are described by such termes as set out the sensiblenesse of their condition The meek the broken-hearted the captives them that are bound them that mourne in Zion them that sit in ashes them that are under the spirit of heavinesse The cure is set down in expressions suitable to the nature of these sicknesses To the meek good tydings to the broken hearted binding up to the captives liberty to them that are bound the opening of the prison to them that mourne comfort the oile of joy to them that are in ashes beauty to the spirit of heavinesse the garment of praise The Authority enjoyning this is the Divine unction of the Father by the Spirit The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me the Lord hath anointed me So Esay 50. 4. Jesus Christ is a very exact observer of his Fathers Commandment He hath his 〈…〉 not onely in his hand but even in hi◠〈◊〉 Psalm 40. 8. in the middest of his bowels Now because God hath in so peculâ—ar â— manner recommended these to his â—are therefore doth he apply himself to them for their cure 2. From the instigation of his own mercifulnesse Jesus Christ is very tender-hearted he is full of the bowels of compassion The Apostle calls him a merciful and faithful High Priest Heb. 2. 17. He could not be a compleat High Priest if he wanted either of these Now being so merciful and compassionate he will not turne away his bowels from them that are in so dejected a condition This is rendred as the reason why he was so ready to heale the wounded travellor Luke 10. 33 34. When he saw him he had compassion on him and bound up his wounds Jesus Christ hath lost none of his tendernesse by going into heaven He is still touched with the sensible feeling of our infirmities Heb. 4 15. this inclines him to this readinesse 3. That he may not lose the glory of that work which he hath begun The humbling and convincing of proud sinners is as truly the work of Christ as the restoring of humbled sinners 'T is his work to prick the heart as well as to comfort the heart Now if he should humble and convince a sinner and then leave him and proceed no farther he would lose the honour of what he hath done The soule doth not heartily praise Christ for conviction till conviction be carried on to conversion The soul so long as it abides onely under the paines of conviction apprehends no love but onely wrath and anger and so long as the love of Christ is unseen the glory of Christ is not proclaimed Now Christ will not lose the glory of the first work therefore is he so careful and ready to carry on the second work The Uses of this Point 1. Let this preserve all that are in such a condition from despaire Satans great plot upon convinced and humbled sinners is to drive them to despaire As he endeavours to heighten and harden unbroken sinners to presumption so his great designe is to afright humbled sinners to despaire This Doctrine is a good preservative against such temptations you that see sinne and complaine of your spiritual sicknesses know this to your comfort that as Christ hath prepared you for healing so he will be ready to heale you Object I have been a long time under these heart-pricking convictions and yet cannot finde any healing my wounds are as wide and as deep as ever they were I have lyen many moneths yea many yeares under the apprehensions of sinne and wrath and yet am not healed How shall I beleeve this Doctrine Sol. 1. Many sinners are healed who do not apprehend themselves to be healed Many wounded sinners will not beleeve themselves to be healed unlesse they could finde no skarre or spot of sinne upon them They think they are not healed of sinne 〈◊〉 they are not quite delivered both from the being and acting of sinne They even look to finde as perfect healing on earth as they shall have in Heaven But we must know that a person may be healed both of the guilt of sinne by Justification and of the dominion of sinne by Sanctification and yet still finde many sores of sinne upon and new sores breaking out every day in him Paul was healed when he cried out O miserable man that I am who shall deliver me from the body of this death Romans 7. 24. David was healed and yet he cries out My wounds stink and are corrupt through my foolishnesse Psalme 38. 5. and againe verse 7. My loynes are filled with a loathsome disease and there is no soundnesse in my flesh When the love of sinne the secret delight in sinne the allowance of sinne the commanding rule of sinne are removed though there continue many wounds and scarres too upon the soule the cure of sinne is wrought and that which is wanting shall perfectly be finished 2. Many sinners keep themselves from being healed by their own default They do keep terrour and apprehensions of wrath upon their soules because they will not close with the promises of the Gospel Though the comforts of the Gospel be held out never so clearly and with never so much perswadingnesse yet they will have none of them They are not humbled enough as they think they are not so prepared as they should be therefore they will not come to Christ to close with him as with a Saviour nor apply the promises of the Gospel but reject them and put them away as none of their portion This is the case of abundance of sinners Is it any wonder if such say they are not healed 'T is because they will not be healed They are not worthy of mercy and therefore they will have none They do not consider that all our worthinesse stands in the sense of our own unworthinesse They do not consider that they do not come to bring fulnesse to Christ but to draw out of Christs fulnesse John 1. 