in Spiritual injury from wrong theories. 29 



but it seems to be really implied, though probably 

 not intended, in much that is said about the necessity 

 for conversion. It is, I fear, true that the greater 

 part of most of the congregations which the preacher 

 addresses do need conversion, and need to be re- 

 minded of the need. But the doctrine of the 

 necessity of conversion becomes false if it is so stated 

 as to deny that any can hope to walk, like Samuel 

 under the old covenant and Timothy under the 

 new, from the cradle to the grave in the light of 

 God. 



Such a denial is dangerous to the Christian 

 life in two different ways. With some dispositions 

 the inference will be, " If by the terms of the case we 

 must be sinners, let us at least enjoy the pleasures of 

 sin for a season " ; and thus the doctrine of regenera- 

 tion and conversion will be perverted into a sanction of 

 the worst falsehood of a corrupt world, which teaches 

 that what are euphemistically called the errors of 

 youth are inevitable, and to be thought of with little 

 more horror and dread than the diseases of child- 

 hood. Those who have sinned under such influences 

 have often, I doubt not, been converted afterwards, 

 and enabled truly to serve God ; though it may be 

 doubted whether purity of heart, when so lost, is ever 

 perfectly recovered in the present life. But there are 

 others with whom perverted teaching on this subject 

 leaves the soul's purity untouched, but hinders and 

 mars the legitimate effect of purity namely, peace, 

 joy, and happiness. And loss of peace entails, 



