II. Consolation. The opening of the heart to receive Christ, is the peculiar effect of the divine and Almighty Power of God ; the arm of an angel is too weak to break those strong bars before-mention- ed. Therefore the exceeding greatness of his power is applied unto this work of believing, Eph. i. 19. " And what is the ex^ '' ceeding greatness of his power to us- ward who believe, according '' to the working of his mighty power which he wrought in Christ <' when he raised him from the dead." Here is power, the power of God, the greatness of his power, the exceeding great- ness of his power, the very same power which wrought in Chnst when he raised him from the dead; and all this no more than needs to make the heart of man open by faith to receive Christ. The only key that fits the cross wards of man's Tvdll, and effectually opens his heart, is in the hand of Christ, Rev. iii. 7. "He hath " the key of David, he openeth and no man shutteth."
How long have some of you sat under able ministers, searching sermons, and rousing providences ? yet all to no purpose, till this Almighty Power came with the word, and then the work was done. " Thy people shall be willing in the day of thy power,'* Psal. ex. 3. What a glorious power was that which opened Christ's grave when lie lay in the heart of the earth, with a weighty stone rolled upon his sepulchre ? And how mighty a power is that which breaks asunder all those bars which kept thy soul in the state of sin and death ? None feel this power, but only those whom God in- tendeth for salvation ; and having once wrought this, it is engaged to go through with all the rest, which yet remaineth to be done, to perfect thy salvation.
III. Consolation. The opening of thy heart to Christ, is not only an effect of Almighty Power, but such an effect of it, without which, all that Christ hath done and suffered had been of no avail to thy salvation ; neither the eternal decrees of God, nor the me-
ritorioiis sufferings of Christ, are eifectual to any man's salvation, until this work of the Spirit be wi'ought upon his heart. The of- fering up of Christ is, in its kind and place, sufRcient to purchase our redemption; but it is the receiving of Christ by faith that brings home salvation to our souls ; where there may be many con- causes to produce one effect, that effect is not produced until the last cause have wrought. Thus it is here ; the moving cause, viz, the free-grace of God hath wrought ; and the meritorious cause, the death of Christ, hath also wrought ; but still the heart, even of an elect man, remaineth under guilt and condemnation, until the Spirit, who is the appl}ing cause, have also wrought this bles- sed effect we now speak of. It is Christ in us, i. e. in union with our souls, which is to us the hope of glory, CoL i. 27. 1 Cor. i. 30. Behold then the last stroke given in this opening of the heart by faith ; herein electing love hath brought home Christ, with all the purchases and benefits of his death, into the actual possession of thy soul. O how ti'ansporting and ravishing a consi- deration is this !
IV. Consolation. In this work, the opening of the heart by faith, the great design and main intention of the gospel is also answered and accomplished. You behold in the church a glorious frame of ordinances set up by Divine institution, ministers appointed to preach sermons, sacraments, prayers, singing, variety of ordinances set up, excellent gifts given to men, as the fruit of Christ's ascen- sion into heaven. Now, what was the design of God in the insti- tution of all these things, but that by them, as instruments in his hand, our ignorant, dead, unbelieving hearts might be opened to Christ, in acts of repentance and faith, and built up to a perfect man ? Ministers are sent " to open your eyes, turn you from dark- " ness to light, and from the power of Satan to God,"'" Acts xxvi. 18, They are not sent by Christ into this world to get a hving, to drive so poor a trade as that for themselves, but to bring you to faith, 1 Cor. iii. 5. When God's elect are thus brought in and built up in Christ, you shall see this glorious frame of ordinances taken down ; there will be no more preaching nor hearing, the end of all these things being accomplished ; 1 Cor. xv. 24. " Then " Cometh the end, v/hen he shall have delivered up the kingdom " to God, even the Father,'"* he. Now the consideration of the accomplishment of the great and principal design of the gospel thus far upon thy heart, is matter of transporting joy. Ministers may, and must die, ordinances may be removed, but this blessed effect of them upon thy soul shall never die : God will perfect what he hath begun. That is the fourth consolation.
V. Consolation. And then, 5thlij, That day wherein thy heart is savingly opened to receive Christy that very ^i^y is salvation eome
to thy soul. When Zaccheus' heart was opened to Christ, he tells him, Luke xix. 9. " This day is salvation come to thy house."" Salvation was come into the world before thou wast born ; yea, sal- vation was come to thy doors in the tenders of the gospel before, but it never came into thy soul till the day wherein thy heart open- ed to Christ by faith. And is not this matter of singular consola- tion.? If salvation be not, what is.? no wonder that the eunuch went home rejoicing when he had received Christ by faith. Acts viii. 39. that the jailor rejoiced with all his house. Acts xvi. 34. Nei- ther blame nor wonder at men for rejoicing, for it is the day of their salvation. It is true, their salvation is not finished that day, there may be many things yet to be done and suffered by them before the completing of it ; but it is begun that day, the founda^ tion is laid in the 8oul that day, and the top-stone shall be set up with shouting in due time, crying, grace, grace, unto it.
VI. Consolation. The opening of a sinner's heart to Christ makes joy in heaven a triumph in the city of our God above ; Luke xv. 7. " I say unto you, likewise, that joy shall be in heaven over ono " sinner that repenteth, more than over ninety-nine just persons f' which need no repentance." As when a young prince is born, all the kingdom rejoices, the conduits run with wine, and there is all demonstration of joy and thankfulness in every city and town : It is much more so in heaven, when a soul is born to Christ under the gospel. It is a satisfaction to the heart of the Lord Jesus, who new beholds more of the travail of his soul ; and to all the angels and saints that another soul is espoused to him.