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
to our door and beg entertainment 'T is the Language of the Apostle 2 Cor. 5.20 We pray you in Christs stead that you be reconciled to God 2. The very matter of preaching excels that which was of old for such mysteries are revealed by the Gospel as in other Ages were not known Eph. 3.5 The Law made nothing perfect but the bringing in a better hope did Heb. 4.7 in this respect the Gospel is rather called Salvation than the Law How shall we escape if we neglect so great salvation 3. The manner of revealing the Gospel is far more clear and effectual the Types Prophesies and Promises under the Law were dark and obscure now Moses face is unveiled and Salvation by Christ clearly revealed so that a clearer Manifestation can never be expected while the World lasts Those dark and enigmatical Mediums thorow which the Jews looked to see a Saviour are now taken away and we behold as in a glass the glory of God c. 2 Cor. 3.18 19. 4. The Ratification of the Gospel was stronger Their's indeed was Thunder and Lightning Burning and Blackness with other great signs to confirm it's Authority Exod. 16.19 But yet the Gospel was confirmed by more and greater miracles One instance shall be instead of many for never was there any that restored sight to the blind at least by his own Power but only Christ see the Testimony of the blind man cured Joh. 9.32 Since the World began was it not heard that any one opened the eye of one that was born blind Nay Christ cured Souls as well as Bodies this is evident by that gracious pardon which he gave to him that was cured of the Palsy Mat. 9.2 Be of good cheer thy sins be forgiven thee Oh yet that that Christ whom we preach should be a stone of stumbling and a rock of Offence to disobedient and unbelieving ones who yet to them which believe is the only Foundation that rock of Ages the wisdom of God and the Power of God! how many have their faces tanned and sullied only under the bright beams of the Sun of Righteousness who was given as to enlighten every one that comes into the World Secondly let us all learn our duty which we shall comprize in these two things 1. To prize the Word preached and acknowledg it to be that Manna upon which God intends to keep us while with Israel we are in the wilderness till we come to that Celestial Canaan We read in Eph. 4.11 12 13 c. He when he ascended gave some to be Apostles some Prophets some Evangelists and some Pastors and Teachers c. For the repairing of the Saints for the Work of the Ministry till we all meet in a perfect man c. Two circumstances are here especially considerable 1. When Christ gave us this divine gift of preaching the Gospel 'T was when he ascended to Heaven as Kings when they are crowned give rich gifts to their favourites So did Christ when he was crowned in Heaven he gave this rich invaluable gift to the Sons of men 2. Let us consider why he gave it 't was for the repairing of the Saints The Gospel was never intended to save all but the Saints only As many as were ordained to eternal life believed Now even the Saints have their Spiritual ruines and decays their minds are clouded with darkness their Wills are crooked and their Affections unsatisfied These are the ruines which God repairs by the Gospel when he renews us by Grace and restores his own Image in us submit we then to the ordinance of the great God of Heaven Though God create man at first without the help of Angels yet he doth not recreate or renew his Image in us without the Ministry of men Act. 26.18 we read Paul was sent by preaching to open blind eyes that they might turn from darkness unto light and from the Power of Satan unto God 2. Improve the preaching of the Gospel and know that as the body cannot live without Bread no more can the Soul without the Word obey it in all things as well it's precepts as it's promises 't was given to be a directory to our lives a light to our minds life to our Souls Oh buy the truth and never sell it study to be cast into a Gospel-mould Oh that the Word preached to you might be a Word implanted in you that we could say of you all as Paul of his Romans So we preach and so you believe This would fill our hearts with comfort and make us confess as he of his Thessalonians Though we preach the Gospel in much affliction yet with much joy O give us a share in his glorying that we may say Thanks be to God that you were once the Servants of sin but you have obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine that was delivered to you But we come to the next Conclusion Doct. 2. That a serious firm and fixt applying our hearts and minds to the Word preached is required by God of all that hear it or shorter thus 'T is the attention of the heart to the Word of God that is only saving This is that duty which is so often prest and inculcated in the Scripture Deut. 6.6 And these words which I command thee this day shall be in thy heart and again Deut. 32.46 Set your hearts to all the Words which I testifie against you set your hearts that is saith A Lap. mentem apponite et attendite apply your heart and hear c. bodily Service is but the body of our Service 't is the Service of the Soul that is the Soul of our Service This was Lydia's attention which hath made her name smell like a sweet perfume in Scripture a rare compound which consists of these several ingredients 1 This saving attention to the Word implies a serious consideration of the things spoken 2 Tim. 2.7 Consider what I say c. 'T is a rule litterae Principum ter legendae Kings letters ought to be read threetimes-over Gods Messages must not be slighted for his Word is no vain Word as many did by the Angels Messages 'T is said having heard the Messages she pondered all these things in her heart c. So should we Gods Word must not be born and dy the same hour no it must be a living and an abiding Word God spake once but the Psalmist heard it twice Psal 67.11 Physick can never work nor meat nourish unless it abides somtime in the body nor can the Word which is both meat and medicine to our Souls 2. The next thing required to this saving attention is a right understanding of the Word these two Christ joins together Mat. 15.10 hear and understand 'T is the mind and meaning of God that we must chiefly attend Christs own disciples oftimes took offence at his Words when upon better information they found them to be Words of truth and life This was the sad effect of that precious doctrine Joh.
