Sermons Volume 2, 2 Corinthians 5 · Sermon 38
SERMON XXXVIII.
2 Cor. 5.20.
Now then we are Embassadours for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us, we pray you in Christs stead, be reconciled to God.
IN these words you have the practical use and inference of the foregoing clause. Observe here,
1. An office put on those to whom the word of reconciliation is intrusted.
2. The value and authority of this Office: As if God did beseech you by us.
3. The manner how this office is to be executed: Pray you in Christs stead.
4. The matter or message about which they are sent: Be ye reconciled to God.
Doct. God hath authorized the Ministers of the Gospel in his own name and stead, affectionately to invite sinners to a reconciliation with himself.
1. The Office: We are Embassadours for Christ: 'That's the nature of our imployment: And sent by God on purpose for this end, Eph. 6.20. For which I am an Embassadour in bonds.
1. Embassadours are Messengers: So are the Ministry sent, John 17.18. As thou hast sent me into the World, so also have I sent them into the World. How can they preach except they be sent, Rom. 10.15.
2. There is not only a Mission, but a Commission: They are not only Posts, and Letter-carryers, but authorized Messengers. Embassadours do in a singular manner represent the person of the Prince who sendeth them, & are cloathed with Authority from him: And so we have an authority for edification, and not for destruction, 2 Cor. 10.8. They are sent with great power to bind or loose out of the Word, to pass sentence upon mens Eternal Condition: Of Damnation on the impenitent, of Life and Salvation on them that repent, and believe the Gospel.
3. They are sent from Princes to other Princes: On the one side, it holdeth good; they come from the greatest prince that ever was, even from the …rince of all the Kings of the earth, Revel. 1.3. But to us poor worms they are sent, unworthy that God should look upon us, or think a thought of us; we were revolted from our obedience to him, but he treateth not, and dealeth not with us▪ as Traytors, and Rebels, but as persons of Dignity, and Respect, that thereby we may be more enduced to accept his offers. Embassadours to obscure and private persons were never heard of, but such honour would he put upon us.
4. Embassadors are not sent about trifles, but about matters of the highest concernment: So they are sent to treat about the greatest matters upon Earth: The making up peace and friendship between God and sinners, Isa. 52.7. How beautiful are the feet of those that bring glad tidings of peace! We are to publish the glad tidings of reconciliation with God. God might have sent Heralds to proclaim war, but he hath sent Embassadours of peace. He might have sent them as he sent Noah to the old World, to warn them of their destruction, or Jonah to Nineveh, but they come with an Olive branch in their mouths, to tell the World of God reconciled. Well then, we must regard the weight of the message: Gods love and hatred are not such inconsiderable things, as that we should not trouble our selves about them: 'Tis his wrath maketh us miserable, and his love happy: Oh how welcome to us should a Message of love and peace with God be.
5. As to their duty: An Embassadour and Messenger must be faithful, keeping close to their Commission, as to the matter of their Message; and be sincere and true as to the end of it, 2 Cor. 2.17. For we are not as many which corrupt the Word of God, but as of sincerity, as of God, in the sight of God, speak we in Christ. We are for another, not for our selves; our imployment is to be Proxies, and Negotiatours for Christ, and this with all diligence, courage, and boldness, Eph. 6.20. For which I am an Embassadour in bonds, that I may speak boldly as I ought to speak. As becometh a zeal for Christs honour, and the good of Souls, the excellency of the Message, and the gravity of our office, owning the truth in the face of dangers.
6. As to their reception and entertainment. Negatively.
1. They must not be wronged. Embassadours are inviolable by the Law of Nations; but such is the ingratitude of the World, who are enemies to their own mercies, that they slight his Message, use his Embassadours disgracefully, as Abner did Davids, contrary to the Law and the practice of all nations: As Paul was an Embassadour in bonds. foreign, in a Chain, by which he was tied to his keeper, but God will not endure this, Psa. 105.15. He hath given charge, Do my Prophets no harm: His Judgments in his providence, come for wrong done to his Ministers, 2 Chron. 36.16. They misused his Prophets and the Wrath of the Lord arose against the people, till there was no remedy. But the negative is not enough: Not to wrong them: You ought to respect them, and receive them in the name of the Lord, 1 Cor. 4.1. Let a man so account of us, as the Ministers of Christ, and Stewards of the Mysteries of God. And Gal. 4.14. They received him as an Angel of God, even as Christ Jesus. Surely 'tis meant with respect to the truth he preached, they received it with as much reverence, and obedience, as if delivered by Christ himself in person: Otherwise he would not have mentioned that respect, without detestation, Acts 14.14. The Apostles rent their Cloaths when they would have given them Divine Honour. Well then, attention, credit, and obedience, is due to their Message.
2. The value and authority of this office: They sustain the person of God, and supply the place of Christ, upon Earth: As though God did beseech you by us, and in Christs stead. This is added to bespeak credit and respect to their Message.
