faith: indeed all of those who by faith mean only a fyftem of Arminian or Calvinian Opinions. Such is, fecondly, a Religion of Forms of barely outward Worship, how conftantly foever performed; yea, though we attended the Church fervice every day, and the Lord's Supper every Sunday. Such is, thirdly, a Religion of Works, of feeking the favour of God, by doing good to men. Such is, laftly, a Religion of Atheism; that is, every Religion whereof God is not laid for the foundation. In a word, a Religion wherein God in Chrift reconciling the world unto himself, is not the Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, the first and the laft point. [To be concluded in our next.] A Short Account of Mr. GEORGE SHADFORD. AT [Written by Himself.] [Continued from page 74.] i T this time both my parents were taken very ill, which was cause of great trouble to me. For, I was much affraid they would die. One day while I was greatly distressed about them, and knew not what to do; at last it came into my mind, "Go to prayer for them." I I went up ftairs, fhut myfelf in, and, if ever I prayed in my life from my heart, I did it at this time. I remember in particular, that I prayed to the Lord, to raise them up again, and fpare them four or five years longer. This prayer he graciously condefcended both to hear and anfwer, for the one lived about four, the other near five years afterward; and was truly converted to God. I have looked upon it a kind providence that brought a Methodist farmer to the place of my nativity, while I was abfent got abfent in the militia, who received the Methodist Preachers, and had formed a little Society juft ready for me when I home. I was now determined to feek happiness in God, and therefore went conftantly to Church and Sacrament, and to hear the Methodift Preachers; to pray, and read the fcriptures. I thought, I will be good. I am determined to be good; but alas, in about fix or eight weeks, infiead of being very good, 1 faw my heart was corrupt and nothing but fin. I read at night different prayers. Sometimes I prayed for humility or meeknefs; at other times for faith, patience or chastity: whatever I thought I wanted moft. I was thus employed, when the family were in bed, for hours together. And many times whil reading the tears ran from my eyes, fo that I could read no further: and when I found my heart foftened and could open it to Almighty God, there feemed a fecret pleasure in repentance itself; with an hope fpringing up that God would fave me, and bestow his pardoning mercy. While I was thus imployed in seeking the Lord, and drawn by the Spirit of God, I esteemed it more than my necellary food. A little after this, I went to fee an uncle at Eaft Ferry and as we were reading the feventh chapter of the Epiftle to the Romans, he afked me if the latter part of that chapter belonged to St. Paul in his converted fiate? I faid I could not tell: but if it was St. Paul's converted state, I said it is exactly mine. "For that which I do, I allow not, for what I would, that do I not, but what I hate, that do I. Now, if I do that I would not, it is no more I that do it, but fin that dwelleth in me." I then began to flatter myself saying "furely I am converted. I truft I am in a fafe ftate." And it is well if hundreds do not rest here. But the Lord did not fuffer me to take convictions for conversion. After those pleasant drawings, I had forrow and deep diftrefs. My fins preffed me fore, and the hand of the Lord was very heavy upon me. Thus I continued until Sunday the 5th of May 1762, coming out of Church the farmer that received the the Preachers, told me a ftranger was to preach at his houfe. I went to hear him, and was pleased, and much affected. He gave notice that he would preach again in the evening. In the mean time I perfuaded as many neighbours as I could to go.. We had a full house, and feveral were greatly affected while he published his crucified Mafter. Toward the latter part of the fermon I trembled; I fhook; I wept. I thought "I cannot stand it, I shall fall down amidst all this people." Oh! how gladly would I have been alone to weep; for, I was tempted with fhame. I well remember he called out at last and faid: "Is there any young man here about my age willing to give up all and come to Chrift? Let him come and welcome, for all things are now ready." I thought before this he was preaching to me; but now I was fure he spoke to me in particular. I flood guilty and condemned like the publican in the temple. I cried out (so that others might hear, being pierced to the heart with the fword of the Spirit)" God be merciful to me a finner." No fooner had I expreffed these words; but by the eye of faith, (not with my bodily eyes) I faw Chrift my advocate at the right hand of God, making interceffion for me. I believed he loved me, and gave himself for me. In an inftant the Lord filled my foul with divine love, as quick as lightening: so fuddenly did the Lord, whom I fought, come to his temple. Immediately my eyes flowed with tears, and my heart with love. Tears of joy and forrow ran mingled down my cheeks. O! what sweet distress was this! I seemed as if I could weep my life away in tears of love. I fat down in a chair, for I could ftand no longer. And these words ran through my mind twenty times over. "Marvelous are thy works, and that my foul knoweth right well." I knew not then that these words were in the fcripture, until I opened on them in the Pfalms, when I got home. As I walked home along the streets I feemed to be in paradise. When I read my Bible it seemed an intire new book. When I meditated on God and Chrift, angels or fpirits: When I confidered good, or bad men, any or all the creatures which furrounded me on every fide: Every thing appeared new, and stood in a new relation to me. I was in Chrift a new creature, old things were done away, and all things become new. I lay down at night in peace with a thankful heart, because the Lord had redeemed me, and given me peace with God and all mankind. I thought I never should be troubled with the fin that did most easily befet me; and faid within myfelf," the enemies I have feen this day, I fhall see them no more for ever." I felt the truth of those words "How happy are they, Who the Saviour obey, And have laid up their treasure above! Tongue cannot express The fweet comfort and peace Of a foul in its earliest love. On the wings of his love I was carried above All fin and temptation and pain: I ever fhould grieve, I ever should suffer again." But no fooner had I peace within, than the devil and wicked men began to rore without; and pour forth floods of lies and scandal in order to drown the young child. And no marvel, for the devil had loft one of the main pillars of his kingdom in that parish. And therefore he did not leave a stone unturned, that he might caft an odium upon the work of God in that place. But none of these things moved me, for I was happy, happy, in my God; clothed with the fun, and the moon under my feet; raised up, and made to fit in heavenly, holy, happy, places in Chrift Jesus. In a fortnight after I was joined in Society. When I joined, there were twelve in Society, chiefly old people. This was a ittle trial to me at firft; but I thought it my duty to caft in my lot among them; for I was certain the Methodists (under God) were the happy inftruments of my falvation. Therefore I knew I could not better recommend the good caufe to others, than by joining them, and letting my light fhine before men, that others might take knowledge I had been, with Jefus. It is really marvellous, that all who are awakened have not refolution enough heartily to unite in fellowship with the people. of God. It is very rare that fuch make any progrefs. The bleffed fpirit is grieved, and they remain barren and unfruitful. Were they faithful in obeying the spirit of God, in taking up their crofs, and fetting an example to others, they might bring much glory to God, as well as cbtain great peace and happiness to their own fouls. My greatest concern now was for my relations. I had a father, and mother, fifter and brother, all strangers to God. My father was fixty years old, and my mother near it. I scarcely ever went to the throne of grace without bearing them before the Lord in earnest prayer, and found great encouragement fo to do. One night I took courage to speak to them in as humble a manner as I could; with respect to family prayer. I told them, I believed they had brought us up in the fear of God as far as they knew; but we never had any family prayer. I added, If it is agreeable to you, I will endeavour to pray in the best manner I can. On their confenting we went into another room. I had not spoke many words in prayer, before they were both in tears. When we arofe from prayer, we wept over one another, and what seemed to affect them moft, was to be taught by their child, when they ought to have taught me. I continued to pray for them every night and morning for half a year. My father at length began to be in deep diftrefs. I have liftened, and heard him in private crying for mercy, like David out of the horrible pit, and mire and clay, "O!. Lord, deliver my foul." I began to reprove, exhort, and VOL. XIII. R warn |