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…

I. IN over-looking his Infirmities. This was Hezekiahs prayer at that famous ¹Passover, 2 Chron. 30. 18, 19, 20. The good Lord pardon every one that hath prepared his heart to seek God, though he be not cleansed according to the purification of the Sanctuary. And the Lord hearkened to Hezekiah. There were divers really upright, yet not rightly and fully purified ⟨p. 81⟩as you may see, 2 Chron. 29. 34. For the Levites were more upright in heart to sanctify themselves, than the Priests. Here were upright Levites, yet not sufficiently purified, but Hezekiah obtained for them a pardon of course, for they had done what they could, and the Lord had mercy on them. A very great comfort for Ministers or People, that through straits of time, or any unavoidable hindrance, are not rightly sitt•d and furnished for their respective duties; and are afraid to come, and more afraid to stay away; The good Lord will pardon such a one, it was an oversight, the heart was sound at the bottom, and God will never break with any of his for an infirmity. Compare Saul and David, Saul had foolishly (at most covetously) spared Agag, and a prey, and he is cast off for it and loseth his kingdom. David defiles the Wife, and then kills the Husband, and he is spared: he is, its true, sorely beaten, but not turned out of doors. Again, take Peter and Judas. Judas through covetousness betrays his Master, and Peter through fear denies and forswears him. Judas is sent by the Gallows into Hell, and Peter is received into mercy. And why this different dealing?