bar or bolt that by nature is upon our hearts is stubbornness this sticks to our wills man by nature is a way ward and a self-will'd creature our wills are imbondaged to sin and though we have a will to destory our selves yet we have none to save our selves Corrupt minds know no other law but their own lusts and of these they cry out as Israel of their Idols Strangers have we loved and strangers will we follow Jer. 2.25 When Christ comes and knocks at our hearts corruption presently rises to oppose him we will not have this man to reign over us Luk. 19.14 But God comes with his key and opens this door also he makes us of an unwilling to be a willing people Psal 110.3 This God doth not by violence and compulsion but in a sweet and a gracious way he perswades Japheth to dwell in the Tents of Shem Gen. 9.27 God reasons us out of our rebellion making use of that excellent gift of reason wherewith he hath adorned his creature And thus debates the case with him What reason have you to forsake me who am a fountain of living water for broken cisterns that will hold no water Why will you die O house of Israel When all was well between God and you was it not better with you than now Turn you turn you therefore from your evil ways Thus God treats man as a reasonable creature and takes the hint of his own gifts wherewith he bath endowed his creature 3. There 's one lock or bolt more which God opens and that is the Affections Man by mature cannot delight in God nor love him but when God woes in earnest he wins our hearts and engages all our affections to himself so that we love nothing but God or for God for when once the Will is won all is won For the Will among other perfections of the Soul hath the dominion over all the other faculties and affections when therefore it hath fixt the desires or some good that is proportionable to the wideness of the heart it useth its liberty for the choosing of such means as are most proper for the attaining of that good and imploys all the inseriour faculties for the execution of these means In short as soon as the Soul becomes ravisht with the apprehension of that infinite goodness that is in God it 's earnestly drawn out to desire union with him and participation of his glory So that now God is the adequate object of all our love joy and desire and that this is no other but Gods work see Deut. 30.6 The Lord thy God will circumcise thy heart and the heart of thy seed to love the Lord thy God with all thy heart and with all thy soul c. But this is more directly our next work 3. The third thing proposed is to prove that 't is Gods work to open mans heart He that made the heart can only open it men may knock but there 's none can open and enter but God alone We read in the Acts when the Exorcists undertook to cast out unclean spirits the Devils answered Jesus we know and Paul we know but who are ye Act. 19.15 'T is so here longer than God owns his messengers and stands by them Sin and Satan tell us God he knows and Jesus he knows but who are you A lively abridgment of Gods dealing with his people in this case we have in Cant. 5. where Christ comes wooes his Church and lays her open ver 2. but see what silly and sinful excuses she makes to put off Christ ver 3. I have put off my coat how shall I put it on But Christ had a purpose to enter and therefore we read ver 4. He put in his hand by the hole of the door and then her heart was affectioned toward him What is this hand or finger of Christ but the efficacy of his Spirit whereby he puts back the boult or unlocks the door of her heart before she could come and entertain him Christ first bores and digs thorough the heart and makes a passage for himself to enter and then comes in and takes possession The arguments for proof follow of which the first is this Res 1. Our hearts by nature are all possest by Satan and strongly fortified against God and Christ whence Christ thus frames his argument That the strong man armed keeps the house till a stronger than he comes and bind him Mat. 12.29 Satan hath the possession and will not leave his hold until he be over-powered so much that Scripture imports Col. 1.13 Who hath delivered us from the powers of darkness 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 hath delivered us by force so strong are his chains that nothing can break them but the hand of Omnipotency but Oh here is the happiness of Christ's redeemed that stronger is he that is in them than he that is in the world Thanks be to God who hath made us conquerors thorough our Lord Jesus Christ I Joh. 4.4 Res 2. If God come into the heart he enters the right way he doth not climb up the walls nor creep in at the windows such an entrance is not for the honour of the King of Saints and therefore he bids us open the everlasting doors c. Psal 24. as when a King enters a City the gates are set wide open or thrown off their hinges to congratulate the Kings coming and ta shew their joyful entertaining of their lawful Soveraign such an entrance is Christs God makes no forcible entry doth not break the house or enter against his peoples will no he sweetly subdues us as he that opens with a key now none but God hath a key to open those doors Rev. 3.7 The Angel to the Church of Philadelphia c. Thus saith he that hath the key of David which openeth and no man shutteth 'T is wonderful to see the strongest hold and most impregnable castle that from outward force is free and invincible yet 't is but the turning of a key that presently opens it and gives entrance without blood or blows so 't is here God oyls the lock and turns the key and the Soul opens Res 3. All heart-work in order to Salvation if it be effectual is ascribed to God Take a few Instances 1. God searches the heart Jer. 17.10 I the Lord search the heart and try the reins he only knows it that made it even he whose eyes are like a flame of fire that pierce to the bottom of hell The wiles and wickedness the depths and deceits of this member are so many that the Prophet cried out Who can know them Jer. 17.9 Who none but an Omniscient God before whose eyes all things are naked and bare 2. God opens our hearts to our selves so much as we know of them savingly Deut. 8.2 God minds Israel of the tedious and tiresom travel of theirs thorow the Wilderness forty years which was to humble them and prove them to know what was in their
that Christ dwells in them by faith and sith they have good evidences that they are such what need more ado for them A. There are divers degrees and measures of Grace whereby Christ dwells in his Elect and though we have already opened to him yet 't is our duty to open wider still Our case is like that of the blind-man whom Christ cured in the Gospel who after the first touch saw men as trees walking but Christ touches his eyes again and then he saw plainly Mar. 8.25 'T is just so with the best of Gods Saints Alas we have but a little of the Power and Spirit of Christ at our first acquaintance with him and therefore we must evermore widen our hearts and make more room to entertain him Arg. 5. Consider the many engagements God hath laid upon us to open our hearts to him God hath opened his heart to us he hath not lockt up the Mysteries of the Gospel in secresie No as we read of Sampson for the love he bore to Delilah he told her all his heart so hath God to us he hath kept nothing from us that may make us wise to Salvation The Apostle tells the Church of Ephesus That he had shewed them all the counsel of God Act. 20.27 And that the will of God was never revealed to other ages as now it is revealed to us Eph. 3.5 2. God hath opened Heaven to us that for sin was shut against all Adams posterity for as Adam sinning was driven out of an Earthly Paradise so was he also out of the Heavenly Paradise and Christ came from Heaven and suffered death for us that he might open a way for us again into Heaven therefore he is called our forerunner Heb. 6.20 Whither our forerunner is entered in for us The Holy of Holies in the Sanctuary was a type of Heaven this holy place was severed or parted from the body of the Sanctuary by a veil at Christs death we read this veil rent in twain Mat. 17.51 hereby shewing us that Christ by his death hath made an open way for us into the Holy of Holies in Heaven God hath paved us a way in the blood of his Son and now we may come with boldness 3. God opens his ears to our prayers Isa 37.17 his eyes to distresses Exod. 3.7 I have surely seen the affliction of my people Israel which are in Egypt and have heard their cry c. He hears his peoples prayers and their enemies threats he hears the railing of