Human nature in its fourfold state ... In several practical discourses

Now, the mind being savingly enlightened, and the will renewed; the sinner is thereby determined and enabled to answer the gospel-call. So the main work in regeneration is done; the fort of the heart is taken: there is room made for the Lord Jesus Christ, in the innermost parts of the soul; the outer-door of the will being now opened to him, as well as the inner-door of the understanding. In one word, Christ is passively received into the heart; he is come into the soul by his quickening spirit, whereby spiritual life is given to the man, who in himself was dead to sin. And his first vital act we may conceive to be an active receiving of Jesus Christ discerned in his glorious excellencies; that is, a believing on him, a closing with him, as discerned, offered, and exhibited in the word of his grace, the glorious gospel▪ the immediate effect of which is union with him, John i. 12, 13. To as many as received him, to them gave he power (or privilege) to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his Name; which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but o• GOD. Eph. iii. 17. That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith. Christ having taken the heart by storm, and triumphantly entered into it, in regeneration, the soul by faith yields itself to him, as it is expressed, 2 Chron. xxx. 8. Thus, this glorious King, who came into the heart by his Spirit; dwells in it by faith. The soul being drawn, runs; and being effectually called, comes.

Now, the mind being savingly enlightened, and the will renewed; the sinner is thereby determined and enabled to answer the gospel-call. So the main work in regeneration is done; the fort of the heart is taken: there is room made for the Lord Jesus Christ, in the innermost parts of the soul; the outer-door of the will being now opened to him, as well as the inner-door of the understanding. In one word, Christ is passively received into the heart; he is come into the soul by his quickning spirit, whereby spiritual life is given to the man, who in himself was dead to sin. And his first vital act we may conceive to be an active receiving of Jesus Christ discerned in his glorious excellencies; that is, a believing on him, a closing with him, as discerned, offered, and exhibited in the word of his grace, the glorious gospel the immediate effect of which is union with him,