elect. Secondly, it should teach the godly divers duties both toward God, other men, and themselves. As for God, they should live to his prayse, and spend their dayes in magnifying his great compassions in their deliverance, that deserved so ill at his hands. And withall, it should teach them to put all their trust in God, seeing they carry about them a nature that hath beene apt to wandring, and therefore have cause to mistrust themselves. And for other men that are out of the way, they should pity them, and carry themselves with all meeknesse and charity, remembring what themselves have beene, Tit. 3.1, 2, 3. And for themselves, they should be the more humble and abased, hating all pride and conceitednesse, and contempt of others.

Doct. 2. A man may be a sheep, and yet lost. Not only Dogs, Goats, Swine, Lyons, &c. may be out of the way, but even sheep may wander, and be clean lost. Men of harmlesse natures, and such as are profitable members of humane societies, and such as are of a gentle disposition, and free from grosse offenses, yet may be utterly lost, and cleane out of the way of happinesse; and, if they returne not by repentance, may perish for ever. And this is a point which should marvellously affect civil-honest men, and move them at length to see the weake vanity of their confidence in their prayses for civillity of nature or life.

This is a doctrine very hardly entertayned by this sort of men; and the rather, because they think they want nothing unto the prayse of a good life; never considering that they are not religious, though they be civill; and that they have a world of inward impurities, though they are free from outward grosse uncleannesse of life; and that they never felt the joyes of the holy Ghost to approove of them, though they have beene tickled with the prayses of men; and that they have not sought or desired the assurance of Gods favour, or a better life, but spend their time in a still dreame, without providing for what is most necessary; and that they never serve …od, not have had any sociable fellowship with him in any of his Ordinances, in respect of the inward power of them.

Doct. 3. To breake out from the meanes of Religion, and from the society of godly Christians, is the very way to undo many a soule. A sheep is … when it is gotten from sheep, and is out of the pasture, and hath no discreet shepheard to take the care of it.

Thus of the first part, that is, mans misery by nature.

The meanes of recovery out of that misery, followeth; and that is noted in the word Returne. Where first may be observed, that wicked men may returne. It is not impossible for men that have spent a … lives in sinne and vanity, at the length to be saved. And it is the first part of a mans work that would return, to inform himselfe seriously of … … ments that may proove that he may bee helped out of his misery. The fi…t thing a diseased man inquires after, is, whether his disease be curable or no.

Now there are divers things that give hope of curing and salvation even to men that are as yet cleane out of the way; as,

Divers things that give hope of curing to such as be out of the way.First, the disposition of God towards sinners: which appears, first, because he sweares he desires not the death of a sinner, but rather that he should return and live, Ezech. 18.21. Secondly, he is patient, and hath been with thee all this while; and he is therefore patient, that men might repent, and be saved, Rom. 2.4. 2 Pet. 3.9. Thirdly, he hath declared himselfe to be willing to forgive all sinnes, but only the sinne against the holy Ghost. One sinne only is unpardonable: all other sinnes may be forgiven.

p. 559Secondly, the sufficiency of the sacrifice of Christ: He is the Lamb of God that taketh away the sinnes of the world, Iohn 1. Rom. 3.25.

Thirdly, the worke of Gods grace already shewed unto them. For first, God hath placed them in the visible Church, where repentance and salvation may be had. Secondly, he hath bestowed upon them many temporall blessings, to allure them to seeke to him for mercy. Thirdly, he causeth the Gospell to be preached to all sorts of men, without exception. And so grace is offred to them: and there is no other let but their refusall of grace offred.

Fourthly, the example of all sorts of sinners that have returned. As great sinners as they have beene received to mercy; and they are set out as examples to encourage other men to seeke mercy; as Manasses, Mary Magdalen, David, Peter, Paul, and others. Many among the Corinthians have beene notorious offenders, but were justified and sanctified.

The explication of the doctrine of returning followes; where these things are to be considered of:

First, the motives to perswade men to returne.

Secondly, the persons that need returning.

Thirdly, the time when men must returne.

Fourthly, the false wayes men must avoyd in returning.

Fiftly, what a number of lost sheep doe usually returne.

Sixtly, the aggravations against certaine persons for not returning.

Sevently, the means of returning.

Eightly, the manner how we must returne; or the rules to be observed in returning.

Ninthly, the signes of a lost sheepe returned.

Lastly, the lets of returning.

For the first. I meane not to insist upon all sorts of motives,… but to follow the word Returne, as it is used in Scripture, and take a few of the fittest motives as it is used in this place. And so divers things should make a man to returne; as

First, the consideration of Gods marvellous goodnesse, and amiablenesse of nature to all such as turne unto him: he is wonderfull gracious to them, and mercifull, and will repent him of the evill, Ioel 2.12, 13. Ier. 3…. 19, 20. The parable of the lost sheepe shewes this fully.

