A47542:1409
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.
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.
Secondly, We shall consider the Persons here spoken of, under 1their divers Qualifications and great Attainments, which are fivefold; ⟨p. 322⟩and yet notwithstanding all that, they might fall away and perish for ever: and if they did fall totally, before they were truly regenerated, their Apostasy would be final; or it would be impossible for them to be renewed again by Repentance, either to that State in which they were before, or unto a better, from whence there is no possibility of their final falling.
Secondly, We shall consider the Persons here spoken of, under 1their divers Qualifications and great Attainments, which are fivefold; ⟨p. 322⟩and yet notwithstanding all that, they might fall away and perish for ever: and if they did fall totally, before they were truly regenerated, their Apostacy would be final; or it would be impossible for them to be renewed again by Repentance, either to that State in which they were before, or unto a better, from whence there is no possibility of their final falling.
In this general Description of the Persons here mentioned, let us consider four or five things more particularly.
1st. Consider the Apostle's Design, which is to declare or discover the fearful State and just Judgment of God against the Persons here meant or intended.
2dly. That those five Attainments he here speaks of, are acquired by some who had been Professors of the Gospel, and looked upon as eminent Christians, such that had made a Profession of Repentance from dead Works, and of Faith towards God, and had been baptized, and owned all other Principles of the Doctrine of Christ. See ver. 1, 2, 3.
2dly. That those five Attainments he here speaks of, are acquired by some who had been Professors of the Gospel, and look'd upon as eminent Christians, such that had made a Profession of Repentance from dead Works, and of Faith towards God, and had been baptized, and owned all other Principles of the Doctrine of Christ. See ver. 1, 2, 3.
3dly. That all those high Privileges and Attainments, whereof they were made Partakers by the Gospel, they afterwards despised; or, when under their Apostasy, did contemn: which loudly proclaims their Destruction from God to be just and deserved.
3dly. That all those high Privileges and Attainments, whereof they were made Partakers by the Gospel, they afterwards despised; or, when under their Apostacy, did contemn: which loudly proclaims their Destruction from God to be just and deserved.
4thly. That all their Privileges and Attainments, (as Reverend Dr. Owen observes) do consist in certain Operations of the Holy Ghost, under the Dispensation of the Gospel; and therefore not such Persons that never professed it, or had been enlightened thereby.
4thly. That all their Privileges and Attainments, (as Reverend Dr. Owen observes) do consist in certain Operations of the Holy Ghost, under the Dispensation of the Gospel; and therefore not such Persons that never professed it, or had been enlightned thereby.
5thly. And let it be well and for ever observed, that the Apostle mentions not one of those special and distinguishing Marks or Characters of true Believers or Sanctified Christians. As, 1. Here is not a word of the Covenant of Grace into which they had been received, nothing spoken of the Faith of the Operation of God in all those five Attainments they had arrived at. 2. Not a word of their having attained to Union with Christ, or of the Implantation of the Holy Spirit, though they had had some kind of taste thereof. 3. Not a word of Regeneration; he doth not say, It is impossible for such that have been born of God, begotten of the Spirit: No, no, nothing of that. 4 Here is nothing spoken of their being justified, or of Justification unto Life. ⟨p. 323⟩5. Not a word in all their fivefold Attainments of Sanctification by the Spirit; we read not of any effectual Calling they had arrived unto. 6. Nothing is mentioned of their Election, of Adoption, nor of their Love to God or to his poor Saints; none of these things are expressed or assigned unto them, which do all appertain to every true Christian.
6thly. It ought also carefully to be noted, that when the Apostle 1comes to speak of his Hope of the Saints to whom he wrote, i. e. that they were not such, he lays down or describes by way of Intimation, the Characters of true Believers, by other distinguishing Qualifications: But Beloved, we are persuaded better things of you, and things that accompany Salvation, though we thus speak. Now observe, 2if those Persons he mentions that had been once enlightened, and had tasted of the Heavenly Gift, &c. had been true Christians; what better things could the Apostle be persuaded was in these Hebrews than was in them? Are there better things than Union with Christ, than Justification, than Regeneration, true Faith, Pardon of Sin, Love to God and to his People, Sanctification of the Spirit and Adoption? No, no, there are no better things that any Christian can attain unto in this Life than these. Moreover,
6thly. It ought also carefully to be noted, that when the Apostle 1comes to speak of his Hope of the Saints to whom he wrote, i. e. that they were not such, he lays down or describes by way of Intimation, the Characters of true Believers, by other distinguishing Qualifications: But Beloved, we are perswaded better things of you, and things that accompany Salvation, though we thus speak. Now observe, 2if those Persons he mentions that had been once enlightned, and had tasted of the Heavenly Gift, &c. had been true Christians; what better things could the Apostle be perswaded was in these Hebrews than was in them? Are there better things than Vnion with Christ, than Justification, than Regeneration, true Faith, Pardon of Sin, Love to God and to his People, Sanctification of the Spirit and Adoption? No, no, there are no better things that any Christian can attain unto in this Life than these. Moreover,
7thly. The Apostle clearly intimates, that they were such who were like the Ground which the Rain falls oft upon, that nevertheless brings forth Briars and Thorns, and no good Fruit.
