The command.]" Your adversary, the Devil, as "a roaring lion goeth about, seeking whom he "" may devour; whom resist stedfast in the faith." 1 Pet. v. 8, 9.

The prayer.] "Save me from the lion's mouth." Ps. xxii. 21.

The promise.] "The God of peace shall bruise "Satan under your feet shortly." Rom. xvi. 20.

The command.] "Be thou faithful unto death." Rev. ii. 10.

The prayer. Let integrity and uprightness "preserve me." Ps. xxv. 21.

The promise.] "Even to old age I am he; and "even to hoary hairs I will carry you." Isaiah xlvi. 4.

The command.] "Sing praises to God; sing praises sing praises to our King; sing praises. Ps. xlvii. 6.

The prayer.] O Lord, open thou my lips, "and my mouth shall shew forth thy praise." Ps. li. 15.

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The promise.]" This people have I formed for myself: they shall shew forth my praise." Isaiah xliii. 21.

Helps for examining into the temper and conduct of the sick.

1. Have you accustomed yourself to watch over the general current of your thoughts?

2. Have you examined the state of your mind by the rule of God's word, and not judged by the opinion you may have entertained of yourself, or which others may entertain of you?

3. Did you ever pray earnestly to God to preserve you from error, and to guide you into the way of truth?

4. As you cannot but know that you are guilty

before God, did you ever consider the sad consequences of such a state, that "the wages of sin are death;" and that the sentence on all impenitent sinners will be, Depart from me, ye

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"cursed?"

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5. Do you not seek the praise of the world by compliances or neglects, which displease God?

6. Did you ever enquire in good earnest, as a guilty and helpless sinner, what you must do to be saved?

7. Do you acknowledge the necessity of repentance towards God, and faith in our Lord Jesus Christ, (evidenced by works,) in order to your justification and eternal salvation?

8. Do you believe, that if you watch, pray, and attend seriously to the appointed means of grace, "the blood of Christ will cleanse you from all "sin?" 1 John i. 7.

9. Do you find the love of God and your neighbour increasing in your heart? And do you think charitably of those who differ from you in sentiments and worship?

The whole of this important examination is in a great measure contained in this single text, "Are "you conformed to this world, or not? Are you transformed by the renewing of your mind, or not? Have you proved (or tried and known by your own experience) that the will of God is good, acceptable, and perfect?" Rom. xii. 2. And do you take it as a rule for the conduct of your life?

This is the touchstone, which will shew what it is to have the power, as well as the form, of godliness*; what it is to do the will of God, and to delight in it; to rejoice in Christ Jesus‡; to worship God in spirit and in truth §. In short, it will shew the difference between a nominal and real Christian.

2 Tim. iii. 5. † Ps. cxix. 16. Phil. iii. 3. § John iv. 24.

Helps for an examination as to the sick man's real state.

1. Have examined the state of you soul as your to faith, (Heb. xi. 6.) and as to practice; (Heb. xii. 14.) and how far these have agreed with the Gospel; with your baptismal vow; and with your Christian profession?

2. Have you judged and condemned yourself for all your sins with that hearty repentance and true faith, to which God has promised through Christ forgiveness of sins, that they may be blotted out by his mercy?

3. Do you enjoy the satisfaction of believing on this solid foundation that you are now in a pardoned state?

4. Do you daily pray to God for assistance to keep you in this state, and exert your own endeavours vigorously to continue in his favour?

5. Do you reflect on the sins which most easily beset you? and are you sensible of your own

wretchedness?.

6. Do you believe that God, through his Son Jesus Christ, will deliver you from your sins on the terms of the Gospel?

7. Have you an earnest desire of amendment, and a settled hatred of sin?

8. Will you endeavour to live more and more after God's will and commandments for the future?

Helps for an examination as to the sick person's discharge of those two important duties, self-examination and prayer.

1. Have you examined how far you have kept your baptismal vow? what sins you have committed, and what duties you have omitted, that you may put up suitable prayers?

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2. Have you examined whether you truly repent your sins? Is there no favourite sin you desire to keep? Is there no duty you wish to avoid?

3. Have you prayed to God, that you may not only know, but obey his whole will, and never wilfully offend him ?

4. Have you prayed, that your afflictions may be sanctified, and that you may be assisted under them?

5. That you may be enabled to imitate Christ's example by a submission to the will of God?

6. That you may improve in grace and holiness, so that this sickness may end in a godly life, or an happy death?

It was an excellent direction for improvement in holiness given by the great and good Bishop Butler, (late Bishop of Durham,) in his Charge to the Clergy, that at some particular hour, suppose morning, noon, or evening, when the clock strikes, (especially any church clock, as that would be a loud and never-failing memorandum,) they should set themselves, as in the presence of God, for a few minutes; and that a secret ejaculation might then be put up, in whatever company or employment they should happen to be engaged.

Helps for an examination as to the sick person's spiritual improvement.

Do you think you are in a state of wrath or of grace?

Do you live in any known sin?

How long have you left off such or such an evil course?

Are you constant morning and evening in prayer to God?

Do you delight in it?

Do you read and meditate on the Scriptures? Do you trust in God for help in all your concerns?

Do you find yourself "growing in grace and in

"the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus "Christ?"

On the whole, do you think you are fit to die?

Helps for a sick man to examine himself, particularly as to his profession in life, natural constitution, and the influence of bad company.

As no flattery is so fatal as that of the physician and the divine, it is very unjustifiable in any one to speak peace to the sick where there is no peace, (Ezek. xiii. 10.) though people in general love to have it so. (Jer. v. 31.) Now in order to search the heart thoroughly, it may be proper in some cases to desire the sick person to examine himself how far he has been guilty of those sins which were incident to his particular way of life, whether as a minister, physician, lawyer, tradesman, &c. It cannot be supposed that either of these will make an open declaration of any injustice he may have practised in his particular profession; nor is it required of him to make any confession of such secret sins, but to God only; yet it is very necessary to remind him of these things, that he may closely examine himself in what he has been deficient, either through negligence, or want of care, or any guile or fraud in discharging his duty.

He should likewise examine what sins arise from his natural constitution; for when nature herself stirs up the passions, it is probable that he may "commit all uncleanness with greediness." Ephes. iv. 19.

He should further examine what sins he may have contracted by keeping improper company, or from the contagion of the world; for from hence are derived most of our evils, and all our miseries, in this world and the next. Men in general are partial, and too favourable to themselves and their actions, whether good or bad. Some are flatterers of others, but all of themselves.