Directions for Proper Self-Examination - Samuel Pike, Hayward / Christian Audio Book (1755) http://www.puritanaudiobooks.net/ A reading from the book, Cases of Conscience…1755 ”Be impartial in this duty of self-examination. The Christian and the hypocrite are both ready to be too partial ; the last in his own favor, the other against himself. The hypocrite can see every thing that is encouraging; he doubts not but all is well : whereas, the Christian can see nothing in himself that is good.” Pike was born about 1717 at "Ramsey, Wiltshire" (Wilson), which may mean Ramsbury, Wiltshire, or Romsey, Hampshire[citation needed].He was educated for the independent ministry, receiving his general training from John Eames of the Congregational Fund academy, and his theology from John Hubbard at Stepney academy. His first settlement was at Henley-on-Thames, Oxfordshire, about 1740. He moved in 1747 to succeed John Hill (1711–1746) as pastor at the Three Cranes meeting-house in Fruiterers Alley, Thames Street, London. Early in his London ministry Pike established, in his house on Hoxton Square, an academy for training students for the ministry. He adopted the principles of John Hutchinson (1674–1737), and defended them (1753) in a long work. In 1754 he succeeded Zephaniah Marryat, D.D. (1684?–1754),.[1] as one of the Tuesday lecturers at Pinners' Hall. About the same time he joined Samuel Hayward (1718–1757), independent minister at Silver Street, Wood Street, Cheapside, in a Sunday-evening lecture, dealing with "cases of conscience", at Little St. Helen's, Bishopsgate Street