A30581:505
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 next use that arises from hence is that the Apostle Peter makes in 1 Pet. 4.11. If any man speak, let him speak as the Oracles of God, mark it, here is an exhortation to those that have to deal in the ministry of the word, that they must (when they speak the word) speak it as the Oracles of God; so that, that ⟨p. 294⟩is delivered in the word; you see it to be as the Oracles of God, whatsoever a minister speaks (according to scripture) it is to be looked upon as the oracles of God. Now therefore if this be so, that the word that is spoken (according to the rule,) is the Oracles of God. then it is the duty of all that do speak the word of God to speak it in such a manner, as it may appear to be the Oracles of God. I have not now to speak to many ministers, and therefore I shall not enlarge my self in this as I should have done. Oh! with what a reverence should ministers speak, for they come to speak as in Christ stead? and therefore they should speak in such a manner as becomes the voice of God, and of Jesus Christ; as the Oracles of God, and not think to speak according to their own fancies, and their own humours, and in their own ways: but to speak as those that are sent in Gods place, to speak to the people as if Christ were speaking to them: and therefore to consider they are in the place of Christ, so to speak with all authority as from Christ, as in Math. 7. verse, the last, It is said of Christ, That he taught them as one having authority, and not as the scribes; for a minister of God, he is to preach in Christs stead (for so the Apostle saith) therefore he is to labour what he can to express the very authority of Jesus Christ in his Ministry, and there is a ministry that doth carry authority with it in the very consciences of men, I have known of some that have come proudly into a Congregation to scorn at the word; Profane Russians that have come on purpose to outface the Ministry, and to out face the word, and yet they have met with that authority in the word, that their hearts have been daunted, and they have fallen under the power of the word, and there is a great deal of difference in the manner and way of preaching the word; some have authority, and others have no authority at all in it. [That kind of preaching that is to please the humours of men] you, shall have some kind of preachers to dandle mens fancies (as it were;)
THe next use that arises from hence is that the Apostle Peter makes in 1 Pet. 4.11. If any man speak, let him speak as the Oracles of God, mark it, here is an exhortation to those that have to deal in the ministery of the word, that they must (when they speak the word) speak it as the Oracles of God; so that, that ⟨p. 294⟩is delivered in the word; you see it to be as the Oracles of God, whatsoever a minister speaks (according to scripture) it is to be looked upon as the oracles of God. Now therefore if this be so, that the word that is spoken (according to the rule,) is the Oracles of God. then it is the duty of al that do speak the word of God to speak it in such a manner, as it may appear to be the Oracles of God. I have not now to speak to many ministers, and therfore I shal not enlarge my self in this as I should have done. Oh! with what a reverance should ministers speak, for they come to speak as in Christ stead? and therefore they should speak in such a manner as becomes the voice of God, and of Jesus Christ; as the Oracles of God, and not think to speak according to their own fancies, and their own humors, and in their own waies: but to speak as those that are sent in Gods place, to speak to the people as if Christ were speaking to them: and therefore to consider they are in the place of Christ, so to speak with all authority as from Christ, as in Math. 7. verse, the last, It is said of Christ, That he taught them as one having authority, and not as the scribes; for a minister of God, he is to preach in Christs stead (for so the Apostle saith) therefore he is to labor what he can to express the very authority of Jesus Christ in his Ministery, and there is a ministery that doth carry authority with it in the very consciences of men, I have known of some that have come proudly into a Congregation to scorne at the word; Prophane Russians that have come on purpose to outface the Ministery, and to out face the word, and yet they have met with that authority in the word, that their hearts have been danted, and they have fallen under the power of the word, and there is a great deal of difference in the manner and way of preaching the word; some have authority, and others have no authority at al in it. [That kind of preaching that is to please the humors of men] you, shal have some kind of preachers to dandle mens fancies (as it were;)
that ⟨p. 295⟩have some fine quaint words, that there sentences shall be very smooth, and (as they say) come off bravely, and this is a dainty preacher, and he shall have many fine latin sentences, and witty speeches, and come into a pulpit and acts as if he were to act a part upon the stage: these are the fine quaint preachers, the Court preachers (as they call them) But this is not to preach as in Christs stead. It is very like that this was the preaching of the Scribes and Pharisees. But when Christ: came to speak, he spake as one that God had authority, and not as the Scribes: There was a great deal of difference between his preaching, and that of the Scribes, he came with the authority of God, he came to preach to the consciences of men, and not to the fancies of men; and the difference, as there was in him, so there is in some measure and degree now; There are some that preach (to this very day) just as the scribes; but there are others that preach as Christ did; that preached to the conscience, and to the hearts of people, and their words do stick in the consciences of men, though they fret, and vex, and go away in a rage; yet there is somewhat