A47542:492
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.
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 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, Intreat 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 lodg: 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
7. They follow Christ in sincerity, not for Loaves, &c.
8. They follow Christ constantly to the End, and faint not. We read of some that followed our Blessed Saviour for some time, but then they were offended at his Doctrine; From that time many 1of his Disciples went back, and walked no more with him. This showed they were not his Sheep or Disciples indeed, for these returned no more; they, it is evident, drew back to Perdition. A godly Man may, under a Temptation, seem to faint and draw back, as Peter did, but he returns by Repentance and follows Christ again. We are not (saith Paul) of them who draw back unto Perdition, but 2of them that believe to the saving of the Soul. The Sheep of Christ hold on their way, they having clean Hands, grow stronger and stronger, they can never perish; therefore shall follow Christ always, or persevere in well-doing to the End of their Days. The good Ground brought forth Fruit unto Eternal Life: such who fall away were not sincere and honest-hearted Ones, but are either like 3the stony or thorny ground Hearers.
8. They follow Christ constantly to the End, and faint not. We read of some that followed our Blessed Saviour for some time, but then they were offended at his Doctrine; From that time many 1of his Disciples went back, and walked no more with him. This shewed they were not his Sheep or Disciples indeed, for these returned no more; they, it is evident, drew back to Perdition. A godly Man may, under a Temptation, seem to faint and draw back, as Peter did, but he returns by Repentance and follows Christ again. We are not (saith Paul) of them who draw back unto Perdition, but 2of them that believe to the saving of the Soul. The Sheep of Christ hold on their way, they having clean Hands, grow stronger and stronger, they can never perish; therefore shall follow Christ always, or persevere in well-doing to the End of their Days. The good Ground brought forth Fruit unto Eternal Life: such who fall away were not sincere and honest-hearted Ones, but are either like
Fifthly Christ's Sheep have his Character by which they are known. 1Men mark their Sheep so; we read in the Revelations, that the Servants of God were sealed; they were marked in their right Hands, and in their Foreheads, &c. God gave a Charge of old, to set a Mark upon the Men that sighed and mourned for all the Abominations that were committed in the Land. Merchants, and others, commonly set a Mark upon their Goods, by which they lay claim to them, and know them: So Christ sets his Mark, his Seal, upon all his Saints. By their Father's Mark on their right Hand, some understand the Heart: A Mark in the Hand is a secret Mark.
Fifthly Christ's Sheep have his Character by which they are known. 1Men mark their Sheep so; we read in the Revelations, that the Servants of God were sealed; they were marked in their right Hands, and in their Foreheads, &c. God gave a Charge of old, to set a Mark upon the Men that sigh'd and mourn'd for all the Abominations that were committed in the Land. Merchants, and others, commonly set a Mark upon their Goods, by which they lay claim to them, and know them: So Christ sets his Mark, his Seal, upon all his Saints. By their Father's Mark on their right Hand, some understand the Heart: A Mark in the Hand is a secret Mark.
1. No doubt the Mark of Christ's Sheep, is the Mark of Regeneration, or that holy Image of God which is stamped upon them all, as I hinted at first: And if Christ sees not this Mark on the Soul, he will not own that Man or Woman actually to be his.
1. No doubt the Mark of Christ's Sheep, is the Mark of Regeneration, or that holy Image of God which is stamp'd upon them all, as I hinted at first: And if Christ sees not this Mark on the Soul, he will not own that Man or Woman actually to be his.
2. The Holy Spirit is expressly called the Seal with which every true Believer is sealed: Also after that ye believed ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of Promise. Which is the Earnest of our Inheritance, ⟨p. 119⟩1until the Redemption of the purchased Possession, unto the praise of his Glory. And again he saith, Grieve not the holy Spirit, by which you 2are sealed unto the Day of Redemption. Whosoever hath the Spirit of Christ in them, or hath received the saving Graces thereof, are Christ's Sheep, they have his Mark; these he will own, and say, (where e•er he find this Seal) this Man and this Woman is mine. And on the other hand; Now if any Man hath not the Spirit 3of Christ, he is none of his; he is none of his Sheep, he hath no special Interest in him. Remember the Spirit of Christ, true Grace, Faith, Love Humility, &c. is the Ear-mark of Christ's Sheep.
2. The Holy Spirit is expresly called the Seal with which every true Believer is sealed: Also after that ye believed ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of Promise. Which is the Earnest of our Inheritance, ⟨p. 119⟩1until the Redemption of the purchased Possession, unto the praise of his Glory. And again he saith, Grieve not the holy Spirit, by which you 2are sealed unto the Day of Redemption. Whosoever hath the Spirit of Christ in them, or hath received the saving Graces thereof, are Christ's Sheep, they have his Mark; these he will own, and say, (where e•er he find this Seal) this Man and this Woman is mine. And on the other hand; Now if any Man hath not the Spirit 3of Christ, he is none of his; he is none of his Sheep, he hath no special Interest in him. Remember the Spirit of Christ, true Grace, Faith, Love Humility, &c. is the Ear-mark of Christ's Sheep.
3. And why may not inward Sincerity be Christ's Mark also? for that I am sure does distinguish them from all others, from Hypocrites, and all unsound and false-hearted Professors whatsoever.
2dly, The Mark in their Foreheads is seen by all; that may denote their holy Carriage, Behaviour, and Deportment in this World, to all that behold them.
