A47465:1149
The display of glorious grace, or, The covenant of peace opened in fourteen sermons lately preached, in which the errors of the present day about reconciliation and justification are detected / by Benjamin Keach.
London: printed by S. Bridge, 1698
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
1. Nay, we sometimes meet with Returns (when 'tis in our Hearts to Trade with him) before we venture out in Trading;1 Before they call, I will answer; and whilst they are yet speaking, I will hear.
Object. But sometimes we do not presently receive what we ask of God in Christ's Name.
1 Ans. God answers us sometimes, tho not in that manner, or in that thing we request of him, yet he gives us that which he sees is better for us.
2. He gives us always quickly, or right early, that is, when he sees the Fruit is ripe and good ⟨p. 276⟩for us, or in the proper Season; Unripe Fruit is not good, 'tis hurtful you know.
2. He gives us always quickly, or right early, that is, when he sees the Fruit is ripe and good ⟨p. 276⟩for us, or in the proper Season; Ʋnripe Fruit is not good, 'tis hurtful you know.
3. When we are fit to receive the Mercy desired, and know how to improve it to his Glory and our Profit, then we shall have it; and would you have it sooner?
1. Bless Christ for the Covenant of Peace, upon the account it opens such a happy Trade, or procures for us such free access to God.
2. We infer that Sinners are woefully blind, that so few will study this Trade, they will not Trade to Heaven, nor deal in Spiritual Things. (1.) Satan has blinded their Minds. And (2.) The World is got into their Hearts; they are for present Things, for sensual Things, sensual Pleasures, Profits, Honours. (3.) They know not the way how to Trade, Christ is the Way, but they know him not; they will Trade in forbidden Goods, even with their own Money, &c. They think by their Tears, by their Repentance, by their own Faith, Righteousness and Obedience, to procure all things they want, even both Justification, and Eternal Life.
2. We infer that Sinners are wofully blind, that so few will study this Trade, they will not Trade to Heaven, nor deal in Spiritual Things. (1.) Satan has blinded their Minds. And (2.) The World is got into their Hearts; they are for present Things, for sensual Things, sensual Pleasures, Profits, Honours. (3.) They know not the way how to Trade, Christ is the Way, but they know him not; they will Trade in forbidden Goods, even with their own Money, &c. They think by their Tears, by their Repentance, by their own Faith, Righteousness and Obedience, to procure all things they want, even both Justification, and Eternal Life.
3. Train up your Children in this Trade, labour to instruct them into the Knowledge of ⟨p. 277⟩Jesus Christ, bring them up in the Way that they should go.
4. This also reproves such that grow weary of this Holy Calling, or that decay, or waste their Stock, and grow poorer and poorer every Day. (1.) The Price of Heavenly Commodities are fallen in their Esteem, Prayer, Reading, Meditation, Christian Converse, Church Communion, Peace with God, and Peace of Conscience too is but of little worth now with them. (2.) Their Faith is low, their Love to Christ, his Truth and People is decayed, their heat of Zeal is gone. (3.) They are but little at Home, do not watch their own Hearts, or are more abroad to find faults in others, and spying the Moat that is in their Brother's Eye.
4. This also reproves such that grow weary of this Holy Calling, or that decay, or waste their Stock, and grow poorer and poorer every Day. (1.) The Price of Heavenly Commodities are fallen in their Esteem, Prayer, Reading, Meditation, Christian Converse, Church Communion, Peace with God, and Peace of Conscience too is but of little worth now with them. (2.) Their Faith is low, their Love to Christ, his Truth and People is decay'd, their heat of Zeal is gone. (3.) They are but little at Home, do not watch their own Hearts, or are more abroad to find faults in others, and spying the Moat that is in their Brother's Eye.
Quest. Can't Men Break, that follow this Trade?
Answ. False Traders, false Professors may;1 nay, will Break, and come to nothing. (1.) They Set up without a Stock; I mean, without true Saving Grace. (2.) They Trade with their own Money, or have Confidence in the Flesh, and trust in their own Strength, which had almost undone Peter. (3.) They are far in Debt, and see not the way of coming out; they do not see that all their Debts are paid by Jesus Christ. (4.) They Trade not alone in Christ's Name, nor are they strong in the Grace that is in Christ Jesus. (5.) They look one way and Row another, look Heavenward, but their Hearts are Earthly. (6.) They prize Earthly Riches above Heavenly Things; so ⟨p. 278⟩that 'tis no wonder if these Break, but no true Christian, I have proved, can ever Break, or be Undone.
5. Be exhorted to Trade for Heaven, and to buy of Christ;1 Buy of me Gold tried in the Fire, 2&c.—Buy the Truth and Sell it not: Do not only Cheapen his Wares, but resolve to buy: Do you not love Gold? O! Buy presently, you hear how, without Money: What, are all Things here free? And yet do you not like the Terms? Alas, Proud Man would fain pay for all he has, this Plague reigns amongst those of this Generation.
1(1.) Trade with God by Christ, make use of this Blessed Correspondent, come to God by him, or you will get nothing, obtain nothing; Hitherto you have asked nothing in my Name; and therefore received no more. (2.) Know and be assured, that by the Peace Christ has made, you may freely Trade and come to God, but be sure see, that 'tis in Faith you come to him, or you will never speed; plead the absolute Promises. (3.) Observe the Motions of the Spirit, Mariners set out with the Wind and Tide,2 so must you, The Wind blows where it listeth: God's Spirit will not always strive with Men. (4.) Mind the Exchange-time, Merchants will not fail here: O! see you do not neglect God's Public Worship; no, lose not one Opportunity, if it be possible; one Neglect in this case had almost ruined Thomas: ⟨p. 279⟩When Ministers Preach, you ought to hear; nay, you must hear. (5.) Be sure you keep up Closet Prayer, much of this Spiritual Trade lies in this Duty; also you must labour to pray in Faith, and also fervently, cold Prayers will never prevail with God. (6.) Keep up your Acquaintance with Jesus Christ, you that are Believers see to this; and you that are Sinners see that you get Union with him, Acquaint thy self with him, and be at Peace, 3thereby good shall come to thee; without Union there can be no Communion with Christ: Brethren, here is great Complaint of Badness of Trade, may be 'tis a Judgment, because this Trade is slighted, or so much neglected: O! remember this is your general Calling, and it must have the preference, whatever business is neglected, this must not: How did God blast the Jews in Trading,4 because his House lay waste? They minded not this Trade. Also know the more you venture the greater Returns you will have, the more you do or suffer for Christ, the greater your Reward of Grace will be; They that turn many to Righteousness, 5shall shine as the Stars for evermore: There are no doubt degrees of Glory in Heaven.
