Seven Sermons, Sermon 7
SERMON VII.
St. John 10.14.
I am the good Shepherd, and know my Sheep, and am known of mine.
EVery line of Scripture hath a Majesty shining in it: Jesus Christ is the very center of the Gospel; if the Scripture be the Field, Christ is the Pearl in this Field; and blessed is he that finds this Pearl; the Scripture gives various descriptions of Christ, sometimes he is called a Physician, he is the great healer of Souls, sometimes he is call'd a Captain, Heb. 2.10. Captain of our Salvation, and here in the Text a Shepherd, I am the good Shepherd, and this Shepherd hath a Flock; so it is in the Text, I know my Sheep, and am known of mine: These Sheep are the elect company of Believers, these are his rational Sheep. First, I shall speak of the Sheep, then something of the Shepherd, as they do relate one to the other.
First, Concerning the Sheep: I know my Sheep. The Wicked are compared to Goats, the Saints to Sheep; Christs People they are his Sheep, and there be some near Analogies betwixt them; as,
First, A Sheep it is an innocent Creature, it is not hurtful, or ravenous, as other Creatures are, but is very harmless and inoffensible, so those Sheep that belong to Christ, and are of his fold, they are Innocent, Phil. 2.15. That you may be blameless, that you may be harmless; the Greek Word is, without Horn, or without Pushing, or Horning; that you may be harmless; Christs people walk so as near as they can, that they may give no just offence, they had rather suffer wrong than do wrong, those that are set upon mischief, are not Christs Sheep, but they are Birds of prey: Those who would plot the ruin of a Kingdom, and spill Protestant blood, these are none of Christs Sheep; these are Wolves, they have been suckled with the Milk of the Romish Whore; these are Goats, that Christ will set at his left hand, Mat. 25.32.
Secondly, A Sheep it is noted for meekness in Scripture, it is a meek Creature: Let the Shearer take its wooll, it doth not resist; if you strike a Sheep, it doth not snarl or fly in your face; all Christs Sheep that belong to him are meek spirited, 2 Sam. 16.12. Though a child of God may sometimes fall into a froward fit, yet he grieves for it, and weeps for his unmortified passion.
Thirdly, A Sheep it is a cleanly creature, it is neat and cleanly, it delights most in pure Streams and clean Pastures; so Christs Sheep they are cleanly, and sanctified, holiness is the thing they pray for, Psalm 51.10. Create in me a clean Heart, Oh God! Tho they are not perfectly Holy, yet they are perfecting holiness in the fear of God. It is a neat creature, and would rather die than go thorow dirty, miry places; so it is with Christs sheep, they will rather suffer any thing, than defile their Conscience, Gen. 39.9. How can I do this wickedness, and sin against God? The wicked in Scripture are compared to swine: they wallow in Sin, in their wickedness and uncleanness; they are steept and purboyled in Sin: I but a good Christian, he breaths after sanctity; a child of God he may unawares fall into Sin, as David; but he does not lye in Sin, he recovers himself out again by repentance; a Sheep may fall into the mire, but it does not lye there, gets out again.
Fourthly, A Sheep it is a very useful creature, not any thing that is of it, but is of some use; the flesh, the fleece, the skin, so all Christs Sheep, who are the Sheep of his Pasture are useful, they are still doing good, they are profitable to others, by their Knowledge, Counsel, Example, Prayers, good Works; they are useful in their places, the wicked they are compared to Wood, Ezek. 15.3. which is good for nought but fuel▪ Sinners are useless, their Life is scarce worth a Prayer, nor their Death scarce worth a Tear, they live to cumber the ground; but Gods people they are useful, they are called the excellent of the earth, Psalm 16.3. They are blessings in the places where they come.