14. if such sinners would but lay aside this spiritual pride and close with Christ because they see they are unworthy of him they should finde that he would in a short time spiritually heale them For he is willing to heale and willing to do it speedily Jesus Christ never did never will put any sinne-lamenting sinner to any unnecessary trouble to any unnecessary delay 2. Let all the people of God especially the Ministery of God be ready to follow Christs example When you see or know of any soul that is wounded with sinne apply what healing medicines you can that they may be healed 'T is given in charge to the Ministers of God both in the Old and in the New Testament Esay 35. 3. and 1 Thes 5. 14. As it is cruel mercy to prostitute the comforts of the Gospel to proud sinners so is it great cruelty to with-hold the cordials of the Gospel from such sinners as are burthened with their sinnes Jesus Christ will take it very kindly at any mans hand that will help forward the
Law do not convert yet it helps forward conversion in as much as it works that preparatory work without which conversion ordinarily is not as the needle makes way for the threed so the Law makes way for conversion The spirit of bondage makes way for the Spirit of Adoption and that is wrought by the preaching of the Law 3. The mistake of those who are against all kinde of preparations to conversion They would have mercy held out to sinners as sinners not as sinners so and so qualified Surely the Scripture hath laid down qualifications for sinners to whom the Gospel is tendred They must be humbled sinners burdened sinners c. The mercy of the Gospel is not to be prostituted to sinners as sinners but to broken-hearted sinners to heart-wounded sinners to sinners that see themselves lost in themselves to hungring and thirsting sinners The brazen Serpent was onely for such to look upon as were stung with Serpents Such as are in some measure sensible of the stinging nature of sin are to be invited to lay hold on Christ As it is an undoing to wounded sinners to keep them from Christ so 't is an undoing to such sinners as are not in some measure pressed with sinne to apply the promises of the Gospel This was prefigured in the Leper The Lâ—per must cry uncleane c. every sinner is this Leper sight of sinne must go before healing of sinne 4. Let Ministers take the same way which Christ takes for the curing of sinners Jesus Christ is both an able and faithful Physician 'T is no disparagement to use his method yea 't is the greatest wisdome to prescribe the same receits which Jesus Christ prescribes he uses to take men off from the opinion they have of their own way His manner is to let men see they are sick to convince them of sinne befoâ—◠〈◊〉 apply healing medicines All those Minisâ—â—â— that desire to have their endeavours successeful must do so likewise People must be contenteâ— to suffer their condition to be known to suffer themselves to be made sick that so they may be cured This is Christs way this is a safe way this must be our way Though such kinde of preaching put you to some present trouble yet it will be to your eternal advantage Your sores cannot be healed comfortably till you see them to be sores and festred sores You must be contented to suffer the ploughings of the Law that you may be prepared for the comforts of the Gospel You must be contented to be cast down that you may be prepared for raising up You must be contented to be led to the gates of hell that you may be brought to the Kingdome of Heaven Better a great deale to go to Heaven through Hel then to saile through an imaginary Heaven and land at the dark staires of Hell in the end Doct. 5. Those that finde themselves to be spiritually sick shall finde Jesus Christ a Physician ready to heale them No Physician was ever so ready to heale a sick brother as Jesus Christ will be to cure a sin-sick sinner We finde in the Gospel that Christ was very willing to heal those that came to him sick of bodily infirmities We do not that I remember read of any one that was sent away uncured that earnestly begg'd his help either for themselves or any of theirs The Leprous the Paralytick the Demoniack the Lame the Blinde those that were sick of Feavers those that had bloody issnes Whatever sicknesses men had they obtained favour Matth. 