A47542:98
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.
God will not only condemn men for evil actions, but their evil words also shall rise up against them at the great day: And as the gracious words which proceed from a sanctified and renewed Christian tends to his Justification, especially when the main design and purport of his Speech tends to exalt and magnify God and his Free-Grace in Jesus Christ; so the evil words of the unsanctified Christian tends to his Condemnation, and declares him to be but mere chaff, or a hypocritical person; but if idle Jesting and foolish Talking is the Character of a vain man, what is a detracting and back-biting Tongue, a Tongue that is set on fire by hell, who vilify and render odious such who truly fear God, that are not guilty of those foul things laid to their charge; such persons are not like to ascend 1Gods holy hill, nor abide in his Tabernacle, viz. That taketh up false and wicked slanders and reports against his Neighbour, to lessen his reputation among Men: And 'tis with the greater aggravation, when it is done out of Envy, Prejudice or Malice; and 'tis further aggravated when 'tis done to a Minister of the Gospel, on purpose to obstruct or hinder unthinking Christians to adhere unto his Doctrine, or receive that truth which they see not; but set themselves to oppose and gainsay, who do not only in an undue manner spread such Reproaches, but also raise them: It is a great evil to divulge or propagate a fault committed by a Brother, by making it public when it was private, (they breaking thereby the express ⟨p. 22⟩Precept of Jesus Christ, Mat. 18.) But it is far worse to publish false and groundless Slanders and Accusations of him or others: And tis an abominable evil in such who are ready to entertain, and easily to believe, and greedily receive such Reports of him who deserveth it not. Such men are by the Lord called vile persons, Psa. 5. 4. and are contemned by such that fear the Lord, howsoever great and honourable they seem to be. Moreover, if it be so great an evil for men thus to use their Tongues or Pens, to speak evil of, and to blaspheme innocent men, what is the Nature of their Crimes who curse and swear, and blaspheme the sacred Name of God and the holy Jesus? like as the Pharisees did, who said, this fellow doth not cast out 2Devils but by Beelzebub the Prince of Devils; ascribing that to the Devil that was proper to God alone, and wrought by his almighty Power.
God will not only condemn men for evil actions, but their evil words also shall rise up against them at the great day: And as the gracious words which proceed from a sanctified and renewed Christian tends to his Justification, especially when the main design and purport of his Speech tends to exalt and magnifie God and his Free-Grace in Jesus Christ; so the evil words of the unsanctified Christian tends to his Condemnation, and declares him to be but meer chaff, or a hypocritical person; but if idle Jesting and foolish Talking is the Character of a vain man, what is a detracting and back-biting Tongue, a Tongue that is set on fire by hell, who vilifie and render odious such who truly fear God, that are not guilty of those foul things laid to their charge; such persons are not like to ascend 1Gods holy hill, nor abide in his Tabernacle, viz. That taketh up false and wicked slanders and reports against his Neighbour, to lessen his reputation among Men: And 'tis with the greater aggravation, when it is done out of Envy, Prejudice or Malice; and 'tis further aggravated when 'tis done to a Minister of the Gospel, on purpose to obstruct or hinder unthinking Christians to adhere unto his Doctrine, or receive that truth which they see not; but set themselves to oppose and gainsay, who do not only in an undue manner spread such Reproaches, but also raise them: It is a great evil to divulge or propagate a fault committed by a Brother, by making it publick when it was private, (they breaking thereby the express ⟨p. 22⟩Precept of Jesus Christ, Mat. 18.) But it is far worse to publish false and groundless Slanders and Accusations of him or others: And tis an abominable evil in such who are ready to entertain, and easily to believe, and greedily receive such Reports of him who deserveth it not. Such men are by the Lord called vile persons, Psa. 5. 4. and are contemned by such that fear the Lord, howsoever great and honourable they seem to be. Moreover, if it be so great an evil for men thus to use their Tongues or Pens, to speak evil of, and to blaspheme innocent men, what is the Nature of their Crimes who curse and swear, and blaspheme the sacred Name of God and the holy Jesus? like as the Pharisees did, who said, this fellow doth not cast out 2Devils but by Belzebub the Prince of Devils; ascribing that to the Devil that was proper to God alone, and wrought by his almighty Power.
