A practical exposition of the Lord's-Prayer

But is this all, enlightening the Eye? No, the Scripture describeth this Work of God by opening of the Heart; Acts 16. 14. God opened the Heart of Lydia, that she attended unto the things which were spoken of Paul. God doth not only knock at the Heart, that he doth by his Word, and by the external means; but he openeth the Heart; he must open the Door, before he can come in, enter, and take Possession.

But is this all, enlightning the Eye? No, the Scripture describeth this Work of God by opening of the Heart; Acts 16. 14. God opened the Heart of Lydia, that she attended unto the things which were spoken of Paul. God doth not only knock at the Heart, that he doth by his Word, and by the external means; but he openeth the Heart; he must open the Door, before he can come in, enter, and take Possession.

As to the means, God trieth Key after Key, one Providence after another. As when a Man would open a Door, he knows not what Key will fit the Lock, he trieth Key after Key: So God trieth one Cross, one Affliction after another, one Sermon, one Message after another; ⟨p. 287⟩but until he puts his Fingers upon the hole of the Lock, we shall not open.

But these Words are not emphatical enough; therefore it is expressed by a Regeneration; John 3. 3. Except a Man be born again, he cannot see the Kingdom of God: Mark, they must not only be reformed, but must be regenerated, and born again.