Secondly, the great danger that men are in if they returne not. God is angry with the wicked every day, Psal. 7.12. And his fury may breaks forth suddenly upon them like fire, Ier. 4.4. For the words of his servants will certainly take hold upon them, Zech. 1.4, 6. And iniquity will be their ruine, Ezech. 18. verse 30. Except they repent, they must perish, Luke 13.5. And therefore if we warme men of their sinnes, and they will not return, we are delivered and their blood will be upon themselves. Ezech. 3.19.

Thirdly, if a man consider but the happinesse of such as doe returne: God will forgive them all their sinnes, he will aboundantly provide for them, Esay 55.7. If they return, they shall live and not die, Ezech. 18.23. and 32.11. And everlasting joy shall bee upon their heads, and sorrow and mourning shall flee away, Esay 51.11. And in this verse the Apostle shewes their happinesse. For they shall alwayes live under Jesus Christ, as the Shepheard and Bishop of their soules. For these and many other reasons, it is the only wise course to returne, Luke 1.16. And there is not one wise man amongst all them that returne not, Iob 17.

And thus of the motives.

The second point is, the persons that need returning. It is certaine,… that those that live out of the visible Church, or in false Churches need returning: As Pagans, Turks, Jewes, Papists, Schi…maticks, and all Hereticks: Yea Juda p. 560and Jerusalem need repentance, Ier. 4.4. and 26.2, 3. Men that live in the visible Church, and are baptized, need to returne, or else they will perish, Luke 13.5. Iohn 3.3.

The time of returning.The third point is the time of returning: and in short, the best time to returne is the present time, while it is called to day, while we have the means of returning, when God calls upon us by the ministry of his servants; especially when he knockes at the doore of our hearts, and layes the axe to the root of the tree. It is wonderfull dangerous to defer repentance: for even the longer thou livest in sin, the more hard will thy heart be, Heb. 3.13. and the meanes of grace, even the Kingdome of God may be taken away; or God may cut thee downe even by sudden death, or may cast thee into a reprobate sense, and give thee up to a heart that cannot repent, Rom. 2.4, 5.

… returning.The fourth point is, the false wayes to be avoyded in returning: and these are first, to returne with despaire, or to goe backe without the guide faith in in Gods mercy, or to goe the way that despaire leades. In this way Cain and Iudas perished. Secondly, to returne fainedly, and not with a mans whole heart; to make a shew of returning, when men doe not returne indeed, Ier. 3.10. Thirdly to returne but part of the way, and to repent by halfes, as Ahab and Herod did. Fourthly, to returne when it is too late, even when the doore is shut: to repent when it is too late, Iob 27.9.

… against d…vers the ….The fift point is,aggravations against divers that returned the aggravations that lye against divers persons about their not returning. For if it be evill in it selfe for any not to returne, then how fearefull is their case, first, that are proud of their skill in going out of the way, that are wise to doe evill, Ier. 4.22. Secondly, that are deeply revoiced, that is, that are such as live in horrible and fearefull sins, Esay 31.6. Thirdly, that will not returne though their transgressions be upon them, and they pine away in them? Ezek. 33.10. They will not give over though they have no peace, and are daily buffered for their evill-doing, and their consciences beare the shame and trouble of their offending. Fourthly, that will not returne though the servants of God openly testifie against them, Neb. 9.29. 2 Kings 17.13, 14. Fiftly, that will not returne though the hand of God he upon them: even to consume them, Ier. 5.3. Sixtly that are turned backe by a perpetuall backsliding, Ier. 8.4. that hold fast their sins, and refuse to returne, Ier. 8.5.

… of lost … do ….The sixt point may be this, viz. what number of lost sheep doe usually returne. Not all that goe astray: our Saviour tels us of a parable of one lost sheep returning: and the Prophet Ieremie tels us of one of a Tribe, and two of a Tribe, Ier. 3.14. Multitudes of men perish, and never returne.

