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…

IV. The fourth Character of an upright man is, He can Judiciously appeal to God. I call God to record on my soul, saith Holy Paul. And this not only in a crowd, and before others, but in secret in his closet. After consideration of the Law of God, and after the survey of his own heart, an upright man (if there be no eclipse upon his spirit) can appeal to the all-searching God, in his closet, concerning the uprightness of his heart; and this I think few hypocrites can reach to do. Thus Peter could say, John 21. 17. Lord ⟨p. 147⟩thou that knowest all things, thou knowest I love thee. I appeal from Satan and the World to thee, whether I do not love thee above all the world, and above my self; if my heart were opened, whether thou wouldst not find Jehovah, and Jesus, and Holiness to the Lord, written there. The just man dare appeal to the severest Judge, and a sincere Saint to an all-seeing God. Psal. 139. 23, 24. Search me, O Lord, and know my heart, try me and know my thoughts; And see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting. So if you can say, Lord, look at me every way, try me by the light of thy word, search me to the quick, I appeal to thee, thou knowest I am Gold, not Gilded, I am thine, thy Name is on me, and thy Nature is in me, thou that knowest all things, knowest I love thee: No plainer sign of a cheat, than unwillingness to come to trial; but he that dare bring his heart to the most trying Books, to the most searching Ministers, to the all-searching God, is sound at heart, and a Saint within. I should have named no more, but that I find two more signs within the ken of my Text, with which I shall conclude this Use.

IV. The fourth Character of an upright man is, He can Judiciously appeal to God. I call God to record on my soul, saith Holy Paul. And this not only in a crowd, and before others, but in secret in his closet. After consideration of the Law of God, and after the survey of his own heart, an upright man (if there be no eclipse upon his spirit) can appeal to the all-searching God, in his closet, concerning the uprightness of his heart; and this I think few hypocrites can reach to do. Thus Peter could say,