of which may also be used at other times, particularly in our evening retirement upon the Lord's Day.

M

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do

the

OF SELF-EXAMINATION.

After you have performed your ordinary Devotions for the Day, you may use this Prayer before Examination.

O THOU great Searcher of hearts, who seest and knowest all my sins, help me so to search every secret of my heart, that I may leave no sin, if possible, unrepented of. Give me grace so impartially to judge and condemn myself, so humbly to repent and beg pardon, that I may not be condemned when I shall appear at thy tribunal, in the great and terrible day of the Lord Jesus.

But, alas! after the most strict examination we can make, who can number his iniquities? who can tell how oft he offendeth? cleanse me, therefore, O Lord, I beseech thee, not only from my presumptuous and known sins, but from all secret and unknown transgressions, for his sake who died for sinners, Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Motives to Examination; together with some Rules to be observed therein.

HAVING devoutly prayed for God's assistance, doubt not but he will vouchsafe it you. And the better to dispose your heart to the duty of Self-Examination,

"Consider seriously with yourself: that it is appointed for all men once to die, and after death to be called to judgment. That God hath appointed a day in which he will judge the world in righteousness by Jesus Christ. At whose coming all men shall rise again with their bodies, and shall give an account of their own works: and they that have done good, shall go into life everlasting: and they that have done evil, into everlasting fire: for the books shall be opened, and the dead shall be judged out of the things written in those books, according to their works. And then consider how much, how nearly it concerns you to judge yourself before that time, that you be not judged, that is, condemned of the Lord.

“Since then you must give an account of yourself, of all your thoughts, words, and actions, and be acquitted or condemned at the last day, according as they have been conformable to the law of God or not; with what seriousness, with what sincerity, and religious awe, ought you to set about this great work!

virt

so that by comparing your life with the law of God, you may perceive wherein you have done amiss, and heartily repent of your sins; and, by the grace of God, resolve to lead a new life; in all things conforming yourself to his holy will and pleasure, and then you shall not be condemned of the Lord.

"Again. Consider with yourself, that now is the time of salvation; that by the use of the means of grace, you may get an opportunity of reconciling yourself to your offended God, of doing the work you are set to do; and of making yourself capable of salvation; which you know not how soon may be taken from

you.

"And that this consideration may have the better effect upon you; imagine yourself a while in the other world, among separate and departed spirits, whose season and opportunity of action is over; upon whom the sun of grace, as well as natural life, is gone down, and that night come, in which no man can work; who are either happy or miserable for

ever.

"Consider with yourself seriously the condition of these spirits, what thoughts and sentiments they have of things, what sense they alicious life: what inward