Heart Purity
By Thomas Watson
"Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God." Matthew 5:8
The holy God, who is 'of purer eyes than to behold iniquity' calls here for heart-purity, and to such as are adorned with this jewel, he promises a glorious and beatific vision of himself: 'they shall see God'. Two things are to be explained the nature of purity; the subject of purity.
1. The NATURE of purity. Purity is a sacred refined thing. It stands diametrically opposed to whatever defiles. We must distinguish the various kinds of purity.
First, there is a primitive purity which is in God originally and essentially, as light is in the sun. Holiness is the glory of the Godhead: 'Glorious in holiness' (Exodus 15:11). God is the origin, pattern and prototype of all holiness.
Second, there is a created purity. Thus holiness is in the angels, and was once in Adam. Adam's heart did not have the least spot or tincture of impurity. We call that wine pure which has no mixture; and that gold pure which has no dross mingled with it. Such was Adam's holiness. It was like the wine which comes from the grape, having no mixture. But this is not to be found on earth. We must go to heaven for it.
Third, there is an evangelical purity; whence grace is mingled with some sin--like gold in the ore; like wine which has a dreg in it; like fine cloth with a blemish; like Nebuchadnezzar's image, part of silver, and part of clay (Daniel 2:35). This mixture God calls purity in a gospel-sense; as a face may be said to be fair, which has some freckles in it. Where there is a study of purity and a loathing ourselves for our impurity--this is to be 'pure in heart'.
Some by pure in heart, understand chastity, others sincerity (Psalm 32:2). But I suppose purity here is to be taken in a larger sense for the several kinds and degrees of holiness. They are said to be pure, who are consecrated people, having the oil of grace poured upon them. This purity is much mistaken.
Civility and morality are not purity. A man may be clothed with great moral virtues, such as justice, charity, prudence, temperance--and yet go to hell.
Profession is not purity. A man may have a name to live and yet be dead (Revelation 3:1). He may be swept by civility and garnished by profession—yet the devil may dwell in the house. The blazing comet is no star. The hypocrite's tongue may be silver—yet his heart stone.
Purity consists in two things; rectitude of mind, a prizing holiness in the judgment (Psalm 119:30); conformity of will, an embracing of holiness in the affections (Psalm 119:97). A pure soul is cast into the mold of holiness. Holiness is a blood that runs in his veins.
2. The SUBJECT of purity. The heart--'pure in heart'. Purity of heart does not exclude purity of life, no more than the pureness of the fountain excludes the pureness of the stream. But it is called purity of heart, because the heart is the main thing in true religion, and there can be no purity of life without it. A Christian's great care should be to keep the heart pure, as one would especially preserve the spring from being poisoned. In a duel, a man will chiefly guard and fence his heart, so a wise Christian should above all things keep his heart pure. Take heed that the love of sin does not get in there--lest it prove fatal.
Christians should above all things breathe after heart purity: 'Holding the mystery of the faith in a pure conscience' (1 Timothy 3:9). Justification causes our happiness, sanctification evidences it.
1. The REASONS for purity.
[1] Purity is a thing called for in Scripture. 'Be holy for I am holy' (1 Peter 1:16). It is not only the minister bids you be holy—but God himself calls for it. What would the Holy God do with unholy servants?
[2] Because of that filthy and cursed condition we are in, before purity is wrought in us. We are a lump of clay and sin mingled together! Sin not only blinds us—but defiles us. It is called filthiness (James 1:21). And to show how befilthying a thing it is, it is compared to a plague of the heart (1 Kings 8:38), to corruption (Deuteronomy 32:5), to vomit (2 Peter 2:22), to infants 'helplessly kicking about in their own blood' (Ezekiel 16:6), and to a 'menstrual cloth' (Isaiah 30:22), which (as Jerome says) was the most defiling thing under the law. All the legal warnings which God appointed, were but to put men in mind of their loathsomeness before they were washed in the blood of Christ. If all the evils in the world were put together and their quintessence strained out, they could not make a thing so black and polluted as sin does! A sinner is a devil in a man's shape! When Moses' rod was turned into a serpent, he fled from it. Would God open men's eyes and show them their deformities and damnable spots--they would fly from themselves, as from serpents! This shows what need we have of purity. When grace comes--it washes off this hellish filth. It makes Ethiopians into true Israelites! It turns ravens into swans! It makes those who are as black as hell--to become as white as snow!
[3] Because none but the pure in heart are savingly interested in the covenant of grace. Covenanted people have 'the sprinkling with clean water' (Ezekiel 36:25). Now, until we are thus sprinkled, we have nothing to do with either the new covenant, or with the new Jerusalem. If a will is made only to such people as are so qualified, none can come in for a share—but such as have those qualifications. Just so, God has made a will and covenant that he will be our God, and will settle eternal glory upon us—but with this clause or proviso in the will--that we be purified people, having the 'clean water sprinkled, upon us. Now until then, we have nothing to do with God or mercy.
[4] Purity is the end of our election. 'He has chosen us--that we should be holy' (Ephesians 1:4). Not for holiness—but to holiness. 'Whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son' (Romans 8:29). God predestinates us to Christ's image, which image consists 'in righteousness and true holiness' (Ephesians 4:24). So that until you are holy, you cannot show any sign of election upon you—but rather the devil's brand-mark!
[5] Purity is the end of our redemption. If we could have gone to heaven in our sins, Christ needed not have died. Why did he shed his blood, but to redeem us from an 'empty way of life'? (1 Peter 1:18, 19). 'Christ gave himself for us to redeem us from all wickedness and to purify for himself a people that are his very own' (Titus 2:14). Christ shed his blood--to wash off our filth! The cross was both an altar and a laver. Jesus died not only to save us from wrath (1 Thessalonians 1:10)—but to save us from sin (Matthew 1:21). Out of his side came water which signifies our cleansing, as well as blood which signifies our justifying (1 John 5:6). The truth is, it would make Christ monstrous, if the head should be pure and not the members.
