A mirror that flatters not, or, A looking-glass for all new-converts to whatsoever perswasion, Roman-Catholicks, Conformists, or Non-conformists : that is, certain sermons of St. Bernard translated into English ... : together with a preface of the translator to all new-converts ...

CHAP. XXV. That the Heart is to be cleansed, that God may be seen.

BLessed are the clean of heart, because they shall see God, Mat. 5. v. 8. It is a great promise, Brethren, and worthy to be affected with all our desires. For this vision is our confirmation; as St. John the Apostle says; We are now the Sons of God, but it has not yet appeared what we shall be: We know when he shall appear, we shall be like him, because we shall see him as he is, 1 Joh. 3. v. 2. This vision is Life eternal, as Truth it self says in the Gospel. This is Life eternal, to know thee the only true God, and whom thou hast sent, Jesus Christ, Joh. 17. v. 3. Detestable spot, which takes away from us the beatifying vi∣sion, and execrable negligence, by which we dissemble the cleansing of that eye. For as our corporeal sight is hindred either by some interior humour, or by the injection of some exterior dust: so also the spiritual sight is sometimes troubled by the allurement of our own flesh, and sometimes by worldly curiosity and ambition. Which truly is taught us no less by our own proper experience, than by the Divine Scriptures, where it is written; The Body which is corrupted aggravates the Soul, and the earthly Habitation depresses the Ʋnderstanding, rumina∣ting on many things, Wisd. 9. Yet in both it is sin only which troubles and dims the sight: nor does any thing else seem to separate betwixt the Eye and Light, betwixt God and Man. For as long as we are in this body, we are Pilgrims from God.

Not that the fault is in the Body, to wit, this body of death which we carry about us; but rather because the flesh is the body of sin, in which there is no good thing, but rather the law of sin. Yet sometimes the eye of the body, the mote not still remaining in it, but being now taken, or blown out, seems for a while to see dimly: the which very thing, he who walks spiritually, often experiments in the interior eye. The wound is not therefore cured, because you have drawn out the Sword; but then first it is necessary to apply Plaisters, and endeavour the Cure. Let no man therefore emptying the sink, deem that he is forthwith made clean, but let him know that he needs yet many purifications. Nor must he only be wash'd with water, but also be purged and purified by fire: that he may say, We have passed through fi••e and water, and thou hast brought us out into refreshing, Psal. 65. Blessed therefore are the clean of heart, for they shall see God, Mat. 5. Now indeed through a glass dimly, but hereafter face to face; to wit, when the cleanness of our face shall be consummated that he may exhibit it to himself glorious, having neither spot nor wrinckle.