Rabshekah the cursing of Shimei and the least injuries that are plotted against the just shall not we open our heart to him 4. He hath opened hell and the grave for us We read when Christ suffered at the Resurrection many dead bodies of the Saints which slept arose with him Mat. 27.53 to assure us that he hath the keys of hell and of death and that he will not leave the dust of his Saints for ever under the power of death No I know thou wilt not leave my soul in the grave c. Psal 16. The grave until Christs Resurrection was an impregnable hold and from thence had been no redemption had not Christ opened it for our deliverance 5. God opens his hand to us daily in the gifts of his bounty God comes loaden with plenty of all good things He openeth his hand and filleth every living thing with goodness whatever wants the poor creature sustains God alone supplys them all Oh shall God open so much to us and shall we not open our hearts to him it would be horrid ingratitude should we thus requite the Lord. The duty though most reasonable yet it 's difficult these Directions improved may make it easie Direct 1. Be faithful and diligent in searching into the state of your hearts know that there are a thousand deceits that lodg and lurk in the hearts of the sons of men The Psalmist tells us That the ungodly boasteth of his hearts desire When Solomon assures us That the soul of the wicked desireth evil Prov. 21.10 O let not your treacherous hearts deceive you pose your selves with such serious Questions as these Heart what is thy case how is it with thee tell me faithfully whether thou art the old heart or the new whose Image dost thou bear Christs or Satans Art thou a dead heart or a living hast thou been ever new-made or no hast thou new affections new motions and desires or no tell me hath Christ taken possession of thee or not These would be close Questions if our hearts were held closly to answer them Know you not saith the Apostle that Christ is in you except you are reprobates 2. If you find not Christ within you mourn over your empty hearts What a lamentation did Mary make when she found the grave empty when she sought Christ Ah they have taken away my Lord c. Much more reason have we to break our hearts with sorrow if upon a serious search we find not Christ in our heart Oh cry out Sin and Satan have robbed me of my dearest Saviour no tokens or footsteps of Christ to be seen in me 3. Seek Christ diligently imitate the Church in a like case who sought Christ Jesus at home and abroad by night upon her bed she sought him whom her soul loved arose and went about the City and enquires of the Watchmen and all to find her Beloved Cant. 1.5 4. Be gleaning in Gods field the Ordinances of God are a spiritual harness where you may fill your empty sacks as Joseph did his Brethrens Ruth gleaned in Boaz's field among the sheaves and reapers and so returned laden Christs Ordinances are like Israels Camp where the Heavenly Manna falls If your souls are sick of love to Christ here he 's present to refresh you with flagons of spiritual liquor far better than wine Take then Christs own counsel get forth by the footsteps of the flock and feed your kids beside the shepherds tents Cant. 1.8 The Prophet calls the Word a hammer come under this hammer and there 's hope of opening Again the word is Christ's voice and 't is worth our observation that the Church first cried out It is the voice of my Beloved that knocketh before she opened Cant. 5.2 5. Affect your hearts with the incomparable excellencies of Christ We are all in a deep sleep by nature and who will rise and open to one whom he doth not know Observe when Christ sollicited his Church she had never stirred out of that deep slumber she was in and opened to him had she not been thorowly convinced of those rare endowments that were in him witness that rare description she makes of him from the 10. v. to the end of that Cant. 5. the daughters of Jerusalem wondered she troubled her self so much about her Beloved to whom she replys Do you wonder my beloved is white and ruddy and the chiefest among ten thousand c. 6. Labour for Faith as for Heaven it self as Faith empties
the heart of sin so it opens the heart to Christ unbelief bolts the door against him but Faith unlocks it Christ could not do many mighty works in Nazareth because of their unbelief away then with all sinful fears Though we have many misgivings within us yet lament them with bitterness and cry out I believe Lord help my unbelief Mind that blessed promise Mat. 2l 22 Whatsoever you ask believing it shall be given you 7. Lastly get your hearts warmed with the grace of Love though they are cold by nature yet beg a spark of this Heavenly fire from Heaven Love is of a dilating and widening nature it makes room in the heart for Christ read Joh. 14.23 If any man love me he will keep my word and my Father will come to him and we will dwell with him Can we possibly bolt the door and keep out him whom we love no the love of God will constrain us to let him in and entertain him 2 Cor. 5.14 The word there used signifies to streighten or to keep in but that is from other things as from sin and the world that so the soul may be the more free for God Oh then that the measure of our love to Christ might be beyond measure this one rule if practised would do the work for all God never parts from that soul where there is but love to entertain him Vse 6. Lastly its matter of unspeakable comfort to as many as with Lydia have their hearts opened Oh what heavenly peace and security what rivers of spiritual pleasure and joy should overflow our hearts as soon as God hath opened them Hath God opened thy heart know that God hath brought Heaven into thy heart now and the same God will bring thee into Heaven shortly When Lydia's heart was opened how was her joy increased and her affections enlarged we read she sought acquaintance with the Apostles she could no longer be a stranger to them who had been the instruments of her Conversion but besought them earnestly saying If you have judged me faithful to the Lord come into my house and abide there and she constrained us Her heart could not hold her comfort but must now impart some of it to them from whom she had received it If any of us have shared with Lydia in the Grace of the Gospel make a little room more in these narrow hearts of yours to entertain some part of her comforts also Q. You will tell me you would willingly but you doubt whether your heart be opened or no A. For your resolution you may know that your heart is opened by God If you find your love and your affections carried out to God above all things in Ezek. 44.2 where the Prophet describes the New Jerusalem We read the Lord brought him to the East-gate of the Sanctuary and said unto him This gate shall be shut and shall not be opened and no man shall enter in by it because the Lord God of Israel hath entered by it This gate is a figure of the heart which being once opened to God must be opened to nothing else We may know then that our heart is opened to God when 't is shut to all vanities in the world God will have all the heart or none nothing must share with him a heart possessed by God loves nothing but God or for God 2. If our heart be opened to God it will cast out all sin as when the graves were opened at Christs death we read they sent forth their dead the dead bodies arose as soon as the graves were opened so 't will be in a soul that is opened to Christ it will cast out all dead works works of sin and darkness If Christ be in you the body is dead because of sin 3. A heart opened to Christ will send forth all sorts of spiritual Graces duties and performances as 't is with the Earth while it lies bound up and frozen in the Winter it 's barren and brings forth nothing but as soon as the spring warms it with the Sun and opens it it sends forth all sweet herbs and flowers even thus we may know that Christ is within us by the Graces and gracious performances that are without Christ is a living root a root that never ceases but like Aaron's rod is always blooming and blossoming 4. Where the heart is opened to Christ all is opened all the parts and powers of the whole man God is so entertained into one part that he is kept out of none 't is all suitable where God hath opened the heart A taste you may have in these Particulars 1. There 's an open ear to hear the Word of God till God hath taken possession of the heart we are like the deaf Adder that stop our ears to the voice of Gods sweet charmers Isa 29.18 In that day shall the deaf hear the words of this Book and the eyes of the blind