4. 23. Christ ever valued the soule above the body therefore he will be much more ready to heale the sicknesses thereof He healed many of the sick Publicans when they saw their diseases As Zacheus Matthew c. And he will be to the end of the world ready to afford the same mercy to any that are or shall be in their condition Three things are here to be unfolded by way of Explication 1. What it is to be spiritually sick of sinne 2. That Christ will be ready to heale such 3. What are the reasons of this readinesse 1. To be sick of sin comprehends these six particulars First A true sight of our sinful condition That man who never yet had the sight of his sinful estate was never yet truly sick of sinne the soule must be convinced that it is in a sinful estate Thus it was with the Publican Luke 18 13. He acknowledged himselfe to be a sinner 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Nor is all sight of sinne sufficient but that sight of sinne which is an ingredient of spiritual sicknesse must have these two properties 1. It must arise from the Word of God This was the foundation of the Apostles sight of sinne Rom. 7. 9. When the Commandment 〈…〉 sinne reâ—ived and I died Thus 〈…〉 thâ—usand Acts 2. 37. 〈…〉 â—â—â—ked in their hearts The sense of sinne did arise from â—ouâ—â— thing which was delivered to them out of the Word of God No other light besides this divine light will discover sinne so as to make the soul sick of it 2. It must extend to sinne in the root as well as to sinne in the branches I mean original birth-sinne as well as actual sinne Possibly the sight of sinne may arise first from some actual transgression So it was with those Converts Acts 2. 37. that bloody act of theirs against Jesus Christ was the first sinne they saw Actual sinnes are more obvious to the eye then original sinne This is a sinne lying under ground more remote at a greater distance from the cognizance of a sinner therefore peradventure some actual offence first is set upon the conscience but sooner or later doth this actual sin bring to the sinners conscience the sight of that sinne which is the root both of this and of all other actual sinnes namely that body of death that law of the members as the Apostle calls it Rom. 7. 23. Which continually warreth against the Law of the minde Secondly A serious apprehension of the misery and danger the soule is in by reason of sinne discovered No man is sick of sinne till he see the danger which sinne hath and which it is likely further to plunge him into Thus it was with those Converts Acts 2. 37. The question they propound What shall we do to be saved doth inply clearly enough that they looked upon themselves as men in a state of damnation in their present condition And indeed the same Word of God which discovers sinne doth discover wrath also as the wages of sinne so that the sick sinner is one that lies under the apprehension of wrath which he expects suddenly to fall upon him Thirdly Compunction and contrition is wrought in the soule by reason of sinne The heart throbs and akes by reason of that miserable state which by sinne he is brought into Thus it was with those Converts Act. 2. 37. They were pricked in their hearts their spirits were full of grief and vexation
of the body That their knowledge is stronger then it was at first that the habits of grace are strengthned c. This is by vertue of their implantation into the Vine Christ is the beleevers breast the beleever by sucking at the brest growes from a childe to a young man from a young man to an old man in Christ 4. Spiritual fructification The fruitfulnesse of the Branch is from the fulnesse of the Root The Stock sends out its sap to every Branch and so every branch buds and blossoms and brings forth fruit Abeleevers spiritual fruitfulness is from Jesus Christ Christ sends out his sap and fatnesse to him and then he doth according to his kind bud and blossome and bring forth fruits in his season This is that which followes immediately after the Text He that abideth in me and I in him the same bringeth forth much fruit for without me ye can do nothing 'T is 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 separated from me ye can do nothing David Psalme 1. 3. tells us from whence our fruits spring namely from our implantation He shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water which bringeth forth his fruit in his season So Psal 92. 13. 14. Those that be planted in the house of the Lord shall flourish in the Courts of our God They shall still bring forth fruit in old age c. This preheminencie these mystical trees have of the natural Old age makes the natural tree barren but it makes the mystical tree the more fruitful Consider what God saith to his people Hos 14. 8. From me is thy fruit found This the Church acknowledgeth when she calleth them Christs fruits Cant. 4. 