Gospel Reconciliation, Chapter 31
CHAP. 31.
Uſe, 2. Diſcovering of Miſtakes about Reconciliation.
2 IF God hath reconciled himſelf to the world in Chriſt. Hence we are to take notice of the great miſtakes there are in the world in the point of Reconciliation with God. Certainly if this be a truth; that the only way of making up our peace with God is in Chriſt; then the world doth gennerally miſtake in the great matter of Reconciliation with God; and a miſtake, in this, is an undoing miſtake, a damning miſtake; a Soul may periſh eternally meerly thorugh a miſtake in the matter of Reconciliation. A man may be troubled for ſin, and cry out of his ſin, and may break off the practice of his ſin, and cry unto God in Prayer that he would pardon him, and be reconciled unto him, and yet miſtaking here, and not underſtanding that it muſt be God, in, and through Chriſt that reconcileth himſelf: the miſtake in this may prove an undoing miſtake to that Soul; and although they ſhould be Crying out of their ſins al their daies, they may periſh at laſt if they do not know, and rightly underſtand how to cloſe with Gods mercy as it is in Chriſt: if they do not underſtand, that it is God in Chriſt that reconcileth himſelf to the world. We know the greateſt part of people look for their Reconciliation with God meerly in a natural way; they have ſinned againſt him, and they wil cry unto him for mercy, and for pardon, and ſo they think al may be made up between God and them. I remember Luther hath a notable ſpeech concering this in his meditation about the way which God hath appointed for reconciling of man to himſelf, that it is in Chriſt. It is intollerahle and horrible blaſph…my (ſaith he) to faigne any worke by which thou mayeſt preſume to pleaſe God; and he gives the reaſon of it. It is therefore intollerable, and horrible blaſphemy for any to faigne any worke by which they ſhal preſume to pacifie God, when they ſhal ſee, and hear that God cannot be pacified any other way, but by ſuch a way, as the blood of his Son one drop where of is more preciouſe then the whole Creation. And upon this ground being meditating of Gods reconciling the world to himſelf, and that it was by ſuch a way as the blood of his Son, and that one drop of his blood is of more value then al the Creatures in Heaven, and Earth; hence it was that he affirmes is to be horrible, and intolerable blaſphemy for any man to think to pacifie God any other way. Nay, when God by ſuch a way hath appointed Reconciliation, for a man to neglect this, and to think, that any work of his own ſhal pacify God; eſpecially thoſe that heare the Goſpel preached to them, when they ſhal think of any other way of their own, and ſo neglect the way that God hath appointed this is indeed a moſt intollerable, and horrible blaſphemy: and Certainly it is that which provoketh the Lord exceedingly; that when a ſinner ſhal be made apprehenſive and ſenſible of the Breach that is made between God and him; for that ſinner to think the Breach to be no greater then may be made up with any work of Repentance, or good meaning or good works; the Lord diſclaineth to look upon that ſinner in this his folly; that a man ſhould think that the Breach between God, and him is a matter of no greater moment. No, my Brethren, you muſt know, that the Breach between God, and you by ſin, is a matter of another manner of Conſequence then can be made up by prayers, or feares, or any thing elſe that you can do al this is untempred Morter. It is true, when there is Repennance, and turning unto God, it is a good ſigne that God is at work with your hearts; but that cannot do the deed; it is in Chriſt; it is the blood of the Son of God that muſt make Satisfaction for ſin; it is that which muſt make the Reconciliation. This is that which is indeed the great doctrine of the Goſpel; and til you receive this into your underſtandings, into your hearts al other things that we preach are to no purpoſe at al, it wil never do you good, till you have imbraced this, you wil never Sanctify Gods name, nor gloryfy God in your Converſations, nor have any true peace within your doores, til you come to receive this point into your hearts; that God is in Chriſt Reconciling the world to himſelfe. Take heed therefore of any miſtakes in this point. That is the ſecond Uſe.