Remembrances concerning the Examination of your Conscience.
I.
YOU are to consider the Ne∣cessity of this Duty. For if we take care that the Rooms which we eat or sleep in should be kept clean, you cannot but think that the cleansing of the Soul is a Concernment infinitely beyond it: and for doing this there is no other way left but to search out every corner of it, and to cast out every Sin, with every un∣clean thought that hath defiled it.
II.
You are to remember, that there is a great Measure of Discretion to be used in the Performance of this: so that you may neither omit it, when your own heart may tell you that there is some∣thing amiss in you which must be look'd after; nor on the other side over-scru∣pulously pursue it, when you are not con∣scious to your self of any notable Fail∣ings, but such as are incident to humane frailty: for if you do not wilfully pass over any of your greater Offences, but confess particularly, and repent seriously of them, God will more easily pass by your lesser Infirmities, being such as the Holy Prophet despaired of finding out, when he so sadly complained, Who can tell how oft he offendeth?
III.
That though it may not only seem, but be impossible to you to recollect e∣very failing, and that your scrupulous en∣deavouring of it may rather prove a tor∣ture to the Conscience than an Ease to it; yet you are so far to exercise an In∣quisition upon your self, as by observing these lesser particulars (though it be but in gross) you may the better discover Page 143 what the corruption of your Nature sways you to; and having discovered it, you are bound to strive to subdue it by degrees, and what you cannot for the present overcome, humbly to ask par∣don for.
IV.
That though it be the Duty of every day not to let the Sun go down upon any Sin that you have committed, with∣out examining of the Merits of it; yet there are times when this ought to be more punctually and solemnly done, es∣pecially at such times as you set apart for humbling your Soul with Fasting, or for preparing your self for the devout Re∣ceiving of the Sacrament.
V.
For the Manner of Ordering this Exa∣mination several Methods have been prescribed, some by dividing the sub∣ject Matter of it into Thoughts, Words and Deeds; others as sins are differen∣ced by their several Objects, either as being immediately sins against God, or against your Neighbour, or against your own Soul. Others advise to set God's holy Commandments before you, and to examine by that Rule what you have Page 144 done amiss. But in the chice of this you may free your self from all Perplexi∣ty by taking his advice whom you shall chuse to be your Spiritual Guide. And the Duty it self being once resolved up∣on, the Mode of doing may easily be found out.