16. They are borne by the Church 〈…〉 produced by Christ The◠〈…〉 fruits in regard of benefit but 〈…〉 Christs fruit in regard of production The Creation the Preservation the ripening of 〈◊〉 are from Christ They are our fruits in regard of Inhaesion but they are Christs fruits in regard of Procreation That Christian is either blinded with ignorance or filled with malice or swelled with pride who will not acknowledge his spiritual fructification to be from Christ 5. Spiritual fellowship The Branch by vertue of its ingraffing into the Stock hath fellowship with the Stock it doth partake of all the good of the Stock A beleever by vertue of his implantation into Christ hath spiritual fellowship with Jesus Christ in all his good things God is faithful saith the Apostle by whom ye are called into the fellowship of his Sonne Jesus Christ 1 Cor. 1. 9. He that is a Branch of Christ is spiritually married to Christ Hos 2. 19 20. I will betroth thee unto me for ever in righteousnesse in judgemene in loving-kindenesse in mercies and in faithfulnesse Marriage gives the wife an interest in all the good things of her husband His honours his riches his relations are now related to her Her name is set upon all the goods which are marked with her husbands name where he is Caius she is Caia where he is Master she is Mistresse By our implantation into Christ all his possessions are ours His honours are ours we are called by his name He Christ we Christians His riches are ours his relations are ours I ascend to my Father and your Father to my God and your God John 20. 17. Hereby 1. We communicate with Christ in his death Rom. 6. 5. All the fruits of his death are ours onely by reason of our ingraffing into him 2. Hereby also we communicate with Christ in the fruits of his resurrection Rom. 6. 5. We shall also be in the likenesse of his resurrection Hereby 3. we have communion with him in his life Rom. 6. 8. If we be dead with Christ we beleeve that we shall also live with him He will be for ever unto us a spring of spiritual life Because I live you shall live also John 14. 19. Herein do these spiritual Branches differ from the natural a natural branch may die though the Root live but a spiritual Branch of Christ can never die while there is life in Christ his Root Hereby 4. Do we participate of the Spirit of Christ the Spirit of Christ is ours because we are Branches of Christ in 1 Cor. 6. 17. He that is joyned unto the Lord is one Spirit Consider but one Text which doth fully shew our spiritual fellowship from this very ground 'T is 1 Cor. 1. 30. Of him are ye in Christ Jesus c. There are three things in this text First that beleevers are in Christ Secondly that their being in Christ is from Gods Donation Of him are ye in Christ Thirdly that by vertue of their interest in Christ it is that they come to have fellowship with Christ he is to them wisdome c. because they are in him He is their wisdom as he hath revealed salvation to them as he guides them in the way of salvation He is their righteousnesse as he hath perfectly obeyed the Law commanding and as he hath fully satisfied the Law 〈…〉 Sanctification to them as he hath 〈◊〉 them his Spirit to renue them by regeneration and he is their Redemption as he shall raise theâ— up at the last day and glorifie them Thâ—â— much for Explication The Uses of this Point are of three sorts 1. Information 2. Exhortation 3. Consolation 1. For Information 1. We may learn from this Metaphor the nature of the union that is between Christ and beleevers The Doctrine of our spiritual union with Christ is a stupendious mystery therefore the Holy Ghost makes use of natural similitudes to set it forth Among others he makes use of this of the Vine and Branches Which teacheth us three properties of this Union 1 That it is a Real union The Branches and the Vine are not united appearingly but truly Christ and a beleever are united not imaginarily but really Though it be an invisible union to the eye of sense yet it is visible to the eye of faith Though it be a spiritual union yet it is a true union Hence it is that the Name of Christ is communicated to all his members 1 Cor. 12. 12. so also is Christ Not Christ personal but Christ mystical If the union were not in reality Jesus Christ would never impart his name to any of them 2. That it is a very strict union The union between the Vine and Branches is not a loose union but a close union by vertue of this union they are made one tree The union between Christ and a beleever is a very close union They are not united together as a wooden legge is united to the body onely by external bands and ligaments but as the natural legge is united to the body by inward bands by those influences of Spirits Animal and Vital which descend from the Head to the members The beleever is not tied to Christ onely by the bands of an outward profession but made one with Christ by a reall incorporation Christ
