A Golden Mine Opened, Sermon 6
JOHN X. 27. My Sheep hear my Voice, and I know them, and they follow me.
Serm. IV.BELOVED, I have ſhewed you what a kind of Knowledg Jeſus Chriſt hath of all his Sheep.
Fifthly, I ſhall now proceed to the fifth General Head, and give ſome of the Characters or Properties of the Sheep of Chriſt. But before I do this, I ſhall ſhew you why the Saints are compared to Sheep.
1. Firſt it is from their clean and mild Nature. Wicked Men, Why Believers are compared to Sheep.from the conſideration of their filthy and ravenous Nature, are contrariwiſe compared to Lions, Wolves, Foxes, Dogs, Swine, and the like.
But now God's People have (through the Operation of Divine Grace) their unclean and filthy Nature changed; that brutiſh, perverſe and ſwiniſh Diſpoſition which they brought into the World with them, is gone: Such were ſome of you, but you are waſhed, but you are ſanctified, but you are juſtified in the Name of 1 Cor. 6. 11.the Lord Jeſus, and by the Spirit of our God. Sheep are of a clean Nature, they like not to wallow in the Mire as Swine do: So the Saints have a clean and holy Nature wrought in their Souls, or ſpiritual Habits infuſed through the renewing of the Holy Ghoſt, having obtained a true Righteouſneſs, in which they ſtand juſtified, and appear without Spot before God, even in the perfect Righteouſneſs of Jeſus Chriſt, which is counted to them for Righteouſneſs to their Juſtification, and are ſanctified through the Spirit of Holineſs.
2. Sheep are a harmleſs and innocent ſort of Creatures; not crafty like the Fox, nor devouring like the Lion. So the Saints are harmleſs and innocent, they ſeek the Hurt of no Man, but deſire to live peaceably in the Land, and not like Romiſh Wolves, who delight in nothing more than in Blood and Rapine: They are like unto their Maſter, (or ought ſo to be) i. e. holy, harmleſs, &c. They are ſimple concerning Evil, Children in Malice, though Men in Vnderſtanding: They are not like the ungodly ones of the World, 1 Cor. 14. 20.who are full of Wrath, Hatred and Revenge; they are ſo far from this, that if they arrive at their true Character, they will ſpeak Evil of no Man, but pray for their Enemies, and for ſuch that hate them.
3. Sheep are patient under Suffering: In this they ſtrive to imitate their Bleſſed Saviour alſo, who was led as a Lamb to the Slaughter; and as a Sheep is dumb before the Shearer, ſo he opened not his Mouth. Iſa. 53. 7.How patiently did the poor Martyrs go to the Stake; they ſtrove not with their Perſecutors, nor made reſiſtance: And when they ſuffer from the immediate Hand of God, they are patient as David was, and open not their Mouths, becauſe the Lord hath Pſal. 39. 9. Levit. 10. 1, 2, 3, 4.done it: Like Aaron who held his peace, and patiently bore the heavy Hand of God, when his two Sons were devoured with Fire before his Eyes.
4. Believers may be compared to Sheep from their Profitableneſs to others. We all know that Sheep are very profitable Creatures many ways, enriching and making Land fat; as alſo for Clothing, and for Meat: How excellent is the Fleſh of Sheep for Food? So God's People are uſeful and profitable. The Lips of the Righteous feed many, by their wiſe and pious Diſcourſe, Counſels, and Divine Comfort, which they often communicate to many diſtreſſed and diſconſolate Souls: They are the Salt of the Earth, the Light of the World; and what a profitable thing is Salt to us, is Light to us? Even ſo in many reſpects the Godly, in a ſpiritual Senſe, are alike uſeful, and have been in their reſpective Generations in this World.
What a bleſſing was Lot to Sodom whilſt he was among them! the Fire could not ſeize upon that wicked City until he left it: Haſte thee, eſcape thither, (ſaid the Angel) for I cannot do any thing Gen. 19. 22.until thou be come thither. What Profit did Laban receive by Jacob! what a Bleſſing was he unto him! the like Bleſſing was Joſeph to his Maſter. The Godly are like Sheep, the Intereſt of thoſe Lands, Nations, Cities and Families where they dwell.
The Saints are profitable to others many ways.
(1.) By that heavenly Doctrine they maintain and hold forth.
(2.) By the fervent and profitable Prayers they make and ſend up to God on all Occaſions.
(3.) By that holy and good Example which they ſet for all thoſe they converſe with, and live among.
