XXXIX. And in addition to what has been
said, it is good with our head cleansed, as the head which is the
workshop of the senses is cleansed, to hold fast the Head of
Christ, Ephes. iv. 16. from which the
whole body is fitly joined together and compacted; and to cast down our
sin that exalted itself, when it would exalt us above our better
part. It is good also for the shoulder to be sanctified and
purified that it may be able to take up the Cross of Christ, which not
everyone can easily do. It is good for the hands to be
consecrated, and the feet; the one that they may in every place be
lifted up holy; 1 Tim. ii. 8. and that they may
lay hold of the discipline Ps. ii. 12. of Christ, lest the
Lord at any time be angered; and that the Word may gain credence by
action, as was the case with that which was given in the hand of a
prophet; Hag. i. 1. the other, that
they be not swift to shed blood, nor to run to evil, Mal.
i. 1 sq.; Prov. i. 16. but that they be prompt to run to the Gospel
and the Prize Phil. iii. 14. of the high
Calling, and to receive Christ Who washes and cleanses them. And
if there be also a cleansing of that belly which receiveth and
digesteth the food of the Word, it were good also; not to make it a god
by luxury and the meat that perisheth, John vi. 27.
but rather to give it all possible cleansing, and to make it more
spare, that it may receive the Word of God at the very heart, and
grieve honourably over the sins of Israel. Jer. iv. 19. I find also the heart and inward parts
deemed worthy of honour. David convinces me of this, when he
prays that a clean heart may be created in him, and a right spirit
renewed in his inward parts; Ps. li. 10. meaning, I think,
the mind and its movements or thoughts.