Page:Some remarkable passages in the life of Mr. John Livingston.pdf/4

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ing it would divert him from his ſtudies, and, in the midſt of these straits, he resolved to set apart a day by himself before God, for more special direction; which he did near Cleg-horn-wood, where, after much confusion anent the state of his soul, at last he thought it was made out to him, that he behoved to preach Jesus Christ; which if he did not, he should have no assurance of salvation. Upon which, laying aſide all thoughts of other things, he betook himself to the study of divinity.

He continued a year and a half in his father's house, where he studied and sometimes preached. During which time, le wrote all his Sermons before he preached then, until one day, being to preach after the Communion at Q(illegible text) and having in readiness a Sermon (illegible text) he had preached at another place (illegible text) before; but perceiving several (illegible text)d heard him preach that Sermon (illegible text) he resolved to choose a(illegible text)rote only some notes of (illegible text) to deliver: Yet, he says (illegible text) that time, more assistance in (illegible text) upon these points, and more motion in his own heart than ever he had found before; which made him afterwards never write any more Sermons, excepting only some notes, for the help of his memory.