Self-examination takes courage and honesty. And since it concerns our eternal destination, we need to be all the more diligent to estimate how our soul is doing.

Jeremy Taylor, (15 August 1613 – 13 August 1667) was a cleric in the Church of England who achieved fame as an author Oliver Cromwell rose to power, and he spent a considerable amount of time thinking on this matter of holiness and integrity of heart.

The person certainly belongs to God,

1) who believes and is baptized into all the articles of the Christian faith,

2) and studies to improve their knowledge in the matters of God, so as may best make them live a holy life.

3) Out of obedience to Christ they worship God diligently, frequently, and constantly, with natural religion, that is of prayer, praises and thanksgiving.

4) They take all opportunities to remember Christ's death by a frequent sacrament, as it can be had, or else by inward acts of understanding, will, and memory (which is the spiritual communion) when the external rite is not possible.

5) They live chastely,

6) and are merciful.

7) They despise the world, using it, but never engrossed in it.

8) They are just in their dealings and diligent in their calling.

9) They are humble in spirit,

10) obedient to government,

11) content in their fortune and employment.

12) They do their duty out of love God; and if after all this they are afflicted, they are patient, ready to suffer affliction for the cause of God.

The person who has these twelve signs of grace and predestination does as certainly belong to God, and is His child as surely, as he is His creature.

Well? How'd you do?

He was the John Piper of the 17th century. Carl Heinrich von Bogatzky (1690-1744) became an influential Lutheran. A pietist, Bogatzky maintained a dynamic relationship with God which influenced others to follow in his footsteps, including many in the Mennonite movement. The following is from his yearly devotional, GOLDEN TREASURY FOR THE CHILDREN OF GOD....

A new scene of time now begins: put up your hosannas, O my soul, that the Lord may save, bless, and proper you; may he grant you a happy new year indeed!

For this purpose begin it with a dedication of yourself to God; your time, circumstances, and life are in his hands; implore his blessing and protection over the coming year.

Begin this and every following day with prayer; let God have the first thoughts in the morning, the impression they make will not be easily erased by worldly matters.

Grace is promised in the use of means, be diligent, then, and

1)    punctual in the performance of them;

2)    let your daily request be for an increasing knowledge of yourself, and Jesus Christ in his offices;

3)    for a sense of pardoning mercy;

4)    for a lively, vigorous faith;

5)    for communion with the Father and the Son through the Spirit;

6)    for true holiness in heart and life;

7)    for strength and protection against thy spiritual foes,

8)    and for preserving grace to the end.

9)    Pray for the prosperity of Zion; they prosper that love her;

10)  for thy friends and relations, begging the Almighty to take them into a covenant relation to himself;

11)  for blessings on thy worldly affairs;

12)  for a sanctified use of health or sickness, prosperity or adversity, as God shall be             pleased to send.

Perhaps, O my soul, this may be the last year of the Lord's patience and your pilgrimage. Is your state safe? Are you a real believer in Jesus? Is the oil of grace in your vessel? If so, you are prepared for every emergency.

And now, my soul, another year

Of thy short life is past

I cannot long continue here;

And this may be my last.

Now a new scene of life begins;

Set out afresh for heaven;

Seek pardon for your daily sins,

In Christ so freely given.