curing of a wounded sinner he expects it at th◠〈…〉 his Ministers As they must be 〈…〉 secure sleepy sinners so they must be â—â—â—â—basses to mourning sinners A wounded spirit iâ— an insupportable burthen Prov. 18. 14. The more insupportable the burden is the greater charity is it to be a means to support the spirit under it 3. Let this be a Motive to all sick sinners to come to Christ This is enough to perswade you to come to him because there is none else can heal you You must either come to him or else you must die in your sinnes But this is more he is willing to heale you There is a natural shynesse in sinners that see their sin to come to Christ 'T is hard to drive them Cast away this sinfulnesse sloathfulnesse and come to him cast your selves at his feet and say Lord heale us Object 1. I have been a sinner of a very great magnitude Sol. 1. Not greater then Christ hath cured Not greater then he can cure Esay 1. 18. Esay 55. 8 9. 2. Did ever Christ upbraid any with the greatnesse of their sins that did see them and bewaile them 3. Make them not greater by refusing the Physician which God hath sent from his bosom to cure you Object 2. I have continued long in them 1. They are not of so long a continuance as some that Christ hath cured 2. Make them not of longer continuance by staying still in them Object 3. I fear the time of healing is past 1. While Christ calls the time is not past 2. 'T is a sinne for any man to think the time pasâ— 3. He can heal thee at the last gasp Adventure on sin 't is better to die coming to were it so then running from Christ You have both his promise and his oath that he will not cast you out He that came to call sinners to repentance will not reject repenting sinners JOHN 8. 12. I am the light of the world XII SERM. at Mary Wolnoth Lon. May 30. 1652. IN the former Chapter we read of the cruel severity of the chief Priests and Pharisees against V. 32 our Saviour He had by the excellency of his preaching gained much upon the affections of the people that resorted to heare him very many beleeved on him saith the Text and said When Christ cometh V. 31 will he do more miracles then these which this man hath done The chiefe Priests and Pharisees hearing that such things were murmured among the people presently send away Officers to apprehend his person and bring him V. 32 before the Councel The Officers instead of bringing Christs person were so taken with his preaching that they returne with a full testimony both of his Person and Doctrine Never V. 46 man spake like this man Whereupon the Pharisees are so enraged that they presently denounce Execrations upon all that adhere to him Nicodemus who was one of the Councel stands up and by a political Argument V. 49 staves them off from any further proceedings against Christ till they had heard him speak He doth not directly defend either the person or Doctrine of Christ but â—y a prudent and sober Argument labours that all further dispute about him might be laid aside till according to the Law of God they had heard him and received full proof of his actions This doth incense their envious hearts not onely against Nicodemus but even against his Countrey also And thereupon V 52. by the wonderful power of God the Assembly is broken up not without some tumultuous confusion And every man went to his V. 53 own house Our Saviour that night departs from Jerusalem and lodgeth in the Mount of Olives Chap. 8. 1. a place not farre from Jerusalem whither he was wont oft to reâ—ort He would not lodge in so bloody and ingrateful a City nor did he ever lodge in Jerusalem again as Chemnitius observes till the night before his Passion The inhabitants of Jerusalem for fear of their Governours durst not receive him into their houses and Christ knowing their malice would not trust himself amongst them and therefore departs to the Mount of Olives partly to refresh his body with necessary rest and partly that he might have more liberty for meditation and prayer The next day our Saviour comes early in the morning to the Temple and there sits down as his manner was to teach the people V. 2 Though they sought to take away his life yet he still endeavoured to save their souls and therefore comes early to teach in the Temple The Scribes and Pharisees understanding that he was teaching in the Temple thinking to finde an occasiâ—n V. 3. 