THE
CLOSET COMPANION:
OR,
An HELP to serious Persons, in the important Duty of SELF-EXAMINATION.

Intended to be fixed up in the Christian's usual Place of Retirement, in order to remind him of, as well as to assist him in, the Work.

Commune with your own Heart. Psalm iv. 4.

Beloved, if our Heart condemn us not, then have we Confidence toward God. 1 John iii. 21.

For the Spirit itself beareth Witness with our Spirit, that we are the Children of God. Rom. viii. 16.

DIRECTIONS.
I. MAKE Conscience of performing this Duty. The Necessity of it will appear, if you consider(1.) God has repeatedly commanded it. (2.) The People of God have always practised it. (3.) There is great Danger of being deceived; for every Grace in the Christian has its Counterfeit in the Hypocrite. (4.) Many Professors have been deceived, by neglecting it, and are ruined forever. (5.) Your Comfort and Holiness depend, in a great Measure, upon knowing your real State.
II. Be very serious in the Performance of it. Set your Heart to the solemn Work, as in the Presence of the Searcher of Hearts, who will judge the Secrets of all Men, in the great Day. Heaven and Hell are no trifles. The question before you is no less than this: Am I a Child of Wrath, or a Child of God? If I should die, when I have done reading this, where would this precious Soul of mine be, forever, forever, forever?
III. Be impartial, or you lose your Labour; nay, you confirm your mistakes. On the one Hand, resolve to know the worst of yourself, the very worst. Some are afraid to know the worst, lest they should fall into Despair, and this fear makes them partial. Suppose the worst, and that, after serious Examination, it should appear, that you have neither Faith nor Holiness, yet remember, your Case is not desperate. The Door of Mercy is ever open to the returning Sinner. It remains a blessed Truth, that whoever cometh to Christ, shall in no wise be cast out. John vi. 37.
On the other Hand, be willing to know the best of yourself, as well as the worst. Do not suppose, that Humility requires you to overlook your Graces, and notice only your Corruptions.
IV. Judge of your Graces by their Nature, rather than their Degree. You are to try inherent Graces by the Touchstone, not by the Measure. The greatest Degree is to be desired and aimed at, but the smallest Degree is Matter of Praise and Rejoicing. Don't conclude there is no Grace, because there is some Corruption; or, that the Spirit does not strive against the Flesh, because the Flesh strives against the Spirit.
V. Let not the Issue of this Trial depend at all upon your Knowledge of the exact Time of your Conversion, or the particular Minister or Sermon first instrumental in it. Some, yea, many, are wrought upon by flow and insensible Degrees. Grace increases like the Day-light. No Man doubts whether the Sun shines at Noon, because he did not see the Day-break.
VI. Take this Caution, lest you stumble at the Threshold. Think not that you must begin this Work with doubting whether God will extend Mercy to you, and save you; and that you must leave this a Question wholly under Debate, till you have found out how to resolve it, by Self-Examination. This is a common and pernicious Error, laying the very Foundation of this Work in the great Sin of Unbelief. The Question before you is not, Will God accept and save me, though a vile Sinner, if I believe on Christ? But you are to inquire, Am I now, at this Time, in an accepted State? The former Question is already resolved by God himself, who cannot lie. His Word positively declares, that every coming Sinner shall be accepted and saved. This being determined, is not to be questioned. But you are to try, Whether you are now in a State of Grace?
VII. Take Care, that you do not trust on your Self-Examination, rather than on Christ. There is a Proneness in our Natures to put Duties in the Place of Christ.
VIII. Be not content merely to read over the following Questions, but stop and dwell on each: nor suffer yourselves to proceed to another, till you have put the first home to your Conscience, and have got an honest Answer to it.
IX. Examine yourself frequently; at least, once a Week. The Lord's Day Evening is a most suitable Season. The oftener you perform this Work, the easier it will become. If you do not obtain Satisfaction at first, you may by repeated Endeavours; and a scriptural, solid Hope will amply repay your utmost Labour.

