"He is dealing righteously with me, and it is our duty to bow in submission to His will."
"I am happy to hear that you are resigned to His will; that is a proof that He is dealing graciously. May the Lord continue to bless you, my dear child, and may He lift upon you the light of his countenance and give you peace."
On resuming her inquiries next day, she asked him, "Have you a good hope through grace, of being presented faultless before the presence of the Lord with exceeding joy?"
"To throw off the veil of concealment which I wished to rest over the state of my mind, I confess, my dear mother, that I have no hope."
"No hope, my child! Not one cheerful beam of hope! Is the Lord's arm shortened, that he cannot save? or is his ear heavy, that he cannot hear?"
"No; he is the same yesterday, to-day, and for ever; and it is his immutability that plunges me into despair."
"How so, my dear son?"
"He is immutable in his threatenings against those who depart from him."
"And is He not immutable in his promises of mercy to those who wish to return?"
"But there are no promises of mercy that suit my case."