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
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
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