,transcriber's ,note3 ,minor typographical errors have been corrected without note4 ,irregularities and inconsistencies in the text have been retained as printed4 ,words printed in italics are noted with underscores3 italics4 ,the cover of this ebook was created by the transcriber and is hereby placed in the public domain4 ,a ,,short ,,account ,,of ,,the ,,extraordinary ,,life ,,and ,,travels ,,of ,h4 ,l4 ,l4---- ,,native ,,of ,st4 ,,domingo1 ,,now ,a ,,prisoner ,,of ,,war ,,at ,,ashbourn1 ,,in ,,derbyshire2 ,shewing the ,remarkable steps of ,divine ,providence towards him1 and the means of his ,conversion to ,,god4 ,naked came ,i out of my ,mother's womb1 and naked shall ,i return thither3 the ,,lord gave1 and the ,,lord hath taken away2 ,blessed be the name of the ,,lord4 ,job4 chap4 #a ver4 #ba ,thy ,righteousness is like the great mountains2 thy judgment are a great deep3 ,o ,,lord1 thou preservest ,man and ,beast4 ,psalm4 ,chap4 #cf ver4 #f4 ,,written ,,by ,,his ,,own ,,hand4 ,,entered ,,at ,,stationers ,,hall4 ,,printed ,,and ,,sold ,,by ,,parkes ,,ashbourn1 ,,burditt ,,london1 ,,and ,,pritchard ,,derby4 ,price ,one ,shilling4 ,,observation4 ,it is not doubtful1 7as it is a common method in this world17 that my life1 and all what is contained therein1 will be contradicted and criticised2 but as it hath pleased ,,god to reveal unto me the mystery of the way of the truth1 7of which ,i hope ,i am not ignorant27 therefore ,i expect persecutions1 contradictions1 and criticism to take place2 knowing1 that whosoever will live according to the ,gospel of ,,christ1 must while in this vale of tears go through much sufferings and pains3 for thus is the road that leads to everlasting happiness4 ,therefore let every true born soul know1 that as our ,,saviour suffered for us3 so must we in return for the blessing of ,redemption1 suffer for his sake1 for unto us it is given1 in the behalf of ,,christ1 not only to believe on him1 but also to suffer for his sake4 phi4 chap4 #a4 ver4 #bi4 ,i therefore leave to the public to say what they please of this book2 but the ,,god in whom ,i have trusted shall be the judge of it4 ,finally1 the decisive day of our ,,lord1 will put a determination to all our works1 whether they be acceptable1 or not4 ,,to ,,the ,,reader4 ,in reading this little work1 7not only to read but to meditate17 you will see the great disappointments that there is in those things1 the riches of this world4 which men put their trust4 ,oh6 reader1 art thou of that unhappy number8 if thou art1 delay no longer1 but go to ,,jesus ,,christ1 who is the fountain of durable riches1 and take with thee the words of the ,pot8 whom have ,i in heaven but thee that can thy creature bless8 what were all the ,earth to me1 if a stranger to thy peace8 all is vanity but ,,christ1 pain and darkness1 and dispair1 rankling in a sinner's breast1 till thou art present there4 ,art thou in prosperity1 be ,joyful1 and praise thy ,,god2 art thou in adversity1 consider3 for ,,god hath set the one over against the other1 to the end that man should find nothing after him4 ,be not as those1 which through weakness of faith1 dare not trust their ,,god1 whensoever in poverty or distress2 for ,i never knew of any that trusted in ,,god1 and were yet confounded2 ,he surely will supply the wants of all those who being sensible of their sins1 groan after him3 and lo1 7says ,,christ7 ,i am with you alway1 even unto the end of the world4 ,read1 and read again this book1 that thou mightest know1 that wheresoever ,,god hath a child1 there will his eyes be1 and that to protect him2 though he may run to a certain degree of sins and wickedness1 but at last ,he will snatch him as a bran from the eternal burning1 and let him know1 that it is not of him that willeth1 nor of him that runneth1 but of his good pleasure to shew mercy4 ,oh6 had not ,,god shown his mercy to me1 where should ,i have been8 in the broad road that leads to everlasting misery1 yea in the dark and dolesome dungeon of dispair1 without a glimmering ray of hope2 everlastingly bewailing my miserable destiny4 ,see how the words of the holy prophet prove true to my case2 ,i am sought of them that asked not for me2 ,i am found of them that sought me not4 ,oh6 if ever ,i am so happy as to reach within a blessed view of the happy possession of saints1 what a debtor shall ,i be to mercy and free grace alone2 to save such an ungovernable and unwilling creature as ,i3 ,oh6 my soul it is hard for thee to kick against the pricks#a6 thou1 who hast so long despised1 rejected1 and set at nought the commandments of ,,god1 art now through thy ,,saviour',s obedience and blood brought to know the way of ,salvation4 #a ,i allude this passage to a ,ship going straightways against the wind2 for it is no more in the power of a sinner to resist the will and mercies of ,,god1 than it is possible for a ,ship to go straightways against the wind4 ,dear reader1 art thou a blasphemer1 or a despiser of the words of ,,god8 if thou art1 ,i will advise thee to take a warning in reading my case1 and to consider about it1 for fear thou shouldest be plunged for ever into eternal misery4 ,delay no longer to open thy case before the merciful ,,god1 though it should be ever so desperate2 for ,he is all-sufficient1 yea all-powerful1 to plead the cause of thine immortal soul1 and to bring to pass whatsoever thou shalt commit into his hands1 for ,he ever liveth to make intercession for sensible#b sinners1 and to brighten their evidences for the approaching of a future and everlasting ,glory4 #b ,remember1 that ,,god makes us sensible that we are sinners4 ,didst thou ever read1 or hear mentioned1 of the compassionate invitation of our blessed ,,saviour when ,he lived on ,earth2 where ,he saith1 him that cometh to me 7believing7 ,i will in no wise cast out1 but ,i will raise him up at the last day4 ,perhaps thou say'st in thine own heart1 ,,christ is no more upon the ,earth that ,i might go to him4 ,knowest thou not faithless man or woman1 that though ,,christ is no more upon the ,earth1 that ,he is the same yesterday1 to day1 and for ever2 and hath the same power to save and to bring to heaven whom ,he will3 and now that ,he is in his holy mansion1 is ,he not still the same8 yea1 ,he is still entreating his ,father on our behalf1 and his bowels are always melting in mercy towards us his rebellious ,children2 and his most precious arms and pierced hands1 which we ourselves have crucified1 are always extended to receive prodigals and backsliders home3 for ,i am 7says ,,christ7 the friend of sinners1 ,i eateth and drinketh with them2 therefore let him that is athirst come1 and take of the water of life freely4 ,oh6 reader1 whoever thou art1 ,i pray ,,god through ,grace1 that thou and ,i1 might be of that happy and highly favoured number1 that shall sing above with the innumerable legions of blessed ,angels1 the chorus of the victory of a wounded and suffering ,,saviour4 ,,amen4 ,h4 ,l4 ,l4 ,,introduction4 ,ever since the ,,god of truth was pleased to open my blind eyes1 and ,lead me to the knowledge of the truth1 ,i have often meditated upon my ,life past1 and how the divine providence of ,,god1 has delivered1 and preserved1 such a worthless creature as ,i out of divers dangers3 ,i therefore think it proper and useful to take my pen1 and give a short account of my ,life1 and my calling to the knowledge of the true and living ,,god1 hoping that by the ,blessing of the ,eternal ,,jehovah1 it may be made useful to those who ,love to meditate upon the mysterious ways of the wonder working ,,god4 ,i was born in the once proud and haughty ,island of ,st4 ,domingo1 in the ,parish of ,st4 ,rose1 of ,ancient and respectable parents4 ,my ,father and ,mother1 were the most accomplished union according to their ,religion and ways of worshiping2 they were equal in fortune1 for they had each a plantation1 when united together made them an exceeding good livelihood4 ,but ,i have not taken my pen for to write my parents ,history1 but my own3 here then my narration shall begin4 ,in the year one thousand seven-hundred and eighty-three1 the ,sixth of ,september1 betwixt eight and nine o',clock in the morning ,i was brought forth into a ,world of troubles1 and was baptised the twenty-fourth of ,november in the same year1 by ,father ,julien ,capuchin ,missionary ,curate2 and had for ,god-father my ,mother's ,brother1 and for ,god-mother my ,father's ,sister4 ,from the day that ,i was born1 ,i never enjoyed a good state of health2 for ,i was so weak and ,sickly1 that ,i looked more like a ,spectre than a human creature2 for my ,death was daily and ,hourly expected1 in me was seen the very picture of ,death3 ,i was in that situation till ,i attained my seventh year2 when ,i was forced to leave a ,mother by whom ,i was dearly loved1 and a ,father that cherished me above all earthly creatures4 ,for one ,morning ,i yet very well remember1 7though ,i did not expect it17 my ,father called me and my two eldest ,brothers also1 and lead us into my ,mother's chamber1 where ,i saw her weeping bitterly3 when there ,i could not help asking her what was the matter that she was crying so2 she made no reply but by sighs and tears2 when in a sympathetic manner she took me up in her arms and pressed me with tenderness to her bosom and bedewed my innocent face with tears2 it was with great difficulty that she consented to let me go2 and then she kissed my ,brothers in the like manner1 when we left her to sooth her sorrows1 and to console herself to the loss3 in the mean time my ,father handed us into our coach1 and gave orders to drive away to ,town4 ,i was some time silent1 effected by this sudden change2 when looking through the window of the coach1 ,i saw both my little ,sisters stretching out their arms as if it were to bid me the last ,adieu2 the scene was so affecting1 that ,i could not restrain myself but to ask my ,father where we were going to2 7for ,i did not know any thing about that sudden journey47 ,he satisfied me1 by saying1 that he was sending us into ,france for our education1 and that he would spare no expence to give us a good one4 ,in the afternoon we reached the ,town1 and alighted at the ,crown-,hotel3 my ,father being not well in health1 we were obliged to delay our voyage for the space of three weeks2 and when the appointed time was come to separate us from a ,father dear and tender1 ,i was taken very ill1 in which state ,i remained for some days2 at the same time the ,captain of the ,ship came to let my ,father know that he could not wait any longer1 and that he was to weigh ,anchor the next day4 ,my ,father1 though very ill1 said1 well1 they shall be ready to go with you to-morrow4 7,i was then but indifferent in health47 ,the most affecting parting took place1 he took us by the hand and led us to the ,sea-side where we were to embark1 and said1 in the most pathetic manner4--,my most beloved ,children6 the time is now come that you must be parted