(4.) And at their death, by Martyrdom, great Profit hath been received; from whence the Proverb roſe, That the Blood of the Martyrs was the Seed of the Church. Believers bring Glory to God, and Profit unto Men.
5. Sheep are tractable and obedient, being ready to follow their Shepherd whitherſoever he goeth. It is the Cuſtom in ſome Countries for the Shepherd in leading the Sheep, to go out before them; to which practice our Saviour doth here allude: So Believers are obedient to Jeſus Chriſt, they are tractable, and learn to follow him; My Sheep hear my Voice, and they follow me. Thou ſhalt guide Pſal. 73. 24.me (ſaith David) by thy Counſel. Chriſt's Precepts are the Saints Directory, and his Practice their Pattern. Hence Paul exhorted the Corinthians, to follow him as he followed Chriſt. Miniſters are to be followed and imitated, no further than they follow and imitate Jeſus Chriſt.
6. Sheep love to feed in green Paſtures; in clean and wholſome Fields or Medows. So do the Saints and People of God love ſound and wholſome Truths, good Doctrine, Food that is fit and proper for their precious Souls; they muſt not, will not feed in the Soul-rotting Paſtures of Mens Inventions, nor on the corrupt Gloſſes of cloudy Doctors that lived in the dark Times of the Church. The Spouſe from hence enquires of Chriſt where he Cant. 1. 7.feedeth, and where he maketh his Flock to reſt at Noon? that is, where his Bleſſed Goſpel is truly preached, and his Holy Ordinances are duly and in a right manner adminiſtred. And he directeth her to go forth by the Footſteps of the Flock, and to feed her Kids beſides the Cant. 1. 8.Shepherds Tents; that is, to follow the Doctrine and Example of the Primitive Church, which only is our Rule and Pattern in all Goſpel-Worſhip.
7. Sheep are incident to divers Diſeaſes; many of them are weak and feeble, ſick and diſtempered, and therefore muſt by their Shepherd be ſtrengthned and healed, with much care, skill, and faithfulneſs: So are Chriſt's Sheep, his Saints, ſubject alſo to manifold ſpiritual Diſeaſes, Weakneſſes, Temptations and Afflictions, which of old moved the Almighty to great Compaſſion, and ſorely to rebuke the Shepherds of Iſrael, for their Cruelty and great Remiſneſs towards his Flock: The diſeaſed have ye not ſtrengthned; Ezek. 34.neither have ye healed that which was ſick, &c. And therefore the great Shepherd ſaith, he would take the Work into his own Hand: I will bind up that which was broken, and will ſtrengthen that which was ſick. Some of God's People are attended with one ſpiritual Diſeaſe, and others with another: Some with a ſpiritual conſumption of their Graces, decline in their Faith, Zeal, Patience, brotherly Love, Charity, &c. Others are afflicted with the Timpany of Pride; ſome with the Fever of Paſſion, &c. Which were it not for the care and faithfulneſs of their Shepherd, would prove fatal to them.
8. Sheep are ſubject to go aſtray; So are the Saints to go aſtray from Chriſt, and to wander from his Precepts: I have gone aſtray (ſaith David) like a loſt Sheep; ſeek thy Servant.Pſal. 119. 176.
9. Sheep alſo are ſubject to take Soil and Filth, and therefore have need of waſhing: Even ſo likewiſe the Sheep of Jeſus Chriſt are ſubject to contract freſh Guilt and Pollution on their own Souls and Conſciences, Sin being of a polluting and defiling Nature; and therefore David cried out to his Bleſſed Shepherd to be waſhed: Purge me with Hyſſop, and I ſhall be clean; waſh me, and I ſhall be whiter than Snow. O cleanſe my filthy and leprous Soul in the Pſal. 51. 7.Fountain of thy Son's Blood, ſignified by thoſe Ceremonial Waſhings under the Law. If I waſh thee not, (ſaith Chriſt to Peter) thou haſt no part with me.John 13.
