head, and upright in his moral deportment. This is the snare that is come upon the Churches: these are the false evidences by which thousands are deceived—it is not enough, the main spring is wanting, which is LIFE. This is the genuine work of God: this proves our union with the Living Vine. By this life I feel myself condemned by the Law. I feel a spirit of bondage to fear. I feel the sting of death. I feel the workings of corruption, which I knew nothing of before. I feel dreadful apprehensions of God’s wrath; and while my conscience feels these things, I see, in the light of the word, and by the Spirit, the exact suitableness of the dear Saviour. I am enabled by the same Spirit to believe he lived, obeyed, suffered, died, and is risen again, and receives poor sinners—the lost, the helpless, the guilty, and the vile. This begets a hope in my mind that he will save me. The Promises encourage me—the freeness of grace—the Lord delighting in mercy, through the satisfaction of Jesus—the scriptural account of poor sinners as vile as me being saved. These things encourage me to hope; while my faith, small as it is, argues at times, as Manoah’s wife did, If the Lord had meant to have destroyed me, would he have shewed me what I see?—or told me what he has? No, no! But while I thank God, and am taking courage, perhaps sin again overcomes me—the Law still works wrath; Satan then takes the advantage, and down I sink again, and must there lay till the dear Father of Mercies draw me to Christ again. Thus the spiritual life, at this time, hangs in doubt, and there is no assurance of life, either spiritual or eternal. This is travailing in spirit, coming to the birth, and no strength to bring forth. This is tarrying long in the place of the breaking forth of children; panting, breathing, looking, thirsting, longing for the knowledge of the pardon of sin, the clear witness of the Spirit, and the sweet, smiting, kind, loving approbation of God. Such souls are already pronounced blessed, and what God has promised he will surely perform. Such long to come forth; are afraid of peace and comfort, ease and quietness, lest it should not be God’s work; and such would rather be always in bondage than in carnal ease, or false peace or confidence.