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…

In this the Diseases of the Body differ from those of the Mind: the first, notwithstanding¹ the most earnest desire of Cures, may be incurable: the other when the Desires are sincere of spiritual Healing, are in the happy way of Cure, for vicious Affections are the Diseases of the Soul. This Change of the Affections the Effect of supernatural Grace, is obtained by fervent Prayer. Our Saviour assures us, that our Heavenly Father will freely and abundantly give the holy Spirit to those who ask it with such ardent Affections, as flow from their feeling sense of the want of his Influences. In humble Prayer we acknowledge our Unworthiness, our Weakness, our absolute necessity of Divine Grace to mortify ⟨p. 135⟩our Lusts: in believing Prayer we glorify his Mercy, and his Omnipotence, that he is both willing and powerful to make us victorious over our worst Enemies. The Prayer of Jehoshaphat, when invaded by a vast Army, conspiring the Destruction of his Kingdom, is a Copy to be transcribed by us: O our God, we have no Might against this great Company that comes against us, neither know we ²what to do, but our Eyes are upon thee. Thus Satan, the World, and the Flesh, are combined in warring against the Soul, and we are utterly unable to resist them, we must therefore address our selves to the God of all Grace, to strengthen our inward Man. And since some Lusts have such strong Possession, that like that stubborn sort of Spirits mentioned in the Gospel, they cannot be expelled but by Fasting and Prayer, we must with the most zealous Devotion, Prayer joined with Fasting, implore Grace to subdue them.

In this the Diseases of the Body differ from those of the Mind: the first, notwithstanding¹ the most earnest desire of Cures, may be incurable: the other when the Desires are sincere of spiritual Healing, are in the happy way of Cure, for vicious Affections are the Diseases of the Soul. This Change of the Affections the Effect of supernatural Grace, is obtain'd by fervent Prayer. Our Saviour assures us, that our Heavenly Father will freely and abundantly give the holy Spirit to those who ask it with such ardent Affections, as flow from their feeling sense of the want of his Influences. In humble Prayer we acknowledg our Unworthiness, our Weakness, our absolute necessity of Divine Grace to mortify