Clavis cantici, or, An exposition of the Song of Solomon

for, this opening of the heart, is an effect of that work of grace, vers. 4. as the former steps were. 2. The act of believing and opening to Christ is both the effect of grace, and also the work formally of the believer: Therefore the Lord is said to open the heart, Act. 16. 14. because the effect flows from his putting to his hand; and the Bride is said to open her own heart, because she formerly brought forth, or elicited the act of faith, by the strength of grace. 3. This (being compared with his call, vers. 3.) shows, that it's by faith that way is made for Christ into the heart, and it's that which especially entitles one to Christ, closes with his call, receives him, and enters Covenant with him; for, if opening or believing be that which he calls for, as giving him access to the hearts of his people, then believing, being the performance of that called-for condition, must unite the soul to him, and enter him into the heart. 4. There is some peculiar efficacy in faith, in the uniting of one to Christ, in accepting of Christ's call, and making way for him to come into the heart, which is not in any other grace: Or, it hath a peculiar way of concurring, in effectuating the persons union with Christ (and so in Justification) which no other grace hath: Hence this opening is peculiarly to be attributed to it, and is distinct from repentance spoken of before, vers. 4. and from other duties mentioned in the words following. 5. Whoever honestly, from the sense of sin and need of Christ and desire to have him to supply ⟨p. 278⟩their need, essays believing and opening their heart to him, shall certainly come good speed, and without fail attain their design; I rose to open (saith she) and I opened. 6. Although the distinct exercise of saith be not attained instantly, (but there must be first a rising, and an offering of violence to our corruptions in the pursuing thereof, before we win to the distinct opening of the heart) yet it should be prosecute till it be perfected. 7. Sometimes the exercise of faith will be distinct and discernible, so that a believer can tell he hath believed; and it's no less comfortable to be clear from serious reflecting on our selves, that we have indeed by faith yielded to Christ, than to be clear of it by the fruits following thereupon: For she is clear and confident in this, that she had opened to him.

for, this opening of the heart, is an effect of that work of grace, vers. 4. as the former steps were. 2. The act of believing and opening to Christ is both the effect of grace, and also the work formally of the believer: Therefore the Lord is said to open the heart,