A Golden Mine Opened, Sermon 7
JOHN X. 27. My Sheep hear my Voice, and I know them, and they follow me.
Serm. V.THE laſt Day I ſhewed you who are the Sheep of Jeſus Chriſt, by giving you the ſeveral Characters and Marks of them.
Sixthly, I ſhall now proceed to the laſt General Head, viz.
1. Shew you, What a kind of Shepherd Chriſt is.
2. What thoſe Paſtures are where he feeds them.
3. What a Fold he hath for his Sheep.
Firſt. Jeſus Chriſt is a choſen Shepherd. No Man hath a right to Chriſt a choſen Shepherd. Iſa. 43. 10. Iſa. 42. 1.be a Shepherd, but he that is firſt choſen by the Owner of the Sheep. Chriſt is called the Elect of God; My Servant whom I have choſen. Again, Behold my Servant whom I uphold, mine Elect, in whom my Soul delighteth. He was fore-ordained, in the Decree, Deſign and Purpoſe of God, to be our Redeemer; and as a Shepherd, to take care of, feed, heal, nay, to die for the Sheep.
Secondly. And as he was choſen, ſo he was called alſo to this Work and Office. For as the Apoſtle ſpeaks concerning Chriſt's Prieſthood, A called Shepherd.or touching that Office, ſo I may ſay of this, No Man taketh this Honour unto himſelf, but he that is called of God, as was Aaron. Heb. 5. 4.He did not intrude himſelf upon this Service, but he had a lawful Call unto it; the Father called him, and ſent him into the World, to keep, feed, and ſave his Sheep. This ſhews the wonderful Love of the Father, he is the firſt and principal Author of our Salvation: All things are of God, who hath reconciled us unto himſelf by Jeſus Chriſt. All the ſpiritual Bleſſings we have by Chriſt, ſpring 2 Cor. 5. 18.from the Father; the Father is held forth as the firſt Cauſe, firſt Mover and Contriver of all ſpiritual Mercies for us: The Father alſo fitted and qualified him, or put him into a Capacity to accompliſh this Work and Office; he prepared him a Body, that ſo he might die for his Sheep.
Thirdly. Jeſus Chriſt is a kind, loving and compaſſionate Shepherd. Chriſt a compaſſionate Shepherd.What Shepherd ever loved his Sheep as Chriſt loved his? The greatneſs of his Love, bowels of Affection and Compaſſion, appears,
1. By his coming ſo far (as 'tis from Heaven to the Earth) to ſeek them; For the Son of Man is come to ſave that which was loſt. Mat. 18. 11. Luk. 19. 10.Luke reads it, To ſeek and to ſave that which was loſt. My People have been loſt Sheep, Jer. 50. 6.
(1.) We were all loſt in the firſt Adam, not one Sheep but was loſt; and had not Chriſt came to ſeek and ſave us, we had been all loſt for ever.
(2.) We were all loſt, not only by Original, but alſo by our own actual Sin: All we like Sheep have gone aſtray; we have turned Iſa. 53. 6.every one of us to his own evil way. We were all gone out of the way, gone far from God, and without all hope or poſſibility of returning, had not Chriſt came to ſeek us; For we were all as Sheep 1 Pet. 2. 25.going aſtray, but are now returned to the Shepherd and Biſhop of our Souls.
(3.) They alſo, by the Grace of God, at length came to ſee that they were loſt; they are loſt in themſelves, and in their own ſight. Jeſus ſent forth and commanded them, ſaying, Go not in the Mat. 10. 5, 6.way of the Gentiles, &c. but go rather to the loſt Sheep of the Houſe of Iſrael. The whole Houſe of Iſrael was loſt, but there were but a few of them that ſaw their loſt State.
2. The Bowels and Compaſſion of Chriſt to his Sheep, chiefly appears by his dying for them. He laid down his Life for the Sheep; none could ſhew greater Love than this: As the Father knoweth me, even ſo I know the Father; and I lay down my Life for John 10. 15.the Sheep.
3. His great Love and Affection to his Sheep, is manifeſted by his care to gather them; He ſhall gather the Lambs with his Arms, Iſa. 40. 11.and carry them in his Boſom. Gathering implies, bringing them Home unto himſelf by the Arm of his Power, or by the effectual Operation of his Word and Spirit. To whom hath the Arm of the Iſa. 53. 1.Lord been revealed? Or, who hath felt and experienced the powerful Influences of his Spirit, and ſaving Grace thereof, on their Souls? This muſt be before any poor Sinners are gathered or brought home to God. Jeſus Chriſt muſt reſcue them out of the Mouth of the Lion, and Paw of the Bear, as David did his Sheep, who was a Type of him. We were all once in Satan's Hand, 1 Sam. 17. 34, 35.that hungry Lion had us in his Teeth, and was going to tear us to pieces, but then comes our Bleſſed Shepherd and delivers us. None but he whoſe Power is Infinite could gather us, or bring us home to God, ſuch a miſerable State were we in.
4. Chriſt's Love is further expreſſed, by that affecting Metaphor, Luke 15. 6. He goes after the loſt Sheep, leaveth the reſt in the Wilderneſs, and never gives over until he hath found it; And when he hath found it, he layeth it on his Shoulders, rejoicing. O my Friends, how great is the Love of Chriſt to one poor, loſt, and undone Sinner? He will not loſe one that his Father hath given him: No, no, though it be but one individual Soul that is miſſing, yet he will go after that, ſeek that, leave all the reſt to look after that one poor Sheep; and when he has found it, he ſees it cannot go, it has no ſtrength, therefore he lays it upon his Shoulders. Sinners, Chriſt muſt lay hold of you, and take you up, and lay you on his Shoulders, and carry you home if ever you are ſaved. It is upon Chriſt's Shoulders, Chriſt's Power, that every Elect Soul is brought home; 'tis not on the Power of their Will, their Strength, their Faith; no, but on Chriſt's Shoulders. Moreover, it is ſaid, He rejoiced, and calls upon all his Friends (the bleſſed Angels and Saints) to rejoice with him, for I have found my loſt Verſe 7.Sheep. This ſhews his wonderful Love to poor, undone, and loſt Sinners that are his Sheep, whatever it coſts him, whatever Pains, Labour, or Charge, home he will bring them, ſaved they muſt and ſhall be. I have other Sheep (ſaith he) that are not of this Fold, John 10. 16.them alſo I muſt bring, and they ſhall hear my Voice.
