I. Scripture-light the most sure light ... delivered in three sermons on 2 Pet.…

1. Negatively.

First: Some think that the first, and immediate effect of Christs Death was, to make God reconcilable to Man-kind; for God was in Christ, reconciling the World unto himself; but the world was not actually reconciled at his Death; and therefore, say they, the first effect of Christs Death, was to make God reconcilable. But this cannot be the next, and immediate effect of the Death of Christ; for God was reconcilable before Christ died, and had not only a velleity, but a full will to show mercy to us; for John, 3. God so loved the World, that he sent his only begotten Son: Now if the Love of God to Man-kind were the cause of Christs coming into the World, then he was reconcilable before the Death of Christ.

First: Some think that the first, and immediate effect of Christs Death was, to make God reconcilable to Man-kind; for God was in Christ, reconciling the World unto himself; but the world was not actually reconciled at his Death; and therefore, say they, the first effect of Christs Death, was to make God reconcilable. But this cannot be the next, and immediate effect of the Death of Christ; for God was reconcilable before Christ died, and had not only a velleity, but a ful wil to shew mercy to us; for John, 3. God so loved the World, that he sent his only begotten Son: Now if the Love of God to Man-kind were the cause of Christs coming into the World, then he was reconcilable before the Death of Christ.

Secondly: Others think that our actual Reconciliation, is the next, and immediate effect of the Death of Christ. But this cannot be, for our Saviour tells us, That he which believeth not, abideth under wrath; The Wrath of God doth abide on him. Now if the Wrath of God do abide upon a man, so long as he abideth under Unbelief, then is he not reconciled to God actually, till he believeth. 2. When a man is actually reconciled to God, then he is justified; but we are justified by Faith,