1But to come to some trials, whether we have this peace made or no, whether we can say in spirit and truth,1 there is a peace established between God and us. For a ground of this, that may lead us to further trial, know that Christ hath reconciled God and us together, not only by obtaining peace, by way of satisfaction, but by way of application also; whom he dyed for, to obtain peace, he gives a spirit of application to improve that peace, to improve Christ the Prince of peace: as their own; for there is a mutual commerce between God and man, who is an understanding creature; and there is nothing that God doth for man, if we look to the general and head of benefits, but there is somewhat in man wrought, by the Spirit to answer it again. God is reconciled to man in Christ, man must be reconciled to God in Christ, in 2 Cor. 5. God was in Christ, 3reconciling the world; when he was on the Cross, God was there reconciled in Christ. Is that all? no, God by us entreats you to be reconciled to God. A strange condescending, that God should entreat us to be good to our own souls, by his Ministers, We entreat you to be reconciled, that is, to accept of the reconciliation wrought by Christ, and to lay aside all weapons of rebellion, whereby you fought against God, in the course of your vanity, we beseech you to be reconciled, and to repent, because the ⟨p. 263⟩Kingdom of God is at hand: so that except there be reconciliation wrought by a spirit of application on mans part, it is not sufficient, that God is reconciled in Christ, because God will alway have a reflex act from man; as he chooseth man, so man by grace chooseth him, as he loves and delights in man, so he will have man by a spirit of sweetness, delight in him again above all the world; Whom have I in heaven but thee? so there is some▪what wrought by the Spirit to God again. Why should God be at good terms with us, but to enjoy the friendship of his poor creature? unless therefore there be a gracious disposition wrought in the creature, to look back, to love, and delight in God, as God doth in him; there is no actual reconciliation, there must be a forcible application by the Spirit: if God should not give a spirit of application, as well as Christ obtain heaven for us;
1But to come to some tryals, whether we have this peace made or no, whether we can say in spirit and truth,1 there is a peace established between God and us. For a ground of this, that may lead us to further tryall, know that Christ hath reconciled God and us together, not only by obtaining peace, by way of satisfaction, but by way of application also; whom he dyed for, to obtaine peace, he gives a spirit of application to improve that peace, to improve Christ the Prince of peace: as their owne; for there is a mutuall commerce betweene God and man, who is an understanding creature; and there is nothing that God doth for man, if we looke to the generall and head of benefits, but there is somewhat in man wrought, by the Spirit to answer it againe. God is reconciled to man in Christ, man must be reconciled to God in Christ, in 2 Cor. 5. God was in Christ, 3reconciling the world; when hee was on the Crosse, God was there reconciled in Christ. Is that all? no, God by us intreates you to be reconciled to God. A strange condescending, that God should intreate us to be good to our owne soules, by his Ministers, We intreate you to be reconciled, that is, to accept of the reconciliation wrought by Christ, and to lay aside all weapons of rebellion, whereby you fought against God, in the course of your vanity, wee beseech you to be reconciled, and to repent, because the ⟨p. 263⟩Kingdome of God is at hand: so that except there be reconciliation wrought by a spirit of application on mans part, it is not sufficient, that God is reconciled in Christ, because God will alway have a reflex act from man; as he chooseth man, so man by grace chooseth him, as he loves and delights in man, so he will have man by a spirit of sweetnesse, delight in him againe above all the world; Whom have I in heaven but thee? so there is some▪what wrought by the Spirit to God againe. Why should God be at good termes with us, but to enjoy the friendship of his poore creature? unlesse therefore there be a gracious disposition wrought in the creature, to looke backe, to love, and delight in God, as God doth in him; there is no actuall reconciliation, there must be a forcible application by the Spirit: if God should not give a spirit of application, as well as Christ obtaine heaven for us;
- 1How to know God and we are at peace.
- 1If God be reconciled to us, we are reconciled to him.
- 32 Cor. 5.19.