10. Sheep love to feed and lie down together; Nay, it is a difficult thing to ſcatter, ſever, or divide them from each other; and if by Dogs or Wolves, &c. they ſhould be ſcattered, they will quickly get together again; and ſuch that ſtraggle behind, the Shepherd fears are not well. So the Saints and Sheep of Chriſt dearly love to aſſemble together; and it is an Argument that ſuch are diſeaſed, or ſickly, who forſake the aſſembling themſelves with the reſt of the Flock; Then they that feared the Lord, ſpake often one to another, Mal. 3. 16. Pſal. 119. 74.&c. They that fear thee, (ſaith David) will be glad when they ſee me, becauſe I hoped in thy Word. I can tell them that which will cauſe their Souls to rejoice; I have been afflicted, and tempted, and yet have been ſuccoured and relieved by the Lord, becauſe I hoped in his Word: So that none of them that meet with like Perplexities, need to fear or doubt of God's gracious Help and Support. Sirs, if wicked Men, like Dogs, Wolves, or Lions, do endeavour to ſcatter Chriſt's Sheep by Perſecution, &c. they will ſoon get together again: And being let go, they went to their own Company again.Acts 4. 23.
11. Sheep need a ſhady Place when the Sun ſhines hot at Noon: which is a great refreſhment to them, where they chew their Cud; and being ſecured from the ſcorching heat, they with the greater alacrity return to their Paſture. In this alſo the Saints may be compared unto Sheep; for evident it is, Believers do need a ſhady Place, a Place of Refreſhment to reſt in and under, in the time of the great heat of Temptation, Affliction, and Perſecution: And at ſuch Seaſons the Lord Jeſus hath a Place of ſweet Repoſe for them; In me you ſhall have Peace: in the World you ſhall have John 16. 33. Pſal. 57. 1.Tribulation. VnderUnder the ſhadow of thy Wings will I make my Refuge, until theſe Calamities be overpaſt. Hence alſo Jeſus Chriſt is ſaid to be as the Shadow of a great Rock in a weary Land; or in a dry Iſa. 32. 2.and ſcorching Country, which, metonymically, is called a weary Land, becauſe it makes the People weary that abide therein. Chriſt refreſhes his Sheep under his own gracious Protection, in time of the hotteſt Perſecution, &c. and affords them relief by his own Preſence, and precious Promiſes: And when they return out of thoſe Afflictions, with what joy do they feed in their Paſtures, calling to mind and meditating upon thoſe bleſſed Experiences they had of his Goodneſs in thoſe hot and ſcorching Times.
12. Sheep will live where greater Cattel cannot, even upon very hard and barren Commons, where the Graſs is exceeding ſhort, and be very well contented with it, nay, thrive upon it. So will the Faithful in Jeſus Chriſt live, where and when the carnal Profeſſor cannot, even in a Time of Want and Scarcity, when the great and tall Cedars whoſe Hearts are not upright with God, fall away, and their Spirits die in them. A poor Believer can live by Faith on the Promiſes of God, when he can't ſee by an Eye of Senſe how he ſhould ſubſiſt, yet doth then truſt on God's Providence, who careth for him; and he is contented and well ſatisfied with thoſe hard Paſtures the Lord is pleaſed to put him into: Although Hab. 3. 17, 18.the Fig-tree ſhall not bloſſom, neither ſhall Fruit be on the Vines; the Labour of the Olive ſhall fail, and the Fields ſhall yield no Meat; the Flocks ſhall be cut off from the Fold, and there ſhall be no Herd in the Stall: Yet will I rejoice in the Lord, and joy in the God of my Salvation.
13. Among a Flock of Sheep are oftentimes ſome Goats, who feed with them, and lie down together. So in Chriſt's Flock are ſome evil and corrupt Members, ſuch who are none of his Sheep, but Hypocrites, though they ſeem to feed and have Communion together; and theſe alſo are called Goats by the great Shepherd.Matth. 25.
14. Sheep are very fruitful, and do multiply in a little time exceedingly, though many of them may be killed by Butchers. The Saints may be compared to Sheep alſo in this reſpect, for they from a few have often increaſed to a very great Multitude. How few were the Number of Chriſt's Sheep at the time of his Aſcenſion, yet in a little ſpace we read, that their Number was five Thouſand; And though the Heathen Butchers killed many Thouſands, yet how wonderfully did they increaſe! which was marvellous in the Eyes of their Enemies. The like may be noted in theſe Days among us in England; what a few were they of the Baptized Churches, and other Diſſenters, not many Years ago, and to what a Multitude are they riſen now? Alſo the Saints grow in Grace, they are fruitful, bearing Twins, and none barren among them.
15. Sheep are ſometimes ſeparated from the Goats, for ſome ſpecial Occaſion known to the Shepherd. Even ſo at the laſt Day ſhall all the Sincere and truly Godly be ſeparated from unſound and unſanctified Ones, by our Lord Jeſus the great Shepherd: Before him ſhall be gathered all Nations, and he will ſeparate them one Mat. 25. 32, 33.from another, as a Shepherd divideth the Sheep from the Goats: And he will ſet the Sheep at his right Hand, and the Goats on his left Hand.
