A47542:540
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. Because he is exalted in Glory and Dignity, not only as the Head, Lord, and Sovereign of all the Sheep, but also as the Prince of all Pastors and subordinate Shepherds that ever were, are, or shall be; from whom they all receive their Power and Authority as his Deputies, to take care of and watch over each part and parcel of his Flock committed to their respective Charge. Jesus Christ is not only above all Shepherds, all Ministers, but they do all in his Name, and must at the last Day be accountable to him for their Administrations.
6. He is the great Shepherd of the Sheep, a mighty Shepherd, if we consider the greatness of the Flock, which he hath not only received the Care and Charge of, but they are all his own Sheep. If a Shepherd had under his Care 100000 Sheep, and all his own, would not every body call him a great Shepherd? Now though Christ's Flock is called a little Flock comparatively, yet the Number of all his Sheep, all his Elect, is very great: we read of ten thousands of his Saints, and a Number that no Man can number, they are all his; and therefore a great Shepherd.
7. He is great in Riches, having a multitude of rich and choice Pastors, enough to feed Millions of Sheep here on Earth: And though his Flock will increase ere long, when the Fullness of the Gentiles shall come in, and his ancient Flock, I mean, the Seed of Abraham now scattered, be gathered, and all brought into one Fold, yet he hath Pastures for them all. Moreover, he hath prepared a glorious and rich Fold for them Above, which is Heaven it self, that is the Fold into which all his Flock shall be put for ever and ever.
7. He is great in Riches, having a multitude of rich and choice Pastors, enough to feed Millions of Sheep here on Earth: And though his Flock will encrease e're long, when the Fulness of the Gentiles shall come in, and his antient Flock, I mean, the Seed of Abraham now scattered, be gathered, and all brought into one Fold, yet he hath Pastures for them all. Moreover, he hath prepared a glorious and rich Fold for them Above, which is Heaven it self, that is the Fold into which all his Flock shall be put for ever and ever.
8. Lastly, He is great in Power: No Shepherd hath such Power to defend, protect, preserve and save his Flock like to him. None are able to pluck one Sheep out of his Hand, as I shall prove and demonstrate when I come to speak to the next part of my Text. Another Shepherd, for want of Power, may lose his Sheep, the Wolf or Lion may come and tear them in pieces, and rob him of them: But no Enemy, neither Sin nor Satan, nor the World, can rend his Sheep from him; he hath Power over all Adversaries, and can subdue them with much case at his Pleasure; therefore he is the great Shepherd.
Christ knows his Sheep are subject to sleep, and so lie open to many Dangers, therefore he watches over them. He is always awake, he that keeps Israel, neither slumbereth nor sleepeth; He will not suffer thy Foot to be removed: he that keepeth thee will not 1slumber. Behold, he that keepeth Israel, shall neither slumber nor sleep. The Lord is thy Keeper, thy Shade upon thy right Hand. The Sheep of Christ are in danger by Sin, by Satan, by Temptation, by Wolves, by a deceitful Heart, by inward Corruption, by false and self-seeking Teachers, whose Design is to make a Prey of his Flock; therefore he watches them like a Vineyard of red Wine: I the Lord do keep it, I will water it every moment; lest any hurt it, I 2will keep it Night and Day. I will, as if he should say, protect my Church, my Vineyard, my Flock, from all Assaults of its Enemies; neither Men, nor Devils shall spoil, ruin, or hurt my People.
And that he may secure his Flock, 1. He discovers by his Word, the Subtlety, Craft and Devices of their Enemies, and their Danger thereby. 2. By his Spirit also, through its quickening Operations, he awakens them when their Enemies are upon them; and that shows he is a watchful and a wakeful Shepherd. 3. He also by his Providences shows he is awake, and strives to awaken his People also.
And that he may secure his Flock, 1. He discovers by his Word, the Subtilty, Craft and Devices of their Enemies, and their Danger thereby. 2. By his Spirit also, through its quickning Operations, he awakens them when their Enemies are upon them; and that shews he is a watchful and a wakeful Shepherd. 3. He also by his Providences shews he is awake, and strives to awaken his People also.
