FYrst of all the prophet and euery faythfull hart , calleth God hys shepherde . Nowe though the scripture geueth God many louynge names , Yet thys whiche the Prophete geueth here vnto God , is a much more swete and gracyous name , where he calleth hym a shepherde , and sayeth : A swet● name . The LORD is my shepherde . It is very comfortable whan the scripture calleth God our hope , oure strength , oure stonye rocke , our castell , our shelde , our conforte , our deliuerer , our kynge . &c. For verely he declareth the thynge so styll in dede vnto his owne , that he is euen so as the scripture describeth hym . But excedynge confortable is it that he is called here ( and many tymes els in the scripture ) a shepeherde . For in this only word Shepe herde , is almost all comprehended together , what good and comfortable thynge so euer is spoken of God .

The cause the mo●ed the prophet to cal God his shey herds . Therfore doth the prophete speake thys worde wyth a ioyfull and sorowlesse hart , whych is full of fayth , and for very great gladnesse & conforte , exceadeth . And sayeth not : The LORDE is my strength , castel . &c. Whiche were a maruaylous comfortable sayenge : But the LORD is my shepherde As yf he wolde say : Yf the LORDE be my shepherde , and I his shepe , then am I wonderous well prouided for , both in body & soule , he shall get me a competent lyuynge , he shall defende me & kepe me fro mysfortune , he shal care for me , he shall helpe me out of all trouble he shall confort me , he shall strength me . &c. Summa , he shall do for me what so euer a good shepherde ought to do . All these benefites and mo doth he comprehende in this onely worde Shepherde , as he expoundeth it hymselfe immediatly , where he sayeth : I shall lacke nothynge . Besydes this some of the other names which the scripture ascribe vnto God , sounde partly to glorious and to hye , & brynge in a maner a feare with them , whan men heare them to be named . As whan the scripture calleth God our LORDE , Kynge , Maker . &c. Of such a nature is not this worde Shepherde , but soundeth very frendly , and vnto them the be godly , it bryngeth in a maner a confidence , conforte and trust with it whan they reade or hear it , lyke as this worde Father , and other mo , whan they be appropriated vnto God .

A v●●●y conforta● le similit●de . Therfore is this one of the most louyng and confortable similitudes ( & yet very commen ) in the scripture , that it lykeneth the maiesty of god , to avertuous , faythful , or ( as Christ sayeth ) a good shepherde : and vs poore , weake , and wretched synners to a shepe .

Now can not thys confortable & louynge similitude be better vnderstande , than to go into the creatures themselues ( wherout the prophetes toke thys & such other lyke similitudes , ) and to learne diligently thereby , what the condicion and property of a naturall shepe is , and the office , labour and diligence of a good shepherde . Who so taketh good hede therunto , maye not onely wyth ease vnderstande this and other similitudes in the scripture concernynge the shepherde and the shepe : but also they shal be vnto him exceadynge swete and comfortable .

A shepe must lyue only by the helpe , defence and diligence of hys shepherde : The condicion of a shepe . as soone as it leseth hym , it is compassed about with all maner of parell , and must nedes perysh : for it can not helpe it selfe . For why , it is a poore , weake and innocent beast , that can nother fede nor gyde it selfe , nor fynde the ryght waye , nor kepe it selfe agaynst ony vnhappynesse or misfortune . Sauynge this that of nature it is fearfull , flyeth & goeth astraye . And yf it go but a lytle out of the waye , and come from hys shepherde , it is not possible for it selfe to fynde hym agayne , but runneth euer farther and farther from him And though it come to other shepherdes and shepe , yet is it nothynge helped therwith . For it knoweth not the voyce of straunge shepherdes , therfore flyeth it from them , and runneth so longe astraye , tyll the wolfe rauysh it , or tyll it perysh some other wayes .

Neuerthelesse as weake a beaste as it is , yet hath it thys condicion , The propertie of a shepe . that wyth all diligence it bydeth with his owne shepherde , and seketh comforte at hys helpe and defence : And how or whether so euer he leadeth it , it followeth . And yf it can but be with hym , it careth for nomore , nother feareth it ony man , but is carelesse and mery , for it lacketh nothynge . It hath also thys good vertue in it , whiche is well to be marked : ( for Christ doth specially prayse the same in hys shepe ) thys vertue , I saye , it hath , that it wyll be earnest and sure to heare and knowe the voyce of hys shepherde , and ordreth it selfe therafter , and wyl for nothynge go from it , but followeth strayght the same . Agayne , it regardeth no straunge shepherdes voyce . And though they call and whistle vppon it neuer so frendly , yet careth not it therfore : much lesse doth it followe them .

