A guide to godlynesse or a Treatise of a Christian life shewing the duties wherein it consisteth, the helpes inabling & the reasons parswading vnto it ye impediments hindering ye practise of it, and the best meanes to remoue them whereunto are added diuers prayers and a treatise of carnall securitie by Iohn Douname Batcheler in Diuinitie and minister of Gods Word.

CAP. XI.

Of the signes of a pure heart, and the meanes whereby we may both obtaine and preserue it.

§. Sect. 1 Of the inward signes of a pure heart.

ANd these are the causes of a pure heart. The signes whereby we may know whether our hearts bee thus purified or no, are either inward or outward. The inward signes are first the loue of holinesse and purity; for as when our hearts are defi∣led with naturall corruption, we loath sanctitie, and loue and delight in impure lusts, and the pleasures of sinne; so when our hearts are purified by faith, they are chiefly pleased with those things which please God; and louing purity and piety, they delight in the exercises of holi∣nesse and righteousnesse. And therefore when we loue purity and holi∣nesse, it is an euident signe that our hearts are pure and holy, seeing the cause of loue is likenesse; and where there is no similitude, there can be no loue. The second signe is hatred of sinne, which vpon the same ground we naturally loue; especially of those sinnes vnto which our corrupted nature is most inclined, because they most molest and trouble vs, and pol∣luting the heart with their defilements, hinder most our progresse in san∣ctification and holinesse. And thus Paul, when his heart was purified, ab∣horred all corruption, and delighted in Gods Law, hating that sin most, which he did most commit, because, like a Rebell, it warred against the law * 1.1

of his minde, and made him captiue to the law of sinne. The third signe is, our carefull auoyding all meanes and occasions of spirituall pollution: for as he that hath filthy hands, careth not to handle filthy things; but when they are washed cleane, will not willingly touch that which will defile them: so an impure heart shunneth not the occasions and meanes of impurity, be∣cause they cannot make it worse then it is in it owne nature, in the quality, though they may increase the pollution, in respect of the degree, yea, ra∣ther being like filthy hogges, naturally inclined vnto filthinesse, they seeke the occasions of more vncleannesse, and purposely wallow them∣selues in the sinke and puddle of sinne, as often as they haue opportunity of satisfying their carnall lusts. More especially, he that hath a pure heart, delighteth in the company of those who are pure and holy, by whose Chri∣stian conuersation, his purity and sanctification may be more and more increased, and cannot indure the society of the wicked, no not when, like filthy dogs, they fawne vpon him, because he knoweth that the lepro∣sie of sinne is of an infectious and spreading nature, that he who toucheth pitch, shall be defiled with it, and that worldly men most defile, when they most fawne, and doe vs least hurt, when they are farthest from vs.

§. Sect. 2 Of the out∣ward signes of a pure heart.

The outward signes of a pure heart, are the fruits of sanctification and holinesse: for the tree is knowne by the fruits, and the fountaine by the * 1.2 streames that flow from it, whether they be good or euill, for a good tree cannot bring foorth euill fruit, nor an euill tree good fruit, as our Sauiour hath taught vs. If therefore the fruits we beare be pure and holy, it is an euident signe that our hearts be purified and sanctified; if the streames be cleere and sweete, such also is the fountaine from which they spring; and if the coyne wee outwardly spend and vse in our Christian trading one with another, be currant, of pure metall, and the right stamp, then is the treasury of our hearts good, out of which we bring it. More especially, the purity of our hearts appeareth in the purity of our words, when as we de∣light in the language of Canaan, and cheerefully intertaine one another * 1.3 with holy conferences; and when as our speech is powdred with the salt * 1.4 of wisedome, and ministreth grace vnto the hearers, edifying one ano∣ther in our most holy faith. So also pure hands are a signe of a pure heart, being inseparable companions, that alwayes goe together, and both in∣fallible notes of a Citizen of heauen; and the workes of holinesse and * 1.5 righteousnesse are signes of an holy and righteous heart, euen as cleere streames are a signe that the fountaine is pure from which they spring. Whereas if the hands be full of blood, crueltie, and oppression, bribery and extortion, fraud and deceit, it is more then manifest, that our hearts remaine still polluted with fleshly lusts, whatsoeuer profession we make of purity and sincerity.

§. Sect. 3 The meanes of a pure heart, is, highly to esteeme▪ it.

