Vol. 2

:394 ST. LUKE." 44. For every tree is known by his own fruitfor of thorns men do not gather figs, nor of a bramblebushgather they grapes."We may judge of the heart by the works.fruits of a carnal heart are,Theuncleanness, hatred, variance,emulations, wrath, strife, envyings, revellings,&c. Gal. V. 19—21. The fruits of a spiritual heartare love, peace, long-suffering, goodness, faith, meekness,temperance, &c. ver. 22, 23.Good fruits donot consist in fine discourses, nor in some remarkableactions, but in the whole tenor of the life and conversation,when it diffuses the sweet odour of Christ'slife, and makes known the power of his Spirit. Intimes of seducement, we ought earnestly to beg of Goda discerning spirit, attention, prudence, fidelity, knowledge,&c. and, above all, purity of heart, which is necessaryin order to know God and the men of God,and to distinguish that which proceeds from his Spirit." 45. A good man, out of the good treasure ofhis heart, bringeth forth that which is good ; and anevil man, out of the evil treasure of his heart, bringethforth that which is evil : for of the abundance ofthe heart his mouth speaketh."Charity is the source of all good, concupiscencethe origin of all evil. A good heart always makesitself known by the good which proceeds from it,what holy artifice soever humility may use in orderto hide it; all the actions of the life still savouringof the principle which produces them, and ofthe end to which they are directed. The corruptheart, for the same reason, cannot always lieconcealed, what precaution soever hypocrisy takes tothat purpose; because one passion betrays another.