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.
hopes that our eyes shall still according to Gods promise see Isa 30. 20 our Teachers and that we shall not be left 2 Chr. 15. 3 without God through the want of a true Gospel Ministery 1. Both because of his abiding compassions notwithstanding our ill deservings from whence in former ages his Church hath been supplyed with a succession of faithful painful Embassadors 2 Chr. 36. 15 though there have been therein many people of very high provocations 2. And also because there is a considerable accession of young men rich in gifts and graces who from time to time seek entrance into the Ministery through the right dore of Ordination though it be an Ordinance wofully sleighted by multitudes yea by some who pretend much love unto the Gospel And therefore seeing Christ who holdeth the stars in his right hand is obliged Rev. 1. 16. Eph. 4. 11 12 13. to maintain his own Officers in the Church till his Saints arrive at perfection we his Ministers in reference to our calling may boldly say We shall not die but live and declare the works of the Lord. Reader Ps 118 15 believe it Nothing more endangereth the loss of the Gospel then contempt and none proficiency Therefore once and againe we most heartily entreat thee to prize and to improve a Gospel Ministery and all other means of grace which the God of thy mercies doth yet vouchsafe To him that hath and fruitfully tradeth what he is trusted with shall be given and he shall have abundance Mat. 23. 29 Let not this book be received in vain which the good hand of providence doth now tender unto thee This field is full of Gospel treasures digged out of Scripture mines for thine enriching in the knowledge of Christ and what knowledge is so necessary excellent or profitable For from hence do issue all things which pertaine unto life and godlinesse Hereby our love to Christ is 2 Pet. 1. 3. enflamed our longings after him enlarged our faith in him confirmed our joyes in him raised yea by the knowledge of him he is possessed and improved both for growth in all graces augmenting of all spiritual comforts and preparation for everlasting glory Therefore commending this book which hath by one of us been diligently and carefully compared with the Authors own notes together with all thy other helps for heaven unto thy faithful improvement we commend thee to the fulnesse of the blessing of the Gospel Rom. 15. 29 through Jesus Christ in whom we desire alwayes to approve our selves May 28. 1656. The real friends and servants of thy soul Simeon Ashe Edm. Calamy William Tayler A TABLE Of the several DOCTRINES handled in this TREATISE 1. A Prelimunary Sermon to the whole discourse that Christ is All and in All. pag. 1 2. Christ a Christians life 11 3. Christ a Christians food 39 4. Christs righteousnesse the Christians robe 67 5. Christ the Protector 87 6. Jesus Christ the Physician 119 7. Christ the true light 225 8. Jesus Christ the great Shepherd 249 9. Jesus Christ the true Vine 282 10. Christ the horn of salvation 324 11. Christ the dew of heaven 351 12. Christ the chief corner stone 385 13. Christ to the wicked a stone of stumbling 432 14. Christ the Sunne of righteousnesse 455 15. Christs Name a precious oyntment 487 16. Jesus Christ the consolation of Israel 509 17. Christ the fountaine opened for penitent sinners 555 Second Part of the Table 18. CHrist the Lamb of God 1 19. Christ a bundle of myrrh 3 20. Christ the way 16 21. Christ the truth 40 22 Christ the glory of his people 80 23. Christ the gift of God 81 24. Jesus the Authour and finisher of our faith 101 25. Christ the rock 121 26. The Word of Christ the sword of the spirit 153 27. Jesus Christ the desire of all Nations 1â—4 28. The Covenant of grace established in Christ 206 29. Christ the hope of salvation 235 30. Jesus Christ as rivers of water in a dry land 258 31. Christ the power of God 288 32. Christ the wisdom of God 306 33. Christ the true brazen Serpent 329 34. Christ the end of the Law 365 35. Christ the holy one of God 379 36. Christ the Christians spiritual Altar 400 37. Christ the Christians Passeover 408 COL 3. last part of ver 11. I. SERM. at Mary Wolnoth Lon. May 18. 1651. Christ is all and in all THe Apostle in the two former Chapters perswadeth these Colossians to constancy in the Faith of the Gospel in which they had been instructed against the practice of those false apostles who laboured to draw them away to judaical ceremonies He doth in this Chapter as his manner is give them sundry Exhortations to holinesse of life And first he stirs them up to the more diligent study of heavenly things by many Arguments verse 1 2 3 4. If ye be risen with Christ seek those things that are above Secondly he perswades them to mortifie their earthly members those vitious motions and affections of corrupt nature which were still too strong in them he doth not only urge this in general but instances in many