empty away.  “Him that cometh to me, I will in no wise cast out.”  Persevere, even though you find scarce evidence enough to give a faint glimmering of hope.  Continually renew your repentance and faith in Christ.  Diligence in self-examination may be a means of growth in grace:  and if you are really a child of God, your evidences will increase and brighten, till you will be able to indulge “a good hope through grace.”  “For, in due time, we shall reap, if we faint not.”

V. Another object of self-examination is, to ascertain whether we are prepared to approach the Lord’s table. But let a man examine himself, and so let him “eat of that bread, and drink of that cup.”  Here the duty of self-examination, before partaking of the Lord’s Supper, is evidently taught.  And, in the next verse, we are told what is requisite to enable us to partake of this ordinance in an acceptable manner.  It is, that we have faith in lively exercise to discern the Lord’s body.  A backslider in heart, even though a real Christian, is not prepared to partake of this spiritual feast, without renewing his repentance and faith.  In this examination, two subjects of inquiry present themselves:  1.  “Am I a Christian?” 2.  “Am I growing in grace?” In regard to the first of these inquiries, enough has already been said.  To answer the second, you will need consider,—­1.  Whether you were living in the exercise of gracious affections at the last communion. 2.  Whether you have since made any progress in the divine life.  To aid you in these inquiries, I have prepared the following questions, which may be varied according to circumstances: 

The last time I partook of this ordinance, did I meet the Lord at his table, and receive a refreshing from his presence?  Did I there renew my covenant vows?  Have I kept my vows?  Have I since lived not unto myself, but unto God?  Have I enjoyed more of the presence of God?  Have I lived a life of faith and prayer?  Have I been daily to the cross of Christ for pardon and strength?  Have I maintained continually a deep and lively sense of divine things?  Have I lived a life of self-denial?  Have I obtained any conquests over indwelling sin?  Have I made any progress in subduing the unholy tempers of my heart?  Has my will been brought more entirely to bow to the will of God, so that I have no will of my own?  Has my love increased?  Do I feel more delight in contemplating the divine character, in reading his word, in prayer, in the ordinances of his house, &c.?  Do I feel more intense longings of soul after conformity to his image?  Have I any deeper sense of the exceeding sinfulness of sin?  Do my own sins in particular appear more aggravated?  Do I think less of myself?  Does a sense of my own vileness and unworthiness humble me low before God?  Does this lead me to see my need of just such a Saviour as Jesus?  Am I now disposed to cast my all upon him?  Has my love for Christians increased?  Do I feel any more compassion for dying