that sticks to their consciences: so that they are either forced to yield to it, or fly from it. And here is the reason that many a man will cry out and say, I will never hear such a minister, Why? What is the reason? his corrupt heart cannot bear that ministers preaching; the word comes with power to his heart, and his guilty conscience cannot bear it, now watch but whether there be not some vile guiltiness in their spirits, that say of such men, they will never hear them any more: because their corrupt hearts cannot bear the authority of the word, that preaching that is as if God and Christ speak it, is with authority, and not with fine quaint words: To this purpose you have an expression in 1 Cor. 1.17. [for Christ sent me] he was to go in the name of Christ, [not with wisdom of men] Christ did never send me to preach with the wisdom of men. What a text is here? How will many men be able to answer this ⟨p. 296⟩one text? that make it their great study to get Wisdom of words? But mark the danger of this! [Least the Cross] of Christ be made of no effect. There is a most hideous wickedness in this;
that ⟨p. 295⟩
that a man should regard more to be commended for a fine, Witty, neat, smooth preacher, than he should have regard to the Cross of Christ to take effect, to have Christ to be honoured. We find by experience that such preaching scarce ever stirs the Soul, seldom or never works upon the heart. It was a speech that once even a Prelate that was not the best, but one ill enough, and known to many (I suppose here,) I heard it with my own Ears, he said, That he was convinced so far; that when he came to present one to such a town, he asked whether there were not some in the place that desired some others? Yes said they, there are some that desire a university man to come to them, but saith he, the preaching that is there will not humble a Soul, doth not tend to humiliation. I heard this even from one that I know was not a friend to powerful preaching, and yet his conscience was so far convinced from it; because the wisdom of words and learning is there showed: but that kind of way of preaching the Gospel, it makes the Cross of Christ to be of no effect. Your flaunting preachers, when do they convert a Soul? therefore (saith the Apostle) if we preach so as to do good, it must be such a preaching as is in the 18. vers. It must be foolishness to (wicked) men, but to these that are saved it is the power of God, and the Wisdom of God. wicked carnal men will say, here is no Scholarship, no learning in such a Sermon, Well, it is foolishness to them, but to them that are saved, it is the power of God to Salvation. but such a poor man saith, I know not what they say, But I find a power in it, my Eyes were never awakened till now, my heart was never wrought upon till now; to those that are saved it is the power of God. If you find a power in it, that which wicked men call foolishness; it is a good argument that you are one that shall be saved ⟨p. 297⟩when it quickens you. And again in the 19. vers. For it is written, I will destroy the Wisdom of the wise, and will bring to nothing the understanding of the prudent. Al their bravery shall come to nothing, and then in the 23. vers. But we preach Christ Crucified, unto the Jews a stumbling block, and unto the Greeks foolishness, And then again the 2. Chap. vers. 1. And I Brethren when I came to you, came not with excellency of speech, or of (mans) wisdom. You will say, it was because Paul could not;
that a man should regard more to be commended for a fine, Witty, neat, smooth preacher, than he should have regard to the Cross of Christ to take effect, to have Christ to be honor'd. We find by experience that such preaching scarce ever stirs the Soul, seldome or never works upon the heart. It was a speech that once even a Prelate that was not the best, but one ill enough, and known to many (I suppose here,) I heard it with my own Ears, he said, That he was convinced so farr; that when he came to present one to such a town, he asked whether there were not some in the place that desired some others? Yes said they, there are some that desire a university man to come to them, but saith he, the preaching that is there wil not humble a Soul, doth not tend to humiliation. I heard this even from one that I know was not a freind to powerful preaching, and yet his conscience was so farr convinced from it; because the wisdom of words and learning is there shewed: but that kind of way of preaching the Gospel, it makes the Crosse of Christ to be of no effect. Your flaunting preachers, when do they convert a Soul? therefore (saith the Apostle) if we preach so as to do good, it must be such a preaching as is in the 18. vers. It must be foolishness to (wicked) men, but to these that are saved it is the power of God, and the Wisdom of God. wicked carnal men wil say, here is no Schollership, no learning in such a Sermon, Wel, it is foolishness to them, but to them that are saved, it is the power of God to Salvation. but such a poor man sayth, I know not what they say, But I find a power in it, my Eyes were never awakened til now, my heart was never wrought upon til now; to those that are saved it is the power of God. If you find a power in it, that which wicked men cal foolishness; it is a good argument that you are one that shal be saved
No, Paul was an admirable Scholar, a most Eloquent man, he was brought up under the feet of Gamaliel; And yet this man came not with excellency of speech, or Wisdom of words declaring to them the excellencies of God, for saith he in the 2. vers. I determined not to know any thing amongst you save Jesus Christ, and him crucified, &c. This makes the word powerful; when it comes in the evidence and demonstration of the spirit, and not with enticing words of mans Wisdom, that your faith should not stand in the Wisdom of man, but in the power of God: howbeit we speak Wisdom amongst those that are perfect; There is Wisdom in preaching.
