The Unbelievers Preparing for Christ, Treatise · Sermon 3

The Unbelievers Preparing for Christ · Treatise · Sermon 3

p. 126EZECH. 11.19.

I will take away their ſtony heart, and give them a heart of fleſh.

ACoording to our Order intended, and Courſe propounded, wee have laid downe five generall circumſtances, & have choſen ſeverall texts anſwerably: whereout we might obſerve the ſame, foure of thoſe five we have already handled, and now we are come to the laſt Circumſtance, which is this, Howſoever a naturall man cannot receive the Lord Ieſus, yet the Lord will make all his that belong to the election of Grace willing to receive him, and then he will beſtow Chriſt Ieſus upon them, and grace and ſalvation by him: and for this purpoſe I have choſen this text, and as our courſe is, I will not meddle with every Doctrine in the text, which are ſixe in number, but chuſe that onelyonly which fits beſt for our purpoſe. But before I can come to lay p. 127downe the point of Doctrine, two paſſages muſt be opened: firſt, what is meant by heart, ſecondly, what is meant by a ſtony heart, and what by a fleſhy heart; and theſe two being opened, the Doctrine will be plaine and lie faire: firſt for the firſt: a heart in Scripture, beſides that which it ſignifieth naturally; is applied to the will of a man, or to that ability which is in a reaſonable ſoule, whereby he willeth or rejecteth a thing, this is put for a heart in Scripture, together with love, delight, joy, hatred and griefe, which are attendants upon this will; as a man will have ſuch a thing, why? becauſe beloves it, and delightes in it; and hee againe refuſeth ſuch a thing and will not have it, why? becauſe hee hates it, and becauſe it is diſpleaſing unto him; and this is the meaning of that place, Mat. Mat. 15.19.Matt 15:1915.19. Out of the heart proceede evill thoughts, murthers, adulteries fornications, thefts, falſe witneſſe, blaſphemie. Secondly, the Will is put in phraſe of Scripture, not onelyonly for ability of the ſoule whereby it wills, but for the ſame ſpirituall diſpoſition, that is, in the will & affections of a man, in this kind the temper and frameableneſſe of the Will to any action is termed by the name of heart in Scripture; for there is ſomewhat in the Will, whereby it is carried to any worke: looke as it is with a Bowle it runneth, becauſe it is a round thing, but that it runneth at ſuch and ſuch a marke, is becauſe it hath a Bias upon it, whereby it is ſwayed and carried to that marke; ſo it is with the heart of a man, there is not onelyonly an abilitie therein, whereby a man is inabled p. 128to will, but there is a frame and a diſpoſition in the Will, either to good or evill, either to grace or ſinne, and as the will of a man is biaſſed and ſwayed, ſo a man is ſaid to will good or evill, not in regard of the naturall faculty of the Will, but in regard of the diſpoſition of that facultie which doth carrie the faculty to the performance of any worke: now a righteous man out of the diſpoſition of his heart, is carried to yeeld obedience unto Gods commandements; and a wicked man out of the frame and temper of his heart is carried after luſts and diſtempers and ſinnefull abominations; and this is the meaning of that place,Deut. 29.4.Deut 29:4 Deut. 29.4. The Lord hath not given you a heart to perceive to this day, why? they had a heart, for they were naturall men, they had the naturall faculty of the Will and the underſtanding and affections, but the meaning is, they had not the gracious diſpoſition in their wils, whereby they might be carried and inabled to will that which was pleaſing to God, and might be comfortable unto themſelves: it is a pretie phraſe,Match. 12.35. Mat. 12.35. A good man out of the good treaſure of his heart bringeth forth good things, and an evill man out of the evill treaſure of his heart bringeth footh evill things: there is a heart in both, and there is a treaſure in both alſo; but there is a good treaſure in the heart of a godly man, and out of this comes good things, ſo out of the treaſure of a wicked mans heart, comes evill things; there is a treaſure of love and holineſſe, and goodneſſe in the heart of a gracious man, whereby hee is carried to p. 129walke holily and unblameably before God and man; good words and good actions come from the good treaſure, that is, from a good diſpoſition of the ſoule; againe, a wicked man hath a heart, and he hath a treaſure alſo, he hath a treaſure of pride, and a treaſure of covetouſneſſe, and a treaſure of all manner of corruptions, and theſe carry him to wicked ſpeeches and leud actions, hee talkes looſely & lives baſely; ſo that there is a diſpoſition good or bad in the ſoule of a man, and this is termed a will or a heart in Scripture: now in both theſe ſenſes wee underſtand not a heart here in the Text, but in the latter onelyonly; God will give them a heart, that is, God will give them wills and hearts diſpoſed to that which is good.

