frequent ejaculations, and of short
supplications darted up to God; for these will not make such an
impression on the body, and so will not so occasion the raising and
wakening the bodily distemper, as more solemn addresses to God in prayer
would possibly do.

4. If he cannot go to Christ with confidence, to draw out of him life
and strength, according to his need, yet he may give a look to him,
though it were from afar; and he may think of him, and speak of him
frequently, and would narrowly observe every thing that pointeth him
out, or bringeth any thing of him to remembrance.

5. Such souls should not give way to despairing thoughts, as if their
case were wholly helpless and hopeless; for that is a reflecting on the
power and skill of Christ, and therefore is provoking and dishonourable
to him.

6. Let Christ, and all that is his, be precious always and lovely unto
them. And thus they should keep some room in their heart open for him,
till he should be pleased to come to them with salvation; and who can
tell how soon he may come?

But enough of this. There is a _fourth_ case of deadness to be spoken
to, and that is,

CHAPTER XXIV.

HOW SHALL THE SOUL MAKE USE OF CHRIST, AS THE LIFE, WHICH IS UNDER THE
PREVAILING POWER OF UNBELIEF AND INFIDELITY.

That we may help to give some clearing to a poor soul in this case, we
shall,

1. See what are the several steps and degrees of this distemper.

2. Consider what the causes hereof are.

3. Shew how Christ is life to a soul in such a case; and,

4. Give some directions how a soul in that case should make use of
Christ as the Life, to the end it may be delivered therefrom.

And, _first,_ There are many several steps to, and degrees of this
distemper. We shall mention a few; as,

1. When they cannot come with confidence, and draw out of him by faith,
what their soul's case calleth for; they cannot "with joy draw waters
out of the wells of salvation," Isa. xii. 3; but keep at a distance, and
entertain jealous thoughts of him. This is a degree of unbelief making
way for more.

2. When they cannot confidently assert and avow their interest in him,
as the church did, Isa. xii. 2, saying, "Behold, God is my salvation, I
will trust and not be afraid, for the Lord Jehovah is my strength and my
song; he also is become my salvation."

3. When they much question, if ever they have indeed laid hold on
Christ, and so cannot go to him for the supplies of their wa