A Guide to Godliness, Book 1 · Chapter 11
CAP. XI.
Of the ſignes of a pure heart, and the meanes whereby we may both obtaine and preſerue it.
§. Sect. 1 Of the inward ſignes of a pure heart.
ANd theſe are the cauſes of a pure heart. The ſignes whereby we may know whether our hearts bee thus purified or no, are either inward or outward. The inward ſignes are firſt the louelove of holineſſe and purity; for as when our hearts are defiled with naturall corruption, we loath ſanctitie, and louelove and delight in impure luſts, and the pleaſures of ſinne; ſo when our hearts are purified by faith, they are chiefly pleaſed with thoſe things which pleaſe God; and louing purity and piety, they delight in the exerciſes of holineſſe and righteouſneſſe. And therefore when we louelove purity and holineſſe, it is an euident ſigne that our hearts are pure and holy, ſeeing the cauſe of louelove is likeneſſe; and where there is no ſimilitude, there can be no louelove. The ſecond ſigne is hatred of ſinne, which vponupon the ſame ground we naturally louelove; eſpecially of thoſe ſinnes vntounto which our corrupted nature is moſt inclined, becauſe they moſt moleſt and trouble vsus, and polluting the heart with their defilements, hinder moſt our progreſſe in ſanctification and holineſſe. And thus Paul, when his heart was purified, abhorred all corruption, and delighted in Gods Law, hating that ſin moſt, which he did moſt commit, becauſe, like a Rebell, it warred againſt the law Rom. 7. 15.of his minde, and made him captiue to the law of ſinne. The third ſigne is, our carefull auoyding all meanes and occaſions of ſpirituall pollution: for as he that hath filthy hands, careth not to handle filthy things; but when they are waſhed cleane, will not willingly touch that which will defile them: ſo an impure heart ſhunneth not the occaſions and meanes of impurity, becauſe they cannot make it worſe then it is in it owne nature, in the quality, though they may increaſe the pollution, in reſpect of the degree, yea, rather being like filthy hogges, naturally inclined vntounto filthineſſe, they ſeeke the occaſions of more vncleanneſſe, and purpoſely wallow themſelues in the ſinke and puddle of ſinne, as often as they hauehave opportunity of ſatisfying their carnall luſts. More eſpecially, he that hath a pure heart, delighteth in the company of thoſe who are pure and holy, by whoſe Chriſtian conuerſation, his purity and ſanctification may be more and more increaſed, and cannot indure the ſociety of the wicked, no not when, like filthy dogs, they fawne vponupon him, becauſe he knoweth that the leproſie of ſinne is of an infectious and ſpreading nature, that he who toucheth pitch, ſhall be defiled with it, and that worldly men moſt defile, when they moſt fawne, and doe vsus leaſt hurt, when they are fartheſt from vsus.
§. Sect. 2 Of the outward ſignes of a pure heart.
The outward ſignes of a pure heart, are the fruits of ſanctification and holineſſe: for the tree is knowne by the fruits, and the fountaine by the Mat. 7. 17, 18.ſtreames that flow from it, whether they be good or euill, for a good tree cannot bring foorth euill fruit, nor an euill tree good fruit, as our Sauiour hath taught vsus. If therefore the fruits we beare be pure and holy, it is an euident ſigne that our hearts be purified and ſanctified; if the ſtreames be cleere and ſweete, ſuch alſo is the fountaine from which they ſpring; and if the coyne wee outwardly ſpend and vſe in our Chriſtian trading one with another, be currant, of pure metall, and the right ſtamp, then is the treaſury of our hearts good, out of which we bring it. More eſpecially, the purity of our hearts appeareth in the purity of our words, when as we delight in the language of Canaan, and cheerefully intertaine one another Col. 4. 6.with holy conferences; and when as our ſpeech is powdred with the ſalt Eph. 4. 29.of wiſedome, and miniſtreth grace vntounto the hearers, edifying one another in our moſt holy faith. So alſo pure hands are a ſigne of a pure heart, being inſeparable companions, that alwayes goe together, and both infallible notes of a Citizen of heauen; and the workes of holineſſe and Pſal. 24. 4. & 73. 13.righteouſneſſe are ſignes of an holy and righteous heart, euen as cleere ſtreames are a ſigne that the fountaine is pure from which they ſpring. Whereas if the hands be full of blood, crueltie, and oppreſſion, bribery and extortion, fraud and deceit, it is more then manifeſt, that our hearts remaine ſtill polluted with fleſhly luſts, whatſoeuer profeſſion we make of purity and ſincerity.