Secondly, To proceed: Tho I have already clearly opened the Properties or Characters of the Sheep of Chriſt, in ſpeaking to ſeveral Parts of my Text, yet I ſhall in a ſummary way, here add ſome few Particulars further upon this Account, which may ſerve by way of Trial to all of us.
Firſt, The firſt diſtinguiſhing Character of them is, They hear Chriſt's Voice.
What is meant by his Voice, and how they do hear it, we have ſhewed.
Secondly, Chriſt's Sheep have paſſed through a great Change, a glorious, internal and viſible Change. They are converted Perſons, renewed or regenerated by Divine Grace: They were once like other Men and Women, and had no Sheep-like Nature, (as you have heard) but rather the ſame filthy, unclean, and brutiſh Nature of Swine, &c. which is in all ungodly Ones.
1. It is a real Change from Nature to Grace; 'tis not a ſeeming, a nominal, or notional, but a true and real Change; they have a new Heart, a new Spirit, a new Nature created in them; they are become new Creatures: all real Operations of the Spirit ſuppoſe ſome real Form; a real Habit is infuſed, from whence they act, which works in them a ready Inclination, Diſpoſition, and ſweet Propenſity to do that which is truly and ſpiritually Good.
2. And this is common to all the Sheep of Jeſus Chriſt; in this reſpect they are all alike, having all obtained the ſame precious Faith, as to the Quality of it: As all Wolves have the Nature of Wolves, and all Swine the Nature of Swine, and all Sheep have the Nature of Sheep; ſo all the Saints and Children of God have the Nature of Saints; all Believers and Sheep of Jeſus Chriſt have one holy Nature.
3. It is a Nature and Diſpoſition quite contrary to that which was in them formerly: 'Tis a mighty Change, as when a Wolf is made a Lamb, the "Wolfiſh Nature (as one obſerves) is loſt, and the Lamb-like Nature is introduced. By Corruption Man was Carnal and Brutiſh, but by the new Creation he is Spiritual and Divine; by Corruption he hath the Image of the Devil, by this he is reſtored to the Image of God; by that he had the Seeds of all Villanies, by this the Seed of all Graces." He was an Enemy to God, nay, had Enmity in his Heart againſt God; but now he loves God, loves Chriſt, loves Holineſs, loves the Ways of God, and People of God.
4. It is an univerſal Change, a Change of the whole Heart; as when a Child is formed in the Womb, it hath all the Parts, Nature doth not faſhion one Part and leave another imperfect: So the Holy Spirit forms every Part of the new Creature in the Soul of the Regenerate. This Habit is but one, 'tis an intire Rectitude in all the Faculties, and an univerſal Principle of inclining Charnock.and diſpoſing to that which is good and well-pleaſing to God: there is a Divine Light in the Vnderſtanding, by which the Soul ſees God to be its chief Good, and owns and looks upon him as ſuch. There is a Change in the Will, that conſents and chuſes God as ſuch; there is a Change in the Affections. There is no true Draught of the Image of God in us, unleſs there be a Rectitude of Affection and Diſpoſition: There is therefore a conformity of Affections to God, they love God, and love as God loves, and hate as God hateth; they hate Evil, becauſe of that inward Filthineſs that is in it, and love Grace and Vertue, becauſe of its pure and native Beauty and Excellency: therefore it is from hence the Soul comes to take delight in God.
5. It changes not the Heart only, but the whole Life alſo; The Life which I now live in the Fleſh, I live by the Faith of the Son of Gal. 2. 20.God. Such live no longer to themſelves, but to God; their Tongues ſpeak for God, their Ears hear for God, their Hands work for God; their Actions are Holy, Juſt and Good. There is a Change of Company alſo, a Change of Labour, of Endeavour; and their whole End, Aim and Deſign, is to glorify God: Heavenly Things are preferred by them before earthly Things; they chiefly ſeek the Kingdom of God and his Righteouſneſs. They do not purſue the World as they did, nor faſhion themſelves according to the former Luſts and the Courſe of this World; nor pray as they did, nor hear as they did, nor give Alms as they did: No, no, they do all things from another Principle, from another End, and with other Zeal, Endeavours, and Diligence.
