Ilanbiess of heart is " that state in which a sinner is inclined to and actually goes on in rebellion against God. This state evidences itself by light views of the evil of sin; partial acknowledgment and confession of it; frequent commission of it; pride and conceit; in- gTatitude; unconcern about the Word and ordinances of God ; inattention to divine providences ; stifling con- victions of conscience ; shimning reproof; presumption, and general ignorance of divine things."
Keeping the heai-t is " a duty enjoined in the sacred Scriptures. It consists, says Flavel, in the diligent and constant use and improvement of all hoh"- means and duties to preserve the soul from sin, and maintain communion with God ; and this, he properly observes, supposes a previous work of sanctification, which hath Bct the heart right by giving it a new bent and incli- nation. 1. It includes frequent observation of the frame i)f the heart (Psa. Ixxvii, 6). 2. Deep humiliation for heart evils and disorders (2 Chron. xxxii, 2G). 3. Ear- liest supplication for heart purifying and rectifying grace (I'sa. xix, 12). 4. A constant holy jealousy over our hearts (Prov. xxvii, 14). 5. It includes the realiz- ing of God's presence with us, and setting him before us (i'sa. xvi, 8; Gen. xvii, 1). This is, 1. The hardest Work ; heart work is hard work indeed. 2. Constant work (Exod. xvii, 12). 3. The most important work (Prov. xxiii, 26). This is a duty which should he at- tended to if we consider it in connection icith, 1. The honor of God (Isa. Ixvi, 3). 2. The sincerity of our profession (2 Kings x, 31; Ezek. xxxii, 31, 32). 3. The beauty of our conversation (Prov. xii, 20 ; Psa. xlv, 1). 4. The comfort of our soids (2 Cor. xiii, 5). 5. The improve- ment of our graces (Psa. Ixiii, 5, G). 6. The stability of our souls ill the hour of temptation (1 Cor. xvi, 13). The seasons in ivhich u-e should more particularhj Iceep our hearts are, 1. The time of our prosperity (Deut. vi, 10, 12). 2. Under afflictions (Heb. vii, 5, G). 3. The time of Sion's troubles (Psa. xlvi, 1, 4). 4. In the time of great and threatening danger (Isa. xxvi, 20, 21). 5. Under great wants (Phil, iv, G, 7). G. In the time of duty (Lev. x, 3). 7. Under injuries received (Eom. xii, 17, etc.). 8. In the critical hour of temptation (Matt, xxvi, 41). 9. Under dark and doubting seasons (Ileb. xii, 8; Isa. 1, 10). 10. In time of opposition and suffer- ing (1 Pet. iv, 12, 13). 11. The time of sickness and death (Jer. xlix, 11). The means to be made use of to keep our hearts are, 1. Watchfulness (iMark xiii, 37). 2. Examination (Prov. iv, 26). 3. Prayer (Luke xviii, 1). 4. Reading God's Word (.John v, 39). 5. Dependence on divine grace (Psa. Ixxxvi, 11). See Flavel, On Keeping the Heart ; Jamieson, Sermons on the Heart." -^Buck, Theol. Dictionary, s. v.
Hearth is the representative in the Eng. Version of several Heb. words, nx, ach (Sept. t(T;)^a(oa,Yulg. o?-;/- lu), a large ;jof, like a brazier (Gesenius, Thes. p. G9), a portable furnace in which fire was kept in the king's v>-lnter aiiartment (Jer. xxxvi, 22, 28). At the present day the Orientals sometimes make use of such stoves in- stead of fireplaces for warming rooms ; they are called in Persian and Turkish tannur. They have the form of a large pitcher, and are placed in a cavity smik in the middle of the apartment. When the fire has done burning, a frame like a table is placed over the pot, and the whole is then covered with a carpet ; and those who wish to warm themselves sit upon the floor, and thrust their feet and legs, and even the lower part of theii- bodies, under the carpet. "iTS, kiyur', a fire-pan or
small hasin for holding fire (Zech. xii, G ; elsewhere fot roasting in, 1 Sam. ii, 14; or generally for washing, "laver," Exod. xxx, 18, etc.). "^I^l^, moMd', a huni- inff (as rendered in Isa. xxiii, 14), hence a Jar/ot as fuel (" hearth," Psa. cii, 4) ; and from the same root l^p^, yakud' (literally kimUed), a burning mass upon a hearth (Isa. xxx, 14). The Heb. word Thi.'J, uyyoth'; Sept. tyKpvtpiai, refers to cakes baked in the ashes (Gen. xviii, G). These cakes serve in the East at the present day for ordinary food, especially upon journeys and in haste. By the hearth we are to understand, according to the present usage in the East, that a fire is made in the middle of the room, and, when the bread is ready for baking, a corner of the hearth is swept, the bread is laid upon it, and covered with ashes and em- bers; in a quarter of an hour tliey turn it. Sometimes they use convex jjlatcs of iron (Arabic tajen, whence the Gr. r))yavov), which are most common in Persia and among the nomadic tribes, as being the easiest way of baking and done with the least expense, for the bread is extremely thin and soon prepared. See Bread. This iron plate is either laid on, or supported on legs above the vessel sunk in the ground, which forms the oven. See Oven. (Burckhardt, Notes on lied, i, 58 ; P. della Valle, Viayrji, i, 436 ; Harmer, Obs. i, 477, and note ; Rauwolfif, Travels, ap. Ray, ii, 163 ; Shaw, Trav- els, p. 231; Niebuhr, ZJesc?-. de VAraUe, p. 45; Schleus- ner. Lex. Vet. Test. s. v. rljyavov ; Gesenius, s. v. iisy, p. 997). See Fike.