the circumstances in which we are placed, but that according to the common notions of men, there are no objects, in great cities, which can inspire solemn, and religious ideas. And yet, where is God more visible than in great cities? Can we see infinite wisdom, and power in torrents, mountains, and in clouds, and not discern them in this wonderful arrangement of rights, appetites, and pretensions? Is God not visible in laws, and constitutions? Is he not visible in refinement? Is he not visible in reasoning? Are not poets, and orators, and statesmen more stupendous creations of God than all the depth of the vallies, and all the strength of the hills? If we are to be lured to God, by all we see of his greatness, and his power, here are his noblest works, and here his sublimest power; here he is to be felt, and honoured, and adored.

An important reason for dedicating such periods as these to the duties of self-examination is, that our deficiencies must necessarily be perceived; we cannot shelter ourselves under a belief, that the shade of improve

ment is too delicate to be sensible; the year has either made us better, or it has not; we may not go away from such an inquisition satisfied, but we can scarcely go away deceived: the very doubt itself is an answer: If the seventieth part of our rational existence has glided away, and left us doubtful whether we have gained upon any one vice, the hesitation itself is almost decisive of our failure.

Self-examination is important if lifeeternal is important; it is not one of those exercises to which any notion of degree can be applied; it is not more or less useful, but it is indispensable, it must be; without it there is no Christ, no righteousness, no life hereafter; for it is not pretended, that any man is born to continued righteousness; no man, from an original sweetness, and felicity of creation, goes on doing well, from the beginning of his days to the end: And if sin is universal, inquisition must be so too; and the duty of self-examination never be forgotten, or excused.

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It is not so much the higher crimes which have need of self-examination: No one asks of a murderer, on the opening of the year, to reflect on blood-guiltiness; no one invites an adultress to think on her husband, and children, and on that misery which she is preparing for her own soul: these feelings do not wait for our call; they come unasked for, and unwanted to torment the guilty before their time: But the vices which need self-examination, are those which condemn us in the sight of God, without creating in our minds any instant, and pressing alarm. All the fruitful family of original sin, pride, anger, lust, hypocrisy, deceit, envy, hatred, malice, and all uncharitableness; for all these things a man shall surely die, though they do not make him pale with fear, or rouse him from his sleep, to tremble at the spectres of a guilty mind.

Nor let it be supposed, that in urging our fellow creatures to self-examination, we put them upon any exercise which is difficult, or profound; or in which one human creature can make a greater progress than

another; for it is fine to observe, that reason, when she meddles with science, or with any thing which has a cold, and distant connection with human life, can wait to be intricate, and subtle; she can toil through many steps, and be content with small acquirements, and wait patiently, and retrace carefully; but when she comes to the business of salvation, to right and wrong, to holy and unholy, she is as quick as an Eagle's wing, and as rapid as the lightning of God: In a moment she pierces through a thousand intricacies, shivers into atoms the dull, heartless sophistry which is opposed to her course, and, breaking into the chambers of the soul, scares guilt with the amazing splendor of truth. Seek and ye shall find; ask and ye shall have; knock and it shall be opened to you. No man ever turned to

look for the evil that was within him and was repulsed with the difficulty. Whatever God has made necessary, God has made easy: every man who searcheth his heart diligently, will find in it the issues of life.

There is nothing which can be substituted instead of self-examination, renewed

at intervals; self-examination, voluntarily, and intentionally entered into. Sickness

prompts us to examine our own hearts; but we may not be in that manner visited by the Almighty; old age warns us to this salutary task; but we may perish in youth; misfortune is a great master of reflection; but we may be successful in our sins, and a long course of lucky vice may obliterate, every chance, and possibility of melioration.

to Self-examination drives men to great exertions, by inflicting upon them great pains; for the remembrance of a mispent life, commonly brings on remorse, a feeling that the harm cannot be recalled, or repaired; it is not like falsehood, which may be corrected, and injustice, which may be atoned for; but the evil done is often out of the power of repentance, and beyond the possibility of change. It is this which 2 makes a a man start up in the midst of irreverent old age, and struggle to give a 9 few months, or years to God, doubting of mercy, and not knowing if the relics of his days will be accepted at the throne of grace: If timely thought can save us from a state

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