Thirdly, Chriſt's Sheep will feed in Chriſt's Paſture, in their own Paſture, where they are put by him; not but that they may, for good Reaſons, be removed into another Paſture, but they will not (unleſs under ſtrong Temptation) break down the Hedg or Fold where they were put, and run away; No, no, but are contented with that Food, that Paſture God affords them, though there may be ſome more Fat and Rich than theirs. Some Sheep when they grow wanton, are unruly, and will break into other Mens Ground; ſo there are ſome Profeſſors, ſome Church-members that rend themſelves away from their own Flock and Fold, in a diſorderly manner; "Which (as a Reverend Miniſter ſhews) is an abominable Evil, and a ſhame to them: this deſtroys the Relation of Paſtor and People, for what may be done by one Individual, may be done by all; and (ſaith he) what Liberty belongs to the Sheep, belongs alſo to that particular Shepherd who has the Charge of them much more; it is a breaking Covenant with Chriſt and the Congregation, and therefore a great Immorality: 'tis a Schiſm, if there be any ſuch thing in the World; it is a deſpiſing the Government of the Church; and there is as much reaſon a Perſon ſhould come in when he pleaſes, without asking Conſent, as to depart when he pleaſes: It is alſo very evil and unkind in another Church to receive ſuch a One, as not doing as they would be dealt with. Such a Practice can iſſue in nothing but in the Breach and Confuſion of all particular Churches: It tends (ſaith he) to Anarchy, putting an Arbitrary Power in every Member, and breaks all Bonds of Love, and raiſeth the greateſt Animoſities between Brethren and Churches." The truth is, how can another Shepherd juſtify ſuch an Act to the great Shepherd of the Sheep; I mean, to take into his Fold his Neighbour's Sheep, without Chriſt's Order and Authority?
Fourthly, Chriſt's Sheep will, and do follow him; and this our Chriſt's Sheep do follow him.Bleſſed Saviour lays down as an undoubted Character of all that are his.
They follow his Example, his Steps. The good Shepherd when he putteth forth his own Sheep, he goeth before them, and the Joh. 10. 4.Sheep follow him. Jeſus Chriſt hath gone before his Sheep in his Obedience to the Father, leaving us an Example that we ſhould follow 1 Pet. 2. 21.his Steps.
1. They follow his Steps in Humility: He bids us to learn of him upon this Account; Learn of me, for I am meek and lowly in Mat. 11. 29.Heart. How did Chriſt deny himſelf? in taking our Nature upon him: In this ought his Sheep to follow him; Let the ſame Mind be in you which was alſo in Chriſt Jeſus. O let the ſame humble Spirit, Phil. 2. 5.and ſelf-denying Temper be in you, which was in him; Who being in the Form of God, thought it no Robbery to be equal with God, and made himſelf of no reputation, but took upon him the Form of a Servant, &c. Saints are, or ought to be, of a humble Frame, having mutual Love, and a condeſcending Spirit, even to them that are in the loweſt and meaneſt Condition, bearing with the Weak, and not exalting themſelves, nor offending one another in any thing that is indifferent in its own Nature: I become all things to all, that I might gain ſome.
2. Chriſt's Sheep do follow him in Love, and bowels of Compaſſion: Be ye followers of God, as dear Children; and walk in love, Eph. 5. 1, 2.as Chriſt alſo hath loved us, and hath given himſelf for us. By this all Men may know we are his Diſciples, even when we have this Mark of his Sheep, namely, that we love one another. Husbands are exhorted to love their Wives, as Chriſt alſo loved his Church, Eph. 5. 25.and gave himſelf for it; even with a ſincere, pure, ardent and conſtant Affection. And thus ought all Chriſtians to love each other alſo, being united as Brethren together, and Members of the ſame Body of which Chriſt is the Head. He that loveth not his Brother, is in Darkneſs, he is none of Chriſt's Sheep. He that 1. Joh. 2. 6.ſaith he abideth in the Light, ought alſo to walk even as he walked, and love as he loved.
3. They follow him in Holineſs. But as he that hath called you is holy, ſo be ye holy in all manner of Converſation: Becauſe it is written, Be ye holy, for I am holy. God the Father is holy, and Chriſt is holy: He was holy, harmleſs, and undefiled, ſeparated from Sinners. Therefore in this we ſhould follow him in the whole Courſe 1 Pet. 1. 15, 16. Heb. 7. 26.of our Lives, and in the ſeveral parts of our Converſations. All thoſe who are his Sheep, they are ſuch who are ſanctified Perſons, who laying aſide all filthineſs of the Fleſh and Spirit, (they go on) 2 Cor. 7. 1.perfecting Holineſs in the fear of God.