shall see out of obscurity and darkness 1 The blind and deaf Gentiles shall in the days of the Gospel be both enlightned and enlivened with saving knowledg whensoever God commands men to return from iniquity he openeth their ears to discipline Job 36.10 Gods Word comes with authority and makes its own way to make room for Christ when once he hath taken hold of the heart 2. There 's an open eye to see the will and mind of God we are all by nature as well blind as deaf in things that are spiritual but God makes the eyes of the blind to see as well as the ears of the deaf to hear Isa 35.5 that is God so far enlightens our understanddings that the mysteries of Salvation are revealed and made clear to us Gods Word comes now with a Commission when it goeth forth it gives light and understanding to the simple Gods redeemed shall never miscarry thorow ignorance They have an unction from the holy one and know all things 1 Job 2.20 1 Whatsoever is necessary to Salvation in lesser errors Believers may be intangled but in Fundamentals they shall never If any man be a doer of Gods will he shall know of the Doctrine whether it be of God Job 7.17 3. There 's an open hand to do the work of God such whose hearts God hath opened are not only hearers of the Word but doers also such a one shews his Faith by his Works you may see what such a one is within by what he is without Like Noah's Ark he is pitcht within and without there 's grace within and grace without he shews by a good conversation his works in meekness and wisdom Jam. 3.13 4. Lastly where God hath opened the heart there is also an open mouth to praise God This is added to compleat the work Isa 35.6 God promises to make the tongue of the dumb to sing Such souls whom God hath visited in mercy are not able to conceal either Gods mercies or their own comforts no they must speak of the loving-kindness of God though it be
into Macedonia and help us Where by the way we may note that Ministers how meanly soever esteemed in the world are those by whom God helps his perishing people This title the Apostle owns a helper of his peoples joy 2 Cor. 1.24 Those that cannot help themselves sometimes can yet help others poor themselves yet make many rich Luther boldly told the Prince of Saxony Scire te velim c. I would have your Highness know you have more need of my Prayers than I have of your Protection Well now it appears indeed that Christ by his death hath pulled down the wall of partition between Jew and Gentile and that God hath put no difference between us and them for what was Macedonia at this time when Paul was called to preach Christ there but a mass and mixture of Ignorance and Atheism as we and other Gentiles were without God without Christ and without hope Eph 2.12 Being come to Macedonia he begun to preach at Philippi ver 12. and his encouragements at first were but mean for his auditory were only a few poor Women ver 13. Gualter on the place excellently notes how God exercises the faith and constancy of his Servants Paulus vocatus per Angelum putaret aliquis omnes ei obviam venturas c. Paul was called by an Angel who would not have thought that the whole Country would have flocked to hear such a Preacher But alas Paul's hopes fail him not one man came to hear the great Apostle only a few poor Women and among these God singles out one and marks her up for mercy v. 16. A certain woman named Lydia c. We have here then the History of Lydia's Conversion and here again we have 1. The Apostle preaching 2. A weak Woman hearing 3. The great God blessing the Sermon Or we hare 1. The person convetted who is several ways described 1. By her Name to confirm the truth of the story Lydia 2. By her Sex a Woman that Sex by which sin entered into the world 3. By her imployment a seller of Purple a trade as one observes serving not so much for necessity as for pride 4. By the place of her abode a stranger one of Thyatira a City of Lydia all these difficulties God breaks thorough humane improbabilities are no prejudice to Omnipotency Though we are by nature like the Prodigal are run into a far Country yet our Heavenly Father can easily bring us home 5. She 's described by her Religion she was 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 a Worshipper of God A Gentile she was yet some dark notions she had of God which she got either by the light of nature or by tradition from her fore-fathers or some familiar acquaintance with the Jews such another as Cornelius was Act. 10. But whatever dark apprehensions she had of God yet she fell far short of a Christian for till the heart be made good ground and purified by Faith 't is impossible it can bear good fruit 2ly We have the means of her Conversion 1. Paul Preaches 2. Lydia heard the Word 3. God makes the Word effectual he opens her heart 'T is this latter part of the verse that I design for the subject of my discourse viz. the means of Lydia's Conversion God opened the heart of Lydia c. The first thing that I shall note is this Doct. 1. That 't is Gods work to open mans heart God may and doth use inferiour means to knock but none can open but himself Gods word in Scripture is called a hammer Jer. 23.29 With this God beats and knocks at the door of our hearts but no heart opens unless it be held in the hand of his own Spirit hence is that complaint of the Prophet Isa 53.1 Lord who hath believed our report and to whom hath the arm of the Lord been revealed No wonder that men believe not the report of the Gospel whilst God doth not put forth or make bare his own arm But for methods sake in prosecuting the Conclusion I shall observe this order 1. I shall shew what 's meant by the heart 2. What 't is to open the heart 3. I shall prove that 't is Gods work to open the heart 4. Shew why God opens the heart 5. Answer an Objection 6. Lastly come to Application 1. Then let us enquire what is meant by the heart and here to pass by the various significations of the Word in Scripture by heart here we are to understand the rational Soul with the faculties and affections which are therein for as the heart is the fountain of Natural life so 't is of Spiritual This is the womb wherein Christ is first formed see Rom. 10.10 For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness sc Here faith is seated here it s born and breaths its first breath Act. 8.37 Philip to the Eunuch If thou believest with all thine heart thou maist be baptized There is no less in that zealous Prayer of the Apostle for his Ephesians chap. 3.17 where he is upon his knees to the God of Heaven that Christ may dwell in their hearts by faith 3. Let us inquire what 't is to open the heart In short to open the heart is to convert a soul or to turn a sinner from the power of darkness unto God The word in the Original that is here used signifies properly to open a door Now our hearts in Scripture as they are usually called doors so by nature they are all shut and that under three several locks and God in our Conversion opens them all There is one lock or bar of ignorance and this is Gods first work to open our understanding by nature we are very darkness it self Ephes 5.8 Like that poor man born spiritually blind thick cataracts there are upon all our eyes unless God touch them with the hand of his Grace and say Ephphata be opened Now as the first creature that God made in the first Creation was Light Gen. 1. so 't is in the new Creation he commands light to shine out of darkness Oh the gross and rude notions and apprehensions that we have by nature of the most fundamental Truths or the Gospel How hardly are we perswaded that by nature we are in the gall of bitterness and in the bonds of iniquity tell a poor sinner that he is the servant of sin he 'l reply as the Jews he was never in bondage to any man How hardly were the Disciples themselves perswaded that Christs Kingdom was any other than an earthly Kingdom With what difficulty were they brought to believe that their Lord and Master was risen nor had they at last had not Christ himself opened their understandings that they might understand the Scriptures Luk. 24.45 O rich mercy O Divine work The Preacher tells us 'T is a good thing for the eyes to see the light What a mercy is it then when Christ opens blind eyes to see the wonderful things contained in his Law Ps 119.18 2. The second
