goodness, gentleness and meekness in this Christian Land, I then
suffer'd great perplexities of mind.

I enquir'd if any serious Christian people resided there, the woman I
made this enquiry of, answer'd me in the affirmative; and added that she
was one of them.--I was heartily glad to hear her say so. I thought I
could give her my whole heart: she kept a Public-House. I deposited with
her all the money that I had not an immediate occasion for; as I thought
it would be safer with her.--It was 25 guineas but 6 of them I desired
her to lay out to the best advantage, to buy me some shirts, hat and
some other necessaries. I made her a present of a very handsome large
looking glass that I brought with me from Martinico, in order to
recompence her for the trouble I had given her. I must do this woman the
justice to acknowledge that she did lay out some little for my use, but
the 19 guineas and part of the 6, with my watch, she would not return,
but denied that I ever gave it her.

I soon perceived that I was got among bad people, who defrauded me of my
money and watch; and that all my promis'd happiness was blasted, I had
no friend but GOD and I pray'd to Him earnestly. I could scarcely
believe it possible that the place where so many eminent Christians had
lived and preached could abound with so much wickedness and deceit. I
thought it worse than _Sodom_ (considering the great advantages they
have) I cryed like a child and that almost continually: at length GOD
heard my prayers and rais'd me a friend indeed.

This publican had a brother who lived on Portsmouth-common, his wife was
a very serious good woman.--When she heard of the treatment I had met
with, she came and enquired into my real situation and was greatly
troubled at the ill usage I had received, and took me home to her own
house.--I began now to rejoice, and my prayer was turned into praise.
She made use of all the arguments in her power to prevail on her who had
wronged me, to return my watch and money, but it was to no purpose, as
she had given me no receipt and I had nothing to show for it, I could
not demand it.--My good friend was excessively angry with her and
obliged her to give me back four guineas, which she said she gave me out
of charity: Though in fact it was my own, and much more. She would have
employed some rougher means to oblige her to give up my money, but I
would not suffer her, let it go says I "My GOD is in heaven." Still I
did not mind my l