2. Why purity must be chiefly in the heart.
[1] Because if the heart is not pure, we differ nothing from a Pharisaic purity. The Pharisees' holiness consisted chiefly in externals. Theirs was an outside purity. They never minded the inside of the heart. 'Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! You are so careful to clean the outside of the cup and the dish, but inside you are filthy—full of greed and self-indulgence! Hypocrites! You are like whitewashed tombs—beautiful on the outside but filled on the inside with dead people's bones and all sorts of impurity!' (Matthew 23:25, 27). The Pharisees were good only on the surface. They were whited over, not white. They were like a rotten post overlaid with fine paint. They were like a gold chimney—but within nothing but soot. Of such hypocrites Salvian complains, who had Christ in their mouths--but not in their lives.
We must go further. Be 'pure in heart', like the king's daughter 'all glorious within' (Psalm 45:13); else ours is but a Pharisaic purity; and Christ says, 'For I tell you that unless your righteousness surpasses that of the Pharisees and the teachers of the law, you will certainly not enter the kingdom of heaven.' (Matthew 5:20).
[2] The heart must especially be kept pure, because the heart is the chief seat or place of God's residence. God dwells in the heart. He takes up the heart for his own lodging (Isaiah 57:15; Ephesians 3:17), therefore it must be pure and holy. A king's palace must be kept from defilement, and especially his throne. How holy ought that to be! If the body is the temple of the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 6:19), the heart is the holy of holies! Oh take heed of defiling the room where God chiefly dwells! Let that room be washed with holy tears.
[3] The heart must especially be pure, because it is the heart which sanctifies all that we do. If the heart is holy, all is holy—our affections holy, our duties holy. 'The altar sanctifies the gift' (Matthew 23:19). The heart is the altar that sanctifies the offering. The Romans kept their springs from being poisoned. The heart is the spring of all our actions; let us keep this spring from poison. Be 'pure in heart'.
See here what that beauty is, which beautifies a soul in God's eye, namely, purity of heart. You are but a spiritual leper--until you are pure in heart. God is in love with the pure heart, for he sees his own picture drawn there.
Holiness is the angels' glory. They are pure virgin-spirits. Take away purity from an angel--and he is but a devil! You who are pure in heart--have the angels' glory shining in you. You have the embroidery and workmanship of the Holy Spirit upon you.
The pure heart is God's paradise where he delights to walk. It is his lesser heaven. The dove delights in the purest air. The Holy Spirit who descended in the likeness of a dove, delights in the purest soul. God says of the pure in heart, as of Zion, 'This is my rest forever, here will I dwell' (Psalm 132:14). God loves the loveliest complexion. The pure in heart is Christ's bride, decked and bespangled with the jewels of holiness. 'You have ravished my heart with one of your eyes' (Canticles 4:9). Your eyes, that is, your graces; these as a chain of diamonds, have drawn my heart to you. Of all hearts God loves the pure heart best. You who dress yourself by the looking-glass of the Word and adorn 'the hidden person of your heart' (1 Peter 3:4), are most precious in God's eyes, though you may be as bleary-eyed as Leah, or as lame as Barzillai. Yet being 'pure in heart, you are the mirror of beauty and may say 'Yet shall I be glorious in the eyes of the Lord' (Isaiah 49:5). How may this raise the esteem of purity! This is a beauty which never fades and which makes God himself fall in love with us.
If we must be pure in heart--then we must not rest in outward purity. Morality is not sufficient. A swine may be washed—yet a swine still. Morality does but wash a man, grace changes him. Morality may shine in the eyes of the world—but it differs as much from purity, as a pebble differs from the diamond. Morality is but strewing flowers on a dead corpse. A man who is but highly moral—is but a tame devil. How many have made 'morality' their Savior! Morality will damn, as well as heinous vice. A boat may be sunk with gold, as well as with dung.
Observe two things:
1. The moral person, though he will not commit gross sins—yet he is not sensible of heart sins. He does not discern the 'law in his members' (Romans 7:23). He is not troubled for unbelief, hardness of heart, vanity of thoughts. He abhors gaol-sins, not gospel-sins.
2. The moral person rises against holiness. The snake has a fine appearance—but has a deadly sting. The moral man is fair to look to—but has a secret antipathy against the holy ways of God. He hates grace, as much as vice. Zeal is as odious to him as uncleanness. Morality is not to be rested in. The heart must be pure. God would have Aaron wash the inner parts of the sacrifice (Leviticus 9:14). Morality does but wash the outside; the inside must be washed. 'Blessed are the pure in heart'.
Let us put ourselves on TRIAL whether we are pure-hearted or not. Here I shall show the signs of an impure heart; and then, signs of a pure heart.
I. Signs of an IMPURE heart
1. An IGNORANT heart is an impure heart. To be ignorant of sin or Christ, argues impurity of heart. Nahash the Ammonite would enter into covenant with the men of Jabesh-Gilead, so he might thrust out their right eyes (1 Samuel 11:2). Satan leaves men their left eye. In worldly knowledge they are quick-sighted enough--but the right eye of spiritual knowledge is quite put out! (2 Corinthians 4:4). Ignorance is Satan's stronghold (Acts 26:18). The devils are bound in chains of darkness (Jude 6). So are all ignorant people. Impossible it is that an ignorant heart should be holy. It is knowledge which makes the heart good. 'That the soul is without knowledge is not good' (Proverbs 19:2). For any to say that, though their mind is ignorant--yet their heart is good; they may as well say that, though they are blind--yet their eyes are good.
In the law, when the plague of leprosy was in a man's head--the priest was to pronounce him unclean. This is the case of an ignorant man. The leprosy is in his head, 'he is unclean'. That heart cannot be very pure, which is a dungeon. Grace cannot reign, where ignorance reigns. An ignorant man can have no love to God. 'He cannot love that which he does not know'. He can have no faith. Knowledge must usher in faith (Psalm 9:10). He cannot worship God aright (John 4:22). Though he may worship the true God—yet in a wrong manner. Ignorance is the root of sin. Blindness leads to lasciviousness (Ephesians 4:18, 19; Proverbs 7:23). Ignorance is the mother of pride (Revelation 3:17). It is the cause of error (2 Timothy 3:7), and, which is worse, a willful ignorance. 'It is one thing to be ignorant; it is another thing to be unwilling to know'. Many are in love with ignorance. They hug their disease (Job 21:14; 2. Peter 3:5). Ignorant minds are impure. There is no going to heaven in the dark!
