16:63.
2. _As to my views of the government of G.o.d._ Do I acquiesce in the government of G.o.d as a most wise, most just, and most righteous government? Rev. 15:3, 4. Do I cordially, cheerfully, and without reserve, yield myself, as a moral and accountable being, to the authority of G.o.d, as the moral Governor of the universe? Rom. 6:13.
12:1. Do I feel no reserve in my heart, making first the condition that I may be saved? Do I humbly acquiesce in the justice of G.o.d, in the eternal punishment of the wicked? Do I include myself in this, thereby "accepting the punishment of my sin"? Levit. 26:40, 41. Am I sure that this feeling is not produced by the secret consciousness that it is an evidence of a gracious state? Jer. 17:9. If all hope of salvation were suddenly taken away from me, would my heart still acquiesce in the justice of the sentence of condemnation?
3. _As to my faith in Christ._ Have I ceased from my own works, and, as a heavy-laden sinner, come to Christ for rest? Heb. 4:10. Matt. 11:28.
Have I seen him to be, in all respects, a complete Saviour, just such as my ruined and lost condition requires? 1 Cor. 1:30. Gal. 3:13. 4:3-5.
Col. 1:19. 2:3, 10. Have I heartily given up all for him? Matt. 10:37.
Luke 14:26, 33. Phil. 3:7-10. Have I cheerfully taken up my cross and followed him? Luke 14:27. Do I now consider myself as no more my own, but the Lord"s, by the purchase of the Redeemer"s blood? 1 Cor. 6:19, 20. Do I therefore make it my constant and highest aim to glorify G.o.d with my body and spirit which are his? 1 Cor. 6:20. 10:31. Have I through him become dead to sin, but alive to G.o.d? Rom. 6:11. Have I crucified the flesh, with its affections and l.u.s.ts? Gal. 5:24. Have I become dead also to the world, not seeking my portion in its riches, honors, pleasures, or pursuits? Gal. 2:20. 6:14. 1 John 2:15. Have I utterly despaired of acceptance with G.o.d in any other way than by the mediation of Christ? Acts 4:12. Heb. 10:26, 27. Have I cordially sought reconciliation with G.o.d through the blood of Jesus? Col. 1:20-22. Does my hope of salvation rest solely and alone in the righteousness and atonement of the Lord Jesus Christ? Rom. 3:22-26. Do I receive him as my _Prophet_, submitting my will entirely to the teachings of his word and Spirit? Deut. 18:15. Heb. 1:1, 2. 2:1-3. Do I receive him in his office of _Priest_, trusting in the atonement he has made, and committing my case to him, that he may intercede for me, before the offended Majesty of heaven? Heb. 4:14, 15. 7:26, 8:1, 9:11, 12, 24, 25. With humble confidence in his intercession, do I come boldly to the throne of grace?
Heb. 4:16. Do I cordially submit to him in his office of _King_? Ps.
2:6. 45:1. Isa. 9:6, l.c. Acts 5:31. Do I yield my heart unreservedly to his authority, making it my constant aim to bring into captivity every thought and action to the obedience of Christ? Matt. 11:29, 30. John 15:14. Rom. 6:16. 2 Cor. 10:5. Whenever I fall into sin, do I seek to ease my conscience by reformation and forgetfulness, or do I apply afresh to Christ, as the only propitiation for sin? 1 John 2:1, 2. Do I find peace of conscience and spiritual joy in believing in Jesus? Rom.
5:1. 8:1. 14:17. 15:13. 1 Pet. 1:8. Am I united to Christ as the living branch is to the vine? John 15:1. Do I look to my union with him, as the branch to the vine, for spiritual nourishment, strength and life? John 15:4. Phil. 2:12, 13. Heb. 13:21. Do I realize the danger of _self-confidence_? Prov. 28:26. Mark 14:29-31, 68-71. Rom. 11:20. 1 Cor.
10:12. Do I realize to what my union with Christ ent.i.tles me? Rom. 8:17.
