The freedom of any thing from foreign admixture; but more particularly it signifies the temper directly opposite to criminal sensualities, or the ascendency of irregular passions. (
See CHASTITY.) Purity implies, 1. A fixed habitual abhorrence of all forbidden indulgences of the flesh.
2. All past impurities, either of heart or life, will be reflected on with shame and sorrow.
3. The heart will be freed, in a great measure, from impure and irregular desires.
4. It will discover itself by a cautious fear of the least degree of impurity.
5. It implies a careful and habitual guard against every thing which tends to pollute the mind.
See Evan's Sermons on the Christian Temper, ser. 23; and Watts's Sermons, ser. 27.