The Whole Duty of Divine Meditation, Part 2 · Meditation 21
MED. XXI. Of Purity of Heart.
Mat. v. 8.
Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.
IF Innocency be the Robe of Heaven, who then would not diligently strive to be adorn'd with Purity? It is no wonder the Kingly Prophet was so importunate for a clean Heart, and a right Spirit. If this be the Recompence of true Sanctity, who would neglect Religious Duties? Beatifical Spirits! What Felicity and Purity do ye enjoy, that behold the glorious Face of your Heavenly Creator! Who would not indefatigably be industrious to imitate your Seraphick Example here, that he might resemble you in your happy Station, and possess Eternal Joys, such as the Heart, in all his Divine Raptures, never knew? Shall the imposterous and perfidious Vanities of this Transitory World allure our Hearts, and divest us of the Hopes of this Celestial Glory, the Fruition of this splendid Vision?
II. A Magnified Vision! in Comparison whereof, the Regalities of this Lower Orb, the Trophies and dazling Splendors of the Optick Nerves, and the Lustre of the whole Universe, is not worth the gazing at! A Vision, which no mortal Eye ever was Spectator of; but shall not be excluded, if it don't obscurely lose it self on Inferiour Objects here Below. No Ear did ever audibly hear its true Description; but may be admitted to the divine Harmony, and heavenly Halleluja's of it, if it incline not to the Syrenical Charms of Sin, and the bewitching Musick of sordid Carnality.
III. 'Tis a Vision, whose bright Idea cannot be delineated by the most elevating and contemplative Speculations of any Metaphysical Brain, though never so Angelical: 'Tis not a sublime Fancy, but true Sanctity, that can reach it. The Divine Apostolical Geographer, St. Paul, though lately there, could not exactly give us a Description of it; and Sacred Scripture divinly characters it out, but in Parables and Simitudes, to demonstrate how infinitely transcendent is that Glory which is so unexpressible, and beyond all comprehension. Were all the Pearls, Rubies, Saphires and Diamonds the Earth produces, muster'd to a Splendour, they would not equallize the diminitivest Glance of the radient Beams of Sol's bright Eye; and yet that magnificent Luminary, surrounded with so many attending Constellations that derive their Lustre from him, is but a Spark to his shining Countenance.
VI. WHO then would offer up that Part an Oblation to the World, which might be render'd the Instrument of so much Felicity? and suffer the Profuseness of his wanton Blood to revel there, where sublimer Passions and Flames should triumph? He that would be an Inhabitant among the Spirits of the Just, must discipline his own to the same Uniformity, and convert his Body to a Temple, where his Heart must be both Altar and Sacrifice; or rather, an Emblem of the Sanctum Sanctorum, for those excellent Graces of the Spirit to inhabit in.
V. THE stately Mansion-House of Life must be converted into a Mansion of Divine Love; and the magnificent Palace of Heroick Spirits, into a Royal Court of peculiar Graces; and then that Part which (as Natural Philosophors observe) which lives first, and dies last, shall become purely Vital, and not be liable to Mortality. Nothing but a thrice Glorious Trinity can satiate this Triangle, which must be shaped to the purest Figure, and taught in all its Pulses to palpitate nothing but Heaven and Eternity.
VI. OUR Bosoms must be converted to Closets of Devotion; and our Hearts to Cabinets of immaculate Innocency, and fervent Prayer; embellish'd with that sparkling Diamond, a lively Faith, the Lamp at which all our minor Graces, as Tapers, light themselves, and like Stars, borrow their Lustre from this Luminary. 'Tis not a Heart that can chime to the airy Sound of any tinkling Religion, and pretends a Sanctity fix'd in its Countenance, that makes Affectation his Conscience; and Moroseness of Humour, Tenderness of Spirit.
VII. NO, 'tis a Heart adorn'd with the White Robe of Humility, crown'd with the Diadem of Love, fumigated by Prayers, the odoriferous Scent of Chastity, and the Fragrancies of a Life of Sanctity, that couches it self within the embracing Arms of our Saviour's Spouse, and stiles himself a Mourner in her Persecutions; that looks upon the VVorld as the Enemy of its Glory, and had rather embrace Mortality, than prove a Rebel against Heaven. 'Tis such a Celestial Heart that must be a Preparative for this transcendant Vision, and happy is he that arrives to that Purity.
VIII. Fortifie us therefore, O Lord, against the Pomps and Vanities of this wicked VVorld, and elevate our Thoughts to the sublime Contemplations of Thy Glory. Level in us every arrogant Thought that dares exalt it self against the Potency and Purity of Thy Law; and sanctifie us for Thy Self and Service, that the Practick Part of a Life of Sanctity may be our chiefest Employment; that when we are summoned to depart hence, we may be accepted of Thee; and being fled from the Eye of this Lower Orb, we may take a Prospect of Thy Heavenly Palace, of what neither Eye hath seen, Ear heard, nor Heart can conceive, the Glory Thou wilt impart in the Fruition of Thy Self.