In view of this union, do I feel a filial spirit of adoption towards G.o.d as _my father_? Ps. 103:13, 14. Rom. 8:15, 16. Gal. 4:4-7. 1 John 3:1, 2. Does this union with Christ lead me to feel a union of spirit with all his disciples? John 17:21. 1 Cor. 12:12-29. What sympathy does this lead me to exercise towards them? Rom. 12:15. 1 Cor. 12:26. 1 John 3:17.
Is Christ precious to my soul? 1 Pet. 2:7, f.c. Do I see a moral beauty and excellence in him above all created intelligences? Ps. 45:1, 2. Ca.
5:9-15. John 1:14. Col. 2:3, 9. Heb. 1:3. How am I affected with the contemplation of his sufferings for the salvation of my soul? 2 Cor.
5:14, 15.
4. _As to my love to G.o.d._ Do I take G.o.d for my supreme and eternal portion? Ps. 16:1-11. 73:25, 26. 119:57. Lam. 3:21. Is he the object of my highest love? Mark 12:30. Am I willing to relinquish whatever comes in compet.i.tion with him as an object of my affection? Mark 10:37-39. Do I prefer his favor and dread his power above that of all other beings?
Ps. 36:7. 43:3. 89:6-8. Deut. 10:12. Ps. 30:5. 33:8. 88:6-8. Jer. 10:7.
Do I derive comfort in my afflictions by making him my refuge? Ps. 9:9.
57:1. 59:16. Jer. 16:19. When my soul is under the hidings of his countenance, can I enjoy any other good? Job 29:2-5. Ps. 38:1-10. Do I experience any ardent longings after his spiritual presence with my soul? Ps. 42:1, 2. 61:1, 2. Do I feel any earnest desires after conformity to his image? Matt. 5:6. Rom. 8:29. 1 Cor. 15:49. 2 Cor.
3:18. 4:4. Col. 3:10. Ps. 17:15. Do I delight in the moral law of G.o.d, as a transcript of his holy character? Ps. 37:31. 119:70, 72, 77, 79, 113, 131. Rom. 7:12, 22. Do I feel grieved when I see his law disregarded? Ps. 119:136, 158. Do I make his will the rule of my life? 1 John 5:3. Do I earnestly strive to bring my heart and life into complete conformity to his will? Phil. 3:7-14. Do I love his word? Ps. 19:7-11.
119:11, 16, 82, 162, 172. Do I find delight in meditating upon it? Ps.
1:2. 119:148. Do I delight in the ordinances of his house? Ps. 26:8.
36:8. 122:1. 84:10. Do I delight in the Sabbath, antic.i.p.ating its return with desire, hailing it with joy, and engaging in its duties with sweet satisfaction; Isa. 58:13, 14. Do I delight in secret communion with G.o.d, in prayer and praise? Ps. 5:2, 3. 55:16, 17. 88:13. 116:2. 138:1, 2.
146:1, 2. 147:1. 148. Do I love the children of G.o.d, as bearing his image? 1 John 4:20. 5:1. Is my soul ever moved with sweet emotion in contemplating the infinite _moral_ perfections of G.o.d? Ps. 30:4. 96:9.
Do I delight also in his natural perfections, as appertaining to the Supreme Ruler of the universe? Ps. 96:1-13. 97:1-12. Do I feel this delight in his character, independent of the idea that he is my friend?
Hab. 3:17, 18. Am I sure that even this emotion is not produced by the secret thought that the exercise of it is an evidence of my being his friend?
5. _As to my Christian character in general._ Do I realize my dependence upon the Holy Spirit for every right feeling and action? John 14:16, 17.
Rom. 8:9, 13, 14. Isa. 26, 12. Are the fruits of the Spirit manifest in my heart and life? Gal. 5:22-24. Have I mortified my members which are upon the earth, and put off the works of the flesh? Gal. 5:19-21. Col.