N. B. The above Directions are taken, in Part, from that excellent Book, Marshall on Sanctification.

QUESTIONS,

With Respect to Faith, and the Fruits of Faith.

I. DO I believe on the Son of God? Surely this is an important Question. My Bible assures me, that He that believeth shall be saved. Do I then believe? And here, let me carefully distinguish between Faith, and its Fruits. What is Faith? The simple Meaning of Faith is, believing; and believing always refers to something spoken or written. Divine Faith is the Belief of a divine Testimony, as John speaks, He that hath received his Testimony, hath set to his Seal that God is True. John iii. 33. And on the contrary, the Apostle John says, He that believeth not God, hath made him a Liar, because he believeth not the Record that God gave of his Son. And this is the Record, that God hath given to us eternal Life and this Life is in his Son. I John v. 10, 11. I must first believe the Truth of God, as revealed in his Word; I must credit his Report, and believe his Testimony concerning Christ; and then, receive and trust upon Christ, so revealed, for my own personal Salvation. But to be more particular:
- 1. Do I really believe that I am a fallen Creature--that I derived from Adam a Nature wholly corrupt, depraved, and sinful--and that I am a Child of Wrath, by Nature, even as others?--Have I ever considered the unspotted and infinite Purity and Holiness of God's Nature, and that he abhors, detests, and hates Sin, wherever he sees it?--Have I considered that his Law, contained in the Ten Commandments, is a Copy and Transcript of that holy Nature; and by comparing myself with that eternal Rule of Right and Wrong, have I been led to see my horrible Wickedness and Vileness?--O what Multitudes of Sins have I committed, in Thought, Word and Deed!--Am I really sick of Sin, sorry for Sin, and do I abhor myself as a vile Sinner?
- 2. Have I duly considered what my Sins have deserved?--Do I sincerely think that if God were to send me to Hell, because I am a Sinner, he would do justly?
- 3. Do I see my utter Helplessness, as well as my Sin and Misery?--Am I perfectly assured, that I cannot by any Works, Duties, or Sufferings of my own, in the least help myself; but that if ever I am saved, it must be the Effect of free Mercy?
- 4. Are the Eyes of my Understanding enlightened, to know Christ?--What do I think of Christ? Who is he?--Do I believe that he is God manifest in the Flesh, uniting in his one Person the human and divine Natures; Man, that he might suffer; and God, that he might redeem?--Do I know why he suffered; that it was to make Satisfaction to divine Justice, for the Injury done to God's Law and Government, by Man's Sin?--Do I believe, that the Father is well pleased for his Righteousness Sake; and that he has magnified the Law, both by his Obedience and Sufferings, and made it honourable?--Do I therefore look upon Christ, as the only Way to the Father; as the only Foundation to build on, the only Fountain to wash in?--Am I persuaded of his ability to save, to the utmost, all who come to God by him?
- 5. Am I satisfied from god's own Word and Promise, that whoever, let them be ever so vile and wicked, coming to Christ, by Faith, shall be saved? the Promise being, without Exception, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed.
- 6. Am I led and assisted by the Spirit of God, to believe this general Promise, in my own particular Case? As God has made no Exceptions, why should I except myself? True, no Tongue can tell how vile I have been, only God knows the Greatness of my Sins, and the Wickedness of my Heart! But shall I then despair, and so add, to my other, Sins, the worst and greatest Sin of all, UNBELIEF? God forbid! It is a faithful saying, and worthy of My Acceptation that Christ came to save the chief of Sinners. Do I then, sensible of my Sin, Misery and Helplessness, look upon Christ as an all-sufficient Saviour, and commit my precious, immortal Soul to him, relying upon him {Omitted text, 1w} , and endeavouring to rely upon him confidently, for eternal Salvation?--If so, surely I am a Believer, and shall receive the End of my faith, the Salvation of my Soul.

HAVING thus examined my Faith, let me proceed impartially to examine the Fruits and Effects of my Faith. Many pretend to Faith, whose Works give the Lie to their Pretensions; let me therefore shew my Faith by my Works. James ii. 18.

