e; for _"I know that my Redeemer liveth,"_ and I'm
thankful for every trial and trouble that I've met with, as I am not
without hope that they have been all sanctified to me.
The Calvinist Ministers desired to hear my Experience from myself, which
proposal I was very well pleased with: So I stood before 38 Ministers
every Thursday for seven weeks together, and they were all very well
satisfied, and persuaded I was what I pretended to be.--They wrote down
my experience as I spoke it; and the Lord Almighty was with me at that
time in a remarkable manner, and gave me words and enabled me to answer
them; so great was his mercy to take me in hand a poor blind heathen.
At this time a very rich Merchant at Amsterdam offered to take me into
his family in the capacity of his Butler, and I very willingly accepted
it.--He was a gracious worthy Gentleman and very good to me.--He treated
me more like a friend than a servant.--I tarried there a twelvemonth but
was not thoroughly contented, I wanted to see my wife; (that is now) and
for that reason I wished to return to _England_, I wrote to her once in
my absence, but she did not answer my letter; and I must acknowledge if
she had, it would have given me a less opinion of her.--My Master and
Mistress persuaded me much not to leave them and likewise their two Sons
who entertained a good opinion of me; and if I had found my Betty
married on my arrival in England, I should have returned to them again
immediately.
My Lady purposed my marrying her maid; she was an agreeable young woman,
had saved a good deal of money, but I could not fancy her, though she
was willing to accept of me, but I told her my inclinations were engaged
in England, and I could think of no other Person.--On my return home, I
found my Betty disengaged.--She had refused several offers in my
absence, and told her sister that, she thought, if ever she married I
was to be her husband.
Soon after I came home, I waited on Doctor Gifford who took me into his
family and was exceedingly, good to me. The character of this pious
worthy Gentleman is well known; my praise can be of no use or
signification at all.--I hope I shall ever gratefully remember the many
favours I have received from him.--Soon after I came to Doctor Gifford
I expressed a desire to be admitted into their Church, and set down with
them; they told me I must first be baptized; so I gave in my experience
before the Church, with which they were very well
|