The confidence they spake of is expressly mentioned as the privilege of all true believers. In writing to ‘all that be in Rome, beloved of God, called to be saints,’ St. Paul exults in the thought that, ‘the Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God.’ The same doctrine is enforced in his Epistle to the Galatians, ‘Because ye are sons, God hath sent forth the Spirit of His Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father.’ This delightful fruition of Christian experience was exemplified in the instance of the great Apostle Himself. In addressing ‘all the saints in Christ Jesus which are at Philippi, with the bishops and deacons,’ he is so filled with holy exultation 247and hope, that he declares himself to be ‘in a strait betwixt two, having a desire to depart and to be with Christ, which is far better.’ And it is equally clear that this spiritual attainment was not an exclusive apostolical privilege; for in the epistle ‘to the saints and faithful brethren in Christ, which are at Colosse,’ he affirms concerning them, ‘And you, being dead in your sins, and the uncircumcision of your flesh, hath He quickened together with Him, having forgiven you all trespasses.’ It is equally certain that those who live in the enjoyment of this distinguished mercy are conscious of it; for ‘He which establisheth us with you in Christ, and hath anointed us, is God; Who hath also sealed us, and given the earnest of His Spirit in our hearts.’ No one, indeed, could possess a gift so estimable without knowing it, any more than a man could escape from dungeon-gloom into daylight without being sensible of deliverance. This doctrine is also held forth where some people never think of looking for it, that is, in the service of the Church of England. The worthy compilers of the Book of Common Prayer seem in such haste to divulge the high attainment, that soon after the morning service has commenced we are told that the Almighty ‘pardoneth and absolveth all them that truly repent, and unfeignedly believe His holy Gospel.’ In the collect for the Epiphany the assembled Church is taught to pray, ‘that we, which know Thee by faith, may after this life have the fruition of Thy glorious Godhead through Jesus Christ our Lord.’ In the service for Ash-Wednesday the same doctrine is finely held forth: ‘Create and make in us new and contrite hearts, that we, worthily lamenting our sins, and acknowledging our wretchedness, may obtain of Thee, the God of all mercy perfect remission and forgiveness, through Jesus Christ our Lord.’ Verily, these are glorious truths; and were it not for their exceeding antiquity, I should conclude they were composed by one of the Methodist preachers.