great command of considering their ways; to-d ye will hear his voice, harden not your hearts *. morrow may be quite too late and at best delay will make self-inspection more painful, a condition more hopeless. But how carefully we may have searched into our breasts already occasions for it will be daily rising; and unle repetition of it be frequent, we shall perform effectually, and very soon leave it off entirely. present season indeed is a yearly memorial of lection and seriousness. But as the mere o shew of it is of no value; so the more real go of a few weeks, if it end with them, is of very Our business therefore is, so to examine ou now, as to live more christianly ever after. whence can we better begin, than from what to Him that made us?

Do we then often think of him, and con reverence him, as the wise and good, the ju powerful, ruler of the world? Do we praise h his mercies, pray for his pardon, protectio grace, not only now and then in public form daily in private, with a deep and awful sense o we say before him? Or can we perhaps som remember when we prayed in secret and in last? If not, why this neglect of the Author we enjoy, the Disposer of all we hope for? ( think it meanness to honour him, even wi lowest submission? Do we think it meanness inferiors to pay due respect to us? If not, us to pay all respect to God? Will we then a do it for the future? Resolving otherwise rately, comes very little short of renouncing an ing him; and dare we then go thus far?

Psalm xcv. 8.

would it deserve were we to treat an earthly superior so? What doth it deserve, if we treat the Lord and King of all so?

But besides worship, we owe him further, faith in what he teaches, obedience to what he commands. Have we then inquired with humility of heart, what doctrines he hath proposed to our belief, what laws he hath prescribed to our conduct, by reason or revelation? Or do we set up our own fancy and caprice for absolute judges of his declarations and appointments: indolently and securely determining, that this article of faith, or rule of life, be its evidence what it will, cannot come from him; and another, though it doth, ought however to give way to our private interest, ease, or humour? Could such treatment of human laws be borne? And will the Almighty and All-wise bear it? Be not deceived: God is not mocked.

own the authority of What is our great aim

But, how fully soever we religion, do we practise it? and endeavour here? Is it to secure a happy immortality? or to grasp as many as we can, of the splendid bubbles of this momentary scene; to get a little more power, or wealth, or rank, and then, with unabated thirst, a little more still; even to the very night, that our souls shall be required of us? Whom do we think happy? the virtuous, the humble, the good? or the artful, the prosperous, the great? What do we rejoice in, or grieve at? Is it our proficiency or failure, in love and duty to God, in reasonableness of heart, uprightness of behaviour, disengagement from this trifling world? Are these the things we are concerned about? or a very different sort of advantages and pre-eminences, belonging to the present state of things entirely, and many of them quite

contemptible, even were no other to follow ? our duty and our interest thwart each other, ho we act? honestly and cheerfully give up the la or frame poor excuses for preferring it, or contrivances for reconciling it, to the former? are questions of the last importance. For if th of the world be our reigning passion, the love q Father is not in us*. Which do we choose earth or heaven? Let us not cheat ourselves speak it out to our own hearts.

Or, however free in this respect, do we live other passion, equally unworthy? Is not our cipal view to be admired for some accomplishme applauded for some ability, of very little merit? are we not led both into follies and sins, to and increase a false kind of esteem from others will only tempt us to forget ourselves? Do tentively distinguish, what is truly of value, a what degree? in how many things of conseq we are deficient, in how few we excel? and who made us to differ from the very meanest of ou low-creatures? Are we willing, if need requi be slighted and despised, hated and reproache the sake of acting as we ought? Or do we lo praise of men, and seek not the honour that c from God only ?

resp

But, supposing we are clear both of world and vanity, still what can we answer with pleasure? Do we indulge none, that is condemn impartial reason: or, what we are sure is imp the word of God? Every forbidden way of grati sensual desires, visibly produces many and dre mischiefs and crimes. Excess and intemperance

the healths, the understandings, the usefulness, the fortunes, the families, of men. Breach of chastity produces all the same evils, and extends them further: brings innocent persons into guilt and dishonour, under treacherous pretences of esteem and love; involves their innocent friends in distress and shame along with them, and occasions innumerable evils, private and public. But particularly breach of the marriage vow dissolves the very bonds of human society. For if faith and truth, solemnly given oblige not, oblige not both sexes, in this case, why do they in any other? Are we then innocent, in these respects; or have we repented; or do we despise the threatening, that they, who do such things, shall not inherit the kingdom of God?

And, in regard to other indulgences, have we acted as becomes rational natures, designed to prepare ourselves, by the discipline of this life, for spiritual happiness in a better? Do we guard with care, against sinking into delicacy and indolence, against being dissipated amidst a hurry of gaieties, or lost in polite amusements and elegant trifles; or are we lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God? What proportion of our income do we spend in deeds of piety, charity, and proper beneficence? what proportion of our time, in the religious and moral improvement of our hearts, and the real duties of our respective stations? All the wealth we have, and every hour we live, we must account for. Can we do it with joy? Can we say we have been hitherto working, while it was day, the works of him that sent us ? If not, will we now reflect, how fast the night approaches? Another very material head of examination, is that of our resentments. Do we bear ill-will to no John. i 4.

* Gal. v. 21.

+ 2 Tim. iii. 4.