Being sensible that I am unable to do anything without God's help, I
do
humbly entreat him by his grace to enable me to keep these Resolutions,
so
far as they are agreeable to his will, for Christ's sake.
Remember to read over these Resolutions once a week.
1. Resolved, that I will do whatsoever I think to be most to God's glory,
and my own good, profit and pleasure, in the whole of my duration, without
any consideration of the time, whether now, or never so many myriad's
of
ages hence. Resolved to do whatever I think to be my duty and most for
the
good and advantage of mankind in general. Resolved to do this, whatever
difficulties I meet with, how many and how great soever.
2. Resolved, to be continually endeavoring to find out some new invention
and contrivance to promote the aforementioned things.
3. Resolved, if ever I shall fall and grow dull, so as to neglect to
keep
any part of these Resolutions, to repent of all I can remember, when I
come
to myself again.
4. Resolved, never to do any manner of thing, whether in soul or body,
less
or more, but what tends to the glory of God; nor be, nor suffer it, if
I
can avoid it.
5. Resolved, never to lose one moment of time; but improve it the most
profitable way I possibly can.
6. Resolved, to live with all my might, while I do live.
7. Resolved, never to do anything, which I should be afraid to do, if
it
were the last hour of my life.
8. Resolved, to act, in all respects, both speaking and doing, as if
nobody
had been so vile as I, and as if I had committed the same sins, or had
the
same infirmities or failings as others; and that I will let the knowledge
of their failings promote nothing but shame in myself, and prove only
an
occasion of my confessing my own sins and misery to God.
9. Resolved, to think much on all occasions of my own dying, and of
the
common circumstances which attend death.
10. Resolved, when I feel pain, to think of the pains of martyrdom, and
of
hell.
11. Resolved, when I think of any theorem in divinity to be solved,
immediately to do what I can towards solving it, if circumstances don't
hinder.
12. Resolved, if I take delight in it as a gratification of pride, or
vanity, or on any such account, immediately to throw it by.
13. Resolved, to be endeavoring to find out fit objects of charity and
liberality.
14. Resolved, never to do anything out of revenge.
15. Resolved, never to suffer the least motions of anger to irrational
beings.
16. Resolved, never to speak evil of anyone, so that it shall tend to
his
dishonor, more or less, upon no account except for some real good.
17. Resolved, that I will live so as I shall wish I had done when I come
to
die.
18. Resolved, to live so at all times, as I think is best in my devout
frames, and when I have clearest notions of things of the gospel, and
another world.
19. Resolved, never to do anything, which I should be afraid to do, if
I
expected it would not be above an hour, before I should hear the last
trump.
20. Resolved, to maintain the strictest temperance in eating and drinking.
21. Resolved, never to do anything, which if I should see in another,
I
should count a just occasion to despise him for, or to think any way the
more meanly of him.
(Resolutions 1 through 21 written in on setting in New Haven in 1722)
22. Resolved, to endeavor to obtain for myself as much happiness, in
the
other world, as I possibly can, with all the power; might, vigor, and
vehemence, yea violence, I am capable of, or can bring myself to exert,
in
any way that can be thought of.
23. Resolved, frequently to take some deliberate action, which seems
most
unlikely to be done, for the glory of God, and trace it back to the
original intention, designs and ends of it; and if I find it not to be
for
God's glory, to repute it as a breach of the 4th Resolution.
24. Resolved, whenever I do any conspicuously evil action, to trace it
back, till I come to the original cause; and then both carefully endeavor
to do so no more, and to fight and pray with all my might against the
original of it.
25. Resolved, to examine carefully, and constantly, what that one thing
in
me is, which causes me in the least to doubt of the love of God; and to
direct all my forces against it.
26. Resolved, to east away such things, as I find do abate my assurance.
27. Resolved, never willfully to omit anything, except the omission be
for
the glory of God; and frequently to examine my omissions.
28. Resolved, to study the Scriptures so steadily, constantly and
frequently, as that I may find, and plainly perceive myself to grow in
the
knowledge of the same.
29. Resolved, never to count that a prayer, nor to let that pass as a
prayer, nor that as a petition of a prayer, which is so made, that I cannot
hope that God will answer it; nor that as a confession, which I cannot
hope
God will accept.