The ſecond paſſage to be opened is this, namely, what is meant by a ſtony, what by a fleſhie heart; Firſt what is meant by a ſtony heart; a heart is ſaid to be ſtonie by way of reſemblance, becauſe it is of the nature of a ſtone, looke what the nature of a ſtone is, ſuch is the nature of a heart compared thereunto, a ſtony heart, that is, an unſenſible and an uncapable heart; a ſtone that is inſenſible, it receiveth no impreſſion, ſet a ſeale upon a ſtone and preſſe it downe never ſo hard, & you may break the ſtone in peeces, but it will receive no impreſſion, it wil take no print; but now ſet a ſeale upon waxe, and that will receive any impreſſion that a man ſtampes upon it, ſo it is with a ſtony, ſtout, ſturdy heart, though God knocke it in peeces it will not be humbled, it will receive no impreſſion, but reſiſts and p. 130beates backe the meanes of grace and ſalvation offered and revealed unto it, if the Lord ſet a ſtampe of humil…ation upon it that will not be humbled, it will receive no ſtampe but makes it flie backe and bound upward: ſo that a ſtony heart is a hard ſturdie heart capeable of no impreſſion.

Secondly, what is meant by a heart of fleſh, and that is quite contrary to a ſtony heart, it is like unto fleſh, ſoft, tender, eaſie, and pliable, willing to take any impreſſion that comes upon it; ſo that now a fleſhie heart is nothing elſe but a heart lovingly teachable, and humbly tractable to the Lord, willing to entertaine any impreſſion that it ſhall pleaſe the Lord to ſtampe upon it; if God commands any thing, that obeyeth, it God threatens, that trembles; it is ſaid of I…ſiah that he had a melting heart: looke as it is with waxe, if you ſet a ſeale upon it, juſt as the print of the ſeale is, ſo is the print in the waxe which it leaves behinde it, ſo it is with a fleſhie, lowly, p…able heart, it receives any ſtampe that God puts upon it; when the Lord faith feare, that trembles, when the Lord ſaith love, that entertaines it, when the Lord commands any thing, that yee les obedience to his cōmands, this is an humble and a pliable ſpirit: and this is the ſubſtance of the Text, and the intendment of the Prophet therein, is thus much: In the beginning of the Chapter, about the ſeventh Verſe, the Lord threatned to in…rict many judgements upon the people of Iſrael, becauſe they had not walked in his ſtatutes; after the Lord had done this, yet … tells them in the 16. p. 131Verſe, if they would walke in his wayes, he would be a Sanctuary unto them, & he would make them better than ever they were, and hee would doe better for them than ever hee did, but how will hee doe this? Why ſaith he, I will take away that ſtony ſturdy heart which is in them, and will give them a frameable heart and a teachable heart, which ſhall yeeld to whatſoever I cammand, and then they will be able to caſt away all thoſe evills which they have embraced, and performe all thoſe holy duties which they have neglected, the heart which God takes away from them cannot be meant the heart it ſelfe, the naturall facultie of willing, and the heart which hee gives them, cannot be meant the bare faculty it ſelfe, but the rebellious diſpoſition that was in the faculty the Lord removeth, and that ſame teachable, frameable diſpoſition he putteth into the facultie, whereby their hearts ſhould be carried to that which was pleaſing to God, & comfortable to themſelves. I intend to ſpeake of two things concerning Gods taking away of this ſame ſtony heart, and giving a heart of fleſh unto his people: firſt, that God doth this, that hee is the Author of it; ſecondly, I will ſpeake of the circumſtance of time when God doth this, when he thus workes upon the hearts of his choſen, ſometimes ſooner ſometimes later; and this, ſame circumſtance of time when the Lord doth this is double; firſt in regard of the meanes, the Lord doth thus worke upon the hearts of thoſe which belong to the election of grace, when hee gives them the meanes of p. 132ſalvation when they have the Sunne-ſhine of the Goſpell ſhining in their faces: The ſecond circumſtance of this time, is in regard of the men whom the Lord will thus worke upon, ſome ſooner, ſome later, ſome in all ages; ſome in their young and tenderage, ſome in their middle age, and ſome, though very few, in their old age: Firſt I will ſpeake of the Authour of this, and that is God, hee takes away the ſtony heart, and gives a heart of fleſh to his ſervants. The Doctrine out of the words is, The taking away of the indiſpoſition of the ſoule to any good dutie, and the fitting, framing, and diſpoſing of a ſoule to performe any ſpirituall ſervice, is the alone worke of God, hee removes the indiſpoſition of the ſoule, and hee puts the diſpoſition to any good into the ſoules of his; the caſe is cleare, if we reaſon after this manner what is a ſtony heart? A ſtony heart is a ſturdy, unteachable heart, uncapeable and indiſpoſed to any good; what is a heart of fleſh? it is a lowly, teachable, pliable heart, wiling to receive any impreſſion that God ſtampes upon it, who takes away the one? The Lord; who gives the other? The Lord. So that both the remooving of the ſtony heart is the Lords worke, and the giving of the fleſhy heart is the Lords worke alſo, I will take away their ſtony heart, and I will give them a heart of fleſh. Nay the Lord doth make it his chiefeſt prerogative to doe this worke for a poore ſinner;Ezek. 36.25.Ezek 36:25 Ezeck. 