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…

Now Sin being the Obliquity of the desiring Faculty, we may discover what ⟨p. 21⟩is the predominant Sin, by considering what Affection is most ardent and violent, and consequently most depraved and disordered: and this we may, by observing the connection between them; for they generate one another. As the Diseases of the Body, tho the Disorder of Nature, yet have certain Causes, and a regular course in their Accession, Inflammation, and Revolution: as in the Changes of an Ague, a shivering Cold is attended with a fiery Heat, and that with an overflowing Sweat; in like manner the irregular Passions are productive of one another. Love is the radical Affection, and when it leads to a desired Object, has always hatred in the Rear, if disappointed and and crossed in its Desires: So Joy in the fruition of a dear Object, is attended with Grief, that lies in Ambush, and immediately seizes upon the Soul when the Object is withdrawn. And as in the Vibrations of a Pendulum, the Motion is always as strong in proportion one way, as it was the other; so according to the excess of Love, will be the excess of Grief. Of this we have an eminent Instance in David, whose Sorrow for the Death of his rebellious Son was as immoderate, ⟨p. 22⟩as his Love the Cause of it.

Now Sin being the Obliquity of the desiring Faculty, we may discover what ⟨p. 21⟩is the predominant Sin, by considering what Affection is most ardent and violent, and consequently most depraved and disorder'd: and this we may, by observing the connexion between them; for they generate one another. As the Diseases of the Body, tho the Disorder of Nature, yet have certain Causes, and a regular course in their Accession, Inflammation, and Revolution: as in the Changes of an Ague, a shivering Cold is attended with a fiery Heat, and that with an overflowing Sweat; in like manner the irregular Passions are productive of one another. Love is the radical Affection, and when it leads to a desir'd Object, has always hatred in the Rear, if disappointed and and crost in its Desires: So Joy in the fruition of a dear Object, is attended with Grief, that lies in Ambush, and immediately seizes upon the Soul when the Object is withdrawn. And as in the Vibrations of a Pendulum, the Motion is always as strong in proportion one way, as it was the other; so according to the excess of Love, will be the excess of Grief. Of this we have an eminent Instance in David, whose Sorrow for the Death of his rebellious Son was as immoderate,