John Love
1. Self-examination is obligatory by God’s command. It is a piece of work which God has set us; and if we were faithful and obedient servants, even though we could see no reason for it, we would do it without asking a single question. But here the case is otherwise: for the divine command is evidently necessary and for our good.
2. Self-examination is necessary, because of the danger of our being found wanting, when weighed in the divine balances (Dan 5:27). This argument is used by the Apostle Paul: “Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith: prove your own selves. Know ye not your own selves, how that Jesus Christ is in you, except ye be reprobates?” (2 Cor 13:5).
3. In performing this duty, let me observe the following rules: (1.) Choose the best times for it. (2.) Pray for the illumination of the Spirit. (3.) Lay aside self-love, when called to act the part of a judge; and be willing to be found a hypocrite, if really one. (4.) Look to the judgement seat of God. (5.) Lay marks of grace before the Lord, seeking His assistance in discriminating between true and false marks. (6.) Distinguish between sins which are proper grounds of humiliation, and sins which are proper grounds of doubting whether one is in a state of grace.
4. Let me examine myself: (1.) As to knowledge: knowledge of God, and His holy perfections; of the law, and of sin and holiness thereby; of the gospel of Christ; of Christ, as made of God wisdom, righteousness, sanctification, and redemption. (2.) As to faith. (3.) As to sense of sin. (4.) As to sense of weakness. (5.) As to fighting against self-love, and the desire of pleasure and honour in this world, and obtaining victory over these. (6.) As to love to God, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost. (7.) As to the constraining influence of the love of Christ. (8.) As to love of the law, and of holiness. (9.) As to heavenly-mindedness. (10.) As to love to the saints. (11.) As to looking for, and loving, the coming of Christ. Let me call forth all these graces into as high a degree of exercise as I can attain, and then examine them. Let me compare them also with the former motions of the same graces in my soul, to discover whether, and how far, I am growing in grace.
1Taken, with slight editing, from Love’s Memorials, vol 1. See also page 224.