30. Resolved, to strive to my utmost every week to be brought higher
in
religion, and to a higher exercise of grace, than I was the week before.
31. Resolved, never to say anything at all against anybody, but when
it is
perfectly agreeable to the highest degree of Christian honor, and of love
to mankind, agreeable to the lowest humility, and sense of my own faults
and failings, and agreeable to the golden rule; often, when I have said
anything against anyone, to bring it to, and try it strictly by the test
of
this Resolution.
32. Resolved, to be strictly and firmly faithful to my trust, that that
in
Prov. 20:6, "A faithful man who can find?" may not be partly
fulfilled in
me.
33. Resolved, always to do what I can towards making, maintaining,
establishing and preserving peace, when it can be without over-balancing
detriment in other respects. Dec.26, 1722.
34. Resolved, in narration's never to speak anything but the pure and
simple verity.
35. Resolved, whenever I so much question whether I have done my duty,
as
that my quiet and calm is thereby disturbed, to set it down, and also
how
the question was resolved. Dec. 18, 1722.
36. Resolved, never to speak evil of any, except I have some particular
good call for it. Dec. 19, 1722.
37. Resolved, to inquire every night, as I am going to bed, wherein I
have
been negligent, what sin I have committed, and wherein I have denied
myself: also at the end of every week, month and year. Dec.22 and 26,
1722.
38. Resolved, never to speak anything that is ridiculous, sportive, or
matter of laughter on the Lord's day. Sabbath evening, Dec. 23, 1722.
39. Resolved, never to do anything that I so much question the lawfulness
of, as that I intend, at the same time, to consider and examine afterwards,
whether it be lawful or no; except I as much question the lawfulness of
the
omission.
40. Resolved, to inquire every night, before I go to bed, whether I have
acted in the best way I possibly could, with respect to eating and
drinking. Jan. 7, 1723.
41. Resolved, to ask myself at the end of every day, week, month and
year,
wherein I could possibly in any respect have done better. Jan. 11, 1723.
42. Resolved, frequently to renew the dedication of myself to God, which
was made at my baptism; which I solemnly renewed, when I was received
into
the communion of the church; and which I have solemnly re-made this twelfth
day of January, 1722-23.
43. Resolved, never henceforward, till I die, to act as if I were any
way
my own, but entirely and altogether God's, agreeable to what is to be
found
in Saturday, January 12. Jan.12, 1723.
44- Resolved, that no other end but religion, shall have any influence
at
all on any of my actions; and that no action shall be, in the least
circumstance, any otherwise than the religious end will carry it. Jan.12,
1723.
45. Resolved, never to allow any pleasure or grief, joy or sorrow, nor
any
affection at all, nor any degree of affection, nor any circumstance
relating to it, but what helps religion. Jan.12 and 13.1723.
46. Resolved, never to allow the least measure of any fretting uneasiness
at my father or mother. Resolved to suffer no effects of it, so much as
in
the least alteration of speech, or motion of my eve: and to be especially
careful of it, with respect to any of our family.
47. Resolved, to endeavor to my utmost to deny whatever is not most
agreeable to a good, and universally sweet and benevolent, quiet,
peace_able, contented, easy, compassionate, generous, humble, meek, modest,
submissive, obliging, diligent and industrious, charitable, even, patient,
moderate, forgiving, sincere temper; and to do at all times what such
a
temper would lead me to. Examine strictly every week, whether I have done
so. Sabbath morning. May 5,1723.
48. Resolved, constantly, with the utmost niceness and diligence, and
the
strictest scrutiny, to be looking into the state of my soul, that I may
know whether I have truly an interest in Christ or no; that when I come
to
die, I may not have any negligence respecting this to repent of. May 26,
1723.
49. Resolved, that this never shall be, if I can help it.
50. Resolved, I will act so as I think I shall judge would have been
best,
and most prudent, when I come into the future world. July 5, 1723.
51. Resolved, that I will act so, in every respect, as I think I shall
wish
I had done, if I should at last be damned. July 8, 1723.
