Sermon on 2 Corinthians 5:19, Sermon
A SERMON Preached by the Late Eminent Mr. Steph. Charnock ON 2 COR. V. XIX.
LONDON, Printed by Thomas Milbourn, for J. K. and are to be Sold by Langley Curtis, in Goat-Court, on Ludgate-Hill, 1680.
A SERMON Preached on 2 Cor. 5.19 God was in Chriſt, reconciling the World unto Himſelf.
The Doctrine from theſe Words, was this; That God the Father, is the Chief Author of the whole Ʋndertaking and effecting our Reconciliation by Christ.
TIS fit we ſhould joyn Iſſue with God, in being Reconciled to him: We ſhould comply with God, in this great Ordinance. The Conſideration of this Doctrine, ſhould work Relenting and Believing: Let therefore, the Deſign of God prevail with us. In this alone we ſhall find Expiation of our Sins, the Grace of God, Peace of Conſcience: In a word, What-ever God (as Reconciled) can Give, or Chriſt (as Reconciling) can Purchaſe. 'Tis tender Mercy, Bowels of Mercy, whereby the Day-Spring from on High hath viſited us. When we lay wallowing in a Miry Sink, ready to be cruſh't by God's Righteous Hand, then he pitied us. So that, we ſhall be the more diſ-ingenuous, if we refuſe this Amity: The Dignity of the Donor, renders the Gift more valuable, than it may be in it ſelf. The Preſent of a Prince is more priz'd, than when it is beſtow'd by an ordinary Perſon. The Gift of Chriſt, the Offer of Peace by him is Incomprehenſible in it ſelf; and receives a Value from that God that hath Prepared, and Offered it.
What Pleaſure can any Man taſte in Earthly Comforts, though he hath a Confluence of all manner of Delight, if he hath no Share in a Reconciled God, by a Reconciling Mediator? While he forces that God that is the Author of this Peace, to ſtand over him, with a drawn Sword, pointed at his Breaſt?
Corn, Wine, and Oyl, and whatſoever comes within the Compaſs of the delightful Things of this World, are little in compariſon of this Peace, and the Light of God's Countenance. And,
1. Conſider, ſomething muſt be done on our Parts, ſomething there is Incumbent upon us: If all Men were Reconciled without Conditions, on their Part, the Apoſtle might have held his Peace, and not added the other Clauſe; We pray you, be ye Reconciled unto God. Then there would be no need of that Inference. But in the Text, he ſpeaks of a Fundamental Reconciliation; in This, of the Actual. If all Men had been Reconciled to God, it would not have been Senſe: For then he would ſay, Ye are Reconciled; therefore, be Reconciled. It had been an Exhortation to do that, which was already done to their Hands. If all Men are Actually Reconciled, How come any to miſs the Fruits of it? Why is it not applyed to All? Becauſe all that are Called, do not comply with that Call; they anſwer not God's Commands and Intreaties. The Purchaſe, and the Application of it, are diſtinct. The Purchaſe is made by Chriſt alone, on the Croſs, without any Qualification in the Creature: But the Application is not wrought without ſomething in the Creature, concurring with it, though that alſo be wrought by the Spirit of God. God ordained Peace for us; but yet there is ſome Work to be wrought in us: The one is Grace in the Spring; the other is Grace in the Veſſel: The one is the Act of God in Chriſt; the other is the Act of God by the Spirit. Though the Fire burns, if we would warm our ſelves, we muſt not run from it, but approach to it. Something muſt be done by us.
2. This Qualification is Faith. As Infinite Grace in God qualified him, (if I may uſe that Expreſſion) for the effecting it; ſo Faith in us qualifies us for the Enjoying it. Though Chriſt be the Purchaſer, yet Faith is the Teſtator in it, Rom. 5.1.
This Ineſtimable Mercy is not conferr'd, but on Men that affect, value, and conſent to it. We muſt lay our Hands on the Head of this Sacrifice, and own him to be ours. This is the Band that unites us to Chriſt the Purchaſer, by Him to God the Author of this Reconciliation. This gives us a Right to this Peace; and will, at laſt, give us the Comfort of it.
