Shepherdy Spiritualized, Tract · Chapter 17
CHAP. XVII.
Sheep ſociable are, hence Flocks they live in;
Saints find communion ſweet and beſt to thrive in.
Obſervation.
SHeep love to be together. Birds and Beaſts of prey are ſolitary Creatures, walk and feed alone: Creatures uſeful are otherwiſe, love Company. Birds fly in Flocks, Fiſhes ſwim in Shoals, Cattle for our uſe herd together, and ſo do Sheep: 'Tis animal gregarium non ſolitarium, Riv. They fold beſt together, yea and without the Fold they moſt quietly lye down together, and reſt. They b…ſt drive together, ye find ſome difficulty to drive one ſingle Sheep, which ſo will be apt to ſtraggle, and run this way and that; whereas in Company how eaſily are they commanded? They …eed beſt together. Hence Hoſ. 5. 16. [as a Lamb in a large place] 'Tis a fearful Creature, and being brought alone into waſt and large places, runs hither and thither, fears every thing it ſees, ſeeks Dam, Flock, Shepherd, fills every place with its bleatings, and is expoſed to greateſt dangers from Wolves and other ravenous Creatures; ſo will God feed, i. e. puniſh, Iſrael (ſee Pſal. 2. 9. Micah, 5. 4, 6. and chap. 7. 14. for the ſenſe of the word feed,) as one ſingle, ſuccourleſs Lamb, that goes bleating up and down in the waſt Wilderneſs, having none to tend it, or take care of it. How much better were it to be in Gods Fold, where (though pin'd and pent up in a narrower room, yet) God's Lambs are ſure to be fed daily and daintily? As if the Prophet had ſaid, they ſhall ſoon have enough of that wild Liberty that they ſo much affected. Laſtly, Sheep are better lookt after and car'd for in the Flock, than when ſtragling ſingly, and looſely; when they are in danger of falling into the ditch, of becoming a prey to Foxes, Dogs, Ravens, &c.
Application.
And the poor ones of God have found by experience the communion of Saints to be no empty, airy thing; but of ſingular uſe to them in their way heaven-ward. Indeed the new Nature, whereby they become Saints, fits them for, and drives them to communion and fellowſhip. Hence was the practice of Goſpel Saints not to live or walk alone, but to joyn themſelves together, and joyntly with mutual conſent to walk together in Gods waies. Thus the Prophecy, Jer, 5. 4, 5, 6. the ten Tribes, and the two together, taught to ceaſe their diviſions, when in a weeping condition together; as Hooper and Ridley could agree in Priſon, who before had claſhed about matters ſmall, and of light moment; miſery bred unity: (O that it did ſo with us) [going and weeping] tears of ſorrow for their ſins, the cauſe, and the ruins of Jeruſalem and the Temple, the effects of their Captivity, and tears of joy for their deliverance by Cyrus, but eſpecially by Chriſt. [Let us joyn, &c.] by mutual conſent and agreement, as man and wi…e are joyned, be ſo joyned to the Lord; ſo glewed unto him, as to be one ſpirit with him, and of one Spirit one with another in him, in a conjugal, perpetual Covenant An Antitheſis (ſaith Calvin) between that Covenant which they had broken, and the new Covenant, of which Jer. 31. 31. &c. whence (ſaith he) it appears that this prophecy cannot otherwiſe be interpreted than of the Kingdom of Chriſt; for in the return of the People from Babylon, they were but few, and they alſo vexed with their Enemies, &c. Thus the accompliſhment in the Hiſtory, Act. 2. 41, 42. being baptized, and thereby acknowledging the Mediatourſhip of Chriſt, they were added to the Diſciples, &c. to the Church, ſo Beza reads, by a ſupplement from verſe the laſt. [They continued in the Apoſtles Doctrine] attending their Sermons, to be further inſtructed in their duty [and fellowſhip] giving up themſelves to duties of love and mutual care, &c. Many others heard them, and ſeemed to be taken with their Doctrine, who yet did not dare to give up their names to them, to walk together with them; Act. 5. 