be Christians, though they knew of no change, and had never thought of enjoying the knowledge of the love of God as their present portion.  They heard that others, who were reckoned believers, had doubts; so they had come to consider fears and doubts as the very marks of a believing soul.  The consequence had been, that in past days many concluded themselves to be Christians because they seemed to be in the very state of mind of which those who were reputed to be believers spoke, viz. doubt and alarm.  Alas! in their case there could be nothing else, for they had only a name to live.

Some one wrote to him, putting several questions concerning conversion, assurance, and faith, which had been stirred up by his ministry.  The import of the questions may be gathered from his reply, which was as follows:—­

“1. I doubt if there are many saints who live and die without a comfortable sense of forgiveness and acceptance with God. The saints of whom the Bible speaks seem to have enjoyed it richly both in life and death.  See the murderers of our Lord, Acts 2:41; the Ethiopian, Acts 8:39; the jailor, Acts 16:35.  David also felt it, sinful man though he was, Romans 4:6.  Paul also prayed that the Romans might have it, Romans 15:13.  I fear this objection is generally made by those who are living in sin, and do not wish to know the dangerous road they are on.

“2. A sense of forgiveness does not proceed from marks seen in yourself, but from a discovery of the beauty, worth, and freeness of Christ, Psalm 34:5.  We look out for peace, not in.  At the same time, there is also an assurance rising from what we see in ourselves; the seal of the Spirit, love to the brethren, etc., are the chief marks.

“3. Feeling a body of sin is a mark that we are like Paul, and that we are Christ’s, Rom. 7; Gal. 5:17.  Paul was cheerful with a body of sin; and so ought we to be.  So was David, and all the saints.

“4. I do not think there is any difference between those converted within these few years and those who were Christians before. Many of those converted since I came are, I fear, very unholy.  I fear this more than anything.  I fear there is too much talk and too little reality.  Still there are many good figs,—­many of whom I am persuaded better things, and things that accompany salvation.  The answer to your question I fear is this, that many used to be taken for Christians before, who had only a name to live, and were dead.  I think there is more discrimination now.  But take care and be not proud, for that goes before a fall.  Take care of censorious judging of others, as if all must be converted in the same way.

“God moves in a mysterious way.  He hath mercy on whom He will have mercy.  To Him alone be glory.”