3. The Order of Conveyance, is firſt our Acceptance of Chriſt, then of God in and through Chriſt: We muſt firſt comply with the Means, before we attain the End. Our Nearneſs to God, was purchaſed by the Blood of Chriſt, and is Actually confer'd by our Union with Chriſt. Epheſ. 2.13. But now, in Chriſt Jeſus, ye that were ſometime afar off, are made nigh by the Blood of Chriſt. They were made nigh by the Blood of Chriſt; but it was Actually conferred by their being in Chriſt. Faith hath Recourſe firſt to the Atonement made by the Blood of Chriſt, and by that Blood unto God. Rom. 3.25. Whom God hath ſet ſorth to be a Propitiation; but how? Through Faith in his Blood. This Blood alone quencheth the Conſuming Fire of God's Wrath. By Chriſt we are Reconciled, by Him alone we receive the Atonement, Rom. 5.11. As God was in Chriſt Reconciling, ſo we muſt be in Chriſt Accepting this Reconciliation. You are Chriſt's, and Chriſt is God's. In the Apoſtle's Order, we muſt firſt be Chriſt's by our Acceptance of him, as Chriſt was God's by his Calling and Commiſſioning him. As God goes out to us by Him, our return muſt be by Him to God. He paid our Debts, made an end of Sin, and removed the Wrath we Merited. God is our Judge, Chriſt is our Mediatour: By this Mediatour we muſt be Conducted to our Judge. We have offended the Law-Maker; we muſt firſt go to him, who is the Repairer of the Honour of the Law. We muſt take the Redemption of Chriſt along with us, his pacifying Blood, and repreſent it to God; by whoſe Authority we were under Wrath. This is that, that upholds us before God. If we are not in Chriſt, as ſatisfying, we ſhall ſtill be as Stubble before the Conſuming Fire. Think not of ſtanding ſure by Abſolute Mercy. Mercy is through Chriſt only: It breaths in no other Air. We muſt firſt take hold of the Strength of God, before we can make Peace with him: We muſt take hold of Chriſt, who is the Power, as well as the Wiſdom of God. There is a Direction how we muſt act, By taking hold; and the End, That we may be at Peace; and the Aſſurance in that Method, And he ſhall obtain Peace with me, Iſa. 27.5.
To uſe ſome Motives.
Firſt, There is the higheſt Encouragement, and Ground for Acceptance: There's no room for any hard Thoughts of God, after ſo ſignal a Diſcovery of himſelf. He is not a God of unquenchable VVrath, but willing that his Juſtice ſhould be Appeaſed. He hath taken all the Courſes that were poſſible for Infinite Wiſdom to invent, for Infinite Power to effect, for Infinite Love to propoſe. What greater Security can we have for our Bleſſing, than that he hath made his Son a Curſe, that we might be Bleſt by him? How ſhould ſo much Love make us change any unworthy Opinions of God, that we harbour in our Breaſts. If the Father hath Contrived, the Son hath Effected, the Spirit ſtands ready to Apply it to every Believer: The Refuſal of it, puts a Scorn upon all.
As ſoon as Adam ſinned, the ſame Day God applies the Plaiſter of a Redeemer: Not a Day did ſlip, for ought we know, not an Hour, before he made it known to him. His Heart was in Travel, and he long'd to be Delivered of this Gracious Promiſe of a Mediator. He arm'd him with this Cordial, before he ſubjected him to thoſe ſtanding Miſeries. What Heart he had then, the ſame he hath ſtill. His Kindneſs made him deſirous to Publiſh this Promiſe; and, Can his Truth be leſs zealous to perform it? The ſame Kindneſs that moved him to Aſſure it, he hath ſtill to Effect it: He is ſtill willing to apply it to every one that ſeeks it, through his Son. The Wrath that we were under, is over-come by his Love, through the Mediation of his Son; who hath honoured him more, than Sin diſhonoured him.
By our Accepting of this, we Glorifie God; and Honour him as much by our Faith, as we have Diſhonour'd him by our Sin. Thereby we own that Satisfaction, that was as grateful to him, as Sin is Hateful. As he honoured himſelf by the Death of his Son, ſo he doth Chriſt by giving forth the Fruits of that Death alſo. He Delighteth in honouring Chriſt, and ſeeing us honour him. It contributes to God's Delight, when we approach with Faith in his Blood. If he made this Proviſion, contrived this Expiatory Offering before the World was made, Will he not alſo Communicate it? Can there be a greater Motive to overcome the Fears of Rebels, extinguiſh the Rebellion, haſten our Approach, and quicken our Confidence?