particulars all which are pressed by several Arguments verse 5 6 7 8 9 10. Amongst other Arguments this is one They have put off the old man and put on the new man ver 9 10. This new man he describes three wayes First it is the renuing of the holinesse of our nature which we lost in Adam Secondly it consists in the knowledge of the mystery of the Gospel Thirdly the example or Archetype according to which this new man is fashioned is the image of God our Creator This Argument the Apostle follows verse 11. he sets it on two wayes 1. By removing the false opinion of some who neglecting this new man did confide in their external priviledges and contemned all such as wanted them this in the former part of the verse where there is neither Greek nor Jew c. that is in this new man it matters not what Nation a person be of whether he be Jew or Gentile nor doth it matter what outward prerogatives a person have whether he be circumcised or uncircumcised nor doth it matter what his outward state be whether he be bond or free c. none of all these differences are looked at or considered No man is more accepted of God for the having of any of these things nor is any less esteemed of him for the want of them There is neither Jew nor Greek c. 2. By opposing the true opinion But Christ is all and in all Qâ—d All those external things which are accounted so honourable without this new man do not availe to salvation nor will the want of all these hinder a person of salvation and acceptance with God if the great work of regeneration be wrought for Christ is all and in all We have such another expression Gal. 3. 27 28. Ye are all
He shall come down like the rain upon the mowen grasse This seems to be more agreeable to the meaning of the Holy Ghost especially because of the clause following which is added by way of Explication As the showers that water the earth As the showers 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Rain and showers differ onely as lesse and more raine signifies smaller showers and showers signifie greater raine Deut. 32. 2. Raine falling in multitude of drops is called a shower That water the earth 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 The word Zarziph which is here translated water is onely used in this place in all the Bible it signifies to water by dispersion to water by drops The showers are dispersed in drops all over the face of the earth in a very regular and artificial way God hath divided saith Job a water course for the overflowings of waters Job 38. 25. The raine is from the cloud spouted out by drops after such a manner that every part hath its share Thus much for Explication The Observation is this Doct. Jesus Christ is to his Church as the rain to the mowen grasse as the showers of rain that drop down upon the earth Jesus Christ is the spiritual raine of his Church Jesus Christ is a mystical shower to the hearts of his people When God gave Christ out of his bosome he did then if ever raine a golden shower upon the world The Prophets do use this Metaphor in their predictions of Christ Esay 45. 8. Drop down ye heavens from above and let the skies poure down righteousnesse c. Though it be expressely a prediction of that great return of the Church from their captivity Yet as Calvin well observes it relates to the spiritual Kingdome of Christ when all this should be compleatly fulfilled The heavens did never drop down salvation they never rained righteousnesse so abundantly as when they rained down him who is the Lord our righteousnesse In the handling of this Doctrine I shall open three things 1. What that is which in Christ may be compared to the rain 2. Wherein lieth the resemblance between Christ and rain 3. Wherein lies the disproportion there I shall shew how Christ excels all other raine For the firste This Metaphor of raine doth relate to three things of Christ It respects three particulars 1. It hath relation to his Doctrine It is usual in Scripture for Doctrines to be compared to the raine My Doctrine saith Moses shall 〈◊〉 at the raine my speech shall distil as the dew 〈◊〉 Ordinarily the preaching of the Prophets Deut. â—â— â— â—â— câ—lled Dropping Ezek. 20. 46. Drop thy word â—oward the south and Prophecy Ezek. 21. 2. Drop â—â—y word toward the holy places Prophecy against the land of Israel I finde divers Expositors interpreting that Text of Christs Doctrine Saith Chrysostome the coming down of the rain upon the grasse or upon the fleece of wool as he renders it signifies the preaching of Christ in the Synagogue And certainly Christs Doctrine if ever the Doctrine of any person may be well compared to the raine His Doctrine is from above and it hath all the properties of raine The Prophet makes the comparison Esay 55. 10 11. 2. It hath relation to the spiritual Government of his Kingdome The administration of judgement is many times set out by the descending of the raine Job speaking of himselfe as a Magistrate useth this Metaphor Chap. 29. 