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
mans son the son of a Wheeler afterward Bishop of Mentz when he was advanced to the honour of that Bishoprick to suppress that pride which the greatness of his place exposed him to that he caused several Wheels to be hung up about his Chamber with this inscription Memento Willigis unde eras Remember Willigis from whence thou art Oh that we could look back to the rock from whence we were hewnl c. we should find that we are but the sinful slime of rebellious Parents loyns Thus God pricks that swelling tumor of pride in Israel to which she was subject by her advancement and bids her remember that a poor Syrian ready to perish was her father Deut. 26.5 Whatever honours or excellencies we have received by Christ yet the Apostle tells us 't is our duty to remember that by nature we were children of wrath even as others Eph. 2.3 Here 's a holy art to make the elder brother Corruption to serve the younger Grace a serious remembrance of our natural vileness may keep the soul humble in our greatest attainments Vse 3. It informs us of the piercing power of Gods Word however weak and contemptible in the eyes of carnal reason It s sound is heard in the ear but its force is felt in the heart Paul preaches and Felix trembles Peters Sermon prickt the Jews to the heart Act. 2.37 This was the fruit of Christs dealing with his Church Cant. 5.4 as soon as she felt his hand in the hole of the door her very heart was affectioned toward him justly therefore 't is called a sharp two-edged sword c. Heb. 4.12 Elisha had his sword as well as Jehu And God hews his enemies by his Prophets and slays them by the words of their mouth This sword is like Saul's it never returns empty if it doth not destroy our sins it will destroy our souls Vse 4. It cautions us against a mistake When we hear that 't is Gods work to open mans heart we are apt to conclude that God expect nothing from us Take we heed we do not thus abuse the grace of the Gospel God delights to improve his own gifts he hath endowed man with the gift of Reason and saves him as a Reasonable Creature And therefore though all means of Grace have their virtue and efficacy from God and he alone is the principal cause and author of our Salvation Yet God expects when he perswades that we consent when he wooes by his Word that we yield lest striving with our Maker we provoke him to deal with us as he did with the old World when for their contumacy and impenitency he resolved that his Spirit should no longer strive with man Gen. 6.3 Vse 5. The next Use therefore shall be of Counsel or rather Command in the name of the great God of Heaven and Earth that when God by his Word calls to us from Heaven and bids us open that with a holy readiness we open those everlasting doors To provoke you to which duty I shall add these Considerations Arg. 1. So long as our hearts are shut against God we our selves are shut out of all comfortable communion with God God delights in none but where he is entertained mark that Scripture Rev. 3.20 If any man hear my voice and open the door I will come in to him and sup with him I 'le feast that man with my Presence my Grace my Comforts this man only shall know indeed what is that plenty rarity and variety which is in that feast of fat things that I have made in my holy mountain To such I will make known my self I 'le take them into my imbraces feed and feast them with my Promises they shall see my face and know by experience what 't is to have fellowship with the Father and with his Son Now pray consider could you be content to live a few years in the World and to hear only what a blessed thing it is to enjoy the love of God and the light of his Countenance the sweet and soul-ravishing Comforts of his spirit and yet to live and die and go to your graves and never know nor taste any of this spiritual sweetness this must be your case if your hearts be not opened Arg. 2. Consider that God yet offers to open your hearts though we perhaps have stopt our ears thousands of times yet he once more stands at the door and knocks and cries open open And I make my appeal to your own Consciences if there be any life or tenderness in them whether you find not God striving to come in while by the hammer of his Word he knocks and begs you by his Messenger to give your hearts to him Is not God at this instant convincing some that he is a lost perishing creature in himself is he not shewing you the incomparable excellency of Christ and his al-sufficiency to save Sinners Oh how think you to escape if you neglect so great Salvation you have heard of that fearful resolution of God against the impenitent old World when by the preaching of Noah a hundred years together God had perswaded them to repent yet all to no purpose what says God at last My spirit shall not alway strive with man Oh when God strives with us in mercy