A47542:1226
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.
8. They are in Christ's Hand, as a Patient is in the Hands of a wise, able, and faithful Physician, whom he hath undertaken to cure of all Diseases whatsoever.
9. As a Garden is in the Hand, and under the Care of a skilful and painful Gardiner, who is to plant it, to weed it, to water it, and to watch it Day and Night; or as a Vineyard is in the Hand of a Vine-dresser.
10. They are in his Hand, as a Ship sent out to Sea in a Storm between Rocks and Sands, which is committed into the Hand of a skilful Pilot to steer and preserve from Danger.
But pray observe, Christ exceeds all Covenant-Servants; they may be unfaithful, or negligent, or want Wisdom or Power to do what they undertake; but in none of these things he can, nor will fail: he exceeds all Shepherds; they may lose a Sheep, do what they can, a Lion may tear it from them; but so they cannot from Christ, as I formerly showed you. He exceeds all Bridegrooms; others may cool in their Affections, or want Wisdom, or Wealth to enrich, or Power to save their Spouse; but so doth not Jesus Christ to his People that he hath betrothed unto himself. He exceeds all Physicians; others may not know the Cause of some Distempers, nor how to cure them, or may want Care or Tenderness: but so doth not Jesus Christ, he knows the Causes of all our Sicknesses, and wants no Skill, Care, nor Tenderness, in order to heal all his Children, whatever their Diseases may be. He exceeds all Guides; they may let go their hold, or gaze about and let the Blind fall into a Pit and perish: But so will not he, he holds them fast, and will not let his hold go, he hath faster hold of us than we have of him: When David's hold was near gone, and his Steps well nigh slipped, yet nevertheless (saith he) I am continually with thee, thou hast holden me by my right Hand. Christ exceeds 1all Mothers; Can a Woman forget her sucking Child, that she should ⟨p. 282⟩not have compassion on the Son of her Womb? Yea, they may forget, yet will I not forget thee. Behold, I have graven thee upon the Palms of my Hands, thy Walls are continually before me. Christ exceeds all 2Kings on Earth; for he to make his Subjects Rich, became poor himself. Others may take an Offence against their very Favourites, though Children, and turn them out of all Places of Honour, and utterly degrade them: But so will not he. Christ exceeds all Gardeners or Vine-dressers; a Drought may come and spoil a Garden or Vineyard, let the Dresser do what he can; or through his carelessness Weeds may overrun and utterly spoil it: But he hath promised to prevent the Danger of Drought; his People shall then 3not cease bearing Fruit, Sin shall not have dominion over them; those Weeds shall never spoil his Garden. Christ exceeds all Earthly Pilots; they may lose a Ship in a Storm let them do what they can, it may be drove either upon Rocks or Sands: But Jesus Christ hath the command of the Wind, the Winds and Sea obey him;
But pray observe, Christ exceeds all Covenant-Servants; they may be unfaithful, or negligent, or want Wisdom or Power to do what they undertake; but in none of these things he can, nor will fail: he exceeds all Shepherds; they may lose a Sheep, do what they can, a Lion may tear it from them; but so they cannot from Christ, as I formerly shewed you. He exceeds all Bridegrooms; others may cool in their Affections, or want Wisdom, or Wealth to inrich, or Power to save their Spouse; but so doth not Jesus Christ to his People that he hath betrothed unto himself. He exceeds all Physicians; others may not know the Cause of some Distempers, nor how to cure them, or may want Care or Tenderness: but so doth not Jesus Christ, he knows the Causes of all our Sicknesses, and wants no Skil, Care, nor Tenderness, in order to heal all his Children, whatever their Diseases may be. He exceeds all Guides; they may let go their hold, or gaze about and let the Blind fall into a Pit and perish: But so will not he, he holds them fast, and will not let his hold go, he hath faster hold of us than we have of him: When David's hold was near gone, and his Steps well nigh slipt, yet nevertheless (saith he) I am continually with thee, thou hast holden me by my right Hand. Christ exceeds 1all Mothers; Can a Woman forget her sucking Child, that she should ⟨p. 282⟩not have compassion on the Son of her Womb? Yea, they may forget, yet will I not forget thee. Behold, I have graven thee upon the Palms of my Hands, thy Walls are continually before me. Christ exceeds all 2Kings on Earth; for he to make his Subjects Rich, became poor himself. Others may take an Offence against their very Favourites, though Children, and turn them out of all Places of Honour, and utterly degrade them: But so will not he. Christ exceeds all Gardiners or Vine-dressers; a Drought may come and spoil a Garden or Vineyard, let the Dresser do what he can; or through his carelesness Weeds may overrun and utterly spoil it: But he hath promised to prevent the Danger of Drought; his People shall then 3not cease bearing Fruit, Sin shall not have dominion over them; those Weeds shall never spoil his Garden. Christ exceeds all Earthly Pilots; they may lose a Ship in a Storm let them do what they can, it may be drove either upon Rocks or Sands: But Jesus Christ hath the command of the Wind, the Winds and Sea obey him;
he can lay any Storm that may arise in the Soul at his Pleasure, and save from all Rocks of Presumption, or Sands of Despair. O happy Soul that art in Christ's Hand, be thou whosoever thou wilt!
