, excepting
Christ
crucified, or rather arisen in me, whereby all worldly Matters are crucified unto me.
Within about a Fortnight after my Conversion, I received a Letter from a Friend in
London,
informing me that my old Uncle had secretly married a young Creature, who was lately delivered of a Son. That he now openly acknowledged her for his Wife; and that this, as he feared, did not bode me any Good.
At another Time, these Tidings would have greatly alarmed me; but I was now equally resigned and indifferent to all Events.
In a few Days after, as I was stepping out of my Lodgings, I was arrested in the Name, and at the Suit of my Uncle, for ��.700, the precise Sum for which I had drawn upon him about nine Months before. All the Consequences of this Caption immediately occurred to me. I perceived that my Uncle intended to deprive me of my Patrimony, in Favour of his new Family; and, as I had no Means for opposing his Machinations, save what lay in his own Hands, I concluded that a Jail was to be my Portion for Life. Wherefore, I lifted up my Heart and said, within myself, to Prisons and to Death give me cheerfully to follow thee, O thou who, in Death, art the Life and Resurrection!
My Spirit had no sooner uttered this short Ejaculation, than I felt such a Weight of Peace descending upon me, that my Heart leaped within me at the Prospect of Suffering, and I would not have exchanged my Prison for a Throne.
While I quietly walked with the Officers toward the Place of my Durance, they came to a great Tavern, where they entered and proposed to regale themselves at my Expense.
Mean time, a
Dutch
Merchant of great Eminence, happened to be, with his Lady, in the principal Room, and, hearing a Bustle in the House, he enquired the Cause, and sent for the chief Bailiff.
Soon after, I was conducted into their Presence. They Both rose as I entered; and the Gentleman, approaching, took me familiarly by the Hand and said in
Dutch,
Mr.
Meekly,
I hear You are in Distress, and that is sufficient to recommend you to my Services; but your Appearance exacts Something more from my Inclinations. Pray let me know wherein, and how far it may be requisite for you to command me.
I muttered Somewhat, as I suppose, inarticulately toward an Answer. For I protest, my Lord, I was so struck, so awed, so confounded, by
