A47542:479
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.
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.
Secondly, Christ's Sheep have passed through a great Change, a glorious, internal and visible Change. They are converted Persons, renewed or regenerated by Divine Grace: They were once like other Men and Women, and had no Sheep-like Nature, (as you have heard) but rather the same filthy, unclean, and brutish Nature of Swine, &c. which is in all ungodly Ones.
1. It is a real Change from Nature to Grace; 'tis not a seeming, a nominal, or notional, but a true and real Change; they have a new Heart, a new Spirit, a new Nature created in them; they are become new Creatures: all real Operations of the Spirit suppose some real Form; a real Habit is infused, from whence they act, which works in them a ready Inclination, Disposition, and sweet Propensity to do that which is truly and spiritually Good.
2. And this is common to all the Sheep of Jesus Christ; in this respect they are all alike, having all obtained the same precious Faith, as to the Quality of it: As all Wolves have the Nature of Wolves, and all Swine the Nature of Swine, and all Sheep have the Nature of Sheep; so all the Saints and Children of God have the Nature of Saints; all Believers and Sheep of Jesus Christ have one holy Nature.
3. It is a Nature and Disposition quite contrary to that which was in them formerly: 'Tis a mighty Change, as when a Wolf is made a Lamb, the "Wolfish Nature (as one observes) is lost, and the Lamb-like Nature is introduced. By Corruption Man was Carnal and Brutish, but by the new Creation he is Spiritual and Divine; by Corruption he hath the Image of the Devil, by this he is restored to the Image of God; by that he had the Seeds of all Villainies, by this the Seed of all Graces." He was an Enemy to God, nay, had Enmity in his Heart against God; but now he loves God, loves Christ, loves Holiness, loves the Ways of God, and People of God.
3. It is a Nature and Disposition quite contrary to that which was in them formerly: 'Tis a mighty Change, as when a Wolf is made a Lamb, the "Wolfish Nature (as one observes) is lost, and the Lamb-like Nature is introduced. By Corruption Man was Carnal and Brutish, but by the new Creation he is Spiritual and Divine; by Corruption he hath the Image of the Devil, by this he is restored to the Image of God; by that he had the Seeds of all Villanies, by this the Seed of all Graces." He was an Enemy to God, nay, had Enmity in his Heart against God; but now he loves God, loves Christ, loves Holiness, loves the Ways of God, and People of God.
4. It is an universal Change, a Change of the whole Heart; as when a Child is formed in the Womb, it hath all the Parts, Nature doth not fashion one Part and leave another imperfect: So the Holy Spirit forms every Part of the new Creature in the Soul of the Regenerate. This Habit is but one, 'tis an entire Rectitude in all the Faculties, and an universal Principle of inclining 1and disposing to that which is good and well-pleasing to God: there is a Divine Light in the Understanding, by which the Soul ⟨p. 114⟩sees God to be its chief Good, and owns and looks upon him as such. There is a Change in the Will, that consents and chooses God as such; there is a Change in the Affections. There is no true Draught of the Image of God in us, unless there be a Rectitude of Affection and Disposition: There is therefore a conformity of Affections to God, they love God, and love as God loves, and hate as God hateth; they hate Evil, because of that inward Filthiness that is in it, and love Grace and Virtue, because of its pure and native Beauty and Excellency: therefore it is from hence the Soul comes to take delight in God.
4. It is an universal Change, a Change of the whole Heart; as when a Child is formed in the Womb, it hath all the Parts, Nature doth not fashion one Part and leave another imperfect: So the Holy Spirit forms every Part of the new Creature in the Soul of the Regenerate. This Habit is but one, 'tis an intire Rectitude in all the Faculties, and an universal Principle of inclining 1and disposing to that which is good and well-pleasing to God: there is a Divine Light in the Vnderstanding, by which the Soul ⟨p. 114⟩sees God to be its chief Good, and owns and looks upon him as such. There is a Change in the Will, that consents and chuses God as such; there is a Change in the Affections. There is no true Draught of the Image of God in us, unless there be a Rectitude of Affection and Disposition: There is therefore a conformity of Affections to God, they love God, and love as God loves, and hate as God hateth; they hate Evil, because of that inward Filthiness that is in it, and love Grace and Vertue, because of its pure and native Beauty and Excellency: therefore it is from hence the Soul comes to take delight in God.
5. It changes not the Heart only, but the whole Life also; The Life which I now live in the Flesh, I live by the Faith of the Son of 1God. Such live no longer to themselves, but to God; their Tongues speak for God, their Ears hear for God, their Hands work for God; their Actions are Holy, Just and Good. There is a Change of Company also, a Change of Labour, of Endeavour; and their whole End, Aim and Design, is to glorify God: Heavenly Things are preferred by them before earthly Things; they chiefly seek the Kingdom of God and his Righteousness. They do not pursue the World as they did, nor fashion themselves according to the former Lusts and the Course of this World; nor pray as they did, nor hear as they did, nor give Alms as they did: No, no, they do all things from another Principle, from another End, and with other Zeal, Endeavours, and Diligence.
