EDITORS' REMARKS. THE following treatise of the late Rev. Mr. John Mason upon self knowledge, we have selected, as well suited for the sixth number of the Christian Monitor. Although it has acquired much celebrity, and aided the piety of many christians, yet we do not find it, so often as we could wish, in the houses of those, who, perhaps, might not be the least disposed to profit by it. On this account we thought best to give it a more general circulation. It is needless to add any thing further in commendation of the work. Mr. Mason will be no less admired by all his readers for the neatness and correctness of his style, than for the warm effusions of his piety, and the judicious tendency of his remarks. Those who have read and profited by his Lordsday evening entertainment,' and his 'student and pastor,'-for to read and to profit by his writings are nearly synonimous terms,will here trace the same serious and impressive manner, the same affectionate spirit of piety, and the same happy faculty of rendering truth both engaging to the understanding and lovely to the heart, which so eminently distinguished all the writings of this excellent man. It was our intention to have prefaced this work with a short biographical sketch of its author. But circumstances beyond our control prevented. Whilst we commit this little volume to the publick, it is not without our most earnest prayers, and humble hopes, that he, whose blessing alone can impart efficacy to the labours of religious instruction, which his servants employ, would render it to all, into whose hands it may fall, a powerful means of improving the knowledge of their own hearts, and of strengthening the efforts of their pious resolutions, of enlightening the understanding that is beclouded, of confirming the faith, that is wavering, and of cheering the hopes, that are languishing. CHAP. 1-On the nature and importance of the subject 2-The several branches of self knowledge. We must know what sort of creatures we are, and what we shall be 9 17 3-The several relations wherein we stand to God, to Christ, and our fellow creatures 22 4-We must duly consider the rank and station of life in which providence has placed us, and what it is that becomes and adorns it 36 5-Every man should be well acquainted with his own tal- 39 41 44 48 52 10 The necessity and means of knowing our natural temper 9—Self knowledge discovers the secret prejudices of the heart 11-Concerning the secret springs of our action plause No. 6. A2 71 13-What kind of knowledge we are already furnished 15-Concerning the memory 16-Concerning the mental taste 17-Of our great and governing views of life 18-How to know the true state of our souls; and whether we are fit to die PART II. 75 80 94 97 102 105 SHOWING the great excellency and advantage of this kind of science Chap. 1-Self knowledge the spring of self possession 2-Self knowledge leads to a wise and steady conduct 108 ib 112 7-Self knowledge directs to the proper exercise of self denial 122 8-Self knowledge promotes our usefulness in the world 126 9-Self knowledge leads to a decorum and consistency of character 128 10-Piety the effect of self knowledge 131 11-Self knowledge teaches us rightly to perform the du ties of religion 132 12-Self knowledge the best preparation for death 135 PART III. SHOWING how self knowledge is to be attained 137 140 155 156 |