Part II. The Perufal of Dr. Bray's Difcourfe upon • the Baptifmal Covenant, or any other judicious Expofition of the Church Catechifm, will be useful to us, when we examine ourselves in this Method.

6.

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• Those that have made fome Progress in Chriftianity, and are in good earnest ftriving to enter in at the ftrait Gate, and • walk in the narrow Way that leadeth to Life, find the Examination of themfelves much more eafy than thofe who indulge themselves in Sin, and live careless and negligent Lives; for the former are ftill labouring after a nearer Conformity to the Example of Chrift Jefus, and keep "a Watch and Guard over themselves. "Every Portion of Scripture they read and

hear; every Grace and Virtue that is re• commended in public; every Sin, against which the Judgments of God are denounced, fuggefts Matter to them to examine themfelves by; and they can prefently, without any Reluctance, put the • Question to themfelves, Do I practife ❝ this or that Virtue? Am I guilty of this ⚫ or that Sin?

"It is not material which of these Methods we follow, provided the Thing be carefully done; every one, is at Liberty

to

'to choose which he thinks will beft let 'him into the Knowledge of himself, and enable him to judge whether, according 'to the Terms of the Covenant made with 'Man in Chrift Jefus, a happy or mise'rable Eternity is likely to be his Portion. 'If he wants more particular Directions, 'he may have Recourfe to fome fpiritual

'Guide.

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Though Self-Examination be a Duty, 'which ought no Day to be wholly omit'ted; yet there are fome Seasons wherein we ought to take a more exact Survey of 'our own State: Such are Times of Trouble and Affliction; Days of Fafting and Humiliation; And when (by the Affistance of the Divine Grace) we have a lively Senfe of the great Evil and damning Nature of Sin; and before we renew our Covenant with God in the holy Sacra

A Prayer, confifting of Confeffion of Sins, and imploring Pardon and Grace, which may be used in our Preparation to the Sacrament, or at any other Times of extraordinary Devotion.

1. ALMIGHTY Lord God, juft and holy, I defire to humble myself before thee, in a deep Senfe of my own Vileness and Unworthiness, by Reafon of the many and great Sins I have at any Time committed against thee, my Sovereign Lord and Judge.

I have offended thee by evil Thoughts of many Kinds; by vain, rafh, falfe, or wicked Words, and by many unjust and ungodly Deeds, which I have committed against the Dictates of Reason, the Checks of my own Confcience, and the known Precepts of my Duty.

II. I have too often neglected the Duties of Religion, which is the great and important Concern of my Life. And when I have performed them, it hath been often carelessly and out of Cuftom, or without due Affection and Attention of Mind.

I have not ferved thee with that Purity of Intention, with that Sincerity of Heart, with that Fervency of Spirit, with that Zeal

Zeal for thy Glory, with that Watchfulnefs, Care, Diligence, and Conftancy, that I ought.

If I have been at any Time fenfible of my Sins and Infirmities, I have not preferved fuch a Senfe of them, as ought to have made me more circumfpect, and watchful against them, or less liable to cenfure or condemn other Men; but have too rafhly condemned my Neighbour, or impaired his Credit, or given Countenance to others who have done fo, or not difcouraged them in so doing, as I might and ought.

III. The Pleasures and Bufinefs of this Life, or the Defires of growing Rich, or being Great, have caufed me too often to forget that I am but a Stranger upon Earth, and that my Days are as a Shadow, that will foon pafs away.

Nor have I fo far difengaged my Heart, as by thy Grace I might, from all Things here below, as to have my Hopes and Affections principally fet on Things above, and on that Happiness which will last for

evermore.

But I have been too anxious and folicitous for the Things of this Life, not confidering that precious Promise, that if I first

-feek the Kingdom of God, and his Righte oufnefs, all Things neceffary thall be added

unto me.

Nor have I been fo contented with my Condition in this World, nor fo refigned to thy Providence, as I ought...

How little have I mortified my Mem-bers, which are upon the Earth, inordinate Affection, evil Concupifcence, and Covetoufnefs! And yet I know, that if any one love the World, the Love of the Father is not in him; and that the Poor in Spirit are bleffed.

IV. I have not been fufficiently thank ful for the continued Effects of thy Bounty towards me. Neither have I received the afflicting Difpenfations of thy Providence with fuch Patience and Submiffion as is due to thy Wifdom, nor made fuch Improvements and Advantages of them, as thy Goodness did thereby intend me.

V. I know that Religion has nothing in it that is worthy of Blame or Reproach, but is of all Things the most comely, and worthy of a Man; and yet out of a foolish Regard to the Opinions and Cenfures of Men, I have too often been afhamed to practife divers important Duties, and to difcountenance the evil Practices or Vices

of