Agayne , The office of a shepherde . this is the office of a good shepherde , that he doth not only prouyde for his shepe pasture , and other mo thynges that belonge therto , but defendeth them also that no harme chaunce vnto them . Besydes this he taketh diligent hede that he lefe none . Yf ony go astraye , he runneth after it , seketh it , and fetcheth it agayne . As for such as be yonge , feble , and sicke , he dealeth gently with them , kepeth them , holdeth them vp , and caryeth them , tyll they be olde , stronge & whole . &c.

Euen thus goeth it also in the spirituall shepfolde , that is to saye , How it goeth in the shep folde of Christ . in the flocke of Christ . Loke how lytle a naturall shepe can kepe , gyde , rule , saue or defend it selfe against daunger and mysfortune ( for it is a feble and wapenlesse beast : ) So lytle can we poore , weak , and miserable people kepe & rule our selues spiritually , walke and endure in the ryght waye , or of our owne strength to defend vs agaynst all euel , and to get vs helpe and comforte in trouble and distresse .

For how shulde he haue skyll to gyde hym selfe after a godly fashion , The misery of oure nature . that knoweth nothynge of God , that is conceaued and borne in synne ( as we all are ) , and of nature the chylde of wrath , and the enemye of God ? How shuld we fynd the ryght waye and continue therin , seynge that ( as the prophet Esay sayeth ) we can do nothynge but go astray . Howe is it possible that we shulde defende our selues from the dyuell ( which is a prince and lorde of this worlde , whose presoners also we be euery one , ) seynge that with all oure power and myghte , we can not do so muche as to hynder a smale leafe to hurte vs , or a poore flee from greuynge vs ? Why wyll we poore wretched people boaste so muche of great comforte , helpe , and counsell agaynst the iudgement of God , agaynst Gods wrath , and euerlastynge death , scyng that by our selues and other , we haue experience dayly and hourely , how we can nother counsell , nor comforte our selues in smal bodely necessityes ?

Therfore conclude thus hardely : I playne comparison . As lytle as a natural shepe can helpe it selfe in the thynges that be leest of all , but muste loke for all benefites at his shepherdes hande : much lesse can a man rule , comforte , helpe or geue counsell vnto hymselfe in thynges belongynge to saluacion , but muste loke for all such at the only hand of God his shepherd , with to fulfyl ony thyng for hys shepe that is to be done , is a thousande tymes more wyllynge and diligent , then ony other vertuous shepherde in the worlde .

As for thys shepherde of whom the prophete had spoken so longe before , Christe is our shepherde . it is euen Christ oure louynge master , which is farre an other maner of shepherde then Moyses , which is harde and extreme vnto his shepe , & . dryueth them backe in to the wyldernesse , where they fynde nother pasture , nor water , but playnescarcenesse , Exod. iii. But Chryste is the gracyous and louynge shepherde , which runneth after the famy shed and lost shepe in the wyldernesse , and seketh it there : And whan he findeth it , he taketh it vp gladly vpon his shulders . Luc .xv. Yee & geneth his lyfe also for his shepe . Io .x. This must nedes be a louynge shepeherde . Who wolde not be glad then to be a shepe of his ?

This shepherdes voyce wherwith he speaketh and calleth vnto his shepe , The shepherdes voyce . is the holy gospell , wherby we be taught that we optayne grace , remission of synnes and euerlastyng saluacion , not by Moses law ( wher thorow he putteth vs in the more feare , drede and dispayre , whiche were to fearful , to sore afrayed and dispayred to muche afore , ) but by Chryst , whiche is the shepherde and bysshoppe of our soules .i. Pet. it whiche hath sought vs myserable and lost shepe , and fetched vs out of the wyldernes , that is to say , from the lawe , from synne , from death , from the power of the deuell , from euerlastynge damnacion : And in that he gaue hys lyfe for vs , optayned he vs grace , remission of synnes , conforte , helpe and strength agaynst the deuell and all mysfortune , yee and euerlastynge lyfe also . This is now vnto the shepe of Chryste , a louynge swete voyce , which they are hartely glad to heare , which they knowe ryghte well , and ordre them selues therafter . As for a straunge voyce that soundeth otherwyse , they nother knowe it , nor herken vnto it , but auoyde & flye awaye from it . &c. Ioh. x.

