Every institution of purification, under the law, referred to Jesus, the purifier of his people. Old Testament saints received inward purity of heart from the same fountain, Jesus; and through the same means, faith in him. Without this inward purity of heart, "without holiness, no man shall see the Lord." When Jesus comes to his temple, even the hearts of his people, he "sits as a refiner and purifier' Sinners are the objects of his love. Sin is the accursed thing his soul hates. From this he purifies them. In purity and holiness his soul delights: with this he blesses his disciples. He then pronounces them blessed. He tells them wherein their happiness consists: Blessed are you whose hearts are pure blessed are your eyes, for they shall see God.
"Who can bring a clean thing out of an unclean? Not one" of fallen Adam's race. Job 14:4. Such power belongs to God only. Man in no degree effects it. Yet every believing, regenerate man, is the blessed subject of purity and holiness of heart. No glory is due to him; but holy, blessed effects flow from it, to God his Saviour's glory, to his present felicity, and to his eternal comfort and joy. To thy shame, disciple, thou knowest, that being a child of an apostate, sinful parent, sin naturally was the only delight of thine heart.
It is thy present blessedness to be a child of the holy God, a member of the holy Jesus, a subject of the Holy Spirit's new-creating influence, and a partaker of faith. Hence it is natural to thy new-born heart to love holiness, as agreeable to the perfections of thy God and Saviour, and as suitable to thy present state of blessedness in Christ.
Whence those sighs and sorrows at finding the Canaanites still in the land? whence those groans and prayers because sin dwelleth in the flesh? whence those importunate cries and longing requests to Jesus, for total victory and perfect freedom from this troublesome inmate? whence that holy joy and sweet complacency in bringing forth "the fruits of holiness?" These are indubitable evidences that thou art united to a holy Jesus, that thy heart is purified by faith, that thou hast a heart cleansed from sin by Christ's blood. A new heart and a right spirit are put within thee Thou dost see God in Christ now as thy covenant God. Thou hast received covenant blessings from him. Rejoice in him. Shortly thou shalt see him, and enjoy him to all eternity in his kingdom and glory.
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