John 10:16

Christ proves himselfe to be the true Shepherd, from another property; Which is, His care to enlarge his Church, by bringing in his own among the Gentiles: Who albeit they did not belong to the Church of the Jewes, yet he would, in due time, convert and bring them in: And as he is that one Shepherd, so he will make up one Church of Jew and Gentile, the partition wall being removed. Whence learn, 1. Whatever be the malice or opposition of wicked pastours against Christ; Yet he will have his own elect and Church in the midst of them: for, here it is supposed that he had sheep in Judea, notwithstanding the malice of the Rulers and Pharisees, with whom he will gather other sheep, from among the Gentiles. 2. Christ is a Shepherd who not only hath a care of those that are brought in, but he mindeth also the enlargement of his Kingdome; As here we see. And herein honest Pastours should imitate him. 3. Albeit Christ, in the dayes of his flesh, was Minister of the circumcision only, Rom. 15.8. and would neither go himselfe, not suffer his Disciples to go into the way of the Gentiles; Yet the conversion of the Gentiles, as it was fore-prophesied in the Old Testament, so it was approven by him, and he purposed to have it brought about in due time: So much doth this prediction teach us. 4. Christs own, though as yet unconverted, are his sheep, in respect of his eternal purpose to bring them in; and his heart is upon them, for that end: for, he calls them other sheep, which I have, though they be not yet called, and he speaks of his purpose of love concerning them, when they little knew him or it. 5. Christs elect sheep may not only be living in nature, for a time, within the Church; but they may be living without the pale of the Church, to whom he will have the Gospel sent, to convert them and bring them in: for, those other sheep are not of this fold, or, no Jewes, nor of that Church which was the only Church at that time; and yet were sheep. 6. Such as are Christs sheep by election and purpose, must not only be converted, but brought in to the society of the visible Church, to live under Christs care and government; for they must be brought to the fold. 7. Christ himselfe is chiefe in bringing in his elect, whatever instruments be employed; And he is at pains to seek them and gain their consent, as being bound in the Covenant of Redemption, to present all that are given him by Charter, blamelesse before the Father: Therefore saith he, I bring them, and, I must bring them, the matter not being left arbitrary, even in respect of his obligation. 8. Gods purposes are so unchangable, and Christs grace, conferred and applyed to the elect, so efficacious and invincible in operation, that he can undertake to prevail with them, to whom he so applieth it; for, he undertakes, they shall hear my voyce, which includes both faith and obedience. 9. All Christs converts, in all times and places, will carry the same stamp, and have the same properties agreeable to the Scriptures; for, what was the mark of his sheep in Judea. ver. 3. the same is the character of converted Gentiles, and they shall hear my voice. 10. As all true converts are brought in to the society of the Church; So under the Gospel, the partition-wall betwixt Jew and Gentile is broken down, and they make up but one Catholick Church: for, there shall be one fold. 11. Christ is the only one chiefe Shepherd of the Catholick Church, dispersed through the world, of Jewes and Gentiles; for, there shall be one fold, and one shepherd.