§. Sect. 3 The meanes of a pure heart, is, highly to eſteeme▪ it.
Now when by theſe ſignes, as it were, by the pulſe, we come to know the ſtate of our hearts, whether they be choaked vp with the groſſe humors of ſinfull luſts, or inliued and quickened with purity and holineſſe, as it were the vitall ſpirits of grace, which inable vsus to the actions of a godly life: in the next place we muſt carefully vſe all good meanes, whereby we may attaine vntounto this purity of heart, if we hauehave it not, or preſerue it in vsus, if we already hauehave it. And firſt, we are to hauehave it in high eſteeme, as being a moſt precious iewell, not to be valued with any worldly wealth. For it is the fountaine of louelove, from which all true obedience floweth, according to that of the Apoſtle; The end of the Commandement is louelove, out of a pure heart, a good conſcience, and faith vnfained. So that if the heart be not purified 1. Tim. 1. 5.by faith, this holy gheſt of diuine louelove will not lodge in it, without which, we cannot performe any dutie commanded towards God or our neighbour; or if we doe, yet not growing from the roote of louelove, it faileth of its end, and conſequently is done in vaine. It is the chiefe place of reſidence where Gods holy Spirit dwelleth, exercizing his vertue, and ſhewing his diuine power and Maieſty; for if our bodies be the temples 1. Cor. 3. 16. & 6. 19.of the holy Ghoſt, then ſure our hearts being purified, are the Holy of Holieſt, which being his owne peculiar, no man may enter or prie into it; and if we be the habitation of his holy and glorious Maieſty, then is the ſanctified heart his priuie chamber, in which he ſuppeth with vsus, and his bedcamber, Apoc. 3 18.in which he lodgeth. It is that pure Criſtall Fountaine which purifieth all our actions, making them accepted as white in Gods ſight, which in themſelues are ſpotted, and cauſeth all other gifts of God to bee pure vntounto vsus; for to the pure, all things are pure, but vntounto them that are defiled and vnbeleeuing, is nothing pure, but euen their minde and conſcience is defiled. Tit. 1. 15.Finally, it is this purity of heart, whereby we attaine vntounto aſſurance of bleſſedneſſe; according to that of our Sauiour; Bleſſed are the pure in heart: for they ſhall ſee God. And the Pſalmiſt propounding this great queſtion, Matth. 5. 8.Who ſhall aſcend into the hill of the Lord? and who ſhall ſtand in his holy place? Pſal. 24. 3, 4.thus reſolueth it: He that hath cleane hands and a pure heart, &c. And if thus conſidering the excellency of this Iewell, we doe eſteeme it according to its true value, it will be a notable meanes to attaine vntounto it. For according to that eſtimate which we ſet vponupon Gods rich gifts, ſuch is his bounty in beſtowing them; if wee thinke them much worth, we ſhall hauehave much; if of little value, we ſhall hauehave them but in little meaſure; but if we contemne and neglect them as things of no price, (and as thoſe Ruffians, who obiect purity as an imputation, and eſteeme this cleaneneſſe of heart and hands, the fouleſt blemiſh and aſperſion,) the Lord will giuegive vntounto vsus none at all, but will pronounce againſt vsus that fearefull ſaying, He that is filthy, Apoc. 22. 11.let him be filthy ſtill. For he will not caſt his Pearles before ſwine, that will tread them vnderunder their filthy feete; he will not giuegive much of his graces to them, who hauehave but ſmall eſteeme of them; but to thoſe who prize them highly, he will giuegive them liberally, becauſe the thankefulneſſe of their hearts, will hold proportion with that price which their iudgement ſhall ſet vponupon them. In which reſpect Dauid was neuer neerer ſlipping into the puddle of impurity, then when he preferd worldly proſperity before Pſal. 73. 13.ſanctity and cleaneneſſe of ſoule; Neuer was he neerer to a polluted heart, then when he concluded that he had cleanſed it in vaine. Beſides, the more wee eſteeme this purity, the more dearely will wee louelove it, and the more earneſtly will we labour in the vſe of all good meanes, whereby we may be plentifully inriched with it, begging it of God, who is the ſole giuer of it, by feruent prayer, and deſiring that he will worke it in our hearts by his holy Spirit. And ſo the Lord, liberall in himſelfe to beſtow his gifts vponupon them who eſteeme them, wil giuegive this purity vntounto vsus with a much more bountifull hand, hauing freely bound himſelfe heereunto by his gracious promiſe, that if we aske, we ſhall hauehave, and if we ſeeke, we ſhall find, Matth. 7. 7.the Lord being as ready to bleſſe the meanes, that they may bee effectuall to their ends, as we can be to vſe them.
