Difficulty of the Work

The greatest care is necessary in an affair so important as tho examination of your state before God. You will naturally be relactant to come to an unfavourable conclusion; and hence self-love combined with self-ignorance will bring you into peril of self-deception. Earnestly endeavour to exercise a holy candor. Be thorough; and for this purpose be not hasty in your search, but use frequent repetition. Insert the probe fully, even though it reach the quick. Mingle prayer to God with your self-examination, and this for two reasons; first, because in acts of devotion, both sins and graces are most likely to come to light, and secondly, because God only can reveal you to yourself. Let your cry be “Search me, 0 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.”*

A special counsel is necessary also for those who tend to form adverse judgments of their own state. Keflect that it is the reality, and not the perfection or even eminence of piety, that you are now looking for. Life may exist in the infant as well as the robust man. Remember that all graces are not always developed in the same degree. Be not misled by the experience of others; ‘there is infinite diversity in the operations of the Spirit. Do not yield to alarm, because you have not the feelings which are reported in others, or any certain order of exercises; but let the sure Word of God be your sole balance, standard, and touchstone.

* Psalm 139 23, 24.