"The first impressions of Divine truth on the heart are generally strong and deep--they produce a powerful excitement of the affections; and such is the intense degree of interest which is sometimes felt at such a period, that no variation is anticipated, except it be some higher and more blissful elevation of soul--some ascent to a spiritual Pisgah, from whence the lot of our future inheritance with the saints in light may be clearly seen. But when the mind becomes more familiar with the sublime truths of religion, they lose somewhat of their novelty; and though they still retain their ascendency over the judgment, yet the impressions which they produce become less powerful. This change in the feelings often induces the young Christian to suspect, that the cause of its original production must be found, not in the grace of God, but the uninfluenced operations of his own faculties and passions. It is when the mind is thus variously exercised, that the invisible enemy of our peace often comes to augment our perplexity, by insinuating, that if we were renewed, the fact of our renovation would be so conspicuous, that we could never doubt it--that if we did really love the Lord, our love would glow with undiminished ardour--that if our faith were genuine, we should never be permitted to stagger at any of the promises of God through unbelief--that if we were made partakers of the Divine nature, we should for ever escape the corruption that is in the world--and if our spiritual emotions were actually produced by the operation of a supernatural power, they would neither subside nor fluctuate. "If then, my dear Louisa, you should doubt, where others have doubted before you, and if you should feel those causes of perplexity and depression operating on your mind, under which the faithful in Christ Jesus in every age have laboured, you ought to comfort yourself by the reflection that you are now passing through the usual trials of Christian experience. If you had no doubts, you would have cause to fear; and if you knew no change of feeling, you would have cause to suspect your change of heart. 'Come then--a still, small whisper in your ear,-- _She_ has no hope, who never had a fear: And _she_ that never doubted of _her_ state, _She_ may perhaps--perhaps _she_ may, too late.'