Englands duty under the present gospel liberty from Revel. III, vers. 20

I knew an excellent Minister, who proved an eminent Instrument in the Church of God, who in the beginning of his Ministerial Course, was not upon the right Foundation of Regeneration. This Man had rare Abilities, excellent Natural and Acquired Gifts, and could Preach of Regeneration, Faith, and Heavenly-mindedness, though he felt nothing of these things in his own Experience. His Life was very unblameable, and he had no mean Interest and esteem among good men. It pleased the Lord whilst this Man was studying an excellent Spiritual Point to preach to others, his Conscience first preached it in his Study to himself, and that with such a close and rousing Application, as made him to tremble at it; telling him, that though he had Gifts above many, and sobriety in his Conversation; yet one thing, and that the main thing Sanctifying Grace was wanting. Hereupon the pangs of the New Birth seized his Soul, and the Lord made him a most inward, searching, experimental Minister, and crowned his Labours with unusual Success. This Minister to his dying day, was ⟨p. 18⟩not ashamed in all companies to acknowledge his mistake, and bless God for his recovery out of it, and in most of his Sermons, he would endeavour to convince Professors of the necessity of a second Conversion.

I knew an excellent Minister, who proved an eminent Instrument in the Church of God, who in the beginning of his Ministerial Course, was not upon the right Foundation of Regeneration. This Man had rare Abilities, excellent Natural and Acquired Gifts, and could Preach of Regeneration, Faith, and Heavenly-mindedness, though he felt nothing of these things in his own Experience. His Life was very unblameable, and he had no mean Interest and esteem among good men. It pleased the Lord whilst this Man was studying an excellent Spiritual Point to preach to others, his Conscience first preach'd it in his Study to himself, and that with such a close and rousing Application, as made him to tremble at it; telling him, that though he had Gifts above many, and sobriety in his Conversation; yet one thing, and that the main thing Sanctifying Grace was wanting. Hereupon the pangs of the New Birth seized his Soul, and the Lord made him a most inward, searching, experimental Minister, and crown'd his Labours with unusual Success. This Minister to his dying day, was ⟨p. 18⟩not ashamed in all companies to acknowledge his mistake, and bless God for his recovery out of it, and in most of his Sermons, he would endeavour to convince Professors of the necessity of a second Conversion.