A plain discourse upon uprightness shewing the properties and priviledges of an upright man / by Richard Steele ...

SECT. II.

II. THe Lord will shew himself up∣right to an upright man, in De∣fending * 1.1 his Person. He is made sometimes the Butt of malice. Hell and earth con∣spire

against him, as in this Psalm, vers. 4, 5. Snares of death, flouds of ungodly men, sorrows of Hell all bent against him. A plain argument of the sad de•…•…e∣neracy of mankind, to be so desperately set against the Image of God in man, and hate those that never did them wrong, and that for his sake that al∣wayes doth them good; yet so is the case, the most innocent man cannot escape by them unto Heaven, without many onsets; they bend their bow and lay their snares, can hardly sleep for rage. Wrongs and Scorns, and Fines and Prisons are their usual Charity; he that departs from evil, ever makes him∣self a prey. The generality of the world are alienated from the life of God, and ene∣mies in their minds to all that live it; and O that I could speak and write it in tears of grief and compassion! A Drunkard, a Swearer, a Whoremon∣ger may live quietly by them. He that never read the Scriptures, that never prays with his Family, shall have all their good will, and go quietly by them into destruction: but if a mans Conscience be once awakened, if he re∣trive his course, and fall to earnest prayer, change his company and sinful cour∣ses,

dare not prophane the Sabbath, or take Gods Name in vain, or swear as before, then up do all his neighbours rise against him, watch him, censure him, malign him, and (if possible) in∣s•…•…are him; while he (poor heart) thinks them no hurt, prays for them, and only strives to save his own soul, and others if he can.

But here you may rest safoly, Prov. He is a Buckler to them that walk upright∣ly! The Buckler covers the Souldier, and God cove•…•… the upright man. They must shoot through God, that can wound you to your 〈◊〉〈◊〉. They hit him in the eye, that aim at you; and they that will incounter him, meddle not with their match, Exod. 19. 4. I bear you on Eagles wings. Other Fowls bear their young in their claws, so that the Fowl∣er may kill the young, and the old one be safe; but the Eagle carrie•…•… her young on her wings; so that who wounds the young, must shoot through the dam: so doth God carry his upright ones; God will suffer before them, the Lord will suffer with them, Deu•…•…. 32. 11. As the Eagle—spreadèth abroad her wings, taketh her young and beareth them on her wings; So the Lord, &c. That is a sweet word,

Psal. 7. 10. My defence is of God, which saveth the upright in heart. Thou hast perhaps no great friend to shelter thee, nor great estate to ranso•…•…e thee, but thou hast a great God for thy defence, whose work and care it is to save the upright in heart. I am thy shield, saith God to Abraham, fear not: if Omnisci∣ence be able to see, and Omnipotence a∣ble to help, thou art sure enough. And therefore fear not thou worm Jacob, and ye men of Israel: I will help thee, saith the Lord, Isa. 41. 14. A worm is a poor creature that few love, and none fear, so are the seed of Jacob persons that few love, and none fear, and such are most obnoxious to dangers; yet sayes God, fear not thou werm. A worm in the hand of God can withstand a world; and the Gates (the utmost power and policy) of Hell shall not prevail a∣gainst one upright man, Prov. 13. 6. Righte•…•…ness keepeth him that is upright in the way? His inno•…•…ence is his shi•…•…ld, And the eyes of the Lord run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to shew him∣self strong, in the behalf of them whose heart is perfect towards him. His all-see∣ing eye, his all-ruling provid•…•…nce is im∣ployed in finding out all the designs of

your enemies, to frustrate them or over∣rule them, and to secure you whose hearts are perfect or upright before him. How secure would you be against a subject by such a word from a King? and may you not rest more on his word, who is the King of Kings? If you have his Pass you may go safe enough, even through Armies of Aliens.

Observable is that story in Josephus, of Gods special Providence this way. The Emperor Caligula commands Pe∣tronius, his Deputy in Judea, to set up his Image in the Temple. The Jews (ever since their Captivity, •…•…een against Idolatry) b•…•…g and crave, and at length offer their necks and lives to him, ra∣ther than admit such a profanation. Pe∣tronius pities their condition, and for∣bears to execute his Masters command. But the Emperor is inraged, and sends his Deputy a Letter to slay himself, the usual doom of such persons. But Cali∣gula shortly dyes, and his Letter meet∣ing with some delay, was not brought unto Petronius, till just after he had re∣ceived the news of his death; and thus he escaped. Behold the admirable Pro∣vidence of God to those that stand upright.

Go forth therefore in your might, con∣sider your duty and faithfully do it. Take no sollicitous care what shall befall you. Study not events, but study your work; not what man or Devils will do, but what you ought to do, and not an hair of your head must fall to the ground. Wickedness proceeds from the wicked, but with the upright man he will shew himself upright.

Notes

• * 1.1

  §. 2. Defending his Person.