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Thirdly, Uprightness shows itself in a true endeavour and exercise, according to the strength and measure of grace received, to be, and to do according to the former resolutions and desires. Such was the apostle's endeavour to have always a conscience void of offence towards God and towards men, Acts xxiv. 16. This endeavour is an act of the whole man. All and every active power of soul and body, as there shall be use of them, are employed in unfeigned endeavour.

Now concerning endeavour, know, there are who think they endeavour sufficiently, when they do not; others that they do not, when yet they do. The first, if they, to the sluggard's longing and wishing, do join an outward conformity to the means of grace, as to hearing the word, praying now and then, and receiving the sacraments; and if they do some things which may be done with little labour and difficulty; and if to these they add some slight essays to abstain from sin, and to do well, think they endeavour much; whereas, if they do no more, all is to little purpose.

For, to endeavour, is to exercise the head with study how, Acts xxiv. 16, and the heart with will and desire, and the hand and tongue, and the whole outward man, to do their utmost, putting to their whole strength, their whole skill, and their whole will, to subdue sin, and to be strengthened in grace, and built up more and more in knowledge, faith, and holiness, removing or breaking through every hindrance, shunning all occasions of evil, or whatsoever may strengthen sin, and seeking after and embracing all opportunities and means to be strengthened in the inward man, Phil. iii. 11, 14. If one means will not be sufficient, if there be others to be used, they will find out and use them also; if they cannot attain their good purposes at once, they will try again and again. They who endeavour indeed, not only seek to obtain their ends, but they strive in seeking; as hard students, as good warriors and wrestlers, and as those who run in a race do; so that they may obtain that which they study, fight, wrestle, and run for, 1 Cor. ix. 24 - 27. It is not a