A47542:717
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.
1DOCT. 3. All the Saints of God, all Believers, or Sheep and Lambs of Jesus Christ, shall be saved, and none of them shall so fall away as eternally to perish.
Beloved, in speaking unto this Point of Doctrine, I shall only do two things. I. Endeavour to confirm and prove the Truth of the Proposition. II. Answer all the Objections that are usually brought against the Doctrine of the Saints final Perseverance.
First, But before I enter upon the Proof and Confirmation of this great Gospel-Truth, let me hint a word or two to explain who we mean by the Saints of God.
Secondly, I shall show you, by way of Premise, that the Saints, or Sheep of Christ may fall, yea, fall from Grace; and also how far they may fall: and then proceed to demonstrate the Truth of the Proposition, and prove, That they cannot fall finally, so as eternally to perish.
Secondly, I shall shew you, by way of Premise, that the Saints, or Sheep of Christ may fall, yea, fall from Grace; and also how far they may fall: and then proceed to demonstrate the Truth of the Proposition, and prove, That they cannot fall finally, so as eternally to perish.
1. Those that I call the Saints of God, or Sheep of Christ, are those who are elected or chosen in Jesus Christ unto Salvation.
2. And such who are elected, are they who are redeemed and purchased by the Blood of Christ, or those whom he died for, or in the stead of.
3. By the Saints, I mean, those who are effectually called, regenerated, justified, sanctified, and adopted; these are the Sheep of Christ that shall never perish, but have Everlasting Life. They are not all such that are of his Fold or Church on Earth, not all the Members of the visible Church, but all the Members of the invisible Church, or mystical Body of Christ.
Secondly, I shall show you how far the Saints may fall.
Secondly, I shall shew you how far the Saints may fall.
1st. They may, if they take not heed, fall into great Evils, nay 1into most of the worst and abominable Sins any Mortals do commit and are overcome by.
Noah was a Saint of God, yet he fell grievously by drinking too much Wine: Noah began to be an Husbandman, and he planted a Vineyard, and he drank of the Wine and was drunken. Though it 1might be partly through Ignorance of the Nature of the Fruit of the Grape, yet no doubt, by the pleasantness of the Liquor, and Corruption and Infirmity of the Flesh he was overcome.
Lot was a Saint of God, a righteous and just Man, yet he fell worse; not only by Drunkenness, but also by committing Incest with his two Daughters. What are the best of Men, when God leaves them to themselves.
Jacob also, no doubt, greatly sinned and fell, when he told his Father he was Esau, his First-born.
How lamentably did David sin and fall, who was a Man after God's own Heart, save in the Case of Bathsheba the Wife of Uriah.
How lamentably did David sin and fall, who was a Man after God's own Heart, save in the Case of Bathsheba the Wife of Vriah.
Peter fell likewise, and that grievously too, not only in denying of his blessed Master, but also by Cursing and Swearing, that he did not know him.
Many more sad Instances I might add of this Nature, but that I love not to rake into the Sores of God's sincere Servants. No doubt the Falls and grievous Sins of the Holy Saints of God, are by the Spirit left on Record for blessed Ends and Purposes.
(1.) To show what need the best of Men and Women have to pray, and stand upon their Watch at all times. (2.) To discover the Strength of Indwelling Sin, or the natural Corruptions of the Hearts of such who are truly gracious; and the absolute Necessity there is for all to depend upon the Divine Help and Assistance of God under Temptations. (3.) That no true Christian that is suffered to fall into Sin, should despair of the pardoning Grace of God.
(1.) To shew what need the best of Men and Women have to pray, and stand upon their Watch at all times. (2.) To discover the Strength of Indwelling Sin, or the natural Corruptions of the Hearts of such who are truly gracious; and the absolute Necessity there is for all to depend upon the Divine Help and Assistance of God under Temptations. (3.) That no true Christian that is suffered to fall into Sin, should despair of the pardoning Grace of God.
