Thomas Walsh, a Roman Catholic, in Limerick, Ireland, was converted about the year 1750. He says, "I began to discern clearly, that it is the blood of Christ alone which cleanseth from all sin, and that by one offering of himself once for all, He hath perfected forever them that are sanctified (Hebrews 10:14)--perfectly accomplished, without any helps, all that was necessary in order to the justification, sanctification and glorification of all believers. When asked, why I left the church of Rome, I answer: Because I am well assured that the doctrine of merit (to speak of no more) and works of supererogation, are contrary both to reason and Scripture." Read Luke 17:10, and 1 John 1:7.

      "The Lord convinced me of my bosom sin, and all my other abominations, which were as so many devils ready to tear me in pieces. My own righteousness appeared as filthy rags. A corrupt tree, I saw, cannot bring forth good fruit. I was an unbeliever, and had not true faith, and therefore had no part nor lot in Christ. I learned that whosoever has true faith, has with it the remission of sins; (Romans 4:5; 5:1; 8:1; John 3:18; Acts 13:39; 1 John 5:10.) I had no rest day nor night. [92]

      "The Son of the Promise kindled in me earnest desires toward God. My heart began to warm and dissolve after it was scorched by the threatenings of His wrath. Light began to spring up in my mind. I saw not only my sins, but likewise the all-sufficiency of Christ. I was convinced that He came to seek and to save lost sinners; that He tasted death for every man, willing all men to be saved, and come to the knowledge of the truth. I was constrained to cry out, Lord, what manner of love is this, wherewith thou hast loved us! But I had not yet redemption in His blood. I could see the promise of pardon held forth to me, but was not yet able to lay hold of it. My soul was sick with fervent longings. About four months after my most deep awakenings, the clear day began to shine, and the Lord in rich mercy visited me with His salvation. He brought me out of the horrible pit, and set my feet upon a rock. It was in a meeting. The prayer of the preacher, the hymn, the text (Isaiah 63:1) all came with such power to my heart, that I was constrained to cry out Bless the Lord, O my soul! for He hath forgiven all thine iniquity. I was now divinely assured that God, for Christ's sake, had forgiven all my sins. The Spirit of God bore witness with my spirit that I was a child of God. I broke out into tears of love and joy, and sang praises to God and the Lamb, who washed me from my sins in His own blood." [93]

[THW 92-93]