13. That puniſhment on Ananias and Sapphira was ſo dreadful, that none durſt to fellowſhip with them, who were not upright. Fear indeed fell on the whole Church, verſ. 11. yet theſe kept cloſe to their communion; they were all with one accord in Solomon's porch, verſ. 12. others durſt not ſo. It was enough for the common people, as more ſimple and ſingle (for the chief-Prieſts and the Phariſees reproached and reviled) to commend them, but durſt not give up themſelves to their fellowſhip. Nor is there any contradiction, verſ. 14. that Believers were the more added, &c. who muſt needs therefore be the Apoſtle's hearers, for they might be hearers, who were not foreign, cloſe joyned to the Apoſtles. Saul alſo being converted, upon his return to Jeruſalem, whence he had gone forth a Perſecutor, ſeeks to joyn himſelf to the fellowſhip of the Chriſtians, Act. 9. 26. though through their fear of him, he was ſome time a probationer, e're he was admitted. He commends this alſo in his Philippians, chap. 1. 5. No ſooner had theſe received the Goſpel, but they were in fellowſhip to a day. The Communion of Saints was with them a point of practice, as well as an Article of belief. The Creed is called Symbolum, as a ſign or badge to difference Chriſtians from Infidels and wicked people, and therefore was there little reaſon to leave out the communion of Saints (as ſome ſay it ſometimes was not in the Creed) this being a main diſtinctive character, there being no ſuch fellowſhip as among the Saints, Cant. 6. 9.—is but one; ſhe is the only one of her Mother, &c. xUna Eccleſia, quia ex unâ …ide, per unum ſpiritum, naſcitur. Epiphan.one Church, becauſe from one Faith, by one Spirit. The Primitive Chriſtians were famous for their fellowſhip, animo, animâ que inter ſe miſcebantur, Tertul. The very Heathens acknowledged, that no people in the World, did hold together, and love one another, ſo as Chriſtians did. As the Curtains of the Tabernacle were joyned by loops, ſo were they by love. The more is our ſin and ſhame in theſe daies, that following the devices of our own hearts: We are cut in minutula fruſtula, (as Auguſtine ſaid of the Donatiſts) into little pieces, and ſucking Congregations.
Great is the advantage of fellowſhip and communion. For our more eaſie remembring and improving what appertains hereto, we may reduce all to that of the Preacher, Eccleſ. 4. 9, 10, 11, 12. [Two are better than one] more happy, have a better condition; 'tis better for two to live together united, than one alone. The Jews refer this to marriage; but it is more general, as appears, verſ. 12. [a threefold cord.] It is a famous ſaying among the Hebrews, aut ſocietas, aut mors, either ſociety, or death: Man is foreign, a ſociable Creature, he is natures good fellow, and holds this for a rule, optimum ſolatium ſodalitium, that Company is the great comfort of life. God ſaid of old, it is not good for man to be alone, Gen. 2. 18. neither for his profit nor comfort: And he that loves to be alone, is either a Beaſt or a God, ſaith the Philoſopher. *Ariſt. po…t. 1.Much more is it thus in Chriſtianity; Next to communion with God, is the communion of Saints. Chriſt ſent out his Diſciples by two and two, Mar. 6. 7. The evil Spirit is for ſolitarineſs; God and good men for ſociety. God dwells in the Aſſemblie of his Saints; yea, there he hath a delight to dwell; calling his Church Chephſiba, Iſa. 62. 4. and the Saints were David's Chephſibam, Pſal. 16. 2. 'Tis an obſervation of Origen on Geneſis, that God made moſt things double, as Heaven and Earth, Sun and Moon, Male, and Female, &c. to teach man to delight in ſociety. Thus in general, this general is particulariz'd, wherein the good of ſociety doth conſiſt. Eccleſ. 4. 9. As
