strength; and in a few weeks was enabled to attend some of the means of grace. The Lord

was pleased to make the preaching of Mr. D. Wright a great blessing to me. He clearly explained the nature of salvation from inbred sin: shewed it to be as freely promised in Scripture, and as fully purchased by the blood of Jesus, as pardon. Also, that though sanctification in believers, is a gradual work; yet the death of sin is instantaneous; and to be ob. tained by faith alone; just in like manner as justification. He recommended Mr. Wesley's Plain Account, and Farther Thoughts on Christian Perfection; and Mr. Fletcher's Polemical Essay, especially his address in the end of it, to Imperfect Believers. These yet farther opened my eyes respecting that great salvation; and for reading them, I shall praise God to all eternity. I now was powerfully convinced, that whenever sin is totally destroyed, it is done in a moment. From hence I could not rest, but cried to the Lord night and day, to cast out the strong man and his armour of unbelief and sin assured that the power of the living God, and not death, must be the executioner: the blood of Jesus, the procuring cause, and faith the only instrument. I had a deeper sense of my impurity than ever and though, by grace, I was restrained from giving way outwardly, yet I felt such inward impatience, pride, fretfulness, and in short, every evil temper, that, at times, I could truly say, I was weary and heavy laden.

I here transcribe a brief Extract from my Journal, kept at the time, as it will most clearly describe the language of my heart.

Thursday, Jan. 18, 1776, I was much comforted by a manifest answer to prayer. Afterwards, reading three of Mr. Fletcher's Letters to his Parishioners, was a great blessing. Yet in the evening I found many wanderings, and much deadness: I felt unsatisfied with myself, and all around me; and knew not why. It might, in some measure, be owing to the indisposition of my body, but I fear it is more owing to the evil of my corrupt heart. O when shall I be holy?

Friday, 19. I have been greatly tried inwardly and outwardly, though I have had some refreshing visits of love; but I feel many evil tempers, much self-will that would not be contradicted; (though none saw it but the Lord ;) peevishness, pride, and unbelief greatly distressed me. My cry was, this evening, "Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me." And in private prayer, I was blessed in a wonderful manner. I lay at the feet of my Lord, as clay in the hands of the potter; only beseeching him to stamp me with his lovely image.

Thurs. 25. The Lord shews me more than ever, that I must be made holy before death: and this day I can say, "As the hart panteth after the water-brook," so thirsteth my soul for the perfect love of God. O may I never rest till I have received this blessing. Lord, I have,

in this respect, been a trifler; I have been too
easy,
too lukewarm, while thy enemies have
had a lurking place in my heart! O forgive
me, and help me to be more in earnest. These
words were applied, while engaged in wrestling
"All I have is thine!" And is not
It is; and

prayer,
this salvation from sin, his gift?
shall be mine.

"O joyful sound of Gospel-Grace,
Christ shall in me appear;

I, even I, shall see his face,
I shall be holy here."

Saturday, 27. Mr. Wesley's Plain Account of Christian Perfection was, this day, a greater blessing than before: O how very ignorant, how stupid have I been, respecting this great salvation; and even yet, I seem to know nothing! Lord, teach me, and save me fully. I find, while pressing after entire purity, my communion with God increases, and I have more power to do his will.

Friday, Feb. 2. I awoke several times in the night, praying for sanctification. O the depth of unbelief, and of pride! and these seem only the roots of many other evil branches. O my God, I feel my heart as a den of thieves: I -loathe myself, but O! I fall-a leper at thy feet. I believe the blood of Jesus Christ cleanseth from all sin:" but when I would come to the fountain, I seem all ignorance, and helplessness. O Lord, teach and strengthen me, for thy mercy's sake!

Sat. 3. I have had deep communion with my

God, and much power at the Throne of Grace. I have a clear evidence of his pardoning love, and want nothing but his whole image stamped on my heart.

Thursday, 8. I was greatly comforted this morning in spreading open the word of God on my knees, and praying for a conformity to it. I opened on 1 Thess. v. 16, ult. I see what is there required, is the very salvation my soul needs. O how it is summed up in that prayer of the Apostle, "Now the very God of peace sanctify you wholly and I pray God your whole spirit, and soul, and body, be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ." And would St. Paul pray for what they could not obtain ? O no! He believed they should be both sanctified and preserved blameless: for he says, "Faithful is he who hath called you, who also wILL do it." Amen, Lord! Let ME, thy worthless creature, prove this word, for Jesu's sake.

On the morning of Feb. 22, I awoke poorly in body, and felt a strange hardness on my - heart, and a great backwardness to private prayer. Satan told me if I prayed it would only be solemn mockery; for my body would so weigh down my soul, that while my words flew up, my thoughts would remaiu below, and I should obtain no blessing. But I cried, "Lord, help me," and fell instantly on my knees: for a few moments my ideas were all distraction: but the mighty God spoke to the troubled ocean, "Peace, be still!" and there followed a great calm throughout my soul. My inter

course was now open with my Beloved, and various promises presented to my believing view. I thought, shall I now ask small blessings only of my God? Lord, cried I, make this the moment of my full salvation! Baptize me now, with the Holy Ghost, and the fire of pure love. Now, "Make me a clean heart, and renew a right spirit within me." Now, enter thy temple, and cast out sin for ever. Now, cleanse the thoughts, desires, and propensities of my heart, and let me perfectly love thee. But here Satan raised all his force of temptations to oppose me; telling me I had not been long enough justified: I had more to suffer first, &c. and my ideas not being yet clear in the nature of this blessing, gave the enemy an advantage. For I thought when fully saved from sin, I could suffer no more; feel no more pain; make no more mistakes; my judgment and memory would be perfect, and I should feel temptation no more! Therefore, this suggestion, that I had to suffer much first, had the more plausi. bility. But, in that moment, I received light from above, and cried, Lord, till my heart is renewed, I cannot suffer as I ought. Give me perfect love, and I can then bear all things! But, said Satan, If this blessing were given, thou wouldst soon lose it again, in such and such trials which lie before thee: get those trials past, and then come for this blessing. But I cried, Lord, I cannot stand those trials without it. O purify my heart, that I may be able to stand in the trying hour! If I face my subtle enemies, while I have a traitor within,

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