A Treatise of the Covenant of Grace, Treatise · Chapter 11

A Treatise of the Covenant of Grace · Treatise · Chapter 11

p. 166CHAP. XI. Of Truth and Vprightneſſe.

IT hath often been ſaid, that God accepteth true, unfained and upright obedience, and when the ſervants of God intreat mercy, we find they alleadge the truth, uprightneſſe, and integrity of their hearts, to ſhew they were rightly qualified to make a faithfull plea for mercy: therefore (I conceive) it will not be out of place here to ſhew what Truth and Uprightneſſe is, and then proceed to the doctrine of the new Covenant.

Truth the Septuagint renders righteouſneſſe: for uprightneſſeGen. 24. 49. Iſa. 38. 19. & 39 8. Joſh. 24. 14. Iſa. 45. …9. Pro. 28, 6. Pro. 8. 20.Gen 24:49Isa 38:19Isa 39:8Josh 24:14Isa 45:9Prov 28:6Prov 8:20 and integrity they put truth: and for the paths of judgement, they have it, the paths of truth. And in this ſence to doe truth, Joh. 3. 21. is, not to doe perverſly, to doe right, juſtice, integrity, as to deale perverſly or unjuſtly, Iſa. 26. 10. they tranſlate, not to doe truth. In like manner, lies or falſe-hood, deceit p. 167and fraud they tranſlate injuſtice; as a falſe-witneſſe, is in them,Job 27. 4. Deu. 19. 18. Levit. 5. 22. Pſal. 44. 17. Jer. 5. 31. Amos 8. 5. Hoſ. 12. 7. Luk. 16. 9, 11. Mal. 2. 6. 1 Pet. 2. 22.Job 27:4Deut 19:18Lev 5:22Ps 44:17Jer 5:31Amos 8:5Hos 12:7Luke 16:9Luke 16:11Mal 2:61 Pet 2:22 a witneſſe of injuſtice, or an unjuſt witneſſe, they ſweare falſely, is, they ſweare unjuſtly: the Prophets prophecy falſe things, unjuſt things they render it: a falſe ballance, is a deceitfull ballance, or unjuſt ballance, or ballance of injuſtice. And injuſtice is oppoſed to truth, and iniquity or unrighteouſneſſe put for falſhood or deceit: the Mammon of iniquity, that is, deceitfull riches, is ſet againſt the true treaſure, which will not deceive. Iniquity was not found in his mouth, ſaith the Prophet, that is, guile or deceit. The deceitfull, the Septuagint tranſlates, the unrighteous and guilefull man, Pſal. 43. 1. So that theſe foure, Truth, Uprightneſſe, Righteouſneſſe and Integrity, doe ſignifie the ſame thing for ſubſtance,1 King. 3. 6.1 Kgs 3:6 and moſt certaine it is, they be ſo conjoyned, that where one is, the other cannot be wanting. But though the thing be one for ſubſtance, that is ſignified by all theſe, and they be ſometimes uſed indifferently, yet they note formall and diſtinct conceits, and ſo may be conſidered.

Truth implieth or preſuppoſeth theſe things;

1. Knowledge of Gods will. Truth of judgement goeth beforeMat. 16. 12.Matt 16:12 truth of heart: for corrupt doctrine is as ſowre leaven, that leaveneth the whole maſſe, maketh the whole to ſavour of it.

2. Soundneſſe or ſolidity in grace, oppoſite to thoſe ſuperficiall and ſhallow-planted graces, that may be found in temporary Chriſtians, enduring but for a time. This is truth in the reines orPſal. 51. 6.Ps 51:6 inward parts, which ſeaſoneth the heart throughout, and makes it true, whereas the heart of the temporary is falſe and unſound; becauſe his graces are ſuperficially or ſleightly rooted.

3. Sincerity or godly ſimplicity without fraud, craft or guile, where the in-ſide and out-ſide are one, the heart and mouth equall and well conſenting. Truth is an ingenuous life without deceit and diſſimulation, Epheſ. 4. 15. Holineſſe of truth is true or ſincere holineſſe, Epheſ. 4. 24. To keepe the truth, Iſa. 26. 2. is to imbrace true piety and true vertue without hypocriſie, without lying, or perfidiouſneſſe. To ſerve God in truth, Joſh. 24. 14. 1 Sam. 12. 24. is to ſerve God unfainedly, from the heart, according to his1 King. 2. 4.1 Kgs 2:4 will. To walke in the truth, Joh. 3. 3, 4. is to walke ſincerely or in godly ſimplicity. For truth is ingenuous, void of ſimulation. And in this ſence ſome underſtand that of the Apoſtle, Love rejoyceth in the truth, that is, love ſincerely or in truth rejoyceth1 Cor. 13. 6.1 Cor 13:6 p. 168with them that rejoyce. Truth is oppoſed to lying and falſhood, and to empty ſhadows and rites: and thus it may be applied toEph. 4. 25. Joh. 4. 23, 24.Eph 4:25John 4:23John 4:24 this purpoſe, as noting a plaine ſimplicity contrary to lying and emptie ſhews. To ſtay upon God in truth, Iſa. 10. 20. is unfainedly, and not in word to ſtay upon him. To preach Chriſt in truth, Phil. 1. 18. is ſincerely to preach him: A true heart is ſingle, Act. 2. 46. reſolved not in ſome things, but in all to walk with God, or as the Lord hath appointed. Thus a true Chriſtian hath but one mind, one intention, one delight, one face, one tongue; he is all but one man, all the powers of the ſoule goe but one way.

4. Purity, or cleare ſhining innocency in all things, free from the mixture of leaven in manners or doctrine. The Apoſtle Peter writeth to the diſperſed Jewes, to ſtirre up their pure minds:2 Pet. 3. 1.2 Pet 3:1 what is that, but minds furniſhed and ſeaſoned with an holy perſpicuity of truth. Paul prayeth for the Philippians, that theyPhil. 1. 9. 10.Phil 1:9Phil 1:10 might abound in all knowledge and in all judgement, that they might be able to diſcerne things that differ, that they might be ſincere. And the ſame Apoſtle teſtifieth to the Corinthians, he was afraid of them, leſt their mind ſhould be corrupted from the… Cor. 11. 3. ſimplicity that is in Chriſt. The word uſed by the Apoſtle in all three places ſignifieth properly ſomething tried by the light of the Sunne. And it is a Metaphor (as ſome ſuppoſe) taken from the cuſtome of the Eagle, whoſe manner is (if we may beleeve thoſe that write the naturall ſtory) to bring her young out of the neſt before they be full fledge, and to hold them forth againſt the full ſight of the Sun; the ſight whereof thoſe of them that can with open eye endure, ſhe retaineth and bringeth up as her owne; the reſt that cannot brooke it, and winke at it, ſhe rejecteth and caſteth off as a baſtardly brood. Others thinke it rather taken from the uſuall practiſe of Chap-men in the view and choice of their wares. A wiſe wary Chap-man that hath to doe with a deceitfull Merchant, Draper or other, one that keepeth his wares in obſcure places, where the defects of them cannot ſo eaſily be diſcerned, or hath falſe lights, that may helpe to give a counterfeit gloſſe to them, he will take no ware of him upon his word, but he will firſt diligently view it, toſſe it and turne it to and fro, over and over, try how it is in the midſt, as well as at both ends, bring it forth into the light, hold up his cloth againſt the Sun, ſee if he can eſpie p. 169any defect or default in it, he knoweth he may eaſily elſe be overreached. The like muſt be our practiſe in all matters of faith and2 Cor. 2. 17.2 Cor 2:17 manners: and this is to walk in the truth, when we have our converſation honeſt, and hold the truth of Doctrine purely, as we may endure the tryall of the light. Thus the Apoſtle joyneth ſincerity and truth together, as one and the ſame, or as the ſpeciall1 Cor. 5. 8. 2 Cor. 1. 12.1 Cor 5:82 Cor 1:12 and generall, ſincerity being a branch of truth. This is our comfort, that in ſimplicity and ſincerity of God, that is, godly ſincerity, we have had our converſation.

5. Firmeneſſe and conſtancy in every holy duty of our generall or perſonall calling, of piety or righteouſneſſe. A faithfull ſpirit is ſtedfaſt with God: the ground of declining is lacke of truth. Their heart was not right with him, neither were they ſtedfast in Pſal. 78. 8. Pſal. 78. 37.Ps 78:8Ps 78:37his Covenant. If the heart be not true, what ſhew ſoever a man makes, he is but like an Apple, rotten at the coare, or as an houſe built upon the ſand, the one of which, though beautifull, will ſoon putrifie, the other, though fairly ſet, will quickly fal. A man may have many worthy gifts, but if he want ſincerity, upon a ſudden may be taken from him, both that which he hath, and that which he ſeemeth to have, & his end be as the fig-tree, which making only a ſhew with leaves, having no fruit, being curſed, loſt even thoſe alſo, and withered away by degrees, being good for nothing but the fire. For as a ſtomack ill affected with choller, though never ſo wholeſome meats be received into it, yet it cannot hold them, but is provoked: ſo where there is this obſtruction of the ſoul, the wilfull love of any ſinfull courſe, or ſubordination of grace to boiſterous, diſtempered, earthly paſſions, pleaſures or profits, whatſoever grace is received into the heart, it will not let it reſt, but maketh the ſoul caſt it up upon all occaſions. Truth and ſoundneſſe is the preſerver of grace received: an honeſt and ſound heart is as a veſſel well cloſed, it will keep and hold the liquour of grace that is powred into it. The courſe of a true Chriſtian is permanent, and continueth unto the end.

