s heart, to walk with God in
manifest holiness and usefulness, and he will not fail of his end."

About this time he wrote down, for his own use, an examination into
things that ought to be amended and changed. I subjoin it entire. How
singularly close and impartial are these researches into his soul! How
acute is he in discovering his variations from the holy law of God! Oh
that we all were taught by the same spirit thus to try our reins! It
is only when we are thus thoroughly experiencing our helplessness, and
discovering the thousand forms of indwelling sin, that we really sit
as disciples at Christ's feet, and gladly receive Him as all in all!
And at each such moment we feel in the spirit of Ignatius, "[Greek:
Nyn gar archen echo tou matheteuesthai]"--"It is only now that I
begin to be a disciple."

Mr. M'Cheyne entitles the examination of his heart and life
_"Reformation"_ and it commences thus:--

"It is the duty of ministers in this day to begin the
reformation of religion and manners with themselves, families,
etc., with confession of past sin, earnest prayer for direction,
grace, and full purpose of heart. Mal. 3:3--'He shall purify the
sons of Levi.' Ministers are probably laid aside for a time for
this very purpose.

"1. _Personal Reformation._

"I am persuaded that I shall obtain the highest amount of
present happiness, I shall do most for God's glory and the good
of man, and I shall have the fullest reward in eternity, by
maintaining a conscience always washed in Christ's blood, by
being filled with the Holy Spirit at all times, and by attaining
the most entire likeness to Christ in mind, will, and heart,
that is possible for a redeemed sinner to attain to in this
world.

"I am persuaded that whenever any one from without, or my own
heart from within, at any moment, or in any circumstances,
contradicts this,--if any one shall insinuate that it is not for
my present and eternal happiness, and for God's glory and my
usefulness, to maintain a blood-washed conscience, to be
entirely filled with the Spirit, and to be fully conformed to
the image of Christ in all things,--that is the voice of the
devil, God's enemy, the enemy of my soul and of all good--the
most foolish, wicked, and miserable of all the creatures. See
Prov. 9:17--'Stolen waters are sweet.'

"1. _To maintain a conscience void of offence_, I am