A plain discourse upon uprightness showing the properties and privileges of an upright man…A plain discourse upon uprightness shewing the properties and priviledges of an upright man…

1. Must be with the former; else the ¹other is but like a candle in a dark lantern, which burns away to no purpose. This is the very Sinew of humane Society, and makes men happy in one another. It is such an excellent thing that they who never practise it, yet always pretend to it. The veriest knaves abhor to be so called, and would be reputed and styled honest and upright men. And that must needs be amiable which all men commend, and necessary which no society can subsist without: So that there abides a Crown of honour for a Downright Heathen, as well as a Crown of glory for an Upright Christian: and there will be an easier punishment for those (I may call them) Christian-Pagans, than for abundance of our Pagan Christians.

1. Must be with the former; else the ¹other is but like a candle in a dark lanthorn, which burns away to no purpose. This is the very Sinew of humane Society, and makes men happy in one another. It is such an excellent thing that they who never practise it, yet alwayes pretend to it. The veriest knaves abhor to be so called, and would be reputed and stiled honest and upright men. And that must needs be amiable which all men commend, and necessary which no society can subsist without: So that there abides a Crown of honour for a Downright Heathen, as well as a Crown of glory for an Upright Christian: and there will be an easier punishment for those (I may call them) Christian-Pagans, than for abundance of our Pagan Christians.

1. 1§. 11. Uprightness of Life; Its Necessity.

2. This Uprightness of life is not sufficient without the former. 'Tis good but not good enough. To be a fast friend to men, and a broken bow to God, will yield you little comfort. Yet how many sit down here, and think themselves well? would not steal a shoe latchet from their neighbour for a world, and yet make no Conscience of stealing from God his Honour and his Day. That would not wrong their Brethren's Name by any reproach for a world, and yet make no bones of wronging the Name of the great God, and take it in vain day by day. The squareness of your actions may crown you with reputation; but the rottenness of your hearts will leave you in condemnation, by that God that trieth the hearts and reins. As in the Law, without blood there was no remission, so in the Gospel, without Oil there is no admission into the Kingdom of Heaven. Civility and Sanctity are two things.