Imatges de pàgina
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EXAMINATION.

O MY Soul, enter into the consideration of thine own state; search thy heart to the bottom; ask thyself" what thou hast done? how hast thou carried thyself since the time thou wast by baptism first admitted into covenant with God, or since thou didst last renew that covenant with him? How hast thou behaved thyself with respect to the duties thou owest to God, thy neighbour, and thyself."

I. Of our Duty towards God.

HAVE I loved God before, and above all other things?

Have I received the Scriptures, not as the word of men; but as they are in truth, the word of God?

Have the promises and threatenings therein nuevoiled with me to govern myself according

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Have I not profaned the holy and dreadful name of God, by perjury or unlawful oaths, or by customary swearing or cursing in my common conversation?

Have I not irreverently mentioned the name of God in my common conversation?

Have 1 honoured him by a reverent usage of whatsoever things or persons belong to him, and are dedicated to his honour and service?

Have I religiously observed the day set apart for his more immediate worship, in keeping it holy, to those ends for which it was appointed; by attending the public service of the church; in reading and hearing his holy word, in prayer, and meditation, and good discourse?

Have I so little regarded this holy day, as to spend it in travelling, and taking unnecessary journeys thereupon, such as I might as well have gone on any other day?

Have I spent and squandered it away in useless and unnecessary visits, in recreations, or in wicked and unprofitable conversation, or in following the works of my calling?

Have I trusted in God, and acknowledged my dependence upon him only?

Have I every day duly prayed to him and praised him for his mercies?

And when I have done it at church, or at home or in my family or in secret by myself

hath it been only out of custom, or with such a sense of God, and with such seriousness, fervency, and affection, as he requires ?

Have I used such considerations beforehand, as might enable me rightly to perform the same ?

Have I laboured to form such apprehensions of God as are worthy of his adorable Majesty, and to furnish my mind with useful and necessary knowledge ?

Have I (notwithstanding the means of grace, and the light of the gospel) suffered myself to live in ignorance of him, and my duty ?

Hath the consideration of his infinite power made me fearful to offend him?

Have I feared man more than God, by committing sin to avoid disgrace or any temporal evil?

Have I presumptuously hoped for salvation, whilst I continued to live in the wilful commission of one or more sins?

Have I not been so foolish as to put off my repentance, thereby rendering myself less able to set about it?

Have I resigned myself and all my con-
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that the greatest sufferings I can undergo in this world, are much less than the desert of my sins; or have I not murmured, or been impatient under any trouble that has befallen me?

Have I grown better by afflictions?

Have I frequented the holy sacrament, or have I not staid away through causeless prejudice, or feigned excuses, being unwilling to part with my sins?

If I have come to the blessed sacrament, have I not received it without repentance and a steadfast purpose to lead a new life, without a firm and lively faith, a hearty and thankful remembrance of the love of Christ, in giving himself to be a sacrifice for my sins; and without a sincere and universal love and good-will to all mankind?

Have I made it my care to live suitably to my sacramental profession, and solemn engagements ?

Have I endeavoured to affect my heart with a lively sense of the multiplied mercies of God to me, both temporal and spiritual?

Have I seriously considered that amazing instance of the love of Christ, in redeeming me from the bondage and dominion of sin, and the tyranny of the devil?

Do I depend upon the merits and satisfaction of Christ, and hope for acceptance with

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