Holy rules and helps to devotion both in prayer and practice In two parts. The fourth edition. Written by the right reverend father in God, Bryan Duppa, late Lord Bishop of Winton, in the time of his sequestration.

Advice concerning the Exami∣nation of the Conscience.

THE only Heaven that is afforded us upon Earth is Peace of Conscience; the only way to preserve that Peace, is to keep our selves unspotted from the World; or if we fail of this, (as who doth not in some degree?) to call our selves speedily to a strict account for it; for upon this depends not only our present Peace, but our future Happiness, according to that of our Saviour, If you judge your selves, you shall not be judged. The oftner this is done, the cleaner and the

quieter your Soul will be. If you make it not your dai∣ly task, yet find a time for it at least once a week. But especially omit it not, when you prepare your self for the blessed Sacrament; for as the benefit of it, being well ma∣naged, amounts to no less than the saving of your soul, so the danger is as great on the other side, if you care∣lesly or wilfully neglect it.

St. Paul therefore is pun∣ctual, and vehement in pres∣sing the Corinthians with it where he lays a peremptory command upon them, Let every man examine himself.

For this is no trivial ordi∣nary Duty, no exercise on the by, but a work of high

concernment, wherein the soul of a Christian seriously reflects upon it self, and the penitent Sinner laying all the Actions of his life before him, arraigns, accuseth and condemneth himself.

And that this may be done with the more advantage; some hours at least, if not some day must be set apart for this examination.

Especially let the imme∣diate preceding day be kept as the Eve to this great Feast, wherein you are to humble your self by Prayer and Fast∣ing, that you may be the better disposed and qualified for the performance of this Duty.

For the carrying on this private Assize and Trial of our selves, devoutmen have proposed many several me∣thods; but the most general and approved way is to set before you, as the most clear and impartial glass, the Mo∣ral Law of God, with such heightnings of it and dedu∣ctions from it, as either our Saviour in the Gospel hath drawn from it, or our own reason well informed to make use of.