S42 SERMONS UPON PSALM cxix. [Ser. LXXXYIII.
is made our work, because we work under God: Ps. cxix. 11, ' Thy word have I hid in my heart, that I might not sin against thee ; ' and Prov. vi, 21, 22, ' Bind his commandments upon thy heart ; tie them upon thy neck.' When we look for the deep implanting of the word in our hearts, this is the sound heart here described.
[2.] The efficacy of this word so radicated, and the power and do- minion it hath over the soul to subdue it to the will of Grod, and that is when the heart is transformed into the nature of God: Kom. vi. 11, ' Ye have obej'ed from the heart the form of sound doctrine that was delivered unto you.' When the form of the word is delivered to him, he delivereth up himself to be moulded and assimilated to the nature of it ; as that which is cast into the fire is changed into the colour, heat, and properties of fire. Thus where the word is incorporated and rooted in us, the heart is assimilated to the object seen and discerned therein ; the image of God is stamped and impressed upon us : 2 Peter i. 4, ' Having these great and precious promises, that we might be partakers of the divine nature ; ' and 2 Cor. iii. 18, ' We are changed into his image ' (or likeness) ' from glory to glory, by the Spirit of our God.' Well, then, you see what the sound heart is.
But yet more distinctly, if you would have me untold what this sound heart is, there is required these four things: —
1. An enlightened understanding ; that is the directive part of the soul ; and it is sound when it is kept free from the leaven and con- tagion of error: Prov. xv. 21, 'A man of understanding walketh uprightly.' A sound mind is a good help to a sound heart. Light breedeth an awe of God, and mindeth us of our duty upon all occa- sions : 1 Chron. xxviii. 9, ' And thou, Solomon my son, know thou the God of thy fathers, and serve him with a perfect heart and a willing mind.' First know him, and then serve him. He can never shoot right that taketh his aim contrary. The understanding doth direct all the inferior powers of the soul ; if that be infected with error, the affec- tions must necessarily move out of order. A blind horse may be full of mettle, but is ever and anon apt to stumble ; and therefore, ' With- out knowledge the heart is not good,' Prov. xix. 2.
2. There is required an awakened conscience ; that warneth us of our duty, and riseth uj) in dislike of sin upon all occasions : Prov. vi. 22, ' When thou goest it shall lead thee ; when thou sleepest it shall keep thee ; when thou walkest it shall talk with thee ; ' to have a constant monitor in our bosoms to put us in mind of God ; when our reins preach to us in the night season, Ps. xvi. 7. There is a secret spy in our bosoms, that observes all that we do, and think, and speak, a domestical divine that is always preaching to us ; his heart is his bible. Such an awakened conscience is a bridle before sin, to keep us from doing things contrary to God ; and a whip after sin. If we keep it tender, so it will do. Indeed it is easily offended, but it is not easily pleased ; as the eye, the least dust soon offends it, but it is not so easily got out again. Till men have benumbed their consciences, and brought a brawn and deadness upon their hearts, their conscience, according to its light, will warn them of their danger, and mind them of their duty. It is a great mercy to have a speaking, stirring conscience, otherwise it is stupid and senseless.
VeR. 80.] SERMONS UPOX PSALM CXIX. 343
3. There is required a rightly disposed will, or a steadfast purpose to walk M'itli God in all conditions, and to do what is good and accept- able in his sight : Acts xi. 23, ' He exhorted them with full purpose of heart to cleave to the Lord.' Many have light inclinations or wavering resolutions, but their hearts are not fixedly, habitually bent to please God. Therein chiefly lieth this sound heart, that doth in- separably cleave to God in all things : 1 Chron. xxii. 19, ' Now set jour hearts to seek the Lord God of your fathers.' This is the obe- diential bent, when the heart is set and fixed. So David speaketh of it : Ps. cxix. 112, ' I have inclined my heart to perform thy statutes always to the end.' When the heart is poised this way, not compelled by outward force, but inclined ; and this always, not by fits and starts. Many have good motions, and temporise a little, but their righteous- ness is like the morning dew. Many approve what is good, and condemn themselves for not doing of it, but their hearts are not inclined ; nay, further, they can wish it were better with them, but the heart is not swayed and overpowered by grace. Here is the ground of a cheerful, uniform, and constant obedience, when we do not force ourselves now and then to good actions,' but the heart hath a habitual tendency that way.