285. I never endeavoured to nor durst make use of other men's lines (Rom. xv. 18), though I condemn not all that do; for I verily thought, and found by experience, that what was taught me by the Word and Spirit of Christ could be spoken, maintained, and stood to by the soundest and best established conscience. And though I will not now speak all that I know in this matter, yet my experience hath more interest in that text of scripture, Gal. i. ll, 12, than many amongst men are aware.
286. If any of those who were awakened by my ministry did after that fall back, as sometimes too many did, I can truly say their loss hath been more to me than if my own children, begotten of my own body, had been going to their grave; I think, verily I may speak it without any offence to the Lord, nothing has gone so near me as that—unless it was the fear of the loss of the salvation of my own soul. I have counted as if I had goodly buildings and lordships in those places where my children were born; my heart had been so wrapped up in the glory of this excellent work, that I counted myself more blessed and honoured of God by this than if he had made me the emperor of the Christian world, or the lord of all the glory of the earth without it! Oh these words, "He which converteth the sinner from the error of his way shall save a soul from death '7 (Jas. v. 20)—"The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life; and he that "winneth souls is wise" (Prov. xi. 30)—"They that be wise shall shine as the brightness of the firmament; and they that turn many to righteousness, as the stars forever and ever" (Dan. xii. 3)—"For what is our hope, or joy, or crown of rejoicing? Are not even ye in the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ at his coming? For ye are our glory and joy" (1 Thess. ii. 19, 20)—these, I say, with many others of a like nature, have been great refreshments to me.
287. I have observed that where I have had a work to do for God, I have first had as it were the going of God upon