he ceased not to give thanks for them making mention of them always in his prayers Had Paul known any blessing better than this sure he whose heart was so set upon them would have begged it for them But further to prove the greatness of this inestimable blessing read 2 Cor. 6.16 where the Apostle enjoyns his Corinthians the highest pitch of holiness upon this ground For what agreement hath the temple of God with idols for ye are the temple of the living God as he hath said I will dwell in them and walk among them and I will be their God and they shall be my people In this Scripture we have a double argument to prove the greatness of this blessing 1 Christs dwelling in his people 1. The greatness of the duty that is urged from it v. 17. Come forth from among them and be ye separate c. Now for weighty services God usually furnishes his people with strongest arguments as is evident in Abraham's case Gen. 17.1 't was high service that God enjoyned him Walk before me and be thou perfect And high encouragements God gave him I am God all-sufficient c. Deus jubet juvat God's Commands carry strength with them whatever Abraham's weakness be yet this supports him that the everlasting arms are under him God is all-sufficient both for the work and reward 'T was hard work too on which God set Moses when he sent him with a commission to deliver Israel from Egypt and suitable encouragements God gives him God finds his heart low and raises it to a height suiting his service by working no less than three several Miracles to strengthen him his Rod is turned into a Serpent his hand is leprous and the river is turned into blood Exod. 4. 2. A second argument which this Scripture yields us to prove the greatness of this blessing is this That Christs dwelling in us is but a short abridgment of the Covenant of Grace for that 's presently added I will be your God and you shall be my people When we have summed up all those invaluable blessings that are treasured up in the Covenant we have all in a little viz. in Christ dwelling in us peace pardon grace glory all is virtually comprehended in this 2ly Again 't is the very blessing God promises the Saints in Heaven Rev. 21.3 where S. John saw the new Jerusalem coming down from God out of Heaven c. He heard a voice from heaven saying Behold the Tabernacle of God is with men and he will dwell with them and they shall be his people c. Christs dwelling in us is but Heaven aforehand or Heaven upon Earth if God dwell in us here by his Grace he will dwell with us in glory But for our more Methodical prosecution of the point I shall confine my self to this method 1. I shall explain it 2. Confirm and 3. Apply it For the Explication I shall do that by answering several Queries in which the sum of the Conclusion lies Q. 1. The first is what we are to understand by the heart A. Not to trouble our selves with the various acceptations of the word heart in Scripture many of which are impertinent to our purpose we are to understand by heart the Will and the Affections especially as in the former Discourse these are the spring out of which are the issues of life Prov. 4.22 and that good treasure mentioned Mat. 12.24 But a good man out of the good treasure of his heart c. Q. The next thing to be enquired is what we are to understand by Christs dwelling in us A. It 's a Metaphorical or figurative speech to shew that intimacy and holy acquaintance that is between Christ and Believers Christ is not in the heart as a stranger in an Inn where he tarries but a night but as a man dwelling in his own house where he lives and works and rules c. More particularly this dwelling of Christ implys these several things 1. It implys propriety Christ will never usurp where he hath no right no he never dwells but in his own his own he will never lose and more than his own he will never take All that the Father hath given me shall come to me Job 6.37 Satan shall never sit quiet for ever in a soul that belongs to Christ though the strong man armed keeps the house yet a stronger than himself will come and bind him not one of those that are heirs of the promises shall miscarry no I will ransom them from the Power of the grave I will redeem them from death Hos 13.14 4. Christ's dwelling in believers implies actual possession a man may have a just right or claim where yet he may not dwell Christ doth not content himself with a bare right to his redeemed but he takes actual possession of them he keeps house in theirs hearts Joh. 14.20 At that day you shall know that I am in my Father and you in me and I in you Furthermore Christ Jesus may be said to possess believers two ways 1. By assuming our nature When the Word was made flesh he dwelt among us Joh. 1.14 1 lived and conversed awhile with the sons of men yea he dwelt in us in as much as he was partaker of flesh and blood with us And as the fulness of the God-head dwelt in Christ so Christ too dwells in us 2. By communicating to us his Spirit The Spirit of Christ is the Fountain of all Grace and comfort and by this Spirit of Christ we have both union and communion with him Gal. 2.20 Christ liveth in me Christ is in us as a Principle of life and Grace active and operative he is not in the Soul as once he was in the ship asleep but always inciting quickening and enlivening his elect who would again becom dead in sin but he acts and excites his own Grace in them 3. Christs dwelling in us means the neerest intimacy that is imaginable 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 so 't is in the original I will indwell in them 2 Cor. 6.16 As if Christ could never have communion enough with his People Now this sweet and saving intimacy will appear in those things 1. His People shall know his secrets Psal 25.14 The secret of the Lord is with them that fear him and he will shew them his Covenant The saints are all Gods secretaries when God intended that fearful overthrow of Sodom shall I hide from Abraham saies God the thing that I do No Abraham was his friend and as a bosom-friend He shall know his Councell such honour have all his saints 2. He will speak to their hearts Hos 2.14 When the hearts of Gods People are so overwhelmed with grief that men and Angels prove miserable comforters They may speak to the ear but cannot reach the heart then Christ alone doth this I even I am he that doth comfort thee c. Isa 51.12 Christ speaks such things as make our hearts leap Thus he spake
LYDIA'S Heart Opened OR DIVINE MERCY Magnified in the Conversion of a Sinner BY THE GOSPEL Being the sum of several SERMONS Preached lately by James Strong M. A. and Minister of the Gospel Nullum est peccatum quod si non fecerim tu fecisti si abstinuerim tu jussisti quod tibi crediderim gratiam tu infundisti August Lib. Soliloquiorum Cap. 15. Jesus the Author and finisher of our faith Heb. 12.2 That no flesh should glory in his presence But let him that glorieth glory in the Lord 1 Cor. 1. ult LONDON Printed by A. M. for Edward Brewster at the Crane in Pauls-Church-Yard 1675. To the Religious Mrs. Mary Speke of Whitelackington the Author wisheth a confluence of Spiritual blessings in our dear Lord Jesus MADAM THese few notes following were preacht but with an ordinary intention but thorow Divine mercy both with your self and others found more than ordinary reception so oftimes I have observed when there is least of mans strength there is most of Gods Many have been too wise and too mighty to do Gods work but never any too foolish or too weak that have been imployed by him The Word is that spiritual sword wherewith God wounds the hearts of his enemies but as Scanderbeg's Sword could do nothing without Scanderbeg's Arm no more can this sword unless it be weilded by the arm of Omnipotency The reason why men do not believe our report is because the arm of the Lord is not revealed Isa 53.1 Sure I have reason to hope that that day when we discoursed of Gods opening Lydia's there were many other hearts opened also My Notes which were desired by your self and several others I could not so easily do by transcribing them as by publishing them And though Truth need no Apology yet I must tell the world that this had been as like to have slept in darkness as many other Exercises have had not the more than ordinary success wherewith God attended it in preaching provoked me to this service Ministers are by Christ called spiritual Fishers a busie imployment full of toyl and danger sith the place of fishing is not a shallow stream but a raging and tumultuous sea in which after we have tired our selves and spent our strength nothing so breaks our hearts as this that we labour all night and catch nothing But Oh if at last we cast out the Net and inclose a multitude 't is no wonder we are not able to bear our own joy being astonished as Peter Luk. 5.9 Madam excuse my boldness in prefixing your Name to this small Manual And indeed I had not had confidence but that I