from a ,father1 by whom you are dearly loved2 receive for the last time from my almost dead lips1 the pledge and tenderness of my love towards you2 for ,i know ,i shall never live to see you again1 so take the last parting of your ,father1 for you shall never see him any more2 to day is the last time that you will behold the ,author of your days3 my duty forced me to send you into ,france1 and your education will be a friend to you when in distress4 ,before we parted he recommended us to a gentleman that was on board1 and that nothing should be wanted for our care4 ,and then he withdrew1 extending his arms once more towards us in the most distressing manner3 so that we were filled with grief and sorrow to see our ,father in such a melancholy state4 ,we begun our course with a fair wind and good weather1 which continued for several days4 ,about twenty days after we were upon the ,sea1 the wind rose with such violence1 that we expected every instant to be cast into the depth of the ,ocean3 we was in that situation for a considerable time1 till at last it pleased the ,,almighty to appease the waves1 and to send fair weather4 ,we were seventy-two days in crossing the immense ,ocean1 at the end of which we landed at ,bordeaux4 ,myself and my ,brothers were received with great kindness by our ,banker1 to whom we delivered the letter concerning our coming into ,france4 ,the next day we were sent to school in the same ,town1 to give us the first beginning of education before we could go to ,college4 ,three months after we were arrived in ,france1 we received a letter sealed in black from our ,mother1 in which the ,death of our ,father was confirmed3 his last parting from this ,world is too cutting to relate4 7,i hope he died happy1 and hope to meet him in ,glory47 ,though ,i was so young1 the impression of the ,death of my ,father plunged me into such a melancholy state1 that soon after ,i was seized with a violent fever2 no rest was to be found for a long while3 in the strongest of my pain ,i used to get out of my bed and run about the chamber like a madman1 crying out1 ,oh6 my ,father6 my ,father is no more4 ,i was in that state for six months1 before my health was established4 ,as my ,father's desire was to give us a good education1 he told my ,mother when on his ,death-bed1 that we must be removed as soon as possible to the ,college3 accordingly we were sent into the ,south of ,france1 at the distance of two-hundred and twenty miles from ,bordeaux1 to the ,college of ,soreze1 one of the most eminent places of teaching that ever existed since the ,world began2 for every thing1 consisting of ,arts and ,sciences was to be learned4 ,here is an account of what the ,college consisted4 ,teaching ,masters1 ninety2 besides ten prefects to maintain the police into the yards3 and twelve-hundred scholars4 ,instruments of ,music of all sorts to be learned2 ,latin1 ,greek1 ,german1 ,spanish1 ,english1 ,italian1 and ,french tongues to be learned2 ,writing of different sorts2 ,reading1 ,arithmetic2 ,drawing of all kinds1 both of ,human-likeness1 as also the ,landscape3 ,dancing1 both ,french and ,english2 ,ancient ,history1 ,chronology1 ,literature1 ,declamation1 ,fortification1 ,structure1 ,poesy1 ,rhetoric1 ,philosophy1 ,natural ,history1 ,geometry1 ,geography1 ,trigonometry1 ,statics1 ,fencing1 ,riding1 ,military ,exercise1 ,natation1 ,architecture1 ,algebra1 ,mythology1 ,theology1 ,cosmography1 c4 ,i took such a delight in learning1 that all my ,masters were pleased with my conduct2 but this did not last long1 for one evening the ,director of the ,college called me and my ,brothers1 and said1 here is a letter from your ,mother that ,i have just received4 ,on opening the letter ,i saw these words4 ,my most beloved ,children1 it is with grief and sorrow1 that ,i took the pen to inform you of all the misfortunes which have destroyed ,st4 ,domingo2 your fortune#c is lost for ever1 it is only in your ,education1 that you will be able to recover it3 my long silence would perhaps make you think that ,i have perished among so many ,victims which were destroyed in that unhappy ,island1 no6 the ,,lord was pleased to save me from so many dangers1 that ,i might be useful again to you2 and ,i hope that by his ,mighty ,power1 ,he will restore you again to the bosom of a languishing ,mother1 whose arms are always open to receive your tender embraces4 #c ,behold1 ,he taketh away1 who can hinder him8 who will say unto him1 what doest thou8 ,job4 chap4 #i4 ver4 #ab4 ,my dear ,children1 ,i can hardly hold my pen to inform you of the gloomy and unhappy end of both your ,sisters2 they are no more6 poison has put them into the grave3 for all the springs and wells were poisoned1 by which perished many others also4 ,your ,uncle and ,aunt ,p4---- with their ,children1 in number thirteen1 had their heads cut off upon a block in less than half-an-hour4 ,your ,uncle ,v4---- was cut to pieces upon an hedge#d4 ,a great many of your relations ,i need not mention1 perished in the most cruel manner3 the magnificent ,city of du ,cap-,francais is burnt down to ashes by the ,negroes2 no more for the present ,adieu1 ,adieu1 ,adieu2 my poor unfortunate ,children1 ,adieu4 ,m4 ,l4 ,f4 ,m4 ,l4 #d ,being ,persued by the ,negroes1 and as he was escaping over an hedge1 his ,horse alighted2 where the ,barbarous ,negroes cut him in small pieces with their ,swords4 ,after reading this letter1 the ,director said unto us1 my dear little friends1 ,i am deeply sorry for all your misfortunes1 and still more so1 that ,i am obliged to send you out of the ,college2 but my means do not permit me to keep you any longer1 you must be ready against to morrow morning1 ,i shall bear the charges of your ,travel from hence to ,bordeaux3 here is a letter for your ,banker1 that you are to deliver soon after your arrival thither4 ,never was a sentence more dreadful to me than this2 torrents of tears fell from my eyes2 my ,heart was almost broken3 ,i was in such a deplorable situation concerning these sad tidings that ,i thought ,i should never be able to see the returning of the ,day4 ,clouds of ,gloominess hung upon my mind2 all the night long no rest was to be found1 neither in mind or body2 and was forced to rise up1 as ,i layed me down4 ,we begun our journey in a coach and went as far as ,toulouse1 a ,city1 where we took a ,boat1 and finished our voyage by water1 and arrived safe at ,bordeaux4 ,we went to our ,banker1 and were received with great kindness4 ,during our residence there1 the most atrocious cruelty was exercised upon the people of the ,town#e2 ,blood was daily shed by those barbarous race of ,human kind1 who cry down ,government3 nothing was seen but terror and abomination2 the innocent ,blood was continually running under the fatal stroke of the ,guillotine1 and every branch of ,royalty was to be destroyed3 being afraid that we should be apprehended1 we were put at an old ,dutch ,woman's house not far from our ,bankers3 there we enjoyed some little comfort1 being quite retired from the ,world4 ,she being a protestant1 7and our banker likewise17 she used to entertain us with a deal of conversation about ,,christ1 and shewed us all the errors of ,popery2 but all this did not enter into my mind1 because ,i was always thinking about my unfortunate fate4 ,my ,brothers used to go with her to ,chapel1 which was just by the house2 but as for me ,i was so unhappy1 that ,i never could constrain myself to go2 though she used to say1 your happiness that you have lost1 will be found there1 if you could take upon yourself to go3 but all this was quite new to me1 and ,i gave but very little attention to it4 ,i remained with her till ,,god was pleased to put a stop to the sheding of blood4 #e ,alluding to the ,french ,revolution4 ,about that time ,i heard that my ,aunt ,v4---- was arrived in ,town2 ,i hurried myself to go and see her3 and found that she was married again1 and to a stranger1 who received me with the greatest kindness4 ,he being a man that followed the ,tobacco business1 made a proposal to our ,banker that we should stay with him as being near relations to us1 which was easily granted3 and we began to work with him in his business4 ,at first he shewed us a deal of kindness1 but it soon vanished away1 for he became a tyrant to us1 especially against me who was the youngest3 many a time ,i went to bed with a hungry belly2 ,i wanted all the necessaries of life1 hardly clothes to put on my back1 beaten shamefully2 ,i was the greatest slave that ever lived1 for ,i used to go to work as soon as it was light1 and work till midnight3 many a time ,i was so harassed and tired1 that ,i used to fall asleep at my work1 and awoke in the same place to begin again my slavery4 ,i was so tired of that course of life1 that ,i resolved to run away2 accordingly ,i did1 and went to my ,banker for protection2 but my pretended ,uncle knowing of it1 came and told him not to listen to what ,i said1 that ,i was a ,child and wanted correction4 ,but he said unto him1 those ,children are not yours1 they are under my care1 and for that reason ,i will not have them treated in such a cruel manner2 and am sorry ,i ever let them go to live with you1 but for the future ,i hope you will behave better4 ,he promised that he would4 ,my ,banker bought me a suit of clothes which ,i took with me1 and followed my barbarous ,tyrant4 ,when at home he appeared more reserve1 but for all that1 ,i could perceive in his dissembled face that he still bore a hatred against me4 ,i was not mistaken1 for he soon began again with me1 and threatened to flog me4 ,i rose up from my chair in a passion filled with despair1 and said to him2 ,i am nothing to you1 neither ,child or relation1 why should you thus ill use me8 if my poor ,father who is now mixed among the dust was alive1 he would have taken my part1 and not suffered me to be abused thus by such a ,rascally beggar1 and vile ,wretch as you are#f4 ,he flew into such a passion1 that he did not know what to do2 till the ,devil which was so powerful in him1 excited him to dispatch me to the other ,world4 ,for that purpose he seized a long knife#g which was by1 and run towards me to perpetrate his atrocious deed2 but seeing him coming with such vehemence1 ,i ran under the table1 by which he missed his aim and fell all his length upon the floor3 in the mean time both my ,brothers jumped upon his back and were assisted by my ,cousin and others1 to take the abominable weapon out of his hands4 ,he was in such a rage when he was set free1 that he frothed like a wild beast4 ,i took the opportunity while they were with him1 to fetch a few of my clothes which was in the room next to that where he was1 and coming again before his presence with my bundle under my arm1 ,i said1 ,brothers follow me1 let this miserable ,savage live by himself2 then ,i run from the spot and went to my ,banker1 and gave him an account of every thing that had passed4 ,he was sorry to hear it1 but said1 there is