The Power of Godliness, Book 1 · Chapter 4
CHAP. IV. Of the third Property of a godly life, viz. Uprightnesse. What things are comprehended under it. What conformity of the heart, to the will of God implies. Reasons to perswade thereunto. The effect or tokens of Uprightnesse; with the meanes for the attaining thereof.
Q. WHat is a third Property of a godly life?
A. It must be upright or straight,Two words translated uprightnesse. foreign and foreign It comes of a Verbe that signifies to go straight, Prov. 15.…1. 1 Sam. 6.12. Upright is a Title given to God, Eph. 26 7. Psal. 2.15. Eccl. 12.10.11. Psal. 19.12.8. Psal. 5.8. Psal. 119.137. Eno. 15.26. Deut. 6.18. Psal. 33.1. Prov. 29.10. Psal. 107.7. Descret. p. prima. Dist. 3. Lavat. in Job hom. 2. cap 1. p. 1. 1 Joh. 3.22. Joh. 8.29. Rom. 12.1. 1 Thes. 4.1. Deut. 6.18. Exo. 15.26. foreign Mic. 7.2. Iob. 33 3 foreign Numb. 23.13.10. foreign Reg. 3.6. for the word of the Lord is uprightnesse, his Judgments are right or straight; the man that walketh in them, is right or upright. A straight way is shortest betwixt the bounds or points: The word of God, leading directly to Heaven is right or straight; and they that walke according unto it, are said to walke uprightly. And here it may be noted, that to do what is right in the sight of the Lord, Exo. 15.26. and what is pleasing in his sight, are in substance one and the same, and so it is translated by the Seventy, To prepare his heart to seek God, 2 Chro. 9.3. & 17.6. & 12.25. & 13.18. & 21.9. So Judg. 14.3, 7. 1 King. 9.12. 2 Chro. 30.4. Jer. 18.4. Dan. 4.24. Numb. 23.20. Job, 1.38. & 2.3. Job was an upright man.
Q. What things are comprehended under uprightnesse?
Psal. 7.10. Psal. 11.2. Psal. 119.7. Psal. 32.11. & 36 10. & 64.10. & 94.15. & 125.4. Psal. 25.8. Borrhaus in Job. 1. Prov. 14.2. & 15.21. foreign Prov. 29.27. Psal. 37.14 Isa. 33.14, 15. Isa. 26.7. Prov. 15.21. Psal. 94 15 The upright shall follow after it. Psal 7.37. Jam. 1.8. Prov. 21.8. Psal. 125.4, 5. Prov. 2.13.15. & 14.11.A. 1. An holy conformity of heart and soul to the will and pleasure of God. It is said of David, Psal. 109.7. He walked with God in uprightnesse of heart. God saveth the upright in heart. The ungodly shoot privily at the upright in heart. And so we reade, Shout for joy all ye that are upright in heart. Good and upright is the Lord, his will the most certaine rule of equity and rectitude: and then are our hearts upright, when they stand in an holy conformity to the good pleasure of God. 2. A conversation or course of life agreeable to the wor…d, in that Vocation, or Calling wherein the Lord hath placed us. He that walketh in his uprightnesse feareth the Lord He that is upright in the way, is abomination to the wicked. He that speaketh … uprightly, shall dwell with the everlasting burning. This is expressed by the phrase of going aright. Gal. 2.14. Heb. 12.13. Prov. 4.26. 3. An universall and constant cleaving to the Lord, notwithstanding all occurrences that might divert or turne us out of the way. An upright heart, called a fixed or established heart, is opposed to a double minde, which is unstable and inconstant: to a crooked heart that steppeth aside from the holy Commandement. 1 Cor. 15.58. Col. 1.23.
