Gospel Reconciliation, Chapter 36
CHAP. 36
Uſe. 1 Seeing God hath excepted none from Mercy, let none except themſelves.
BY way of Application now; and that very briefly, only two particulars.
Firſt, Seeing God propoundeth Reconciliation thus in ſuch genneral, and large tearmes to the world. Then, if God have not excepted any, let none except themſelves. Art thou a man that liveſt here in the world? there need be no further qualification for the tender of Grace, for the offer of the goſpel to thee, but this; that thou liveſt in the world; God doth not cal for ſuch qualifications as theſe; That they muſt be ſuch, and ſuch men, of ſuch and ſuch ranks and dignities, or men of ſuch parts; or that they muſt be ſuch as have not committed ſuch, and ſuch ſins; Or that they muſt be firſt terrified, and ſo, and ſo humbled; No; we have Commiſſion to preach the Goſpel to every one that hath no other quallification than this, but that he lives in the world. Indeed if thou wert gone out of the world; although thou ſhould'ſt have but one ſinful thought to anſwer for, we could not preach the Goſpel to thee, though it were poſſible for an Angel to come to thy ſoul after it is gone out of this world, yet it cold not, nor dare not preach the Goſpel to thee. But while thou are in this world, we are appointed to preach the Goſpel to thee, and to hold forth the tender of Grace, and mercy to the. There is no councel of God revealed either to Angels, or men, that hath excepted any one in the greateſt Congrigation of people from Reconciliation with God: and thou that heareſt or readeſt what I now ſay; thou mayeſt bleſs God, that thou art one; bleſs God when thou heareſt and readeſt this; that there is no councel of God againſt thee made known, either to angels, or men whereby thou art excepted from Reconciliation; But every particular one, for ought we know in any congregation may be reconciled unto God, and have eternal life. O; Only take heed of abuſing this grace of God; look to it, that you make a Good uſe of this grace of God: this is that which we are bound to tel you, and in the name of God, we do declare it to you; and God propounds this Goſpel to us in theſe large tearms, that you may be left utterly without excuſe if you perriſh. There is none of you if you periſh can ſay; I was ſo vild a ſiner, that I was afraid I ſhould never be received by God, though I did humble my ſelfe, and come unto him; for God wil anſwer you, Were you ſuch a vild Sinner; Did not I reveal my goſpel in ſuch genneral termes, that none might exclud himſelfe? did not I ſay, I was reconciling my ſelfe to the world? And did I make any exceptions of thee in particular? Thou oughteſt to have come in amongſt the reſt, and have ventured thy ſoul upon the offer of the freeneſs of my grace. Indeed there can be no other incouragment but this for the firſt work, whoſoever doth beleeve at any time, he is not to beleeve becauſe any qualification of his gives him a right to it, but upon theſe termes, that God hath reconciled the world to himſelfe; and that he hath offered the promiſe of grace generally; and that he hath Said; whoſoever wil come may come in, and beleeve; whoſoever is a thirſt may come and that word of his is my warrant; that endifinit Promiſe that God hath made, is a Sufficient encouragement; and if I can rowl my ſoul upon this it is that which gives me right and intereſt in the grace of God; and whoſoever hath been ſaved, hath been ſaved upon theſe terms. The firſt worke hath been a kind of venturing work, they have ventured their ſoules upon this grace of God thus generally and indefinitly offered, and do you retire into your cloſets and do ſo too. You whoſe conſciences condemn you of great, and notorius ſinns, when you hear of this genneral offer; though you do not know wh… … be elected or no; trouble not your ſelves with …u…h thoughts, but venture to caſt your ſouls upon this free gr…ce of God in Chriſt, with reſolution to give up your ſelves to the ſervice of God for the time to come. …and though you have not abillity in your ſelves; yet who knows, but upon ſuch a work as this, Gods Spirit may come, even at that inſtant to inable you to do it. This is that which God requiers; and if God perſwade thy heart to this; it is a good ſigne, that mercy is intended to thee. When at every time God ſhal make an offer, and tender of the Goſpel to thee, it doth ſtirr up thy heart thus to conclude; wel, I wil adventure my ſoul upon this offer; God hath not excepted me; why then ſhould I except my ſelfe? God hath not caſt me away why ſhould I make my ſelfe a caſtaway? do not diſpair But beleeve.