Section 33

(33.) The Fifth Passage. ¹⁵¹⁷

“This,” says he, “is another text of theirs: ‘Who will boast that he has a pure heart?’” ¹⁵¹⁸ And then he answered this with several passages, wishing to show that there can be in man a pure heart. But he omits to inform us how the passage which he reported as quoted against himself must be taken, so as to prevent Holy Scripture seeming to be opposed to itself in this text, and in the passages by which he makes his answer. We for our part indeed tell him, in answer, that the clause, “Who will boast that he has a pure heart?” is a suitable sequel to the preceding sentence, “whenever a righteous king sits upon the throne.” ¹⁵¹⁹ For how great soever ever a man’s righteousness may be, he ought to reflect and think, lest there should be found something blameworthy, which has escaped indeed his own notice, when that righteous King shall sit upon His throne, whose cognizance no sins can possibly escape, not even those of which it is said, “Who understandeth his transgressions?” ¹⁵²⁰ “When, therefore, the righteous King shall sit upon His throne, . . . who will boast that he has a pure heart? or who will boldly say that he is pure from sin?” ¹⁵²¹ Except perhaps those who wish to boast of their own righteousness, and not glory in the mercy of the Judge Himself.

Footnotes

171:1517

See also his work Contra Julianum. ii. 8.

171:1518

Prov. xx. 9.

171:1519

Prov. xx. 8.

171:1520

Ps. xix. 12.

171:1521

Prov. 20:8, 9.