Q. What is implied in the conformity of heart to the will of God?
1 Chro. 29.17. foreign Deut 9.5. foreign. 1 Tim. 5.21. Psal. 1 9.28. Cant 1.4. r cteititudibu… diligunt t…, i. a more forti & vehementi, qui caret salebrias pravitatibus, ut R. Solomon Explicat. Bux. Lexic. Verb. Deut. 12.28. foreign Act. 21. Ezra. 7.8, 9, 10. A right end never hath a crooked rule leading unto it. He that hath a right end, will go by a straight rule. …sal. 24.4. For this cause Israel was called Jeshur Deu…. 32.15. & 33.5.26. Isa. 44.2. because this was the thing, which is required in every true Israelite.A. 1. An holy disposition of minde, will and affection, bending themselves to the good pleasure of God, approving, affecting, exercising readily whatsoever he requireth. 2. A godly fervency of heart, which maketh that in choosing and embracing good things, it be equally more slacke or strong, as the goodness of the thing shall be greater or lesser. Thus an upright heart doth bend his force and strength more to performe duties of holiness to God, then to discharge duties towards men. 3. An upright minde, in all his purposes and actions, doth aime directly at the right end, by and just approved meanes. His eye is set stedfastly upon the marke, and will not be removed from it. The discription of an upright man, may be taken out of the Psalmest in other words; He hath cleane hands, and a pure heart, and hath not lift up his soul unto vanity.
Q What Reasons may be alledged to perswade to uprightnesse?
P…ov 11.20. 1 Chro. 2….17 Prov. 15 8. foreign Psal 97.11. Psal. 32.11. Psal. 64.10. & 112.4. The end of the upright is peace. P al. 37.37 Job. 8.6, 7. Psal. 35.23, 24. Psal 17.7.3. His countenance doth behold the upright, Ps. 11.7.A. 1. God that trieth the hearts, hath pleasure in uprightnesse, and gratiously tendereth the service that cometh from a willing minde, uprightnesse is chiefly required, most highly esteemed, principally commended in the Saints. The Offerings of a straight heart are free and voluntary, which shall finde wished acceptance and respect. 2. Light is sowen for the righteous, and joy for the upright in heart. They shall reape it, though for a time they be in affliction. Comfort and joy is reserved after trouble, though it be hidden for the present, as Seed in the ground, which will spring and ripen. Nay, the upright are called upon to rejoyce in all conditions, it being a comely thing in them, to set forth the high acts of God, and sing of his praise. 3. 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 the righteous prosperous. He will make it known that he doth regard thee: and though thy beginning be small, yet thy latter end shall greatly increase. 4. The Word of the Lord doth alwaies good to them that walke uprightly. The instructions will sinke into the heart, and the promises cheere and revive it. 5. The integrity of the upright shall guide and preserve them, that is, shall procure good direction from the Lord, both for his service, and their own happinesse,Mic. 2.7. Recte viventibus omnia bo… denunciam Dr. The upright shall dwell in the land, Prov. 2.21. Psal. 25.2. Prov. 11.3. The secret of the Lord is with the upright, Prov. 3.32. Prov. 2.7. Psal. 125.4. 1 Sam. 12.23. Psal. 26.11. & 27.11. with Esa. 40.4. Esa. 33.14.15, 16. and make them tractable to follow the same. Contrary to this is the condition of the perverse and crooked, who are not led with uprightnesse, but carried headlong with lusts, and therefore misled by the same 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 destroy them. 6. They may boldly pray, and the Lord will hear them. Psal. 25.21. Let integrity and uprightnesse preserve me, for I hope in thy Word. 7. The Lord will be the Shield and defence of the upright in this life, and their Crown and Glory in the life to come. Psal. 7.10. God saveth the upright in heart. 8. The path of uprightnesse, is even, plaine, straight, good, and leadeth the next and shortest way to Heaven that may be, therefore the Saints pray, Let thy good spirit bring me into the Land of uprightnesse, Psal. 45.7. 9. He that is upright in the way shall dwell with the eternall burning, and not be consumed, By an unblameable life we cannot merit Heaven: but the just and faithfull may expect, and shall obtaine by grace, the free promises of God. The Lord will admonish such with feares, as give themselves to all manner of sinne and wickednesse: but as for them that love and follow uprightnesse he agrees with them well enough. The upright shall dwell in his presence Psal. 140.15. In the Mountaine of his holinesse. Psal. 15.2. He that walketh uprightly shall never be moved. The Lord stiles himselfe a consuming fire, least his Majesty and Power should be contemned: yet whosoever he be that draw near unto him, with a true desire to please him, he shall feele by the effects, that there is nothing more sweet and amiable then his presence. 10. Another Reason may be taken from the miserable condition of them that be crooked and perverse: for their sinnes are uncovered, their persons hated, their hope shall perish, and their end be most accursed. 11. The blessing of God is extended to the Generation of the upright, and their Posterity. The Tabernacle of the upright shall flourish, Prov. 14.11. Psal. 112.2.
