cisely the same ground as you did formerly, that you may see whether you again arrive at the same conclusion. And at other times it will be proper that you fix on fresh topics of trial, which may be better adapted to your case and circumstances, and calculated to lead you more easily and satisfactorily to discern your true character.

6. You must, on every point of trial, make the word of God the standard by which you judge. This is a rule of pre-eminent importance, and which ought universally and constantly to be observed. The neglect of it has frequently been attended with painful and pernicious consequences. It is a fact which cannot be denied, that in some well-meant treatises, composed by good men, the standard of Christian character is raised so high, that few indeed, if any, have ever reached its measure. These authors have described what a Christian should be, in a state of perfection, rather than what he really is, or can be, in his present imperfect state. And, on the other hand, some have reduced the standard so low, that scarcely any who have a religious profession, and a fair external appearance, supported by a regular attention to forms of duty, come short of its test. Trusting, however, to the marks delineated by the former, as if they were infallibly accurate, some genuine saints have given themselves much unnecessary disquietude; and have rashly condemned themselves, because they come short of the exaggerated criterion. While others who are mere formalists, by having recourse to the diminished standard of the latter, have felt satis

to have it altered.

fied with their spiritual condition, till it was too late So dangerous a thing it is to trust to a human standard, in measuring the work of the Spirit of God.

I mean not to condemn all human compositions, which are designed to assist in the difficult work of self-examination. To do this would be to pronounce sentence against myself, for attempting to add to the number of such works. Some of them are well cal

But no one of them is,

culated for this purpose. or can be, perfect. The only infallible standard is the word of God; and it is only in so far as the marks laid down in other books, are plainly founded upon, and agreeable to, this divine test, that they are entitled to confidence. "To the law, and to the testimony: if they speak not according to this word, it is because there is no light in them.”*

In trying your character by the word of God, it would obviously be absurd to expect, that by opening the Bible at random, the first passage which appears, or any other to which you may happen accidentally to turn, will be sufficient for this purpose. So far from this, you must employ much diligence, and prudent and skilful discernment, in their selection; unless, by the labours of others, you have them prepared to your hand. Passages of this kind, which exhibit marks of the character of the righteous, or of the wicked, you must frequently meet with, if you are daily conversant with the sacred volume. Such passages, therefore, you ought attentively to mark,

* Isai. viii. 20.

that you may be able, without loss of time, readily to refer to them, as occasion requires.

Let me caution you to beware of picking up isolated or detached texts, without any regard to the connexion in which they stand, or any respect to the general import of scripture on the same subject. The neglect of attention to these points, in some instances relating to character, as well as doctrine, must unavoidably lead to the misunderstanding and perversion of the word of God. Seek the meaning of every text on which you fix, from the scope of the from which it is selected; or, if its prepassage cise sense cannot thus be determined, have recourse to similar expressions of scripture, in other parts, where it may be found. Thus your faith will rest on the testimony of God, and not on the opinions and comments of men.

7. Throughout the whole process of self-examination, study to exercise a constant dependence on the aid of the Spirit of God, and to act as in his presence. In a former section you were reminded, that you ought to commence this duty with a deep sense of your inability to perform it aright, without the aid of the Spirit of God, and with fervent prayer for his assistance. Superadded to this, I now wish it impressed on your minds, that in every step as you advance in this exercise, you ought to look up for an answer of peace to your supplications. You are to expect, as well as to ask; and, in a waiting posture, to depend on him for that help which he has encouraged you to solicit. Thus acted the holy Psalmist

"Unto thee lift I up mine eyes, O thou that dwellest in the heavens. Behold, as the eyes of servants look unto the hand of their masters, and as the eyes of a maiden unto the hand of her mistress; so our eyes wait upon the Lord our God, until that he have mercy upon us." "I wait for the Lord, my soul doth word do I hope. My soul waiteth for the Lord more than they that watch for the morning; I say more than they that watch for the morning."*

wait, and in his

The neglect of this duty prevents many prayers from receiving an answer of peace. After divine assistance has been implored, too often do men forget to look expectingly after it, and therefore obtain it not. Let it be your study, therefore, to guard against this practical error. As you would sincerely desire to enjoy the unerring guidance of the Holy Spirit, while you sit in judgment on your spiritual state, endeavour to exercise a humble, believing, and steady reliance on him for its attainment. Before you decide on any part of your investigation, raise your heart to him, and fervently say, "Lord, in obedience to thy commandment, I have sought thy assistance, and on it I am now depending. Withhold it not from me, for the sake of the blood and advocacy of thy Son. Let the light of thy Holy Spirit now beam on my heart, and direct my understanding and judgment. And suffer me not to form a wrong estimate, in this trial, of my real character and prospects for eternity!"

* Psalm cxxiii. 1, 2; cxxx. 5, 6.

In fine, study, during the whole time you are engaged in this exercise, to remember that you are under the omniscient eye of God. Though your person and employment be concealed from the knowledge of men, yet the omnipresent Jehovah has accompanied you into your retirement, and marks your conduct, and every movement of your mind.-Were you to behold some visible token of his presence, such as shone in the most holy place of the sanctuary, how would your mind be solemnized! And were you to hear his voice addressing you, “I the Lord search the heart, I try the reins," how would it excite you to perform this work with the utmost possible care! But as certainly as if you both saw and heard him, he is with you. He watches your diligence and solicitude, and the judgment which you pass concerning your state. O let this solemn consideration rest on your mind, and make you active and faithful in this work!

Having thus given you these few directions to assist you in this difficult and important work, let me entreat you to endeavour to reduce them to practice. Though you should frequently have attempted this duty, on former occasions, without arriving at any convincing and satisfactory conclusion, be not discouraged from engaging in it again, and that too with increasing care and diligence. On no account desist from this trial, till you see on what ground you stand. If you be indeed a child of God, by persevering activity in improving the various means of grace, and repeated exertions in self-examination, it