4. against him brought to him a â—oman taken in the Act of adultery and desire to know his judgement in the case 〈…〉 the Law of Moses she 〈…〉 or no. Our Saviour knowing 〈…〉 declines to be a Judge in the case â—e came not into the world to be a political Judge and therefore will not determine either one way or other But though he will not be a Judge yet V. 6 7 will he be a spiritual Physician and therefore that he may convince them of their hypocrisie speakes thus He that is without sinne among you V. 7 let him cast the first stone at her These words so work upon their consciences that they depart one by one as men self-condemned and leave Jesus alone and the woman standing in V. 9 the midst Our Saviour after he had given some spiritual counsel to the woman dismisseth her and returnes to preach againe to the people V. 10 11 from which work he had been hindred too long by this impertinent act of the envious Scribes and Pharisees The first Doctrine he delivers to them is contained in the Text I am the light of the world Here are two words to be explained a little Light World Light This word is taken in Scripture two wayes 1. Properly 2. Metaphorically or improperly First Properly For that noble quality which enlightens the world called the light of this world John 11. 9. Lux est claritas splendor in corpore luminoso vel extrâ—â— corpore luminoso exiens quae lumen dicitur This natural â—ight was the first perfect visible creature that God made It was the first dayes work Gen. 1. 3. Secondly Improperly or metaphorically And so it s put for several things as they carry some resemblance to light viz. 1. The word of God Psal 119. 105. 2 Pet. 1. 19. 2. For the Ministers of God Mat 5. 14. 3. For regenerate men Eph. 5. 8. 4. For the state of conversion Act. 26. 18. 5. For prosperity and comfort Esth 8. 16. Psal 97. 11. 6. For deliverance from trouble Esay 9. 2. 7. For all outward good Job 30. 26. 8. For the glory of heaven Col. 1. 12. 9. For knowledge Dan. 5. 11. Esay 60. 3. 10. For Gods special favour Psal 4. 6. 11. For posterity Prov.
this Name 1 Corinth 5. 4 5. In the Name of our Lord Jesus saith he and by the power of our Lord Jesus deliver such a one unto Satan All Church acts of Government are to be done by the Shepherds of the Church in Christs Name and by power derived from Christ And then 3 They are to be accountable to him for all their misdoings He will judge them for all their miscarriages either towards one another or towards the flock 6. Christ is the great Shepherd in regard of the successe he can give to what he doth Other shepherds may lead the sheep to the pastures or drive them to the waters but they cannot make either successeful to the sheep They cannot give digestion concoction growth 1 Cor. 3. 7. But now this great Shepherd is able to do all this he can give the sheep an appetite to eat and drink and he can by his blessing make their eating and drinking successeful He can make the sheep strong and lusty and vigoâ—ous He can exercise discipline and give them an heart to submit to it and to be bettered by it He can lay a plaister to their wounds and when he hath done so can say the wound shall be healed He can call them from their wandrings and speak so effectually that they shall returne and wander no more 7. He is the great Shepherd in regard of the great jurisdiction he hath over the sheep All other shepherds that ever were or shall be have but a limitted power they cannot do what they will they cannot make any rules for the ordering of the flock nor can they teach any doctrines to the flock but what Christ hath taught 1 Cor. 11. 23. But now Jesus Christ the great Shepherd hath a boundlesse illimited Authority He can do what he pleases with the sheep he can he hath made what Lawes pleased himself for the ordering of the sheep He can cut launce wound put them into fat pastures into barren pastures as he pleases His Dominion is absolute over them 8. He is the great Shepherd in regard of the latitude and extent of his jurisdiction Other shepherds are shepherds over particular flocks but Christ is the universal Shepherd the whole Catholick Church is his flock he is the universal Shepherd of the Church That which the Pope â—alsly and treasonably challengeth to himself to be the Universal Bishop is most truly â—ffiâ—med of Christ The Apostles were shepherds to the universal Church where they came but it was onely to the Church that was in their generation but Jesus Christ hath been and still is thâ— Universal Shepherd in all generations He was tâ—e Shepherd of the Church in the Prophets time he was the Shepherd in the Apostles days and he will be Shepherd to the eâ—d of the world This the Psalmist foretels by way of Prophecy Psal 72. 8. His dominion shall be from sea to sea and from the 〈…〉 of the earth Ever since the Church waâ— Câ—rist was Shepherd and while God hath 〈…〉 in the world Jesus Christ will continue to be the great Shepherd thereof Eccles 12. 11. The Uses concern both the inferior shepherds and the whole flock of sheep First Concerning the shepherds Here are five duties 1. This may teach them to act for Christ It becomes all the Ministers whom Christ hath made shepherds to consider that Christ is the great Shepherd They are but ministerial inferior subordinate shâ—pherds therefore whatever their parts be whatever interest they have in the hearts of the sheep they are still to remember that Christ is the great Shepherd and that it is their duty to lay out all their abilities and interest in gathering together the sheep unto Christ This is the character of a true shepherd in all his actings to serve the great Shepherd whoâ—e servant he is John Baptist is an eminent patterne for this he did not serve himselfe but Christ and therefore was contented to be diminished to be nothing so that Christ the great Shepherd might be exalted See that famous Text John 3. 