Thirdly, Christ's Sheep will feed in Christ's Pasture, in their own Pasture, where they are put by him; not but that they may, for good Reasons, be removed into another Pasture, but they will not (unless under strong Temptation) break down the Hedge or Fold where they were put, and run away; No, no, but are contented with that Food, that Pasture God affords them, though there may be some more Fat and Rich than theirs. Some Sheep when they grow wanton, are unruly, and will break into other Mens Ground; so there are some Professors, some Church-members that rend themselves away from their own Flock and Fold, in a disorderly manner; "Which (as a Reverend Minister shows) is an abominable Evil, and a shame to them: this destroys the Relation of Pastor and People, for what may be done by one Individual, may be done by all; and (saith he) what Liberty belongs to the Sheep, belongs also to that particular Shepherd who has the Charge of them much more; it is a breaking Covenant ⟨p. 115⟩with Christ and the Congregation, and therefore a great Immorality: 'tis a Schism, if there be any such thing in the World; it is a despising the Government of the Church; and there is as much reason a Person should come in when he pleases, without asking Consent, as to depart when he pleases: It is also very evil and unkind in another Church to receive such a One, as not doing as they would be dealt with. Such a Practice can issue in nothing but in the Breach and Confusion of all particular Churches: It tends (saith he) to Anarchy, putting an Arbitrary Power in every Member, and breaks all Bonds of Love, and raiseth the greatest Animosities between Brethren and Churches." The truth is, how can another Shepherd justify such an Act to the great Shepherd of the Sheep; I mean, to take into his Fold his Neighbour's Sheep, without Christ's Order and Authority?
Thirdly, Christ's Sheep will feed in Christ's Pasture, in their own Pasture, where they are put by him; not but that they may, for good Reasons, be removed into another Pasture, but they will not (unless under strong Temptation) break down the Hedg or Fold where they were put, and run away; No, no, but are contented with that Food, that Pasture God affords them, though there may be some more Fat and Rich than theirs. Some Sheep when they grow wanton, are unruly, and will break into other Mens Ground; so there are some Professors, some Church-members that rend themselves away from their own Flock and Fold, in a disorderly manner; "Which (as a Reverend Minister shews) is an abominable Evil, and a shame to them: this destroys the Relation of Pastor and People, for what may be done by one Individual, may be done by all; and (saith he) what Liberty belongs to the Sheep, belongs also to that particular Shepherd who has the Charge of them much more; it is a breaking Covenant ⟨p. 115⟩with Christ and the Congregation, and therefore a great Immorality: 'tis a Schism, if there be any such thing in the World; it is a despising the Government of the Church; and there is as much reason a Person should come in when he pleases, without asking Consent, as to depart when he pleases: It is also very evil and unkind in another Church to receive such a One, as not doing as they would be dealt with. Such a Practice can issue in nothing but in the Breach and Confusion of all particular Churches: It tends (saith he) to Anarchy, putting an Arbitrary Power in every Member, and breaks all Bonds of Love, and raiseth the greatest Animosities between Brethren and Churches." The truth is, how can another Shepherd justify such an Act to the great Shepherd of the Sheep; I mean, to take into his Fold his Neighbour's Sheep, without Christ's Order and Authority?