presume you have with that other Mary sate too long at Christs feet to be ashamed of Christs Truth What inward comforts soever God hath given you by your constant and diligent attendance on his Worship give God the glory a dram of that sweetness that flows from the upper springs will allay the bitterness of those Mara-like waters wherewith God drenches his dearest Servants For our part whom God hath intrusted with the Mysteries of the Gospel though we are on every side opprest yet 't is mercy we are not supprest under all other hardships we have yet cause to bless God who hath not taken the Word of Truth utterly out of our mouth He never well understood what the calling of a Minister was that thinks strange of any suffering in the service of Christ It would well become a Ministers mouth what Pompey once replied to the Mariners who disswaded him from sailing in a storm when he was imployed for bringing provision to Rome under a strait Siege 'T is necessary that Rome be relieved but 't is not necessary that we should live Sure 't is necessary that Christs sheep be fed but 't is not necessary that we should live The subject of these few Papers is of incomparable weight The more I know my own heart and its deceits the more jealous I am of others Oh what a wily enemy do we carry in our own bosoms How many treacherous reaches hath it to ruin our Immortal souls Simon Magus seemed zealously to desire the Spirit and would have bought it at a great price but this poysoned his Religion that his heart was not right in the sight of God Ah what faint and frigid services do we bring before God while we serve him with our mouths and honour him with our lips but remove our heart far from him 'T is true till the heart be renewed God will have none of it but when once 't is renewed it makes every thing else to be accepted 'T is the same to all other services that Benjamin was to his Brethren and there is no seeing Gods face without it Oh how sad were it if at last we should spoil all our services and sufferings by doing good duties with bad hearts For preventing which danger we have cause to bless God for the labours of many egregious servants of his who have left the Church a rich treasury of instructions into which if by casting my mite I may in any measure serve the Lord Jesus and his People 't is more than sufficient recompence to him who subscribes himself Yours in the service of the Gospel J. S. Act. 16.14 And a certain woman named Lydia a seller of Purple of the City of Thyatira which worshipped God heard us whose heart the Lord opened that she attended to the things which Paul spake AS in the Evangelists we have 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Christi the Records of the Acts of Christ while he was conversant on the Earth so in this Book we have 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Apostolorum the Acts of the Apostles In which History we have a lively representation of the state of the Church while she was young and in her Gradle her increase and growth what was the Doctrine of the Apostles with what holy boldness they preached Christ in the midst of a thousand troubles and torments here we may read what was the fruit of the Gospel and how it got growth in the world in despight of all opposition as also what is the difference between true Doctrine and false with what malice and subtilty false Apostles oppose the true what rest and breathings God gave his Church and never was wanting for her protection and preservation This History by the consent of all bears date from the Ascension of Christ unto the first year of Paul's coming to Rome which was the space of twenty-three years in which we have a clear proof of the exact performance of all the Promises Christ made his Apostles as of sending them his Spirit induing them with power from on high the calling of the Gentiles c. But not to carry you back further than is needful we read ver 9. of this Chapter that Paul by the Ministry of an Angel is called to Macedonia A Vision appeared to Paul in the night there stood a man of Macedonia and prayed him saying Come
heart not that God might know but as Austin observes Tentat ut sciat id est ut scire nos faciat God trys to know that is to make us and others know what is in our hearts We are by nature as great strangers to our hearts as Hazael who when the Prophet told him He should burn Israels Cities with sire slay their young men with the sword dash the infants against the stones and rip up the women with child He abhors these cruelties with this strange question Is thy servant a dog that I should do this 2 King 8.12 Such barbarous cruelties seemed at this time too odious for Hazael but afterward the event proved the Prophesie true ch 13. We all as little know our hearts as Hazael or the depths of our own corruption 3. God alone melts and softens the heart Ezek. 11.19 he promiseth to take away the heart of stone and give a heart of flesh He that turns the flint into a fountain and fetches water out of the hard rock is only able to break a heart of stone and to make it a Hadadrimmon a very valley of tears 4. He comforts the heart Hos 2.14 after he hath brought his Church into the wilderness then he promiseth to speak to her heart such comfortable words as no man can speak When all other comforters like Job's prove miserable comforters indeed then God saith I even I am he that comforteth thee c. This is Gods propriety Isa 57.15 He alone revives the spirit of the contrite c. 5. He new-makes the heart As there is no mending of a crackt Bell but it must be new cast So 't is with a corrupt heart it must be new made or there 's nothing done God begins as it were a new Creation when he converts a Soul So prays the penitent Psalmist Psal 45.10 Create in me a new heart O Lord. Q. 4. The next thing is to shew why God opens the heart A. In short It is to possess it and to dwell in it God hath two Houses to dwell in the upper house is heaven the lower house is the hearts of believers Isa 57.15 Thus saith the high and excellent one that inhabiteth eternity whose name is the holy one I dwell in the high and holy place with him also that is of an humble spirit We may here stand and wonder that he whose nature is Majesty whose place is Immensity whose time is Eternity whose life is Sanctity whose power is Omnipotency whose work is Mercy whose wrath is Justice and whose throne is Sublimity should yet delight to dwell in a poor humble and broken heart Trap in loc When Solomon had built that famous Temple for the worship of God he admires the infinite condescention of God in stooping so low as to have communion with sinful men 1 King 8.27 Is it true indeed saith he that God will dwell in the earth Lo God yet hath more intimate converse with poor believers he indeed dwelleth not in Temples made with hands no the hearts of his people are Temples of the Holy Ghost and of these he says indeed here will I dwell for ever Obj. There is one objection against this conclusion and 't is this It seems that man hath power to open his own heart why else doth Christ Jesus bid the Church to open in Cant. 5.2 Open to me my sister c. And in Rev. 3.20 If any man open I will enter Ans I shall answer in the words of Peter Martyr Dicimur aperire quatenus id Deus in nobis facit nam is facit ut aperiamus We are said to open in that God makes us to open for he works all our works for us and crowns them in us Certum est nos facere quod facimus sed Deus facit ut faciamus 'T is true man must not be idle but active in this great work as afterwards we shall shew but God evermore works somewhat in the Soul and leaves some impression by his Spirit in the heart which stirs up an endeavour to seek after him and to open to him In that 5th of Cant. the Church confesseth Christs fingers were first in the door before her heart was affectioned toward him Thus no man can come to Christ unless the Father draw him Vse 1. And is it thus that it is Gods work to open mans heart It teaches then to abhor the execrable and blasphemous invention of Free-will whereby the Arminian brood take the Crown from Gods head and set it on the Creatures robbing God of the glory of his own grace who is both Alpha and Omega the Author and Finisher of the work of grace in his redeemed Neither will it help them to grant only that God hath a hand in renewing us as a Moral Agent by propounding only the goodness of Christ and Grace and perswading us only by rational Arguments to imbrace it for a Moral Agent works no real effect but God works something in us the Church found some mirrh which Christ left behind him dropping from his