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…

This Simplicity of an upright man, makes him sometimes the Subject of loss, and sometimes the Object of scorn. Job 12. 4. The just upright man is laughed to scorn, and many a Simpleton he is called; yet he goes on and carries it in the end. His great consideration is, What is my duty, according to that Prov. 4. 25. Let thine eyes look straight on, and let thine eyelids look straight before thee. That is, without squinting at events, or how it will please, or whom it will lose, he is resolved to live and dye in his duty. Mistake me not, as if Prudence and Integrity could not dwell together; certainly they may and ought. His simplicity only excludes the subtlety of the Fox, which stands in being cunning to do mischief, not the wisdom of the Serpent, which stands in carefully avoiding it.

2. Uprightness of Life stands in Purity. Prov. 16. 17. The high-way of the Upright, is to depart from evil. His usual road is as far from the broad way as ever ⟨p. 54⟩he can: and his care herein sometimes carries him rather too far, upon which account his Conscience breeds more scruples then other mens, that can swallow any thing that comes to hand: but his integrity in other things apologizeth for him to all wise men, and at least brings him off with peace and comfort. And this very thing hath brought upon very many of these upright men, the badge of a Puritan, which is by too many applied to subvert sincere holiness, and to cast an odium on downright Christianity, and the practise of that we all profess. Sure I am, the Scripture opens Heavens gates to none, but those whose lives are pure and holy, Psal. 24. 4. Who shall ascend into the hill of the Lord? and who shall stand in his holy place? He that hath clean hands and a pure heart, &c. Hence, the upright man dare not mingle with those vain fooleries, vicious excesses or suspicious recreations that men of devasted Consciences are drowned in; nor can all the good nature that's in him, nor importunity of neighbours, or kindred, draw him to such company, or courses that would sting his Conscience when he should sleep; except God leaves him to himself sometimes, to try and humble him.