It is needless to speak in his commendation, His works praise him in the gates. They that know him, know he had as real apprehensions of the things of God, and lived as much with God, and with his own heart, and more than the most of Christians do. He had his education at Immanuel-College in Cambridge. The Conversion and Change of his heart was wrought betimes when he lived in the University, and enjoyed Dr. Prestons Ministry, whereby God had the very best and strength of his parts and years for himself. When he was first awakened to looked after Religion, having before swam quietly in th• stream of the times, he was utterly at a loss which way to take, being much molested with suggestions of Atheism, (in the depths whereof Junius was quite lost for a time) and moved and tempted to the ways of Familism also; for some advised him in this condition to go to Grindlestone and to hear Mr. Brierley, and being informed that the people were wont to find a mighty possessing over powering presence, and work of the Spirit when they heard him, he resolved upon the journey; but God in mercy diverted him; having reserved him for better things. Yet he read what they said, and the Books of H. N. amongst the rest, where meeting with this passage, That a Christian is so swallowed up in the spirit, that what action soever the spirit moves him to, suppose whoredom, he may do it, and it is no sin to him; this was enough: for being against the light of his natural conscience, it bred in him an utter abhorrency of th•se loose and vile ways and principles ever after. This ⟨image 3⟩ada•tage also he had, that Doctor Tuckney was then his Tutor, whom he acquainted with his condition, and had his direction and help in those miserable fluctuations and straits of his soul. Happy is the man whose doubtings end in establishments, nil tam certum, quàm quod de dubio certum, but when men arrive in Scepticism, as the last issue & result of all their debates and thoughts of heart about Religion, it had been good for such if they had never been born.
It is needlesse to speak in his commendation, His works praise him in the gates. They that know him, know he had as real apprehensions of the things of God, and lived as much with God, and with his own heart, and more than the most of Christians do. He had his education at Immanuel-College in Cambridge. The Conversion and Change of his heart was wrought betimes when he lived in the Vniversity, and enjoyed Dr. Prestons Ministery, whereby God had the very best and strength of his parts and years for himself. When he was first awakened to lookt after Religion, having before swam quietly in th• stream of the times, he was utterly at a losse which way to take, being much molested with suggestions of Atheism, (in the depths whereof Junius was quite lost for a time) and moved and tempted to the wayes of Familism also; for some advised him in this condition to go to Grindlestone and to hear Mr. Brierley, and being informed that the people were wont to find a mighty possessing over powering presence, and work of the Spirit when they heard him, he resolved upon the journey; but God in mercy diverted him; having reserved him for better things. Yet he read what they said, and the Books of H. N. amongst the rest, where meeting with this passage, That a Christian is so swallow'd up in the spirit, that what action soever the spirit moves him to, suppose whoredome, he may do it, and it is no sin to him; this was enough: for being against the light of his natural conscience, it bred in him an utter abhorrency of th•se loose and vile wayes and principles ever after. This ⟨image 3⟩ada•tage also he had, that Doctor Tuckney was then his Tutor, whom he acquainted with his condition, and had his direction and help in those mis•rable fluctuations and straits of his soul. Happy is the man whose doubtings end in establishments, nil tam certum, quàm quod de dubio certum, but when men arrive in Scepticism, as the last issue & result of all their debates and thoughts of heart about Religion, it had been good for such if they had never been born.