Fifthly, A Sheep it is a very contented creature, it will feed upon any pasture where you put it; put Sheep upon the bare Common they are content, they feed upon that little they pick up in the fallow ground; a perfect emblem of true Saints, who are the Sheep of Christ; let God put them into what pasture he will they are content, Phil. 4.11. They have learn'd in every state therewith to be content, Saint Paul, he could want, or abound, he could be any thing that God would have him, he was content with that Portion▪ whatever it was that Providence carved out to him; you who are apt to murmur and repine at your Condition, and think you have never enough, think with your selves; Sheep are content with their pasture, surely were I one of Christs Sheep, I should be content; you that have the least of the World, you have more than you know how to be thankful for, he that has the least bit of Bread, he will die in Gods debt. A Sheep is a contented Creature.
Sixthly ▪ To name no more, a Sheep it is a timorous creature, it is very fearful, if any danger approaches, or frighted by the Wolf; thus the Saints of God, who are Christs Sheep, they pass the time of their sojourning here in fear, they are fearful of provoking God, of wounding their Peace▪ fearful of Temptation, fearful they should come short of Heaven thorow sloath, Heb. 4.1. It is an ear-mark of Christs Sheep, they are indewed with the fear of God, Gen. 42.18. This is their ear-mark, men fearing God; it's true the Righteous, they are as bold as a Lyon, in a righteous cause; but timorous and fearful of sinful fear; and let me tell you happy is he that in this sence fears always; holy fear is the best antidote against Temptation; the way to be safe is always to fear. To make some Use of this;
Let us all labour to be found in the number of Christs Sheep. All the World is divided into two ranks, Sheep or Goats; if you would be glad to be found in the day of Judgment Christs Sheep, and sit at his right hand, be much in Prayer; pray unto God that he would change your nature, that he would take away your wolfish nature, your fierceness, your frowardness; and that he would transform you into his own Image. Labour to be amongst Christs Sheep, to get into Christs fold, only one thing excepted, that you would not be like Sheep, for Sheep are apt to wander sometimes from their fold; take heed don't straggle into by-paths of errour and heresie; it is dangerous to wander, for fear the Devil that wolf should catch you; don't go astray as Sheep, but in other things resemble Sheep, in meekness, in patience, in usefulness, in willingness, and particularly in this one thing, let us labour to resemble Sheep, that is, when the Shepherds dog comes near, all the Sheep flock together; Persecution it should be like the Shepherds dog, it should make all Christs Sheep run together and unite: Do Papists, and Formalists agree in persecuting Gods people? and shall not the Saints of God agree to keep the unity of the Spirit …n the bond of Peace? Love is the ear-mark, by which Christs Sheep are known, Iohn 13.35. By this shall all men know ye are my Disciples, if ye love one another. It was the Harlot said, let the child be divided, it is the Jesuit that says, let the Church of God be divided; it is Satans great design to set his cloven foot amongst Christs people to make division and contention among the sons of Sion; the Devils best Musick is discord, Oh! let all Christs people, his sheep, flock together, and associate in love, those who hope to meet together in Heaven should not fall out by the way: Unity it is the great Musick in Heaven, Unity in Trinity; and Unity among Saints would be a great blessing on Earth; for Christians to unite it is their Interest and Wisdom, union is their Strength, union it is their Glory, their Ornament; this was the honour of the Primitive Churches, all of one Heart, Act. 2.1. There was but one Heart amongst them; let the Sheep of Christ unite together; when the Saints are harmoniously united, then they adorn their blessed Shepherd the Lord Jesus. So much for the first of these, Christs Sheep.
Secondly, To speak something of the Shepherd, I am the good Shepherd; a true Epithet as ever was given, A good Shepherd, Zach. 13.7. 1 Pet. 2.25. You are now returned to the Shepherd and Bishop of your Souls: Your Conscience, it is the Diocess were none may visit but Christ, Christ is call'd in the Scripture, the chief Shepherd of all, 1 Pet. 5.4. Ministers are but Shepherds under him, to look to his flock, Christ is the chief Shepherd; so the Observation is this,
Doct. That Iesus Christ, he is the blessed Shepherd of his Sheep.
