A30581:262
Gospel reconciliation, or, Christ's trumpet of peace to the world wherein is showed (besides many other gospel truth) ... that there was a breach made between God and man ... to which is added two sermons / by Jeremiah Burroughs.Gospel reconciliation, or, Christ's trumpet of peace to the world wherein is shewed (besides many other gospel truth) ... that there was a breach made between God and man ... to which is added two sermons / by Jeremiah Burroughs.
London: printed by Peter Cole, 1657
Title page typeset from the transcription.
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
This improvement of all by application to our selves follows. Indeed a great part of what hath been insisted on though it hath been by way of Explication, yet it ⟨p. 107⟩hath been Applicatory. But there are yet further things by way of Application to be presented to you, all flowing naturally from what hath been taught neither shall I need to be long in it because it is but only a working upon your hearts the same things which I have enlarged upon in the opening of the Point.
THis improvment of al by application to our selves folows. Indeed a great part of what hath been insisted on though it hath been by way of Explication, yet it ⟨p. 107⟩hath been Applicatory. But there are yet further things by way of Application to be presented to you, al flowing naturally from what hath been taught neither shal I need to be long in it because it is but only a working upon your hearts the same things which I have inlarged upon in the opening of the Point.
1. then from this point; that God was in Christ Reconciling the world to himself. Hence is presented before us the woeful misery that sin hath brought us into. There is nothing that sets out the Breach between God and man so much as this. That the making up of that Breach must be in Christ. There is a great question now on foot. Whether humiliation be necessary or no; whether men must be made sensible of their natural condition, and so be humbled, and that way be brought unto Jesus Christ. There are a great many that Catch hold upon the abuse of this Humiliation so as wholly to exclude it (but exceeding ignorantly) because that some would make humiliation as if it were a Condition of the Covenant, which indeed it is not; and when they hear us say, that it is not a Condition; they presently Conclude that there is no need at all of it; because say they, Humiliation doth not at all interest us in Jesus Christ. And because some perhaps will trust two much in their Humiliation, and rely upon it, therefore others will wholly take it away, and exclude it. But: though humiliation is not the Condition of the Covenant, though it is not that which doth give us an interest in Jesus Christ; though it is not that which we are to rely upon; yet there is very much need of humiliation, and that we be made sensible of our lost Condition by sin; and by that which hath been delivered you may see a necessity of it: for Consider; I suppose if you believe that God will pardon your sins, and that he will be Reconciled ⟨p. 108⟩unto you, you believe it is in Christ: Yea, you will say, that is Certain; and therefore seeing Christ hath wrought our Reconciliation what need we be humbled for sin. Certainly my Brethren in that which you say, if you understand what you say, there is implied the deepest work of humiliation, and the strongest argument thereunto that it is possible for any Creature to be Capable of in this world. How is that, you will say? Thus. I believe that God is reconciled to me in Christ; what? hath God wrought my reconciliation in his Son? hath he brought it about by Jesus Christ? and chosen that way above all other ways to do it? Then certainly such was the Breach between God and me through my sin that all the Angels in Heaven, and all the men in the world could never make it up.
1. then from this point; that God was in Christ Reconciling the world to himselfe. Hence is presented before us the woful misery that sin hath brought us into. There is nothing that sets out the Breach between God and man so much as this. That the making up of that Breach must be in Christ. There is a great question now on foot. Whether humiliation be necessary or no; whether men must be made senssible of their natural condition, and so be humbled, and that way be brought unto Jesus Christ. There are a great many that Catch hold upon the abuse of this Humiliation so as wholly to exclude it (but exceeding ignorantly) because that some would make humiliation as if it were a Condition of the Covenant, which indeed it is not; and when they heare us say, that it is not a Condition; they presently Conclude that there is no need at al of it; because say they, Humiliation doth not at al interest us in Jesus Christ. And because some perhaps wil trust two much in their Humiliation, and rely upon it, therefore others wil wholly take it away, and exclude it. But: though humiliation is not the Condition of the Covenant, though it is not that which doth give us an interest in Jesus Christ; though it is not that which we are to rely upon; yet there is very much need of humiliation, and that we be made sensible of our lost Condition by sin; and by that which hath been delivered you may see a necessity of it: for Consider; I suppose if you beleive that God wil pardon your sins, and that he wil be Reconciled
Such was the Breach that my sin had made between God and my soul as it is required so great a mystery of Godliness to make it up, as the very Angels themselves are not able to comprehend. And indeed it is the greatest work that ever God did do, or that •ver God will do to all Eternity. Consider what it cost to make up the Breach that sin had made between God and thy soul.
