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…

These reigning Sins, that have a complete dominion in the Unregenerate, are of different kinds in several Persons. I will proceed in the discovery of them. 1. By a direct Light, from their Causes. 2. By a reflex Light from their Effects. The Causes of special Sins are either Natural or Moral: The Natural are the different Temperaments of Mens Bodies, and the Connection of the Passions, that so strongly draw the Will, that we may as certainly understand what vicious Actions are naturally consequent, as Astronomers foretell the Eclipses of the Lights of Heaven.

These reigning Sins, that have a compleat dominion in the Unregenerate, are of different kinds in several Persons. I will proceed in the discovery of them. 1. By a direct Light, from their Causes. 2. By a reflex Light from their Effects. The Causes of special Sins are either Natural or Moral: The Natural are the different Temperaments of Mens Bodies, and the Connexion of the Passions, that so strongly draw the Will, that we may as certainly understand what vicious Actions are naturally consequent, as Astronomers foretel the Eclipses of the Lights of Heaven.

I will begin with the consideration of the different Temperaments of Mens Bodies, which are the secret Springs of their Inclinations and Aversions. 'Tis requisite to premise, that Original Sin, the ⟨p. 9⟩Poison distilled through all the Faculties of Man by propagation, is an universal supreme Evil: 'Tis a Seminary of all¹ corrupt Desires, from whence the Issues of actual Sins are derived: and that some are less inclined to notorious Sins than others, is not from naked Nature, but from the singular distinguishing Mercy of God.

I will begin with the consideration of the different Temperaments of Mens Bodies, which are the secret Springs of their Inclinations and Aversions. 'Tis requisite to premise, that Original Sin, the ⟨p. 9⟩