In Scripture, Christ is called the great Shepherd, and the good Shepherd, he is called the great Shepherd, Heb. 13.20, 21. and here in the Text, he is called the good Shepherd; Christ is the great Shepherd, as he made the Sheep, and he is the good Shepherd, as he saves his Sheep; so you see he is both the great and the good Shepherd; there are many Parallels and Analogies betwixt Christ and his Sheep, I will instance in some.
1. A Shepherd is appointed to his calling; why, so Christ, he is the true Shepherd, who entred in by the door, Iohn 10.2. He entred in by the door: What's the meaning of that? that is, Christ he is lawfully called and appointed to his keeping sheep.
2. A Shepherd knows his Flock, knows all his Flock; this is in the Text, I am the good Shepherd, I know my Sheep, saith Christ; Christs knowing his Sheep implies a knowledge of approbation; Christs knowing his Sheep, that is his Loving of them: this is a great Consolation, that Christ knows all his Sheep; he knows every one of their Names, Iohn 10.3. He calleth his own Sheep by name: He knows all their sighs and groans that they make, Psalm 38.9. My groaning is not hid from thee; Christ knows every tear they shed, he bottels their tears as Wine, Psalm 56.8. Put thou my tears into thy bottle. He knows all their sufferings, Iudg. 10.16. His Soul was grieved for the miseries of Israel: Christ knows all their good works, all their works of Piety and Charity; and will shortly say, Come ye blessed of my Father inherit a Kingdom: What a Comfort is this? Christ knows all his Sheep by name.
3. A Shepherd he marks his Sheep, that he may distinguish them from other strange Sheep; so Jesus Christ, this blessed Shepherd, he sets a double mark upon his Sheep; one is the ear-mark of Election, I have chosen you, (saith he) and beside that, he hath set another mark upon his Sheep, he seals them by his Spirit, Eph. 4.30. The sanctifying Graces are the several badges and seals, that Christ puts upon his Sheep; how will this raise the Saints Triumph in Heaven! How will this make them bless God, that they should be markt out for Sheep, when the most of the World are markt for Goats?
4. A Shepherd, he seeks his Sheep, when they are lost and gone astray, Luk. 15.4. That is the office of a Shepherd, he seeks his Sheep: Let me assure you, Christs Sheep they are all lost naturally, they have stray'd far from the fold; and they are so lost, that they can never find their way home of themselves; a Dog, or a Horse, if lost, can find the way home again, but if a Sheep be lost, it can never find its way home; this is the case of lapsed Souls, they are so lost that they cannot find the way; now Jesus Christ, this blessed Shepherd seeks these lost Sheep: He left his Fathers Bosom, he came from Heaven on purpose to seek after his lost, wandring Sheep, Luk. 19.10. The Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost: Zaccheus was a lost Sheep, a great Sinner, an Extortioner; this lost Sheep was found upon a Sycomore Tree, there Christ spied him, and called him, Luk. 19.5. Zaccheus, make haste, and come down; here was a lost Sheep brought home; Christ entred first into Zaccheus his Heart, and then he entred into his House: This day is Salvation come to thine House: There may be some, who are as yet lost Sheep; they are wandred from God, and have gone on in the ways of Sin, but if they belong to this good Shepherd, if you belong to Christ, he will at one time or other bring home these wandring Sheep by converting Grace.
5. A Shepherd, he leads and guides his Sheep; and thus Christ, this blessed Shepherd, guides his people, that they should not go wrong, Iohn 10.3. He leads them out: How doth Christ guide his people, he guides them with his Eye, his Eye is never off of them; though their Eye be too much off from him, Psalm 32.8. Thou shalt guide me with thine Eye; that is, the eye of thy Providence shall direct me. Again Christ guides his people by the Oracle of his holy Word, Psalm 73.24. Thou shalt guide me with thy Counsel; and Christ guides his people by the sweet conduct of his Spirit, Iohn 16.13. He will guide you into all Truth; when the Spirit of Truth is come unto you, he will guide you into all Truth: Besides, Christ appoints Ministers to be guides, if Christs Sheep go out of the way, his Ministers are appointed to bring them back again to the fold.