Quest. II. What are the Fruits of my Faith? Does it produce those Effects which the Word of God points out, as the Proof and Evidence of its Sincerity, with Respect to my Conscience, my Heart, and my Life?

1. What are the Effects of my Faith, as to my Conscience? The Scripture says, We which have believed do enter into Rest. Heb. iv. 3. Do I rest from my former legal Attempts to justify myself, going about to establish my own Righteousness? Am I satisfied with Christ's Righteousness, as a complete Title to Glory? I read of Peace in believing. Have I Peace in my Conscience? Being justified by Faith, have I Peace with God?--When my Soul is alarmed with the Remembrance of former Sins, or those lately committed, how do I obtain Peace? Is it by forgetting them as soon as I can, and then fancying that God has forgotten them too?--Is it by resolving to do so no more, and so making future Obedience atone for past Offences?--Is it by performing religious Duties, and so making Amends?--Or, is it by a fresh Application to the pardoning, peace-speaking Blood of Christ?--When my Sins stare me in the Face, and my Duties themselves appear Sins, whence, O my Soul, proceeds thy Comfort?--Is it the Blood of Christ, my Sacrifice, that purges my Conscience from dead Works?--Does Faith in the Atonement of his Death, free me from the dreadful Apprehension of Condemnation and Wrath, due to sin?--Do I, or do I not, believe that God is reconciled, through the Death of his Son, and therefore look up to him with Freedom and Delight?--If I have not this Peace, why is it? What hinders? Either I do not clearly understand the Nature of the Gospel, or I do not fully believe it: for it provides for every possible Case. If I have this, blessed be God for it! Lord, help me to keep it, that it may keep me! Lord, I believe; help thou mine Unbelief!
2. I would try, what are the Effects of my Faith, as to my Heart, and its Affections.
- (1.) Do I love God, God the Father? Do I think of him, and go to him as a loving Father, {Omitted text, 1w} Have I the Spirit of Adoption, so that I cry, Abba F? I love him as the Father of Mercies, the God of {Omitted text, 1w} of Peace, the God of Love?
- (2.) Do I love Christ?--To the {Omitted text, 1w} believe, he is precious; Is he precious to me?--Do I see {Omitted text, 1w} Beauty in his Person? Is he the Chief among ten Thousands to me, and altogether lovely?--Do I admire the Length, and Breadth, and Depth, and Height of his Love?--Is it the Language of my very Soul, None but Christ, None but Christ?--Is it my Grief and Shame, that I love him no more?
- (3.) Do I love the Holy Spirit? (Rom. xv. 30.) Do I honour him, as the great Author of Light and Life, Grace and Comfort? Do I maintain a deep Sense of my Dependence on his divine Agency, in all my religious Performances? Do I desire my Heart to be his Temple?--Am I cautious lest I quench his holy Motions, or grieve him by my Sins? Am I sensible, that without his Influences I cannot pray, hear, read, communicate, nor examine myself as I ought?
- (4.) Do I love God's Law?--Do I delight in the Law of the Lord, after the inward Man, not wishing it less strict and holy, but loving it because it is holy?--Am I as willing to take Christ for my King to rule over me, as for my Priest to atone for me?--Do I hunger and thirst after Righteousness?--Do I pant, and long, and pray to be holy?--Do I wish to be holy, as I wish to be happy? Do I hate all Sin, especially that Sin which most easily besets me, and labour daily to mortify it, and to deny myself? Do I sigh for complete Deliverance from remaining Corruption, and rejoice in the Hope of it, through a holy Jesus?--Do I long for Heaven, that there I may be satisfied with his Likeness?
- (5.) Do I love God's People?--Can I say to Christ, as Ruth to Naomi, Thy People shall be my People?--Do I love them, because they love Christ, and bear his Image?--Do I feel an Union of Spirit with them, though they may not be of my Party, or think exactly as I do?--Can I say, I know that I have passed from Death to Life, because I love the Brethren?
