286 rbeDummy of MeZíbíne2fttributcg Chap, r 5, able is the condition it requires t' how impoffible is it to rV1;j be otherwife e God is reconcilable by the Death of Chrift, fo that hemay exercife Mercy without injury tohis Juftice andHolinefs : He is willing and defirous to be upon terms of amity with Men, but cannot be actually reconciled till they Accept-of them : for recon- cilement is between two. Though God upon the ac- count of Chrift is made placable to the humane nature, which he is not to the Angelical in its ?apfed Rate, and hath condefcended fo far as to offerconditions ofpeace to Men, yet they are reconciled at once. That Chrift becomes an effeEtual Mediator, there mull be the con- fent of both parties. As God hathdeclared his by laying the punifhment of our fins on Chrift ; fo Man gives his, by fubmitting to the Lawof Faith. And the great end of Preaching the Gofpel is,toovercome the obftina- cy of Men, and reconcile them toGod and their hap- z Cor. q. ao. pinefs : We are Ambafactorsfor Chrift ; and pray you in ChripsRead, to be reconciled to God : with this differ- ence;Chrift furnifht the means,theyonly bring the mef- fage ofReconciliation. Now Men are with difficulty wrought on to comply with the conditions ofPardon by Chrift: i . Upon the accountofa legal Temper that univer- fally inclines them to feek for uftification by their own Works. This is moltfuitable to the Law, and Light ofnature; for the tenour of the firft Covenant was,Do and live. So that the way of Gofpel-Juftification, as 'tis fupernatural in its difcovery,fo in its contrariety to Man's Principles. Befides, as Pride at firft afpir'd to make Man as God,fo it tempts him to ufurp the honour of Chrift, to behis own Saviour. He is unwilling to ftoop, that he may drinkofthe Waters of Life. Till the Heart by the weight of its guilt is broken in pieces, and lofes its former faili ion and figure, it will not hum- bly
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