Copyright@Monergism

TheCharacterOfAnUprightMan

byThomasWatson

TableofContents

Introduction

I.Theuprightman'scharacter.

II.TheUprightMan'sCrown

Uses

Introduction

"Mark theperfectman,andbehold theupright, for theendof thatmanispeace."Psalm37:37

Sincerity isofuniversal importancetoaChristian.It is thesaucewhichseasons piety andmakes it savory. Sincerity is the jewel which God ismostdelightedwith,Psalm51:6."Beholdyoudesiretruthintheinwardparts."Tospeakplainly--allourpompousshowofholiness,withoutthissoulofsinceritytoenlivenit—itisbut'piousfolly'.Itisbutgoingtohellinamoredevoutmannerthanothers!

Thisconsiderationhasputmeuponthissubject in thisplaceofsolemnworship and concourse; and to quicken your attention, you have Godhimself calling to you to take notice in these words, "Mark the perfectman,andbeholdtheupright,fortheendofthatmanispeace."

TheHebrewwordforuprighthastwosignifications.

1.Itsignifiesplainnessofheart;theuprightmanisnotplaitedinfolds;heis without collusion or double-dealing, "in whose spirit is no deceit,"Psalm32:2.

The upright man has no subterfuges, his tongue and his heart gotogether,asawell-madedialgoeswiththesun;heisdownrightsincere.

2.Thiswordupright signifiesamanapproved.Theuprightman isonewhom God thinks highly of. Better have God's approbation, than theworld's acclamation. The plainer the diamond is—the richer; themoreplaintheheartis—themoreitshinesinGod'seyes.

Inthewordstherearethreeparts:

1.TheProspect,theUprightman.

2.TheAspect,Behold.

3.TheReason,fortheendofthatmanispeace.

Orthus.

1.Hereisthegodlyman'scharacter,Heisupright.

2.Hiscrown,theendofthatmanispeace.

The words present us with this doctrinal conclusion—the end of anuprightmaniscrownedwithpeace.

ThatImayillustratethis,Ishallshowyou:

1.Whothisuprightmanis,thatwemayknowhimwhenwemeethim.

2.Theblessedendhemakes,theendofthatmanispeace.

I.TheUprightMan'sCharacter.

Iwilldelineatewhothisuprightmanis.IshallshowyoutheinnocencyofChrist'sdove.Weliveinanagewhereinmostpretendtosaintship,butitis to be feared they are not upright saints; but, like the woman in thegospel,whom"Satanhasbentover,"Luke13:11,IshallgiveyouseveralcharacteristicsignsofanuprightChristian.

1.Theuprightman'sHEART is forGod.Hence thatphrase "upright inheart,"Psalm64:10.It is theheartwhichGodcalls for,Proverbs23:26,"My son give me your heart!" The heart is a virgin, which has manysuitors,and,amongtherest,GodHimselfbecomesasuitor.Theheartisliketheprimummobile,whichcarriesalltheotherorbsalongwithit.IftheheartisforGod,thenourtears,ouralms,allisforGod.Theheartisthefort-royalthatcommandsalltherest.Whenhehigh-priestwastocutuptheanimalforsacrifice,thefirstthinghelookeduponwastheheart,andifthathadanyblemish,itwasrejected.Itisnotthegift,buttheheartwhichGodrespects."Thesepeoplecomeneartomewiththeirmouthandhonormewiththeirlips—buttheirheartsarefarfromme!"Isaiah29:13.Theyare likethosestatueswhichhavetheireyesandhands lifteduptoheaven,butnohearttoanimatethatdevotion.Inreligiontheheartisall,Eph. 5:9. "Making melody in your hearts to the Lord." It is the heartwhich makes the music. The upright man gives God his heart. It isreportedofCranmer,thatafterhisfleshandboneswereconsumedintheflame,hisheartwasfoundwhole.Justso,anuprightmaninthemidstofhis infirmities—his heart is kept whole for God—he does not have twohearts—aheartforGod,andaheartforsin.Godlovesabrokenheart,notadividedheart!

2. The upright man works by an upright RULE. There are many falsecrookedruleswhichtheuprightmandaresnotgoby.As,

FalseRule#1.PublicOpinion."Itistheopinionofsuchasarepiousandlearned." This is a false rule, it is not the opinion of others,which canmake a thing unlawful, or warrantable. If a synod of divines, or if anassemblyofangels,shouldsaywemightworshipGodbyanimage,theiropinioncouldnotmake this lawful.AnuprightChristianwillnotmakeanother'sopinion,hisBible.

Thebestguidesmaysometimesgowrong.Peterpreachescircumcision,

the very doctrine of the false apostles, Gal. 2:1. Peter himself was notinfallible. The upright man is no adorer of public opinion. when thestreamofArianismswelledsohighthatitoverflowedagreatpartoftheworld, Athanasius swam against the stream; he was invincible in thetruth.

False Rule #2. Custom. "It has been the custom of the place, or thereligionofourancestors."Thisisafalserule;"Thecustomsofthepeoplearevain,"Jer.10:3,andasforourancestors,asonshouldbettertakehislandfromhisfather,thanhisreligion.Howmanyofourforefatherslivedin timesofpopery—and stumbled tohell in thedark?Arewe thereforeboundtofollowtheirblindzeal?Awisemanwillnotsethiswatchbytheclock,butbythesun!

