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insensible of their condition, and will not regard the meaning of Grod's providences. Well, then, a hard heart is insensible of what they have done against God, or what God hath or may do to them. And so far as we lose our sense and tenderness, so far is the heart hardened.
2. It is an inflexible heart ; it is not easily bent to God's purpose ; say he what he will, men are as light, as vain, as mindless of heavenly things, as basely wedded to the delights of the flesh as ever, and obstin- ately, and against all means to the contrary, refuse the counsel of God for their good. Though God hath the highest reasons on his side, and great variety of powerful and alluring motives to gain souls to his obedience, and these represented not only to the ear by his messengers, but to the heart by his Spirit, yet men are so addicted to their own wills and lusts, that they will not suffer themselves to be persuaded by him to accept of his offers and rich mercies in Christ; they will not obey the sweet directions of his word, nor regard the motions and strivings of his Spirit, to let their beloved lusts go, and comply with the will of God.
[1.] They are inflexible to the counsels of his word, where God interposeth in the way of the highest authority, straitly charging and commanding us under pain of his displeasure, and reasonetli with us in the most potent and strong way of argumentation, from the excel- lency of his commands, and their suitableness to us as we are reasonable creatures ; from his great love in Christ, whom he hath given to die for us ; from the danger if we refuse him, which is no less than everlasting torment ; from the benefit and happiness of complying with his motions, which is no less tiihn eternal and complete blessedness both for our bodies and souls ; and all is bound upon us by a strict impartial day of accounts, when we are to answer for our neglects, or else to receive the reward of our diligence. But alas ! the hard heart de- feateth the end of this whole contrivance. Neither the awe of God's authority, nor the rensonableness of his commands, nor the wonderful love of Christ, nor tiie joys of heaven, nor the horrors of everlasting darkness, nor the strictness of the last day's account, will work man to a sense of his duty, or gain him to make serious preparation for his own happiness and everlasting salvation. Out of what rock was the heart of man hewn ? What will work upon you if this doctrine, upon which God hath laid out all the riches of his wisdom and grace, will not work upon you ? Hath God another Son to die for you ? a better heaven to bestow upon you ? or an hotter hell to scare you withal ? Would you have the day of judgment more exact and severe ? or greater obligations to all holiness and godliness of conversation than those already propounded ? or more charms and persuasiveness added to the gospel ? Oh, no ! that cannot be. Infinite wisdom hath already stated these things. Or would you have God save you against your wills ? or thrust these things upon you without your consent ? Surely it is obstinacy, plain obstinacy and hardness of heart, that maketh you stand out against God: Ps. Iviii. 4, 5, ' They are like the deaf adder that stoppeth her ear, which Avill not hearken to the voice of charmers, charming never so wisely.' So Mat. xi. 17, ' We have piped unto you and ye have not danced ; we have mourned unto you, and ye have not lamented.' The sweetest strains of grace move not the obstinate sinner.
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If an angel come from heaven, he cannot bring you better arguments, for the gospel is ' the wisdom of God/ 1 Cor. i. 24. If one came from the dead, he cannot present you with more powerful motives : Luke xvi. 31, 'If they hear not Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded though one rose from the dead.' Oh ! why will you not be persuaded ? You do in effect say. Let God do or say what he will, he shall not have my heart. Well, then, this unteachableness and unper.suadableness is another property of hardness of heart ; and slow- ness of heart and backwardness to God's work is a degree to it.
r2.] It is inflexible to the motions of God's Spirit. God doth not only invite sinners by the word, but knocketh at their hearts by the pressing motions and impulsions of his grace, and yet they do not open to him to give him entrance. How often have we eluded the importunity of many warm convictions, and baffled many pangs and checks of conscience ! Acts vii. 51, ' Ye stiff-necked, and uncircumcised in heart and ears, ye do always resist the Holy Ghost.' Their ears are said to be uncircumcised, as they do resist the counsels of the word ; and their hearts, as they do resist the motions of the Spirit, who enforceth truths with a clearer light and conviction upon their hearts. There are many importunate motions and convictions which they slight and oppose. An hard heart goeth to hell with violence ; the word standeth in the way, and the Spirit standeth in the way ; but still they break through, and so their condemnation is more just; as the prophet said, Isa. vii. 13, 'Is it a small thing for you to weary men, but ye will weary my God also ? ' Wicked men do not only grieve God's ministers and messengers, but his Spirit, in refusing to accept his gracious offers. The crime would be less if the counsel of the messengers were not enforced by the motions and inspirations of the Holy Ghost. God is not behindhand with a sinner. If the words of men offer occasion of suspicion and prejudice, yet these inward checks and excitements in their own bosoms to be more serious and diligent carry their own evidence with them ; and upon such a close application we should be ashamed to give God the denial. But they resist all inward and out- ward means of reformation ; they resist the Spirit as well as despise the minister. But can the Spirit be resisted ? Certainly no, when he worketh according to an eternal purpose of grace ; for God never made a creature too hard for himself. Yea, it is said even of wicked men, Acts vi. 10, ' They were not able to resist the wisdom and Spirit by which he spake.' The meaning is, they could not hinder his workings, though they thwarted his motions ; the light was so clear that they could not hinder the shining of it, nor contradict it, but out of obstinate malice. But how are they said to resist the Holy Ghost ? We had need to vindicate the place, because it is usually urged against the efficacy of divine grace. The operation of the Spirit is not irresistible, say they, for the Jews did always resist it. We may grant the whole. Wicked men of an hard heart may resist the common operations of the Spirit, his light and his motions, but the opposition of the elect is over- powered by the efficacy of grace. -There is a spirit of resistance in us, but the stronger operation of the Holy Ghost maketh it to give place ; we may kick against the pricks till the soul be awakened, and tiien God hath us at his own beck. Though the grace of conversion be not