Cheraw gazette. [volume] (Cheraw, S.C.) 1835-1838, 1836-12-06

THE HEART OPENED By AND TO CHRIST.
Rev. iii. 2o.-Fany man hear my roicc, ond
op2n The door.
[ContinueGI
His By the Gospel the heart is opcncd.--
"lfany man hear my voice." that is speak
ing in the Gospel. "I'aith in Christ com
eth by hearing, and hearing by the word Of
God.-Hear and your souls shall lvc.' In
the Gospel Christ speaks TO sinners; hence,
the best description of the Gospel we have
seen, is, Christ speaking 10 sinners: and his
words are words of peace, words ofrecon-
citation, of pardon. and oflife. In the Cos
pei Christ speaks to sinners about ihcm-
selves. The sinner hears Christ speaking,
not to the ear only, but to the heart. The
heart and the ear arc opened to hear the
Gospel as the voice Of the Saviour. 1T is
the voice of my Beloved that knockcth. -
"My sheep know my voice, and follow me. "
Formerly sinners heard men speak, and
perhaps were chained to the spot bv their
pathos and eloquencc. Their passions were
moved, their hearts almost touched, and
they seemed to be other men; but sill the
heart was closed and barred against Christ.
Satan has his seat in the heart, and sin re-
tains lis ancient dominion, till Christ
speaks, with power, and in the still small
voice of the gospel. When he speaks, the
confederacy with the devil and sin is dis
solved, the fetters drop o.! and true liberty
reigns in the soul; and Christ claims the
sinner as his own, asscrS his ri ght 20 rule
over him, and, by voice addressed 10 the
sinner himself, singles him out from many
hearers ofthe Gospel. The word Of the
Gospel comes to him in power, in the Holy
Ghost, and in much assurance; faith is mix
ed with the hearing, and such light is intro
duced into the mind BY the grace Of God
through the word of reconciliation, that sat.
isfacton and repose ofheart instantly follow.
The word of Christ is quick and powerful ;
it is word Of salvation to the sinner, and
leaves such impressions that it seems en-
graved in the heart for ever Beholding
IN this G lass the glory Of Christ. the heart is
changed into the same image from glory to
glory, as by the Lord the Spirit.
That Christ opens the door Of the heart
wih the sinners consent. He is made
willing that Christ come in. The sinner
once opposed this glorious Suitor, and re-
sisted his grace as long as he could; but
that was when he was seduced by Satan,
and enslaved, ignorant. and preudiced
against Christ, against holiness, and against
his own best Interests. This was a melan-
choly period of his life, which he now wish.
es were blutted out from the records oftime
and eternity. But now the sinner is anoth-
er and new man; old things are done
away, and behold all things are become
new. There is total change of sentiment,
of principle, and Of action, that takes place
in the elect sinner. In nothing is this
change better known, or more s:rikingly
apparent, than in his entire acquiescence in
the scheme of salvation through Christ
The plan, as far as it is revealed TO him, he
altogether approves of, as worthy of God,
and suitable TO sinner. In it he perceives
signatures of the most unbounded mercy,
the most int1eXible justice, and Of vcracity
without stain. Salvation by the grace of
three-one God, creates incessant wonder
and gratitude in his mind. The glorious
Saviour himself is the object of his increas.
ing contemplation, and ofeternal delight
He is precious to him in his person, offices
and grace. Every view he obtains Of
Christ IN the gospel is attractive and assim.
ilating. His heart being opened by grace,
the sinner consents to let Christ reign su-
preme in him, consents to be saved by grace,
to be broken off from the old covenant, to
take farewell of old Adam for ever, his
fathers house, and his own people; to be
justified by faith, to be sanclifed through
out in soul, body, and spirit; to have his
darling corruptions mortified; to be led by
the Spirit; and to follow the Lamb whittier
soever he goeth. Never was person 50
voluntary about any thing, as the sinner is
willing TO receive Christ. His heart in
every fibre desires him, and him alone.-
May we all know these things from delight
fu experience, and may we be enabled to
open our hearts to Christ!