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 Uprightness 1. Respects God. 2. Respects ¹Man. The former may be called Uprightness of heart; the latter Uprightness of Life; and both these must be explained, and where they meet, there we find an upright man.

THis Uprightness 1. Respects God. 2. Respects ¹Man. The former may be called Uprightness of heart; the latter Uprightness of Life; and both these must be explained, and where they meet, there we find an upright man.

1. 1Sect. 5. Uprightness described and distinguished.

Concerning uprightness of heart, we must assert, that it is not so much a distinct Grace, a grace by its self, as it is all Grace, tis that which stamps a Reality on every other grace: Without it, Nec amanda est ipsa Charitas, nec ipsi Fidei fidendum, nec bene sperandum de ipsa spe. We cannot believe our Faith, nor love our Love, nor hope well of our Hope it self.

Uprightness and Watchfulness are Catholic graces, of a general necessity; the former, to wit, Uprightness, to the Being and Truth of Grace, and the latter, to wit, Watchfulness, to the Preservation and Exercise of Grace. And belike on that account, sincerity is called a Girdle, Ephes. 6. 14. having your loins girt about with truth. Religion is to many as a Cloak, ⟨p. 14⟩(though it will prove the dearest Cloak that ever was worn) which they can put on abroad, when it serves their purposes, and put off at home when it troubles them in their lusts; but now sincerity is like a Girdle, that ties it close to us. This makes all our Garments sit close to us, and to be ungirt here is to be unblest. And may be thus described.