144 VireElions forgetting and keeping mutual interet of fellow-members ) for want of the publike communication of the extraordinary and more notable experiences of forne men.Thofe that write the lives of the holiefl men when they are dead can give you but the outfide and carkafs of their Memorials; The molt obfervable paffages are ufually fecrer, known only to God and their own fouls ; which none but themfelves are able to communicate. For my own part, I do foberly and ferioufly profefs to you, that the experiences I have had ofGods fpecial Providences, and Fatherly care,and fpecially ofhis hearing prayers,havebeen fo frange,and great,and exceeding numerous, that they have donevery much to the quietingof my fpirir,and the perfwading my foul ofGods Love to me, and the filencing and [flaming ofmy unbelieving heart, and efpecially for theconquering ofall temptations that lead to Atheifm or infidelity, to the denying of fpe. cial Providence, or of theverity of the Gofpel, or of the Necefiity of holy prayer & worshipping of God. Yea,thofe paffages that in the bulk of th thing Teem to have no great matter in them, yet have come at fuch feafons, in fuch a manner, in evident anfwer to prayers,that theyhave done much to my confirmati- on. O happy filidions and Diflrefres I Sufferings and Danger force us to pray, and force the cold and cuftomary Petitioner to ferioufnefs and importunity. ImportunatePrayers bring evident returns ; fuch re- turns give us fenfible experiences ; fuch experiences raife faith, love,and thankfulness ; kill unbelief and Atheifm ; and encourage the foul in all difirelfes to go the fame way as when it fpeda fo well. I often pitty the poor feduced Infidels Of this age that deny Scrip
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