3 52 Of the Pl fednefs of the Pure in Heart. S E R M. FirII, the qualification, purity in heart. XIII. We find very often in the facred writings, 'The' purity and impurity .applied to the hearts and to the works of men, fignifying moral goodnefs and turpitude ; and the figure is eafily under-flood and very expreffive ; for as outward cleannefs is naturally pleafing to men, and the contrary raifeth a very difagreeable fenfation, fo moral agents having as natu- rally a fenfe of right and wrong, of beauti- ful and deformed, of honeft and vile, in characters and actions, that which is good and virtuous is approved, and that which is evil is difapproved as odious and abominable to all well difpofed minds, efpecially that perfectly holy being who is of purer eyes than that he can behold iniquity. This notion was particularly very familiar to the Jews, (and from the writings of the old teftament is transferr'd to the new) being very much inculcated in their law, which contained fo many ordinances concerning ceremonial un- cleannefs and purification, probably on pur- pofe to teach the Ifraelites, and put them in mind of the malignity of fin, and the necef- fity of forfaking it. Now, it certainly is the heart, compre- hending the will and affeftions, which is the principal feat of purity and impurity in the
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