and we strive with God by impenitency 't is sad Wo to him that thus strives with his maker Well whatsoever was written aforetime was written for our instruction If we will not take example from the old world that is past be sure we shall make example to the new World that is to come Isa 45.9 Arg. 3. Consider to whom 't is we are to open why 't is to Christ Open to me my sister c. an Emphatick word and as Ezekiel's Wheels were full of eyes so is this word full of motives To me that am thy Saviour thy King thy Priest thy Prophet thy Bridegroom thy Beloved thy Brother Ah who would not open to such a one As Laban said to Abrahams servant Come in thou blessed of the Lord why standest thou without Gen. 24.31 so should we say when he comes to our door yea as Lot pressed the two Angels greatly when they seemed strange and overcame them with his importunity that they came in Gen. 19.3 so should we Arg. 4. Consider Gods end in opening of the heart 't is to dwell there God dwelleth not in Temples made with hands but as he hath chosen Heaven for his glorious Presence so he hath chosen the heart for his gracious Presence Isa 57.16 Neither will God come in empty he brings Salvation and all other blessings with him thus Christ told Zacheus Luk. 19.9 This day is salvation come to thy house There 's nothing lost by entertaining this guest where he comes his reward is with him if Obed Edom's house were blessed for entertaining Gods Ark how blessed is that heart that opens and entertains God himself 2. But some may object that Believers have opened already and
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
before Kings They must bear a part with Zachary though once dumb yet as soon as his tongue was loosed cried out Blessed be the Lord God of Israel who hath visited and redeemed his people Luk. 1.68 And so much of the Author of Lydia's Conversion or that great work of God in opening Lydia's heart next let us consider the means whereby'twas wrought she attended to the things which Paul spake What this attention of Lydia was is worth inquiry 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 The word here translated attention signifies properly to give heed 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 scil animum to apply the heart or mind to a thing In the New Testament the word is used in a double relation 1st To things hurtful 2ly To things usefal 1. To things hurtful in Mat. 7.15 Beware of false Prophets 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 c. The same word that is used here that is take heed that you avoid them lest you are insnared by them 2. The word is used in relation to things useful as in Act. 8.6 The people gave heed to the things that Philip spake 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 c. the same word that is used here so Lydia attended or gave heed or applied her heart to the things spoken by Paul This heedful hearing is opposed to all manner of slighting opposing or turning away our ears from hearing the Word such hearers we read of Acts 13.45 The Jews filled with envy spake against the things spoken by Paul contradicting and railing on them And such were those bidden guests that were invited to the Wedding that made light of it Mat. 22.4 5. Well then there was both an attention of the ear and an intention of the mind and heart in this hearing of Lydia And this being the sense it offers us these three Conclusions D. 1. That the preaching of the Word is the ordinary means of converting souls D. 2. That a serious firm and fixt applying our hearts and minds to the Word of God is required by God of them that hear it D. 3. That such an attention can never be given to the Word preached but by a special work of Grace Lydia might have heard Paul preach but she had never heard them if God had not first opened her heart D. 1. That the preaching of the Word is the ordinary means of converting Souls 'T is true the power of God is unlimited and not bound to means God could have taught the Eunuch without Philip he could have converted Paul without Ananias instructed Cornelius without Peter and have opened Lydia's heart without Paul But the Ministry of the Word is that means which the wisdom of God hath chosen and sanctified for this great work This is the sum of the Apostles Climax Rom. 10.14 How shall they call on him on whom they have not believed and how shall they believe on him of whom they have not heard and how shall they hear without a Preacher And at last determines the Question with this conclusion That faith cometh by hearing and hearing by the word of God To prevent any curious questions why 't is this The Apostle resolved all into the good pleasure of God 1 Cor. 1.21 For seeing the world by wisdom knew not God it pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that do believe Q. But some may wonder how so weak a means should work so great effects