Such was the Breach that my sin had made between God and my soul as it is required so great a mistery of Godliness to make it up, as the very Angels themselves are not able to comprehend. And indeed it is the greatest work that ever God did do, or that •ver God wil do to al Eternity. Consider what it cost to make up the Breach that sin had made between God and thy soul.
And again; If you believe that you are reconciled to God in Christ; you do not only see and are Convinced of the greatness of that Breach, but you must be sensible of it too; for can I go out of my self, and exercise such a glorious act of Faith upon Christ as Mediator, and yet not be sensible of what Christ hath done? Certainly the work of faith can never be raised in the heart, But it is raised so as the sinner knows what he doth when he doth believe, and is sensible of what he doth. And if this be so; take but these two things. That when a man believes in Christ as Mediator, that he knows what he doth; when he believes, and is sensible of what he doth; take but these two things for granted, and I will warrant that foul will be humbled; it follows of it self, and of its own nature; it need not be required as a Condition, ⟨p. 109⟩it is as necessary to the work of faith as light in the Sun when it shines, or as heat of the fire, and indeed it is implied. As for example. When I am to go to such a place, or about such a business; it is true, going is not the condition required; it is not required that I should travel so many steps by way of Condition, but that such an act should be performed; that I should be at such a place at such a day to do such a business; now though this be not expressed in a condition, that I must go so many miles, and the going of the miles is as necessary as the other; and though that be not required yet it is implied in the act that is required; and it is to be looked upon as necessary, as that which is required as a Condition. So, it is true, humiliation is not the Condition of the second Covenant, it is not the thing that interesteth us in Jesus Christ, but it is that which the nature of faith doth necessarily imply; for faith is an understanding Grace; and indeed it is the most glorious work of the soul that ever was: for a soul to believe in God through Christ; to believe that God is Reconciled to him in Christ it is the most glorious work under heaven
And againe; If you beleive that you are reconciled to God in Christ; you do not only see and are Convinced of the greatness of that Breach, but you must be sensible of it too; for can I go out of my self, and exercise such a gloriouse act of Faith upon Christ as Mediator, and yet not be sensible of what Christ hath done? Certainly the work of faith can never be raised in the heart, But it is raised so as the sinner knows what he doth when he doth beleive, and is sensible of what he doth. And if this be so; take but these two things. That when a man beleeves in Christ as Mediator, that he knows what he doth; when he beleeves, and is sensible of what he doth; take but these two things for granted, and I wil warrant that foul wil be humbled; it follows of it self, and of its own nature; it need not be required as a Condition,
Now when I believe in Christ as a Saviour; what is he a Saviour from? a Saviour from my sin, a Saviour from the wrath of God, and this the Soul must necessarily be sensible of, how else can it put forth such an act of Faith; and I know no faithful preacher in the world that ever pressed humiliation further then this; that when men believe in Christ, they must know, and be sensible of what they do; you must know Christ is a Mediator, and if he be a Mediator, what is he a Mediator for? why, to make up a Breach between God, and you. And then you must know what that breach is; that is, the breach that your sin hath made. And then you must know what sin that is; Namely, that your sin hath provoked the Justice of God, and put you under the Curse of the Law. So that you see the necessity of opening the law, though it be not a thing which interesteth ⟨p. 110⟩us in Christ, yet it follows of it self as a necessary Consequence without which you cannot understand Christ as a reconciler. This is therefore the first use If God will never be reconciled to any Soul but only in Christ; then that Soul that comes to be Saved must come to see it self in a most woeful Condition; for such a Creature as hath need of such a Mediator must needs be in a most Wretched, Damnable, Miserable, Cursed condition in it self, for else it could never require such a Mediator. And certainly there is no such way to honour Christ as this. When men speak of Christ, and of free Grace, except rhey instruct people in this; Namely the breach that is made between God, and them through sin; how can any of their