CHAPTER VI.
Of some particulars previous to his conversion.
AFTER having made use of every means, which either men or books could suggest, but without the desired effect, (being now in the nineteenth year of his age) as he returned to his lodging one evening in the city of Limerick, March 17, 1749, he saw an uncommonly large concourse of people assembled in a place called the Parade adjoining to the main street. He turned aside to see what it meant; and perceiving a man preaching to the people in the open air (a thing then quite new in Ireland,) he eagerly stopped to know what he said. And hearing him (Mr. R. S.) from Matthew xi. 28. affectionately, and earnestly entreat all persons to come to Jesus Christ, that they might find rest to their souls: and withal exhorting them to search the scriptures, and see for themselves if what he said was not true; it filled him with wonder, and with desire to know more of this matter.
He had of a long time sorely felt the want of rest, that is, happiness in his soul. And notwithstanding all his endeavours to obtain it, like the poor woman in the gospel,[¹] who had spent all that she had upon physicians and was nothing bettered, but rather grew worse, his case became every day more insupportable. A pressing invitation therefore to partake of, and an assurance of finding the very thing he so wanted, could not fail of being acceptable to him.
[¹] Mark v. 25.
So impenetrable is the abyss of God’s judgments! Great things doth he, which who can comprehend! He had prepared the soul of his servant to receive with inexpressible joy, the gospel of peace, and sent it him in a way which he least of all expected, and which the wisdom of man would never have made choice of, Thus,
While yet he toil’d, a sudden cry
Proclaim’d th’ approaching multitude,
Who told of Jesus passing by,
Of free redemption in his blood: