diseased, nor healed the sick, nor bound up that which was broken, nor brought again that which was driven away, nor sought that which was lost; but who had ruled with force and cruelty*. Surely the good Shepherd will not be like these: Surely, if he will feed his flock like such a shepherd, he cannot fail of gathering the lambs with his arm, and carrying them in his bosom, and of being very tender of the lives of those, for whom his own life was given. 2. We may argue the tenderness and grace of the Redeemer, "from those express testimonies which are borne to it in the prophetic writings." This is mentioned as a remarkable part of his character, when considered not only in his pastoral office, but also in his royal dignity. To him do those words of Zechariah refer, Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion; shout, O daughter of Jerusalem; for behold thy king cometh unto thee: He is just, having salvation, and lowly, and riding, not as other princes, perhaps, on a managed horse, or in a splendid triumphal chariot; but according to the simplicity of more ancient days, when princes appeared amongst their subjects, as fathers amongst their children; so shall he come, riding on an ass, even upon a colt, the foal of an asst. Thus too Isaiah introduces God as speaking of him, in those remarkable words‡, which are also applied to him by the evangelist, as the former are, Behold my servant whom I uphold, mine elect, in whom my soul is delighted; he shall not cry, nor lift up, nor cause his voice to be heard in the streets: A bruised reed shall he not break, and the smoaking flar shall he not quench, till he shall bring forth judgment unto truth or victory; i. e. till he perfect his gracious design of making righteousness and truth victorious.over all opposition. Therefore is he spoken of, as a most proper person to accomplish the most compassionate purposes of the divine goodness; and is represented as rejoicing in the thought of his bearing such a commission, in those gracious words, (which were the foundation of his first public discourse, and which he so solemnly applied to himself in the synagogue of Nazareth¶; The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me, because the Lord hath anointed me to preach good tidings to the meek, he hath sent me to bind up the broken-hearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to them that are bound; Isa. xlii. 1-3. § Mat. xii. 18. Ezek. xxxiv. 4. + Zech. ix. 9. to appoint unto them that mourn in Zion, to give unto them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness*. So exactly does our Lord answer the lovely character of a righteous and peaceful Sovereign, drawn by David+ in those last words of his, which many suppose ultimately to refer to the Messiah, He shall be as the light of the morning, when the sun riseth, even as a morning without clouds; as the tender grass springing out of the earth, by clear shining after rain. And again‡, He shall judge the poor of the people, and save the children of the needy: And his people shall be so refreshed by his tender care, that He shall come down like rain upon the new mown grass, and like showers that water the earth: He shall deliver the needy, when he crieth; the poor also, and him that hath no helper: He shall spare the poor and needy and shall save the souls of the needy: He shall redeem their souls from deceit and violence, and precious shall their blood be in his sight. Many parallel expressions might be added to these; but the following heads are too copious to allow of a farther enlargement upon this. 3. I might largely argue the tenderness and grace of Christ, "from his conduct on earth in the days of his flesh." The time would fail me, should I attempt to enumerate half the particular circumstances of it, that tend to illustrate this part of his character: I must only select a few, which are the most remarkable. And judge you, whether all that is foretold of him in the text, and in the other prophetical passages I have been referring you to, was not amply and sweetly accomplished in them. It is said, He will gather the lambs in his arms; i. e. as I have been telling you above, the young and the weak shall be welcome to him: And did not our Lord sufficiently shew that they were so, when the little children were brought unto him? The disciples forbad them, as thinking it was beneath the dignity of so great a prophet, as their master was, to trouble himself about them. But observe it, children, for I believe it was in part recorded for your sakes, Jesus was greatly displeased with his disciples, that they should think he had no tenderness for such little creatures as you; and he said, Suffer little children to come unto me, and forbid them not, for of such is the kingdom of God: And he took them up in his arms, and laid his hands upon them, and blessed them§: Do you not here see the +2 Sam. xxiii. 4. Isa. Ix. 1, 3. § Mark x. 13-16. + Psal. lxxii. 4, 6, 12, 13, 14, text most beautifully illustrated, and fulfilled? Do you not here see The great Shepherd, gathering the lambs in his arms, and laying them in his bosom ?--And does he not invite others also to that soft and pleasant repose, in those compassionate words, which surely none of you are such strangers in Israel as not to know? Come unto me all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest*: And Him that cometh unto me, I will in no wise cast outt. Did he not also express a very gracious regard to such, when he so peculiarly recommends the care of them to Peter, just when he was leaving the world, taking that peculiarly affecting opportunity of assuring him, not only that it was his will that they should be regarded, but also that an affectionate care of them was the most acceptable instance, which Peter, and, by a parity of reason, his other ministers, could give of their love to him? Lovest thou me? if thou dost, feed my lambs, and feed my sheep‡.