§. Sect. 8 The fourth meanes is, of∣ten to examine our hearts in Gods sight.
Finally, if we would preserue our hearts in their purity, wee must of∣ten examine them in Gods sight, and for the approuing of their purity and integrity, often offer them to his triall. For as the husbands eye and presence, allowing or disallowing all the wiues particular actions, and behauiour to strangers, is the best and surest meanes to preserue her cha∣stity: so if the heart betrothed vnto God, haue all the affections and de∣sires of it scanned and examined before him, it will not easily be polluted with strange and vncleane lusts. And thus Dauid kept his heart in puri∣ty and integrity, by prouoking and offring it often to Gods triall. Iudge me (saith he) O Lord, for I haue walked in mine integrity, &c. Examine me, O Lord, and proue me, try my reines and mine heart. And againe, Search me, O God, and know mine heart; try me, and know my thoughts, and see if there be any wicked way in mee, and leade me in the way euerlasting. Whose example if we follow, it will be a notable meanes to preserue our hearts in purity. For as we are extraordinary carefull to haue our houses cleansed from all filth, when we prepare them to giue entertainment to an honourable and respected friend, who hating all sluttishnesse, will curiously looke into euery corner; so will our care exceede in cleansing our hearts, when as we inuite our God to visit and lodge in them: yea, wee shall haue hereby the benefit, not onely of our owne care and diligence for the cleansing of our hearts, but of the Lords assistance to make them more cleane, when we haue cleansed them as well as we can. For he is not a curious carper at our infirmities, but a cheerfull helper to reforme and amend them; and therefore he that inuiteth the Lord to trie and search his heart, doth in another place desire his assistance for the purging of the filth and guilt of sinne, which lurked in such secret corners, that it was not subiect to his owne view. Who (saith he) can vnderstand his errours? cleanse thou me from my secret faults.