No, Paul was an admirable Scholler, a most Eloquent man, he was brought up under the feet of Gamaliel; And yet this man came not with excellency of speech, or Wisdom of words declaring to them the excellencies of God, for saith he in the 2. vers. I determined not to know any thing amongst you save Jesus Christ, and him crucified, &c. This makes the word powerful; when it comes in the evidence and demonstration of the spirit, and not with entising words of mans Wisdom, that your faith should not stand in the Wisdom of man, but in the power of God: howbeit we speak Wisdom amongst those that are perfect; There is Wisdom in preaching.
You will say, why? should preachers be fool?
You wil say, why? should preachers be fool?
No, God forbid, there should be the greatest Wisdom that can be, and this is no warrant for one to come into the Pulpit, and to speak extempore, we do not come to justify a raw and empty discourse, that hath nothing in it but mere words, and a noise, but hath no solidity; No, let Ministers study, and Labour to be as solid as they can, & search into the mysteries of the Gospel, & open the secrets of God, & so it will prevail with the consciences of men, & if Ministers have any parts, there is matter enough to express the parts of those that are most able, and that which requires their study; and so the Apostle would have Timothy to study, and therefore it is no justifying of those that do not study.
No, God forbid, there should be the greatest Wisdom that can be, and this is no warrant for one to come into the Pulpet, and to speak extempore, we do not come to justifie a raw and empty discourse, that hath nothing in it but meer words, and a noise, but hath no solildity; No, let Ministers study, and Labor to be as sollid as they can, & search into the misteries of the Gospel, & open the secrets of God, & so it wil prevail with the consciences of men, & if Ministers have any parts, there is matter enough to express the parts of those that are most able, and that which requires their study; and so the Apostle would have Timothy to study, and therefore it is no justifying of those that do not study.
But we must remember we come to speak in Christs steed; Christ certainly did not come with empty words, ⟨p. 298⟩but he came to open the counsels of his Father, and he did reveal the, great Mysteries of the Gospel, it was in a solid way, & so the Apostle, that which they spake was weighty and solid (though it was not with vain words and phrases as I spake before.) But this I name the rather, (not that I direct my speech so much to Ministers as to you people; seeing you hear that this is our point; that God & Christ speaks in the Ministry of the word, that therefore you should desire, and affect such a kind of Ministry wherein God speaks most, wherein Christ speaks most; wherein you can hear the voice of God, and of Christ, And I know no one argument that doth more fully evidence the difference between a carnal heart, and a gracious spiritual heart than this. What Ministry doth thy heart most savour, and relish? •hereby you may know the temper of your hearts, One may know the temper of the body by knowing what food one doth most savour: so we may know the temper of the heart, by knowing what food it doth most relish; if thou dost relish frothy food thy heart is according to it▪ but if thou dost relish and Savour a spiritual Ministry that comes in the power and authority of God and Christ, that speaks to thy heart and conscience; this is an evidence, and sign of a gracious disposition in thy heart. And the truth is, in one that is fallen (or in a great measure) from God; if there be any sparks of grace remaining, they will appear in this as much as in any thing; that though his heart be grown more loose than it was: yet still he cannot but acknowledge he doth find more power in such a spiritual Ministry than in another. But your carnal hearts they will savour and relish of a Ministry, that is a mere word ministry, that hath least of God and Christ; where there is but little of God and Christ in the heart, there the Ministry that hath least of God and Christ is most relished. Some Women, and some that are ignorant; if they hear a Sermon that hath a great deal of Greek, & latin in it that they cannot understand; they go away and commend his Sermon though ⟨p. 299⟩they understand not any one thing of it.
But we must remember we come to speak in Christs steed; Christ certainly did not come with empty words,
I have heard of an excellent story of a poor beggar (in Queen Blizabeths time) who heard a Sermon at the Court, and heard a great many Latin Sentences, and Eloquent speeches, and the poor beggar, he follows the Minister when he was going away, and blesses God, and says, Oh! Master Doctor; I bless God, and thank God at my heart. The Minister turns about and asks him, what the matter is? Oh! Master Doctor says he, I hope the old Religion is coming in again.
I have heard of an excellent story of a poor begger (in Queen Blizabeths time) who heard a Sermon at the Court, and heard a great many Latine Sentences, and Eloquent speeches, and the poor beggar, he follows the Minister when he was going away, and blesses God, and says, Oh! Master Doctor; I bless God, and thank God at my heart. The Minister turns about and asks him, what the matter is? Oh! Master Doctor saies he, I hope the old Religion is comming in again.
