The beatitudes

3. The heart must especially be looked to and watched, because the heart is the fountain of all our actions and purposes; the heart doth either sweeten or poison all we do; the heart is the spring which makes the current of our life run either pure or muddy; the heart is the Throne either of sin or grace. If the root be sour, no sweet fruit can grow upon it; so if there be a root of bitterness springing u•n the heart^*, it is impossible that our services should give a sweet relish: As in the natural body the heart is the fountain of life; if the heart lives, the whole body lives; if the heart be tainted and poisoned, the body ⟨p. 542⟩dies: So it is in a spiritual sense; if the inner man of the heart be holy, then the thoughts and actions are holy; if the soul be earthly and impure, the actions receive a bad tincture. In Religion the heart is all; we judge of mens heart by their actions; God judgeth of mens actions by their hearts; the heart differenceth actions. Amaziah did that which was right in the sight of the Lord, but not with a perfect heart, 2 Chron. 25.2. But of Asa it is said, his heart was perfect all his days, 2 Chron. 15.17. It is the heart gives the denomination to a thing; now if the heart be the spring which makes our actions good or bad, then the heart is chiefly to be watched and tended; preserve the spring pure, keep thy heart with all diligence.

3. The heart must especially be looked to and watched, because the heart is the fountain of all our actions and purposes; the heart doth either sweeten or poyson all we do; the heart is the spring which makes the current of our life run either pure or muddy; the heart is the Throne either of sin or grace. If the root be soure, no sweet fruit can grow upon it; so if there be a root of bitterness springing u•n the heart^*, it is impossible that our services should give a sweet rellish: As in the natural body the heart is the fountain of life; if the heart lives, the whole body lives; if the heart be tainted and poysoned, the body