Matthew Poole and continuators on John 10:15

15 As the Father knoweth me, even so know my Father , and I lay down my life for the sheep z.

By these words our Saviour openeth, How he knew his sheep, and should be again known of them, even as the Father knoweth him, and he knows his Father: this mutual knowledge between the Father and Christ, was joyned with perfect love and delight. Thus our Saviour knoweth those that are his sheep, not onely fully and distinctly, so as to call them all by their Names; but so as to love them, delight in them, so as to be ready to lay down his Life for their good, and Eternal Salvation. Christ, to shew not onely the sincerity, but the Degrees of his love to his people, doth often compare it to the love wherewith his father loved him, Ioh. 15.9 and Chap. 17.23, 26. So that if we can believe, That God the Father loved Christ his onely begotten So[illegible: 1 letter], we may also believe, That both the Fath[illegible: 1 letter]r and Christ love those that are truly the sheep of Chris[illegible: 1 letter]. The love that Christ hath to his People is as true, and as certain as the Fathers love to Christ, or Christs love to his Father; and this could be shewed by no higher act, tha[illegible: 1 letter] that of laying down his Life, Iohn 15.13. Now, saith he, I lay down; that is, I am ready to lay down, or I shall shortly lay down my life for the sheep; whether Sheep can signifie all, and every person born into the World, is their concern more strictly to enquire, who are so [illegible: 1 letter]enacious of that point, That Christ died equally for All, and Every man; As also, whether upon that Principle that absurdity must not follow, That Christ loved those who shall yet perish Eternally, with such a love as the Father loved him, and he loved the Father.

Marginal references: Matth. 11.27.