But have not the Prelates Silenced those men that wrought most upon the heart, and conscience? If any did preach so, as that their Ministry came to be powerful; end to prevail upon the hearts and consciences of men; the Prelates would not let them stand.
Now you will say, How shall I know, what kind of Ministry it is wherein God did speak most?
NOw you wil say, How shal I know, what kind of Ministry it is wherein God did speak most?
For the Answer to that, I appeal to your consciences; what kind of preaching do you think in your consciences there would be if Christ himself were preaching to you? How do you think that Christ himself would preach if he were here upon the Earth? That which comes nearest to what Christ would preach; that you must favour certainly. Christ would not preach to defend superstitious vanities; for Christ (when he came to preach) preached so, as the people many times derided him, and scorned him: One time when he had done his Sermon they carried him to the brow of the hill of the City, and would presently have broken his Neck. Do but read that Sermon of Christ in the 5, 6, 7. Math. What ⟨p. 300⟩preachers would you think your Courtiers to be if Christ were preaching to you? that, that comes nearest to that; that Christ would preach, that you must most favour, and affect.
For the Answer to that, I appeal to your consciences; what kind of preaching do you think in your consciences there would be if Christ himself were preaching to you? How do you think that Christ himself would preach if he were here upon the Earth? That which comes neerest to what Christ would preach; that you must favor cerrainly. Christ would not preach to defend superstitious vanities; for Christ (when he came to preach) preached so, as the people many times derided him, and scorned him: One time when he had done his Sermon they carryed him to the brow of the hil of the City, and would presently have broken his Neck. Do but read that Sermon of Christ in the 5, 6, 7. Math. What ⟨p. 300⟩preachers would you think your Courtiers to be if Christ were preaching to you? that, that comes nearest to that; that Christ would preach, that you must most favor, and affect.
Secondly, That kind of preaching you think in your consciences doth most prevail in the authority of the word, hath humbled most hearts, and converted most souls, that Christ hath set his seal unto. I appeal unto you, what kind of preaching hath humbled most souls, and done most good? Hath not some poor country preacher, that hath preached in the evidence, and demonstration of the spirit, converted more souls unto God than an hundred Bishops? so that he may be able to say, at the great day of judgment (according to his measure) as our blessed Saviour said, Here am I, and those whom thou hast given me.
Secondly, That kind of preaching you think in your consciences doth most prevaile in the authority of the word, hath humbled most hearts, and converted most souls, that Christ hath set his seal unto. I appeal unto you, what kind of preaching hath humbled most souls, and done most good? Hath not some poor country preacher, that hath preached in the evidence, and demonstration of the spirit, converted more souls unto God than an hundered Bishops? so that he may be able to say, at the great day of judgment (according to his measure) as our blessed Savior said, Here am I, and those whom thou hast given me.
Thirdly, Examine of what side you be; those that be of Gods side, they know his voice; (my sheep hear my voice) but a stranger they will not follow, take any town, and divide the people, and see how the Minister is liked, some are for, and some against him. But now look into the difference of their lives; of both these kinds of men of those that are for, and those that are against the Minister; see their different walkings; come into such a place as this, (Because they say there is a thousand ale-houses belonging to this place, of Stepney; I think there be hardly five that do savour the Ministry of the word, and all your profane ones (generally) they speak against the Ministers. Now I appeal to your consciences, (if you were to stand before God at the day of judgment) of which side would you be? either of the side of those that are drunkards, swearers, unclean persons, and railers at the Ministry of the word: or of the side of those that are willing to take pains to hear the word of God, and bless God for the Ministry of his word. Certainly, that preaching hath most of Christ in it that those that have most of the Spirit of Christ do most savour; for they know the voice of Christ, and a stranger they ⟨p. 301⟩will not hear; they can understand it, though wicked and ungodly ones cannot. That is the Second use.
Thirdly, Examine of what side you be; those that be of Gods side, they know his voice; (my sheep hear my voice) but a stranger they wil not follow, take any town, and divide the people, and see how the Minister is liked, some are for, and some against him. But now look into the difference of their lives; of both these kinds of men of those that are for, and those that are against the Minister; see their different walkings; come into such a place as this, (Because they say there is a thousand ale-houses belonging to this place, of Stepny; I think there be hardly five that do savor the Ministery of the word, and al your prophane ones (generally) they speak against the Ministers. Now I appeal to your consciences, (if you were to stand before God at the day of judgment) of which side would you be? either of the side of those that are drunkards, swearers, uncleane persons, and raylers at the Ministery of the word: or of the side of those that are willing to take paines to heare the word of God, and bless God for the Ministery of his word. Certainly, that preaching hath most of Christ in it that those that have most of the Spirit of Christ do most savour; fot they know the voice of Christ, and a stranger they ⟨p. 301⟩