This truth or ſinceritie, is the girdle, whereby all other graces are tied cloſe unto us. So the Apoſtle in the deſcriptionEph. 6. 14.Eph 6:14 of the ſpirituall armour, calleth it the girdle of truth. And therefore here alſo that is true of all men, which we ſay of children in the Proverbe, Ʋngirt, unblest. This girdle hath theſe uſes.

p. 170Firſt, It doth adorne us: for this was the uſe of the ſtudded belt, which the Souldiers did weare to hide the gaping of the joynts of their armour, which would have been unſeemly: and nothing doth more adorne a ſoule, beautifie our actions, or raiſe admiration in them, then ſincerity; as our Saviour commending Nathaniel, gave this ſpeech of him, Behold, a true Iſraelite in whom▪ Joh. 1. 47.John 1:47there is no guile.

Secondly, A girdle doth tie other clothes about us, which otherwiſe the winds would blow abroad, and would hang but looſe upon us: ſo this girdle of truth doth containe and hold together all other graces, wherewith the ſoule is arraied, and unleſſe truth doe keepe them together, in time all of them will be blowne away with the wind of temptation. That grace which was not knit together with honeſty of heart, came to nothing in the end, as appeares in the Parable. The body, when the ſoule is once gone, may not long ſtay above ground, it muſt needs be buried. The hypocrites graces are but the body of grace, they want the ſoul and life, which is ſincerity, and we cannot thinke they ſhould long endure. An unſound horſe, that hath ſome ſecret fault, may carry as good a ſhew as the ſoundeſt, and at firſt for a mile or two, trav…ll as freſhly and cheerfully as the beſt, but at length he tires, and ſhews what he is: ſo it is with an unſound Chriſtian, notwithſtanding all his ſhews, fair beginnings, and hopefull entrances, he continueth not.

Thirdly, A girdle truſſing up the loins moderately, doth ſtrengthen a man, a girdle is put for ſtrength and ornament, Iſa. 23. 10. for in the loines is the ſeat of ſtrength and might, and with a girdle the loines are girded; whence are theſe phraſes, I will ſtrengthen him with thy girdle, Iſa. 22. 21. Justice ſhall be the girdle of his loynes, Iſa. 11. 5. He girdeth their loynes with a girdle, Job 12. 18. and looſeth the girdle of the ſtrong, Job 12. 21. She girdeth up her loynes with ſtrength, Prov. 31. 17. And the exhortation ſo often uſed. Gird up thy loynes, Jer. 1. 17. Job. 38. 3. & 40. 7. 2 King. 4. 29. & 2 King 9▪ 1. So this grace addeth great ſtrength to the inner man, as we may ſee in Job, who when God ſeemed, and men did fight againſt him, when heaven and earth ſeemed to conſpire againſt him, yet this did ſtick by him, Ʋntill I die, I will never take away mine innocency from my ſelfe.Job 27. 5.Job 27:5

Fourthly, In the Eaſterne Countries, where they were accuſtomed p. 171to weare long garments down to the ancles, they uſed to gird them cloſe unto their body, when they had any journey, combateExod. 12. 11.Exod 12:11 or labour in hand, leaſt they ſhould be an impediment unto them. So they were commanded to eat the Paſſeover with their loines girded, becauſe they had a journey to goe, and Elias girded up1 King. 18. 46.1 Kgs 18:46 his loines, and ran before Ahab. And ſo to have loynes girt, is to be fitted and prepared for any ſervice, travell or conflict; Let Joh. 13. 4. Luk. 17. 8. Luk. 12. 35, 37. 1 Pet. 1. 13. Act. 12. 8.John 13:4Luke 17:8Luke 12:35Luke 12:371 Pet 1:13Acts 12:8your loynes be girded about, and your lights burning. Gird up the loynes of your mind, and be ſober. Gird thy ſelfe and bind on thy ſandales. Thus Chriſtians girded with truth, are in readineſſe for any ſpirituall duty, and to encounter with whatſoever adverſary power ſhall with-ſtand them in the courſe of godlineſſe. Peradventure at the firſt putting on, this garment may ſeem ſomewhat ſtraight▪ nothing eaſie to weare: but he that is accuſtomed to goe girded, ſhall find ſuch eaſe in it, ſuch comfort by it, that he can never be well without it, never at eaſe, untill it be put on. Truth of heart is bleſſed of God with increaſe of grace. This is it which maketh the leaſt portion of grace to thrive in the hands of Gods children. Their faithfulneſſe in a little, brings them to beLuk. 19. 17.Luke 19:17 owners of a great deale, and to be rulers over much. This brought ſuch a plentifull bleſſing upon the ſmall beginnings of Nathaniel, to whom Chriſt, becauſe of his truth in the inward affections, promiſed an enlarged meaſure of enlightning, and that he ſhould ſee greater things. This brought ſuch a comfortable encreaſe upon the dimme knowledge of the Eunuch and Cornelius; they worſhippedJoh. 1. 47, 50.John 1:47John 1:50 God in truth of heart, according to the meaſure of underſtanding they had received, and in them the promiſe was accompliſhed, To him that hath ſhall be given, and he ſhall have in aboundance: they were led further into that great myſterie of godlineſſe, an Evangeliſt being ſent of God to the one, and both an Angell and an Apoſtle to the other. A true hearted Chriſtian is carefull to get, charie to keepe, and warie to husband, what grace hee hath received, and how ſhould hee not then encreaſe from one meaſure to another? Not that a ſecond grace is given for the right uſe of the firſt, but that the condition of grace is ſuch, that one drawes another, and for a firſt given a latter is freely beſtowed alſo, in which continuation of grace, the right uſe of grace proceeding from it, is contained.

p. 172Sincerity is ſtrengthened of God to be a meanes of comfort to a mans ſoule in his greateſt diſtreſſes. When Hezekiah was arreſted with the ſentence of death by the mouth of the Prophet, here was his comfort, and that which imboldened him to looke death in the face with more courage; O Lord thou knoweſt, or rememberIſa. 38. 3. J…r. 12. 3.Isa 38:3 now (for herein I dare appeale to thy Majeſtie) that I have walked before thee in truth. He had done many worthy things in the aboliſhment of Idolatry, and in the reſtitution of the true worſhip, but in none of theſe ſimply tooke he content, but in the ſincerity of his heart and affection in performing of them. So Paul in the midſt of all his ſorrowes, this is his rejoycing, not ſimply that he had preached, that he had planted Churches, wrought miracles, converted ſinners, made Satan to fall downe from Heaven like lightening: but that in ſimplicity and godly ſincerity he had his converſation in the world.2 Cor. 1. 12.2 Cor 1:12

This puts▪ a kind of heroicall ſpirit, and Lyon-like boldneſſe into the children of God in the greateſt tryalls. Hereupon Paul 1 Cor. 4. 3.1 Cor 4:3was reſolute not to paſſe for mans judgement. Faith depends upon the meere grace of God, and his free promiſe: but the truer any mans heart is unto God, the more bold and confident is he of the Lords ſupport and comfort, which alone adds undaunted courage in all temptations.

The ſervice of a ſound Chriſtian is very acceptable to God, beJer. 5▪ 3. 2 Chron. 30. 18, 19, 20. Joh. 4. 23, 24. Col. 3. 22. Epheſ. 6. 5, 8. Rom. 12 8. Pſal. 145. 18. Deut. 4. 7.Jer 5:32 Chr 30:182 Chr 30:192 Chr 30:20John 4:23John 4:24Col 3:22Eph 6:5Eph 6:8Rom 12:8Ps 145:18Deut 4:7 it in outward ſhew never ſo meane and ſimple. Are not thine eyes (ſaith Jeremie) upon the truth. If ſervants be obedient to their Maſters in ſingleneſſe of heart, they ſhall receive their reward of the Lord. A cup of cold water given to a Prophet in ſingleneſſe of heart, ſhall not be forgotten. The Lord is nigh to all that call upon him in truth; he will heare their prayers, anſwer their deſires, guard and protect their perſons. Not the moſt eloquent prayer, and beſt ſet forth in words; but the ſupplication that is breathed from an honeſt and true heart finds beſt acceptation. Many actions otherwiſe fervent enough, for want of this ſincerity are but froth, and vaniſh then when we ſtand moſt in need of comfort: but the meaneſt worke performed in truth of heart, ſhall not go unrewarded. As in the naturall body, the caſe of the ſound finger is better then of the blindiſh eye: ſo in the family of God, it is more comfort to be a faithfull doore-keeper, then an unfaithfull ſteward.

p. 173A faithfull man ſhall abound in bleſſings, that is, he that dealethProv. 28. 20.Prov 28:20 ſincerely and truly with men, and is not willing to deceive any in word or deed, carrying himſelf in all holy ſimplicity towards God, as he liveth honeſtly amongſt his Neighbours, and that not in one thing, but in all, and is therefore in the Originall Text called a man of faithfulneſſe; he ſhall abound in bleſſings of all ſorts, with plenty ſo farre as is expedient, with good eſtimation, with kind friends, with ſpirituall graces, &c.

