51. What has been said thus far is confirmed by the following passages in the Word:
A good man out of the good treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is good; and an evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is evil: for of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaketh. Luke 6:45; Matthew 12:35. By heart in the Word is meant the will of man; and because from this man thinks and speaks, it is said that of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaketh. Luke 6:45; Matthew 12:35.
By heart in the Word is meant the will of man; and because from this man thinks and speaks, it is said that of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaketh.
Not that which goeth into the mouth defileth a man; but ... that which cometh forth from the heart, this defileth the man. Matthew 15:18.
By the heart here is also meant the will.
Jesus said concerning the woman who washed His feet with ointment, that her sins were remitted, for she loved much. And later He said, Thy faith hath saved thee. Luke 7:46-50.
From this it is evident that when sins are remitted, that is, when they cease, faith saves. That those are called sons of God, and born of God, who are not in the proprium of their own will, and consequently not in the proprium of their own understanding, that is, who are not in evil, and falsity thence derived, and that those are they who believe on the Lord, He Himself teaches in John 1:12-13. For an explanation of this passage in John see above No. 17, at end.