a ,ship that is going to ,guadeloupe in the ,west-,indies1 ,i will send you there as soon as possible3 when there you will perhaps find an opportunity to join your ,mother4 #f ,this was the first time ,i ever dar'd to contend with him1 but the remembrance of my ,father and former state rose in me such a violent spirit1 that ,i spoke to him with such a ,gloomy tone of voice1 that all those that were present could not help but pity my situation4 #g ,no weapon that is formed against thee shall prosper4 ,isaiah chap4 #ed4 ver4 #ag4 ,we were made ready for our voyage that was to take place in a few days2 our ,banker gave us a draught for one hundred ,dollars1 on a merchant in ,guadeloupe4 ,we took leave of him1 and thanked him for the care he had taken of us during our residence in that ,country4 ,we began our voyage with a fair gale of wind1 but it soon altered1 and we were obliged to cast ,anchor at the mouth of the ,river1 and remained there till the weather was fair3 the eleventh day seeing the weather and wind favorable we weighed ,anchor1 no sooner were we under sail1 but there rose such a violent tempest1 that we thought our endeavours would have been without success2 for we were surrounded by dreadful rocks1 and the ,sea roared with such impetuosity1 that it filled our ,ship almost with water4 ,another ,ship that was close by us1 was already dashed to pieces against the rocks4 ,never was a scene more ,gloomy1 and cutting than this2 for we had seventy ,women and ,children passengers on board1 which put ,terror into every ,heart3 nothing was heard but cries and ,prayers4 ,we were in such great dangers that no one had strength to work1 and we left the ,ship to ,,god's mercy1 expecting every minute to share the same fate as the other ,vessel had4 ,the most affecting sight was to be seen1 every soul prostrated upon the deck1 calling and exalting their voices for ,,god's merciful protection2 till at last a young ,man who was a ,passenger#h started up and taking the helm1 said1 my ,friends do not despair1 ,i will be bound to take you out of danger1 revive your spirits1 and help me says he1 we shall soon get free from the rocks4 ,so we did1 and were relieved from perishing amongst frightful rocks4 ,but for all that the wind appeased not1 for it continued six and thirty days with great violence1 very often we were near to be buried for ever in the ,bowels of the ,sea2 at last we had fair weather and wind to proceed on our voyage1 and arrived safe at the ,island of ,guadeloupe at the end of fifty-six days4 #h ,this passenger was a ,captain which understood the ,navigable part of the river4 ,after we were ,landed1 my ,brothers and myself went to the ,governor for a pass1 to go and join our ,mother who was in the ,united-,states-of-,america2 but the answer he made us was this1 the ,republic is a good ,mother1 besides that1 the ,island is besieged1 and we want ,soldiers4 ,as we could not get a pass1 we went to seek for the ,merchant that the draught was drawn upon1 and having found him1 we offered him the bill which he took and payed us generously4 ,my eldest ,brother being a young man grown up1 he made him a proposal to stay with him as a ,clerk1 and said that he would satisfy him according to his behaviour3 my ,brother accepted his kind offer willingly4 ,as for me and my other ,brother1 being too young for any kind of business1 we were recommended to an old ,lady who received us with much humanity2 for she maintained us for six months or thereabouts4 ,in the mean time ,i began to tire of being without employ1 and acquainted my old benefactress of my disposition1 which was to go upon the ,sea and learn to be a ,sea-man2 she said1 if that is your resolution1 ,i will recommend you to a ,captain that ,i know2 accordingly she did1 and ,i went on board of a ,privateer as a cabin boy3 and a ,clerk's place was provided for my other ,brother2 so we began our course of ,life in the like manner as it is described4 ,my rank being a cabin boy as before mentioned1 ,i was to clean the chamber1#i wash the dishes1 and sweep the deck twice a day4 #i ,called in ,sea terms a ,cabin4 ,we weighed the ,anchor and went a ,cruizing3 we were a long while before we took any prize2 at last1 one morning we saw a ,ship1 and immediately we chased her1 but all our endeavours were without success1 for we could not attain her though we sailed all the day long2 and when night was coming on the ,ship we were chasing tacked about and sailed back towards us1 and when near enough she fired a gun1 and made signal to know what ,nation we were2 but we did not answer the signal1 supposing she was an ,english ,sloop of war3 so we prepared for the conflict4 ,the enemy seeing that we did not answer their signal1 did not doubt any longer but we were enemies to them2 so they came as near as they could1 and fired a broad side3 as we were ready for them1 we returned in like manner2 and the engagement took place with courage and obstinacy on both sides2 and fought for a long space of time without knowing what ,nation we were fighting with1 though we guessed it was ,english1 but we were not sure of it4 ,at length of time an opportunity offered itself2 we hailed her in ,english1 but no answer1 in ,french1 no answer1 in ,spanish1 and yet no answer was to be had2 so we did not know what to think of their mysterious silence4 ,we renewed the ,battle again with great courage and ,boldness1 and attempted three times to jump on board of her2 but she always avoided it3 our people were so enraged1 that they unanimously cried out1 sooner die6 than let her go4 ,we fought like ,lions on both sides1 from seven o',clock till midnight1 at which time a misfortune happened on board our ,ship2 a box full of cartridges and gunpowder blew up1 and set the ,ship on fire1 which put disorder among our men4 ,the enemy1 joyful to see that spectacle1 7though dreadful17 begun to shout aloud1 ,huzza6 ,huzza6 thinking that we should soon be theirs1 but they were mistaken2 our brave ,captain1 who was an ,american1 soon put the fire out1 by dipping mattresses and blankets into the ,sea1 and then quenched it in that manner4 ,we begun again to dispute the ,victory till one o',clock2 and each side being tired at that time1 we took a pause of about half-an-hour2 and coming again to action1 the enemy hailed us1 ah6 says our ,captain1 well1 we will be more polite than them1 for we will answer though they were not willing to do it when we hailed them4 ,accordingly we answered that we were come from ,demerara3#aj the enemy was so exasperated at the answer1 that they answered back by saying1 you are a ,d99999999d ,liar1#aa and renewed again the battle with great anger and intrepidity2 the bravery was equal on each part2 our deck was covered with ,blood and ,dead ,bodies2 all our rigging was cut off by the bullets2 our ,bowsprit1 and ,fore-top-mast were cut down3 the enemy seemed to be very much damaged1 for their ,fore-mast and main-top-mast1 with their ,bowsprit1 were cut down4 ,we were so tired and disordered1 that we were forced to retire on both sides1 after a conflict of nine hours1 which was from seven at night till four o',clock in the morning4 ,after an hour of rest1 we were employed to repair the damages we had received1 and return into harbour2 for we were in too bad a state to stay at ,sea any longer4 ,on our journey back we had the good luck to take two prizes1 one came from ,africa laden with ,negroes1 and the other which was retaken1 was come from ,norway1 loaded with gin1 butter1 and combustibles c4 ,we arrived safe in the harbour of ,point-a-,pitre in ,guadeloupe4 #aj ,though we did not come from that place1 we applyed the untruth as you see above1 only that we might deceive them and pass for an ,english ,ship2 for our ,ship was a great deal less then theirs3 besides that we were much damaged1 both by the ,sea1 and by ,fighting4 #aa ,they were come from ,demerara themselves1 and they knew that there was no ,ship of war in that ,harbour4 ,we heard after that the name of the ,ship was the ,pelican1 and carried eighteen ,guns of nine ,pounders1 which were a great advantage over us1 who carried but twelve ,guns of four ,pounders4 ,i went to see my ,brothers as soon as ,i was landed2 the eldest was removed to another place where he thought he could do better1 and the other took example from me1 for he was just going out of the ,harbour when ,i entered in4 ,in a few weeks our ,ship was entirely repaired1 and we ventured again upon the ,sea2 our design was to go a cruizing upon the coast of ,brazil to meet with some rich ,portuguese ,ship4 ,we steered our course for the appointed place1 and met with a deal of contrary wind1 and bad weather2 but all this did not discourage us1 for we proceeded on our way with cheerfulness1 and now and then a glass of grog to drive away the care of past sorrows#ab4 ,one day about noon we saw a ,ship1 and instantly chased her1 we continued the chase till very late at night before we could come up to her1 and when near we hailed1 but she proved to be a dutch vessel1 which disappointed us very much3 so we left her to proceed on her voyage because they were not at war with us4 ,we likewise went further on1 and were a considerable time upon the ,sea2 till at length we begun to precieve that our provisions were short1 and being a great number of miles from the shore1 we were afraid of being starv'd with hunger2 so we made haste to the nearest land if possible1 before we should entirely perish of such a languishing and hard death1 for we were perishing with hunger and thirst3 every moment we expected to be forced to come to that most horrible and shocking point of eating ,human flesh1 and become cannibals for want of food4 ,many were so weak that they could not work1 nor get up from the place where they lay4 ,we were several days in that awful and pitiful situation1 exposed to all sorts of dangers and evils2 in the most painful of my agonies ,i swore that if ,,god spared me to put my feet upon ,land1 ,i would never go to ,sea again4 ,at last the ,,lord smiled on us1 and spared us once more3 a sea-man who was watching at the top of the mast1 shouted1 ,land6 ,land#ac4 ,never was joy greater in our ,hearts than that day1 to see ourselves set free from dangers1 and safely landed at that most desirable and appointed place2 and found that it was ,cayen near south ,america4 #ab ,this is a real ,mariners principle4 #ac ,in famine he shall ,redeem thee from ,death4 ,job chap4 #e4 ver4 #bj4 ,the ,doctor went immediately on shore to provide food and refreshment1 and ordered that no one should eat any thing without his orders2 because1 he said1 some will not be wise enough to content themselves with a little1 and if our bodies which have been void for so long a time were filled all at once1 it would undoubtedly cause our ,death4 ,so we were fed by degrees untill we recovered our former strength4 ,we remained at ,cayen about two months1 and then departed to go back to ,guadeloupe4 ,i