A47542:1075
A golden mine opened, or, The glory of God's rich grace displayed in the mediator to believers, and his direful wrath against impenitent sinners containing the substance of near forty sermons upon several subjects / by Benjamin Keach.
London: printed by the author, 1694
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.
2. Apply his Blood, draw Virtue from his Blood, fly to his Death; see how that stands to save thee from the Justice and Wrath of God: in his Death is thy Hope and Succour, when pursued by Satan, and under all Temptations.
3. Triumph in the Cross of Christ; thou, O Child of God, wast crucified with Christ, thy Sins were punished in him, and thou art acquitted in him, and raised in him. O labour to know Christ and him crucified; Labour to know him and the Power ⟨p. 249⟩1of his Death, and the Fellowship of his Sufferings, &c.
4. And as to you Sinners, is not here Ground of Hope for you? Christ died for the chiefest of Sinners; And whosoever believeth 1in him shall not perish, but have everlasting Life. But woe to such who slight this bleeding Saviour, that sin because Grace hath abounded, or that make the Death of Christ an Encouragement to them to continue in Sin. Tush, say some, trouble not your self with me, Christ died for Sinners. O Souls, will you crucify Christ again? I tell you, if you do not feel the Effects of his Death, in vain is all your present Hope.
4. And as to you Sinners, is not here Ground of Hope for you? Christ died for the chiefest of Sinners; And whosoever believeth 1in him shall not perish, but have everlasting Life. But wo to such who slight this bleeding Saviour, that sin because Grace hath abounded, or that make the Death of Christ an Incouragement to them to continue in Sin. Tush, say some, trouble not your self with me, Christ died for Sinners. O Souls, will you crucify Christ again? I tell you, if you do not feel the Effects of his Death, in vain is all your present Hope.
5. This may serve also to detect such, and severely to reprehend 1them that say, Christ died to save all, or for all, and every Man and Woman in the World. Brethren, if he died for all, that is, in the Stead and Room of all, then all shall be saved; God will not condemn such whom Christ laid down his Life for, or in the place or stead of, as I have proved from God's Word. But further, to detect this Error of General Redemption,
1. Consider, that Redemption is a Word easy to understand; it is the saving of a Person, that is in Slavery or Captivity, commonly procured or obtained by a Price paid, or a Ransom: but if the Person is indeed redeemed, he is set at Liberty. To say a Man is redeemed, and yet left in Chains and strong Bonds, out of which he cannot come, unless the Redeemer break those Chains and Bonds to pieces, is to speak untruly, or in plain English, a Lie. Now are all Men redeemed? Redemption cannot be more universal than it is in Matter of Fact. If ten Men were in Slavery in Algiers, and a Sum of Money was paid to redeem them, and yet after all, care is not taken to make that Ransom to be effectual for their Redemption, but six or seven of them are left in Captivity; can any Man say all the ten were redeemed out of that Slavery and Thraldom wherein they are held? Even so it is here; for Men to say, that the Redemption by Christ is for all the World, and yet the greatest part of Mankind lie in Bonds, under the Power of Sin and Satan, and have not the Death of Christ made effectual to them, is a great Mistake, and indeed not true as to Matter of Fact.
1. Consider, that Redemption is a Word easy to understand; it is the saving of a Person, that is in Slavery or Captivity, commonly procured or obtained by a Price paid, or a Ransom: but if the Person is indeed redeemed, he is set at Liberty. To say a Man is redeemed, and yet left in Chains and strong Bonds, out of which he cannot come, unless the Redeemer break those Chains and Bonds to pieces, is to speak untruly, or in plain English, a Lie. Now are all Men redeemed? Redemption cannot be more universal than it is in Matter of Fact. If ten Men were in Slavery in Argiers, and a Sum of Money was paid to redeem them, and yet after all, care is not taken to make that Ransom to be effectual for their Redemption, but six or seven of them are left in Captivity; can any Man say all the ten were redeemed out of that Slavery and Thraldom wherein they are held? Even so it is here; for Men to say, that the Redemption by Christ is for all the World, and yet the greatest part of Mankind lie in Bonds, under the Power of Sin and Satan, and have not the Death of Christ made effectual to them, is a great Mistake, and indeed not true as to Matter of Fact.