Thirdly, Christ's Sheep will feed in Christ's Pasture, in their own Pasture, where they are put by him; not but that they may, for good Reasons, be removed into another Pasture, but they will not (unless under strong Temptation) break down the Hedge or Fold where they were put, and run away; No, no, but are contented with that Food, that Pasture God affords them, though there may be some more Fat and Rich than theirs. Some Sheep when they grow wanton, are unruly, and will break into other Mens Ground; so there are some Professors, some Church-members that rend themselves away from their own Flock and Fold, in a disorderly manner; "Which (as a Reverend Minister shows) is an abominable Evil, and a shame to them: this destroys the Relation of Pastor and People, for what may be done by one Individual, may be done by all; and (saith he) what Liberty belongs to the Sheep, belongs also to that particular Shepherd who has the Charge of them much more; it is a breaking Covenant ⟨p. 115⟩with Christ and the Congregation, and therefore a great Immorality: 'tis a Schism, if there be any such thing in the World; it is a despising the Government of the Church; and there is as much reason a Person should come in when he pleases, without asking Consent, as to depart when he pleases: It is also very evil and unkind in another Church to receive such a One, as not doing as they would be dealt with. Such a Practice can issue in nothing but in the Breach and Confusion of all particular Churches: It tends (saith he) to Anarchy, putting an Arbitrary Power in every Member, and breaks all Bonds of Love, and raiseth the greatest Animosities between Brethren and Churches." The truth is, how can another Shepherd justify such an Act to the great Shepherd of the Sheep; I mean, to take into his Fold his Neighbour's Sheep, without Christ's Order and Authority?
Thirdly, Christ's Sheep will feed in Christ's Pasture, in their own Pasture, where they are put by him; not but that they may, for good Reasons, be removed into another Pasture, but they will not (unless under strong Temptation) break down the Hedg or Fold where they were put, and run away; No, no, but are contented with that Food, that Pasture God affords them, though there may be some more Fat and Rich than theirs. Some Sheep when they grow wanton, are unruly, and will break into other Mens Ground; so there are some Professors, some Church-members that rend themselves away from their own Flock and Fold, in a disorderly manner; "Which (as a Reverend Minister shews) is an abominable Evil, and a shame to them: this destroys the Relation of Pastor and People, for what may be done by one Individual, may be done by all; and (saith he) what Liberty belongs to the Sheep, belongs also to that particular Shepherd who has the Charge of them much more; it is a breaking Covenant
Fourthly, Christ's Sheep will, and do follow him; and this our 1Blessed Saviour lays down as an undoubted Character of all that are his.
1. They follow his Steps in Humility: He bids us to learn of him upon this Account; Learn of me, for I am meek and lowly in 1Heart. How did Christ deny himself? in taking our Nature upon him: In this ought his Sheep to follow him; Let the same Mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus. O let the same humble Spirit, 2and self-denying Temper be in you, which was in him; Who being in the Form of God, thought it no Robbery to be equal with God, and made himself of no reputation, but took upon him the Form of a Servant, &c. Saints are, or ought to be, of a humble Frame, having mutual Love, and a condescending Spirit, even to them that are in the lowest and meanest Condition, bearing with the Weak, and not exalting themselves, nor offending one another in any thing that is indifferent in its own Nature: I become all things to all, that I might gain some.
2. Christ's Sheep do follow him in Love, and bowels of Compassion: Be ye followers of God, as dear Children; and walk in love, 1as Christ also hath loved us, and hath given himself for us. By this ⟨p. 116⟩all Men may know we are his Disciples, even when we have this Mark of his Sheep, namely, that we love one another. Husbands are exhorted to love their Wives, as Christ also loved his Church, 2and gave himself for it; even with a sincere, pure, ardent and constant Affection. And thus ought all Christians to love each other also, being united as Brethren together, and Members of the same Body of which Christ is the Head. He that loveth not his Brother, is in Darkness, he is none of Christ's Sheep. He that 3saith he abideth in the Light, ought also to walk even as he walked, and love as he loved.
3. They follow him in Holiness. But as he that hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of Conversation: Because it is written, Be ye holy, for I am holy. God the Father is holy, and Christ is holy: He was holy, harmless, and undefiled, separated from Sinners. Therefore in this we should follow him in the whole Course 1of our Lives, and in the several parts of our Conversations. All those who are his Sheep, they are such who are sanctified Persons, who laying aside all filthiness of the Flesh and Spirit, (they go on) 2perfecting Holiness in the fear of God.
