“A piece of lead, while it is in a lump, can be put to no use, but melt it, and you may cast it into any mould, and it is made useful. So a heart that is hardened into a lump of sin is good for nothing, but when it is dissolved by repentance, it is useful. A melting heart is fit to pray. When Paul’s heart was humbled and melted, then ‘behold he prayeth’ (Acts 9.11). It is fit to hear the word. Now the word works kindly. When Josiah’s heart was tender, he humbled himself and rent his clothes at the hearing of the words of the law (2 Chron. 34.19). His heart like melting wax, was ready to take any seal of the word. A melting heart is fit to obey. When the heart is like metal in the furnace, it is facile and malleable to anything. ‘Lord, what wilt thou have me to do?’ (Acts 9.6). A repenting soul subscribes to God’s will and answers to his call, as the echo to the voice.”
from ‘The Doctrine of Repentence’ by Thomas Watson (published 1668)
This is a great word. Thanks for sharing, bro.
thanks Ben, certainly challenged me
Your blog just allowed me to finish writing a song!