5. His Love to his Sheep, to his Saints, alſo appears in his laying them in his Boſom, in his Heart. O how near and dear is every believing Soul to Jeſus Chriſt! It's a Metaphor taken from a Father or tender Mother, that hugs an only Child in his or her Arms, and lays it in their Boſom, knowing not how to expreſs the Greatneſs of their Affections. Chriſt himſelf is ſaid to lie in the Boſom of the Father; which denotes how he is beloved by him, how near and dear he is to him: Even ſo this diſcovers his great Affections to his People.
6. He alſo makes his Love manifeſt to them, by his gentle leading of them: He ſhall gently lead them that are with young. He will not Iſa. 40. 11.lead them faſter than they are able to go, or lay more upon them than they can bear; nay, he gives Strength to them, and ſupports their Souls under all their Troubles and Sorrows. Jacob was a compaſſionate Shepherd; If I over-drive them, (ſaith he) all the Gen. 33. 13.Flock will die. Chriſt had many things to tell his Diſciples, but they were not able to bear them: He lets out or diſcovers his precious Truth to his People, according as he knows they are able to receive it and take it in: You ſhall not have harder Things, Trials, Temptations nor Afflictions, than your ſtrength is. There 1 Cor. 10. 13.hath no Temptation taken you, but what is common to Man: and God is faithful, who will not ſuffer you to be tempted above what you are able; but will with the Temptation alſo make a way to eſcape, that ye may be able to bear it.
7. His infinite Love and Bowels are made known alſo to his Sheep by his feeding them, as well as it is by his leading them. He feeds them with choice Food, he gives them his own Fleſh to eat, and his own precious Blood to drink, knowing that except he doth this, they muſt periſh for ever: This was that ſtrange Doctrine in the Eyes of the Jews, which they could not receive nor underſtand.
8. Alſo by his healing of his Sheep with his own Stripes. But he was wounded for our Tranſgreſſions, he was bruiſed for our Iniquities; the Chaſtiſement of our Peace was upon him, and by his Stripes we are healed. What Shepherd ever thus loved his Sheep, even to be wounded and bruiſed for them, to heal them of their Wounds with his own Stripes? But this Jeſus Chriſt doth.
9. By this waſhing them alſo in the ſame precious Blood: Nothing could purge away the Filth and Guilt of our polluted Souls, but Chriſt's Blood; and if he waſh us not, we have no part with him: He hath loved us, and waſhed us from our Sins in his own Blood. This Love is wonderful Love, amazing Love, exceeding all Love. Rev. 1. 3.O in what a Stream, in what a Fountain are the Sheep of Chriſt waſhed! Think upon it, our Pollution was great, but Chriſt hath waſhed us. God ſent his Son to take away our Sin, and it muſt be done this way; It is the Blood of Jeſus Chriſt his Son that cleanſes 1 John 1. 7.us from all Sin.
Fourthly. Jeſus Chriſt is the good Shepherd. I am the good Shepherd; the good Shepherd giveth his Life for the Sheep. Our Lord Chriſt the good Shepherd.Jeſus ſhews in this that he excels all Shepherds: Some Shepherds have ventured their Lives, hazarded their Lives for their John 10. 11.Sheep; yet it was more than was required of them, for the Life of a Man is much more valuable than the Life of a Beaſt: But no doubt our Saviour refers to his great Work and Office as Mediator, and as the Meſſiah that was to come, who was to be cut off, not for himſelf, for his own Sins, but for the Sins of the Elect, or Dan. 9. 26.die for his Sheep: It was required of him, the Father gave him commandment to lay down his Life; and he did it actually, freely, willingly; nay, he came on purpoſe into this World to do it, and therefore he is the good Shepherd.
Fifthly. Jeſus Chriſt is a Wiſe Shepherd, a knowing Shepherd; I know my Sheep: this I have already ſpoken to.Jeſus Chriſt a wiſe Shepherd.
1. He knows and ſees all his Sheep at once, with one look of his Eye, in all the Nations of the Earth, let them dwell where they will, though never ſo far aſunder or remote.
2. He is ſo wiſe, that he knows in what Condition they are, and what Condition is beſt for them; whether Poverty or Riches, Sickneſs or Health, Liberty or Bonds, Peace or Trouble, Honour or Diſgrace, Strength or Weakneſs, either a fat or a lean Paſture, Loſs or Gain, Cold or Heat, whether a North or a South Wind.
3. He is wiſe to protect us, wiſe to conduct us, to feed us, wiſe to fold us, wiſe to heal us, and wiſe to ſave us.
Sixthly. Chriſt is the chief and great Shepherd of the Sheep. And when the chief Shepherd ſhall appear, ye ſhall receive a Crown of Chriſt is a great Shepherd.Glory. And again, the Holy Ghoſt calls him in another place, the great Shepherd: Now the God of Peace, that brought from the 1 Pet. 5. 4. Heb. 13. 20.Dead our Lord Jeſus Chriſt, that great Shepherd of the Sheep, &c.