36.25. I will powre cleane water upon you ſaith the Lord, and yee ſhall be cleane from all your …il…hineſſe, and your Idols, I will p. 133cleanſe you: A new heart alſo will I give you, and put a new ſpirit within you, I will take away the ſtony heart, and I will give you a heart of fleſh; and therefore wee ſhall take notice of it; this great worke of converſion is compared with the worke of creation, God onelyonly created man, and God onelyonly converteth a man; how was it when darkeneſſe was over the face of the earth, Let there bee light ſaid the Lord, and there was light, the ſame God that created light, the ſame God doth ſhine in our hearts, nay this worke of converſion is ſayd to be one of the greateſt workes of God, as if God did the beſt he could doe for a poore ſinner when hee converts him. To whom is the arme of the Lord revealed, ſaith the Prophet Eſay, that is, to whom is the utmoſt power of the Almighty God revealed, the Lord putteth forth his whole ſtrength upon poore ſinners when he converts them unto himſelfe. The power of Gods ſtrength, the depth of Gods wiſedome, and the riches of Gods mercy is diſcovered in this worke of converſion; here is power againſt all power, and ſtrength above all ſtrength; for the Lord doth not meete with the ſoule of a ſinner in the worke of converſion, as hee did in the worke of creation with the world, for when he made the world, hee met with nothing to reſiſt him, but he onelyonly ſpoke the word, hee commanded and it was made; but when the Lord commeth to meete with the ſoule of a poore ſinner, to open his eyes and convert him unto himſelfe, and bring him home; hee meeteth with the whole p. 134frame of all creatures oppoſing and reſiſting him; the divell and the world without, and ſinne and corruption within; when the Lord comes to convert a firmer, hee meetes with all theſe, with ſinne, Sathan, and the world reſiſting him, and therefore here muſt needs be power againſt all ſtrength that oppoſeth him, here muſt needs bee wiſedome againſt all pollicie that reſiſts him, and here muſt needes be wonderfull mercy againſt all weakeneſſe and miſerie,1 Cor. 14.24.1 Cor 14:24 and therefore 1 Cor. 14.24. there ſaith the Text, If all propheſie, and there come in … that beleeveth not, or unlearned, he is rebuked of all, and judged of all; and ſo are the ſecrets of his heart made manifeſt, and ſo he will fall downe on his face and worſhip God, and ſay plainely, God is in you indeede, here the Text faith, when the Lord commeth to ſpeake home to a poore ſinner, a poore ſoule, he comes into the Congregation, & though he be ſimple the word is wiſe and powerfull and that diſcovereth what is in his heart, man is not able to doe this, but God can doe this, and then the ſoule will ſay, God is in you in deede, as who ſhould ſay, Here is God, or elſe I had never beene humbled, or elſe my ſinnes had never beene ſubdued, or elſe my ſoule had never beene wrought upon, the ſinner that is ſtrucken with this worke, he profeſſeth plainely, that here is the ſtroake of God, and power of God, and wiſedome of God, which was able to diſcover all things that were in my heart, and take … this ſtubborne heart of mine, Oh this is … …orle of God indeede.

p. 135The grounds of the point why it is neceſſary that God ſhould be the Author both of taking away the ſtony heart and giving the heart of fleſh are theſe, if we doe but conſider the nature of the ſtonineſſe and the fleſhineſſe of the heart, it will appeare that God onelyonly can take away the one and give the other. Firſt if we conſider the nature of the ſtony heart, and the diſtempers thereof, it will appeare that it muſt bee the worke of the Lord onelyonly to take it away; and not to follow any other ſimilituds then the Text affords; I will ſhew the ſimilitude and reſemblance that is betweene the ſturdy ſtout heart of a ſinner and a ſtone, by which it ſhall bee made manifeſt, that none but the Almighty power of God is able to remoove it. Now in a ſtone obſerve three particulars, which diſcover the nature of it; firſt the ground of all, the hardneſſe which is in the ſtone is from hence, there is a cloſe faſtning, combining, and knitting of the parts together which is the ground of the hardneſſe that is therein; as for example, take a path, if it be continually plowed up, it will bee ſoft and looſe, but if many walke upon it, if it be continually trod upon then it will be hard; what is the reaſon of this, namely this hardneſſe proceeds from the cloſe faſtning and ſetling of the earth together, this it is which makes the way hard, but if it were daily plowed, and the earth continually looſened, it would then … ſoft, but when there is a naturall faſtning and compiling of the earth together, it cannot but b…e hard.

p. 136Secondly, from this faſtning of the parts of a ſtone together, as there comes hardneſſe, ſo alſo from this hardneſſe ariſeth a great ſtrength in the ſtone, and that is the reaſon that the hardeſt things are marvelous ſtrong; a child before his joynts be ſetled is but weake, he is not come to his ſtrength, but a man when his parts are ſetled, and his joynts throughly knit together, then wee uſe to ſay, bee is come to his full ſtrength; and ſo it is in mettals, thoſe mettals that are cloſeſt knit together and moſt nearely concocted, they are ſayd to bee ſtrongeſt mettalls, as Gold is ſayd to be a ſtronger mettall then Silver, and Silver is ſayd to bee a ſtronger mettall then Lead, becauſe the parts thereof are more nearely ſetled and more cloſely concocted: So it is the nature of ſtones, thoſe ſtones whoſe parts are moſt combined together as Flints, they are ſayd to be the hardeſt ſtones, and thoſe whoſe parts are not ſo cloſely knit, they are ſayd to be more ſoft and of leſſe ſtrength.