2. Are we redeemed only from the Curse of the Law, and from the Wrath of God; and are we not also redeemed from Sin, and from being under the Power of Satan? That Redemption that is by Christ, is (you hear) from all Iniquity; and are all so redeemed? The Apostle Peter saith, Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed ⟨p. 248⟩[…] ⟨p. 249⟩[…] ⟨p. 250⟩with corruptible things, as Silver and Gold, from a vain Conversation, 1but with the precious Blood of Jesus Christ, &c. So many as are, and shall be redeemed from all Iniquity, from a vain Conversation or whom Christ hath redeemed from the Power of Satan, he setting them at Liberty who naturally are bound, and bringing them out of the Prison-House, so many, and no more, did he die for; and no further doth Redemption by Christ extend.
2. Are we redeemed only from the Curse of the Law, and from the Wrath of God; and are we not also redeemed from Sin, and from being under the Power of Satan? That Redemption that is by Christ, is (you hear) from all Iniquity; and are all so redeemed? The Apostle Peter saith, Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed ⟨p. 248⟩〈…〉 ⟨p. 249⟩〈…〉 ⟨p. 250⟩with corruptible things, as Silver and Gold, from a vain Conversation, 1but with the precious Blood of Jesus Christ, &c. So many as are, and shall be redeemed from all Iniquity, from a vain Conversation or whom Christ hath redeemed from the Power of Satan, he setting them at Liberty who naturally are bound, and bringing them out of the Prison-House, so many, and no more, did he die for; and no further doth Redemption by Christ extend.
3. If there are many left in the Enemies Hand, and under their Power, and eternally perish, then there is no general or universal Redemption; but there are Multitudes so left, and perish.
4. That Grace, Love, and blessed Price that doth not procure Universal Salvation, is not, cannot be an Universal Redemption. But God never showed such Grace and Love by the Price of Christ's Blood that doth procure Universal Salvation; therefore there is no Universal Redemption: for that Price or Payment which doth not actually pass or terminate in Salvation, is no Redemption at all: an Attempt to redeem unless it be effected, is no Redemption.
4. That Grace, Love, and blessed Price that doth not procure Universal Salvation, is not, cannot be an Universal Redemption. But God never shewed such Grace and Love by the Price of Christ's Blood that doth procure Universal Salvation; therefore there is no Universal Redemption: for that Price or Paiment which doth not actually pass or terminate in Salvation, is no Redemption at all: an Attempt to redeem unless it be effected, is no Redemption.
5. Brethren, is Christ an Universal Saviour of the Souls of all Men? Why there can be no Universal Redemption, unless there be an Universal Redeemer, (as I said before) but there is no such Universal Redeemer.
Object. We do not plead for an absolute Universal Redemption, but for a Conditional; and that Condition is to be performed by the Creature, and many perish because they do not perform it; the Condition is Faith, Regeneration, Sincere Obedience, and Holiness, &c.
Object. We do not plead for an absolute Vniversal Redemption, but for a Conditional; and that Condition is to be performed by the Creature, and many perish because they do not perform it; the Condition is Faith, Regeneration, Sincere Obedience, and Holiness, &c.
Answ. The Condition they say is Repentance, Faith and Regeneration. Now were it thus, as these Men affirm, then how is Christ rendered, even more weak and inconsiderate than any Man of Understanding? For what Man would lay down ten thousand Pounds to redeem a Captive out of Slavery, when he knew a cruel Tyrant had him in his Hands and in strong Chains, and would not let him go, nor regard at all the Sum laid down for his Ransom, there being no treating with him: he' I take no Price; but unless he is conquered, and the Person redeemed by Power, the Money is lost. This is the Case, Christ's Blood is the Ransom that was laid down to satisfy the Law and Justice of God; but all and every Man and Woman in the World is under the Power of Sin and Satan: and unless Christ delivers the Soul out of the Hands of these Enemies by the Power of his own Arm, his Blood would be of none ⟨p. 251⟩Effect to redeem any one Soul. Therefore God by this Conditional Universal Redemption, rather seems to mock Men, according to these Mens Notion; for this is the purport of it, You are redeemed, Sinner, yea all of you by Christ's Death, if you can redeem your selves. Do but your part, and you are redeemed: What is that? Why answer the Conditions, viz. change your own evil Hearts, make you a new Heart, believe in Christ; get out of Satan's Chains; raise your selves from the Dead, and you shall be redeemed. Is this possible? Strange! doth the Righteous God make that the Condition of Salvation on the Creature's Part, which he knew the Creature was no more able to do than to give sight to the Blind, or raise the Dead?
