A30581:279
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.
The Third is a Use of encouragement to sinners to come for Reconciliation with God. You may remember that one Reason why God did on purpose appoint this way to Reconcile himself to the world, was, that he might break the hearts of sinners, and that it might be an encouragement to sinners to come in, Is this Gods End? O! that then God might have this end in your souls This hath bin our endeavour to open what we could, this Doctrine of the Gospel, namely, of Gods Reconciling of himself in Christ; and we have not done this only from this Text but from others: and though divers other things have been spoken, yet you cannot but know, that the drift of all hath bin to this purpose, that God may have this glory of gaining our hearts to himself, and that it might be an encouragement unto you to come in to be reconciled unto God. Are ⟨p. 114⟩there any that are apprehensive of the Breach that sin hath made between God and their souls? I suppose there are many. You put up papers of complaints of the hardness of your hearts and that you cannot be sensible of sin as you desire; it is a sign that there is some sensibleness therefore of the breach between God and you. Now the Lord in opening of this Doctrine propounds the way of Reconciliation, and he would fain draw your hearts to come in and to be reconciled unto him; what is it that hinders? These two things are the Only hinderance.
The Third is a Use of incouragement to sinners to come for Reconciliation with God. You may remember that one Reason why God did on purpose appoint this way to Reconcile himself to the world, was, that he might break the hearts of sinners, and that it might be an encouragement to sinners to come in, Is this Gods End? O! that then God might have this end in your souls This hath bin our endeavor to open what we could, this Doctrine of the Gospel, namely, of Gods Reconciling of himself in Christ; and we have not done this only from this Text but from others: and though divers other things have been spoken, yet you cannot but know, that the drift of al hath bin to this purpose, that God may have this glory of gaining our hearts to himself, and that it might be an incouragement unto you to come in to be reconciled unto God. Are ⟨p. 114⟩there any that are apprehensive of the Breach that sin hath made between God and their souls? I suppose there are many. You put up papers of complaints of the hardness of your hearts and that you cannot be sensible of sin as you desire; it is a sign that there is some sensibleness therefore of the breach between God and you. Now the Lord in opening of this Doctrine propounds the way of Reconciliation, and he would fain draw your hearts to come in and to be reconciled unto him; what is it that hinders? These two things are the Only hinderance.
First, The great distance that is between God, and a Creature; I am a poor vile worm, and the Lord is an infinite, glorious, dreadful God. O! but that I might take off this dreadfulness from you, that that might not scare, and hinder you, therefore he propounds himself to you in his Son. If God should indeed speak from Heaven by thundering, and lightening, and call in sinners to come in and humble your selves, and seek to make your peace with him, that might scare you, and upon the sight of the distance between God and you, you might not dare to come in. But saith God; I call you now in my Son, my Son that came to be like one of you, and to be made sensible of your infirmities, it is in him that I offer you Reconciliation. This takes away the dreadfulness of God from sinners, and therefore a mighty encouragement. And though there be such a distance between God and us, yet there is a Christ between God the Father, and us. Though we be the poorest worms in the world, though we are mean, and vile Creatures, yet if we were ten thousand times meaner then we are, seeing there is such a Mediator between God, and us; this makes up the distance. Christ is such a Mediator as there is enough in him to make up all the distance that can be between God, and man.
First, The great distance that is between God, and a Creature; I am a poor vile worm, and the Lord is an infinite, glorious, dreadful God. O! but that I might take off this dreadfulness from you, that that might not skare, and hinder you, therefore he propounds himself to you in his Son. If God should indeed speak from Heaven by thundring, and lightening, and call in sinners to come in and humble your selves, and seek to make your peace with him, that might skare you, and upon the sight of the distance between God and you, you might not dare to come in. But saith God; I call you now in my Son, my Son that came to be like one of you, and to be made sensible of your infirmites, it is in him that I offer you Reconciliation. This takes away the dreadfulness of God from sinners, and therefore a mighty incouragement. And though there be such a distance between God and us, yet there is a Christ between God the Father, and us. Though we be the poorest worms in the world, though we are mean, and vile Creatures, yet if we were ten thousand times meaner then we are, seeing there is such a Mediator between God, and us; this makes up the distance. Christ is such a Mediator as there is enough in him to make up all the distance that can be between God, and man.
Another hinderance, or discouragement is sin: either the greatness of our sin, or the multitude of our sins, or the long continuance in our sins is that which hinders ⟨p. 115⟩us from coming. O! saith the soul, I have been so vile a sinner, and I have continued so long, and I have multiplied sin one after another, and is it possible for such a one as I am to be Reconciled? It is true hadst thou to deal only with God as he is in himself, thou mightest despair: But know O! sinner that it is God Reconciling of himself in Christ; therefore though thou beest a great sinner, & a sinner of a long continuance; yet there being a Reconciliation with God in his Son; seeing that Christ hath undertaken such a work as to make up a peace between God and sinners, and to mediate for them; thou mayest be encouraged to come in, and to lay hold upon this grace of God in Christ.