Secondly, The Terms on which it is offered, are Juſt and Reaſonable: Nothing can be objected againſt the Conditions required. Can any Malefactor expect a Peace with Arms in his Hand? Is it not a fit Condition, that we ſhould Juſtifie God, ſince we are guilty Offenders? Can any thing leſs be required, than to caſt away our VVeapons, to bewail our Crime, to receive his Son as our Mediatour, to ſerve him in Newneſs of Life? All which are deſirable Priviledges. 'Twas in his Power to appoint what Terms he pleaſed, becauſe he was a free Benefactor; What could he appoint leſs, than Believing and Receiving this Reconciliation? It is impoſſible we ſhould receive any Benefit, without it. 'Tis not fit it ſhould be confer'd upon us, except we ask it. There's no reaſon any ſhould enjoy a Benefit, that doth not think it to be ſo. All the Self-Love of Men, could not have framed any reaſonable Terms: They would have thought of Rivers of Oyl, and a Thouſand of Rams, impoſſible things to Appeaſe God. But he commands us to lie humbly at his Feet, to reach out our Hands to receive the Aſſurance he gives us.
VVhat can be more eaſie than this? If Faith be difficult, 'tis not in regard of it ſelf; but from our Natural Enmity againſt God, and the Pride of our own Wills. Faith is hard only, as the Law is weak through the Fleſh. But nothing could be more reaſonable, nothing more eaſie in it ſelf.
Ingenuous Amazement at this unexpected Kindneſs, ſhould make us run more ſwiftly to Embrace God, than ever we ran from him. We ſhould ſubſcribe to the Articles, as God ſtrives and preſſes us in the Method he hath enjoyned.
Thirdly, There is an abſolute Neceſſity of this Complyance for our Happineſs. If you have not a Peace of God's Ordaining, never look for One of your own Inventing. There can be no Fellowſhip with God, without it: And therefore, we can't be Happy, becauſe we can't Enjoy him, wherein all our Felicity doth conſiſt.
Guilt and Purity cannot Converſe together: What Society can Stubble have with Fire, but to its own Deſtruction. We can't ſee God's Face without it; and if a Sight of God's Face be wanting, Felicity is at a diſtance. The greateſt part of Evil remains, though there be no poſitive Evil. How can Two walk together, except they be agreed? What Intercourſe can there be between a Guilty Rebel, and a Frowning Judge? a Sinful Creature, and a Provoked God? When he hides his Face, who can behold him? Job 34.29. But when an Agreement is made, there are Mutual Endearments. We are Enemies to God by Birth; He is an Enemy to us by his Law: The Enmity will remain on God's Part, if it remain on ours.
Strike up therefore a Treaty with God, ſince there is a Neceſſity for it, and you can't be Happy without it. Shall not God's Love melt us, and our own Neceſſities move us?
Fourthly, Wrath is unavoidable, without our Complyance with God. If we will not enter into theſe Terms of Reconciliation, the Heart of God, which before was incenſed by Sin, cannot but riſe higher in Indignation. If we are reſolv'd to reſiſt it, abuſed Love will be kindled into the hotteſt Wrath.
When Man, after his Creation, grew Perfidious unto God, then there roſe a War between them, which can be ended only by Him that hath put an end to Sin. We muſt all have endured, what Chriſt ſuffered, had he not ſtood in our ſtead: And thoſe that refuſe the Grace proffer'd them, by the Great God muſt endure the ſame for ever. If we do not receive him as a Friend, we cannot avoid him as an Enemy. His Eye will behold us, his Hand will paſs through the thickeſt Covering of Darkneſs. VVhere he is not received as the Author of Reconciliation in his own way, he will be the Author of Judgment in his own way. If the Satisfaction to his Juſtice that he hath provided, be ſlighted, then his Juſtice will be ſatisfied on our own Perſons. If we deny him the Honour of the Sufferings of Chriſt, he will vindicate it by the Sufferings of our ſelves. His Law is in full Force againſt us, and God is obliged to inflict Death upon the Sinners: The Law is on Record. The Goſpel alſo will be the Author of Damnation, to every one that believes not. There's no Diſcovery out of Chriſt, but of Wrath prepared againſt the Day of Wrath, Rom. 2.5. The Day wherein God is unreconciled to his Enemies, is called not only the Day of Wrath; but, Wrath againſt the Day of Wrath. His Feet will be as Pillars of Fire, to conſume thoſe that refuſe his Peace, Revel. 10.1.
