YOURS is only one of the numberless cases that have come under our notice during the last thirty-six years, illustrating the truly deplorable effect of mere theology, whether high, low, or moderate.
What a mercy, dear friend, for such as you, that God never puzzles people about their souls. The devil is sure to do so, if he can; and he is never better pleased than when he can make use of theology and religiousness to accomplish his end. He cares not what he uses, provided he can keep the soul from Christ.
We earnestly recommend you to fling far and forever away from you all the puzzling statements of men, the bewildering dogmas of divinity, the conflicting opinions of theologians, and hearken to the gracious words of a Saviour God: “Him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out." "Come unto me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden and I will give you rest." (John 6:3737All that the Father giveth me shall come to me; and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out. (John 6:37); Matt. 11:2828Come unto me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. (Matthew 11:28).)
Where, we would ask those friends of yours, are we told in Scripture that "we must continue a long time in an anxious state of mind"? How long are we to continue? Who is to prescribe?
We fully believe in the abiding necessity of repentance, the deep and thorough judgment of ourselves. Yet we are not saved by our repentance, but by the precious, atoning blood of Christ. (1 Peter 1:18-2118Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers; 19But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot: 20Who verily was foreordained before the foundation of the world, but was manifest in these last times for you, 21Who by him do believe in God, that raised him up from the dead, and gave him glory; that your faith and hope might be in God. (1 Peter 1:18‑21).) None can so fully value a lifeboat as a drowning man; but it is the lifeboat that saves, and not his feelings as to his danger, or as to the value of the lifeboat. We are not to build upon the character, depth, intensity, or duration of our repentance, but upon the finished work of Christ.
Again, you say your friends do not believe in sudden conversions. Then they would not believe in the conversion of the woman of Samaria, of the thief on the cross, or of Saul of Tarsus; for most assuredly all those three were what would be called sudden conversions.
The fact is, it is not a question of the suddenness of the conversion at all; it is simply a question of the genuine work of God's Spirit in the soul, revealing Christ by the Word, and causing the heart to believe in Him for salvation and peace. It is the Christ I reach, and not the way I reach Him, that saves my soul, and satisfies my heart. Nothing can be more miserable or depressing than this occupation with our own experience, so sadly characteristic of both the high and low schools of doctrine. It is a. common saying that extremes meet; and its truth is illustrated by the fact that Calvinism and Arminianism, though so unlike, both meet in the one point of self-occupation. Finally, then, dear friend, let us assure you, on the holy authority of the New Testament, that there is nothing whatsoever to hinder your resting, at once and forever, in the amazing love of God 'to you as a sinner, on the finished work of Christ, and on the imperishable testimony of the Holy Ghost. Turn your back, with decision, on schools of divinity, and think of the loving heart of God, the precious blood of Jesus, and the clear and tranquillizing record of the blessed Spirit in the Holy Scriptures. Then will your peace flow as a river, and your heart, your lips, and your life will praise and magnify the God of your salvation. (Col. 1:12-1412Giving thanks unto the Father, which hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light: 13Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son: 14In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins: (Colossians 1:12‑14).) C. H. M.
Under the law of God it was a question of righteousness on man's part; in the gospel of God divine righteousness is revealed on God's part; it is "unto all, and upon all them that believe." Under the law man was acting, doing: "Do this, and live." Then God was hidden behind the vail, giving out His laws, and dwelling in the thick darkness. "And the people stood afar off: and Moses drew near unto the thick darkness where God was." But under the gospel, God is acting, doing; and man has simply to believe. The believer having received eternal life, and divine righteousness through faith, he is not only delivered from dead works, but he is to serve the living God. Then his doing, his acting commences.