6. A Shepherd, he governs his Sheep; they have as much need of governing, as guiding; he governs his Sheep, he orders them and brings them into a Decorum; so the Lord Jesus governs his people, Christs Pastoral staff, it is a Type and Emblem of his governing the Saints, Isa. 9.6. The Government shall be upon his Shoulders. In the Hebrew it is, the Priestdom shall be upon his Shoulders: Christs Sheep are apt sometimes to be disorderly, they are apt to slight their Shepherd, to grow wanton, to despise their Pastor, to quarrel one with another; but now Jesus Christ, this blessed Shepherd, he hath his Laws to bind them, and he hath his Shepherds Rod to rule them, he doth bring them into good order: We want as well Christs Rod to govern us, as his Blood to save us.
7. A Shepherd doth relieve and feed his Sheep by the way: He won't see them starve, the Greek word for Shepherd, signifies to feed; the Lord Jesus doth mercifully feed his Flock, he won't let them starve, Isa. 40.11. He shall feed his flock like a Shepherd; Christ feeds his people in the Sanctuary: Gods Table are this Shepherds Tents: Every Ordinance is a fresh pasture for the Saints to feed in; Christ feeds Souls with the Bread of Life, he fed them with that spiritual Supper at his own Table: Here is the love of Christ the great Shepherd of Souls, he provides plenty of pasture, though some would rob Christs Sheep of their green pasture, and starve them, yet Christ will feed them; as long as Christ hath a spiritual flock of Sheep in the World, he will rather work a Miracle, than they shall not be provided for: He shall feed his flock like a Shepherd.
8. A Shepherd, he makes it a part of his work to look after his sick Sheep: Christs Sheep they are apt to be sick; some sick of Pride, and some sick of Discontent, and some sick of Envy, and some sick of Covetousness; Christs Sheep are apt to be sick, and he cures all his Sheep, that they shall never die of the Rott, Ezek. 34.16. I will bind up that which is broken, I will strengthen that which is sick: Christ hath those soveraign Oyls and Balsams, that can cure the worst distemper; he hath appointed the Preaching of the Word to be a healer of Sin-sick Souls, Ezek. 47. The Word preach'd is like the Waters of the Sanctuary, both for Food, and for Medicine.
9. A Shepherd keeps a continual watch over his Flock, that they be not stole, or devoured by the Wolf; so Christ doth watch over his flock, by his omnisciency that no hurt comes to his Elect, that they be not infected by Sin, and insnared by Temptation. Christ hath his Shepherd Eyes to watch his flock, and he hath his Shepherd staff to beat off the Wolf.
10. A Shepherd hath compassion of his Sheep; so Jesus Christ he hath tender Bowels to all his Elect, Isa 40.11. He shall gather the Lambs in his Arms, and carry them in his Bosom; and gently lead those that are with young. Observe, Christ Jesus is tender of his Lambs; he puts them in his Bosom, and such as are weak, and ready to faint, he gently leads; Oh! the bowels of compassion of Christ to the Elect: He is full of sympathy, the Lambs never cry, but their cries go to Christs Heart; therefore in Scripture Christ is said to be touch'd with the feeling of their infirmities, Heb. 4.5. The Saints never bleed, but Christ bleeds in their wounds, Isa. 63.9. In all their afflictions, he was afflicted.
Thus much, as brief as I could, for the Analogies and Parallels betwixt Christ and Shepherd: He is the Shepherd of his flock.
In the second place, I shall shew you wherein Christ is better than any other Shepherd, and doth infinitely excel, and transcend them, as it appears in these Particulars.
First, Christ is a better Shepherd than any other: In respect of the Glory, and Dignity of his Person; other Shepherds, they are of the Earth, Earthly, but Christ is a Shepherd from Heaven, he is of Divine Original; he is equal with God the Father, Phil. 2.6. He hath a Consubstantiality with God the Father.
