A golden mine opened, or, The glory of God's rich grace displayed in the…

2. Jesus Christ watches his Sheep, that he may give them those Mercies they need in the proper season of them: He knows when and how to give us that Good he himself hath promised. Sometimes he watches over his People, to chasten, to afflict and punish them with the Rod, when he sees there is need of it: He lets out his Dog, (as I may so say, like as a Shepherd doth upon unruly Sheep) when his Calls will not do, will not reclaim them and reduce them to an orderly and diligent walk. But then at another time, he watches over them, to bestow his Favours and Blessing upon them: And it shall come to pass, that like as I have watched ¹over them, to pluck up, and to break down, and to overthrow, and to destroy, and to afflict; so will I watch over them, to build, and to plant, saith the Lord. Though there is no Change in God, but he doth all things according to the Counsel of his own Will and Eternal Purpose, yet there is a Change of his providential Dispensations. God here speaks after the manner of Men; and as he is diligent to afflict for Disobedience, so he is likewise as diligent upon a Reformation, to distribute his Blessings, when he sees it will make for his Glory and his Peoples Good.

1. 1Jer. 31. 23.

Seventhly, and lastly, Christ is a living Shepherd. Other Shepherds ¹die and leave their Sheep, and know not what Evil may befall them after their departure: But Jesus Christ never dies; I am he that was dead, and am alive; and behold, I live for evermore. He ²ever lives to feed, to heal, guide, protect, and save his People; He ever lives to make Intercession for us. In this doth the Safety, Happiness and Comfort of Believers lie: Christ is always the same, he changes not; and is such a Shepherd, that his Sheep cannot lose; Death hath no more power over him, Death cannot deprive them of this Shepherd.