A Guide to Heaven from the Word, Part 3
Serious Queſtions to put to our ſouls every Morning.
Qu 1. How did I lye down and riſe up? Was God in my thoughts? And if ſo, were the thoughts of him ſweet and precious to my ſoul? Pſal. 139. 2, 3, 4. Pſal. 92.1, 2.
2. In what frame is my heart at preſent? Do I admire Gods goodneſs for the laſt nights ſleep, for adding more time to my life: and am I heartily thankful? Prov. 3.24.
3. Can I really commit all mine affairs to God this day, to be guided by his connſel, Protected and Provided for by his care, and to be willing to be at his diſpoſe? Mat. 6.25. &c. 1 Pet. 5.7. Pſal. 37.4.
4. Am I reſolved to ſpeak for God and his glory, what ever it coſt me? In the ſtrength of Chriſt will I not be terrified from, be aſhamed of, or grow weary in well-doing? Mar. 8.38.
5. Am I a child of God, an heir of Glory? or a ſlave to ſin, and a child of Satan? If I am Gods child, muſt I not wear the glorious garment of Righteouſneſs, that royal ſparkling livery of Heaven? If an heir of heaven, ſhould I not caſt off the rags of corruption, and take heed of defiling my ſelf with the mire of ſin? Deut. 5.32. Jude 23. What ſhould I do more then others? Mat. 5.47.
6. Who is the greateſt deceiver? if my heart, let me not truſt, but watch over it all this day! Wherein are the greateſt dangers, the moſt horrid and woful miſtakes? if about mens ſou's, let me venture the loſs of all rather then of my precious never dying ſoul, Jer. 17.9, 10.
7. What are mine implacable, potent, and ſoul-ruining enemies, but the fleſh, the Devil, and the World? Let me not pamper the one, hearken to the ſecond, nor idolize the third; Let me beware of them, watch and be ſober, Rom. 8.8. &c. Gal. 5.17, 19.1 Pet. 5.8. Jam. 4.4.1 Joh. 2.15.
8. Who is and can be my beſt friend, but God? Let me take care in all things to pleaſe him, fear provoking him. Let me love him with all my heart, obey him with all my might, and honour him throughout all the day. Pſal. 144.15.
9. VVherein is the greateſt vanity and vexation, but in the world? Let me then ſlight and not admire and adore it. VVhat is the ſure gain and moſt laſting good? Certainly Godlineſs; let me then prize, preſs after, and live in it, Eccleſ. 1.2.1 Tim. 4.8. Ch. 6.6, 7.
10. VVhat is my heavenly work, but to run a race, fight a good fight, ſtrive and wreſtle? Can this be without care, diligence and watchfulneſs? 1 Cor. 9.24. Oh that a vein of Religion might run thorow all I do this day!
11. Whoſe eyes will be upon me all this day, to obſerve head and heart, lip and life? Will not God's, the Judge of all the earth? and dare I ſin in his preſence? dare I ſo highly affront him to his face? Heb. 4.13. Gen. 39.9.
12. If I ſhould ſpend this day in vanity, ſin and idleneſs, will it not be bitterneſs and ſorrow at night? If I ſpend it holily and profitably, ſhall I not pray with more confidence, and lie down with the more peace? Will not the teſtimony of a good conſcience be ground of great rejoycing? Pſal. 4.7, 8.2 Cor. 1.12.
13 How would I have this day repreſented at the great day of Judgment? What words, thoughts, and actions, would I have then brought forth? Let mine be ſuch; for certainly all muſt then be laid open, 2 Tim, 6.11, 12, 17, 18, 19, Eccleſ. 11.8.
14 How may I this day order my ſecular buſineſs with moſt wiſdom and honeſty, and for my greater advantage? Pſal. 112.5.
15 Am I ſit now to pour out my ſoul to God in Prayer? Can I firſt and chiefeſt ſeek the Kingdom of God? Mat. 6.33. Pſal. 5.2, 3.
Separate your ſelf every Evening from all company, and ask your heart theſe Queſtions; And wherein you have been guilty, be heartily ſorrowful, and beg pardon: and wherein God has enabled you to be in any meaſure faithful, bleſs God and be thankful.