Secondly, Christ is a better Shepherd, he excels other Shepherds, in that he doth cleanse and purifie his Flock, Rev. 1.5. To him that washeth us from our Sins in his own Blood: Christs Sheep while they are in the World will be apt to get spots, for the World is good for nothing but to spot; one spotted with Pride, another spotted with earthliness, &c. Oh! How do the people of God deface Gods Image, by rubbing it against the Earth? and the Truth is, going too much among the Goats doth defile them; but now Jesus Christ, he doth cleanse and purifie his Flock, washes away their spots; Christs Sheep they are white, and wash't in the blood of the Lamb.
Thirdly, Christ excels all other Shepherds, in that he hath an art that no other Shepherd hath, he teaches his Sheep; other Shepherds they guide their Sheep, but they cannot teach them; but Christ teaches his Sheep, that belong to his fold of Election, he instructs them in the mysteries of Salvation; and he teaches them after the most excellent manner, who teacheth like God.
First, Christ so teaches all his Sheep, that he makes them willing to learn, Psalm 110.3. They shall be a willing people: Christ doth not only inform the Judgment, but doth incline the will to embrace the Truth, makes them willing to learn.
Secondly, Christ doth not only teach the Ear, but he teaches the Heart, Acts 16.14. Lydia, Whose Heart the Lord opened.
Thirdly, Christ teaches his Sheep, not only to understand, but he teaches them to obey, Isa. 2.3. He will teach us of his ways, and we will go in them: So that Christ teaches his Sheep, after the most excellent manner, he doth docifie them.
Fourthly, Jesus Christ is a better Shepherd, than any on Earth was before or after: Because Christ he prays for his Sheep, many Shepherds scarce pray for themselves; Christ he prays for all his elect Sheep, Iohn 17.9. I will pray for them, as Christ knows every Sheep by name, so Christ prays for every Sheep by name; I pray for them: And what doth Christ pray for them? Why he prays that they may not wander, that they may not tire or faint, that they may not die by the way; and this is Christs prayer for his Sheep, Iohn 17.11. Holy Father, keep them whom thou hast given me: And this Prayer of Christ is prevalent, it doth prevail with God; if we consider Christ either in his Office, or in Relation, his Prayer must be prevalent; consider him in his Office, as he is a Priest; consider him, as he is in Relation▪ as he is a Son; if God could forget Christ as he is a Priest, yet he could not forget Christ as he is his Son, Iohn 11.42. I knew thou always hearest me: And this Prayer of Christ for his elect Sheep is perpetuated; there is not one minute, wherein we can say, Christ is not praying for us; How can these Sheep that belong to Christs fold miscarry, when their blessed Shepherd is always watching over them, and praying for them.
Fifthly, Jesus Christ, he is a better Shepherd than any other; in that he shews more dear affection, and tender love to his Sheep, than ever any Shepherd in this World did; and no wonder Christ should thus love his Sheep: Because they are his own, he hath a propriety in them, Iohn 10.27. My Sheep, my Sheep, a man may be a Shepherd, when he is not owner of the Flock of Sheep. A hireling, he may take the charge of the Sheep, when perhaps he never cared for the Sheep, Iohn 10.13. But Christ he is the owner of the Sheep; though the Pope blasphemously call himself the Head of the Church, and Lords it over Christs flocks, yet the Pope is an Usurper; the Lord Jesus he is the right owner of his Sheep, and hence it follows, that Christ hath such dear affection, and tender love to these Sheep, they are his own: Now that Christ bears more love to his Sheep, than ever any other Shepherd did, appears in these three particulars. 1. He doth compassionate his Sheep. 2. He doth comfort his Sheep. 3. He died for his Sheep. Was ever any love parallel to this?
1. Christ doth compassionate all his Sheep, and this I ground upon that forecited Scripture, Isa. 40.11. He shall gather the Lambs in his Arms, and carry them in his bosom, and gently lead those that are with young: Christ you see is tender of his Lambs, and puts them in his bosom near his Heart; and such as are faint he gently leads. Oh! the bowel Mercies of Christ to his elect Sheep; that's the first, Christ loves his Sheep, he doth compassionate them; his bowels yern over them.
