Gospel reconciliation, or, Christ's trumpet of peace to the world

Use. 1. See what a wicked wretched world this is, that cannot bear the Ministers of the Gospel.

Hence then see, what a wicked and wretched world is this, that cannot bear the Ministers of the Gospel? When this is all the work that they come about; this errand unto them in the name of God, to treat with them only to make peace between God and their Souls; here is all the Errand, and yet the world cannot bear this. If they came as the Messengers of Gods wrath against them, then indeed the world might look sourly upon them, and seek to avoid them; but when they come about no other Errand, but merely to treat with their Souls about terms of peace that the world should not receive them, but reject the Gospel, and despise it, and look upon the Ministers of the Gospel as if they were their greatest enemies. This is a most wretched ⟨p. 274⟩wicked world, and there is nothing in the world that can aggravate the sins of men more then this; that they should reject the Ministry of the Gospel. Saith God, What? when I shall send the Minsters of the Gospel, my servants to treat with these wretched Creatures about making peace between me and them, and they shall reject this; certainly God expects that wheresoever he sends the Ministry of the Gospel, generally all people should admire at the grace of God, that is made known to them in Christ, and they should all come in and even cry to God; Lord, What is it thou dost require? what? Is there any Messenger from Heaven come? Now let us give up our hearts as a blank paper; let God write in them whatsoever he pleaseth, (he doth not expect that men should rise in a rage against the word, and cast it of as that that brings trouble upon them) how infinitely are men mistaken in this? to think that the preaching of the Gospel is a trouble to the world, to whom it is the greatest happiness that can be in this world. And if you knew it, you would bless God for it; even with your faces grovelling upon the ground, that such a commission was given to your brethren to come from God, to treat in his name about terms of Reconciliation with you, the Sons of men, What hurt is it the Ministers of the Gospel do unto men? that they should be so troubled with them? as to say, that the Town or place is troubled and we could never be at quiet, since there was such and such preaching, were there not infinite malice; it could never enter into the hearts of men such a conceit as this is.