was again hardened1 and broke the ,oath that ,i had made to ,,god1 by going again upon the ,sea4 ,about the eighteenth day that we were on the ,sea we saw a ,ship1 and chased her2 in the mean time that we were chasing1 arms were prepared for the battle3 and the ,captain of ,volunteers called me to take care of the arms which were upon a large box2 so ,i kneeled down and clip'd a great quantity of pistols and muskets to prevent them from falling1 and all their mouths were fixed towards my breast4 ,not long before ,i was in that posture1 the ,doctor who was below called me2 ,i instantly quitted my post and ran to his orders3 no sooner had ,i left my position in which ,i was before1 than a pistol went off unexpected1 and wounded the ,captain of ,volunteers in the knee4 ,i was so surprised at this1 that ,i thought1 7and even was sure17 that it was ,,god's mercy to spare me2 for in the posture that ,i was as before mentioned1 ,i could not have escaped being killed upon the spot#ad4 #ad ,he shall deliver thee in six troubles2 yea1 in seven there shall no evil touch thee4 ,in famine ,he shall ,redeem thee from ,death2 and in war from the power of the sword4 ,job chap4 #e4 ver4 #ai #bj4 ,the ,ship that we were chasing1 when near proved to be a large man of war1 and we being too small to attack her1 were forced to run away1 and happily escaped4 ,i return1 to the ,captain of ,volunteers1 whose wound made such a progress that he was obliged to have his leg1 and a part of his thigh cut off2 and ,i1 being assistant to the ,doctor1 assisted to hold his leg while he was performing the operation3 all that did not prolong his life many days1 for his time was come2 he departed eight days after the amputation4 ,we proceeded on our voyage for ,guadeloupe1 and arrived safe there4 ,having had so many misfortunes ,i thought that the ,ship was unlucky1 and resolved to go no more with it2 so ,i asked for my discharge1 and it was granted2 but before ,i sought for another place1 ,i inquired about my ,brother who did take pattern by me1 and venture to ,sea3 ,i heard that he had had good luck1 for he had received fifty pounds prize money4 ,my eldest ,brother was in his place still1 but a misfortune happened unto him while ,i was on shore2 the ,gentleman and the ,lady where he was at2 were at variance on his account1 for his ,master was jealous of him1 and he was obliged to quit2 having nothing to do1 he determined to follow our example2 and embarked in the same ,ship where my other ,brother was2 they wanted me to go with them1 saying1 if we perish1 we shall perish in the arms of each other1 and if we have good luck1 we can work and live together in union3 but ,i could not be persuaded1 ,i wanted to have my own way1 for ,i knew that it was enough for me to bear my own misfortunes1 without adding to those of my ,brothers3 so they both took leave of me1 and went to seek their fortune4 ,a few weeks after their departure ,i embarked on board of a small ,privateer1 carrying only two swivels1 and seventeen men3 we sailed and cast ,anchor at the ,island of ,marie-,galante1 to take some provisions2 and again went out for ,sea4 ,soon after1 we met with a large ,merchant-,man2 passing by we hoisted an ,english colour to deceive her1 and having men on board that could speak the ,english ,language perfectly well1 we hailed her2 she was come from ,martinico and going to ,england1 and had fourteen guns3 our ,captain said to us1 they think that we are ,english1 but let her sail on1 and when night comes we will attack her3 so we followed her at a distance1 till the time was come to perform the intrepid design2 coming near all was silent1 and every one of our ,men were ready to jump on board at the first signal2 and when near enough orders were ,given1 and our wishes fulfiled2 for we took her with very little resistance1 and conveyed her to ,curacao1 a ,dutch ,island4 ,the cargo consisted of five-hundred and fifty-four hogsheads of ,sugar1 twelve ditto of ,coffee1 and eighteen bales of ,cotton2 which when sold gave every one a prize of fourteen hundred dollars4 ,being young and foolish1 ,i soon spent a great part of my ,money with my comrades1 in drinking1 dancing1 ,gambling1 c4 ,i was sometimes intoxicated for a whole week1 and every night at the ball room1 along with bad company4 ,i was two months in ,curacao1 and spent five-hundred and forty dollars2 after which we proceeded with a larger ,ship1 which was ready for ,sea1 in which we sought for a better fortune4 ,a few days after we were out1 another prize fell into our hands1 which we sent to the place above mentioned2 and proceeded on our ,voyage1 and went to ,bonaires1 a dutch ,island1 to take some refreshment4 ,after we quitted that place1 we perceived that our ,ship had a leak1 for we had fourteen inches of water in the hold every hour1 which forced us to enter into the ,harbour of ,porto-,cabello1 a large ,spanish ,city on the coast of the ,meridional ,america3 we were there two months2 and proceeding further1 we cast ,anchor at ,cocoa-madrilla1 a ,spanish ,town on the same coast as before mentioned1 and remained there but a few days3 we went out and cruized for a long while1 and having captured no ,ships we went into the harbour of la ,guaires1 another ,spanish ,city1 to take some provision1 for we were short of them4 ,during our stay there the ,lieutenant of the ,ship and two men went to take a walk on shore1 and were taken up1 and put in the inquisition1 because they did not bow to the ,,host3 for as it was related to us by them1 that when they were passing through the streets they saw a great procession of ,clergymen1 going with a large silver ,cross1 to give the ,extreme-,unction to a sick person2 they not knowing the rules of the ,country1 passed by1 and took no notice3 when they were examined1 and found under ,french colours1 the inquisitioner could do nothing at them1 but release them4 ,we went out of that abominable ,harbour with the design to go back to the happy ,island of ,guadeloupe4 ,on our way back we took two prizes1 but were retaken again2 so we went and cast ,anchor at ,st4 ,martin1 a ,french and ,dutch ,island1 and were but a few days there2 and straightway we sailed for ,basse-,terre the ,capital ,city of ,guadeloupe1 and from thence to ,point-a-,pitre1 where ,i ,landed my little treasure which consisted of one hundred and twenty pounds2 as ,i had a ,cousin there who was a sober man1 ,i deposited the money in his hands to begin a small trade2 and ,i was determined not to go on the ,sea for a long while1 as ,i thought my money would suffice me to live in a decent manner2 when ,i was just going to begin trade1 my ,cousin was taken very ill of the putrid fever1 and was in great danger of his life4 ,one day he called me1 7he was then very ill17 and said1 ,i have lent the money that you have deposited in my hands1 to ,mrs4 ,pero#ae3 ,i said1 very well1 you are wise enough to know what you do8 he said do not fear1 the money is in good hands4 ,i did not care much about him lending my money1 because ,i knew that he was too good to do me any injury2 but growing worse every day1 ,i began to be afraid2 and was going to speak to him to inquire whether had ,mrs4 ,pero given him a receipt or not1 ,i was prevented by her1 saying1 he wants some repose and you must not disturb him4 ,she knew too well the matter1 or she would not have prevented me speaking to my ,cousin3 she was nights and days watching in his room for fear ,i should speak to him4 ,i had no witness who could testify whether she had given him a receipt or not3 and was so tormented in mind about it1 that ,i did not know what to do1 till ,i saw he was dying1 when ,i resolved to go into the next chamber where his trunk was1 and look in to it if ,i could find any paper concerning my money3 at the time ,i was looking into the box1 she came in1 and said1 what are you looking for8 a receipt ,i said1 ,madam8 she knew then what ,i meant1 and said1 do not be afraid1 ,i have got your money1 and you shall have it back again1 whether your ,cousin live or die4 ,i was a little reconciled by what she said1 but she took care that no one was present when she said it3 and the day after my ,cousin breath'd his last4 #ae ,she kept a linen drapery shop where he boarded and lodg'd4 ,i was very much affected at the ,death of so near a relation1 and went in the ,country for a month to alleviate my sorrows3 when ,i returned to ,town1 ,i went and asked her for my money1 that ,i wanted it to begin some business3 she said ,i will satisfy your request4 ,and went to her desk1 she brought me five and twenty ,portugueses#af which she laid on the table1 saying1 this is the remainder of your money1 here is a bill#ag of what ,i have paid for your ,cousin4 ,i took the bill and read it3 there was so much for physic1 and the ,doctor's trouble1 for board and lodging1 for the funeral1 and for goods of different sorts1 c4 ,it was the most shameful bill ,i ever saw2 ,i began to fly into a passion1 saying this bill does not concern me at all1 besides1 ,i am not compelled to pay the debts of my ,cousin4 ,she then began to grin1 saying1 if you are so impudent and insolent you shall have nothing at all1 because ,i am ignorant whether the money was yours4 ,i was so irritated that ,i thought my anger would have choaked me1 ,i did not know what to do1 having neither attestation nor receipt2 so ,i was forced with great reluctance to take the five and twenty ,portugueses1 and to leave the rest to her4 #af ,a ,gold coin worth thirty-six shillings4 #ag ,it was a forged one as ,i heard after1 as the ,doctor did not charge any thing for his trouble4 ,with the little ,i had ,i bought some goods1 and went to ,st4 ,croix1 an ,island belonging to the ,danes1 where ,i sold my little ,cargo1 and got double of my money3 and after ,i had settled my business there1 ,i went to ,st4 ,thomas1 an ,island belonging to the same1 and there ,i purchased some other goods to go back to ,guadeloupe1 when there1 ,i sold them for three times as much as they cost me3 seeing fortune smiled on me1 ,i took courage1 and bought goods with all the money ,i was worth2 but not being well enough in health to undertake the voyage1 ,i trusted a friend with my business3 he went to ,st4 ,thomas again1 and sold the goods at a very good price1 and some others were purchased for to return2 when only three miles from the ,harbour where he was to land1 he was taken by the enemy2 which ruined me totally4 ,i was then worth nearly three-hundred ,pounds1 but all was lost4 ,i now began to look for another kind of business1 and was recommended by some of my friends to a ,gentleman1 7a planter17 to be his ,clerk1 and to look over his plantation2 but did not remain long there1 though ,i performed my duty with zeal1 and was loved as their own child2 the reason was1 ,i could not be happy from the ,sea1 though ,i knew it was very dangerous4 ,i acquainted my ,master of my thoughts2 he told me to go and try again1 and if ,i had not good