Cheraw gazette. [volume] (Cheraw, S.C.) 1835-1838, 1837-08-09
TIE POET COWPER'S CONVEX
SION.
WRITTEN BY HIMSELF.


I cannot recollect that till the mon III
December. in the thirty second year OF
nv life, I had ever any serious impressions
OF a religious kind, OF at all bethough'
mysplf of the things Of my salvation,
except in two or three instances. The
first was of tronstory L nature, and pas
sed when wa. young, that, did not intend
what follows for a history of my
heart so faras religion has been IFS object,
Ishould hardly mention it.
Here follows long account of painful
exercise and awful temptations. with which
he was harrassed aEer which he proceeds
as follows }
At length remembered my friend, Mar
Tin MADAM, and sent for him. | used to
think him an enthusiast, but now seemed
convinced, that if there was any balm in
Gt,ead, he must administer it to me. On
former occasions, when my spiritual con:
Germs had at any time occurred to me, !
Thought likewise on the necessity OF re-
pentance. knew that many persons had
spoken of shedding tears for sin; but when
Iasked myself whether the time would
ever come, when should weep for mine, 1t
seemed 70 me that stone might sooner do
it.
Not knowing that Christ was exalted to
give repentance, l despaired of ever attain
ing to 1t. My friend came to me; we Sat
on the bedside together, and he began TO de-
clare to me the gospel. He spoke of origin
al sin and the corruption ofevery man born
into the world, whereby every one is child
ofwrath. perceived something like hope
dawn in my heart. This doctrine set me
more ona level with The rcStofmankind, and
made my condition appear less desperate.
Next he insisted on the all a,oning efficacy,
Of the blood of Jesus, and his righteousness
for our Justification. While l heard this
mart of his discourse, and the scriptures on
which he founded it, mytcart began 10 burn
within me; my soul was pierced with a
sense of my bitter ingra!itude TO so mercI;
tul a saviour, and those tears which |
thought impossible, burst forth freely.
saw Clearly that my case required such q
remedy, and had not the least doubt wih'n
me, but that this was the gospel Of saliva
,ion. Lastly, he urged the necessity oi a
Gyely faith in Jesus Christ; not an assent
only of the understanding, but faith ofap-
plicaton, laying hold fit, and embracing
il as salvation wrought out for me person.
ally, Here failed and deplored my want
ofsuch y faith. H. told me it was the
aift of God, which he trusted he would
bestow upon me. could only reply 81
wish he would: "a very irreSercnt petl.
ton, but very sincere one, and such as the
blessed God, in his due time was pleased to
answer.
NV brother finding that | had received
consolation from Mr.. MADAM, was very
anxious, that should take the earliest op.
portunity ofconversing with him again; and
= for this purpose pressed me 10 60 to him
Immediately. was for putting II off, bu!
my brother seemed impatient o! delay, and
at length prevailed on me to set out: !
mention this 10 to the honour Of his candour
and humanity, which would suffer no differ,
ence of sentiments to interfere. Myweliare
was his only object. and all prejudice He'd
before his zeal to procure II.
(After marrating a series OF Temptations
and despairing apPrehensions, he thus ob'
serves respecting the favoured season, when
BY the power of God divine light broke in
upon his soul.
But the happy period which was to shake
off nv fetters, and afford me 4 clear open
inc of fine free mercy ofGod in Christ Je-
sus, was now arrived. flung myself into
chair near the window, and seeing q
bible there, ven,ured once more 10 apply tc
j, for comfort and instruction. The frs
verse saw, was the 25th ofthe 81 OF no.
mans: "Whom God hath set forth TO be Z
Precipitation through faith in his blood, 10 de-
clare his righteousness for the remission o.
sins that are past, through the torbearance
ofGod." Immediately received strength
70 believe; and the full beams octhe sun o.
righteousness shone upon me. | saw the SUI
fciency ofthe atouement he had made, my
oardon sealed in his blood, and all the full
ness and completeness Of his justification
In moment believe! and received tht
gospel. Whatever my friend MADAM hac
said to me, so long, before revived IN all 1T
clearness, with demons,rat on Of the splrl
and with power.
Unless the Almighty arm had been unde
me think should have died of gratitud
and JOY. NY eyes filed Wit ears, an'