My name is Tom Sullivan, the voice of the narrated Puritan on Sermon Audio, and I discovered this book because Monergism is putting out some very, very good books. Many of these books are being taken from the Text Creation Partnership, part of Early English Books Online, and they're published into a more modern format and then released digitally as a PDF file or an EPUB file or a MOBI file, which I can read on my Kindle. And the fact of the matter is, I know that this isn't going to have a large audience, but the subject is so important. You never hardly hear in our day of anybody having the type of awakening that Christian had in Pilgrim's Progress. where there was a length of time from when he was awakened until he entered into the Wicked Gate. And you very seldom hear about anybody that has a burden on their back, metaphorically speaking, a burden of sin. So Vavasor was a Welsh Puritan and a fifth monarchist in prison for his role in a plot to depose King Charles II. He was born in Wales and attended Jesus College, Oxford. He returned to Wales as a schoolmaster from 1638 and 1639, during which time he was converted to the Puritan understanding of the gospel under the preaching of the Puritan Walter Craddock. and through the writings of Richard Sibbes and William Perkins. He is listed in the Baptist Encyclopedia and a work by Cathcart as well. And this book is called Spiritual Experiences of Sundry Believers. Preface. The special and unspeakable love and care of our good Lord and great Master Jesus Christ has so manifestly appeared to His people. especially of late years, that out of his fullness he has communicated so bountifully that many of them, like good scribes out of their treasuries, have been able to bring things new and old, for the refreshing, comforting, and supplying of many poor souls which otherwise had been in extreme want and distress. Also, amongst the various ways of God's teaching, experience is one of the chiefest, for that is the inward sense and feeling of what is outwardly read and heard, and the spiritual and powerful enjoyment of what is believed. Experience is a copy written by the Spirit of God upon the hearts of believers. It is one of faith's handmaids and attendants and hope's usher. Romans 5 verse 3. And when Christ is withdrawn within the veil and the wings of faith clipped, and the floods of temptation overflow and overwhelm the poor, distressed, doubting, despairing, and drowning soul, this bark keeps and holds up the soul's head above water till the ark returns. That Christian believes strongest, that has experience to back his faith. And that saint speaks sweetest and homiest, it speaks experimentally. For that which comes from one spiritual heart reaches another spiritual heart. Experience is like steel to an edged soil, or like salt to fresh meat. It seasons brain knowledge and settles a shaking unsettled soul. What has been printed of this nature has both been acceptable and profitable to many precious Christians. I hope that this is published for that end, and it will find the same acceptance and produce the same effects with others of that nature. For in this you may see not only your own hearts, but many hearts, and hard knowledge is both necessary and precious to sincere souls. I recommend this little book to you, judging it. as far as I have read, to be sound, spiritual, and savory, and worth your buying, reading, and perusing. So, committing you and it to the Lord and His blessing, I remain the truest and all the saints' friend and servant of Abbasur-Pawa. Experience number one, that of T. A. Converted after three years' terror upon his conscience, and then rolling himself on Christ. I shall briefly give you my experiences touching the graces of God's Spirit in me, touching humiliation for sin, which I take to be for one to have the filling of a burden of sin lying heavy upon him, and throwing himself down at the feet of Christ for mercy with a broken heart. And it is not right if it be only for fear of hell, but in regard of sinning against the love of God. For myself, I found the terror of sin upon me so, that in my apprehension I could not be fit to take part of any good thing with the people of God. And thus it was with me three years, so that I partook of no ordinance with profit, I heard the word, but with little joy, only sometimes sought short flashings, but could not be thoroughly resolved. Yet I was troubled that God should so lovingly send a sign, and I be so vile a sinner. Number two. touch and repentance, which I think to be not only a sorrow for sin, but a forsaken of it to a man's power. For myself, since my feeling of sin God has given me a heart to be careful either of committing or omitting, I think a man cannot repent before he has faith. A man must first taste of the love of Christ. 3. Concerning faith, which I conceive it to be in a man, that when God has opened his eyes to see the ugliness of sin and shows him his promises for poor souls to come to Christ, then he rolls himself on Christ. For my part, it has been the desire of my soul, soul to roll myself, and there to stick, hoping all my sins to be passed by. The promises I rest upon are, Come unto me, come unto me, all you that are weary and heavy laden, and I will ease you. Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If any man will open I will come in. Him that comes to me I will in no wise cast out. Come and buy wine and milk without money. Disfaith works obedience and so according to the apostle let us endeavor to work out our salvation with fear and trembling. And works great love in us and a willingness to suffer anything rather than depart from Christ or any of his ordinances. For my part, that I have found it so in some measure in myself is true, or else I could not speak thus. And this love is not only to Christ, but to the members of Christ. There are other graces as patience and so on, but I conceive love as unanimous that sets the other on work. I find also that grace works inwardly upon the heart to reprove it, as well as outwardly to restrain words and actions and outward offenses. It is about a year since God brought me to some settlement of comfort upon the promises aforementioned. Only some clouds of doubt sometimes interpose, but God is pleased to rebuke them and to assure me His grace shall be sufficient for me. End quote. T.A. Experience number two of T.P. The terrors of hell laid hold on him for offering wrong against the people of God. Did he cry it out? He was damned. Many years. I've had some thoughts concerning my spiritual condition, he says, and made search into my soul, touching my estate in relation to God. What testimony I can find of my interest in God and conversion to God. And I have found this to be the way of God's working to bring me to himself through his great mercy in the Lord Jesus. It has pleased God ever since I was born to place me under the means of the gospel. The neglect whereof has been a great trouble and a grief to my soul. This, with many sins more, lay heavy upon my conscience, especially some offense and wrong offered against the people of God, insomuch that the terrors of hell laid hold upon me. And I began with Cain to cry out, and my burden was more than I was able to bear. I was a damned creature. I was out of the presence and out of the favor of God and never liked to see his face with comfort, ready with Judas to destroy myself. I continued in this condition many years, but God, of His exceeding great mercy, kept me from that great sin. And at last I received some comfort in that the Lord proclaims Himself to be the Lord God, gracious, merciful, long-suffering, and forgiving sins. And He swear, He desired not the death of a sinner, but rather that he should live. And again He says, if our sins were as red as garlic, He will make them as white as snow or wool. Again. I am the Lord and I change not, therefore you sons of Jacob are not consumed. These, with many other promises of free grace and mercy, yielded some comfort to my soul. Yet, for a long time I was troubled. If I prayed, I feared my prayers were an abomination to the Lord. At last, knowing the Lord heard the Ninevites that were heathen, I thought He was able to save my soul. It has been my care to wait upon God and the means, knowing that faith comes by hearing the Word, and upon all occasions to search my own heart, what part of the Word belongs to me and what did not. I receive some comfort with that promise. I will not break to Bruce Reed nor quench the smoking flax. Come unto me all you that are weary and heavy laden and I will give you rest and he that comes to me I will in no wise cast off these gracious promises caused me to desire to draw near to God in union and in communion in quote Experience number three written by M W by a sermon of Liverpool and after great afflictions with a piece of a Bible in a barn I When I lived in Ireland and was in fullness of outward enjoyments, I had my thoughts much taken up about the things of the world, but little seriously touching the salvation of my soul. But about nine years since being in the church at Liverpool in Lancashire, I heard a sermon preached by Mr. Thompson. His text was, redeem the time because the days are evil. Many things He spake so home to my soul that I was very much troubled that I spent so many days in evil, that I have been covetous and proud and impatient in the former days of my life. Yet it pleased the Lord that I had a husband that was an honest man and one that feared God. who had often before given me good counsel and sometimes persuaded me to make him some promises of amendment. But I had children and servants and cattle and lived plentifully in Ireland, from whence I had lately come with my husband and family. And indeed there had been no real conversion, though I had often thoughts towards God, and especially I was given much to impatience, for which my husband had often reproved me. But still it went on in my sin, being not sensible of my sad condition therein, until I came into England, after which this sermon of Mr. Thompson's did much humble me, and wrought upon my heart a very grave sense of my sins. And I was afraid that I'd committed a sin of blasphemy against God. As Job said, his children perhaps had done some way, because I had sometimes cursed somebody, or it's something that