Monday.

SUBJECT REPENTANCE.

[The most profitable way of using these Meditations, Heads of Self-Examination, Resolutions, Prayers, and Hymns, will be to choose for the purpose some quiet moments in each day, when your mind will be less likely to be disturbed by the world around you. They may be used either separately, or together.]

Deditation.

St. Luke, xviii. 13.

"The Publican standing afar off would not lift up so much as his eyes unto heaven."

/HAT a pattern of a truly humble

WHAT

and contrite soul! Let me gaze awhile on this picture; and let me remember that it was drawn by Jesus, who knew well the heart of man; for he knew what was in man.

There were two men. The Pharisee who had been exclaiming in a boastful spirit, "God, I thank thee that I am not as other men," etc. "I have some goodness of my own to plead before Thee, some righteousness of my own to trust in, and to recommend myself to Thee. I am not on a level with the common herd of sinners. I have fasted twice this week. I have been guilty of no outward, gross sin."

But what says the Publican? See him standing afar off, conscious that he is not worthy to draw nigh to a holy God, convinced that he has nothing in himself, nor has done anything, for which he deserves God's favour. But, looking at the dreadful corruption of his own heart, and seeing a fearful amount of evil within, and numerous transgressions in his outward life, he feels with David, "My iniquities have taken such hold

of me that I am not able to look up." Cut off from every hope, and every plea of his own, he unburdens his sin-distressed soul, and breathes forth the earnest cry, "God be merciful to me a sinner!"

Now hear the judgment of Him who is the Friend of sinners: "I tell you," Jesus said, "this man went down to his house justified rather than the other." And hear the reason: "For every one that exalteth himself shall be abased, and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted."

Oh for the spirit of this Publican! What! am I less a sinner than he was? Have I less need of pardon and mercy? Am I not unworthy to approach God at any time, especially to come to His holy feast? Dare I draw so near to my Saviour and my Lord? Verily I am not worthy to gather up the crumbs under His table. But still, I am invited, I am encouraged,

I am bidden, to come. I have much reason indeed to betake myself as a poor, needy sinner to a bountiful and loving Saviour. I earnestly desire to go with a penitent, believing, expecting heart; and then shall I not be sure to come away refreshed and comforted?

Well is it for me, if the feeling of my great sinfulness sends me with brokenness of heart to Christ, smiting on my breast, and crying, "God be merciful to me a sinner!"

Self-Examination.

[You will do well to go into your chamber and be alone, whilst you examine yourself on the several points given for this and the following days. It is not necessary to make use of them all at one time. You may perhaps find it more profitable to fix on one or two. and to dwell on these, thinking of them again and again during the day.]

Do

OI acknowledge my sinfulness in mere words, or do my sins really grieve me?