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

SECT. III.

III. THe Lord will shew himself up∣right to this man, in Strength∣ning his graces, and prospering him in his soul. His Graces are weak, his bones dried, his soul is poor and needy. He is poring a whole week by times to find one plain evidence, one evident Grace of God; but having an upright heart, and be∣ing a plant of Gods planting, they shall increase and grow up as the calves of the stall. The Child painted on the wall, that grows not, unless it grows more dim; but the Child in the bosome, that hath a principle of life; though it cryes it grows; though sick sometimes yet

grows, and at length grows a strong and lusty man: so in this case, the pain∣ted hypocrite hath no cubit added to his stature; no, he grows worse and worse, his varnish wears off, and nothing re∣mains at length but a sepulchre with∣out paint. But an upright man though he groan he grows; though he have some qualms, and doubts, and troubles, yet he gets ground, and (though insensibly) gathers strength.

It cannot be, but that a sincere heart who is diligent in the means of Grace, must be changed from glory to glory, Mic. 2. 7. Do not my words do good to him that walketh uprightly? certainly they do; He receives good, though he perceive it not. As a living man, that feeds hearti∣ly, must needs gather strength, unless he have some predominant disease upon him; though perhaps he perceive not at every meal renewed strength: So an upright man, being truely alive to God through Jesus Christ, and careful in the use of all Gods Ordinances, must needs increase his spiritual strength, though perhaps he sees no present profit by this prayer, or that Sermon, unless he lye under the tyranny of some imperi∣ous

sin for a time, Prov. 10. 29. The way of the Lord is Strength to the Upright; which most properly may dignifie, that Religion secures an upright man, ac∣cording to the last Point; but it is most true in this sence, the wayes of God and Godliness are strength, and bring strength to the upright. He that is planted in the house of the Lord, shall still bring forth fruit.—To shew that the Lord is upright, Psa. 92. 13, 14. It is one thing to be placed in the house of the Lord, so many a car∣nal Gospoller is, hath a seat there and ap∣pears there from one years end to ano∣ther; but it is another thing to be planted there, to have a root of Knowledge, Repentance, and Uprightness, and such must needs grow, and go from strength to strength.

Be not therefore discouraged, O ye of upright heart, for your grain of mu∣stard-seed will become a Tree; though your graces seem weak, they shall be strong: To him that hath shall be given, and he shall have abundance. You have a little faith and love, Habenti dabitur. God hath said it, you shall have abun∣dance: Despise not the day of small things, ply your Oars, the Ship is passing though you think it stands still, and you will be

at the shore ere you be aware, Ephes. 6. 24. Grace be with all them that love our Lord Jesus Christ in sincerity. Here's that blessing that reaches even you. [Grace] All Grace, of all sorts and sizes, [be with] it may be with you, though it appear not to you, [with all] in all ages of the Church, and in all places of the World, [that love our Lord Jesus Christ] perhaps thou canst not preach for Christ, write, nor consult, nor fight for Christ, nor but thou canst love Jesus Christ. Thou canst love him as a Lord to Rule thee, as a Jesus to Save thee, as a Christ to teach thee: why, here's Grace in the promise, in the blessing for thee. But Christ must be loved (in sincerity) Jesus Christ, himself, and Jesus Christ for him∣self. And then be assured that Grace shall be multiplied to such a soul. As it is Gods judicial method when men are re∣solv'd to go on in sin, to give them up, Rev. 22. 11. He that is filthy let him be filthy still: So when a man is uprightly bent to serve him, he spurs them on with his word and spirit, saying, He that is righteous let him be righteous still, and thus herein to the upright man, he shews himself upright.

Notes

• §. 3. Strength∣ning his Graces.