together in one all things in CHRIST, both which are in heaven, and which are on earth, &c.

Such passages as these I mentioned in this manner, hoping that they would be fulfilled. The people of the house seemed surprised, and asked me if I believed so; I answered, "That sometimes I could not help hoping that it might be so." I could hardly have imagined among friends that any danger could have arisen from my expressing a hope that the Scriptures were true.

However these false friends told a minister, whom for a number of years I had esteemed as my best and most intimate friend, that I was turned heretic, and believed the doctrine of the Universal Restoration, and desired him to convince me. Some time after he met with me in the street, and in a very abrupt manner told me, that he had wanted to see me for some time, that he might give me a piece of his mind; that he had been informed by such a person, that I was inclined to the doctrine of the Universal Restoration, and then, instead of using any argument to convince me, or taking any method for my recovery, added this laconic speech, "If you embrace this sentiment, I shall no longer own you for a brother." And he has hitherto been as good as his word, having never writen nor spoken to me from that day to this, and when I have since offered to shake hands with him, he refused; and yet he was one whom I esteemed above any other on earth, as a hearty, sincere, long-tried, and faithful friend. If my intimate friend treated me in such a manner, what had I not to expect from my open and avowed enemies?

I now foresaw the storm, and I determined to prepare for it, not by denying what I had said, but by examining and determining for myself, whether the sentiment was according to scripture or not. If I found that it was not, I was determined to retract, but if it was, to hold it fast, let the consequences be what they might. I had now no time to lose. I expected in a short time to be called to an account, and examined respecting this doctrine, and obliged either to defend or deny it; I was already too well persuaded that it was true, to do the latter without hesitation, and yet not sufficiently for the former. For this purpose, I shut myself up chiefly in my chamber, read the Scriptures, and prayed to God to lead me into all truth, and not suffer me to embrace any error; and I think that with an upright mind, I laid myself open to believe whatever the Lord had revealed. It would be too long to tell all the teachings I had on this head; let it suffice, in short, to say, that I became so well persuaded of the truth of the Universal Restoration, that I was determined never to deny it, let it cost me ever so much, though all my numerous friends should forsake me, as I expected they would, and though I should be driven from men, and obliged to dwell in caves or dens of the earth, and feed on wild roots and vegetables, and suffer the loss of all things, friends, wealth, fame, health, character, and even life itself. The truth appeared to me more valuable than all things, and as I had found it, I was determined never to part with it, let what would be offered in exchange.

I had now formed my resolution, and was determined how to act when the trial came. Hitherto I had said nothing about the Restoration in public, and little in private; but I preached up the death of Christ, and salvation for mankind through him, without restriction. This free manner of preaching gave offence to some, who came to hear me no more. On the evening of the 22d of January, 1781, a number of the members of the church, who had heard that I held the doctrine of the Restoration, met me at a friend's house, to ask me the question, Whether I did or not? I acknowledged that I did, but did not wish to trouble any body with my sentiments. They desired me neither to preach them in public, nor to converse of them in private. I told them that if they would prevent people from asking me, I would say nothing upon the matter; but if people asked me concerning my sentiments, I could not deny them, and if they wished to know the reasons, I must inform them. And thus the matter was to rest; but some that were present wished to know the foundation of my sentiments, others opposed it, not wishing to hear any thing in its favor. At length it was agreed that I might read the passages of Scripture upon which I judged the doctrine of the Restoration to be founded, but must not add a single word of explanation on my part, and on their parts they were not to ask any questions, or make the least opposition, for if they did, I insisted upon the liberty of defending.

Accordingly I took the Bible, and read many passages in the Old and New Testaments, which I judged to contain the doctrine; and the very

reading of them convinced several of the company of the truth of the Restoration. There was nothing farther took place at that time: We parted with mutual agreement; I was not to preach it in the pulpit, nor to introduce it in conversation, but I would not be obliged to deny it, when asked, nor to refuse to vindicate it, if opposed; and on their parts they were not to speak of it to my prejudice, but to endeavor as much as possible, to keep the matter close, and so we parted. But notwithstanding all the pains that could be taken, the matter got abroad, and several came to discourse with me on my principles, to whom I gave such reasons as I was able for what I believed. A little after this time, I met with another copy of the Everlasting Gospel, which I then read through with attention for the first time, and found much satisfaction; the arguments and Scripture proofs therein contained, seemed to me sufficient to convince all that would read with candor and attention.

I still continued to act only on the defensive, not preaching upon the subject, nor going about to private houses to make interest in my favor but if any came to me and wished me to discourse upon it, I would not refuse; and thus a number were convinced of its truth, while others violently opposed it. And thus matters continued until the latter end of March. Having heard that the German Baptists in Germantown, about 8 miles from Philidelphia, held the doctrine of the Restoration, I had appointed to spend the first Sunday in April with them; and this engagement had been made sometime: Just as I was ready to go out of the city on Saturday, I

found that some of the members of the Church had privately sent into the country, and collected a number of the ablest ministers, who were arrived in the city on purpose to debate. I gave them the liberty of my pulpit as they pleased for the next day, and went out of the city to go to Germantown: and took that opportunity to go and visit that ancient, venerable, and excellent man, Dr. George De Benneville, who received me in the most kind, open, and friendly manner; and his conversation was most highly edifying to me. Afterwards I went to Germantown, and lodged there all night, ready to preach the next day. As soon as my enemies in Philidelphia found that I was gone out of the city, they spread a report that I had fled to avoid an interview with these ministers, who had come on purpose to convince me. Nothing could have been more false, than such a report, for I had been engaged to go to Germantown, on that day, for several weeks beforehand: I knew nothing of these ministers being sent for until they came to town; and I had no fear but I should be able, by God's assistance, to defend the cause before them; and besides, I had appointed to return on Monday, and did return accordingly.

The

whole church met, both my friends and my opposers, and these ministers met with them. I was called to attend a funeral at that time, and was at the house of mourning, when a messenger was sent in haste, to desire my immediate attendance at the meeting without any delay. I found that those who were my enemies in the assembly, had been greatly vaunting over my friends, because I was not present. They said