The Christians Daily Walk in Holy Security and Peace, Treatise · Chapter 12

The Christians Daily Walk in Holy Security and Peace · Treatise · Chapter 12

p. 316CHAP. XII. Of uprightneſſe.

SECTION 1.

ALL which I ſhall write concerning uprightneſſe, will meet in this point. In your whole walking with GOD, you muſt be upright. Both theſe, to walke with God, and to be upright, are joyned in this precept; llGen. 17. 1Gen 17:1Walke with mee, and bee perfect, or upright. Hee ſpeaketh not of an abſolute perfection of degrees, in the fulneſſe of al graces, which is only aimed at in this life, towards which a man by watchfulneſſe and diligence may come nearer, and nearer; but is never attained untill we come to Heaven, amongſt bbHeb. 22. 2….the ſpirits of i…ſt men made perfect. He ſpeaketh here of the perfection of parts, and of truth of grace in every part, expreſſing it p. 317ſelfe in unfainedneſſe of will and endevour; which is uprightneſſe.

That you ſhould bee ſincere and upright, Reade Ioſh…a 24. 14. 1 Chro. 28. 9. And the Apoſtle telleth you, that cc1 Cor. 5 7, 81 Cor 5:71 Cor 5:8ſith Chriſt Ieſus your Paſſeover is ſlaine, you muſt keepe the ſeven dayes feaſt of unleavened bread (which ſhadoweth forth the whole time of our life here) with the unleavened bread of ſincerity and truth. The examples of ddGen. …. …Noah, eeIob. 1. 1.Job 1:1Iob, ffIoa. 1. 47.Nathaniel, with many others in the Scripture, are therefore written, that of them you may learne to be upright. There is ſpeciall reaſon why you ſhould be upright.

Firſt, Your God with whom1 Reaſons of uprightneſſe. you walke, is ggM…t. 5 4…perfect and upright: hee is truth, hh…ſa 51. 6.Hee loueth truth in the inward parts; all his workes are done in truth; and there was ii1 Pet. 2. 21, 22.1 Pet 2:211 Pet 2:22no guile ever found to be either in the mouth, hand, or heart of your Head Christ Ieſus. Now, you ſhould pleaſe GOD, p. 318and be like your Father, and like your head CHRIST IESVS, following his ſteps.

Secondly, it is to no purpoſe to2 doe that which is right in Gods ſight, in reſpect of the matter of your actions, if in the truth and diſpoſition of your ſoule you bee not upright therein. For the beſt action voyd of uprightneſſe, is but like a well-proportioned body without life and eſſential forme. And that is counted as kkZach. 7. 5, 6.Zech 7:5Zech 7:6not done at all to God, which is not done in uprightneſſe. This exception is taken againſt Amaziahs good actions. It is ſaid, Hee did that which was right in the ſight of the Lord, but hee did it not in uprightneſſe, he did it not with a perfect 2 Chr. 25. 22 Chr 25:2heart.

Thirdly, the beſt actions without3 uprightneſſe, doe not onelyonly loſe their goodneſſe; but in Gods account are held to be abominable evils. Such were the llIſa. 1. 13, 14 Iſa 66. 3.Isa 1:13Isa 1:14Isa 66:3Prayers and Sacrifices of the hypocriticall p. 319Iewes. For GOD holdeth ſuch actions, and ſuch ſervices, to be meere mmPſal. 78. 34, 36, 37.Ps 78:34Ps 78:36Ps 78:37flatterie, lying, and mocking him to his face.

Now, becauſe there is none ſo ready to preſume and ſay, he is upright, as is the hypocrite. So Ephraim; Hoſ 1…. 8.Hos 1:8In all my labours they ſhall finde no iniquitte in mee: that were ſinne. And, becauſe there are none ſo ready to doubt, whether they be upright, as are the tender-hearted and ſincere. So itPſal. 51. 10Ps 51:10 was with David, when he prayed to have a right ſpirit renewed in him. It will be needfull and uſeful that I ſhew you, what uprightneſſe is, and by what infallible marks you may know whether you be upright or no.

Christian uprightneſſe (for ofA deſcription of Chriſtian uprightneſſe. that I meane) is a ſaving grace of the holy Ghoſt, wrought in the heart of a man rightly informed in the knowledge of God in Chriſt, whereby his heart ſtandeth ſo intirely and ſincerely right to Godward, p. 320that in the true diſpoſition, bent, and firme determination of his will, hee would, in every facultie and power of ſoule and body, approue himſelfe to be ſuch a one, as God would have him to be, and would doe whatſoever God would have him to doe, and all as God would have him, and that for and unto God.

The Author of this uprightneſſe is Gods ſanctifying Spirit.

The common nature of it, wherein it agreeth with other graces, is, it is a ſaving grace; It is peculiar to them that ſhall be ſaved: for onelyonly they are indued with it; but it is common to all, and to each of that ſort, who are effectually called.

The proper ſeat of this grace is the will.

The ground or ſpring in man, from whence, through the ſpeciall grace of the holy Ghoſt, it riſeth, is ſound knowledge of God and of his will, touching thoſe p. 321things which the will ſhould chooſe, and refuſe; and from faith in Chriſt Ieſus, the conduitpipe through which everybeleever doth, of his fulneſſe of uprightneſſe, receive this grace to be upright. Herby Chriſtian uprightnes differeth from that uprightneſſe, which may bee in a meere naturall, ſuperſtitious, and miſ-beleeving man, yea, in an heathen Idolater; for even ſuch may be unfained in their actions in their kinde, both in actions civill and ſuperſtitious, doing that which they doe, in their ignorance and blindneſſe, without diſſimulation either with GOD, or man. This S. Paul did before his converſion, hee did as hee Act. 26. 9.Acts 26:9thought he ought to doe.

The forme, and proper nature of uprightneſſe, is the good inclination, diſpoſition, and firme intention of the will to a full conformitie with Gods will, and that, not in ſome faculties and powers of p. 322man, or in ſome of his actions, but, univerſally for ſubject and object, he would be entire and ſincere in all his parts, and in all things; hee would be, and doe, as GOD would have him to be and doe, making Gods will revealed in his Word and Workes, to be his will, and Gods knowne ends to be his ends.

This holy uprightneſſe expreſſeth it ſelfe in three actions▪ two inward, the other both inward and outward.

Firſt, it ſheweth it ſelfe in a **Act 11. 2…. Pſal. 119 5…. 106.Acts 11:2Ps 119:5Ps 119:106well-grounded and unfained purpoſe 1 Three acts in ſeparable from uprightneſſe.and reſolution to cleave to the Lord, and to make Gods will to be his will. This is an act of the will guided and concluded from ſound judgement.

The ſecond act is an unfained deſire and longing of the heart to attaine that his good purpoſe and 2reſolution, willing or deſiring in all Heb. 13. 18Heb 13:18things to live honestly, and to live worthy the LORD in all wellpleaſing; p. 323longing (with David) after Gods precepts. This is an actPſal. 119. 40.Ps 119:40 of the affection of deſire, a motion of the wil, drawing and thruſting a man forward, giving him no reſt, untill he have obtained (at leaſt in ſome good meaſure) his ſaid purpoſe.

Thirdly, uprightneſſe ſheweth3 it ſelfe in a true endevour and exerciſe (according to the ſtrength and meaſure of grace received) to be, and to doe according to the former reſolutions & deſires.Act. 24. 16.Acts 24:16 Such was the Apoſtles indeuour, to have alwayes a conſcience void of offence towards God and towards men. This indevour is an act of the whole man. All and every active power of ſoule and body, as there ſhall be uſe of them, are imployed in unfained indevour.

Now touching indevour, know, there be many thinke they indevour ſufficiently, when they doe not: others, that they doe not, p. 324when yet they doe. The firſt, if they, to the ſluggards longing and wiſhing, doe joyne an outwardSome think they endevour, which doe nor. conformity to the meanes of being made good, as to heare the Word, pray now and then, and receive the Sacraments; and if they doe ſome things which may be done with little labour and difficultie; and if to theſe they adde ſome ſlight and overt aſſaies to abſtaine from ſin, and to doe well, they thinke they indevour much: whereas, if they doe no more, all is to little purpoſe.