The meanes of returning.The seventh point is, the meanes or cause of our returning: and these are either Principall, or Instrumentall. The principall causes are God and Christ that good Shepheard. It is God that turneth backe the captivity of his people, Psal. 14. ult. and three times in one Psalme the people pray God to turne them againe, Psal. 80.3, 7, 19. This is Ephraims suite, Turne thou me, O Lord, and I shall be turned, Ier. 21.18. So the Church faith, Lam. 5.21. And Christ is that good Shepheard that seekes that which is lost, yea layeth downe his life for his sheep, Iohn 10. The instrumentall causes of returning are either externall or internall. The externall meanes of returning is the Word preached, and so both the reproofes of Gods servants testifying against the wicked, to make them turne from their sins, Nehem. 9.26, 29. as also the promises of the Gospell, by which the sinner in the name of Christ is as it were wooed and intreated to returne, with assurance of salvation. The internall meanes is Faith: for that is it which turnes a man cleane about, and causeth him to set his face upon God and Jesus Christ, and to leave all his old courses and by-wayes, Acts 15.9.

p. 561The eight point is, the manner how we must returne:….and so we shall find in Scripture divers things urged upon us;

First, that we in returning make a thorow search and triall of our wayes, to finde out distinctly in what particulars we have gone astray, Lam. 3.40. They must remember, and be thinke themselves, and turne, Psal. 23.28.

Secondly, we must with true sorrow bewaile our former wandrings, and judge our selves for them, going and rejoycing: we must goe with our faces toward Zion, Ier. 51.4, 5. Hosh. 14.2, 3. 2 Chron. 6.24, 37. Ierem. 3.13. Ioel 2.12.

Thirdly, we must order our wayes to a generall reformation. The Prophet complaines, that they would not frame their doings to turne to the Lord: importing, there can be no returning to God, unlesse men cast their courses into a frame of reformation, Hos. 5.4. Men must amend their doings and their workes, Ier. 35.15.

Fourthly, we must returne in sincerity: and that hath divers things considerable: for,

1. We must returne with our whole hearts, nor fainedly, Ier. 3.7. 2 Chron. 6.38. our very faces must be turned from so much as looking after our abominations, Ezek. 14.6.

2. We must returne from our owne evill wayes, every man from his way: note it, from his way, that is, from those courses in which he hath specially offended, Iames 3.8. Esay 55.7. the wicked must forsake his way.

3. WE must forsake not only outward sins, but inward sins also: we must reforme the wandring of our hearts, as well as our lives: the unrighteous must forsake his very thoughts, Esay 55.7. and put downe the very Idols of his heart, Ezek. 14.7.

4. We must turne from all our transgressions. It is not enough to forsake sin, as some outward or inward sins; but we must forsake all sorts of sins, Ezek. 18.30.

5. We must returne with resolution never to start backe: we must not be like a deceitfull bow, Hos. 7.16.

Fiftly, we must so returne, as we must consecrate our selves to God, to wait upon him continually, Hos. 12.6. and to …erve the true and living God, 1 Thes. 1.9. and to doe workes meet for repentance, Acts 26.20.

The ninth point is, the signes of returning, or how we may trie whether we be effectually returned: and that may be partly gathered by some of the points before, and partly by some other things may be added. He that is truely turned may know it,

First, by the cause of his returning.…. It was somewhat above his own power or disposition. It was God that turned him by his Word: neither did hee turne out of despaire, as Iudas did; but faith in God, and perswation of Gods goodnesse in Christ made him returne. He feares God and his goodnesse.

Secondly, by the manner of his returning. For if he returne in the manner before mentioned, he needs not doubt the truth of his repentance; especially if he be sure to have no hypocriticall or carnall ends of his reformation, and that he doe desire to returne from all his transgressions, making conscience of the least Commandement of God as well as the greatest, and of secret sins as well as open, and of the evill that leaves to his best workes, Esay 1.16.

Thirdly, by the fruits of repentance of returning: and so he may comfort himselfe,

1. If he esteeme Christs pasture above all worldly things, finding the sweetest savour in the Word, of all things in this life, Psalm. 19. and 119. 2 Cor. 2.

p. 5622. If he have a mind to know God, that he find that out of habituall disposition he have an earnest desire to know God, and to be knowne of him, Ier. 24.7. he will follow on to know the Lord, Hos. 6.3.

3. If he doe distinguish betweene the precious and the vile, Ier. 15.19. and discerne betweene the righteous and the wicked, betweene him that serveth God, and him that serveth him not, Mal. 3.18▪ esteeming godly men to be the onelyonly wise men, Luke 1.17.

4. If he be carefull to put iniquity far from his Tabernacle: if he be carefull to reforme his house, and cannot abide to dwell where sin dwels unreformed, Iob 22.23.

5. If he become as a little childe for humility, and trust upon God for all things necessary, as the little child trusts upon his father for diet, clothes, inheritance, preferment, &c. without any doubting, or carking care.

6. If he be earnest with God to heale his nature, and to perfect his worke. Esay 19.22. Ier. 31.18, 19. He prayes, and that earnestly, for the mending of his disposition to wander.

