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…

Some cannot persuade themselves, that God will be so strict and severe, that for a single forbidden Pleasure, when they respect other Commands of his Law, he will condemn them for ever. The secret Presumption that one Transgression will not provoke their Judg to extreme Wrath, hardens them in a sinful course. But St. James declares, He that offends in one Point is guilty of all. One known allowed Sin that a Man habitually commits, involves him in the Guilt of Rebellion against the Divine Authority that made the Law. It was observed before, Herod did somethings according to John's Divine Instructions, but he would not part with Herodias, and that one Sin denominated him wicked. Many are like him, they observe some Rules of Religion, perform some Duties, are zealous against some Sins, but there is an Herodias, a Sin pleasant to the Taste of their Temper, that they will not relinquish, ⟨p. 110⟩and without any Promise, nay against the Threatenings of God, they believe he will be merciful to them notwithstanding their Wickedness. This Presumption is an unnatural abuse of God's Mercy. This exasperates that high and tender Attribute: For what can be more provoking than to imagine that the Divine Mercy should encourage Sin, and protect unreformed Sinners from the Arrests of Vindictive Justice?

Some cannot perswade themselves, that God will be so strict and severe, that for a single forbidden Pleasure, when they respect other Commands of his Law, he will condemn them for ever. The secret Presumption that one Transgression will not provoke their Judg to extream Wrath, hardens them in a sinful course. But St. James declares, He that offends in one Point is guilty of all. One known allowed Sin that a Man habitually commits, involves him in the Guilt of Rebellion against the Divine Authority that made the Law. It was observ'd before, Herod did somethings according to John's Divine Instructions, but he would not part with Herodias, and that one Sin denominated him wicked. Many are like him, they observe some Rules of Religion, perform some Duties, are zealous against some Sins, but there is an Herodias, a Sin pleasant to the Taste of their Temper, that they will not relinquish, ⟨p. 110⟩and without any Promise, nay against the Threatnings of God, they believe he will be merciful to them notwithstanding their Wickedness. This Presumption is an unnatural abuse of God's Mercy. This exasperates that high and tender Attribute: For what can be more provoking than to imagine that the Divine Mercy should encourage Sin, and protect unceform'd Sinners from the Arrests of Vindictive Justice?