“It may be asked then, ‘Why did I leave their communion, since I thought so favourably of them:’ I answer, because I was abundantly convinced, that as a church, they have erred from the right way, and adulterated the truths of God with the inventions and traditions of men; which the scriptures, and even celebrated writers of themselves abundantly testify. God is my witness herein, that the sole motive which induced me to leave them, was an unfeigned desire to know the way of God more perfectly, in order to the salvation of my soul. For altho’ I then felt, and do yet feel my heart to be as the prophet speaks, deceitful, and desperately wicked with regard to God; yet I was sincere in my reformation, having from the holy Spirit an earnest desire to save my soul, and prepare to meet my God.
“If it should be still asked, ‘But could I not be saved, supposing I had never left the church of Rome?’ I answer, If I had never known the truth of the scriptures concerning the way of salvation, nor been convinced that their principles were anti-scriptural, then I think I might have been saved in her communion, the merciful God making allowance for my invincible ignorance. But now, since God hath enlightened my mind, and given me to see the truth as it is in Jesus, if I had still continued a member of the church of Rome, I could not have been saved.
“With regard to others, I say nothing. I know that every man must bear his own burden, and give an account of himself to God. To their own master, both they and I must stand or fall. But love however, and tender compassion for their souls, constrain me to pour out a prayer to God in their behalf.
“All souls are thine, O Lord God, and thou willest all to come to the knowledge of the truth and be saved. For this end thou did give thy only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him, might not perish, but have everlasting life. I beseech thee therefore O eternal God, shew thy tender mercies upon those poor souls who have been long deluded by the god of this world, the pope, and his clergy. Jesus, thou lover of souls and friend of sinners, send to them thy light, and truth, that they may lead them, and call those straying sheep, now perishing for lack of knowledge, to the light of thy word, which is able to make them wise to salvation through faith, which is in thee!”
CHAPTER V.
Some further account of his progress in the way of life, with other reasons of his conduct in regard of the church of Rome.
THE affair of renouncing communion with the Romish church, and declaring himself a member of the church of England, being now over, he set himself to read with much diligence the holy scriptures, together with the writings of some of the most eminent Protestant divines. And hereby he received further light every day, being more and more persuaded that his conduct was right.
By this means he began likewise to see into the nature of the gospel, and the one, only way which it points to life and blessedness, grace and glory. ‘Now (says he) I begin to discern clearly that it is the blood of Christ alone which cleanseth from sin, and that by one offering of himself once for all, he hath perfected for ever them that are sanctified.’[¹]—Perfectly accomplished, without any need of other helps, or repetitions of the same, all that was necessary in order to the justification and glorification of all believers.
[¹] Hebrews x. 14.