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we are Christians and are so called, we must not in any way permit, that any work should be laid upon us or required of us, but we are to give ourselves up to Christ to be carried by him, and to be lifted up on high, not upon horses and chariots, but upon his own shoulders only. Which, as I have said, is wrought by his ordaining the word to be preached unto us;—that he died for us; that he took away our sins in his own body on the cross; that he has vanquished the devil, death, and sin, and has trampled them under his feet, and made and opened to us a way unto everlasting life, and carries us in it all the time that we live. Wherefore, we are not to look to our life, how righteous or how faithful we are, but are only to take care that we lie quietly upon his shoulders. While we stand in this state of things, we need not trouble ourselves about any sin, death, life, or anxiety, because we have all things abundantly in Christ, who carries us and holds us fast.

Nor is Christ satisfied with all these things, neither with having sought out the sheep so anxiously, nor with having found it and carried it back to the fold with such unspeakable joy; but, when he has brought it back, he appoints certain days in his house for feasting and gladly rejoicing, and calls together his friends and neighbours that they might rejoice with him. And to such a height does he carry this rejoicing, that he declares, that God himself in heaven, together with all the angelic hosts and all creatures, rejoices over one sinner that repenteth. In which words, he shews and sets forth, what kind of character it is that deserves to be called a "lost sheep," -he that fervently desires to be delivered from his sins; that aims only at coming unto Christ; that alters for the better his external life, which is called, having a miserable and troubled, and so, a contrite and humble heart, and an afflicted conscience; which the devil attacks in every way, and so straitens, that the man well nigh perishes in those straits. And Christ is such a man, who never seeks any sheep but that which is lost and cannot help itself.

AND now see, in what way Christ could be set forth

with more tenderness, or in what words more efficaciously consoling! What do you imagine he could do more to gladden the mind of a sinner, or to strengthen his confidence in himself more firmly! For we here see the most loving shepherd, representing himself to us miserable sinners, as one that seeks his lost sheep with the most painful anxiety, bringing them back when he has found them with the greatest joy, and exulting in rejoicings so great, that even all the angels and saints, and all creatures rejoice over us with him, and smile upon us more sweetly, more cheeringly, and more brightly than the very sun in his splendor. For it is so, naturally, that when a man is sad, the sun and all things besides, wear a cheerless, dull, and cloudy aspect. On the other hand, when the heart of a man is glad, he has a tenfold alacrity, and all things appear to him clear and bright.

And now, he that firmly believes these things, certainly feels, through Christ, a true consolation and joy; for such an one has a sure persuasion, that he, by cleaving steadily unto Christ, and lying on his shoulders, is a welcome and acceptable guest in the kingdom of heaven, and is received with the utmost joy. But when we are in trouble and anxiety of conscience, we have a far different feeling and sensation; in which state, the heart can think of nothing else than that all the angels are close behind him with drawn swords. And while this fear obstructs the mind, there can be no lively joy conceived concerning either God or the angels: and some cannot look on any creature with a cheerful mind, but fear the sight of the sun, and are terrified at the moving of a leaf. All which arises from their terrifying and gnawing themselves with their own cogitations, from which they would willingly disentangle themselves; and they try every means to get to feel that goodness in themselves which might allow them to be free from all fear.-But if thou hast a desire to conceive in thine heart true consolation and joy, give all diligence to fix and impress well on thy heart this sweet representation of the most lovely shepherd, and to look for it where it is to be seen, even in CHRIST, and no where

else. In this Man thou wilt find all things, if thou but remain under his protection, and lie still upon his shoulders. But all the joy that can be obtained out of him, is not the true joy of the heart; even if thou call in to thy help all creatures, and enjoy all the pleasures and delights that the world can give!

Glory to God the greatest and the highest.

SERMON II.

CONCERNING THE GOOD SHEPHERD.

JOHN X.

I am the good Shepherd, &c.