2. Christ doth not only compassionate his Sheep, but he doth Comfort them, the people of Christ who are his Sheep, they are given to trembling; Sheep are a trembling▪ a very fearful creature, and are apt to be discouraged; now Christ, he comforts them, and revives them, Isaiah 12.1. Thou comfortedst me. Christ comforts his people, two ways.
First, Christ Comforts them in the use of Ordinances, Word and Sacrament; in the one we hear Christs voice, in the other we have his Kiss and Embraces; in the use of Gospel Ordinances, the Saints are oftentimes upon the mount of Transfiguration; they feed upon Holy Embrocha, Christ gives them on a sudden such inward revivings as carry them above the love of Life, and above the fear of Death.
Secondly, Christ Comforts his people, the flock of his pasture, by his Spirit, that is called the Comforter, Iohn 14.16. The Spirit enables us to work out our Adoption, to read our Names in the Promises; the Spirit seals up Gods love to the Heart, upon which there is a currant of divine Joy, runs into the Soul: Here is Christs love to his Sheep, he comforts them.
Thirdly, Christ shews his love to his elect Sheep, in that he shed his Blood for them, Iohn 10.11. I lay down my Life for my Sheep: The Death of the Shepherd is the Life of the Sheep. Consider Christs death in a three-fold Notion. 1. As it was painful. 2. As it was voluntary. 3. As it was Meritorous, in all these ways he shews his love in dying for his Sheep.
First, Look upon Christs death as painful; if the torment of the body was so great: Oh! What was the agony of the Soul? The Lord Jesus Christ, he was troden, he was squeezed, in the wine-press of his Fathers wrath; the Evangelists use three Words worthy of observing to express Christs agony; he began, saith the Text, to be amazed; he began to faint, Mat. 14.23. and he began to be exceeding sorrowful, Mat. 26.37. He felt Hells torment in his Soul, equivalent, though not locally; though Christ was anointed with the Holy Ghost, though he was supported with the Deity, though he was comforted with Angels from Heaven, yet for all that he swate great drops of Blood, the Text saith: Oh! the love of Christ in dying for his Sheep!
Secondly, Consider Christs Death as it was voluntary: He did part with his Life freely. It is true, Christs death was necessary in regard of Gods decree; but it was voluntary in this respect, that Christ chearfully yielded to suffering, Iohn 10.18. I lay down my Life; the Iews could not have taken away his Life, if he had not laid it down; nothing could have forced Christ to have died for his Sheep, but love: Nothing could have bound him to the Cross, but the golden chain of Love.
Thirdly, Consider Christs Death as it was Meritorious: It is the inlet to all holy benediction, it procures for us Justification of our Persons, acceptance of our services, access to the Throne of Grace; it procures an entrance into the holy, acceptable place of Heaven, Heb. 3.19. Behold, here is the Love of Christ in laying down his Life for his Sheep: He hath purchased glorious things for us, there was no way for the Sheep to live, but by the Death of the Shepherd; and for Christ Jesus to die as a Malefactor, having the weight of so many sins lying upon him, it was more than if all the Angels had been turned into dust.
Sixthly, Christ is a better Shepherd than any other, in that he can make all the care and pains that he takes with his Sheep to be successful, which no other Shepherd can do; other Shepherds, they may lead the Sheep to the water, or to the pasture, but they cannot make the Sheep have a stomack, they cannot make them have an appetite to feed, they cannot make the pasture to nourish their Sheep; but Christ our blessed Shepherd, as he leads his Sheep into the pasture, so he can cause an appetite in his Sheep to their food, he can make them with a word speaking, hunger and thirst after Righteousness. Jesus Christ he provides pastures for his Sheep, and he only can bless these pastures, and make them nourishful to the Soul, 1 Tim. 4.6. Nourished up in the Words of Faith: Christ can bless the blessed Sacrament, he can make the Elements thorow the operation of his Spirit to be spiritual growth and nourishment in his elect Sheep: Thus he is a better Shepherd, he can bless the pasture.