The more ſincerity, the more affinity with God: for truth is a neere tie, and hath an uniting power in it. The true and ſoundPſal, 73. 27, 28. Chriſtian is the Lords neere neighbour: ſo much the neerer, as the wicked are farre off: for God will draw nigh to them, that draw nigh unto him in truth. God is the God of truth, Pſal. 31. 5.Jam. 4. 7. Jer. 30. 21.Jas 4:7Jer 30:21 Chriſt is truth, Joh. 14. 6. the ſpirit is the ſpirit of truth, Joh. 14. 17. Truth is one ſpeciall branch of that Image of God accordingEpheſ. 23, 24. 2 Cor▪ 3. 18.2 Cor 3:18 to which man was made. And the greater meaſure of truth in the inward parts, the more are we (to ſpeake with the Apoſtle) changed into the Image of God. And the more we reſemble God and have communion with him, the more is our affinity with him. Satan ever did, and ſtill oppoſeth ſincerity by perſecutions, opprobries, and reproaches, as of pride, hypocriſie, diſſimulation, ſpecially when God afflicteth his people, Job. 2. 6, 9. But the more Satan oppoſeth truth and ſimplicity, the more ſhould we be in love with it: for Satan would not loade it with diſgraces if it were not excellent. Satan labours to foiſt in the leaven of hypocriſie in our daily courſe, that by little and little he might pick the good ſeed of righteouſneſſe out of our hearts, but our care muſt be to diſappoint him. Here our reſiſtance is to hold us to our owne, and pray to God to rebuke him.

And here to prevent miſtaking we muſt diſtinguiſh the degrees of ſoundneſſe and ſimplicity, and the nature of it. In nature the ſoundnes of the godly is true, but in degree weake and imperfect, and therfore now and then through frailtie and weakeneſſe in the performance of good duties they looke more at man then at God, and propound indirect meanes when they ſhould eye his glory only. But as we ſay of other ſinnes, ſo of hypocriſy, it is either raigning, or not. In the hearts of true Chriſtians there may be hypocriſie, but not raigning hypocriſie. David when he ſaid, Bleſſed is he, in whoſe ſpirit there is no guile, did take himſelfePſal. 32 2.Ps 32:2 p. 172duplicate page p. 173duplicate page p. 174t…rdie in this evill: and Bradford with others of thoſe moſt holy Martyrs, doe much ſeeke pardon of hypocriſie and carnall goſpelling. But ſinne that raigneth not, muſt not diſcourage: and if we have an unfained purpoſe againſt it, if we grieve for it, if we ſeeke for ſtrength againſt it, it reigneth not.

The effect or evidence of a ſound heart is, that being well informed in the truth of God, he doth heartily reſigne himſelfe to be guided and directed by the Lord, in all things. As Paul prayethPhil. 1. 10.Phil 1:10 in behalfe of the Philippians, that they might approve things that are excellent, that they might be ſincere, and without offence till the day of Chriſt. And it is noted of Ezra, that he prepared his heart to ſeeke the Law of the Lord, and to doe it: and to teach in Iſrael, Statutes Ezra 7. 10.Ezra 7:10and Judgements. And from this generall ſpring divers particulars.

Firſt, Truth breeds an hatred of all falſe and corrupt opinions in Doctrine: becauſe ſound affections require good judgement and true underſtanding, and if the underſtanding that ſhould guide and governe the inferiour powers be perverted with errour, the heart muſt needs move out of order. Folly is joy to him that is deſtitute Pro. 15 21.Prov 15:21of wiſedome, but a man of underſtanding walketh uprightly, or directeth himſelfe ſtraite in walking: He can never ſhoote ſtraight, that takes his aime contrary. The voice of a true heart ſoundeth thus in David, I hate vaine thoughts, but thy Law doe I love. I eſteeme Pſal. 119. 113, 128.Ps 119:113Ps 119:128all thy Precepts concerning all things to be right, but I hate every falſe way.

Secondly, It hath in deteſtation all falſe and deviſed worſhip, which is nothing but lying pompe and vanity. Ephraim compaſſeth me about with lies, and the houſe of Iſrael with deceit. TruthHoſ. 11. 12.Hos 11:12 ſeeke neerenes and acquaintance with God: but in deviſed worſhip no comfort or profit is to be found: rather the heart is removedMath. 15. 9. Iſa. 29. 14.Matt 15:9Isa 29:14 from God, when men draw nigh to him with their lips.

Thirdly, It worketh an univerſall hatred of all ſinne, that is, of ſecret as well as open ſinnes, of leſſer ſinnes as well as of greater evils, of ſuch ſinnes as where unto we have ſpeciall inticements by ſome particular content or profit, which they ſeeme to promiſe, as well as of thoſe which afford neither gaine, credit, nor pleaſure. A true heart hath a coſtant purpoſe in no one thing, willingly to ſinne againſt God, but rather to indeavour the uttermoſt in every p. 175good way of Gods commandements. And as he ſtands reſolved againſt all ſinne in generall, both ſimply conſidered, and in reſpect of all occurrences, whereby he might be allured or cōpelled thereunto: ſo in ſpeciall againſt the ſinne to which he finds himſelfe moſt inclined, or where-with he hath at any time been overtaken. Incline not my heart to any evill thing, to practiſe wicked workes with Pſal. 141. 4Ps 141:4men that worke iniquity: and let me not eate of their dainties.

Fourthly, It is joyned with a readineſſe of mind to acknowledge and lay open every ſinne as ſoone as it is knowne to be ſinne; and a gladneſſe to have the conſcience ranſacked and ripped up, that whatſoever is ſinfull may be found out. David ſpake it out of experience, when he pronounced the man bleſſed, in whoſePſal. 32. 2.Ps 32:2 ſpirit there is no guile: Now this was a branch of that ſpirituall guile, that he once thought to helpe himſelfe in evill doing, by holding his tongue; as who would ſay he would forget it, and paſſe it over: but he was never well, till he was delivered of that falſe trick, and fell to the down-right acknowledgement of his ſinne; he never had comfort till he had confeſſed againſt himſelfe his wickedneſſe. This he writes for a patterne, and gives his Pſalme a title accordingly; To give inſtruction: and this experience taught him to intreat the Lord to pry into him, as fearing himſelfe that he ſhould deale ſomewhatPſal. 139. 23; 24▪Ps 139:23Ps 24 over-favourably with himſelfe. Try me, O Lord, and know mine heart: prove me, and know my thoughts, and conſider if there be any way of wickedneſſe in me: and to profeſſe himſelfe not only willing to beare, but deſirous to be reprehended, if he ſhould ſtep awry. Let Pſal. 141. 5,Ps 141:5the righteous ſmite me, it ſhall be a kindneſſe: and let him reprove me, it ſhall be an excellent oyle, which ſhall not breake my head: for yet my prayer alſo ſhall be in their calamities, or, by how much he ſhall doe that the more, by how much they ſhall reprove me the more diligently, by ſo much I ſhall pray the more fervently for them. When a man loves not thoſe meanes which tend to the diſcovery of his heart and life, and to the finding out of his ſecret ſinnes, or reprehenſions whether publike or private, or ſerious and earneſt confeſſion of ſin before God, there is great cauſe to ſuſpect that all is not ſound within.

Fifthly, Truth dealeth not only againſt this or that branch of corruption, which ſhooteth out to our diſgrace or trouble, but againſt the root it ſelfe. As in Paul we ſee, the Law of p. 176evill which did dwell within him, was his principall matter of conflict.

Sixthly, It zealouſly contendeth for the maintainance of Gods pure worſhip and ſervice. Judah ruleth with the Lord, and is faithfull H…ſ. 11. 12.with the holy One. Judah retaineth the pure worſhip of God, whoſe ſervice is perfect freedome, and the trueſt dominion: for he that ſerveth the Lord purely, hath rule over Satan and his own unruly luſts.

Seventhly, In all ſervice the true Chriſtian ſtrives to approve his heart unto God, and to performe it as in his preſence, to theEph. 6. 19. 1 Cor. 14. 15. Rom. 6. 17. 2 Cor. 2. 17.Eph 6:191 Cor 14:15Rom 6:172 Cor 2:17 glory of his name. He prayeth with the Spirit, obeyeth from the heart, heares with reverence, ſpeakes as in the ſight of God, and doth all things with life and power.

Eighthly, In all conditions or eſtates of life, in all dealings ſecret or open, publike or private, at home or abroad, he will carry himſelf as becomes the Goſpell, and ſtudy to be harmeleſſe, unblameable, and without rebuke before God and man. Doe all things without murmurings and disputings: That ye may be blameleſſe, Phil. 2. 15.Phil 2:15and harmleſſe, the Sonnes of God without rebuke. Thus a Chriſtian ſervant will ſhew all diligence in his Maſters buſineſſe, asEph. 6. 6, 7. Col. 3. 22, 23. Tit. 2. 10. Dan. 6. 4.Eph 6:6Eph 6:7Col 3:22Col 3:23Titus 2:10Dan 6:4 well abſent as preſent, froward or courteous; and all faithfulneſſe in things committed to his charge, even to the leaſt pinne, though he might doe otherwiſe with ſecrecy and ſecurity from men; and that willingly, of conſcience, and not for hope of credit or gaine. And not ſo only, but he will reverence his Maſter, and in heart be that unto him, which he ſeemeth to be in carriage, and that behind his back which he is before his face. A Chriſtian man will be ſimple, plaine, and juſt in all his dealings, inoffenſive in matters of Religion, loving and courteous in all his behaviour, and what he would ſeeme to be towards others in their preſence, that he is inwardly, and in their abſence.

