A47542:1265
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. Christ was manifest to take away Sin, to dispossess Satan, and will he let Satan take Possession again? He came to destroy the 1Works of the Devil? And what are Satan's Works but Sin? Will not Christ accomplish that which he came into the World to do?
3. He is called the Author and Finisher of our Faith: If this be so, we may assure our selves he will perfect it; he that begins 1it, will end it; he hath not left it to another after he hath begun the Work of Faith, to finish it: No, no, he still keeps it in his own Hand, and he will see it done.
4. It is for the Honour of Christ, that Grace lives and is strengthened in his People: Wherefore also we pray for you, that our God would account you worthy of this Calling, and fulfil all the good Pleasure of his Will, and the Work of Faith with Power. Part of the good Pleasure of the Will of God had been fulfilled in them; they were called, justified, adopted, and the Work of Sanctification was begun; and Paul prays, that with Power it might be completed, and then shows us how it tends to the Glory of Christ to have this done; That the Name of our Lord Jesus Christ may be 1glorified, and you in him according to the Grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ. Brethren, the Glory of Christ, and the final Salvation of the Saints, are wrapped up together; Grace tends to Christ's Glory here, and to his Eternal Praise and Glory hereafter.
4. It is for the Honour of Christ, that Grace lives and is strengthened in his People: Wherefore also we pray for you, that our God would account you worthy of this Calling, and fulfil all the good Pleasure of his Will, and the Work of Faith with Power. Part of the good Pleasure of the Will of God had been fulfilled in them; they were called, justified, adopted, and the Work of Sanctification was begun; and Paul prays, that with Power it might be compleated, and then shews us how it tends to the Glory of Christ to have this done; That the Name of our Lord Jesus Christ may be 1glorified, and you in him according to the Grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ. Brethren, the Glory of Christ, and the final Salvation of the Saints, are wrap'd up together; Grace tends to Christ's Glory here, and to his Eternal Praise and Glory hereafter.
5. Jesus Christ's Work, now he is in Heaven, is to intercede 1for his Saints: And be sure as he prayed when on Earth that the Faith of his Peters might not fail, so he makes the like Intercession for them in Heaven. Hence the Intercession of Christ is part of the Saints Holy Triumph, in that of Romans 8. 34. Who is he that condemneth? it is Christ that died, yea rather that is risen again, who also maketh Intercession for us.
Now the Intercession of Christ hath great Power and Prevalency in it, in order to our final Perseverance in Grace. 1. Because he pleads continually with God the Virtue of his own Merits: what he hath purchased for us, he intercedes for; but he purchased Grace for us, and he prays for the final continuation of it in us; therefore it shall abide in us to the End. 2. By his Intercession, he prevails with God that we may be delivered from all our Spiritual Enemies, that they may never have ⟨p. 294⟩Power over us, of whom Sin is the chief: That which Christ intercedes for, he is heard and accepted in; but he intercedes that we may be kept and delivered from the Power and eternal Punishment of Sin, therefore Sin shall never have Power to condemn us. 3. He intercedes that our Prayers may be heard, and that we may be helped to pray; and part of our Prayer is that Sin may not have Power over us to condemn us; therefore Sin never shall so condemn us, because Christ causes our Prayers, with the Incense of his own Intercession, to come up as a sweet Savour in the Nostrils of God. 4. Christ intercedes that all our Sins may be pardoned and covered: If any Man sin, we have an Advocate with the Father. He 1carries this Cause for us in the Court of Heaven; therefore our Sins shall never work our Ruin. 5. It is by his Intercession we come to the Throne of Grace with boldness; Christ our Friend and High Priest appearing 2evermore in the Presence of God for us. 6. And also it is through Christ's Intercession that all our Good Works and Holy Services are accepted of God.
So much shall serve to the tenth and last Argument; And from hence I argue,
If Grace, though never so weak, shall be victorious; if Grace be 1such a Blessed Principle, such a Spark that Sin nor Satan can't quench, such a Seed that no Enemy can get out of the Ground of our Hearts; if Grace through the Spirit is Life, Eternal Life in the Soul; if Grace be the Darling of Heaven, hath such great and Almighty Allies; if the whole Trinity sate in Council about the Birth of Grace, or the Way of its infusion into the Soul; if it be the Gift of the Father's Free Love, and a part of his Holy Nature; if it be wrought in us to show forth his Praise; if Grace be God's great and glorious Workmanship; if the Power of God be engaged to preserve it in us; if God hath promised to maintain its Life in us; if it cannot stand consistent with God's Wisdom, Love, Faithfulness and Holiness, to let it be totally overcome and vanquished in the Souls of his Elect; if Christ purchased Grace for us; if he was manifest to take away Sin; if Christ be the Author and Finisher of Grace in the Soul; if the Life of Grace tends so much to the Honour of Christ; if Christ's Work now in Heaven is to intercede for the continuation of Grace in us, that it may never fail in the Seed or Habit of it; Then no true Believer can fall so from Grace, as eternally to ⟨p. 295⟩perish. But all this is true; therefore no Believer can so fall from Grace as eternally to perish.