26 27 28 29 30. He humbles himself to the dust that by his falling Christ might rise 2. This may teaâ—h them not to Lord it over the sheep Ministers though they be shepherds in respect of the sheep yet they are but sheep in respect of Christ This Caution the Apostle gives them upon this very account in 1 Pet. 5. init The great Shepherd may do what he will but the inferior shepherd must not do what he will but what Christ will 2 Cor. 4. 5. 3. This may encourage them in hoping for reward from Christ The great Shepherd doth take an account of the diligence and faithfulnesse of inferior shepherds and if they be faithful in their work whatever their successe be the great Shepherd will abundantly reward them He that hath called himself the great Shepherd knows what belongs to the work of a shepherd and therefore he will consider him according to his work This the Apostle tells the shepherds 1 Pet. 5. 1 2 3 4. 4. This should teach them to go to this great shepherd both for Pastoral Abilities and for successe As they should learn to carry themselves in the managing of their Pastoral work by Christs example the great Shepherd to be diligent painful watchful affectionate as he was so they should when they want strength wisdome encouragement go to him The great Shepherd who hath set them on work will both strengthen them in the work and blesse them with successe though not so much as they desire yet with so much as shall make them cheerfully go on with their work 5. To learn of Christ meeknesse patience painfulnesse faithfulnesse forbearance love to some bearing with infirmities Zeale to preach with authority impartiality courage self-disregarding Secondly concerning the sheep Here is both Instruction and Consolation I. Instruction they may learne three lessons from hence 1. Be ruled and governed by Christ. It 〈…〉 shepherds work to governe as well as to 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 signifies both to feed and to rule The sheep is to follow the shepherd Those that are Christs sheep in truth do follow him John 10. 4. They follow him without disputing they follow him without murmuring they follow him universally It doth not become a sheep of Christ to refuse the Shepherds conduct The Shepherd is wiser then the sheep they will erre if they follow their own counsel they cannot wander if they follow Christ The sheep are safe while they follow Christ he never led any of his sheep into dangerous places When you heare the voice of the great Shepherd be sure to yield obedience We are to obey the voice of subordinate shepherds yet no farther then they teach Christs commands but the voice of the great Sheperd is to be obeyed in all things Let me adde but this one word to perswade you to it Jesus Christ will not be a feeding Shepherd where he may not be admitted to be a ruling Shepherd
the discipline of Christ is an act of mercy to the sheep as well as his feeding 2. Create no other shepherds then what Christ sets over you Christ is therefore called the great Shepherd because he appoints other shepherds under him to feed the flock 'T is the duty of Christs sheep to adhere to these shepherds and to reject all others though they come in Christs Name This hath been the practise of Christs sheep heretofore John 10 5 8. The sheep did not heare him So Cant. 1. 7. Why should I be as one that turneth aside by the flocks of thy companions Who are those companions of Christ false shepherds who come in Christs Name pretending themselves to be the companions of Christ when indeed they are nothing lesse 'T is the casting off as much as lieth in us the Authority of the great Shepherd to make to our selves or to follow anâ—â—ther shepherds then what Christ sends But how shall we know such shepherds as are sent of Christ First If they preach Christs Doctrine and that onely He that preacheth that Doctrine that Christ never taught is no shepherd sent of Christ Secondly â—f 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 bâ— according to Christs life He that live 〈◊〉 to the life of Christ is not really to be lookâ—â—â—on as a shepherd of Christ Thirdly If he enter in according to Christs Rule He that entreth not in by the doore into the sheep-fold but climbâ—th up some other waâ— the same iâ— a thief and a â—obber They are our Saviours own words John 10 1. 