SELECTIONS by Fletcher

Publishing Committee · Battle Creek, Mich. · Apr 30, 1857

SELECTIONS.

By Fletcher

The Test of a New Creature.

*"Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith."

1. Do I feel any pride; or am I partaker of the meek and lowly mind that was in Jesus? Am I dead to all desire of praise? If any despise me, do I like them the worse for it? Or if they love and approve me, do I love them more on that account? Am I willing to be accounted useless, and of no consequence—glad to be made of no reputation? Do humiliations give me real pleasure, and is it the language of my heart, Make me little and unknown, Loved and prized by God alone?

2. Does God bear witness in my heart that it is purified, and that in all things I please him?

3. Is the life I live "by the faith of the Son of God," so that Christ dwelleth in me? Is Christ the life of all my affections and designs? Is my eye single, and my whole being full of light—all eye within and without; always watchful?

4. Have I always the presence of God? Does no cloud come between God and the eye of my faith? Can I "rejoice evermore, pray without ceasing, and in every thing give thanks?"

5. Am I saved from the fear of man? Do I speak plainly to all, neither fearing their frowns, nor seeking their favors? Have I no shame of religion; and am I always ready to confess Christ, to suffer with his people, and to die for his sake?

6. Do I deny myself at all times, and take up my cross as the Spirit of God leads me? Do I embrace the cross, being willing to give up my ease and convenience to oblige others; or do I expect them to conform to my hours, ways, and customs? Does the cross sit light upon me, and am I willing to suffer all the will of God? Can I trample on pleasure and pain? Have I "A soul inured to pain, To hardship, grief and loss; Bold to take up, firm to sustain, The consecrated cross?"

7. Are my bodily senses, and outward things, all sanctified to me? Do I seek grace more for God's than my own profit, preferring the glory of all in earth or heaven? the giver to the gift?

8. Am I "poor in spirit?" Do I take pleasure in "infirmities, in necessities, distresses, reproaches," so that in the Lord, want, and danger, I may cast myself on his care?

9. Am I "lean to my own understanding?" Am I ready to give up the point, when contradicted, unless conscience forbid? Am I easy to be persuaded? Do I esteem others better than myself? Am I as willing to be a cypher as to be much respected, and does my zeal burn bright, notwithstanding this willingness to be nothing?

10. Have I no false wisdom, goodness, strength; as if the grace I feel were my own? Do I never take that glory to myself which belongs alone to Christ? Do I feel my want of Christ, and find joy in being thus nothing, empty, undeserving, giving all the glory to Christ?

11. Have I meekness? Does it bear rule over all my tempers, affections and desires; so that my hopes, fears, joy, zeal, love, and hatred, are duly balanced? Do I feel no disturbance from others, and do I desire to give more? If any offend me, do I still love them, and make it an occasion to pray for them? If condemned by the world, do I entreat? if condemned by the godly, am I one in whose mouth there is no reproof; replying only as conscience, and not as impatient nature dictates? If in the wrong, do I confess it? If in the right, do I submit, being content to do well, and suffer for it? If I am the greatest, do I make myself least "and the servant of all;" if a teacher, am I lowly, meek, patient, not conceited, self-willed, nor dogmatic?

12. Do I possess resignation; am I content with whatever is, or may be; seeing that God, the Author of all events, does, and will do, all for my good? Do I know how to suffer need?

13. Am I just, doing in all things as I would others should do unto me? Do I render due homage to those above me, not presuming on their lenity and condescension? As a superior, do I exercise no undue authority, taking no advantage of the timidity, respect, or necessity of any man? Do I consider the great obligation superiority lays me under, of being lowly and kind, and of setting a good example?

14. Am I temperate, using the world, as not abusing it? Is the turn of my mind and temper in due subjection, not leading me to any extreme, either of too much silence, or of too much talkativeness, of reserve, or freedom?

15. Am I courteous, not severe? Suiting myself to all with sweetness? Striving to give no one pain, but to gain and win all for their good?

16. Am I vigilant; redeeming time, taking every opportunity of doing good? Do I perform the most servile offices, such as require labor and humiliation, with cheerfulness?

17. Do I "love God with all my heart?" Do I constantly possess myself, my time, my substance, talents, and all that I have, a living sacrifice? Do I like or dislike, only such things as are pleasing or displeasing to God?

18. Are my spiritual faculties always vigorous? Do I give way to no sinful languor? Am I always on my watch? Do not business, worldly care, and conversation, damp my fervor and zeal for God?

19. Do I love my neighbor as myself? Do I think no evil, listen to no groundless surmises, nor judge from appearances? Can I bridle my tongue, never speaking of the faults of another, but with a view to do good; and when I am obliged to do it? Have I that charity which hopeth, believeth, and endureth all things?

20. Do I bear patiently the infirmities of age or sickness; without seeking to repair the decays of nature by strong liquors, tobacco, &c., or do I make Christ my sole support, casting the burden of a feeble body into the arms of his mercy?

Too much grace cannot be desired or looked for; and to believe and obey with all the power we have, is the highway to receive all we have not. Happy are they who receive most of this perfect love, and of that establishing grace, which may preserve them from such falls and decays as they were before liable to. Jesus, Saviour of all, grant thy purest gifts to every waiting disciple. Enlighten us with the knowledge of thy will, and show us "the mark of the prize of our high calling." Let us die to all thou art not; and seek thee with our whole heart, till we enjoy the fullness of the purchased possession. Amen! Fletcher.