had angered me, and in passion wrapped out sometimes an oath. In many nights I watered my bed with my tears about it, and went to Mr. West, a minister at the park near Liverpool, and other godly people thereabouts who used such means as God led them forth to for my comfort. But I was still afflicted in my soul about the space of three weeks, and then I found much comfort from Mr. Thompson and from my husband, who persuaded me by good counsel to trust in God, which I did, and was heartily sorry for my sin. And then my husband was trouble in mind himself, and the Lord made me an instrument to comfort him as well as I could. But about five months after, he had abundance of joy and comfort and expected death, saying that he was persuaded he should be killed. And so, presently, after he was settled in his mind, it sadly fell out. For the enemy took Liverpool and killed my husband and a child, both before my face, and stripped and wounded me and a child of five years old. And it was thought I could not live. And this is a strong trial. And I was much tempted. My senses, methought, were going from me, and my heart, I thought, would have melted in pieces. Yet I prayed, and the Lord heard me. I thought it was too much for me to bear, but I remembered my Savior's words. He that will not forsake father or mother or sister or brother or husband or child for Christ is not worthy of Him, and I desired to give glory to His name. I considered that I must part with all for Christ. I strove hard against my own weakness, and my heart said that God was just in all His dealings with me. I thought, when I considered of it, that I did but suffer as an evildoer myself. But our cause was God's, and our enemies, popish rebels. Paul was ready not only to suffer, but to die at Jerusalem for the name of Christ. So I took it patiently, giving glory to God, and believing that God, who has come so near me, would not forsake me. I was assured with much joy that the Lord would bring me to Himself, and in this confidence did rejoice with my wounded child and a little daughter in a barn where we were put, having gotten a piece of an old Bible. And then, and since, I have found much settleness in my faith from several promises of the Lord, revealed in His holy words, some of which follow John 15, verse 7. If you abide in me, In my words abide in you, you shall ask what you will, and it shall be done unto you. I trust in God never to depart from his word, and therefore hope to find comfort in the end, and do find comfort in the way in that Christ abides with me. Matthew 5 verse 6 Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness, for they shall be filled. Though the Lord has thus emptied me of some worldly comforts, yet he has given me a hungry and a thirsting soul after himself. And therefore I laid hold of this promise of blessedness as made to me. Matthew 11 verse 28 Christ says, Come unto me, all you that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. In this I have been and still am much comforted in the greatest afflictions that God has laid upon me and whom alone is true rest. In his further testimonies of my love to God and evidences of my faith, I have these comfortable inferences which speak much peace to my soul. 1. My love to God and Christ is more than to all things in the world. 2. I find a great difference in my affections to God and to the world. and the things thereof, so that my children, which of all worldly things are most near and dear to me, yet if God should take them from me, I could freely give them. 3. I find the Spirit striving against my flesh, so that when I heard lately Dr. Holmes speaking of that steel voice which a believer hears, as it were from the Spirit, it did so enlarge my heart, and enjoying great comfort, it made me weep. through the influence of the Spirit sensibly then upon my heart. And so at other times also I find much comfort in the Spirit of God, which is my greatest joy. Number four. I do rejoice mightily in the ordinances and apply what I hear to myself as well as I can. And when I hear anything against any evil that I can apply to myself, the Lord draws forth my heart frequently to pray to God that I may do nothing that may displease Him. And I thank my God I find the full willingness and desire and affection to submit to every truth of Jesus Christ. Number five. When I hear comfort spoken of that concerns me, I am so joyful that it fills my heart and sometimes fetches tears from my eyes, as particularly when Master Marshall said, did afflictions were a testimony of God's love to his people. As Lazarus was sorely afflicted and dearly beloved. Number six. Since I heard Mr. Bond and others, it's also suitable to my condition several things laid open by my Master Walker upon some cases of conscience. I've been much affected to settle myself on all things so by the power of Christ that I may find peace in my conscience in all things before I die. And it made it my chiefest business, and I have found much settlement in it, and much comfort in the meetings of godly people both since and for four years before. 