FalseRule#3.Conscience."Myconsciencetellsmeso."Thisisnoruleforan upright man; the conscience of a sinner is defiled, Titus 1:15.Consciencebeingdefiled,willerr;anerringconsciencecannotbearule,Acts 26:9. "I truly thoughtwithmyself, that I ought todomany thingscontrary to the name of Jesus"; he who is a heretic may plead hisconscience.Onceadmitconsciencetobearule,andweopenthedoortoall anarchy and massacres. If the devil gets into a man's conscience—wherewillhenotcarryhim!

FalseRule#4.Providence.Providencesitsatthehelm,anddisposesofallevents and contingencies; but providence is not a rule for the uprightman to walk by. We are indeed to observe God's providence, Psalm107:43."Whoeveriswisewillobservethesethings";butwearenottobeinfalliblyledbyit.ProvidenceisaChristian'sdiary—nothisBible!

When thewicked prosper, it does not follow that theirway is good, orthatGod favors them.God'scandle,asJobsays, "mayshineupon theirhead,"andyethiswrathhangovertheirhead!ItisthegreatestjudgmentfromGod—tothriveinawayofsin!Dionysius,whenhehadrobbedthetemple,afterwardshadafairgaletobringhomehisstolenplunder."See,"says he, "how the gods love sacrilege!" A calm is sometimes theforerunner of an earthquake. Haman's banquet did but usher in hisexecution. Godmay letmen succeed, that their judgmentmay exceed!"You are storing up wrath against yourself for the day of God's wrath,

whenhisrighteousjudgmentwillberevealed."Romans2:5.

Theuprightmanwillnotgobytheserules.Butleavingsuchfalseguides,hemakesthewordofGodhisstartofollow.Thisisthejudgeandumpireofallhisactions;"Tothelaw,tothetestimony,"Isaiah8:20.TheOldandNewTestamentsarethetwolipsbywhichGodspeakstous!Theyarethepair of compasses by which the upright man draws the wholecircumferenceofhislife.

TheMontanistsandEnthusiaststalkofrevelations,andsometalknow-a-days of "a light within them." The Scripture is above any supposedrevelation."Suchapersongoesintogreatdetailaboutwhathehasseen,andhisunspiritualmindpuffshimupwithidlenotions."Colossians2:18.The apostle speaks of a voice fromheaven, 1 Pet. 1:18. "And this voicewhichcamefromheaven,weheardwhenwewerewithhimin theholymount";yet, sayshe, "wehaveamoresureword,"ver. 19.ThewordofGod ought to be more sacred and infallible to us, than a voice fromheaven!

3.AnuprightmanworksfromanuprightPRINCIPLE.Andthatis,"Faithworkingbylove,"Gal.5:6.

1. An uprightman acts from a principle of FAITH.Hab. 2:4, "The justshalllivebyhisfaith."

1.Theuprightmanhearsinfaith.It iscalled"thehearingoffaith,"Gal.3:2.Faithreceivestheword.

2.Theuprightmanpraysinfaith.Itiscalledthe"prayerofferedinfaith,"James 5:15. David sprinkles faith in his prayer, Psalm 51:7, "PurgemewithhyssopandIshallbeclean,washme,"etc.;intheHebrewitrunsinthefuture,"Youshallpurgeme,youshallwashme."Itisthevoiceofonewhobelievesaswellasprays.Prayeristhearrow,andfaithisthebowoutofwhichweshoottothethroneofgrace;afaithlessprayerisafruitlessprayer.Prayerwithoutfaithislikeagundischargedwithoutabullet.Theuprightmanpraysinfaith.

3. Theuprightmanweeps in faith.Mark 9:24, "The father of the child

criedoutwithtears,Lord,Ibelieve."Whenhistearsdroppedtotheearth,hisfaithreachedheaven.

2.AnuprightmanactsfromaprincipleofLOVE.Cant.1:4,"Theuprightlove you." Love is as the spring in the watch, it moves the wheels ofobedience.TheuprightChristianiscarriedtoheaveninafierychariotoflove.Loveamendsandripenseveryduty,andmakes it comeoffwithabetter relish. Divine love is likemusk among linen,which perfumes it.Lovegivesafragrantredolencytoallourservices.AsmalltokensentinloveisacceptedbyGod."Theuprightloveyou."

HypocritesserveGodonlyforfear—astheslaveworksinthegalley;orasthe Parthians worship the devil—that he should do them no hurt.Hypocrites'obedience is forced likewateroutofastill—bythe fire.Thethoughts of hell-firemake thewater of tears drop from their eyes! TheuprightChristianactspurely from love,2Cor.5:14, "The loveofChristconstrainsme!"AnuprightsoullovesChrist,morethanhefearshell.

4.AnuprightChristianworkstoanuprightEND.HemakesGod'sgloryhis ultimate end; his aims are right. God's glory is the upright man'smark,andthoughheshootsshortofthemark,yetbecauseheaimsatit,itisaccepted.This is thequestiontheuprightmanpropounds tohimself,"WillthisbringglorytoGod?"Helaborsstilltobringinsomerevenuesintothetreasuryofheaven.HeprefersthegloryofGodbeforewhatevercomesincompetitionwith,orstandsinoppositionagainstit.Iflifeislaidinonebalance,andGod'sgloryintheother—thegloryofGodoutweighs."They loved not their lives to the death," Rev. 12:11. "If my wife andchildren," saysHieroni, "shouldhang aboutme, anddissuademe fromdoingmyduty—Iwouldtrampleuponall,andIwouldflytothecross!"

