A47542:245
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.
5. To hast to the Application: The infinite Guilt that cleaves to sin, and the Consideration that they continually add more ⟨p. 66⟩Guilt upon their own Heads, requires a proportion in punishment, as the Evil of sin exceeds our Thoughts: The Majesty of God being infinite, consequently the punishment of it will be infinite, and beyond our Conceptions; it will be a letting out of his infinite Wrath and utter extent of his power, therefore unto the Wicked is reserved the blackness of Darkness for ever.
APPLICATION.
From hence we may infer, how great Evil there is in sin; O sin is the Plague of all Plagues! who can conceive how detestable 1a thing is sin in the sight of God, since He who is so gracious, merciful and compassionate a God, should throw millions of Men and Women in his Wrath into the lake that burns with fire and brimstone.
From hence we may inferr, how great Evil there is in sin; O sin is the Plague of all Plagues! who can conceive how detestable 1a thing is sin in the sight of God, since He who is so gracious, merciful and compassionate a God, should throw millions of Men and Women in his Wrath into the lake that burns with fire and brimstone.
2. This also shows the woeful Depravation of Mankind, what Darkness, Ignorance and Folly is in their Minds and Hearts, that choose Sin, when told not only how hateful it is to God, but what intolerable and durable Torments it doth expose them unto: One would think that a person that hears these things should never indulge his vicious Appetite any more, nor lay his Reins loose on the neck of his Lust, but it is more marvellous to see or hear that he who believes the Scripture, and doubteth not of the Truth of Hell Torments, should yet notwithstanding lead an ungodly Life; what believe there is such Torments prepared for all impenitent Persons, and yet not turn to God by Jesus Christ!
2. This also shews the woful Depravation of Mankind, what Darkness, Ignorance and Folly is in their Minds and Hearts, that choose Sin, when told not only how hateful it is to God, but what intolerable and durable Torments it doth expose them unto: One would think that a person that hears these things should never indulge his vicious Appetite any more, nor lay his Reins loose on the neck of his Lust, but it is more marvelous to see or hear that he who believes the Scripture, and doubteth not of the Truth of Hell Torments, should yet notwithstanding lead an ungodly Life; what believe there is such Torments prepared for all impenitent Persons, and yet not turn to God by Jesus Christ!
3. From hence also we may infer, how necessary it is that Ministers open the Torments of Hell, seeing Jesus Christ so often in the Gospel threatens all Hypocrites and Unbelievers therewith: They that say it is legal Preaching, to preach such a Doctrine as this, know not what they say; will they magnify their Wisdom above the Wisdom of Jesus Christ, and the first and great Preachers of the Gospel of Peace, who said, we knowing therefore the Terror of God, persuade Men; that is, to believe in Christ, and to live godly Lives, that so they may never 1feel Gods eternal Wrath; the Hearts of Men can more easily conceive of the Torments of Hell than of the Joys of Heaven.
3. From hence also we may inferr, how necessary it is that Ministers open the Torments of Hell, seeing Jesus Christ so often in the Gospel threatens all Hypocrites and Vnbelievers therewith: They that say it is legal Preaching, to preach such a Doctrine as this, know not what they say; will they magnifie their Wisdom above the Wisdom of Jesus Christ, and the first and great Preachers of the Gospel of Peace, who said, we knowing therefore the Terror of God, perswade Men; that is, to beleive in Christ, and to live godly Lives, that so they may never 1feel Gods eternal Wrath; the Hearts of Men can more easily conceive of the Torments of Hell than of the Joys of Heaven.
And as it may be of use by way of Information, so also by way of Terror, and that to many sorts of Persons.
1. Tremble ye worldly Professors, who have earthly Spirits, ⟨p. 67⟩that set your Hearts on things below, and neither clothe the Naked, nor feed the Hungry, Weep and howl for the misery that shall come upon you,—ye have heaped Treasure together against the last day; 1how will your Folly gall your Consciences when you lye in Hell-Torments! whilst you heap up Gold and Silver in your Bags and Chests, you heap up Wrath against the last day: Remember what Christ says unto you, And these shall go away into everlasting 2punishment. What will your Profession signify, if you love the World above God, which be sure you do, if you see a Brother or Sister in want, and do not give them such things that they need: Remember Mr. Child, I have made this World (saith he) my God.
1. Tremble ye wordly Professors, who have earthly Spirits, ⟨p. 67⟩that set your Hearts on things below, and neither cloath the Naked, nor feed the Hungry, Weep and howl for the misery that shall come upon you,—ye have heaped Treasure together against the last day; 1how will your Folly gall your Consciences when you lye in Hell-Torments! whilst you heap up Gold and Silver in your Bags and Chests, you heap up Wrath against the last day: Remember what Christ says unto you, And these shall go away into everlasting 2punishment. What will your Profession signifie, if you love the World above God, which be sure you do, if you see a Brother or Sister in want, and do not give them such things that they need: Remember Mr. Child, I have made this World (saith he) my God.
