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.

CHAP. 36

Use. 1 Seeing God hath excepted none from Mer∣cy, let none except themselves.

BY way of Application now; and that very briefly, only two particulars.

First, Seeing God propoundeth Reconciliation thus in such genneral, and large tearmes to the world. Then, if God have not excepted any, let none except them∣selves. Art thou a man that livest here in the world? there need be no further qualification for the tender of Grace, for the offer of the gospel to thee, but this; that thou livest in the world; God doth not cal for such qualifications as these; That they must be such, and such men, of such and such ranks and dignities, or men of such parts; or that they must be such as have not com∣mitted such, and such sins; Or that they must be first terrified, and so, and so humbled; No; we have Com∣mission to preach the Gospel to every one that hath no other quallification than this, but that he lives in the world. Indeed if thou wert gone out of the world; al∣though thou should'st have but one sinful thought to answer for, we could not preach the Gospel to thee, though it were possible for an Angel to come to thy soul after it is gone out of this world, yet it cold not, nor dare not preach the Gospel to thee. But while thou are in this world, we are appointed to preach the Gospel to thee, and to hold forth the tender of Grace, and mercy to the. There is no councel of God revealed either to Angels, or men, that hath excepted any one in the greatest Congri∣gation of people from Reconciliation with God: and thou that hearest or readest what I now say; thou may∣est bless God, that thou art one; bless God when thou hearest and readest this; that there is no councel of God

against thee made known, either to angels, or men whereby thou art excepted from Reconciliation; But every particular one, for ought we know in any congrega∣tion may be reconciled unto God, and have eternal life. O; Only take heed of abusing this grace of God; look to it, that you make a Good use of this grace of God: this is that which we are bound to tel you, and in the name of God, we do declare it to you; and God pro∣pounds this Gospel to us in these large tearms, that you may be left utterly without excuse if you perrish. There is none of you if you perish can say; I was so vild a siner, that I was afraid I should never be received by God, though I did humble my selfe, and come unto him; for God wil answer you, Were you such a vild Sinner; Did not I reveal my gospel in such genneral termes, that none might exclud himselfe? did not I say, I was re∣conciling my selfe to the world? And did I make any exceptions of thee in particular? Thou oughtest to have come in amongst the rest, and have ventured thy soul up∣on the offer of the freeness of my grace. Indeed there can be no other incouragment but this for the first work, whosoever doth beleeve at any time, he is not to beleeve because any qualification of his gives him a right to it, but upon these termes, that God hath reconciled the world to himselfe; and that he hath offered the promise of grace generally; and that he hath Said; whosoever wil come may come in, and beleeve; whosoever is a thirst may come and that word of his is my warrant; that endifinit Promise that God hath made, is a Suffici∣ent encouragement; and if I can rowl my soul upon this it is that which gives me right and interest in the grace of God; and whosoever hath been saved, hath been saved upon these terms. The first worke hath been a kind of venturing work, they have ventured their soules upon this grace of God thus generally and indefinitly offered, and do you retire into your closets and do so too. You whose consciences condemn you of great, and notorius sinns, when you hear of this genneral offer; though you

do not know wh•••• 〈…〉〈…〉 be elected or no; trouble not your selves with ••u••h thoughts, but venture to cast your souls upon this free gr••ce of God in Christ, with resolution to give up your selves to the service of God for the time to come. ••and though you have not abillity in your selves; yet who knows, but upon such a work as this, Gods Spirit may come, even at that instant to inable you to do it. This is that which God requiers; and if God perswade thy heart to this; it is a good signe, that mercy is intended to thee. When at every time God shal make an offer, and tender of the Gospel to thee, it doth stirr up thy heart thus to conclude; wel, I wil adventure my soul upon this offer; God hath not ex∣cepted me; why then should I except my selfe? God hath not cast me away why should I make my selfe a castaway? do not dispair But beleeve.