_Reason_ 1. Because outward purification and sanctification is nothing worth at all, if it be divided from the inward: for this was the hypocrisie of the Scribes and Pharisees, that are said to have made clean the outside of the cup and of the platter, when within they were full of extortion and excesse, _Matthew 23.15._ 2. Because the operation of the Spirit begins at the soule, and from the soule is derived to the outward man: for as all pollution proceeds first out of the heart, _Matthew 15.19._ so also purification. 3. Because if the soule be once purified within, outward purity will follow of its owne accord, _Matthew 23.26._ 4. Because this purity doth more properly consist in the affection & intention of the soule, then in the outward practise; for the same outward works may be done by impure men; but the ♦faithfull differ from all impure hypocrites by their inward dispositions and affections. ♦ “faithull” replaced with “faithfull” 5. Because the faithfull themselves are oftentimes sustained and receive comfort by the purity which they have within in their will and purpose, though they cannot produce it into act according to their desire, _Romans 7.21,25._ _Use_ 1. This may serve to condemne those that are whited over with the name of Christians, but never look after the purity of their soules: and therefore they may be rightly called whited wals, _Acts 23.7._ and whited Sepulchres, _Matthew 23.27._ 2. _To exhort us_ to use the utmost of our endeavours to purifie our souls, that they may be made the temples of the holy Ghost. Doctrine 13. _This purification is wrought by the hearing of the word, & the effectuall operation of the holy Ghost by the word._ This is gathered from these words: _in obeying the truth through the Spirit_. Where the word of God, especially of the Gospell, is called the truth, partly for that excellency of truth that it hath above all other sayings or writings, and partly because by vertue of the truth or faithfulnesse of those promises which are contained in the word, this purification is wrought, together with all those spirituall blessings, that pertaine to the consolation and salvation of the faithfull. _Reason_ 1. Because the word together with the Spirit doth reveale unto us that true purity which is pleasing and acceptable to God, whereof we are ignorant. 2. Because the word together with the Spirit is the oracle or power of God unto salvation, and consequently is able to beget every grace in us. 3. Because faith purifies the hearts of the faithfull, _Acts 15.9._ and faith comes by hearing of the word, _Romans 10.17._ _Vse_ 1. This may serve _to refute_ the heresies of those, which either hold that there is such power in the strength of nature, that men may sanctifie themselves at their own free will and pleasure, or, which comes all to one, maintaine that the outward preaching of the word is sufficient without the powerfull operation of the Spirit.