7. If he be profitable according to his bignesse and pasture, if he be full of mercy and good fruit, if he be zealous of good workes.

These be things meet for repentance, that is, things that be of equall weight with it in the scales: they each of them weigh just as much as repentance.

The last point is, what should be the reason that men have so little minde to returne; they will not be driven home againe, though they know that they live sinfully, and heare of Gods wrath, and discerne vanity in all their pleasures, and that sin hath usually proved it selfe to be a lie, and that they are in danger of strange punishments, and of eternall torment. What (I say) should be the lets of returning,Q…st. or rather the causes that they minde not to returne?

Answ. The causes are,

…First, the Divell is the cause, he hath blinded their eyes, and workes effec…ually in them, and leads them wandring and captive at his will, 2 Cor. 4.3. Ephes. 2.2. 2 Tim. 2.26.

Secondly, impotency of consideration is the cause they neither can nor doe thinke of the arguments should make them to returne, or move them: they cannot spend an houre in the consultations upon it, whether they doe well not to returne.

Thirdly, ignorance of the glory of Religion, and the Kingdome of Jesus Christ, Col. 1.26. there is a vaile upon their hearts, 2 Cor. 3.

Fourthly, opinion that it is dishonour and shame to return: this makes divers continue in erroneous and humorous conceits, or in fantasticall conformity to the wicked: yea, the very excuses of sinning, because they feare they shall be vilified, laughed at, and censured for it.

Fiftly, expectation to have their particular courses to be proved to be sins. Thus doe almost all men in their times persist in their sins, under the coverture of this question, Who can prove them to be sinners? Thus scapes usury, excesse, and vanity of apparell; excesse likewise in drinking of healths, till the wine inflame them; swearing, prophanation of the Sabbath, &c. being willingly ignorant of this, that God hath condemned sin in the generall in Scripture, and layes it to men to looke unto it, that they fall not into his hands for transgressing; and if they doubt, they must be ruled by their teachers.

Sixtly, forgetfulnesse of their latter end. Therefore is their iniquity in their skirts still, because they remember not their last end: for both the terrour of that day, and the shortnesse of their life, and the judements they would meet with of those things, if they were to die, would fright them out p. 563of those courses. But they will not apply their hearts to wisedome, because they cannot remember their dayes, Lam. 1.9. Psal. 90.12.

Seventhly, evill teachers are a great hinderance: for they strengthen the hands of the wicked, and by preaching peace perswade them they are in no danger, Ier. 23.14. Ezek. 13.22.

Eighthly, in some there is a very spirit of fornication in the midst of them, they are so excessively delighted with an influence after the courses they take, that no arguments can enter into their hearts, though they have never so good meanes used, Hos. 5.4.

Ninthly, there is in some men a senslesse spirit, a fat heart, a reprobate mind, so as the things they doe see, yet they cannot lay them to their hearts, nor be stirred by them; and so for the most part they see little or nothing at all, but are utterly unteachable. There are of these sorts of men almost in all assemblies aad conditions of Christians, where they have had the meanes with much power, Esay 6.10. Acts 28.27.

Tenthly, there is in some a perverse spirit, wilfully to reject the Word of God, and all good counsell, though they know they are not right; and so follow vanity, and become vaine, 2 Kin. 17.14, 15. and by following foolish vanities forsake their owne mercies.

Eleventhly, the custome of the world hath overcome many, and that makes their hearts dead and senslesse, and carelesse of returning; the examples of the most, and of the wise men, and great ones of the world, hath confirmed them in their wandrings, Ephes. 2.1, 2.

Twelfthly, despaire is the cause in some; they say there is no hope, Ier. 18.12.

Use. The Use of all should be especially to awaken the carelesse, and to perswade men, all shifts and excuses laid apart, to set their hearts upon this worke of repentance, and returning: men should not be like horses or mules, but receive instruction, and turne unto the Lord, else iniquity will be their ruine: if they repent not they must perish: and they doe nothing by their delaies but heape up wrath against the day of wrath. They live foolishly: for while they reject Gods Word what wisedome can be in them? and they must die miserably. Are they not as clay in the hands of the Potter, and will they still provoke God to his face? Yea if they frustrate the power of all the meanes they enjoy, so as it may not be of effect to turne them; it shall be easier for Sodom and Gomorrah in the day of judgement, than for them: yea the very dust of their feet, whose ministry they have despised, will rise up in judgement against them.

Unto the Shepheard.]

The happinesse of the penitent consisteth in this, that they live ever after under a Shepheard and Bishop for their soules.