For, to indevour, is to iiAct. 24 16Acts 24:16exerciſe What it is to endevour.the head with ſtudy how, and the heart with will and deſire, and the hand and tongue, and the whole outward man to doe their utmoſt, putting to their whole ſtrength, their whole wit their whole skill, & their whole will to ſubdue ſinné, and to bee ſtrengthened in grace, and to be edified, and built up more and p. 325more; moving every ſtone, removing or breaking thorow every let, ſhunning al occaſions of evill, or whatſoever may ſtrengthen ſinne, ſeeking after, and embracing all opportunities and **Phil. 3. 11 14.Phil 3:11meanes to be ſtrengthned in the inward man. If one meanes will not be ſufficient, if there be others to be uſed, they will finde out and uſe them alſo; If they cannot attain their good purpoſes at once, they will try againe and againe. They who indevour indeed, they doe not onelyonly ſeeke to obtaine their ends, but they ſtrive in ſeeking. As hard Students, as good Warriours, and1 Gor. 9. 24 25, 26, 27. Wreſtlers, and as thoſe who run in a race doe, ſo that they may obtaine that which they ſtudie, fight, wraſtle, and runne for. It is not a bare wiſhing and woulding for a fit, or an ordinary ſeeking; but an earneſt **Lu. 13. 24ſtriving to enter in at the ſtreight gate, that giveth admittāce into the way of p. 326holineſſe, and into the kingdome of heaven. It is a ſtudying and exerciſing a mans ſelfe as in a matter of life and death; and as a wiſe man would doe for a kingdome, where there is poſſibility, and hope of obtaining it.

Others, who indeed indevour Some think they indevour not, when yet they doe.to keepe a good conſcience toward God and man, yet, becauſe they cannot bring into act alwayes that which they labour for, or becauſe they ſee overſights, neglects, or ſome faintings in their indevours, they thinke that they indevor to no purpoſe. Whereas, if they doe what they can, according to the ſtrength of Grace received, or according to the condition or ſtate whereinWhat is true indevour. they are, which is ſometimes better, ſometimes worſe; If they ſee their failings in their indevors, & bewaile them, & do aske pardon, reſolving by Gods grace to ſtrive to do better; this is true indevour, this is that which God p. 327for Chriſts ſake doth accept of. For ſith that indevour is a part of our holines, you muſt not thinkeMark. 14. 8Mark 14:8 that it will be perfect in this life; if it be true, you muſt thank God, for he will accept of that.

A mans indevour may be as true, and as much, when yet hee cannot performe what he indevours to doe, as it is at ſome other times, when with the indevour hee hath alſo abilitie to performe. As you may ſee in naturall indevours. The ſame man being well and in health, if hee fall and breake not his armes or legges, he doth both indevour to get up, and doth readily get up; but if he be weake, or if falling breaketh his armes and legges; hee alſo hath a will and deſire to riſe, and aſſayeth to helpe himſelfe with one hand, but it will not do; he tryeth with the other, that alſo will not do it; he in that ca…e is faine to lye untill hee ſee h…pe comming: then he wil call, p. 328and intreate helpe, & when one giveth him the hand, though he cannot riſe of himſelfe, yet hee will lift up himſelfe, as well as he can, and will hang as light upon him that helpeth him as he can poſſibly; yea, ſay a ſtronger then he detaineth him, that he cannot doe as he would, or keepe him downe, if he as ſoone as he can have helpe, will aske it: Doth not this ſame man in his latter condition as truely endevour, as he did in his former? So it is with a ſpirituall man in his ſpirituall endevors. If he aſſay to do what he can, and call to GOD for his helpe, and when he hath it, is glad, and willing to improve it, this is the true indevour, which, concurring with the two former acts, purpoſe, and deſire, giveth proofe of uprightneſſe.

There is a twofold uprightneſſe:A two-fold uprightneſſe. the one of the heart and perſon; the other of the action. I have deſcribed the uprightnes p. 329of the perſon. Then an action is upright, when a man doth not diſſemble, but doth meane as he ſaith, and as the outſide of the action doth import, intending as much as is pretended, whether it be in actions toward God or man. The firſt is, when the heart of man agreeth with, and, in the intention thereof, is according to the will of God. The ſecond is, when the outward act agreeth with, & is according to the heart of him that doth it.

That you may rightly judgeRules to direct how to judge of uprightneſſe. whether you be upright or no: Firſt, take certaine rules for direction, to rectifie your judgement. Then obſerve the markes of uprightneſſe.

Firſt, uprightneſſe being part of Sanctification, is not fully perfect in any man in this life; but is mixt with much hypocriſie conflicting one againſt the other. It hath its degrees, ſomtimes more, ſometimes leſſe; in ſome things duplicate page p. 328duplicate page p. 329p. 330more in ſome things leſſe, according as either part prevaileth in the oppoſition, and according as a man groweth or decayeth in other principall and fundamentall graces.

2. Secondly, a man is not to bee called an upright man, or an hypocrite becauſe of ſome few actions wherein hee may ſhew uprightneſſe, or hypocriſie: For an hypocrite may doe ſome upright actions, in which hee doth not diſſemble; though he cannot be ſaid to doe2 King. 10.2 Kgs 10 them in uprightneſſe, as Iehu and many others have done; for Iehu deſtroied the houſe of Ahab, and the Prieſts of Baal with all his heart And the beſt man may doe ſome hypocriticall and guilefull actions, as (in the matter of Vria… )1 Kin. 15. 51 Kgs 15:5 David did. It is not the having of hypocriſie that denominate than hypocrite, but the reigning of it, which is, when it is not ſeene, not confeſſed, bewailed, and oppoſed.

p. 331A man ſhould judge of his uprightnes, rather by his wil, bent, and inclination of his ſoule, and good deſires, and true indevours to wel-doing in the whole courſe of his life, then by this or that particular act, or by his power to doe. David was thus eſteemed a man according to GODS owne heart, no otherwiſe; rather by the goodneſſe of his generall courſe of his life, &c. then by particular actions: for in many things he offended God▪ and polluted his …oule, and blemiſhed his reputation.

Thirdly, Albeit uprightneſſe …s to bee judged by the upright …tanding of the heart to God…a…d, yet whereſoever upright…eſſe Iam. 2. 18.Jas 2:18is, it will ſhew it ſelfe in mens actions in the courſe of their lives; only obſerve this, that in judging …our actions, you muſt not judge …em ſo much by the muchneſſe, …ad greatneſſe of the quantitie, as …y the soundneſſe, ripeneſſe, and p. 332goodneſſe of the quality. If it bee good in truth, according to the meaſure of grace received, God accepteth it in Chriſt. She hath2 Cor. 8. 12 Mark 14. 82 Cor 8:12Mark 14:8 done what ſhee could, faith our Saviour. A little ſound and true fruit, though weake in compariſon, is farre better than many blades and bloſſomes, yea, then plenty of grapes, if they be wild and ſowre.

SECTION 2. Of the markes of uprightneſſe.

THat you may cōceive more diſtinctly, & may better remember the ſignes of uprightneſſe, I reduce them to theſe heads: They are taken 1. from univerſalitie Signes of uprightneſſe, and whence they are taken.of reſpect to all Gods will. 2. From ſpecialtie and prioritis of reſpect to ſuch things as God requireth ſpecially. 3. From a will p. 333and deſire to pleaſe God in one place as well as another; in ſecret as well as open. 4. From a conſtancie of will to pleaſe GOD at one time, as well as another. 5. From the true cauſes efficient and finall. 6. From the effects that follow well-doing. 7. From the effects that follow evil-doing. 8. From the conflict which ſhall be found betweene uprightneſſe and hypocriſie.Pſal. 119. 6Ps 119:6

Firſt, the upright man is univerſall in his reſpect to the whole will of God.