3. What are the Effects of my Faith, as to my daily Walk and Conversation?--The Word of God tells me, that he who is in Christ, is a new Creature; old Things are passed away, all Things are become new.--If ye love me, said Christ, keep my Commandments. Let me review the Decalogue, and see how my Love to Christ is manifested by my Obedience.
- (1.) Do I know and acknowledge God to be the only true God, and my God, and do I worship and glorify him accordingly? Is he the supreme Object of my Desire and Delight?--Do I trust him, hope in him, love to think of him?--Do I pray to him, do I praise him, am I careful to please him?
- (2.) Do I receive, observe, and keep pure and entire all such religious Worship and Ordinances as God hath appointed in his Word? How is it with me in secret Prayer, in Family Prayer, in public Prayer?--With what Views do I go to hear the preached Gospel, and what Good do I get by it?
- (3.) Do I make a holy and reverend Use of God's Names, Titles, Attributes, Ordinances, Word, and Works, avoiding the Profanation or Abuse of any Thing whereby God makes himself known?
- (4.) Do I keep holy to God the Sabbath Day, resting all that Day from worldly Employments, Recreations, and Conversation? And do I spend the whole Time in public and private Exercises of divine Worship, except so much as is to be taken up in the Works of Necessity and Mercy? Is the Sabbath my Delight, and are the Ordinances of God's House very precious to my Soul?
- (5.) Do I endeavour to preserve the Honour, and perform all the Duties, which I owe to my Superiors, Inferiors, or Equals; remembering, that true Religion makes good Husbands, Wives, Children, Masters and Servants? If I am really holy, I am relatively holy.
- (6.) Do I use all lawful Means to preserve my own Life, and the Life of others?--Do I avoid all Intemperance?--Do I resist passionate Tempers?--Do I labour to promote the Welfare of Men's Souls?--Do I exercise Love, Compassion, and Succour to the Poor and Distressed, according to my Ability? Can I, and do I, freely forgive those who have injured me? Can I, and do I, pray for them; and instead of hating, do I love my very Enemies?
- (7.) Do I earnestly strive to preserve my own, and my Neighbour's Chastity, in Heart, Speech, and Behaviour; avoiding all the Incentives to Lust, such as Intemperance in Food, lascivious Songs, Books, Pictures, Dancings, Plays, and debauched Company; remembering that my Body is the Temple of the Holy Ghost?
- (8.) Do I use the lawful Means of moderately procuring and furthering the Wealth and outward Estate of myself, and others?--Do I abhor every Species of Robbery and Injustice?--Am I strictly and conscientiously honest in all my Dealings, not over-reaching or defrauding any Person, in any Degree?
- (9.) Do I studiously maintain and promote Truth, between Man and Man; not only abhorring Perjury, but hating all Falsehood? And do I, as a Professor of Religion, avoid both ludicrous and pernicious Lies, being as tender of my Neighbour's Character as of my own?--Am I very cautious in making Promises, and very careful to keep them?
- (10.) Am I contented with the Condition God has allotted me, believing that he orders all Things for the best?--And do I avoid, as much as possible, envying my Neighbour's Happiness, or inordinately desiring any Thing that is his?

Conclusion.] And now, dear Reader, What is the Result of your Inquiry? Have you made a solemn Pause, at the Close of every Question, and obtained an honest Answer? And are you, notwithstanding many unhallowed Imperfections, able to conclude, That your Faith is of God's Operation; and proved so to be, by its holy Fruits of Peace, Love, and Obedience?--Then take the Comfort, and give God the Glory.

But if, on the other Hand, the Evidence of Scripture and Conscience is against you, and you are forced to conclude, that your Heart is not right with God--then, for God's Sake, and for your Soul's Sake, cry instantly and mightily to him to have Mercy upon you, and change your Heart; remembering, that though your Case is awful, it is not desperate; and that still you, even you, coming to Christ, shall in no wise be cast out.

G. B.

Boston:--Printed and fold by Manning & Loring, No. 2, Cornhill.

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