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having preached these doctrines so long, he must understand many things concerning them to which I was a stranger. Now, therefore, though not without much remaining prejudice, and not less in the character of a judge than of a scholar, I condescended to be his hearer, and occasionally to attend his preaching, and that of some other ministers and I soon perceived the benefit; for from time to time the secrets of my heart were discovered to me, far beyond what I had hitherto noticed; and I seldom returned from hearing a sermon, without having conceived a meaner opinion of myself; without having attained to a further acquaintance with my deficiencies, weaknesses, corruptions, and wants; or without being supplied with fresh matter for prayer, and directed to greater watchfulness. I likewise learned the use of experience in preaching; and was convinced that the readiest way to reach the hearts and consciences of others was to speak from my own. In short, I gradually saw more and more my need of instruction, and was at length brought to consider myself as a very novice in religious matters. Thus I began experimentally to perceive our Lord's meaning, when he says, "Except ye "receive the kingdom of God as a little child, 66 ye shall in no wise enter therein." For, though my proud heart is continually rebelling, and would fain build up again the former Babel of self-conceit; yet, I trust I have from this time, in my settled judgment, aimed and prayed to be enabled to consider myself as a little child, who ought simply to sit at the Master's feet, to hear his words

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with profound submission, and wait his teaching with earnest desire and patient attention. From this time I have been enabled to consider those persons, in whom knowledge has been ripened by years, experience, and observation, as fathers and instructors; to take pleasure in their company, to value their counsels, and with pleasure to attend their ministry.

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Thus I trust the old building, which I had purposed to repair, was pulled down to the ground, and the foundation of the new building of God laid aright: "Old things passed away, behold all 66 things were become new." "What things were gain to me, those I have counted loss for Christ." My boasted reason I have discovered to be a blind guide, until humbled, enlightened, and sanctified by the Spirit of God: my former wisdom foolishness; and that when I thought I knew much "I knew nothing as I ought to know." Since this period, every thing I have experienced, heard, or read, and every thing I observe around me, confirms and establishes me in the assured belief of those truths which I have received; nor do I in general any more doubt whether they be from God, than I doubt whether the sun shines, when I see its light, and am warmed with its refreshing beams. I see the powerful effects of them continually among those to whom I preach; I experience the power of them daily in my own soul; and, while by meditating on, and "glorying in, "the cross of Christ, I find the world crucified unto "me, and I unto the world," by preaching Jesus Christ and him crucified, I see notoriously immoral

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persons," taught by the saving grace of God to deny ungodliness and worldly lusts, and to live soberly, righteously, and godly in this present "world;" being examples to such as before they were a scandal to.

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And now, by this change, the consequences of which I so much dreaded, what have I lost, even in respect of this present world?-Indeed I have lost some degree of favour, and I escape not pity, censure, scorn, and opposition: but the Lord is introducing me to a new and far more desirable acquaintance; even to that of those whom the Holy Spirit hath denominated "the excellent of the “earth;” nay, the Lord the Spirit condescends to be my comforter. In general I enjoy an established peace of conscience, through "the blood "of sprinkling," and continual application to the heavenly Advocate; with a sweet content, and "that peace of God which passeth all understand'ing," in "casting all my cares upon Him who "careth for me:" and I am not left utterly without experience of that "joy which is unspeakable " and full of glory." These the world could not give me, were I in favour with it; of these it cannot deprive me by its frowns. My desire henceforth, God knoweth, is to live to his glory, and by my whole conduct and conversation "to adorn "the doctrine of God my Saviour," and "to shew "forth his praises, who hath called me out of"darkness into his marvellous light;" to be in some way or other useful to his believing people; and to invite poor sinners, who " are walking in a vain shadow, and disquieting themselves in vain," to "taste and see how gracious the Lord

"is, and how blessed they are who put their trust " in him."

Now would I tell to sinners round,
What a dear Saviour I have found;
Would point to his redeeming blood,
And cry, Behold the way to God!'

Thus hath the Lord led me, a poor blind sinner, "in a way that I know not: he hath made darkness light before me, crooked things straight," and hard things easy, and hath brought me to a place of which I little thought when I set out: and, having done these things for me, I believe, yea, I am undoubtedly sure, he " will never leave

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me nor forsake me." To him be the glory of his undeserved and long-resisted grace: to me be the shame, not only of all my other sins, but also of my proud and perverse opposition to his purposes of love towards me. But all this was permitted, that my high spirit and stout heart being at length humbled and subdued, I "might "remember, and be confounded, and never open

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my mouth any more because of my shame, now "that the Lord is pacified to me for all that I have "done."

And, now as in the presence of the heart-searching Judge, I have given, without one wilful misrepresentation, addition, or material omission, a history of the great things which God hath done for my soul; or, if that suit not the readers view of it, a history of that change which hath recently taken place in my religious sentiments and conduct, to the surprise of some, and perhaps the displeasure of others, among my former friends. The doctrines I have embraced are indeed charged

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with being destructive of moral practice, and tending to licentiousness: but, though I know that my best "righteousnesses are as filthy rags;" yet I trust I may return thanks to God, that by his grace he hath so upheld me, since this change took place, that I have not been permitted to disgrace the cause, in which I have embarked, by any immoral conduct. My rejoicing," in this respect, "is this, that in simplicity, and godly "sincerity, not with fleshly wisdom, but by the grace of God, I have my conversation in the "world," I can confidently avow, that the belief of these doctrines hath a quite contrary effect upon me than that imputed to them. I most earnestly desire, aim, endeavour, and pray to be enabled to love God and keep his commandments" without "partiality, and without hypocrisy ;" and so to demean myself as " by well doing to put to silence "the ignorance of foolish men." That I fall so very far short in every thing is not the effect of my new doctrines, but of my old depraved nature and deceitful heart.-" Create in me a clean heart, O "God, and renew a right spirit within me!".

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