“‘But you ask why I do not show whether the probation of sinners is ended.[28] I answer, It is a close point, and if handled at all, it ought to be done very wisely and with a great deal of humility. I would not grieve, if possible to avoid it, one of Christ’s little ones. There is much sensitiveness on this point among our good brethren, therefore I would much rather keep my views in my own breast, if I could, and do right, than run the risk of hurting the oil and the wine. You will, therefore, permit me to give my views by the Scripture; and first, Dan. 12:10, “Many shall be purified, and made white, and tried; but the wicked shall do wickedly; and none of the wicked shall understand; but the wise shall understand.” It will be readily seen by this text, that before the end, the people of God must be “_purified, made white, and tried_.” Now if probation goes on until the last moment of time, how can those who are regenerated in this last moment have their faith and patience tried? “‘Again, Rev. 7:13, 14, “And one of the elders answered, saying unto me, What are these which are arrayed in white robes? and whence came they? And I said unto him, Sir, thou knowest. And he said to me, These are they which came out of great tribulation, and have washed their robes, and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.” How can it be said, that those made _white_ “came out of great tribulation,” if in the next moment after they experience the new birth, they are beyond all tribulation and trial? Also in the first passage, the wicked are to do wickedly; and _none_ of the wicked shall understand. Yet if _one_ of these wicked is converted after the time specified, then the word _none_ could not be true in fact. This must be in time, it cannot mean in eternity. “‘Zech. 13:9, “And I will bring the third part through the fire, and will refine them as silver is refined, and will try them as gold is tried; they shall call on my name, and I will hear them; I will say, It is my people; and they shall say, The Lord is my God.” Here we learn that they are tried in this state, where they will need to pray. “‘Mal. 3:18, “Then shall ye return, and discern between the righteous and the wicked, between him that serveth God and him that serveth him not.” When shall that test be given, which shall make us discern between the _righteous_ and the _wicked_? The answer is plain, before the day cometh that shall burn as an oven. For in that day no doubt could rest on any mind, who is who, or what is the character each individual would appear in.