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…

The Fourth Use is by way of Exhortation: Have you made a faithful ¹scrutiny? Then upon trial, either you find the Characters of sincerity, or else you find them not, or else you hang in doubt, whether you be upright or no. And accordingly I shall direct my Exhortation three ways. First, to those that are upright with God; and you I exhort,

THe Fourth Use is by way of Exhortation: Have you made a faithful ¹scrutiny? Then upon tryal, either you find the Characters of sincerity, or else you find them not, or else you hang in doubt, whether you be upright or no. And accordingly I shall direct my Exhortation three wayes. First, to those that are upright with God; and you I exhort,

1. 1§. 5. Exhortation to the Upright.

1. To praise the Lord, and be thankful. Psal. 33. 1. Rejoice in the Lord ye righteous: for praise is comely for the upright. You of all men have cause to be merry; Praise becomes no bodies mouth but yours. Be cheerful in your selves, and thankful to the Lord. What a•les you to be lean from day to day, that are Kings Sons? Who can lay any thing to your charge? It is God that justifieth. What can dishearten you, seeing the root of the matter is found in you? Turn your plaints into praises. Stand still and admire the distinguishing mercy of God to you, that among so many Heathens the Lord should ma•e you Christians; that among ⟨p. 153⟩so many Hypocrites, the Lord should make you upright. Adore Electing, admire Converting Grace; say, Lord, who am I? naturally a very Pagan, an errand hypocrite, that thou shouldst crown me with Truth in the inward parts—And then kneel down and offer him an Hecatomb of praises, charm up all the daughters of music, thy best affections, and tune up thy note with Angels, Blessing and Honour and Immortality be given to him that sitteth on the Throne, and to the Lamb for evermore. And let heart, and lip, and life keep tune; and where thy words fail, let thy deeds extol his holy Name. O Lord, do but tell me which way I may honour thee, and thou shalt see, thy Grace assisting, that no service shall be too hard for such a wretch to such a God.