The upright man prefers the glory of God, before his own salvation,Romans9:1. "Icouldwishmyselfaccursed fromChrist formykinsmenaccordingtotheflesh."PaulknewitwasimpossiblehecouldbeaccursedfromChrist. The book of life has no errata in it; besides, Paul knew itunlawful to wish he were accursed from Christ; but the meaning is,supposing, that byhis breaking off, and someof the Jews grafting intoChrist, Godmight bemore honored, suchwas his zeal forGod's glory,that he could evenwish himself accursed fromChrist. God's glory was

dearertohimthanhisownsalvation.

1.ThehypocriteservesGodforGAIN.Helooksatthebenefitsandprofitswhichcomeinbyreligion.Itisnotthepowerofgodlinessthehypocriteloves,butthegainofgodliness.Itisnotthefireofthealtar,butthegoldof the altar which he adores. This is a religious wickedness. It is theloaves,notthemiracles,whichdrawthemtoreligion.DemetriuscriesupthegoddessDiana,Acts 19:27,but itwasnother temple,buther silvershrineswhich he cared for.Many fall in lovewith religion, not for herbeautybutherjewels.

Thereisastoryofamonk,whowalkedlikeahumblemanwithhiseyesdownupontheground,whoafterwardswasmadeabbot;andbeingaskedwhyhewentinthathumbleposturewithhiseyesdown?sayshe,"Iwaslooking for the keys of the abbey, and now I have found them!" Thehypocrite is like thewaspwhich comes to the gally-pot—for thehoney!Thehypocritemakesuseofreligion,onlyasthefishermandoesofhisnet,tocatchsomebenefitforhimself.

2.ThehypocriteservesGodforAPPLAUSE.HypocriteslooknotatGod'sglory,buttheirownvain-glory.TheyserveGodrathertosavetheircredit,thantosavetheirsouls.Hypocritespray"tobeseenbymen,"Mat.6:5,thattheymaybesetuponatheater,andhavespectators.Whentheygivealms"theyblowatrumpet,"Mat6:2,andtheirheartswereashollowastheirtrumpets!Theydidit"thattheymightbehonoredbymen,"ver.2.Itwas not giving alms, but selling them; they sold them for praise andapplause!"TrulyIsayuntoyou,"saysChrist,"theyhavetheirrewardinfull." The hypocritemaymake his acquittance, andwrite, "Received infullpayment!"Theapplauseofmen—isall thepaymentwhich theywillget.AnuprightheartmakesthegloryofGodhiscenter.

5.AnuprightmanisUNIFORMinpiety.HelookswithanequaleyeatallGod's commands. "The tableswerewrittenonbothsides,"Exod.32:15.AnuprightChristianturnsbothsidesofthetables;helooksatdutiesofthesecondtableaswellasdutiesofthefirst;heknowsallhavethesamestampofdivineauthorityuponthem.ItissaidinthehonorofZachariahandElizabeth,theywalked"inallthecommandmentsandordinancesofthe Lord." An upright Christian, though he fails in every duty, yet he

makesconscienceofeveryduty.HewillaswellworshipGodintheclosetas in the temple; he often casts up the accounts between God andconscience.Heispiousathome—aswellasabroad.Hehadratherusethelooking-glass of the word to look into his own heart—than the broadspectaclesofcensuretolookintothefaultsofothers.Hewalkssoberly,inacts of temperance. He walks righteously, in acts of justice. He walksgodly,inactsofpiety.

Ahypocritewillpickandchooseinreligion.Insomedutiesheiszealous,inothersremiss."Hypocrites!Foryouarecarefultotitheeventhetiniestpart of your income, but you ignore the important things of the law—justice, mercy, and faith," Matt 23:23. Jehu was zealous against theidolatry of Ahab, but gives a toleration to the golden calves, 2 Kings10:29. Jehu's obedience was lame on one foot. Some will go over thesmooth way of religion—they are for easy duties; but they like not theruggedwayofself-denialandmortification.Heisliketheplough,whenitcomes toahardpieceofearth—itmakesabaulk.AnuprightChristian,withCaleb,followsGodfully,Numb.14:24.Wherewearesosincereastodoourbest,Godwillbesoindulgentastopassbyourworst.

6.AnuprightChristiandoesnotgoSTOOPING.TheHebrewforuprightsignifiestogostraight.

Theuprightmanwillnot stoop toanythingagainsthis conscience.TheGreek for upright, signifies a man that does not bend. The uprightChristiandoesnotwhirlabout,orsinfullyprostitutehimselftothelustsanddesiresofmen.Theapostlescouldneitherflatterorcringe,Acts4:19."JudgeforyourselveswhetheritisrightinGod'ssighttoobeyyouratherthanGod."

The uprightChristian dares not palliate or justify the sins ofmen; thisweretowashthedevil's facewithholywater.Isaiah50:20,26."Woetothemthatcallevilgood,whichjustifythewickedforreward."Propertiusspeaksof a spring in Italywhichmakes theblackoxen thatdrinkof it,lookwhite. This is a fit emblem of those hypocriteswho canmake theworstmenlookwhite.

AnuprightmandaresnotkeepbackanypartofGod'struth,Acts20:27.

"I have declared unto you all the counsel of God." It is cowardice andtreason,toconcealanypartofourcommission.

