and quenched the motions of that Holy Spirit, that I was then, in some measure, given up to my own foolish, rebellious heart. Dress, novels, plays, cards, and balls, took up most of my time; so that my mother began to fear the consequences of my living so much above my station in life. But I would not now listen to her admonitions. I loved pleasures, and after them I would go.

What increased my vanity and pride was, that I was much beloved by my god-mother, a lady of very considerable fortune, and often spent most of the summer-months at Adlington with her; where I was always treated as if she intended to bestow a handsome fortune on me. She introduced me into the company of those in high life, and enabled me, by large presents, to dress in a manner suitable to such company. O how fatal, in general, are such prospects to a young mind! Yet, in all this, I still wished to preserve a religious appearance. I still frequented Church and Sacrament, still prayed night and morning; fasted sometimes, and espe cially in Lent and because I did these things, esteemed myself a far better Christian than my neighbours. Yea, so blind was 1, that I had a better opinion now of my own goodness than formerly, when I was far more earnest about salvation. What a proof that sin darkens the understanding!

In the summer of 1773, I was at Adlington with my god-mother above mentioned; when I heard various accounts of a Clergyman, whom my uncle Roe had recommended to be a curate

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at Macclesfield, and who was said to be a Methodist. This conveyed to my mind as unpleasing an idea of him, as if he had been called a Romish Priest: being fully persuaded, that to be a Methodist was to be all that is vile, under the mask of piety. These prejudices were owing to the false stories which, from time to time, I heard repeated to my father, when about seven or eight years old; and also many more, which my mother heard after his death, and to the present time; so that I believed their teachers were the false prophets spoken of in Scripture; that they deceived the illiterate, and were little better than common pick-pockets; that they filled some of their hearers with presumption, and drove others to despair; that with respect to their doctrines, they enforced chiefly, that whosoever embraced their tenets, which they called faith, might live as they pleased, in all sin, and be sure of salvation, and that all the world besides must be damned without remedy. That they had dark meetings, and pretended to cast out devils, with many other things equally false and absurd; but all of which I believed. I heard also, that this new Clergyman preached against all my favourite diversions, such as going to plays, reading novels, attending balls, assemblies, card-tables, &c. But I resolved he should not make a convert of me; and that if I found him, on my return home, such as was represented, I would not go often to hear him.

When I came back to Macclesfield, the whole town was in an alarm. My uncle Roe, and my

cousins, seemed very fond of Mr. Simpson, and told me, he was a most excellent man: but all the rest of my relations were exasperated against him. I asked, Is it true that he preaches against dancing? And said, I was resolved to take the first opportunity of conversing with him, being certain I could easily prove such amusements were not sinful. Being told what arguments he made use of, I revolved them in my mind; fully determined, if I found, upon reflection, I could answer them, I would. I first considered if any Scripture-example could be brought. I remembered to have read of Miriam's dancing; but it was to express her pious joy to the Lord, and as an act of worship, accompanied by a hymn of praise. David danced also, but it was in like manner, and from like motives. Herodias's daughter danced, but she was a heathen, and the cause of beheading a servant of God. Nothing, therefore, which I found in Scripture, countenanced dancing in any measure. 1 then began to consider the objections urged against it. One of these was, That as it tends to levity and trifling mirth, so it enervates the mind, dissipates the thoughts, weakens, if not stifles, serious and good impressions, and quite indisposes the mind for prayer. I asked, in my own heart, Is not this a truth? Conscience answered in the affirmative. Mr. Simpson pleads further, What good is promoted hereby? I would gladly have had it to urge, it promotes health but many instances of those who have lost health, and even life, within my own know. ledge, thro attending this very diversion, would

not permit this. Among others, I had a recent proof in Miss H., who, by a violent cold and surfeit, got at an assembly, was thrown into a gallopping consumption; and, in a few months, fled to an awful eternity. Again, he pleads, Are you made better Christians, better husbands, better children hereby? Better Christians I was conscious none could be, for having the mind dissipated, and unfitted for prayer. Some husbands I knew, who were not made better, and some wives, who, to support extravagant dress on such occasions, had greatly injured their families. For my own part, I was conscious it had led me to dress, and to expenses, not suited to my present situation in life. These thoughts brought powerful convictions to my mind, notwithstanding my desire to resist them. I could not deny that truth in particular; that those who habitually attend such pleasures, lose all relish for spiritual things. God is shut out of their thoughts and hearts; prayer, if they use any, is full of wanderings, or, perhaps wholly neglected; and death put as far as possible out of sight, lest the thought should spoil their pleasures. I was conscious, beyond a doubt, these were the fruits, this delusive pleasure had wrought in my soul and, comparing my present state of mind with what it was before I entered upon this diversion, so mistakenly called innocent, I found cause to be deeply ashamed. But then, if this be really true, said I to myself, I ought not to follow this amusement any longer: and can I give it up? My vile heart replied, I cannot, I will

not! The Spirit of God whispered, Will you then indulge yourself in what you know to be sin? Would you wish to be struck dead in the ball-room!' My conflict was great: yet I was resolved to run all hazards rather than give up this pleasure. Therefore, I stifled these convictions with all my might; and, after this, ran more eagerly than ever, into all pleasurable follies. O my patient, long-suffering God, tears of grateful love and praise overflow mine eyes, when I consider my deep rebellion, and thy sparing mercy!

About this time I grew tired of novels, and took great delight in reading history. I went through several English and Roman histories: Rollins' Ancient History, and Stackhouse's History of the Bible, intending to go through the Universal History also. And now I believed myself far wiser than any person of my age. Upon the whole, I believe I was, at this time, on the pinnacle of destruction! And had a just and holy God then cut the brittle thread of life, I know I should have sunk into hell. "But love had swifter wings than death, and mercy to my rescue flew!"

In October, 1773, a neighbour of my mother's being very ill, and very poor, I went to visit her, and found her, to my great surprise, joyfully triumphing over death, yea, longing to be gone. This affected me much; for I felt I was in a quite different state; that if death should approach me, he would be a king of terrors! And I had no hope of happiness be yond the grave. About this time also, Mr. Simpson's sermons began to sink more deeply