If Grace, though never so weak, shall be victorious; if Grace be 1such a Blessed Principle, such a Spark that Sin nor Satan can't quench, such a Seed that no Enemy can get out of the Ground of our Hearts; if Grace through the Spirit is Life, Eternal Life in the Soul; if Grace be the Darling of Heaven, hath such great and Almighty Allies; if the whole Trinity sate in Council about the Birth of Grace, or the Way of its infusion into the Soul; if it be the Gift of the Father's Free Love, and a part of his Holy Nature; if it be wrought in us to shew forth his Praise; if Grace be God's great and glorious Workmanship; if the Power of God be engaged to preserve it in us; if God hath promised to maintain its Life in us; if it cannot stand consistent with God's Wisdom, Love, Faithfulness and Holiness, to let it be totally overcome and vanquished in the Souls of his Elect; if Christ purchased Grace for us; if he was manifest to take away Sin; if Christ be the Author and Finisher of Grace in the Soul; if the Life of Grace tends so much to the Honour of Christ; if Christ's Work now in Heaven is to interceed for the continuation of Grace in us, that it may never fail in the Seed or Habit of it; Then no true Believer can fall so from Grace, as eternally to
APPLICATION.
First, Of Information.
1. First from the whole we may learn, that the State of Believers, through the Redemption by Jesus Christ, is far better than Adam's was by Creation: for though we have no natural and inherent Power of our own, yet we have a supernatural Power engaged to help and uphold us; we are kept by the Power of God. He stood by the Strength of Nature, and Power of Free-Will, before the Fall: We by the Strength of Grace, and Power of the Mediator, who hath a Charge to uphold us in a State of Grace, which was not allowed to Adam, nor the Angels; we have not only the Word of Grace to encourage us, but also the Power of Grace to establish us. Adam stood by his own Original Righteousness; our standing is by the Suretyship, Righteousness and Undertakings of Jesus Christ: Who of God is made unto us Wisdom, Righteousness, Sanctification and Redemption. Adam's Life was in himself, our Life is 1hid in Christ; and so out of the Power of our worst Enemies to come at it, or deprive us of it: and as Adam and all his were condemned, so Christ and all his are justified.
1. First from the whole we may learn, that the State of Believers, through the Redemption by Jesus Christ, is far better than Adam's was by Creation: for though we have no natural and inherent Power of our own, yet we have a supernatural Power ingaged to help and uphold us; we are kept by the Power of God. He stood by the Strength of Nature, and Power of Free-Will, before the Fall: We by the Strength of Grace, and Power of the Mediator, who hath a Charge to uphold us in a State of Grace, which was not allowed to Adam, nor the Angels; we have not only the Word of Grace to encourage us, but also the Power of Grace to establish us. Adam stood by his own Original Righteousness; our standing is by the Suretiship, Righteousness and Undertakings of Jesus Christ: Who of God is made unto us Wisdom, Righteousness, Sanctification and Redemption. Adam's Life was in himself, our Life is 1hid in Christ; and so out of the Power of our worst Enemies to come at it, or deprive us of it: and as Adam and all his were condemned, so Christ and all his are justified.
2. It may inform us, that such who make a Profession of Religion, without attaining to a State of true Grace and real Union with Christ, are in danger of eternal Ruin, notwithstanding whatsoever their Knowledge, Gifts and common Improvements may be, and their Hopes thereupon; and that they are of this sort that frequently fall away and perish in their Sins: which if well weighed, may put every Professor into serious Thoughts, and upon a thorough Work of Self-examination about their present Condition; and therefore in this respect, there is need enough of those Cautions and Take-heeds in the Scripture, Let him that thinketh he stands, take heed lest he fall. How many are there who do but think they stand, or that their State is safe and good, when in truth they are in no better Condition than the Foolish Virgins, or the thorny and stony-ground Professors?1
2. It may inform us, that such who make a Profession of Religion, without attaining to a State of true Grace and real Union with Christ, are in danger of eternal Ruin, notwithstanding whatsoever their Knowledg, Gifts and common Improvements may be, and their Hopes thereupon; and that they are of this sort that frequently fall away and perish in their Sins: which if well weighed, may put every Professor into serious Thoughts, and upon a thorow Work of Self-examination about their present Condition; and therefore in this respect, there is need enough of those Cautions and Take-heeds in the Scripture, Let him that thinketh he stands, take heed lest he fall. How many are there who do but think they stand, or that their State is safe and good, when in truth they are in no better Condition than the Foolish Virgins, or the thorny and stony-ground Professors?1
3. It also may inform us, that all those that shall be saved, are such who take care to make their Calling and Election sure. It is a palpable Demonstration, that they are under strong Delusion, who suppose Election only refers to the End, and not to the ⟨p. 296⟩Means; or that Men that are elected, shall be saved, let them live how they please: No, no, the Case is quite otherwise; we are elected to be Holy, as well as to be Happy; the whole Design of God herein, being to make us Holy, and also to preserve us in a Way and State of Holiness: Therefore if thou dost begin well, hast obtained true Grace, and dost continue in a Way of welldoing; or dost bring forth good Fruit, and dost not waver nor faint in thy Mind, it may be an Evidence, that thy State is Good, and that thou art one of Christ's Sheep, who follow him constantly, and wilt so follow him unto the End.