Christians, if you would not be found chaff at the great day, take heed of a reviling Tongue, least you deceive your selves, and all your Religion and Profession be vain:1 "He either deceiveth his own heart (saith our Annotators) in thinking himself religious, when indulging himself in things contrary to Religion, or else deceiveth his own heart, being blinded with self love, and lifted up with self-conceit, which is the cause of his Railing, Censuring, and speaking evil of others: Their Religion is vain, empty, and to no purpose, having no reality in it self, and bringeth no Benefit to them."
Christians, if you would not be found chaff at the great day, take heed of a reviling Tongue, least you deceive your selves, and all your Religion and Profession be vain:1 "He either decieveth his own heart (saith our Annatotors) in thinking himself religious, when indulging himself in things contrary to Religion, or else deceiveth his own heart, being blinded with self love, and lifted up with self-conceit, which is the cause of his Railing, Censuring, and speaking evil of others: Their Religion is vain, empty, and to no purpose, having no reality in it self, and bringeth no Benefit to them."
O what a Reproach doth the talkative and prating person bring on the Name of God: This Man, this Woman, say they, is a Member of such or such a Church, and see what vain talk, frothy words, and frivolous Discourse proceeds from their Lips: But much more evil is in such who back-bite, revile, and defame others (as was hinted before.) This I say may discover such to be but chaff.
2. They appear to be Chaff, not only by their light, vain, idle and back-biting Tongues, but also by their light Behaviour; for the lightness of the heart is as much discovered by a loose and airy Deportment, as by loose and vain words; their wanton Looks, and rolling Eyes, or other unseemly and uncomely carriage, shows in part what they are; they being not of a grave, sober, and serious spirit, but behave themselves as if they had no sense of the Omniscience of God upon their hearts, nor of his holiness, not setting the Lord always before them, gives cause to all to fear they are but chaff.
2. They appear to be Chaff, not only by their light, vain, idle and back-biting Tongues, but also by their light Behaviour; for the lightness of the heart is as much discovered by a loose and airy Deportment, as by loose and vain words; their wanton Looks, and rowling Eyes, or other unseemly and uncomely carriage, shews in part what they are; they being not of a grave, sober, and serious spirit, but behave themselves as if they had no sense of the Omnisciency of God upon their hearts, nor of his holiness, not setting the Lord always before them, gives cause to all to fear they are but chaff.
3. Their light, empty and airy Attire, Dresses, and antic 1Fashions, which they wear and take delight in, doubtless too much discovers the Lightness, Vanity and Emptiness of their Spirits: I am persuaded these high and shameless Head-dresses which some Women appear in, that come into Christian Assemblies, are but as Tell-tales of the Vanity, Pride, Emptiness, and Haughtiness of their hearts; who but they that sell Wine will put forth a Bush? I cannot see how a sober, serious Christian Woman should be satisfied to wear such Antic Dresses: Their Souls sure must needs blush at the Thoughts of them; when they consider whose Eyes behold them, First, Many gracious Men and Women, with no little trouble: And in the second place, their faithful Ministers, to the wounding and grieving their Souls. Thirdly, And a multitude of loose and ungodly People, who reproach and laugh at them, and cast contempt upon Religion on that account. Fourthly, And which is more, the holy Angels, they come into our Assemblies, and observe all, both Males and Females, how they do adorn their Profession and behave themselves. Women should cover their heads, because of the Angels; they ought to be in subjection, and therefore 2before all things their head ought not to be exalted, but to lye low, and be modestly attired; no doubt tis a palpable Breach of the holy Precept, for 'tis not a modest dress, becoming Women professing Godliness; tho' I dare not say but some sincere Christians may be overtaken with this Evil as well as others, yet I hope God will soon convince them of the odiousness of it: Yet no doubt it doth clearly discover that some of this sort are loose and vain persons, and but mere chaff in Gods sight, which the day that is coming will burn up: And such especially have cause to suspect themselves, who pride it in their own hearts, and take delight in those hateful and abominable fashions, and cannot bear to be told of it, tho' in never so wise and discreet manner, nor will they be brought by any persuasions to reform, and leave them off, tho' it wounds the very Souls of many of them they have Communion with. Fifthly, O that they that fear God would consider that he beholds them, and looks upon them, whose eyes are like unto a flame of Fire.