THIS Gospel contains great consolation; setting forth the Lord Christ in a kind of fertile description;-what his character is, what his works are, and how he is affected towards men; saying, "I am the good Shepherd." And we cannot more clearly present this to the eyes of our understanding, than by setting forth in a comparison, the difference between light and darkness, day and night; that is, between a good and a bad shepherd; for this is what Christ does here.

You have already repeatedly heard, that God has ordained a twofold preaching to the world. The one, which sets forth the precepts of God that we are not to have strange gods, not to murder or steal, not to commit adultery; and which threatens death to the transgressors in these things; and which moreover, does not purify any man's heart from these things; for although a man may, by these precepts, be so restrained from these sins as to have an external show of civil righteousness, yet, in his heart, he fosters a hatred of the and would that there were no law at all. The other

law,

office of preaching is, the Gospel; which shews you where that strength is to be obtained that shall enable you to do those things which the law prescribes: this preaching does not drive men by force, nor threaten them, but sweetly invites them. It does not say, 'Do this thing or that;' but it says, 'Come unto me; I will shew thee to whom thou must go, and whence thou art to obtain power to become righteous. Behold here is Christ, who will give thee this abundantly.'

Wherefore, these two things have this difference between them:-the one is taking, the other giving: the one is exacting, the other freely bestowing: and this difference is to be most carefully observed. In this way it is that God ever has governed, and still does govern, the world. To carnal and lust-gratifying men, who are not touched with the Gospel, the law is to be preached; which may act as a schoolmaster over them, and may restrain them until they be humbled and acknowledge their diseases. When this is done, then the Gospel must be set before them.

These are the two offices of preaching which were ordained from heaven of God. But beside these, there are others; which, indeed, were not sent down from heaven, but are the inventions of men; which the Pope and our bishops have introduced, in order to disturb consciences; who are unworthy the name of shepherds, or indeed of hirelings, but are those very persons whom Christ calls thieves, robbers, and wolves. But if we will rule men wholesomely, we must do it by the word of God; for where the word of God is neglected in this government of men, there a certain anarchy prevails.

Moreover, Christ here assumes another office, representing it most descriptively. He makes himself the principal, and thus, the only shepherd: for, that which he does not feed, is without pasture. Let us then look into this preaching, which is so excellent, and so abounding with consolations.

Ye have heard, then, that our Lord Christ, after his crucifixion and death, came forth alive and ascended up on high, and was translated into a state of total

freedom from the power of death: not that he sits in heaven at ease (as they say) with folded hands, vainly amusing himself, and, according to the old proverb, enjoying himself; but rather, he holds the reins of empire, and himself governs his kingdom, and acts as king, as many of the prophets have spoken of him, and as the whole scripture abundantly testifies. Wherefore, let us believe, that he is continually with us; and let us not so fix him on that throne above, as though he sits on it given up wholly to slothful ease; but let us be assured that he, from the seat above, observes and governs all things; as Paul saith, Ephes. iv. that he above all things has his eye fixed on his own kingdom; which is, the Christian Faith.

Wherefore, the kingdom of Christ must go on here among us upon earth. Concerning this kingdom, we have said that it is so ordained, that we may all increase more and more, and become more and more pure every day. Moreover, that it is not administered by force, but by the preaching of the mouth; that is, by the Gospel. This preaching did not proceed from men, but was ordained and performed by Christ himself, and afterwards inspired into the hearts of his apostles and their successors, that they might, by mouth, preach it to others. This then is the kingdom of Christ; it is thus that he reigns; so that, all the power and efficacy of his administration are placed in the word of God. And those who hear and believe this word belong to this kingdom which word, is rendered so powerful, that it effects all things that are necessary for man, and carries with it a certain full treasury of all good things: "for it is the power of God unto every one that believeth,' as Paul saith Rom. i. and is able to save all men. Wherefore, if thou believe that Christ died and rose again to deliver thee from all destruction, and if thou cleave to that word, it is so sure and certain, that no creature can overthrow it. And as no creature can subvert the word, so thou canst not in any way be deceived when thou restest upon it as upon a certain foundation. And being thus fortified by the word, thou wilt

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