The sure trial of uprightness opened in several sermons upon Psal. xviii, v. 23…The sure trial of uprightness open'd in several sermons upon Psal. xviii, v. 23…

The dispensing of the Treasure of Merits to penitent Pay-Masters, and giving mercenary Bills of Exchange to receive Righteousness from others, is so wretched and transparent a Fallacy, that were not the Minds of Men prodigiously stupefied, it is impossible they should believe it will avail them before the Judgment-Seat of God.

The dispensing of the Treasure of Merits to penitent Pay-Masters, and giving mercenary Bills of Exchange to receive Righteousness from others, is so wretched and transparent a Fallacy, that were not the Minds of Men prodigiously stupified, it is impossible they should believe it will avail them before the Judgment-Seat of God.

Let our Prayers be never so frequent and earnest, they are of no prevalency with God whilst the beloved Sin is retained. The Condition of our favourable Audience is set down by Solomon in his Divine Prayer at the Dedication of the Temple; What Prayer or Supplication ¹soever be made by any Man, or by all the People of Israel, which shall know every ⟨p. 84⟩Man the Plague of his own Heart, and spread forth his hand to Heaven; then hear thou in Heaven, and hearing forgive. If they shall be sensible of the Bosom-Sin, of its pestilential Malignity, and with repenting Sorrow acknowledge and forsake it, they are prepared Objects of Mercy. David saith, If I regard Iniquity in my Heart, the Lord will not hear my Prayer. God sees through all the Disguises of Hypocrites, and has a bright prospect into the Heart, if any insinuating Infirmity be cherished there, it will make him averse from our Persons and Requests.

Let our Prayers be never so frequent and earnest, they are of no prevalency with God whilst the beloved Sin is retain'd. The Condition of our favourable Audience is set down by Solomon in his Divine Prayer at the Dedication of the Temple; What Prayer or Supplication ¹