Q. What are the effects or tokens of uprightnesse?
A. They are many, amongst which, these are some speciall. 1.Universality. An heavenly disposition of heart, whereby we are affected to love all good, and hate all evill according to the nature and degree thereof, and to have respect universally,Prov. 16.7. 1 Reg. 9.4. & 8 61. Mat. 23 23, 24 Psal. 110.6. …, 101.128. 2 King 23.25. 1 Chro. 29.17. Job. 23.10. & 27.10. Psal. 7.10, 11. Job. 3.23. Psal. 78.36, 37 Psal. 119.112.117. not equally to every Commandement. An honest heart mainly desires to please God in matters of justice and judgment, and then to be faithfull in every circumstance, pinne, hoofe and naile. The upright-mans assurance and resolution is this; Then shall I not be confounded, when I have respect to all thy Commandements. 2. Hatred of sinne more in our selves, then in others, and love of good in others, as in our selves. Home-bread sinne is most hatefull, because most hurtfull to the soul, pernicious to our state, dishonourable to God: but good is lovely in all men, because it proceeds from God; and whose heart is right with God, he cannot but rejoyce to see his Name glorified by whomsoever. 3. Delight in the the most High at all time, in all conditions, prosperity and adversity, evill report, and good report, making God the stay of our souls when trouble oppresseth, fearing before him in prosperity, and performing the vowes which we made in adversity. 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: the upright is resolved of his way, and doth breake through all lets and barres whatsoever may be cast before him in his journey. A wicked man hardneth his face: but as for the upright he directeth his way. Prov. 21.29. As the ungodly is obstinate in evill: so is the upright constant in piety, and will not be removed from it. 4. Thankefulnesse for mercies received.Psal. 33.1. An honest and good minde is no lesse carefull to returne praise for graces and good things received, then to begge the supply of what is wanting. This is the study of the faithfull, in which they most diligently apply themselves, to set forth the goodnesse, Power,To be upright is to stand as it were in Gods presence, as one of the words doth signifie. 2 Cor. 13.7. Isa. 57 2. Prov. 8.9. Isa. 26.10. & 30.10. & 59.14. 2 Sam. 15.3. Amos 3.10. 1 Cor. 4.3, 4. As Job saith, I will approve my waies in his sight. Job. 13.15, 16. Psa. 16.8. Riches, and Mercy of the Lord vouchsafed unto them. 5. Respect of Gods approbation more then of the applause of men, resting contented that we are allowed of him, though disesteemed in the world. A good heart regardeth not much what men think or 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 trieth our hearts. Let the world fawne or frowne, speake faire or revile, be quiet or persecute, all is one; a faithfull man will go forward in his good course, neither starting aside, nor turning backe*And therefore is in some measure alike in all places. Psal. 19.168. & 18.22. 2 Cor. 12.19. 2 Cor. 2.17. 2 Cor. 4.2. 2 Cor. 7.12. Job 31.1. Prov. 16.17. Psal. 141.4, 5. Prov. 15.19.. 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 home prepared in Heaven, he goeth on his race, not regarding how little his service is esteemed by earthly men. 6. An honest and upright Christian is carefull to shunne all appearances, occasions and provocations unto sinne, willing to suffer admonition and rebuke, and constant in the use of all meanes of grace that he might grow therein, 7. To the upright, who are diligent, the hardest things are easie.