3:5, 8. Have I put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge, after the image of him that created him? Col. 3:10. Do I manifest my love to my brethren by a readiness to make sacrifices of personal feeling, interest, and enjoyment, to promote their welfare and happiness? 1 John 3:14-17. Do I manifest my love for all mankind, by doing good to all as I have opportunity? Do I feel an unalterable desire for the conversion of their souls? Rom. 9:1, 2. Am I willing to make personal efforts and sacrifices to promote this object? Do I heartily and earnestly offer the prayer,--"Thy kingdom come," doing and giving all in my power to promote it? Is the same mind in me, in these respects, that was in Christ Jesus?
Phil. 2:4-8. Rom. 15:2, 3. Do I truly feel that it is more blessed to give than to receive? Acts 20:35 Do I strive, as much as in me lies, to live in peace with all, and to promote peace among all men? Ps. 34:14.
Matt. 5:9. Rom. 12:18. 2 Cor. 13:11. Heb. 12:14. James 3:17. Do I seek the peace of Zion, avoiding every unnecessary offence, and even sacrificing my own feelings for the sake of the peace of the church? Ps.
122:6. Rom. 14:19-21. 1 Cor. 7:15. 8:13. 14:33. Eph. 4:3. 1 Thess. 5:13.
Am I long-suffering and patient under injurious treatment? 1 Cor. 13:4, 7. Do I exercise a spirit of forbearance towards the faults of others, forgiving injuries and offences? Mark 11:25. Eph. 4:2. Col. 3:13. Do I put away all envy and jealousy from my bosom--not seeking occasion of offence by putting the worst construction upon the conduct of others--not expecting great things for myself, and not being displeased when I am pa.s.sed by with apparent neglect? Rom. 12:16. 1 Cor. 13:4, 5, 7. Jer. 45:5. Eph. 4:2. Col. 3:12. Do I not think of myself more highly than I ought to think? Rom. 12:3, 16. Do I in lowliness of mind esteem others better than myself? Phil. 2:3. Am I self-willed, headstrong, determined to have my own way? or am I ready to prefer the judgment of my brethren, and submit to them, when I can do it conscientiously? Eph.
5:21. 1 Peter 5:5. Am I tender of spirit, kind, gentle, and courteous, in my intercourse with others? 1 Thess. 2:7. 2 Tim. 2:24. t.i.tus 3:2.
James 3:17. Eph. 4:32. Col. 3:12. 1 Peter 3:8. Have I put on _meekness_, not being easily provoked to the indulgence of resentful feelings? 1 Cor. 13:5. Have I put away from me all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamor, and _evil-speaking_, with all malice, not rendering evil for evil, nor railing for railing? Eph. 4:31. 1 Pet. 3:9. Do I love my enemies, bless them that curse me, and seek the good of those who strive to injure me? Matt. 5:44. Rom. 12:14, 20. Do I recognize the hand of G.o.d in the daily blessings of this life? James 1:17. Do I likewise recognize his hand in the little perplexities and trials of every-day life? Do all my trials subdue and chasten my spirit, working in me patience, experience, and hope? Rom. 5:3, 4. Heb. 13:6-11. Am I content with such things as the Lord gives me, day by day, not taking anxious thought for the morrow, nor disquieting myself for the future? Matt. 6:25-34. Phil.
4:11. 1 Tim. 6:8. Heb. 13:5. Does my faith lead me to look at the things that are unseen, and set my affections on things above, and not on things on the earth? 2 Cor. 4:16-18. Col. 3:1, 2.
Remember, this is a fearful question. Your all is at stake upon it. But, if at any time you come to the deliberate conclusion that you are resting upon a false hope, give it up: but do not abandon yourself to despair. Go immediately to the cross of Christ. Give up your heart to him, as though you had never come before. There is no other way. This is the only refuge, and Jesus never sent a soul empty away. "Him that cometh to me, I will in no wise cast out." Persevere, even though you find scarce evidence enough to give a faint glimmering of hope.