fingers before she opened to her beloved Cant. 5.5 The Apostle therefore resolves all into the mighty power of God even that power whereby he railed his Son Christ from the grave Eph. 1.20 where he prays that his Ephesians may know what the exceeding greatness of his power is toward them that believe according to the working of his mighty power which he wrought in Christ when he raised him up from the grave Now did God only perswade Christ to rise out of the grave no but he put forth his almighty power for the effecting thereof for could the Soul of Christ which for a while was separated from his body be brought again to that body but by the Almighty power of God well the same power is exerted in raising a Soul dead in sin to the life of Grace that was exerted in raising Christ Jesus himself from the grave The case may be thus exemplified for as the Marigold opens her leaves to the Sun yet the Sun first shines on it and warms it with its beams 't is so with us we open willingly our hearts to God but God first warms our hearts with the sun-beams of his Grace for without him we can do nothing Vse 2. It serves for ever to humble us to consider that natural wretchedness wherein we were born The doors of our hearts are all shut by nature against God and Christ fenced and fortified with strong corruptions attd sinful resolutions to resist God and his dear Son We read Joh. 20.19 When Christ first appear'd to his Disciples after his Resurrection he came when the doors were shut Such is our case when first he comes to visit and awaken poor lost Sinners there 's no room nor entrance for him till he make way for himself by his own Almighty power This for ever should abase us in our greatest attainments of Grace to consider and remember what we were by nature 'T is storied of Willigis a poor
6.53 Except ye eat the flesh of the Son of man and drinks his blood you have no life in you Carnal reason knew not how to understand this Mysterie and therefore presently suggests this incredulous question how can this man give us his flesh to eat and what a sad effect followed on this mistake we read v. 66. From that time many of his disciples went back and walked no more with Jesus 3. There must be a faithful retaining or remembrance of it our memories are false and slippery like hour-glasses no sooner filled at one end but they run out at the other riven and chinky vessels that leake out the Water of life strive we all we can to make them Treasuries of Divine Truth and lay up the Word of God in them as in a store-house Thy word have I hid in my heart saith the Psalmist that I might not sin against thee To promote this Work we should do as a man that hath hid a treasure he goes often and sees whether it be safe so should we often turn in upon our memories and ask them as Christ the disciples do you not remember the five Loaves c. and the rather because we have a dangerous and subtile enemy who watches where we keep our treasures and unless we watch it narrowly will steal it from us 4. We must entertain it with love 2 Thes 2.10 Because they received not the truth in the Love thereof therefore God shall give them up to suffer strong delusions want of Love to the Word is the first step to Apostacy See a Soul seasoned with this Grace of Love in Jeremy Chap. 15.16 Thy words were found and I did eat them and they were unto me the joy and rejoycing of my heart God makes his appear to the Conscience of the experienced Christian Mic. 2.7 Are not my words good to him that walketh uprightly Yes Lord so good that the Soul that tastes and digests them confesses they are sweeter than hony or the hony-comb If the mysteries of the Gospel are so sweet and sacred that the Angels themselves desire to pry into them how dearly then should dust and ashes love them Oh that we could say as the Psalmist How do I love thy Law all the day long is my study in it 5. The Word must be heard with Faith every hearer is not a profitable hearer As hearing distinguishes Professours from the Profane so believing distinguisheth the upright from hypocrites Heb. 4.2 The word preached did not profit them that heard it because it was not mixt with faith and again 'T is the Power of God to salvation but to them that do believe Rom. 1.16 Though it be true that without the Word there can be no Faith for Faith cometh by hearing yet withal without Faith the Word hath no power As the Brasen Serpent was of no use to them that did not look on it so 't is in this case Look therefore unto me and be you saved when we come to hear we should all think that we hear God speaking to us as he did to Ezekiel Son of man eat that thou findest Ezek. 3.1 Faith is the life of the Soul As there heat in a dead-mans mouth never doth good no more doth the Word in a faithless hearer 'T is Faith that makes every part thereof powerful and effectual its precepts to direct us its threatnings to terrifie us its promises to comfort us Take but one instance in Jonah 3.5 we read that the men of Nineveh believed God 1 upon hearing Jonah his sermon and then they proclaimed a fast and put on sackcloth Faith is that living womb into which when the seed of the Word falls it becomes a fruitful mother of all spiritual Graces 6. Lastly to a saving attention there is required a universal obedience and a hearty resignation of our selves This was the Apostles Crown and Joy that his Romans had obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine that they had received Rom. 6.17 and this is Gods end in giving you his Word that it should bring every thought into the Obedience of Christ 2 Cor. 10.5 We should take heed of hearing with uncircumcised ears and stubborn hearts The sence of Gods mercy in revealing his Will and the Conscience of our duty to obey it should make us so ready to every thing that he commands that a little child should lead us Isa 11.6 Vse 1. Hence first is condemned that visible listlessness and supine negligence that many discover in this duty of hearing Can we chuse but tremble to hear that curse that is threatned against every one that doth Gods work negligently Isa 48.10 and yet alas how many of us hear as if we did not hear and mind no more the word of life than if we were hearing art Idle tale The Church hath ever been pestered with such professors God complains of them Ezek. 33.32 Son of man this People come and sit before thee as my People use to do c. Oh hear once more and tremble at that dreadful sentence which Christ breathed against incredulous and refractory hearers in Joh. 12.48 He that refuseth me and heareth not my words hath one that judgeth even the word that I have spoken the same shall judg him Sure it will be a double damnation to be condemned by the Gospel yet thus it will be if it be not the saviour of life to life it will be the Saviour of death to death And what greater equity than this do not such judg themselves unworthy everlasting life that leave their hearts behind them when they come to hear it doth not that malefactor deserve to dye when his pardon is sent him freely that has it read as if he were a-sleep These messengers that were sent by Benhadad to make peace with Ahab when distressed by him will rise in judgment against such drousy hearers We read the men took diligent heed if they could catch any word of him that they might take hold of for their hope and they did so for when they arrested him thus Thy servant Benhadad saith I pray thee let me live the King of Israel answered is he yet alive he is my brother and they took hold of that word and ecchoed it back to him saying thy brother Benhadad Vse 2. Attend then as Lydia did that you may be saved as Lydia was whatsoever you do saith the Preacher do it with all thy might Eccles 9.10 Judg of the importance of the duty by the earnest injunction of the great God of heaven settle it in your hearts Luk. 21.14 and why for the water of life will run out or run besides us if we do not hear with a holy heedfulness Heb. 2.1 Wherefore we ought to give diligent heed to the things which we have heard lest at any time we let them slip The Greek Word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 signifies either to run besides as water that flows besides a place or else it signifies to run thorough a thing as