Now when by these signes, as it were, by the pulse, we come to know the state of our hearts, whether they be choaked vp with the grosse humors of sinfull lusts, or inliued and quickened with purity and holinesse, as it were the vitall spirits of grace, which inable vs to the actions of a godly life: in the next place we must carefully vse all good meanes, whereby we may attaine vnto this purity of heart, if we haue it not, or preserue it in vs, if we already haue it. And first, we are to haue it in high esteeme, as being a

most precious iewell, not to be valued with any worldly wealth. For it is the fountaine of loue, from which all true obedience floweth, according to that of the Apostle; The end of the Commandement is loue, out of a pure heart, a good conscience, and faith vnfained. So that if the heart be not pu∣rified * 1.6 by faith, this holy ghest of diuine loue will not lodge in it, without which, we cannot performe any dutie commanded towards God or our neighbour; or if we doe, yet not growing from the roote of loue, it fai∣leth of its end, and consequently is done in vaine. It is the chiefe place of residence where Gods holy Spirit dwelleth, exercizing his vertue, and shewing his diuine power and Maiesty; for if our bodies be the temples * 1.7 of the holy Ghost, then sure our hearts being purified, are the Holy of Ho∣liest, which being his owne peculiar, no man may enter or prie into it; and if we be the habitation of his holy and glorious Maiesty, then is the sancti∣fied heart his priuie chamber, in which he suppeth with vs, and his bed∣camber, * 1.8 in which he lodgeth. It is that pure Cristall Fountaine which purifieth all our actions, making them accepted as white in Gods sight, which in themselues are spotted, and causeth all other gifts of God to bee pure vnto vs; for to the pure, all things are pure, but vnto them that are defiled and vnbeleeuing, is nothing pure, but euen their minde and conscience is defi∣led. * 1.9 Finally, it is this purity of heart, whereby we attaine vnto assurance of blessednesse; according to that of our Sauiour; Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God. And the Psalmist propounding this great question, * 1.10 Who shall ascend into the hill of the Lord? and who shall stand in his holy place? * 1.11 thus resolueth it: He that hath cleane hands and a pure heart, &c. And if thus considering the excellency of this Iewell, we doe esteeme it according to its true value, it will be a notable meanes to attaine vnto it. For accor∣ding to that estimate which we set vpon Gods rich gifts, such is his boun∣ty in bestowing them; if wee thinke them much worth, we shall haue much; if of little value, we shall haue them but in little measure; but if we contemne and neglect them as things of no price, (and as those Ruffians, who obiect purity as an imputation, and esteeme this cleanenesse of heart and hands, the foulest blemish and aspersion,) the Lord will giue vnto vs none at all, but will pronounce against vs that fearefull saying, He that is fil∣thy, * 1.12 let him be filthy still. For he will not cast his Pearles before swine, that will tread them vnder their filthy feete; he will not giue much of his gra∣ces to them, who haue but small esteeme of them; but to those who prize them highly, he will giue them liberally, because the thankefulnesse of their hearts, will hold proportion with that price which their iudgement shall set vpon them. In which respect Dauid was neuer neerer slipping into the puddle of impurity, then when he preferd worldly prosperity be∣fore * 1.13 sanctity and cleanenesse of soule; Neuer was he neerer to a polluted heart, then when he concluded that he had cleansed it in vaine. Besides, the more wee esteeme this purity, the more dearely will wee loue it, and the more earnestly will we labour in the vse of all good meanes, whereby we may be plentifully inriched with it, begging it of God, who is the sole giuer of it, by feruent prayer, and desiring that he will worke it in our hearts by his holy Spirit. And so the Lord, liberall in himselfe to bestow his gifts vpon them who esteeme them, wil giue this purity vnto vs with a

much more bountifull hand, hauing freely bound himselfe heereunto by his gracious promise, that if we aske, we shall haue, and if we seeke, we shall find, * 1.14 the Lord being as ready to blesse the meanes, that they may bee effectuall to their ends, as we can be to vse them.

§. Sect. 3 Of the mani∣fold euils accompany a polluted heart.