Jeſus Chriſt may be called the chief and great Shepherd.
1. Becauſe he entered into Covenant with the Father, as the great Surety of all the Sheep; by which he came under a legal Obligation to pay the juſt Debts, and to anſwer for the Defaults of all his Elect: And then and thereby he undertook to bring in and gather all the Sheep to God by the Blood of the Everlaſting Covenant; by which Tranſaction he made our Peace, and reconciled Heb. 13. 20.us unto the Father.
2. Becauſe he actually bought all the Sheep, in purſuit of the ſaid glorious Covenant-Tranſactions, by the Price of his own Blood, that ſo he might unite them all unto himſelf in one Body.Acts 20. 27, 28.
3. He may be called the chief and great Shepherd, becauſe all the Sheep, or Elect of God, are given into his Hand, to keep, take care of, feed, heel, protect and preſerve to Eternal Life. And this great Work and Office he hath undertaken, and doth and will perform with all Faithfulneſs, being every ways fitted, endeared and qualified, as Mediator and univerſal Shepherd and Head, to diſcharge it.
4. Becauſe 'tis he that calls them, that juſtifies them, that ſanctifies them, and preſents them all faultleſs and without Spot before the Father.
5. Becauſe he is exalted in Glory and Dignity, not only as the Head, Lord, and Sovereign of all the Sheep, but alſo as the Prince of all Paſtors and ſubordinate Shepherds that ever were, are, or ſhall be; from whom they all receive their Power and Authority as his Deputies, to take care of and watch over each part and parcel of his Flock committed to their reſpective Charge. Jeſus Chriſt is not only above all Shepherds, all Miniſters, but they do all in his Name, and muſt at the laſt Day be accountable to him for their Adminiſtrations.
6. He is the great Shepherd of the Sheep, a mighty Shepherd, if we conſider the greatneſs of the Flock, which he hath not only received the Care and Charge of, but they are all his own Sheep. If a Shepherd had under his Care 100000 Sheep, and all his own, would not every body call him a great Shepherd? Now though Chriſt's Flock is called a little Flock comparatively, yet the Number of all his Sheep, all his Elect, is very great: we read of ten thouſands of his Saints, and a Number that no Man can number, they are all his; and therefore a great Shepherd.
7. He is great in Riches, having a multitude of rich and choice Paſtors, enough to feed Millions of Sheep here on Earth: And though his Flock will encreaſe e're long, when the Fulneſs of the Gentiles ſhall come in, and his antient Flock, I mean, the Seed of Abraham now ſcattered, be gathered, and all brought into one Fold, yet he hath Paſtures for them all. Moreover, he hath prepared a glorious and rich Fold for them Above, which is Heaven it ſelf, that is the Fold into which all his Flock ſhall be put for ever and ever.
8. Laſtly, He is great in Power: No Shepherd hath ſuch Power to defend, protect, preſerve and ſave his Flock like to him. None are able to pluck one Sheep out of his Hand, as I ſhall prove and demonſtrate when I come to ſpeak to the next part of my Text. Another Shepherd, for want of Power, may loſe his Sheep, the Wolf or Lion may come and tear them in pieces, and rob him of them: But no Enemy, neither Sin nor Satan, nor the World, can rend his Sheep from him; he hath Power over all Adverſaries, and can ſubdue them with much caſe at his Pleaſure; therefore he is the great Shepherd.
Seventhly. Jeſus Chriſt is a watchful Shepherd. This is one Property Chriſt a watchful Shepherd. Luke 2. 8.of a good Shepherd: And there were Shepherds in the Field watching over their Flock by night, &c.
Chriſt knows his Sheep are ſubject to ſleep, and ſo lie open to many Dangers, therefore he watches over them. He is always awake, he that keeps Iſrael, neither ſlumbereth nor ſleepeth; He will not ſuffer thy Foot to be removed: he that keepeth thee will not Pſal. 121. 3, 4, 5.ſlumber. Behold, he that keepeth Iſrael, ſhall neither ſlumber nor ſleep. The Lord is thy Keeper, thy Shade upon thy right Hand. The Sheep of Chriſt are in danger by Sin, by Satan, by Temptation, by Wolves, by a deceitful Heart, by inward Corruption, by falſe and ſelf-ſeeking Teachers, whoſe Deſign is to make a Prey of his Flock; therefore he watches them like a Vineyard of red Wine: I the Lord do keep it, I will water it every moment; leſt any hurt it, I Iſa. 27. 3.will keep it Night and Day. I will, as if he ſhould ſay, protect my Church, my Vineyard, my Flock, from all Aſſaults of its Enemies; neither Men, nor Devils ſhall ſpoil, ruin, or hurt my People.
And that he may ſecure his Flock,
1. He diſcovers by his Word, the Subtilty, Craft and Devices of their Enemies, and their Danger thereby.
2. By his Spirit alſo, through its quickning Operations, he awakens them when their Enemies are upon them; and that ſhews he is a watchful and a wakeful Shepherd.
3. He alſo by his Providences ſhews he is awake, and ſtrives to awaken his People alſo.
And this he doth ſeveral manner of ways.
1. By Wars, Perplexities, and Diſtreſs of Nations.
2. By Famine and Peſtilence.
3. By ſtrange Signs, Prodigies, and fearful Earthquakes in divers Places.
4. By the awakning Providence of ſudden and unuſual Deaths, ſnatching away one Man here, and another there, to keep the reſt awake.
5. By letting out Symptoms of his Diſpleaſure, by diſtreſſing the Conſciences of ſome, by fearful Horror and Deſperation; as in Spira and Child's Caſes; to awaken others, and to deter them from like Evils.
6. He alſo imploys his Miniſters to rouſe them up; they, as his Subſtitutes, are made Watchmen, to give his People, his Saints, his Flock, warning of approaching Dangers.