Auditory understand what Christ is. Christ is a Mediator; what to do? to save from fin, What? from what sin? from sin. What is that? sin must be made known if Christ be the reconciler between God, and us; because Reconciliation implies a breach, and a breach that is made by sin, and if you know not what breach is that is made, how can you honour Christ as Mediator? So that you must know what that breach is: that breach is the enmity that is in your hearts by Nature; you must know what that enmity is, and be sensible of it, or else you can never give glory to God in Christ. And though many have so much in their mouths of Christ, and of free Grace; yet it is apparent in their Course that they do not give glory to Christ;
Now when I beleeve in Christ as a Savior; what is he a Savior from? a Savior from my sin, a Savior from the wrath of God, and this the Soul must necesarily be senssible of, how else can it put forth such an act of Faith; and I know no faithful preacher in the world that ever pressed humiliation further then this; that when men beleeve in Christ, they must know, and be sensible of what they do; you must know Christ is a Mediator, and if he be a Mediator, what is he a Mediator for? why, to make up a Breach between God, and you. And then you must know what that breach is; that is, the breach that your sin hath made. And then you must know what sin that is; Namely, that your sin hath provoked the Justice of God, and put you under the Curse of the Law. So that you see the necessity of opening the law, though it be not a thing which interesteth
Christ hath little cause to thank them for any glory that he hath from them in their Conversation; they rather blot, and stain the name of Christ: and what is the reason? The truth is, they never rightly understood Christ as a Mediator; they never knew what it was to have need of a Mediator between God, and them, and so they having but a superficial knowledge of Christ; Christ hath but a superficial glory from them. That is the first Use.
Christ hath little cause to thank them for any glory that he hath from them in their Conversation; they rather blott, and staine the name of Christ: and what is the reason? The truth is, they never rightly understood Christ as a Mediator; they never knew what it was to have need of a Mediator between God, and them, and so they having but a superficial knowledg of Christ; Christ hath but a superficial glory from them. That is the first Use.
2 IF God hath reconciled himself to the world in Christ. Hence we are to take notice of the great mistakes there are in the world in the point of Reconciliation with God. Certainly if this be a truth; that the only way of making up our peace with God is in Christ; then the world doth generally mistake in the great matter of Reconciliation with God; and a mistake, in this, is an undoing mistake, a damning mistake; a Soul may perish eternally merely through a mistake in the matter of Reconciliation. A man may be troubled for sin, and cry out of his sin, and may break off the practice of his sin, and cry unto God in Prayer that he would pardon him, and be reconciled unto him, and yet mistaking here, and not understanding that it must be God, in, and through Christ that reconcileth himself: the mistake in this may prove an undoing mistake to that Soul; and although they should be Crying out of their sins all their days, they may perish at last if they do not know, and rightly understand how to close with Gods mercy as it is in Christ: if they do not understand, that it is God in Christ that reconcileth himself to the world. We know the greatest part of people look for their Reconciliation with God merely in a natural way; they have sinned against him, and they will cry unto him for mercy, and for pardon, and so they think all may be made up between God and them. I remember Luther hath a notable speech concerning this in his meditation about the way which God hath appointed for reconciling of man to himself, that it is in Christ. It is intolerable ⟨p. 112⟩and horrible blasphemy (saith he) to feign any work by which thou mayest presume to please God; and he gives the reason of it. It is therefore intolerable, and horrible blasphemy for any to feign any work by which they shall presume to pacify God, when they shall see, and hear that God cannot be pacified any other way, but by such a way, as the blood of his Son one drop where of is more precious then the whole Creation. And upon this ground being meditating of Gods reconciling the world to himself, and that it was by such a way as the blood of his Son, and that one drop of his blood is of more value then all the Creatures in Heaven, and Earth; hence it was that he affirms is to be horrible, and intolerable blasphemy for any man to think to pacify God any other way.