Firſt, if they fall, that is, one of them; a plural for a ſingular partitive: as Jonah 1. 5. the ſides of the ſhip, i. e. one of the ſides, Mat. 21. 7. ſet him on them, i. e. one of them. If one falls, the other ſhall lift him up, whether the fall be into ſin or ſuffering; q. d. if a Traveller goeth alone, and fall into a ditch, where there is none to draw him out, he muſt periſh, but if he hath one with him, he that is the ſtronger ſhoreth up the weaker. While Latimer and Ridley lived, they kept up Cranmer by entercourſe of letters, and otherwiſe, from entertaining counſels of revolt. Ridly being Priſoner had the Liberty of the Tower, to prove likely whether he would go to Maſs or no, which once he did; but Bradford being there priſoner alſo, and hearing of it, wrote ſuch an effectual letter to diſſwade him, that did him much good, for never after could he be perſwaded thereto. The ſame Bradford alſo was inſtrumental to keep Biſhop Farrar from receiving the Sacrament at Eaſter in one kind, which he had promiſed to do. Dr. Taylor for like cauſe rejoyced that ever he came into Priſon, there to be acquainted with that Angel of God, John Bradford, ſo he called him for the good he received from him. O the mighty advantage that Chriſtian ſociety well imployed, and improved, brings in this way. 'Tis dangerous, ye know, to let a bone broken, be long ere ſplinter'd; or out of joynt, e're ſet right: So in Soul matters to be without Soulmonitors, Gal. 6. 1. Satan is readieſt to aſſault, when none is nigh to aſſiſt. Solitarineſs therefore is not to be affected, becauſe it is the hour of temptation.
Secondly, If two lye together they have heat. The letter of this we have accompliſhed, 2 King. 1. 1, 2. and the Metaphorical ſenſe is as plainly evident, conference warmes, Luk. 24. 32. a certain divine efficacy warmed their hearts, whilſt he ſpake to them. Like unto which Senardaeus ſpeaks ſomething concerning the Martyr yEgo vero illius oratione ſic incendebar, ut cum eum diſſerentem audirem ſpiritûs Sancti verba me audire eviſtimarem.that he heard his words, as the words of the Holy Ghoſt. Hence the exhortation of the Apoſtle, Heb. 10. 24. to conſider one another, to provoke unto love and good works; to whet one the other, Deut. 6. 7. to ſharpen and extimulate, Pro. 27. 17. to rouze and raiſe up their dead Spirits, 2 Pet. 2. 13. to ſet an edge on one another, as Boars whet their tusks one againſt another, ſaith Nazianzen. Heat and Zeal and good affections proceed from mutual knitting together. When Silas and Timothy came from Macedonia, Paul was preſſed in Spirit, Act. 18. 5. zIntus & apud ſe aeſtuabat prae zeli ardore, Bez.warm he was before, but now all of a light fire, as it were. Thoſe dull Daughters of Jeruſalem by hearing the Spouſe deſcribe her beloved, as ſhe doth, from top to toe, Cant. 5. were fired up with deſire to joyn with her in ſeeking Him whom her Soul loved. The lying together of the dead body of one with the bones of Eliſha gave life to it; ſo doth good Company give life to thoſe that are dead, &c. Strike two cold flints together, and fire will come from them: So let two dull Chriſtians confer and communicate their Soul-ſecrets and experiences, and it ſhall not repent them, they ſhall find the benefit of it. Job. 38. 31. Canſt thou bind the ſweet influences of Pleiades? Thoſe Pleiades be the ſeven Stars, that have all one name, becauſe they help one another in their work, viz. to bring in the Spring; like ſeven Siſters, (as the Poets have feigned them) joyned together in one conſtellation, and one Company. We ſee God will have the ſweeteſt works in nature to be performed with mutual help. The beſt time of the year, the ſweeteſt warmth cometh with theſe Pleiades, and the beſt time of our life cometh, when we live together in Chriſtian love and fellowſhip. Sincerity is the life of Religion, and ſociety the life of ſincerity.
