Thematic Bible


Thematic Bible











Blessed be the God, and father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the father of mercies, and the God of all consolation: who comforteth me in all my tribulations, that I may be able to comfort them who are in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith I myself am comforted of God.





"blessed be the Lord, the God of Israel, for he hath regarded and wrought a deliverance for his people: Verse ConceptsGod, As RedeemerGod VisitingBless The Lord!redeemed














from whence the son of man is come, in order to save those that were lost. If a man has an hundred sheep, and one of them should go astray, do you think he would not leave the ninety and nine in the mountains, and go in search for that which was gone astray? and if he happen to find it, you may be sure he is more affected with that one, than with the ninety and nine which went not astray. read more.
in like manner your heavenly father would not that any person of such humility should be lost.

but he propos'd to them this parable. who of you that has an hundred sheep, will not, upon losing one, leave the ninety nine in the desart, to go after that which is lost, till he finds it? and when he hath found it, joyfully lay it upon his shoulders? read more.
and when he comes home, call his friends and neighbours together, and say to them, rejoice with me, for I have found my sheep, that was lost? I tell you, that there shall likewise be greater joy in heaven for one sinner that repents, than for ninety nine just persons, that need no repentance. or if a woman, that has ten pieces of money, should lose one of them, will she not light a lamp, sweep the house, and carefully search, till she find it? and when 'tis found, will she not call her friends aud neighbours together, and say, rejoice with me, for I have found the piece, I had lost? even so, I assure you, the angels in heaven rejoice, when any one sinner becomes a penitent. Again he said: a certain man had two sons; the younger of which said to his father, father, give me that portion of the estate which falls to my share. accordingly he divided his estate among them. a little while after the younger son turn'd all he had into money, and travell'd into a foreign country, where he squander'd away his fortune in luxurious living. when he had spent all, there happen'd to be a severe famine in that country; and he was reduced to want, which forc'd him to make his application to one of the inhabitants there, who sent him to his farm to look after his swine. for he would have been contented to have liv'd upon the carruways, with which they usually fed the swine: but nobody would supply him. at length coming to himself, how many, said he, does my father keep in pay, who have bread in abundance, whilst I am dying here with hunger? I will depart, and go to my father, and say to him, father, I have sinned against heaven, and against thee; I am no longer worthy to be called your son: treat me as one of your hir'd servants. so he departed and went to his father. but while he was yet at a distance, his father saw him, and mov'd with compassion, ran and threw himself upon his neck, and kissed him. then the son said to him, father, I have sinned against heaven, and against you, I am no longer worthy to be called your son. but the father said to his servants, bring hither the finest robe, and put it on him: put a ring on his finger, and shoes on his feet. take the fatted calf, and kill it: let us eat and be merry: for this son of mine was dead, and is come to life: he was lost, and is found again. and then they began their feast. In the mean time his elder son was in the country. at his return, when he came near home, he heard the musick and dancing: and calling one of the servants, he ask'd what was the occasion of it, who reply'd, your brother is return'd, and your father has killed the fatted calf, because he has received him in good health. upon this he was full of resentment, and refused to go in: and when his father came out to persuade him, he replied to his father, how many years have I serv'd you, without having ever disobey'd your orders? and yet you never bestow'd a kid upon me, to make merry with my friends: whereas this son of yours, who has eat up his fortune among a pack of loose creatures, is no sooner come but you must kill the fatted calf for him. son, said he to him, you shall continue to be with me, and all that I have shall be thine. but it was necessary to feast and rejoice, because your brother here was dead, and is again alive: he was lost and is now found.

then said Jesus, speaking of him, this day is salvation come to this family, since he is now become a true son of Abraham. for the son of man is come to seek, and to save that which was lost.







for the lamb who is in the midst before the throne, shall feed them, and shall lead them to living fountains of waters: and God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes. Verse ConceptsEyes, Used In PropheciesdiseasesBereavement, God's Comfort inFountainsGuidance, God's Promises OfKnowing God, Effects OfRest, EternalWellsTearsWhat Heaven Will Be LikeFountains Of LifeMetaphorical SpringsGod Will ComfortWells, Figurative Use






I assure you, he that entreth not by the door into the sheep-fold, but climbeth up some other way, is a thief and a robber. but he that enters in by the door, is the pastor of the sheep. the porter lets him in, and the sheep know his voice: he calls his own sheep by name, and leads them out to pasture. read more.
when he lets out his own sheep, he goes before them, and the sheep follow him: because they know his voice. a stranger they will not follow, but flee from him: for they know not the voice of strangers. Jesus talk'd to them in this figurative way: but they did not understand the meaning of his discourse. Jesus therefore subjoin'd, I declare unto you, I am the door of the sheep-fold. they who have personated me, are all thieves and robbers: but the sheep did not follow them. I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved; he shall go in and out, and find pasture. the thief comes only to steal, to kill, and destroy: but I am come that they might have life, and have it with all its advantages. I am the true pastor: the true pastor exposes his life for the sheep. but the hireling, who is not the pastor, nor has the property of the sheep, seeing the wolf come, leaves the sheep, and flies away: so the wolf seizes some, and disperses the flock. the hireling flies, because he is an hireling, and is under no concern for the sheep. I am the true pastor, I know my sheep, and my sheep know me, (as the father and I are known to one another:) and I lay down my life for them. other sheep I have, which are not of this fold: them also I must bring; they will hear my voice; and so there shall be but one fold, and one pastor. therefore doth my father love me, because I lay down my life, but I shall reassume it. no man can take it from me, but I voluntarily lay it down: I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again. this is the order I have received from my father.

this will conciliate the divine favour. and this is the condition of your vocation, since Christ himself has suffer'd for us, leaving an example for your exact imitation, he who never offended, and from whose lips no fallacy was ever utter'd, who, when he was reviled, did not revile again: when he was in his sufferings, he did not threat, but referr'd his cause to the righteous judge. read more.
he himself cancel'd our sins by the crucifixion of his body, that we being set free from sin, might live in the service of virtue. it is by his bruises that you were healed: for you were as sheep going astray, but now you are brought back to the pastor and overseer of your souls.