2dly. Chriſt knows that his Flock is not only ſubject to ſleep, but alſo to go aſtray, and therefore he watcheth over them.
1. Becauſe he ſees our Enemies watch againſt us to enſnare, to catch, and to ruin us; Deliver thy ſelf as a Roe from the Hand of Prov. 6.the Hunter, and as a Bird from the Hand of the Fowler.
Satan is a ſubtil Fowler, a crafty Enemy; and is alſo clothed with great Power. He is compared to a Serpent, to ſhew his Subtilty; and to a Lion, which denotes his Strength and devouring Nature.
2. Jeſus Chriſt watches his Sheep, that he may give them thoſe Mercies they need in the proper ſeaſon of them: He knows when and how to give us that Good he himſelf hath promiſed. Sometimes he watches over his People, to chaſten, to afflict and puniſh them with the Rod, when he ſees there is need of it: He lets out his Dog, (as I may ſo ſay, like as a Shepherd doth upon unruly Sheep) when his Calls will not do, will not reclaim them and reduce them to an orderly and diligent walk. But then at another time, he watches over them, to beſtow his Favours and Bleſſing upon them: And it ſhall come to paſs, that like as I have watched Jer. 31. 23.over them, to pluck up, and to break down, and to overthrow, and to deſtroy, and to afflict; ſo will I watch over them, to build, and to plant, ſaith the Lord. Though there is no Change in God, but he doth all things according to the Counſel of his own Will and Eternal Purpoſe, yet there is a Change of his providential Diſpenſations. God here ſpeaks after the manner of Men; and as he is diligent to afflict for Diſobedience, ſo he is likewiſe as diligent upon a Reformation, to diſtribute his Bleſſings, when he ſees it will make for his Glory and his Peoples Good.
Seventhly, and laſtly, Chriſt is a living Shepherd. Other Shepherds Chriſt is a living Shepherd.die and leave their Sheep, and know not what Evil may befal them after their departure: But Jeſus Chriſt never dies; I am he that was dead, and am alive; and behold, I live for evermore. He Rev. 1. 18.ever lives to feed, to heal, guide, protect, and ſave his People; He ever lives to make Interceſſion for us. In this doth the Safety, Happineſs and Comfort of Believers lie: Chriſt is always the ſame, he changes not; and is ſuch a Shepherd, that his Sheep cannot loſe; Death hath no more power over him, Death cannot deprive them of this Shepherd.
1. O happy Saints, bleſſed Sheep: O love your Shepherd, truſt in your Shepherd; ſay with David, The Lord is my Shepherd, I ſhall Pſal. 23. 1.not want.
2. Be ruled, led and guided by your Shepherd; and be content with that Paſture into which he hath put you, and with ſuch Commons he is pleaſed to afford you.
3. How doth this reprehend ſuch who repine, murmur, and are carried away with ſlaviſh and diſtruſtful Fear? O what a ſhame is it to be afraid, when you have ſuch a Friend, ſuch a Keeper, ſuch a Shepherd to protect, feed, and keep you? But to proceed.
Secondly, What Paſtures doth Chriſt feed his Sheep in? What or which What Chriſt Paſtures are.are his Paſtures?
Firſt. I anſwer; His Word, this is one of his Paſtures, and a fat Chriſt's Word one of the Paſtures where his Sheep feed. Pſal. 119. 103.one it is, yea, a moſt choice and rich Paſture; here is precious feeding: Some (like David) can reliſh God's Word, and find it ſweeter than Honey; How ſweet are thy Words unto my taſte! yea, ſweeter than Honey to my Mouth. The Study, Meditation, and Obedience of God's Word, yields more Satisfaction, Joy and Delight, than any worldly Men find in their earthly Profits or ſenſual Pleaſures. If you cannot find it thus, it is becauſe you have loſt your ſpiritual Appetites, you do not hunger after heavenly Food, nor ſee the Worth nor Want of it: Thy Words (ſaith Jeremiah) were found, and I did eat them; and thy Word was unto me the joy and Jer. 15. 16.rejoicing of my Heart.
Beloved, there is a two-fold taſting of the Word.
(1.) Some taſte it, but digeſt it not; they have an Apprehenſion, and bear Reception of it, and no more: The news of a Saviour, and deliverance from Wrath, ſeems deſirable to them; they like the Promiſes of the Word, and flatter themſelves with a falſe Hope of Pardon, by giving a bare Credit to the Truth of the Goſpel in the declaration of it.
(2.) But there is a farther and better taſting than this; a taſting by a ſpecial Application, and a ſaving reliſhing of the Word of God; and not the promiſſory Part only, but the preceptory Part thereof alſo: Theſe like and love the Word, becauſe of the Purity of it. Others have a common, but not a ſpecial Faith; the Jews ſeemed to rejoice in John's Doctrine, but did not receive it John 5. 35.into their Underſtanding, and ſincerely ſubject to the Life and Power of it.
(1.) The Word of God feeds the Souls of Believers with ſaving Knowledg, the Doctrine of Free Grace, of Juſtification, Adoption, Pardon of Sin, and free acceſs to the Father, which ſhews it to be a ſat and bleſſed Paſture; and thus it feeds their Underſtanding.
(2.) It feeds and raiſes their Affections alſo in Love to Chriſt, and deſire after him, to hear what God is to them, and Chriſt is to them; what a Covenant is made with Chriſt for them, what Promiſes are made to them, what Love the Lord Jeſus hath to them, and what Grace is purchaſed, laid, and treaſured up in Chriſt for them; what Care he hath of them, and what Glory he hath prepared for them.
