confirmed than ever. What those opinions were, I have already in brief declared; and they will occur again, and be more fully explained, as I proceed to relate the manner in which I was constrained to renounce them one after another, and to accede to those that were directly contrary thereto. Let it suffice to say, that I was brim full of proud self sufficiency, very positive, and very obstinate: and being situated in the neighbourhood of some of those whom the world called Methodists,* I joined in the

Methodist, as a stigma of reproach, was first applied to Mr. Wesley, Mr. Whitfield, and their followers; to those, who, though professing an attachment to our established Church, and disclaiming the name of Dissenters, were not conformists in point of paro chial order, but had separate seasons, places and assemblies for worship. The term has since been extended by many to all persons, whether clergy cr laity, who preach or profess the doctrines of the reformation, as expressed in the articles and liturgy of the Church. For this fault they must all submit to bear the reproachful name alike, especially the ministers; nor will the most regular and peaceable compliance with the injunctions of the rubric exempt them from it, if they avow the authorised, but now exploded doctrines

prevailing sentiment, held them in sovereign. contempt, spoke of them in derision, declaimed against them from the pulpit, as persons full of bigotry, enthusiasm, and spiritual pride; laid heavy things to their charge, and endeavoured to prove the doctrines which I supposed them to hold, (for I had never read their books,) to be dishonourable to God and destructive to morality. And though in some companies I chose to conceal some part of my sentiments, and in all,affected to speak as a friend to universal toleration : yet scarce any person could be more proudly, and violently prejudiced against both their persons and principles.

to which they have subscribed. My acquaintance, hitherto, has been only with Methodists of this latter description: and I have them only in view, whenever I use the term.

3

PART II.

Containing a History of this change; the Manner in which, and the Means by which it was at length effected.

IN January 1774, two of my parishioners, a man and his wife, lay at the point of death. I had heard of it, but according to my general custom, not being sent for, I took no notice of it but one evening, the woman being already dead, and the man dying, I heard that my neighbour Mr. had been several times to visit them. Immediately my conscience reproached me with being shamefully negligent, in sitting at home within a few doors of dying persons, my general hearers, and never going to visit them. Directly it occurred to me, that whatever contempt I might have for Mr.

's doctrines, I must acknowledge his practice to be more consistent with the min

isterial character than mine. He must have

more zeal and love for souls than I had, or he would not have walked so far to visit and supply my lack of care to those, who, as far as I was concerned, might have been left to perish in their sins.

This reflection affected me so much, that earnestly, yea, with tears and without delay, I besought the Lord to forgive my past neglect, and resolved thenceforth to be more attentive to this duty; which resolution, though at first formed in an ignorant dependence on my own strength, I have by divine grace been enabled hitherto to keep. Immediately I went to visit the survivor; and the affecting sight of one person already dead, and another expiring in the same chamber, served more deeply to impress my serious convictions: and from that time I have constantly visited the sick of my parishes, as far as I had opportunity; and have endeavoured, to the best of my knowledge, to perform that essential part of a parish minister's duty.

Some time after this, a friend recommended to my perusal the conclusion of

Bishop Burnet's history of his own times, especially that part which respects the clergy. It had the intended effect: I was considerably instructed and impressed thereby; I was convinced, that my entrance into the ministry had been the result of very wrong motives, was preceded with a very unsuitable preparation, and accompanied with a very improper conduct: some uneasiness was also excited in my mind, concerning my neglect of the important duties of that high calling. And though I was too much the slave of sin, devoted to other studies, and in love with this present world to relinquish my flattering pursuit of reputation and preferment, and change the course of my life, studies, and employments; yet I experienced, by intervals, desires and purposes at some future period, of devoting myself wholly to the work of the ministry, in the manner to which he exhorts the clergy.

All these thing increased the clamorous remonstrances of my conscience and at this time I lived without any secret religion, because, without some reformation in my con