Seventhly, Christ is a better Shepherd than any other in the World; for he is a pattern and example to all his flock, an example of meekness, and of humility, and sanctity, he is a pattern for all his flock; and in this sence observe, Christ is said to go before his Sheep, Iohn 10.34. how did he go before them? that is, by his holy Example, 1 Pet. 2.21. For even hereunto were ye called, because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps. Ierom having read the religious Life of Delyan, and what an excellent end he made; now, saith he, Delyan shall be the example that I will follow. So let all the Sheep of Christ say, Jesus Christ he shall be the example that we will follow and imitate: Christs Sheep go astray, when they do not tread in the steps of their Shepherd the Lord Jesus.
Eighthly, Christ is a better Shepherd than any other, and far excels them; In that he keeps his Sheep so fast in his hands, that none can ever pluck them out, Iohn 10.28. Neither can any man pluck them out of my hand: Not one of Christs Sheep was ever lost; a Shepherd, though he is never so careful and vigilant, yet sometimes a Sheep may go astray, and be devoured by the Wolf, but not one of Christs elect Sheep was ever lost, Iohn 17.12. None of them are lost, but the Son of Perdition. Iudas was never given to Christ, he was not a Sheep, but a Goat, none of his Sheep was ever lost; Christs Sheep sometimes may go astray by errour, and may fall into the acts of Sin, as David; but Christ will reduce them, and bring them off again by speedy Repentance, Christs Sheep they may be lame, and faint, and can hardly go, but yet Christ he hath a care of the weak Sheep as well as the strong Sheep; the bruised Reed he will not break, the weakest Saint alive is so a Sheep, that he is part of his Shepherd: Christ and Believers are one, the Sheep cannot perish, but the Shepherd must perish likewise.
Ninthly, Christ is a better Shepherd than any other, in that he puts his Sheep into a better pasture at last; takes them out of the Wilderness here, the valley of Tears, and transplants them into Paradice, there to feed among the Lillies; he gives them Eternal Life, Iohn 10.28. I give unto them Eternal Life. Christs Sheep may lose their golden Fleece, men may rob them of their Wool; and they may lose their lives for Christs sake, I but Christ gives them Eternal Life: Life is sweet, but that word Eternal makes it far sweeter: Eternal Life it doth consist in the fruition of all good things, Life, Beauty, Strength, Joy, Perfection, Eternity; here is the excellency of our good Shepherd, he gives his Sheep Eternal Life, he will take them out of the Wilderness, where are fiery Serpents, and place them in Paradice, and they shall feed among the Cherubims.
Thus I have shewed you how the Lord Jesus is resembled to a Shepherd, and how he is a better Shepherd than any other.
Give leave to make some Application.
VSE the first.
Is the Lord Jesus Christ, this great Shepherd which takes such care for his Flock; and is he a better Shepherd than any other? Then let us all labour to know our Shepherd; here in the Text, saith Christ, I know my Sheep: And I know them by Name: I and I am known of them too, Oh! Let us know our blessed Shepherd; knowing of Christ is nothing else but believing in him: in Scripture Knowledge is sometimes put for Faith, By my Knowledg shall thy righteous Servant justifie many. Knowledg is there put for Faith, then we know our Shepherd Christ, when we believe in him. The blind World is Ignorant of Christ, Iohn 17.25. The World hath not known me; No! when they heard Christ preach? they did see his Miracles that he wrought, but neither Oracle, nor Miracle would work upon them: The World (saith Christ) hath not known me: Formalists do not know Christ savingly; they have light, but they want sight; as if the Sun should shine upon a blind eye. Then we know Christ aright, when we believe in him, we fetch vertue from him, we are transformed into his likeness, this is to know Christ; Oh! let us never rest till we know the Bishop and Shepherd of our Souls the Lord Jesus; as our Comfort lies in Christ's knowing us, so it lies in our knowing of Christ, our Comfort lies in Christs knowing of us with a Knowledg of Approbation; and also in our knowing Christ with a Knowledge of Apprehension; that's the first, let us know our Shepherd such as know not Christ, will hear Christ say to them, I know you not.
