And thus in reality it was with this servant of God; so that the uncomfortable apprehensions which he sometimes felt, even till near his end, in regard of dying must needs be ascribed, chiefly, to the permission of God to Satan, to exercise him in this manner; and may be considered as a _thorn_ in his _flesh, the messenger of Satan to buffet him_; perhaps partly for the easement of other tempted souls, and with regard to himself, thereby more fully “To prove him, and illustrate his high worth, Whose constant perseverance overcame Whatever _Satan’s_ malice could invent.”¹ ¹ Milton. He studied deeply the nature of the Christian warfare, and was well practised in the use of its weapons. His thoughts on _the whole armour of_ God,¹ ♦were the genuine result of his own experience. The combats which he met with, needed not less than the whole; and he both tried, and proved that every part thereof is indeed essential. Something very different from the preceeding particulars he relates as follows, ¹ There is a sermon of his printed under this title. ♦ “where” replaced with “were” “_Friday, August 2, 1754._ I talked with one to-day, who was sorely tempted, (how mysterious!) to kill me; and for no other reason than because she was awakened under my preaching to feel herself a poor lost sinner.” Again, “_September 16._ After preaching, a young woman came to me, and said, that some time before, she had brought a knife with her to preaching, intending to kill me; but was so terrified under the last prayer, that she durst not attempt it. The devil suggested, that if she did but take away my life, the burden which she felt through my preaching, would immediately depart.” I shall conclude this chapter with a few other particulars, relating to this head of trials, taken from his own words. “This day I was sorely tempted. _Satan_ threw many of his _fiery darts_ at me. I never before felt such agony in resisting, what are commonly called blasphemous thoughts. I cried unto the Lord, and he delivered me!” “In the evening (not of the same day) I was in great distress. My soul was much weighed down. I felt grievous horror in my spirit, and yet I was resolved, although the Lord should slay me, to trust in him. In the very hour that I came to this resolution, my burden was removed; and the Lord gave me to rejoice in spirit.” “This day, (_April 1754_) I had conversation with some Christian friends, concerning temptations, and the general experience of the saints. And however _Satan_ may be permitted to trouble their body or soul, I always believed, that God doth not hide his face, unless to punish us for commission of sin, or omission of duty. And the more I meditate upon this subject, the more abundantly I am confirmed in my judgment.”