Continually renew your repentance and faith in Christ. Diligence in self-examination may be a means of growth in grace: and if you are really a child of G.o.d, your evidences will increase and brighten, till you will be able to indulge "a good hope through grace." "For, in due time, we shall reap, if we faint not."
V. _Another object of self-examination is, to ascertain whether we are prepared to approach the Lord"s table._ But let a man examine himself, and so let him "eat of that bread, and drink of that cup." Here the duty of self-examination, before partaking of the Lord"s Supper, is evidently taught. And, in the next verse, we are told what is requisite to enable us to partake of this ordinance in an acceptable manner. It is, that we have faith in lively exercise to discern the Lord"s body. A backslider in heart, even though a real Christian, is not prepared to partake of this spiritual feast, without renewing his repentance and faith. In this examination, two subjects of inquiry present themselves: 1. "Am I a Christian?" 2. "Am I growing in grace?" In regard to the first of these inquiries, enough has already been said. To answer the second, you will need consider,--1. Whether you were living in the exercise of gracious affections at the last communion. 2. Whether you have since made any progress in the divine life. To aid you in these inquiries, I have prepared the following questions, which may be varied according to circ.u.mstances:
The last time I partook of this ordinance, did I meet the Lord at his table, and receive a refreshing from his presence? Did I there renew my covenant vows? Have I kept my vows? Have I since lived not unto myself, but unto G.o.d? Have I enjoyed more of the presence of G.o.d? Have I lived a life of faith and prayer? Have I been daily to the cross of Christ for pardon and strength? Have I maintained continually a deep and lively sense of divine things? Have I lived a life of self-denial? Have I obtained any conquests over indwelling sin? Have I made any progress in subduing the unholy tempers of my heart? Has my will been brought more entirely to bow to the will of G.o.d, so that I have no will of my own?
Has my love increased? Do I feel more delight in contemplating the divine character, in reading his word, in prayer, in the ordinances of his house, &c.? Do I feel more intense longings of soul after conformity to his image? Have I any deeper sense of the exceeding sinfulness of sin? Do my own sins in particular appear more aggravated? Do I think less of myself? Does a sense of my own vileness and unworthiness humble me low before G.o.d? Does this lead me to see my need of just such a Saviour as Jesus? Am I now disposed to cast my all upon him? Has my love for Christians increased? Do I feel any more compa.s.sion for dying sinners? Has this led me to do more for their conversion? Have I abounded more in every good word and work? Have the fruits of the Spirit increased in my heart and life? Have I been more faithful in all the relations of life? Do I perceive any growing deadness to the world? Does my relish for spiritual things increase, while my taste for earthly delights diminishes? Do I see more and more my own weakness, and feel a more steady dependence upon Christ? Do I feel increasing spirituality in religious duties? Do I feel increasing tenderness of conscience, and maintain more watchfulness against sin? Do I feel greater concern for the prosperity of the church and the conversion of the world? Am I becoming more meek and gentle in spirit, less censorious, and less disposed to resent injuries? Am I more ready to receive reproof from others, without anger or hardness of feeling?
If you have time to keep a journal, you may find some advantage from reviewing it on such occasions. It will aid your memory, and help you to give your past life a more thorough examination. You will thereby be the better able to judge whether you are making progress. However, this is a dangerous experiment, as it is difficult to divest ourselves of the idea that we are writing for the perusal of others; and this furnishes many temptations. But, however unfit this examination may find you, do not let Satan tempt you to stay away from the Lord"s table. It is your duty to commemorate his dying love. It is your duty also to do it with a suitable preparation of heart. Both these duties you will neglect by staying away. In doing so, you cannot expect G.o.d"s blessing. But set immediately about the work of repentance. Come to the cross of Christ, and renew your application to his pardoning blood. Give yourself away to G.o.d anew, and renew your covenant with him. In doing this, he will bless your soul; and the Lord"s table will be a season of refreshing. But if this repentance and preparation be heartfelt and sincere, its fruits will be seen in your subsequent life.
CONCLUSION.