For firſt, he unfainedly deſirethPſal. 119. 33, 34.Ps 119:33Ps 119:34 and indevoureth to know what manner of man hee ought to be, & what he ought to do. He would know & beleeve any one part of Gods will, ſo farre as it may concerne himſelfe, as well as another: Threats, as well as promiſes, Commandements as well as either; and that not ſome, but all the threats, all the promiſes, and all the Commandement. kkIoh. 3. 21John 3:21Comming p. 334to the light readily, that his deeds may be made manifeſt.

He is willing to know and beleeve, what he ſhould doe, as well as what he ſhould have and hope for. But the hypocrite not ſo, hee winketh with his eyes, and is aaMat. 13. 15 2 Pet 3. 5.Matt 13:152 Pet 3:5willingly ignorant of that ſinne which he would not leave, and of that dutie which hee would not doe, and of that judgement which he would not feele. He is willing to know the promiſes of the Goſpell, but willingly ignorant of the precepts of the Goſpell, and of the condition… annexed to the promiſes.

2. Secondly, His univerſall reſpect to Gods wil, is not onelyonly to know, but todoe, and to ſubmit unto it in all things, willing to leave and ſhun everie ſin; willing to doe everie thing which he knoweth to be his dutie; willing to beare patiently, thankfully, & fruitfully, everie correction wherwith the Lord doth exerciſe him. He diſliketh p. 335ſinne in all. Hee loveth grace and goodneſſe in all. Hee would keepe a good conſcience in all acts of Religion towards God; and in all acts of righteouſneſſe and ſobrietie towards and amongſt men. Hee would forbeare not onelyonly thoſe ſinnes to which his nature is not ſo much inclined, or to which his condition of life affoordeth not ſo manie temptations: but thoſe to which his nature and condition of life doth moſt carrie him, he will croſſ… himſelfe in his deareſt iuſt, namely, his darling and beloved ſinnes; his * owne ſinne, Pſal. 18. 23Ps 18:23as David calleth it. Neither doth he indevour to abſtaine from thoſe vices which may bring loſſe, and are out of credit, which ſome men puniſh, & all men cry ſhame on: but ſuch as through the iniquitie of the times, are in countenance with the greateſt,Dan. 3. 18. Act. 4. 19.Dan 3:18Acts 4:19 and practiſed by moſt; the forbearance whereof may threaten p. 336and procure danger and diſcredit the doing whereof may promiſe and performe much worldly gaine and honour. Moreover, the upright man doth not only ſtrive to doe thoſe holy and vertuous actions which are in credit, and for his advantage in the world; but thoſe alſo which may expoſe him to diſgrace and llDan. 6. 10Dan 6:10loſſe even of his life and livelihood. He would abſtaine as well from leſſe evils, even mm1 Theſ. 5 22.1 Thess 5:22from appearance of evils, as from groſſe ſinnes: And would ſo doe the greater things of the Mat. 13. 19Matt 13:19Law, as not to leave the other undone. But the **Mar. 6. …Mark 6hypocrite not ſo, there is ſome ſin he wil not leave, ſome dutie he will not doe, &c. Follow the oppoſition.

2. Secondly, an upright man is knowne by this. Where GOD hath laid a speciall charge, there he will have a firſt and speciall reſpect to it. As to nnMat. 6. 33Matt 6:33ſeeke the kingdome of God and his righteouſneſſe, that ooLuk. 10. 42.Luke 10:42one thing neceſſary: and to p. 337ſhew a ppGal. 6. 10 Pſal. 16. 2.Gal 6:10Ps 16:2ſpecialty of love to the houſhold of ſaith. To be firſt and moſt at home, reforming himſelfe and his, qqMat. 7. 5. Mat. 23. 23Matt 7:5Matt 23:23pulling out the beame out of his owne eye. To be moſt zealous for matter of ſubſtance in religion, and leſſe in matter of ceremony and circumſtance. Laſtly, his chiefe care will bee to apply himſelfe to a … conſcionable diſcharge of the duties rrLuk. 3. 10 to 1…. 1 The. 4. 12Luke 3:10…f his particular calling; knowing …hat a man hath no more conſcience nor goodneſſe in truth, then …e hath will and deſire to ſhew … in the workes of his particular …ace and calling. The ſſMat. 7. 3. 4, 5. 1 …m. 5. 13 2 The. 3. 11Matt 7:3Matt 7:4Matt 7:5Matt 7:1hypocrite … contrary in all theſe.

Thirdly, the upright man inde…oureth to approve himſelfe to God, … well in ſecret, as openly; as well … the inward man, as in the outward; as well in thought, as in …ord and deed. But it is quiteMat. 6. 2. &c.Matt 6:2 …therwiſe with the hypocrite, if … may ſeeme good to men, it is … he careth for.

Fourthly, the upright man is p. 338conſtant▪ his will is that he might ttAct. 24. 16Acts 24:16alwayes pleaſe God. He doth as well bethinke himſelfe how to doe well in proſperity, as in adverſity, and even then ſtudieth how to be able to hold out before God, if his ſtate ſhould alter. I do not meane ſuch a conſtancy as admitteth of no intermiſſions or ſtoppages in the open courſe of his life. A conſtant running ſpring may betweene two hils be ſtayed in his courſe for a time, by damming it up; yet the ſpring will approve it ſelfe to run conſtantly; for it wil be ſtil thruſting to get thorow, or get under; or, if it can doe none of theſe, it will raiſe it ſelfe in time (according to its ſtrength) and get over all lets, and will beare down all before it, and will run with a more full ſtreame afterwards, by as much as it was before interrupted; ſo it is with an upright ma…. But the hypocrite is but by fi… and ſtarts; as he ccIob 27. 10.Job 27:10calleth not on Go… p. 339at all times, ſo it is with all other his goodnes, it is but as the ddMat. 13. 21, 22. Hoſ. 6. 4.Matt 13:21Matt 13:22Hos 6:4corne in ſtony ground, and amongſt thornes, and as a morning dew, it endureth but for a ſeaſon.

Fifthly, An upright man is known by the cauſes from which all his good actions ſpring, and to which they tend, for theſe two, the efficient, and the end, denominate the action.

1. That which cauſeth the upright man to endevour to keepe a good conſcience alway, is an inward principle and power of grace, cauſing him through faith in qqIoh. 15. 2. 5.John 15:2John 15:5Chriſt, in and from whom, as from the roote of all grace, he bringeth forth fruit; and from rr1 Cor. 9. 16, 17, 18. 2 Cor. 5. 14▪1 Cor 9:161 Cor 9:171 Cor 9:182 Cor 5:14love, and ſſGen. 42. 18.Gen 42:18feare of God, and from tt2 Cor. 2. 17.2 Cor 2:17conſcience of the Commandement to doe the will of GOD. Not onelyonly feare of wrath, and hope of reward cauſeth him to abſtaine from evill, and doe good; but chiefly love of God, and conſcience of duty. p. 340Now, if you would know when you obey out of conſcience of the Commandement, and fromWhen a man obeyeth of conſcience and love to Chriſt. love of Chriſt; conſider, 1. whether your heart and minde ſtand ready preſt to obey every of Gods Cōmandements which you know, as well as any, and that becauſe uuIam. 2. 11Jas 2:11the ſame God which hath given one, hath given all. If yea, then you obey out of Conſcience. 2. Conſider what you doe, or would doe, when Chriſt, and his true Religion, and his Commandements goe alone, and are ſevered from all outward credit, pleaſure and profit. Doe you? or will you then cleave to Chriſt, and to the Commandement? Then love of Chriſt, feare of God, and conſcience of the commandement was and is the true cauſe of your weldoing; eſpecially, if you will and indev our all this, when that all theſe are by the world cloathed with perill & contempt. 3. Conſider whether you can goe on in the p. 341ſtrict courſe of godlineſſe alone, and whether you reſolve todoe it, though you ſhall have no company, but all or moſt goe in the way of ſinne, and withall perſwade thereunto. When you wil walke with God alone, without ether company, this ſheweth that your walking with God is for his ſake. So walked hhGen. 7 1Gen 7:1Noah, and ii1 Kin. 19. 14. What is the cauſe of hypocrites weldoing.1 Kgs 19:14Eliah, as he thought.