4. They follow the Example of Chriſt, their holy Shepherd, in Obedience. Though he was a Son, yet learned he Obedience by the Heb. 5. 8, 9.things he ſuffered: And being made perfect, he became the Author of Eternal Salvation to all them that obey him. Chriſt's Meat and Drink was to do the Will of him that ſent him; and thus we ought to follow him; it ought to be our Joy, our Delight, to do his Will, and attend on his Work: And this Mark have all Chriſt's Sheep, i. e. they keep Chriſt's Word; If a Man love me, he will keep my Word. And again, He that hath my Commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me: Not he that hath the knowledg of John 14. 11.them; it is poſſible Men may have Chriſt's Commandments in their Heads, and in their Mouths, may know which they are, but they may not do them: It is he that doth his Word, that doth his Sayings; that keepeth his Commandments, that loves him; Ye John 15. 14.are my Friends, if you do whatſoever I command you. This is a Mark of Chriſt's Sheep, of one of Chriſt's Friends, or of a ſincere Chriſtian and follower of him: He will be obedient to Chriſt, not in ſome things only, but in every thing that he requires or enjoins him to do in his Word.
5. They follow Chriſt in the hardeſt things, in ſuch things that ſeem grievous to the Fleſh. Like as Abraham, when he was commanded Gen. 22. 2, 3.to offer up his Son, his only Son, his only Son Iſaac whom he loved, went preſently about it, he made no pauſe, did not conſult with Fleſh and Blood: And Abraham roſe up early in the Morning, &c. with an intention to do this hard Work. And now ſaith the Lord, I know that thou feareſt God, ſeeing thou haſt not Verſe 12.withheld thy Son, thine only Son from me. God knew it before, tho he ſpeaks here after the manner of Men: but he would have Abraham to know it, and all Men to know that this is a Mark of one that feareth him, that loveth him, viz. he will do any thing God requires of him, even ſacrifice up all that is near and dear to him, when called for. O ſee how obedient Chriſt was to the Father; The Lord God hath opened mine Ear, and I was not rebellious, Iſa. 50. 5, 6.neither turned away my back. I gave my Back to the Smiters, and my Cheeks to them that plucked off the Hair; I hid not my Face from Shame and Spitting. This was hard Work, yet Chriſt readily paſſed through it; He became obedient unto Death, even the Death of the Croſs, the worſt of Deaths, exceeding ten thouſand Deaths, conſidering what he felt and did undergo for us.
6. They follow Chriſt whitherſoever he goeth. Some will not do this; they may go a great way after the Lord Jeſus, but then make a halt, and give over following of him. Some are like Orpah, who kiſſed her Mother-in-Law, and departed from her, but Ruth 1. 14, 15, 16.Ruth clave unto her. Even ſo ſuch who are ſincere Chriſtians, they keep following of Chriſt, when others leave him and cleave to the World, to their Luſts, to their curſed Idolatry; but theſe ſay to Jeſus Chriſt, as Ruth to Naomi, Intreat me not to leave thee, or to return from following of thee; for whither thou goeſt, I will go; and where thou lodgeſt, I will lodg: Thy People ſhall be my People, and thy God my God. Thoſe that are wiſe Virgins, or the Sheep of Chriſt, the Holy Ghoſt gives us their Character; Theſe are they which were Rev. 14. 4.not defiled with Women, for they are Virgins; theſe are they which follow the Lamb whitherſoever he goeth, &c. They will not follow God and Baal, Chriſt and Antichriſt; receive Chriſt's Inſtitutions, and Rome's vile Idolatry and Superſtitions; or follow ſome Precepts of Chriſt, and reject others: No, no, they follow him in all his holy Laws, keeping cloſe in all things to the Rules of his Worſhip, both in Doctrine, Diſcipline, and Converſation; in all Duties of Religion, both Natural and Supernatural, whether towards God, or towards Men. They are like unto Joſhua and Caleb, they follow Chriſt fully; But my Servant Caleb, becauſe he had another Spirit Num. 14. 24.with him, and hath followed me fully, him will I bring into the good Land, and his Seed ſhall poſſeſs it. He followed God when others forſook him, being not acted by that evil Spirit of Cowardice, ſlaviſh Fear and Unbelief which ruled in others, but was a Man of another Temper, i. e. Couragious, Faithful, Obedient; as it is ſaid of the Righteous, he was bold as a Lion; and univerſally, thrô all Difficulties, Deaths and Dangers, followed God: And thus do all the true Sheep of Chriſt follow him.