Anuprightmanwillnotneglectaknowndutyforfearof losingaparty.Someuponthisverygroundhave forbornetodeclareagainsterror—forfearof aparty fallingoff from them. Ifmenwill leaveus fordoingourduty,myopinionis,theyarebetterlostthankept.Theuprightmanhadratherthatmenshouldaccounthimafool,thanGodshouldaccusehimforunfaithful.Anuprightmanwillnotletanyinterestbiashimfromthetruth. The saints are compared to pillars, Rev. 3:12; the pillar standsupright.UnsoundChristiansarelikewillowswhichwillbendeveryway.AgodlyChristian is like the"palmtreewhichgrowsupright,"Jer.10:5.Whenwe letmen lord itoverourconsciences—if theybidusbreakourvows,sellourreligion,wearepliable,andmalleabletoanything,likehotironwhichmaybebeatenintoanyform;orlikewool,whichwillreceiveany die. This arguesmuch unsoundness of heart. An upright Christianwillnotbebentawry,hegoeswithoutstooping.

7.AnuprightChristianisZEALOUSforGod.Rev.2:2,"Youcannotbearthosewhoareevil."UprightnessandzealmaketherightcomplexionofaChristian.Zealisamixedaffection;itisacompoundofloveandanger,itboilsupthespiritstotheheight,andmakesthemrunover;zealisafirekindled fromheaven.Blessed be its anger, for it iswithout sin, and itswrath, for it isagainstsin.WhenPaulsawtheir idolatryatAthens,"hisspirit was stirred in him," Acts 17:16; he was in a burning fit of zeal.Moses,ameekman,thoughcoolinhisowncause,yethotinGod's,whenIsraelhadcommittedidolatry,"Moses"angerwaxedhot,"Ex.32:19.Hebreaksthetablets,grindsthecalftopowder,strewsitonthewater,andmakesthechildrenofIsraeltodrinkofit!

AnuprightChristiantakesadishonordonetoGodmoreheinousthanadisgrace done to himself; can the true child endure to hear the fatherreproached?WhenCroesusson,thoughbornmute,sawthemgoabouttokillhisfather,histonguestringsunloosed,andhecriedout,"KillnotkingCroesus!" He who can hear Christ's divinity spoken against by theSocinian, his ordinances crieddownby the libertine, andhis bloodnotrise, andhis zealnot sparkle forth—isa traitor to the crownofheaven.DidChristopenhissideforuswhenthebloodranout;andshallnotwe

openourmouthinhisvindication?howwerethesaintsinformertimesfired with zeal for God? They were, as Cyprian affirms, like lionsbreathingforththeheavenlyflameofzeal.

8.AnuprightChristianwillnotallowhimselfinanyknownSIN.Hedaresnot touch the forbidden fruit,Gen.39:9. "How thencan Ido thisgreatwickedness, and sin against God?" Though it is a besetting-sin, hedisinheritsit.Thereisnomanbuthasapropensityandinclinationmoretoonesin,morethananother;as inthebodythere isonepredominanttrait,orasinthehivethereisonemaster-bee;sointheheartthereisonemaster-sin: there is one sin which is not only near to a man as thegarment,butdeartohimastherighteye!ThissinisSatan'sfort-royal,allhisstrengthlieshere;andthoughwebeatdownhisout-works,grosssin,yetifwelethimholdthisfortofbesetting-sin,itisasmuchashedesires.Thedevilcanholdamanasfastbythisonelink,asbyawholechainofvices.Thefowlerhasthebirdheldfastenoughbyonewing.

NowanuprightChristianwill not indulgehimself in this besetting-sin,Psalm 18:23. "Iwas also upright before him, and keptmyself frommyiniquity."AnuprightChristiantakesthesacrificingknifeofmortification,andrunsitthroughhisdearestsin!Heroddidmanythings,buttherewasone sin sodear tohim, thathewould soonerbehead theprophet, thanbeheadthatsin!Herodwouldhaveagapforhisincest.Anuprightheartisnotonlyangrywithsin(whichmayadmitofreconciliation),buthatessin;andifheseesthisserpentcreepingintohisbosom,thenearer it is,themorehehatesit.

9.AnuprightChristianisright inhisJUDGMENT.Hedoesnot leantoerror;hisheaddoesnotturnaround.Thoughtherewillbedifferencesinlessermatters,thingsindifferentanddisputable(andindeedwherethereare not such clear footings in scripture, there must be some grains ofallowance),yetinthefundamentalsoftruereligion,theuprightChristiankeepshisstanding.

Error isdangerous;amanmayaswellgo tohellbyerror—asbymoralvice.Grosssinsstabto theheart—errorpoisons.There is lesshopes foranerroneouspersonthanaprofaneperson.Theprofanepersonsins,anddoesnot repent; theerroneous sins, andholds it tobea sin, to repent.

The one is without tears, the other cries down tears. The uprightChristianisnottaintedwiththisleprosy;hehasrectitudeinhismind.

10.Anuprightman isofaSYMPATHIZINGspirit.He lays toheart themiseriesofZion.Thisarguesmuchsincerity.Plinyspeaksof thegoldenvine,whichfeelsnoinjuryfromwindorstorms.Thechurchtriumphantmaybecomparedtothisgoldenvine,whichisaboveallstormsofinjury,andflourishesinperpetualglory;butthechurchmilitantisnotagoldenvine,butableedingvine.Nowwherethereissincerity,thereissympathy.