11. Believers are in Christ's Hand as an Inheritance or Habitation, which he hath bought and purchased for himself, and hath taken actual possession of: or as Jewels or choice Treasure is in the Hand of the Owner; even so are the Saints in Christ's Hand. Brethren, what will not a Man do to keep and preserve his Right, or his Riches? True, Thieves may notwithstanding get all he hath from him, or Fire may consume it, or by Injustice it may be torn away; but Christ's Riches, his Inheritance, his Jewels, which are his People, who are to him of an inestimable Value, there is no Theft, no Fire, or no Violence that any can use, can deprive him of the least part of; I mean, of the poorest or meanest Saint.
12. The Saints are in Christ's Hand, as a curious Piece of Workmanship cast in a rare Mould by a skilful Artist is in his Hand, which hath cost him vast Treasure, Time and Pains, which is not fully completed, nor can any do it in all the World but himself alone: Even thus, I say, are all Believers in Christ's Hand, who hath cast them into the Mould of his own Likeness, whom he, as the great spiritual Artist, after infinite Cost, Time, Wisdom and Labour, hath renewed or regenerated; and none can finish or make up that Work begun in them, but himself only; nor is it by the Father put into any other Hand, but into his alone to do it. ⟨p. 283⟩And as the finishing any curious Piece of Workmanship is counted no small part of the Curiosity or Art, so it is here, the perfecting of the Saints is no small part of the Workmanship of God: And shall Christ leave that to the Wisdom of Man to do, or shall he suffer the loss of all his Travels, Cost and Time? For if the Work be not perfected, all is lost that ever Christ did. O think on this, you that are such rare Artists, as to venture to take Christ's Work out of his Hand, or that say it is the Work of the Creature; for that is the Purport of your Doctrine.
12. The Saints are in Christ's Hand, as a curious Piece of Workmanship cast in a rare Mold by a skilful Artist is in his Hand, which hath cost him vast Treasure, Time and Pains, which is not fully compleated, nor can any do it in all the World but himself alone: Even thus, I say, are all Believers in Christ's Hand, who hath cast them into the Mold of his own Likeness, whom he, as the great spiritual Artist, after infinite Cost, Time, Wisdom and Labour, hath renewed or regenerated; and none can finish or make up that Work begun in them, but himself only; nor is it by the Father put into any other Hand, but into his alone to do it. ⟨p. 283⟩And as the finishing any curious Piece of Workmanship is counted no small part of the Curiosity or Art, so it is here, the perfecting of the Saints is no small part of the Workmanship of God: And shall Christ leave that to the Wisdom of Man to do, or shall he suffer the loss of all his Travels, Cost and Time? For if the Work be not perfected, all is lost that ever Christ did. O think on this, you that are such rare Artists, as to venture to take Christ's Work out of his Hand, or that say it is the Work of the Creature; for that is the Purport of your Doctrine.
