Of the Uprightness of Man.: A plain discourse upon uprightness showing the properties… by Richard Steele | AskReformation

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:41p. 8

True, he finds none but whom he makes, he finds them of his own making; but where-ever such a man is found, on the Throne, or in a Prison, or on a Dunghill, he shall find a God of his own, that will deal uprightly with him. However, he is an upright God, let men be what they will; whatever contrary motions the lower spheres have, yet the Primum mobile keeps its even and constant motion, and is never diverted out of its course at all: so is it with our God, let vain hypocrites walk never so crookedly, yet the holy God will be justified when he speaketh, and clear when he judgeth. He will be upright with you in executing his threatenings, if you hinder the current of his uprightness in performing Promises. The filthy Dunghill cannot infect the glorious Sun that shines all day upon it, nor can any mans Evil, cause him to cease from being Good. But the meaning of the Point is, to the upright man he shows himself a graciously upright God; a true-hearted man on earth, shall find a true-hearted God in Heaven.

True, he finds none but whom he makes, he finds them of his own making; but where-ever such a man is found, on the Throne, or in a Prison, or on a Dunghill, he shall find a God of his own, that will deal uprightly with him. However, he is an upright God, let men be what they will; whatever contrary motions the lower spheres have, yet the Primum mobile keeps its even and constant motion, and is never diverted out of its course at all: so is it with our God, let vain hypocrites walk never so crookedly, yet the holy God will be justified when he speaketh, and clear when he judgeth. He will be upright with you in executing his threatnings, if you hinder the current of his uprightness in performing Promises. The filthy Dunghill cannot infect the glorious Sun that shinesall day upon it, nor can any mans Evil, cause him to cease from being Good. But the meaning of the Point is, to the upright man he shews himself a graciously upright God; a true-hearted man on earth, shall find a true-hearted God in Heaven.

:60p. 15–16¶1

1. There must be a total Receiving of Jesus Christ tendered in the Gospel, when you do take hold of the Lord Jesus, and cleave to him with purpose of heart. As Barnabas pressed them at Antioch, Acts 11. 23. Many have a months mind of Christ, some velleities and wouldings, but wilt thou have him, and cleave to him, and that with purpose of heart? this is sincerity, to receive a whole Christ with a whole heart. Not Christ the Saviour or Refuge only, so most would be willing; but Christ the Prince and Portion also in the land of the living. So David could say, Psal. 142. 5. O Lord, I said thou art my ⟨p. 16⟩refuge, and my portion in the land of the living. How many would fain have the Lord Jesus Christ for their Refuge, when Conscience pinches, affliction presses, or death stares them in the face, but how few will choose him for their portion and happiness in the midst of their outward comforts? the Hypocrite dare not dye without him, the upright Saint cannot live without him. Cant. 1. 4. The upright love th•, and love cannot live contentedly without fruition.

1. There must be a total Receiving of Jesus Christ tendered in the Gospel, when you do take hold of the Lord Jesus, and cleave to him with purpose of heart. As Barnabas prest them at Antioch, Acts 11. 23. Many have a months mind of Christ, some velleities and wouldings, but wilt thou have him, and cleave to him, and that with purpose of heart? this is sincerity, to receive a whole Christ with a whole heart. Not Christ the Saviour or Refuge only, so most would be willing; but Christ the Prince and Portion also in the land of the living. So David could say, Psal. 142. 5. O Lord, I said thou art my ⟨p. 16⟩refuge, and my portion in the land of the living. How many would fain have the Lord Jesus Christ for their Refuge, when Conscience pinches, affliction presses, or death stares them in the face, but how few will choose him for their portion and happiness in the midst of their outward comforts? the Hypocrite dare not dye without him, the upright Saint cannot live without him. Cant. 1. 4. The upright love th•, and love cannot live contentedly without fruition.