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…

Riches has a Train of Temptations, and Poverty is not exempt from them. 'Twas the wise Prayer of Agur, Give me ¹neither Poverty nor Riches, lest I be full and deny thee, and say, Who is the Lord? or lest I be poor and steal, and take the Name of my God in vain. A full Estate entirely possesses the Heart, and excludes the eternal World from the Thoughts and Affections: 'tis therefore wise Advice, If Riches increase, set not your Heart upon them, intimating they are a ⟨p. 33⟩Snare to the most in the corrupt State. They often induce in Mens Minds an ungrateful Oblivion of their Divine Benefactor, as 'tis charged upon Israel, Their Hearts were exalted, therefore they have forgotten me. They incline Men to presume upon Self-sufficiency, and to rob God of the Homage that is due from his Creatures, an humble thankful dependence upon his Providence every day. The Psalmist saith, They trust in their Wealth, and boast themselves in the multitude of their Riches. They are engaging Snares to renounce Religion, when-ever the Sincere, and open profession of it, exposes our Estates to hazard. Briefly, as the Israelites made an Egyptian Idol of their Egyptian Jewels; so worldly Things are abused for worldly Lusts. The most who enjoy Prosperity, perish by the abuse of it: 'Tis a rare effect of Divine Grace to preserve the Heart and Conversation pure in such a contagious Air, when a thousand fall at thy side, and ten thousand at thy right Hand. And the contrary state of Poverty and Affliction in any kind, if sharp, has its peculiar Temptations; Discontent, and the use of unlawful Means to obtain what they want and desire, is the Sin of the Poor. The Afflicted ⟨p. 34⟩are ready to faint under the weight of Sorrow: The loss of one Comfort blasts all the Content of their Lives. There is a perpetual consumption of their Thoughts and Time in revolving the afflicting Circumstances of their Condition, and they are apt to think as if God were regardless or very severe to them. Fearful depth! they wretchedly neglect the means that might alleviate their Sorrows, and refuse to be comforted, as if they were Persons consecrated to Calamity; thus Life is lingered out in continual Languishings, or ended with deadly Grief.

Riches has a Train of Temptations, and Poverty is not exempt from them. 'Twas the wise Prayer of Agur, Give me