Another hinderance, or discouragement is sin: either the greatness of our sin, or the multitude of our sins, or the long continuance in our sins is that which hinders ⟨p. 115⟩us from comming. O! saith the soul, I have been so vile a sinner, and I have continued so long, and I have multiplied sin one after another, and is it possible for such a one as I am to be Reconciled? It is true had'st thou to deal only with God as he is in himself, thou mightest despaire: But know O! sinner that it is God Reconciling of himself in Christ; therefore though thou beest a great sinner, & a sinner of a long continuance; yet there being a Reconciliation with God in his Son; seeing that Christ hath undertaken such a work as to make up a peace between God and sinners, and to mediate for them; thou may'st be encouraged to come in, and to lay hold upon this grace of God in Christ.
If thou sayest thou art unworthy; and that there is no worthiness in thee for God to regard thee for. Al this is still answered with this. It is God that is reconciling the world to himself in Christ. Indeed were it so that there were nothing but God and thee to deal together; and if thou wert to deal only with God, himself thou mightest be afraid but thou hast to deal with God not in himself win his Son, for so he hath Set forth himself the to world, he is reconciled to the world in his son, and herefore that may encourage thee notwithstanding all thy unworthiness.
If thou sayest thou art unworthy; and that there is no worthines in thee for God to regard the for. Al this is stil answered with this. It is God that is reconciling the world to himselfe in Christ. Indeed were it so that there were nothing but God and thee to deal together; and if thou wert to deal only with God, himselfe thou mightest be afraid but thou hast to deal with God not in himself win his Son, for so he hath Set forth himselfe the to world, he is reconciled to the world in his son, and herefore that may incorage thee notwithstanding al thy unworthines.
And what Further hast thou to discourage thee?
And what Further hast thou to discorage thee?
O! thou wilt say; God is infinitely Just to punish sin.
O! thou wilt say; God is infinitly Just to punish sin.
Still this point will be Sufficient to remove all discouragements; that he is Reconciling the world to himself. Though he is Holy; his Holiness is pleased in Christ: Though he is Just: his Justice is satisfied in Christ. So that there is enough in this point to take away all objections, to remove all discouragements that any Sinner in the world hath. And therefore as God doth propound this on purpose to draw sinners to himself that they may be reconciled unto him; So let them know; that the more grace here is received for the taking away of all objections, and discouragements; the more will sinners be left without excuse another day if they do not come ⟨p. 116⟩in and lay hold upon this grace of God in Christ; God will have his glory that way if he cannot have it the other. God primarily intends his glory in reconciling the world to himself; and therefore takes away all discouragements from sinners that they may come in and venture their souls upon his rich grace, and mercy in Christ; But if God cannot have his glory from that point; then, the more this is preached in any congregation, the more will God have his glory by the stopping of mens mouths that they shall not be able to say another day; O, the Lord was terrible, and he was a hard master, and I durst not go unto him. Indeed my Conscience told me I had sinned against him, but I durst not go to him for mercy for I was afraid of him. The mouths of men shall be stopped another day that have heard this doctrine or God reconciling the world in Christ opened unto them, and have not come in, and laid hold upon it. Indeed it is the plea of many a servant that hath offended his master, when one comes to him and Saith; why do not you go and humble your self before your master. O, Saith he I dare not, he is such a furious man that he will fly upon me presently, I had rather suffer very much then go to him; and this they think excuse enough; and many poor Servants will rather wander up and down the Country, and perish, then go back to their master? But no sinner can say so of God, let him be never so vild a sinner that is departing from God, if one should come unto him and say; you wretched sinner whether are you going? you are departing from God, you are going away from him, but behold God calls you to come in;
Stil this point wilbe Sufficient to remove al discoragements; that he is Reconciling the world to himselfe. Though he is Holy; his Holines is pleased in Christ: Though he is Just: his Justice is satisfied in Christ. So that there is enough in this point to take away al objections, to remove al discouragments that any Sinner in the world hath. And therefore as God doth propound this on purpose to draw sinners to himselfe that they may be reconciled unto him; So let them know; that the more grace here is received for the taking away of al objections, and discoragments; the more wil sinners be left without excuse another day if they do not come
