These words contain the sixth Rule of Christ, touching true happiness;1 wherein, as in the former, observe two points: the persons blessed, and wherein their blessedness consists. The persons blessed, are thus qualified; they are pure in heart. This is diversly expounded: By pure in heart, some understand those that are chase; others, those that are simple hearted, void of guile and deceit. But the words will bear2 a more general sense, & betoken such as are holy in heart, having their hearts purged from the defilement of their sins, and be in part renewed and sanctified by the holy Ghost: and that they are so to be taken, may appear, Psal. 24. 4. whence these words are borrowed; where also the Prophet expoundeth the pure in heart to be such, as have not lift up their mind to vain things: to which purpose, the Author to the Hebrews3 saith, Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man can see God. Again, the intent of our Saviour Christ in this place, was no doubt to cross the Pharisaical conceit of those times, whereby men did content themselves with outward holiness, as sufficient to true happiness; and therefore he saith, Blessed are the pure, not outwardly, but inwardly in heart. Further, by heart we are to understand the soul, with the parts and faculties thereof; that is, the mind, the conscience, the will, and affections. And that we may yet conceive more clearly of this point, we are to search out two things; first, in what manner, then in what measure the heart is made pure: For the first, the purifying4 of the heart is by a two-fold Action of the holy Ghost; first, by creating in the mind a saving faith, which unites a man unto Christ, & as an hand applieth Christs purity, that is his obedience, to the heart: so Peter speaketh of the Gentiles, in the Council at Jerusalem, that yby faith the Lord purified their hearts. Secondly, when a man is in Christ, the holy Ghost purgeth and sanctifieth the heart inwardly, by mortifying all the corruptions in the mind, will, and affections, and by putting into it inward holiness, whereby the image of Christ is renewed therein. And this our Saviour Christ expresseth, John 15. 2. when he saith, that the father purgeth every one that bringeth forth fruit in him.
These words containe the sixt Rule of Christ, touching true happinesse;1 wherein, as in the former, obserue two points: the persons blessed, and wherein their blessednesse consists. The persons blessed, are thus qualified; they are pure in heart. This is diuersly expounded: By pure in heart, some vnderstand those that are chasse; others, those that are simple hearted, voide of guile and deceit. But the words will beare2 a more generall sense, & betoken such as are holy in heart, hauing their hearts purged from the defilement of their sinnes, and be in part renued and sanctified by the holy Ghost: and that they are so to bee taken, may appeare, Psal. 24. 4. whence these words are borrowed; where also the Prophet expoundeth the pure in heart to be such, as haue not lift vp their minde to vaine things: to which purpose, the Author to the Hebrewes3 saith, Follow peace with all men, and holinesse, without which no man can see God. Againe, the intent of our Sauiour Christ in this place, was no doubt to crosse the Pharisaicall conceipt of those times, whereby men did content themselues with outward holinesse, as sufficient to true happinesse; and therefore he saith, Blessed are the pure, not outwardly, but inwardly in heart. Further, by heart we are to vnderstand the soule, with the parts and faculties thereof; that is, the mind, the conscience, the will, and affections. And that wee may yet conceiue more clearely of this point, we are to search out two things; first, in what maner, then in what measure the heart is made pure: For the first, the purifying4 of the heart is by a two-fold Action of the holy Ghost; first, by creating in the minde a sauing faith, which vnites a man vnto Christ, & as an hand applieth Christs puritie, that is his obedience, to the heart: so Peter speaketh of the Gentiles, in the Councell at Ierusalem, that yby faith the Lord purified their hearts. Secondly, when a man is in Christ, the holy Ghost purgeth and sanctifieth the heart inwardly, by mortifying all the corruptions in the minde, will, and affections, and by putting into it inward holinesse, whereby the image of Christ is renued therein. And this our Sauiour Christ expresseth, Iohn 15. 2. when hee saith, that the father purgeth every one that bringeth forth fruit in him.
- 16. Rule.
- 2Who be pure in hart.
- 3Chap. 12. 14.
- 4The manner of purifying the heart.
- yAct 15 •.
