A47542:1382
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.
He called Abraham out of his own Country, and revealed himself to him, and let others remain then under the Power of Sin, Ignorance and Idolatry, calling them not.
And in the Gospel-Days Christ chose a few poor Fisher-Men, and refused the Learned and Wise Men after the Flesh: nay, and hid the Mysteries of the Kingdom of Heaven from the Wise and 1Prudent; and all this as an Act alone of his Sovereignty.
And in the Gospel-Days Christ chose a few poor Fisher-Men, and refused the Learned and Wise Men after the Flesh: nay, and hid the Mysteries of the Kingdom of Heaven from the Wise and 1Prudent; and all this as an Act alone of his Soveraignty.
And in these days, what Reason can be alleged, why we, and a few Nations more, have the Knowledge of the Gospel, when the greatest part of the Earth lie in Popish, Mahometan, and Pagan Darkness, but that it is his good pleasure so to do? He hath Mercy on whom he will have Mercy, and whom he will he hardeneth.1
And in these days, what Reason can be alledged, why we, and a few Nations more, have the Knowledg of the Gospel, when the greatest part of the Earth lie in Popish, Mahometan, and Pagan Darkness, but that it is his good pleasure so to do? He hath Mercy on whom he will have Mercy, and whom he will he hardeneth.1
2. Praise God for the Knowledge you have of the Mysteries of Christ, and the Gospel of Free-Grace: Brethren next unto the Grace of God in my Conversion, I have often said, I do look upon my self bound to admire the Riches of God's Love and Goodness to me, in opening my Eyes to see those Arminian Errors, ⟨p. 315⟩which when I was Young, I had from some Men of corrupt Principles sucked in; nay, and when I was about 23 Years Old, I wrote a little Book for Children, in which some of those Errors were vindicated; which after, my Eyes were enlightened, and the Book with Alterations being again Reprinted, I left out, and now do declare my dislike of the first Impressions, and do disown what I there asserted: When I was a Child, I thought as a Child, I understood as a Child, as the Apostle speaks. And let me entreat you to study the Nature of the Covenant of Grace; for until I had that opened unto me, I was ignorant of the Mysteries of the Gospel.
2. Praise God for the Knowledg you have of the Mysteries of Christ, and the Gospel of Free-Grace: Brethren next unto the Grace of God in my Conversion, I have often said, I do look upon my self bound to admire the Riches of God's Love and Goodness to me, in opening my Eyes to see those Arminian Errors, ⟨p. 315⟩which when I was Young, I had from some Men of corrupt Principles sucked in; nay, and when I was about 23 Years Old, I wrote a little Book for Children, in which some of those Errors were vindicated; which after, my Eyes were inlightned, and the Book with Alterations being again Reprinted, I left out, and now do declare my dislike of the first Impressions, and do disown what I there asserted: When I was a Child, I thought as a Child, I understood as a Child, as the Apostle speaks. And let me intreat you to study the Nature of the Covenant of Grace; for until I had that opened unto me, I was ignorant of the Mysteries of the Gospel.
3. O do not forget, that the Design of God in contriving our Salvation in his Eternal Wisdom by Jesus Christ, was wholly to advance his own Glory, and the Freeness and Riches of his Grace, and to abase and humble Man unto the Dust; therefore be sure never err on that Hand: And I think it is not easy for Men well to err on the other, I mean, in exalting God alone, Christ alone, though I deny not but that some good Men, who in seeking to advance Free-Grace, perhaps have erred, and taken up some unsound Notions, as that of Actual or Personal Justification, before Faith and Actual Union with Jesus Christ. O what need have we to ponder well the Paths of our Feet, and not with Pride to magnify our selves, or strive to promote any corrupt Notion, under any Pretence whatsoever! Our Days are Evil, many dangerous Errors abound, and it is cause of greatest Grief to see what a Generation of Men are risen up of late, who strive to mix God's pure Gold with their Dross, and his Wine with their Water. Though on the other Hand, let us bless and praise the Lord for raising up so many brave Champions in the mean time, of our Brethren of the Congregational Way, to defend the Gospel of God's Grace, and the Truth as it is in Jesus: Yet I could wish there was not so much Gall in some of them against us their Brethren, who in all the great Truths of Christianity are of one Mind and Judgment, and yet are exposed to Reproach for witnessing to a Truth of Christ that lies as plain in the Gospel as any one Truth or positive Precept of Christ whatsoever; I mean, that of Believers Baptism. Why should we be censured for maintaining that Truth which the Holy Ghost so fully bears witness unto? I long to see more of the Spirit of Love and Charity; would to God that Chapter, 1 Cor. 13. was more read and considered.
4. This may also serve to reprehend such who strive to cast Reproach upon this Holy Doctrine, and such that maintain it as if it tended to encourage People in Sin, or open a Door to Licentiousness: Let all for ever forbear such Reflections; Is not this the Purport of that Doctrine which we vindicate?
4. This may also serve to reprehend such who strive to cast Reproach upon this Holy Doctrine, and such that maintain it as if it tended to incourage People in Sin, or open a Door to Licentiousness: Let all for ever forbear such Reflections; Is not this the Purport of that Doctrine which we vindicate?
(1.) That there is wrought and preserved in the Minds and Souls of all Believers, by the Holy Spirit, a Supernatural Principle of Grace and Holiness, whereby they are made meet, and enabled to live unto God, and discharge all Duties of Obedience which he requireth of them, and accepteth through Christ; which Principle or Habit of Grace is essentially distinct from all Natural Habits, Intellectual and Moral, however, and by what Means so ever acquired or improved.