Thirdly, from the hardneſſe and ſtrength of a ſtone, there comes a reſiſtance againſt any thing from without it, becauſe the parts of a ſtone are knit together, therefore it is hard, and from the hardneſſe thereof proceedes ſtrength; and being hard and ſtrong in the third place it reſiſts and bea…s backe any thing that falls upon it, as if you knocke againſt a ſtone with a hammer, it reſiſts it and makes it …lie backe by reaſon of the ſtrength and hardneſſe of it; Even ſo it is with the ſoule of every poore ſinner, of … ſinfull creature under heaven, p. 137it hath an inward ſecret kind of union betweene ſinne and its ſelfe, betweene corruption and its owne nature. The heart of a poore ſinfull ſoule hath a neere combination with ſinne, there is a faſt cloſure betweene ſinne and the ſoule, and therefore ſinne in the Scripture is tearmed by the name of the old man, as who ſhould ſay, The ſinne and corruption that is in a poore ſinner, is as it were another nature in him, in ſo much that the union and combination that is betweene ſinne and the ſoule, is farre ſtronger then any other bond of nature, and this is the reaſon of that phraſe, Luke 21.16. there ſaith the Text,Luke 21.16.Luke 21:16 Yee ſhall be betrayed alſo of your parents, and of your brethren and kinſmen, and ſome of you ſhall be put to death, and yee ſhall be hated of men all for my names ſake, & this is the reaſon, becauſe the union that is betweene ſinne and the ſoule of a wicked man exceeds all other bonds of nature▪ as for example, if a naughtie wicked father have a godly religious child, the father will neglect thoſe duties to his child w^ch even nature it ſelfe … him to performe; and if a wicked lewd for the … a good father, he will not diſcharge thoſe … unto him which nature binds him unto, but the …ather he hates the ſonne, and the ſonne he hates … father, the mother hates the daughter, … daughter hates the mother, and they breake … bonds both, of nature and religion; the … father will doe any thing againſt his ſonne, before the bond that is betweene ſinne … ſoule ſhall be broken, before this union … p. 138broken, he will not abide the preſence of his ſinne, nay that which is moſt unreaſonable to conſider, a wicked lewd ungracious man will loſe his life, he will ſpend his owne heart blood before hee will leave one ſinfull beloved luſt or corruption, and the reaſon of this is, becauſe there is a nearer … on, and a cloſer combination betweene ſinne and the ſoule, then betweene all relation, that nature can put upon a man, inſomuch that a man will rather have his ſinnes and his luſts then his owne child; nay ſuch is the union betweene ſinne and the ſoule, that it becomes … God unto the ſoule; looke as it is with a ſtone, the parts thereof being cloſely faſtned and nearely ſetled together, it becomes marveilous ſtrong and hard, ſo when God hath forſaken the ſoule, and it cloſeth with his corruptions, this union that is betweene the ſoule and its corruptions is marveilous ſtrong and firme, nay ſo ſtrong and firme that there is no meanes under heaven, no creature in the world that is able to breake this union, and diſſolve this combination that is betweene ſinne and the ſoule, unleſſe the Lord by his Almighty power come and breake this concord and conſpiracy that is betweene ſinne and the ſoule, againſt himſelfe and the glory of his name; and for the truth hereof obſerve this, all outward meanes are too ſcant, too narrow, too ſhort to breake the union betweene the ſoule and ſinne, as it is with the body of a man, if there were a great and an old diſtemper in a mans ſtomacke, if a man ſhould put a rich doublet upon him and lay p. 139him in a Featherbed, and uſe all other outward meanes, this would doe him no good, becauſe the diſeaſe is within, and is become as it were another nature in him, it is an old diſtemper that hath eaten into his very bowels, and therefore all outward meanes cannot make a ſeparation betweene the diſeaſe and the body, becauſe the diſeaſe being inward they cannot come neare it. Iuſt ſo it is with the ſoule of a man, a mans heart will have his ſinne; there is an inward combination betweene the ſoule and ſinne; now all meanes, as the Word, and the like is outward, and can doe no good in this kind, they cannot break the union betweene a mans heart and his corruptions, unleſſe God give a bleſſing to theſe meanes, unleſſe the Lord by his Almighty power and infinite wiſedome make a ſeparation betweene ſinne and the ſoule, and diſſolve this union. The ſoule ſaith, I will have my ſinne, and I will have my life, and I will have my God, though I die for it, there is a ſtrong league … betweene the heart of a ſinner and his luſts, … therefore all outward meanes cannot poſſibly breake this league; looke as it is wi…h a ſtrong ſtomack, if you give it any ordinary meate the ſtrength of the ſtomake is above the meate, and turnes the meate into the nature of it ſelfe, …o it is with a corrupt heart that hath made a league … his luſts, all outward meanes and of … God, a corrupt heart converts them and … them aſide to his everlaſting deſtruction; the inſtrumentall cauſe is alwayes under the … p. 140the ſoule of a man is a ſoveraigne commander, this way all outward meanes are but inſtrumentall m… ſes, and the heart of a man is above them, and therefore they may as well …arden a man as ſoften his heart, and humble his ſoule; a man can receive no good thereby unleſſe it pleaſe God to overpower this diſtemper that is in a man, and break the neare union and firme league that is betweene ſinne and the ſoule.

