A47542:796
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.
That all the Saints of God, Believers, or Sheep and Lambs of Jesus Christ, shall be saved; and that none of them shall so fall away as eternally to perish.
My first Argument to do this, was taken from Eternal Election. In speaking to which I told you I should,
First, Prove that there is an Election of particular Persons; and that I have done with, and now shall proceed to the next thing.
Secondly, I shall show, that the Nature of Election is such, that it secures all that are in it from final Falling; or fully serves to demonstrate, they must and shall all eternally be saved.
Secondly, I shall shew, that the Nature of Election is such, that it secures all that are in it from final Falling; or fully serves to demonstrate, they must and shall all eternally be saved.
And to make this good;
1st. It is because Election is Absolute, not a Conditional Election, 1depending on the Obedience or good Behaviour of the Creature. The Decree of God on his part is irrevocable; God will not go back from his Purpose to save his People, nor shall their Unworthiness or Miscarriages make it void: it is the high, unalterable, and supreme Law of Heaven; therefore it is said to be, according ⟨p. 178⟩to his Eternal Purpose and Counsel. His Counsel and Thoughts of his Heart shall stand for ever. 'Tis that that all subordinate Means must terminate in, and all inferiors Administrations must be accommodated thereunto, the Salvation of the Elect being the grand Design of God, whereby to exalt and magnify his highest Glory; that should his glorious Contrivance, and no less gracious Purpose and Designment herein miscarry, nothing in Heaven or Earth could countervail the Damage: therefore it could not stand consistent with his Wisdom, either to revoke it, or leave it at an Uncertainty, or obnoxious to Disappointment; which he 2must needs do, if it was possible any of the Elect should perish; or that it should be laid upon the Foundation of the wavering Principles, and uncertain Will and Obedience of the Creature. Now the best Constitutions, States and Kingdoms upon Earth, are liable to Mutation, and Mens Decrees and Purposes, however Absolute designed, may fail, their Minds may alter, or they may see cause to change their Counsels, not being able to foresee future Events, or what Inconveniences might arise; or some after them may arise, who may carry on a different Interest, or Enemies may invade them, conquer them, and spoil all their Designs and Purposes.
1st. It is because Election is Absolute, not a Conditional Election, 1depending on the Obedience or good Behaviour of the Creature. The Decree of God on his part is irrevocable; God will not go back from his Purpose to save his People, nor shall their Unworthiness or Miscarriages make it void: it is the high, unalterable, and supreme Law of Heaven; therefore it is said to be, according ⟨p. 178⟩
But it is not so here, God foresaw all future Events, his Mind alters not; he is of one Mind, and who can turn him? And none 1can hinder him in the accomplishing of his own Eternal Purpose; For the Lord of Hosts hath purposed, and who shall disannul it? &c. Declaring from the Beginning, and from Ancient Times.—My Counsel 2shall stand, and I will do all my Pleasure.—Yea, I have spoken it, I will bring it to pass; I have purposed it, I will also do it. The Thoughts of his Heart shall stand to all Generations; therefore their standing is firm who are elected, and none of them shall perish. The Decree and Purpose of God of Election, is as absolute as that of Day and Night, Winter and Summer; or that of God's not destroying the World again by Water; or that of God's Decree and Purpose, of sending Christ into the World to die for our Sins.
2dly. It is, because they are chosen or elected in Christ, in an 1immutable, an unchangeable, and an Eternal Head. What was the Reason Adam stood not, notwithstanding his Power and Abilities were such? Why he stood not in Christ, was not fixed on Christ; but all true Believers are in Christ, chosen in him, he is the Head of the Eternal Election, as Mediator. In Election he is ⟨p. 179⟩to be considered as the Head; and all the Father hath given him, as the Members of his Body, chosen in him, and united to him: Therefore their standing in Christ, by virtue of Election, is like that of the Election of their Head. Now can Christ cease being an Elect Head? Every one will say, No, that is impossible: No more can they cease from being Elect Members. This of Election in Christ, presupposeth an Union; and there was a decretive Union from Eternity, and that influenced their actual Union in Time: and as certainly as Christ died, rose again, and ascended, (in the fullness of Time) who was decretively a Lamb stain before the Foundation of the World, so will God's Decree of Election in Christ as certainly bring in all the Elect into actual Union with Christ, and carry them all to Heaven, (whither their Head, as the Forerunner 2for us, is already entered) as sure as he is now there. But you will hear more of this when I come to speak of that Argument, simply taken from their Union with Christ.
