_Q._ 4. Let us consider a particular case. Was you, _Jonathan Reeves_, before you received the peace of God, convinced, that notwithstanding all you did, or could do, you was in a state of damnation?
_J. R._ I was convinced of it, as fully as that I am now alive.
♦_Q._ 5. Are you sure that conviction was from God?
♦ “A.” replaced with “Q.”
_J. R._ I can have no doubt but it was.
_Q._ 6. What do you mean by a state of damnation?
_J. R._ A state, wherein if a man dies he perisheth for ever.
_Q._ 7. How did that conviction end?
_J. R._ I had first a strong hope that God _would_ deliver me: and this brought a degree of peace. But I had not that solid peace of God, till Christ was revealed in me.
_Q._ 8. But is not such a trust in the love of God, tho’ it be as yet without a distinct sight of God, reconciled to me thro’ Christ Jesus, a low degree of justifying faith?
_A._ It is an earnest of it. But this abides, for a short time only: nor is this the proper Christian faith.
_Q._ 9. By what faith were the apostles clean, before Christ died?
_A._ By such a faith as this; by a _Jewish_ faith. For _the Holy Ghost was not then given_.
_Q._ 10. Of whom then do you understand those words――(_Isaiah_ l. 10.) _Who is there among you that feareth the Lord? That obeyeth the voice of his servant, that walketh in darkness, and hath no light?_
_A._ Of a believer under the _Jewish_ dispensation: one in whose heart God hath not yet shined, to give him the light of the glorious love of God, in the face of Jesus Christ.
_Q._ 11. Who is a _Jew_ (inwardly)?
_A._ A _servant_ of God: one who sincerely obeys him out of fear. Whereas a Christian (inwardly) is a _child_ of God; one who sincerely obeys him out of love. But was not you sincere before Christ was revealed in you?
_J. R._ It seemed to me that I was in some measure.
_Q._ 12. What is sincerity?
_A._ Willingness to know and do the whole will of God. The lowest species thereof seems to be _faithfulness in that which is little_.
* _Q._ 13. Has God any regard to man’s sincerity?
_A._ So far, that no man in any state can possibly please God without it: neither indeed in any moment wherein he is not sincere.
_Q._ 14. But can it be conceived that God has any regard to the sincerity of an unbeliever?
_A._ Yes, so much, that if he persevere therein, God will infallibly give him faith.
_Q._ 15. What regard may we conceive him to have, to the sincerity of a believer?
_A._ So much, that in every sincere believer he fulfils all the great and precious promises.
_Q._ 16. Whom do you term a _sincere believer_?
_A._ One that walks in the light, as God is in the light.
_Q._ ♦17. Is sincerity the same with a _single eye_?
♦ “18” replaced with “17”
_A._ Not altogether. The latter refers to our intention: the former to our will or desires.
_Q._ 18. Is it not all in all?
_A._ All will follow persevering sincerity. God gives every thing with it; nothing without it.
* _Q._ 19. Are not then sincerity and faith equivalent terms?
_A._ By no means. It is at least as nearly related to works as it is to faith. For example; who is sincere before he believes? He that then does all he can: he that, according to the power he has received, brings forth _fruits meet for repentance_. Who is sincere after he believes: he that, from a sense of God’s love, is zealous of all good works.
_Q._ 20. Is not sincerity what St. _Paul_ terms a willing mind? ἡ προθυμία? _2 Corinthians_ viii. 12.
_A._ Yes: if that word be taken in a general sense. For it is a constant disposition to use all the grace given.
* _Q._ 21. But do we not then set sincerity on a level with faith?
_A._ No. For we allow a man may be sincere, and not be justified, as he may be penitent, and not be justified: (not as yet) but he cannot have faith, and not be justified. The very moment he believes he is justified.
_Q._ 22. But do we not give up faith, and put sincerity in its place, as the condition of our acceptance with God?
_A._ We believe it is one condition of our acceptance, as repentance likewise is. And we believe it a condition of our continuing in a state of acceptance. Yet we do not put it in the place of faith. It is by faith the merits of Christ are applied to my soul. But if I am not sincere, they are not applied.
_Q._ 23. Is not this that _going about to establish your own righteousness_, whereof St. _Paul_ speaks, _Romans_ x. 4?
_A._ St. _Paul_ there manifestly speaks of unbelievers, who sought to be accepted for the sake of their own righteousness. We do not seek to be accepted for the sake of our sincerity; but through the merits of Christ alone. Indeed, so long as any man believes, he cannot go about (in St. _Paul_’s sense) to _establish his own righteousness_.
* _Q._ 24. But do you consider, that we are under the covenant of grace? And that the covenant of works is now abolished?