Englands duty under the present gospel liberty from Revel. III, vers. 20

3ly. The Spirit knocks by the gracious invitations of the Word, the sweet allurements and gracious insinuations of it; and without this no Heart would ever open to Christ. It is not frost and snow, storms and thunder, but the gentle distilling dews, and cherishing Sun-beams, that make the flowers open in the Spring. The terrors of the Law may be preparative, but the grace of the Gospel is that which effectually opens the sinners Heart. The obdurate flint will sooner fly when smitten upon the soft pillow, than upon the anvil. Now the Gospel abounds with alluring invitations to draw the Will and open the Heart of a sinner; such is that, Matth. 11. 28. Come unto me all ye that labour, and are heavy laden; and I will give you rest. O what a charming voice is here! He that considers it may well wonder what Heart in the World can resist it; like unto this is that in Isa. 55. 1. Ho, every one that thirsteth, come ye to the waters; and he that hath no money let him come; yea, let him come and buy Wine and Milk without money and without price. q. d. Come sinner, come; though thou have no qualifications, no worthiness, nor righteousness of thy own; though thou be but a heap of sin and vileness, yet come; my grace is a gift, not a sale; and such is that in John 7. 37. In the last day, the great day of the feast, Jesus stood up and cried, If any Man thirst, let him come to me and drink. q. d. My grace is no sealed Fountain, 'tis free and open to the greatest of sinners, if they thirst, they are invited to come and drink. This is that Oil of Gospel grace which makes the Key turn so pleasantly and effectually amongst all the cross ⟨p. 145⟩wards of Man's Will. And thus you see how the Word preached becomes an instrument in the Spirit's Hand, to open the door of a sinners Heart, at which it knocks by its mighty Convictions, dreadful Threats, and gracious Invitations.

3ly. The Spirit knocks by the gracious invitations of the Word, the sweet allurements and gracious insinuations of it; and without this no Heart would ever open to Christ. It is not frost and snow, storms and thunder, but the gentle distilling dews, and cherishing Sun-beams, that make the flowers open in the Spring. The terrors of the Law may be preparative, but the grace of the Gospel is that which effectually opens the sinners Heart. The obdurate flint will sooner fly when smitten upon the soft pillow, than upon the anvil. Now the Gospel abounds with alluring invitations to draw the Will and open the Heart of a sinner; such is that,