13. They are in Christ's Hand as a great Victory is in the Hands of a prevailing Conqueror, who hath brought the Strength of his Enemies down, and there remains only some scattered Forces who lurk in Holes, which he is also concerned to root out, and finally to subdue; and should he not pursue his Conquests, (for alas, they may get Head again) all his Pains and Expense of Treasure would prove in vain: Thus I say the Soul of every Believer is in Christ's Hand, the Body and Power of Sin is destroyed, and there only abides in them some remainders of Corruption, which none but he by his Spirit can finally vanquish, overcome, and root out for ever: And should he not pursue his Victory, all he hath done will prove fruitless and in vain; therefore be sure he will never cease, until he hath brought all his Foes, not only under his Foot, but destroyed them for ever more.
13. They are in Christ's Hand as a great Victory is in the Hands of a prevailing Conqueror, who hath brought the Strength of his Enemies down, and there remains only some scattered Forces who lurk in Holes, which he is also concerned to root out, and finally to subdue; and should he not pursue his Conquests, (for alas, they may get Head again) all his Pains and Expence of Treasure would prove in vain: Thus I say the Soul of every Believer is in Christ's Hand, the Body and Power of Sin is destroyed, and there only abides in them some remainders of Corruption, which none but he by his Spirit can finally vanquish, overcome, and root out for ever: And should he not pursue his Victory, all he hath done will prove fruitless and in vain; therefore be sure he will never cease, until he hath brought all his Foes, not only under his Foot, but destroyed them for ever more.
14. They are in Christ's Hand, as a poor Orphan is in the Hand of his Guardian, who commits himself wholly to his Care, Faithfulness and Compassion, whilst in non-age, not being able to help himself or shift for himself: Thus, I say, Believers are in the Hand of Jesus Christ, they are as poor helpless Orphans, under-Age, and have every one of them chosen him to be the only Guardian and Trustee of their Souls, or have wholly committed themselves to his Care by a holy Resignation of themselves to him, to be his and no more their own for ever; and will not he be faithful, think you, to every one of them, especially considering they did it also at his Command, and by the Influence of his Spirit? Will he betray his Trust, who hath taken them into his House, and under his own Conduct, or leave them to shift for themselves? They first gave themselves to the Lord, and unto us by 1the Will of God. And as David saith, The Poor committeth himself unto thee; thou are the helper of the Fatherless. He yields himself up to thee, Himself, his Matter, his Cause: And what, says he further, Thou shalt keep them, O Lord; thou shalt preserve them from ⟨p. 284⟩2this Generation, and for ever. He tells us in the 5th verse, who they 3are, even the Poor and Needy. Brethren, this lays a great Obligation upon a Guardian when he sees what a Child, or any Person hath done in choosing him, in confiding in his Fidelity, and putting his whole Trust and Dependence in him. What Man that has a Principle of Honesty or of Morality, will deceive or fail such a One, after he hath taken the sole Care and Charge of him? And shall Christ be more unfaithful to the Souls of his People? God forbid.
14. They are in Christ's Hand, as a poor Orphan is in the Hand of his Guardian, who commits himself wholly to his Care, Faithfulness and Compassion, whilst in non-age, not being able to help himself or shift for himself: Thus, I say, Believers are in the Hand of Jesus Christ, they are as poor helpless Orphans, under-Age, and have every one of them chosen him to be the only Guardian and Trustee of their Souls, or have wholly committed themselves to his Care by a holy Resignation of themselves to him, to be his and no more their own for ever; and will not he be faithful, think you, to every one of them, especially considering they did it also at his Command, and by the Influence of his Spirit? Will he betray his Trust, who hath taken them into his House, and under his own Conduct, or leave them to shift for themselves? They first gave themselves to the Lord, and unto us by
From the whole I infer.
(1.) If all Believers are in the Father's Hand, or under his Eternal 1Purpose and Counsel to save: (2.) If God's Purposes are Immutable: (3.) If he hath not left it to any mixtures of Counsels; if he is Omnipotent, and can and will bring all his Absolute Purposes to pass: (4.) If it be folly to imagine any of his Purposes should be subjected to the Will of Man: (5.) If Christ be the right Hand of God, or in whom all his Attributes are united to the Perfection of his Power to save Believers: (6.) If Christ also hath them all in his Hand, as God's faithful Servant, and as their Surety or Trustee: (7.) If many of them are gone to Heaven already: (8.) If all Interests concerned in our Salvation are well pleased in Christ's Undertaking: (9.) If the Glory of every one of the Divine Attributes are raised in the Salvation of each Believer: (10.) If Christ hath received a Charge to keep every one of them, and to lose none, as he hath promised to do: (11.) If Christ is every ways fitted to supply his Saints with all things they need or can need: And (12.) If they are all in Christ's Hand, in all those respects I have mentioned; then it is impossible any one of them should so fall away as eternally to perish. But all this is undeniably true; therefore not one of them can so fall away as eternally to perish.
