The Life of Faith

Christianity harmonizes with itself, and involves in its progress the same great principles, which characterize its incipient state. The Christian, therefore, lives as he began to live. He began in faith. He lives, day by day, in the exercise of faith. And, by the grace of God, he is ultimately made victorious, and is brought into the possession of the divine image, through the same faith.

I have endeavored, in the following pages, to illustrate this great truth. The present Work, therefore, is, to some extent, kindred in its nature with the Interior Life. And it is proper to say here, that it has been found necessary, in order to its completeness, to transfer to it, in a few instances, the statements and principles, which are there given. I have particular reference in this remark to portions of the third and twelfth chapters in Part I, and of the ninth chapter in Part. II [Chapter 26 in this edition]. The leading object of both Works is the promotion of practical holiness. I have no doubt, that the object will meet with favor; but have less confidence, that the manner of executing it will be approved. But, however this may be, it is a satisfaction to know, that books, as well as other things, have their overruling Providence. And he, who writes, as well as he who acts in other ways, can exercise a cheerful confidence in leaving what he has done with God, who can distinguish between the result and the intention, and can make even the weak and imperfect things of his people to praise him.