A47542:541
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.
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.