(3.) They receive the Word they aſſent to the Truth of it and f…el a ſo the Power thereof inclining, bowing and ſubjecting their Wills to a holy, ready, and hearty Conſent thereunto, in a way of univerſal Obedience to what is required of them.
(4.) It feeds their Faith alſo, and every Grace of the Spirit in their Souls; it increaſes their Faith in Chriſt, and their Love to Chriſt, whilſt they meditate thereon, and believe with an unfeigned Faith the Veracity of God's Word, and apply the Promiſes and Bleſſings thereof, which are purchaſed by Jeſus Chriſt now, is to eat and digeſt the Word.
Secondly. The Ordinances of Chriſt may be ſaid to be another Chriſt's Ordinances a rich Paſture. Cant. 1. 7.Paſture where his Sheep do feed. The Spouſe no doubt enquired after this Paſture; Tell me, O thou whom my Soul loveth, where thou feedeſt, &c. where thy Holy Ordinances are truly adminiſtred.
1. The Ordinance of Preaching, or Adminiſtration of the Goſpel, is a rich Paſture, eſpecially when it is preached powerfully by the Influence and Demonſtration of the Spirit; the opening and explaining the Word of the Goſpel, is like the opening the Paſture-Gate, and ſo letting the Sheep into it. Did not our Hearts burn within Luke 24. 32.us, while he talked with us, and opened the Scriptures? 'Tis like the opening of the Box of precious Ointment, cauſing a ſweet Perfume in the Soul, like as Mary's did in the Houſe. The Work of the Miniſtry is to open the Scripture; Vnderſtandeſt thou what thou readeſt? ſaith Philip. The Eunuch anſwered, How can I, unleſs Acts 8. 30, 31.ſome Man ſhould guide me? He might have added, ſome skilful Man. Alas, ſome are unlearned, unexperienced and ignorant Preachers, they know not the Lord themſelves, they never learned of the Father, but want the Teachings of the Holy Spirit: They underſtand not the Scripture, the Holy Bible is a ſealed Book to them, notwithſtanding all their Humane Literature and Knowledg of the Tongues, with their Arts and Sciences.
The preaching the Goſpel, is the feeding of the Soul. But O what care ſhould be taken, that nothing is delivered by the Preacher but ſound Doctrine; not to feed the People with airy and empty Notions, corrupt and poiſonous Doctrine; for that is to deſtroy the Sheep, eſpecially ſuch that are weak in Knowledg, and cannot quickly diſcern Truth from Error.
They are not to feed the Flock with Humane Traditions, nor with their own Dreams. Simon, Son of Jonas, loveſt thou me? John 21. 15.Feed my Sheep: Not with good Doctrine only, but good Diſcipline alſo, and with an holy and good Example: Good Government is precious Food to the Sheep and Lambs of Jeſus Chriſt.
2. The Holy Ordinances of Baptiſm, and the Lord's Supper, is another part of this bleſſed Paſture: And ſuch are ill Sheep that will not feed where the Shepherd willeth them, or like not a Paſture of his chuſing. With what gladneſs did thoſe Saints at Jeruſalem, Acts 2. 4.when they received the Word, yield themſelves up to Holy Baptiſm? The Eunuch alſo found that Ordinance (he meeting with Acts 8. 39.Chriſt in it) very ſweet; and therefore when baptized, he went away rejoicing. The Myſtery of the Goſpel is preached or held forth in a lively Figure in Baptiſm to the very ſight of the natural Eye; which being underſtood, conveys much Light and Knowledg to the Underſtanding.
It ſhews that Chriſt was dead, buried, and roſe again for our Juſtification.
Tilenus his diſput. p. 886, 887.1ſt, "Baptiſm (ſaith the Learned Tilenus) is the firſt Sacrament of the New Teſtament, inſtituted by Chriſt; in which there is an exact Analogy between the Sign and the Thing ſignified. The outward Rite in Baptiſm is threefold."
"1. Immerſion into the Water.
"2. Abiding under the Water.
"3. A Reſurrection out of the Water.
"Baptiſm precious Soul-Food.The Form of Baptiſm, (ſaith he) to wit, External and Eſſential, is no other than the Analogical Proportion which the Sign keeps with the Thing ſignified thereby. The plunging into the Water, (ſaith he) holds forth to us that horrible Gulph of Divine Juſtice, in which Chriſt for our ſakes, for a while was in a manner ſwallowed up: abiding under the Water, (how little time ſoever) denotes his deſcent into *Grave.Hell, even the deepeſt of Lifeleſſneſs: and lying in the ſealed or guarded Sepulchre, he was accounted as one dead. Riſing out of the Water, holds forth to us in a lively Similitude, that Conqueſt which this dead Man got over Death." And (ſaith the ſame worthy Author) ſo dipping into the Water, in a moſt lively "Similitude, ſets forth the Mortification of the old Man; and riſing out of the Water, the Vivification of the new Man; it being meet that we, being baptized into his Death, and buried with him, ſhould riſe alſo with him, and go on in a new Life." The Apoſtle clearly confirms the ſame great Truths; Rom. 6. 3, 4.Know ye not, that ſo many of us as were baptized into Jeſus Chriſt, were baptized into his Death? Therefore we are buried with him by Baptiſm into Death, that like as Chriſt was raiſed up from the Dead by the Glory of the Father; even ſo we alſo ſhould walk in newneſs of Life. We have Fellowſhip with Chriſt in his Death in Baptiſm, or the Efficacy of his Death evidenced to us, as the outward Symbol of it is held forth in the external Adminiſtration of it: For as Chriſt died for Sin, ſo we are hereby obliged to die to Sin; and as he roſe again from the Dead, ſo we ought (as we covenant in this Ordinance) to walk in newneſs of Life. Dr. Cave ſaith, "In Immerging there are in a manner three-fold Acts, The putting the Perſon into the Water, his abiding under the Water, and his riſing up again; thereby repreſenting Chriſt's Death, Burial, and Reſurrection; and our Conformity thereunto in our dying to Sin, and the deſtruction of its Power, and our reſurrection to a new courſe of Life." O learn what your Baptiſm holds forth, and what you are taught thereby, and promiſed therein, and live accordingly. Brethren, you will find bleſſed Food in this Ordinance for your Souls; and if you experience the Things ſignified thereby, happy are you; if not, in vain were you baptized.