Secondly, as there is a neare union betweene ſinne and the ſoule, ſo in the ſecond place as from the knitting of the parts of a ſtone together, there comes a ſtrength to reſiſt the blow; ſo there is a marvelous power, a ſoveraigne command that ſinne ſetteth up, and Sathan poſſeſſeth in the ſoule; nay ſo ſtrong a power it is, for therein lyeth the ſtrength of the argument, that nothing can overpower it and overcome it, but the Almighty come it power of the Lord, for this is the meaning of that place,… Cor. 15.56. of Saint Paul, 1 Corinth. 15.56. The ſting of a eath is ſinne, and the ſtrength of ſinne is the Law; ſo that a man may ſee ſo ſtrong as the Law is, ſo ſtrong is ſinne, and therefore the ſtrength there of muſt needs be great▪ I open that place of the Apoſtle thus, The ſting of death is ſinne, and the ſtrength of ſinne is the Law; looke as it is with a King when a male factour is apprehended and convicted of high treaſon, the king giveth up the malefactour into the hand of the jaylour, and giveth him authoritie to keepe him in what priſon or dungeon … will and tyrannize over him as he liſt, p. 141the jaylour now hath not power of himſelfe onelyonly, but is armed alſo with authority from the King, he hath a commiſſion from the King that hee may diſpoſe of the Traytour as hee pleaſeth, hee may keepe him in what priſon hee will, and tyrannize over him as he pleaſeth and as hee ſeeth good, and the reaſon is, becauſe hee hath authority from the King to backe him, and he hath as much authority as the King, becauſe the King doth this by him; ſo it is with the bleſſed will of God, every poore ſoule rebells againſt him and breakes his Lawes, and therefore the Lord taketh notice of it, and treaſon is brought againſt him, and hee is condemned for it, and then he delivers him up into the power of ſinne, and into the hands of the devill, as who ſhould ſay, Take him ſinne, and take him Sathan, and hale him into damnation and tyrannize over him according to your owne minds, thus God giveth them authority over him; mee thinkes I heare the Lord ſay thus; Let all occaſions domineere over him, let all corruptions take place in him, hee hath oppoſed my Lawes, I will never helpe him more, hee hath tranſgreſſed my Commandements, my Spirit ſhall never aſſiſt him more, take him ſinne, take him Sathan, and diſpoſe of him according to your owne pleaſure; ſo that now ſinne and Sathan have not onelyonly their owne power over this ſoule, but they have power from God, and they are backed with authority from the Law; in this kind Sathan may ſay, This ſoule muſt … damned, I have Law for it, by the vertue of the Law p. 142I prevaile againſt him and domineere over him; God hath given mee authoritie to tyrannize over him, thus the ſtrength of ſinne in the Law. Now he that, muſt come and reſcue this ſoule, and deliver it from the power of ſinne and Sathan; muſt be able to equalize and, anſwer the ſtrength of the Law, and this none can doe, the Law of God, none can beare the ſtrength of it, but he that is perfect God, none but the Lord Ieſus Chriſt, none can deliver the ſoule and reſcue it from the power of ſinne and Sathan but hee; this is the reaſon of that unconceiveable and admirable power that a mans corruptions have over him, a man would wonder to ſee that a baſe luſt or corruption ſhould ſo domineere and tyrannize over a man, and make a man ſuch a ſlave thereunto; the reaſon is, becauſe the ſtrength of ſinne is the Law. God in his juſt judgement hath given over a ſinner into the hand of ſinne and Sathan, now the Lord Ieſus onelyonly commeth and taketh away this power, and over commeth this ſtrength for the reſcuing of a poore ſoule this, way, and hereby wee may conceive that the wiſedome and power of Gods mercy goeth beyond the power and wiſedome of Gods juſtice, as I may ſo ſay; for what ſaith the Law, and what doth the juſtice of God require, the Law ſaith Doe and live, juſtice faith, if Adam dee obey the Commandements of God hee ſhall be ſaved▪ if Adam ſinne he ſhall be damned. But then the wiſedome and power of Gods mercy comes and ſaith, a man ſhall not die though he doth p. 143not keepe all Gods Commandements; but how is this done, namely this way, Chriſt which is perfect God and man, commeth and ſuffereth for man, hee comes and doth that which man ſhould have done, and therefore though man doe it not, yet he ſhall not be condemned, ſo that our Saviour by his death did ſatisfie for us, and gave full contentment to the Law of God, ſo that now the juſtice of God hath nothing to ſay to a poore ſoule, and Chriſt by his reſurrection he did overcome the power … and Satan, ſo that now marke what followes, if any thing hindereth the ſoule from being ſaved, it is becauſe either Gods juſtice is not ſatisfied, or elſe becauſe the power of ſinne and Satan is not abated, but Chriſt by his death did ſatisfie the Law of God, and by his reſurrection did overcome ſinne and Satan, and therefore theſe cannot hinder it from ſalvation, and this is the ground how it commeth …o paſſe that the Lord onelyonly, and no … can deliver a ſoule from the ſtrength of … power of Satan, which have the ſtrength of the Law to backe them.

