This is holding a lie; and those who go down to the grave with this falsehood, where God is they never can come. The Father teaches us out of his law, clothes us with the righteousness of his dear Son, and draws us to Christ, while the Holy Spirit shews us the excellency, glory, and suitableness of Christ, and, in due time, bears his witness to our consciences, that we are born of God; and those who are thus taught, learn the doctrine of the Trinity experimentally. “For there are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Spirit, and these three are one.” The Lord graciously communicates the three-fold witness to the souls of his own dear people; the Spirit, the water of eternal love, and the precious work of Christ, as the atonement, and righteousness of the church.—And that believer who is thus favoured, has the mark of heaven upon him, he is renewed into the image of Christ, and will be owned by him in the last day. What shall I render to the Lord for this teaching? A thousand notions of the doctrine of the Trinity, however clear they may be, will never bring a man to heaven; he must have the love of the Father in his heart, and the blood of atonement in his conscience, by the operation of the Eternal Spirit. This, and this only, is real heart-felt religion, which will stand the test in life, death, judgment, and eternity. Yours, J. C. LETTER III. “But all things that are reproved, are made manifest by the light: for, whatsoever maketh manifest, is light.” To — The New Jerusalem folks leaving the neighbourhood, I was again obliged to return to the church: this seemed heavy and dull to me; and convictions abiding with me of my lost state, I could not satisfy conscience, nor find peace with God, nor victory over my sins, by all my legal performances. I was, at times, truly wretched; yet it appeared right to me, that as I had offended God by sin, I should do some good works {169}—though, alas! I found all my best works stained by falling into sin again; still I strove to watch over my thoughts, words, and actions—yet, often led captive by sin, I was made truly miserable. About this time I fell in company with several pious persons; amongst them was an aged disciple, a hearer of Mr. Romaine, who advised me, by all means, to go and hear the gospel; but, as it was not preached in any parish church or _chapel_ near me, but one, and I was forbidden to go to a meeting, I knew not what to do; but the above person directed me where I might hear Mr. Romaine, which I promised to do, the first Sunday I could get out: but, alas! before that time came, dear Mr. Romaine was gone to glory. I sought, however, for an opportunity of hearing the gospel, for I was tired with hearing sermons read on mere morality at the church.