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wretchedness, according to the moral character, which he shall form while in probation.

Q. Does the thought often rise in my mind, that I am a rational and responsible creature of God, and that my eternal happiness or misery is suspended on my probationary conduct?

R. 10. I will consider the moral law, which God has given to man for the rule of his conduct, as immutable and spriritual, and as extending in its requisitions to all the thoughts, affections, words, and actions, and as holy, just, and good in its precept and penalty, and, therefore, as worthy of universal, perpetual, and personal obedience, and that every transgression of it is sin, and exposes to endless misery.

Q. Is not my understanding convinced, that the law of God is holy? and does not my conscience condemn me as a transgressor? Do I then fall under the sentence of that law, whose penalty is eternal death?

R. 11. I will reflect much upon the apostacy, depravity, and ruin of mankind, and deplore their awful condition and wretchedness by sin.

Q. Is my heart awake to the prevalence of sin, suffering, and death among mankind? and is it my frequent prayer, Lord! have mercy on me, and all men, for we are sinners?

R. 12. I will contemplate much upon the scheme of salvation by Christ, and rejoice and give thanks, that by Him a complete atonement for sin has been made, so that now a way is opened for the free and consistent exercise of mercy to man, in the method which God has seen fit to adopt.

Q. Do I cordially approve the character and mediatorial work of Christ? and have I a good hope of pardon and salvation through His death?

R. 13. I will meditate much upon the declaration of Christ, "Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God," and strive to have just views of the nature, necessity, and evidences of

the new birth, and if, upon examination, I find myself to be a subject of the special influences of the Holy Spirit, I will ascribe all the glory to Him, who has made me to differ.

Q. Have I been born of the Spirit? Am I a new creature in Christ Jesus? Are the evidences of my good estate clear and increasing?

R. 14. I will consider true holy love as most excellent and amiable in its nature and effects, and as constituting the true glory of Jehovah, the true glory of angels, and the true glory of man; and I will endeavour to exercise this love at all timesthe love of benevolence towards all beings, susceptible of happiness and misery, and the love of complacency towards all holy beings.

Q. Do I possess this holy love, which is the sum of

all moral virtue and excellence? and does it control and sanctify my whole nature?

R. 15. I will consider repentance as man's immediate duty, and will endeavour to exercise at all times, that godly sorrow for sin, which is unto salvation.

Q. Do I possess true evangelical repentance? and do I bring forth fruits, meet for repentance?

R. 16. I will endeavour to understand the nature of true gospel faith, and to believe all the Divine testimony concerning Christ and the way of salvation by Him, and to place implicit confidence in Him as the Redeemer of sinners, and to demonstrate my faith by my works.

Q. Am I a believer or an infidel? Is my faith speculative or practical? Have I seen the excellence of the gospel? and do I entrust my soul to Christ as an almighty Saviour?

R. 17. I will adore the grace of God in the justification of the believer, whereby the sinner is absolved from his sins, accounted righteous, and treated as though he had never sinned, and I will consider the doctrine of justification by faith as a

cardinal doctrine, and vitally important in the system of truth revealed in the Gospel.

Q. Do I consider the gospel entitled to all acceptation? and is it, in my view, a cardinal doctrine, that sinners are justified through faith in the vicarious sufferings and the atonement of Christ, and not on the ground of personal merit?

R. 18. I will consider the doctrine of the perseverance of the saints in faith and holiness unto the end of life, as clearly revealed in the Scriptures, and important to be believed; and that the belief of this doctrine is calculated to promote holiness and happiness in the children of God, and that, while it is they who persevere, it is God who enables them to do it.

Q. Do I confide in the sovereign and unchanging purposes of God? and am I working out my salvation with fear and trembling, while He worketh in me both to will and to do?

R. 19. I will contemplate upon the subject of death with solemnity, and remember my own constant exposure to his arrest, and strive to be in readiness for his approach, that I may welcome him at his coming, and find death to be disarmed of his terrours, and to be my everlasting gain.

Q. How do I view death? Am I trifling, or indif ferent, or desperate, in relation to it? gloomy with apprehension, submissive through necessity, or tranquil with hope? Are eternal things so present to my faith and hope, that I can say with the apostle, "I am in a strait betwixt two, having a desire to depart and to be with Christ, which is far better?"

R. 20. I will view the soul of man as immortal, and rejoice that life and immortality are brought to light in the gospel, and regard the future existence, as infinitely surpassing the present, and consequently, infinitely more important, and infinitely more deserving my attention.

Q. Have I an immortal soul? Are the riches and pleasures of this world lost in the care of it? Does eternity engross my thoughts?

R. 21. I will view the doctrine of the resurrection, as vastly important in establishing the truth of Christianity, and, though it should appear non-essential to some, incredible to others, and mysterious to all; yet I will believe it because God has revealed it, and anticipate the time, when the bodies of all that have deceased shall be re-animated, and become united to their souls.

Q. Did Christ rise? and must I rise too? Shall I attain to the resurrection of the just? or shall I awake to shame and everlasting contempt?

R. 22. I will contemplate much upon the doctrine of a general judgment, when angels and men shall be assembled, adjudged, and receive righteous retribution for eternity; and will strive to be prepared for that most sublime, solemn, and momentous time, by living a life of universal godliness.

Q. Must I appear at the judgment seat of Christ? How can I stand before an assembled world, and the most secret thoughts of my heart be disclosed? If I look for such things, what manner of person ought I to be?

R. 23. I will rejoice and be grateful, that God has provided a heaven, a glorious and happy place for the righteous in the world to come; and will labour to be prepared for admittance into it, when I shall depart this life.

Q. Do I live the life of the righteous? and will my latter end be like his? Am I prepared for the holy services and enjoyments of heaven, and the blessed society of God, angels, and saints? or shall I be an outcast from the New Jerusalem?

R. 24. I will contemplate with horrour upon the misery of the finally impenitent, and adore the forbearance of God, which keeps me out of hell, and exert myself to avoid the awful doom, which awaits the ungodly.

Q. Have I duly considered the dreadful condemnation of those, who persist in ungodliness to the end of life? Have I seriously contemplated upon the wide and endless separation, which exists between the righteous and the wicked in eternity? Do these considerations abide upon my mind, and affect my heart?

R. 25. I will admire the wise appointment of means for the accomplishment of ends, and will be thankful, that herein encouragement is afforded for the activity of man, while dependance on God is also inspired and secured.

Q. Am I happy in my dependance on God? and am I active in my duty towards Him and my fellow creatures?

R. 26. I will rejoice, that while it is my duty, it is also my privilege, to worship God in secret, private, and publick; and that I will endeavour to embrace every favourable opportunity for the discharge of this duty, and for the enjoyment of this privilege, and labour to be accepted of God in it.

Q. Do I delight in the worship of God in all the ways He has required? Am I conscientious in the discharge of this duty? Do I remember, that He, whom I worship, knows my heart?

R. 27. I will rejoice, that God has consecrated one day in seven to His immediate service, and will esteem the Sabbath a delight, the holy of the Lord, honourable, and will honour Him, not doing my own ways, nor finding my own pleasure, nor speaking my own words, but devoting the day to religious services.

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Q. Are there no ways, in which I profane the Sabbath? heart grieved to witness the gross and frequent violations of this holy day? Are there no ways, in which I can make a better improvement of the day, or promote its better observance among others?

R. 28. I will adore the riches of the grace of God, in establishing a Church upon the ruins of the apostacy, and in preserving it, even in the darkest

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