Conſider, then, that we are ſunk under Infinite Guilt, and can't riſe up without an Almighty Hand. We are drowned in an Univerſal Filth, and cannot be cleans'd without an Infinite Purity. Sin is ſtrong in its Accuſations; our Righteouſneſs is imperfect to effect a Compenſation for the VVrongs we have done; our Duties are beſpotted, and not fitted for a pure Eye. VVhat VVrath is due to all? There is but one way of Eſcaping, but one City of Refuge, to eſcape the Edge of the Avenging Sword: Divine Juſtice will ſeize on all that are without this Shelter. It will touch none that are under Chriſt's Wing; but will be like a Conſuming Fire to every thing elſe. One Spark of his Wrath, is enough to conſume Stubble: Haſten therefore to Accept of what God Propoſes, leſt Death put a Period to any further Treaty.
Fifthly, All other wayes of Reconciliation are Inſufficient: To pretend to any other way, is an Injury to the Divine Wiſdom; as though his Contrivance were not ſufficient for his Creatures Reſtauration. Divine Mercy will not wrong any of his Attributes, nor diſhonour Chriſt. But if we do not receive this, we deny Chriſt, the Efficacy of his Prieſthood. Men are naturally ſtudious of making God a Compenſation for their VVrongs, and a Satisfaction of their own coining: They are unwilling to acquieſce in the Will and Wiſdom of God.
Thoſe Two great Things, that God advances by his Grace, Men oppoſe; his Wiſdom, by their Pride and Reaſon; his Authority, by the Perverſneſs of their Wills. But, Do we need Reconciliation, or do we not? If we need it not, How came we to be Friends to God, who were born Enemies? If we need, is it not ſafeſt to enter into thoſe Terms, that God hath propoſed, where-with he is ſatisfied? rather than ſtand to failing, and at the beſt, but uncertain Methods; but are indeed abſolutely falſe and inſufficient. The ſafeſt way only, is the Choice of wiſe Men. If other wayes would do, 'tis the greateſt VViſdom to take that Courſe that God hath provided; whoſe Wiſdom ſees further into its Strength and Sufficiency, than any Creatures can.
Let us not then be ſuch Fools, to refuſe the Goſpel-Method, except we can meet with any thing that can be a ſufficient Plea. Had all the Angels in Heaven, and all the Men on Earth contrived another Way, it would have been ineffectual. God never was in them, reconciling the VVorld to himſelf. This one Mediatour that he hath appointed, hath done that, which neither Men on Earth, nor Saints and Angels in Heaven, could do by their joint Interceſſions. We can have no Confidence in our Humiliations, Moral Righteouſneſs, Services, and Duties: God never was in them, as Reconciling. All that we can do by thoſe, will be but Enmity to God; what-ever falſe Colours they are dawb'd withal, we cannot pleaſe God without Faith. VVhere Righteouſneſs is at the higheſt Elevation, 'tis but a Creature; therefore, 'tis not a fit Object of Truſt.
Though Adam might have ventured his Natural Righteouſneſs as a Plea; yet becauſe it might have failed, it was not a fit Object of Truſt. But ſince the Fall of Adam, all Pleas of Corrupt Righteouſneſs are inſufficient in the Court of Heaven.
