The silly sheep
Jesus the Good Shepherd.
(The Gospel History, Section 81)
“Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that entereth not by the door into the fold of the sheep, but climbeth up some other way, the same is a thief and a robber. But he that entereth in by the door is the shepherd of the sheep. To him the porter openeth; and the sheep hear his voice: and he calleth his own sheep by name, and leadeth them out. When he hath put forth all his own, he goeth before them, and the sheep follow him: for they know his voice. And a stranger will they not follow, but will flee from him: for they know not the voice of strangers. This parable spake Jesus unto them: but they understood not what things they were which he spake unto them.
The silly sheep
(The Saviour of the World, Vol V Book V Poem LVIII)
“Ye think the sheep are witless, cannot know;
Respond to any call, and ready go
After whoso will lead them;
Poor silly sheep, that scarce are safe in fold
Enclosed by shepherd who hath duly told
Their number, one by one there;
Without are robbers, who shall climb the fence,
Get in to the poor sheep on fond pretence
That they have come to feed them;
There is that cometh not in by the door
But climbeth up some other way, the more
Privily to destroy them;
But, duly by the door, the Shepherd, see,
Comes for his sheep; the porter opens free;
The sheep, they gather round him:
Their shepherd’s voice is music in their ear;
He calls each one by name; they have no fear,
But come in haste to follow.
He leads them forth where pleasant places be;
His sheep who know His voice will never flee
Their shepherd who doth love them.
A stranger, trespassing, invades the fold,
And calls the sheep out masterful and bold,
But see, they will not have him.
They flee and in remotest places hide;
Nor may this stranger in their midst abide,—
They know not th’ voice of strangers.
St. John x. 1–6.
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