GofPel MilS)ione 77 to us the Miniry of Reconciliation. Miniftersof the Word are Minifters of Reconciliation that God path given to his People : what is that ? read the next verfe,to wit, That Godwa's in Chrift rcconcilïng the world unto himfelf, not imputing their tref paffes unto them : Now then , there is a word of Reconciliation, and this is committed unto us, God hash appointed that we íhouldhave this Word of Reconciliation to convey it untoyou ; What is this ? to wit, That Godwas in Chrift reconciling the World unto himfelf,not imputing their fins ; fo thenforgivenefs offin is the end of this Doc`lrine of Reconciliation, that there thould be forgivenefs and pardon of fin to poor fouls in and through Chrift Jefus ; fo that this thews the great fcope of this Ordinance, and the endof it, to wit,forgivenefs of fin : therefore nowonder we flick in this Point, becaufe the great bufinefs we have to do, is to declare the Miniftry ofReconciliation, when a Miniftcr is about that, he is about the work that God hath appointed him to do : all other Do&rines are but to make way for this, and to teach people how to walk worthy of it ; and this is the only taking Dodrine to all thofe that God hath appointed this mercy to ; though we as Minifters cf Chrift preach againft the vanities and profits of this world ; but this is not the main thing, nor the right method of Preaching to work upon the hearts of People, nor the great end of Chrifts Afcenfion , he did not give gifts principally for thefe things, but that men fhould be able to reveal the great Doarine of Pardon of fin : Minift ers need not to keep a ftir to get efteem and love, and to make themfelves honourable among the Peo- ple ; if they did but apply themfelves to Preach this great Do- c`frine God hath fet them about, That God was in Chrift recon- ciling the world unto himfeif, not imputing their fins, they can- not but gain honour in the hearts of thofe that God hath ap- pointed this mercy too ; (Many complain they want refpea and honour, let them take pains in this Doctrine, and they cannot choofe but they muff get honour, if once this Wordof Reconci- liation take hold on any mans heart by Faith and Repentance ; let men fpeak againft fuch a Minifter never fo much, fay what they will of him,) his heart will not be taken off from him, but will be ready to anfwer as the poor blind man did L3
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