On the other side, let vs consider of the manifold euils which doe ac∣company an heart that is polluted and defiled with sinne; for it maketh * 1.15 all appearances of graces, though neuer so excellent, to be nothing lesse in truth, and but sole semblances and shewes, wherein is nothing but meere hypocrisie. Our humiliation, like Ahabs, which was not in the heart, but onely in the outward habit; and like the Israelites, who hanged downe their heads like a bulrush, and afflicted their soules, onely in the * 1.16 day of their fast, their hearts remaining full of pride and crueltie. Our zeale, like Iehu's, who destroyed Idolatry, to build vp his owne kingdome. * 1.17 Our obedience, like Herods, which was but to the halues, and only so farre as would stand with his carnall lusts. Our profession and following Christ, like that of Iudas, which was no further then he saw it would stand * 1.18 with his ambition and couetousnesse. Our bounty, in the workes of mer∣cie, like that of Ananias, which was to be praised of men, and not to bee approoued of God. It maketh our prayers vnacceptable to God; for if we regard wickednesse in our hearts, the Lord will not heare vs. It polluteth all * 1.19 our actions, as the corrupted fountaine polluteth all the streames that issue from it; and maketh all the creatures to become vncleane; for vnto them * 1.20 that are defiled and vnbeleeuing, is nothing pure, but euen their minde and con∣science is defiled. Finally, it prophaneth all our vowes of holinesse, and ma∣keth all our desires, resolutions, and indeuours to leade a godly life, vn∣settled, fickle, and vnconstant, like vnto the burning of an ague, which proceedeth not from naturall heate, but from distemper, and therefore endeth in vnnaturall coldnesse, the harbinger of death. For these flush∣ings and flashings of deuotion, are not caused with that kindly heate of diuine loue, but with the scorching fire of blinde and distempred zeale, kindled with selfe-loue and worldly respects, and therefore last no longer then they last. Whereof it is, that the righteousnesse which is grounded on it, is like a goodly house without a foundation, which falleth to the ground, when the tempest of tryall ariseth; like the Cake, of which the Pro∣phet * 1.21 speaketh, which though it may seeme outwardly scorched, and more then enough, yet is it not halfe baked, and therefore heauy, and not to be disgested by Gods stomake; and as the morning dew or cloud, which va∣nisheth away, and like the blade, springing from the seede sowne in stony ground, which for want of earth and moisture withereth, when the sunne of affliction and persecution riseth.

§. Sect. 4 The second meanes of a pure heart is a liuely faith.

And these are the arguments which may mooue vs to esteeme and seeke after a pure heart, and to hate and auoide the contrary. Now when our * 1.22 hearts are inflamed with the loue of it; the meanes to obtaine it, is a liue∣ly and iustifying faith, which purifieth the heart, as the Apostle speaketh; not by any vertue that is in it selfe, but by applying vnto vs the blood of Christ, which alone is sufficient to purge our hearts from all corrup∣tion, and to kill and crucifie the flesh with the lusts thereof. And there∣fore seeing so long as wee continue in infidelitie, our hearts will also

cintinue in their impurity; this must make vs labour to come out of this estate, and to vse to this purpose, all good meanes whereby this faith may bee begunne and increased in vs. Secondly, let vs wash them in the teares of vnfained repentance, bewailing those sinnes, in which formerly wee delighted, and hating those corruptions, which in time past we loued. And because we cannot at once purge the deepe sinke of our polluted hearts from all their filthinesse, therefore wee must make it our daily worke, and doe it by degrees. And seeing we can∣not in one assault ouercome these cursed Canaanites, we must continually make warre against them, and cast them out one after another, as God by his Spirit shall inable vs. Especially let vs not, out of feare and cowar∣dize, suffer the sonnes of Anakim, our great and Gyant-like corruptions, fortifie themselues in the castle of our hearts; nor let those Agags, which haue ruled and raigned most in vs, liue out of any carnall respects; but let vs euen at the first strike at these maine rootes, which being cut off and plucked vp, many of the branches will die, for want of that sap of bitter∣nesse which they sucked from them; and let vs driue out these master Bees, and whole swarmes of carnall lusts will issue after them.

§. Sect. 5 Of the meanes to preserue the purity of our hearts.

