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…

2. I shall now consider the moral Causes of habitual Sins, the various Circumstances of our Lives that are influential to give a Custom to Nature, and Viciousness to Custom. As the Sea has Rocks and Sands, Gulfs and Currents, Tempests and Calms, so the present Life has symbolically in its different States, that endanger us in our Passage to the next World. The different Conditions of Life I will consider under four Heads.

2. I shall now consider the moral Causes of habitual Sins, the various Circumstances of our Lives that are influential to give a Custom to Nature, and Viciousness to Custom. As the Sea has Rocks and Sands, Gulphs and Currents, Tempests and Calms, so the present Life has symbolically in its different States, that endanger us in our Passage to the next World. The different Conditions of Life I will consider under four Heads.

1. The several Callings wherein Men are engaged. 2. The opposite states of Prosperity or Adversity that are attended with suitable Temptations. 3. The Society with whom we are conversant. 4. The Quality of the Times wherein we live.

1. The several Callings wherein Men are ingag'd. 2. The opposite states of Prosperity or Adversity that are attended with suitable Temptations. 3. The Society with whom we are conversant. 4. The Quality of the Times wherein we live.

1. Let us search for the predominant Sin in the Callings wherein▪ we are engaged; for according to their Quality, Temptations surround us, and are likely to surprise us. The Spider spins his ⟨p. 23⟩Web, where Flies usually pass to entangle and destroy them: so the subtle Tempter lays his Snares in our Callings wherein we are conversant. John the Baptist therefore, when the Publicans adderest to him for Instruction, Master, What shall we do? said to them, Exact no more than what is appointed you: And to the Soldiers he said, Do Violence to no Man, neither accuse any falsely; and be content with your Wages: He warns them against Rapine, and Force, and injurious Accusing others, of which Sins Publicans and Soldiers were usually guilty. I will, to be the more instructive, particularly consider some Callings, and the Sins that evidently attend them.