day; and in thy righteousness shall they be

exalted."

Soon after this, I was informed Mr. Francis was to administer the ordinance of baptism; my wife had a desire to go to Horsley on the occasion, which met my inclination, and at the appointed time we went. It was a time ever to be remembered by me; a day in which the Lord was pleased to manifest the power of his Gospel to my heart, in such a manner, that I longed for an opportunity to declare to his people what he had done for my soul, and testify to a gazing world my attachment to Jesus. The text on this solemn occasion was, "Behold a greater than Solomon is here:" the truth of which I soon experienced. I was conscious of my ingratitude to Christ, yea, of the rebellion of my heart against him. I had long seen it to be an ordinance which God had appointed, a privilege peculiar to believers in Christ; and I had often considered it as my incumbent duty thus to testify my gratitude to God, for the manifold mercies he had shewn to me. How solemn did the account appear of the baptism of Jesus, who hath left us an example that we should follow his steps. "And Jesus, when he was baptized, went up straightway out of the water:

and lo, the heavens were opened unto him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove, and lighting upon him. And lo, a voice from heaven, saying, This is whom I am well pleased."

2

my beloved Son, in

Knowing that Mr. F. had a monthly lecture at the place of my residence, I requested him to call upon me the next time he came, as I had something particular to relate to him. This was done with great trembling; and afterward I was tempted to wish I had not opened my mouth upon the subject. However, I staid the afternoon, and was much strengthened by a discourse from those words, "Come in thou blessed of the Lord, why standest thou without?" This was a word fitly spoken, which is like apples of gold in pictures of silver, it set my soul a little at liberty, I went home very comfortable, and thought myself really interested in the great things which I had been hearing. I thought the invitations of the Gospel addressed to such characters as I was; my mind was composed, my will was reconciled to the will of God, and I was ready to give up myself to the disposal of Infinite Wisdom. I could say with David, O how I love thy law! it is my meditation all the day. My heart was enlarged,

I found great freedom in prayer after my return home; I could call God my Father, and Jesus Christ "my Lord, and my God." I laid me down that night in peace, my rest was sweet, and when I awoke I was still with him. I began to think my troubles were at an end, the clouds dispersed, and the darkness fled away; the bright beams of the sun of righteousness arose upon my benighted soul, and with his reviving and comforting influences warmed and cheered my heart; so that I went on my way rejoicing in hope of the glory of God, longing for the time when I should speak of his goodness, and declare his wonderful works to the children of men. I thought now my mountain stood strong, and that I should never again be moved. I attended to my daily calling with pleasure, and all things seemed to go on well for about a fortnight. When I went home one day to dinner, I found my wife in tears, and much distressed; she mentioned some circumstances which had occurred, in consequence of which we resolved to return to London; so that when Mr. F. called, which he did according to his promise, instead of entertaining him with an account of the Lord's gracious dealings with my soul, I had to mention to him those painful things which occasioned

my removal. He was much affected with the relation, and used many arguments to prevent me from putting my resolution into practice, but without effect, as I saw no prospect of being comfortable in that situation. I therefore set out for London with my wife and child, having been about sixteen months at Wotton-underEdge, where we had promised ourselves great happiness.

Though the event was very unexpected, and the cause of it peculiarly painful; I cannot but conclude, that it was permitted by Infinite Wisdom for our profit, to convince us that we had been building our expectations too much upon creatures, instead of saying, "My soul, wait thou only upon God; for my expectation is from him. Cease ye from man whose breath is in his nostrils; for wherein is he to be accounted of?"

I

CHAP. VIII.

His Situation in London-He becomes a Member - of the Church of Christ in Eagle Street- Reflections when he returned from the Lord's -Table.

BEING by the good providence of God brought back again to London, I endeavoured to obtain employment at my own business; but after two days I began to despair of success. However, Ged, who had hitherto provided for me, has overruled this for my good, as the means of directing me to something more suitable to that low debilitated state to which I had been reduced by bodily illness, and uneasiness in my mind. I recollected I had a parcel to deliver from a person in the country for her brother, who was overlooker at a calico printing ground near Lambeth, where a number of persons were employed. I took it myself, and had an interview with the gentleman, who being a native of Wotton-under-Edge, where I was born, knew my parents and friends; he appeared very glad to see me, and inquired how I was situated; I told.

K