7. They follow Chriſt in ſincerity, not for Loaves, &c.
8. They follow Chriſt conſtantly to the End, and faint not. We read of ſome that followed our Bleſſed Saviour for ſome time, but then they were offended at his Doctrine; From that time many Joh. 6. 66.of his Diſciples went back, and walked no more with him. This ſhewed they were not his Sheep or Diſciples indeed, for theſe returned no more; they, it is evident, drew back to Perdition. A godly Man may, under a Temptation, ſeem to faint and draw back, as Peter did, but he returns by Repentance and follows Chriſt again. We are not (ſaith Paul) of them who draw back unto Perdition, but Heb. 10. 39.of them that believe to the ſaving of the Soul. The Sheep of Chriſt hold on their way, they having clean Hands, grow ſtronger and ſtronger, they can never periſh; therefore ſhall follow Chriſt always, or perſevere in well-doing to the End of their Days. The good Ground brought forth Fruit unto Eternal Life: ſuch who fall away were not ſincere and honeſt-hearted Ones, but are either like Mat. 13.the ſtony or thorny ground Hearers.
Fifthly Chriſt's Sheep have his Character by which they are known. Chriſt's Sheep have his Mark on them. Ezek. 9. 4.Men mark their Sheep ſo; we read in the Revelations, that the Servants of God were ſealed; they were marked in their right Hands, and in their Foreheads, &c. God gave a Charge of old, to ſet a Mark upon the Men that ſigh'd and mourn'd for all the Abominations that were committed in the Land. Merchants, and others, commonly ſet a Mark upon their Goods, by which they lay claim to them, and know them: So Chriſt ſets his Mark, his Seal, upon all his Saints. By their Father's Mark on their right Hand, ſome underſtand the Heart: A Mark in the Hand is a ſecret Mark.
1. No doubt the Mark of Chriſt's Sheep, is the Mark of Regeneration, or that holy Image of God which is ſtamp'd upon them all, as I hinted at firſt: And if Chriſt ſees not this Mark on the Soul, he will not own that Man or Woman actually to be his.
2. The Holy Spirit is expreſly called the Seal with which every true Believer is ſealed: Alſo after that ye believed ye were ſealed with that holy Spirit of Promiſe. Which is the Earneſt of our Inheritance, Eph. 1. 13, 14.until the Redemption of the purchaſed Poſſeſſion, unto the praiſe of his Glory. And again he ſaith, Grieve not the holy Spirit, by which you Eph. 4. 30.are ſealed unto the Day of Redemption. Whoſoever hath the Spirit of Chriſt in them, or hath received the ſaving Graces thereof, are Chriſt's Sheep, they have his Mark; theſe he will own, and ſay, (where e…er he find this Seal) this Man and this Woman is mine. And on the other hand; Now if any Man hath not the Spirit Rom. 8. 9.of Chriſt, he is none of his; he is none of his Sheep, he hath no ſpecial Intereſt in him. Remember the Spirit of Chriſt, true Grace, Faith, Love Humility, &c. is the Ear-mark of Chriſt's Sheep.
3. And why may not inward Sincerity be Chriſt's Mark alſo? for that I am ſure does diſtinguiſh them from all others, from Hypocrites, and all unſound and falſe-hearted Profeſſors whatſoever.
2dly, The Mark in their Foreheads is ſeen by all; that may denote their holy Carriage, Behaviour, and Deportment in this World, to all that behold them.
1. It may ſhew that they hate Idolatry, and all falſe Worſhip.
2. It may ſignify their holy Converſation; for Holineſs is written, as it were, in legible Characters, on all their Foreheads: There is not one of Chriſt's Sheep without this Mark; for without Holineſs no Man ſhall ſee the Lord. This ſhews who they are, and Heb. 12. 14.whither they are going, and to what Country they do belong.
Sixthly, Chriſt's Sheep follow the Footſteps of the Flock, i. e. Chriſt's Sheep follow the Footſteps of the Flock.the Primitive Church, in Church-Conſtitution, Doctrine and Diſcipline. They contend for that Faith which was once delivered to the Saints, and keep the Ordinances as they were at firſt given forth; they are for no mixture in Doctrine nor Diſcipline; be ſure before Jude 3. 1 Cor. 11. 2.all things, they keep pure the Doctrine of Juſtification, and do not join Work and Grace together: Their great care is to exalt the free Grace of God, and abaſe the Creature, accounting all their own inherent Righteouſneſs as Dung, or Dogs-meat, in compariſon Phil. 3. 8, 9.of Chriſt, and the Righteouſneſs of Chriſt.
