Spirit, such as knowledge, vanishing convictions, &c. but the opeft- ing of the heart by faith is the special, saving, and peculiar work of the Spirit, John vi. S9. " This is the work of God that ye believe.'' Yea, it is the effect of the Almighty Power of God, the exceeding greatness of his power is exerted in the work of faith, Eph. i. 19- It rises not out of nature, as common gifts do ; but of this k is expressly said, Eph. ii. 8. " It is not of yourselves, it is the gift of •' God/' Where this work is effectually wrought, we may rea- son as solidly as comfortably from it, both backward, to the elect- ing love of God, and forward, to our eternal glorification wdth hmi, Rom. viii. 30.
Consolati 2. The opening of thy heart to Christ by saving faith, gives thee interest in Christ the very same hour ; the relation is then constituted, the conjugal tie or bond is fastened betwixt him and thy soul; John i. 12. " To as many as received him, to " them gave he power, (viz. right or privilege) to become the sons " of God, even to as many as believe on his name." You nei- ther need, nor may expect an extraordinary messenger or voice from heaven to tell you that Christ is yours, and you are his ; you have a better foundation in this word and work of faith : For my part, if God will give me the clear and satisfying experience of this work upon my heart, I w ould never desire more satisfaction on this side heaven. I know not but the devil may counterfeit an extra- ordinary voice, and cheat the soul by a lying oracle ; but if I really feel my heart and will sincerely opening to Christ upon gospel- terms, I am sure there is no deceit in that.
Coiisolat. 3. The opening of thy heart to Christ by faith is a good assurance that heaven shall be opened to thy soul hereafter : Hea- ven is shut against none but those that shut their heart against Christ by unbelief. Will you bar Christ out of your souls by ignorance and unjbelief, and then cry. Lord, open to us ? No, God will open to none but them that open to Christ. Eternity itself shall but suf- fice to bless God for this opening act of faith : " He that beheveth " shall be saved j'' Mark xvi. 16.
Consolat. 4. The opening of thy soul to Christ by faith makes it Christ's habitation for ever ; in that hour out goes sin and Satan, and in comes Christ and gi'ace : " If any man open unto me, I will " come in to him,'' saith the text. Of such a soul Christ saith as it was said of the temple, Psal. cxxxii. 13, 14. " The Lord hath " desired it for his habitation. This is my rest for ever; here " will I dwell, for I have desired it." The soul now becomes an hallowed temple to the Lord : as he hath said, " I will dwell in " them, and walk in them, and will be their God, and they shall " be my people," 2 Cor. vi. 16. O what a heaven upon earth is here ! Christ dw^elling in the soul is the glory of the soul ; as God'a dwelling in the temj^le was the glory of the temple.
Consolat. 5. In a word, the opening of the heart to Christ is that -work which answers the great design of the gospel. Wherefore hath God set up ordinances and ministers, yea, wherefore is the Spirit sent forth but to open the hearts of sinners to Christ by- faith ? When this is done, the main end and intention of the gos- pel is attained and answered ; the union is effected betwixt Christ and the soul ; it is now put out of hazard. The whole work of the gospel after that is but to build up, confirm, and comfort the soul ; ripen its implanted graces, and make it meet for glory.
And thus, through the assistance of the Spirit, I have finished the fifth observation. That every conviction of conscience^ and ma- timi upon the affections, is a knock or call of Christ for entrance into the sinner'' s heart.
Revel, iii. 20. Behold I \stand\ ai, the door and knock, &c.
XXERE is pains and patience, all means used by Christ to gain entrance into the souls of sinners. It speaks the earnestness of his suit, and vehemency of his desire to be in union with the souls of men. The sixth observation therefore will be this,
Doct. 6. That Jesus Christ is an earnest suitor for union and communion zvith the souls of sinners.
This point lies directly and fully in the very eye and intention of the text. In the opening of it, two things must be spoken to, in the doctrinal part, viz.
I. The demonstration of this truth, that he is so.
II. The marvellous and admirable grace and condescension of Christ, that he should be so.
I. For demonstration of this truth, that Christ is an earnest suitor for union and communion with the souls of sinners. I shall draw down the demonstration of this truth, from a view and considera- tion of the dispositions, carriages, and actions of the Lord Jesus to- wards poor sinners from first to last : And when you have com- pared them all together, and by them seen the temper of his heart,
how great and clear a light will shine upon this point ! That his heait hath still inclined towards union and communion with sinful man, will evidently appear by Considering him in a fourfold state and time.
1. Before his incarnation.
2. In the days of his flesh.
3. At his death. And,
4. Atj and since his ascension into heaven.
First, Consider him before his incarnation, and you will find two things in that state which plainly speak his desire after union with us.