Ahypocritemaybeaffectedwithhisownmiseries,butanuprightheartisaffectedwiththechurch'smiseries.Iconfessahypocritemaybesensibleofthemiseriesofthepublic,sofarashehimselfisconcerned,asamanmaybetroubledtohearofsuchashipcastaway,becausehehimselfhadashare in it;butanuprightChristian, thoughhebenot touched inhisownparticular,yetbecauseitgoesillwiththechurch,andreligionseemsto lose ground, he counts the church's loss his loss, heweeps inZion'stears,andbleedsinherwounds.

Jeremiah, that weeping prophet, makes the church'smiseries his own,Lam.3:1."Iamthemanthathasseenaffliction."Hesufferedleastinhisownperson,forhehadaprotectiongranted;thekinggaveorderthatheshould be well cared for, Jer. 39:11, 12; but he felt most in regard ofsympathy. Though they were Zion's miseries, they were Jeremiah'slamentations;hefeltIsrael'shardcordsthroughhissoftbed.Nehemiahlays toheart themiseriesof thechurch,his complexionbegins toalter,and he looks sad, Neh. 2:3. "Why should not my countenance be sad,whenthecity,theplaceofmyfathers"sepulcherslieswaste?"What,sad,whentheking'scupbearerandwine issonear?Oh,but it fared illwiththechurchofGod; thereforehegrowswearyof thecourt,he leaveshiswine,andmingleshisdrinkwithweeping.Herewasanuprightman.

True grace ennobles the heart, dilates the affections, and carries out amanbeyond the sphereofhisprivate concernments,makinghimmindthechurch'sconditionashisown.Oh,howfewuprightsaints!maynotthatchargebedrawnupagainstsundrypersons?"Howterribleitwillbefor you who sprawl on ivory beds surrounded with luxury, eating themeatoftenderlambsandchoicecalves.Yousingidlesongstothesound

of the harp, and you fancy yourselves to be great musicians, as KingDavidwas.Youdrinkwineby thebowlful, andyouperfumeyourselveswithexotic fragrances,caringnothingatall thatyournation isgoing toruin."Amos6:4-6.

It is with most people as with a drunken man fast asleep, he is notsensibleofanythingthatisdone;letothersbekillednearhim,andliea-bleeding,heisnotsensible.Hesleepssecurelyinhiswine.Thusitiswithtoo many who are drunk with the wine of prosperity, and fallen fastasleep.ThoughthechurchofGodliesbleedingofherwoundsnearthem,and ready to bleed to death; they are not sensible, they have quiteforgottenJerusalem.LikeThemistocles,whowhenoneoffered to teachhim theArt ofMemory, hedesired that hewould teachhim theArt ofForgetfulness. The devil has taught many men this art. They haveforgottenthemiseriesofthechurch;suchmaysuspectthemselvestobeunsound.Thesaintsarecalledlivingstones,1Pet.2:5;thereforeifthereis any breach in the spiritual house they must be sensible. Is not thechurchChrist'sspouse?andtoseehersmitten,andChristthroughher—will not this affect our hearts? The church is "the apple of God's eye,"Zech.2:8,andtosee theappleofhiseyeweep,willnot thisdrawtearsfrom us? An upright heart cannot but grieve to sit by the church'sbedside,andhearherdyinggroans.

11.TheuprightmanisLIBERALandgiving.

1.Hehasa liberalheart towards themaintenanceofGod'sworship.HewillnotletthefireofGod'saltargooutforlackofpouringonalittleoil.What vast sums of gold and silver did David prepare for the house ofGod!1Chron.29:3."AndnowbecauseofmydevotiontotheTempleofmyGod,Iamgivingallofmyownprivatetreasuresofgoldandsilvertohelp in the construction. This is in addition to the buildingmaterials IhavealreadycollectedforhisholyTemple.Iamdonatingmorethan112tonsofgoldfromOphirandover262tonsofrefinedsilvertobeusedforoverlaying the walls of the buildings and for the other gold and silverworktobedonebythecraftsmen."Hypocrites, if theymayhavegoldenpurses, are content to have wooden priests. They love a cheap gospel,theyareloathtobeputtotoomuchexpense.Howmanyhavelosttheirsouls to save money! The upright Christian will not offer that to God,

whichcostshimnothing.

2.TheuprightmanhasaliberalhearttoChrist'spoor.Psalm112:9,"Hehasdispersedabroad,hehasgiventothepoor,hisrighteousnessenduresforever."TheHebrewwordforgodlysignifiesmerciful.Theuprightmanpoursthegoldenoilofmercyintothewoundsofothers.Thepoorman'shand is Christ's treasury; the upright saint is ever casting into Christ'streasury.Mercyandliberalityistheensignthatintegritydisplays.

Themoreexcellentanythingis,themorediffusive.Thecloudspourdowntheirsilvershowers,thesunsendsabroaditsgoldenbeams."Theendoflife is usefulness."What benefit is there of a diamond in the rock; andwhat better is it tohave a great estate, if this diamondbe shutup in arockyheart.

Whatshallwesaytoselfishmen?aretheseupright?"Allseektheirown,"Phil.2:21.Youmayaswellextractoiloutofaflint—asadropofcharityfromthem.Someobservethegroundismostbarrenneargoldenmines;and indeed it is too often so in a spiritual sense; thosewhomGod hasmostenrichedwithestates,aremostbarreningoodworks.Howcanhesayhehasanuprightheart—whohasawitheredhand?howdareshesayhe loves God in sincerity? 1 John 3:17, "If anyone has materialpossessionsandseeshisbrotherinneedbuthasnopityonhim,howcantheloveofGodbeinhim?"

