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ago, 2 Cor. viii. 10. For many may do good things, who yet do them not with an upright will and ready mind.

6. The upright man has always matter of boldness before men. He can make an apology and defence for himself against the slanders of wicked men, and against the accusations of Satan, Acts xxiii. 11, xxiv. 14 - 16, who are ready upon every slight occasion, to reproach him as a hypocrite, and say, that all which he does is but in hypocrisy: but he can give all the lie, who charge him with dissimulation or hypocrisy. He knows more of his hypocrisy than they can tell him; he finds fault with, and accuses himself for it, more than they can do: yet this he can say, he allows it not, he hates it, and his heart is upright towards God. He cares not though his adversary write a book against him, Job xxxi. 35, 36, xix. 23 - 25. He has his defence; if men will receive it, they may; if not, he dares to appeal to heaven. For his record is on high. He has always a witness both within him, and in heaven for him, Job xvi. 19; 2 Cor. i. 12.

7. Uprightness is an excellent preventer and cure of despair, arising from accusations of conscience; even of a wounded spirit, of which Solomon saith, Who can bear it? For either it keeps it off, Job xxvii. 5, 6; or, if it be wounded, this uprightness in believing, and in willingness to reform and obey, is a most sovereign means to cure and quiet it, or at least will allay the extremity of it.

Not but an upright man may have trouble of mind, and that to some extremity; but he may thank himself for it, because he will not see and acknowledge that uprightness which he has, and does not properly apply it, or cherish it; which if he would do, there is nothing, next to the precious blood of Jesus Christ, would answer the charges of his accusing conscience, or bring feeling comfort to his soul, sooner or better.

8. The upright man has a holy boldness with God. When Abimelech could say, In the integrity of my heart, and innocency of my hands have I done this,