water thorow a sieve well the word preached if it be not heedfully heard will never stay in us but be lost and run out This is damage sufficient a loss that is irreparable none indeed like this loss when we receive the Grace of God in vain For directions I shall refer you to what hath bin already said a word or two by way of motive 1. To incourage us to this heedful hearing of the Word consider that it is a complexive duty a duty which is so acceptable to God that under it are comprehended all duties of Religion Isa 55.3 Hear and your Souls shall live life and death enter in the same way As death entered into the world by the ear by our first Parents listning to that old Manslaier so God hath ordained that life should enter by the same door The dead shall hear the voice of the son of God and they that hear shall live Joh. 5.25 Oh you that love heaven love hearing too 2. The most eminent Saints of God have ever bin observed to be the most diligent and attentive hearers Luk 4.20 We read while Christ Jesus war preaching the eyes of all his hearers were fastned on him a good way not only to prevent distractions but also to raise our affections our hearts are wily and will give us the slip It is our wisdom by all ways imaginable to ingage our hearts in hearing and lay bonds upon them to hold them to such an attention as becomes us 'T is storied of Englands second Josiah that peerless Prince Edward the sixth that he usually stood at sermon and took notice all the while he was a-hearing 3. Consider that we never read of more bitter complaints from God than when he complained of heartless hearers in Psal 81.13 O that my People would have hearkned to me c. but my People would not hear my voice and Israel would none of me and in Psal 95.10 Forty years long was I grieved with this generation and said It is a People that err in heart for they have not known my ways they knew but not practically their ears were uncircumcised and their hearts unsanctified O fearful judgment to have ears that we should not hear c. Thus God punishes one sin with another Rom 11.8 who can read without astonishment Jer. 7. from the 13. v. to the 17. I arose up early and spake unto you but you would not hear therefore I will do unto you as unto Shilo c. Read it thorow I forbear the application desiring if ever you remembered a lesson you would remember this and never give your Teachers cause to complain Oh we have laboured in vain and spent our strength for nothing 4. Lastly To close all carry with you St. James caution be not forgetfull hearers of the Word but doers also he hears aright saith one that doth not contradict his hearing by his life otherwise you will be as a man that sees his face in a glass and turns away and forgets what manner of man he was O wash off those spots which this glass discovers so hear the Word of Christ that you may conform to the will of Christ Lydia's attention was the first step to Salvation Hear as she did and you will be happy as she was So much Briefly of this Work of Grace which God wrought in opening the heart of Lydia Reader let me carry thee one step farther and shew thee Gods end in this Work or why he thus opens the heart And that is that himself may enter and dwell in it Ephes 3.17 That Christ may dwell in your hearts Ephes 3.17 the former part of the Verse That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith THese words are part of a zealous prayer which the Apostle puts up to God in the behalf of his dear Ephesians The prayer begins in the 14th ver where we find Paul upon his knees begging Grace for them of the Father of Mercies For this cause I bow my knees to the Father of mercies c. The blessings that he begs for them are especially two 1. He begs the gift of spiritual strength that as they had begun well and laid a good foundation by believing in Christ so they might be constant in holding out that profession against all the enemies and oppositions which they met with and were like to turn them out of the way of righteousness Thus he prays ver the 16. That he would give you according to the riches of his glory to be strengthened with might by the spirit in the inner man Those that are wholly under the power of corruption are not so much troubled with persecution and temptation Satan like a Pyrate seldom sets upon a soul unless like a Ship it be laden with the merchandise of Grace This was the case with these Ephesians By Pauls preaching they had begun well building on that rock of Ages and venturing their Immortal Souls on Christ and his Righteousness But Paul now being in prison false Teachers were among them vexing the Church and were like to turn them from the way of truth God had smitten the shepherd and the sheep were like to be scattered Now then is a time to press the duty of perseverance that as they had begun well so they might so run that they might obtain 2. He begs that soveraign means that was only able to confirm and strengthen them in the Service of Christ and that is Christ himself That Christ may dwell in your hearts by Faith I shall a little explain the words That Christ that is whole Christ in both his natures God and Man May dwell that is spiritually possess live and work In your hearts that is in the inner man consisting of the Understanding Will and Affections which are the principal and chief place of Christs residence the fort Royal or Castle which Christ chuseth and above all delights in By faith that is as the means and instrument whereby we receive and entertain him There are as many Doctrines offer themselves to us as there are words in this Scripture And we might note first Doct. 1. That the heart is the place of Christs residence Doct. 2. Christ is no stranger to Believers but an in-dweller with them Doct. 3. That Faith makes a union between Christ and the Soul But I shall wave prolixity and bring my Discourse into a narrower model casting all into this one Conclusion Doct. That no blessing whatsoever on this side heaven can be imagined that we should more desire than this That Christ should dwell in our hearts by Faith We find the Apostles affections all in a flame and he burns with zeal to promote the happiness of his dear Ephesians he bends his knees and casts himself down at Gods feet and among all blessings in Heaven and Earth he can find none better to beg for his young Converts than this What the strength of his affections was to them you may see Chap. 1.16 where we read that
to the sick-man Mat. 9.2 â—on be of good cheer thy sins be forgiven thee Christ can speak such Words as never man spake the Words which he speaks are Spirit and life 'T is storied of a Peer of this Kingdom that he dyed with joy of an unexpected pardon how great then is the joy that possesseth a Soul that receives a pardon from God! Such pardoned ones are bid to be glad and shout for joy Psal 32.11 And all others flatly forbid to meddle with this joy Hos 9.1 Rejoyce not O Israel for joy as other People for thou hast gone a-whoring from thy God 3. The sweetness and closness of that intimacy which we have with Christ by vertue of his dwelling in us appears by this that we have all things common with Christ Christ calls nothing his own that may do us good all lour fresh Springs are in him if we are Christs all is ours Paul Apollo Cephas life and death c. All Christ's offices and efficacies his life death blood merit Spirit all his advantage to us yea death it self is gain to believers Phil. 1.21 For me to live is Christ and to dye is gain The Church keeps all her choice presents for Christ Cant. 7. vlt. And Christ bestows all his rarities on his Church 3. Christ dwelling in us implies his abiding or continual residing in us in Isa the 57.15 God is said to inhabit eternity 1 who only is eternal wherever Christ dwells he takes up his residence for ever he saith this is my rest for ever here will I dwell c. Though men may be weary of their dwelling how-ever accommodated both for necessity and delight yet Christ is never That 's the promise he makes his People 1 Kings 6.13 I will dwell among the children of Israel and will not forsake my People Israel 5. Christs dwelling in us implies his preservation of us every man is bound to repair and preserve his own house where he dwells so is Christ Christ's dwelling doth not look like the house of the sluggard that drops thorow no what-ever storms beat on it it stands and is impregnable That 's remarkable in Psal 6.7.2.3 At Salem is his Tabernacle and his dwelling at Sion There brake he the arrows of the bow c. That place is sure of safetie and protection where God dwells as on the contrary Gods departing makes way for destruction We read that the Heathens have placed their Security in the presence of their idol-Gods Tacitus reports of the Tyrians when they were besieged by Alexander bound Hercules with a golden chain that he should not depart And the Romans were wont by some verses to call off the Tutelary gods out of the Cities which they did besiege God hath