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…

5. Fervent and constant Prayer for the renewing Grace of God, is indispensably necessary to preserve us from our Sins. 'Tis by the Spirit of Holiness that we mortify the Deeds of the Body: that we put off the old Man, and put on the new. Sanctifying Grace introduces a new Nature, the Prolific and Productive Principle of a new Life: it turns the current of the Affections from Sin to Holiness. This is as astonishing as the miraculous motion of the Shadow upon Ahaz Dial, that went ten degrees backward. Unregenerate Morality may lop the Branches, restrain from the gross Acts, but sanctifying Grace strikes at the root of Sin, the inward Affection. There are some Medicines that will stop the fits of the falling-Sickness for a time, but not expelling the Cause, the Disease invades Nature again: So moral Counsels, and Politic Respects, may stop the breaking forth of the Lusts of the Flesh, but the inward Affection of Sin remaining will make us apt to fall by the Commission ⟨p. 134⟩of it. Sanctifying Grace makes an inward universal Change in the Soul: he that was unclean in his Thoughts and Desires, by the transforming Power of the Spirit, loves Pureness of Heart, delights in it, and has a fixed Hatred against any thing that defiles: the Soul that cleaves to the Dust, and pursues the acquisition of Earthly Things as his Treasure, being refined and elevated by Grace, seeks the things above, with vigorous Endeavours.

5. Fervent and constant Prayer for the renewing Grace of God, is indispensably necessary to preserve us from our Sins. 'Tis by the Spirit of Holiness that we mortify the Deeds of the Body: that we put off the old Man, and put on the new. Sanctifying Grace introduces a new Nature, the Prolifick and Productive Principle of a new Life: it turns the current of the Affections from Sin to Holiness. This is as astonishing as the miraculous motion of the Shadow upon Ahaz Dial, that went ten degrees backward. Unregenerate Morality may lop the Branches, restrain from the gross Acts, but sanctifying Grace strikes at the root of Sin, the inward Affection. There are some Medicines that will stop the fits of the falling-Sickness for a time, but not expelling the Cause, the Disease invades Nature again: So moral Counsels, and Politick Respects, may stop the breaking forth of the Lusts of the Flesh, but the inward Affection of Sin remaining will make us apt to fall by the Commission ⟨p. 134⟩