First then, they have a Shepheard to tend them. Here divers things are to be inquired:

First, who this Shepheard is, seeing the Text mentions him not expresly. The Prophet Ezekiel s…ith, it is Gods servant David, Ezek. 34.23. and in Heī. foreign the Lord Jesus, raised from the dead is said to be the great Shepheard … the sheep; who is therefore called David, because he came o…e of the … of David.

Secondly, who the sheepe are: and they are not cattell, but men, Ezek. 34. ult. yet not all men, but Gods Elect, even those his Father gave him, Iohn 10.29. and those chiefely when they are returned, as the coherence …hewes.

Thirdly, the attributes given to this Shepheard in other Scriptures.What attributes are given to Christ as a Shepheard. Here he is named barely. The Shepheard: but it is profitable for us to know what p. 564kind of Shepheard he is: and so foure things are said of him,

Christ is one Shepheard.1. That he is one Shepheard, that is, that it is he only to whom immediately the charge of these men is given, Exek. 34.23.

He is the true Shepheard.2. That he is the true Shepheard; and that in divers respects: First, in respect of his calling: he came not in by the window, as the theefe and robber doth, but was called of God to this worke, even from the womb, Esay 49.1. Iohn 10.2. Secondly, he is a true Shepheard, because he hath all the imploiments that belong to a Shepheard: he goeth out to his flocks with a rod, and a staffe, and his Shepheards crooke: he hath a rod to drive-on his sheep; both a rod of instruction and correction: and he hath a crook to catch them and pull them backe, and he hath a staffe to drive away evill beasts, Psal. 23. Thirdly, he is the true Shepheard, because never Shepheard did his worke, or discharged the trust and care laid upon him so faithfully. The best Pastors, and their actions done by those that be men, and after their owne hearts, yet have many frailties, and faile many waies, both in skill, attendance, and power.

He is the good Shepheard.3. That he is the good Shepheard by an excellency, Iohn 10.11. and so he is in divers respects: First, because other Shepheards have their flockes delivered to their hands; but he seekes his sheep, and hath none but such as he was faine to find out in the woods, and desarts, and solitary places of the world: yea he left (as it were) his owne glory, to come downe from heaven to looke these lost sheep, Ezek. 34.11, 12. Secondly, because he laid downe his life to redeeme his sheep, and to get power to bring them backe, Iohn 10. 15. yea, put his necke under the sword of his Fellow, his Father: he was contented that his owne Father should kill him, Zech. 13.7. Thirdly, because he keeps such sheep as have no fleeces on them, but what he gives them: all his were naked sheep, that no other Shepheard would have taken up: hee cloathes them all with the fleeces of his owne righteousnesse, and so becomes the Lord their righteousnesse,1 Tim. 1.13. 16 1 Cor. 9 10, 111 Tim 1:131 Tim 1:161 Cor 9:101 Cor 9:11 Ier. 23.4, 6. Fourthly, because he is compassio…ely moved with the wants and, distresses of his sheep; not for himselfe, but for their sakes: and this he shewes, not onelyonly by pitying them when they have no subordinate Shepheards to tend them, but by loathing those evill Shepheards that leade them to evill pastures, or any way hurt them, Zech. 11.8.

Hee is the great Shepheard; and that in divers respects.4. That he is the great Shepheard, Heb. 13.20. and so he is in divers respects: First, because his sheepe are his owne. Other Shepheards for the most part tend the sheepe of other men, but all his sheep are his owne, Iohn 10.12. Secondly, because he markes all his sheep: he did not only seek them when they were lost, but made them when they were not, Psal. 100.3. They are not only the people of his pasture, but the sheep of his hands. Thirdly, because he hath more flockes than any Shepheard ever had: for he hath flocks in all parts of the world, to the very ends of the earth, Micah 5.4. For he was not only to raise up the Tribes of Israel, but to be a light to the Gentiles, and giveth salvation to the ends of the earth, Esay 49.6. Fourthly, because he is great in skill and power: in skill, because though he ha…e such great flocks, yet he knowes all his sheep particularly, and calls them …, …heir names, Iohn …0.3. and so he knowes all their wants and diseases too, … all the waies to help and cure them. In power, because he hath a mighty …me, Esay 40.1 …, 11. and he stands and friends them in the strength of Jehova, and in the majesty of the name of the Lord his God, Micah 5.4. And besides he shewes it in his ability to drive away from his flocks even those hurtfull beasts that other Shepheards cannot resist. If a Lion, or the hungry Lion roare after his prey, he will not care for the voice of a multitude of Shepheards called out against him, saith the Prophet, Esay 31.4. yet this Shepheard p. 565alone with his voice, can make the fiercest Lyon leave his prey, and runn^e away: Hee can make the Divels flee, and restraine the rage of cruell Tyrants.

