Q.—Are there any conditions in this system which the sinner cannot immediately fulfil, as soon as he understands them?
A.—The sinner can believe that Jesus is the Christ on good testimony. He can turn from his sins, and put them away. He can also go forth, and be immersed in water, in the name of the Lord Jesus.
God will not believe for us; He will not repent for us; He will not be baptized for us; but these things are for us to do; and if we do them, then God has promised to forgive us our sins, and to baptize us with the Holy Ghost; then, certainly we should be the children of God, in the enjoyment of religion.
Q.—Is it of any use for men to pray to the Lord to convert them and give them religion, while they neglect to obey the Gospel?
A.—No. In vain they call Him Lord, Lord, and do not perform the things which He has commanded them. In vain they worship Him, teaching for doctrines the COMMANDMENTS OF MEN. The Lord is praying us to be converted, and we will not, while at the same time we are praying Him to convert us.
Q.—But must not the Lord perform some special work, on His part, more than He has done, in order to convert our souls and make us Christians?
A.—No. The Lord has died for us; He has risen again for us; He has sent His word to us, with servants to administer it; and now He requires us to obey it, and then He has promised to forgive our sins, and to grant us the gift of the Holy Ghost.
Q.—But what! Can every sinner come immediately forward and obey the Gospel when it is preached, and thus become a child of God?
A.—Yes.
Q.—What! All the sinners in this town?