The Rev. K. E. Malm, a pioneer Baptist preacher in Sweden, on a journey to the district as far north as Gestrikland, met a woman from Lapland who was on her way to Upsala in order to visit Dr. Fjellstedt and converse with him as to how she might obtain peace with God and get rid of her anxiety concerning her sins. She said she had traveled 60 (= 240 English) miles, and she had still far to go. Malm improved the opportunity to speak to her concerning the crucified Christ, and she found peace in believing on his atonement. She became so happy that she clapped her hands, and for joy could not sleep that night. She said later: “Now I will return home and tell the people what I have found.” This she did, and did not care to continue her journey to Upsala, in order to get comfort from Dr. Fjellstedt. (_c_) That the ground of faith is the external word of promise. The ground of assurance, on the other hand, is the inward witness of the Spirit that we fulfil the conditions of the promise (Rom. 4:20, 21; 8:16; Eph. 1:13; 1 John 4:13; 5:10). This witness of the Spirit is not a new revelation from God, but a strengthening of faith so that it becomes conscious and indubitable. True faith is possible without assurance of salvation. But if Alexander’s view were correct, that the object of saving faith is the proposition: “God, for Christ’s sake, now looks with reconciling love on me, a sinner,” no one could believe, without being at the same time assured that he was a saved person. Upon the true view, that the object of saving faith is not a proposition, but a person, we can perceive not only the simplicity of faith, but the possibility of faith even where the soul is destitute of assurance or of joy. Hence those who already believe are urged to seek for assurance (Heb. 6:11; 2 Peter 1:10). _Rom. 4:20, 21_—“_looking unto the promise of God, he wavered not through unbelief, but waxed strong through faith, giving glory to God, and being fully assured that what he had promised, he was able also to perform_”; _8:16_—“_The Spirit himself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are children of God_”; _Eph. 1:13_—“_in whom, having also believed, ye were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise_”; _1 John 4:13_—“_hereby we know that we abide in him, and he in us, because he hath given us of his Spirit_”; _5:10_—“_He that believeth on the Son of God hath the witness in him._” This assurance is not of the essence of faith, because believers are exhorted to attain to it: _Heb. 6:11_—“_And we desire that each one of you may show the same diligence unto the fulness of hope_ [marg.—‘_full assurance_’] _even to the end_”; _2 Pet. 1:10_—“_Wherefore, brethren, give the more diligence to make your calling and election sure._” _Cf._ _Prov. 14:14_—“_a good man shall be satisfied from himself._”