calleth things that are not as if they were." The light that shone was the candle of the Lord searching, yea, piercing into the hidden parts of the belly; tracing a deceitful and unsearchable heart through all its turnings and windings. The work was that of one who is every where, and who knows every thing, and is of one mind, and so not to be turned; who will not faint, nor be "discouraged till he have brought forth judgment unto victory." The work is uniform, though variously carried on through many interruptions, over many oppositions, for a long period of time, by means seemingly weak, improper, and contrary, suitable only for him "whose ways are in the sea, and whose paths are in the great waters, and whose footsteps are not known." word, it was a bush burning, and not consumed only by the presence of God. It was a spark maintained in the midst of an ocean, notwithstanding floods continually poured on it, to extinguish it. This flame was maintained by oil secretly conveyed into it: "This is the Lord's doing; it is marvellous in our eyes." In a PART III. AN ACCOUNT OF THE PROGRESS OF THE LORD'S work, for THE SPACE OF ABOUT THREE YEARS ENSUING, FROM AUGUST 1696, TO JUNE 1699; THE DREADFUL STRAIT TO WHICH I WAS AT LAST CHAPTER I. An Account of the Progress of my Convictions, Temptations, and vain Reliefs, from the time I went to the Wemyss, till I was at the last brought to this utmost extremity. WHEN I had studied philosophy three years, being interested in it, and somewhat puffed up with what progress had made, and designed and expected to make; though I must say, that still as knowledge increased, self-conceit decreased; and I apprehended I knew more the first year than ever I thought I knew afterwards. Being thus prepared, I designed to go abroad, and improve myself farther, to which also I was advised; but two things prevented this proposal,-my mother would not consent; and the former exercise having brought me into bondage, through fear of death, I was afraid to run the hazards I must run of my life, so long as I was in so unsettled a case as to my soul's state: wherefore, at the request of some friends, I consented rather to engage as chaplain to a family for some time. Accordingly, in August 1696, I went to the Wemyss. When I came there, a stranger amongst strangers, and persons of considerable quality, by my natural bashfulness, the sensoriousness of my auditors, the publicity of the appearances I was obliged to make, to which I had not been formerly accustomed, my want of good breeding, and the like, I was, for a time, in a very great strait, forced to retirement, and to petition for help how to behave. And though it was my own, not the Lord's honour I designed and was concerned for, yet he that hears the cry of the ravens, and would not overlook Ahab's humiliation, and the Ninevites' repentance, did not fail me in my straits, but helped, so far as was necessary, to maintain the respect due to the station I was in, and to obtain kindness. During the first half-year, or so, that I was here, I was somewhat diverted from my principal work, being obliged to study what was necessary for accomplishing me for converse in the world. But still I held on, and the more difficulty I met with, I kept the closer to the form of religion I had taken up. Besides, my station now called and obliged me to somewhat more. But leaving this, which is only introductory, I proceed to that which is mainly and only designed in this narrative. I had not long been here, when I was often necessarily, and frequently without sufficient necessity, engaged in debates about the truth of religion, the divinity of the Scriptures, and the most important doctrines delivered in them, by which I was drawn to read the writings of Deists, and other enemies to religion, that I might be acquainted with the arguments by which those with whom I sometimes had occasion to dispute opposed the truth. As to the result of those arguments, with respect to others, I shall here waive it, because others are concerned in it; only I may say, I found it true, "that foolish questions, and genealogies, and contentions, and strivings about the law, are unprofitable and vain." For "evil men and seducers wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived." And "profane and vain babblings do increase unto more ungodliness." And to my sad experience I found, that "their word doth eat, as doth a cancer," or gangrene. It is of an infectious and contagious nature; and therefore it is safest to shun and avoid them, and follow the wise man's advice: "To forsake the foolish, and live;" and depart from "a foolish man, when we perceive not in him the lips of knowledge;" and cease from the instruction that causes to err from the word of knowledge." This was of very dangerous consequence to me, and could not prove otherwise to one in my case : For, 1. I was not "rooted and grounded in the truth," being neither notionally instructed in the authority on which the Scriptures are received, nor acquainted practically with its power, and so was naked of that" armour of light," that is necessary toward a conflict with such enemies. 2. The power of that enmity and darkness, which incline the vain mind of man to reject and carp at the truths of God, as foolishness, still remained unsubdued; and so I was, as the children who are tossed to and fro by every wind of doctrine." 3. The objections I found started were many, struck at the foundations-were new, and surprising to one who was so unsettled; and were dressed up by the sleight and cunning craftiness of them who "lie in wait to deceive." 4. I was not acquainted with that watchfulness, vigilance, and humble sobriety, that was necessary to prevent Satan's gaining any advantage. 5. Satan, on this, finding so fair an occasion, did not let it slip; for he goes about, seeking such seasons; and finding things thus, he improved it to my great disquietude. The adversary finding all things thus prepared, set on me furiously, and employed many against me. 1. He wrought up the natural atheism, darkness and enmity of my heart, to vent itself against the truths of religion, in foolish inquiries, " Is it so?" " How can these things be?" And what authority hast thou, since thou requirest such things? 2. He employed some who had all advantages, and were the most likely to prevail, persons smooth, sober, and who opposed the rational arguments; such, sometimes, the devil makes use of, who seem themselves "not far from the kingdom of God," like the Scribes who answered and questioned our Lord civilly, whose "words are smoother than butter, while war is in their heart." And these are usually more preva |