luck to come back to him2 for says he1 my house shall always be open for you4 ,i took my leave of him1 and went again upon the roaring ,ocean1 seeking after the fortune of this ,world3 on our way we cast anchor at ,desirada1 an ,island not far from ,guadeloupe1 and stay'd there only a few days4 ,after we departed from the ,island forementioned1 we were some time without seeing any vessel1 but one morning we saw a large ,ship1 which we soon perceived was an ,english ,frigate2 we lost no time1 but put all the sails out to make our escape if possible4 ,we were almost out of sight of the enemy1 when the greatest misfortune happened unto us2 our mast being too much loaded with sails1 and the wind being very high1 by which cause the mast broke1 and fell down4 ,having neither mast nor sails to effect our escape1 we were obliged to stay where we was1 and were taken prisoners4 ,we were well treated by the enemy while we stayed on board their ,ship2 and were afterwards landed at the ,island of ,martinico1 and put under close confinement in a prison ,ship4 ,being the first time ,i ever was confined1 ,i was plunged into a gulf of despair and grief2 every day ,i was scheming how ,i should make my escape1 till at last ,i found a way for my purpose2 and guided by resolution1 was determined to fulfil my scheme4 ,it was the ninth day after my confinement1 when ,i1 and two others escaped from prison1 by breaking an iron bar which fastened the port-hole1 and letting ourselves down into the ,sea by the means of a rope3 we swam about half a mile before we could reach the shore2 having gained the land1 ,i wrung my clothes1 which consisted only of a shirt and trousers3 we began our journey through a great shower of rain1 and when passing through the town1 the sentry called8 we immediately ran away as fast as we could for fear of being taken again2 but the third of our band being left behind1 was taken again2 and ,i1 and my comrade proceeded on through brambles and briers all the night long2 and when the sun was beginning to spread its beams upon the surface of the ,earth1 we entered into a thicket to hide ourselves1 and take a little rest3 while ,i rested myself my comrade watched1 and so on by turns till the approach of night1 which enabled us to pursue our way through its gloomy shadow4 ,being excessively harassed by fatigue and hunger1 we endeavoured to see whether we could find some wild fruit to satisfy our inward wants1 but all our efforts were in vain1 for nothing was to be found through the darkness of the night2 and as morning was coming on apace1 we retired to an adjacent wood4 ,in the pitiful and perishing situation in which we were1 ,i could not help but lament my deplorable fate and condition2 when on a sudden ,i felt for the first time1 a glimpse of the love of ,,god1 and many ideas came into my mind such as this8 rely on ,,god1 and ,he will help thee1 and stand by thee4 ,with all these thoughts ,i fell upon my knees1 and began to pray in the midst of the wood1 saying1 as well as ,i could4 ,now1 ,o6 ,,god that ,i am in distress ,i call upon thy power and goodness1 because ,i know that there is no other that can alleviate my pain but thou4 ,o6 ,,god1 though ,i am in trouble1 yet ,i feel that it is good for me to be so1 for ,i have a comforter to fly to2 but forgive me that ,i have liv'd so long without doing the duty which ,i ought to have done towards thee1 for it was nothing else but the pleasures of this perverse ,world which banished me from thee1 and my misery and trouble has drawn me near unto thee3 do help me1 and guide my steps that ,i may fall into no dangers1 and bring me safe back to the land where ,i come from2 and with thy help ,o6 ,,god1 ,i vow to serve thee according to my knowledge all the days of my life here on ,earth1 and hope to praise thee above when time shall be no more4 ,,amen4 ,i did not quit my position till ,i thought ,i had full assurance that ,,god would protect me under all my troubles and trials4 ,as night was drawing nigh1 we began our nocturnal journey as usual4 ,two days and nights were gone without having tasted either food or rest2 when passing through a ,village1 an old ,woman who was sitting before the door of her house1 called us3 ,i did not know whether ,i should go or not1 but ,i said to the comrade of my misfortunes1 let us go and see what she wants4 ,coming near to her1 she said1 ,i know my friends that you are deserters from prison8 be not afraid ,i will do you no harm1 knowing what it is myself1 for my ,son is a prisoner in a ,french ,country1 and ,i should not like that any one should ill use him if he was in the same case as you are now4 ,she questioned us upon many subjects concerning the state of her ,son1 and at last she said1 ,i think you must be wanting of food1 since you left prison8 ,i answered that for two days we had not had any3 immediately she went into the house1 and beckoned us to follow her4 ,being in the house she told us to sit down1 while she dressed some meat1 which she did with great dexterity3 and presenting the same to us1 ,i said1 ,o ,,god6 since thou hast been pleased to provide food for us this night1 bless it we beseech thee with thine own power and will4 ,,amen4 ,the old ,woman was much pleased to hear what ,i had said2 and after we had satisfied our wants1 she gave us some more meat tied up in a cloth1 and shewed us the road that led to ,st4 ,peter's ,town3 we thanked her for all her kindness1 and proceeded on our march all the night long until morning1 which forced us as usual to retire into some thicket or wood3 there ,i began to thank ,,god for having preserved us from dangers and pursuits till the present moment2 ,i then took the cloth which contained our provision3 having spread it1 ,i called upon ,,god to give his blessing4 ,my comrade said1 you pray too much1 do you think that ,,god takes notice of what you say8 surely said ,i1 because1 if ,he did not take notice of what ,i said and asked him1 ,he would not have provided for us3 well says he1 all your nonsense will bring nothing but bad luck4 ,after we had refreshed ourselves1 ,i tied up carefully the remainder of our food1 and said to him1 if you desire to take a little rest1 ,i will watch in the mean time3 he did so1 and when asleep1 ,i went a few yards further and rested myself in prayers1 for they were the best refreshment ,i ever could take2 after my duty was performed1 ,i was easy and full of an unknown joy which ,i could not describe4 ,some time after my comrade got up and told me to rest myself and he would watch his turn2 but ,i told him that ,i was not wearied1 and it would be better to search the wood1 to see whether we could find any fruit2 he agreed with my proposal1 and we went seeking for some provisions1 for ours were getting very short3 after a long while rambling up and down1 we found at last a great quantity of wild fruit of all sorts1 some of them were very pleasant to the taste2 we gathered as much as we could carry1 and as it was already dark1 we came out of the wood and travelled on as usual4 ,we were several nights and days rambling up and down in the greatest misery1 till at last one night we arrived at ,st4 ,peter's ,town3 there ,i1 and my comrade parted4 ,i went on board of an ,irish ,ship which was in the ,harbour1 and he on board of another4 ,i was well received on board of the ,ship1 but as ,i was very hungry and having had no refreshment for some time1 ,i told them my situation2 and they gave me some food4 ,i was after introduced to the ,captain1 who told me that ,i might stay in the ,ship and work with the other men3 ,i was about three weeks on board working very hard1 and receiving very ill treatment4 ,one day a ,negroe came on board about some business1 and ,i asked him many questions about the people of the ,town1 and especially about two ,gentlemen which ,i perfectly knew2 one was a ,knight1 and the other a ,baronet4 ,i sent by the ,negroe a few lines to them1 and as soon as they received them1 they hurried to come to see me3 they were struck at the first sight to see me in such a deplorable situation1 as they knew my parents1 they could not help but mourn and pity my miserable state3 they told me to go with them on shore1 which ,i did with great pleasure1 though ,i was ashamed of myself being very dirty4 ,arrived at their house ,i was put into a bath to wash me1 for ,i had need of it2 and clothes were provided for me3 after ,i was dress'd ,i could not believe that it was the unhappy me1 when looking at my ragged clothes which ,i had on but a few minutes ago2 ,i was in a perfect state of happiness1 for nothing concerning the necessaries of life was wanting for me4 ,i was in that state of affluence for three months1 and wheresoever they went1 they took me with them1 so that ,i was acquainted with the best company of the ,town3 but for all that ,i did not forget my ,,god4 ,some time after they procured me a passage on board a ,ship that was going to ,st4 ,thomas3 all necessaries1 both for life and body were provided for me1 and ten guineas which they gave me when we parted1 also letters of recommendation4 ,we went out of the ,harbour and sailed towards ,dominica1 where we cast ,anchor to take some passengers1 and from thence we sailed to ,st4 ,kits1 where a part of the convoy were waiting for us1 after to ,st4 ,bartholomew1 for some other business1 and from thence to ,st4 ,thomas1 where we arrived safe after a good voyage4 ,i went to the ,gentlemen for whom ,i had letters of recommendation1 and was received with great civility and kindness2 one of them took me to his house while ,i stay'd at ,st4 ,thomas's4 ,the first ,sunday ,i went to ,church with him and another ,gentleman that ,i did not know1 and that same ,gentleman said to me after we came out of ,church2 ,i hope you love ,,god1 young man8 ,i said yes1 well1 said he1 in all your troubles trust to the ,,lord ,,jesus ,,christ1 and whatsoever you stand in need off1 ask it in his name1 and ,i am sure ,he will grant it unto you1 for ,he has promised through ,his ,blood to make intercession for us4 ,i kindly thanked him for his instruction1 and he withdrew4 ,i remained at ,st4 ,thomas three weeks1 and took an opportunity of going to ,guadeloupe2 but before ,i took leave of the ,gentleman where ,i was at1 ,i thanked him for all his goodness3 he said1 you are welcome to stay longer if you chuse2 ,i returned him my thanks saying1 ,i wished to see ,guadeloupe4 ,here is a purse 7says he17 which ,i beg your acceptance of2 then shook hands with me1 and retired1 he one way1 and ,i the other4 ,i immediately went on board1 and in a few minutes were out of sight of the place where ,i received so much kindness4 ,i had a pleasant and short voyage1 and safely landed at that most desired ,island of ,guadeloupe4 ,i hasted to see my acquaintances2 and having inquired after my ,brothers1 ,i heard that they were taken prisoners1 and conducted to ,plymouth in great ,britain4 ,as ,i had nothing do and no desire to go to ,sea any more1 ,i went again to my late master 7the ,planter37 who was very glad to see me1 and encouraged me by raising my wages1 which made me apply the more to my business4 ,as ,i did not yet forget my ,maker1 ,i daily performed my duty towards him who had been so gracious unto me4 ,my master 7or rather my friend17 soon perceived a great change in me1 which he did not know what to attribute it to2 at last he knew by some of the servants who watched me1 that ,i was in the ways of ,christianity3 some times he used to plague me about it1 for fun1 but for all that he did not esteem me the less4 ,one day having some company at home1 that were invited to spend two or three weeks with us2 ,i retired as usual after supper to bed1 and knelt down3 at the time ,i was pouring out my soul unto ,,god in prayers1 a young lady inadvertently passed by1 and seeing my chamber door half open1 stepped in2 and finding me in the posture as before mentioned1 she bursted into a loud laugh and rushed out of the room1 and in a few minutes ,i had the whole company round me making all sorts of jests1 some laughing till they fell down on the floor1 others holding their sides with laughing1 and others jumping and stamping1 c4 ,it was indeed such a noise as ,i never heard before1 for it was both a tragedy1 and comedy4 ,in all that disturbance ,i was as firm as a rock1 and did not move from the place in which ,i was1 untill ,i had fulfilled my duty towards my ,,saviour4 ,i told them it was very unmannerly to disturb me thus1 in my most precious time3 for prayers were my best delight and comfort1 and without them ,i could not rest nor be happy4 ,the tale soon spread in the neighbourhood about me being a devout1#ah so that ,i was persecuted daily by my own friends1 but as ,i did not mind them1 they were soon tired1 and at last were obliged to let me be quiet1 seeing they could not get master over me4 #ah ,in ,england1 if any profess ,christianity1 he is called a methodist1 and in ,france or any other dominions appertaining to the same1 a ,devout4 ,three weeks after that scandalous scene1 ,i was taken very ill1 of the putrid and malign fever2 three days after the ,doctor gave me up1 for ,i was so ill that he thought ,i could not recover4 ,i was ten days and nights senseless2 and saw wondrous things in my agony2 and the eleventh day ,i came to myself again3 my keeper said to me1 ,i hope you have prayed enough this time8 ,i did not know what she meant1 but having asked her the reason why2 she said1 all the time ,i was senseless1 ,i did nothing else but pray night and day untill ,i came to my senses again4 ,i was a long time before ,i could recover my former strength again2 and as soon as ,i was able1 ,i went to my business4 ,i then was melancholy with thinking about my ,country1 and ,mother2 as for my ,mother ,i did not know in what quarter of the world she was in2 notwithstanding that1 ,i took my pen and wrote1 first1 to ,st4 ,domingo1 and then to two or three other places where ,i thought most likely1 but all was without success1 for no answer was to be had4 ,again ,i wrote1 and so on for about eighteen months without receiving the least tidings3 which made me some how think that my poor ,mother was no more4 ,i was in such a low state of mind that my life became a burden to me1 ,i could not find any comfort either in amusement or prayer2 and when at prayer1 ,i prayed not with such a delight as ,i used to do3 so that in a short time ,i quite turned my back from the path of the truly and most blessed ,,lord ,,jesus ,,christ1 and became again as wicked as ever4 ,one day my master called me1 and said1 the ,negroes are in rebellion1 and you must go to war and fight4 ,he provided horse and arms for me1 and sent me to join the cavalry that were encamped at a little distance from where we lived4 ,some days after ,i was at the camp1 the ,captain ordered me to go into the ,town to carry some dispatches2 ,i made some excuse1 telling him to send some others2 but he said1 you are appointed to go and you must for ,i dare not trust any other4 ,i obeyed and went out of the camp1 and rode to ,town which was nine or ten miles distance from the place above mentioned2 and not being able to return the same day1 ,i waited till morning3 but what was my great surprise at the moment ,i was putting my foot in the stirrup to return8 an alarm was given that the whole camp were murdered in the night1#ai except one who escaped having on nothing but his shirt4 ,we being the only persons that were spared1 we were put into another company1 and marched on the same day against the rebels1 and were successful in all our attempts4 ,i was for three weeks night and day fighting1 some times wet through with rain1 and at other times suffocated with the heat3 all that while1 ,i never knew what it was to lay down or take rest2 neither having an opportunity to put clean linen on3 but at last we returned into the ,town1 where we took some refreshment and put clean linen on1 for we had need of it4 ,no sooner was ,i refreshed1 but ,i was ordered to carry some letters of consequence to a camp nine miles off2 but as the road was very dangerous1 ,i asked one of my comrades to go with me1 which he did with great pleasure2 we arrived at the camp without the least injury or danger3 but it was not with the same luck we went back1 for as we were passing through a dark ,wood1 7it was then between ten and eleven o',clock at night17 a shower of musket balls were fired at us1 which unexpected noise and hissing1 so much frighted our horses1 that it was impossible for us to lead them2 they rushed through brambles and briers1 and at last plunged into a dead ,lake1 where we had like to have been drowned2 but our horses being stout animals1 they swam and gained the other side in a few minutes4 ,we made the best of our way through woods and thickets to escape the fury of the balls which were continually flying about us1 and after having wandered a great while through unpracticable places1 we found again the road1 and rode as fast as we could to the ,town3 since that affair ,i have been in many obstinate and bloody engagements4 #ai ,oh6 reader consider and meditate8 see how ,,god was pleased to spare such a rebellious ,creature as ,i2 and how ,divine ,providence distinguished itself by calling me alone1 though ,i1 with obstinacy refused to comply to its orders3 but who can resist the power of the ,,lord when he says1 ,i will and they shall1 c4 ,oh6 bless the ,,lord ,o my soul1 and all that is within me1 bless his holy name3 for the ,,lord has done wondrous things4 ,he has lifted me up1 and has not made my foes to rejoice over me4 ,one day as ,i was reading the news-paper1 ,i heard that ,st4 ,domingo was in a state of tranquillity2 at this ,i was determined to go thither3 accordingly1 ,i went on board a ,ship that was going there2 we went first to ,st4 ,thomas1 to take some passengers1 and for my dear ,country we sailed1 and arrived safe there4 ,my first inquiry was my ,mother2 ,i was about two days rambling through the streets without hearing any tidings respecting her or any other relations2 till at last peradventure ,i met with one of my ,cousins that was in ,france at the time ,i left that ,country2 she took me to her house and entertained me with loving kindnesses2 and told me that my ,mother was in the ,spanish part of ,st4 ,domingo1 at the distance of sixty miles from the place where ,i then was4 ,anxious to see the author of my days1 ,i would have set out immediately1 but she entreated me to spend a week or two with her1 to which ,i agreed3 we related to each other our misfortunes1 and soothed each other's sorrows4 ,once in my conversation ,i was speaking of that barbarous and pretended ,uncle of mine1 who used me so ill when ,i was in ,france2 ,i asked her whether she knew where he was1 she told me that he was in the ,town1 and not far from the house2 ,i was indeed amazed that such a wretch was still alive2 she told me also that he came some times to see her2 well1 said ,i1 if he comes ,i will be ready for his reception1 for ,i am no more what ,i formerly was1 a ,child1 that ,i should dread him4 ,two days after1 he heard that ,i was in ,town1 and came to see me3 as soon as he came into the house1 my mind was struck with horror4 ,he advanced towards me and asked how ,i did stretching forth his hand to shake hands with me2 ,i refused my hand and said1 ,sir1 ,i do not shake hands with people that ,i know not4 why 7said he7 don't you know me8 no ,sir6 ,i replied3 why don't you know your ,uncle ,s8 no ,sir6 ,i never had any relation of that name3 why don't you remember you lived in ,france with me8 no ,sir6 for ,i am sure ,i never saw you before to day1 if ,i did1 my mind does not afford me the recollection of your features3 how is it you don't remember me1 who married your ,aunt ,v4---- in second wedlock8 ,oh6 yes ,i do now you execrable villain2 retire from my presence1 monster of iniquities2 think not that you shall go unpunished1 nor escape the wrath of ,,god1 for the sword of vengeance hangs over your head1 and will crush you to atoms in an unexpected time that justice may be satisfied4 ,he first blushed1 then became pale1 and without replying left the house2 and ,i saw him no more while ,i tarried there4 ,my ,cousin was very much pleased with my reception of him2 but as the time ,i agreed with her was expired1 ,i thought of going to see my ,mother2 so ,i took leave of her and embarked in a long-boat which was going that way3 in four and twenty hours ,i was landed at ,moutechristo where she resided1 and was not long to find out the place of her dwelling1 the ,town being small4 ,i will just let my reader know how ,i made my entrance3 first1 ,i knock'd at the door2 when in1 ,i asked her whether she knew me2 she said no ,sir2 ,i asked her again whether she had not ,children abroad2 she said yes1 but1 giving a deep sigh1 all my hopes are vanished1 for it is between thirteen and fourteen years since ,i have seen or heard from them4 ,i then said to her1 behold the youngest of them before you3 she exclaimed in a transport of joy1 ,oh6 my ,son is it you8 my dear ,h4---- is still existing8 and then fainted3 but was not long in that state1 for her exceeding joy soon called her to her senses again4 ,my hard heart was melted in an instant2 ,i could no longer withstand that filial love2 ,i threw myself into those arms which were so desirous and eager to welcome me to that breast which was so ardently panting for me3 our joy was so great on both sides1 that neither of us could utter a word4 ,our language was only by sighs3 and those precious tears which bedewed my face when ,i first parted with her1 were once more mixed with mine4 ,our arms interwove in each other as an emblem of the most affecting tenderness4 ,in that posture we remained a long time1 so much were our feelings affected1 that we could not utter a single word4 ,some time afterwards1 she shewed me my little ,brother and ,sister1 by her second husband2 