The pasture wherwith Chryste fedeth his shepe , The pasture . is also the comfortable gospell , wherby the soules are fed and strengthed , kepte from erroure , comforted in all temptacions and troubles , defended agaynste the craft and power of the deuell , and fynally delyuered out of all trouble . Neuerthelesse for as muche as his shepe are not all alyke stronge , but some yet lost , and scattred here and there abrode , wounded , sycke , yonge and feble , he doth not therofre cast them awaye but hathe much more respecte vnto them , & careth more dilygently for them , then for the other , that haue not suche nede . For as the prophete Ezechiel sayeth in the .xxxiiii. Chap. He seketh them that be lost , bryngeth together them that be scattred abrode , byndeth vp suche as be wounded , loketh to them that be sycke . And the weake lambes that be but yonge at the fyrste ( sayeth Esaye ) he taketh vp into his armes , and beareth them , and suche as be with yonge ones , doth he dryue forth fayre and softly . All this doth our louynge mayster Christ by the office of preachynge and distributynge of the holy sacrament , as it is ofte and with many wordes taught in other places . For to set it forth here worde by word as nede shulde requyre , it were to longe . The prophete also hym selfe wyll declare it afterwarde in the Psalme .

We haue ben deceaued . By this then maye we easely perceaue , how shamefully we haue ben seduced vnder the papacy . For Chryst was not so louyngly set forthe vnto vs , as the dearly deloued prophetes , Apostles , and Chryste hym selfe doth : but so fear fully was he described vnto vs , that we haue ben more afrayed of hym , then of Moyses , yee we thought Moyses doctryne muche more lyghter , and to haue much more swetnesse in it , then the doctrine of Chryst . And so we knewe nothynge els , but that Chryst had ben a wrothfull iudge , whose displeasure we myght haue reconcyled with our good workes and with our holines , & whose pardon we myght haue optayned through the merytes and intercessions of sayntes . This is not onely a shamefull lesynge , and a miserable deceauyng of poore consciences , but also the hyghest blasphemy of the grace of god , a denyenge of the death , resurreccion , and ascension of Chryste . &c. and of all his vnoutspeakeable benefytes , sclaunderynge and condemnynge of his holy gospell , a destroyenge of faythe , and ( in steade therof ) a settynge vp of vtter abhomynacions , lyes , and errours , &c.

Yf this be not darkenesse , then can not I tell what darkenesse is . Blyndnesse . Yet coulde no man in a maner perceaue it , but euery man toke it for the playne verite , & yet vnto this day wyl our papystes nedes take it for the ryght way , and shed much innocent bloude for the same . Go to then , yf we can kepe and gide our selues , yf we can preserue our selues from errour , yf we can optayne grace and remission of synnes , resyst the deuell & all misfortune , ouercome synne and death by our owne merytes : Then must all the scripture be false , which testifyeth of vs , how that of our selues we are but lost , scattred abrode , wounded , weake , and feble shepe . And so shulde we haue no nede of Chryste to be shepherde , to seke vs , to brynge vs together , to gyde vs , to bynde vs vp , to loke vnto vs , & to strength vs agaynste the deuell . And so hath he also geuen his lyfe for vs in vayne : For yf we cābrynge al this to passe , & optayne it through our owne strength and goodnesse , then haue we no nede of Chrystes helpe .

thys well . But here thou hearest the contrary : namely that thou art but a lost shepe , & of thy selfe canst not come to the shepherd agayn , but to go astraye onely that canst thou well do . And yf Chryst thy shepherd dyd not seke and fetch the agayne , thou must nedes be a praye vnto the wolfe . But nowe he commeth , seketh , fyndeth , and bryngeth the vnto his folde , that is to saye , into his Chrysten congregacion , through the worde & sacrament , geueth his lyfe for the , and holdeth the styll by the ryght hande , lest thou shuldest fall in to ony errour . There hearest thou nothyng of thyne owne strength , of thyne owne good workes and merytes , except thou wylt call it strength , a good worke and meryte to go astray , to be feble and lost . Chryst worketh , deserueth , and sheweth here his power onely . It is he that seketh , beareth and gydeth the. He thorow his death deserueth lyfe for the. He onely is stronge , and defendeth the lest thou shuldest perysshe and be taken awaye out of his handes . Ioh. x. Vnto all this canst thou do nothynge , saue applye thyne eares to heare , and with thankesgeuynge to reccaue suche an vnoutspeakeable treasure , and to learne to knowe well the voyce of thy shepherde , to followe hym , and to eschue the voyce of straungers .