Answ. The Condition they say is Repentance, Faith and Regeneration. Now were it thus, as these Men affirm, then how is Christ rendred, even more weak and inconsiderate than any Man of Understanding? For what Man would lay down ten thousand Pounds to redeem a Captive out of Slavery, when he knew a cruel Tyrant had him in his Hands and in strong Chains, and would not let him go, nor regard at all the Sum laid down for his Ransom, there being no treating with him: he' I take no Price; but unless he is conquered, and the Person redeemed by Power, the Money is lost. This is the Case, Christ's Blood is the Ransom that was laid down to satisfy the Law and Justice of God; but all and every Man and Woman in the World is under the Power of Sin and Satan: and unless Christ delivers the Soul out of the Hands of these Enemies by the Power of his own Arm, his Blood would be of none ⟨p. 251⟩
2. Besides, it renders Christ to be but a Conditional Redeemer, could the Creature answer the Condition; yea, and it puts Christ but into a possibility also of being a Redeemer, (as one well observes) he is not actually so whilst he stands under that Conditionality; 1for the Conditionality doth not only lie upon the Person to be redeemed, so that he cannot be a redeemed One, till the Condition is performed: But it puts also a Bar to the Purchaser, he can't in any good sense be called the Redeemer of such a Person, 'till the Person hath performed the Condition. As for Example, if I lay down an hundred Pounds for the Redemption of a Person in Slavery, upon this Condition that he yield to serve me seven Years after, I must have his Consent to these Terms before I can redeem him; and therefore upon this Condition I am certainly suspended from being a Redeemer, and am no Redeemer to the said Person, if he refuse the Terms; all that I have done is but a Proffer of Terms. Hence (saith the said Reverend Author) for Christ to be a Conditional Universal Redeemer, is a Contradiction; for it's to be but a Redeemer of some that perform the Condition, and no Redeemer to them who do not.
6. To which let me add, this Notion of Conditional Redemption, renders Salvation not to be freely of God's Grace, no not the very Purchase it self; because in the Design of it, it was not to be had without the Creatures Money, I mean without his answering the Condition of Repentance, Faith, Regeneration, and final Perseverance, &c. which to do, they deny Christ's purchased Grace and Power for all or any one; or hath he promised to perform it for them, or to work it in them? No, but it is that which absolutely the Creature must find Power, Strength, and Skill to do, or perish for ever, the Redemption being intended for ⟨p. 252⟩him on no other Terms: all depends on the Will of Man, 'tis as Man's Will determines it.
7. Moreover, who can suppose Christ would shed his Blood, and lay down such an infinite Sum, to redeem such whom he knew would not answer those Conditions propounded? Nay, and which is worse, to lay down his Life to redeem Multitudes upon such Conditions, which he knew they were no more able to perform, than to create a World? Can this stand consistent with the Wisdom and Goodness of Jesus Christ? This Assertion of theirs (saith the same Author) is as if they should say, A. B. purchased an Estate for me, and in my Name, upon Condition that I should take up the Monument and carry it over the Bridge.
7. Moreover, who can suppose Christ would shed his Blood, and lay down such an infinite Sum, to redeem such whom he knew would not answer those Conditions propounded? Nay, and which is worse, to lay down his Life to redeem Multitudes upon such Conditions, which he knew they were no more able to perform, than to create a World? Can this stand consistent with the Wisdom and Goodness of Jesus Christ? This Assertion of theirs (saith the same Author) is as if they should say, A. B. purchased an Estate for me, and in my Name, upon Condition that I should take up the Monument and carry it over the Bridg.
8. All those that have Redemption, or that Christ died to redeem, have or shall have remission of Sin: But the greatest part of Men have not, nor ever shall have remission of Sin, therefore Christ did not die for the greatest part of the World; Redemption and Forgiveness of Sins is of equal extent.
9. Again, I might argue thus; Those that Christ did not pray for, he did not die for; those that he never would put up one Prayer, one Sigh to the Father for, certainly he never purchased Remission of Sins and Eternal Life for: I pray for them, I pray not 1for the World; but for them which thou hast given me, for they are thine. Now it is easy to know what World it was Christ prayed not for; namely, those that were not given to him by the Father; for all that were of the World, that did belong to the Election of Grace, though then under the Power of Sin and Unbelief, he did pray for: Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also which shall 2believe on me through their Words: the Elect, whilst Sinners, may be called the World as well as any others.