22 23. My speech saith he dropped upon them They waited for me as for the raine and they opened their mouth wide as for the latter raine Evill Governours are compared to a parching drought whereby the estates of the Subjects are withered they are like those destroying Gardeners that pluck up the very roots of the herbs but good Governours are like Gardeners that do daily water the flowers and so cause them to thrive Jesus Christ is such a Governour as seeks the wealth of all his Subjects he drops down rain upon them whereby they are multiplied and increase The Prophet speaks of this Hos 6. 3. His going forth is prepared as the morning he shall come unto us as the raine as the latter and former raine unto the earth Christs government tends not to the impoverishing but to the enriching of his Subjects In his dayes shall the righteous flourish verse after the Text. Jesus Christ is not a waster but a waterer of the spiritual estates of those that are under the Government of his Scepter The Psalmist compares his Scepter to dew Ps 110. 3. It hath relation to the influences of his Spirit The influences of Christs Spirit are compared to the raine The Prophet useth this Metaphor to set out the distillations of his Spirit upon his Câ—uâ—â—h Joel 3. 18. It shall come to passe in that day that the mountains shall drop down â—â—to â—iâ—e and the â—illâ— shall flow with milk c. When Jesus Christ hâ—d communicated his Spirit to the Church See whâ—t she saith Cant. 5. 5. I opened to my beloved and my hands dropped with myrrh and my fingers with sweet â—â—â—â—lling myrrh upâ—n the handles of the lock Christ did there come down as the raine by the secret vertue of his Spirit he caused many precious drops to fall upon the soul of his Church Calvin expounds this Text of the secret distillations of Christs grace upon his people so that whether we respect Christs Doctrine or his spiritual Government or the secret influx of his Spirit in regard of all these doth he come down as the raine upon the mowen grasse and as the showers that water the earth This is the first thing Qui respectus For the second Quae propoâ—tio Wherein stands the resemblance between Christ and raine I shall mention three particulars 1. The raine is the immediate and proper work of God The Scripture doth by this put a difference between the true God and Idols Jer. 14. 22. Man can neither set abroach the vessels of heaven to cause raine nor can he stop them when God hath set them abroach The key of the raine hangs at Gods girdle Man may speak long enough to the clouds before they give a drop of moisture but if God do but lift up his finger they are dissolved As he brings forth the wine our of his treasures so doth he draw the raine out of his Cellars Jesus Christ comes down like the raine in this respect for he is the immediate and proper gift of God This raine had never fallen from heaven if God had not of his own accord bestowed it had all the Angels of God been conven'd in an Assembly how to restore lost man they could never have found out this way The Scripture attributes the whole work of giving Christ to God alone My Doctrine is not mine Joh. 7. 16. but his that sent me His Doctrine is from God John 12. 49 His Scepter is from God Psal 110. 2. His King he is called Psal 2. 6. He prepared him a body Heb. 10. 5.
Ordinance through which it is conveyed Seldome are our eyes lifted up so high as Christ We should labour to be better informed for time to come What ever conduit pipe be used Christ is the fountaine and foundation of every drop of comfort Christ is the God of all true consolation It is not in the power of all the Angels of heaven to give any soul one drop of comfort Nor can all the Ministers on earth give you one dram of comfort They can speak the words of comfort but they cannot cause the soul to receive comfort God comforts by them 2 Cor. 6. 6. Titus was but an instrument Comforting is called frequently in Scripture the speaking to the heart Hoseâ— 2. 14. Who is able to speak to the heart but he who is the Lord and Commander of the heart God hath put all the oyle of spiritual joy into the hands of Christ Esay 61. 3. and none but he can give it out He that wants comfort must go to Christ he that hath received any true comfort must ascribe it to Christ All my springs saith the Church are in thee Ps 87. 7. 5. Let the Israel of God take heed of being a discomfort to Chrâ—st We cannot properly be either a comfort or diâ—comfort to Christ by any thing we do He receives properly no joy from us nor is he capable of enduring any sorrow from us yet our sinnes are said in a figurative sense to be a grief and discomfort to him If Christ were capable of sorrow nothing would go neerer his hear then this to see his people sinne against him What the Apostle saith of the Spirit we may in the same sense say of Christ Ephes 4. 