3. Their light, empty and airy Attire, Dresses, and antick 1
These Dresses, O ye Daughters of Zion, know assuredly none but foolish and vain persons do like and approve of, even none but the Devil and his Followers; is it not sad, in such a day of distress, sorrow and humiliation, when Gods Hand is lifted up upon the Nation, and thousands of poor Families want ⟨p. 24⟩Bread, that Christians should thus walk, and consume their Substance on their Pride and costly Lust.
4. They appear to be but chaff, who seem to make it a small matter to grieve the Hearts of sincere Christians; what care they who they wound and afflict, they'll have their Fancies, their Humours, tho' the thing in it self may be doubtful, whether a breach of Gods Law or not; and so like eating of Meats, that was a thing indifferent in it self, and might or might not be done. Nay, that make light of grieving the Holy Spirit, in themselves, and in others also; let the Lord be grieved, his Spirit grieved, his poor Ministers grieved, and his faithful Children grieved, they regard it not, but set light by it. These may also be suspected, i. e. that are indifferent in and about Closet and Family-Prayer, (and other weighty Duties of Religion) or are loose and formal in it: This shows they bear no weight, they are not ponderous, but light as Chaff. Moreover, such may be suspected, who set light by Hearing the Word of God; alas, to go to hear a Sermon is a light thing with some, if there be any worldly Loss attending it, tho' it be not to the Value of a Groat, they can't go, or if the Weather be not very good, they plead Excuse; as not being able to go so far, tho' may be the next day in worse Weather they can go about their earthly Business twice as far.
4. They appear to be but chaff, who seem to make it a small matter to grieve the Hearts of sincere Christians; what care they who they wound and afflict, they'll have their Fancies, their Humours, tho' the thing in it self may be doubtful, whether a breach of Gods Law or not; and so like eating of Meats, that was a thing indifferent in it self, and might or might not be done. Nay, that make light of grieving the Holy Spirit, in themselves, and in others also; let the Lord be grieved, his Spirit grieved, his poor Ministers grieved, and his faithful Children grieved, they regard it not, but set light by it. These may also be suspected, i. e. that are indifferent in and about Closet and Family-Prayer, (and other weighty Duties of Religion) or are loose and formal in it: This shews they bear no weight, they are not ponderous, but light as Chaff. Moreover, such may be suspected, who set light by Hearing the Word of God; alas, to go to hear a Sermon is a light thing with some, if there be any worldly Loss attending it, tho' it be not to the Value of a Groat, they can't go, or if the Weather be not very good, they plead Excuse; as not being able to go so far, tho' may be the next day in worse Weather they can go about their earthly Business twice as far.
Likewise such who for every small matter refrain from coming to the Lords Table; may be any trivial offence shall hinder them; they are offended with this Person, and that Person, and so cast a slight upon Christ, and on his Sacred Ordinance, and thus persist from time to time: They can go to Church, or stay at home: Can pray, and hear, and can forbear: Religion is a light and indifferent thing with them. This shows such are under fearful Temptations, or else loose and light Professors in the sight of God.
Likewise such who for every small matter refrain from coming to the Lords Table; may be any trivial offence shall hinder them; they are offended with this Person, and that Person, and so cast a slight upon Christ, and on his Sacred Ordinance, and thus persist from time to time: They can go to Church, or stay at home: Can pray, and hear, and can forbear: Religion is a light and indifferent thing with them. This shews such are under fearful Temptations, or else loose and light Professors in the sight of God.