§. Sect. 3 Of the manifold euils accompany a polluted heart.
On the other ſide, let vsus conſider of the manifold euils which doe accompany an heart that is polluted and defiled with ſinne; for it maketh 1. King. 21.all appearances of graces, though neuer ſo excellent, to be nothing leſſe in truth, and but ſole ſemblances and ſhewes, wherein is nothing but meere hypocriſie. Our humiliation, like Ahabs, which was not in the heart, but onelyonly in the outward habit; and like the Iſraelites, who hanged downe their heads like a bulruſh, and afflicted their ſoules, onelyonly in the Eſa. 58. 5.day of their faſt, their hearts remaining full of pride and crueltie. Our zeale, like Iehu's, who deſtroyed Idolatry, to build vp his owne kingdome. 1. King. 10. 28.Our obedience, like Herods, which was but to the halues, and only ſo farre as would ſtand with his carnall luſts. Our profeſſion and following Chriſt, like that of Iudas, which was no further then he ſaw it would ſtand Ioh. 12. 5, 6.with his ambition and couetouſneſſe. Our bounty, in the workes of merciemercy, like that of Ananias, which was to be praiſed of men, and not to bee approoued of God. It maketh our prayers vnacceptable to God; for if we regard wickedneſſe in our hearts, the Lord will not heare vsus. It polluteth all Pſal. 66. 18.our actions, as the corrupted fountaine polluteth all the ſtreames that iſſue from it; and maketh all the creatures to become vncleane; for vntounto them Tit. 1. 15.that are defiled and vnbeleeuing, is nothing pure, but euen their minde and conſcience is defiled. Finally, it prophaneth all our vowes of holineſſe, and maketh all our deſires, reſolutions, and indeuours to leade a godly life, vnſettled, fickle, and vnconſtant, like vntounto the burning of an ague, which proceedeth not from naturall heate, but from diſtemper, and therefore endeth in vnnaturall coldneſſe, the harbinger of death. For theſe fluſhings and flaſhings of deuotion, are not cauſed with that kindly heate of diuine louelove, but with the ſcorching fire of blinde and diſtempred zeale, kindled with ſelfe-louelove and worldly reſpects, and therefore laſt no longer then they laſt. Whereof it is, that the righteouſneſſe which is grounded on it, is like a goodly houſe without a foundation, which falleth to the ground, when the tempeſt of tryall ariſeth; like the Cake, of which the Prophet Hoſ. 7. 8. & 6. 4.ſpeaketh, which though it may ſeeme outwardly ſcorched, and more then enough, yet is it not halfe baked, and therefore heauy, and not to be diſgeſted by Gods ſtomake; and as the morning dew or cloud, which vaniſheth away, and like the blade, ſpringing from the ſeede ſowne in ſtony ground, which for want of earth and moiſture withereth, when the ſunne of affliction and perſecution riſeth.
§. Sect. 4 The ſecond meanes of a pure heart is a liuely faith.