Thirdly, as in a ſtone there is a cloſe ſetting … a neare knitting of the parts thereof together, … whence comes the hardneſſe thereof, and ſecondly as from this hardneſſe there proceedes ſtrength; and as in the third place from this ſtrength ariſeth a reſiſtance againſt the blow that is … upon it, ſo it is with a ſtony heart, there is a … union betweene ſinne and it: ſecondly, by … of this union ſinne comes to have a … p. 144power in the ſoule, and not onelyonly ſo, but in the third place, there is a great reſiſtance in the ſoule againſt Gods Command▪ Looke as it is with a ſtone, of a man ſtriketh a blow upon it, it reſiſtes the blow and beates it backe, ſo it is with the ſoule, with a ſtony heart; the Word, the Sacraments, Admonitions, Reproofes, Counſells, Exhortations, they enter not into it, they prevaile not with it, but it reſiſts and obppoſeth all meanes of grace and ſalvation that are offered unto it; what helpe ſoever God beſtowes upon it, it beates it backe, it will not be diſpoſed, it will not be framed and faſhioned according to Gods holy Will, Zach. 7.12. there ſaith the Text,Zach. 7.12.Zech 7:12 They made their hearts as an adamant ſtone, leaſt they ſhould beare the l…s, and the words which the Lord of Hoſts ſent by his Spirit in the Miniſtery of the former Prophets; that is, they cloſed with their corruptions and grew ſtrong in their corruptions, and reſiſted the commandements of the Lord, and therefore it is ſaid of Pharoah, that he hardened his heart, that is, hee ſtrengthened his heart in ſinne, and would not obey the commandement of the Lord, but refuſed to let the people of Iſrael goe: when there comes to be a neare union betweene ſinne and the ſoule, then the ſoule doth ſtrengthen it ſelfe in ſinne, and oppoſeth the Law of God; the proud man ſaith, he will have his luſt, let God ſay what hee will, the covetous man hee will have his corruption, let God ſay what hee will, and the drunkard hee will have his owne way, and the adulterer hee will take p. 145up his owne courſe; let God ſay what he will they grow ſtrong in their ſinnes, and therefore reſiſt all meanes which may be for their good, untill the Lord by his almightie power doth breake this faſt knot that is betweene corruption and the ſoule, and removes the power and ſtrength of ſinne, and then by a ſtrong hand takes away this reſiſtance and over-powers a ſoule in this caſe: ſo that then, to gather up all together; if it be ſo that the union betweene ſinne and the ſoule cannot be diſſolved but by God alone, if the ſtrength and power of ſinne and Satan cannot be vanquiſhed but onelyonly by the Lord, if the reſiſtance that commeth from ſinne cannot be taken away and removed, but by the worke of the Spirit of God: then the caſe is cleare, and the point evident, That it is God which taketh away the ſtony heart and giveth a heart of fleſh: if God alone by his almighty power doth theſe things, then he is the author of this worke, it is his worke to doe this in the ſoule of a poore ſinnefull creature.