2. A SELF-RIGHTEOUS heart is an impure heart. It sees no need of purity. 'I am rich and have need of nothing' (Revelation 3:17). Not to be sensible of a disease--is worse than the disease! You do not hear a sick man say, 'I am well'. There are some who 'need no repentance' (Luke 15:7). Some sinners are too well to be cured. Heart purity is as great a wonder to the natural man--as the new birth was to Nicodemus (John 3:4). It is sad to think how many go on confidently and are ready to bless themselves, never suspecting their dreadful condition--until it is too late!
3. He has an impure heart who regards iniquity in his heart. 'If I regard iniquity in my heart, the Lord will not hear me' (Psalm 66:18). In the original it is 'If I look upon sin', that is, with a lustful look. Sin-regarding is inconsistent with heart-purity.
What is it to 'regard iniquity'?
[1] We regard iniquity, when we INDULGE in sin. When sin not only lives in us—but when we live in sin. Some will leave all their sins but one. Jacob would let all his sons go but Benjamin. Satan can hold a man by one sin. The fowler holds the bird fast enough by one claw. Others HIDE their sins like one who shuts up his shop windows, but follows his trade within doors. Many deal with their sins as Moses' mother dealt with her son. She hid him in the ark of bulrushes, as if she had left him—but her eye was still upon him and in the end, she became his nurse (Exodus 2:9). Just so, many seem to leave their sins—but they only hide them from the eye of others. Their heart still goes after them, and at last they nurse and give breast to their sins.
[2] To regard iniquity, is to DELIGHT in iniquity. Though a child of God sins—yet he does not take a delight in sin. 'I do the very thing I hate' (Romans 7:15). But impure souls make a recreation of sin. They 'delight in wickedness' (2 Thessalonians 2:12). Never did one feed with more delight on a meal he loves--than a wicked man does upon the forbidden fruit. This delight in sin--shows that the will is in the sin. And 'the will is the rule and measure of the deed'.
[3] To regard iniquity is to make PROVISION for sin. 'Make no provision for the flesh, to fulfill the lusts thereof' (Romans 13:14). The wicked are caterers for their lusts. It is a metaphor taken from such as make provision for a family--to feed them. The Greek word here signifies a projecting and planning in the mind, how to bring a thing about. This is to make provision for the flesh--when one studies to satisfy the flesh and provide fuel for lust. Thus Amnon made provision for the flesh (2 Samuel 13:5). He pretends himself to be sick, and his sister, Tamar, must be his nurse. She must cook and serve his food to him. By which means he defiled her virginity. It is sad when men's concern is not to be holy—but to satisfy lust.
[4] To regard iniquity, is to give it respect and ENTERTAINMENT, as Lot showed respect to the angels. 'He bowed himself with his face toward the ground and said, Behold now, my lords, turn in, I beg you . . .' (Genesis 19:2). When the Spirit of God comes He is repulsed and grieved—but when temptation comes, the sinner bows to it, sets open the gates, and says 'Turn in here, my lord'. This is to regard iniquity.
[5] He is said to regard sin, who does not regard the threatenings of God against sin. We read of 'seven thunders uttering their voices' (Revelation 10:3). How many thunders in Scripture utter their voice against sin! 'Surely God will crush the heads of his enemies, the hairy crowns of those who go on in their sins.' (Psalm 68:21). Here is a thundering scripture—but sinners fear not this thunder. Let a minister come as a Boanerges, clothed with the spirit of Elijah, and denounce all the curses of God against men's sins--they have no regard for it. They can laugh at the shaking of a spear (Job 41:29). This is to regard iniquity, and argues an impure heart.
4. An UNBELIEVING heart is an impure heart. The Scripture calls it expressly 'an evil heart of unbelief' (Hebrews 3:12). An unbelieving heart is evil in the highest degree. It is full of the poison of hell. Unbelief is the foul medley of all sins--the root and receptacle of sin.
[1] Unbelief is a God-affronting sin. It puts the lie upon God. It calls in question his power (Psalm 78:19), mercy and truth. 'The one who does not believe God, is actually calling God a liar' (1 John 5:10). Can a greater affront be cast upon the God of glory! It makes us trust to second causes, which is setting the creature in the place of God. 'Asa in his disease sought not to the Lord—but to the physicians' (2 Chronicles 16:12). He relied more on the physician than upon God. Saul seeks to the witch of Endor. O high affront, to lean upon the reed and neglect the Rock of Ages!
[2] Unbelief hardens the heart. These two sins are linked together. 'He upbraided them with their unbelief and hardness of heart' (Mark 16:14). Unbelief breeds the stone of the heart. He who does not believe God's threatenings--will never fear him. He who does not believe God's promises--will never love him. What is said of the Leviathan, is true of the unbeliever. 'Its heart is as hard as rock, as hard as a millstone' (Job 41:24). Unbelief first pollutes the heart--and then hardens it!
[3] Unbelief breeds hypocrisy. Professors do not believe that God is a jealous God, and will call them to account. Therefore it is they put on a mask of religion and are saints in jest, that they may play the devil in earnest (2 Timothy 3:4, 5). They pretend to worship God—but Self is the idol they worship. Like rowers--they look one way and row another. The unbeliever is the greatest hypocrite.
[4] Unbelief causes the fear of men. 'Fear is proof of a baseborn soul'. Fear is a debasing thing. It unmans a man. It makes him afraid to be godly. The fearful man studies rather compliance, than conscience. 'The fear of man brings a snare' (Proverbs 29:25). What made Abraham equivocate, David pretend to be mad, and Peter deny Christ? Was it not their fear? And whence does fear spring—but from unbelief? Therefore the Scripture joins them together. 'The fearful and unbelieving' (Revelation 21:8).