8thly. There is one thing particularly noted by the Apostle concerning these Hebrew Christians, which they had, and which the other had not, therefore not gracious Persons: See ver. 10. For God is not unrighteous, to forget your Work of Faith and Labour of Love, which ye have showed toward his Name, in that ye have ministered to the Saints, and do minister.
8thly. There is one thing particularly noted by the Apostle concerning these Hebrew Christians, which they had, and which the other had not, therefore not gracious Persons: See ver. 10. For God is not unrighteous, to forget your Work of Faith and Labour of Love, which ye have shewed toward his Name, in that ye have ministred to the Saints, and do minister.
(1.) This he mentions as a Reason of his good Opinion of them, 1and why he was so persuaded of them; and which was better than all those high Attainments of which he speaks concerning such that are in danger of Final Apostasy: Love to the poor Saints in ministering to them for the sake of Christ, or because they are the Members of his Body, is more than all those five Attainments mentioned in the 4th, 5th and 6th Verses. Now also let it be considered, that if this Fruit of true and saving Grace, I mean, Charity or Love to the poor Saints, as such, had been in the Persons he speaks of, who were in danger of falling finally; how then could this be an Argument of such Confidence in Paul concerning ⟨p. 324⟩them, or of Comfort to those Saints he wrote unto? Alas, what are common Illuminations? What is it to have some transit taste of the Heavenly Gift, or to be made Partakers of the common Operations of the Spirit in Convictions of Sin or of Duty, to the Inhabitation of the Spirit, or unfeigned Love to Christ and to the Children of God? Or what is it to have some taste of the good Word of God, to a spiritual feeding and digesting it, or to be affected with the powerful Doctrine of the Gospel in respect of the World to come; or with the Resurrection of the Dead and last Judgment, to the gracious Experience of the Power of Christ's Resurrection, and so feel in our Souls a Discharge from the Judgment of the Great Day, through Faith in Jesus Christ?
(1.) This he mentions as a Reason of his good Opinion of them, 1and why he was so perswaded of them; and which was better than all those high Attainments of which he speaks concerning such that are in danger of Final Apostacy: Love to the poor Saints in ministring to them for the sake of Christ, or because they are the Members of his Body, is more than all those five Attainments mentioned in the 4th, 5th and 6th Verses. Now also let it be considered, that if this Fruit of true and saving Grace, I mean, Charity or Love to the poor Saints, as such, had been in the Persons he speaks of, who were in danger of falling finally; how then could this be an Argument of such Confidence in Paul concerning ⟨p. 324⟩
(2.) The Apostle was persuaded concerning these Hebrew Christians, that they had such things in them that did accompany Salvation; that is, such things that are inseparable from Salvation; i. e. such who have them shall certainly be saved. He describes such who are sincere Christians, by the Fruits and Effects of true Grace, namely, the Work of Faith, and Labour of Love, by which their Obedience unto God did appear.
(2.) The Apostle was perswaded concerning these Hebrew Christians, that they had such things in them that did accompany Salvation; that is, such things that are inseparable from Salvation; i. e. such who have them shall certainly be saved. He describes such who are sincere Christians, by the Fruits and Effects of true Grace, namely, the Work of Faith, and Labour of Love, by which their Obedience unto God did appear.
1. He notes the Principle from whence they acted in their Duty to God.
2. The Constancy of their Obedience; they continued in bringing forth of that good Fruit, they had ministered to the Saints, and still did minister to them.
2. The Constancy of their Obedience; they continued in bringing forth of that good Fruit, they had ministred to the Saints, and still did minister to them.
3. He takes notice of the Principle from whence they acted, or did what they did, viz. they ministered to the Saints in Love to God, and to Jesus Christ; it was Love showed to his Name.
3. He takes notice of the Principle from whence they acted, or did what they did, viz. they ministred to the Saints in Love to God, and to Jesus Christ; it was Love shewed to his Name.
4. He adds that in their Preservation in their happy State, the Faithfulness of God: God is not unrighteous to forget your Work of Faith, &c. which comprehends his Covenant and Promise to them; which for their farther Comfort, he enlargeth upon, ver. 13 to ver. 19. to which he subjoins the Promise and Oath of God made to all that are sincere Believers, or Heirs of the Promise.
