A47542:473
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.
13. Among a Flock of Sheep are oftentimes some Goats, who feed with them, and lie down together. So in Christ's Flock are some evil and corrupt Members, such who are none of his Sheep, but Hypocrites, though they seem to feed and have Communion together; and these also are called Goats by the great Shepherd.1
14. Sheep are very fruitful, and do multiply in a little time exceedingly, though many of them may be killed by Butchers. The Saints may be compared to Sheep also in this respect, for they from a few have often increased to a very great Multitude. How few were the Number of Christ's Sheep at the time of his Ascension, yet in a little space we read, that their Number was five Thousand; And though the Heathen Butchers killed many Thousands, yet how wonderfully did they increase! which was marvellous in the Eyes of their Enemies. The like may be noted in these Days among us in England; what a few were they of the Baptized Churches, and other Dissenters, not many Years ago, and to what a Multitude are they risen now? Also the Saints grow in Grace, they are fruitful, bearing Twins, and none barren among them.
15. Sheep are sometimes separated from the Goats, for some special Occasion known to the Shepherd. Even so at the last Day shall all the Sincere and truly Godly be separated from unsound and unsanctified Ones, by our Lord Jesus the great Shepherd: Before him shall be gathered all Nations, and he will separate them one 1