The firſt Vſe is an uſe of inſtruction; from hence wee may ſee, that therefore this great worke of converſion, the fitting and preparing of a poore ſinner to entertaine the Lord Ieſus, it is a worke of great weight, it is a worke not of ordinary, but of marvellous and admirable difficulty; if it be the worke of the Lord onelyonly, if nothing elſe can doe this worke but it lieth upon Gods alone almightie power, if all meanes faile, nay, if the wiſedome of men & Angells ſtand agaſt & amazed at this work, p. 426then I muſt conclude it is the Lords worke, and is ought to be marvellous in our eyes. And from hence it is that it is a marvellous wonder that any creature that is under the power of ſinne and Satan it is a wonder it is a miracle that after all teaching, after all meanes uſed, any ſoule is humbled and prepared to receive mercy from the hand of the Lord Ieſus Chriſt: Nay, hence it is that wee ſee little profit come from the worke of the Miniſterie when wee ſee the greatneſſe of this worke of converſion, wee may wonder how it commeth to paſſe that any are converted and brought home unto the Lord; the Miniſters are faine to lift up their voyces like trumpets, and ſpend their hearts as it were, they pray againe, and faſt againe, and preach againe, and yet all will not dee; for when is the heart of any humbled, when is the ſoule of any turned and converted unto God, and therefore away with that curſed deluſion that harbours in the minds of many men, they will repent, and they will beleeve when they liſt, why? Alas it is not in your power, it is the almighty worke of God, thou haſt not the worke of repentance to command at thy pleaſure; it is not talking and ſaying, I doe repent with all my heart, and doe beleeve that will ſerve the turne, this will not doe, the Lord muſt worke effectually in thy ſoule by his almighty power, or elſe the union that is betweene ſinne and thy ſoule will not be diſſolved, or elſe the ſtrength of ſinne and power of Satan that is in thy ſoule will never be vanquiſhed, or elſe the reſiſtance that is in p. 147thy ſoule, and which commeth from this ſtrength againſt the blow of the Spirit, and all meanes that may fit it, and prepare it for to receive the Lord Ieſus, and mercy from him will never be removed, a man ſhall ſometimes find that the indiſpoſition of his ſoule to any good ſhall be a little abated by the power of the Word, the edge of it will a little be blunted, but a poore ſoule cannot be freed altogether from this, untill it ſhall pleaſe the Lord by his almightie hand to remove it: and therefore in the firſt of Iames the 18. Verſe; the text ſaith,Iam. 1.18.Jas 1:18 Of his own will begat he us by the Word of truth, that wee ſhould be as the firſt fruits of his creatures, Ioh. 1.13.John 1:13and Ioh. 1.13. To them that received him, ſaith the Text, he gave power to be the ſonnes of God to them which beleeve in his name, which are borne not of bloud nor of the will of the fleſh, nor of the will of man but of God. And therefore thinke of it Miniſters that teach the Word, and people that heare the Word; wee muſt know, that unleſſe the Lord ſteppeth in and doth the worke for us, all our labour is loſt; it muſt be I …ay the Lord that muſt take away the ſtony heart, and it muſt be hee that muſt give the heart of …; it is not talking and making a profeſſion that can plucke ſinne out of the ſoule of a man in this kinde, but it muſt be the almighty power of the Lord that muſt doe it.

The ſecond Vſe is a ground of comfort, whereby the ſoule of poore ſinners may be ſupported, and the hearts of thoſe that have ſinne hunging about them may be cheared when the ſoule conſiders p. 148that it is laden with abundance of corruptions and abominations, then it is quite diſcouraged and thinkes with all that it ſhall never be recovered; why? though you be not able yet here is the comfort of a poore foule, the worke is the Lords, and he whoſe worke it is, is able to bring it to paſſe, what though thou beeſt weake, yet God is ſtrong, and therefore quiet thy ſoule and content thy heart; a man may ſay, I have a hard heart from within, and it will receive no good from without; the Word prevailes not, the Sacraments have no power over me, why, all the meanes and coſt and charges that God hath beſtowed upon me is loſt, and my heart is not yet humbled, my corruptions are not yet weakened: be yet comforted, though meanes cannot doe it, which God uſeth at his pleaſure, though theſe cannot doe it, yet the Lord can doe it, there is nothing hard or difficult to him that hath hardneſſe it ſelfe at command, hee is a God which hath all things at command; hee can command the devill himſelfe, and therefore hee hath the hardneſſe of thy heart at command alſo there is nothing hard to him that hath hardneſſe at his command; nay, though all things be impoſſible to man, yet nothing is impoſſible with God, God can doe what man not meanes cannot, the Lord hee ſheweth mercy upon us, why? becauſe wee will, no, becauſe he wills; and though we cannot caſt away our ſinnes, yet the Lord will remove them? Oh, then ſaith the ſoule, this is ſomewhat comfortable that the Lords merciemercy depends not upon my will, but upon Gods will. p. 149And I would tell you ſomewhat by experience in this kinde, for I knew one that was over whelmed with diſpaire a whole yeare together, becauſe hee thought hee had committed the ſinne againſt the holy Ghoſt, and yet at laſt was comforted by this meanes, he refolved with himſelfe, if my converſion were in my will onelyonly, then I ſhould be damned, but it is not becauſe I will, but becauſe God will doe good to my poore ſoule: aye but the ſoule will ſay, I confeſſe it is not in my will, but it is in Gods will that hee ſheweth mercy, and this is ſome comfort yet, but oh my corruptions are old ſinnes of a long time, can thoſe be pardoned, they are become as another nature in me; can thoſe therefore be removed, yes, the Lord is able to remove thoſe alſo, for ſaith the Prophet, the Lord hath laid ſalvation upon the mightie, ſo that though thy corruptions be mightie and powerfull, yet there is a mighty God that is able to undoe that curſed combination that is betweene thy ſoule and thy corruptions, and therefore quiet thy ſelfe in the conſideration hereof, and ſay, I muſt confeſſe, that I have many corruptions, but the mighty Lord of hoſts hath promiſed that hee will take away my ſtony heart, and give me a heart of fleſh, and hee is able to doe it alſo, be herein quieted and ſupported and looke up to heaven for comfort.