Ninthly, True grace is permanent, and ſound Chriſtians are conſtant in their courſe, not ſhrinking in temptation, not ſtarting aſide like a broken bow. An hypocrite is wavering in reſpect of occurrences, halting and divided in reſpect of objects; in ſubjection to inordinate paſſions, powerleſſe in the performance of holy duties, wiſe to hide and cover ſinne, glorious in empty ſhewes of Religion, apt for advantage to ſwallow leſſer ſinnes without ſtraining, ſlippery in earthly dealings, aiming at wrong p. 177ends in the profeſſion of the truth, indulgent to his beloved and darling ſinnes, deſirous to ſeeme religious, though he much neglect the power of godlineſſe. But the true Chriſtian is unlike him in all theſe reſpects: He is ſound and conſtant, a maſter of his affections, a bungler to colour or guild over ſinne, deſirous to be good, and in every thing anſwerable to his profeſſion, faithfull in his place, plaine in his dealings, innocent and harmeleſſe, as becomes the child of God; the ſame man at home and abroad, within and without, openly and in ſecret, in thought and diſcourſe. This is that truth and ſincerity which the Lord accepteth, and the godly ſtrive after, and obtaine in ſome meaſure.

There be three words in the Originall tranſlated Right orforeign Jer. 18. 4. foreign Targ. foreign.Jer 18:4 Upright. The firſt comes of a root that ſignifieth to be right or proſper, or to direct, Eccleſ. 11. 6. and 10. 10. and it is tranſlated Uprightneſſe, Equitie, Induſtry, and Profit: of the Septuagint Valour or Fortitude. Sym. Swiftneſſe or ſpeed. Eccl. 2. 21. and 4. 4. and 5. 11. Eſth. 8. 5. But it is not to be referred to the act of the mind or heart, but to ſome externall work or deed, which is ſo cunningly poliſhed and skilfully contrived, that nothing can more be deſired in it, or juſtly be thought wanting. The ſecondforeign word comes of a root that ſignifieth before or in preſence, as Prov. 4. 25. Let thine eye-lids look aaSept. foreign. Sym. foreign. Aq. & Theod. foreign.ſtraight before thee. Prov. 5. 21. For the wayes of man are bbforeign. Sym. foreign.before the eyes of the Lord. See Gen. 25. 21. And it is tranſlated right, equity and uprightneſſe. Prov. 8. 9. They are right to them that find knowledge. Sept. foreign or foreign. Theod. foreign. Sym. foreign or foreign: al. interp. foreign better foreign. Amos 3. 10. They know not to doe right. Sept. foreign. Iſai. 59. 14. Equity cannot enter. Sept. foreign. Iſai. 30. 10. Propheſie not unto us right things. Iſai. 26. 10. In the Land of uprightneſſe he will deale unjuſtly. LXX. foreign. Iſai. 57. 2. Each one walking in his uprightneſſe, or before him. 2 Sam. 15. 3. Thy matters are good and right. LXX. foreign. The third word comes of a rootforeign. that ſignifieth to goe ſtrait, Prov. 15. 21. 1 Sam. 6. 12. Pſal. 5. 8. or to direct, Prov. 3. 6. And this is the moſt uſuall and common: Thus God is ſaid to be upright: Thou moſt upright doſt weigh the path of the Juſt. Iſai. 26. 7. To ſhew that the Lord is upright. Pſal. 92. 15. The word of the Lord is uprightneſſe. Eccl. 12. 10. Pſal. 33. 4. His Judgements are right, or ſtrait. Neh. 9. 13. Pſal. 119. 128, 137. p. 178God made man upright. Eccl. 7. 29 and they that walk according to the word, though they have their infirmities, are ſaid to be1 King. 22. 43.1 Kgs 22:43 upright. Pſal. 33. 1. Prov. 29. 10. It is diverſly rendred by the Greeke Interpreters, moſt commonly right or upright. Pſal. 7. 11.foreign. Sym. foreign. Dan. …1. 6. foreign.Dan 1:6 and 19. 9. Iſai. 40. 4. Mic. 2. 7. Prov. 11. 6. and 12. 6. Prov. 8. 9. Juſt. Job 1. 1. Prov. 3. 32. Prov. 17. 20. Numb. 23. 10. Pure. Job 33. 3. Good, or what doth pleaſe. Deut. 12. 28. and 6. 18. and 13. 18. True, or unblameable, Job 2. 3. and 1. 8 Job 8. 6. and 41. 7. and 17. 8. Holy, Deut. 32. 4. He that directeth his way aright. Mic. 7. 2. Prov. 14. 11. and 15. 8. Prov. 2. 7. Valiant or couragious, Prov. 15. 19. Holineſſe, Deut. 9. 5. Righteouſneſſe and ſimplicity, 1 Chron. 29. 17. and Truth, Iſai. 45. 19. And every where true and upright, or upright and perfect, and truth, uprightneſſe, and integrity, Deut. 9. 5. 1 Sam. 12. 23. Iob 1. 1, 2. Pſal. 33. 1. 1 Ki. 3. 6. are joyned together as in ſubſtance noting the ſame thing. So that uprightneſſe cannot be taken negatively for the want of unrighteouſneſſe only, but poſitively for truth, and righteouſneſſe, or rather that which is equivalent to both. For the Greeke ſtraight, Luke 3. 4, 5. the Syriac Interpreter uſeth a word that ſignifieth equall, poliſhed, ſmoothed, made even or pure, comming of a root that is to poliſh or make ſmooth, as Maſius in Peculio and David de Pomis in his Dictionary teach. And Ferrarius turneth the word pure, ſincere, plaine, which anſwereth to that of the Prophet, Iſai. 40. 4. In Luke 8. 15. for a good and honeſt, it hath the ſame word, as if it was a poliſhed heart, made even and ſmooth: or if you will, a ſound heart, intire and well conſtituted, and ſet in frame, as amongſt the Arabicks, the root is to heale, or reſtore whole or intire. Upright or ſtrait is oppoſed to crooked and oblique: but to this preſent purpoſe, That is upright which doth anſwer to the rule of the divine Law, concerning the love of God and our Neighbour. An upright man is he who by faith working by love doth ſtudy to conforme himſelfe to the Law in all duties of holineſſe, ſobriety, juſtice, or mercy. An upright man is he, who doth not writhe or bend himſelfe, nor (as we ſay) ſerve the time or humours of men, but God and his conſcience, though nothing forbids him, who ſerves God and his conſcience, to ſerve the time, when it may be done without detriment to the glory of God or to his conſcience. A ſtraight way is ſhorteſt betwixt the points. Now the Word of God directeth the ſhorteſt and next p. 179way to Heaven: and the man that walkes in that path, doth walk uprightly. And here it may be noted, that to doe what is right1 Joh. 3. 22. Joh. 8 … 29. 1 Theſ. 4. 1… Rom. 12. 1.1 John 3:22John 8:291 Thess 4:1Rom 12:1 in the ſight of the Lord, and what is pleaſing in his ſight, are for ſubſtance one and the ſame, and ſo aaExod. 15. 26. Deut. 6. 18. and 12. 25. and 13. 18. and 21. 9. 1 King. 9. 12. Numb. 23. 27. 1 King. 9. 12. 2 Chro. 14. 15.Exod 15:26Deut 6:18Deut 12:25Deut 13:18Deut 21:91 Kgs 9:12Num 23:272 Chr 14:15tranſlated by the Seventie. The Scriptures mention an uprightneſſe of heart, and uprightneſſe of life and converſation. Uprightneſſe of heart is an holy conformity of heart and ſoule to the good will and pleaſure of God. Thus we reade, God ſaveth the upright in heart, Pſal. 7. 10. The ungodly ſhoot privily at the upright in heart. Pſal. 11. 2. Shout for joy all ye that are upright in heart. Pſal. 32. 11. O continue thy righteouſneſſe to the upright in heart. Pſal. 36. 10. All the upright in heart ſhall glory. Pſal. 64. 10. Doe good, O Lord, unto them that be good: and to them that are upright in their hearts. Pſal. 125. 4. Good and upright is the Lord. Pſal. 25. 8. His will is the moſt certaine rule of equity and rectitude: and our hearts are then upright, when they ſtand in an holy conformity to the good pleaſure of God. This is ſometimes expreſſed by the phraſe of preparing the heart to ſeeke God,2 Chron. 19. 3. 2 Chron. 17. 6.2 Chr 19:32 Chr 17:6 or lifting up the heart in the wayes of God. And herein is implied, 1. An holy diſpoſition of mind, will and affections, bending themſelves to the good pleaſure of God, approving, affecting, exerciſing readily whatſoever he requireth. I know alſo, my God, that thou tryeſt the heart, and haſt pleaſure in uprightneſſe. As for me in2 Chr. 29. 17.2 Chr 29:17 the uprightneſſe of mine heart, I have willingly offered all theſe things. 2. A godly fervency of heart, which maketh that in chooſing and embracing good things, it is equally more remiſſe or fiery and ſtrong, as the goodneſſe of the things be greater or leſſe, of greater or leſſe neceſſity and importance. Thus an upright heart hath reſpect to every Commandement, but his greateſt care is about the weightie matters of the Law, holineſſe and juſtice: and the more excellent the duty, the more circumſpect and forward is he in the performance of it. The upright love thee, or they love thee in uprightneſſe. Cant. 1. 4. that is, with a ſtrong and vehement love, which is without diſſimulation or guile. Therfore (ſaith David) I eſteeme all thy precepts concerning all things to be right, and I hate every falſe way. Pſal. 119. 128. 3. An upright mind in all purpoſes and actions doth aime directly at the right marke, and propoſe the true end by juſt and approved meanes. A right end never hath a crooked rule leading unto it: and a right heart doth neither look awry, nor goe by a crooked rule. Thus it is p. 180ſaid of Ezra, that he had prepared his heart to ſeeke the Law of the Lord, and to doe it, and to teach in Iſrael Statutes and judgements:Ezra 7. 10. Act. 8. 21.Ezra 7:10Acts 8:21 And on the contrary, when Simon Magus would have bought the gifts of the holy Ghoſt with mony, Peter rebukes him, ſaying, Thy heart is not right in the ſight of God.

