The Communicant's Companion
10. How have I laid out what God has given me in the world?—I am but a steward; have I been faithful? Have I honored the Lord with my substance, and done good with it; or have I wasted and misapplied my Lord's goods?
Hath God had his dues, my family and the poor their dues, out of my estate?
What should have been consecrated to piety and charity, has it not been either sinfully spared, or sinfully spent?
11. How have I improved the Lord's day, and the other helps I have had for my soul?—I enjoy great plenty of the means of grace; have I grown in grace in the use of those means, or have I not received the grace of God therein in vain? Have I "called the Sabbath a delight, the holy of the Lord, and honorable;" or have I not snuffed at it, and said, "When will the Sabbath be gone?" How have I profited by sermons and sacraments, and the other advantages of solemn assemblies? Have I received and retained the good impressions of holy ordinances.; or have I not lost them, and let them slip?
12. How have I borne my afflictions?—When Providence has crossed me, and frowned upon me, what frame have I been in, repining or repenting?
Have I submitted to the will of God in my afflictions, and patiently accepted the punishment of my iniquity; or have I not striven with my Maker, and quarreled with his disposals? When mine own foolishness has perverted my way, has not my heart fretted against the Lord? What good have I gotten to my soul by my afflictions? What inward gain by outward losses? Has my heart been more humbled and weaned from the world; or have I not been hardened under the rod, and trespassed yet more against the Lord?
Many more such queries might be adduced, but these may suffice for a specimen. Yet it will not suffice to put these questions to ourselves, but we must diligently observe what reply conscience, upon an impartial search,