I should make some Improvement of this, but having but one Argument to add to prove the Proposition, I shall leave the Application to the last, wherein I shall show you how Christ doth preserve his Saints in a way of Holiness and Obedience unto Eternal Life.
I should make some Improvement of this, but having but one Argument to add to prove the Proposition, I shall leave the Application to the last, wherein I shall shew you how Christ doth preserve his Saints in a way of Holiness and Obedience unto Eternal Life.
1BRETHREN, though I hope I have sufficiently, through Divine Assistance, proved the Proposition, i. e. That none of the Saints can so full away as eternally to perish: Yet I shall add one General Argument more, and then come to the Application, and answer such Objections which I have not as yet met with.
Tenthly, That the Saints of God, or every true Believer, shall persevere or hold out to the End, and obtain Everlasting Life, will appear from the Nature of true and saving Grace. That therefore which I shall in the last place do, shall be to demonstrate that true Grace, though never so weak and small, even like a Grain of Mustard-seed, yet it shall be preserved in the Soul, and at last become victorious. See Matth. 12. 20. A bruised Reed shall he not break, and smoking Flax shall he not quench, till he hath brought forth Judgment to Victory. Hierom, as I find him quoted by a Learned Author, thinks, that our Saviour alludes to a Musical Instrument, made of a Reed which Shepherds used to have, which when it was bruised, sounded ill, and therefore 'tis flung away. But the Lord Jesus Christ will not cast away a poor Soul (saith that Worthy Person) although he cannot make so good Music in God's Ear as others, or answer not the breathing of the Spirit with that Life and Vigour, but he will take Pains with them and mend them; who in a spiritual sense are like a bruised Reed, broken and bruised under the sense of their Sins, Weaknesses and Unworthinesses. Smoking Flax, or a little Flax that hath a Spark of Fire kindled in it; or a Wick of Candle, wherein there is not only no Profit, but some Trouble and Noisomness. Tho the Soul is noisome, by reason of the stench of its Corruption, yet he will not blow out that expiring Fire which smokes; and though no Fire is seen, yet there is Fire in it, and it is kindled by the Lord, and for some great and good Design. By the Spark of ⟨p. 286⟩Fire in the Flax (let our Saviour refer to what he pleases) is meant, no doubt, Divine Grace in the Soul of a poor, weak, and desponding Christian, and this Christ will not quench; that is, he will tenderly cherish it, and cause it to kindle more and more, until he makes it flame forth and burn clearly: And he will heal, cure, and strengthen the bruised Reed; that is, he will never cease until the Soul doth obtain a perfect Victory over Sin, Satan, the Flesh, the World, and over all Enemies. Grace shall prevail over Corruption, though there seems more Smoke than Fire, more Sin than Grace, more Weakness than Strength, more Darkness than Light, more Fear than Faith, yet Grace shall be victorious;
Tenthly, That the Saints of God, or every true Believer, shall persevere or hold out to the End, and obtain Everlasting Life, will appear from the Nature of true and saving Grace. That therefore which I shall in the last place do, shall be to demonstrate that true Grace, though never so weak and small, even like a Grain of Mustard-seed, yet it shall be preserved in the Soul, and at last become victorious. See
Grace is that Principle of Life in the Soul, the Law of God written in the Heart, which shall never finally be obliterated any more, or God's Image, that shall not utterly be defaced. Again, Grace as the Seed of Glory, shall abide in the Soul in spite of all the Opposition Hell can make.
Grace is that Principle of Life in the Soul, the Law of God written in the Heart, which shall never finally be obliterated any more, or God's Image, that shall not utterly be defaced. Again, Grace as the Seed of Glory, shall abide in the Soul in spight of all the Opposition Hell can make.