30. It is but a disingenuous and unfriendly thing to be a grief to him that is a consolation to thee If Christ be thy comforter it 's an unworthy thing in thee to be his tormentor The Apostle speaks of some who crucifie to themselves afresh the Sonne of God Heb. 6. 6. Every sinne is in a sort the cruifying of Christ afresh if there be any dram of thankfulnesse in our hearts we shall loath the thoughts of vexing Jesus Christ 6. Maintain close communion with Christ Vse 3. Consolation to the people of God 'T is better in his hands then in ours we are cruel to our selves foolish 1. In case of the want of outward comforts It 's often the loâ— of Gods people to be cut short of outward things God sees they are apt to surfeit on this sweet fruit therefore he with-holds it Well Christ is thy consolation These things could not comfort thee without Christ he can comfort thee abundantly without these 2. In case of spiritual heavinesse and trouble of heart Remember Christ is the consolation of Israel First He can comfort in all cases 2 Corinth 1. 4. Secondly He can comfort against all difficulties He can bring comforts through hell through an host of temptations to the soule Hosea 2. 14. Thirdly He can give the soul ability to receive comforts Esay 66. 13. Wait on him and on his Ordinances and you shall have comfort as much as is sufficient Fourthly he is full of comfort Fifthly â—e is willing to comfort He hath undertaken to be thy consolation as well as thy salvation He 's anointed to comfort them that mourne Esay 61. 1 2 3. Say not I have been so long without Comfort Jesus Christ can drop that into thy soul in one moment which shall make thee forget all thy discomfort Only wait on him wait patiently wait beleevingly Wait on him at the pipes of comforts the Ordinances and desire grace rather then comfort and thou shalt finde heart-revivings before thou die Vse 4. Advice to them that are without Christ Labour to close with him he is the consolation of Israel What poor comforts are those which you now feed upon You feed on ashes you eat husks you are jolly and brisk and full of a frantick joy If Christ be not yours no comfort in Scripture is yours Come and taste of these comforts They are pure They are soul-satisfying They are eternal All your comforts will be your torments if Christ be not your comfort Luk. 2. 25. XXX SERM. at Mary Wolnoth Lonâ— June 6. 1653. Waiting for the consolation of Israel I Proceed to the second doctrine which is this viz. Doct. 2. That true believers do wait for the accomplishment of divine promises even those that are most unlikely to be fulfilled No promise which God ever made to man had more improbabilities and seeming impossibilities to break its way thorough then the promise of Christ He is called a root out of a dry ground Esay 53. 2. He was to be borne of a Virgin Awâ—-man shall compasse a man Jer. 31. 22. and yet this good man having a Revelation from God that he should not depart this life till his eyes had seen him did wait for the fulfilling of this promise If any should wonder why Simeons waiting for Christ should be noted as an act of such singular faith when as now the generality of the Jewes were big with the same expectation Câ—â—mnitius gives two good Reasons of it 1. The common bulk of the Jews did expect Christ onely for external advantages They expected him onely as one that should restore their outward liberties which were now invaded and taken away but Simeon waited for him as a spiritual Redeemer that should save their souls from sin and hell 2. Simeon expected his coming to be neer at hand according to the predictions of the Prophets whereas the generality of the Jews had but onely a loose uncertain expectation of him Simeon waited for a speedy coming of Christ therefore doth the holy Ghost take such strict notice of it Other examples we have in Scripture of the holy waitings of godly men for the fulfilling of Divine promises Abraham waited for the promise of a Sonne when his body was even dead and his wife unlikely according to the course of nature to conceive the Apostle mentions â—â— â—om 4. chap. 20 21. 18. 19. David waited many years for the promise which God made to him of succeeding Saul in the throne Though upon difficulties and crosse providences which did arise he was sometimes put to a stand yet he did expect the accomplishment of the thing promised He doth often in the book of Pâ—almes make mention of his waiting as Psal 62. 1 2 5. Daniel waited for the accomplishment of Gods promise for the restoring of the Church from their captivity though there were many difficulties in the way the Church being then as dâ—y bones Ezek. 37. 3 4 5 6. yet Daniel beleeved and waited for it as appears by chap. 9. init He did count the number of the years and when they drew neer a period then he stirs up himself to pray with more then ordinary faith The whole Church waited for the fulfilling of this promise Micah 7. 7. I wiâ—â— wait for the God of my salvation my