(1.) That there is wrought and preserved in the Minds and Souls of all Believers, by the Holy Spirit, a Supernatural Principle of Grace and Holiness, whereby they are made meet, and enabled to live unto God, and discharge all Duties of Obedience which he requireth of them, and accepteth through Christ; which Principle or Habit of Grace is essentiaily distinct from all Natural Habits, Intellectual and Moral, however, and by what Means so ever acquired or improved.
(2.) That the Holy Spirit by his effectual Operations, doth enable us, according as we are required by his immediate Influences, in all Acts of Obedience; whether internal only in Faith and Love, &c. or External also; even so, that all the Powers of our Souls, and Members of our Bodies, are or ought to be in a spiritual manner governed and influenced thereby, and unto all Duties of Holiness, in our daily walking with God: and that all this is the Effect of God's Free-Grace to us in Jesus Christ, who hath communicated of the Spirit without measure, to our Blessed Head and Mediator, that he may give it forth to all his Saints that have Union with him, and believe in him.
Brethren, God hath circumcised the Hearts of his People, to love him with all their Souls, and with all their Strength: He writes 1his Law in our Hearts, as he promised; I will put my Law in their inward Parts, and write it in their Hearts. This gracious Habit or 2Principle in the Soul, is nothing but a Transcript of the Holy Law of God, implanted and abiding in our Hearts, whereby we are enabled, with Cheerfulness and ready Inclination of our Spirits, to act in the Duties of Obedience and Holiness unto God, as he requireth of us: and also our Likeness and Conformity unto God, doth consist herein; I say, it doth consist in this Divine and Sacred Principle, or Spiritual Habit that is infused into the Soul, it is our Spiritual Life, whereby we live unto God; it is the Foundation and Sum of all Internal Excellencies; no Works, no Duties, are accepted, where this Principle is not. It is a Vital Principle of Holiness, and it makes Religion co-natural to us: Moreover, it is a certain, a permanent, and an abiding Principle; it is that ⟨p. 317⟩Seed that remains in Believers, and will have good and spiritual Fruit to attend it: therefore this Doctrine must needs promote Holiness, that is thus founded on such a Sacred Principle, and the Motives are every way as strong.
Brethren, God hath circumcised the Hearts of his People, to love him with all their Souls, and with all their Strength: He writes 1his Law in our Hearts, as he promised; I will put my Law in their inward Parts, and write it in their Hearts. This gracious Habit or 2Principle in the Soul, is nothing but a Transcript of the Holy Law of God, implanted and abiding in our Hearts, whereby we are enabled, with Chearfulness and ready Inclination of our Spirits, to act in the Duties of Obedience and Holiness unto God, as he requireth of us: and also our Likeness and Conformity unto God, doth consist herein; I say, it doth consist in this Divine and Sacred Principle, or Spiritual Habit that is infused into the Soul, it is our Spiritual Life, whereby we live unto God; it is the Foundation and Sum of all Internal Excellencies; no Works, no Duties, are accepted, where this Principle is not. It is a Vital Principle of Holiness, and it makes Religion co-natural to us: Moreover, it is a certain, a permanent, and an abiding Principle; it is that
5. It appears, Brethren, that our standing by Grace is most firm and sure, it is like the standing of those who are in their consummate State in Glory: The Good Angels, and Blessed Souls above, are confirmed in that State by superabounding Grace; for by Nature (as one observes) the Angels are mutable: What was the Reason some of them fell, who beheld the Face of God? The bare beholding the Face and Glory of God, will not continue one Creature in a happy State, without an Act of Divine and Confirming Grace; it is a continual Addition of Grace, and Supplies of Grace, that preserves our Souls in a State of Life: and to this End are we united to Jesus Christ; I mean to such an Head, that of and from his Fullness we might have a Communication of Strength, and all Divine Influences, as our Souls do stand in need.
5. It appears, Brethren, that our standing by Grace is most firm and sure, it is like the standing of those who are in their consummate State in Glory: The Good Angels, and Blessed Souls above, are confirmed in that State by superabounding Grace; for by Nature (as one observes) the Angels are mutable: What was the Reason some of them fell, who beheld the Face of God? The bare beholding the Face and Glory of God, will not continue one Creature in a happy State, without an Act of Divine and Confirming Grace; it is a continual Addition of Grace, and Supplies of Grace, that preserves our Souls in a State of Life: and to this End are we united to Jesus Christ; I mean to such an Head, that of and from his Fulness we might have a Communication of Strength, and all Divine Influences, as our Souls do stand in need.
6. And this being so, labour after the Exercise of Grace, rest not in a small Degree thereof; the more Grace you have, the more Glory you will bring to God, and the more easy it will be for you to resist Temptations.
7. The more Grace, also the more Peace: Holiness is that which God calls for; it is that which becomes his House for ever, and without it no Man shall ever see the Lord. Therefore let this be the Use of all the Sermons you have heard from this Text, even to work up your Hearts to Thankfulness, to Holiness, in all the whole Course of your Lives, and to depend upon Christ alone, into whose Hand you are committed by the Father, that he would give you fresh Supplies of Grace, and keep you from falling. To whom, with the Father, and the Holy Spirit, be Glory and Praise for ever. Amen.
1BELOVED, this Place of Holy Scripture was sent to me in Writing some Months ago, I know not by whom, perhaps by some who hold a Total and Final Apostasy from 2a State of True Grace.
1BELOVED, this Place of Holy Scripture was sent to me in Writing some Months ago, I know not by whom, perhaps by some who hold a Total and Final Apostacy from 2a State of True Grace.
