1For he removed thence to the Temple being designed for a Lawyer, and there (as in all places else) his profiting was not ordinary. I remember I heard him many a year after, warmly discourse of an occasional Moot-case he then read in the Temple, but God designed him for his Spiritual Temple, God brought him to London, where his Soul trouble was the Introduction to our intimate Acquaintance, which increased, and continued, while he lived. Now was the time of his effectual Calling, which was in some things like that of the blessed Apostle Paul, who was at once called to be a Christian and an Apostle; so this our Timothy, was at once called to be a Saint and a Minister. What the Throws of his New-birth were, are not fit to be made public; only this let me say, He was more abundant ⟨p. 8⟩in Spiritual cases of Conscience than ever any I have met with in my almost fifty Years Ministry. (And thanks to Divine Grace, I have been intimately acquainted with Christians as Eminent for Grace, as most in the Age, wherein they lived.) This new Convert had daily need of a more accomplished Guide than he made choice of: And therefore, tho' he desired to be one of my Family, yet, besides the want of suitable Conveniences, I recommended him to a more experienced and aged Casuist with whom he sometime continued; and tho' the Word of the Lord was as Fire in his Bosom, to be dispersed thence, for the kindling a holy Flame in others, yet the Concerns of his own Soul were so pressing upon him, that he ⟨p. 9⟩could comparatively mind nothing else. He went about with the Arrows of God sticking in his Conscience; and, now God furnished him with such a stock of Experiences, that he might counsel, and comfort others, with the very Method wherewith God refreshed him. Now he began to be restless, because he did Christ no service, fain he would do something, but the Office of the Ministry appeared so tremendous, that the thoughts of it made him tremble. ⟨p. 10⟩What shall he do? be idle he dares not, work in the Lord's Vineyard he dares not. Oh, the Perplexities of his Soul!
1For he removed thence to the Temple being design'd for a Lawyer, and there (as in all places else) his profiting was not ordinary. I remember I heard him many a year after, warmly discourse of an occasional Moot-case he then read in the Temple, but God design'd him for his Spiritual Temple, God brought him to London, where his Soul trouble was the Introduction to our intimate Acquaintance, which increased, and continued, while he lived. Now was the time of his effectual Calling, which was in some things like that of the blessed Apostle Paul, who was at once called to be a Christian and an Apostle; so this our Timothy, was at once called to be a Saint and a Minister. What the Throws of his New-birth were, are not fit to be made public; only this let me say, He was more abundant ⟨p. 8⟩in Spiritual cases of Conscience than ever any I have met with in my almost fifty Years Ministry. (And thanks to Divine Grace, I have been intimately acquainted with Christians as Eminent for Grace, as most in the Age, wherein they lived.) This new Convert had daily need of a more accomplish'd Guide than he made choice of: And therefore, tho' he desired to be one of my Family, yet, besides the want of sutable Conveniencies, I recommended him to a more experienced and aged Casuist with whom he sometime continued; and tho' the Word of the Lord was as Fire in his Bosom, to be dispersed thence, for the kindling a holy Flame in others, yet the Concerns of his own Soul were so pressing upon him, that he ⟨p. 9⟩could comparatively mind nothing else. He went about with the Arrows of God sticking in his Conscience; and, now God furnish'd him with such a stock of Experiences, that he might counsel, and comfort others, with the very Method wherewith God refresh'd him. Now he began to be restless, because he did Christ no service, fain he would do something, but the Office of the Ministry appear'd so tremendous, that the thoughts of it made him tremble. ⟨p. 10⟩What shall he do? be idle he dares not, work in the Lord's Vineyard he dares not. Oh, the Perplexities of his Soul!
- 1Temple.