Fiftly, because he is a Prince, as well as a Shepheard. Other shepheards are usually no more than ordinary men; but he is a great Prince, and therefore must needs be a great Shepheard, Ezech. 34.23.

Sixtly, because he is the Arch-Shepheard, the Prince of shepheards; he, under whose authority all other shepheards are, and to whom they must give accounts, 1 Pet. 5.4.

Thus of the attributes given to this Shepheard.

The happinesse of those that live under the government of such a Shepheard, followes.

First, he will feed them as a shepheard doth his flocke: they that wait upon the Lord, shall bee fed, Psal. 37.3.The happinesse of such as live under this Shepheard, appeares in ten particular priviledges. And thus chiefly he will feed their soules: they shall grow, and eat, and finde pasture, Iohn 10.9. Hee will feed them with knowledge and understanding, Ier. 3.15. and with such food as will breed life, and life in more abundance, Iohn 10.10. They shall neither hunger nor thirst. He that hath mercy on them, shall lead them by the Springs of water; he shall guide them: those Springs of water are his Ordinances, Esay 49.10. and their pasture is fat pasture, Ezech. 34.14. The chiefe feeding place is his holy Hill, the Temple, and Sanctuary; and that shall be a blessing to his flocke: there shall bee showres of blessings in their seasons, Ezech. 34.26. He doth not feed in the fields and desarts: but with a more excellent feeding, he feeds them in his garden, in the the very beds of spices, every doctrine being as a severall spice, and the whole summe together, as a bed of spices, Cant. 6.2, 3. The Prophet David seemes to resemble powerfull and flourishing doctrine, to greene pastures; and the secret and sweet comforts of the Sacraments, to still waters, Psal. 23.2.

Secondly, he will tend and keepe them so, as,

1. The wilde beasts shall not teare them: Tyrants, Hereticks, Divels, shall not make a prey of them, Ezech. 34.25. so as they should dwell safe though they were in the wildernesse, and sleepe in the woods, Ezech. 34. 25, 28. Though they walke thorow the valley of death, they need not feare, Psal. 23.4.

2. Hee will judge the Rams and the Goats that push at them, that is, he will revenge the wrongs are done unto them by such as live in the same Churches with them, that reproach or oppose them, Ezech. 34.17. &c.

3. The Sunne shall not smite them, Esay 49.10. that is, the wrath and anger of God shall not afflict their spirits, but they shall lie downe in great rest and tranquillity of conscience, Ezech. 34.15.

4. If they fall into diseases, he will give them such medicines, as shall refresh their soules, Psal. 23.3.

5 They shall want nothing, Psal. 23.1.

6. None of them shall bee lacking; hee will keepe all that are given to him; no man shall take them out of his hands, Iob. 10.29. Ier. 23.4.

7. Hee will order them, not by force and cruelty, but by judgements, Ezech. 34.16. shewing a due respect of the severall ages and conditions of his sheepe, Esay 40.11.

8. He will goe in and out before them himselfe, and they shall follow him, and hee will lead them in the paths of righteousnesse, Iohn 10.4. Psal. 23.3.

9. Hee will doe more for them than ever any Shepheard did for his flocke: hee will make them live ever, he will give them eternall life, Ioh. 10.29.

p. 56610. Lastly, all this is the more comfortable, because he hath tied himselfe by covenant for his sheep to doe all this for them, Ezech. 34.25.

Use. The use should be for instruction: and so both to Ministers, and to the people.

First, to Ministers: They should here learne to be wonderfull carefull of the finding and feeding of the flocks committed to their charge, seeing Christ ordinarily and externally doth administer this worke by their service; if they be not carefull, they dishonour (as much as lieth in them) the office of Christ. The feeding which, under Christ on Gods holy hill, they should provide for the people, is the chiefe blessing of the life of a penitent sinner, Iohn 21. 1 Pet. 5.2.

Secondly, to the people: The people that are good, should hence learne,

Cant. 1.7.Song 1:71. To pray to Christ to shew them where he feeds, that they may be directed to the fertill pastures of some powerfull Ministery.

2. To trust upon Christ for all things necessary for their soules: Since God hath appointed him as the Shepheard of our soules, wee should glorifie his office, by beleeving in him, and relying upon him: never sheep had a better shepheard; and therefore we need not feare any more, nor be dismaied, Psal. 37.3. Ier. 23.4.

3. Our hearts should be set upon the house of Christ, and upon his Word, as the food of our soules; we should runne to Church with great willingness… …nd appetite, as the sheepe doe to their foddering places.

4. When wee finde good pasture, and safe feeding, wee should be wonderfull thankfull, and seeke all his praise with joyfull hearts, Psal. 79. ult. and 100.