But the cauſe of an hypocrites well-doing is onelyonly goodneſſe of nature, or good education, or meere civility, or ſome common gifts of the ſpirit, alſo ſelfe-love, ſlaviſh feare onelyonly, or the like. See this in ll1 Kin. 21. 27.1 Kgs 21:27Ahabs repentance, in mm2 Kin. 10▪ 16.2 Kgs 10:16Iehu his zeale, and Ioaſh his goodneſſe. Ahabs humiliation was only from a ſlaviſh feare of puniſhment. The zeale of Iehu was only from earthly ioy, and carnall policy: for had it beene in zeale for God, he would as well have put downe the Calves at Dan and Bethel, as to ſtay the Prieſts of Baal. p. 342And the goodnes of Ioaſh, it was chiefly for Iehoiada's ſake whom he reverenced, and to whom he held himſelfe beholding for his kingdome, and not for Gods ſake. For the Scripture ſaith, that after Iehoiadans death, his Princes ſollicited him, and hee yeelded and fell to Idolatry, and added2 Chro 24 6. 17, 18. 20. 21.2 Chr 24:62 Chr 24:172 Chr 24:182 Chr 24:202 Chr 24:21 this alſo, he commanded Zechariah the High Prieſt, Iehoiada's ſonne to be ſlaine, becauſe hee in the name of the Lord reproved him for his ſinne.

Secondly, the upright mans actions, as they come from a good beginning, ſo they are directed to 1 Cor. 10. 31.1 Cor 10:31a good end; he propoundeth the pleaſing of God, and the glory of his Name, as the direct, chiefe, and utmoſt end; not as if a man might not have reſpect to himſelfe, and to his neighbour alſo, propounding to himſelfe his owne and his neighbours good, as one end of his actions, ſomtimes: but theſe muſt not bee propounded p. 343either onelyonly, or chiefly, or as the fartheſt and utmoſt marke, but onelyonly as they are ſubordinate to theſe chiefe ends, and doe lye directly in the way to procure Gods glory. For ſo farre forth as a mans health, and well-fare both of body and ſoule, lyeth directly in the way to glorifie God; hee may in that reſpect ayme at them in his actions. Our Saviour Chriſt in an inferiour and ſecondary reſpect, aymed at his owne glory, and at the ſalvation of man in the worke of mans redemption.Ioh. 17. 1.John 17:1 When he ſaid, Glorifie thy Son; and prayed that his Church might be glorified; here he had reſpect unto himſelfe, and unto man; But when he ſaid, that thy Sonne may glorifie thee; here he made Gods glory his utmoſt end, and the only marke which for it ſelfe hee aymed at.

The upright mans ayme at his owne, and at his neighbours goods, is not for themſelves, as if p. 344his deſire ended there; but in reference to GOD the chiefe Good, and the higheſt end of all things.

Indeed, ſuch is GODS wiſedome and goodnes, that he hath ſet before man, evill and good: Evill, that followeth upon diſpleaſing and diſhonouring him by ſinne, that man might feare and avoyd ſinne; Good and recompēce of reward, that followeth upon faith and indevour to obey, that he might hope, and be better induced to beleeve and obey. This GOD did, knowing that man hath need of all reaſonable helps to affright him from evill, and to allure him to good. Now, God having ſet theſe before man, man may and ought for theſe good purpoſes to ſet them before himſelfe. Yet the upright man ſtandeth ſo ſtraight, and onelyonly to God, that (ſo farre as he knoweth his owne heart) he thus reſolved, that if there were p. 345no feare of puniſhment, nor hope of reward: if there were neither Heaven or Hell, he would indevour to pleaſe and glorifie GOD, even out of that duty hee oweth to him, and out of that high and awful eſtimation which he hath of Gods Soveraigntie, and from that entire love which hee beareth unto him. He that ordinarily in doing of common and earthly buſineſſe (though they concerne his owne good) hath a will to doe them with an heavenly mind, and to an heavenly end principally, certainly hee ſtandeth well and uprightly reſolved, albeit, intemptations and feares he doth not alwayes feele the ſaid reſolution.

But the hypocrite not ſo; hee Mat. 6. 2. 5. 16.Matt 6:2Matt 6:5Matt 6:16onelyonly or chiefly aymeth at himſelfe, and in his aime ſerveth himſelfe in all that he doth. If he looke to GODS will and glory, as ſometimes he wil pretend, he maketh that but the by, and not the main: p. 3462 King. 10. 16.2 Kgs 10:16he ſeeketh Gods will and glory not for it ſelfe, but for himſelfe; not for Gods ſake, but for his owne. Thus did Iehu.

Sixthly, An upright man may know hee is upright, by the effects that follow upon his welldoing.

Firſt, his chiefe inquiry is, and hee doth obſerve, what good commeth by it, and aaPhil. 1. 12 20.Phil 1:12what glory God hath had or may have; rather then what earthly credit and benefit hee hath gotten to himſelfe. Or if this latter thruſt in it ſelfe before the other (as it will oft-times in the beſt) he is greatly diſpleaſed with himſelfe for it. The hypocrit not ſo▪ all that he harkeneth after, & is pleaſed with, after hee hath done a good deed, is what applauſe it hath amongſt men, &c.

Secondly, when an upright man hath done a prayſe-worthy action, he is not puft up with pride, and high conceit of his owne worth, glorying in himſelfe; p. 347but hee is humbly thankefull unto God. Thankefull, that God hath enabled him to doe any thing with which he will be wel-pleaſed, and accept as well done. Humble and low in his eyes, becauſe of the manifold failings in that good worke, and becauſe he hath done it no better; and becauſe whatſoever good hee did, it was by the grace and power of God, not by any power of his own. Thus David ſhewed his uprightneſſe 1 Chr. 29▪ 13, 14.1 Chr 29:131 Chr 29:14in that ſolemne thankſgiving, when hee ſaid, But who am I, and what is my people, that wee ſhould bee able to offer ſo willingly after this ſort, &c? But it is otherwiſe with the Hypocrite: For either hee aſcribeth all the glory of his good work to himſelfe; or if he ſeeme to be thankfull, it is with a proud thankefulneſſe, like that of the proud Phariſe, Luk. 18. 11Luke 18:11accompanied with diſdaine of others, which in his opinion doe not ſo well as himſelfe.

p. 348Thirdly, the upright man having begun to do well, doth not ſet downe his reſt there; but ſtriveth to doe more, and to be better: hee with the Apoſtle forgetteth Phil. 3 13, 14, 15.Phil 3:13Phil 3:14Phil 3:15what is behinde, looking to what is before, not thinking that yet he hath attained to that he ſhould doe. So many as are indeed perfect and upright, doe thus. But the hypocrite, if he have ſome flaſh of common illumination, and ſome little taſte of thoſe things that concerne the kingdome of heaven, and hath attained to aforme of godlineſſe, hee thinketh that he hath enough, and needeth nothing. So did Laodicea.Rev. 3. 17.Rev 3:17

Seventhly, The upright man, and the hypocrite are differenced by their different affections and carriages, after that they are fallen into ſinne. For in many things we ſinne all. As the upright man didIam. 3. 2.Jas 3:2 not commit his ſinne with that full conſent of wil, and with that dexterity, which the hypocrite p. 349may doe, and oft doth; but alwaies with ſome reluctation and oppoſition of will (though not alwayes felt and obſerved) in ſo much that hee can ſay, It was not Rom. 7. 15. 17.Rom 7:15Rom 7:17hee, but ſinne that dwelt in him: ſo after he is fallen into ſinne, when hee hath meanes to make his ſin knowne to him, bbIob. 31. 33.Job 31:33hee doth not hide, excuſe, or defend his ſinne; or if he doe, it is but ſeldome in compariſon, and but faintly, and not long, his ccIob. 40. 3, 4. Iob 42. 3▪ 6.Job 40:3Job 40:4Job 42:3Job 42:6conſcience ſmiting him when he doth it, or quickly after it.

