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…

If the Affliction be singular and extraordinary, Sorrow often increases to such dismal Degrees, that most woeful Effects proceed from that Passion. The Anguish of Spirit either breaks out in unkindly and unholy Expressions, or inwardly festers with Repining, vexatious Thoughts at their Condition. Stubborn Spirits are impatient of the Evils they suffer, and insensible and undervaluing of the Blessings they possess. They neither look upward to the Hand of God that disposes all Evils, nor inward to their Sins, the most righteous procuring Cause of them: But serious Reflection would constrain them to acknowledge ⟨p. 35⟩that God punishes them less than their Sins deserved, and that their Dross needed the vehemence of the Fire to purge it away: A meek yielding our selves, and a complying with the blessed Ends of his afflicting Providence, will make us to understand by Experience, that all our sharpest Sufferings were most wisely and divinely ordered by our Heavenly Father.

If the Affliction be singular and extraordinary, Sorrow often increases to such dismal Degrees, that most woful Effects proceed from that Passion. The Anguish of Spirit either breaks out in unkindly and unholy Expressions, or inwardly festers with Repining, vexatious Thoughts at their Condition. Stubborn Spirits are impatient of the Evils they suffer, and insensible and undervaluing of the Blessings they possess. They neither look upward to the Hand of God that disposes all Evils, nor inward to their Sins, the most righteous procuring Cause of them: But serious Reflection would constrain them to acknowledg ⟨p. 35⟩that God punishes them less than their Sins deserved, and that their Dross needed the vehemence of the Fire to purge it away: A meek yielding our selves, and a complying with the blessed Ends of his afflicting Providence, will make us to understand by Experience, that all our sharpest Sufferings were most wisely and divinely ordered by our Heavenly Father.

3. We must search for our peculiar Sin in the Society with whom we are conversant. Our Company that we choose, and are frequently engaged with, discovers us to others and may to our selves. 'Tis a true Glass that by reflection makes visible the Countenance and Complexion of our Minds. Love proceeds from Likeness, and the Election of Friends from a correspondence in the Tempers of Men. 'Tis true, there may be Foreign Motives of Friendship and Commerce, with others from our Secular Affairs and Interests; but Inclination is the internal Cause of Friendship. 'Tis visible, that Carnality in its various kinds, cements Friendships: the Intemperate, the Lascivious, the Worldly, are endeared to one another by