2 IF God hath reconciled himself to the world in Christ. Hence we are to take notice of the great mistakes there are in the world in the point of Reconciliation with God. Certainly if this be a truth; that the only way of making up our peace with God is in Christ; then the world doth gennerally mistake in the great matter of Reconciliation with God; and a mistake, in this, is an undoing mistake, a damning mistake; a Soul may perish eternally meerly thorugh a mistake in the matter of Reconciliation. A man may be troubled for sin, and cry out of his sin, and may break off the practice of his sin, and cry unto God in Prayer that he would pardon him, and be reconciled unto him, and yet mistaking here, and not understanding that it must be God, in, and through Christ that reconcileth himself: the mistake in this may prove an undoing mistake to that Soul; and although they should be Crying out of their sins al their daies, they may perish at last if they do not know, and rightly understand how to close with Gods mercy as it is in Christ: if they do not understand, that it is God in Christ that reconcileth himself to the world. We know the greatest part of people look for their Reconciliation with God meerly in a natural way; they have sinned against him, and they wil cry unto him for mercy, and for pardon, and so they think al may be made up between God and them. I remember Luther hath a notable speech concering this in his meditation about the way which God hath appointed for reconciling of man to himself, that it is in Christ. It is intollerahle
Nay, when God by such a way hath appointed Reconciliation, for a man to neglect this, and to think, that any work of his own shall pacify God; especially those that hear the Gospel preached to them, when they shall think of any other way of their own, and so neglect the way that God hath appointed this is indeed a most intolerable, and horrible blasphemy: and Certainly it is that which provoketh the Lord exceedingly; that when a sinner shall be made apprehensive and sensible of the Breach that is made between God and him; for that sinner to think the Breach to be no greater then may be made up with any work of Repentance, or good meaning or good works; the Lord disclaineth to look upon that sinner in this his folly; that a man should think that the Breach between God, and him is a matter of no greater moment. No, my Brethren, you must know, that the Breach between God, and you by sin, is a matter of another manner of Consequence then can be made up by prayers, or fears, or any thing else that you can do all this is untempered Mortar. It is true, when there is Repentance, and turning unto God, it is a good sign that God is at work with your hearts; but that cannot ⟨p. 113⟩do the deed; it is in Christ; it is the blood of the Son of God that must make Satisfaction for sin; it is that which must make the Reconciliation. This is that which is indeed the great doctrine of the Gospel; and till you receive this into your understandings, into your hearts all other things that we preach are to no purpose at all, it will never do you good, till you have embraced this, you will never Sanctify Gods name, nor glorify God in your Conversations, nor have any true peace within your doors, till you come to receive this point into your hearts; that God is in Christ Reconciling the world to himself. Take heed therefore of any mistakes in this point. That is the second Use.
Nay, when God by such a way hath appointed Reconciliation, for a man to neglect this, and to think, that any work of his own shal pacify God; especially those that heare the Gospel preached to them, when they shal think of any other way of their own, and so neglect the way that God hath appointed this is indeed a most intollerable, and horrible blasphemy: and Certainly it is that which provoketh the Lord exceedingly; that when a sinner shal be made apprehensive and sensible of the Breach that is made between God and him; for that sinner to think the Breach to be no greater then may be made up with any work of Repentance, or good meaning or good works; the Lord disclaineth to look upon that sinner in this his folly; that a man should think that the Breach between God, and him is a matter of no greater moment. No, my Brethren, you must know, that the Breach between God, and you by sin, is a matter of another manner of Consequence then can be made up by prayers, or feares, or any thing else that you can do al this is untempred Morter. It is true, when there is Repennance, and turning unto God, it is a good signe that God is at work with your hearts; but that cannot