An upright man will not be much or long angry with any, that ſhall admoniſh him of his ſinne, yea though an enemy ſhall by malicious railing cal his ſinne to remembrance, as Shemei did2 Sam. 16. 10, 11, 12.2 Sam 16:102 Sam 16:112 Sam 16:12 to David, even therein hee can ſee God, and can for the moſt part abſtaine from revenge, and will worke his heart to godly ſorrow for his ſinne. But if any1 Sam. 25 32, 33.1 Sam 25:321 Sam 25:33 like Abigail ſhall, in wiſedome p. 350and love; admoniſh him, he bleſſeth God that ſent him, or her, he bleſſeth and maketh good uſe of the admonition, and doth bleſſe the admoniſher, and doth take it for a ſpeciall kindneſſe. Thus David, a man according to Gods owne heart, as hee bewrayed humane frailtie in his many and great fals; ſo he gave cleare proofe of his uprightneſſe, ſooner, or later, by his behaviour after his fals: He could ſay, and his repentance did prove it, that though, to his griefe and ſhame, ſometimes hePſa. 18. 21.Ps 18:21 departed from God; yet hee did not wickedly depart from GOD. Though upright men be tranſgreſſors, yet they are **Pſal. 59. 5Ps 59:5not wicked tranſgreſſors; there is great difference betweene thoſe two: For, though there be evill in their actions, yea in ſome of them filthineſſe; and groſſe iniquity, yet Eze. 24. 13.Ezek 24:13in their filthineſſe is not lewdneſſe, as God complaines of Iudah, that is, they are not obstinate and rebellious, p. 351ſtanding out againſt the meanes of purging and reclaiming them. For when God doth purge them by the rod of his mouth or hand, in admonition, and correction, they are willing to reforme whatſoever is diſcoveredIob. 42. 6.Job 42:6 to be amiſſe.

Moreover, Although the upright man may be oft drawne into a way that is not good, and often through his weakneſſe and heedleſneſſe, like the ſheepe, may fall into a ſtate that is not good; yet hee doth not ſet himſelfe in a Pſa. 36. 2, 3, 4.Ps 36:2Ps 36:3Ps 36:4way that is not good: nor yet like the ſwine, delighteth to wallow and lye in it. When an upright man is fallen, & is recovered out of his ſpirituall ſwoone, when he is well come to himſelfe, hee is like a man ſenſible of his bones broken or out of joynt; he is not well, nor at quie, nor his owne man, untill he have confeſſed his ſinne, repented of it, asked pardon and grace, and made his p. 352peace with GOD; even, untill he be well ſet and in joynt again. An upright-man is likewiſe like the needle of the Sun-Dyall, or of the Marriners Compaſſe, which may by violent motion, and joggling, ſometimes ſwerve to the Weſt, ſometimes to the Eaſt; but ſtandeth ſteady no way but toward the North, and if it be truely touched with a true Loadstone, hath no reſt but in that one North point; ſo an upright man may, through boyſtrous temptations, & ſtrong allurements, ofttimes looke toward the pleaſure, gaine, and glory of this preſent world: but becauſe hee is truely touched with the ſanctifying Spirit of God, he ſtill hangeth, and inclineth to God-ward; and hath no quiet, untill hee ſtandeth ſteadie towards Heaven. But it is not ſo with the Hypocrite: Hee is in each particular directly contrary. I leave the full and particular application thereof to your ſelfe to p. 353enlarge; for having much to write, I abbreviate as much as I may, without obſcurity and defect.

Eighthly, You ſhall finde the moſt evident marke of uprightneſſe from your ſenſe of hypocriſie in you, and from your conflict Gal. 5. 17.Gal 5:17with it: The upright man is ſenſible of a great deale of hypocriſie, and guile in his heart: Yea, ſoPſa 51. 10.Ps 51:10 much, that oft-times hee doth make a queſtiō whether he have any uprightneſſe; and untill hee have brought himſelf to due triall by the ballance of the Sanctuary (the Word and Goſpell of Chriſt) he doth feare he is an hypocrite. But there is nothing which hee would oppoſe more, nothing which hee complaineth of, or prayeth to GOD more againſt, than this hypocriſie, nor is there any thing that he longeth after, …aboureth and prayeth for more, then that he might love and ſerve the Lord in ſinceritie: This was p. 354the Apostles chiefe care, that hee might approve himſelfe to be upright. All this plainly ſheweth1 Cor. 9. 26, 27.1 Cor 9:261 Cor 9:27 that this man would be upright; which thing to will, is to be upright. The hypocrite contrariwiſe, hee neglecteth to obſerve his guile, and hollow-heartedneſſe in the things he doth; or if hee cannot but ſee it, hee is no… much troubled at it; but ſuffereth it to raigne in him: And as hee boaſteth of his good actions, ſo likewiſe of his good heart, and good meaning in all that he doth (except when his lewdneſſe and hypocriſie is diſcovered to his face) flattering himſelfe in his owne Pſal. 36▪ 2.Ps 36:2wayes, till his iniquitie is found to be hatefull.

Before I leave this, I will anſwerQueſtions touching judging of uprightneſſe by theſe marks. Queſt. a queſtion or two, concerning judging of uprightneſſe by theſe markes.

Firſt, whether an upright man may at all times diſcerne his uprightneſſe by theſe or any other markes.

p. 355Ordinarily, if he will impartially compare himſelfe with theſe evidences, he may. But as ſometimes it ſo happeneth that he cannot: namely, in the caſe of ſpirituall In what caſes uprightneſſe is hardly diſcerned.deſertions, when God, for his neglect of keeping his peace with him, is hid from him for a time, & when in his diſpleaſure he looketh angrily, and writeth bitter things againſt him. Likewiſe, when he is in ſome violent and prevalent temptation, and thereby caſt into a kind of Spirituall ſwoone, and in ſuch like caſes. But a man muſt not judge himſelfe to be dead, becauſe whē he is aſleepe, or in a ſwoone, he hath no feeling, or ſenſe of life.

Whether is it neceſſary, that aQueſt. man ſhould finde all theſe marks of uprightneſſe in him, if hee be upright?

No. Albeit if he were in caſeAnſw. to judge himſelfe, and try himſelfe thorowly, he might finde them all in him, yet if hee finde p. 356moſt, or but ſome of theſe, he ſhould ſtay himſelfe upon thoſe, untill he finde the reſt.

Take heed that you doe not asA Caution in iudging of any grace by many markes. many hearers, and many readers doe, when they heare and ſee many ſignes given of this, or any other needfull grace; If they cannot approove themſelves by all, they will make a queſtion whether they have the grace or no. One may give you twenty ſignes of naturall life, as Seeing, Hearing, Talking, Breathing, &c. What though you cannot prove your life by all? yet if you know you feele, or breath, or moove, you know you are alive by any one of theſe.

What is to be done when youQueſt. cannot now finde that you are upright, wheras heretofore ſomtimes you did hope that you were?

Doe not preſently conclude you Anſw.are an hypocrite; but looke backe unto former proofes of uprightneſſe. p. 357And though you have for the preſent, loſt your evidence and aſſurance of Heaven, yet give not over your poſſeſſion of what you have, nor your hope. A man that hath once had poſſeſſiō of houſe and lands, if his ſtate be queſtioned, will ſeeke out his evidence: and, ſuppoſe that he hath laid aſide, or loſt his evidence thereof; yet hee is not ſuch a foole as to give over his poſſeſſion, or his right: but will ſeek till he finde his evidences, or if he cannot find them, will ſearch the Records, and get them forth thence. So muſt youPſa. 51. 12.Ps 51:12 in this caſe, you muſt ſeeke for your evidence againe. And intreat your Lord that he will pleaſe to give you a new Copie out of his Court-rou… in Heaven, wherein both your name, & uprightneſſe is written. Howſoever, **Act. 11. 23Acts 11:23**Iob 13. 15, 16.Job 13:15Job 13:16cleave faſt to God and to his promiſes. Reſolve not to dare to ſinne wittingly, nor yet to give over your indevour to walke in his wayes; p. 358and you ſhall not be long, before you ſhall know that you be upright: or if you attain not to this, yet be ſure the LORD will know 2 Tim. 2. 19.2 Tim 2:19you to be his, though you doe not ſo certainely know that hee is yours. But of this more, when I ſhall ſpeake of peace of Conſcience.