2dly. It is, because they are chosen or elected in Christ, in an 1immutable, an unchangeable, and an Eternal Head. What was the Reason Adam stood not, notwithstanding his Power and Abilities were such? Why he stood not in Christ, was not fixed on Christ; but all true Believers are in Christ, chosen in him, he is the Head of the Eternal Election, as Mediator. In Election he is ⟨p. 179⟩to be considered as the Head; and all the Father hath given him, as the Members of his Body, chosen in him, and united to him: Therefore their standing in Christ, by virtue of Election, is like that of the Election of their Head. Now can Christ cease being an Elect Head? Every one will say, No, that is impossible: No more can they cease from being Elect Members. This of Election in Christ, presupposeth an Union; and there was a decretive Union from Eternity, and that influenced their actual Union in Time: and as certainly as Christ died, rose again, and ascended, (in the fulness of Time) who was decretively a Lamb stain before the Foundation of the World, so will God's Decree of Election in Christ as certainly bring in all the Elect into actual Union with Christ, and carry them all to Heaven, (whither their Head, as the Forerunner
3dly. That the Saints of God, or Sheep of Jesus Christ, by virtue of their Election, cannot fall away so as to perish for ever, doth appear evident from one or two express Scriptures; see Rom. 8. 28. We know all things work together for Good to them that love God, who are the Called according to his Purpose. For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the Image of his Son, that he might be the First-born among many Brethren. Moreover whom he did predestinate, them he also called; and whom he called, them he also justified; and whom he justified, them he also glorified. See here, and I beseech you consider it, and weigh it well, for this Text is enough to convince (one would think) all the Opposers of this glorious Truth in the World, or silence them for ever: The Apostle begins the Happiness and eternal Salvation of all that shall be saved, and the certainty of it in Election, Whom he did foreknow; that is, whom he in his good Pleasure did pitch upon, or think good to give to his Son, to be his Spouse, or Members of his Mystical Body; he also did predestinate them, and all them, them, and none but them; he elected, chose, or appointed them, to be conformed to the Image of his Son, that is, in Holiness, &c. but more of that by and by: and whom he so predestinated, or elected, he called, and them he justified, and them and every one of them he glorified, or will so call, justify and glorify. This is that place of Scripture which is called by some, the Golden Chain, by others the Chain of Salvation; and it may very well be so called: nothing can be more clear than this, viz. That those who are elected, shall ⟨p. 180⟩be called, justified, and be all as certainly glorified. 'Tis not in the Power of all the Enemies of the Soul to break this Chain, one part is so linked to the other; it begins in Election, and ends in Glorification: So that our Election is a forcible Argument to prove there is no final falling for any one of the Sheep of Jesus Christ.
4thly. It is because the Means is ordained by the unalterable Decree of God, as well as the End: True, we grant, Without Holiness no Man shall see the Lord: And it is he that endureth to the 1End that shall be saved; or such only that mortify the Deeds of the Body; or, Who by continuance in well-doing, seek for Glory, and Honour, and Immortality; Eternal Life. But, pray Brethren, consider that God hath ordained all his Elect Ones, to be holy, and without blame before him in love; or as Paul, in that to the Romans before mentioned, to be conformed to the Image of his Son. Grace shall be given to them to renew them, and to carry on, and finally at last perfect Holiness in them: For we are his Workmanship, created 2in Christ Jesus unto good Works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them. No Man can do good Works, until created and formed by the Lord: This People have I formed for my 3self, they shall show forth my Praise. They shall bring forth Fruit to the praise of his Glory; see that emphatical Text, John 15. 16. Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that you should bring forth Fruit, and that your Fruit should remain: Not only ordained to Eternal Life, as the End of their Election, but also ordained to bring forth Fruit, as the Way and Means of obtaining it: Nay more, that they shall persevere in bringing forth Fruit; that your Fruit should remain.