Whatshallwethinkofsuch,asinsteadofscatteringabroadtheseedsofmercy and compassion to others—carenothow theywrongothers!Arethesetobeaccountedupright?Christmadehimselfpoortomakeusrich,1Cor.6:8,andthesemakeotherspoor,tomakethemselvesrich!Insteadofgiving thepooracovering, they takeaway theircovering fromthem!Likethehedgehogthatwrapsitself initsownsoftdown,andturnsoutthe bristles to others; an emblem of these, who if they may gratifythemselves, they turn out the bristles, they care not what mischief orharmtheydotoothers.Thesearethosewhoraisethewealthoftheirownfamilies, out of the ruin of others. They are not birds of paradise, butbirdsofprey.Somedothisunderthemaskofprofession;thisisjustasifa thief should commit a robbery in the judge's own robes; or as if awomanshouldplaytheharlothavingtheBiblelyingbeforeher.Theseare

noneoftheraceoftheupright.Theuprightmanisapublicgoodintheplacewherehelives;heisgiventoworksofmercy.HeislikeGod,who"makeshisspringstorunamongthevalleys,"Psalm104:10,sodoestheupright man make his springs of charity to run among the valleys ofpoverty.

12. The upright man is PROGRESSIVE in holiness. He pursues afterfurther degrees of sanctity, Job 17:9. "The righteouswillmove onwardand forward, and those with pure hearts will become stronger andstronger." Uprightness is in the heart, as seed in the earth, which willincrease, Col. 2:9. Unsound Christians rest in some faint desires andformalities; it iswithhypocritesaswith thebody inanatrophy,which,thoughitreceivesfood,yetthrivesnot.TheuprightChristian"followsontoknowtheLord,"Hos.6:3.Theysayofthecrocodile,thatitneverstopsgrowing.Hieromwrites of Paulinus, that in the first part of his life heexcelledothers,inthelatterpartheexcelledhimself.Theuprightmanisnot like Hezekiah's sun, which went backward; nor like Joshua's sun,which stood still; but like David's sun, which goes forward, and as achampiondoesrunhisrace.

Objection.ButmayachildofGodsay,IfearIamnotupright,forIdonotperceivethatIbecomestronger?

Answer.Youmaythriveingrace,thoughyoudonotperceiveit.Theplantgrows,butnotalwaysinoneplace.Sometimesitgrowsinthebranches,sometimessecretlyintheroot.Justso,anuprightsoulstillgrows,butnotalways in the same grace; sometimes higher in the branches, inknowledge; sometimes he thrives in the root, in humility; which is asneedfulasanyothergrowth.Ifyouarenotmoretall,yetifyouaremorelowly, here is a progress, and this progress evidences the vitals ofsincerity.

13.TheuprightmanordershisLIFEaright.Psalm50:23, "Tohim thatordershisconductarightwill IshowthesalvationofGod."Theuprightman isapatternofholiness;he treadsevenly,hewalksasChristdid, 1John 2:6. Though themain work of religion lies within, yet "our lightmustsoshine,"thatothersmaybeholdit.Thefoundationofsincerityisin the heart, yet its beautiful frontispiece appears in the conduct. The

saintsarecalledjewels,becausetheycastasparklinglusterintheeyesofothers. An upright Christian is like Solomon's temple, gold within andwithout. Sincerity is a holy leaven,which if it is in theheart,willworkitselfintothelife,andmakeitswellandriseashighasheaven,Phil.3:20.

Somebragtheyhavegoodhearts,buttheirlivesarecrooked.Theyhopeto go to heaven, but "their steps take hold of hell," Proverbs 5:5. AnuprightChristiansetsacrownofhonorupontheheadofreligion,hedoesnotonlyprofessthegospel,butadornsit—helaborstowalksoregularlyandholily,thatifwecouldsupposetheBibletobelost,itmightbefoundagaininhislife.

14. The upright man will be GOOD in bad times. The laurel keeps itsfreshness and greenness in the winter season. Job 27:6, "Myrighteousness I hold fast, and will not let it go, my heart shall notreproachmesolongasIlive."Uprightnessisacomplexionwhichwillnotalter.Theuprightman'szealislikethefirewhichthevestalvirginskeptinRomealwaysburning.

Thehypocriteseemsupright,untiltimesoftrialcome.Thecrystallookslikepearluntilitcomestothehammering.Thehypocriteisgoodonlyinsunshine;hecannotsailinastorm,butretreatstotheshore.Naturalistsreport of the Chelydonian stone, that it will retain its virtue no longerthan it is enclosed in gold. This is a fit emblem of hypocrites,who aregoodonlywhiletheyareenclosedingoldenprosperity;takethemoutofthe gold, and they lose that virtue they seemed to have. Unsoundprofessors, like green timber, shrink in thehot sunof persecution.Theheatofthefierytrialcoolstheirzeal.

Anuprightman—whateverheloses,heholdsfasthisintegrity.Heislikewinefullofspirits,whichisgoodtothelastdrawing.ThethreeHebrewchildren,orratherthethreechampions,wereinvincibleintheircourage,Dan.3:18.NeitherNebuchadnezzar'smusiccouldflatterthem,norcouldhisfurnacescarethemoutoftheirreligion.Paulgloriesinhissufferings,Romans5:3;he rattleshischain,anddisplays itasanensignofhonor.Ignatiuscallshisfettershisspiritualpearls;theywereasprecioustohimasanecklaceofpearl;thustheuprightman,thoughdeathliesintheway,spurson to theendof the race;he ismost swift towards thecenter.Of

himitmaybesaid,"Youhavekeptthebestwineuntilnow."