1. Credit: Salvation is a weighty thing, and we had need be upon sure grounds, and not only have mans Word, but Gods for it: Mans Word breedeth but humane credulity, and that's a cold thing: 'Tis faith actuateth, and enliveneth our notions, and opinions, in religion, and maketh them operative. 1 Thes. 2.13. The Word of God which ye heard of us, ye received it, not as the Word of men, but (as it is in truth) the Word of God, which effectually worketh also in you that believe. The Apostles word, as it concerned them, was evidenced to be of God: Partly by the evidence of the Doctrine its self, which had Gods impress, and stamp upon it; and to minds unprejudiced, did commend its self to their Consciences, 2 Cor. 4 2, 3, 4. And partly by the power and presence of God with them, Acts 5.31, 32. And 1 Cor. 2.4, 5. Per modum efficientis causae & per modum argumenti, enlightening the mind, perswading the heart, outwardly by miracles, inwardly by the operation of the Holy-Ghost: The objective Testimony was made up of both: The internal sanctifying work, and the external confirmation by miracles: For 'tis said, 2 Cor. 3.3. They were the Epistle of Christ prepared by their Ministry, written, not with Ink, but the Spirit of the living God. He writeth the Law upon the heart, Heb. 8.10. And Jer. 31.33. As it was the Ministration of the Spirit, and carryed a sanctifying vertue along with it, that their faith might be grounded upon the authority of God, opening their heart to receive the Word, Acts 16.14. Now the ordinary Ministers, the truth of their Doctrine is evidenced by its conformity to the direction of the Prophets, and Apostles, Isa. 8.20. To the Law and to the Testimony, if they speak not according to this word, there is no light in them: That's the standard and measure, by which all Doctrines must be tryed, to prevent the obtrusions of errour. Well then, though other Doctrine be brought to us by men, yet our Faith standeth not in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God: It must be resolved into a Divine Testimony. Though men bring it, yet God is the Author; what the Embassadour saith, the King saith, if he be true to his Commission: And therefore this word of reconciliation must be received as the Word of God: When you come to an Ordinance, the awe of God must be upon your hearts, Acts 10.33. We are all here befor… thee, to hear all things commanded thee of God.
2. Respect: They speak in God's Name, and in God's stead, as if God were beseeching, and Christ calling upon you, Luke 10.16. He that despiseth you, despiseth me; and he that despiseth me, despiseth him that sent me. 'Tis Christ maketh the request for your hearts: The Father sent him, and he us. 'Tis a wonder, that after so much evidence of the Christian Faith, and the World hath had such sufficient Tryal of its Goodness, Efficacy, and Power, any should suspect the voice of God speaking in the Scriptures: But 'tis a greater wonder, that believing the Scriptures to be the Voice of God, and the Testimony of God, we should so slight it, and carry our selves so neglectfully in a business of such Importance; as if either we suspected what we profess to believe, or the hatred and love of God, were such inconsiderable things, that we did not much consider the one nor the other. If an Oracle from Heaven should warn you of danger, bid you seek the Peace of God, or you are undone for ever, would not you seriously address your selves to this business? God doth by us beseech you; we in Christs stead pray you to be reconciled 'Tis God's Word that we hear, and God's Message that is sent to you. As Peter prescribeth Ministers to speak as the Oracles of God, 1 Pet. 4.11. so you must hear as the Word of God ought to be heard, with reverence, and attention, and serious regard, as if God, and Christ himself, had spoken to you to press you to it. This Word which you hear slightly, as it is the Testimony of God to you, so one day it will be the Testimony of God against you: This Word shall judge you, John 12.48. It doth not fall to the ground, but will be produc…d as a Witness against your negligence and carelesness.
3. The Manner: Here is beseeching and praying in and by this Ministry which God hath instituted; God cometh down from the Throne of his Soveraingty, and speaketh Supplications. We must treat with men after the manner of Christ, when he was here upon Earth, calling Sinners to Repentance, with all the affectionate importunity imaginable.
1. With Love and Sweetness: The manner must suit with the matter. We have an Authority to Exhort, yet in regard of the rich grace we offer, we must beseech, and intreat, with all gentleness and importunity. Paul in a like case doth the like elsewhere, Rom. 12.1. I beseech you Brethren, by the Mercies of God, that ye present your Bodies a Living Sacrifice. Church Power, and Civil Power differ much: They go altogether by way of Injunction and Command; We must beseech: They compel; we must persuade: The Power of Christ's Embassadors is a Ministry, not a Domination: We are to deal with the Will and the Affections of Men, which may be moved, and inclined, but not constrained. Again, there is a difference between the Law and the Gospel; the Law doth not beseech, but only command and threaten: You shall have no other Gods before me: Thou shalt not make to thy self any graven Image, &c. But we, as in Christs stead, pray you to be reconciled. The Law is peremptory: I am the Lord. The Gospel wooeth before it winneth, and reasoneth with us: The Gospel being a Charter of God's Love, we must use a dispensation suitable; invite men to God in a loving, sweet way: And surely, if men despise God's still Voice, their condemnation will be very just. When Nabal slighted David's kind Message, he marches against him in fury, 1 Sam. 25.13, 14. to cut off all that belonged to him. It we despise the … Voice, we must expect the Whirlwind. I stretched out my hands, and no man regarded, Prov. 1.24. I will laugh at their calamity. How can we expect that God should hear our prayers, if we be deaf to his requests, and when we in his stead pray you to be reconciled, and still you refuse to hear?