But in trying my uprightneſſe▪ Reply.I finde many of the ſignes of hypocriſie in me. I doe not finde my ſelfe to be ſo univerſall in my reſpect to all Gods Commandements as I ſhould; I doe not hate all ſinnes alike, I finde my ſelfe inclined to ſomeſinne more than other, and I am readier to neglect ſome dutie than other: I cannot ſo throughly ſeeke GODS Kingdome as I ſhould; I am readier to finde fault with others, than to amend my owne, &c. I finde that I am not ſo conſtant as I ought to be in good duties, and I have too much reſpect to my ſelfe in all that I doe, and too little to Gods glory: In reading p. 359all the notes of hypocriſie, except the laſt, I finde hypocriſie, nay much hypocriſie to be in mee: Muſt I not therefore judge my ſelfe to be an hypocrite.

No. For truth of uprightneſſeAnſw. may bee in the ſame perſon, in whom there is ſenſe of much hypocriſie: Nay this, to feele hypocriſie with diſlike; argueth truth of uprightneſſe. Indeede if you felt not thus much, you might feare you were not upright. All that you have ſaid (if it be true) onelyonly proveth that you have hypocriſie remaining in you, and that you feele it. You muſt remember that I told you, that not the having, but the raigning of hypocriſie maketh an hypocrite. Beſides, a man may have an univerſall reſpect to all Gods Commandements, and yet not an equall reſpect to all: If you ſee and bewaile your ſinne, and fight againſt your hypocriſie when you feele it, aſſure your ſelfe you are no hypocrite.

p. 360What if a man finde indeed by theſe notes of hypocriſie, that it doth raigne in him?Queſt Anſw.

He muſt know that he is for the preſent hated of God, and in a damnable estate, yet his ſtate is not desperate. If the hypocrite forſake his hypocriſie & become upright, he ſhall not dye for his hypocriſie: if this be true of a ſinners for ſaking of all ſinne, then, it is true of this in particular, of forſaking his hypocriſie: but in the uprightneſſe wherein he liveth, he Ezek. 18. 21. 22.Ezek 18:21Ezek 18:22ſhall live. What Chriſt ſaid to Hypocriticall & Luke-warme Laodicea, that I ſay to all ſuch: they muſt be zealous, they muſt amendRev. 3. 19.Rev 3:19 and be upright: hypocrifie is as pardonable as any other ſinne, to him that is penitent, and that beleeveth in Chriſt Ieſus, Iſaiah 1. 11. 16 18.

By this which I have written, you may plainly ſee, (1) That you ought to be upright: (2) What it is to be upright: (3) p. 361Whether you be upright or no. It concerns you therfore to hate and avoyd hypocriſie, and to love and imbrace ſinceritie. Which that you may doe; make uſe of theſe motives and means which follow in the next Sections.

SECTION 3. …ouching diſſwaſives from Hypocriſie, and motives to Vprightneſſe.

IF you would abandon hypocriſie,Diſſwaſiv▪ from thee vil… of hypocriſie where it raigneth▪ conſider the diſſwaſives …ken from the evills and miſ…efes that accompany it where …raigneth. And how trouble…e and noyſome it is, where it is, …ough it raigne not.

Firſt, Hypocriſie taketh away the goodneſſe of the best actions. …ey are good onelyonly in name … in deed. The repentance and …dience of an hypocrite is none, p. 362becauſe it is fained, his faith is no faith, becauſe it is not unfained; his love no love, becauſe it is not 1 Tim. 1. 51 Tim 1:5from a pure heart without diſſimulation. Conceive the like of all other the graces and good actions of an hypocrite.

Secondly, All the goodneſſe Luk. 13. 25 Mat. 7. 22. Mat. 25, 11 12.Luke 13:25Matt 7:22Matt 25:11and actions of an hypocrite, are together with himſelfe wholly lost. Such as Preaching, Hearing, Praying, Alms-giving, Building of Hoſpitalls, Colledges, Bridges, &c.

Thirdly, hypocriſie (in whom it raignes) doth not onelyonly take away all goodneſſe from the beſt gifts and actions, and cauſe the loſſe of all reward from GOD, but it p…yſoneth and turneth the Iſa. 66. 3.Isa 66:3beſt actions into most loath ſom… and abominable ſinnes: Inſomuch that in thoſe good works wherin the hypocrite ſeemeth to mak… haſte to Heaven, he doth run pos… to Hell. For ſuch allowed hypocriticall holineſſe is aaRev. 3. 15Rev 3:15worſe tha… p. 363profeſſed wickedneſſe; it is ſo odious in GODS eyes, and noſtrels, that for it he will plague thoſe, in whom it ruleth, with his ſevereſt judgements. For the hypocriſie of men profeſſing the truth, doth bring bbRom. 2. 24.Rom 2:24the name, religion, and beſt ſervices of God into diſgrace and contempt; and cauſeth the beſt actions and beſt men to be ſuſpected. For ſuch as have not ſpiritual wiſdome to judge rightly, doe ſtumble hereat, and forbeare the ſaid good actions, and exerciſes of Religion, and the company of thoſe that be religious, ignorantly judging all of that Religion to be ſuch. Beſides, Hypocriſie is high treaſon againſt God; for it is a guilding over, and ſetting the Kings ſtampe upon baſe mettall. It isPſal. 78. 36Ps 78:36 tempting and mocking of God to his face. A ſinne ſo abominable, that his holy juſtice cannot indure it.

p. 364Fourthly, Gods judgements on ſuch hypocrites are manifold aa2 Theſ. 2. 10, 11 Heb. 6▪ 5, 62 Thess 2:102 Thess 2:11Heb 6:5Heb 6:6For this cauſe God giveth them Gods juſt judgments upon hypocrites.over to beleeve lyes, even Popery, or any other damnable error or hereſie. Hence it is that God giveth them over many times to fall from good in **Luk. 8. 18Luke 8:18ſeeming, to evill in profeſſion; and thence, from evill to worſe, even unto **Heb. 10. 25, 26 Iob 27. 8Heb 10:25Heb 10:26Job 27:8finall Apoſtaſie. And at laſt when God taketh away an Hypocrites ſoule, he is ſure not onelyonly to loſe his Hope (which addeth much to his Hell) but to be made to feele that which he would not feare, being ranked with thoſe bbMat. 24. 51Matt 24:51Sinners which ſhal be puniſhed with the greateſt ſeverity in the eternall vengeance of Hell-five. For after that an hypocrite hath played the civill and religious man for a while, upon the Stage of this World; his laſt Act, when his life is ended, is to be in deed, and to act to the life, the part of an incarnate and tormented Devill. He ſhall have p. 365his portion with the ccMat. 25. 41▪Matt 25:41Divell and his Angels. ddIſa. 33. 14Isa 33:14When feare hath ſurpriſed the Hypocrites, who ſhall dwell with devouring fire? Who ſhall dwell with everlaſting burning? Saith the Prophet. Happy were it for them if this warning might fright them out of this their ſinne.

Conſider likewiſe; that Hypocriſie Diſſwaſiv… taken from the evils of hypocriſie though it doe not raigne.doth much harme, even there where it doth not raigne, and that more or leſſe, according as it is more or leſſe mortified.

