John 10
SIBJohn 10:1-5
I, who am truth itself, solemnly assure you, that whoever they are who enter into any office in God’s church, not according to his appointment, but by methods of their own devising, are intruders and seducers, who instead of feeding and governing his people, attempt to rob God of his authority over, and property in, them, and to pervert and destroy their souls. But he who, from right principles and ends, and in the manner appointed by God, enters upon the work of feeding and guiding the church, hath a proper right to take care of his people, those cleanly and tractable, meek, patient, harmless, and cautious, but timorous and exposed, social and useful, fearers of God. And having invested him with all proper authority, God, by his Spirit, and the ministry of his servants, opens the hearts of his people to receive him, and they are taught to understand and distinguish his voice in the gospel: while he, by his grace, calls them to himself, in the most particular manner, and leads them into the good pastures of his word and ordinances.—In so doing, he, by his instruction and example, shews them the way; and they, understanding and approving the same, willingly yield up themselves to his authority, and tread in his steps. But the chosen and called people of God have a fixed aversion to the unscriptural doctrines, and bad example, of false teachers, because they perceive their tendency to lead them away from the right way of salvation
John 10:6-9
Finding that, through their self-conceit, the Pharisaic teachers did not comprehend his meaning, Jesus added, I am the only door of salvation, and way to eternal life, and the only one by whom ministers can have admission to office in the gospel church, or people have access to spiritual privileges and saving benefits. All that, before me, pretended to Messiahship, and all that oppose me and teach other methods of salvation, are but mere intruders into their office, who rob my Father and me of our honour and property, and destroy men’s souls: but none of God’s elect shall ever be deceived into perdition by their errors, or find satisfaction in following them. I therefore insist on it, as a matter of infinite importance, that I am the only true door of the church, and entrance to eternal life. Whosoever therefore enters upon religion, by faith in me, as the only Saviour, shall certainly be protected from spiritual enemies, delivered from misery of every kind, and obtain eternal blessedness; and shall, under the conduct of my word and Spirit, find access to, liberty in, and spiritual support, nonrishment, and comfort, by my divine ordinances
John 10:10-13
False teachers come only to seduce church members, murder their souls, or plunder and persecute them; but I am come to manifest the method of obtaining spiritual and eternal life, yea to purchase it for them, and to bestow it upon them, in the most undeserved, unexpected, eminent, inconceivably large, and everlasting manner. I am the eminently and infinitely good Shepherd of the church, foretold by the prophets; and who not only lead, protect, and feed, but give my very life, soul, and self, in the stead of chosen men, to purchase their eternal happiness.—But they, who from selfish views, commence pastors in the church, having no real affectionate concern for their people, are unwilling to hazard their life, reputation, or secular interests, in their service; but are always ready to shift for themselves, and leave the people to be seduced or perverted, as Satan and his emissaries please. —No wonder they are so careless of their hearers’ spiritual and eternal advantage, when they only entered on their office, from a regard to secular advantage
John 10:14-18
And being the infinitely good, and the chief Shepherd of the church, 2 I perfectly know, exactly observe, and tenderly care for, all my chosen people, who are, by my Father’s gift, my own purchase, and their self-dedication, my peculiar property; and they spiritually know me and my doctrine, and fiducially and affectionately embrace me, and hearken to it. And as the Father perfectly knows, loves, approves, and confides in me, I also am perfectly acquainted with him and all his counsels, and trust in him, and delight to do his will. Such is my love to him and to my chosen people, that I am willing and ready to lay down my life in their stead, that they may obtain eternal salvation. And besides those Jews which I have called, or will effectually call, into my church, I must, in pursuance of my eternal engagements, and in justice to my purchase of them, effectually bring in multitudes also of chosen Gentiles, and unite them with those Jews in the gospel church, new covenant, or heavenly state, under my special care, influences, and government.—And not only doth my Father love me as his only begotten Son, but even on account of my zeal for the manifestation of his glory in the salvation of sinful men, in so cheerfully dying for the expiation of their sins that I might rise again for their justification.—No man, by either stratagem or force, can deprive me of my life without my own consent;—but, as absolute proprietor thereof, I voluntarily lay it down, and will, by my own power, rise from the dead, after making satisfaction for the sins of my people, according to the commandment and will of my Father