Abſolute Mercy, without Faith in Chriſt, offered by a God as a Reconciler, cannot ſave us. As God could not (after the Sanction of his Law, in regard of his Truth) pardon the Violation of it, without Satisfaction: So ſince he hath ſetled this way of Reconciliation by Faith, in the Blood of Chriſt, he cannot (on the ſame ſcore of his Truth) ſave any in a way of Abſolute Mercy; eſpecially, thoſe that refuſe the Method that his Mercy hath appointed. And as it is againſt his Truth and Juſtice; ſo it is againſt the Honour of his Son: For if he be at Peace with one by Abſolute Mercy, Why could he not as well with others, in the ſame manner? And then, VVhat need is there of the Sufferings of his only Son, to make up the Breach? If any thing elſe be choſen by any beſides this, God may ſay to ſuch at the Day of Judgment, Go to your Reconcilers, that you have choſen, and ſee whether they will make Peace for you, or no; as he did to the Iſraelites, Judg. 10.14. Go, and cry to the Gods that ye have choſen; let them deliver you in the Time of your Tribulation. A Dreadful, but a Juſt Speech of the Eternal God!
Sixthly, God ſeeks it at our Hands, and is willing to receive us. God was not only in Chriſt, reconciling the World; but he is in his Ambaſſadors, intreating us; as though God did beſeech you by Us.
This is all the Tenor of his Proclamation, Be ye Reconciled. If he had not deſired it, he would not have ſpent his Thoughts about it, nor been at any Expence to effect it. He was not bound to it: He might have left us to ſink into the Depth of Miſery, that we had merited; without expoſing his Son to Death, which we had not deſerved. We had Contracted a Neceſſity of Death; our Surety was no more bound to ſeek us out, nor God to make to Adam a Promiſe of Redemption, than he was to make any of his Creatures. He might have raiſed a new VVorld, and filled it with new Inhabitants. It muſt needs be a thing of vaſt Concernment, for which God ſeeks to us, and ſpeaks to us in his Goſpel; who is infinitely more Glorious, than we are Vile. God did us not the leaſt VVrong, though he hath born many of our Affronts. It is as eaſie for him to breath us into Hell, as to breath out one kind Invitation. He hath no more need of our Friendſhip, than he fears our Enmity. He is no more benefited by us, than the Sun by darting its Beams on a Grain of Sand.
That Soul ſurely is not ſenſible of the Miſery that the VVar with God hath ſunk him into, that refuſes to receive Peace that he ſo tenderly and importunately offers: Nor can he, without unconceivable Shame, look God in the Face, after ſo notorious a Rejecting of it. He ſeeks it to Day; but, perhaps, he will not to Morrow: For there is a Day, when he will pour out his VVrath on the unbelieving VVorld.
Now, that he is a great way off, his Thunder is at a diſtance, he ſends us as Ambaſſadors of Peace: He ſhuts out none, that ſhut not out themſelves. Beſides, he is willing to receive us into favour; more willing to embrace us, than we to receive him.
The Eternal Motions in his Heart, gave Birth to this gracious Deſigne; and they have the ſame force ſtill: He will never forget them. They are the Bublings of his own Heart; and will be alike forcible for the Reception of us, as they were to give a Commiſſion to Chriſt for us.
Oh, that every one of us were as willing to be at Peace with God, as God is to be at Peace with us! He ſeeks to us; 'tis an Imitation of God, to ſeek to him.
That's the Firſt Branch of the EXHORTATION.
II. EXHORTATION.
BE at Enmity with Sin. God was in Chriſt reconciling Sinners, not Sin: He ſent his Son to reconcile Enemies, not their Enmity. Fire and Water can ſooner agree, than God and Sin; Peace with God, and Peace with Iniquity. A Traitour may be reconciled to his Prince; but the Treaſon is ſtill as hateful as before.
Indeed, this Enmity with Sin, is the beſt Signe of our Actual Reconciliation; when we hate that which made the firſt Separation between God, and the Soul. Chriſt Expiated Sin, but did not Encourage it: He Dyed not only to make Peace; but he Dyed alſo to make us Holy, and purifie a People to himſelf.
The Deſigne of God, in the Manifeſtation of Chriſt in the Fleſh, was to deſtroy the VVorks of the Devil: The chief VVork of the Devil; was to enter Man into a League with himſelf, in his Rebellion againſt God his Maker. God aimed at the Death of Sin, when he aimed at the Life of our Souls. The Ends of Chriſt's Death, are not ſeparated: He is no Atoner, where he is not a Refiner.
'Tis as certain, as any VVord the Mouth of God hath ſpoken, That there is no Peace to the Wicked.
An unſpotted Conſcience, and a pure Will, are the Benefits of this Reconciliation: For this Reconciliation muſt be Mutual.