And this he doth several manner of ways. 1. By Wars, Perplexities, and Distress of Nations. 2. By Famine and Pestilence. 3. By strange Signs, Prodigies, and fearful Earthquakes in divers Places. 4. By the awakening Providence of sudden and unusual Deaths, snatching away one Man here, and another there, to keep the rest awake. 5. By letting out Symptoms of his Displeasure, by distressing the Consciences of some, by fearful Horror and Desperation; as in Spira and Child's Cases; to awaken others, and to deter them from like Evils. 6. He also employs his Ministers to rouse them up; they, as his Substitutes, are made Watchmen, to give his People, his Saints, his Flock, warning of approaching Dangers.
And this he doth several manner of ways. 1. By Wars, Perplexities, and Distress of Nations. 2. By Famine and Pestilence. 3. By strange Signs, Prodigies, and fearful Earthquakes in divers Places. 4. By the awakning Providence of sudden and unusual Deaths, snatching away one Man here, and another there, to keep the rest awake. 5. By letting out Symptoms of his Displeasure, by distressing the Consciences of some, by fearful Horror and Desperation; as in Spira and Child's Cases; to awaken others, and to deter them from like Evils. 6. He also imploys his Ministers to rouse them up; they, as his Substitutes, are made Watchmen, to give his People, his Saints, his Flock, warning of approaching Dangers.
2dly. Christ knows that his Flock is not only subject to sleep, but also to go astray, and therefore he watcheth over them.
Satan is a subtle Fowler, a crafty Enemy; and is also clothed with great Power. He is compared to a Serpent, to show his Subtlety; and to a Lion, which denotes his Strength and devouring Nature.
Satan is a subtil Fowler, a crafty Enemy; and is also clothed with great Power. He is compared to a Serpent, to shew his Subtilty; and to a Lion, which denotes his Strength and devouring Nature.
2. Jesus Christ watches his Sheep, that he may give them those Mercies they need in the proper season of them: He knows when and how to give us that Good he himself hath promised. Sometimes he watches over his People, to chasten, to afflict and punish them with the Rod, when he sees there is need of it: He lets out his Dog, (as I may so say, like as a Shepherd doth upon unruly Sheep) when his Calls will not do, will not reclaim them and reduce them to an orderly and diligent walk. But then at another time, he watches over them, to bestow his Favours and Blessing upon them: And it shall come to pass, that like as I have watched 1over them, to pluck up, and to break down, and to overthrow, and to destroy, and to afflict; so will I watch over them, to build, and to plant, saith the Lord. Though there is no Change in God, but he doth all things according to the Counsel of his own Will and Eternal Purpose, yet there is a Change of his providential Dispensations. God here speaks after the manner of Men; and as he is diligent to afflict for Disobedience, so he is likewise as diligent upon a Reformation, to distribute his Blessings, when he sees it will make for his Glory and his Peoples Good.
Seventhly, and lastly, Christ is a living Shepherd. Other Shepherds 1die and leave their Sheep, and know not what Evil may befall them after their departure: But Jesus Christ never dies; I am he that was dead, and am alive; and behold, I live for evermore. He 2ever lives to feed, to heal, guide, protect, and save his People; He ever lives to make Intercession for us. In this doth the Safety, Happiness and Comfort of Believers lie: Christ is always the same, he changes not; and is such a Shepherd, that his Sheep cannot lose; Death hath no more power over him, Death cannot deprive them of this Shepherd.
Seventhly, and lastly, Christ is a living Shepherd. Other Shepherds 1die and leave their Sheep, and know not what Evil may befal them after their departure: But Jesus Christ never dies; I am he that was dead, and am alive; and behold, I live for evermore. He 2ever lives to feed, to heal, guide, protect, and save his People; He ever lives to make Intercession for us. In this doth the Safety, Happiness and Comfort of Believers lie: Christ is always the same, he changes not; and is such a Shepherd, that his Sheep cannot lose; Death hath no more power over him, Death cannot deprive them of this Shepherd.
1. O happy Saints, blessed Sheep: O love your Shepherd, trust in your Shepherd; say with David, The Lord is my Shepherd, I shall 1not want.
2. Be ruled, led and guided by your Shepherd; and be content with that Pasture into which he hath put you, and with such Commons he is pleased to afford you.
3. How doth this reprehend such who repine, murmur, and are carried away with slavish and distrustful Fear? O what a shame is it to be afraid, when you have such a Friend, such a Keeper, such a Shepherd to protect, feed, and keep you? But to proceed.