Thirdly, Mutual help and aſſiſtance, as well as warmth and heat. Vis unita fortiar. God bad Gideon to go down to the Camp of the Midianites, and if he feared to go, to take with him his ſervant Phurah, Judg. 7. 10. Jonathan will not go without his armour-bearer, 1 Sam. 14. 6, 7. nor David without Abiſhai. Chriſt when he ſent out his Diſciples, ſent them by two and two; and when he begins his paſſion in the Garden, took Peter James and John with him, for the benefit of their prayers and company, though they ſerved him but ſorrily: Unity hath victory, but diviſion hath diſſolution, as it did once in England, when Caeſar firſt entred it, Dum ſinguli pugnant, univerſi vincuntur, when they fought in ſmall parties, they were all by degrees overcome, as Tacitus reports of the Ancient Britanes.
Reflections.
…ed largely, but do I feed ſafely and ſweetly? I am not brought For the alone walking Chriſtian.within Folds and Pens, but walk at liberty; under no bonds, accountable to none for my converſation, &c. but is this the manner of the Sheep of Chriſt? Do not his Lambs when they are from the Flock run up and down bleating and crying out till they have found out whom to joyn themſelves to? Is it not the voice of Chriſt's Spouſe, Cant. 1. 7. Tell me—where thou feedeſt, where thou makeſt thy Flock to reſt, &c. Why ſhould I be as one that turneth aſide by the Flocks, &c. left by Chriſt, or leaving Chriſt, are in danger of walking in by-waies and paths; [of turning aſide] ſome read that word, Why ſhould I be like to her that wanders? others, one vailed, leſt I be accounted, as one veiled among the Flocks of thy companions, i. e. an harlot, Caſt. as an harlot wandring hither and thither, Merc. being alone, and in the Fields, or withdrawn places, as the manner of ſuch is, Sanct. Conſider O my Soul, what too much cauſe of ſuſpicion they too juſtly give, that walk at random, and not in communion with the Saints. And conſider withal, Chriſt's advice in his anſwer, verſ. 8. go forth by the footſteps of the Flock; not get into ſome Wilderneſs, and keep cloſe to thy ſelf, have nothing to do with them that profeſs themſelves mine; but joyn thou thy ſelf to them that have joyned themſelves to me, by my will. Follow the practice of the primitive Saints, as they followed my precept and preſident. [And feed,—by the Shepherds Tents] keep cloſe to thoſe my under Shepherds, whom I have ſet over my Flocks, to lead them out to, and bring them in from paſture; conſult them, and be directed by them. Is it thus with me, O my Soul! who live alone, and eſteem my ſelf free, becauſe thus at liberty? Add I any where any thing to that order which the Apoſtle with ſo much joy b…ld in his Coloſſians, aOrdinis noming tam conſenſum, quam mores rit è compoſitos, et totam diſciplinam intellige. Calv. ſic Dav. Ham.Chap. 2. 5. the order wherein every one is ſet in his proper place, to fill up what is his duty. An alluſion to a Company of Souldiers, every one in his place, in rank and file. Though thy Faith ſhould be as firm as the Firmament it ſelf (foreign) yet if no order, where is the beauty? Surely Chriſt hath appointed ſome Diſcipline, as well as Doctrine; elſe it will be a confuſed houſe, a lawleſs Kingdom, a rude and wild Army; but Faith and Order, Doctrine and Diſcipline together, theſe two render the Church, fair as the Moon, clear as the Sun, terrible as an Army with banners, Cant. 6. 10. Is it not; O my Soul! that I may take a liberty to walk looſely, that I walk thus ſolely; that I may ſay, as Pſal. 12. 4. The Apoſtle gives caution of, and bids beware of thoſe that did walk diſorderly i. e. under no order or rule; may I not fear it may reach me? But beſides am I not the loſer, whilſt I walk thus alone? My joyes are but ſingle, my troubles doubled, for want of thoſe that might ſympathize and bear a part with me. How eaſily born would my …urden be, had I many Shoulders to lay it on? And how would my mercies be abundantly multiplyed, did many partake of them with me? This is the benefit of having hearts, as well as perſons united in the fellowſhip of the Goſpel, that they may mutually rejoyce and mourn together, as members indeed of the ſame body. Am I not the more expoſed to temptation, and to be over-born by it, being without help of any to foreſee it for me, and ſhore me up againſt and under it? Woe be to him that is alone! Am I not in more danger of becoming a prey to wild Beaſts, while I am thus apart from all Chriſts Flocks? What Shepherd have I to look to, and take care of me? What Companions to feed and fold with, that I may be preſerved? Turn thee, O my Soul turn thee to the Moſt High, by the Flocks, and the Underſhepherds to the chief Shepherd of Souls.
