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CHristian and Inge∣nuous Reader (for to such I would only make this ad∣dress) thou wilt find in this Re∣lation a rare Example of Chri∣stianity and Ingenuity, which I wish it may affect thee, as it hath done me at several times; for I must confess, that by the zeal and ingenuity of this Pro∣selyte in the profession of Chri∣stianity, I have been oft-times awakened to many affections and
paroxysms of love towards Je∣sus Christ, and been reproved and ashamed within my self, that he should in his first beginning of acquaintance with the Lord Jesus, outstrip me in many things, who have had so long acquain∣tance with him, and manifold experiences of his goodness and providences towards me: But as this on the one hand hath con∣vinced me of my failing; so on the other hand it hath moved me to a loving admiration and ado∣ration of the free grace and work of the Spirit of God, who blow∣eth where he listeth, and shew∣eth mercy on whom he will have mercy,* 1.1 and hath com∣passion on whom he will
have compassion. For here we have a clear example of this way of Gods dealing, in causing one who lived in the greatness and splendor of the world, to renounce all for the love of Je∣sus Christ, to come amongst Chri∣stians to live unto him in obedi∣ence to his will; and being come amongst those first, who un∣der the name of Christianity were found by him to be Idola∣ters, although they used all ways of industry and allurements to invite him to live amongst them, yet he rather chose to forsake all the enjoyments which he might have had amongst them, to em∣brace the Society of poor Pro∣stants, where he could have no
hopes of preferment, than to be deprived of the meanes of being perfectly joyned unto the Lord, by saving knowledge, and the conversation of those that are truly Godly: wherein we may observe another act of special grace, that he was taught by the Spirit to discern the falshood of the by way, before he was fully instructed in the Truth; and now since he is come to the know∣ledge of the Truth, I find his great grievance and trouble to be this, that he can meet with very few who are sincere in their walking answerable to the Rule; for of this he doth with much passion sometimes complain, that it is a wonder to him, and a
cause of much affliction, that such as have the knowledge of the great love of Jesus Christ towards their soules, and have received from him so rich pro∣mises, and so perfect a Law, should have no more respect un∣to him and his wayes; so that oft-times when he hath fallen upon these complaints, with some passionate expressions, as if his heart were ready to break, he hath brought into my mind, with more life than ever I for∣merly could represent unto my self the passions which the Psal∣mist in the 119. Psalm saith he was in by reason of the wicked who transgressed the Law of God; As when he saith, v. 53.
ror hath taken hold upon me, because of the wicked that forsake thy Law. And again, v. 158. I beheld the transgressors, and was grie∣ved, because they kept not thy word. I say that I never understood the nature of this grief and horror so lively with∣in my self, as I have perceived it in him; by which evidence of grace in him, I confess, to the glory of God, that I have been much edified, and many times have had cause to condemn mine own soul, for the sluggish dis∣position under which I am found, when I have perceived so much life, and vigorous zeal and sin∣cerity in a new Convert; who
hath quit all, and doth count e∣very thing but dung to win Christ, and to find the life of his Holiness amongst Christians: For the truth is, that in all his Converse with others, this is his business, to discern who hath this life of love to Christ; who it is that walks without worldly interests, and is unbyassed in the profession: And because he doth meet with so few in whom he can perceive the sincerity and ingenuity of the Spirit of Christ, therefore he is oft-times troubled and offended; and I am made partaker of his grief, and made more sensible of it than at any time heretofore, when I have had no such object to con∣verse
withall; but chiefly I find him in the extremit of passion with anger and grief, when he perceives (and truly he is very discerning) that under any pre∣tence of Religion or of Righteous∣ness men drive on some self-inte∣rest; when he perceives this, he knows not almost with what words of indignation to detest that hypo∣crisie: So that to conclude, I must truly say, to the glory of God, that wch is upon my heart, that whiles I have been imployed to instruct and comfort him, I have profited more by his conversation, than by any that I have been ac∣quainted withall in England; and if this man should not prove sincere and upright in the way
of Godliness, I shall confess that I know no evidence to discern the uprightness of any man henceforth in this world.
And if thou that art ingenu∣ous and sincere in thy love to Christ, wilt converse with him, I make no doubt but thou wilt find this to be a Truth, which in simplicity of heart, to encou∣rage thee to look to thy wayes, as in the presence of God, is freely attested by
Thy servant in Christ, JOHN DURIE.
Rom. 9. 15.