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
of Spiritual ravishment to every Soul that has given Christ Jesus entertainment Wise Solomon admired both Gods mercy and his Peoples happiness at once upon this very reason 2 Chron. 6.18 Is it true indeed that God will dwell with man on earth what infinite Majesty fall in love with misery God dwell with man heaven and earth meet in one Person ye righteous let it not deject you that your excellency is not conspicuous in the Worlds eye The Churches beauty is within and herein she is like her beloved Christ himself to outward appearance was but a root out of a dry ground no form or comeliness was in him therefore he was despised and rejected of men Your life is a hidden life like in this to the Ark that without was covered with skins sullied and weather-beaten with storms and tempests but within was stored with gold and rich rarities God seeth not as man seeth there 's a time at hand when God will turn your in-side out and though now you ly among the pots yet shall ye be covered with silver-Wings and your feathers like gold Vse 4. Lastly Be exorted to the Apostles Prayer to add your own practise This is the one thing necessary with what holy zeal and diligence should we do this work and drive this great design how restless should we be in this pursuit to get Christ to dwell in us Q. But how A. I shall only Answer this query and conclude And here several things must be done both for the getting Christ into the heart and the keeping of him there 1. The heart must be prepared for ChristW Mal. 2.1 The Prophet speaking of John Baptist saith that he should prepare the way for him And Isa speaking of the same Messenger adds Every mountain shall he brought low and every vally be filled up and every crooked thing shall be made plain Isa 43.4 All this must be done as a preparation for Christ As where Princes are expected the highways are cleered and all passages are facilitated that they may pass both with ease and honour so we must prepare for Christ Jesus 1. Mountains must be brought low that is the lofty heart must be abased and every high thought must stoop and be made subject to the scepter of Christ we must be vile in our own eyes learn to abhor out selves with Job loath our own sins and our own righteousness also and count it dung and loss to win Christ Christ designs his own Glory in condescending to dwell with sinful men and Christ's Glory and the creature's cannot be set up together 2 Vallies must be filled some hearts are too low for Christ they mind earthly things and therefore are unfit for the receiving of so glorious a guest Lift up therefore your heads O ye gates and then the King of Glory shall come in Psal 24. as the Church is described in Rev. 12. with the moon under her feet and then she is cloathed with the Sun and hath a Crown of twelve Stars on her head so must every member of the Church trample upon all earthly and sublunary vanities and set our hearts on heaven where our true Treasure is It were a disparagement to divine blessings should they be bestowed on them that prize nothing but earthly trifles such pearls do not use to be cast before swine 3. Crooked things must be made straight we must have no crooked aimes nor close designs in the Service of God The sons of Jacob must be all like their Father plain-hearted men our studies strength time and state must be all dedicated to the Lord Such as turn aside to crooked ways the Lord threatens to lead them out with the workers of iniquity Psal 125.5 4. Lastly rough ways must be made plain the oyle of Grace must supple the rough and rugged temper of our Spirits 'T is said of Nabal he was so churlish a man could not speak to him such hearts are not fit for Christ Christ by Grace sweetens the Temper of out Souls takes off that fierceness and austerity that is in them by nature The Lion and the Lamb ly down together and there 's nothing shall destroy or hurt in all his holy mountain If we would have Christ dwell in our hearts we must keep our hearts pure for a nasty lodging is lothsome to him With what care do we keep our Temples cleansing them continually that there be no filth found in them These Spiritual Temples must never be sullied with sin nor defiled with iniquity This is the condition upon which Christ promises to dwell in us 2 Cor. 6.17 Touch no unclean thing and then I will dwell in you 3. Take heed of grieving the Spirit of God by resisting it's motions or crossing the sweet and saving operations thereof There 's a sad Scripture in Mat. 12.44 When the unclean Spirit is cast out and returneth c. He brings with him seven other Spirits worse than himself and they enter in and dwell there Oh deal courteously with Christ offend your own Souls rather than offend him study we must to comply with his commands and carry our selves so exactly that in nothing we grieve his Spirit nor make him weary of his habitation 4. Lastly sith Christ dwells in the heart by Faith labour to prize this precious Grace for the procuring of which these several rules should 1. Acquaint your selves with your own hearts and you will find such a stock of infidelity in them as may for ever confound us Though God who is faithfulness it self hath infinitely stoopt to lost man and for his security hath ratified the Covenant by his Word his Oath and Seals yet alas there is in us all by nature a heart of unbelief Heb. 3.12 So that upon experience we shall find we are no more able by nature to believe the Gospel than to obey the Law Alas we fear no more than we feel and believe no more than we see when we come to seize on Christ and take hold of the promise Oh with what a faint and trembling hand do we receive them 2. Labour to see the rare excellency and efficacy of Faith what is it but a Christians life while he is below without it we cannot move one foot heaven ward whatsoever is not of Faith is sin This is that which brings in Christ into the Soul it makes us one with Christ now and the union that is made by Faith between Christ and the Soul now shall never be dissolved till we enjoy him in glory For the end of our Faith is the Salvation of our souls 1 Pet. 1.9 3. Bind your selves to a constant and conscionable attendance to the Word and Ordinances of God For Faith comes by hearing Rom. 10.17 As death first entered by this door so doth life hear and your Soul shall live this is that Manna on which we must live till we come to Canaan As Gideons Fleece was wet when the ground about it was dry so God usually waters the Souls
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.
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
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
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