pented of them unfeignedly, and from the bottom of my heart?

Have I used my utmost endeavour to call all my sins to remembrance, and to affect my heart with a godly sorrow and contrition for them?

Have I seriously considered, and am I truly sensible what an evil and bitter a thing it is to sin against God?

What extreme folly and absurdity I have been guilty of in departing from the infallible rule of God's commandments, to follow the blind leadings of my own depraved will, and the corrupt customs of a wicked world?

What unaccountable stupidity in neglecting the most important concern of my life, and doing what in me lies to make myself miserable for ever?

What wretched madness in rendering myself obnoxious to the heavy displeasure of Almighty God, and to all those miseries that are implied in an eternal separation from His blissful presence?

What vile ingratitude in sinning against so good, so gracious, so easy a Master, and so liberal, so bountiful a Benefactor?

Againt the riches of the Divine goodness, and forbearance, and long suffering, which should have led me to repentance?

Against the infinite goodness and mercy of God the Father, Who made me, and has bestowed so many blessings upon me?

Against the incomprehensible kindness and condescension of God the Son, Who redeemed me from everlasting death with His own blood; and has prepared for me endless and unspeakable joys in another world?

And against the infinite love of God the Holy Ghost, Whose earnest desire of my salvation I have so abundantly experienced in His constant readiness to afford me such spiritual assistances and supports, as are necessary to all the purposes of holiness and obedience?

Have I considered likewise what a dreadful aggravation it is of my guilt, that I have so often sinned against the sense and convictions of my own mind, and many most solemn and repeated promises to the contrary?

Is there any particular sin that lies heavy upon my conscience?

Do I desire to be enlightened by God as to my unknown and forgotten sins, that they also may be particularly repented of?

Do I stedfastly resolve to use my utmost diligence for the time to come to serve and please God in newness and holiness of life, and to avoid all occasions of sinning, and all those temptations especially that have formerly caused me to fall?

Do I believe that God of His infinite grace and mercy hath ordained forgiveness of sins and eternal life for all such as truly repent, and turn unto Him with full purpose of heart to live according to the terms of that gracious covenant which He hath been pleased to make with us in His Son Jesus Christ our Saviour?

Do I trust in the merits of that all-sufficient atonement which our blessed Saviour made upon the Cross for the sins of all mankind, and in that only for this pardon and salvation?

Am I not apt to despair of God's mercy upon the account of the number or heinousness of my sins? Or to presume too boldly upon it, so as to hope for salvation without fulfilling the declared conditions of it?

Am I willing and ready to make full compensation, according to my power, to all those whom I have injured, or offended? And do I heartily forgive all such as have injured or offended me?

Am I diligent in prayer, and in the use of all those means of grace which God hath appointed for my furtherance in holiness?

If our conscience now tells us, that we do

thus truly and earnestly repent us of our sins, and are in love and charity with all our brethren, and intend to lead a new life following the Commandments of God, and walking from henceforth in His holy ways; we may draw near with faith to the throne of grace, and make our humble confession and supplication to Almighty God; not doubting but that He will be merciful unto us in the free pardon and forgiveness of all our sins, for the sake of Jesus Christ the Righteous, Who is our Advocate with the Father, and the propitiation for our sins.

Prayer after Examination.

O LORD GOD! I have now by Thine assistance considered mine evil ways: and I call to mind all the years of my life past in the bitterness of my soul for my sin. O Thou, Who alone knowest the heart, and Who alone canst change it, create in me such a broken and contrite heart, as Thou hast promised not to despise and possess my soul with so deep a my sin and misery, that my repentance may bear some proportion to my guilt. My misdeeds, O Lord, have prevailed against me: O be Thou merciful to my sin; O for

sense of

Thy Name's sake be merciful to my sin, for it is great. O my, God, pardon all my failings, and perfect that good work Thou hast begun in me, for the merits of Jesus Christ my Saviour. Amen.

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SECTION III.

The Penitent's CONFESSION of his Sins to GOD.

Preparatory sentences of Scripture-and confession of sin, and humble supplication for pardon and grace.

Preparatory sentences of Scripture.

THUS saith the High and lofty One That inhabiteth eternity, Whose Name is holy; I dwell in the high and holy place, with him also that is of a contrite and humble spirit, to revive the spirit of the humble, and to revive the heart of the contrite ones. For I will not contend for ever, neither will I be always wroth: for the spirit should fail before Me, and the souls which I have made ".

a Isai. Ivii. 15, 16.