7. I bless the name of the Lord. My affections are loving to the people of God, and I know I love them dearly, and my heart rises to hear them spoken against. I'd rather bear reproaches myself than see any one of them wronged or suffer. 8. I desire is to live with God in glory in heaven, so to lead my life to His glory here on earth in grace, and to live according to the rule of His Holy Word in the examples of the saints therein expressed. And I could hardly wish, were it possible, that I might never sin more. And I have, I bless God, declared ascerning through the power of the Spirit of grace, that the gospel is the word of truth to salvation. Number nine. When I come before the Lord, I see nothing but emptiness in myself, and therefore trust in the fullness of Christ, in whose power and spirit I find much comfort. and desire always that I may come prepared with that wedding garment that never may be taken away from me. For of myself I can do nothing, but through Christ, if he abide in me and I in him, I shall do all things." End quote. M.W. Experience number four. Experiences of I.I. by waiting upon the ordinances of the Lord. When I was in the midst of my wealth and worldly enjoyments, I was vain, covetous, and wholly had my heart taken up with the things of the world. Little or nothing, minding the things of God, or thinking of a change, but went on in a presumption, put an evil day far off. Minding only for the present would please a flesh until about eight years since, I had many outward crosses befell me and was in some want, and in being under that dispensation I was much troubled and full of griefs. I sought to the Lord and begged deliverance from the affliction of my distresses. As to outward wants, it had not in heart to consider what was the cause or to seek out the mind of God in it, until about two years and a half since I heard D. Holmes showing sin to be the cause of all of our crosses. The consideration of this did come close to my spirit, and I had a clear conviction of my vanity and foolish doting on worldly things, which had justly provoked the Lord. a hope for my good to lay those crosses upon me, which though they were for a time bitter, yet God has since sweetened. But my sorrow was then doubled, and I was dejected, not only for my outward crosses, but more especially for my carnal heart, and for my vain conversation whereby I had stirred up the anger of the Lord against me. I went to the ordinances, hoping to find comfort from the Word, but the weight of my sins and my sufferings pressed me so down that I found much heaviness. My sins especially lay heavy upon me, and I saw little hope of comfort. Yea, the Lord was pleased to work in my heart a loathing of sin, as well as the trouble for the affliction it has brought upon me. At about a year and a half since I heard Master Walker approved by the scripture in a sermon very effectual to my comfort that those who have been the greatest of sinners if they do heartily and really repent and turn to God by faith in Christ and lead a new life the Lord will receive them to mercy. Hereupon I argued with my soul that though I had been a great sinner, yet the Lord had wrought my heart to a loathing of those sins I loved, and of all sins, to turn to the Lord and sincerely desire to serve Him, that therefore there was hope of mercy for me. I heard Mr. Walker and Mr. Masterson and others at Somerset House and other places and frequented a number of other meetings where I found much comfort. Those several places of Scripture in which I chiefly found comfort from the promises of God are Matthew 11, 28 to 30, where Christ saith, Come unto me, all you that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn of me, for I am meek and lowly in heart, and you shall find rest on your souls, for my yoke is easy and my burden light. This made me to hope, that as the Lord has given me a heavy heart laden with the sins of sin, so Christ Jesus would give me comfort, for in the twelfth verse of the same chapter it is said, A bruised reed shall he not break, and a smoking flag shall he not quench. And though I had dishonored Christ, yet I had not blasphemed the Holy Ghost, and therefore had encouraged men to believe from the words of Christ in Luke 12 verse 10. Whosoever shall speak a word against the Son of Man, it shall be forgiven him. But none to him that blasphemes against the Holy Ghost, it shall not be forgiven. I was comforted to wait upon the Lord in hope because the Lord had humbled my soul and opened my eyes to see mercy offered to me. And this was strengthened from that example in Lamentation 3 verses 20 to 26. My soul has Him still in remembrance and is humbled in me. This I recall to mind. Therefore have I hope. It is the Lord's mercy that we are not consumed because His compassions do not fail. They are new every morning. Great is your faithfulness. The Lord is my portion, saith my soul. Therefore will I hope in Him. The Lord is good to them that wait for Him, to the soul that seeks Him. And I was much encouraged from hence to seek the Lord and hope in His mercy. My conscience told me I was a great sinner and deserved death and hell. But my hope was in God and strengthened from that promise in Ezekiel 18, 21 to 23. If the