Hopeful. I knew not what to do, till I went and talked with Faithful; who told me, unless I had an interest in the righteousness of one that had never sinned, neither my own righteousness, nor all the righteousness of the world, could save me. I asked, who it was that had never sinned? He answered, “the Lord Jesus: and you only can be forgiven and accepted with God through faith in his blood.” “But how, said I, can his righteousness justify me before God?” He told me, he was the mighty God, and did what he did, and died the death also, not for himself, but for me; to whom the merits of all should be imputed, if I believe on him. I replied, “I did not think he was willing to save me.” He bid me go to him and see. I said, “It was presumption.” He answered, “No; for I was invited to come.” Then I asked, what must I do when I come? And he bid me say to this effect: “God be merciful to me a sinner, and make me to know and believe in Jesus; for I see, if I have not faith in his blood, I am utterly cast away. Lord, I have heard, that thou art a merciful God, and hast ordained him to be the Saviour of the world; and moreover, that thou art willing to accept, in him, even such a poor sinner as I am. O magnify thy grace in the salvation of my soul, through thy Son Jesus Christ!”
Christian. And did you do this?
Hopeful. Yes, over and over, before I found any relief.
Christian. Had you not thoughts then of giving it over?
Hopeful. Yes, a hundred times; but I knew not what else to do, being convinced, that without Christ, all the world could not save me; and therefore, thought I with myself, if I leave off, I die; and I can but die, if I continue. And withal this came into my mind, If it tarry, wait for it, because it will surely come; it will not tarry.
Christian. And how was you relieved?
*Hopeful. One day I was very sad, I think sadder than ever before in my life, and this sadness was through a fresh sight of the greatness and vileness of my sins; and I was looking for nothing but hell, when suddenly I saw (not with my bodily eyes) the Lord look down from heaven upon me, saying, Believe in the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved.
Then those scriptures came like a flood into my heart. He that cometh to me, shall never hunger; and he that believeth on me, shall never thirst. Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to every one that believeth. He hath died for our sins, and rose again for our justification. There is one mediator between God and man, even the man Christ Jesus. Wherefore he is able to save unto the uttermost those that come unto God through him; seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them.
Christian. And what effect had this upon your spirit and life?
Hopeful. I was filled with a peace that passeth all understanding. I rejoiced with joy unspeakable. The love of God was shed abroad in my heart; and sin had no more dominion over me; but I ran the way of his commandments, now he had set my heart at liberty.