The preparation of the heart is the great subject of enquiry in a work of this kind, and to which therefore I would particularly direct the attention. To prepare any person or thing may be easily understood in fitting and qualifying, in disposing or making ready; but in Scripture language the whole of the work, both in fitting and qualifying, in disposing or making ready, is of the Lord. So Solomon was commissioned to teach the church; and so every individual of the church is made sensible. (Proverbs 16:1) The word preparation seems to be taken from military maxims; and as soldiers are put in order under arms, and made ready for their service, so the Lord disposeth the frames and motions of his people's hearts for his service. And it is very blessed when a child of God feels this predisposing grace, and is conscious of being led on and carried through every duty. From the first awakenings of grace until grace is consummated in glory, the whole preparations of the heart, and the answer of the tongue, is from the Lord. And when the soul of a poor sinner hath been first prepared of the Lord, by regenerating, illuminating, convincing, and converting grace, and is thus brought into an union with Christ, all the subsequent acts of grace, in the goings forth of the soul upon the person, blood and righteousness of Christ, sweet preparing and disposing work of God the Holy Ghost. It is most blessed to know this, and to enjoy it. The daily access to the throne of God in Christ is by the Spirit. (Ephesians 2:18) It is that blessed, holy and eternal Spirit, in his own office-work, which prepares the soul, by calling off the mind from every object, and fixing the affections on the person of Jesus. It is he which awakens desire, creates a longing in the soul, points to the Lord Jesus as alone able to supply and satisfy the desires of the soul, and opens a communication between Christ and the soul. He that "searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God," searcheth both the heart, and prepareth the heart for enjoyment. He spreads the rich table, and prepares both the spiritual food and the spiritual appetite to receive and enjoy it. In a word, it is the Holy Ghost that is the great Author and Giver of all that life and joy and peace in believing, when the souls of the redeemed are made to abound "in hope, through the power of the Holy Ghost." Hence, therefore, to him alone should believers be always looking for the preparations of the heart; for in this sweet office of the Spirit, God's Christ and the redeemed soul are brought together; and the Lord the Spirit doth more in one moment to prepare our unprepared hearts than, without his influence, could be accomplished in ten thousand years by all our labours in prayers and tears. How blessedly the church sings to this note of praise, for the preparing and disposing grace of the Spirit, when she cried out: "Or ever I was aware, my soul made me like the chariots of Amminadib!" (Song of Solomon 6:12) As if she had said, before I had the least apprehension of the mercy, my Lord my Husband made me willing, by the swift manifestations of his love, and the awakenings of his grace in my heart, as rapid as the chariot wheels of a princely people.