The Lord's Supper precious Soul-Food.2dly, What ſweet Food, or how good a Paſture is the Ordinance of the Lord's Supper, to a hungry Soul who longs after the Bread of Life, and Communion with Chriſt. A Crucified Chriſt is the Bread of Life; and by Faith in this Ordinance we feed on this Bread; it feeds and ſtrengthens our Faith, and alſo our Love to the Lord Jeſus: Who can forbear to love that Chriſt, who poured forth his precious Blood for us? He was made a Curſe for us, by hanging on the Tree, and bearing our Sins.
When you take this Bread, and this Cup, you declare you take and accept of Chriſt as the only Food of your Souls; and that way of Salvation God hath been graciouſly pleaſed to find out: and when you eat the Bread, and drink of the Cup, you ſhew that you feed alone upon him, and that he is your Saviour. Indeed, Chriſt doth in effect ſay to you, Soul, take all this, in token that I have ſatisfied the Juſtice of God for thy Sins, I have made thy Peace; take this Bread, and this Cup as a Pledg of it, and of my Eternal Love to thee, and as a Token that all thy Sins are forgiven, and that thou art mine alſo. (1.) By this Ordinance we learn, and clearly ſee, the horible Evil of Sin, the curſed Nature of Sin, in that nothing could atone for it, nor ſatisfy the Law and Juſtice of God, but the precious Blood of the Son of God himſelf. (2.) Here likewiſe we ſee that infinite Love of the Father, in giving of Chriſt to die for us; He ſpared not his own Rom. 8. 32.Son, but delivered him up for us all. (3) Here alſo we perceive the wonderful Love of Jeſus Chriſt, who willingly laid down his Life for us. (4.) Moreover, here we ſee how we come to be ſaved, or the Way of Life; and that it is only by a Sacrifice, and that by the Sacrifice of Chriſt himſelf alone. (5.) Here we ſee our near Union with Chriſt, and bleſſed Union one with another, as the Bread and Wine is turned into Nouriſhment; the firſt is held forth: and as many Corns of Wheat do make one Loaſ, ſo we being many Members, are but one Body; and therein the latter Union is held forth alſo, I mean, our Union one with another.
Thirdly. The Ordinance of Prayer, is alſo as a Paſture for Chriſt's Sheep to feed in. If we pray in Faith, we receive what we deſire Prayer a rich Soul-Paſture.and ſtand in need of: That Soul that goes to God in Chriſt's Name believingly, never comes away empty handed. We have not, ſam. 4. 3.becauſe we ask not; or elſe ask amiſs, that we may conſume it on our Luſts, to pleaſe the Fleſh, and gratify our Carnal Appetites, and ſo an evil End ſpoils good Means: So long (ſaid a good Woman in diſtreſs) as I have a praying Heart, God will have a helping Hand. It argues we have not hungry Souls, if we have not praying Souls. You may as well live without eating, as ſpiritually live without praying; and as it is a ſign you are not well when you cannot eat, ſo it is a ſign your Souls are not well when you cannot pray: And as it is a ſign the Body is faint, when the Breath is ſhort, or breaths not freely ſo it is a ſign of a faint and languiſhing Chriſtian, when his Prayers are ſhort, or prays not freely. He that believes ſavingly, will pray ſervently. He that thrives not in this Paſture, will thrive in none. As be cannot live naturally that breaths not, no more can that Soul live ſpiritually that prays not. He that caſts off Prayer, caſts off God. No wonder God withholds Mercies from us, when we reſtrain Prayer from him. Pure Prayer is only pleaſing to a pure God: our Prayers muſt be directed to the right Object; O thou that heareſt Prayer, to Pſal. 65. 2.thee ſhall all Men come. We muſt always direct our Prayers to God, but muſt not forget to come unto him by Jeſus Chriſt; and we muſt ſee to the Matter of it, as well as the Object: If we ask not that which is lawful, our Prayers muſt needs be unlawful; as it is a Sin to do any thing God commands not, ſo it is a Sin to ask any thing God allows not.
We muſt alſo be right in the Manner, as well as in the Matter of our Prayer: When our Spirit prays not, our Hand receives not.
And we muſt, if we would thrive in this Paſture, alſo ſee that our End be right: Our great End ſhould be, that our Prayer may be accepted, and God may be glorified.
The firſt thing we ſhould ask in Prayer is, that the Name of God may be hallowed.
O Soul, haſte into this Paſture: Whatſoever ye ask, ſaith Chriſt, John 14. 13.in my Name, I will do it, that the Father may be glorified.
To pray in Chriſt's Name,
1. Is to know we come to have this Privilege to draw near to God, only by Chriſt, i. e. through the Vail, that is to ſay, his Fleſh; he hath purchaſed us this Liberty.
2. 'Tis to pray in his Strength, i. e. by the Spirit, which he hath procured for us, and given to us.
3. 'Tis to pray in the Virtue of Chriſt's Mediation: Whatſoever we ask on Earth, Chriſt obtains for us in Heaven.
4. To ask in Chriſt's Name, is to ask for his Sake, for his Worthineſs: 'Tis not what our Deſervings are, but what Chriſt's Merits are.
