The Inner Life, Its Nature, Relapse, and Recovery

Ir was the dying observation — penned the day preceding her departure — of one of the most amiable and intellectual of her sex — “Did you know what thoughts I have now, you would see as I do, that the whole business of life is preparation for death.” In contrast with this weighty sentiment of the dying Christian, we place the solemn testimony of the dying worldling — “I have all my days,” said he, “been getting ready to live, and now I must die!’ What an affecting declaration 1s

this! And how true of the great mass of our

* Jane Taylor.

fellow immortals, — all planning, and toiling, and preparing to live — how few preparing to die! ‘To place before such the subject of real life, and to awaken in their minds a consideration of its nature, and a sense of its solemnities,

is one design of the following pages.

But they address themselves more especially, and at length, to a smaller, though by no means a limited class — the religious professors of the day. The subject of his work suggested itself to the Author’s mind during a visit to the metropolis. His close intercourse, at that time, with what is called the ‘religious world,’ forced upon his mind the painful conviction, that whilst religious profession was greatly on the increase — and never more so in the higher classes of society than at the present — vital godliness was in proportion on the decline; that while — to speak commercially — the commodity of religion was increasing, its quality was deteriorating.

The vast number whose Christian profession was

PREFACE. Vii

avowed — whose religious character was recognised — whose theological creed was sound — whose conversation was pious — whose sacred observances were rigid — whose benevolence was applauded — whose zeal was admired — who prided themselves upon their eloquent preacher, and their favourite religious author; but who yet were living in the world, and living as the world, and living to the world — deeply and painfully affected him. The question frequently arose in his mind — “Where is the salt? where are the really living souls? where are those who know what true conversion is? who are following Christ, and are living for God? Where are the possessors of the inner life?” Alas! the world has become so like the Church, and the Church so closely resembles the world — the one so religious, and the other so carnal — an unskilled eye may be deceived in searching for the essential points of difference. Nor this alone. Even

amongst those in whose souls it would be wrong,

Vill PREFACE.

nay, impossible, to deny the existence of spiritual life, how few are found who really seem for

themselves to know it!

On his return to his flock, the Author — in his usual extemporary mode of address — unburdened his mind from the pulpit. The result, ina calmly written and greatly amplified form, is now, with lowliness and prayer, presented to the public. Deeply sensible as he is of the many imperfections of his performance, he yet does not regret its undertaking. The hours of holy, tranquil thought stolen from the pillow, abstracted from the attractions of the domestic circle, and the engagements of a pleasant pastorate — and devoted to the preparation of this work, have been to his own mind inexpressibly soothing and solemn: may a kindred influence — tenfold in its measure — rest

upon the spirit of the reader!

The object of this simple treatise — as its

PREFACE. 1x

title sufficiently intimates — is to unfold the nature, the relapse, and the recovery of the spiritual life of the believer. The work may with propriety, — and with God’s blessing, may with profit, — be placed in the hands of the unconverted, to whom much of its contents are particularly and earnestly addressed. It chiefly, however, appeals to the conscience of the religious professor, and is designed to meet the general character of the prevailing Christianity of the day. But the experienced and matured Christian is not overlooked m the discussion of the subject. The temptations — the conflicts — the trials, and the various fluctuations of feeling, through which he passes in his difficult but blessed way to his heavenly rest, together with his encouragements, consolations, and hopes, pass under review in these pages. To the prayers of the living soul the work is commended — to the blessing of the Holy Spirit of life it is committed x PREFACE.

—to the glory of the Trrune God it is dedicated. And should He condescend to own it, to the quickening of any dead soul, — to the reviving of spiritual life in any believer, — to the confirmation of any wavering, or to the comfort of any tried child of God, — to Him shall be all the praise. Amen.

LEAMINGTON,
January, 1850.

PRINCHTON
KEC, FEB 1881

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