Now when our hearts are thus purified, our next care must bee to pre∣serue them in this purity and cleannesse: for as the cleanest house will ga∣ther soyle, if it bee not sometime swept; and the brightest armour and weapons are apt to take rust, if they be not often scowred and oyled: so much more will our hearts remooue to their naturall vncleannesse, and euen rust againe in their corruptions, if wee once onely take paines to clense them, and afterwards be carelesse to maintaine them in their puri∣tie. First therefore we must keepe a narrow watch ouer our hearts, and as the Wiseman exhorteth, aboue all obseruations, obserue them, that they bee * 1.23 not carried away from God with loose wandrings, and so (Dina-like) be defiled with carnall and worldly lusts. For these spirituall enemies are conquered, but not quite killed; they are beaten and expelled (as it were) out of this city, but not quite banished out of our coasts. For they lye lurking in secret corners, and in ambushment; and no sooner doe we neg∣lect our watch, and leaue the gate of our hearts vngarded, but presently they take the aduantage, and entring into them in whole troopes, they surprize them at vnawares. And therefore it behooueth vs to keepe daily our watch strong, and to nourish and preserue the garrison of Gods graces in vs, that they may either bee discouered and defeated before they ap∣proach, or be repelled and beaten backe in their first assaults. For if with loose Christians we neglect this watch and gard, and let our hearts roue after worldly lusts, and suffer them at pleasure to ryot in them; if we keepe them vnder no gouernment, but suffer them like masterlesse men, to wander at their pleasure, we shall neuer reserue them for Gods vse, nor fit them for his seruice: But like loose vagrants vnaccustomed to worke, it will be death vnto them to take any constant paines, saue onely by fits and starts; and when we would settle them to prayer, hearing, reading, and meditation, with such like holy exercises, they will by no meanes bee kept in, vnlesse they be held strictly in their bounds by the strong chaine of some sharpe afflictions, but euery hand-while, they will start aside, and

according to their accustomed course, wander abroad after worldly vani∣ties. Whereas if we keepe a carefull watch ouer our hearts, we shall keepe them from wandring away from God, or when they begin to stray after the pleasures of sinne and worldly vanities, we shall checke them in their course, and bring them backe vnto Gods seruice. We shall be still in rea∣dinesse to repell and beate backe the tentations of Satan, and to keepe out worldly and carnall lusts from entring at all, and so preserue our hearts in their purity from their defilements; or if they haue entred at vnawares, they shall not haue time to fortifie themselues, but being like secret tray∣tors obserued, and (as it were) taken in the watch, we will examine them; and finding out their treason, and that they are come in to defile our hearts, and to betray vs to our spirituall enemies, we will kill and crucifie them, and that pollution which they haue left behind, wee will presently purge away, by renewing our faith and repentance. And thus by this carefull watch we shall either be preserued from receiuing hurt by our car∣nall lusts and the deuils tentations; or if we haue, yet we shall with great ease recouer our losses, when they are no sooner sustained then espied. For these staines of sinne will easily be washed out, if wee take them in hand when they haue first tainted our hearts. Our enemies will without any great danger be beaten out, when they are first entred, and haue had no time to fortifie and intrench themselues. Our wounds, whilest they are greene, will be soone cured; and if assoone as we haue drunke the poyson of sinne and carnall lusts, we presently cast them vp againe, before they haue had time to worke, or vse our antidote of faith and repentance, it will not be able to doe vs any great harme.

§. Sect. 6 The second meanes is to preserue them from all sinne.

Secondly, if we would preserue our hearts in puritie, we must labour to keepe them from all sinne; not onely those raigning and raging lusts, which waste the conscience, and extinguish the vitall spirits, like strong poysons; but euen from those lesser corruptions which most men regard not, thinking no sinne so small that wee may liue in it, nor giuing allow∣ance to the least carnall and worldly lusts. For these also will defile the heart themselues, and make way for the pollution of fouler sinnes, whilest they lessen our care to keepe them out; euen as when the house is already somewhat fouled, men care not greatly though it be fouled more, where∣as when they see it cleane, they more carefully keepe it so from all annoy∣ance. But most especially wee must labour to preserue our hearts pure from those sinnes, with which they haue formerly beene most tainted, and vnto which they are still most naturally inclined. And as men take most care to preuent hereditary diseases; and that they doe not by relapse fall into that sicknesse, out of which they haue newly recouered, because they are more prone vnto them then any other: so also must vve doe in keeping our hearts pure from those speciall corruptions, vvhich haue made them sicke to the death, and haue fearefully hazarded their euerlasting saluation. In time of vvarre vve most strongly man that part of the vvall, vvhich be∣ing vveakest, hath most often beene attempted by the enemie; and if a breach be made, vve keepe it vvith a narrovv vvatch and strong gard, till it bee againe repaired. So the experience of our enemies policie and povver in putting vs often to the vvorst, doth make vs more vigilant and

diligent in our warlike preparations, that we may be able to make resi∣stance. But if our friends, whom we haue formerly loued, and are acquain∣ted with all our secrets, knowing our outgoings and commings in, doe become our enemies, with what care and circumspection doe we preuent their mischiefes, because we know that by their ancient familiarity with vs, they are acquainted with all aduantages? And thus must wee doe in warring with our corruptions, if euer we meane to get victory, and to pre∣serue our hearts from being surprized by them.