Q. How should we labour for uprightnesse?
Prov. 15.21. Mat. 16.6.12. Prov. 15.21.A. 1. The minde must be truly informed with the knowledge of the truth. Right affections require sound judgement and true understanding. Corrupt Doctrine is as sowre leaven, that doth infect the whole lumpe. If the understanding that should governe the inferiour powers of the soul, be perverted with errour, the affections must necessarily move out of order, and runne amisse. He can never shoot straight that takes his aime contrary. 2. Thorny cares, vaine pleasures, sinfull delights must be stocked and digged out of the heart, weeds will grow of themselves, good Corne requires tillage. Perversenesse will increase of it selfe, but uprightnesse will not prosper if the heart be not ploughed up.Jer. 4.4. 3. The word of truth, which is that immortall Seed, whereby we are begotten, and transformed into the Image of God, must be effectually received, kindly planted, and soundly rooted in the heart and conscience. The Word is a word of uprightnesse or rectitude; and the heart seasoned and regulated by it, must needs be right in the sight of God. Therefore to conscionable hearing the Word of God, religious meditation must be joyned, that what is learned might be well digested, and we changed into the similitude of it. 4. The word of God truly embraced, doth enflame the heart with an ardent desire to walke with God in all duties of holinesse and righteousnesse.2 Cor. 5.13. 5. Society and fellowship with the faithfull is a signe of uprightnesse, and a meanes of continuance, and increase therein. For he that setteth his heart upon Heaven, will be carefull to draw on and encourage his Companion in the same way.Prov. 29.10. Coales laid together do kindle each other, and preserve heate the longer: so it is with the faithfull linked together in holy Communion.
Q. How should a man stirre up himselfe to labour after uprightnesse?
A. First, he must finde out, lament, and shame himselfe for the stubbornesse of his heart, and perversnesse of his waies. Ah, the frowardnesse of my heart; how crooked have my waies been in the sight of the Lord? I have regarded vanity, and turned aside from the holy Commandement; doted upon transitory pleasures and profits, undervaluing, neglecting the true Treasure. The streame of mine affections have runne full saile to that which is little worth, worthy to be trampled under-foot: but ebbe to that which they should covet and affect above measure. If the members of my body were crooked and deformed; my mouth, face, eyes drawn awry or squint; if one part did swell, another wither and pine away, I should esteeme it an heavy crosse: But t…e lamenesse, distemper, crookednesse of the soul is much more dangerous and evill, as in it selfe it is more excellent then 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 it, and bewaile my ignorance that I knew not, or negligence, that I enquired not the right way? But in the course of Christianity I have not spared to turne aside and step out of the right path, though to my great hindrance and losse: By pleasures, lusts, passions I have been led up and down I know not whither; for feare or favour I have been drawn into by-pathes, to the great prejudice of inward peace. Oh, how long have I erred from thy Commandements? Secondly, we must stirre up our selves to walke more warily and uprightly before God. I have too long wandered and gone astray like a lost Sheepe, but now I will keepe the Testimonies of my God.Psal. 19.8. For the Commandements of God are right, leading the straight way to life, that life which deserves the Name of life, even eternall life. The Traveller aimes the next way to his journeys end: No wise man will step one foot willingly out of the way to Heaven. If our limbes be crooked, we omit nothing that art or exercise can do to set them straight: and shall not I take care to rectifie my soul, and bring it into right order? Let the wicked walke after their own inventions, and trample the Law of God under-feet,Psal. 119.126, 127. the more I esteeme it to be right, and will be carefull to conforme my heart and waies according to the prescription. Thirdly, As all resolutions must be grounded upon Gods grace, so we must fly unto God by earnest Prayer to be established and enabled thereunto. O Lord I know there is no other rule of life, then thy Word, in which thou hast declared thy will,Psal. 119.80. and I am fully purposed to be guided thereby: I pray thee keepe me by thy Spirit, that I decline not from it into errour or sinne. Order my steps by thy Word, that no iniquity have dominion over me. Greft thy Law in my heart, Psal. 119.133. Psal. 37.31. 1 Reg. 8.58.that my feet may not slide. It is thy free promise, that thou wilt leade thy people in the way that they should choose, make good thy Covenant unto thy servant, who is devoted to thy feare.