and dispatched my ,brother to go and fetch my ,father-in-law who was then at the farm1 a little distance from the ,town4 ,in the mean time she said to me2 your ,father-in-law is an honest man8 he is not like many others1 but he is a true ,father that ,i have met with for you2 she then asked me where my ,brothers were2 ,i told her they were taken prisoners by the ,english and conveyed to ,england3 at the same time my ,father-in-law came into the house1 which interrupted our conversation4 ,he seemed to be very joyful of my arrival1 and treated me with the greatest kindness4 ,this was the happiest moment ,i ever enjoyed1 being in the bosom of my friends4 ,but all this happiness did not last long1 for the ,negroes rose up again1 and killed every white man that fell into their hands4 ,i was then compelled to stand in my own defence1 as a foot soldier2 every night1 alarms were given1 for the blacks were at the gates of the ,town3 but having received reinforcement1 they were repulsed4 ,afterwards ,i was sent to garrison1 fifteen miles off1 where ,i stay'd four and twenty days2 at my return my little ,brother fell sick of the fever1 and died in two days after2 which put my ,mother and ,father-in-law in such distress of mind1 that ,i thought they would have followed1 especially my ,father-in-law1 for he was a man of very tender feelings3 but by degrees and length of time1 their griefs were dispersed4 ,five months were expired since my arrival at my ,mother's4 ,i was daily upon guard1 or doing some other things respecting the warfaring business4 ,one day being on guard1 ,i was informed of the arrival of both my ,brothers2 ,i immediately ran home1 and found it was so2 my joy was inexpressible at the sight of them1 particularly at the eldest1 who was1 and always has been my most intimate friend3 it was then five years and some months since they were taken prisoners2 during that time ,i never heard from them1 which made me think many times that they were no more in this ,world4 ,soon after1 the report of their arrival was spread in the ,town2 and coming to the ears of the commander of the place1 they were sent for by his orders1 and enrolled#bj them into a company of foot soldiers4 ,the duty was hard1 the rebels being daily about us1 and almost every night there was some fighting or attempt4 ,one day after a very bloody engagement that was fought at the advanced post1 ,i was sent thither with the company which ,i was in to reinforce them1 in case they should be attacked again3 ,i stay'd there four and twenty days1 and was relieved by my eldest ,brother4 ,the day after ,i took leave of him1 and returned into the ,town4 ,as soon as ,i arrived1 my ,mother sent me to the ,metropolis about some business4 ,when there1 the troubles were so great1 that no one was in safety of their lives3 three days after my arrival1 a strong battle took place1 and lasted from four o',clock in the morning till six in the evening4 ,the day after ,i was occupied in doing the errand for my ,mother2 and as soon as ,i had done1 ,i wrote a letter to her1 sending an account of all the business2 and told her she must not expect me to return1 nor perhaps see me more2 telling her my reason was1 that ,st4 ,domingo was a place too dangerous for me to remain in any longer3 and told her not to be uneasy about me1 for ,i had already taken shipping4 #bj ,may it please ,,god to enrol them in the ,royal ,regiment of ,saints1 commanded by his most truly and ,honorable ,son1 the ,,lord ,,jesus ,,christ4 ,we set out the #c;d of ,may #ahjc1 from the harbour of ,st4 ,domingo3 ,i bid my distressed ,country once more ,adieu2 thinking to myself it is perhaps the last4 ,my intention when ,i embarked was1 to go to ,st4 ,malo1 and take shipping there for the coast of ,africa4 ,i had on board a small cargo consisting of ,sugar and ,coffee1 which when sold would have enabled me to begin a trade according to my purpose4 ,we steered for the place above mentioned2 six days after we were at ,sea1 we had such a rough wind1 that we were obliged to reef our main and fore top-sails3 all our efforts seemed to be unsuccessful1 for we were driven amidst dreadful ,rocks2 and the winds redoubled with such violence that nothing was seen before our eyes but terrors2 every moment we expected our fatal end to take place2 we fired guns of distress from time to time hoping that some ,ship would hear us and come to our assistance1 if there was any about3 but our endeavours were in vain1 and we were cast in the midst of the ,rocks4 ,the scene is too cutting for me to relate it in all its parts1 for it was enough to unman the stoutest ,sailor3 every man was in the most profound consternation2 nothing was seen before our eyes but ,death1 and that in dreadful forms4 ,at every instant pieces of timber were swimming about the almost wrecked ,ship2 the water covered almost the deck4 ,we were in that deplorable situation till morning2 and to our great joy1 a ,ship offered itself to our view#ba2 we immediately put the long-boat out to ,sea1 to go to the ,ship for refuge3 ,i flung myself into the boat with what ,i valued most1 and five other men did likewise4 ,as our boat was too small to carry all the people1 several were obliged to remain upon the wreck of the ,ship1 till we could return with the other ,ship's boat to save them4 ,we rowed away the boat1 and went to the ,ship that was in view2 when there1 the ,captain asked me if all the people were come2 ,i told him no1 because our boat was too small to carry them1 and we came to beg his assistance1 for those miserable ,creatures which are now upon the remainder of the wreck4 ,he said1 they may save themselves if they can1 but as for me ,i cannot go1 the weather is too favorable for me to lose a minutes time2 you may go back if you like to save them2 but as for me1 ,i will go my way4 ,so he sailed1 and we went with him2 the others remained upon the wreck of the ,ship1 in the midst of a wide ,ocean1 without either help or hope4 ,the ,ship which saved me was a ,french ,ship1 and steered for his own place4 #ba ,when thou passest through the waters1 ,i will be with thee4 ,isaiah4 chap4 #dc1 ver4 #b4 ,the #bast day of ,june #ahjc1 being at ,sea1 we were met by an ,english ,vessel who told us that war was declared between ,france and ,england1 and for that reason we were taken prisoners1 and conducted to ,plymouth4 ,i stay'd #ce days in ,plymouth1 and was sent after to ,tiverton in ,devonshire upon ,parole of ,honour2 there ,i remained five months1 and was sent afterwards to ,ashbourn in ,derbyshire4 ,i arrived at ,ashbourn the #agth of december #ahjc1 and was in such a deplorable state of mind1 that ,i did not know what to do4 ,very often the public house was the place where ,i went to seek comfort1 by getting intoxicated1 and then casting all my sorrows behind me2 ,i after awhile took such a delight in this course of life1 that it became quite an habit to me2 ,i was the greatest ,sabbath breaker that ever existed2 ,i was daily fighting or swearing the most execrable ,oaths1 which was enough to excite the anger of ,,god against me4 ,one morning being half drunk1 ,i went out to take a walk2 when passing through a dark foot path1 ,i was persuaded by some evil spirit to put an end to my miserable life4 ,for that purpose ,i went into the darkest part of the place1 and took my knife out of my pocket to accomplish the horrid deed4--,the instrument was already lifted up1 and the stroke was to ensue2 but an ,angel of the ,,lord1 7or some thing of that kind17 stopped my rebellious hand1 and my weapon dropped from it2 then many ideas came into my mind such as these1 ,oh6 miserable wretch1 art thou going to plunge thyself into eternal misery8 remember thou art going into ,hell head-long1 if thou dost such a thing3 ,i was struck with terror with those ideas1 and was so frighted1 that ,i durst not move from the place for fear that the justice of an avenging ,,god should fall upon me4 ,i stay'd in that place for some time1 and went home with such a burden1 that ,i could hardly bear3 having my head cast down as if ,i was a criminal1 for ,i durst upon no account lift it up4 ,i was for several days in a such distressed state of mind1 that ,i had not courage enough to go out2 for ,i thought every body knew what was the matter with me2 and to appease my wounded conscience1 ,i thought that a reformation would have been sufficient to justify me in the sight of ,,god3 so that ,i began to build1 as it is said upon a sandy foundation1 by performing a few formal duties2 thinking that by my good works1 ,i should merit the favours of ,,god so as to forgive me all my trespasses4 ,the plan ,i had formed was this3 having a ,roman ,catholic prayer book1 ,i thought it was all-sufficient to calm my troubled breast1 and to bring me to a perfect state of happiness4 ,so every night and morning ,i used to kneel down1 and taking the prayer book ,i read the morning and evening prayer2 this performance ,i thought would please ,,god1 and get me from under the terrors of an accused conscience3 but in all these vain duties ,i never looked to ,,jesus for forgiveness or remission of sins1 neither to his precious and cleansing blood1 nor could ,i perceive the depravity of my corrupted nature3 but ,i depended wholly upon my best endeavours and good works4 ,i continued but a little time in doing those erroneous duties1 and felt insensibly at last that all my fears were vanished away2 ,i was like the dog1 returning to his vomit again3 for ,i begun the same method as before1 keeping all sorts of bad company1 and breaking the sabbath with drinking1 swearing and fighting c4 ,i was at the least five days drunk in the week1 and always quarrelling4 ,one day in one of my mad fits1 7though ,i was not drunk17 ,i resolved to delay no longer to put an end to my miserable existence2 for that purpose ,i went into a garden near by3 the same instrument that had been lifted up before1 was again employed2 ,i was in such great despair1 that ,i was relentless towards my own life and happiness2 so that ,i lifted up my sanguinary hand and struck my left breast twice#bb4--;,i fell down senseless2 some persons who were near1 hearing the exclamation ,i made1 which was1 ,oh6 ,mother1 ,i shall never see thee again6 came to see what was the matter2 and to their great surprise1 found me wallowing in my own blood4 ,they carried me into my room for dead1 and some person went to fetch the ,doctor4 ,as soon as the ,doctor saw my wounds1 which were through my lungs1 he said1 ,i can be of no use to him1 for he has not ten minutes to live2 but if he does1 ,i may be of service to him3 and went away4 ,but he was soon fetched back again for ,i was not dead4 ,when he came the second time1 he gave me something to drink which recalled me to my senses3 my inside being full of blood1 he thought it would be proper to bleed me1 it might ease me a little1 for ,i could hardly breathe4 ,after ,i was bled ,i fell into a swoon2 the ,doctor then said1 