Oh, the dom of inexpressible wealth from which he has utterly debarred all that are encumbered with riches here below, and place their security and reliance on them. What divine melody is this, O my soul, which thus charms my ravished thoughts? What vigorous echoes of joy inexpressible are these I hear? These can be none other than the voices of angels. fervour of this joy! as if their heavenly breasts were unable to contain the flaming zeal within. Lo! how they break forth into the most ardent expressions and pathetic hallelujahs to your Creator's glory! Hark! what heavenly song is this I hear? "Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty! which was, and is, and is to come. Blessing, honour, power, and glory, be unto Him that sitteth upon the throne, and to the Lamb, for ever and ever!" SELF-EXAMINATION. Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your ownselves.-2 Cor. xiii. 5. It is only by scrutinising the heart that we can know it. It is only by knowing the heart that we can reform the life. Dr. Barrow has remarked, that "it is a peculiar excellency of human nature, and which distinguishes man from the inferior creatures more than bare reason itself, that he can reflect upon all that is done within him, can discern the tendencies of his soul, and is acquainted with his own purposes.' We have appetites to control, imaginations to restrain, tempers to regulate, passions to subdue; and how can this internal work be effected, how can our thoughts be kept within due bounds, how can a proper bias be given to the affections, L how can the little state of man be preserved from continual insurrection, how can this restraining power be maintained, if this capacity of discerning, if this faculty of inspecting, be not kept in regular exercise? Without constant discipline, imagination will become outlaw, conscience an attainted rebel. We should examine, not only our conduct, but our opinions; not only our faults, but our prejudices; not only our propensities, but our judgments. Our actions themselves will be obvious enough; it is our intentions which require the scrutiny. These we should follow up to their remotest springs, scrutinise to their deepest recesses, trace through their most perplexing windings. And lest we should in our pursuit wander in uncertainty and blindness, let us make use of that guiding clue, as furnished by his word and by his spirit, for conducting us through the intricacies of this labyrinth. What I know not, teach thou me, should be our constant petition in all our researches.* * Vide Practical Piety, vol. i. In the discharge of this necessary and important duty, the Christian should remember that every day he lives he has A God to glorify.-1 Cor. vi. 20. A soul to save.-Phil. ii. 12, 13. Repentance to seek and perform.-Acts, v. 31. Luke, xiii. 3. A Saviour to believe and imitate.-Acts, xvi. 31. 1 Pet. ii. 21. A body to mortify through the Spirit.-Rom. viii. 13. Graces and virtues to implore by earnest prayer.Phil. iv. 6. Mark, xi. 24. Sins to weep over and forsake.-Luke, vii. 38. Prov. xxviii, 13. Mercies and deliverances to remember.-Psal. lvi. 12, 13; ciii. 1, 4. A hell to avoid.-Matt. iii. 7. Psal. ix. 17. An eternity to meditate on.-Coloss. iii. 2. A neighbour to edify.-Rom. xv. 2. Luke, xxii. 32. A world to fear and yet to conquer.-2 Cor. vi. 17. 1 John, v. 4. Devils to combat.-Eph. vi. 12. Passions to subdue.-2 Cor. x. 5. Eph. iv. 31, 32. And, PERHAPS, death to suffer.-Luke, xii. 20. And judgment to undergo.-2 Cor. v. 10. And all these must be met and performed in the GRACE OF CHRIST, and not in your own strength, which is perfect weakness.-2 Cor. xiii. 10. Phil. iv. 13. How necessary, then, it is, that the Chris tian should minutely examine his motives and actions-that he should constantly say, with the royal Psalmist,-"Search me, O God, and know my heart; try me, and know my thoughts; and see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting." In discharging this duty the Christian will be greatly assisted by attending to the following simple rules : 1. LET A FIXED TIME BE SET APART EVERY MORNING AND EVENING FOR THIS PURPOSE. It is impossible to give any rule as to the length of time that should be given. The obligations of persons vary with their situations and circumstances; but let us give as much time as, consistently with our other duties, we can spare, and let the time in every case be so employed, not as a task, but as a blessing; not merely as a requirement, but as a privilege and advantage; for the more close, faithful, and diligent you are in self-examination, the more comfort and benefit you are likely to receive in the end. |