And theſe are the arguments which may mooue vsus to eſteeme and ſeeke after a pure heart, and to hate and auoide the contrary. Now when our Act. 15. 9.hearts are inflamed with the louelove of it; the meanes to obtaine it, is a liuely and iuſtifying faith, which purifieth the heart, as the Apoſtle ſpeaketh; not by any vertue that is in it ſelfe, but by applying vntounto vsus the blood of Chriſt, which alone is ſufficient to purge our hearts from all corruption, and to kill and crucifie the fleſh with the luſts thereof. And therefore ſeeing ſo long as wee continue in infidelitie, our hearts will alſo cintinue in their impurity; this muſt make vsus labour to come out of this eſtate, and to vſe to this purpoſe, all good meanes whereby this faith may bee begunne and increaſed in vsus. Secondly, let vsus waſh them in the teares of vnfained repentance, bewailing thoſe ſinnes, in which formerly wee delighted, and hating thoſe corruptions, which in time paſt we loued. And becauſe we cannot at once purge the deepe ſinke of our polluted hearts from all their filthineſſe, therefore wee muſt make it our daily worke, and doe it by degrees. And ſeeing we cannot in one aſſault ouercome theſe curſed Canaanites, we muſt continually make warre againſt them, and caſt them out one after another, as God by his Spirit ſhall inable vsus. Eſpecially let vsus not, out of feare and cowardize, ſuffer the ſonnes of Anakim, our great and Gyant-like corruptions, fortifie themſelues in the caſtle of our hearts; nor let thoſe Agags, which hauehave ruled and raigned moſt in vsus, liue out of any carnall reſpects; but let vsus euen at the firſt ſtrike at theſe maine rootes, which being cut off and plucked vp, many of the branches will die, for want of that ſap of bitterneſſe which they ſucked from them; and let vsus driue out theſe maſter Bees, and whole ſwarmes of carnall luſts will iſſue after them.
§. Sect. 5 Of the meanes to preſerue the purity of our hearts.
Now when our hearts are thus purified, our next care muſt bee to preſerue them in this purity and cleanneſſe: for as the cleaneſt houſe will gather ſoyle, if it bee not ſometime ſwept; and the brighteſt armour and weapons are apt to take ruſt, if they be not often ſcowred and oyled: ſo much more will our hearts remooue to their naturall vncleanneſſe, and euen ruſt againe in their corruptions, if wee once onelyonly take paines to clenſe them, and afterwards be careleſſe to maintaine them in their puritie. Firſt therefore we muſt keepe a narrow watch ouer our hearts, and as the Wiſeman exhorteth, aboue all obſeruations, obſerue them, that they bee Pro. 4. 23.not carried away from God with looſe wandrings, and ſo (Dina-like) be defiled with carnall and worldly luſts. For theſe ſpirituall enemies are conquered, but not quite killed; they are beaten and expelled (as it were) out of this city, but not quite baniſhed out of our coaſts. For they lye lurking in ſecret corners, and in ambuſhment; and no ſooner doe we neglect our watch, and leaue the gate of our hearts vngarded, but preſently they take the aduantage, and entring into them in whole troopes, they ſurprize them at vnawares. And therefore it behooueth vsus to keepe daily our watch ſtrong, and to nouriſh and preſerue the garriſon of Gods graces in vsus, that they may either bee diſcouered and defeated before they approach, or be repelled and beaten backe in their firſt aſſaults. For if with looſe Chriſtians we neglect this watch and gard, and let our hearts roue after worldly luſts, and ſuffer them at pleaſure to ryot in them; if we keepe them vnderunder no gouernment, but ſuffer them like maſterleſſe men, to wander at their pleaſure, we ſhall neuer reſerue them for Gods vſe, nor fit them for his ſeruice: But like looſe vagrants vnaccuſtomed to worke, it will be death vntounto them to take any conſtant paines, ſaue onelyonly by fits and ſtarts; and when we would ſettle them to prayer, hearing, reading, and meditation, with ſuch like holy exerciſes, they will by no meanes bee kept in, vnleſſe they be held ſtrictly in their bounds by the ſtrong chaine of ſome ſharpe afflictions, but eueryevery hand-while, they will ſtart aſide, and according to their accuſtomed courſe, wander abroad after worldly vanities. Whereas if we keepe a carefull watch ouer our hearts, we ſhall keepe them from wandring away from God, or when they begin to ſtray after the pleaſures of ſinne and worldly vanities, we ſhall checke them in their courſe, and bring them backe vntounto Gods ſeruice. We ſhall be ſtill in readineſſe to repell and beate backe the tentations of Satan, and to keepe out worldly and carnall luſts from entring at all, and ſo preſerue our hearts in their purity from their defilements; or if they hauehave entred at vnawares, they ſhall not hauehave time to fortifie themſelues, but being like ſecret traytors obſerued, and (as it were) taken in the watch, we will examine them; and finding out their treaſon, and that they are come in to defile our hearts, and to betray vsus to our ſpirituall enemies, we will kill and crucifie them, and that pollution which they hauehave left behind, wee will preſently purge away, by renewing our faith and repentance. And thus by this carefull watch we ſhall either be preſerued from receiuing hurt by our carnall luſts and the deuils tentations; or if we hauehave, yet we ſhall with great eaſe recouer our loſſes, when they are no ſooner ſuſtained then eſpied. For theſe ſtaines of ſinne will eaſily be waſhed out, if wee take them in hand when they hauehave firſt tainted our hearts. Our enemies will without any great danger be beaten out, when they are firſt entred, and hauehave had no time to fortifie and intrench themſelues. Our wounds, whileſt they are greene, will be ſoone cured; and if aſſoone as we hauehave drunke the poyſon of ſinne and carnall luſts, we preſently caſt them vp againe, before they hauehave had time to worke, or vſe our antidote of faith and repentance, it will not be able to doe vsus any great harme.
