voluntary errors of others, for want of reviewing things in their just nature, weight, and measure? Have I not suffered the sun to go down upon my wrath? have I not continued in it to the vexation of my own spirit, and thereby rendered myself unfit for the discharge of my duty both to God and man? It is not easy to enumerate all the instances of duty reducible to these three heads; nor to set down the several breaches and violations of them but the careful reading of the Holy Scriptures, more especially the New Testament, together with the checks and reproofs of every man's conscience, will abundantly supply this defect. The method here proposed will, I believe, (if carefully attended to,) assist any one in getting a competent knowledge of his own state and condition. I think it proper to observe here, that divers methods have been proposed by wise and good men to assist us in the examination of ourselves, and to render it more easy unto us. I will but just mention some of them, and refer you to some books of piety wherein they are treated of at large. • Some have collected a short summary of the sins forbidden, and duties commanded in the Holy Scriptures, and examined themselves C b chap. 23; Mr. Kettlewell's Measures of Christian Obedience, Book, 2d, throughout. . Others have reduced the sum and substance of our duty to the Ten Commandments; and, by the help thereof, have, with great advantage, performed this necessary work. See the Art of Catechising, p. 15, &c. 57, &c. Dr. Comber on the Common Prayer; his Discourse on the Communion Office; or any Exposition of the Ten Commandments. Some have examined themselves by our Lord's Sermon on the Mount, contained in the 5th, 6th, and 7th chapters of St. Matthew. See Dr. Hammond's Exposition of Christ's Sermon on the Mount, in his Practical Catechism, Lib. 2. Sect. 1, &c. Others have followed that general division of duty mentioned by St. Paul, Tit. ii. 12, namely, to God, our neighbour, and ourselves, which is the method here proposed. I will mention but one method more, namely, by recollecting the several parts and branches of the Baptismal Vow, making a pause at each particular, and inquiring how we have kept it, and in what instances we have broken the solemn engagements we then entered into. The perusal of Dr. Bray's Discourse upon the Baptismal Covenant, or any other judicious Exposition on the Church Catechism, will be useful to us, when we examine ourselves in this method. Those that have made some progress in Christianity, and are in good earnest, striving to enter in at the strait gate, and walk in the narrow way that leadeth to life, will find the examination of themselves much more easy than those who indulge themselves in sin, and live careless and negligent lives; for the former are still labouring after a nearer conformity to the example of Christ Jesus, and keep a watch and guard over themselves. Every portion of scripture they read and hear; every grace and virtue that is recommended in public; every sin, against which the judgments of God are denounced, suggests matter to them to examine themselves by; and they can presently, without any reluctance, put the question to themselves, Do I practice this or that virtue ? Am I guilty of this or that sin? 6 It is not material which of these methods we follow, provided the thing be carefully done; every one is at liberty to choose which he thinks will best let him into the knowledge of himself, and enable him to judge whether, according to the terms of the covenant made with man in Christ Jesus, a happy or miserable eternity is likely to be his portion. If he wants more particular directions, he may have recourse to some spiritual guide. a n t a a S S are some seasons wherein we ought to take a A Prayer, consisting of Confession of Sins, I. ALMIGHTY Lord God, just and holy, I I have offended thee by evil thoughts of many II. I have often neglected the duties of re- |