4. They follow the Example of Christ, their holy Shepherd, in Obedience. Though he was a Son, yet learned he Obedience by the 1things he suffered: And being made perfect, he became the Author of Eternal Salvation to all them that obey him. Christ's Meat and Drink was to do the Will of him that sent him; and thus we ought to follow him; it ought to be our Joy, our Delight, to do his Will, and attend on his Work: And this Mark have all Christ's Sheep, i. e. they keep Christ's Word; If a Man love me, he will keep my Word. And again, He that hath my Commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me: Not he that hath the knowledge of 2them; it is possible Men may have Christ's Commandments in their Heads, and in their Mouths, may know which they are, but they may not do them: It is he that doth his Word, that doth his Sayings; that keepeth his Commandments, that loves him; Ye 3are my Friends, if you do whatsoever I command you. This is a Mark of Christ's Sheep, of one of Christ's Friends, or of a sincere Christian and follower of him: He will be obedient to Christ, not in some things only, but in every thing that he requires or enjoins him to do in his Word.
4. They follow the Example of Christ, their holy Shepherd, in Obedience. Though he was a Son, yet learned he Obedience by the 1things he suffered: And being made perfect, he became the Author of Eternal Salvation to all them that obey him. Christ's Meat and Drink was to do the Will of him that sent him; and thus we ought to follow him; it ought to be our Joy, our Delight, to do his Will, and attend on his Work: And this Mark have all Christ's Sheep, i. e. they keep Christ's Word; If a Man love me, he will keep my Word. And again, He that hath my Commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me: Not he that hath the knowledg of 2them; it is possible Men may have Christ's Commandments in their Heads, and in their Mouths, may know which they are, but they may not do them: It is he that doth his Word, that doth his Sayings; that keepeth his Commandments, that loves him; Ye
5. They follow Christ in the hardest things, in such things that seem grievous to the Flesh. Like as Abraham, when he was commanded 1to offer up his Son, his only Son, his only Son Isaac whom ⟨p. 117⟩he loved, went presently about it, he made no pause, did not consult with Flesh and Blood: And Abraham rose up early in the Morning, &c. with an intention to do this hard Work. And now saith the Lord, I know that thou fearest God, seeing thou hast not 2withheld thy Son, thine only Son from me. God knew it before, tho he speaks here after the manner of Men: but he would have Abraham to know it, and all Men to know that this is a Mark of one that feareth him, that loveth him, viz. he will do any thing God requires of him, even sacrifice up all that is near and dear to him, when called for. O see how obedient Christ was to the Father; The Lord God hath opened mine Ear, and I was not rebellious, 3neither turned away my back. I gave my Back to the Smiters, and my Cheeks to them that plucked off the Hair; I hid not my Face from Shame and Spitting. This was hard Work, yet Christ readily passed through it; He became obedient unto Death, even the Death of the Cross, the worst of Deaths, exceeding ten thousand Deaths, considering what he felt and did undergo for us.
6. They follow Christ whithersoever he goeth. Some will not do this; they may go a great way after the Lord Jesus, but then make a halt, and give over following of him. Some are like Orpah, who kissed her Mother-in-Law, and departed from her, but 1Ruth clave unto her. Even so such who are sincere Christians, they keep following of Christ, when others leave him and cleave to the World, to their Lusts, to their cursed Idolatry; but these say to Jesus Christ, as Ruth to Naomi, Entreat me not to leave thee, or to return from following of thee; for whither thou goest, I will go; and where thou lodgest, I will lodge: Thy People shall be my People, and thy God my God. Those that are wise Virgins, or the Sheep of Christ, the Holy Ghost gives us their Character; These are they which were 2not defiled with Women, for they are Virgins; these are they which follow the Lamb whithersoever he goeth, &c. They will not follow God and Baal, Christ and Antichrist; receive Christ's Institutions, and Rome's vile Idolatry and Superstitions; or follow some Precepts of Christ, and reject others: No, no, they follow him in all his holy Laws, keeping close in all things to the Rules of his Worship, both in Doctrine, Discipline, and Conversation; in all Duties of Religion, both Natural and Supernatural, whether towards God, or towards Men. They are like unto Joshua and Caleb, they follow Christ fully; But my Servant Caleb, because he had another Spirit 3with him, and hath followed me fully, him will I bring into the good Land, and his Seed shall possess it. He followed God when others ⟨p. 118⟩forsook him, being not acted by that evil Spirit of Cowardice, slavish Fear and Unbelief which ruled in others, but was a Man of another Temper, i. e. Courageous, Faithful, Obedient; as it is said of the Righteous, he was bold as a Lion; and universally, through all Difficulties, Deaths and Dangers, followed God: And thus do all the true Sheep of Christ follow him.
6. They follow Christ whithersoever he goeth. Some will not do this; they may go a great way after the Lord Jesus, but then make a halt, and give over following of him. Some are like Orpah, who kissed her Mother-in-Law, and departed from her, but
7. They follow Christ in sincerity, not for Loaves, &c.