§. Sect. 6 The ſecond meanes is to preſerue them from all ſinne.
Secondly, if we would preſerue our hearts in puritie, we muſt labour to keepe them from all ſinne; not onelyonly thoſe raigning and raging luſts, which waſte the conſcience, and extinguiſh the vitall ſpirits, like ſtrong poyſons; but euen from thoſe leſſer corruptions which moſt men regard not, thinking no ſinne ſo ſmall that wee may liue in it, nor giuing allowance to the leaſt carnall and worldly luſts. For theſe alſo will defile the heart themſelues, and make way for the pollution of fouler ſinnes, whileſt they leſſen our care to keepe them out; euen as when the houſe is already ſomewhat fouled, men care not greatly though it be fouled more, whereas when they ſee it cleane, they more carefully keepe it ſo from all annoyance. But moſt eſpecially wee muſt labour to preſerue our hearts pure from thoſe ſinnes, with which they hauehave formerly beene moſt tainted, and vntounto which they are ſtill moſt naturally inclined. And as men take moſt care to preuent hereditary diſeaſes; and that they doe not by relapſe fall into that ſickneſſe, out of which they hauehave newly recouered, becauſe they are more prone vntounto them then any other: ſo alſo muſt vve doe in keeping our hearts pure from thoſe ſpeciall corruptions, vvhichwhich hauehave made them ſicke to the death, and hauehave fearefully hazarded their euerlaſting ſaluation. In time of vvarre vve moſt ſtrongly man that part of the vvall, vvhichwhich being vveakeſt, hath moſt often beene attempted by the enemie; and if a breach be made, vve keepe it vvith a narrovv vvatch and ſtrong gard, till it bee againe repaired. So the experience of our enemies policie and povver in putting vsus often to the vvorſt, doth make vsus more vigilant and diligent in our warlike preparations, that we may be able to make reſiſtance. But if our friends, whom we hauehave formerly loued, and are acquainted with all our ſecrets, knowing our outgoings and commings in, doe become our enemies, with what care and circumſpection doe we preuent their miſchiefes, becauſe we know that by their ancient familiarity with vsus, they are acquainted with all aduantages? And thus muſt wee doe in warring with our corruptions, if euer we meane to get victory, and to preſerue our hearts from being ſurprized by them.
§. Sect. 7 The third meanes is, to auoid the occaſions of ſinne.
Thirdly, we muſt not only labour to keepe our hearts pure from the ſins themſelues, with which formerly they hauehave beene defiled, but alſo auoid all Iude 23.the occaſions and meanes whereby we may be drawne vntounto them, hating euen the garment which is ſpotted with fleſh. For as in vaine he fleeth the plague in himſelfe, who haunteth the company of thoſe that are infected; as hee fondly ſhunneth to bee burned, who maketh it his ſport to play with fire and gunpowder; and he fooliſhly proteſteth againſt whoredome, who delighteth in the kiſſes and wanton imbracement of ſome common Strumpet; So it is in vaine to thinke, that wee can preſerue our hearts from the infection of ſinne, and from the fire and filth of burning and polluting luſts, vnleſſe we ſhun the meanes and occaſions, as well as the corruptions and ſinnes themſelues.
§. Sect. 8 The fourth meanes is, often to examine our hearts in Gods ſight.