Uprightneſſe of life, is a converſation, way, or courſe of life agreeable to the word of God in that calling or vocation, wherein God hath placed us. Thus it is ſaid of David, That he walked pſal. 37. 14. 1 King. 3. 6. Prov. 14 2. Pro. 29. 27. Iſa. 26. 7.1 Kgs 3:6Prov 14:2Prov 29:27Isa 26:7with God in truth and uprightneſſe of heart. And he that walketh in his uprightneſſe, feareth the Lord. He that is upright in the way, is an abhomination to the wicked. The way of the juſt is uprightneſſe. He that speaketh uprightneſſe ſhall dwell with the everlasting burning. This is expreſſed by the phraſe of going with a right foot. Gal. 2. 14. of ordering our ſteps aright, Prov. 4. 26. and making even pathes for our feet, Heb. 12. 13. Uprightneſſe is an univerſall and conſtant cleaving to the Lord, notwithſtanding all occurrences that might divert or turne us out of the way. All the upright in heart ſhall follow it, or, ſhall followIſa. 33. 14, 15.Isa 33:14Isa 33:15 him; that is, they ſhall cleave to the Lord, and goe after him continually, and never forſake him, although they endure many and great evils, for his names ſake. An upright heart is an heart fixed and eſtabliſhed in reſpect of the object, or maine buſineſſe,Pſal. 94. 15. Pſal. 78. 37. Jam, …. 6. 7.Ps 94:15Ps 78:37 oppoſite to a double, divided mind, wavering between two different objects, unſtable, inconſtant, turned with every blaſt, reſolving now this, anon that, one thing to day, another to morrow, this in one company, that in another. And the pathes of uprightneſſe are contrary to all crooked wayes, which leade unto death. Doe good, O Lord, unto thoſe that be good, and to them that are Pro. 21. 8. Prov. 2. 13, 15. Pſal. 25. 4, 5.Prov 21:8Prov 2:13Prov 2:15Ps 25:4Ps 25:5upright in their hearts. As for ſuch as turne aſide unto their crooked waies, the Lord ſhall leade them forth with the workers of iniquity. We may take the deſcription of an upright man from the Pſalmiſt in other words, He hath cleane hands and a pure Pſal. 24. 4.Ps 24:4heart, and hath not lift up his ſoul unto vanity. A pure heart is the foundation of an holy life, and words and works, as it were the building ſetled upon it.

Uprightneſſe is chiefly commanded, moſt highly eſteemed and principally commended in the Saints. For this cauſe Iſrael was called Jeſhurun, Deut. 32. 15. & 33. 5, 26. Iſa. 44. 2. becauſe uprightneſſe is the thing, which God requireth in every true Iſraelite. p. 181God that trieth the hearts of all th… ſons of men, taketh pleaſure in uprightneſſe. The froward and unſtable are abomination to his highnes;1 Chro. 29. 17.1 Chr 29:17 but ſuch as are upright in their way are his delight. The offerings of an upright heart are free and voluntary, which God graciouſly tendreth, & lovingly accepteth. The Sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination Prov 15. 8. Job 8. 6. Pſal. 25. 21.Prov 15:8Job 8:6Ps 25:21to the Lord: but the prayer of the upright is his delight. God will not caſt off the upright, nor leave his ſoul in adverſity. If thou wert pure and upright, ſurely now he would awake for thee, and make the habitation of thy righteouſneſſe prosperous. God will make it known that he doth regard the upright, & though for a time they be in affliction, they ſhall not be forſaken, or left deſolate. Marke the Pſal. 37. 37.Ps 37:37end of the upright, for the end of that man is peace. The wicked may flouriſh for a time like the Bay-tree, but ſuddenly they ſhall wither. The upright may be kept under for a time, but he ſhall bud and bloſſome apace in his ſeaſon, and his proſperity ſhall endure. The upright ſhall dwell in the Land, and the perfect ſhall Prov. 2. 21. Pſal. 37. 29. Prov. 14. 11.Prov 2:21Ps 37:29Prov 14:11remaine in it. The righteous ſhall inherit the Land, and dwell therein for ever. The Tabernacle of the upright ſhall flouriſh. The word of the Lord doth alwaies good to them that walke uprightly, Micha 2. 7. God doth pronounce all good to them that live according to his Commandments; inſtructions will ſinke into ſuch hearts, the promiſes cheare and revive them; by the doctrines they are made wiſe, they increaſe in wiſdome, they growPſal. 73. 1.Ps 73:1 from one meaſure of grace and comfort to another. God is good to Iſrael, even to them that be of an upright heart; and the word of God doth ſpeake merciemercy, peace, quickning, and doe good to the upright in heart. The integrity of the upright ſhall (guide and)Prov. 11. 3.Prov 11:3 preſerve them; that is, ſhall procure good direction from the Lord, both for his ſervice, and for their own happineſſe, and make them tractable to follow it. Contrary to this is the condition of the crooked and unſtable, who are not led by the word, but overruled by their luſts, and therefore miſled by them to their undoing. For thus ſtandeth the oppoſition: the integrity of the upright ſhall guide them in the way, and ſo preſerve them: but the frowardneſſe of the wicked will keepe them from the way, and ſo deſtroyIſa. 40. 4. 1 Sam. 12. 13. Pſal. 143. 10. …Isa 40:41 Sam 12:13Ps 143:10 them. The path of the upright is even, ſtrait, plaine, lightſome, good, the next and ſhorteſt cut to heaven that can be. I will teach you (ſaith Samuel) the good and the right way: And the Saints pray, Let thy good Spirit bring me into the Land of uprightneſſe, p. 182that is, an even and plaine Land, where my feet ſhould not ſtumble. Teach me thy way, O Lord, and leade me in a plain path Pſal 27. 11.Ps 27:11(a way of uprightneſſe) that my foot tread not aſide, that I doe nothing unjuſtly, to the diſhonour of thy name, or offence of mine adverſaries. God is both the Sun and Shield of the upright▪ their buckler of defence and comfort in this life, their crowne and glory in the life to come. God ſaveth the upright in heart. He is Pſal. 7. 10. Prov. 2. 7. Pſal. 25. 21. Pſal. 125. 4. Pſal. 97. 11.Ps 7:10Prov 2:7Ps 25:21Ps 125:4Ps 97:11a Buckler to them that walke uprightly. They may pray with confidence, Let integrity and uprightneſſe preſerve me, for I hope in thy word. Doe good, O Lord, to them that be good, to them that be upright in heart. Light is ſowne for the righteous, and joy for the upright in heart. Comfort is reſerved and laid up in ſtore for them, though hidden for the preſent, as ſeed in the ground which will ſpring and ripen. This life is the ſeed time of an upright man, the harveſt of his comfort ſhall be in heaven: nevertheleſſe ſome portion of that heavenly treaſure the Lord doth impart unto him on earth. Therefore the upright are called uponPſal. 36. …0.Ps 36 again and againe to rejoyce in the Lord, at all times, in all conditions, to rejoyce heartily before him. Shout for joy all ye that are upright in heart: praiſe is comely for the upright: All the upright Pſal. 32. 11. Pſal. 33. 1. Pſal. 64. 10. Pſal. 112. 4.Ps 32:11Ps 33:1Ps 64:10Ps 112:4in heart ſhall glory. Ʋnto the upright there ariſeth light in darkneſſe, ſcil. God gracious, mercifull and righteous is his light, joy and ſalvation, or it ariſeth, from God, mercifull, gracious and righteous, as ſome interpret it. The ſecret of the Lord is with the Prov. 3. 31.Prov 3:31upright; that is, his ſecret and hidden wiſdome of attaining true happineſſe. They are of the Lords privy Councell, his intimate and familiar friends, whom he will inſtruct in the way that theyPſal. 15. 2. Pſ…l. 140. 13. Iſa. 33. 14, 15, 16.Ps 15:2Ps 50:140Ps 50:13Isa 33:14Isa 33:15Isa 33:16 ſhould chooſe. They ſhall abide in the Mountaine of his holineſſe, and dwell in his preſence for evermore. The upright ſhall dwell with the everlaſting burning, and not be conſumed. The Lord will aſtoniſh them with feares, that give themſelves to all manner of ſinne and wickedneſſe: but as for them that love and follow uprightneſſe, he communicateth himſelfe graciouſly and familiarly unto them. He ſtiles himſelfe a conſuming fire, leaſt his Majeſtie and power ſhould be contemned: but whoſoever draw nigh unto him with a true and unfained deſire to pleaſe him in all things, they ſhall feele by the effects, that his preſence is moſt ſweet and aimiable.Pſal. 112. 2.Ps 112:2 Neither doth the bleſſing of God reach to the upright only, but to their poſterity. The generation of the upright ſhall be p. 183bleſſed. But as for the crooked and perverſe, it is not ſo with them: for their ſins are uncovered, The froward is an abhomination to the Lord, their hope ſhall periſh, they ſhall be cut off from the earth, they ſhall be taken in their own naughtineſſe, and their end ſhall be accurſed.

