Heaven upon earth in the serene tranquillity and calm composure, in the sweet peace…

A SERMON

on Heb. 10. v. 22. Let us draw near with a true heart, in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water.

on Heb. 10. v. 22. Let us draw near with a true heart, in ful assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water.

The confident approaching of sinners to God, is the great design of the manifestation of his Grace in the Gospel; and that they may boldly, though humbly, draw near unto, and have communion with him, is the great fruit of Christs purchase; the Apostle discoursing ⟨p. 355⟩here to these Hebrews, of the excellent advantages which they had in and by Jesus Christ (whereof he gives a short summary and abridgement, v. 19. 20, 21.) draws thence a pathetic exhortation by way of conclusion, that Believers would make use of, and improve these advantages and privileges, in a confident approaching to God, Let us draw near (saith he v. 22.) in full assurance of faith: But because there are two things that readily stand in the way of Believers their coming to God, he casts in two requisite qualifications of their coming, for removing these obstructions, and to let us see, that though he allow of the well grounded confidence of faith, yet he doth not allow of carnal presumption in approaching to God. The 1. thing that stands in their way is carnalness and deceit of heart; and the qualification which he requires for removing of it, is in these words, Let us draw near with a true heart; Which is not to be understood of a simply sinless heart; but of a sincere, honest and upright heart, a clean heart, loathing and working out the remainder of pollution and impurity; for its opposed to an unclean, deceitful and hypocritical heart, otherwayes the next words of sprinkling, and washing would not be added: But because, 2ly. Believers win not in this life to that perfection in purity and sincerity, but still they are conscious to themselves of a remainder of deceit, impurity and hypocrisy to be, and abide in them; so that if they have no more but the testimony of their own purity, and sincerity to look to it will be but as one leg to walk upon, in their drawing near to God; They might therefore object, alas! We have but little if any thing of a pure and sincere heart; he answers this, by adding the second qualification, Having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water; Which is (as he had said) wherein soever ye be unclean and defiled, and whatever be your impurity, deceit or hypocrisy; come to the blood of Christ, that ye may be sprinkled and washe thereby, and then come forward, and draw near to Go