*“I could now lay hold on Christ, and the promises of God through him. Faith in his blood brought heaven into my breast, and filled me with _righteousness, and peace and joy in the Holy Ghost_. It gave me to see a reconciled God, and an all sufficient Saviour. And thus was it an _evidence_ to me. Through this faith I could say, Christ loved _me_, and gave himself for _me_. O this is the gift of God! _Faith of the operation of the Holy Ghost._” CHAPTER IX. _Of the confirmation of his soul in the grace of God, and the happy effects which it produced in him._ HE lived now as in another world. _Behold God is my salvation_, went through the whole of his heart and conduct. His soul was delighted with those good things reserved for, and enjoyed only by such as love God. He so _tasted_ that the Lord is gracious, as left no room, at present, for evil reasonings, and engrossed his whole body and soul for God. The overflowings of his joy corresponding with his former sorrow, rendered him happy beyond all description. And this, as may be observed in the experience of the faithful, is commonly the case; the peace and joy of justified souls, being usually proportionate to their previous distress; God in this respect likewise, comforting them according to the time wherein he had shewed them trouble. The grand enquiry is “Am I really converted? Am I _now_ at peace, and in fellowship with God my Saviour?” If so, is not the precise _how_ immaterial? Such persons then as have been led by slow, and gradual steps; who have by a comparatively easy transition passed _from darkness to light_, Let them give glory to their deliverer, and not, on this account, perplex themselves with scruples for having been so gently dealt with. Let them live only for Him, and they shall be finally approved, in the presence of God and of his holy angels. His happiness now received daily increase from the undoubted assurances which he received of the genuine change. He observes, “the more I compare my experience with the word of God, and with the experience of his children, I am the more confirmed that it is no delusion, no fancy; but a real work of God, a saving change wrought in my soul by the Spirit of God, through faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. I am persuaded however that the _natural man_, (_1 Corinthians ii. 14._) cannot receive the things of the Spirit of God. He has neither eyes to see, nor a heart to understand them. A stranger doth not intermeddle with this joy. It is _the hidden manna_, and the _white stone_, and the _new name_ (of adoption) written thereon, (_Revelation ii. 17._) which no man knoweth save he that receiveth it. Glory, glory be to God on high!