O, go, and humble your souls and lament your sin, and lay down all those weapons of enmity against God which you have taken up. This sinner now cannot say; how shall I dare to look upon God, I that have been such a vild, and wretched Sinner, Surely God will destroy me, and consume me. No, the Lord propounds himself to you, a God or mercy in his Son, and ⟨p. 117⟩tells you, that he hath provided a means in his Son to be reconciled unto you; and that his heart hath been so much upon reconciling himself to the children of men, as that he hath sent his son to do this work and though it cost the very blood of his son, yet he will do it; and therefore sinner if thou dost not come in, but wilt go on in wandering from God and Continuing in ways of enmity against him, thy blood be upon thine own head. Thou hast read this blessed doctrine of the Gospel opened; that God was reconciling himself to the world; and that he was reconciling himself to the world in his Son; and that God excepted that when this message was brought to a Congregation; the whole Congregation should come and fly unto him; and that the world should be filled with Cries; O! that we might be Reconciled unto him. Our Lord expects this day from some of you to hear you reflect this upon your selves by crying unto him for Reconciliation in his Son; that should be the issue of such sermons as these are; God ever after such preaching looks to hear some soul repeat in prayer to God, and tell him what it hath heard in the Ministry of the word; and upon that make a prayer unto him according to what it hath heard. As in this manner; The Lord expects that this day some sinner, or other should get alone, and be crying unto God in prayer. Lord, I have heard, not only that there is a possibility for sinners to be Reconciled, but there is such a glorious way of Reconciliation, that thou hast done it in thy Son. Such an honourable way; and such a certain way of Reconciliation; and that thy heart is much in that way. And Lord I have heard, that this is a way, that takes away all objections in the world; all the discouragements that can be imagined; and thou hast revealed it to that end, that is, that thou mightest break the hearts of sinners, and draw them to come in, and accept of that blessed covenant that thou hast tendered to them in Christ, and to be reconciled unto thee.
O, goe, and humble yor soules and lament your sin, and lay downe al those weapons of enmity against God which you have taken up. This sinner now cannot say; how shal I dare to look upon God, I that have been such a vild, and wretched Sinner, Surely God wil distroy me, and consume me. No, the Lord propounds himselfe to you, a God or mercy in his Son, and
Now Lord I desire to cast my soul upon ⟨p. 118⟩this free grace of thine in thy Son; O! that I might feel thy spirit enabling me to such a glorious work as this; and O! that the Lord might hear such things as these from some of your Closets this day; it will be that which will even cause the heart of God to rejoice that ever he opened the doctrine of Reconciliation to you; otherwise it will turn to the quite contrary end; it will only serve to stop your mouths at the great day. That is another Use.
Now Lord I desire to cast my soul upon ⟨p. 118⟩this free grace of thine in thy Son; O! that I might feel thy spirit inableing me to such a gloriouse work as this; and O! that the Lord might heare such things as these from some of your Closets this day; it wil be that which wil even cause the heart of God to rejoyce that ever he opened the doctrine of Reconciliation to you; otherwise it wil turne to the quite contrary end; it wil only serve to stop your mouthes at the great day. That is another Use.
Yet once more: If there be such a way of Reconciliation between God and us; if God hath wrought it so, that it is in Christ. Truly from hence we have no Cause to despair in Gods power, and wisdom, and goodness to make peace in this Nation; God hath done the greater work. You see that God is a God of peace and loves peace; and to the end that he might be at peace with the wretched Children of men, he hath wrought so wonderfully as to send his own Son into the world and provide such a way that he may be sure that peace may be made, and by that way he hath done it: He hath made peace between Mercy; and Justice; there is peace made between an infinite provoked God and wretched sinful vild Creatures. I told you before that this was a mighty difficult work; yea, the most difficult that ever was, or can be in the world. If God hath therefore wrought such a work so difficult, in a way so glorious. Then from hence learn not to despair, but that God may work even peace for us in this Nation, and an honourable peace, and a good peace too. We are not ⟨p. 119⟩only hereby encouraged to cry unto God for peace between him and our Souls; but we are by this encouraged to cry unto him for peace in the Nation, and that he would put an end to these woeful times of destruction, and misery, and war which many of our Brethren have suffered, and bled under. And indeed those that do understand, or have ever felt the work of God in working peace between his majesty and their Souls, they are those that have such interest in God, as if any people, shall prevail with him for peace in the land, it must be these; they will prove to be our peace makers in the conclusion, howsoever people at present cry out of them as if they were the means and instruments of making the gratest debate, and as if they were the enemies of peace: No my Brethren, they that have experience of this great work of God, of making peace between himself, and their Souls, they are they that he at the Throne of grace continually crying unto him that is the prince of of peace to make peace in the Land.