For firſt, it bringeth the ſoule into a generall conſumption of grace, no ſinne more. Secondly, it blindeth the minde, and inſenſibly hardeneth the heart, no ſinne more. Thirdly, it maketh a man ſlight and overt in the best actions. Fourthly, it cauſeth fearefull declinations and falling backe. Fifthly, it deprives a man of peace of Conſcience in ſuch ſort, that a ſpirituall Phyſician can hardly faſten any hope or comfort upon him, p. 366on whoſe Conſcience doth lye the guilt of hypocriſie; yea, hardly upon him that doth but feare he is guilty: For he putteth off al the remembrances of his good affections and actions, ſaying, all that I did, was but in hypocriſie. Sixthly, and laſtly; Beſides that, it bringeth many temporall iudgements; it cauſeth that a man 2 Ioh 8. 1 Cor. 3▪ 152 John 1:81 Cor 3:15loſeth many of his good workes done in Hypocriſie, though through Gods merciemercy hee loſe not himſelfe, which not loſing himſelfe is, becauſe he is found in Chriſt, Chriſts Spirit of uprightneſſe raigning in him.

Now to induce you to loveMotives to uprightneſſe. Vprightneſſe, and to labour to be upright; Conſider the good which accompanieth uprightneſſe: Firſt, temporall and outward: but ſecondly, and chiefly, that which is ſpirituall, eternall, and inward.Motives from temporall benefits.

Vprightneſſe hath the aa1 Tim. 4. 81 Tim 4:8promiſes of this life: It is a meanes p. 367to keepe off bbPſal. 91 9 10, 14. Pſal 97. 11Ps 91:9Ps 97:11Iudgements, or in due time to remove them. If affliction like a darke night overſpread the upright, for their correction and tryall for a time, yet light is ſowne for them, and in due time will ariſe unto them. The upright cānot want health, wealth, friends, or any thing that can be ddPſal. … 9, 10.Ps 9:10good for them. Moreover, this uprightneſſe doth not onelyonly provide well for a mans ſelfe, but if any thing can leave a bleſſing, and a good portion to his eePro. 20. 7 Pſa. 112. 2.Prov 20:7Ps 112:2Children and to his Childrens Children, Vprightnes will. The holy Ghoſt ſaith, the generation of the upright ſhall be bleſſed.

The ſpirituall bleſſings whichMotives to uprightnes taken from ſpirituall benefits. belong to the upright, are manifold.

The upright man is Gods faverite, even his **Pro. 1…. 20Prov 1:20delight.

Hee is hereby ccP…. 1… 1, 2aſſured of his Salvation. For although an upright man may fall into many grievous ſinnes, yet ddP…. 19. 13preſumptuous p. 368ſinnes ſhall not reigne over him, he ſhall be kept from the great tranſgreſſion, he ſhal never ſinne the ſinne unto death; Yea, hee ſhall be kept from the dominion of every ſinne.

By uprightnes a man is ſtrengthened in the inward man, it beingIob 19. 23, 25Job 19:23Job 19:25 ddEph. 6. 14Eph 6:14that Girdle that buckleth and holdeth together the maine peeces of the complete armor: Nay, it is that which giveth proofe to every piece of that armour, it ſtrengthneth the backe and loynes; yea, the very heart of him that is begirt with it.

Hee that is upright, is ſure to hauehave his ccIer. 29. 13Jer 29:13prayers heard, and to be made able to profit by the Word of God, and by all his holy Ordinances. ffMic. 2. 7.Mic 2:7Doe not my words (ſaith God) doe good to him that walketh uprightly?

The upright mans ſervices to God in prayer, hearing, receiving Sacraments, &c. though performed with much weakeneſſe and p. 369imperfections, ſhal through Chriſt bee accepted of God. Nay, where there is not power, gg2 Cor. B. 42the will of 2 Chr. 30 18, 19, 202 Chr 30:182 Chr 30:192 Chr 30:20an upright man is taken for the deed; and where there is power and deed both, even there the uprightneſſe and readines of the will is taken for more than the deed, according to that commendation of them, who were ſaid not onelyonly to doe, but to be willing a yeare agoe: For many do good2 Cor. 8. 102 Cor 8:10 things, which yet doe them not with an upright will, and ready minde.

6 The upright man hath alwayes matter …f boldneſſe before men. He can make an Apologie and Defence for himſelfe againſt the ſlanders of wicked men, and againſt the accuſations of Satan;Act 23. 1. Act. 24. 14, 15, 16Acts 23:1Acts 24:14Acts 24:15Acts 24:16 who are ready upon every ſlight occaſion to hi… him in the teeth, and ſay, he is an hypocrite, and that all which he doth, is but in hypocriſie; but hee can gave all them thely… ▪ that charge him p. 370with diſſimulation or hypocriſie He knoweth more of his hypocriſie than they can tell him; he findeth fault with it, and accuſeth himſelfe for it, more than they can doe: yet this he can ſay, hee alloweth it not, he hateth it, and his hart is upright towards God. He careth not though **Iob. 31. 35, 36.Job 31:35Job 31:36adverſari…t write a booke againſt him, Iob 19. 2… ▪ 24, 25. He hath his defence; if men will receive it, they may; if not, he dareth to appeale to Heaven. For his Record is on high: Hee hath alwayes a kkIob 16. 19 2 Cor. 1. 1…Job 16:192 Cor 1:1witneſſe both within him, and in Heaven for him.

7. Vprightneſſe is an excellent Preventer, and Curer of deſpaire, ariſing from accuſations of Conſcience; even of a wounded Spirit, of which Salomon ſaith: Who can beare it? For either it keepeth it off. Iob 27 5, 6. Or if it be wounded, this Vprightneſſe in beleeving, and in willing to reforme and obey, is a p. 371moſt ſoveraigne meanes to cure and quiet it, or at leaſt it will allay the extremitie of it.

Not but that an upright man may have trouble of minde, and that in ſome extremitie; but he may thanke himſelfe for it, becauſe he will not ſee & acknowledge that Vprightneſſe which he hath, and doth not apply it, nor cheriſh it; which if he wold doe, there is nothing would anſwer the accuſations of his accuſing Conſcience, nor bring more feeling comfort to the ſoule ſoo. ner or better than this will.

8 The Vpright man hath an Holy boldneſſe with God. When Abimelech could ſay, In the integritie Gen. 20. 5.Gen 20:5of my heart, and innocencie of my hands I have done this; he had boldneſſe to expoſtulate and reaſon his caſe with God. An uprigh man in his ſickneſſe, or in any other calamity; yea, at all times, when he needeth GODS helpe, can bee bold to come before p. 372GOD notwithſtanding his ſinne that hangeth ſo faſt on, his originall ſinne, and his many great actuall tranſgreſſions. So did Hezekiah upon his death-bed (as he thought) ſaying, **Iſa. 38. 3Isa 38:3Remember O Lord, I beſeech thee, how I have walked before thee in truth, and with a perfect heart, and have done good in thy ſight. So did Nehemiah, ſaying, aaNehe 1… 22Remember mee O my GOD concerning this, and spare mee according to the greatneſſe of thy mercy. This Vprightneſſe giveth boldneſſe with God, but without all Preſumption of merit, as you ſee in good Nehemiah.

9 Laſtly, Whatſoever the upright mans beginning was, and whatſoever his changes have bin in the times that have gone over him, both in the outward and inward man in his progreſſe of Chriſtianity; mark this, bbPſ. 37. 37Ps 37:37his end ſhall be peace. The laſt, and everlaſting part which he ſhall act indeed, p. 373and to the life, ccPro. 28. 18Prov 28:18is everlasting happineſſe.

And, to contract all theſe motives into a ſhort, but ful ſumme, The Lord is a Sunne and Shield. Pſal. 84. 11Ps 84:11The Lord will give grace and glory. No good thing will hee withhold from them that walke uprightly.

SECTION 4. Touching meanes to ſubdue Hypocriſie, and to nouriſh uprightneſſe.

IT remaineth now that you ſhould know by what meanes you may abate and ſubdue hypocriſie; and may get, keepe, and increaſe this grace of uprightneſſe.

