I have stated but a few of the many great things the Lord hath done for me; and no doubt many friends wish I had omitted some things which I have related, and had been a little more explicit on others. I may also see these improprieties myself, and correct them in my next edition.
I now proceed to give a short account of my spiritual experience, which I trust, will be a little more edifying than the former part of this little work. May the great Head of the Church make it so to his own children; and, if they reap the least benefit by reading, God shall have the praise. While I remain,
_Convictions_—_Strivings_—_Bondage_—_Liberty_—_Promises_— _Encouragements_—_Success in Ministry_—_Temptations_—_Deliverances_—_Answers to Prayer_—_Present Situation and Experience_.
“And all thy children shall be taught of God.”
As God is determined to bring all his dear people home to glory, as the objects of his everlasting love, the subjects of his eternal choice, as the predestinated to the adoption of sons, as the purchase of his blood, and as the preserved in Christ Jesus, so, the means for their preparation for that glory is clearly specified in the Word—“Without holiness no man shall see the Lord;”—and this holiness is the Lord Jesus, as the elect Head of the Church. The wisdom, righteousness, and sanctification of them; but there can be no supernatural knowledge or enjoyment of the adorable Saviour, in this or in a coming world, till we are born again by the Spirit. It is the high privilege of God’s elect to be saved in the Lord with an everlasting salvation; but they must be born again to _know_ it. The elect people of God stand complete in Christ, before the Father; they are one in him, and with him; they are eternally pardoned and justified in Christ, and by Christ; but they must be born again to apprehend, lay hold, and be spiritually acquainted with those things; for Divine Truth has asserted—“Verily, I say unto you, except a man be born again, he cannot see [enjoy] the kingdom of heaven.” Men may profess much, talk well, write well, and preach well; but they are still in nature’s darkness, except this change has passed on them. This is called a new birth, a new creature, the good work, a translation, a calling, a transforming, a renewing: but, let this work go by what name it may, it is simply a change of _state_, and a change of _principles_, which produces a change of _conduct_. It is not a change of nature, but of state. Our sinful nature experiences no change; it is bridled, restrained, ruled, and kept in, but it is nature still. Neither is it any change on the body; only the members, through grace, are used in the service of God. I once thought this divine change was a change of nature. I once thought the body was the old man of sin; and no heart can conceive the labour, toil, tears, fastings, fears, horrors, and pains I have experienced, in consequence of these mistakes, which is nothing but labour in vain; for this Ethiopian cannot change his skin, nor this leopard his spots. That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and will remain so.