5. We should submit our selves to the Ministers of the assemblies, whose words are like goades, and like nailes fastened, because they are given by this our Shepheard; Eccles. 12.11.

6. If the spirituall Assyrian breake into the Church of Christ, we should remember, that if seven Shepheards, and eight principall men bee raised up against him, he shall be driven away, Mich. 5.5.

But withall we must take heed, and looke to it, that wee be right sheep of his pasture: For there are multitudes in the flocks of Christ, that he will not feed,Zach. 11 9.10Zech 11:9Zech 11:10 he takes no care of them, but saith of them, That that will die, let it die. And as a Shepheard separateth the goates from the sheepe: so will Christ separate a world of wicked ungodly men from the good, though they now be often folded together in one assembly. It is the poore of the flocke onelyonly that are his sheepe, Zach. 11.7. such as heare his voice, and depend onelyonly upon it, and will follow Christ, Iohn 10 3, 4, 5, 27.

Lastly, we may hence gather, how wofull the estate of such people is, as either have no shepheards, or evill shepheards set over them, Zach. 11.4, 5. & 34.4.

And Bishop of your soules.]

The godly have Christ to bee the Bishop of their soules. That this point may be more distinctly and profitably conceived of, I would consider of foure things in the explication of it:

Explanation of the tearme, Bishop.First, the use of the tearme Bishop here given to Christ: it was before the Apostles time a foraine word, much used in profane writers. For the originall word here rendred a Bishop, was a tearme given to watch-men, and spies, and over-seers of works; and sometimes to any sort of Rulers. In the Apostles time, it seemes the tearme was impropriated, and given onelyonly to Ministers that had charge of soules. For the Apostles appointing certaine men to looke to the bodies of Christians▪ which they tearmed Deacons, they appointed other eminent men to looke to the soules of Christians, p. 567whom they termed Bishops, as appeares, Phil. 1.1. Acts 20.28. In the time of the Apostles the terme suffered yet a more strict impropriation, and was given to some especiall Ministers, that had charge, not onelyonly of the people, but also of the Clergy: and in time in some Churches unto these choice men of the Ministery were added the titles of Barons, jurisdiction and power of censures, sole power of ordination, and the like. In this place the Apostle gives the terme of Bishop to Christ, as the first and principall Overseer of our soules, to whom the charge of their originall doth belong.

Secondly, we must note, that Christ is not said to be a Bishop of our soules, but the Bishop of our soules: which imports, that he is such a Bishop, as there is no other like unto him. That charge that Christ hath of our soules, he hath it alone. There is no Bishop like to Christ our Bishop: for,

1. There is no good Bishop but he;Christ excels all other Bishops in ten respects. for he died for the soules he hath charge of, and so doe not other Bishops. And whereas other Bishops may bee unrebukeable in respect of men sometimes, he is unrebukeable in respect of God and men too; never any Bishop lived so well, or did so much good, or loved good men, and promoted Gods cause so much as hee.

2. No other Bishop can instruct the flocke as he doth. For hee can make his people profit, because he teacheth inwardly, whereas they can teach onelyonly outwardly; and hee instructs all his flocke, and makes them all to know God, from the greatest to the lowest of them, which no other Bishop can doe.

3. He is the onelyonly Bishop, because all other Bishops m… give accounts to him, 1. Pet. 5.3.

4. Hee is the universall Bishop of all soules: other Bishops …ve their particular charges, or Churches; but he hath the charge of all the flockes under heaven: all Parishes are within his charge.

5. All other Bishops have their ordination from him; they have no authority but what they receive from him, Acts 20.28.

6. Because no other Bishop can take the absolute charge of our soules; they are not able to keepe us, our soules have many diseases which they cannot cure, and are assaulted with many adversaries which they cannot resist.

7. Because hee is a heavenly Bishop, they are but earthly; and divers parts of his office he executes in heaven, whereas other Bishops can doe nothing for us, but on earth.

8. Because hee is the onelyonly Law-maker, the onelyonly Law-giver to our soules; other Bishops can make no Lawes, but by his authority, Iam. 4.11.

9. Because the other Bishops may require goodnesse in their flocks, but cannot make them good: he can make all his people righteous, he is the Lord and their very righteousnesse, Ier. 23.6.

10. Other Bishops die, and leave their flockes unprovided: but hee lives ever, and never forsakes his Church, but is with them to the end of the world, Mat. 28. ult.

Thirdly, who are the charge of Christ? Not all that are found in the charges of other Bishops; he will not stand to our division of Parishes, he counts by Election and righteousnesse; all that the Father hath given him, are his charge, and none else. The coherence shews they are onelyonly penitent sinners.