As God lays down his VVrath againſt us, ſo we muſt throw down our Arms againſt him. As there is a double Enmity; the one rooted in our Nature, the other in our wicked VVorks; ſo there muſt be an Alteration of our State, and of our Actions.
The End of Chriſt's Reconciling us to God, was, to bring us back to him. We cannot be link't in Peace to him, except we be transform'd into the Image of his Son.
How can we expect to be received into the Boſom of God, if we every Day dawb our Souls? Can there be any Familiarity with God, when we daily lay Bars in the way.
God was in Chriſt, Reconciling the World; becauſe he was a Holy, as well as a Gracious God: becauſe he had a Deteſtation of Sin, as well as becauſe he had a Love for the Creature. He is of purer Eyes, than to behold the leaſt Iniquity.
As before, God was ſanctifyed in Chriſt, when he Reconciled the World; ſo he will be in thoſe that entertain it. There muſt be an Enmity with that, for which the Son of God was made a Sacrifice: Elſe we ſhall act but Judas's Part with God's Grace, betray it to ſerve our Luſts.
Be afraid therefore of offending God; not only becauſe he hath Power to hurt, but becauſe of his Love, whereby he hath obliged you. The Peace that was broken by the Diſobedience of Adam, was reſtored by the Obedience of Chriſt: But our Obedience is neceſſary for the Joyful Fruits of it. Pſal. 119. Great Peace have they, that love thy Law.
III. EXHORTATION.
BE Induſtrious and Affectionate in your Services to God. Hath God done ſo much for us, and ſhall we put off God with a little Service, with the ſcantlings of Duty? God hath done his utmoſt to engage our Affection, and encourage our choiceſt Service. There was not an higher way to Procure it, nor a dearer way to Conferr it.
View the Creatures, and God's Goodneſs in them to Man, and it will raiſe a Natural Love: But, What an Height of Love ſhould we aſcend to, that have an higher Step to mount? The leaſt Love, is more than is due to us; How much more that Immenſity of Love he hath ſhewn us? And, Shall we return but Drops for an Ocean, when he hath ſtopt the Torrent of Legal Penalties, that were deſerved by us? How ſhould we combine all our Thoughts and Affections together, to ſerve that God, who hath made all his Thoughts conſpire, to reduce us Honourably and Succeſsfully?
I am the Lord thy God, that brought thee up out of the Land of Egypt, &c. is the Preface to the Decalogue, and an Incitement to the Iſraelites, to obey all his Precepts.
God hath been in Chriſt, Reconciling us to himſelf, is the Tenour of the Goſpel; and ſhould be an Incitement to greater Service, by how much our Spiritual Deliverance (the Antitype of it) is greater. We ſhould ſerve God as Friends: And as he hath given us an higher State, ſo we ſhould give him the greater Honour.
Do all things therefore unto God, as Reconciled, without baſe Ends, and ſordid Deſigns. God had no other End, in being the Author of Peace, but his own Glory, and Man's Good. We ſhould have no other Deſign, but God's Glory, and our own Welfare. Serve him then with Delight; a dull and ſluggiſh Temper doth not become us, when we approach ſo hearty a Friend, that was ſo induſtrious to be at Peace with us.
Next to that Delight God hath in his Reconciling Son, is that he hath in his Reconciled Children.
IV. EXHORTATION.
LEt all your Approaches to God, be begun, and ended with a Senſe of this, in any Duty; eſpecially, in Prayer. God in all his Communications to his People, acts as a Reconciling God; we ſhould eye him ſo, in all our Addreſſes to him.
As there is not one Mercy, not one Act of Grace God ſhews to us, but the Spring is from this reſtored Affection; ſo there is not a Duty we offer to God, but ſhould do it in the Senſe of this. What is not by and through Chriſt, will not be accepted as a Duty. This Conſideration ſhould animate us in all our Addreſſes. This is neceſſary to be acted by us, to make us humble; and to conſider what we were, before we were freely reduced; to make us believe, and come with holy Boldneſs. And, What Ground can there be for Deſpondency, when we have ſo many Tokens of his Heartineſs in it?
This will make us more earneſt, to fetch Fire from Heaven to enflame our Souls: This will raiſe our Hope. For, What can be a greater Foundation for it, than this?