[5] Unbelief is the root of apostasy. 'an evil heart of unbelief in departing from the living God' (Hebrews 3:12). What is the reason those who seemed once zealous--now despise God, and leave off prayer in their families? Is it not their unbelief? They believed not that God is, and that he is a rewarder of those who diligently seek him (Hebrews 11:6). Infidelity is the cause of apostasy. In the Greek, 'apistia' (unbelief) leads to 'apostasia' (apostasy). And if unbelief is the breeder and fomenter of so much sin, then the unbelieving heart must needs be an impure heart.
5. A COVETOUS heart is an impure heart. The earth is the most impure element. The purity of the heart lies in the spirituality of it, and what is more opposite to spiritualness than earthiness? Covetousness is 'the root of all evil' (1 Timothy 6:10). 'To what cost do you drive mortal hearts--you accursed lust for gold!'
[1] Covetousness is the root of discontent. Why do any repine at their condition—but because they think they do not have enough? The Greek word for covetousness signifies an immoderate desire of getting. Because the covetous man is never satisfied, his heart frets in discontent and impatience.
[2] Covetousness is the root of theft. Achan's covetous heart made him steal that wedge of gold--which served to cleave asunder his soul from God (Joshua 7:21).
[3] Covetousness is the root of treason. It made Judas betray Christ. 'How much will you pay me to betray Jesus to you?' (Matthew 26:15). Absalom's covetousness made him attempt to pluck the crown from his father's head. He who is a Demas, will soon prove a Judas. 'Men shall be covetous' (2 Timothy 3:2), and it follows in the next verse, 'traitors'. Where covetousness is in the preface, treason will be in the conclusion.
[4] Covetousness is the root of murder. Why did Ahab stone Naboth to death but to possess his vineyard? (1 Kings 21:13). Covetousness has made many swim to the crown in blood. And can the heart be pure, when the 'hands are full of blood'? (Isaiah 1:15).
[5] Covetousness is the root of perjury. 'Men shall be covetous, and it follows, 'trucebreakers' (2 Timothy 3:2, 3). For love of money will take a false oath and break a just oath. He who lives a Midas, will die a perjurer.
[6] Covetousness is the root of necromancy. Why do people indent with the devil—but for money? They study the black art--for yellow gold. Alexander the Sixth pawned his soul to the devil for a popedom.
[7] Covetousness is the root of fraud and theft. Such as would be over-rich, will overreach. It is the covetous hand which holds false weights (Amos 8:5).
[8] Covetousness is the root of bribery and injustice. It makes the courts of law, 'great places of robbery', as Augustine speaks. At Athens, court cases were bought and sold for money.
[9] Covetousness is the cause of uncleanness. The Scripture mentions 'the hire of a whore' (Deuteronomy 23:18). For money both conscience and chastity are sold.
[10] Covetousness is the root of idolatry: 'Covetousness which is idolatry' (Colossians 3:5). The covetous person bows down to the image of gold. His money is his god, for he puts his trust in it. Money is his creator. When he has abundance of wealth, then he thinks he is made. Money is his redeemer. If he is in any strait or trouble, he flies to his money and that must redeem him. Money is his comforter. When he is sad he counts over his money and with this golden harp he drives away the evil spirit. When you see a covetous man, you may say, "There goes an idolater!"
[11] Covetousness is the cause of unprofitableness under the means of grace. In the parable, the thorns choked the seed (Matthew 13:7). This is the reason the Word preached does no more good. The seed often falls among thorns. Thousands of sermons lie buried in earthly hearts!
[12] Covetousness is the root of selfishness and stinginess. It hinders hospitality. A covetous man has a withered hand. He cannot reach it out to clothe or feed those who are in need. The covetous person is so sordid, that if his estate may flourish he is content to let his name lie dead and buried. What a cursed sin is avarice! And can he be pure in heart--who has such a 'root of bitterness' growing in him? We may as well say that the body is pure which is full of plague-sores.
6. Those hearts are impure which are 'haters of purity' (Micah 3:2). They 'hate knowledge' (Proverbs 1:29). Some things in nature have an antipathy; the serpent will not come near the boughs of the wild ash. There is an antipathy in a carnal heart against holiness; and when hatred is boiled up to malice--it is dangerous. Thus Julian maliciously opposed holiness. Receiving a mortal wound when in battle, he threw up a handful of his blood into the air in indignation saying, 'O Galilean, you have overcome me!'
7. He who scoffs at purity, has an impure heart. 'There shall come in the last days scoffers' (Luke 16:14; 2. Peter 3:3). There are some who make a jeer of religion. It is a sign of an Ishmael spirit to scoff at holiness. Are we not commanded to be perfect as God is perfect? (Matthew 5:48). One would wonder that those who dare open their mouths in derision against holiness--the earth does not open her mouth to swallow them up as it did Korah and Dathan. These are devils covered over with flesh! They have damnation written on their foreheads! Lucian who in the time of the Emperor Trajan had professed religion, afterwards became so profane as to make a mock at the Christians and by his jeers and taunts went about to destroy religion. At last he himself was rent asunder and devoured by dogs. When the scab of the leper appeared, he was to be shut out of the camp (Leviticus 13:8, 46). Those who flout at religion, if God does not give them repentance, are sure to be shut out of the camp of heaven.
II. I shall next show you the signs of a PURE heart.
1. A SINCERE heart is a pure heart. 'In whose spirit there is no deceit' (Psalm 32:2). There are four characters of a sincere-hearted Christian.
[1] A sincere heart serves God with the whole heart.
