extraordinary impulfe and intercourse with the Spirit of GoD which they pretend to, and whofe operations (if you truft them) are fo sensibly felt in their hearts and fouls, as to render, at once, all other proofs of their works needless to themselves.This, I own, is one of the most summary ways of proceeding in this duty of self-examination, and as it proves a man's works in the grofs, it faves him a world of fober thought and enquiry after many vexatious particulars. Indeed, if the premises were true,—the inference is direct. For when a man dreams of these inward workings-and wakes with the impreffion of them strong upon his brain; 'tis not strange he should think himself a chofen veffel,-fanctified within, and fealed up unto the perfect day of redemption; and fo long as fuch a one is led captive to this error,---there is nothing in nature to induce him to this duty of examining his own works in the sense of the prophet:--for however bad they are,-fo long as his credulity and enthusiasm equal them, 'tis impoffible they fhould disturb his confcience, or frighten him into a reformation. These are some of the unhappy mistakes in the many many methods this work is fet about,-which in a great measure rob us of the fruits we expected-and fometimes fo entirely blast them, that we are neither the better or wifer for all the pains we have taken. There are many other false steps which lead us the fame way,-but the delineation of thefe, however, may serve at present, not only as fo many land-marks to guard us from this dangerous coaft which I have described, but to direct us likewise into that safe one, where we can only expect the reward the gospel promifes. For if, according to the first recited caufes, a man fails in examining his works, from a difinclination to reform them,-from partiality of comparisons, from flattery to his own motives, and a vain dependence upon the opinion of the world—the conclufion is unavoidable,—that he muft fearch for the qualities the most opposite to these for his conductors. And if he hopes to discharge this work fo as to have advantage from it,-that he muft fet out upon the principles of an honest head, willing to reform itself, and attached principally to that object, without regard to the fpiritual condition of others, or the mif guided opinions which the world may have of kimself. That, for this end,-he muft call his own ways to remembrance, and search out his fpirit ;-search his actions, with the fame critical exactness and the same piercing curiosity, we are wont to fit in judgment upon others;-varnishing nothing and difguifing nothing. If he proceeds thus, and in every relation of life takes a full view of himself without prejudice, -traces his actions to their principles without mercy, and looks into the dark corners and receffes of his heart without fear--and if upon fuch an enquiry-he acts confiftent with his view in it, by reforming his errors, feparating the drofs, and purifying the whole mafs with repentance; this will bid fair for examining a man's works in the apoftle's fenfe: and whoever discharges the duty thus- -with a view to scripture, which is the rule in this cafe and to reason, which is the applier of this rule in all cafes-need not fear but he will have what the prophet calls rejoicing in himself, and that he will lay the foundation of his peace and comfort where it ought to ly VOL. II. N that |