YEt once more: If there be such a way of Reconciliation between God and us; if God hath wrought it so, that it is in Christ. Truly from hence we have no Cause to dispaire in Gods power, and wisdome, and goodness to make peace in this Nation; God hath done the greater work. You see that God is a God of peace and loves peace; and to the end that he might be at peace with the wretched Children of men, he hath wrought so wonderfully as to send his own Son into the world and provide such a way that he may be sure that peace may be made, and by that way he hath done it: He hath made peace between Mercy; and Justice; there is peace made between an infinite provoked God and wreatched sinful vild Creatures. I told you before that this was a mighty difficult work; yea, the most difficult that ever was, or can be in the world. If God hath therefore wrought such a work so difficult, in a way so gloriouse. Then from hence learne not to dispaire, but that God may worke even peace for us in this Nation, and an honorable peace, and a good peace too. We are not
We desire peace. But you will say; How can it be done that way? Why should we say how? when God himself hath made peace between Heaven, and Earth. We see things so intricate, that we know not how it should be done, and we wonder it should ever be brought about, that the Spirits of men being so set one against another there should be a Reconciliation: But God hath ways in his infinite Wisdom that we are not able to comprehend, the spirits of any of our Adversaries are not so desperately bent against us, but there was as much enmity between us, and God, as there can be betwixt us, and any of our adversaries in the world: and we have no such exasperated enemies against us, as we were by nature against God. If therefore God could find a way when we were such enemies unto him to make peace betwixt us; and him; then hath God likewise a way to make a true settled, and constant peace between our Adversaries, and us: And we should desire; that as ⟨p. 120⟩God hath made our peace with him firm, and sure; so that what peace God makes in this land, it may be somewhat like unto that peace that he hath made between Heaven, and Earth. There is a firm peace made between God, and us, a peace that we may rest upon, and confide in. A peace between our adversaries, and us, (as things now stand) we cannot count it sure; you cannot be sure of your lives one night after it is done; as things now stand. But we must desire such a peace might be made, as there is made between God, and us; sure, and firm, and stable. Therefore pray much, and believe much as you are able; and though things be brought to such a strait as there is no likelihood in the thoughts of men how it should be done; yet they are not brought to such a strait as things were between God, and us before he reconciled himself unto us. And there was more required to make up that Reconciliation betwixt God, and us, then there can be between us, and our adversaries. And what was it that made our peace first with God? God was in Christ reconciling the world; it was the blood of his Son that saved our blood, and therefore let all those that are godly go to this God of peace, and not only cry to him by Prayer for the making of a true, and firm peace amongst us; but present unto him the blood of his Son to that end; and say; O Lord; thou that sentest thy Son into the world to make peace between our Souls and thee;
We desire peace. But you wil say; How can it be done that way? Why should we say how? when God himself hath made peace between Heaven, and Earth. We see things so intricate, that we know not how it should be done, and we wonder it should ever be brought about, that the Spirits of men being so set one against another there should be a Reconciliation: But God hath waies in his infinite Wisdom that we are not able to comprehend, the spirits of any of our Adversaries are not so desperately bent against us, but there was as much enmity between us, and God, as there can be betwixt us, and any of our adversaries in the world: and we have no such exasperated enimes against us, as we were by nature against God. If therefore God could find a way when we were such enimies unto him to make peace betwixt us; and him; then hath God likewise a way to make a true setled, and constant peace between our Adversaries, and us: And we should desire; that as
look upon that blood, and let that blood prevail with thee to make peace in England; that there may be no more of the precious blood of thy Saints spilt, and shed amongst us. Here is the way to get peace. And Certainly if the blood of Christ were able to make such a peace between us, and God as is firm, and lasting: it will be able also to make peace in this poor Nation; and such a peace as shall be firm, and lasting too.
look upon that blood, and let that blood prevail with thee to make peace in England; that there may be no more of the precious blood of thy Saints spilt, and shed amongst us. Here is the way to get peace. And Certainly if the blood of Christ were able to make such a peace between us, and God as is firme, and lasting: it wil be able also to make peace in this poor Nation; and such a peace as shal be firme, and lasting too.
Thus we are encouraged in regard of external condition; in regard of the peace of our land; that seeing ⟨p. 121⟩God hath done the greater, he is able much more to do the lesser. That seeing God hath reconciled mercy, and Justice together, and made peace betwixt Heaven, and Earth, when the Breach was so great, as all the men in the world, and the Angels in Heaven could not find out a way to compose the difference, and make up that breach, yet he hath done it: He can certainly also compose the differences, and make up the breach that is amongst us.
Thus we are incouraged in regard of external condition; in regard of the peace of our land; that seeing ⟨p. 121⟩God hath done the greater, he is able much more to do the lesser. That seeing God hath reconciled mercy, and Justice together, and made peace betwixt Heaven, and Earth, when the Breach was so great, as al the men in the world, and the Angels in Heaven could not find out a way to compose the difference, and make up that breach, yet he hath done it: He can certainly also compose the differences, and make up the breach that is amongst us.
