4. Let the reader be careful to distinguish between a state of safety by faith in Christ, and a state of assurance arising from sensible comforts in the heart. The best Christians experience great changes in the frame of their minds: sometimes they are lively and comfortable, then they are low and depressed; now they have sensible tokens of divine favor, then again these are withdrawn, and they begin to question the safety of their state before God. The enemy often takes advantage of their uncomfortable frames, and would have them question the reality of grace in their heart; and the consequence generally is great anxiety and distress. In order to remove this, it is necessary to consider what is the true foundation of hope, and to distinguish between what is durable and what is changeable.

The work of the Redeemer is a perfect work, nothing can be added to it, and nothing must be taken from it. It is everlasting in its duration and efficacy; upon this the eye of faith should be invariably fixed, and from hence comfort and support in every state is to be drawn. Christ's blood is a constant propitiation, his righteousness is a perfect covering; to these, reader, have daily recourse for cleansing and recommendation before God; by these you may silence all the accusations of Satan, all the clamors of conscience, all the threatenings of the law; for in Christ the believer is complete, and here may he safely rest in his dullest and

heaviest moments. Happy frames, on the contrary, are bestowed and withheld as it pleases God: you may safely pray for them, because great peace is promised to the children of God; and, generally speaking, the diligent and watchful are most frequently favored with them; and when you are blessed with them, be thankful; but beware of depending upon them, for this is the readiest way to have them withdrawn: spiritual pride may arise from this quarter, while a feeling sense of weakness and unworthiness keeps the soul humble, and continually dependent upon the Lord Jesus Christ alone for pardon, strength, and salvation.

Lastly, dear reader, beware of formality in the use of this book; it will be of little service barely to read it over; see that these truths be brought home to thy conscience, and beg of the Almighty that he would be pleased to apply them by his Holy Spirit; then they will be blessed indeed to thy soul. Examine your experience as you go along, particularly how you hate and fight against sin; how you maintain communion with God through the Spirit; what it is to live by faith in Christ Jesus-which are subjects much insisted on in this work; and in the knowledge and experience of which consists the greatest part of a Christian's happiness. See if your graces are lively and vigorous-if they are kept in exercise. The kingdom of heaven is a growing kingdom; the seeds of grace must bring forth fruit.