5. Such are Chaff that only have the husk or shell of Christianity: Chaff is the husks of Wheat; many Professors please themselves with the external part of Religion, having a form of Godliness, but are Strangers to the Life and Power thereof: Like the foolish Virgins they have Lamps, but no Oil; a Name, but want the Nature of true Believers; can talk and discourse of Religion, of the Covenant of Grace, and excellency of Christ; they may have, I grant, clear Notions in their heads of the Mysteries of the Gospel, and defend it too against opposers, yet their Hearts are unsanctified, and never felt nor experienced ⟨p. 25⟩the work of Faith with Power; they have the out-side of a true Christian, the Shell of the Wheat, but if tried and searched there's nothing but Chaff, no Kernel in them, they want the root of the Water: All true Believers have past through the Pangs of the New Birth; they found they were once Dead, but are now alive, once blind, but now they see, once lost in their own Eyes, but now found, once Carnal, but now Spiritual, once had their affection set on things below, but now on things above; Sin was once Sweet and Pleasant to them, but now 'tis bitter and Loathsome in their Eyes, because they see it is so in the sight of God: Their Judgments are informed, their Understandings savingly enlightened; Christ and heavenly things are valued and esteemed above all things here below, yea, above ten thousand Worlds, by them; and their understandings are not only brought to assent to the truth of Christ, to the Glory and Beauty of Christ; but their wills also are subjected to him, they are brought to consent, and yield themselves to the Lord; they believe, and love, believe and obey, believe and suffer reproach, taking up the Cross, putting on the yoke of Christ; their affections are so changed, and under divine Influences, that what they loved once, they hate, and what they once hated, or liked not, they dearly love and approve of now: But thus it is not with Chaffy Professors: They may be changed from open Profaneness to an outward Reformation of life, but their Hearts are not changed, Sin is not Crucified in them, self is not subdued; that enmity that was naturally in their hearts, or dislike of the Life and Power of strict Godliness is not removed;
5. Such are Chaff that only have the husk or shell of Christianity: Chaff is the husks of Wheat; many Professors please themselves with the external part of Religion, having a form of Godliness, but are Strangers to the Life and Power thereof: Like the foolish Virgins they have Lamps, but no Oyl; a Name, but want the Nature of true Believers; can talk and discourse of Religion, of the Covenant of Grace, and excellency of Christ; they may have, I grant, clear Notions in their heads of the Mysteries of the Gospel, and defend it too against opposers, yet their Hearts are unsanctified, and never felt nor experienced
they act only from common Illuminations of the Spirit, and so they put a force upon themselves, when found in religious Duties; and find not a natural Inclination and sweet Propensity in their hearts to heavenly things, and this shows they are no more then Chaff.
they act only from common Illuminations of the Spirit, and so they put a force upon themselves, when found in religious Duties; and find not a natural Inclination and sweet Propensity in their hearts to heavenly things, and this shews they are no more then Chaff.
6. And lastly, Chaff I told you was Light, and every breath of wind will move it, this way, and that way, and if it rises high it will may be blow it quite away, there being no Kernel in it, whereas the Wheat abides.
So Chaffy and vain Professors are startled at every small blast of Persecution, and presently begin to move out of their place, and shun assembling themselves with Gods People: Nay, every wind of corrupt Doctrine is ready to blow some of this sort a way; they are unsettled Persons, they want weight, or ⟨p. 26⟩are not rooted in the Truth, wanting a good Understanding, and a Principle of saving Grace in their Hearts; Be not carried away with divers and strange Doctrines, for it is good to have the heart established with Grace, and not with Meats.1
This sort are soon corrupted from the Simplicity of the Gospel, by the Cunning Craftiness of Men, being ready to receive any strange Notion, or close in with a New Scheme of Religion, some turning to Judaism, and add Moses to Christ, or join to the Gospel their own Works; they are commonly corrupt, either in Principles or Practices, or in both, making a stir about the Mint, Anise and Cummin, i. e. about the smaller matters of Religion, as concerning Meats and Observation of Days, as if in such things lay the great stress of Christianity; how many are there who like those false Teachers, and deluded People in the Primitive Times, plead for Justification some other way than by Faith only, and bring in their own inherent Holiness and sincere Obedience, and add that to the Merits of Christ, in point of Justification before God; or exalt the Power and Will of the Creature, to the Eclipsing the Doctrine of Free-Grace. Sirs, tho' I will not deny but many sincere Christians may be shaken by the wind of false and corrupt Doctrine, or drawn away through the subtlety of men, yet no doubt chiefly they are the Light, Formal and Chaffy Professors which are carried away, and Tossed too and fro with every wind of Doctrine, and this because of the want of Grace, a sound Judgment and a good Understanding in the Mysteries of the Gospel. A good understanding (saith David) have all they that do his Commandments. 1Moreover, such who seem unsettled in their places in Gods House, or particular Churches where they are Members, being uneasy, and every little difference that may arise in a Congregation is ready to turn them away; or seem to be moved and disturbed at the Charges the Interest of Christ, or which the House of God calls for; these I say, give cause to fear they are but Chaff, or under great Temptation, if Sincere.