First, he serves God with the heart. The hypocrite does but make a show of obedience. 'You are always on their lips--but far from their hearts' (Jeremiah 12:2). There may be a fair complexion when the lungs and vitals are diseased. The hypocrite is fair to look on. He has a devout eye--but a hollow heart. But he who is sincere, his inside is his best side! In the law God would have 'the inner parts' offered up (Leviticus 4:11). A good Christian gives God 'the inner parts'. When he prays--his heart prays. 'Hannah prayed in her heart' (1 Samuel 1:13). In his thanksgiving the heart is the chief instrument of praise (Psalm 111:1). Then is the sweetest music when we 'make melody in our hearts to the Lord' (Ephesians 5:19).
Secondly, the sincere Christian serves God with the 'whole heart' (Psalm 119:2). Hypocrites have a double heart (Psalm 12:2)—a heart for God, and a heart for sin. 'Their heart is divided' (Hosea 10:2). God loves a broken heart—but not a divided heart. An upright heart is a whole heart. The full stream and torrent of the affections runs out after God. A sincere heart 'follows God fully' (Numbers 14:24).
[2] A sincere heart is willing to come under a trial. 'Search me, O God, and try me' (Psalm 139:23). That metal is to be suspected which men are afraid to bring to the touchstone. A sound heart likes the touchstone of the Word. It is for a searching ministry. Hypocrites fly from the light of truth; they fly from that light which would reveal their sin. They hate that physic of the Word which, meeting with their ill humours, begins to make them sick, and trouble their conscience. A gracious soul loves that preaching best, which makes a heart-anatomy.
[3] A man of sincere heart, dares not act in the least against his conscience. He is the most magnanimous—yet the most cautious. He is bold in suffering (Proverbs 28:1) but fearful of sin (Genesis 39:9). He dares not get an estate by sinful shifts, or rise upon the ruins of another. Jacob got his father's blessing by fraud—but that is not the way to get God's blessing.
[4] A sincere heart is a suspicious heart. The hypocrite suspects others of sin—but has charitable thoughts of himself! The sincere Christian has charitable thoughts of others—and suspects himself of sin. He calls himself often to account: "O my soul, have you any evidences for heaven? Is there no flaw in your evidences? You may mistake common grace--for saving grace. Weeds in the cornfields look like flowers. The foolish virgins' lamps looked as if they had oil in them. O my soul, is it not so with you?" The man of sincere soul, being ever jealous, plays the critic upon himself and so traverses things in the court of conscience as if he were presently to be cited to God's bar. This is to be pure in heart.
2. A pure heart breathes after PURITY. If God should stretch out the golden scepter and say to him, 'Ask, and it shall be given you—up to half the kingdom', he would say, "Lord, give me a pure heart! Let my heart have this inscription—Holiness to the Lord. Let my heart be your temple for you to dwell in. Lord, what would I do in heaven with this unholy heart? What converse could I have with You?" A gracious soul is so in love with purity—that he prizes a pure heart above all blessings.
[1] He prizes a pure heart above RICHES. He knows that he may be clothed in purple and fine linen—and yet go to hell. He is content to be poor—so long as he may be pure. He knows heart-purity is a special certificate of God's love. 'The pure in heart' shall see God.
[2] He prizes a pure heart above GIFTS. Gifts do not at all commend us in God's eye. A pure heart is the jewel! 'O woman, great is your faith!' (Matthew 15:28). It was not her rhetorical language Christ was taken with—but her faith. Hypocrites have had rare gifts. Saul had the spirit of prophecy. Judas no doubt could make an elegant oration. Hypocrites have come into God's church loaded with the Egyptian gold of human learning. There may be illumination without sanctification. A small diamond is better than a great deal of brass. A little grace excels the most flourishing abilities. Now if the out-goings of your soul are after holiness—you desire a pure heart, rather than an eloquent tongue. You have the oil of the Spirit poured on you and you shall be crowned with a glorious sight of God.
3. A pure heart abhors all SIN. A man may forbear and forsake sin—yet not have a pure heart.
[1] A man may FORBEAR sin—for lack of occasion to sin. He may forbear sin as one may hold his breath while he dives under water, and then take breath again. The gunpowder makes no noise until the fire is put to it. The clock stands still until the weights are put on. Let a temptation come, which is like the hanging on of the weights, and the heart goes as fast in sin as ever!
[2] He may forbear sin—for fear of the penalty. A man forbears a dish he loves—for fear it should bring his disease upon him of the stone or gout. There is conflict in a sinner between the passions of desire—and fear. Desire spurs him on to sin—but fear as a curb and bit checks him. Nor is it the crookedness of the serpent he fears—but the sting of the serpent!
[3] He may forbear sin—out of a design. He has a plot in hand and his sin might spoil his plot. Some rich heir would fly out in excess—but he behaves properly, to prevent being cut off from the inheritance. How good was Joash while Jehoiada the priest lived! Prudence as well as conscience may restrain from sin.
Again, a man may FORSAKE sin—yet not have a pure heart. It is a great matter, I confess, to forsake sin. So dear is sin to men, that they will part with the fruit of their body for the sin of their souls. Sin is the Delilah that bewitches, and it is much to see men divorced from it. There may be a forsaking of sin—yet no heart purity. Sin may be forsaken upon wrong principles.
[1] A man may forsake sin, from MORALITY. Moral arguments may suppress sin. I have read of a debauched heathen who, hearing Socrates read an ethical lecture on virtue and vice—he went away changed and no more followed his former vices. Cato, Seneca, Aristides, seeing beauty in virtue, led unblamable lives.
[2] A man may forsake sin, from POLICY. A man may forsake sin, not out of respect to God's glory—but his own credit. Vice will waste his estate, eclipse the honor of his family, therefore out of policy he will divorce his sin.
[3] A man may forsake sin, from NECESSITY. Perhaps he cannot follow the trade of sin any longer. The adulterer is grown old, the drunkard has become too poor. His heart is toward sin—but either his purse fails him or his strength; as a man who loves hunting—but his prison-fetters will not allow him to follow the sport. This man, who is necessitated to put a stop to sin—does not so much forsake sin, as sin forsakes him.