Fourthly. The Promiſes of God are another Paſture, where the Sheep The Promiſes are a rich Paſture for Chriſt's Sheep.of Chriſt do daily feed. The Promiſes of God are of a Soul-faſtening, and Soul-ſtrengthning Nature: But there is no feeding here, without believing. A Sheep may as well feed on Graſs, without Teeth, as a Chriſtian can feed on the Promiſes without Faith. The Reaſon why the Soul cannot get into this rich Common, or rather fat Medow, is, becauſe he cannot get over the Slough of Unbelief. Man lives not by Bread alone, but by every Word that proceeds Mat. 4. 4.out of the Mouth of God. He can feed his People, and ſupport them by a Word of Promiſe, when their Bread faileth: Nor muſt we take unlawful Means to ſupply our Neceſſities, nor diſtruſt the Care and Providence of God, tho we do not ſee which way we ſhall ſubſiſt: Truſt in the Lord, and do good, ſo thou ſhalt dwell in the Pſal. 37. 3.Land, and verily thou ſhalt be fed. We muſt depend upon the Providence and Promiſe of God, for Supplies both of Body and Soul: The young Lions lack, and ſuffer Hunger; yet they that ſeek Pſal. 34. 10.the Lord ſhall not want any good thing. We muſt let God judg and chuſe for us; 'tis better for us ſometimes to want, than to abound: There are Promiſes (as I have ſometimes ſhewed you) that anſwer every Condition we can be in.
Fifthly. The Providences of God, and the Saints Experience, are another The Providences of God, and the Saints Experiences, a Soulfatning Paſture. Pſal. 37. 35.Paſture for Chriſt's Sheep. How oft have they been fed this way? I have been young, and now am old; yet have I not ſeen the Righteous forſaken, nor his Seed begging Bread. This was more eſpecially David's Experience, and under that Diſpenſation, when the Promiſes of God were of temporal Bleſſings; ours under the Goſpel are better: Or elſe take it thus, Not begging in vain. If they are ſuch Children that walk in the Steps of their godly Parents, or not ſo begging as to be forſaken, it cannot intend any kind of asking, or begging; for David himſelf deſired and received Relief from others. Nothing doth more clearly relieve and feed our Souls under 1 Sam. 21. 3. & 25. 8.Trouble and Diſtreſs, than thoſe Experiences we have formerly had of God's ſpecial Providence and Goodneſs to us, or how he helped his People in their Extremities in the days of old. O my Pſal. 42. 6.God, my Soul is caſt down within me; therefore I will remember thee from the Land of Jordan, and of the Hermonites, from the Hill Mizar. He would call to mind how God had helped him formerly, when purſued by Saul, or diſtreſſed by Abſalom; and the way his drooping Spirits were revived. He that delivered me (ſaith he) 1 Sam. 13. 37.from the Paw of the Bear, and Paw of the Lion, will deliver me from this uncircumciſed Philiſtine. All Power is given into Chriſt's Hand, he is the great diſpoſer of all things; therefore be ſure he will order every thing for the Good of his Church. If not a Hair of our Heads ſhall fall without the Providence of God, we may conclude he will be concerned for us in greater Matters: And if he provide for Sparrows, he will provide and take care of his own Children.
The Covenant of Grace, the Love of Chriſt, and that Relation we ſtand in to him, muſt needs give us ground to believe he will, in his moſt wiſe Providence, order all things for our Good, beſides the expreſs Promiſes he hath made upon that Account. Doth he hold us in his Hand, carry us in his Boſom, nay, engrave us on his Heart, and will he forſake us? O this cannot be.
Hath he took the Charge of his Sheep, and will he leave them to Lions, or Wolves, to be torn to pieces? Or ſhall Sin or the Devil pull Limb from Limb, and he look on? But I muſt not further enlarge here.
Queſt. What is the Nature of that Food which Jeſus Chriſt feeds his Sheep with?
1. I anſwer in the Negative; It is not ſurfeiting Food: ſome Paſtures are naught, they will rot the Sheep; but Chriſt feeds not his People in ſuch Paſtures.
2. 'Tis not forbidden Food; he hath prohibited us to follow a Multitude to do Evil, to walk in the Way of the Heathen, or after the Courſe of this World, or according to the former Luſts in our Ignorance, and not to touch, taſte, nor handle of the Traditions and Doctrines of Men; but he allows us his own Word and Ordinances.
1. 'Tis coſtly Food, Paſtures that were purchaſed by our Shepherd at a dear Price.
2. 'Tis ſweet and pleaſant Food; More to be deſired than Gold; yea, than much fine Gold: ſweeter alſo than Honey, or the Honeycomb.Pſal. 19. 10.
3. 'Tis Soul-ſatisfying Food; he ſatisfies every hungry Soul: I will abundantly bleſs her Proviſion, and ſatisfy her Poor with Bread. Pſal. 132. 15.Wicked Men eat that which ſatisfies not: what is all the Traſh of this World, but meer Husks, Aſhes, and Gravel-ſtones?
4. 'Tis ſtrengthning Food; it ſtrengthens the Soul, and ſtrengthens the Graces of the Spirit in the Soul.
5. 'Tis chearing, comforting, and reviving Food, as I might ſhew you, but muſt not enlarge.
6. 'Tis living Food, 'tis Bread of Life; ſuch who feed on it ſhall never die: it gives Life, and it continues and encreaſes Life, and will feed the Soul up unto everlaſting Life.
7. It is Soul-fatning Food: Eat you that which is good, and let your Soul delight it ſelf in fatneſs. O this Food, theſe Goſpel-Paſtures Iſa. 55. 2.fatten the Soul, when they meet with God, enjoy God in his Ordinances; when they have Communion with him, and when they find their Sins and Corruptions wither and die, and Grace grow and flouriſh in their Souls' when they thrive in Holineſs, in Faith, Love, Patience, and Humility, &c.
