Page:Records of the Life of the Rev. John Murray.djvu/184

174 Lord laid the iniquities of us all. I assured him, we had many things in our various characters to perform, to which it was our bounden duty to attend; and that those, who continued in offences, would be experimentally able to say, "Truly, the way of the transgressor is hard;" for, assuredly, they would be chastised with many stripes. My appearance at East-Greenwich was welcomed by Mr. Varnum, and others. Several gentlemen, whom I had not before known, called upon me at Mr. Varnum's; among these was Dr. Hawkins, who questioned me, and appeared satisfied with my answers; he introduced me to his friends, Mr. Green, &c. &c. I preached, in the court-house, to a crowded audience. The superior court was then in session; the judges and the lawyers were among my hearers. I was labouring under great indisposition, but God was with me. Esquire Casey took me to his house, where I was met by judge Potter for the purpose of conversation. He said, he had never been pleased with pulpit exhibitions, because they were so replete with contradictions, and he was determined to sift me thoroughly. We passed the night together; he performed what he had proposed, with candour, and appeared satisfied with the result. At parting, he earnestly wished me success, and prayed that I might be preserved from the power of the priest, and the flatterer. This gentleman continued to evince great affection for me; he seemed to understand and feel the power of the gospel;—I had not seen his superior. At this period, I was desirous of extending my tour as far as Boston: but, notwithstanding the repeated manifestations of divine protection, with which I had been favoured, a reluctance to venturing on untried scenes was gradually pervading my spirit, and I was again ready to ask, What am I to do in Boston? Yet I added: O! my unbelieving heart, who shall deliver me from this body of sin and death? Blessed be God, who is faithful. Passing an hour at Mrs. Green's, I was introduced to a lady from Boston, a Mrs. Hubbard; she questioned me upon the doctrine of reprobation, particularly that passage, which expressly asserts, "Jacob have I loved, and Esau have I hated." My answers were so much to her satisfaction, that she gave me a pressing invitation to her house in Boston; and as I contemplated a journey thither, she prayed me to take a letter to Mr. Hubbard, and to make his dwelling my abode, during my continuance in the metropolis of Massachusetts. From East-Greenwich I proceeded to Pawtuxet, delivering my message in their house of worship; and from thence I repaired to Providence, where I was received by those, who had before bade me welcome, with continued kindness.