A learned and very useful commentary on the whole epistle to the Hebrews wherein every word and particle in the original is explained ... : being the substance of thirty years Wednesdayes lectures at Black-fryers, London / by that holy and learned divine Wiliam Gouge ... : before which is prefixed a narrative of his life and death : whereunto is added two alphabeticall tables ...

§. 166. Of Christ a Shepherd.

OUr Lord Jesus is further set forth under the resemblance of a Shepherd.

a 1.1 The Greek word hath its notation from a Verb that signifieth to b 1.2 •…•…eed▪ So also the c 1.3 Latine, for it is the speciall part of a Shepherd to feed his sheep, Ioh. 21. 16. Christ was of old foretold to be a Shepherd, Isa. 40. 11. Ezek. 34. 23. Zech. 13. 7. Christ himself professeth himself to be a Shepherd, Ioh. 10. 14, 16. Matth. 26. 31. answerably he was so styled by his Apostles, as here, and 1 Pet. 2. 25. & 5. 4.

There are sundry respects wherein this Metaphor may fitly be applied to our Lord Iesus. For,

• 1. A true Shepherd entreth in by the door, Joh. 10. 2. that is, he is lawfully called and appointed by God: so was our Lord Jesus, Heb. 5. 5.
• 2. The Porter openeth to the Shepherd, Ioh. 10. 3. So the Ministers of the Church acknowledge Christ to be sent of God, and answerably entertain him, Ioh. 6. 69. 1 Pet. 2. 25.
• 3. A Shepherd cals his sheep by name, Joh. 10. 3. So the Lord knoweth them that are his, 2 Tim. 2. 19.
• 4. A Shepherd knoweth his own sheep, Ioh. 10. 3. Thus Christ judgeth between cattell and cattell, Ezek. 34. 17.
• 5. A Shepherd leads out his sheep, Ioh. 10. 8. So Jesus is a guide to his sheep. He is the way, the truth and the life, Joh. 14. 6. that true way wherein his sheep may attain unto life.
• 6. A Shepherd ordereth the affairs of his sheep in season: he puts them forth, (Ioh. 10. 4.) namely, when it is time for them to go out of the fold. Christ doth things when it is time, Ioh. 7. 6.
• 7. A Shepherd goeth before his sheep, Ioh. 10. 4. In this respect Christ is styled our Captain, Heb. 2. 10.
• 8. A Shepherd provides for his sheep, 1 Chron. 4. 40. so doth Christ, Ioh. 10. 9. Psal. 23. 2.
• 9. A Shepherd procures safety for his sheep. This is implied under this phrase, (which Christ applieth to himself,) He shall be saved, and shall go in and out.
• 10. A Shepherd hazardeth his life for his sheep, 1 Sam. 17. 35. so doth Christ, Ioh. 10. 17.
• 11. A Shepherd so acquainteth himself with his sheep, as they know his voice, Iohn 10. 4. so the Church knoweth the voice of Christ, Iohn 10. 14.
• 12. A Shepherd so governs his sheep, as they follow him, Ioh. 10. 4. so doth Christ govern his Church, 1 Cor. 11. 1.
• 13. A Shepherd useth to mark his sheep, so as he may know them from others: Thus Christ by his Spirit sealeth his, Eph. 4. 30.
• 14. A Shepherd watcheth over his sheep, Gen. 31. 40. Luk. 2. 8. Thus doth Christ, Ioh. 17. 6.
• 15. A Shepherd tenderly healeth his sheep: Thus doth Christ, Ezek. 34. 16. Matth. 8. 16.
• 16. A Shepherd keeps his sheep together that they stray not, Gen. 30. 29. For this end Christ hath his Assemblies and Ordinances.
• 17. A Shepherd seeks out the sheep that stray; so doth Christ, Matth. 18. 11, 12.
• 18. A Shepherd will carry such sheep as are feeble and cannot go; so Christ, Luke 15. 5.
• ...

• 19. A Shepherd will be accountable for his sheep, Gen. 31. 39. so also is Christ, Iohn 17. 12.
• 20. A Shepherd will keep the infected from the clean; so Christ, 1 Cor. 5. 4, &c.

Notes

• a 1.1

  〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, pasto•…•….
• b 1.2

  〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, pasco.
• c 1.3

  Pastor a pascendo.