2. Meekness and Patience: Praying and beseeching doth not only note Meekness in the Proposal, but perseverance also, notwithstanding the many delays and repulses, yea rough entertainment that we meet with at the hands of Sinners, 2 Tim. 2.25. In meekness instructing those that oppose themselves, if peradventure God will give them Repentance to the acknowledgment of the Truth, that they may recover themselves out of the snare of the Devil. One reason why God will make use of the Ministry of Man, is because they know the Heart of Man, how much he is wedded to his folly, how angry he is to be put out of his fools Paradise, and to be disturbed in his Carnal Happiness, Titus 3.2, 3. Shewing meekness to all men, for we our selves were sometimes foolish and disobedient serving divers lusts and pleasures. And therefore we must wait, exhort, warn, and still behave our selves with much love, and gentleness, that compassion to Souls may bear the chief rule in our dealing with them.
4. The Matter: Be reconciled to God. We have heard much of the way of God's Reconciliation with us; now let us speak of our Reconciliation with God; What is to be done on Man's part.
1. Let us accept of the Reconciliation offered by God: Our great business is to receive this grace so freely tendred to us, 2 Cor. 6.1. We as workers together with him, beseech you not to receive this grace in vain: That is, by a firm assent, believing the Truth of it, 1 Tim. 1.15. This is a true and faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation. And Eph. 1.13. For God hath set forth Christ to be a Propitiation through faith in his blood, Rom. 3.25. And thankfully esteeming and prizing the benefit, (for our acceptance is an Election and Choice) Phil. 3.8, 9. I count all things to be dung and dross for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord. Matth. 13.45, 46. And having found one goodly Pearl of great price, he sold all, and bought it, depending upon the merit, worth, and value of it, 2 Tim. 1.12. I know in whom I have believed: And venturing our Souls, and our Eternal Interests in this bottom, sue out this Grace with this confidence, Psal. 27.3. One thing have I desired of the Lord, and that I will seek after, that I may dwell in the House of God for ever.
2. We must accept it in the way God hath appointed, by performing the Duties required on our part. What are they? Repentance is the general word; as Faith is our acceptance: In it there is included,
1. An humble confession of our former sinfulness and rebellion against God: I have been a grievous Sinner, a Rebel, and an Enemy to God, and this to the grief and shame of his heart, Jer. 3.13. I am merciful, and will not keep anger for ever; only acknowledge thine iniquity which thou hast transgressed against the Lord thy God, and disobeyed my Voice, saith the Lord. And 1 John 1.9. If we confess and forsake our sins, he is just and faithful to forgive us our sins. When they begged the favour of the King of Israel, they came with Ropes about their necks, 1 Kings 20.31. The Creature must return to his Duty to God, in a posture of humiliation, and unfeigned sorrow for former offences.
2. We must lay aside our Enmity, and resolve to abstain from all offences, which may alienate God from us: If we have any reserve, we draw nigh to God, with a treacherous heart; to live like Rebels under a pretence of a friendship, Heb. 10.22. Let us draw nigh with a true heart, in full assurance of Faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil Conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water. And Job 33.31, 32. Surely it is meet to be said unto God, I have born Chastisement, I will not offend any more. That which I see not teach thou me. If I have done iniquity, I will do so no more. Unless you put away the evil of your doings, the anger continueth; and 'tis inconsistent with a gracious estate, to continue in any known sin, without serious endeavours against it. What peace as long as the Whoredoms of thy Mother Jezabel remaineth?
3. We must enter into Covenant with God, and devote our selves to become his, 2 Chron. 30.8. Yield your selves unto the Lord. And Rom. 6.13. But yield your selves unto God. There must be an entire resignation and giving up our selves to be governed and ordered by him, at his will and pleasure. Acts 9.6. Lord, what wilt thou have me to do? Give up the keys of the heart, renouncing all beloved sins: We then depending upon the merit of his Sacrifice, put our selves under the conduct of his Word and Spirit, and resolve to use all the Appointed Means in order to our full recovery, and return to God.
3. Our being reconciled to God implyeth our loving God, who loved us first, 1 John 4.19. For the Reconciliation is never perfect, till there be an hearty love to God; there is a grudge still remaining with us; Faith begets Love, Gal. 5.6. Repentance is the first expression of our Love, the sorrowing, humbling part of it, is mourning Love; the Covenanting part, either in renouncing, is Love, abhorring that which is contrary to our Friendship, into which we are entred with God: The devoting part is Love, aiming at the glory of him who hath been so good: All our after-carriage is Love, endeavouring to please. You will never have rest for your Souls till you submit to this course, and be in this manner at peace with God. Matth. 11.28, 29. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me, for I am meek and lowly, and you shall find rest for your Souls: For my yoke is easie, and my burden is light. God complaineth of his People by the Prophet, that they forget their resting-place, Jer. 5.6. Men seek Peace where 'tis not to be found; try this Creature and that, but still meet with vanity and vexation of Spirit; like Feverish persons, who seek ease in the change of their Beds.