Firſt, you muſt, by a due andMeanes againſt hypocriſie, and for uprightnes ſerious conſideration of the diſſwaſives from hypocriſie, and motives to uprightneſſe, worke duplicate page p. 372duplicate page p. 373p. 374your heart to a loathing and deteſtation of the one; and to an admiration, love, and hungring deſire of the other. And withall by this means you muſt worke your heart to a reſolution by the grace of God to be upright. This muſt firſt be wrought, for untill a man ſtand thus affected, & reſolved againſt hypocriſie, and for uprightneſſe, he will take no paines to be rid of the one, nor yet to get the other.

Secondly, you muſt be ſenſible of that Hypocriſie which yet is in you, and of the want of uprightneſſe, though not altogether, yet in great part. For no man will boat coſt and paines to remoove that diſeaſe wherof he thinketh he is ſufficiently cured, though indeed he did judge it to be never ſo dangerous; nor yet for to obtain that good of which he thinketh that hee hath enough already, though hee eſteeme it never ſo excellent.

p. 375Hitherto both in the motives and meanes, I have indevoured to gaine the will, to will and reſolve to bee upright, and to be willing to uſe all good meanes to be upright. Now thoſe meanes that will effect it, follow.

Thirdly, doe your beſt to root out thoſe vices that beget and nouriſh Hypocriſie. Then plant in their r…ome thoſe graces which will breed and feed uprightneſſe.

The chiefe vices are Ignorance, and unbeleefe, ſelfe-love, pride, and an irreſolved & unſetled heart, unſtable and not firmely reſolved what to chuſe, whereby it wavers, and is divided between two objects, dividing the heart between nnZeph. 1. 5Zeph 1:5God, and ſomething elſe, whether it be falſe gods, a mans ſelfe, or the world; whence it is, that the Scriptures call an hypocrite a man that hath an heart and an heart, one that is ooIam. 4. 8.Jas 4:8double minded.

The graces which breed and p. 376nouriſh uprightneſſe, are, a right knowledge of GOD and of his will, and faith in him; Selfe-deny all, Humility, The graces that breed & nouriſh uprightne…and lowly mindedneſſe; Stability, and …neneſſe of heart, and that to God-ward.

For, the more cleare light you can get into your minde, the more truth you ſhall have in your will. And when you can ſo deny your ſelfe, that you can …uite goe out of your ſelfe, and first give your 2 Cor. 8 5 10, 112 Cor 8:5ſelfe to Chriſt, and unto God, then there will follow readineſſe of minde, and heartineſſe of will, to doe whatſoever may pleaſe God. Alſo the more humilitie you have in your minde, the more uprightneſſe you ſhall have in your heart: For while the ſoule is ppHab. 2. 4Hab 2:4lifted up, that mans heart is not upright in him, ſaith the Spirit. Laſtly, when your eye is ſingle, and your heart one, and undivided, you wil not allow your ſelfe to be in part for God, and in partMat. 6. 22. 23, 24Matt 6:22Matt 6:23Matt 6:24 for Mammon, in part for GOD, p. 377and in part for your luſts, whether of the fleſh, or of the world, or of pride of life, you will not give your name and lips to God, and reſerve your heart for the world, the fleſh, or the Divell; But by your will, God ſhall be all in all unto you.

Fourthly, if you would be in earneſt and in truth againſt ſin, and for goodneſſe, you muſt repreſent ſinne to your thought▪ as the most hurtfull, hatefull, and Gen. 39. 9Gen 39:9most loathſome thing in the world; and muſt repreſent the obeying and Pſal. 19. 7, 8, 11Ps 19:7Ps 19:8Ps 19:11doing of Gods will unto your mind, as the best, and moſt profitable, moſt amiable, moſt ſweet, and moſt excellent thing in the world: HerebyPſ. 119. 72.Ps 119:72 you may affect your heart with a through vexation, and loathing of ſinne, and with an hearty love and delight in Gods Commandements: If you doe thus,Pſ. 119. 97Ps 119:97 you cannot chooſe but ſhunne ſin, and follow after that which is good, not in ſeeming onelyonly, but p. 378indeed and in truth with all your heart. For a man is alwaies hearty, againſt what he deadly hateth, and for what he dearely loveth.

Fiftly, if you would be ſincere, and doe all your actions for Gods glory, and for his ſake, you muſt, by the light of Gods Word, and Workes, fully informe and perſwade your ſelfe of GODS Soveraignty and abſoluteneſſe, and that, becauſe he is the first abſolute and chiefe good, he muſt needs be the last, the abſolute and chiefe endRev. 1. 8.Rev 1:8 of all ends. For he, that is Alpha, muſt needs be the Omega, of allRom. 11. 36 Rev. 4. 11.Rom 11:36Rev 4:11 things. Sith all things are of God, and ſith hee made all things for himſelfe; therefore you ſhould, in all things you doe, be upright, intending qq1 Cor. 10 28. 31.1 Cor 10:281 Cor 10:31GODS glory as your principall and utmoſt end in all things.

Sixthly, Conſider oft and ſeriouſly, that how cloſe and ſecret ſoever hypocriſie may lurke, yet it p. 379cannot be hid from the … of God rrHeb. 4. 12 13.Heb 4:12with whom you ha…, and before whom you w… ſſEccle. 12 14.Eccl 12:14who will bring every ſecret … to Iudgement.

Wherefore take continuall notice, that you are in the eye of God that ttPſal 94. 9. 10 11. Pſal. 51 6.Ps 94:9Ps 94:10Ps 51:6made your heart, who requireth truth of heart, who perfectly knoweth the guil…or truth of your heart. This will much further your uprightneſſe; for who can dare to double and diſſemble in the preſence of his Lord, and Iudge, who knoweth his hollowneſſe and diſſimulation better than himſelfe?

Seventhly, Vnite your ſelfe more and more ſtrongly unto your head Chriſt Ieſus, by all good meanes. Goe ſo out of your ſelfe, that you may every day be more and more in him. Wherefore grow dayly in faith and hope in Phil. 3. 8, 9 10, &c.Phil 3:8Phil 3:9him, whence as by Conduit-pipes, you ſhall more and more partake of his fulneſſe, uuIoh. 1. 12 16.John 1:12even grace anſwerable p. 380…ace in kinde, though not …ſure, for though yo…apable of the fulnes …ghtneſſe of Chriſt, in whoſe mouth was found no guile; Iſa. 53. 9.Isa 53:9Yet you ſhall have a meaſure of uprightneſſe proportionable to your faith. For as the branch partakethIoh. 15. 5John 15:5 more of the vine, ſo it draweth more ſappe and beareth more good fruit.

Eightly, You muſt, with an holy jealouſie of the deceitfulneſſe of your hearts, examine your ſelfe often; not onelyonly of what you have done, and now do…, but of the manner how, what moveth you, and why, as you may ſee before in the marks of uprightneſſe. Lay your ſelfe oft to the rule of uprightneſſe, ſcil. the will of God, and finding your ſelfe faulty, ſtudy, and aſſay to amend, and be upright, and that to the utmoſt of your power.

Ninthly, Exerciſe that meaſure of uprightneſſe which you have, p. 381and be more thankefull for the little you have, than diſcouraged as many are, becauſe they have no more. If you finde your ſelfe upright, be abundantly thankefull, and reſolve to keepe and increaſe it by all meanes. Keep your Pro. 4. …3.Prov 4:3heart thus with all diligence; then, as all other graces, ſo this of uprightneſſe will increaſe in the uſing.

Tenthly, and laſtly; uſe the meanes of all meanes, the Catholico… for all graces, which is Prayer. Thinke not to gaine uprightneſſe by the power of your own might: but in the ſenſe of your inſufficiencie, repaire oft to God by praier, even to him who made your heart, in whoſe hands your heart is, who beſt knoweth the crooked windings and turnings of your heart, who onelyonly can amend & ſet ſtraight your heart: Who, becauſe he delighteth in an upright hart, and hath commanded you to ſeeke it in the humble p. 382uſe of his meanes, will aſſuredly give it. Thus David; Renew, Pſa. 51. 10 Pſa. 119. 80Ps 51:10Ps 119:80O Lord, a right spirit within me; And, Let my heart be ſound in thy Statutes.