15.AnuprightmanendeavorstomakeOTHERSupright.Itishisworkto"make crooked things straight."Where there is life, there is a power ofpropagation.1Cor.4:14,"InChristJesusIhavebegottenyouthroughthegospel";agoodmanlaborstomakeothersgood;asfiredoesassimilate,and turn everything into its own nature, Luke 21:32. "When you areconverted,strengthenyourbrethren."TheuprightmanisintheplaceofGod to his brother, he increases his knowledge, confirms his faith,inflameshislove.Ifheseeshisbrotherdeclining,helaborstobringhimback;when the house begins to lean, you put under a straight piece oftimber to support it. Another beginning to lean to error, the uprightChristian,asstraighttimber,doesunderpropandsupporthim.

And thus I have set before you the character of the uprightman, he isworthamarkingandbeholding.Ihavedrawntheuprightman'spicture.TheuseIwouldmakeofallisthis—Thatyouwouldfallinlovewiththispicture,andthatyouwouldendeavortoresembleit.

And there is a great motive in the text to make you fall in love withuprightness.Seewhatabadgeofhonorisputupontheuprightman.Godcallshimperfect,"Marktheperfectman."

Question.Butcananymanbeperfectinthislife?"Whocansay—Ihavemademyheartclean,Iampurefrommysin?"Proverbs20:9.

Answer.FarbeitfrommetoholdthataChristianispurefromsininthislife. If there were no Bible to confute that opinion, a Christian's ownexperiencewoulddoit.Wefindthecontinualmotionsofsinworkinginour members. Paul cries out of "a body of death," Romans 7:24. Thesaints,thoughtheyarelovely,yetblack,Cant.1:5.Graceinthislifeislikegold in the ore, full of mixture. But yet, in an evangelical sense, theuprightmanissaidtobeperfect,andthatfivemannerofways.

1.Anuprightman isperfectwithaperfectionofPARTS, thoughnotofdegrees.Thereisnopartofhimbutisembroidered,andbespangledwithgrace.Thoughhebe sanctifiedbut inpart—yethe is sanctified ineverypart;thereforegraceinabelieveriscalledanewman,Col.3:10.Thework

of the Spirit in the heart is a thorough work; Psalm 51:2, "Wash methoroughlyfrommyiniquity."Graceintheheartislikeairinthetwilight;there isnopartof theairbuthassomelight in it,and inthissensetheuprightmanisperfect.

2. The upright man is perfect COMPARATIVELY, in regard to others.ThusNoahwasperfectinhisgeneration,Gen.6:9.Noah,comparedwiththeprofaneworld,wasaperfectman.Goldintheorecomparedwithleador brass is perfect. A field of wheat, though it may have some thistlesgrowinginit,yet,comparedwithafieldoftares,isperfect.

3.TheuprightmanisperfectinregardofhisAIMS.Heaimsatthemarkofperfection.Theuprightmanbreathesafterperfection,andthereforeheissaid"nottosin,"1John3:9,becausethoughheisnotwithoutsin,yethiswillisagainstsin.Hehasvotedsindown,thoughthisbosom-traitorrebels.Whenhefails,heweeps;andthisisagospel-perfection.

4.Theuprightman isperfect through theRIGHTEOUSNESSofChrist.He isperfectly justified,Col. 2:10. "Youare complete inhim."Throughthe red glass, everything appears red; so through the glass of Christ'sblood,thesoulislookeduponasbeautifulandglorious!HewhohasonChrist'sseamlesscoat,isperfect.HewhohastherighteousnessofGod,isperfect,2Cor.5:21.

5.Godcallstheuprightmanperfect,becauseheintendstomakehimso.Christcallshisspousehisundefiled,Cant.5:2."Opentome,mydove,myundefiledone,"oras theoriginal is, "myperfectone;my flawlessone."Not that the spouse is so, she has her spots and blemishes, but yetundefiled,becauseChrist intends tomakeherso.Godhaschosenus toperfection,Ephes. 1:4.Apainterwhohasbegun the crudedraughtof apicture,helooksuponitwhatheintendstomakeit;heintendstolayitinitsownorientcolors.Just so, in this life there isbut the firstdraft, theimperfect lineaments of grace drawn in our souls. Yet God calls usperfect,becauseheintendsbythepenciloftheHolySpirittodrawusoutinourorientbeauty,andlaythegoldencolorofgloryuponus.Thustheuprightmanisperfect,itisassuretobedoneasifitweredonealready.

And so much for the first part of my text. The upright man's

CHARACTER.Iproceednowbrieflytothesecond,whichis,

II.TheUprightMan'sCrown

II. Theuprightman'sCROWN. "The endof thatman is peace!"As theuprightishonorablewhilehelives,heisperfect;soheishappywhenhedies. "Hisend ispeace."Thewordpeace,encirclesallblessedness in it."Theendof thatmanispeace;"awisemanlookstotheendofa thing;Eccl.7:8,"Betteristheendofathingthanthebeginning."Sopeaceableistheendofanuprightman,thatBalaamdesiredit,Numb.23:10."Letmediethedeathoftherighteous,andletmylastendbelikehis!"

Now the uprightman goes off the stage of this world wearing a triplecrownofpeace.

