Gospel Reconciliation, Chapter 37
CHAP. 37.
ƲSE 2.
SEcondly: Hence then it concerns us al to look about us while we live in this world; that there may be ſome work of God upon our hearts while we are here; that while we live in this world, we may be reconciled unto him; for if the thrid of our life be once cut aſunder, and we be noe longer in this world, but go out of it without being reconciled unto God; we are undone creatures for ever. We ſay of men when they are dying; alas ſuch a one is now no man for this world; wel, they had neede then to look to themſelves that the work of Reconciliation be done before, for when thou art no longer in this world, then thou art gon for ever. O, then apply thy ſelfe to this work whilſt thou haſt time, and tak hold of the means, and oppertunities which God affords unto thee while thou art a man of this world, looſe it not; and know, it is a great mercy of God to thee to continue thee in this world; becauſe here thou art under the power of grace; thou art under that genneral grace of God that is indefinitly tendred unto every man; under that grace which hath fallen upon as great Sinners as thou art; and therefore ſo long as there is life there is hope. This point I have divers times made uſe of; to ſhew, that this time of our lives, is the time of grace, and ſalvation; and it follows naturally, and fully from the expreſſion in the text; therefore I ſhal leave it. Only let me tel you thus much, That though God expreſſeth this grace of Reconciliation here to the world; yet if ever thou beeſt actually, and indeede reconciled to God, before thou doſt leave the world, God wil make thee to be a man no more of this world, and though thou art in the world, yet thou ſhalt not be of the world but above the world. Therefore in john 17. you ſhal finde when Chriſt ſpeaks of thoſe that his father had given unto him, and had beleeved on him; he ſayeth verſe 14. and 16. I have given them thy word, and the world hath hated them, becauſe they are not of the World, even as I am not of the world; I pray not that thou ſhould'ſt take them out of the world but that ſhould'ſt keep them from the evil. It's true, when men have beleeved on Chriſt, they are in the world, and Chriſt doth not pray that God ſhould take them out of the world, but preſerve them in the world. It ſhould teach us by the way, to be content to live in the world though it be a dangerous, and an evil world; for it was as dangerouſe, and as evil a world wherein the diſciples and Chriſt lived, they were in danger of death for the profeſſion of Religion; and yet though Chriſt loved his diſciples, he would not pray they ſhould be taken out of the world.
You have a great many diſcontented people, that wil pray, that God would take them out of the world; No, ſaith Chriſt; keep them in this world. And then he ſaith, they are not of the world, Indeed God is reconcileing himſelf to the world; that is, to thoſe that are in the world, but being reconciled to them, they are no longer men of the world, though in the world; therefore if thou beeſt one that God the Father and the Son hath agreed upon from al eternity to be reconciled unto him in time, thou ſhalt be brought to be one not of the world, even whileſt thou liveſt in the world. Therefore you that are not only in the world, but are worldly men, and minde only the things of the world; know that the worke of Reconciliation is not done with your Souls; what God hath done concerning you in his eternal purpoſe from al eternity, we know not, but as yet the work is not done upon thy ſoul, thou art not reconciled unto God; that is; thou art not brought into ſuch a diſpoſition in thine own heart, as to be at peace with God; and if ever thou ſhalt have any peace at al, know it muſt be done here in this world; the work of Reconciliation muſt be done here. Thus much for that point. That God was in Chriſt reconcileing the world to himſelf.