1. It may show that they hate Idolatry, and all false Worship.
1. It may shew that they hate Idolatry, and all false Worship.
2. It may signify their holy Conversation; for Holiness is written, as it were, in legible Characters, on all their Foreheads: There is not one of Christ's Sheep without this Mark; for without Holiness no Man shall see the Lord. This shows who they are, and 1whither they are going, and to what Country they do belong.
2. It may signify their holy Conversation; for Holiness is written, as it were, in legible Characters, on all their Foreheads: There is not one of Christ's Sheep without this Mark; for without Holiness no Man shall see the Lord. This shews who they are, and 1whither they are going, and to what Country they do belong.
Sixthly, Christ's Sheep follow the Footsteps of the Flock, i. e. 1the Primitive Church, in Church-Constitution, Doctrine and Discipline. They contend for that Faith which was once delivered to the Saints, and keep the Ordinances as they were at first given forth; they are for no mixture in Doctrine nor Discipline; be sure before 2all things, they keep pure the Doctrine of Justification, and do not join Work and Grace together: Their great care is to exalt the free Grace of God, and abase the Creature, accounting all their own inherent Righteousness as Dung, or Dogs-meat, in comparison 3of Christ, and the Righteousness of Christ.
Seventhly, They love to drink in pure Crystal, soft and gentle Streams. Sheep do not love to drink of muddy, rough and raging Rivers: No more do Christ's Sheep; He makes me to lie down in green Pastures; he leadeth me beside the still Waters. They will not ⟨p. 120⟩1forsake the Waters of Shiloah that run softly, and drink of the proud, swelling, and troublesome Rivers of Babylon, Tigris, and Euphrates. They like the Teachings of God's Spirit in the meanest Instrument, tho such who are despised and contemned of Men, better than the highest Elegance, and loftiest Rhetoric of all the Cicero's and Plato's of the World. What are the artificial Flourishes of Demosthenes, or exact Method of Aristotle and Galen, or all humane Curiosities or itch of Words, to the Teachings of the Holy Ghost? Paul spoke not in the Wisdom of this World, or with the enticing Words of Man's Wisdom, but in the Demonstration of the Spirit, and with Power. These Waters Believers choose and love to drink of. 2I am afraid some Men are more nice in studying Words than Matter, to affect the Ear rather than to work upon the Heart of their Hearers. Though Humane Learning is not to be despised, yet no doubt Dr. Carlton was in the right, "That a Lay-man that has the Spirit of God, is better able to judg of spiritual Things, than a Man in Ecclesiastical Function, destitute of the Spirit of God." Infelix est sapientia extra Verbum Dei sapere, saith Justin Martyr.
Seventhly, They love to drink in pure Christal, soft and gentle Streams. Sheep do not love to drink of muddy, rough and raging Rivers: No more do Christ's Sheep; He makes me to lie down in green Pastures; he leadeth me beside the still Waters. They will not ⟨p. 120⟩1forsake the Waters of Shiloah that run softly, and drink of the proud, swelling, and troublesome Rivers of Babylon, Tygris, and Euphrates. They like the Teachings of God's Spirit in the meanest Instrument, tho such who are despised and contemned of Men, better than the highest Elegance, and lostiest Rhetorick of all the Cicero's and Plato's of the World. What are the artificial Flourishes of Demosthenes, or exact Method of Aristotle and Galen, or all humane Curiosities or itch of Words, to the Teachings of the Holy Ghost? Paul spoke not in the Wisdom of this World, or with the inticing Words of Man's Wisdom, but in the Demonstration of the Spirit, and with Power. These Waters Believers chuse and love to drink of.
Our Annotators say well, viz. "1. Ministers ought to speak Intelligibly, so as the People may understand."
"2. That they speak gravely and decently; all other study of Words and Phrases in a Divine, (say they) is but Folly and Vanity."
Eighthly, and Lastly, Christ's Sheep do rely upon the Care and Faithfulness of their Shepherd. They know on whom they have 1believed, and can and do venture their Souls on him, knowing he will keep that which they have committed to his Charge: They depend on Christ, rest on Christ, believe in Christ, rely on his Word and Promises for all things they need: They can say with David, The Lord is my Shepherd, I shall not want, neither any thing 2for this Life, which is really necessary, nor for the Life which is to come: They leave the Almighty to choose for them, knowing they are not competent Judges, as touching what is best for themselves: Though he slay me, (saith Job) yet will I trust in him; Let God do what he will with me, yet I will rest upon him; my hope 3shall be in him, and I will not be offended if I have Poverty, Sickness, Persecution, Reproaches, or whatsoever else: I know, saith a true Christian, God sees it good for me, and I will not murmur nor complain.
Eighthly, and Lastly, Christ's Sheep do relie upon the Care and Faithfulness of their Shepherd. They know on whom they have 1believed, and can and do venture their Souls on him, knowing he will keep that which they have committed to his Charge: They depend on Christ, rest on Christ, believe in Christ, relie on his Word and Promises for all things they need: They can say with David, The Lord is my Shepherd, I shall not want, neither any thing 2for this Life, which is really necessary, nor for the Life which is to come: They leave the Alimighty to chuse for them, knowing they are not competent Judges, as touching what is best for themselves: Though he slay me, (saith Job) yet will I trust in him; Let God do what he will with me, yet I will rest upon him; my hope 3shall be in him, and I will not be offended if I have Poverty, Sickness, Persecution, Reproaches, or whatsoever else: I know, saith a true Christian, God sees it good for me, and I will not murmur nor complain.