A. All is from the Spirit of Christ for 't is the office of Christ not only to open the will of his Father and to reveal the mysteries of Salvation which he doth by his Prophetical Office but also to be present when the Word is preached and by his Spirit to teach the heart inwardly what it is taught outwardly by the Word And now also he exercises his Kingly Office in making his enemies become his subjects here he lays us at his feet whilest his Word like a sword pierces our hearts making us throw down our arms those weapons of sin wherewith we have opposed him here Christ gets a glorious and yet an easie conquest for against his power there is none stands Assoon as they hear they shall obey Psal 18.44 Now that the efficacy of the Word depends on the operation of the Spirit is evident from Act. 2. before those Converts were pricked at the heart c. we read that the Spirit fell on them like a mighty rushing wind v. 2. cease then to wonder when we see such mighty effects wrought by the Gospel sith 't is not we that speak but the Spirit of our Father which speaketh in us Mat. 10.20 Vse 1. Wo then to all opposers and contemners of Preaching and Preachers Alas who are those that are now accounted the troublers of Israel but such as are guilty of Elijah's crime that indeed are zealous for the Lord God of host c. who deny themselves to oppose that torrent of sin and corruption that like another deluge is like to over-run the Nation and for this they must be fed with Michajah's hard Commons even with bread and water of affliction Another generation of prophane and profligate Professors swarm every where in the World who nauseate this Heavenly Manna and contemn sound Doctrine because 't is common Ah we live in a Gospel-glutted-Age wherein wickedness and wantonness are the best requital wherewith we requite the Lord for his choicest Mercies Thus with Jeshurun we are grown fat and kick Oh that a people so choicely taught and instructed from Heaven should at last scorn the counsels of their Heavenly Father That our Religion should be lost in Atheism and that the preaching of Christ crucified should become a reproach among us There is one Scripture that I would fasten on your thoughts to prevent this sin in some which deserves to be repented in others so Heb. 2.2 3. If the Word spoken by Angels was stedfast and every Transgression deserved a just recompence of reward how shall we escape if we neglect so great Salvation Our guilt and ingratitude increaseth with our injoymeats view the comparison in a few particulars 1. We have a more excellent Ministry than they under the Law Angels were Ministers of the Law but Christ of the Gospel now the threatnings of Angels if despised were severely punished and shall not the threatnings of the Son of God For that God who in former Ages spake unto us by his Prophets hath in these last times spoken to us by his own Son Heb. 1.2 Well let us hear Christ arguing himself from this very Topick The Queen of the South shall rise in judgment against the men of this generation for she came from the uttermost parts of the earth to hear the wisdom of Solomon and behold a greater than Solomon is here And again the men of Nineveh shall rise in judgment c. Mat. 12.41 42. Oh what will be our case who set not so high a price on Christ as that Queen did on Solomon when Christ and his Gospel come home
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
from our reins 2. Learn hence next That there is nothing lost by giving Christ entertainment No 't is the gain of a Christian as God blessed Obed-edom for entertaining the Ark so doth he much more bless Believers for entertaining his Son Christ What glorious guests had just Lot when he entertained two Angels a much more glorious guest hath every one that entertains Christ Jesus he brings Salvation with him and so salutes the heart that receives him as he did Zachens This day is salvation come to thy house 3. Learn next what a mystery or rather miracle there is in the actings of saving Faith in that it unites Christ and the soul and brings them to dwell together Wonder we may that though Christ in regard of his humane nature be in Heaven and we on Earth yet Faith easily narrows this wide distance and in an instant possesses the soul with its beloved Jesus As the soul by vertue of sight inlightned with the Sun doth joyn it self with the body of the Sun and touch it after a manner so the eye of Faith inlightned with the beams of the Spirit which come from the Sun of righteousness doth joyn and unite it self with Christ Jesus Vse 2. The next is a use of Trial. If it be so great a blessing to have Christ Jesus dwelling in our hearts it concerns us all to try whether he dwell in our hearts or no. Now the tokens of his presence or evidences of his co-habitation with us may be these 1. The heart in which Christ dwells is an humble heart Isa 57.15 Christ was a pattern of Humility himself Learn of me for I am meek and lowly of spirit And Christ delights to be no-where but in a heart that is like himself The richer the Ship is laden the more water it draws and the lower it sails so 't is here that heart that carries Christ is laden with more than a golden mine it carries him in whom are hid all spiritual treasures and all such souls sail low Abraham calls himself dust and ashes David a worm and no man great Paul the chiefest of sinners though every Saint that is his successor contend still for that title The most hard-hearted sinner so Mr. Bradford subscribed his Letter 2. The heart where Christ dwells is inflamed with the love of God In cold frozen spirits or hearts that are luke-warm like Laodicea Christ likes not to be as the Sun begets heat on inferiour bodies by shining on them so doth Christ the Sun of Righteousness when he ariseth on a soul though he find our hearts cold yet he makes them by his spiritual presence burn within us as it fared with them with whom he journeyed to Emaus Luk. 24.32 The soul burns with love and burns with desire to Christ Jesus that is once united to him Read Joh. 14.23 If any man love me he will keep my word and my Father will love him and we will come unto him and make our abode with him As when Christ comes he comes willing so where he comes he comes welcome Mary entertained Christ and she loved him much and this love discovered it self in spending that costly Oyntment on his sacred body There 's nothing too dear for Christ in his account where Christ dwells but such a one says with the Martyr He is glad he hath any thing to lose for Christ or with the Church whatever good thing he hath he keeps it only for him Cant. 7.13 2ly With love to our Brethren If we love one another God dwelleth in us 1 Joh. 4.12 God loves to be where love is One observes That where the Devil dwells all is in peace much more where God dwells who is the God of peace If then we find our hearts filled with malice and hatred toward our brethren we may confidently conclude God is not in this place the Lamb of God will never lie in a Lions den We read in Judg. 9.23 God sent an evil spirit between the house of Abijam and the men of Shechem a spirit of hatred enmity and division This is an evil Spirit from the Devil not from God where Satan dwells he sets all on fire not with fire that warms but consumes And when we give place to wrath we give place to the Devil Ephes 4.27 3. The heart wherein Christ dwells is a holy heart as no unholy thing shall for ever dwell with him so neither will Christ dwell with it The heart is a Temple 2 Cor. 6.16 Ye are the Temples of the holy Ghost now we know Temples are holy consecrated things That which is lawful to be done in another place is not lawful to be done in a Temple we read Mark 11.16 Christ would not suffer a vessel to be carried thorow the Temple Neither will he have the hearts of believers made a rode for sin no If any man defiles the Temple of God him will God destroy 1 Cor. 3.17 4. The heart where Christ dwells lives in a sweet subjection to Christ and his Laws His commands are not grievous but his yoke is easy and his burden light Christ dwells no-where but where he is acknowledged and serves as a King for God hath appointed him both for a Prince and a Saviour Act. 5.31 The Government is laid by God upon his shoulders and he makes every thought to stoop and come into subjection to himself Well then where men serve not the Lord but their lusts set up their corruptions and cry down Christ in such hearts Christ never dwells But a Soul possest by Christ sets Christ in the Throne and cryes up Christ as the Jews did Caesar We have no King but him 5. The heart in which Christ dwells is a tender heart Such as tremble at Gods Word Isa 57.15 A hard sensless heart is a dead heart And as the Angels to the Women that sought Christ in the sepulchre So we may say in this case Why seek ye the living among the dead Christ is a Spring and a Fountain of life to every believing Soul Because I live ye shall live also Now where there is life there is sense dead men nor fear any thing nor feel it but living men do both they feel the least guilt and fear the wrath and anger of God they are sensible of every miscarriage and their heart smites them on the commission of the least sin as David did when he cut off but the lap of Sauls garment Such a heart shews who is in it to wit that Christ dwells in 't such a heart we read was in good Josiah whose heart was so tender that he wept but at the reading of the Law 2 Kings 22.19 Vse 3. This should cheer the hearts of all believers what unspeakable comfort doth this bring to every one whose heart is a habitation for Christ Jesus how doth Christ honour you that when the World scorns you Christ crowns you when men shun you the Son of God dwells in you Surely this blessing affords matter