I have now completed my intended series of letters. I have endeavored to present the Christian character, and the duties required of the followers of Christ, in the light of G.o.d"s word. I know, however, that I have done it with much imperfection. But, do not rest with the mere mechanical performance of the duties here recommended. Do not engage in any of them with the hope of meriting G.o.d"s favor. Use them only as the means of promoting your spiritual progress; depending on the Holy Spirit, through the blood and merits of Christ, to sanctify your heart.
For it is very possible for you to observe all these things, and yet deceive yourself. Remember that true religion is a deep work of grace in the heart, changing the bent and inclination of the soul, and giving a new direction to all its faculties. O may you so live that Jesus shall say to you, as to the church at Thyatira, "I know thy works, and charity, and service, and faith, and thy patience, and thy works and THE LAST TO BE MORE THAN THE FIRST." Take also his exhortation to the church at Smyrna: "BE THOU FAITHFUL UNTO DEATH, AND I WILL GIVE THEE A CROWN OF LIFE."
Your affectionate Brother.
APPENDIX.
COURSE OF READING.
I. HISTORY.
1. _Sacred and Ecclesiastical History._--Josephus" Works; Millar"s History of the Church; Jahn"s Hebrew Commonwealth, Mosheim"s Ecclesiastical History; Milner"s Church History; Scott"s Continuation of Milner; Life of Knox; Gilpin"s Lives of the Reformers; Fuller"s and Warner"s Ecclesiastical History of England; Millar"s Propagation of Christianity; Gillies" Historical Collections; Jones" Church History; Mather"s Magnalia; Neale"s History of the Puritans; Wisner"s History of the Old South Church, Boston; Bogue and Bennett"s History of the Dissenters; Benedict"s History of the Baptists; Life of Wesley; History of Methodism; Life of Whitefield; Millar"s Life of Dr. Rodgers; Crantz"s Ancient and Modern History of the Church of the United Brethren; Crantz"s History of the Mission in Greenland; Loskiel"s History of the North American Indian Missions; Oldendorp"s History of the Danish Missions of the United Brethren; Choules" Origin and History of Missions. Those who have not sufficient time for so extensive a course, may find the most interesting and important events in the progress of the church during the first sixteen centuries of the Christian era, in the author"s Sabbath-school Church History.
2. _Secular and Profane History._--Rollin"s Ancient History; Russel"s Egypt; Russel"s Palestine; Plutarch"s Lives, to be kept on hand, and consulted as the names appear in history; Wharton"s Histories; Beloe"s Herodotus; Travels of Anacharsis; Mitford"s Greece; Ferguson"s History of the Roman Republic; Baker"s Livy; Middleton"s Life of Cicero; Murphy"s Tacitus; Sismondi"s Decline of the Roman Empire; Muller"s Universal History; Hallam"s History of the Middle Ages; James" Life of Charlemagne; Mills" History of the Crusades and of Chivalry; Turner"s History of England; Burnett"s History of his own Times; Robertson"s History of Scotland; Robertson"s Charles V.; Vertot"s Revolutions of Sweden; Vertot"s Revolutions of Portugal; Sismondi"s History of the Italian Republics, (abridged in Lardner"s Cabinet of History;) Roscoe"s Lorenzo de Medici and Leo X.; Sketches from Venetian History; Malcolm"s History of Persia; Irving"s Life of Columbus; Prescott"s Ferdinand and Isabella; Robertson"s History of America; Bancroft"s History of America; Winthrop"s Journal; Ramsay"s American Revolution; Marshall"s Life of Washington; with the Biographies of Penn, Jay, Hamilton, Henry, Greene, Otis, Quincy, Morris, the Signers of the Declaration of Independence, Sparks" American Biography, with the Lives of any other distinguished Americans; Scott"s Life of Napoleon.