wicked will turn from all of his sins that he has committed, and keep all my statutes, and do that which is lawful and right, he shall surely live, he shall not die. All his transgressions that he has committed, they shall not be mentioned to him, and his righteousness that he has done, he shall live. Have I any pleasure at all that the wicked should die, saith the Lord God, and not that he should turn from his ways and live? And the Lord was pleased to put into my spirit a very great resolution to serve the Lord for the time to come. And I praise my God I have had since much joy in duty sopiety and sucked much sweetness from the word of God and godly ministers. I have no desire to enjoy the pleasures and vanities of the world as I have had. But my heart now takes delight in God and communion with His people. The Lord has given me in heart to discern a beauty and desirableness in the ways of God which are more joyful to me now than ever sin was formerly. And when I come to the ordinances, I often find and feel such heavenly refreshments from the Lord upon my heart that it makes me exceeding full of joy. There is such a love upon my heart to God that I dare not willingly offend Him in anything. I rejoice to hear his name spoken of and its glory exalted, and I find a very great affection drawn by the power of God from my heart to such as seem to be his people." Experience number five. Experiences of E.C. After seven years' temptation to kill herself for neglecting to come to the ordinances, she threw herself upon Christ. About some nine years ago, at the birth of a child, I had a very great temptation of destroying myself, and have had oftentimes a knife put into my hand to do it, so that I durst not be left by myself alone. And when I had considered what the causes of it might be, my conscience did hint most my neglecting of duties, to which I had many opportunities to have performed, they being the ordinances of God. Thus, I continued till, two years ago, I buried a child which was a very great trouble to me to part with, and then was I much more fully convinced of sin, which caused my burden to be the greater, so that I could seldom have any other thoughts but of desperation. But the Lord kept me by His great mercy, so that sometimes I could pray with devotion and discern the Lord to remove this great trouble from me. I did plainly find that those great temptations were very much lessened, which was a great comfort unto my spirit. But yet this deal was upon me that I could read the promises, but I found none of them to me. I could not say God was mine. or had discovered himself unto me in pardoning my sins. Yet this I had often thoughts of, that I would throw myself upon Christ. If I perished, I perished. And not long since I had a very great desire to join myself to that society which was truly godly, and Providence ordered it so that I had my desire in it. which was of great use and encouragement unto me in believing the promise of the gospel. And since, I bless God, I have found some satisfaction in several places of Scripture, as first in Matthew 11 verse 28, Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. And feeling such a burdening upon my soul, I relied upon that true rest. Another place is in 1 John 2 verse 2, and he is a reconciliation for our sins, and not for our only, but for the sins of the whole world. I being one in the world, I apply this to myself. And in 1 John 4 verse 14, the Father sent his Son to be the Savior of the world. Another place of scripture is in John 3, verse 17, where God sent not a son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through him might be saved. And in verse 35, he that believes on the Son is everlasting life. Upon this account, I said, I believe. Lord, help my unbelief. And in the sixth chapter of John, in verses 67 and 68, Jesus said unto his disciples, Will you go from me also? Peter says to him, Lord, where shall we go? For you have the words of eternal life. So that I will wait upon the Lord for a further manifestation of himself to my soul in ease of his ordinances, although I have not in times past been fed with the children's bread. Yet now I do believe I shall not be denied those crumbs of spiritual comforts to nourish and refresh my wearied spirit. For God says in Isaiah 55-1, Ho, everyone that thirsts, come ye to the waters, and he that has no money, come ye buy and eat. Yea, come buy wine and milk without money and without price. And I praise God, and I have found of late a very great manifestation of God's work and a change upon my heart, and drawn me by true faith to himself. About a quarter of a year since, I heard Mr. Bond, in a sermon at the Abbey at Westminster upon the lukewarmness of the Church of Laodicea, showing that the Lord would refuse none to come into Him in humbleness of spirit and sincerity of heart. Then I thought, surely I might make use of those full promises which was made to those that came to Him, and it put me in the search of Scriptures, which I did and found a greater influence upon my spirit and the understanding of the Word than before. Number two, I am in all things that I do fearful of offending God and my desire is to do all things to His glory. Number three, my love to God is so hearty that I delight to be meditating of God and have communion with God and could wish that I might be holy if it were possible with God. And my heart is never so at rest as when I'm reading of His truths or hearing others speak of them. Number four, I am so little affected to the world that I account it nothing. I can willingly leave all for God, and I hope suffer anything for God, if He should please to call me to it, so far as I can judge of my own heart, but herein trusting in the power of Christ. 