Fourthly, the happinesse of such as are under his charge;Such are happy that live under the charge of this Bishop. which must needs be great. O! It is a great comfort to a poore sinner, to know that Christ hath a charge of his soule: for he shall be sure that Christ will feed his soule, and nourish it up by his Ordinances, and will keep him to eternall life, p. 568and use him with all tendernesse and compassion. A bruised Reed he will not breake, and the smoaking Flaxe he will not quench. The particulars are metaphorically handled before, in the consideration of the benefits we receive from Christ as a Shepheard.

Uses. The Uses follow; and so,

First, for information: and so, first, we may here take occasion to thinke of the preciousnesse of our soules: for as they'are made of better stuffe than all this visible world, being spirits, and were redeemed with a greater price than would have beene laid downe to redeeme this whole world; so it here appeareth, because God sets his owne Son to tend our soules; which should make us make more reckoning of them, and not be so carelesse of them. It were an ill bargaine to win the whole world, and lose our owne soules. Secondly, in that he takes charge of our soules, it imports that his Kingdome is not of this world, and that he leaveth our bodies and outward estates to the charge of the Kings and Rulers of the earth: he claimes himselfe chiefly the charge of our soules. Thirdly, in spirituall things it is imported that we are to be subjected to such as have the over-sight of us, onelyonly so far forth as they command us in the Lord, and not otherwise. Other Bishops have their power subordinate to Christ, and must in all things see to it that they doe nothing against Christ. We are subject first and originally to Christ: the charge of our soules properly belongs unto him. Fourthly, we may here see what need our soules have of looking to: if they were not in great danger, and subject to many diseases and necessities, Christ had never taken such a peculiar charge of them. Fiftly, it imports the abject estate of all grosse offenders: for if Christ be the Bishop of soules, they cannot belong to his charge. For wise and godly men, as much as lieth in them, cast out notorious offenders, and protest against them: and therefore will Christ much more cast off and refuse all such servants of the Divell, and the World, and Antichrist, as will not beare his yoke. Sixtly, it imports that all Bishops must have ordination from him: and therefore such as cannot shew their calling from Jesus Christ, are plants which he will root out.

Use 2. Secondly, for consolation to all the godly. All that have committed their soules to him, may rest upon it, that he is able to keepe them till the day of his comming, 1 Tim. 1.2. They shall never be lost: none can take them out of his hand, Iohn 10.29. It is the will of God that none of them should be lacking, Iohn 6. And therefore they may comfort themselves with those words of the Apostle, Nothing shall ever be able to separate us from the love of God, Rom. 8. ult.

Use 3. Thirdly, for instruction; and so it should teach us to take chiefe care of our soules. For from his office we may learne that he accounts our soules to be the chiefe thing he would have kept safe. Secondly, seeing he is the Bishop of our soules, we should learne not to give to any man above what is written, seeing they are but stewards of his graces, and servants under him.

Thirdly, we should especially strive to be such, as Christ may take the charge of us,Duties of such as be under the charge of this Bishop. and may prove that we belong to his charge. If we be of Christs charge, then, first, we must heare his voice all our dayes with great attention and affection. His sheepe heare his voice, and the voice of a stranger they will not heare, Iohn 16. Secondly, we must be sure we have returned and repented us of our former wandrings, else he is not the Bishop of our soules. Thirdly, we must resolve all our dayes to obey him that is thus declared to have the over-sight of us, and be ruled by such messengers as he sends unto us in his name.

Bishops also and Ministers should here learne to know what a good p. 569worke it is to have the charge of soules under Christ, and accordingly carry themselves with all faithfulnesse, and diligence, and justice, and humility, not Lording it over Gods heritage, but as such as give account unto the chiefe Bishop at his comming, 1 Pet. 5.2, 3. 1 Tim. 4.1, 2, 3. and 3.1. They are but Christs Curates.

Lastly, woe to such as are complained of to this Bishop; there will be no escaping; he will not be corrupted: they may escape the punishment of earthly Bishops, but they shall never escape the punishment of this heavenly Bishop, Matth. 3.5.

FINIS.

SERMONS UPON PART OF THE THIRD CHAPTER OF THE FIRST Epistle of St. PETER.

Being the last that were preached by the late faithfull and painefull Minister of Gods Word, Nicolas Byfield.

VVherein Method, Sense, Doctrine, and Use, is, with great variety of matter, profitably handled, and sundry heads of Divinitie largely discussed.

Published since the Authors death by WILLIAM GOUGE.

LONDON, Printed by ROBERT YOUNG, 1637.