This was his state about the year 1749. And in substance, I believe (tho’ all do not so circumstantially attend to it) this agrees with the experience of most of the children of God. One would not however attempt to fix a determinate point: making the progress of the work of God in one, or a thousand persons, a standard by which to judge of the genuineness of the experience of others. _There are diversities of operations by the same spirit. But it is the same God, who worketh all in all._ With some souls, it pleaseth our Lord to deal more gently, than with others; as (to mention no more examples) in the case of _Lydia_, and the _jaylor_, (Acts xvi.) The latter, trembling and terrified, _fell down_, prostrate, before _Paul_ and _Silas_, and said, in the utmost consternation, _What must I do to be saved!_ While the former, without any such previous terror, had her heart gently _opened to attend unto_, and receive the words of eternal life, _which were spoken of Paul_. And there are no doubt, thousands of resembling instances at this day. But in general, it may be observed, that with regard to those, whom God intends for the service of other souls, he gives them to feel, as they are able to bear, the uttermost of their nature’s death; the bitterness and desert of the sin that dwells in the heart, as well as the wicked works of their life, before he shews them his salvation; that being feelingly acquainted with the evil nature of sin, and the wretchedness of an unregenerate state, they may be the better capable of sympathizing with, and counselling others in like circumstances; and be quickened in their endeavours of saving souls from death. But in _all_ who are begetting again to newness of life, there is a deep consciousness of want. And there never has been an instance of true conversion among grown persons, where the soul did not previously feel its poverty, guilt, or danger, in a greater or less degree. Our Saviour heals none who have not a _feeling_ want, producing earnest desires of being healed. It is the _weary_ and the _heavy laden_, whom he calls to come to him, that they may find rest to their souls. He is the _living bread_, and _the water of life_, for which, only awakened souls hunger and thirst, and with which alone, they can be satisfied. Having mentioned St. _Austin_, with reference to the usual manner of our Lord’s dealing with souls, intended for the service of others; and considering the resemblance, which in some parts of his experience, there is, with the experience of him before us, I persuade myself it will not be unacceptable to some readers, to subjoin a short account of the travail of his soul, above fourteen hundred years ago, in his own words.