In the third place it is a word of exhortation to all thoſe that are in the bond of iniquitie and under the power of Satan, to thoſe which carry a ſtony heart p. 150about them, it is a word of exhortation to theſe, ſee your owne wants and be exhorted in the name of the Lord Ieſus, to have recourſe to this great God, and intreate him to take away your ſtony heart from you: looke as it is with men if there be a Phyſition of excellent skill that cures all diſeaſes that are brought unto him; why then all men will repaire to him, why, ſo it is here, God alone is able to doe this cure for us, and herefore he ſhould have our cuſtome; if a man ſhould ſet up a bill upon the market poſt, that he would cure all that come to him which were troubled with the ſtone in the reines, or any other grievous diſeaſe, and if wee ſhould meete with many comming from him that were healed by him, why then wee would be ready to ſay, ſuch a one went and hee was healed, ſuch a one went and hee was cured, and this will ſtirre up all to repaire unto him, and every one would bring thoſe that appertaine unto them, and were troubled with this diſeaſe unto him, that they might be cured by him: the Lord hath ſet up a bill this day, that he will cure all thoſe that come unto him of their ſtony heart, and all the Sonnes of God have found proofe hereof to the comfort of their owne ſoules, the Lord is hee that will doe this, hee will take away your ſtony heart: you wives therefore that have husbands which have ſtony hearts; and you parents that have children that are troubled with ſtony hearts, goe home with comfort, and tell them that you have heard this day of a Phiſitian that will undertake to cure them of this diſeaſe, and p. 151exhort them therefore to repaire unto him: Our Saviour Chriſt when hee had healed many of their diſeaſes, the Text ſaith in the third of Matthew, That all came unto him and brought their ſicke that hee might heale them. In the bowells of the Lord Ieſus, be intreated you that have ſtony hearts to goe unto the Lord, that ſo you may be cured: you were better have a milſtone about your neckes, then have this ſtony heart; we have all of us this ſtony heart more or leſſe: as it is with a man that hath beene cured of a diſeaſe, perhaps the diſeaſe is much mitigated, but there will ſtill be much weakenes and ſome reliques of the diſeaſe remaining in him a long time after. So the Sonnes of God have the ſtrength of this ſtony heart ſomewhat leſſened and abated in them, but they are not altogether freed from it, but thoſe that were never cured of this diſeaſe, thoſe that never had this ſtony heart in any meaſure removed, they were better have a milſtone about their neckes, for it will ſinke them into the bottomleſſe pit of hell and deſtruction; if death take them away while they carrie this ſtony heart about them they will be ſurely damned; therefore … them as they love their owne ſoules be … and perſwaded to come to this Phyſitian God … I will take away your ſtony hearts, and I will … you hearts of fleſh; come therefore and … ſelves to the hammer of God that your ſtony hearts may be taken away: when you … this Miniſters teach, then ſay Lord, I beſeech … teach thou mee in the meane time; when the Miniſter p. 152perſwades, then ſay, Lord doe thou over rule and perſwade this ſinnefull heart of mine, take thou away this power of corruptions which is in my heart, and remove thou the rebellions of my heart; goe home and be exhorted to goe to this Phyſition, and importune the Lord in this caſe, put him in minde of all thoſe many ſavours, which he hath vouchſafed to you, put the Lord in remembrance of that which he hath deſired in his Word: Oh that people had ſuch hearts as would feare me and keepe my Commandements alwayes: ſay unto the Lord, that it is as eaſie for him to create ſuch hearts in you, as to wiſh you had ſuch hearts; put the Lord in minde of his promiſe, and tell him that hee hath promiſed that hee will take away their rebellions from his people, and that he will give them a new heart, and renew a right ſpirit within them, and hee will cauſe them to walke in his wayes, and intreate him for the Lord Ieſus Chriſts ſake to make good this promiſe unto you; intreate the Lord to conſider what a deale of honour ſhall redound unto his name, if he ſhall cure your poore ſoules, downe upon your knees, and pray to God that he would heale you of this diſeaſe, and ſay unto him that thou haſt heard he is a mercifull God, and that hee will take away the ſtony heart from his people, and beſeech him for his mercy ſake, that hee would take away thy ſtony heart, nay, tell him, that if hee will cure thee thou wilt helpe him to a great many patients; tell him that thou wilt tell thy neighbours of it, and exhort them to come unto him that they may be healed p. 153by him, come cloſe to God and ſay, Father, haſt thou not deſired that people had ſuch hearts as would feare thee, and keepe thy Commandements alwayes? Haſt not thou promiſed that thou wilt powre cleane water upon thy people, and thou wilt take away their ſtony hearts and give unto them fleſhy hearts? Say, Lord, what a great deale of honour thou ſhalt have hereby, I will exhort all that have ſtony hearts, to goe unto thee that they may be cured, and therefore for thy promiſe ſake, and for the honour of thy names ſake, I beſeech thee to take away my ſtony heart, and give me a heart of fleſh. Doe thus and you ſhall … a great deale of comfort to your poore ſoules thereby.