A47542:403
A golden mine opened, or, The glory of God's rich grace displayed in the…
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
THE BLESSEDNESS OF Christ's Sheep, &c. › JOHN X. 27. My Sheep hear my Voice, and they follow me.
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. Many thousands (we have cause to fear) are already poisoned with most pernicious Notions, and Soul-destructive Errors, who are in danger of perishing this way to Eternity, yet seem sober, holy, and devout Persons.
3. Let it be your care to fit under the Ministry of such Men who preach Christ, Christ only; or wholly seek to exalt Christ, and the Free Grace of God by Jesus Christ. Take heed who you hear, and take heed what you hear, and how you hear: Therefore watch, and remember (saith Paul) that by the 1space of three Years, I ceased not to warn every one Night and Day with Tears. He was afraid of those grievous Wolves that would enter in among them, not sparing the Flock. You hear that Christ's Sheep hear his Voice; let it appear you are his Sheep, by having this Character, namely, in that you hear his Doctrine, and will not hear the Voice of Strangers.
But, O rest not in a bare hearing the Voice of Christ, nor in the knowledge of saving Truth; get it not only into your Heads, but into your Hearts. He that hath truly received Christ's Doctrine, or rightly hears his Voice, brings forth good Fruit; he feels the Power of his Word upon his own Heart: Knowledge without Grace will stand you in no stead. A good Doctrine, and much Head-Knowledge, and great Gifts, without Love, Humility, and a Godly Life, signifies nothing: Knowledge puffs up, but Love edifies.
But, O rest not in a bare hearing the Voice of Christ, nor in the knowledg of saving Truth; get it not only into your Heads, but into your Hearts. He that hath truly received Christ's Doctrine, or rightly hears his Voice, brings forth good Fruit; he feels the Power of his Word upon his own Heart: Knowledg without Grace will stand you in no stead. A good Doctrine, and much Head-Knowledg, and great Gifts, without Love, Humility, and a Godly Life, signifies nothing: Knowledg puffs up, but Love edifies.