What Chriſt's Folds are.Queſt. What is Chriſt's Fold?
Anſw. He hath a twofold Fold.
1. His Church is his Fold; Chriſt built it himſelf, and it is a Fold the Enemy cannot deſtroy, he hath ſet it upon a Rock.
2. Heaven is Chriſt's Fold.
Queſt. What is the Fence of Chriſt's Fold (or Church) here on Earth?
Anſw. I anſwer, It is threefold.
1. The Fence may be ſaid to be, that Holy and Primitive Conſtitution, Order and Ordinances which Chriſt hath appointed.
2. That Sacred Covenant Believers enter into, when they are admitted Members.
3. The Holy Diſcipline, Order and Government Chriſt hath ordained and left in the Goſpel.
APPLICATION.
We infer from hence, that Believers are in a moſt happy Condition, they having ſuch a Shepherd and ſuch Paſtures to feed in. Which will further appear, if we conſider theſe things following.
1. They are Paſtures that will feed Multitudes; nay, they cannot be over-ſtock'd, Chriſt's Paſtures cannot be eaten up.
2. Chriſt's Paſtures are always Good, always Rich, as good in Winter as Summer; and ſo are not other Paſtures.
3. So well fenced about, that the Walls cannot by Men nor Devils be broken down. God ſecures his People and Goſpel by his own Almighty Power and Providence; he is a Wall of Fire round about: beſides, his Angels encamp about them that fear him alſo.
4. Chriſt's Paſtures have moſt precious Water in them; There is a River that makes glad the City of God, &c. He feeds me in green Pſal. 23. 2.Paſtures, and leads me beſides the ſtill Waters. The Holy Spirit, and Graces of the Spirit, may be here intended.
1. Water hath a cooling Nature, it allays Thirſt; ſo theſe Waters cool the Fire of Luſt, and every evil Paſſion, and allay that inordinate Thirſt after the things of this World.
2. Some Waters are of a purging Quality; theſe Waters alſo purge the Soul of all evil and nauſeous Humours.
3. Water makes fruitful; it makes Paſtures fruitful, and the Sheep alſo: So theſe Sacred Waters make the Word and Ordinances fruitful, and the Saints fruitful likewiſe.
4. Waters ſoften; ſo theſe Waters ſoften the Heart and make it tender.
5. Waters have a cleanſing Virtue: So have theſe Divine Waters; the Spirit, and Graces of the Spirit, cleanſe the Soul of all Filth and Pollution of Fleſh and Spirit.
6. Water hath a healing Property: The Spiritual Waters heal, they are beyond all Waters, exceed all Waters. For,
1. Theſe Waters never fail; other Waters may be dried up. He that drinks of the Water I ſhall give him, ſhall never thirſt; but Joh. 4. 14.the Waters that I ſhall give him, ſhall be in him a Well of living Water, ſpringing up unto Everlaſting Life.
2. Theſe are Waters of Life; he that receives the Holy Spirit, ſhall live for ever.
3. Theſe are ſtill Waters, not rough boiſterous Streams; they may be called ſtill Waters in reſpect of their Effects.
1. They will keep ſuch that drink of them, in God's Bounds, and cauſe them to reſt in quiet where he hath placed them.
2. They make a ſtill and quiet Soul, a ſtill and quiet Family, a ſtill and quiet Church, when all drink of theſe Waters; nay, a ſtill and quiet Nation: they allay all Feuds and undue Heats among Chriſtians that partake of them. Theſe Waters quiet the Conſcience under the Accuſations of the Law; quiet the Conſcience under Satan's Temptations. Thou art a Sinner, ſaith Satan, and thy Sins are committed with great Aggravations; thou deſerveſt Wrath, and Divine Vengeance: But no ſooner doth the Soul drink of theſe Waters, but it is quieted; the Spirit by Faith ſhews the dejected Perſon that Chriſt hath born the Wrath of God, and reconciled him to the Father.
3. They quiet Believers under Affliction, in Times of Want and Poverty, and under National Fears and Diſquietments. And,
4. In a Time of Sickneſs, and at the Hour of Death.
1. By evidencing to the Soul, that the Covenant is well-ordered in all things, and ſure.
2. That the Promiſes of God are firm, and cannot be broken.
3. That the Love of God is Everlaſting, and nothing can ſeparate them from it.
4. That the Faithfulneſs of God, and his Almighty Power, is engaged to preſerve them, and keep them unto Salvation.
1. Exhortation. If Chriſt feeds us in ſuch Paſtures, and gives us ſuch Waters, labour, O ye Saints, to be thankful. What Praiſe doth this call for! even holy and thankful Lips and Lives.
2. Labour to glorify this God, this Saviour; ſtrive to bring forth Fruit to him: Herein, ſaith Chriſt, is my Father glorified, that you bring forth much Fruit, ſo ſhall you be my Diſciples.Joh. 15. 8.
3. Take heed you do not ſtraggle from the Fold of Chriſt, or refuſe the Conduct and Guidance of your Bleſſed Shepherd.
4. Terror. Wo to them that do annoy, diſturb or diſquiet Chriſt's Flock, Chriſt's Sheep; or any manner of way ſeek to ſcatter or divide them, ſo that they cannot comfortably feed and lie down together.
5. Sinners, will you not enquire where Chriſt feeds? Remember his Direction; Go forth by the Footſteps of the Flock.Cant. 1. 8.
6. What comfort is here for you that are the Sheep and Lambs of Chriſt! How ſafe are you in the Hand of ſuch a Shepherd!
So much at this Time, and for the firſt part of my Text, viz. the 27th Verſe.