II. CHRISTIAN DOCTRINE.
Paley"s Evidences; Chalmers" Evidences of Christianity; Halyburton against the Deists; Brown"s Compendium of Natural and Revealed Religion; Dwight"s Theology; Bates" Harmony of the Divine Attributes; Edwards on Original Sin; Watts" Ruin and Recovery; Dr. Woods on Native Depravity; Fuller"s Works; Payson"s Sermons; Boston"s Fourfold State; Edwards"
History of Redemption; Dr. Owen on the Death and Satisfaction of Christ; Butler"s a.n.a.logy; Cole on the Sovereignty of G.o.d; Griffin on Divine Efficiency; Charnock on the Dominion of G.o.d in his Works; Edwards"
Sermons; King, Toplady, Cooper, and Tucker, on Predestination; Whitby and Gill on the Five Points; Wesley"s Predestination Considered; Edwards and Day on the Will; Scott"s Essays; Colquhoun on the Covenants; Evans on the Atonement; Griffin on the Atonement; Stewart on the Atonement; Jenkyn on the Atonement; Witherspoon on Regeneration; Doddridge"s Ten Sermons on Regeneration; Dr. Owen on the Spirit; Hinton on the Spirit; Works of Robert Hall; Dr. Owen on the 130th Psalm; Scott"s Treatise on Repentance; Young"s Last Day; Watts on Death and Heaven; Saurin"s Sermons; Baxter"s Saint"s Rest; Chalmers" Works.
Cotton"s Power of the Keys; Hooker"s Survey of the Sum of Church Discipline; Owen"s Inquiry into the Nature of Churches; Mitch.e.l.l"s Guide; Hall"s View of a Gospel Church; Brown"s Vindication of the Presbyterian Form of Government; Dr. Miller on the Office of Ruling Elder; King"s Const.i.tution of the Church; Stillingfleet"s Origines Sacrae; Dr. Woods on Infant Baptism; The Baptized Child; Household Consecration: Robinson"s History of Baptism.
III. BIOGRAPHY.
Burner"s Memoirs; Memoirs of Isabella Graham, Mrs. Huntington, Mrs.
Savage, Mrs. Harriet Newell, and Mrs. Paterson: Philip Henry; Oberlin; Francke; Neff; Payson; Henry Martyn; Brainerd; Howard; Dr. Hopkins; President Edwards; Mrs. Emily Egerton; Mrs. Myra W. Allen: Rev. Samuel Davies; Lives of Maclaurin, Baxter, Doddridge, Owen, Watts, Howe, Mather, Dwight; Gill, Banyan, Robinson, Andrew Fuller, Hall; Fletcher, Asbury, Clarke, Watson; Cecil, Fenelon. Mrs. Judson, James B. Taylor, Rev. Joseph Emerson, Harlan Page; Mrs. Winslow, Parsons and Fiske, Gordon Hall; Life of Schwartz.
Lives of Henry Kirke White, Elizabeth Smith: Johnson"s Lives of the Poets; Life of Johnson; Teignmouth"s Life of Sir William Jones; Southey"s Life and Correspondence of Cowper.
IV. MISCELLANEOUS.
1. _Works on the Prophecies._--Bishop Newton"s Dissertations; Keith; Smith"s Key to the Revelation; Sir Isaac Newton"s Observations on the Prophecies of Daniel, and the Apocalypse; Gray"s Key to the Old Testament; Faber on the Prophecies.
2. _On Christian Character, Experience, and Duty._--Edwards on Religious Affections; Doddridge"s Rise and Progress; Owen on Indwelling Sin; Serle"s Christian Remembrancer; Bunyan"s Pilgrim"s Progress; Scougal"s Life of G.o.d in the Soul; Howe"s Blessedness of the Righteous; Owen on Spiritual-Mindedness; Leighton on Peter; Baxter"s Practical Works; Flavel"s Works; Prayer experimentally considered; Abbott"s Young Christian, and Path of Peace; Gallaudet"s Every-day Christian; Works of Robert Philip; Dr. Skinner"s Religion of the Bible; The Great Teacher, by Harris; The American Tract Society"s Evangelical Family Library, which includes some of the works above named.