Y a 6 of the Stony Heart, and Heart offlefh. S a c T. X. tits4444444A4this44414t,ettitt4,4Ait Obférv. SERMON LXXXVII. OfCods making a trueConverts heart tender and flexible for every duty. YIN »hat Heart of flefh implies, with the effeds and con1quentc of it. E a a x. 36.36. dnd I will give Jos eta heart offiefh. E come inthe third place to confider the mercy, asit is poficively fet V ] A/down, /Will give anheart of (left,. IfBeth were taken here properly for a mattepart, then it could be no gracious promife, for every mans heart by nature is of Bdfh ; but flefh istaken improperly or metaphorically ; for when it is tiled in theScripture improperly, it is either taken in a good fenfe, or abad fenle : Ina bad fettle, it either denoreth fragility, mifery and vanity. Thus E.-M efhiegafer and thine horfis are fefb, notffririt. Orelfefinfulnelfeand cor. ruption : Thus, 7ohe3. Whatfaeverw born ofthefink id' fielb. And Ismyfief$ duel. leeknogoodthing, li,om.7. It fhould greatly humble us, that theScripture cats fin in usby fuch names, for it argueth fun tobe innate, inbred in us, that we andfin are all oneas it were : as ifwe were not fu much finncrs as fin is f if ; it cleavedh tons asthefkíhro the bones. But fecondly, this word [fiefhlisufedinagood fink, though net fo frequently, fignifying a tender, pliable and flexible heart to what is godly,and isbyway ofoppoftion co a Bone. Thus, a Cer, ;. The hearts ofthc Carinahiaaas which fo readily received Pauladoftrine, are calledflefyta- blet; arid facce it is iaíèd itathis frofe in the eex, Itti/l giveanheart affiefb: We may jully admire themighty workof God in making waters to Ohout of the rock, in benching mountains, fo that they melt like wax; but above all, this mighty power of God, that makes hearts fo Prosy andimpenetrable, robe rea- dy and capable forall duties. That god isconverfion dothmake a mall heart tender and flexiblefor every duty he requireth. The exampleof all converts wirneffeththis; when Mathew is converted, lie leavethhis cuflom feat,though full of profit, andfolloweth Chrift, which could not be without much fell -denial! and perfccution. Is not here a ftone made flclh ? Zacheter the Publican, no fòoner wrought upon by grace, but he makesrcltituti- onand fatisfaetion : even above the cxaftcommandöf thelaw; but hisheart is made fotender that he had rather be beyond, then come+Ihorrof his duty. üllary Magdalen a notorious (inner, called the (inner by anemphafis, when wrought upon, this dry wildernefs is made a fountain of water. The JAte a cruel hatfh man tothe Apofiles, whenhis heart is touched, in what amazements dot) he fall, how tender and compaflionateto the Apo tiles whom hehadwronged ; he that didoaft them in prifon, put chains and, Fetters uponthem, ina moment isalter- ed, andwalbeth their fears. And let Paulclofe all, whataftony heart had e Hl is
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