"Salvation is of the LORD." -Jonah 2:9

" My little children, of whom I travail in birth again until Christ be formed in you." —Galatians 4:19 [KJV] Many sincere disciples, who are convinced of sin, hope in themselves cut off, and have fled to Jesus for refuge , are often distressed because they have not been under such dreadful terrors of legal wrath which others talk of, and are mistaken for the pangs and travail of the new birth. But there is no authority from scripture to conclude we must have such great terrors of hell and damnation ere we come to and believe on Christ. Nay, the law may work great wrath in the conscience, and yet the soul never be converted to Jesus and the holiness of the gospel.  The Spirit is a sovereign Agent. Enlightened, convinced souls are differently wrought on; some feel more, others less terror; but each see the sinfulness of sin, their lost state by nature, the spirituality of the law and the preciousness of Jesus before they will come to Him. On such the dear Saviour

" We are come to Jesus the Mediator of the new covenant, and to the blood of sprinkling." —Hebrews 12:24 [KJV] When from zeal and affection for their beloved Master, the disciples would have called for fire from heaven, "He rebuked them, saying, Ye know not what manner of spirit ye are of." In young disciples there is often much heat of zeal which is not according to knowledge; they know but little what evils they are called from, and what privileges they are come to. It behoves all to be diligent in reading, hearing, and studying, the truths of Jesus.  So the Spirit makes wise heads and joyful hearts. To see, taste, and feel somewhat of Jesus from the law, the types and figures, the prophesies, promises, and the gospel, is the chief concern of simple souls; so their hearts are daily more and more established in faith; and they know more assuredly that they are really come to Jesus. When we read of Moses sprinkling the people, and crying out, "Beh