5. Sin is loathome to me, so that the affections that I did bear to some evils are now gone, and I now loathe them more than before I loved them. 6. I have many conflicts between the flesh and the spirit, but I find in those strivings my heart most cleaving to follow the mind of God, knowing that if I give way to sin, Satan enters, and with all my soul I desire and delight to follow the leadings of God's Spirit. 7. In all things the resolutions of my heart are for doing those things that may please God, and that without delay, being fearful to offend God, which when through infirmity I do, I have great trouble of spirit for it, and my resolutions are always against everything that may hinder my peace with God. 8. I find in my heart so great a peace between God and my conscience that, should God now call me, I should be very well contended to go to my Savior. 9. I do not doubt of God's love to me, because He has drawn forth my heart sincerely to love Him. 10. My love has been always from a child to the people of God, and my heart has been ever troubled when I have heard an evil spoken of. Number 11. My affections are great to the ordinances and my heart longs after them, and when at any time I come with a cold heart to duties, yet my heart is frequently warmed and enlarged in those duties. End quote. E.C. Experience number six. Experiences of DM. by a young infant when she went to a pond to drown herself. About forty years ago, through many crosses increasing upon me like an armed man, I flew to God to seek His mind by prayer, and He discovered to me that it was my sins which were then set before me which caused me to feel the hand of God by afflictions upon me. This sin was the cause of my sufferings which lay very heavy upon me and terrified me, so that I thought I'd been in a way to damnation. and that if I had been in the way to salvation, every affliction would not come so upon me, greater than I thought I could be able to bear. In particular, the Lord discovered in me that I had too much love my husband, and a fleshy love, making an idol of him, and therefore he justly became a great terror to my spirit. First, he became an enemy to goodness, and so a hindrance to me in coming to Christ, and also that while I thus doted on him, he went away from me. I feared through the sins of that and other sins, together with the aggravation of my afflictions, that God did not love me. Yet, it struck into my heart that God did not strike willingly, and therefore I endeavored to see what was the mind of God in it, who had taken away my husband's goods and all from me, namely, that he had done it that I should not hang upon husks, but that I should love him. And I found that I loved the world too much and set my heart too much upon these creature comforts. And therefore the Lord took them away from me. This wrought upon me great troubles and despair that I cried until I was almost blind. And I had great fear and trembling upon me that I could not pray nor hear with profit. but thought it was in vain for me to pray, whom God loved not and whom I had so offended. And about a quarter of a year after, I had a temptation by Satan to drown myself in a pond near Leeds in Yorkshire, where the devil led me, telling me that I might do it there. it be in a private place where nobody could see me. And I was by him drawn out there and came to the pond side. But by the providence of God, having a great love to a young infant I then had, I took that child in my arms. And when I came to the place, I looked upon the child and considered with myself, What? Shall I destroy myself and my poor child? And I cried to God, Lord, what will you have me to do? And I had a sore conflict at that time with the devil. But methought at last I heard the Lord say unto my soul as he did to Paul, Trust in me, my grace is sufficient for you. And then I found some comfort which enlarged my heart through the assistance of God's Spirit to call upon the name of the Lord for further assistance and comfort. And so I went away back with much joy, believing that I should have the favor of God. And the Lord put it into my mind to go to one, E. B., to dwell by a moorside near Leeds, whom I knew was a godly woman. And she opened to me the troubles of David and Job, and gave me sweet comfort, saying, God is by me. And I did not see him, as Job wished. So she wrought upon my heart to wish, O, that I could see him! O, that I could behold him! And my heart was full of joy, and I cried, and was much grieved, with very great repentance, that I had been so seduced, and did so to spare of God's mercies, and had been so blinded. And the Lord said it upon my spirit, that though I had laid all aside, yet now I would come out of the wilderness, leaning on my beloved. and had a greater affection to the ways of God than ever, and delighted in them more than ever. Before they were a burden to me, now they were easy and sweet, and being at York I heard a minister there out of Hosea 2 preached at which wrought much comfort in me. and that Christ had promised to betroth himself to every believer. And then, and since, I have had much joy in the promises of God, and can, through the Spirit of God, which I find and feel in my heart, lay hold by faith on them as my particular interest. Romans 10 verse 4. Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to everyone that believes. Christ by His Spirit has wrought belief in me both in His promises and threatenings, and to labor to live according to His word. Therefore I conclude that I shall be saved by the righteousness of my Savior. Romans 9 verse 4. Who are Israelites, to whom pertains the adoption, and the glory, and the covenants, and the giving of the law, and the service of God, and the promises? I know that every believer is a true Israelite. and brought under the covenant of grace by Jesus Christ, and that therefore the promises of grace and salvation belong to me. But now the righteousness of God, without the laws manifested, be in witness by the law and the prophets, even the righteousness of God, which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all. And upon all that believe, for there is no difference, I being one whom God is drawn to believe, it is manifested to me, that I have an interest in the righteousness of Jesus Christ to justify me before God by his spirits which are made mine by faith. Hosea 2 verses 19 and 20 I will betroth you unto me forever. Yea, I will betroth you unto me in righteousness, and in judgment, and in lovingkindness, and in mercies. I will even betroth you unto me in faithfulness, and you shall know the Lord. I find great comfort from this promise, in that the Lord doubles and trebles His promises and enlarges Himself, and offers Himself so freely to the soul, and has testimonies of my real conversion to God in union with Jesus Christ, and that reconciliation is made between God and my soul. I find these real evidences wrought by God's blessed Spirit in me. 1. I find in my heart great love to God, that when God says, Seek my face, my heart joins again, saying, Your face, Lord, will I seek. 2. And I find nothing so dear unto me as the love of God, and whom my heart deceive me not. 3. I could bear and suffer anything to bring glory to God, according to all things, but dung and dross below Christ. Number two, when anything of the flesh rises against the motions of God's Spirit to draw me from good or to do evil, I find frequently the power of the Spirit to subdue my heart, not to submit to the flesh, but to walk in His way. And yet I am so sensible of my infirmities that all I do or can do is nothing but His filthy rags. But I know Jesus Christ is my Savior and stands engaged for me. And when the flesh is weakest, I find the spirit thirsting after God. 3. I find in my heart a very great thirsting after the ordinances and a great enlargement of heart and comfort in the ordinances, my heart being delighted to be among the people of God and full of joy in them. 4. When thoughts of want at any time arise, I find a full satisfaction in God. so that I can find a better part which never can be taken from me, which is my interest in Jesus Christ, and I find my conscience a great testimony of my spiritual union with God, and that I am so separated from the world and my affections that God has drawn me to Himself. 5. God, who searches the heart, knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because He makes intercession for the saints according to the will of God. Which will of God I find a free submission to in my heart with joy, knowing that all things shall work together for good to them that love God. Number six. It is the chiefest desire of my heart that God would keep me close by His side, and I have abundance of joy in communion with the Lord, which is more sweet to me than my joy in anything. 7. I delight much to speak of God and of its ways, and to use what means I can to comfort the saints whom I love dearly, and if possible, to convert sinners. D. EXPERIENCE TESTIMONY 7. Experiences of A.E.L. being driven through afflictions to go to the meetings of godly people. I had about three years since some great grief upon my spirit about a daughter, which was brought to great sufferings by reason of her going away in her affliction I thought she had made away herself. God put it into my thoughts to remember my sins and that God had laid this affliction upon me for neglecting my duty to him. and not serving him as I ought. It has caused great sorrow in me, and upon it lead to shed tears. My sins, I thought, was the occasion the Lord made her so great a cross to me, for which I deserved it, so that both became a great grief to my soul, and thus I lay languishing in very great sorrow. Then I began to think with myself that