plication. After which I got lodging, and soon retired to rest, much fatigued with my journey, and much pleased with my success.

Being now disentangled from all my companions, my mind became wholly devoted to my labour; and being a total stranger, I kept myself as reserved as possible, to prevent suspicion, my appearance being very young. Here my labour was much harder than what I had been used to. Trade at that time being very brisk, we were called every morning at a quarter past twelve o'clock, and worked till seven in the evening; but this, though drudgery, I willingly bore, from the consideration of the additional advantage which I gained.

During my stay here, having no connexions to influence my mind, I attended divine worship on the Lord's days at the Baptist meeting, under the ministry of the Rev. Mr. Haynes. Though as ignorant of religion as a brute beast, notwithstanding a religious education, and the example of pious parents, yet I found some degree of satisfaction in attending where the Gospel was preached. It is with a degree of pleasure that I reflect upon one subject in particular, which I heard while attending there. Indeed, that is the only one of which I have any recollection,

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and that I think I shall never forget. It affected me much, and seemed to carry conviction in every sentence; but such was my state of ignorance, that I soon lost the sense and meaning of the words, and convictions wore off; but blessed be God, the words never left me, though it was many years before I knew where they were, or could derive any comfort from them: the words were these, "Deliver him from going lown to the pit; I have found a ransom.”

Having been there about five weeks, the Whitsuntide holidays commenced, at which they have also a fair, which continues for some days. I thought it advisable to return home with what little money I had saved. Accordingly, having settled my account on Saturday, I made the best of my way thither. I no sooner arrived, than I was visited by my old companions; and, oh! sad to tell, like the dog returning to his vomit, I soon returned to my old practices, and again engaged in the devil's drudgery. Yet, notwithstanding I readily united with them, I found very little pleasure in the service of Satan. My mind was frequently confused; and however agreeable the company, and pleasant the entertainment, I could not enjoy it, or count myself happy. I was like one beset on every

side and truly it might be said of me in the language of the prophet, "There is no peace, saith my God, to the wicked; they are like the troubled sea when it cannot rest, whose waters! cast up mire and dirt." This was truly my case the remaining part of the summer. The success I had met with in my absence from home had so heightened my pride, that it was a matter of indifference whether my master. em..... ployed me again or not. After I was again! settled to work, my chief study was how I should: act in future. My frame of mind at this timewas truly uncomfortable. I wanted I know not what. Break off my connexions I could not; to continue with them I foresaw would bring shame and confusion to myself, and disgrace to my, friends. How to shun it I knew not. In this uncomfortable situation I used frequently to retire, reflecting with myself and company what steps I should take to extricate myself out of my difficulties. Here the devil was not wanting to insinuate those things into my mind which were best calculated to answer his end. Sometimes I was tempted to leave my master as I had done before; but this did not appear so eligible, as I might probably be soon disturbed. Sometimes the army was presented to my view, with the

flattering prospect of preferment, and thereby becoming great. Sometimes the navy was recommended; it being a time of war, I might be successful in taking prizes, and so become rich.

In this uncomfortable situation I continued until the latter end of the year, when, after almost a whole day's deliberation, it was at length agreed that I should enter into the army, which I did with so much composure and privacy, that my most intimate companions knew nothing of it, and with such awful resolution as to oppose and prevent any measures my friends might take to regain my liberty. So determined was I, that when the alarmn was spread, and my friends gathered about me, neither the entreaties of my indulgent father, nor the tears of a most affectionate and tender mother, with all the kind admonitions of my loving brothers and sisters, could make the least impression on my adamantine heart; on the contrary, even against my own promises, after parting with my friends, I insisted on the officer's (contrary to his own will) going with me that night to get me attested, in order to prevent my friends purchasing my liberty.

Thus I was permitted to engage in a line of

life, which to appearance must end in the final destruction of body and soul; but God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved me, was pleased soon to convince me that his ways were not as man's ways, nor his thoughts as the thoughts of men; that he had his way in the whirlwind and in the storm, and the clouds were the dust of his feet. He could say to my rebellious heart at his pleasure, ff Hi therto shalt thou go, but no further.?ots adt

My adversary, no doubt, might now conclude he had me in safety. I began to be more easy in my mind than I had been for a long tinte before, and continued very comfortable with the party, recruiting about home till February 1760, when the recruits were ordered to join, the regiment, at St... Edmund's Bury, in Suffolk; we were immediately removed, from, thence to Chelmsford, in Essex, where I was drawn, for, and appointed to a company then lying at Ingatestone; to which I was immediately sent, in order to be instructed in my discipline; to which I attended with readiness and diligence, in order to make myself as comfortable as possible. Being now disentangled from company, I found time for reflection. I was soon convinced that the change which I had made was neither