Imágenes de páginas
PDF
EPUB

LIVING TESTIMONIES,

OR

SPIRITUAL LETTERS

ON

DIVINE SUBJECT S.

LETTER I.

To the REV. MR. HUNTINGTON, Paddington, near London, England.

EV. AND DEAR SIR,

As I have been much comforted and informed by your writings, fent me from England a few months fince, I feel a ftrong inclination to address and thank you; yet a fenfe of my deep pollution, and a certainty of your being a true child of God, creates a consciousness of such vaft difparity betwixt us, that I even tremble in the attempt.

I am a very finful and polluted man, Sir, that has been most wondrously and mercifully preserved upon this earth near thirty years. I loft my father about the age of ten; ever fince, till within these

[blocks in formation]

"

two

[ocr errors]

two years, I have been in bondage to Satan and to men, toffed hither and thither for the bread that perifheth; yet fo wonderfully connected was the chain of providence, that were you acquainted with the whole (much as you know of God's mercies), you would be aftonifhed at the discovery.

About two years ago I was convinced of fin, under D. H—, at the New Church, P-; where I tarried until this time twelve month, when I was ordered, by the Victualling Board, clerk to a victualling office they have at this place during the war. Since my arrival (which is a year this very day) I have heard no word preached; nor is the Bible itself but rarely known, that bleffed book being fecured from the poor people by the cruelty of their teachers.

A few months fince, it pleafed God, in merciful providence, to fend me hither Brown's Self-interpreting Bible; all Mr. John Bunyan's works, complete, in two volumes; your Dimenfions of Eternal Love, Mystery of Godlinefs, Living Teftimonies, and Light Shining in Darkness. From the whole of which, I thank my gracious God and Saviour, I find picking, and scraps of comfort, and instruction, when often at a stand;, but particularly did I find comfort in Light Shining in Darkness, from page 281 to 284, as it refpects a poor backflider; and inftruction from Myftery of Godliness, refpecting our Lord's defcenfion into hell. Alas! alas! how often, inconfiderately and unthinkingly, have I repeated

peated the belief of that prepofterous and horrible deceit! For what fhould his precious Majefty defcend into hell, when all was finished on the cross? I am convinced in my foul it is a lie. I must also obferve, that there is fcarce a letter in your Living Teftimonies that is not in a degree defcriptive of some parts of my experience. Oh, I have a rich rich treasury, a library invaluable, in all the aforefaid books! may God, of his gracious mercy, affist me in the use of them.

You fay, Sir, that "fure you are none can destroy the works of Satan but the Son of God," and that "the devil must be whipped by confeffion and prayer." Amen. So you preach, and fo do I heartily believe; yet there are, I am informed, thofe that call you an Antinomian. The good Lord, of his mercy, forgive them, and turn their hearts. I hope to fend to P -, by the firft fhip, for

your Forty Stripes, &c.

Seeing, dear Sir, I am fhut out of ordinances, and from converfation with the godly and experienced, will you permit me to folicit your advice. I have been, and am now, fingularly exercifed. When first I began to pray, about two years ago, Satan would prefent before my fancy fuch horrid and obfcene poftures of God and Chrift as I dare not mention; when that a little vanished, blafphemies fucceeded in my mind; when that was a little allayed, carnal temptations followed, and here (oh, tears of blood never can efface it!) here I fell! Since

[ocr errors]

(4)

Since that, a deeper concern, or a stirring up, beginning again to manifest itself, and a shunning heartily the world and men, he presents his horrible self, horned-black-feated in a chair before me, ready to receive my prayers when I fall upon my knees. Oh Sir, Sir, I wrestle not with flesh and blood only (though that is rebellious enough), but with principalities and powers, and fpiritual wickedness, in high places!

I am not clear, reverend and dear Sir, about my worship; far from it. I have again and again read your preface to Light in Darkness. I would wish to be informed if any image must be conceived in prayer; or how the gracious Lord manifefts himself to the enlightened apprehenfion. I am very carnal and ignorant, and beg inftruction, Sir. God doth know I write fimply for inftruction; nor is there a foul on earth privy to this proceeding.

A man (who, I am fure, prays not at all) speaking, the other day, of catholic images which abound here, fays unto me, Why, you must conceive fomething when you pray. I felt force in the appeal, but could not answer it, and the thought works upon

me.

Permit me farther to inquire, Sir, respecting the facrament. Should I receive it from a dead Proteftant church here, who know not God? or fhould I refrain? I have not hitherto, and have been but a few times to church, their mangling of the things of God doth fo offend me.

And

« AnteriorContinuar »