Ver. 32, 3 3. xxvth Chapter of St. MATTHEW. .163 Offices ; he feedeth them as a Prophet, dyeth for them as a Prieft, defendetk them as a King ; never Sheer had better Shepherd ; Redimet precios?, Pafcit cs t ?, Durit folicn?, Cofegat fecure t 7acob was very careful, yet fume of his Flock were left, or torn, or Rouen, or driven away ; but it cannot be fo_ with Chrifts Flock, we are fafe as long as he is upon the Throne. ;. Great in regard of his Flock ; He is, the Shepherd Of Souls, millions of them are committed to his charge, and one Soul is more worth than all the world. (;.) He is the Chief Shepherd : Though he doth imploy the Miniftry of men to feed his Flock under him, yet doth he keep the place and Rate of Arch - shepherd, and Prince of Paftours, as the chief Ruler and feeder of his Flock, from whom All the under Shepherds have their Charge and.Commiffon, Math. 28. 19, 20. their Furniture and Gifts, Eph. 4. 8, r t. Upon whore concurrence dependeth the Efficacy and Bleffing of the Ordinances difpenfed by them, a Cor. ;. 6, 7. And to Him they give an Account, Heb: r3.17. as he doth 'to God. Now, this is a great Comfort, that Christ, taketh the prime Charge of the Flock. Some thruf in them- felves, but he will require his Flock at their Hands. V S E. Let all this encourage you, to look for your Supplies by Christ : He pro- feffeth, by fpecial Office, to take charge of you ; and you may be confident of his Care and Fidelity. Betides his Love to the Flock, - he is bound as God's Shepherd : By Diftruft you carry it fo, as if Christ were unfaithful in his Charge and Office. When you come to the Ordinances, you äo direly caft your felves upon Christ's Pa= floral Care, to feed you to Everlafting Life ; and he will give you Strength and Refreshing : Only be not lean in Christ's Paffure ; nor faint, as Hagar near a Foun- tain. Secondly, The Godly are at Sheep. . (1.) Sheep are Animalia gregalia ; fuch kind of Creatures, as naturally gather them= felves together, and unite themfelves in a Flöck. Other Creatures we know, efpeci- ally Beans of Prey, lively fingly and apart ; but Sheep are never well, but when they come together, and live in a Flock. Such are Chrifians, and fuch as are Partakers of an HeavenlyCalling 'Tis unnatural for them to live alone : They feed in Flocks, Pleb. so. 25. Man by Nature is f.,;e,4.u7(55,í he hath a Nature, that is apt to make him gather into a Community and Society: We are focial, not only upon Intereft, as weak without ethers ; but upon natural Inclination : We have a defire to dwell and live together, Eeclef.4. to. The Voice of Nature faith, 'Tis not good to be alone So 'ris true of the new Nature there is a Spirit of Communion, that inch- neth them to force other, and to jóyn with them. (2.) Sheep, they are innocent and harmlefs Creatures : They that belong to Chrifó, are not Bears, and Tygers, and Wolves, but Sheep ; that often receive Harm, but do none. Chrift was holy and harmlefs, Phil. 2. 9. and fo are they. (3.) Sheep are obedient to the Shepherd :. The meek and obedient Followers of Chris, are like. Sheep in this, who are docile and fequacious. yob. to. 4. He goeth before them, and they know his Voice. And, Verf r6.. Other Sheep must I bring in alfo ; and they (ball hear my Voice. And, Perf. 27. My Sheep hear my Voice ; I know them, and they follow me. All Chrifl's Comforts, in all Places, and all Ages, have the fame Pro- perties, and the famelntpreffìon. (4.) They are poor dependant Creatures : They are ever attendant on ,the Shepherd, or the Shepherd on them. 1. Becaufe of their erring Property. They are Creatures plient to Rray ; but be- ing Brayed, do not eafily return. Swinewill run about all Day, and find their way home at Night. Domine, errare per me potui, redire non potuiffem, faith Au/tin. Christ bringeth home the (tray Lamb upon his own Shoulders, Luk. r . And Pfal. 119. 176. All we, like Sheep, have gone a/tray. If God leave us to our felves, we frill fhall do fo. 2. Becaufe of their Weakne/s : They are weak, and fhiftlefs Creatures unable to make Refinance. Other Creatures are armed with Policy, Skill, or Courage, to fafeguard themfelves ; but Sheep are able to do little for themfelves : They are wholly kept in dependance upon theirShephctd, for Prote &ion and Provifion. All their Happinefs lieth in the good Wifdom, Care and Power of the Shepherd. Y 2' Wolves,
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