-Can we then imagine, that he himself will fail in his care of any of them? Especially when we consider the instances of his tenderness, to some who were not of his fold, as well as to many who were ;-to one, in whom though he saw only some feeble traces and images of goodness, yet it is said, that Jesus beholding him, loved him§,and to multitudes, over whom he wept, because they obstinately refused to be gathered in, and knew not The things belonging to their peace. Again, The text tells us, He shall gently lead those that are with young: i. e. he shall accommodate his conduct to the weakness and infirmities of his people: And did not our Lord express this tenderness, when he taught his followers, As they were able to bear it; and was careful not to discourage them at first, by any unnecessary severities, lest it should be like putting New wine into old bottles**, which might be easily broke by the fermentation of it ?—And did not also this compassionate Shepherd appear ready to bind up the broken, and to heal the sick, when he so graciously excused the weakness of his disciples, though they fell asleep at a time, when one would have thought the agonies of their Lord should have turned them all into wakeful attention, and affectionate sympathy? Yet instead of severe reproaches, we find this kind apology in the mouth of their neglected injured Master, The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak↑↑. -To add no more on this head, it is well worth our observation, that when Peter had so shamefully Mat. xi. 28. † John vi. 37. John xxi. 15, 17. ** Mat. ix. 17. § Mark x. 21. to appoint unto them that mourn in Zion, to give unto them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness*. So exactly does our Lord answer the lovely character of a righteous and peaceful Sovereign, drawn by David+ in those last words of his, which many suppose ultimately to refer to the Messiah, He shall be as the light of the morning, when the sun riseth, even as a morning without clouds; as the tender grass springing out of the earth, by clear shining after rain. And again‡, He shall judge the poor of the people, and save the children of the needy: And his people shall be so refreshed by his tender care, that He shall come down like rain upon the new mown grass, and like showers that water the earth: He shall deliver the needy, when he crieth; the poor also, and him that hath no helper: He shall spare the poor and needy and shall save the souls of the needy: He shall redeem their souls from deceit and violence, and precious shall their blood be in his sight. Many parallel expressions might be added to these; but the following heads are too copious to allow of a farther enlargement upon this. 3. I might largely argue the tenderness and grace of Christ, "from his conduct on earth in the days of his flesh." The time would fail me, should I attempt to enumerate half the particular circumstances of it, that tend to illustrate this part of his character: I must only select a few, which are the most remarkable. And judge you, whether all that is foretold of him in the text, and in the other prophetical passages I have been referring you to, was not amply and sweetly accomplished in them. It is said, He will gather the lambs in his arms; i. e. as I have been telling you above, the young and the weak shall be welcome to him: And did not our Lord sufficiently shew that they were so, when the little children were brought unto him? The disciples forbad them, as thinking it was beneath the dignity of so great a prophet, as their master was, to trouble himself about them. But observe it, children, for I believe it was in part recorded for your sakes, Jesus was greatly displeased with his disciples, that they should think he had no tenderness for such little creatures as you; and he said, Suffer little children to come unto me, and forbid them not, for of such is the kingdom of God: And he took them up in his arms, and laid his hands upon them, and blessed them§: Do you not here see the 2 Sam. xxiii. 4. Psal. lxxii. 4, 6, 12, 13, 14, 3. * Isa. Ix. 1, text most beautifully illustrated, and fulfilled? Do you not here see The great Shepherd, gathering the lambs in his arms, and laying them in his bosom ?--And does he not invite others also to that soft and pleasant repose, in those compassionate words, which surely none of you are such strangers in Israel as not to know? Come unto me all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest*: And Him that cometh unto me, I will in no wise cast out+. Did he not also express a very gracious regard to such, when he so peculiarly recommends the care of them to Peter, just when he was leaving the world, taking that peculiarly affecting opportunity of assuring him, not only that it was his will that they should be regarded, but also that an affectionate care of them was the most acceptable instance, which Peter, and, by a parity of reason, his other ministers, could give of their love to him? Lovest thou me? if thou dost, feed my lambs, and feed my sheep‡.—Can we then imagine, that he himself will fail in his care of any of them? Especially when we consider the instances of his tenderness, to some who were not of his fold, as well as to many who were ;-to one, in whom though he saw only some feeble traces and images of goodness, yet it is said, that Jesus beholding him, loved him, and to multitudes, over whom he wept, because they obstinately refused to be gathered in, and knew not The things belonging to their peace. Again, The text tells us, He shall gently lead those that are with young: i. e. he shall accommodate his conduct to the weakness and infirmities of his people: And did not our Lord express this tenderness, when he taught his followers, As they were able to bear i¶; and was careful not to discourage them at first, by any unnecessary severities, lest it should be like putting New wine into old bottles**, which might be easily broke by the fermentation of it ?-And did not also this compassionate Shepherd appear ready to bind up the broken, and to heal the sick, when he so graciously excused the weakness of his disciples, though they fell asleep at a time, when one would have thought the agonies of their Lord should have turned them all into wakeful attention, and affectionate sympathy? Yet instead of severe reproaches, we find this kind apology in the mouth of their neglected injured Master, The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak++.To add no more on this head, it is well worth our observation, that when Peter had so shamefully Mat. xi. 28. Luke xix. 41,42. † John vi. 37. John xxi. 15, 17. **Mat. ix. 17. § Mark x. 21. †† Mat. xxvi. 41. |