We ſhould think, before we perform our Duties, of the Love that God bears to Chr ſt; and this will be Ground of Confidence: for this Love was with a reſpect to thoſe that Believe.
Think much of the Vertue of Chriſt's Death, when he ſprinkled the Mercy-ſeat with his Blood. Turn God's Mercy-ſeat into a Throne of Grace.
Every Act about Chriſt, is a fit Argument in Prayer. God will never deny his own Acts, nor the Ends of them, which made way for him to Communicate himſelf.
Chriſt, and God in Chriſt, is Entertaining, as well as Reconciling us. Let us not therefore lift up our Eyes to Heaven; but then carry this Atonement by Faith in his Blood, in the Hand of every Prayer to him.
V. EXHORTATION.
LOok for Grace and Strength from God in Chriſt. The Conduit of Grace and Mercy, was unſtopt in Chriſt; and by him, it flows freely down to Man. This is the Foundation of all Regeneration.
In the 16, 17, & 18. Verſes of this Chapter, having ſpoken of the New-Creature, Verſe 16. he ſhews the Ground of it: It was all from this Reconciler. Seek for Grace only on this Bottom; for Strength, and increaſe in it only on this Ground.
'Tis not the Conſideration of God's Precepts, but of his Promiſes, and the Application of this Reconciling Love by Faith, that is attended with a Vigorous Benediction on the Soul, for the pulling up the Foundation of Enmity. The Spirit is received by the Mediation of the Goſpel, not by the Precepts of the Law.
Men begin at the wrong End, when they would riſe from Obedience to Faith: They deal with God, as if he were gratified and appeaſed by them. But begin with Faith, whereby we caſt our ſelves on God in Chriſt, and receive Vigour for all Spiritual Actions. Faith is the Principle, whereby we Obey; not the Effect of our Obedience.
God is a God of Peace; then a God of Grace. We muſt look on God, as a God of Peace, and then implore him as a God of Grace, and for all our habitual growth in Grace. As he is a God of Peace, he works in us that which is well pleaſing in his Sight.
VI. EXHORTATION.
WHen there are any Riſings of Enmity in thy Soul, go to God in Chriſt. As God was in Chriſt, Reconciling the World; ſo he is in Chriſt, Reconciling the Soul. Not that I think, that the whole Maſs of Guilt returns on a Believer, on his Fall; but the Particular Guilt of that Sin; for which we muſt fetch freſh Applications of Reconciling Grace: We muſt go to God in Chriſt, for it.
As the Firſt Application was from God in Chriſt, ſo muſt the Second and Third. Chriſt is an Officer in Heaven, for this Purpoſe.
The Apoſtle writes to the Corinthians, ſome whereof were reconciled; yet he beſeeches them to be reconciled: That is, to renew their Reconciliation on every New Breach; to regain the Favour they had forfeited by their Sins, for which he had reproved them in the former Epiſtle.
This ſhould be ſued out every Day. What was the Foundation of our firſt Peace, muſt be the Foundation of our Renewal of the ſame: The Courſe we took for the Firſt, will be ſucceſsful for the Second. God was not out of Chriſt in the firſt, he will not be out of Chriſt, when we need it again.
If God was willing and deſirous to make Reconciliation by the Blood of Chriſt, for all our Sins, when they lay before him in their Crimſon Aggravations, much more will he renew it on a particular Fall. But he may hide his Face, with-draw the Comfort of this Peace for a long while, even for as long as we live.
Let none therefore preſume on this: for the making up of our Enmity on a particular Breach, belongs not to thoſe that live in a Courſe of known Sin. This is Inconſiſtent with a Reconciled State; which is to make up the great Breach, the Breach of Nature.
VII. EXHORTATION.
HOw contented ſhould thoſe be in every Condition, that are Reconciled. This Peace of God ſhould bear Rule in their Hearts, and compoſe them under all Emergencies, Phil. 4.6, 7. We may deſpiſe the Promiſes of the World that allure us, and the Threatnings of the World that ſcare us. If this Peace guard our Souls, it will render us Happy, when the World thinks us Miſerable. If you have not the Honour of the World, it will content us without it: Bear the Scorns and Reproaches of the World, with it.
The whole World can't ſecure you, if you have War with God: Nothing can defend you from the Arrows of his Wrath.