John 10:25-30
Not only have I, in the strongest declarations, asserted my Messiahship, though ye perversely refused to believe me, but I have demonstrated it by my divine and miraculous works: yet such is your obstinacy, that no declarations or demonstrations will persuade you; as I know, and the event proves, that ye are none of my chosen people, whom the Father hath given me, and whom he, by the effectual power of his grace, draws to me.—As I distinctly know, observe, and love, them, all of them, in the day of my power, attend to, distinguish, prize, and willingly obey, the voice of my word and Spirit, and readily follow my instructions and example. And I freely give them an irrevocable right to all spiritual and eternal benefits, lead them now into some enjoyment of them, and, in due time, will put them into the full possession.—Nor shall either their own weakness, unworthiness, or sinfulness, make them fall short of heaven; nor any artful power or combination of men or devils ever wrest them out of my protection, care, or keeping. Nay, my heavenly Father, who loves them, and hath a peculiar interest in them, and who committed them to me that I might bring them safely to glory, being infinitely superior to all their enemies in power and wisdom, it is absolutely impossible to defeat his gracious designs towards them, or to entice or force them out of his almighty hands, in which they are kept, through faith, unto salvation. And my Father and I, being the very same in nature, power, and every other perfection, as well as in will and design, we must be both overcome, before the weakest of our chosen ones can be deprived of eternal life
John 10:32
Many great and merciful works I have wrought among you, in confirmation of my character, in feeding multitudes of hungry persons, healing all manner of diseases, raising the dead, and casting out tormenting devils. For which of these do you intend to stone me to death?
John 10:34-38
And when the scripture, which is infallible, and must be accomplished, calls your magistrates Gods, who were but types and shadows of the Messiah, why do you perversely charge me, in whom these types are perfectly fulfilled, and whom the Father hath appointed from eternity, and hath sent into the world to exercise all authority as the true Messiah, with blasphemy, for asserting my oneness in nature and perfections with the Father? If I do not perform works as great and glorious as could be expected from the Father, and which, being superior and contrary to the laws of nature, must be performed by that power, which is in the Father himself, I do not claim your belief as the Son of God or promised Messiah. But if I perform works peculiar to God, and in a manner proper to him, then, however ye disregard my person or doctrine in itself, submit to the unexceptionable evidence of my miracles, that ye may be convinced that my Father and I have essential and necessary communion in Godhead
REFLECTIONS UPON CHAP. X.—Infinitely necessary and useful is Jesus Christ to sinful men, as their Shepherd, to seek out, gather, and feed them; as their door and entrance to, and the precious price of, salvation. Indissoluble are his new-covenant connexions with his people, and kind his regards to them. Unbounded was his love in giving his life for their ransom, and rising again for their justification. And through him they receive the most holy liberty, inexpressible delight, spiritual supplies, and superabundant and endless felicity. With what transcendent faithfulness, wisdom, and grace, he seeks them out, brings them from their lost estate into his covenant and church, and guides, governs, protects, and goes before, them through life and death into everlasting blessedness! Infallible is their perseverance, and certain their eternal life, when all the glorious perfections, relations, and promises of Jesus Christ, and his Father, are their security. But base are the men, who, without his commission, thrust themselves into offices in his church, or behave indolently, unconcernedly, or tyrannically therein. Let every one that regards the life of his soul flee from them. The purpose of God certainly stands firm, whether with respect to men’s salvation or damnation. But how implacable is the rage, which words of infinite grace, offers of unbounded fulness, declarations of truth, and merciful miracles unnumbered, do but heighten and provoke to murder the Saviour! No wonder he abandons such, and offers his presence to others more likely to regard him. 3