1.HehaspeacewithGOD.Godsaystohim,"Beofgoodcheer,yoursinsareforgivenyou."Ihavenothingagainstyou;youhavelaidyoursinstoheart,andIwillnotlaythemtoyourcharge.TheJewishRabbissaythatMosesdiedwithakiss fromGod'smouth.Iamsureof thi—theuprightmandiesembracingChristandkissingthepromises.

2.HehaspeacewithCONSCIENCE.1John5:10, "Hewhobelieveshasthewitnessinhimself."Hisendmustneedsbepeace—whohasasmilingGod,andasmilingconscience.Augustinecallsit,"theparadiseofagoodconscience."Agodlymanis in thisparadisebeforehedies.Whatsweetmusicdoesthebirdofconsciencemakeinthebreastofabeliever!"Beofgoodcomfort,"saysconscience,"youhavewalkeduprightlyinacrookedgeneration!Do not fear death!" This is the foretaste of heaven; here ismanna in thegoldenpot;hewhodieswithpeaceofconscience, flies toheavenasNoah'sdovetotheark—withanolivebranchinhismouth.

3.TheuprightmanhaspeacewiththeSAINTS.Hehastheirgoodword,theyembalmhismemory,anderectforhimmonumentsofhonorintheirhearts.Thus theuprightman'send ispeace,he is renownedamongthe

people of God; he inherits not their censure, but their praise. He iscarriedtohisgravewithashoweroftears.

Uses

Use1.INFORMATION.Seeagreatdifferencebetweenthegodlyandthewickedintheirend."Theendoftheuprightmanispeace,"but"theendofthewickedistobecutoff,"Psalm37:38.Awickedman'sendisshameandhorror,hedieswithconvulsion-fitsofconscience.Helivesinacalm,butdiesinastorm,Job27:20."Atempeststealshimawayinthenight."LikethosePlinyspeaksof,whoswimalongpleasantlyuntiltheyfallintothedeadsea.ToeverysinnerIsayasAbnertoJoab,2Sam.2:26,"Don'tyourealizethatthiswillendinbitterness?"

What is the end of hypocrites? Job 8:13. "Their hope shall be cut off!"Whatistheendofapostates?2Pet.2:20,"ForifaftertheyhaveescapedthepollutionsoftheworldthroughtheknowledgeofourLordandSaviorJesusChrist,theyareagainentangledtherein,andovercome,theirlatterendisworsewiththem.""Theendofthewickedistobecutoff."Whentheyareattheirlivesend,theyareattheirwitsend,Psalm107:27.

Objection.Butdowenotseetheworstmengooutoftheworldasquietlyandsmoothlyasany?Donottheydieinpeace?

Answer.1. Ifawickedmanseemstohavepeaceatdeath, it isnot fromthe knowledge of his happiness, but from the ignorance of his danger!Hamanwentmerrilytothebanquet,butlittledidhethinkwhatasecondcoursewastobeserved!

Answer.2.Awickedmanmaydieinalethargy,butnotinpeace.Nabaldied quietly; but he is a fool, who would wish his soul with Nabal's.Consciencemaybe like a lionasleep,butwhen this lionawakes, itwillroaruponthesinner!

Ans.3.Awickedmanmaydieinpresumption,butnotinpeace.Hehopes

all is well with him, but there is a great deal of difference betweenpresumptionandpeace.Itwillbesomuchtheworse—togotohell,withhopesofheaven!Awickedmanimagineshimselfinagoodcondition;hedies inpresumption, butnot inpeace.Observe, for themost part,Goddrives a sinner out of his fool's paradise before he dies. God lets looseconscienceuponhim,guiltspoilshismusic;andbeforehislifeiscutoff,hishope is cut off. Iwill conclude thiswith that sayingofChrist, Luke11:21, "While the strong man keeps possession, all his goods are inpeace." The peace a sinner seems to have, is but the devil's peace.Hisserenityisbutfalsesecurity,andwhateverhemaypromisehimself,Satandoesbutquiethimwithrattles.Hewholivesgraceless,diespeaceless!

Use.2.HereisinfiniteCOMFORTtotheuprightman.Hisendispeace.His life is interwovenwith troubles, "Weare troubledonevery side,"2Cor.4:8, likeashipwhichhasthewavesbeatingonbothsides.Buttheend ispeace;and thesmoothnessof theendmaymakeamends for theruggednessof theway.Theuprightman, thoughhe lives inastorm,hediesinacalm,Jer.31:17."Thereishopeinyourend."Theendcrownsall;the upright man, though he drinks wormwood while he lives—yet heswimsinhoneywhenhedies!TheuprightmanwithSimeon,"Departsinpeace," Luke 2:29, and his ending in peace is but his "entrance intopeace," Isaiah 57:2. He shall enter into peace; his dying day is hismarriage day. Grace gives both the flowers and the harvest—the sweetflowersofpeacehere,andthefullharvestofgloryhereafter.

Paula, that pious lady, when one had read to her that scripture, Cant.2:11,"Thesingingofbirdsiscome"—"Yes"saysshe,"thesingingofbirdsisnowcome!"Andsobeingfullofpeacemountedofffromherdeath-bed,andwent triumphing,andas itwere,singing intoheaven!Then,"shoutforjoyallyouwhoareuprightinheart!"Psalm32:11.Peaceisthatnever-fadinggarland,whichshallbesetupontheheadof theupright,sosaysmy text, "Mark theperfectman, andbehold theupright, for the endofthatmanispeace."