But he is pure in God's eye, who abhors sin. 'I hate every false way' (Psalm 119:104). This is excellent indeed, because now the love of sin is crucified. A hypocrite may leave sin—yet love it; as the serpent sheds her coat—yet keeps her sting. But when a man can say he abhors sin—now is sin killed in the root. A pure heart abstains from sin—as a man does from a dish that he has an antipathy against. This is a sign of a new nature—when a man hates what he once loved! And because he hates sin, therefore he fights against it with the 'sword of the Spirit'—as a man who hates a serpent seeks the destruction of it.
4. A pure heart avoids the appearance of evil. 'Abstain from all appearance of evil' (1 Thessalonians 5:22). A pure heart avoids that which may be interpreted as evil. He who is loyal to his prince, not only forbears to have his hand in treason—but he takes heed of that which has an appearance of treason. A gracious heart is shy of that which looks like sin. When Joseph's mistress took hold of him and said, 'Lie with me!'—he left his garment in her hand and fled from her (Genesis 39:12). He avoided the appearance of evil. He would not be seen in her company. Thus a pure heart avoids whatever may have the suspicion of sin:
[1] A pure heart avoids the suspicion of sin—in regard of HIMSELF, and that two ways.
First, because the appearance of evil is oftentimes an occasion of evil. Dalliance is an appearance of evil, and many times occasions evil. Had Joseph been familiar with his mistress in a wanton sporting manner, he might in time have been drawn to commit immorality with her. Some out of novelty and curiosity have gone to hear mass, and afterwards have lent the idol not only their ear—but their knee! There are many who have gone with itching ears to hear false teachers, and have come home with the plague in their head! When Dinah would be gadding about, she lost her chastity (Genesis 34:2). A pure heart foreseeing the danger avoids the appearance of evil. It is dangerous to go near a hornet's nest. The men who went near the furnace were burned (Daniel 3:22).
Second, because the appearance of evil may eclipse his good name. A good name is a precious ointment. It is better than 'fine gold' (Proverbs 22:1). It commends us to God and angels, which riches cannot do. Now a godly man avoids the appearance of evil—lest he wounds his good name. What comfort can there be of life, when the name lies buried?
[2] A pure heart avoids the suspicion of sin—out of reverence and respect to the holiness of GOD. God hates the very appearance of evil. God abhors hypocrites because they have no more than the appearance of good—and he is angry with his children if they have so much as the appearance of evil. A gracious heart knows God is a jealous God and cannot endure that his people should border upon sin. Therefore he keeps aloof from sin, and will not come near the smell of infection.
[3] A pure heart avoids the very appearance of sin—in regard of the GODLY. The appearance of evil may scandalize a weak brother. A gracious heart is not only fearful lest he should defile his own conscience—but lest he should offend his brother's conscience. Were it only an indifferent thing—yet if it is an appearance of evil and may grieve another—we are to forbear (1 Corinthians 10:25-28). For 'when we sin against the brethren and wound their weak conscience, we sin against Christ' (1 Corinthians 8:12). The weak Christian is a member of Christ. Therefore the sinning against a member—is a sinning against Christ.
[4] A pure heart avoids the very appearance of evil—in regard of the WICKED. The apostle would have us walk wisely towards unbelievers. (1 Thessalonians 4:12). The wicked watch for our halting. How glad would they be of anything to reproach religion! Professors are placed as stars in the highest orb of the church, and if there is but the appearance of any eccentric, or irregular motion, the wicked would presently open their mouths with a fresh cry against piety. Now to a godly heart the fame and honor of the gospel is so dear that he had rather die than incriminate or eclipse it.
By this then let us try ourselves whether we are pure in heart—do we avoid the least appearance of sin? Alas, how many run themselves into the occasions of sin! They tempt the devil to tempt them! Some go to plays and comedies—the very fuel and temptation to lust! Others frequent heretical meetings, and truly God often in just judgment leaves them to the acts of sin, who do not avoid the appearance of sin. 'They were mingled among the heathen and learned their works' (Psalm 106:35). Pure hearts flee the occasion of sin! John would not endure the company of the heretic Cerinthus. Polycarp would have no conference with Marcion the heretic—but called him 'the devil's firstborn'. Basil says that the Christians in his time avoided the meetings of heretics as the 'very schools of error'. Oh, avoid the appearance of evil. The apostle bids us to follow those things which are 'of good report' (Philippians 4:8).
5. A pure heart performs holy duties in a holy manner. This holy manner, or due order, consists in three things:
[1] Preparing the heart before a duty. An unholy heart does not care how it rushes upon an ordinance. It comes without preparation and goes away without profit. The pure heart is a prepared heart. It dresses itself, before it comes to a duty—by examination and prayer. When the earth is prepared—then it is fit to receive the seed. When the instrument is prepared and tuned—then it is fit for music.
[2] Watching the heart in a duty. A holy heart labors to be affected and wrought upon by the Spirit. His heart burns within him. There was no sacrifice without fire. A pure saint labors to have his heart broken in a duty (Psalm 51:17). The incense, when it was broken, cast the sweetest savor. Impure souls care not in what a dead or perfunctory manner they serve God (Ezekiel 33:31). They pray more out of fashion, than out of faith. They are no more affected with an ordinance, than the dead in the church graveyard. God complains of offering up the blind (Malachi 1:8). And is it not as bad to offer up the dead? O Christian, say to yourself, How can this deadness of heart, stand with pureness of heart? Do not dead things putrefy?
[3] Outward reverence. Purity of heart will express itself by the reverend posture of the body—the lifting up of the eye and hand, the bending the knee. When God gave the law, 'the mount was on fire and trembled' (Exodus 19:18). The reason was that the people might prostrate themselves more reverently before the Lord. The ark wherein the law was put, was carried upon poles, so that the Levites might not touch it—to show what reverence God would have about holy things (Exodus 25:11, 14). We must not only offer up our souls—but our bodies (Romans 12:1). The Lord takes notice what posture and gesture we use in his worship. If a man were to deliver a petition to the king, would he deliver it with a foolish jest? The careless irreverence of some would make us think they did not much regard whether God heard them or not. We are run from one extreme to another, from superstition to irreverence. Let Christians think of the dreadful majesty of God who is present. 'How dreadful is this place! This is none other but the house of God and this is the gate of heaven!' (Genesis 28:17). The blessed angels 'cover their faces crying, Holy, holy holy' (Isaiah 6:3). A holy heart will have a holy posture.
