To keep the heart then, is carefully to preserve it from sin which disorders it; and maintain that spiritual and gracious frame, which fits it for a life of communion with God.
Interpretation
This quote emphasizes the importance of guarding one's heart and maintaining a conducive spiritual state for a relationship with God.
John Flavel's quote highlights the necessity of protecting one's heart from sin, which can lead to spiritual disarray. It suggests that to foster a life of communion with God, one must actively work to maintain a pure and gracious disposition, aligning one's inner state with divine principles.
In practice
In a sermon on spiritual growth, a pastor might quote this to emphasize the need for vigilance against sin.
All the tears of a penitent sinner, should he shed as many as there have fallen drops of rain, since the creation, to this day, cannot wash away one sin. The everLasting burnings in hell, cannot purify the flaming conscience, from the least sin.
All the dark, intricate, puzzling providences at which we were sometimes so offended...we shall [one day] see to be to us, as the difficult passage through the wilderness was to Israel, "the right way to the city of habitation".
Providence is like a curious piece of tapestry made of a thousand shreds, which, single, appear useless, but put together, they represent a beautiful history to the eye.
The carnal person fears man, not God. The strong Christian fears God, not man. The weak Christian fears man too much, and God too little.
Whatsoever we have over-loved, idolized, and leaned upon, God has from time to time broken it, and made us to see the vanity of it; so that we find the readiest course to be rid of our comforts is to set our hearts inordinately upon them.
It is the duty of the saints, especially in times of straights, to reflect upon the performances of Providence for them in all the states and through all the stages of their lives.
Conscience is the internal perception of the rejection of a particular wish operating within us.
If what the heart approves conforms to proper patterns, then even if one's desires are many, what harm would they be to good order?
The American dream is not that every man must be level with every other man. The American dream is that every man must be free to become whatever God intends he should become.
Do I believe in God? Yes I do. When you've had a life like mine, you have to.
Instead of loaves of bread, many times God gives out handfuls of purpose.
How we conduct ourselves in this life will determine what we will be in all the eternities to come. To receive the blessings of the sealing that our Heavenly Father has given to us, we have to keep the commandments and conduct ourselves in such a way that our families will want to live with us in the eternities.
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