there is no refuge but only in Christ, and I consulted my thoughts how to go to good company in meetings where I might find comfort from the people of God. In about two years and a quarter since, one morning I came to Mr. Squibb's to join with godly people that came there to prayer, though with a great deal of distraction in my mind. And I have shown my discontents and condition to him, which he was presently capable of. And he told me that if I had but a mind to see God and to repent, he was gracious and would receive me to mercy. The thing that I did earnestly beg of God was to know Christ crucified for me. And he told me that indeed was the best of all. And after some good instructions, which he had given me and some things from others, I was much delighted to frequent the meetings of God's servants. In good sermons, and I found many good operations upon my heart. And after very strong conflicts, which I had thus for about three quarters of a year, lying in my bed and waking all the night, and calling upon God to direct me to ask at His hands all things which might be for His glory and my comfort. and begging that the Lord would give me a settled heart that might not be dispersed to and fro with the things of the world. In the morning I fell into a slumber with God still in my thoughts, in which I heard as a world voice from heaven speaking to my heart and saying thus, Ask of God, a perfect upright heart to walk in His presence, which when I was more fully awake I took to be the motions of God's Spirit upon my conscience, which did fill me with much joy, provoking me to pray to the Lord to grant me that grace. In about two years since, the Lord gave me yet a sense of my sins in a greater measure than before, and my repentance was greater for my sins and more spiritual, and my hatred of sin more real. And I then found a sore combat between the flesh and the spirit, being more sensible how I had lived from the rule of the gospel and did yet come short of my duty therein. And it was a great grief to my heart that I could not live according to that which God had revealed of His will to me. And about this time, whilst I was troubled in spirit, I heard some things in ever all sermons preached by Master Bond, touching the sins of our natural corruptions, and what holiness God requires of us. And I heard Mr. Carter showing that we should strive to enter in at the narrow gate, so that it wrought in my heart a very great sense of my sins. And in these conflicts I met with many discouragements, and Satan did tempt me to despair, but the Lord sustained me. I considered that as a sinner I deserved nothing but damnation. But my comfort was in Christ, and my grief was interlaced with comfort. Sometimes I was in sorrow two or three days, and sometimes a week, and then again found comfort, and still often prayed to the Lord to lay no more weight upon me than He would give me strength to bear. And I found the Lord to be my shield and buckler, and remembered many promises from the Lord in which to this day I bless God I have and still do find much comfort. Psalm 34 verse 19. Many are the afflictions of the righteous, but the Lord delivers them out of them all. I have had many afflictions for my sins, but none but Christ's righteousness is my comfort, in whom I trust for deliverance. Ezekiel 33 verse 11. As I live, saith the Lord God, I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked. But did the wicked turn from its way and live? Turn you, turn you from your evil ways, for why will you die, O house of Israel? Matthew 11 verse 28. Come unto me, all you that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Ezekiel 18, verse 30. Repent and turn yourselves from all your transgressions, so iniquity shall not be your ruin. Isaiah 43, verse 25. I, even I, am he that blots out your transgressions for mine own sake. and will not remember your sins. These, in Diverthus, are promises I praise God I've had comfort from, and as the fruits of my faith and my love to God, I have these evidences wrought by His Spirit through faith on my heart, as a further manifestation of my interest in Christ. I believe in the promises of the free mercies of God and the merits of Christ, and can apply them with comfort to my own soul as mine faith. Number two, my heart and my mind affects God over all pleasures and joys in the world. And when I think of the things of the world in relation to God, I think that without God all is but vain and vanity. Number three. When I think of my crosses and afflictions in the world, then I lift up my heart to God and Christ and can say, having you, I have all things. If I have Christ, I have enough. Number four. My heart rejoices in duties and my soul doth more rejoice in hearing the word than in worldly pleasures. 5. I have the peace of God upon my conscience, which is more to me than all the things in the world, and makes me set the world in knot. And it is my prayer that I may never be without that peace of God whatever befalls me. 6. The Lord has given me a contented mind in what conditions however the Lord brings me to, and His Spirit works upon my heart, that I do not repine against His will. A. E. L.