Secondly, Let us not only know our Shepherd, but let us hearken to the voice of our blessed Shepherd, our Lord Jesus, as soon as ever the Shepherd comes into the Field, the Sheep know his voice. Oh! let us hear Christs voice, Iohn 10.27. My Sheep (saith Christ) hear my Voice. Christs voice it is in the preaching of the Word, therefore observe, Christ is said now, just now, to speak from Heaven to us, Heb. 12.25. How doth he speak now from Heaven, but in the preaching of the Word? Oh! then hear Christ speak, but take heed, don't hear the voice of a stranger, Iohn 10.5. a stranger, saith Christ, will they not follow, Sheep will not follow a stranger, by stranger is meant one that is Heterodox, that would bring strange wonders into the Church, and poison Christs Sheep; as you must hearken to Christs voice, so take heed you don't listen to the voice of a stranger: Christs Sheep are rational, he hath given them a Spirit of discerning, and they are able by their Wisdom to distinguish betwixt Truth and Errour, they will not hear the Voice of a Stranger. Then must … hear Christs Voice, but when do we hear Christs Voice aright? Then we hear Christs Voice aright, when we obey his Voice, and never till then. In Iohn 10. and several other places, you read of obeying the Voice of Christ, when Christ speaks of self-denial, of meekness, and mercifulness, we obey him, and are ambitious to obey him; a good Christian is like the Flower that opens with the Sun, he opens to Christs commands, he doth cordially obey Christ; this is to hear Christs Voice.
Thirdly, If Christ be the great, and blessed, and good Shepherd; then let us all labour to evidence to our selves, that we belong to this Shepherd, that we are the Sheep of Christs pasture. Let us search and try, whether we have the ear-mark of Christs Sheep or no; whether we are like Sheep; a Sheep is a pure and cleanly Creature: Are we like the Sheep of Christ, are our Hearts … from all filthiness of Flesh … Spirit? He that lies wallowing in Sin, is a Swine, not a Sheep.
Secondly, A Sheep it is a very useful Creature, every thing in a Sheep is good for something, the Milk, the Flesh, the Fleece, every thing is useful; are we the Sheep of Christ? are we useful? we should be always doing good; this is the very end of our Living to be good, and to do good; how useful was Saint Paul? the care of all the Churches lay upon him.
Fourthly, Is Christ this blessed Shepherd better than any other Shepherd? Oh then! let us labour to Love and Honour this blessed Shepherd; doth the Shepherd die for his Sheep, and shall not the Sheep love their Shepherd? They that do not love Christ, they are not Sheep, but Goats▪ Give Christ, I beseech you, the best of your love, the Cream of your Love▪ the … gave Christ the Juice of her …granate, Cant. 8.2. Her spiced … Love Christ better than Estate … Relations; Relations may lie in … Bosoms, but Christ must lie in … Hearts; our love to the Lord … must be intent and ardent, … should like Seraphims burn in a … flame of love to Christ. If a … had three Souls, as a Philosop… once dream'd, they were all too … for Christ; let us so love Christ and shew it by an open acknowledgment of Christ; if we are called to it, this is love to dare … own Christ our blessed … it is said of the chief Rulers, … 12.42. They believed on … but they did not confess him, … they should be put out of … Synagogue. Christ will never … that Faith, which will never … Christ, he that's ashamed … Christ, is a shame to Christ.
… and Lastly, I will but name … us answer all the love and cost …rist our blessed Shepherd: How … we answer this cost? Answer, by … fruitfulness, 1 Cor. 9.7. Who … flock, and eateth not the milk of … …ock? Christ hath feasted you, as … flock, Christ hath feasted you … his Body and Blood; Oh! then … him with the fruits of Righteous…, be fruitful in Knowledge, be … in good works, I will close … with▪ Cant. 4.2. Thy Teeth are like … of Sheep, that are even shorn, … came up from the washing, … one bare twins, and none is … …mong them.
FINIS.
End of the text · Thomas Watson, Seven Sermons (1689)