bound himself to us by a Covenant better than a golden chain that he will never leave us nor forsake us Q. 3. The third Query is how Christ dwells in the heart by faith A. The answer is this 'T is the office of Faith to receive Christ Jesus Christ knocks by his Word and Spirit and Faith makes haste to open and let him in it gives Christ the free and full possession of the Soul and delivers up all into his hand and to his use For can two walk together unless they are agreed We read in Gen. 30.6 When Lot and Abraham had multiplied their substance they could not dwell together and there was strife between their herdsmen Christ and we could never have dwelt together had there been any strife between us there is no agreement between Christ and Belial But when Christ comes and dwells in us he comes like Noah's Dove he brings us news of peace purchased by the blood of his Cross The Psalmist admires the happiness of such as dwell together in unity though but natural brethren Psal 133.1 Behold how good and pleasant a thing it is c. How good then and pleasant must it be for Christ and us to dwell together This is our happiness Christ says of every believing soul as of Sion This is my rest for ever here will I dwell c. Psal 132.14 Res 2. Such in whom Christ dwells shall never lose their interest in God by sin or backsliding for Christ himself will be a continual spring or fountain of life and grace within us Joh. 4.14 The water that I shall give you shall be in you a well of living water Can we ever die with thirst when we have a fountain within us no fear of forfeiting our title to that great and glorious inheritance if Christ be in us he will keep both it for us and us for it he will preserve us by his grace unto his heavenly Kingdom 2 Tim. 4.18 Res 3. If Christ dwell in us he will defend and protect us from all dangers death and hell have nothing to do where Christ the Lord of life dwells When Lazarus was dead his sister told Christ Lord if thou hadst been here my brother had not died Joh. 11.21 Christs presence is his peoples security from hat second death Satan may bring up his black Legions and storm the Castle but shall never take it Hear ye whose hearts are habitations for the Lord Christ what your Redeemer saith Joh. 14.30 The Prince of this world cometh and hath nothing in me that is in me mystical neither id head nor members Res 4. If Christ dwell in us we shall never want either counsel or comfort his Spirit shall supply us with both If we want counsel we shall hear a voice behind us saying this is the way walk in it He whose name is Counsellor hath not his name for nothing in our greatest perplexities this great Counsellor will advise and direct us for he is made of God to be wisdom to his redeemed Again if we want comfort he 'l revive the drooping spirits of his contrite ones Isa 57.15 The Church out of her experience cries but that his mouth is as sweet things Cant. 5.16 And the words that he speaks are as life to despondent and dying souls Reas 5. But one thing more Christ will never leave his dwelling till he bring us to a dwelling-place with himself in glory This was purchased to us by his death and prepared for us by his Ascension Joh. 14.2 I go to prepare a place for you No sooner shall these earthly houses be dissolved but Christ is presently ready to receive us into everlasting habitations Vse 1. The Application follows and let the first Use be of Information And 1. It discovers the vain delusion of all hypocrites and formalists who admit Christ into their mouths but shut him out of their hearts this was the Religion of the Pharisees whose falsity in matters of Gods Worship Christ Jesus reprehends Mat. 15.8 Well did Isaias prophesie of you saying this people draweth nigh unto me with their mouth and honoureth me with their lips but have removed their hearts far from me 'T is sad when Christ is neer in our mouths but far
of them both with grace and comfort that wait on his Ordinances when others that condemn them are strangers to both We read in Act. 13.48 When the Apostles preached as many of the Gentiles as were ordained to eternal life believed 4. Be convinced of the admirable and infinite Excellencies that are in God as his Power whereby he is able to save Mercy whereby he is willing to save and Faithfulness whereby he is bound to save all them that come to him by Christ Jesus Now as ignorance is the mother of Unbelief so knowledg is the foundation of Faith he that will come to God must first know that God is and that he is a faithful rewarder of all that come him And they that know thy name will put their trust in thee Psal 9.10 5. Under all assaults and temptations use your selves to look up unto Christ who is the author and finisher of Faith whatever Grace we want fetch it of him who hath in him all treasures and can give us Grace for Grace Whatever weight either of sin or suffering we are oppressed with look we up to Jesus Heb. 12.2 And 't is no more bat look to him and we shall be saved 6 Lie at Gods feet and be instant in prayer with the Father of Mercies and never give him rest till he create the saving Grace in you that God that heats the Ravens when they cry will hear you O could we bemoan our dead-Heartedness to believe and rest in his all-sufficiency whose power is not limited but can as well give the life of Grace as the life of Nature we should not for ever be denied but should at last feel this heavenly birth spring within us And to close all if the work be difficult the fruit will be an abundant recompence our labour will not be in vain in the Lord. Christ will never be in debt to any for his entertainment his presence will quiet our hearts purge our Consciences subdue our corruptions fortifie us against all evils guide us by his grace till he bring us to glory What do we mean then that we do not stir up our selves to take hold of him while Christ knocks let us set open the everlasting door c. Invite him as David Psal 132.8 Arise O Lord and come into thy Sanctuary If Christ seem strange constrain him and say as they in Luk. 24.29 Abide with us feast him with the best as Levi did Lev. 5.29 Say as the Church all our choice-services we have kept only for thee In short set up the Psalmists resolution to give your eyes no rest nor suffer the temples of your heads to have any quiet till you have found a place in your hearts of the Lord and an habitation for the mighty God of Jacob. FINIS Books Printed for Edw. Brewster at the Sign of the Crane in Paul's-Church-yard 1675. 1. THe Apostolical History containing the Acts Labours Travels Sermons Discourses Miracles Successes and Sufferings of the Holy Apostles from Christs Ascension to the Destruction of Jerusalem by Titus c. By Samuel Cradock B. D. fol. Mr. Henry Smiths Sermons 4to 2. A Prospect of Divine Providence By T. C. M.A. 8vo 3. Cases of Conscience Practically Resolved By the Reverend and Learned J. Norman late Minister of Bridgwater in Sommerset 8vo 4. The Sinner Condemned of himself being a Plea for God against all the Ungodly proving them alone guilty of their own Destruction c. 8vo 5. Scriptures Self-Evidence to prove its Existence Authority in it self and sufficiency in its kind to ascertain others that it is inspired of God to be the only Rule of Faith Both by Thomas Ford late Minister in Exon. 8vo 6. Mr. John Ball his large and small Catechism 8vo 7. A most familiar Exposition of the Assemblies shorter Catechism By Joseph Allen late Minister in Taunton in Sommerset 8vo 8. Christian Advice both to Young and Old Rich and Poor which may serve as a Directory at hand ready to direct all persons almost in every estate and condition under 17 general useful Heads By Thomas Mocket A.M. 9. The Doctrine of the Bible 120. 10. Natural and Artificial Conclusions 8vo 11. Moses Revived A Treatise proving that it is not lawful and therefore sinful for any man or woman to eat blood viz. the life-blood of any Creature 8vo 12. The Righteous Man's Evidence for Heaven By Timothy Rogers 120. 13. Basilius Valentinus B his last Will and Testament which was found hid under a Table of Marble behind the high Altar in the Cathedral Church of the Imperial City of Erford leaving it there to be found by him whom Gods Providence should make worthy of it octav 14. The Royal Pay and Pay-Master A Sermon preached before the Military Company By William Sclater D D. Minister of St. James Clarkenwell 4to 15. A Useful Table of Expences 16. Clendon on the Sabbath 4to Histories The History of Guy Earl of Warwick quarto The most delectable History of Reynard the Fox the first and second part Fryer and the Boy both Parts