o is
worthy to be praised."[236] Self-examination should be Covenanted. Not
less was it obligatory to vow that duty than to exhort to the
performance of it in these terms, "Let us search and try our ways, and
turn again to the Lord."[237] Religious meditation should be vowed. "I
will meditate also of all thy work."[238] "I will meditate in thy
precepts, and have respect unto thy ways. I will delight myself in thy
statutes: I will not forget thy word."[239] So should prayer. "As for
me, I will call upon God; and the Lord shall save me. Evening, and
morning, and at noon, will I pray, and cry aloud; and he shall hear my
voice."[240] So also should godly fear. "At midnight I will rise to give
thanks unto thee, because of thy righteous judgments. I am a companion
of all them that fear thee, and of them that keep thy precepts."[241]
And the glad offering of praise should be vowed. "I will extol thee, my
God, O King; and I will bless thy name for ever and ever. Every day will
I bless thee, and I will praise thy name for ever and ever."[242] In one
word, to the whole worship of God the soul that clings to His Covenant
will cordially bind itself in his dread presence. "As for me, I will
come into thy house in the multitude of thy mercy; and in thy fear will
I worship toward thy holy temple."[243] "I will praise thee with my
whole heart; before the gods will I sing praise unto thee. I will
worship toward thy holy temple, and praise thy name for thy
loving-kindness and for thy truth: for thou hast magnified thy word
above all thy name."[244]

Sobriety and temperance. These are to be distinguished from austerities
devised by men, and are commanded in the Scriptures. They are maintained
when this world is used so as not to be abused;[245] and are cherished
when the causes of sin are altogether avoided, and its occasions are
shunned to the utmost limit compatible with duty. Along with other
excellencies of character, they are inculcated in the command, "Ye shall
be holy: for I the Lord your God am holy." The force of habit alone is
insufficient to keep them, at all times, safe from invasion; much less
is the momentary tumultuous resolution to resume these, that may be made
by those who have suffered by falling from them. Divine grace alone can
enable to adhere to them in an acceptable manner. To be distinguished by
them is not beneath the resolution of the most free from the corruptions
of the world. In order to be observed, they mus