Dost thou depend upon the merits and satisfaction of Christ, and dost thou hope for acceptance with God, only through him, and not for any merit of thy own? Hast thou frequented the holy Sacrament of the Lord's supper or hast thou not staid away through causeless prejudice, or feigned excuses, being unwilling to part with thy sins? or, Hast thou at any time received the blessed Sacrament 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 our sins, and without a sincere and universal love and good will to all mankind? II. Concerning our duty towards our neighbour T URN now, O my Soul, and seriously consider whether thou hast discharged thy duty to thy neighbour? and first reflect, that, in the sense of the Gospel, not only the person that dwells near thee, but every man is thy neighbour. Dost thou consider thy neighbour as thy brethren and fellow members of the body of Christ? Hast thou had that universal love and charity for all men, as to desire all good to them, without without so much as wishing evil or harm to any one? Hast thou, in conformity to this rule, endeavoured in thy place and station to prevent evil and damages to the Souls and bodies, and estates of others? Hast thou ever been the means of hurting the Soul of thy neighbour, in drawing him to sin by thy authority,-allurements,-or example.? Hast thou discouraged or deterred any one from the serious practice of religion and piety? Hast thou sought and endeavoured to bring those to repentance. whom thou hast any ways led into sin? Dost thou endeavour to restrain thy neighbour from running into sin, by seasonable cautions and friendly admonitions? Hast thou delighted to grieve any one? Hast thou ever injured the Body of thy neighbour, by murder, maiming, or hurting it, or been the means or occasion of doing any of these? Hast thou been guilty of fighting or attempting duels? Hast thou enticed or corrupted thy neighbour's Wife or his Daughter, or any other belonging to him, and under his care? Hast thou injured thy neighbour; in his goods or estate, by darnaging him; by defrauding or over-reaching him in bargains, or contracts; or in his good name, by slandering, backbiting, or insult? Hast thou performed thy words and contracts without shuffling, treachery, cr de. ceit? Hast thou envied the good and prosperity of thy neighbour? Reflect if thou hast published thy neighbour's faults, when neither the glory of God, nor the good of others, made such a publication necessary ? Dost thou delight in laying open the failings of thy neighbour? Hast thou borne fale witness against any man in a court of justice, or reproached, reviled, and railed against thy neighbour in thy ordinary conversation. Dost thou encourage backbiters, by listening to them, or giving too easy credit to their siander? Hast thou oppressed thy neighbour by thy power and authority, or by extortion, and grip ing usury? Dost thou make a conscienee of speaking. according to truth? Hast thou endeavoured to assist thy neighbour in any distresses, to comfort him in his troubles troubles; or when aspersed wrongfully, to vindicate his reputation? Hast thou, in the management of thy es tate or calling, run into debt without hopes or design of payment? Hast thou openly by force, or secretly by theft, taken away the goods of thy neighbour, or betrayed him in any matter committed to thy trust and management? Art thou ready to make restitution according to thy power, for the wrong and injustice thou hast at any time done thy neighbour? Hast thou scoffed at or vilified thy neigh bour, for deformity of body, or weakness of mind? Hast thou had a more special love to all true and sincere Christians, meekly borne with their infirmities, and heartily desired and sought their welfare? Hast thou relieved the wants and necessities of thy neighbour according to thy ability, as one that is affected with them, and duly sensible that thou art liable to the same wants, distresses, and troubles with others? Dost thou approve thyself careful of thy fa mily, thy friends and relations, or any others committed to thy care, to counsel, or comfort, to reprove, as occasion is given, and need requires? Hast thou been mild and gentle in thy car- riage riage towards thy inferiors; courteous, affable, and obliging towards thy equals; and dost thou pay due honour and reverence to thy superiors in church and state, for conscience-sake, as having their authority from God? Dost thou shew due thankfulness and gratitude to all thy benefactors? Art thou ready, after the example of our blessed Saviour, to forgive, to do good to, and to pray for, thy enemies; and dost thou not seek or desire opportunities of revenge? Dost thou enforce upon thy-mind, as oft as thou meetest with any provocation to revenge or resentment, as much as possible to live peaceably with all men? III. Concerning our duty towards ourselves, H consideration, that thou wast created by God to be eternally happy or miserable after this life; and notwithstanding thy interest and thy duty, and the express command of God, call and oblige thee to be much and frequent in the exercise thereof? Hast thou duly considered the terms and conditions, upon which God hath promised to make thee everlastingly happy? Hast thou not wasted thy time in idleness, or vain pursuits? Hast |