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CONVERSION AND GROWTH IN GRACE
reverence, no hesitation is shown in discussing and examining
the several states of Grace. There are, however, certain risks
even here. When the signs of a state of Grace are confused with
the conditions of blessedness, the appearance of these signs
may be demanded or expected as evidence of continuing
progress. The result is that the importance of religious feelings is
greatly over-emphasised.
Watson, a Methodist theologian of the older school, points
out that nowhere does the Bible attempt to define the degree of
sOrrow or contrition that a sinner should feel. It is taken for
granted that it is enough if it evokes the cry: ‘What must I do
to be saved?’ There is no suggestion that one who asks this
question in quiet sincerity is less worthy than those who feel
utterly broken and hopeless.
Sulzberger, a German Methodist theologian, writes as
follows in one of his books: ‘In all activities for the welfare of
souls it is of the greatest importance that the whole way of
salvation is proclaimed ; but one must then refrain from wanting
to dictate to the Lord the nature and manner in which He
should bring the individual to the goal or despotically shorten
or lengthen the way. In order to be the right tutor and helper
in this work of God, one must, after the manner of the prophets
and apostles, take note of the manifold ways of God, take into
consideration each person’s individuality, and above all learn
of our divine Master himself how to lead the lost to the
Shepherd of His sheep and feed His flocks.’
The States of Grace
The question may be asked, what is to be gained by
distinguishing and emphasising the differences between the several
states of Grace? This is not a question of mere speculative
interest. It is of practical religious importance. To insist that a
continuing process is at work counteracts the dangerous
attitude to conversion that finds expression in romantic
preaching of the kind that sees the whole work of salvation as a
sudden intervention and estimates its reality from purely
temporary personal experiences, usually informed with strong
feelings.
This attitude encourages the tendency to account each new
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