get the grain out of the chaff. The grievance was if it rained, we could not winnow the corn —and, if we did not, there was no dinner. As I was musing over it in my mind, this horrid temptation came to my thoughts; namely, that God did every thing contrary to people's desire; and that, if I prayed for a fine day, it would surely rain-but, if I swore I knew it would rain, then it certainly would not. I obeyed this wretched temptation, and swore several dreadful oaths that I knew it would rain, and it cleared up and rained not. So the father of lies appeared to speak the truth. We dressed the corn and I got my dinner. But, when I came to reflect on this temptation, I was much astonished, and asked many questions about God, and desired to know who the devil was; and I got information enough to convince me that I had awfully sinned against God, and that my wretched oaths came from Satan. The thoughts of such a wretched temptation filled me with many cogitations, fears, and terrors; and made me often afraid to be alone, either by day or night: then I generally said the Lord's prayer over and over again every time I was alone; but, when out of danger, I left off.

Having continued working with my father about a twelvemonth, I was determined not to live this starving life any longer, if I could get from it. I therefore made inquiry if any farmer

wanted a boy of my age; and was informed of a certain yeoman who wanted a lad to wait at table, look after a horse, &c. I watched the gentleman to market, and from thence to the inn, where I went and spoke to him. He told me that he wanted a boy, but that he would not hire me except I would engage with him for the term of three years. His reason for this was, because his boys had left him as soon as they had learnt to do their business. He said he should give me two coats, two waistcoats, and two hats in the term, and no more wages than twenty shillings per annum. I informed him that I had no more clothes than what he saw, if with propriety they might be called clothes. He replied, my perquisites would be sufficient to find me in linen and other necessaries; and added, that his boys formerly had divided their perquisites with the maid-servants, but it should not be so any more-my perquisites should be my own. The bargain was struck, and soon the happy day arrived; and I went to my servitude as miserably rigged as any poor vessel of wrath could be. When I came to have my belly-full of victuals I was quite ill for some time, but at length recovered. I had lived here about six or seven months, and found my perquisites to be very small indeed; but one day there happened to be an entertainment for the officers of the Kentish militia; my perquisites arising from this enter

tainment amounted to the nett sum of thirteen shillings, in consequence of which the maid-ervants murmured for two thirds of it-the mistress listened to their complaints, and ordered a distribution. This was hard, as I wanted my thirteen shillings to go so many ways. I pleaded my bargain with my mistress, but her terms were positive—a distribution must be made, or I must quit my servitude. I went to my mother for counsel upon this very dubious point; whose counsel was, that I should keep my moneyand I obeyed her voice at the expense of my place. I was immediately ordered to go into the stripping room, and there pull off my livery, and adorn myself once more in my old rags, and then go home to the old trade of pinching. I now went to hard labour for fourpence per day, and continued at it near a year, and repented taking my mother's counsel and leaving my place; but I was not to settle until I was brought to the decreed spot where I was to meet with the dear Redeemer, and engage in that work to which I was ordained from all eternity.

From labouring at fourpence per day I went to live with 'Squire Cook, which place I got in answer to prayer, as is related in my BANK OF FAITH. In this place I dived deeper into the mystery of iniquity than ever I had before; for here was a stable servant who was capable of corrupting a thousand lads. "One sinner de

stroyeth much good." Being very fond of the man, I eagerly swallowed down all that my filthy tutor could vomit up. This so hardened my heart, and corrupted my mind, that I cast off all fear and restraint, broke through all my vows to God, and became a Deist. How I left this place is recited in the above-mentioned treatise.

Having been out of place some months, I went to Battle-abbey; and during my stay there continued hardened in sin, excepting now and then when the thoughts of death lay on my mind; but then I endeavoured to stifle them, and to get into company as much as possible. i When I left this place I went to live with a clergyman at Frittenden in the Wild of Kent, about four or five miles from Cranbrook. I am going now to relate a very disagreeable circumstance, and which I would rather bury than revive; but there are many professors who have been at great pains, and have travelled many miles, to rake into this disagreeable circumstance, in order to bring it to light. That I may (in one sense) possess the iniquities of my youth, Job. xiii. 26, though not the guilt of them, I shall not mention the names of these diligent inquisitors, nor endeavour to put them to shame; for God has promised to do that himself, and I have no doubt but he will be as good as his word.

After I had been some few weeks in the

service of the above-mentioned gentleman, I contracted an intimacy with a taylor in the place, whom I employed at times to do what I wanted in his way of business. This man had a daughter, an only child, possessed of no small share of beauty, if I may be allowed to be a judge of that vain and fading article, Prov. xxxi. 30. Isa. xxviii. 1. However, her beauty did not attract my affections, though I admired it, for I was a stranger to love. I continued intimately acquainted with this family for some months; and, being of a cheerful disposition, and my mind naturally pregnant with much drollery, I made myself very familiar with this little black-eyed girl, but entertained no thoughts of courtship, nor had I the least affection for her any further than as a neighbour. It came to pass one evening that I went to the house to light a lanthorn to carry into the church, as myself and a few more young men were going to make a noise with the church-bells. While lighting my candle I put forth some jocose sayings to the girl, which I believe gave the father of the damsel a suspicion of courtship between me and his daughter; and he gave me to understand that my room was better than my company. I was rather amazed at it, as there was nothing to give offence in what I said; for, though my mind was stored with jests, quick replies, &c. (and indeed I believe I was born with them, for they grew