Benjamin Keach (1640-1704) on those who reject Jesus
"But here is sad News to such who slight this Salvation, and refuse Jesus Christ -- great will their condemnation be: the Men of Nineveh shall rise up in judgment with this Generation, and condemn it, because they repented at the preaching of Jonas; and behold a greater than Jonas is here.
The greatness of this Savior who preaches the Gospel to you, and is come to save you, will aggravate your condemnation. What was Jonas to Jesus Christ?
Also our Saviour says, The Queen of the South shall rise up in Judgment with this Generation, and shall condemn it; for she came from the uttermost parts of the earth to hear the Wisdom of Solomon; and behold a greater than Solomon is here.
Solomon was a mighty King, and for wisdom exceeded all that went before him. But alas, what was Solomon to Jesus Christ, who is the wisdom of God itself, and the express Image of the Father's Person, and the Brightness of his Glory?
"Oh, know you, Sinners, this Day, that Jesus Christ, this glorious King, and Prince of the Kings of the Earth, this mighty Saviour is come to your door: Behold, I stand at the door and knock: Will you not open the door, nor cry to him to help you to open to him, to enable you to believe in him? What do you say, shall the Son of God stand at your doors, and you not so much as ask, Who is there? Who is at my door?
Shall Christ be kept out of your Hearts, and stand at your doors, while Sin commands the chief Room, and has absolute Power over you, and rules in you? How will you be able to look this Blessed Savior in the face another day? Is he come through a Sea of Blood to offer his Love to you, and to espouse you unto himself for ever, and will not you be persuaded to break your league with the old lovers, who will at last stab you at the very heart, and betray your soul into the hands of Divine Wrath?
"Nay, they have done it already: what are your lovers but your lusts, your pride, your earthly-mindedness, your sinful pleasures, profits and honors? Resolve to desert them. They otherwise will damn your souls for ever, and expose you to the torments of Hell-Fire:
And to deliver you from them, and from that wrath which is due to you for them, (I mean, for your sins) is Christ come, and this great Savior is offered to you. The Lord help every one of you to consider of this, and to lay it to Heart."
Benjamin Keach, 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. (London: Printed, and sold by the author at his House in Horse lie-down, and William Marshall at the Bible in Newgate-street, Anno Domini 1694), 386-387.__________________________