Wherfore yf thou wylt be rychely prouyded for , Take hede to thy shepherdes voyce . both in body and soule , aboue all thynges take good hede than to the voyce of this shepherde , herken well what he sayeth vnto the , let hym fede the , rule the , gyde the , defend the , comforte the. &c. That is to saye , kepe the vnto his worde , be glad to heare it and to learne it , & so no doute thou shalt be well prouyded for , both in body and soule .

By thys that hath ben spoken of hether to , I thynke it but easy to vnderstand these wordes : The LORDE is my shepherde . Yee and all the whole Psalme besyde . They are but few wordes : The LORDE is my shepherde , but of a great weyght and pyth . The worlde maketh great boastynge and crakynge of honoure , power , ryches , fauour , of men &c. But the prophete maketh his boast of none of these : for they be all vncertayne and transytory . He speaketh but few wordes and good : The LORDE is my shepherde . Thus speaketh a sure and constant fayth , which turneth hyr back vpon euery thynge that is temporall & transitory , howe hye and precyous so euer it be , and turneth the face and hart strayght vnto the LORDE , whiche is onely and altogether and doth it hym selfe alone . Euen he , & els none whether he be Kynge or Emperour ( sayeth he ) is my shepherde . Therfore goeth he forwarde in all quyetnesse and sayeth . I shall lacke nothynge .

A genera●● sentence . This doth he speake in generall of all the benefytes bodely and goostly , that we receaue by the offyce of preachynge . As though he wolde saye : Yf the LORDE be my shepherde , then doutles I shall lacke nothynge . I shall haue abundaunce of meate drynke , clothynge , alyuynge , defence , peace , and all maner of necessaryes what so euer serueth for the sustentacion of this lyfe .

For I haue a ryche shepherde , whiche shall not suffre me to lacke . Neuertheles he doth speake moost specyasly of the spiritual goodes and gyftes that the worde of God bringeth with it , and sayeth : For as much as the LORDE hath taken me amonge his flock , & prouydeth for me with his owne pasture . that is : for as much as he hath rychely geuen me his holy worde , he shall not suffre me to haue scarcenesse in ony thynge . He shal geue his blessynge vnto the worde , that it maye haue strength , & brynge forth frute in me . He shall lykewyse geue me his sprete to stande by me , & to comforte me in al temtacions and troubles , to make my harte also sure and certayne , and that I doute not therin , but that I am one of my shepherdes deare shepe . And he my faythfull shepherde , which wyll deale gently with me , as with a poore weake shepe , and wyll strength my faythe , endue me also with other spirituall gyftes , comforte me in all troubles , heare me whan I call vpon hym , defende me from the wolfe , that is from the deuell , so that he shall not be able to do me harme . And fynally delyuer me from all mysfortune . This meaneth he whan he sayeth : I shall lacke nothynge .

Thou wylt saye : An obiection Yee but wherby shall I perceaue that the LORDE is my shepherde ? I can not perceaue that he dealeth so louyngly with me , as the Psalme speaketh , yee the contrary do I well perceaue . Dauid was an holy prophete , and a man dearly be loued vnto God , therfore coulde he easely talke of the matter , and beleue well as he sayd . As for me , I shall not be able to do it after hym , for I am a poore synner .

