{"collection":"chr","html_url":"https://unchartedknowledge.5gfusion.net/browse/chr/ecf/105/1050372.htm","path":"chr/ecf/105/1050372.htm","source_url":"https://sacred-texts.com/chr/ecf/105/1050372.htm","text":"(36.) The Difference Between the Upright in Heart and the Clean in Heart.\nI suppose, too, that there is a difference between one who is upright in heart and one who is clean in heart. A man is upright in heart when he \u201creaches forward to those things which are before, forgetting those things which are behind\u201d 1537 so as to arrive in a right course, that is, with right faith and purpose, at the perfection where he may dwell clean and pure in heart. Thus, in the psalm, the conditions ought to be severally bestowed on each separate character, where it is said, \u201cWho shall ascend into the hill of the Lord? or who shall stand in His holy place? He that is innocent in his hands, and clean in his heart.\u201d 1538 He shall ascend, innocent in his hands, and stand, clean in his heart,\u2014the one state in present operation, the other in its consummation. And of them should rather be understood that which is written: \u201cRiches are good unto him that hath no sin on his conscience.\u201d 1539 Then indeed shall accrue the good, or true riches, when all poverty shall have passed away; in other words, when all infirmity shall have been removed. A man may now indeed \u201cleave off from sin,\u201d when in his onward course he departs from it, and is renewed day by day; and he may \u201corder his hands,\u201d and direct them to works of mercy, and \u201ccleanse his heart from all wickedness,\u201d 1540 \u2014he may be so merciful that what remains may be forgiven him by free pardon. This indeed is the sound and suitable meaning, without any vain and empty boasting, of that which St. John said: \u201cIf our heart condemn us not, then have we confidence toward God. And whatsoever we ask, we shall receive of Him.\u201d 1541 The warning which he clearly has addressed to us in this passage, is to beware lest our heart should reproach us in our very prayers and petitions; that is to say, lest, when we happen to resort to this prayer, and say, \u201cForgive us, even as we ourselves forgive, we should have to feel compunction for not doing what we say, or should even lose boldness to utter what we fail to do, and thereby forfeit the confidence of faithful and earnest prayer.","title":"Nicene and Post-Nicene Fathers, Vol. V: A Treatise Concer...","type":"page"}