Dost thou show due thankfulness and gratitude to all thy benefactors?

Art thou ready, after the example of our blessed saviour, to forgive, and to do good to, and to pray for thy enemies, and dost thou not seek or desire opportunities of revenge?

Dost thou enforce upon thy mind, as oft as thou meetest with any provocation to revenge or resentment, as much as possible to live peaceably with all men? III. Concerning our duty toward ourselves. *

Hast thou lived without the thought and consideration, that thou wast created by God to be eternally happy or miserable after this life; notwithstanding thy interest and duty, and the express command of God, call and oblige thee to be much and frequent in the exercise thereof ?

Hast thou duly considered the terms and conditions upon which God hath promised to make thee everlastingly happy?

Hast thou not wasted thy time in idleness or any unprofitable vanity?

Hast thou laid to heart the shortness and uncertainty of this present life, and daily improved it to the best advantage?

Dost thou remember, that after this life we must give an account of all our actions?

Hast thou exercised a daily care and watchfulness over thy deceitful heart, resisting its importunities and lusts?

Hast thou contented thyself with only the form and outside of religion and godliness, neglecting the life and power thereof?

Hast thou earnestly implored the assistance of the holy spirit of God, to renew and sanctify thee?

* This duty may be found explained at large in the New Whole Duty of Man, Sunday xiii, Sect. i, &c.

Dost thou study to attain a true humility, and to become sensible of thy own follies and frailties?

Dost thou resist the first risings of pride, and an immoderate opinion of thy own understanding, and study to improve it to God's glory and the good of mankind? Dost thou endeavour after a meek and quiet spirit? Hast thou not behaved with pride and haughtiness in conversation and carriage?

Hast thou not been angry without cause, or above just cause?

Hast thou not been pettish and froward in little things, and upon mere mistakes, and involuntary errors of others, for want of reviewing things in their just nature, weight, and measure?

Art thou contented with the condition which God hath allotted thee in this world?

Hast thou not been immoderately concerned and anxious about present things?

Hast thou not been too covetous of the world, its riches, honours, and pleasures?

Hast thou not sought to gain, or to keep them by sinful means?

Dost thou not envy others, because their condition is more plentiful and prosperous than thy own?

Hast thou been diligent in doing thy own business, and to provide those things that are needful and expedient for thyself and family, and such as depend upon thee?

Hast thou endeavoured to make thyself useful in the world, and charitable to thy fellow-creatures?

Hast thou restrained thy appetites? hast thou not committed excess in eating and drinking, in sleep, or recreations?

Dost thou spend more time in sleeping and recreations, than is a necessary and convenient refreshment ? Dost thou choose and desire such recreations only as are honest and innocent?

Dost thou fast and pray for the subduing and mortifying of thy lusts?

Hast thou never been guilty of adultery, fornication, or any other actual pollution or uncleanness, and been careful to avoid all such objects and discourses, as are apt to excite filthy desires in thy heart?

Hast thou not had an impure heart, or unclean affections, or offended by any unchaste thoughts, words, or actions ?

Dost thou use moderation in thy apparel, suitable to thy condition and abilities?

Directions.

Thus far all persons, of what age, sex, or condition soever, are concerned to examine themselves distinctly in relation to the sins they have committed against God, their neighbour, and themselves. But upon the following heads, inquiry is only to be made, as they shall agree with every one's particular circumstances and relations in life.

The duty of a child to the parent.

*

Hast thou reverenced and honoured thy parents, obeyed their lawful commands, and attended to their wise counsels and instructions, and that for conscience-sake? Dost thou show all love and gratitude to them for thy being and education?

Dost thou heartily wish and pray for their life and prosperity?

Hast thou, according to thy ability, made a comfortable provision for them, if reduced to want?

Dost thou dutifully conceal and excuse their failings and infirmities?

Hast thou been disobedient to them; dishonoured them in thy mind, or carried thyself rudely and irreverently in thy behaviour toward them?

Hast thou mocked, or spoken evil of them?

This duty may be found explained at large, in the New Whole Duty of Man, Sunday viii, Sect. v “und vi,

Hast thou not been stubborn and obstinate toward them, and endeavoured to cast off thy subjection to them? Dost thou not secretly wish the death of thy parents, out of impatience to be delivered from their government, or possessed of their estate?

Didst thou dispose of thyself in marriage, without their advice or consent?

The duty of a parent to the child. *

Art thou diligent in thy calling, to enable thyself to nourish and sustain thy children?

Hast thou diligently preferred the eternal interest of thy children before their temporal ?

Hast thou taught them, as they were capable of learning, to know, fear, love, and worship God with a perfect heart, and a willing mind?

Hast thou taught them how to govern their passions, and to moderate their affections to worldly things; and encouraged them, by thy own example, to follow that which is good?

Dost thou watch over their behaviour, and see that they practise what they have been taught?

Hast thou not been too fond and indulgent to them; suffering them to go on in their follies and sins, without such correction and reproof, as in duty thou wast bound to give them?

Art thou any ways accessary to the sins of thy children, by any ill example set them? or by giving them such an education, as would naturally lead them into pride and vanity?

Hast thou done thy part to provide what was necessary and convenient for their living, and comfortable subsistence and being in the world?

Dost thou bless them, and commend them to the favour and guidance of God?

This duty may be found explained at large in the New Whole Duty of Man, Sunday viii, Sect. vii and viii.

The duty of brethren and sisters. *

Hast thou had a tender affection, and a compassionate concern for thy brethren and sisters, endeavouring to promote their good, both spiritual and temporal?

Dost thou always strive to keep up brotherly love and unity in the family?

Dost thou not secretly wish their death or disgrace, to make thy own fortune the more plentiful ?

Hast thou commended them to God in thy prayers? Or,

Hast thou been unconcerned for their welfare, and destitute of natural affection toward them?

The duty of a wife to her husband. †

Hast thou refused to comply with those commands, in which God requires thee to obey and serve, to love and honour thy husband?

Art thou loving to him, and desirous to render his life as easy and comfortable as thou canst?

Hast thou provoked him, or published his faults? Hast thou spoken ill of him?

Hast thou bore with his infirmities?

Hast thou given him cause of jealousy, or been unfaithful to his bed?

Hast thou been frugal in the management of thy expenses with respect to the circumstances and condition of thy husband?

Hast thou squandered away thy husband's substance? Hast thou kept thyself within those bounds, which both reason, religion, and the condition of thy husband require? Or,

Hast thou been indifferent and careless in thy carriage toward him, not forecasting to do what thou didst or mightest know would oblige and please him?

*This duty may be found explained at large in the New Whole Duty of Man, Sunday ix, Sect. 1.

+ This duty explained, in Sunday-ix, Sect. ii, &c.