This sort are soon corrupted from the Simplicity of the Gospel, by the Cunning Crastiness of Men, being ready to receive any strange Notion, or close in with a New Scheem of Religion, some turning to Judaism, and add Moses to Christ, or joyn to the Gospel their own Works; they are commonly corrupt, either in Principles or Practices, or in both, making a stir about the Mint, Annis and Commin, i. e. about the smaller matters of Religion, as concerning Meats and Observation of Days, as if in such things lay the great stress of Christianity; how many are there who like those false Teachers, and deluded People in the Primitive Times, plead for Justification some other way than by Faith only, and bring in their own inherent Holiness and sincere Obedience, and add that to the Merits of Christ, in point of Justification before God; or exalt the Power and Will of the Creature, to the Eclipsing the Doctrine of Free-Grace. Sirs, tho' I will not deny but many sincere Christians may be shaken by the wind of false and corrupt Doctrine, or drawn away through the subtilty of men, yet no doubt chiefly they are the Light, Formal and Chaffy Professors which are carried away, and Tossed too and fro with every wind of Doctrine, and this because of the want of Grace, a sound Judgment and a good Understanding in the Mysteries of the Gospel. A good understanding (saith David) have all they that do his Commandments.
Secondly, By Chaff may also be meant, Sin, Filth and Corruption, 1which cleaveth to the Hearts and Lives of true believers, which Christ by the Fan of his Word, Spirit, and Afflictions, as you have heard, purges out: He shall purify the Sons of Levi, and purge them as Gold and Silver, that they may offer unto the Lord an offering in righteousness. This is spoken of Jesus Christ, 2whose Fan is in his hand: It shows his Work and Office, ⟨p. 27⟩namely, to refine and fan his People, not only Members, but Ministers also, signified by the Sons of Levi, that they all may offer acceptable Service unto God: Besides, our Lord Jesus sometimes makes use of wicked Men as a Fan in his hand to purge his People, and thus he did of old fan Israel by the Babylonians, and by the Assyrians; I will send unto Babylon Fanners, as I have sometime fanned and scattered my people by them; so will 3I fan them by the Medes and Persians, who shall empty the Land of them; After Christ hath fanned or purged away the Chaff and Filth of the Daughter of Zion, he will fan their Enemies, and they being all Chaff, the wind of his Indignation will drive them away. Let this be noted, that Christ hath many ways to fan and purge his People, yet still it is for their good, and they shall lose nothing but their chaff, their Sin and Corruptions thereby.
Secondly, By Chaff may also be meant, Sin, Filth and Corruption, 1which cleaveth to the Hearts and Lives of true believers, which Christ by the Fan of his Word, Spirit, and Afflictions, as you have heard, purges out: He shall purify the Sons of Levi, and purge them as Gold and Silver, that they may offer unto the Lord an offering in righteousness. This is spoken of Jesus Christ, 2whose Fan is in his hand: It shews his Work and Office, ⟨p. 27⟩namely, to refine and fan his People, not only Members, but Ministers also, signified by the Sons of Levi, that they all may offer acceptable Service unto God: Besides, our Lord Jesus sometimes makes use of wicked Men as a Fan in his hand to purge his People, and thus he did of old fan Israel by the Babylonians, and by the Assyrians; I will send unto Babylon Fanners, as I have sometime fanned and scattered my people by them; so will
Quest. Fourthly, Why are the Saints compared to Wheat?
Answ. I answer, for many Reasons.
