§. 126. Of looking to the heart.
THe object whereabout men ought to take most heed, is here set down to be the heart: and that in generall, that it be not evil: and in speciall, that 〈◊〉〈◊〉 belief seize not upon it.
Of the heart, and of the divers acceptions thereof, See §. 79.
The heart is here taken in the largest extent, for the whole soul of man, •…•…∣sisting of two especiall faculties, Understanding and Will. For as Faith exercis•…•… it self in both these, so unbelief depraveth both. Such virtues and vices as are •…•…∣rectly contrary one to the other, have the same object.
The Apostle in mentioning the heart, striketh at the very root: and gives us 〈◊〉〈◊〉* 1.1 understand, that The heart is especially to be looked unto. Keep thy heart with 〈◊〉〈◊〉 diligence, (Prov. 4. 23.) or word for word, above all keeping: Above thy Coy•…•… Jewels: For a mans life consisteth not in the abundance of the things which he possess•…•…▪ Luke 12. 15. But out of the heart are the issues of life, Pro. 4. 23. Yea, keep thine 〈◊〉〈◊〉 above thine eyes, ears, tongue, hands, feet, or any▪ parts of thy body.
- 1. The heart is as a Queen, and hath an absolute command over all the parts of* 1.2 the body. As Iosiah the King caused all his subjects to stand to the Covenant 〈◊〉〈◊〉 he had made with God, (2 Chron. 34. 32.) so will the heart cause the whole 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Barnabas therefore exhorteth such as were turned to the Lord, that with p•…•… of heart, they would cleave unto the Lord, Act. 11. 23. God himself wished that 〈◊〉〈◊〉 were in his people an heart to fear him, and to keep all his Commandments alw•…•… Deut. 5. 29.
- 2. The heart is a spring, whence all manner of affections and actions do 〈◊〉〈◊〉▪* 1.3 and they are so qualified as the heart is. A good man out of the good treasure of 〈◊〉〈◊〉 heart bringeth forth that which is good, and an evil man out of the evil▪ treasure of 〈◊〉〈◊〉 heart bringeth forth that which is evil, Luke 6. 45. Philosophers say, that the 〈◊〉〈◊〉 of the body is the fountain of naturall life: The heart first lives in him, and 〈◊〉〈◊〉 dies in him. So the heart of the soul is the fountain of spirituall life. It is 〈◊〉〈◊〉 leaven, Matth. 13. 33. It is first seasoned it self with grace; then it seasoneth 〈◊〉〈◊〉 whole man. If grace be clean out of the heart, there is no hope of reco•…•…∣ing it.
- 3. The heart is as Gods Throne whereon he alone will sit. It is his secret 〈◊〉〈◊〉* 1.4 whereinto he alone will come. It is thereupon noted, that to search the heart 〈◊〉〈◊〉 one of Gods incommunicable properties, Ier. 17. 9. Act. •…•…. 24. This therefore 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Lord most desireth, Prov. 23. 26. Deut. 5. 9.
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