************* Some Account of the Life of Mr. THOMAS LEE. 1. Was born in May, in the year 1717, at a fmaii village in the parish of Kighley, Yorkshire. When I was four years old my Mother died, and I was removed to her Brother's at Long Addingham. Here I was carefully restrained from outward fin: yet I often felt an inclination to it; particularly to fwear, which one day I did: but, bleffed be God, he ftruck me with fo deep a conviction, that I never sware again from that day, nor had the leaft inclination to it. About fourteen I was bound apprentice to one of the Worsted trade, and was by a kind Providence placed in a Family, where I wanted nothing that was needful either for body or foul. 2. From my early days, the Lord was at times powerfully working upon my foul. From ten or eleven years of age, I was exceedingly diftreft. I generally faw, as I thought, Hell before me, and believed it was to be my portion. The words. Everlasting and Eternity, were much upon my mind, infomuch that my life became a burden to me. For on the one hand, Hell appeared intolerable, and on the other I found no delight in the service of God, so that my days were confumed in trouble. Frequently did I murmur against God, and often wifhed to be annihilated. 3. In this ftate I continued till I was fourteen, tho' with fome intervals. I was then a little more at eafe, and followed what are called Recreations. But from fifteen I was more inclined to Reading, and for fome time spent all my vacant hours, in reading the Scripture, and took much pleasure therein. Between fixteen and feventeen, I found much delight in Prayer, and had many inward Confolations, tho' I had never then heard any one fpeak of the Comforts of the VOL. III. Holy D Holy Ghoft. But having none to fpeak to about these things they gradually died away. From seventeen to nineteen was the most carelefs part of my life. I now fought pleasure in mirth and company. But the Lord generally disappointed me, and made it bitter to my foul. I could not find any companions to my mind. I fought mirth: but I thought they carried it to excess. name of God in vain. And I could not bear their taking the Hence I had much forrow at times: likewife the looking back, and feeing what ferioufnefs I had fallen from, cut me to the heart. 4. During this time I now and then heard that bleffed man, Mr. Grimshaw, and made good refolutions; but they lafted not long. Meanwhile I had heard of a people called Methodifls: but I was little concerned about them, till I heard fome of them preach. I liked them well, and heard them more and more frequently. And tho' I was not deeply affected under any particular Sermon, yet my Confcience was gradually enlightened, by hearing, and reading, and converfing, and praying, till I refolved to caft in my lot among them. From that time my heart was fo united to them, that all at once, I dropped all my former Companions. And bleffed be God, from that hour I have never had one defire to turn back. 5. I now loved the Bible more than ever, particularly the New Teflament. This was my daily companion, and in reading and meditating upon it I found great delight. And hereby I was delivered from a temptation to think, "Thefe are the falfe prophets we are bid to beware of." This vanifhed away, when I compared their Doctrines and practice with my Bible. And my Judgment was more fully and clearly informed, of all the effential doctrines of Chriftianity. And in the use of these means, God frequently met me and comforted my foul. Indeed the doctrine of Salvation by grace was unfpeakably comfortable to me. Yet fhortly after, I funk almost all at once into a defponding ftate, which continued more than a year. And tho' during this time I was often often comforted, both under the Word and in Prayer, yet I do not remember paffing four and twenty hours together, without being fome part of the time in defpair. 6. In this period I was continually tempted, to think myfelf a Hypocrite. Once I mentioned this to a friend, but got no comfort at all, which fhut my mouth for a long time. It is impoffible to exprefs the anguish I felt. I longed for Death, tho' I knew I was not fit for it. But in the midst of all, I conftantly heard the preaching at all opportunities, and never omitted Prayer. When I could fay nothing, I groaned before God: refolving, if I perifhed, (as I expected to do) it fhould be in the Means of Grace. 7. Yet even in this period, the Lord did not leave me. As I was one night on my knees groaning before him, thofe words were powerfully applied to my foul, Thou shalt bear my name before much people. And this impreffion never after left my mind long together, which often conftrained me to hope that the Lord would fome time help me. Alfo during all this time, I had favour with my Mafter and Mistress and all the family; altho' they did not much like the people to whom I belonged. Toward the end of this gloomy season, one evening, when fitting in the house, I took courage, rose up, and defired we might have Family Prayer. I kneeled down (and fo did all the Family) and prayed with great freedom. And I continued it, tho' only an apprentice, which proved a great bleffing to my own foul. For it kept me watchful all the day long, left my prayer and my life fhould contradict each other. 8. Soon after I was defired to pray in another Family, which I did feveral times. I had now more Hope: and one day being alone great part of the day, and much engaged in meditation and prayer, I found a perfuafion, that God was willing to receive me. I left my business immediately and went to Prayer. In a moment God broke in upon my foul, in fo wonderful a manner, that I could no longer doubt of |