Matthew Poole and continuators on John 10:5

5 And a stranger will they not follow, but [illegible: 1 word] flee from him: for they know not the voice [illegible: 1 word] strangers .

This he further enlargeth upon, telling them, That his Sheep would not follow those that did not lead them into his Truth, and in his ways, for they understood not such Voices. Here ariseth a Question; Whether the Elect of God, or such as being truly called, and believe in Christ, are the Sheep of Christ in the most strict and proper sense, may not be seduced into Errors, and led away by Strangers? Answ. We must distinguish first, betwixt single persons, and the generality of Believers: As in a Flock, the generality keep together, following the Voice of the true Shepherd; tho some particular Sheep may wander: So the generality of Believers will be found keeping close to the Truth and Doctrine of Christ, tho amongst them some particular persons may be seduced, and led a way by Seducers. Secondly, we must distinguish betwixt Errors, and damnable Errors, a pertinacious adherence to which, will divide the Soul from Christ, and end in the ruine of Souls. Christs Sheep may follow strangers, dissembling the Spiritual Voice of the true Shepherd a little way, but they will not follow them into such Errors as will plunge their Souls in Eternal Ruine and Destruction. Thirdly, They may hear even this Voice of but Strangers speaking to them perverse and damnable things: but it will be but for a short time, God will reduce, and bring them back again, ver. 28. They shall never perish.