if he lives till one o',clock it will be a wonder4 ,some-body went to fetch a ,catholic ,minister#bc1 who lived in the same ,town2 when he saw me1 he told me to recommend my soul to ,,god1 saying1 that ,i had but a few minutes to live3 and after this short exhortation he went out of the room1 saying1 it was too much for him to see4 #bb ,i have sinned3 what shall ,i do unto thee1 ,o thou preserver of men8 why hast thou set me as a mark against thee1 so that ,i am a burden to myself4 ,job1 chap4 #g4 ver4 #bj4 #bc ,i did not know for what purpose they went for him2 but ,i supposed it was to administer unto me the ,extreme-,unction2 for as it is reported among the ,roman ,catholic that a man or woman dying without having received the ,extreme-,unction1 7which they call a ,sacrament17 must either go to ,hell1 or in ,purgatory4 ,i was restless all the night1 for ,i could not sleep on account of the soreness of my wounds4 ,when morning came ,i was so weak and so feverish1 that the ,doctor thought ,i could not live to see the sun set4 ,night came1 and yet alive3 but ,i was so tormented with ideas as before mentioned1 that ,i durst not shut my eyes for fear ,i should awake in ,hell4 ,i was three nights without taking the least rest2 for ,i was afraid to fall asleep1 as ,i made it a sure thing in my mind1 that if ,i fell asleep1 ,i should awake no more4 ,i felt myself in such a miserable condition1 that ,i thought ,,god would never forgive me4 ,all the time ,i was in bed1 ,i lay upon thorns as it were2 for ,i was so filled with grief and sorrow1 occasioned by my misbehaviour towards the everlasting being1 that my life was quite miserable4 ,during the time of my affliction1 ,i had such ideas and thoughts concerning my state1 that ,i appeared to myself the vilest of men2 but for all that ,i did not know from whence came these thoughts and ideas4 ,i was six or seven weeks before ,i could walk out2 and was a great while before ,i could get any strength4 ,i was five months in the most distressing state of mind1 and continually tormented by some thing or other1 which ,i could not discern4 ,some times ,i went out to meditate a little1 but no sooner was ,i out1 but was forced to return home again2 because ,i could not rest any where4 ,one day after many dreadful and frightful ideas1 ,i felt some thing extraordinary in me2 and then for the first time1 ,i perceived that ,i was a sinner#bd2 and one beyond expression3 ,i saw the horrible state in which ,i was plunged2 ,i felt that ,i was upon the very brink of destruction3 and felt also1 that no one could alleviate my pains but ,,god4 ,for that purpose ,i went to church2 when there1 ,i could hear nothing that could do me any good4 ,at night ,i went to the ,methodist ,chapel2 there ,i did not find any comfort so as to set me free4 ,when at home1 ,i went to prayer2 but could say nothing but the ,,lord's prayer1 which ,i knew from my infancy4 #bd ,though ,i had had a taste and a view of the love of ,,god1 7as you may read in the former part of my life17 and a great desire to serve and worship him2 yet ,i did not feel the corruption of my fallen nature1 neither the great weight and burden of my inveterate sins and transgressions3 ,i was far from thinking of the inestimable worth and want of a precious ,,saviour4 ,i had a zeal1 but not according to knowledge2 ,i was like that sect which the ,apostle ,paul speaks of in the tenth chapter of ,romans and the third verse3 for they1 being ignorant of ,,god's ,righteousness1 and going about to establish their own ,righteousness1 have not submitted themselves unto the ,righteousness of ,,god4 ,i thank ,,god1 through the ,,lord ,,jesus ,,christ1 that ,he has subjected me unto his blessed and ,everlasting ,righteousness2 and made me sensible of this1 that without the ,blood of his dear ,son1 my sins must for ever remain4 ,i spent the week in reading the new ,testament2 and longed daily with impatience for the return of ,sabbath1 that ,i might try again to seek a place where ,i could lay all my burden4 ,when that happy day was come1 ,i went to ,,sion ,chapel3 the text was taken out of the twenty-seventh chapter of the ,prophet ,isaiah1 the last verse2 and it shall come to pass when the great trumpet shall be blown c4 ,i was very attentive at the preaching1 in hopes ,i could hear some passage that might comfort my distressed mind4 ,the ,minister brought forward the ,brazen ,serpent in his discourse1 saying1 when ,moses lifted it up1 he said1 whosoever shall believe in it1 shall be saved2 for thus shall the ,son of man be lifted up4 ,i felt a little comfort from these words1 but not sufficient to calm my troubled mind2 because of the weakness of my faith4 ,as ,i had not heard sufficient1 ,i went at night to the ,methodist ,chapel4 ,i did not dislike the sermon1 but did not feel so much there as ,i did at ,,sion ,chapel3 ,i spent the week rather better than ,i did the last1 and was not so much distressed4 ,one morning ,i went to take a walk1 when fifty yards from the house1 ,i remembered ,i had not served ,,god when ,i got up2 ,i was so struck with shame1 that ,i ran back to my chamber to say my prayers4 ,such a thing as that happened unto me three times1 but was always overcome by the fear of ,,god1 for ,i durst not on any account go out of my room except ,i had render'd thanks to ,,god for his protecting grace and mercy2 for ,i thought1 that if ,i was to neglect1 his wrath would fall upon me c4 ,sunday came1 which ,i longed for with so much impatience2 and with joy ,i went again to ,,sion ,chapel4 ,the text was taken out of the ,epistle of ,paul to the ,philippians1 the third chapter1 and the ninth verse2 and be found in him4 ,the very word of be found in him1 went deeply to my heart1 and proved sweet to it2 for it comforted me and released me from all my guilty fears2 and convinced me of all the errors we are liable to by ,nature4 ,i was so overjoyed at that sermon1 that ,i could not depart from the place till ,i had spoken to the ,minister#be2 to tell him the benefit ,i had received under his labour4 ,i went home joyful at what ,i had heard and tasted1 and ,i cast all my cares and sorrows away3 and was only thinking to serve him who shed his blood for me4 #be the ,reverend ,samuel ,franklin1 of ,ebley in ,gloucestershire1 ,minister in ,lady ,huntingdon's connection1 then at ,ashbourn in ,derbyshire4 ,now persecution began to take place by my worldly companions2 they called me all sorts of shameful names#bf1 even threatened me with punishment if ,i did continue in hearing the word of ,,god4 ,i could not go through the streets without meeting with some ill treatment from them2 but as ,i did not mind what they said1 ,i told them ,i would sooner go to the scaffold and suffer ,death1 than renounce ,,jesus ,,christ4 ,their persecutions continued for a long time1 but seeing ,i did not take any notice1 they were obliged to let me go in peace4 #bf ,my friends scorn me2 but mine eye poureth out tears unto ,,god4 ,job1 chap4 #af1 ver4 #bj4 ,i went to no other place of worship but ,,sion1 where ,i first found the treasure of the ,crucified ,one4 ,some times ,i thought myself too unworthy to be saved2 but at other times ,i had better thoughts1 when reflecting on ,paul1 ,manasseh1 and other characters c4 ,the week before ,good ,friday ,i was taken ill1 and was obliged to keep my bed several days4 ,in the mean time ,i prayed unto ,,god to give me health and strength1 that ,i might be able to go and hear his word that precious day he bought my ,salvation2 but it was not permitted2 for that very day ,i was extremely ill1 and wept bitterly because ,i could not go to ,,sion my happy place4 ,so ,i called for a new ,testament that ,i might read a chapter or two2 but ,i was so weak1 that ,i could not read2 and was forced to put the book down4 ,in the afternoon ,i felt myself a little better1 and took the book ,i read a chapter1 by which ,i received some comfort4 ,i was very patient under my afflictions1 for the more ,i was afflicted1 the more my mind was comforted2 ,i did not fear the sting of ,death at all1 because1 ,i had faith to believe ,i should be happy4 ,in a few weeks ,i was entirely recovered1 and the ,,lord soon after blessed me with the ,spirit of prayer1 so that ,i could join my friends in ,,christ in their labours4 ,now ,i am fully convinced that ,i am found1 and brought back to the flock of whom ,,jesus ,,christ is the ,shepherd3 and ,i will adore and praise him for what ,he has done for me through ,grace1 and trust in ,him for what ,he has promised to do4 ,o6 most blessed ,,jesus1 thou who hast been pleased to protect me through so many dangers1 and watched over me ever since my youthful days2 be pleased ,i beseech thee1 to keep me now that ,i am found3 ,i did not find myself1 thou knowest2 but it was thou1 ,o6 most blessed ,,jesus who found me when lost and ready to sink into the valley of destruction4 ,thou hast brought me from thousands of miles to shew me thy light divine1 and to make me a prisoner of hope instead of a prisoner of war4 ,o6 ,eternal ,,three in ,,one1 look down on thine unworthy servant1 and water his ,soul with the dew of thy ,heavenly ,grace1 that he may be prepared to receive that never fading ,crown1 which is at the end of the race thou hast enabled him to run3 and help him to renounce all other works but thine4 ,now ,i forsake all the riches and pleasures of this world1 for the ,eternal life which was purchased by the precious ,blood of thy dear ,son ,,jesus3 to which ,i beseech thee1 to keep me now1 and to the end4 ,,amen4 ,,the ,,west ,,indian ,,hymn4 ,this my son was dead1 and is alive again2 he was lost and is found4 ,,prodigal',s ,,father4 ,now though six thousand miles from home1 ,yet nearer to my ,,god ,i come ',twas ,,jesus' love that set me free1 ,and brought me back by grace to thee1 ,and ,,jesus will lead me to see2 ,eternal days4 ,and now that ,i am found1--keep me ,that ,i may never go from thee3 ,thus fill my soul with thy free grace1 ,that ,i may run the christian race1 ,and see my ,,saviour face to face2 ,in endless days4 ,thou didst seek me when a stranger1 ,in my guilt and road to danger1 ,and to bring me home to my ,,god1 ,didst interpos'd thy precious blood1 ,that ,i might sing with saints aloud2 ,through endless days4 ,o6 blessed be the sacred ,place1#bg ,where ,i have found such ,heav'nly grace1 ,that sav'd me from my nature's fall1 ,and give me on my ,,god to call2 ,o6 ,,jesus at thy feet ,i fall3 ,through endless days4 ,till then1 do thou in my heart dwell1 ,rule in it and do all things well3 ,lead me to that e'erblessed place1 ,where ,i hope to behold thy face1 ,and help me thy foot-steps to trace2 ,to endless rest4 ,there ,i shall praise my ,,saviour dear1 ,while his own ,righteousness ,i wear3 ,i'll shout and sing redeeming love1 ,which did my first affections move1 ,and never more will let me rove2 ,through endless days4 #bg ,,sion ,chapel4 ,,finis4 ,,parkes ,,printer1 and ,,auctioneer1 ,,ashbourn4