2. Tremble you proud and vain-glorious Persons: Pride, cries poor Mr. Child, hath undone me; The Proud and all that do wickedly 1shall be as stubble, and the day that comes shall burn them up. Will you glory in your Riches, Honours, Gifts, Knowledge, or any thing you have? will you not be reclaimed to throw off your God provoking Fashions, whatsoever comes of it, but plead to uphold your Lusts and Vanity, tho' the Name of God be dishonoured, and Religion brought into Contempt, and the Godly grieved.
2. Tremble you proud and vain-glorious Persons: Pride, cryes poor Mr. Child, hath undone me; The Proud and all that do wickedly 1shall be as stubble, and the day that comes shall burn them up. Will you glory in your Riches, Honours, Gifts, Knowledge, or any thing you have? will you not be reclaimed to throw off your Godprovoking Fashions, whatsoever comes of it, but plead to uphold your Lusts and Vanity, tho' the Name of God be dishonoured, and Religion brought into Contempt, and the Godly grieved.
3. Tremble you vain young Men and Women, who forget your Creator in the days of your Youth, that secretly resolve your own Hearts shall choose your ways; who will feed your carnal Appetites and wanton Desires, and will run on in wicked Courses, let Ministers say what they will, Godly Parents say what they will, yet you will swear, lye, be drunk, commit Uncleanness. O know, as you feed your Lusts here, and that burns in you, so shall Hell feed on you, and that fire like Chaff burn you up hereafter: Will a few merry Hours with your filthy Companions make a compensation for the loss of your precious and immortal Souls? Are you willing to suffer the Wrath of God for ever, rather than to forgo your vain and wicked Courses?
4. Tremble ye that harbour Atheistical Thoughts in your Hearts, and are ready to think or hope there is no God: O how soon may you feel him within you, by his terrible Wrath! as Mr. Child in bitterness of Soul cried out.
4. Tremble ye that harbour Atheistical Thoughts in your Hearts, and are ready to think or hope there is no God: O how soon may you feel him within you, by his terrible Wrath! as Mr. Child in bitterness of Soul cryed out.
5. Tremble ye Liars, that love to make a lye, for you shall have your portion in the Lake that burneth with fire and brimstone, which is the second death.1
5. Tremble ye Lyars, that love to make a lye, for you shall have your portion in the Lake that burneth with fire and brimstone, which is the second death.1
6. Tremble ye who are light and frothy persons also, you that are Back-biters, Busy-bodies, that vilify and reproach the Servants ⟨p. 68⟩of God out of Malice and Prejudice, you will be as Chaff that shall burn in Hell for ever.
6. Tremble ye who are light and frothy persons also, you that are Back-biters, Busie-bodys, that vilifie and reproach the Servants ⟨p. 68⟩of God out of Malice and Prejudice, you will be as Chaff that shall burn in Hell for ever.
7. Tremble all ye that slight Christ and his Gospel, and neglect those convictions you have either of Sin or Duty, and that slight all serious thoughts of Eternity, or how things will go with you in another World, and who stifle your Consciences, or turn a deaf ear to it's rebukes, God may awaken you ere long in his Wrath, and tear you to pieces when there is none to deliver you.
7. Tremble all ye that slight Christ and his Gospel, and neglect those convictions you have either of Sin or Duty, and that slight all serious thoughts of Eternity, or how things will go with you in another World, and who stiffle your Consciences, or turn a deaf ear to it's rebukes, God may awaken you er'e long in his Wrath, and tear you to pieces when there is none to deliver you.
8. Tremble all ye Hypocrites, whose Hearts condemn you for harbouring some Sin or another in your bosoms, who are not what you seem to be, but strive to cover your vileness under a cloak of a visible Profession: Fearfulness will soon surprise you: Who amongst us shall dwell with devouring fire? 1who amongst us shall dwell with everlasting burning? Hell is that place that is prepared for Hypocrites and Unbelievers: It seems by the 2word of our Blessed Saviour, that they above all are in a dangerous Estate, and shall not escape eternal burning.3
8. Tremble all ye Hypocrites, whose Hearts condemn you for harbouring some Sin or another in your bosoms, who are not what you seem to be, but strive to cover your vileness under a cloak of a visible Profession: Fearfulness will soon surprize you: Who amongst us shall dwell with devouring fire? 1who amongst us shall dwell with everlasting burning? Hell is that place that is prepared for Hypocrites and Vnbelievers: It seems by the 2word of our Blessed Saviour, that they above all are in a dangerous Estate, and shall not escape eternal burning.3
9. Tremble ye Apostates, ye who have backsliden from God. O fear, lest God let out his Wrath upon you here, and it burn within you, whilst you are alive in the body; and if it prove a final Apostasy, Woe be to you as ever you were born! then there remains no more sacrifice for sin, but a certain fearful looking for of Judgment, and fiery indignation that shall devour the adversaries.
9. Tremble ye Apostates, ye who have backsliden from God. O fear, lest God let out his Wrath upon you here, and it burn within you, whilst you are alive in the body; and if it prove a final Apostacy, Wo be to you as ever you were born! then there remains no more sacrifice for sin, but a certain fearful looking for of Judgment, and fiery indignation that shall devour the adversaries.
Exhort. O Repent, Repent, haste to Christ, believe on him.1