2. We reade in Scripture but of two wayes of sending shepherds by Christ the one was by immediate commission as Prophets Apostlâ—s Evangelists were sent This kinde of Mission was ever accompanied with extraordinary gifts either of miracles or foretellinâ— things to come whosoever will plead this call must shew it by extraordinary qualifications The other according to eslablished Gospel Rule from Christ by the Ministery of the Church viz. by Ordination thorough the imposition of the hands 〈◊〉 Presbyters of which we readâ— T it 1. â— 1 Tim. 5. 22. 1 Tim. 4. 14. Acts 13. init Acts 14. 23. I shall say but this one thing to set this duty upo◠〈◊〉 Christs blessing cannot be expected to 〈◊〉 long with those shepherds which he never created Ierem. 23. 32. They shall not profit this people at all 'T is spiritual theevery for any man to make himself a shepherd after his own fancy and to heare such is to be accessory to this spiritual theft John 10 8. 3. In all things carry your selves as the sheep of this Shepherd First Heare his voice John 10. 3. Secondly Love his pastures Rejoyce in and be thankful for that way of feeding which he hath established in his Church Christ could have appointed a more externally glorious way of feeding his sheep but this plaine way of feeding is most for his glory best for your good The Ministery of men best suites with the feeding of men Thirdly Bring forth fruit to him Who feedeth a flock and eaâ—eâ—h not of the milk of the flock 1 Corinth 9. â— Do Christ what service you are able This Shepherd hath bought you with his blood and he seeds you with his blood so great a shepherd should have great increase of his sheep Fourthly Know him 'T is the honour of Christs sheep that they are known of him and it is their property that they know him Iohn 10. 14. You must not onely know him in his natures offices c. but you must acknowledg him When he is reviled reproached opposed yet then must the sheep acknowledge him When it's death to own him yet then 〈◊〉 you â—â—â—dly openly acknowledge him He that will not acknowledge the great Shepherd here shall not be acknowledged by him as a sheep hereafter Fifthly reject not those shepherds which he sends 1 Iohn 4 6. Luke 10. 16. II. For Consolation This Title of Christ the great Shepherd is very comfortable for every sheep 1. That he will provide subordinate shepherds Though Christ be the great Shepherd yet the Church wants subordinate shepherds He feeds the sheep not immediately but by the Ministery of inferior shepherds Now he that gave them will preserve them He will continue them he will encrease their gifts he will blesse them with successe For your good he hath given them for your good he will uphold them onely you must by prayer importune him so to do The earnest prayer of the sheep to the great Shepherd will procure a blessing upon the endeavour of the subordinate shepherds 2. In case of your present weaknesses Christ is a healing Shepherd You are weak infirme ready to miscarry Well know this for your Comfort that Christ the great Shepherd will heale your wounds will consider your infirmities No sheep are more carefully tendred by the shepherd then the weak and wounded sheep Esay 40. 11. He shall gather the lambs with his arâ—e and carry them in his bosome and shall gently lead them that are with young And then 3. In case of wandrings and straglings You are ready to runne from the fold you wander thorough your ignorance and blindenesse Well the great Shepherd will gather you with his Arm his Arme is very long he â—an 〈…〉 ever the shepherd wil do for 〈…〉 will do for you But I am unworthy 〈…〉 that made you sheep when you were 〈◊〉 will not suffer you to want any thing that is needful for sheep Though you be unworthy to be used like sheep yet Christ is so faithful that he will fulfil towards you all the duties of a good Shepherd He is a good Shepherd as well as a great Shepherd Iohn 10. 11. JOHN 15. 5. I am the Vine ye are the branches XIV SERM at Mary Wolnoth Lâ—â— Octob. 1â— 1652. OUr Saviour in this Chapter treats â—hiefly of three things 1. Here is an exhortation to his Disciples that they would continue constant in that faith into which they were implanted This is from verse 1. to verse 8. 2. An exhortation given them to abound in good works especially in that duty of mutual love one to another this is from vers 8. to vers 18. 3. Encouraging arguments against the feare of persecutâ—â—n and the hatred of the world this is from ver 18. to the end of the Chapter His exhortation â—o constancy and perseverance in the faith is pressed by the parable of the Vine and Branches As the Branches when they are planted into the Vine do continue in it so those that were by faith and the Doctrine of the Gospel planâ—ed into Christ ought to continue in him and bring forth fruits The uttering of this parable is thought by Piscator to be occasioned upon the 〈…〉 by our Saviour and his Discipâ—â—◠〈…〉 thorow the City It was 〈…〉 from the beholding of 〈…〉 teach spiritual Doctrines From the woman of Samaria's coming to Iacobs Well to drâ—w waâ—â—r our Saviour takes occasion to speak fâ—lly of the water of life Iohn 4.