"KEEPING OUR JUDGMENT CLEAR
"Where Christ establishes His government, He inspires care to keep the judgment clear and fresh, for while the judgment stands straight and firm, the whole frame of the soul continues strong and impreg-
nable. True judgment in us advances Christ, and Christ will advance it. All sin is either from false principles, or ignorance, or thoughtless-
ness, or unbelief of what is true. By lack of consideration and weak-
ness of assent, Eve lost her hold at first (Gen. 3:6). It is good, there-
fore, to store up true principles in our hearts, and to refresh them often, that, in virtue of them, our affections and actions may be more vigorous. When judgment is fortified, evil finds no entrance, but good things have a side within us to entertain them. While true convincing light continues, we will not do the least ill of sin for the greatest ill of punishment. 'In vain the net is spread in the sight of any bird' (Prov. 1:17). While the soul is kept aloft, there is little danger of snares be-
low. We must lose our high estimation of things before we can be drawn to any sin."