4thly. It is because the Means is ordained by the unalterable Decree of God, as well as the End: True, we grant, Without Holiness no Man shall see the Lord: And it is he that indureth to the 1End that shall be saved; or such only that mortify the Deeds of the Body; or, Who by continuance in well-doing, seek for Glory, and Honour, and Immortality; Eternal Life. But, pray Brethren, consider that God hath ordained all his Elect Ones, to be holy, and without blame before him in love; or as Paul, in that to the Romans before mentioned, to be conformed to the Image of his Son. Grace shall be given to them to renew them, and to carry on, and finally at last perfect Holiness in them: For we are his Workmanship, created
(1.) They shall not cease bearing Fruit, because united to such a Root, a Root that hath so much Sap in it, or grafted into such an Olive Tree: and they shall be made Partakers of the Fatness thereof; 1Because I live, ye shall live also. Because their Root lives, they shall live; or because their Head lives, they shall live. Christ is the Head of Election, the Head of his Mystical Body, and of every Member of it; a Head of Influence, and he lives: therefore they that are his true Branches, or his Members, according to Election, shall live also; they shall live a Life of Holiness, the Life of Grace here, and the Life of Glory hereafter.
(2.) They shall bring forth Fruit, because the Holy Spirit is given to them, and shall remain in them for ever: This Water will make them fruitful; They spread forth their Root by a River, and 1shall not see when Heat cometh; but their Leaf shall be green, and ⟨p. 181⟩shall not be careful in the Year of Drought, neither shall cease from 2yielding Fruit. Now if this be so, if they are elected to use the Means, or ordained to be Holy; if it is the absolute Decree of God, that they shall hold on their way, and are united to such a Head, that their Fruit shall remain, and they shall not cease 3yielding Fruit, then they cannot finally fall away, Election secures them, they shall not perish, but have Everlasting Life: But all this is true, therefore they cannot perish.
5thly. I argue from the Nature of the Election of the Blessed Angels: All the Angels that stand were elected, and it was this that secures them and preserves them from falling: Those that fell were not elected; and as evident it is, not one of the Elect Angels are fallen, nor can fall. I marvel any thinking Christians should doubt of Election, as it results from the absolute Sovereignty of God's Grace, or good Pleasure of his Will, since God by Election took hold of some of the Angels, as well as some of the lost Sons and Daughters of Adam. Was God unjust, because he did not secure, by his unchangeable Decree, the standing of all the Angels, but left some of them, and only fixed upon so many as he in his own Wisdom thought good? They may as well charge this upon the Divine Majesty of God, as so to charge the Doctrine of particular Election of lost Sinners. Brethren, Though Christ is not a Redeemer of Angels, the Elect Angels needing none, yet he is the Head of Angels, and a Confirmer of them; He is the Head of Principalities and Powers: by him, and for him were all things created that are in Heaven, that are in Earth, visible and invisible; whether 1they be Thrones or Dominions, or Principalities, or Powers; all things were created by him, and for him. Christ is God, and he is the preserver of the Elect Angels; they are committed to him, and under his Power, and he upholds them, though he never died for them; and shall we think he will not preserve his Elect Saints, or that their Election should not as absolutely secure them, for whom he as their blessed Lord and Head died, and to whom he is a Redeemer, as the Elect Angels to whom he is only a Confirmer? And ye are complete in him, who is the Head of Principalities and Powers: 2Ye are complete, fully complete; ye stand in him, in his Righteousness, complete, who is your Head, and shall be preserved in him, in whom you are elected to everlasting Life.
5thly. I argue from the Nature of the Election of the Blessed Angels: All the Angels that stand were elected, and it was this that secures them and preserves them from falling: Those that fell were not elected; and as evident it is, not one of the Elect Angels are fallen, nor can fall. I marvel any thinking Christians should doubt of Election, as it results from the absolute Soveraignty of God's Grace, or good Pleasure of his Will, since God by Election took hold of some of the Angels, as well as some of the lost Sons and Daughters of Adam. Was God unjust, because he did not secure, by his unchangeable Decree, the standing of all the Angels, but left some of them, and only fix'd upon so many as he in his own Wisdom thought good? They may as well charge this upon the Divine Majesty of God, as so to charge the Doctrine of particular Election of lost Sinners. Brethren, Though Christ is not a Redeemer of Angels, the Elect Angels needing none, yet he is the Head of Angels, and a Confirmer of them; He is the Head of Principalities and Powers: by him, and for him were all things created that are in Heaven, that are in Earth, visible and invisible; whether
6thly. Because they are chosen to Salvation, that is, to enjoy and possess Salvation; if they have it not, the Decree of God is frustrated: but his Eternal Decrees are as firm as Mountains of ⟨p. 182⟩Brass. If the Decree of God, in appointing his Elect to Salvation, be frustrated or made void, either it is done by himself, or by others. Now it cannot be made void by himself, because it is an absolute Decree, his Mind alters not, and none else are able to do it: And as to the Slips and Miscarriages of the Elect themselves, God foresaw all their Evils from Everlasting, and as that hindered not their Election, so be sure it shall never turn them out of it. But we are bound to give Thanks always to God for you, Brethren, because 1God hath from the beginning chosen you to Salvation, &c. From the beginning, that is, from before the World began, or from Eternity; for the absolute Decrees of God, according to his Eternal Counsel, are from Everlasting. After the Apostle had showed these Saints that there would come a falling away from the Faith, and that many would be deceived and damned for ever, to comfort and encourage them against the fear of final Apostasy, he brings this in the 13th Verse, But we are bound to give Thanks for you, Brethren, beloved of the Lord, &c. You need not fear, as if he should say, of being deceived, or of perishing by dangerous Errors, or otherwise.
