be faithful in shewing mercy to those who were ordained to it before the world was; therefore Christ Jesus seemed to be all in all to that man’s soul.  I was much wounded at this discourse, and brought into such a dilemma as I never expected.  I asked him, if he was to die that moment, whether he was sure to enter the kingdom of God? and added, ’Do you know that your sins are forgiven you?’ He answered in the affirmative.  Then confusion, anger, and discontent seized me, and I staggered much at this sort of doctrine; it brought me to a stand, not knowing which to believe, whether salvation by works or by faith only in Christ.  I requested him to tell me how I might know when my sins were forgiven me.  He assured me he could not, and that none but God alone could do this.  I told him it was very mysterious; but he said it was really matter of fact, and quoted many portions of scripture immediately to the point, to which I could make no reply.  He then desired me to pray to God to shew me these things.  I answered, that I prayed to God every day.  He said, ‘I perceive you are a churchman.’  I answered I was.  He then entreated me to beg of God to shew me what I was, and the true state of my soul.  I thought the prayer very short and odd; so we parted for that time.  I weighed all these things well over, and could not help thinking how it was possible for a man to know that his sins were forgiven him in this life.  I wished that God would reveal this self same thing unto me.  In a short time after this I went to Westminster chapel; the Rev. Mr. P——­ preached, from Lam. iii. 39.  It was a wonderful sermon; he clearly shewed that a living man had no cause to complain for the punishment of his sins; he evidently justified the Lord in all his dealings with the sons of men; he also shewed the justice of God in the eternal punishment of the wicked and impenitent.  The discourse seemed to me like a two-edged sword cutting all ways; it afforded me much joy, intermingled with many fears, about my soul; and when it was ended, he gave it out that he intended, the ensuing week, to examine all those who meant to attend the Lord’s table.  Now I thought much of my good works, and at the same time was doubtful of my being a proper object to receive the sacrament; I was full of meditation till the day of examining.  However, I went to the chapel, and, though much distressed, I addressed the reverend gentleman, thinking, if I was not right, he would endeavour to convince me of it.  When I conversed with him, the first thing he asked me was, what I knew of Christ?  I told him I believed in him, and had been baptized in his name.  ‘Then,’ said he, ’when were you brought to the knowledge of God? and how were you convinced of sin?’ I knew not what he meant by these questions; I told him I kept eight commandments out of ten; but that I sometimes swore on board ship, and sometimes when on shore, and broke the sabbath.  He then asked me if I could read?  I answered, ‘Yes.’—­’Then,’