An answer I haue declared aboue , that a shepe hath this good condicion & proper vertue in it , that it knoweth well the voyce of his shepherde , and ordreth it selfe rather after the eares , then after the eyes . The same vertue doth Chryste prayse also in his shepe , whan he sayeth Ioh. x. My shepe know my voyce . Now his voyce soundeth after this maner : I am a good shepherde , and geue my lyfe for my shepe . And I geue them euerlastyng lyfe , and they shall neuer peryshe , & no man shall plucke them out of my hande . Take good hede nowe vnto this voyce , and ordre thy selfe therafter . Yf thou so do , then be sure that thou art one of Chrystes shepe , & he thy shepeherde , which knoweth the ryght well , and can cal the by name . Now yf thou hast hym for thy shepeherde , then shalt thou verely lacke nothyng , yee thou hast already that thou shuldest haue , euen euerlastynge lyfe . Item thou shalt neuer perysshe , nother shall ther be ony power so greate & myghtye , as to be able to pluck the out of his hand . Onely be thou sure of this . For doutles this shepherdes voyce shall neuer fayle the. What wylt thou more ?

Leaue not the voyce of thy shepherde . But yf thou lettest this voyce go , and ordrest thy selfe after the syght of the eyes , and after the felynge of that olde Adam , them lesest thou the fayth and confidence , whiche thou as a shepe shuldest haue vnto hym as to thy shepeherde . And so falleth ther vpon the now one ymaginacion , now another , so that thou canst not be in quyete , but disputest by thy selfe and sayest : Yf the LORDE be my shepherde , why suffreth he then the worlde to plage me and persecute me so my serably , contrarye to all my deseruynge ? I syt amonge wolues , and am not sure of my lyfe the twinkelynge of an eye , but I se no shepherde that wyll defende me . Item , why geueth he the deuell licence to do me so much harme , with feare and despayre ? Besydes this , I fynde my selfe all vnapte , feble , vnpacient , and laden yet with many synnes : I fynde no certaynte , but doutfulnesse , no consolacion , but fearfulnesse and quakynge for the wrath of God . Whan begynneth he to declare in me , that he is my shepherde ?

what good followeth whan one rieueth fast to gods worde . Suche and many other mo wonderful cogitacions shalt thou haue , yf thou let his voyce and worde passe . But yf thou cleue styll fast vnto it , then suffrest thou nother the deceatfulnesse of the deuell , the displeasure & madnesse of the worlde , nother thyn owne infyrmite and vnworthynesse to ouer come the by temptacion : but goest on boldly , and sayest : Whether the deuell , the worlde , or myne owne conscience do take parte agaynste me neuer so fearfly , yet wyll not I therfore take ouermuch thought . It muste and shal be thus , that who so euer is a shepe of the LORDE , he can not remayne vntempted . Let it go with me as it maye , yee whether they seeth me , or rost me , yet is this my comforte , that my shepherde hath geuen his lyfe for me . Besydes this , he hath also a swete and louynge voyce , wherwith he comforteth and sayeth : I shall neuer perysh nother shall ther ony man plucke me out of his hande , but I shall haue euerlastynge lyfe . This promyse wyl he faythfully kepe with me , what so euer become vpon me . And thoughe somtyme ther chaunce a synne or other impediment by the reason of myne in fyrmite , yet wyll he not therfore cast me awaye , for he is a louynge shepherde , whiche loketh to the weake shepe , byndeth vp theyr woundes , and healeth them . And to the intent that I shulde be the surer of this , & not to doute theron , he hathe lefte me here the holy Sacrament for a token that it is so in dede .

Euen thus hath the prophete done . He was not mery alwaye , nother coulde he at al houres singe : The lord is my shepherd , I shall lack nothyng . He hath ben sometyme at many a great exigent , yee al to many : so that he nother felt the ryghteousnesse , conforte , nor helpe of god , but playne synne , the wrath of God , fearfulnesse , dispayre , the paynes of hell &c. as he complayneth hymselfe in many Psalmes . Neuerthelesse he turneth hym from his owne felynge , and taketh holde of God by his promise concernynge Messias that then was for to come , and casteth this in his mynde : Howe so euer it stande with me , yet is thys the conforte of my hart , that I haue a gracyous & mercyfull LORDE , whiche is my shepeherde , whose worde and promyse doth strength and conforte me , therfore shall I lacke nothynge . And euen therfore hathe he wrytten thys and other Psalmes , to the intent that we shulde be sure , that in very temptacyons there is els where no counsel nor comforte to be found . And that this is the onely golden science , namely , to cleue vnto the worde and promyse of God , and to iudge after the same , and not aster the felynge of the harte .

And so ( no doute ) ther shall followe helpe & comforte , and not fayle in ony thynge .