The effects of uprightneſſe are many, but ſpecially theſe.

1. An heavenly diſpoſition of heart, whereby we are affected to love all good, and hate all evill truly according to the nature and degree thereof, and to have reſpect univerſally, not equally to every Commandment. The high way of the upright is to depart Prov. 16. 17.Prov 16:17from evill: that is, to depart from evill is the caſe-way of the upright, in which they walke rightly, fitly, ſecurely or in great ſafety. The uprightneſſe of David is thus deſcribed, that he did according1 King. 9. 4.1 Kgs 9:4 to all that the Lord commanded him, and kept his Statutes and his Judgements: that he did that which was right in the1 King. 15. 5.1 Kgs 15:5 eyes of the Lord, and turned not aſide from any thing that he commanded him all the daies of his life. Thus the uprightneſſe of Zacharie Luk. 1. 6.Luke 1:6and Elizabeth, They walked in all the commandements and ordinances of the Lord blameleſſe. An honeſt heart mainly deſires to pleaſe God in matters of juſtice and judgement, the great and weighty matters of the Law; for God deſires mercy and notHoſ. 6. 6. 1 Sam. 15. 22.Hos 6:61 Sam 15:22 ſacrifice, and the knowledge of God more then burnt offerings: and in the duties of his particular calling, becauſe every tree muſt beare his owne fruit, and every man attend to his proper charge: and in ſuch duties, as in reſpect of time and place be of greater importance, becauſe he muſt not be wanting to the opportunity: but he takes care withall to be faithfull in every circumſtance, pin, hoofe and naile. Theſe things ought ye to have done. The uprightMat. 23. 23, 2. …Matt 23:23Matt 23:2 mans aſſurance and reſolution is this, Then ſhall I not be confounded, when I have reſpect to all thy commandments: I have refrained Pſal. 119. 6. verſ. 101.Ps 119:6my feet from every evill way, that I may keepe thy word. For they doe nothing with an upright, heart, that give themſelves liberty to tranſgreſſe any one commandment. If a man ſhall keepe Jam. 2. 10.Jas 2:10the whole Law, ſoil. in outward and externall actions, and yet offend in one point, willingly and of indulgence, ſo as by the Covenant of grace he ſhall be held a tranſgreſlour, he is guilty-of all. Of frailty and weakneſſe a man may, and the moſt holy doth break every commandment, and is guilty of none, ſo as it ſhall be imputed unto him: But he that habitually, willingly, on ſet purpoſe, p. 184ſhall diſpence with himſelfe in the tranſgreſſion of any one commandment, or any branch thereof, he is a treſpaſſer, he ſhall be accounted guilty.

2. To be upright is to ſtand, as it were in Gods preſence, as one of the words doth ſignifie, Iſa. 57. 2. as was ſhewed before, I 2 Cor. 12. 19. 2 Cor. 2. 17. & 4. 2. & 7. 12. Pſal. 18. 22, 23. Pſal. 119. 16….2 Cor 12:192 Cor 2:172 Cor 4:22 Cor 7:12Ps 18:22Ps 18:23Ps 119:16have ſet the Lord alwaies before me, Pſal. 16. 8. So David proteſteth his uprightneſſe, for all his judgements were before me: and I did not put away his Statutes from me. I was alſo upright before him, and I kept my ſelfe from mine iniquity. And I have kept thy precepts, and thy testimonies: for all my waies are before thee. Thus Job proveth himſelf to be no hypocrite, as his friendsJob 13. 15, 16.Job 13:15Job 13:16 imagined; Though he ſlay me, yet will I truſt in him: but I will prove mine owne waie… before him. He alſo ſhall be my ſalvation. for an hypocrite ſhall not come before him. And ſeeing he walketh as under the eye, and in the ſight of the Almighty, therefore in ſome meaſure he is alike in all places and companies, becauſe he remembreth well, that God is preſent in every place, and doth behold and diſcerne all his actions, yea his ſecret imaginations.

3. The third effect of uprightneſſe is hatred of all ſinne, of our boſome, delightfull, profitable ſins, of ſecret ſins, of the ſins of our inclination, cuſtome, education, whatſoever, but more in our ſelves then in others: and love of good, ſpecially the beſt and chiefeſt good, in others, as in our ſelves. Homebred ſin is moſt hatefull, becauſe moſt hurtfull to the ſoule, pernicious to our State, diſhonourable to God. And it is a good token of a plaine and down-right heart, when a man is willing to ſee, ready to acknowledge, and can with eagerneſſe of affection ſet againſt his owne ſinne, rather then againſt the ſins of other men. For the love of ſin is abandoned, the heart is framed to ſelf-deniall, which it hath not by nature, but by grace: and ſinne will have no pleaſure to lodge in that heart▪ where it is thus purſued. But true goodneſſe is lovely in all men, becauſe it proceeds from God, conformeth a man after the image of God, and inableth to the obedience of his commandment: and whoſe heart is right with God, he cannot but rejoyce to ſee his name glorified by whomſoever.

4. Delight in the moſt high at all times, in all conditions, proſperity and adverſity, evill report and good report, making God p. 185the ſtay of our ſoules, when oppreſſing trouble lieth heavie upon us, and walking before him in humility, meekeneſſe and feare, when all things proſper according to our hearts deſire, and readily performing our vowes which we made in the day of our calamity:Job 27. 10. Job 3. 23. and 2. 3, 10.Job 27:10Job 3:23Job 2:3Job 2:10 This is a notable effect of uprightneſſe. Thus Job confirmeth his uprightneſſe, in adverſity he called upon God, and waited upon his aide: in proſperity he remembred his change, eſchewed evill, ſtood in awe of God, ſhewed mercy to the poore, fatherleſſe and widdow, comforted them that were in diſtreſſe: in both eſtates God was his delight and his portion. It is a double and crooked heart that ſtarts aſide, and varieth in obedience according to outward conditions, that goeth forward or backward, on this ſide, and on that, as occaſion requireth; that praiſet… mercy in his need, but commendeth ſparing and neareneſſe▪ when he waſheth his pathes in butter: The upright is reſolved of his way, and doth breake through all lets and barrs whatſoever may be caſt beforeProv. 21. 29.Prov 21:29 him in his journey. A wicked man hardeneth his face: but as for the upright he directeth his way. As the ungodly man is obſtinate in evill, ſo is the upright conſtant in piety, and will not be removed from it. I have enclined my heart to performe thy Statutes, alway, even unto the end. Hold thou me up, and I Pſ. 119. 112, 117Ps 119:112Ps 119:117ſhall be ſafe, and I will have reſpect unto thy Statutes continually.

5. Reſpect of Gods approbation more then the applauſe of men, reſting well contented that we are allowed of him, though diſeſteemed in the world, is a good ſigne of an even and poliſhed heart. A good heart regardeth not much, what men thinke or1 Cor. 4. 3. 1 Theſſ. 2. 4.1 Cor 4:31 Thess 2:4 ſay, ſo God be well pleaſed. I paſſe little to be judged of mans judgement, yea I judge not my ſelfe. As we were allowed of God to be put in trust with the Goſpel, even ſo we ſpeake, not as pleaſing men, but God who tryeth our hearts. Let the world fawne or frowne, ſpeake faire or revile, be quiet or perſecute, all is one, a faithfull man will goe forward in his good courſe, neither ſtarting aſide, nor turning backe. For the heart that is well directed, ſeeketh heaven and not earth; the favour of God, not the faire countenance of men; reſt in the world to come, not peace in this vale of miſery: and thus minding his …ome prepared in heaven, he goeth on his race, not regarding how little his ſervice is eſteemed by earthly men.

p. 1866. An honeſt heart is no leſſe carefull to returne praiſe for graces and good things received, then to beg ſupply of what is wanting.Iſa. 33. 1.Isa 33:1 This is the ſtudy of the upright (and it becomes them well) in which they diligently apply themſelves, to ſet forth the goodneſſe, power, mercy, and rich grace of God vouchſafed unto them.

7. To the upright man the hardeſt things are eaſie: becauſe they are induſtrious and chearefull in the workes they take in hand, according to the Lords appointment. The way of the ſlothfull is an hedge of thornes: but the way of the upright Pro. 15. 19.Prov 15:19is made plain.

