Observation .

THough these latter daies have appropriated the name of Shepherd to him that keeps and feeds Sheep , though for another ; Yet former ages gave this appellation as well to those that owned , and whose propriety the Sheep were . Thus of Mesha King of Moab forementioned . Other Instances are not wanting , Gen. 46. 32. of Joseph's Brethren , the men are Shepherds , Hebr. k k Viri pecoris i. e. qui solent alere pecora . Vatabl. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Men of Sheep , or Cattle , which they repeat , Chap. 47. 3. with this addition , both we and our Fathers ; not only keeping as Servants , but also having interest in them as our great Estate . That which puts this beyond doubt , is the Opposition by our Lord set between the Shepherd and the Hireling , John 10. 12. He that is an Hireling , and not the Shepherd , whose own the Sheep are not : The Hireling is the Shepherd that attends the Sheep , but the Shepherd is He , whose own the Sheep are . Now Men come to have Sheep several waies .

Either by Donation , When Sheep are bestowed on any one by his Neighbours or Friends . Thus would I understand Job 42. 11. we read it every man gave him a piece of Money , the Hebr. word is 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 found only Gen. 33. 19. Josh. 24. 32. and here in Job . The Interl . LXX . Vul. Syr. Arab . and Chald. Translate it Sheep or Lambs : and this seems more honourable for them to give , and him to receive , than a piece of money : especially if the l l Ad valorem nummi quod attinet , Ebraei omnes quos vidi exponunt , Obolas . Drus . Jews be credited , who value this piece at a small rate , viz an half penny , others contend a piece of money to be intended having the m m Agnus erat nomen pecuniae agnum valentis , & ob id agni habentis figuram , Grot. sic 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 nummus bovis imagine signatus : & Corvus apud Basileenses , Drus . & Ludovici in Gallia , & Jacobi in Angliâ , a Regum effigie sic dicti , Bib. Max. sic pecunia a pecu : & opes , olim oves ; ut opilio pro ovilio . Grot. form of a Lamb stamped on it . We have known some in our daies , that have got some store of Sheep thus by Gift . Or Secondly by Acquisition either by Purchase 1. Price : When Money is laid down for Sheep . Thus to buy scores or hundreds , yea whole Flocks is no strange thing with us . 2. Exchange : when other Stock or Cattle is given for sheep . or Power . When taken from an Enemie ; this , Souldiers understand under the name of prey , 1 Sam. 15. 9.

Application .

CHrist is a Shepherd in this sense , as chief Proprietor of his : and he hath this propriety by a multifarious right . First , of Donation , God the Father , whose are all things by right of Creation , Psal. 100. 3. hath given Christ's Sheep unto him John 6. 37. and 17. 2. they are made over to Jesus Christ , by him to be brought to life ; hence in the language of the Prophet , Isa. 8. 18. he saith , I and the Children whom the Lord hath given me ; and Joh. 17. 6. — unto the men which thou gavest me out of the world . God having separated them as his peculiar portion in the eternal counsel of his will , gives them unto his Son to take care of them , that they may be preserved and brought unto glory , that he had designed for them . And this work he testifieth that he undertook , so that none of them shall be lost , but that what ever difficulties they may pass through , he will raise them up at the last day , and give them an entrance into life and immortality . Yea , they are given to Christ as his Children , Heb. 2. 13. to be provided for , and to have an inheritance purchased for them , that they may become Heirs of God , and co-heirs with himself . Adam was their first Parent by nature , and in him they lost that inheritance which they might have expected by the Law of their Creation : they are therefore given to the Second Adam , as their Parent by Grace , to have an Inheritance provided for them , which accordingly he hath purchased with the price of his blood .

2dly , They are his by acquisition , hence called a n n 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 purchased possession , Eph. 1. 14. o o 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 : populus quem proprium vendicat , Bez. populus acquisitionis , Vulg. peculiar people , 1 Pet. 2. 9. i. e. a people of peculiar purchase , a people of purchase by price : they are bought at a price , 1 Cor. 6. 20 , and this not of things corruptible , as of Silver and Gold , but the precious blood of Jesus Christ , 1 Pet. 1. 18. he is said to give his life a 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , a ransome , and himself 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , p p Quum alius solvit quod reus non poterat : ut in bello , cúm caput capite , vita unius alterius morte redimitur , Aret. Tale pretium in quo liberator simile quiddam subit ei malo , quod ei imminebat qui liberatur . Scult. which for want of a better , we translate also a ransome , 1 Tim. 2. 6. properly that payment which is paid by another , because the Person liable could not pay : as in war , when one is given in Exchange for another . God's Justice had taken Sinners , and kept them prisoners , nothing but life would satisfie for the Offence . Christ undertakes the ransom , and laies down his own life to redeem the life of his Sheep , Joh. 10. 11. They are called Sheep of slaughter , Zech. 11. 4 , 7. i. e. destined to slaughter and utter destruction , both for their own merits , and unfaithful Shepherds , who rather flaied then fed them , yet Jesus Christ took care of them , and preserved them .