Seventhly, They love to drink in pure Chriſtal, ſoft and gentle Streams. Sheep do not love to drink of muddy, rough and raging Rivers: No more do Chriſt's Sheep; He makes me to lie down in green Paſtures; he leadeth me beſide the ſtill Waters. They will not Pſal. 23. 2, 3.forſake the Waters of Shiloah that run ſoftly, and drink of the proud, ſwelling, and troubleſome Rivers of Babylon, Tygris, and Euphrates. They like the Teachings of God's Spirit in the meaneſt Inſtrument, tho ſuch who are deſpiſed and contemned of Men, better than the higheſt Elegance, and loſtieſt Rhetorick of all the Cicero's and Plato's of the World. What are the artificial Flouriſhes of Demoſthenes, or exact Method of Ariſtotle and Galen, or all humane Curioſities or itch of Words, to the Teachings of the Holy Ghoſt? Paul ſpoke not in the Wiſdom of this World, or with the inticing Words of Man's Wiſdom, but in the Demonſtration of the Spirit, and with Power. Theſe Waters Believers chuſe and love to drink of. 1 Cor. 2. 4.I am afraid ſome Men are more nice in ſtudying Words than Matter, to affect the Ear rather than to work upon the Heart of their Hearers. Though Humane Learning is not to be deſpiſed, yet no doubt Dr. Carlton was in the right, "That a Lay-man that has the Spirit of God, is better able to judg of ſpiritual Things, than a Man in Eccleſiaſtical Function, deſtitute of the Spirit of God." Infelix eſt ſapientia extra Verbum Dei ſapere, ſaith Juſtin Martyr.
Our Annotators ſay well, viz. "1. Miniſters ought to ſpeak Intelligibly, ſo as the People may underſtand."
"2. That they ſpeak gravely and decently; all other ſtudy of Words and Phraſes in a Divine, (ſay they) is but Folly and Vanity."
Eighthly, and Laſtly, Chriſt's Sheep do relie upon the Care and Faithfulneſs of their Shepherd. They know on whom they have Chriſt's Sheep truſt in the Faithfulneſs of their Shepherd.believed, and can and do venture their Souls on him, knowing he will keep that which they have committed to his Charge: They depend on Chriſt, reſt on Chriſt, believe in Chriſt, relie on his Word and Promiſes for all things they need: They can ſay with David, The Lord is my Shepherd, I ſhall not want, neither any thing Pſal. 23. 1, 2.for this Life, which is really neceſſary, nor for the Life which is to come: They leave the Alimighty to chuſe for them, knowing they are not competent Judges, as touching what is beſt for themſelves: Though he ſlay me, (ſaith Job) yet will I truſt in him; Let God do what he will with me, yet I will reſt upon him; my hope Job 13. 15.ſhall be in him, and I will not be offended if I have Poverty, Sickneſs, Perſecution, Reproaches, or whatſoever elſe: I know, ſaith a true Chriſtian, God ſees it good for me, and I will not murmur nor complain.
APPLICATION.
1. We may infer from hence, that Chriſt hath but a few Sheep, but a few Followers: O what a ſmall Number have theſe Characters upon them!
2. It may be for Lamentation. Cyprian brings in the Devil triumphing over Jeſus Chriſt, after this ſort: "As for my Followers, I never died for them as Chriſt did for his; I never promiſed them ſo great Rewards as Chriſt hath done to his, and yet I have more Followers than he, and they do more for me than his do for him."
O how blind and deceived are poor Sinners, that they chuſe to follow Satan rather Jeſus Chriſt! What a great Multitude hath the Devil! his Flock is a mighty Flock, Chriſt's Flock is a little Flock: Fear not, little Flock, it is your Father's good Luke 12. 32.Pleaſure to give you a Kingdom. Every Saint ſhall have a Kingdom, a Crown; this is Chriſt's Promiſe to all his Sheep, and yet how few are they that cleave to him, that believe in him, and follow him!
3. By what you have heard, you may try your ſelves: O ſee, have you theſe Characters, theſe Marks of Chriſt's Sheep? certainly if ſo, you have no cauſe to doubt but your State is happy; if not, labour for them.
4. The way to be one of Chriſt's Sheep, is to believe, and to paſs under the New Birth.