8. The down-right Chriſtian is carefull to ſhunne all appearances, occaſions, and provocations unto ſin, willing to ſuffer admonition and rebuke, and conſtant in the uſe of all means, that heJob 31. 1. Pſal. 141 4, 5.Job 31:1Ps 141:4Ps 141:5 might grow in grace.

The means whereby truth and uprightneſſe may be attained and ſtrengthened are;

1. Conſtant and conſcionable dependance upon the preaching of the word, effectuall receiving and ſound feeding upon it. Deſire 1 Pet. 2. 1.1 Pet 2:1the ſincere milke of the word, ſaith the Apoſtle. He cals the word ſincere milke, a milke without deceit: It is in it ſelfe truth, having the God of truth for the Authour, Chriſt Jeſus the truth forJoh. 14. 6.John 14:6 the witneſſe, the Spirit of truth for the compoſer of it: and it worketh truth in the hearts of them that heare and receive it kindly. It is mighty to the purging out of that leaven of fraud, which is within us, and to the transforming of us into the image of God, if it be kindly planted and ſoundly rooted in the heart and conſcience. Sanctifie them with thy truth, thy word is truth. This isJoh. 17. 17.John 17:17 that which begets faith, and faith is that which purifieth the heart. How came the Romanes to that heartineſſe and ſincerity of obedience, which Paul commends ſo much, was it not by that formeRom. 6. 17.Rom 6:17 of holy Doctrine which was delivered? Or as we reade it ſometimes, unto which they were delivered: wherein the truth of God is compared unto a mould into which they were caſt, and by which they were tranſpoſed into a new forme, enabled to walke ſincerely and without halting before the Lord. The mind muſt be truly informed, or the heart can never move aright. But there is no meanes to come to the knowledge of the truth, but by the word of God, which is the word of truth, and Goſpell of ſalvation. p. 187It is truly ſaid, the heart can never be ſincere, till it be humbled and broken, and brought to abaſement and deniall of it ſelfe: and what means hath God ordained ſo effectuall, as his word to worke this humiliation of ſpirit? Is not this the hammer whichJer. 23. 2…. Act. 2. 37. 2 King. 22. 19.Jer 23:2Acts 2:372 Kgs 22:19 breaketh the ſtone? Is not this that which pricketh the heart, and maketh it to melt, and ſometimes wringeth teares from the eyes of them that heare it? Beſides, what hope that ever any mans diſeaſe of a falſe heart ſhould be cured, untill he be brought to the ſight of it? Who ſeeks for health, till he know himſelfe to be diſeaſed? And ſhall ever any man be brought to the underſtanding of his defect in this, untill he hath been made to ſee it by the word? What health is to the body, that truth and uprightnes is to the ſoul: now bodily health ariſeth from the ſeed, is preſerved by ſound and good diet: But the word of truth is the wholſome food, wherby the ſoul is nouriſhed. The word is a word of uprightneſſe or rectitude, and when it is well learned, and throughly digeſted, ſafe lodged, andJam. 1. 20.Jas 1:20 cloſe applied, it doth ſeaſon and regulate the heart and affections, and change them into the nature of it. If we bind our crooked affections cloſe to the word of truth, they will become ſtrait, agreeable unto the word, whereunto they are bowed. And the ſame word truly embraced, doth enflame the heart with a fervent deſire to walke with God in all duties of holineſſe and righteouſneſſe.

2. Thornie cares, vaine pleaſures, ſinfull delights muſt be ſtocked up and digged out of the heart. Weeds will grow of themſelves, if the roots be not plucked up, good corne requireth tillage and ſowing both. Perverſeneſſe is naturall to man corrupt and ſinfull, and will encreaſe of it ſelfe: but uprightneſſe will not proſper, if the fallow ground of the heart be not ploughed, and the rootes of worldlineſſe and voluptuouſneſſe killed in them. If the world be our treaſure, our heart cannot be true and upright with God, for where our treaſure is, there will our hearts be.

3. A third meanes is to poſſeſſe our hearts with this, and to have it ever in our thoughts, that in all things, eſpecially in matters of Religion, we have to doe with God, and are ever in his ſight and preſence. In our common daily duties to labour thus to performe them with our heart, as in the ſight of God, to his glorie, is a ready way to get this grace of truth deeply rooted. It is p. 188the very maine ground of all hypociſie, that this one thing is not duly thought on. Men forget him that ſeeth in ſecret, whoſe eyes are as a flame of fire, wherewith he pierceth further then the outward face: and hereupon they are not to imagine, that when they have carried the matter ſmoothly and fairly before men, all is well. The world either applauds them, or accuſeth them not, and hereupon they flatter themſelves, as if nothing more were to be looked after. Let us then remember this, if we would be true and ſincere in our hearts; The waies of man are before the eyes of Prov. 5 21.Prov 5:21the Lord, and he pondreth all his paths. This kept the Church and people of God of old in their ſincerity, and preſerved them from dealing falſely concerning his Covenant; they thought with themſelves, If we doe thus and thus, ſhall not God ſearch it out?Pſal. 44. 17, 21.Ps 44:17Ps 44:21 for he knoweth the ſecrets of the heart. And this conſideration moved Paul to faithfulneſſe in his Miniſterie; We make not merchandize of the word, but as of ſincerity, but as of God, speake we in 2 Cor. 2. 17.2 Cor 2:17Chriſt. See what things goe together, doing a matter in ſincerity, and doing it, as in the ſight of God.

4. Society and fellowſhip with the faithfull is a ſigne of uprightneſſe, and a meanes of continuance and encreaſe therein. For he that ſetteth his heart upon heaven, will be carefull to draw on and encourage his companion in the ſame way. Coales laid together kindle each other, and preſerve heate the longer: So it is with the faithfull linked together in holy communion.

5. It is good to call our ſelves to a frequent reckoning touching our carriages, binding our ſelves to an examination of them. He that hath a ſervant, of whoſe fidelity he maketh ſome doubt, and whom he deſires, if it might be, to reclaime, both for the good of the party, and for his owne particular alſo, that he may be uſefull to him, he will not let him run on too long before he call him to an account; he conſiders that to be the next way to make him careleſſe and ſecure. If he expect ever and anon to be reckoned with, it will cauſe him ſo much the more carefully to looke unto his buſineſſe. It is ſo in this caſe. The word of God telleth thee, that thou haſt with thee a falſe, cooſening, deceitfull heart: an heart that will beguile thee to thine utter ruine; it is ever ready to practiſe with Satan the profeſſed enemie of thy ſoule, to worke miſchiefe againſt thee: Wouldſt thou reforme this heart, that it p. 189might become uſefull and ſerviceable for thee, in the great and important buſineſſe of Salvation, be ſure to call it often to account. It will be good to reckon with it once a day, to ſee what hath paſſed it, to examine what thoughts have been framed in it, what purpoſes, what intents, what acts have been done, as effects and fruits of theſe inward purpoſes: ſurely this tying of thy ſelfe to ſuch an often ſurvey, and looking back upon thy heart, will keepe it in ſo much the more awe; and when it is once accuſtomed to the ſweetneſſe which will be felt, when it can give account of care and of obedience, and to the ſmart and puniſhment which followeth the remembrance of failing in holy duties, it cannot but be kept in ſo much the better tune.

And to finde out the better the guile of our ſpirit, and crookedneſſe of affection, Firſt conſider what ignorance, vanitie, folly, infidelity doth ſtill remaine in the mind, what ſtubbornneſſe in the will, benummedneſſe in the conſcience, diſorder in the affections: how apt we are to undervalue the true treaſure, looſe our ſelves in baſe delights, abuſe things lawfull in exceſſe: how laviſh and raſh in our ſpeeches, dull and droſſe in holy performances, pettiſh and impatient if a little croſſed, &c.

Secondly, Conſider how careleſſe we are of the ſpirituall action, in thoſe things we performe, as in prayer, hearing the word, receiving the Sacraments, giving almes, &c. To the ſpiritual, performance of theſe and ſuch like duties is required a preparation and heavenly diſpoſition of ſoule befitting ſuch actions, and the Majeſtie of God with whom we have to deale; as in confeſſion of ſinne is required griefe, ſhame, humility: in ſupplication reverence, devotion, ſpirituall emptineſſe, whereby the heart is taken off the creature, and driven out of our ſelves. But who doth not lightly paſſe over theſe duties? which is no better then the wiping of the out-ſide of the diſh, not looking to that within. Doe we not ruſh upon prayer without premeditation, give our hearts liberty to rove about, forgetting with whom we have to doe? are we not perfunctory in craving Gods bleſſing upon our meate at ordinary meales, and in giving thankes when we are refreſhed? &c.

Thirdly, Marke that in reſiſtance of ſinne, we are more ſorrie, and deale more againſt this or that branch of Corruption, which appeareth to our diſgrace, then againſt the body of death it ſelfe; p. 190and againſt that ſinne whereunto we are not ſo much enclined, more then againſt others no leſſe dangerous, whereunto we are diſpoſed.