52. I frequently hear persons in old age say how they would live, if
they
were to live their lives over again: Resolved, that I will live just so
as
I can think I shall wish I had done, supposing I live to old age. July
8,
1723.
53. Resolved, to improve every opportunity, when I am in the best and
happiest frame of mind, to cast and venture my soul on the Lord Jesus
Christ, to trust and confide in him, and consecrate myself wholly to him;
that from this I may have assurance of my safety, knowing that I confide
in
my Redeemer. July 8, 1723.
54. Whenever I hear anything spoken in conversation of any person, if
I
think it would be praiseworthy in me, Resolved to endeavor to imitate
it.
July 8, 1723.
55. Resolved, to endeavor to my utmost to act as I can think I should
do,
if I had already seen the happiness of heaven, and hell torments. July
8,
1723.
56. Resolved, never to give over, nor in the least to slacken my fight
with
my corruptions, however unsuccessful I may be.
57. Resolved, when I fear misfortunes and adversities, to examine whether
~
have done my duty, and resolve to do it; and let it be just as providence
orders it, I will as far as I can, be concerned about nothing but my duty
and my sin. June 9, and July 13 1723.
58. Resolved, not only to refrain from an air of dislike, fretfulness,
and
anger in conversation, but to exhibit an air of love, cheerfulness and
benignity. May27, and July 13, 1723.
59. Resolved, when I am most conscious of provocations to ill nature
and danger, that I will strive most to feel and act good-naturedly; yea,
at such
times, to manifest good nature, though I think that in other respects
it
would be disadvantageous, and so as would be imprudent at other times.
May 12, July ii, and July 13.
60. Resolved, whenever my feelings begin to appear in the least out of
order, when I am conscious of the least uneasiness within, or the least
irregularity without, I will then subject myself to the strictest
examination. July 4, and 13, 1723.
61. Resolved, that I will not give way to that listlessness which I
find
unbends and relaxes my mind from being fully and fixedly set on religion,
whatever excuse I may have for it-that what my listlessness inclines me
to
do, is best to be done, etc. May 21, and July 13, 1723.
62. Resolved, never to do anything but duty; and then according to Eph.
6:6-8, do it willingly and cheerfully as unto the Lord, and not to man;
"knowing that whatever good thing any man doth, the same shall he
receive
of the Lord." June 25 and July 13, 1723.
63. On the supposition, that there never was to be but one individual
in
the world, at any one time, who was properly a complete Christian, in
all
respects of a right stamp, having Christianity always shining in its true
luster, and appearing excellent and lovely, from whatever part and under
whatever character viewed: Resolved, to act just as I would do, if I strove
with all my might to be that one, who should live in my time. Jan.14'
and
July '3' 1723.
64. Resolved, when I find those "groanings which cannot be uttered"
(Rom.
8:26), of which the Apostle speaks, and those "breakings of soul
for the
longing it hath," of which the Psalmist speaks, Psalm 119:20, that
I will
promote them to the utmost of my power, and that I will not be wear',
of
earnestly endeavoring to vent my desires, nor of the repetitions of such
earnestness. July 23, and August 10, 1723.
65. Resolved, very much to exercise myself in this all my life long,
viz.
with the greatest openness I am capable of, to declare my ways to God,
and
lay open my soul to him: all my sins, temptations, difficulties, sorrows,
fears, hopes, desires, and every thing, and every circumstance; according
to Dr. Manton's 27th Sermon on Psalm 119. July 26, and Aug.10 1723.
66. Resolved, that I will endeavor always to keep a benign aspect, and
air
of acting and speaking in all places, and in all companies, except it
should so happen that duty requires otherwise.
67. Resolved, after afflictions, to inquire, what I am the better for
them,
what good I have got by them, and what I might have got by them.
68. Resolved, to confess frankly to myself all that which I find in myself,
either infirmity or sin; and, if it be what concerns religion, also to
confess the whole case to God, and implore needed help. July 23, and August
10, 1723.
69. Resolved, always to do that, which I shall wish I had done when I
see
others do it. Aug. 11, 1723.
70. Let there be something of benevolence, in all that I speak. Aug.
17,
1723