6. A pure heart will have a pure LIFE. 'Let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God'. (2 Corinthians 7:1). Where there is a holy heart, there will be a holy life. Some bless God they have good hearts—but their lives are evil. 'There is a generation that are pure in their own eyes, and yet is not washed from their filthiness' (Proverbs 30:12). If the stream is corrupt—we may suspect the spring-head to be impure. Aaron was called the saint of the Lord (Psalm 106:16). He had not only a holy heart—but there was a golden plate on his forehead on which was written 'Holiness to the Lord'. Purity must not only be woven into the heart—but engraved upon the life! Grace is most beautiful when it shines abroad with its golden beams. The clock has not only its motion within—but the hand moves outside upon the dial. Just so, pureness of heart, shows itself upon the dial of the life.
[1] A pure soul TALKS of God (Psalm 37:30). His heart is seen in his tongue. He who is pure in heart—his mouth is full of heaven.
[2] A pure soul WALKS with God (Genesis 6:9). He is still doing angel's work, praising God, serving God. He lives as Christ did upon earth. Holy duties are the Jacob's ladder by which he is still ascending to heaven. Purity of heart and life, are in Scripture made twins. 'I will put my Spirit within you'—there is purity of heart. 'And cause you to walk in my statutes'—there is purity of life (Ezekiel 36:27). Shall we account them pure, whose life is not in heaven (Philippians 3:20)—but rather in hell? 'Shall I count them pure—who have wicked balances and a bag of deceitful weights?' (Micah 6:11). How justly may others reproach religion when they see it kicked down with our unholy feet! A pure heart has a golden frontispiece. Grace, like new wine, will have vent; it can be no more concealed than lost. The saints are called 'jewels' (Malachi 3:17), because of that shining luster which they cast in the eyes of others!
7. A pure heart is so in love with purity that nothing can draw him off from it.
[1] Let others reproach purity, he loves it. As David, when he danced before the ark, and Michal scoffed. David replied, 'if this is to be vile—I will yet be more vile!' (2 Samuel 6:22). So says a pure heart: 'If to follow after holiness is to be vile—I will yet be more vile!' The more others deride holiness, the more a gracious soul burns in love and zeal to it. If a man had an inheritance befallen him, would he be laughed out of it? What is a Christian the worse for another's reproach? A blind man's disparaging a diamond does not make it sparkle the less!
[2] Let others persecute holiness, a pure heart will pursue it. Holiness is the queen every gracious soul is espoused to—and he will rather die than be divorced. Paul would be holy, 'though bonds and persecutions awaited him' (Acts 20:23). The way of religion is often thorny and bloody—but a gracious heart prefers inward purity before outward peace. I have heard of one who, having a jewel he much prized, the king sent for his jewel. 'Tell the king' (says he) 'I honor his Majesty—but I will rather lose my life than part with my jewel.' He who is enriched with the jewel of holiness, will rather die than part with this jewel. When his honor and riches will do him no good—his holiness will end in bliss, 'You have your fruit unto holiness, and the end everlasting life'.
Let me persuade Christians to heart purity. The harlot 'wipes her mouth' (Proverbs 30:20). But that is not enough. 'Wash your heart, O Jerusalem' (Jeremiah 4:14). And here I shall lay down some arguments or motives to persuade to heart purity.
1. The NECESSITY of heart-purity.
[1] Heart-purity is necessary, in respect of OURSELVES. Until the heart is pure, all our holy things (that is, our religious duties) are polluted. They are but splendid sins! 'Everything is pure to those whose hearts are pure. But nothing is pure to those who are corrupt and unbelieving, because their minds and consciences are defiled' (Titus 1:15). Their offering is unclean. Under the law, if a man who was unclean by a dead body, and carried a piece of holy meat, the holy meat could not cleanse him—but the dead body polluted that. (Haggai 2:12,13). He who had the leprosy, whatever he touched was unclean. If he had touched the altar or sacrifice, the altar would not cleanse him—but he would defiled the altar. A filthy hand defiles the purest water. An impure heart defiles all religious duties—he drops poison upon them all. A pure stream running through muddy ground, is polluted. Just so, the holiest duties, running through an impure heart, are polluted. A sinner's works are called 'dead works' (Hebrews 6:1). And those works which are dead cannot please God. A dead wife cannot please her husband.
[2] Heart purity is necessary, in respect of GOD. God is holy. Purity is the chief robe with which God adorns himself. 'You are of purer eyes than to behold evil' (Habakkuk 1:13). And will this holy God endure to have an impure heart come near him? Will a man lay a viper in his bosom! The holy God and the unrepentant sinner, cannot dwell together. None can dwell together but friends—but there is no friendship between God and the sinner, both of them being of a contrary judgment and disposition. An impure heart is more odious to God than a serpent! God gave the serpent its venom—but Satan fills the heart with sin. 'Satan has filled your heart!' (Acts 5:3). The Lord abhors a sinner. He will not come near him, having his plague-sores running. 'My soul loathed them!' (Zechariah 11:8).
[3] Heart purity is necessary, in regard of ANGELS. They are pure creatures. The Cherubim, which typified the angels, were made of fine gold to denote the purity of their essence. No unholy thought enters into the angels, therefore there must be purity of heart that there may be some resemblance between us and them. What would unholy hearts do, among those pure angelic spirits?
[4] Heart purity is necessary, in regard of the GLORIFIED SAINTS. They are pure, being refined from all the dregs of sin. They are 'spirits of just men made perfect' (Hebrews 12:23). Now what would profane spirits do among 'spirits made perfect'? I tell you, if you who wallow in your sins, could come near God and angels and spirits of men made perfect, and have a sight of their luster—you would soon wish yourselves out of their company. As a man who is dirty and in his rags, if he should stand before the king and his nobles and see them glistening in their cloth of gold and sparkling with their jewels—he would be ashamed of himself, and wish himself out of their presence.