§. Sect. 7 The third meanes is, to a¦uoid the occa∣sions of sinne.

Thirdly, we must not only labour to keepe our hearts pure from the sins themselues, with which formerly they haue beene defiled, but also auoid all * 1.24 the occasions and meanes whereby we may be drawne vnto them, hating e∣uen the garment which is spotted with flesh. For as in vaine he fleeth the plague in himselfe, who haunteth the company of those that are infected; as hee fondly shunneth to bee burned, who maketh it his sport to play with fire and gunpowder; and he foolishly protesteth against whoredome, who de∣lighteth in the kisses and wanton imbracement of some common Strum∣pet; So it is in vaine to thinke, that wee can preserue our hearts from the infection of sinne, and from the fire and filth of burning and polluting lusts, vnlesse we shun the meanes and occasions, as well as the corrupti∣ons and sinnes themselues.

§. 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 * 1.25 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 * 1.26 my secret faults.

§. Sect. 9 The fifth meanes is, con∣tinually to be taken vp in ho∣ly exercises.

Lastly, if wee would preserue the purity of our hearts, our care must be to haue them continually taken vp in holy exercises, either about the ge∣nerall * 1.27 duties of Christianity, or the speciall duties of our callings: of the former sort are the diligent and attentiue hearing and reading of the Word, which is a speciall meanes of our sanctification, as our Sauiour no∣teth, and of the strengthening of our faith, by which our hearts are pu∣rified; and also prayer at ordinary times eyther publike or priuate, recei∣uing the Sacrament, holy conferences one with another singing Psalmes, and doing the workes of righteousnesse vnto all, vpon all occasions, and the workes of mercy vnto those, who doe in any respect stand in neede of our helpe: of the other sort are inward eiaculations, and lifting vp our hearts in our secret prayers at all times, and vpon all occasions, and ho∣ly meditations of Gods mercies or our owne miseries, or on the meanes whereby we may be inriched with all grace, and enabled vnto the perfor∣mance of holy duties. For this priuiledge the heart hath aboue all other parts, that whereas they cannot exercise their duties, but when fit oppor∣tunity is offered, as the eare cannot heare the Word, but when it is preached, nor the hand performe workes of mercy, but when it hath meanes to doe them, and fit subiects to worke vpon, the heart needeth neuer to be idle and out of holy exercise: but euen when our bodies are taken vp with the workes of our callings, or honest recreations, wee may * 1.28 on all occasions pray, giue thankes, and exercise our hearts in holy me∣ditations, * 1.29 eyther reioycing in the Lord and his mercies, or sighing and sorrowing in the sight and sense of our owne miseries. And if our hearts be thus exercised, being wholy taken vp with Gods seruice, they will haue no leysure for the imployments of the diuell, the world and the flesh; whereas if they be swept cleane of all spirituall grace and holy duties, the diuell will easily enter with whole swarmes of noysome lusts, and * 1.30 so pollute them at his pleasure with all manner of poysonous abo∣minations.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Rom. 7. 15.
• * 1.2

  Mat. 7. 17, 18.
• * 1.3

  Col. 4. 6.
• * 1.4

  Eph. 4. 29.
• * 1.5

  Psal. 24. 4. & 73. 13.
• * 1.6

  1. Tim. 1. 5.
• * 1.7

  1. Cor. 3. 16. & 6. 19.
• * 1.8

  Apoc. 3 18.
• * 1.9

  Tit. 1. 15.
• * 1.10

  Matth. 5. 8.
• * 1.11

  Psal. 24. 3, 4.
• * 1.12

  Apoc. 22. 11.
• * 1.13

  Psal. 73. 13.
• * 1.14

  Matth. 7. 7.
• * 1.15

  1. King. 21.
• * 1.16

  Esa. 58. 5.
• * 1.17

  1. King. 10. 28.
• * 1.18

  Ioh. 12. 5, 6.
• * 1.19

  Psal. 66. 18.
• * 1.20

  Tit. 1. 15.
• * 1.21

  Hos. 7. 8. & 6. 4.
• * 1.22

  Act. 15. 9.
• * 1.23

  Pro. 4. 23.
• * 1.24

  Iude 23.
• * 1.25

  Psal. 26. 12. Psal. 139, 23, 24
• * 1.26

  Psal. 19. 12.
• * 1.27

  Iohn 17. 17. Psal 119. 9. Rom. 10. 17.
• * 1.28

  1. Thes. 5. 16, 17. 18.
• * 1.29

  Psal. 1. 2.
• * 1.30

  Math. 12. 46.