Secondly, This may be Matter of great Comfort to weak Believers, and such who may be under spiritual Deadness, and feel Corruption too strong for them. O do not be discouraged, the weakest Grace gives a deadly wound to Sin, and a good ground of Hope thy State is safe: your Names are written in Heaven, which is, as our Saviour notes, the greatest Cause of Joy; which 1it could not be if their Names might be blotted out again. 'Tis no wonder Sin is in thee, and makes thee mourn, when it made Paul to cry out, O wretched Man that I am, who shall deliver me 2from this Body of Sin and Death! 'Tis one thing to have the Law of Sin in our Members, and to have Sin in our Conversations; and another thing to have it reign in us, or to have it in our Affections. Soul, remember that weak Grace, weak Faith, shall become victorious: Thou hast Grace enough in thy Head, though thou hast but little in thy Hand. O cry to God, be much in Prayer that God would give thee more Grace, and supply thy Wants, and quicken and revive thy Soul, as he hath promised. A weak Faith renders the Soul as perfectly justified in Christ, as the strongest Faith any Man hath whosoever he be; and gives a Title to Eternal Life: he that had but a weak or a dim Eye, that looked up unto the Brazen Serpent, was as well healed, as he that had a strong Sight or good Eyes.
Secondly, This may be Matter of great Comfort to weak Believers, and such who may be under spiritual Deadness, and feel Corruption too strong for them. O do not be discouraged, the weakest Grace gives a deadly wound to Sin, and a good ground of Hope thy State is safe: your Names are written in Heaven, which is, as our Saviour notes, the greatest Cause of Joy; which 1it could not be if their Names might be blotted out again. 'Tis no wonder Sin is in thee, and makes thee mourn, when it made Paul to cry out, O wretched Man that I am, who shall deliver me 2from this Body of Sin and Death! 'Tis one thing to have the Law of Sin in our Members, and to have Sin in our Conversations; and another thing to have it reign in us, or to have it in our Affections. Soul, remember that weak Grace, weak Faith, shall become victorious: Thou hast Grace enough in thy Head, though thou hast but little in thy Hand. O cry to God, be much in Prayer that God would give thee more Grace, and supply thy Wants, and quicken and revive thy Soul, as he hath promised. A weak Faith renders the Soul as perfectly justified in Christ, as the strongest Faith any Man hath whosoever he be; and gives a Title to Eternal Life: he that had but a weak or a dim Eye, that look'd up unto the Brazen Serpent, was as well healed, as he that had a strong Sight or good Eyes.
2. This Doctrine yields much Comfort to the strongest Saint also; for if he that hath never so strong and lively Faith, might fall finally away and perish, what would Regeneration, Justification, Adoption, &c. signify to him? Would not his Spirits droop, and his Fears torment him! But here, by virtue of the Doctrine of final Perseverance, is Comfort both for the Weak and Strong, both have equal Interest in Christ, in God's Love, in the Covenant; both are elected, both are in Christ's Hand. Such who ⟨p. 297⟩have now a strong Faith, had once but a weak Faith; it was but a little Seed once: and Christ's Charge extends to those that are weak, He carries the Lambs in his Arms: and the Stock in Christ's Hand is sure, and his Promise of supply shall not fail; and the 1Strong cannot stand of themselves.
Thirdly, Caution. Judg not of the Truth of thy Grace by the weakness of it; a little Gold, a Dram is Gold as well as a great Wedge.
Thirdly, Caution. Judg not of the Truth of thy Grace by the weakness of it; a little Gold, a Dram is Gold as well as a great Wedg.
2. Let not this encourage thee to be negligent or remiss in Duty: God has promised thee Victory, but thou must sight: Grace 1teacheth us to deny all Ungodliness. He that is not under the Influence of Grace, never had the Truth of it in him.
2. Let not this encourage thee to be negligent or remiss in Duty: God has promised thee Victory, but thou must sight: Grace 1teacheth us to deny all Vngodliness. He that is not under the Influence of Grace, never had the Truth of it in him.