[5] Heart purity is necessary, in regard of HEAVEN. Heaven is a pure place. It is an 'undefiled inheritance' (1 Peter 1:4). No unclean beasts come into the heavenly ark! 'Nothing evil will be allowed to enter!' (Revelation 21:27). The Lord will not put the new wine of glory, into a musty impure heart! All these things considered, shows the necessity of heart purity.
2. It is the will of God that we should be pure in heart. 'This is the will of God—your sanctification' (1 Thessalonians 4:3). Are you low in the world? Perhaps it is not the will of God that you should be rich. But it is the will of God that you should be holy. 'This is the will of God—your sanctification.' Let God have his will by being holy—and you shall have your will by being happy. God's will must either be fulfilled by us or upon us!
3. Purity of heart is the characteristic note of God's people. 'God is good to Israel—to those whose hearts are pure' (Psalm 73:1). Heart-purity denominates us, the 'Israel of God'. It is not profession which makes us the Israel of God. 'Not all who are descended from Israel, are Israel' (Romans 9:6). Purity of heart is the jewel which is hung only upon the elect! Chastity distinguishes a virtuous woman from a harlot. Just so, the true Christian is distinguished from the hypocrite--by his heart-purity. This is like the nobleman's star, which is a peculiar ensign of honor, differing him from the vulgar. When the bright star of purity shines in a Christian's heart, it distinguishes him from a formal professor.
4. Purity of heart makes us like God. It was Adam's unhappiness once, that he aspired to be like God in omniscience; but we must endeavor to be like God in sanctity. God's image consists in holiness. To those who do not have this image and superscription upon them, he will say 'I never knew you!' God delights in no heart but where he may see his own face and likeness. You cannot see your face in a looking-glass when it is dusty. God's face cannot be seen in a dusty impure soul. A pure heart (like a clean looking-glass) gives forth some idea and representation of God. There is little comfort in being like God in other things besides purity. Are we like God in that we have a being? So have stones. Are we like him in that we have motion? So have stars. Are we like him in that we have life? So have trees and birds. Are we like him in that we have knowledge? So have devils. There is no likeness to God, which will prove comfortable and blissful—but our being like him in purity. God loves the pure in heart. Love is founded upon likeness.
5. The excellency of the heart, lies in the purity of it. Purity was the glory of the soul in innocence. The purer a thing is—the better. The purer the air is, and the more free from noxious vapors—the better it is. Pure water is most sweet. The purer the gold is, the more valuable. The purer the wine is when it is taken off from the lees and dregs—the more excellent it is. The more the soul is purified by grace and taken off from the lees and dregs of sin—the more precious in God's eyes. The purer the heart is—the more spiritual it is; and the more spiritual it is—the more fit to entertain him who is pure Spirit.
6. God is good to the pure in heart. 'God is good to Israel—to those whose hearts are pure' (Psalm 73:1). We all desire that God should be good to us. It is the sick man's prayer, 'May the Lord be good to me'. God is good to those whose hearts are pure. But how is God good to them? Two ways—
[1] To those who are pure, all things are sanctified. 'To the pure—all things are pure' (Titus 1:15). Estate is sanctified, relations are sanctified—just as the temple sanctified the gold and the altar sanctified the offering. To the unclean--nothing is clean. Their table is a snare; and their devotions are sin. There is a curse entailed upon a wicked man (Deuteronomy 28:15-20)—but holiness removes the curse and cuts off the punishment. 'To the pure all things are pure'.
[2] The pure-hearted have all things work for their good (Romans 8:28). Mercies and afflictions shall turn to their good. The most poisonous drug shall be medicinal. The most cross providence shall carry on the design of their salvation. Who then would not be pure in heart? 'God is good to those who are pure in heart'.
7. Heart purity makes way for heaven. The pure in heart 'shall see God'. Happiness is nothing but the quintessence of holiness. Purity of heart is heaven begun in a man. Holiness is called in Scripture 'the anointing of God' (1 John 2:27). Solomon was first anointed with the holy oil, and then he was made king (1 Kings 1:39). Just so, the people of God are first anointed with the oil of the Spirit and made pure in heart, and then the crown of glory is set upon their head. And is not purity to be highly valued? It lays a path for glory. 'Purity of heart' and 'seeing of God' are linked together.
8. Note the examples of those who have been eminent for heart-purity. The Lord Jesus was a pattern of purity. 'Who of you convicts me of sin?' (John 8:46). In this we are to imitate Christ. We are not to imitate him in raising the dead or in working miracles—but in being holy (1 Peter 1:16).
Besides this golden pattern of Christ, we are to write after the fair copy of those saints who have been of a dove-like purity. David was so pure in heart, that he was a man 'after God's heart'. Abraham was so purified by faith that he was one of God's cabinet-counsel (Genesis 18:17). Moses was so holy that God spoke with him face to face. What were the rest of the patriarchs but so many plants of renown, flourishing in holiness? The fathers in the primitive church were exemplary for purity. Gregory Nazianzen, Basil, Augustine, they were so inlaid and adorned with purity, that envy itself could not tax them. We wish we had such saints as were in the primitive times, so just were they in their dealings, so decent in their attire, so true in their promises, so devout in their religion, so unblamable in their lives, that they were living sermons, walking Bibles, genuine pictures of Christ, and helped to keep up the credit of godliness in the world.
9. Heart-purity is the only jewel you can carry out of the world. Have you a child you delight in, or an estate? You can 'carry nothing out of the world' (1 Timothy 6:7). Purity of heart is the only commodity that can be with comfort transported. This is that which will stay longest with you. Usually we love those things which last longest. We prize a diamond or piece of gold above the most beautiful flower, because the flower is fading. Heart-purity has perpetuity! It will go with us beyond the grave!
But how shall we attain to heart-purity?
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