A47542:268
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. Admire the distinguishing Grace and special Love of God: We love him, because he first loved us: It was his Love that overcame you. The mere fear of Hell is not sufficient to Convert the Souls of men, tho' it may stop them in their way, and prevent great Abominations in the gross acts thereof, yet does not, cannot renew their Nature, regenerate and make holy their hearts and lives; that Religion that is the mere effect of fear will be according to the nature of its principle, even legal, wavering and inconstant; yet the fear of Hell may awaken the sinner, and in some sense prepare for Grace: When the Soul is stormed by the terror of Wrath, and the fear of Hell has made a breach, Divine Grace enters, but it is the Love of God and hopes of Heaven that works spiritual affections, (as the Obedience that flows therefrom is Evangelical, free and voluntary, from the entire consent of the Soul) and are abiding.
2. Admire the distinguishing Grace and special Love of God: We love him, because he first loved us: It was his Love that overcame you. The meer fear of Hell is not sufficient to Convert the Souls of men, tho' it may stop them in their way, and prevent great Abominations in the gross acts thereof, yet does not, cannot renew their Nature, regenerate and make holy their hearts and lives; that Religion that is the meer effect of fear will be according to the nature of its principle, even legal, wavering and inconstant; yet the fear of Hell may awaken the sinner, and in some sence prepare for Grace: When the Soul is stormed by the terror of Wrath, and the fear of Hell has made a breach, Divine Grace enters, but it is the Love of God and hopes of Heaven that works spiritual affections, (as the Obedience that flows therefrom is Evangelical, free and voluntary, from the entire consent of the Soul) and are abiding.
3. Be content with your Condition, tho' poor in this World, remember Lazarus, how much better was his state than the Rich Glutton's? O do not envy the wicked that are Rich, they will pay dear for their Wealth when they come to Hell, which they with greedy covetous minds heap up. I remember a Passage which is related in History: A General with an Army passing through another Princes Country, gave strict Order that no Person should offer to touch the least thing which belonged to the Inhabitants; but nevertheless one Soldier as they were upon their March, stole a Bunch of Grapes, which the General being informed of, gave Order that he should immediately be put to Death; as he was going to Execution, he fell a eating his Grapes, and some Persons looking greedily on him, he observing them, said, Do not envy me my Grapes, for they cost me dear, they cost me my Life.
3. Be content with your Condition, tho' poor in this World, remember Lazarus, how much better was his state than the Rich Glutton's? O do not envy the wicked that are Rich, they will pay dear for their Wealth when they come to Hell, which they with greedy covetous minds heap up. I remember a Passage which is related in History: A General with an Army passing through another Princes Countrey, gave strict Order that no Person should offer to touch the least thing which belong'd to the Inhabitants; but nevertheless one Souldier as they were upon their March, stole a Bunch of Grapes, which the General being informed of, gave Order that he should immediately be put to Death; as he was going to Execution, he fell a eating his Grapes, and some Persons looking greedily on him, he observing them, said, Do not envy me my Grapes, for they cost me dear, they cost me my Life.
4. Let it appear to all that you do love Jesus Christ, and prefer the honour of God and his interest above all things in this World; let the main end and design of your Souls in desiring Grace, Gifts, Knowledge, &c. and in all you act and do in his Service, be, that you may advance his Glory.
4. Let it appear to all that you do love Jesus Christ, and preferr the honour of God and his interest above all things in this World; let the main end and design of your Souls in desiring Grace, Gifts, Knowledge, &c. and in all you act and do in his Service, be, that you may advance his Glory.
Sirs, the time is near when it will be known who are Christs Wheat, true Christians, and who are not; but let all that are but Chaff tremble, for Hell is prepared for them: He will gather the Wheat into his garner, but the Chaff he will burn up with unquenchable fire.
FINIS.
THE BLESSEDNESS OF Christ's Sheep: OR, No final Falling from a State of true Grace. DEMONSTRATED, In Several SERMONS, lately Preached, and now for general Good Published. Wherein all the grand Objections usually brought against the Saints final Perseverance, are fully answered.
By BENJAMIN KEACH.
Heb. 10. 39. But we are not of them who draw back unto Perdition: but of them that believe, to the saving of the Soul.
London, Printed in the Year, 1694.
1BELOVED, these Words are the Words of our Blessed Saviour: and they contain no small Comfort to all true Believers, who are the Sheep and Lambs of Jesus Christ. My main Purpose or Intention, is to speak to the 28th Verse, and to defend the sweet and comfortable Doctrine of the Saints final Perseverance; but shall begin with the 27th Verse, viz. My Sheep hear my Voice, and I know them, and they follow me.
In our Text are two Parts.1 1. Something Implied, viz. Christ is a Shepherd, and that he hath a People that are his Sheep. 2. Something that is Expressed, viz. That all such who are his Sheep, hear his Voice, and do follow him.
You have in the Words, 1. The Property of Christ's Sheep. 2. Their Security, and happy State and Condition. 1. Their Character or Property, viz. They hear his Voice, and do follow him. 2. Their Security, and happy State and Condition. 1. He knows them, that is, he approves of them. ⟨p. 76⟩2. He gives to them Eternal Life. 3. They are in his Hand, and shall never perish.
Our Saviour in this Chapter calls himself the Shepherd of the Sheep, yea, the Good Shepherd, Ver. 11. I am the Good Shepherd: the Good Shepherd giveth his Life for the Sheep.
Now if it be demanded who are the Sheep of Christ? I answer, All that the Father hath given to him, and that believe in him.
