*His uniform composure was the rather to be noticed, as his life was not of the recluse, but of the popular kind. He had to do with multitudes; and, unless on special occasions, was seldom above six hours together out of company. It is true he seldom appeared in publick, unless to speak of the things of eternity, in some respect or other. But he was so shut in with God, that all places became alike to him; and he retained the same attention to God in the most thronged streets of London, as he could have had in the most sequestered wilderness. Curious sights, elegant furniture in shops or houses, magnificent buildings, fine shews, the ringing of bells, firing of guns, with every thing of this kind; were no more to him than the chirping of a sparrow, or the buzzing of a fly.
*To all which, the constant government which he had over his senses, greatly contributed. The difference of tastes, harmony of sounds, and whatever his eyes could behold, were as nothing to him. He was in this respect truly crucified to the world, and the world to him. Even in travelling through the most pleasant parts of the country, and in the pleasantest seasons, when the stupendous beauties of the creation, the spacious firmament, the verdure of the country, (nature’s loveliest universal robe;) the music of the groves, and all the joint beauties of nature, might have furnished him with delightful contemplation; yet he seemed insensible to the whole, enjoying a
“Paradise within him happier far!”
*When he at any time adverted to the works of God in the creation, he was delighted chiefly with the heavens, paved as it were, with those living fires, the spangled stars. But the use which he made of every thing, was to get more acquainted with God, and so
——by this stupendous scaffolding
Creation’s golden steps to climb to him!
He was in truth loosed from earth’s inclosure, and from the contracted circle of the sun, his heart was set at large. Christ, and the scriptures, with things pertaining to them, were the only and uniform objects of his attention, and every thing, place or person, which did not serve to promote, in some degree, his knowledge and love of these, had with him the estimate of trivial and insignificant.
*And hence it was, that the presence of God became so exceeding familiar to him. He could not be content a moment without it. And hereby was he fitted likewise, for more glorious, and more frequent divine communications; of which he had not a few, in the course of his progress. Several times has he been quite lost to himself, and insensible of every thing about him, being left in the visions of God. Two instances in particular are related in his diary, in which he seemed as though he was out of the body for sometime. One day I remember going to visit a person who was ill, as soon he got to the stair case, being in his usual composure, “Did you see that light?” said he, with a sudden low voice. To which I answered partly with a sigh, having seen nothing. He said no more. But it was easy to discern in him the rest of that day and night, a very peculiar solemnity of soul.
In places of publick worship, he hardly ever saw any body, so as to distinguish them; and in every means of grace, his grand aim was, to find more of God within him. He waited for this in lively earnest composure; and thus approaching the Lord’s table in particular, he ate the flesh and drank the blood of the Son of God indeed. “My heart burned! Was in a flame! O what a fire of divine love was there!” were the frequent memorials which he left in his diary, after communicating those heavenly sweets, which often overflowed his soul at the altar, and spread their inundation over every other part of his holy living. His recollection carried itself into the midst of all his labours, in which he was still preserved, without dissipation, notwithstanding their multiplicity, and sometimes intricate nature. It was very usual with him to express what he felt of God, by the simile of fire, to which the operations of the Holy Ghost are frequently compared in scripture. He often felt in prayer, in preaching, and walking, a kind of scorching within him, from the love of God. And from the abundance of the heart, his mouth generally spoke. Words of life, and fire issued as it were out of his lips, which were no other than the sparks of a burning heart. And often he could hardly refrain from expressing the holy raptures of his soul out aloud; as, O holy God! Glorious Jehovah! Blessed Jesus! Son of the living God! He used frequently to stand up and sing,
O love, how chearing is thy ray!