A47542:469
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.
9. Sheep also are subject to take Soil and Filth, and therefore have need of washing: Even so likewise the Sheep of Jesus Christ are subject to contract fresh Guilt and Pollution on their own Souls and Consciences, Sin being of a polluting and defiling Nature; and therefore David cried out to his Blessed Shepherd to be washed: Purge me with Hyssop, and I shall be clean; wash me, and I shall be whiter than Snow. O cleanse my filthy and leprous Soul in the 1Fountain of thy Son's Blood, signified by those Ceremonial Washings under the Law. If I wash thee not, (saith Christ to Peter) thou hast no part with me.2
10. Sheep love to feed and lie down together; Nay, it is a difficult thing to scatter, sever, or divide them from each other; and if by Dogs or Wolves, &c. they should be scattered, they will quickly get together again; and such that straggle behind, the Shepherd fears are not well. So the Saints and Sheep of Christ dearly love to assemble together; and it is an Argument that such are diseased, ⟨p. 111⟩or sickly, who forsake the assembling themselves with the rest of the Flock; Then they that feared the Lord, spake often one to another, 1&c. They that fear thee, (saith David) will be glad when they see me, because I hoped in thy Word. I can tell them that which will cause their Souls to rejoice; I have been afflicted, and tempted, and yet have been succoured and relieved by the Lord, because I hoped in his Word: So that none of them that meet with like Perplexities, need to fear or doubt of God's gracious Help and Support. Sirs, if wicked Men, like Dogs, Wolves, or Lions, do endeavour to scatter Christ's Sheep by Persecution, &c. they will soon get together again: And being let go, they went to their own Company again.