Finally, if we would preſerue our hearts in their purity, wee muſt often examine them in Gods ſight, and for the approuing of their purity and integrity, often offer them to his triall. For as the husbands eye and preſence, allowing or diſallowing all the wiues particular actions, and behauiour to ſtrangers, is the beſt and ſureſt meanes to preſerue her chaſtity: ſo if the heart betrothed vntounto God, hauehave all the affections and deſires of it ſcanned and examined before him, it will not eaſily be polluted with ſtrange and vncleane luſts. And thus Dauid kept his heart in purity and integrity, by prouoking and offring it often to Gods triall. Iudge Pſal. 26. 12. Pſal. 139, 23, 24me (ſaith he) O Lord, for I hauehave walked in mine integrity, &c. Examine me, O Lord, and proue me, try my reines and mine heart. And againe, Search me, O God, and know mine heart; try me, and know my thoughts, and ſee if there be any wicked way in mee, and leade me in the way euerlaſting. Whoſe example if we follow, it will be a notable meanes to preſerue our hearts in purity. For as we are extraordinary carefull to hauehave our houſes cleanſed from all filth, when we prepare them to giuegive entertainment to an honourable and reſpected friend, who hating all ſluttiſhneſſe, will curiouſly looke into eueryevery corner; ſo will our care exceede in cleanſing our hearts, when as we inuite our God to viſit and lodge in them: yea, wee ſhall hauehave hereby the benefit, not onelyonly of our owne care and diligence for the cleanſing of our hearts, but of the Lords aſſiſtance to make them more cleane, when we hauehave cleanſed them as well as we can. For he is not a curious carper at our infirmities, but a cheerfull helper to reforme and amend them; and therefore he that inuiteth the Lord to trie and ſearch his heart, doth in another place deſire his aſſiſtance for the purging of the filth and guilt of ſinne, which lurked in ſuch ſecret corners, that it was not ſubiect to his owne view. Who (ſaith he) can vnderſtand his errours? cleanſe thou me from Pſal. 19. 12.my ſecret faults.
§. Sect. 9 The fifth meanes is, continually to be taken vp in holy exerciſes.
Laſtly, if wee would preſerue the purity of our hearts, our care muſt be to hauehave them continually taken vp in holy exerciſes, either about the generall Iohn 17. 17. Pſal 119. 9. Rom. 10. 17.duties of Chriſtianity, or the ſpeciall duties of our callings: of the former ſort are the diligent and attentiue hearing and reading of the Word, which is a ſpeciall meanes of our ſanctification, as our Sauiour noteth, and of the ſtrengthening of our faith, by which our hearts are purified; and alſo prayer at ordinary times eyther publike or priuate, receiuing the Sacrament, holy conferences one with another ſinging Pſalmes, and doing the workes of righteouſneſſe vntounto all, vponupon all occaſions, and the workes of mercy vntounto thoſe, who doe in any reſpect ſtand in neede of our helpe: of the other ſort are inward eiaculations, and lifting vp our hearts in our ſecret prayers at all times, and vponupon all occaſions, and holy meditations of Gods mercies or our owne miſeries, or on the meanes whereby we may be inriched with all grace, and enabled vntounto the performance of holy duties. For this priuiledge the heart hath aboue all other parts, that whereas they cannot exerciſe their duties, but when fit opportunity is offered, as the eare cannot heare the Word, but when it is preached, nor the hand performe workes of mercy, but when it hath meanes to doe them, and fit ſubiects to worke vponupon, the heart needeth neuer to be idle and out of holy exerciſe: but euen when our bodies are taken vp with the workes of our callings, or honeſt recreations, wee may 1. Theſ. 5. 16, 17. 18.on all occaſions pray, giuegive thankes, and exerciſe our hearts in holy meditations, Pſal. 1. 2.eyther reioycing in the Lord and his mercies, or ſighing and ſorrowing in the ſight and ſenſe of our owne miſeries. And if our hearts be thus exerciſed, being wholy taken vp with Gods ſeruice, they will hauehave no leyſure for the imployments of the diuell, the world and the fleſh; whereas if they be ſwept cleane of all ſpirituall grace and holy duties, the diuell will eaſily enter with whole ſwarmes of noyſome luſts, and Math. 12. 46.ſo pollute them at his pleaſure with all manner of poyſonous abominations.