that discipline, would proportionally deepen and increase. "Good-will towards men" would increase also. Many, who before deemed that the heaviest part of their daily cross was imposed by the errors and selfishness of others, would learn, by careful self-examination, that the pain was in themselves, not in the instrument that inflicted it; that even where present annoyance is intentionally given, it is generally the result of some impression left by a former sinful act or sinful word, till now unrepented of and unremembered. Any trial ought to be esteemed a blessing, whether a heavy affliction or a harassing petty annoyance, which "brings our sin to remembrance," and thus affords an opportunity of laying it, in penitence and tears, at the feet of Him, whose "blood cleanseth us from all sin.'† We have no certainty that any sin which is not, during our present state of proba1 Kings, xvii. 18. +1 John, i. 7..

tion, washed out in the atoning blood of Christ, may not lessen by so much the capacity for happiness throughout eternity. There is nowhere a promise of pardon to unrepented sin. Therefore ought we look upon it as one of the most precious of the Covenant mercies of God, that He "will punish us for all our iniquities." This punishment is frequently inflicted in the ordinary course of the discipline of life, and a highly im portant benefit to be derived from that discipline is the "bringing our sin to remembrance."

*

Those persons to whom the following system is recommended, are supposed to be conscientiously trying to serve God aright, wishing to manifest their grateful love to the Redeemer, in the way He has Himself enjoined, namely, the keeping of His commandments. To forward this purpose, it is felt that "keeping the heart

with all diligence" is, next to prayer, the most essential requisite; and for this, self-examination is absolutely necessary. The task of self-examination, however, cannot be adequately performed at the close of the day, unless strict attention has been given to the smallest details of our inner life during its course. As a help in this difficult undertaking, it has often been recommended to anxious and earnest persons to direct their especial vigilance, during the course of each day, to one particular fault alone. This has been found to sharpen self-scrutiny upon every other point, as well as that which is kept principally in view. One of the great objects to be gained by this, or any other system of self-examination, is the obtaining a correct view of the nature of the discipline of common life. For it is this discipline that will draw out into prominence the particular sins to which

we are ourselves most liable; it is always because it produces a manifestation of sin, that discipline makes us unhappy. Reader, what is there in the discipline of your common life that causes especial unhappiness? What is to you "the daily cross?" It is to help you in the answer to this important question, that you are earnestly recommended to try, for a week's space, exclusive vigilance and self-examination regarding each of the sins about to be enumerated, - Selfwill, Pride, Vanity, Discontent, Selfishness, Self-indulgence, Worldliness. These have been selected, as most likely to be the leading faults of the characters to whom the following pages are principally addressed.

11

FIRST DAY.

SELF-WILL.

ONE of the most difficult lessons to be learnt through the discipline of life, is that of obedience. Whether that which is required of us be submission to the will of God himself, or to those who are placed by Him in authority over us, the first instinctive movements of our fallen nature are opposition and disobedience.

The frequency and strength of these emotions are ordinarily in proportion to the general strength of the character. Stubbornness and obstinacy are generally features of such characters as are morally and mentally inferior, but consequently they are easily subdued by fear and overcome by superior cunning: the self-will