Secondly , they are purchased by Exchange . These Sheep of Christ comprehend as it were , all God's gettings , his whole stock , that he makes any great reckoning of , and therefore seems to slight all others in comparison of them . Typified of old in Israel , q q Quasi victimam piacularem a Senache ibo mactandam loco Judaeae . Isa. 43. 3 , 4. I gave Aegypt for thy ransome , &c. LXX . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , in Exchange for thee . When Terkakah King of Egypt and Ethiopia was beaten bp Senacherib , ( think some ) who was then making towards Jerusalem ; which he had already devoured in his hopes , Isa. 37. 9. Thus the righteous is delivered out of trouble and the wicked cometh in his stead , Pro. 11. 8. Saul and his People are afflicted by the Philistins , that David might escape , 1 Sam. 23. the Canaanites rooted out to make room for the Israelites . Charles the Fifth , Emperor , and Francis the French King , after a mutual agreement to root out Lutheranism , fell together by the Ears , and the Church the while had her Halcyon days : So the Turks and Persians deadly feud is for the great saseguard of Christians . God esteems all the rest of the world as nothing in comparison of Believers . Christ sets no value on any else in respect to them : all else given for them : they are his Segullah , Mal. 3. 17. the word is something on which a man for some excellency in it , setteth his affection , more than on others , and therefore layeth it up , as some bright and beautiful pieces of Gold , &c.

Lastly , 〈…〉 propriety in his by power ; he hath not only paid a price for them to his Fathers Justice , but he hath also recovered them out of the hands of Satan , who held them Captives ; he hath wrested them out of his hands , Mat. 12. 29. with Luk. 11. 22. The strong man keeps all , the stronger comes , and brings deliverance . He forcibly delivers from the power of darkness , Col. 1. 13. i. e. from the power of the Devil , who is the Prince of darkness , and endeavours to darken and blind those that are subjected to him . We are all born under his Power and Rule , so that before we are delivered , he worketh in us according to his pleasure , Eph. 2. 2. The understanding is darkned , the will corrupted , which sets men in a state of darkness , both as to knowledge , and as to practice spiritual and saving , Ephes. 5. 8. But Jesus Christ by infusing the light , of faith , and bestowing the spirit of Holiness , dissolves this power and dominion of sin , according to Rom 6. 14. its body being enervated , ver. 3. r r Deus . liberavit suos a potestate inferni , i. e. à miseriis & calamitatibus quae dependent ex peccati dominantis reatu . Daven . in Col. 1. We may understand the power of darkness also , of those miseries and calamities which accompany or flow from the guilt of reigning sin . All Christ's are taken as a prey out of the Lions mouth , 1. Sam. 17. 34 , 35 , 36. David , we know , in many things was a type of Christ , in this the figure accords well . Some apprehend David speaking not of one s s Non agitur de singulari eventu , sed de re quae non semei acciderat . Bochart . instance at one particular time , but of what had often hapned to him : sure it is , it 's that which the Mighty Jesus doth often in the rescue of his Satan is a Lyon 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , roaring , 1 Pet. 5. 8. Christ the Lion of the Tribe of Judah is 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , he that delivereth his from the 〈…〉 and from the wrath to come , 1 Thes. 1. 10.

Reflections .

Whose then am I , O my Soul ? Whose propriety am I ? T is Propriety For an enquiring Soul . in Christ that interesteth in the Saviour : my Lord , and my God , Joh. 20. 28. t t He 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , Chrysost. True Faith individuates God , and appropriates Him to it self . Were it not for this possessive Mine , the Devil might say the Creed to as good purpose as we . He believeth there is a God , and a Christ , &c. that which torments him is , he cannot say ( my ) to any Article of the Faith . Not so David , my shepherd : not so Paul , loved me , gave himself for me , Gal. 2. 20. So 't is Christ's having a propriety in his , that interesteth in the salvation of Christ , Mat. 1. 21. save his people . He is the Saviour of the body , Ephes. 5. 23. Exclusively understood , of none but those that appertain to the body , and are members thereof , Job . 10. 15. Layeth down his for his sheep , not for goates , wolves , &c. Have I been given up by the Father unto Christ ? I may know that by Christ's being given to , and accepted by me . Have I closed with Christ as Saviour and Lord ? All that the Father giveth to Christ shall come unto him , viz. believe in him , subject to him . Election is best known by calling , effectual calling , 2 Pet. 1. 10. Have I been bought by Christ ? Christ's Spirit secondeth his merit , as this freeth from the guilt and damnation , so that from the filth and domination of sin . It 's a vain thing to speak of being freed from the wrath to come , whist lying under power of present corruption . Hast thou not considered , O my soul , that word of the Apostle , Rom. 6. 16. Know ye not to whom ye yield your selves to obey , his servants ye are to whom ye obey ? Christs blood redeemeth from a vain , as well as vile conversation , 1 Pet. 1. 18. Am I redeemed by power ? snatcht out of the power of darkness ? Darkness makes looseness . How can I pretend to redemption by Christ , whilst still under the Dominion of sin and Satan ? To a redeemed one Satan may shake his chain , but cannot fasten his fangs . Soul , be much in self-enquiry : take not up with a notion of Salvation , unless the Saviour hath propriety in thee . The Priests whose Genealogy was not found , were rejected from the Priesthood , Ez. 2. 62. So shall all that cannot clear their spiritual pedigree in relation to Christ : that are not found written among the living in Jerusalem , Isa. 4. 3. not registred in the Lambs book of Life , Revel. 21. 27.

