A47542:462
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
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.
4. Believers may be compared to Sheep from their Profitableness to others. We all know that Sheep are very profitable Creatures many ways, enriching and making Land fat; as also for Clothing, and for Meat: How excellent is the Flesh of Sheep for Food? So God's People are useful and profitable. The Lips of the Righteous feed many, by their wise and pious Discourse, Counsels, and Divine Comfort, which they often communicate to many distressed and disconsolate Souls: They are the Salt of the Earth, the Light of the World; and what a profitable thing is Salt to us, is Light to us? ⟨p. 109⟩Even so in many respects the Godly, in a spiritual Sense, are alike useful, and have been in their respective Generations in this World.
What a blessing was Lot to Sodom whilst he was among them! the Fire could not seize upon that wicked City until he left it: Haste thee, escape thither, (said the Angel) for I cannot do any thing 1until thou be come thither. What Profit did Laban receive by Jacob! what a Blessing was he unto him! the like Blessing was Joseph to his Master. The Godly are like Sheep, the Interest of those Lands, Nations, Cities and Families where they dwell.
The Saints are profitable to others many ways. (1.) By that heavenly Doctrine they maintain and hold forth. (2.) By the fervent and profitable Prayers they make and send up to God on all Occasions. (3.) By that holy and good Example which they set for all those they converse with, and live among. (4.) And at their death, by Martyrdom, great Profit hath been received; from whence the Proverb rose, That the Blood of the Martyrs was the Seed of the Church. Believers bring Glory to God, and Profit unto Men.