4. Christ's Love is further expressed, by that affecting Metaphor, Luke 15. 6. He goes after the lost Sheep, leaveth the rest in the Wilderness, and never gives over until he hath found it; And when he hath found it, he layeth it on his Shoulders, rejoicing. O my Friends, how great is the Love of Christ to one poor, lost, and undone Sinner? He will not lose one that his Father hath given him: No, no, though it be but one individual Soul that is missing, yet he will go after that, seek that, leave all the rest to look after that one poor Sheep; and when he has found it, he sees it cannot go, it has no strength, therefore he lays it upon his Shoulders. Sinners, Christ must lay hold of you, and take you up, and lay you on his Shoulders, and carry you home if ever you are saved. It is upon Christ's Shoulders, Christ's Power, that every Elect Soul is brought home; 'tis not on the Power of their Will, their Strength, their Faith; no, but on Christ's Shoulders. Moreover, it is said, He rejoiced, and calls upon all his Friends (the blessed Angels and Saints) to rejoice with him, for I have found my lost 1Sheep. This shows his wonderful Love to poor, undone, and lost Sinners that are his Sheep, whatever it costs him, whatever Pains, Labour, or Charge, home he will bring them, saved they must and shall be. I have other Sheep (saith he) that are not of this Fold, 2them also I must bring, and they shall hear my Voice.
4. Christ's Love is further expressed, by that affecting Metaphor, Luke 15. 6. He goes after the lost Sheep, leaveth the rest in the Wilderness, and never gives over until he hath found it; And when he hath found it, he layeth it on his Shoulders, rejoicing. O my Friends, how great is the Love of Christ to one poor, lost, and undone Sinner? He will not lose one that his Father hath given him: No, no, though it be but one individual Soul that is missing, yet he will go after that, seek that, leave all the rest to look after that one poor Sheep; and when he has found it, he sees it cannot go, it has no strength, therefore he lays it upon his Shoulders. Sinners, Christ must lay hold of you, and take you up, and lay you on his Shoulders, and carry you home if ever you are saved. It is upon Christ's Shoulders, Christ's Power, that every Elect Soul is brought home; 'tis not on the Power of their Will, their Strength, their Faith; no, but on Christ's Shoulders. Moreover, it is said, He rejoiced, and calls upon all his Friends (the blessed Angels and Saints) to rejoice with him, for I have found my lost 1Sheep. This shews his wonderful Love to poor, undone, and lost Sinners that are his Sheep, whatever it costs him, whatever Pains, Labour, or Charge, home he will bring them, saved they must and shall be. I have other Sheep (saith he) that are not of this Fold, 2them also I must bring, and they shall hear my Voice.
- 1Verse 7.
- 2John 10. 16.