Bleſs the Lord, O my Soul! that hath given me a Name in his houſe; For the enchurched Believer.that hath taken thee into his Flock, and keeps thee among his Sheep. Time was thou wert alſo running at randome, bleating up and down without Company and care: Let God have the glory that hath brought thee over to a profeſſed ſubjection to the Goſpel; that thou haſt found the glorious preſence of the Lord in the ſlighted aſſemblies of his deſpiſed Saints; that in his Temple thou haſt ſpoken of his Glory, Pſal. 29. 9. that thou haſt ſeen the goings of the Lord in his Sanctuary, Pſal. 68. 24. that he hath given thee an intereſt in the hearts, affections, cares, prayers of his people; that they participate with thee in thy joyes and ſorrows. 'Tis mercy indeed to enjoy God, any thing of his preſence, and ſpiritual teachings and refreſhings in privacy, in a corner, with Iſaac in the Fields, with Daniel by the Rivers ſide, with Peter on the houſe top; But O the glorious outgoings of the Wiſdom, Power, Mercy, &c. of God in the Aſſemblies of his People! to have intereſt in the affections, gifts, graces, counſels, comforts, admonitions, exhortations, &c. of his beloved! 'Twas one of the moſt ſevere threatnings againſt the falſe Prophets to be denied this, Ezek. 13. 9. They ſhall not be in the aſſembly of my people; nor ſhall they be written in the writing of the houſe of Iſrael. David no doubt enjoyed God in his retirements, but when he was a little put by coming at the Aſſemblies of God's people, how did it trouble and afflict him? See Pſal. 42. 1,—4. and Pſal. 84. 1, 3. [even thine Altars] oh thine altars! ſo ſome read it by a paſſionate exclamation, importing ſtrongeſt deſires after them. Bleſſed are they that dwell in thine houſe, &c. Let ſuch as enjoy theſe mercies improve them; O my Soul? Be not barren under the droppings of Heaven's dews; be not lean and ill-favoured ſtill under fat and fattening means; not like Pharaoh's lean kine, after thou haſt devour'd much, feed little. Great eaters are generally obſerv'd to be thin and lean Perſons, their food as it were paſſes through them, and they digeſt it not: Such are careleſs and forgetful hearers. God hath promiſed his bleſſing in Sion, Pſal. 133. 3. choice bleſſings, Pſal. 134. 3. above any that came from Heaven or Earth, Pſal. 128. 5. O my Soul deſire and endeavour to grow up as Calves of the Stall, Mal. 4. 2.
If ye have taſted that God is good in Sion, and are now driven thence, ah long for his preſence in his Aſſemblies; prefer Sion to your chiefeſt joy; long for his bleſſing among his People; that thou mayeſt ſee the good of his choſen, that thou mayeſt rejoyce in the gladneſs of his Nation; that thou mayeſt glory with his inheritance. Pſal. 106. 5. Now to him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think according to the power that worketh in us. …nto him be glory in the Church by Chriſt Jeſus, throughout all ages, world without end, Amen. Epheſ. 3. 20, 21.
FINIS.
End of the text · James Wood, Shepherdy Spiritualized (1680)