Hath Christ a Propriety in his sheep ? have I profest my self one of For the Profane pretending Christian . the sheep of Christ , and yet deny the right of his propriety ? Have not I , that say a man should not steal , committed Sacriledge in robbing Jesus Christ of what I have professedly acknowledged to be his due ? Was not I , in my Baptism , solemnly given up to Christ , and have I not often seemed to ratifie and confirm that engagement ? and yet do I not give up my self to the service and drudgery of sin and Satan ? Should I professing Christ my Captain General , having taken his press-money , being enlisted under him , and having his Badge on me , fight the Devils battels ? Have I not profest to have been bought by Christ with a price , both body and soul , that I should glorifie him in both ? Have I not profest my body to be the member of Christ ? and shall I take members of Christ , and make them the members of an harlot ? 1 Cor. 6. 15 ? Shall I think it enough to pretend that Christ hath mine heart , though the Devil hath my head , tongue , hands , feet ? Is not the body for the Lord , viz. the Lords use , and ought to be imploy'd for his Glory ? and is not the Lord for the body , viz. to redeem and sanctifie it , and consequently to command and rule it , being Lord of both body and soul ? Is this to own Christ's propriety in me , to let World and lust have head and heart , the faculties of Soul , and members of body , with the neglect of the commands of Christ ? Will not Christ condemn me out of mine own mouth ? If Christianity were not good , why did I profess it ? If it were good , why did I not practise it ? Shall I possibly be able to give any answer hereto ? If I like not the Marriage-feast , why came I thither ? If I come , why without a wedding garment ? Surely I must be speechless . Awakethen , O my soul ! out of this sleep of carnal security : rouze thee from this inconsistency : If thou wilt own thy self a sheep of Christ , own his propriety in thee , and let that repell all temptations to unrighteousness . As Scipio said , when an harlot was offered him u u Vellem si non essem Imperator . , I would if I were not a General , so say thou , I would if I were not a Christian . Hierome reports of a woman who beat back all temptations thus , w w Christiana sum , baptizata sum . I am a Christian , I was baptized .

My Beloved is mine , and I am For the humble believing soul . his : Oh what cause of joy and glorying is here ? However vile in mine eyes , and however vilified by men , yet Christ disdains not to own propriety in me . I was given in by the Father from all Eternity , O blessed gift of me , for me ! ) and in time , though my Lord had much adoe to prevail with me , yet hath he taken my heart , and I have given over my self to him , choosing Him to be a Lord to me , to protect and defend me , and a Lord also over me , to command and rule me . Blessedhour , wherein I was perswaded to give up my self thus to the Lord ! Being His , I may be sure :

First , Of being owned by him in the worst of times and states . He will never be ashamed of them , who have not been ashamed of Him . They shall be mine , saith the Lord , in the day that I make up my Jewels , Mal. 3. 17. They shall be to me in the day which I make for a p●culiar , i. e. as that thing which is most acceptable ; of great price , and very dear , a peculiar people , and whom God doth specially claim and challenge as his own .

Secondly , Of being provided for : He that hath commanded men should , will not himself forget to provide for his own . The Father will lay up for the children ; the Shepherd will care and provide pasture for his sheep . If the Lord be my Shepherd , I shall not want . ( But hereof more hereafter . )

Thirdly , Of being saved and glorified by Him : I am thine , save me , was good arguing with David , Psal. 119. 94. Where I am , there shall my servant be also , is the word of promise of him that cannot fail , Joh. 12. 26. and Chap. 17. 24. Father , I will that they also whom thou hast given me , be with me where I am , that they may behold my glory ; is the prayer of him that was heard alwayes . O my soul , the lines are fallen to thee in pleasantnesses , I am my beloved's , and my Beloved is mine .