John 10:10

Christ proceeds to declare that, as he is the door, so, he is the true shepherd. And that first (in this ver) in opposition to these whom he called theeves and robbers, that is, they who give out themselves to be the Messiah, or who run unsent and bring corrupt doctrine. These he declares to be enemies and not shepherds, as coming only to do the flock prejudice; But his errand is to give them life, and that in great abundance. Whence learn, 1. False Teachers and seducers will have so many faire pretences, and plausible shewes and appearances, that the evill of their way will not be soon seen; Therefore must it be so much inculcate, what it is the thiefe comes about. 2. Let seducers pretend never so faire, and people be never so much taken with them; Yet they do really come for the hurt of the flock, and it will prove so, and be seen in end; for, the thiefe comes not, but for to steale &c. that is the whole scope of their work. And this meets with the blinde charity of any in the flock, who fear not so much hurt by their errours as they expect good by their faire shewes of piety and parts. 2. Seducers are but thieves, in regard they do but make a prey of men, taking them away from Christ, stealing away their food that they may give them poyson and betraying Christ of his glory, and them of their happinesse; and in regard they do all this in a clandestine and indirect way; Therefore is it said, The thiefe cometh not, but for to steale. 4. How happy so ever blinded souls may think themselves, in being made a prey to seducers, and in being deluded with their indirect insinuations; Yet all this tends but to their destruction, and to their eternal ruine, if mercy prevent it not; for, as the thiefe cometh to steal, so also to kill and to destroy, and so they are robbers, or murthering theeves, as ver. 8. 5. Christ is a shepherd who will be so far from destroying his flock, that he will give life, even to these of them who are dead; for, I am come that they might have life. 6. Christs great scope in coming to the world, is, to purchase and conferre life upon his own Elect; And whatever his dealing toward them be, yet it tends all to this, and when they finde it otherwise, it is their own mistake: for, saith he, I am come that they might have life. 7. Christ by his coming, not only intends life, but more abundant life to his flock, that is, 1. Albeit he gave life to his people before his comming, yet he hath let it out more abundantly since, to shew the difference betwixt the Sonne of righteousnesse now arisen, and the light that his people had (though from him) before. 2. He will not only give that life that may simply supply the necessity of his people, but such a superabounding measure, as may testifie his fulnesse, and may completely refresh them. 3. Having conferred this abundant life in conversion, he will make it grow more and more while they are within time, 1 Thes. 4.1. 4 All this is but a drop, in comparison of that abundance of life that is reserved for his people in glory. In these respects it is said, I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.