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…

A Saint that is humble and watchful, preserves himself from the Power and Infection of Sin, that another who in degrees of Grace excels him, but relaxes his Watch, is sadly foiled by. Joseph, a young Man, by Vigilance, and avoiding the Temptation, kept himself untainted from the impure Solicitations of his Mistress: David, tho of great Experience in Religion, and of eminent Holiness, yet when he intermitted his Watch, how suddenly was he surprised? From a careless glance, Curiosity past into Complacence, Complacence into Lust, Lust into Adultery, and is an eternal Example to excite our Fear and Caution. If there be not a continued Diligence, the same holy Person ⟨p. 118⟩that with Defiance and Indignation has resisted the Tempter at some times, has been vanquished at other times. Lot was Righteous in Sodom, but how foully and woefully he fell in the Mountain?

A Saint that is humble and watchful, preserves himself from the Power and Infection of Sin, that another who in degrees of Grace excels him, but relaxes his Watch, is sadly foiled by. Joseph, a young Man, by Vigilance, and avoiding the Temptation, kept himself untainted from the impure Sollicitations of his Mistress: David, tho of great Experience in Religion, and of eminent Holiness, yet when he intermitted his Watch, how suddenly was he surpriz'd? From a careless glance, Curiosity past into Complacence, Complacence into Lust, Lust into Adultery, and is an eternal Example to excite our Fear and Caution. If there be not a continued Diligence, the same holy Person ⟨p. 118⟩that with Defiance and Indignation has resisted the Tempter at some times, has been vanquish'd at other times. Lot was Righteous in Sodom, but how foully and wofully he fell in the Mountain?

Now our chief care must be directed to avoid our special Sins. 'Tis a Fundamental Rule in the Christian Life, that our weakest part is to be guarded with most Jealousy, and fortified with the strongest defence: for the most frequent and dangerous Assaults are on the side that is most open to surprise. The subtle