Fourthly, Conſider the courſe of our affections, and we ſhall ſee how unſound we are towards God and our Brethren. If a thing touch our ſelves, our blood will quickly be in our nailes: If a man know this or that a miſſe by us, it is very grievous, the ſhame of it much upbraids us: but things that offend God, and which we know he ſeeth amiſſe in us, we can let theſe paſſe nothing affected. A ſigne our love to him is not ſo ſound, our feare of him, and deſire of praiſe with him, not ſo unfained. We ſhould be aſhamed to be found often in the ſame fault before men: but we commit and confeſſe the ſame ſinnes daily before God, and are not confounded in our ſelves. If we ſpeake but an haſty or unadviſed word in the preſence of ſome grave and godly man, that might be to our diſgrace, our thoughts trouble us: but the offence againſt God is lightly paſſed over. We are circumſpect to avoid the breach of penall lawes, not ſo carefull to watch againſt the committing of ſinne againſt God. We confeſſe ſinne before God, and ſeeme to aggravate it: but being queſtioned by men, we turne the faire ſide outward, and make the beſt of it.

Laſtly, Let us obſerve how frequently our actions are corrupted. In leaving ſinne many time we leave it not becauſe we hate it as ſinne, but it hath often broaken out to our reproach; our friends perſwade us to breake it off, it will be for our credit and advantage. We confeſſe our owne ſinnes, not deſiring to give glory to God, and gaine a teſtimony of a ſound heart: but becauſe worldly wiſdome doth tell us, It is beſt to tell our owne tale, or it were double folly to make daintie of that all the world knoweth: It will not be for our credit to leſſen our fault, when it is fully knowne; we ſhall looſe the eſtimation of good men if we ſeek to hide, excuſe, or make light of our offences. Our promiſes of amendment, when we have been overtaken with ſinne to our diſgrace, have not proceeded from due conſideration, nor had due execution accordingly. In the profeſſion of religion we have oft aimed at ſiniſter ends, as praiſe of men, gaine, or the like, Thus in taking up good duties, as orders in our family, we often looke not ſo much at the conſcience of Gods Commandement, as at this, The eyes of men are upon us, all the world will cry ſhame, p. 191if ſuch things be neglected altogether. Our performance of private duties is farre more dull, ſuperficiall, and ſleight, then that which is done in the ſight and company of others. The preſence of men doth oft reſtraine from many haſtie ſinfull ſpeeches and unwarrantable actions, which we take liberty to ſpeake and doe before the face of the moſt high, and are not aſhamed. Our rebukes are carnall, rather becauſe our minds are croſſed, then that God is dishonoured. Our obedience is partiall, this we doe, another thing no leſſe materiall we paſſe over without regard: and we meane well many times, and are fervent in a good thing, not meerly for ſiniſter reſpects, and yet not only, nor reſolutely for Gods Commandement, but more for other conſiderations then that: And therefore in ſuch caſes and tryalls, we are found to be others, if we examine it, then we would be. We beare with faults in him that is ſerviceable to our humour, againſt another not ſo pleaſing in our eye, we are hot and fiery. Sometimes we undertake to deale for ſome that ſpeake to us, but doe it without any heartie well-wiſhing to him, ſometimes not ſticking to ſay to our friend, I muſt ſpeake to you for faſhion, but doe as you pleaſe. We viſit ſick ones, but not ſtirring up the bowels of mercy, we ſpeake a great many phraſes of courſe, our conſcience telling us it is otherwiſe. We make a ſemblance of reverence, but how farre it is from the heart this may teſtifie, that we can (abſent from the parties) uſe their names proverbially, breake jeſts on them, admit ſiniſter ſuſpitions. We can ſpeake faire to mens faces, when warre is in the heart: and when we hate the perſon, take on as if we ſought the diſgrace of his ſinne only. So in fruits of love, we can doe this partie good ſometimes, but it is to keep another under, who elſe would ſprout forth ſo farre, that his ſhade would dimme our lights: as likewiſe I will doe for ſuch an one, they know good behaviour, they will doe their homage, ſuch an one will thanke me for it, I am ſure it will not be given cleane away: He is able to doe me a good turne againe, &c. In works of mercy we are not diſcreet, free, compaſſionate, forward: we ſeldome conſider the neceſſities of others, ſtand a loofe, if any man will ſteppe before us in the worke, pretend ignorance, and are glad to hang the burden upon other mens ſhoulders, that be leſſe able to beare it.

Sixthly, After we have diſcovered and found out the crookedneſſe p. 192and unſoundneſſe of our heart and life, we muſt take up our ſelves for halting, bewaile it with ſhame and ſorrow, ſtirre up our ſelves to more uprightneſſe and ſincerity, and fly unto God by hearty prayer to be eſtabliſhed and confirmed. Though there may be ſome reliques of hypocriſie in a good man, yet the nature of halting is, it will goe quite out of the way if it be not healed. And make ſtraight ſteps unto your feet, leaſt that which is halting be turned Heb. 12. 13.Heb 12:13out of the way. Ah, the frowardneſſe of my heart, how crooked have my wayes been in the ſight of the Lord? I have regarded vanity, doted upon tranſitory pleaſures and profits, undervalued the true treaſure. The ſtreames of mine affections have been driven with full ſaile to that which is little worth; but ebbe to what they ſhould covet above meaſure. My whole ſoule, all that is within me, ſhould have looked continually upon God, and my converſation directed towards him: but my thoughts, deſires, affections, words and actions have looked ordinarily, very often, another way. How farre am I from that truth which God requires in the inward parts? what a maſſe of wicked fraud and deceit is heaped and piled up within me? what rottenneſſe doth lodge ſtill in my breaſt? what am I but a ſhop of lies and vanities? Eaſier it is a great deale to know the number of my haires, then the running motions of my heart and affections. Oh, the blind corners, the ſecret turnings and windings, the cloſe lurking holes that are therein: upon examination I have found a world of falſhood in my ſoul, more then ever I ſuſpected or imagined. My cogitations are vaine, if not wicked and ungodly, mine affections unſound, mine aimes indirect, my courſe of life palpably groſſe in diſſimulation before God, and towards men. If the members of my body were crooked and deformed; my mouth, face, eyes drawne awry or ſquint; if one part did ſwell, another wither and pine away; I ſhould eſteeme it an heavy croſſe. But the diſtemper of the ſoule is much more dangerous, as the ſafety of the ſoule is more precious then of the body. If in a journey I chance to ſtrike out of the way, or fetch compaſſe about, when I might have gone a ſhorter cut, how am I grieved at my ignorance, that I knew not, or negligence, that I enquired not the right way in time? But in the courſe of Chriſtianity I have turned aſide, and ſtepped out of the right path to my great loſſe and prejudice. Did I ſtand convicted before men for ſome notorious coozener or deceiver, I could not p. 193but take it grievouſly: but many times I have played faſt and looſe in the preſence of the all-ſeeing God, pretending his ſervice, when I have done mine own will; offering him the body, when the ſoule hath been let looſe after vanity. I have too long wandered and gone aſtray like a l…ſt ſheep, but now I will keep the teſtimonies of my God: For the Commandement is a lamp, and the Law is light, and reproofes of inſtruction are the way of life. The Commandements leade directly to that life, which deſerves the name of life, eternall life. The Traveller takes the next way to his Journeyes end: No wiſe man will willingly ſtep one foot out of the way to Heaven. If our limmes be crooked, we omit nothing that Art or Exerciſe can doe to ſet them ſtrait: and ſhall not I take care to rectifie my ſoul, and bring it into right order? Deceit and falſhood is the Image of Satan, who abode not in the truth, moſt unmeet to be borne by him that is by adoption the ſonne of God. The charge of God is, Be ye holy, for I am holy; be ye perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect: and hereby may we aſſure our hearts that we are the children of God, if we be true, as he is true. Truth is the Image of God ſtamped upon their hearts whom the Lord hath called to be his peculiar people. What ſoundneſſe is to the body, that is ſincerity to the ſoule: a grace of ſingular excellency, and excellent uſe, pleaſing to God, and profitable to man. Wiſe men delight in ſound and faithfull friends: the Lord takes pleaſure in them that be true hearted to his glory. A ſound body is fit for labour: a true heart is ready prepared for any ſervice that God requires. The way is not tedious to men, they halt not in it, but through weakneſſe and imperfection: O my ſoule, the way of life would be moſt pleaſant and delightfull, croſſes eaſie to be borne, the comforts of grace moſt ſweet and admirable, were it not that corrupt humours cauſing diſtempers, did ſtill breed in thee. Earthly deſires, vain delights, unruly luſts are great impediments to the quicke and eaſie diſpatch of the Chriſtian Pilgrimage. Sincerity is the girdle of the mind to tr…ffe up theſe, ſtrengthen our loynes, and tie the heart to the work commanded. We buy girdles for the body, and if coſtly ones we keepe them charily: I will ſeek to Heaven for this girdle of grace, for it is woven there, no ſhop can ſerve me with it but that only. O Lord, thou that delighteſt in the ſimple and true hearted that cleave unfainedly unto thy teſtimonies, create in me a true heart p. 194and ſincere ſpirit, that without guile▪ I may ſtick unto thy teſtimonies, and doe what is acceptable in thy ſight. Naturally I am full of falſhood and guile, oh thou that a…t the God of truth, who at the firſt didſt create me after thine Image▪ make me every day more and more like unto thy ſelf in true holineſſe and righteouſneſſe. Then ſhall I be true indeed, when Chriſt the giver of truth dwelleth in my heart: Lord ſtrengthen my faith, that being knit unto Chriſt the way, the truth, and the life more and more, I may partake of his fulneſſe, grace for grace.