6thly. Because they are chosen to Salvation, that is, to enjoy and possess Salvation; if they have it not, the Decree of God is frustrated: but his Eternal Decrees are as firm as Mountains of ⟨p. 182⟩Brass. If the Decree of God, in appointing his Elect to Salvation, be frustrated or made void, either it is done by himself, or by others. Now it cannot be made void by himself, because it is an absolute Decree, his Mind alters not, and none else are able to do it: And as to the Slips and Miscarriages of the Elect themselves, God foresaw all their Evils from Everlasting, and as that hindered not their Election, so besure it shall neeer turn them out of it. But we are bound to give Thanks always to God for you, Brethren, because 1God hath from the beginning chosen you to Salvation, &c. From the beginning, that is, from before the World began, or from Eternity; for the absolute Decrees of God, according to his Eternal Counsel, are from Everlasting. After the Apostle had shewed these Saints that there would come a falling away from the Faith, and that many would be deceived and damned for ever, to comfort and encourage them against the fear of final Apostacy, he brings this in the 13th Verse, But we are bound to give Thanks for you, Brethren, beloved of the Lord, &c. You need not fear, as if he should say, of being deceived, or of perishing by dangerous Errors, or otherwise.
1. Because you are beloved of the Lord.
2. And also are elected to Salvation; and because beloved, therefore elected: Whomsoever God doth absolutely appoint to this or that End, he will assist or enable to do whatsoever Means is necessary in order to that End. Now the Elect are chosen to Salvation, to inherit Eternal Life; if therefore any of them miss of it, his Decree and Purpose is frustrated, which cannot be. We have another 1Text of the like Nature with this; For God hath not appointed us to Wrath, but to obtain Salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ. From 2hence the Apostle argues, that they needed not to doubt of their Salvation: and by what precedes, it appears, that Election is a great Motive to Holiness; as when a Man that is sure of the Victory will fight courageously, Let us who are of the Day, or Children of Light, not of Night, nor of Darkness, be sober, putting on the Breastplate of Faith and Love; for God hath not appointed us to Wrath, &c. Children of the Night shall perish, but none of the Children of the Light ever shall. The Apostle ascends to the original Cause of it, which is God's absolute Decree of Election; Salvation would wholly else depend upon the uncertainty of Man's Will, and not upon the immutable and unchangeable Will and Purpose of God. Th•• is more than appointing the Means, it is an appointing the Persons, not appointed to Salvation upon the foresight of Man's ⟨p. 183⟩Faith, because Faith is the Gift of God, and proceeds from his Counsel, that's appointed too: else a Man may say, that I might be saved, I must thank God; but that I am saved, I must thank my self, because it was left to the liberty of my own Will whether I would believe, and be saved, or no. Two things are necessary in our Salvation; (1.) The Merits of Christ's Blood: (2.) Faith to apply it; by which God's Image is restored to us, and preserved in us: and both these we have by his own free Grace, through Christ Jesus, as the Fruit of his electing Love.
2. And also are elected to Salvation; and because beloved, therefore elected: Whomsoever God doth absolutely appoint to this or that End, he will assist or enable to do whatsoever Means is necessary in order to that End. Now the Elect are chosen to Salvation, to inherit Eternal Life; if therefore any of them miss of it, his Decree and Purpose is frustrated, which cannot be. We have another