But if you have this Peace of God, you are mounted above the Enmity of the World. Let your Spirits be guarded by it, againſt tumultuous Paſſions. You may well endure the Strokes of a Father, ſince you are not like to feel his Sword, as a Judge.
VIII. EXHORTATION.
LEt us be reconcileable to others; not only where we offer, but to thoſe from whom we receive an Injury. God's Reconciliation ſhould be our Rule of dealing with others.
Hard Hearts, and uncharitable Diſpoſitions, are unlike to God, that had a Heart full of Tenderneſs. Such will not part with a Grain of their Right, though God parted with his Son to work our Peace: And had he not been more forward in it than we, we had periſht for ever, Luk. 6.36. God ſets his own Actions, as a Pattern for ours. If we are Irreconcileable to our Brother, we do not imitate God; but reject this Bleſſed Pattern, and diſcover no ſenſe of the Kindneſs of God to us.
Since God hath made Chriſt a Propitiation for our Sins; if God ſo loved us, ought not we alſo to love one another? 1 Joh. 4.10, 11.
The Son of his Boſom vailed his Glory, that he might be at Peace with us, Entertain us, and Accept us into Favour: And ſhall we on every occaſion, be at Swords-point with our Brother?
Such a Diſpoſition, ſuch a Woolfiſh and Bruitiſh Nature, is againſt the Tenour of the Goſpel.
Chriſt came to ſlay the Enmity between God and Us: 'Tis a croſſing his Deſigne, to preſerve it between Chriſtian and Chriſtian.
This is a keeping up the Partition-Wall; a fruſtrating of Chriſt's Death, which was to demoliſh it.
IX. & Laſt EXHORTATION.
GLorifie God for this! Since God hath ſent his own Son out of his Boſom, let us ſend our lowd Praiſes up to him. When Heaven ſmiles upon the Earth, the Earth bleſſes Heaven.
'Tis to the Glory of God the Father, and our Lord Jeſus Chriſt, that though all we have comes immediately from Chriſt; yet Chriſt, and All comes from the Father. He is the Propitiation for our Sins; but he was appointed by the Father: He came to Redeem us; but he was ſent by God. He paid our Debts, as our Surety; but he was Accepted by God. He was our Mediatour, to bring us to God; but he was Commiſſioned by Him to this purpoſe.
What Love had he for the Creature, though he abominated the Sin? In the mid'ſt of his Indignation againſt his Iniquities, he had Bowels of Mercy for his Perſon.
God had fore-caſt the Priſoner into the Pit, where was no Water; and the Captive was under a mighty Sea of Trouble. The Law of God was againſt him. The Truth of God took part with his Law: His Bowels and VViſdom took a Way to ſatisfie the Curſe of the Law, that we might enjoy the Bleſſings of the Goſpel.
We could plead nothing of our own Deſerts; unleſs Perverſity, Peeviſhneſs, Diſloyalty, Weakneſs, and Wilfulneſs, could paſs for Deſert: Then, indeed, we had been unconceivable Meritors.
But ſeeing we could not merit it, nor contract Peace of our ſelves: How great therefore, is the Depth of that VViſdom? And, How is that Goodneſs to be adored, that found out a Refuge, when Heaven and Earth were at War?
There is no Sinner, but is born the Object of the Curſes of the Law, and the Scorn of the Malicious Devil. Jeſus Chriſt was ſent to pacifie the Law, and ſlay Satan our Enemy.
The Angels glorifie God for this Peace; and, Shall we be out-ſtript by thoſe Beings, that are leſs concerned? God was Appeaſed through Chriſt; and through Him we ſhould offer up our Sacrifices of Thankſgiving to God.
If all the Sparks that have leapt out of the Fire ſince the Creation, and all the Drops of Rain that have been diſtilled on the World, were turned into the Tongues of Angels, they would come ſhort of the Praiſes due to God, for this Exceſs of Love!
O that our Praiſes of God for this, might be the Buſineſs not of a Day, or an Hour, but of our whole Lives; ſince Eternity it ſelf, is too little, to ſet forth God's Magnificent Love!
FINIS.
End of the text · Stephen Charnock, Sermon on 2 Corinthians 5:19 (1680)