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ceive of Dissenters, as base hypocrites, a people that resembled the Scribes and Pharisees, against whom our Lord so vehemently inveighed, and denounced so many woes; men that attempted to hide their wickedness by a deceitful pretext of superior sanctity. In consequence of these and the like things spoken of Dissenters, and confirmed by instances I was then incapable of enquiring to, or judg ing of, I contracted very unfavourable ideas of every sect of Protestant Dissenters; and, I think, could vie with any in bigotry and zeal, thinking as highly of the Church, as it was possible for any to think of the Meeting. But I can never sufficiently admire or adore the free, rich, and distinguishing grace of God to me; for although there was nothing of religion in our family, not even so much as the form; and the way of life I was engaged in quite destructive of all good morals; yet it pleased the Lord to preserve me from the filthy conversation of my necessary companions, and from learning and using the dia bolical language, I mean of cursing and swearing, which was daily intermixed with the most familiar conversation, About the age of eleven I began to be very thoughtful concerning a future state. The cogitations of the day afforded much matter for imagination in my sleeping hours, so that I often alarmed the family with the most lamentable shrieks and cries, occasioned by terrifying dreams of being shut out from God, and thrust into endless torments. These thoughts and dreams, &c. produced an uncommon seriousness in my whole deportment. I diligently read the Bible, gladly catched every opportunity of attending public prayers at the church in the week days, prayed often and fervently in secret, and in secret it was, for prayer not being used in the family, I feared to be found in the practice of it. These impressions, and the influences thereof, abode with me for the space of six years, during all which time I sought and expected the favour of God, and the acceptation of my person, solely on the account of my own righteousness. Nor is this at all to be wondered at, seeing all the sons of Adam naturally seek justification and life, by virtue of that law and covenant which he violated and broke in Paradise. Nor was this error in any wise corrected by any of the public sermons I then heard, all of which were more legal than evangelical, and the preachers rather sent the congregation ..for life to Moses than to Christ. About the age of seventeen

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I began to learn psalmody, and for the space of more than ten successive years, I became extravagantly fond of all kinds of music; so that my affections were entirely captivated thereby, and in a great measure alienated from God; yet all that time the good Spirit of God never left off striving with me (if I may be allowed that expression), so that at certain seasons I was greatly distressed, and wished it were with me as in months past. Sometimes (to use the hyperbolical phrase of the Psalmist) I made my bed to swin, and watered my couch with tears, purposed and resolved to resume my former course of life, and relinquish the idol of my soul. About this time it pleased that God, whose eyes are ever upon the objects of his everlasting love to fayour me with an opportunity of hearing the Gospel; and the Spirit of God so opened my heart to attend to the things that were spoken, and shed such light on my understanding, that when I returned home, and began to read the Bible, it seemed to be quite another book, in respect to its doctrines, and the method of salvation published in it, than what I had till that time conceived it to be. From that memorable day the Lord was pleased to break my chain, and loose the bonds of my captivity, so that I could say with holy David," My soul escaped as a bird out of the snare of the fowler; the snare is broken, and I am escaped." My heart was now exceedingly rejoiced, and I again renewed my former resolutions of engaging my heart with God, and devoting my life to his service: and my precious Redeemer was pleased to say Amen to my purposes and prayers, and bade me, with an efficacious word, take hold on his strength, which his good Spirit enabling me to do, I was filled with joy and peace in believing. I no longer felt that narrowness of spirit, which I was under the power of before, nor thought salvation confined to name or party. I found that in Christ Jesus it availed nothing what a man had been before his conversion, whether Greek or Jew, nor what modes of worship he afterwards preferred, seeing Christ is all and in all to them that believe in him. Since that happy period, although my backsliding and departures from God have been more than I can enumerate, and what I blush to mention, yet my dear Redeemer, glory be to his name! baving bought me at so dear a rate, and according to the greatness of that love, wherewith he loved me, would not, could not (for his tender heart forbade it), forsake or cast me off."

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From the above account it may be gathered, that about the year 1746, or 1747, he was first brought to a true know ledge of God, and of himself: soon after which it pleased the Lord to introduce him to public notice. As that part of his life, which preceded the above period, is rather involved in obscurity, we may conclude there could be nothing in it very interesting. He was always diligent in his business, and his morality was above the common standard; notwithstanding, as he afterwards acknowledged, he was living" without God and without Christ, in the world." Deeply convinced of the inestimable value of his own soul, he immediately became desirous of being an instrument in the hand of God of saving the souls of others. After much prayer and deliberation on this important matter, he ventured at length to go forth in the strength of the Lord, and to proclaim that Jesus came to save sinners This was in 1749, for in a manuscript written with the trembling hand of infirmity in 1792, he mentions that he had been fortythree years engaged in publishing the precious truths of the Gospel. His first labours, it is well known, were among the Methodists in Mr. Wesley's Societies; having oppor tunities of preaching in various parts of the country, he became signally and extensively useful. About this period, by endeavouring to acquire the knowledge of the Scriptures in their original languages, he laid the foundation of his classical learning. In the pursuit of this object he met with unexpected difficulties, having been directed, by those whom he first consulted, to begin with the Hebrew language, previous to an acquaintance with the Greek or Latin. He was not aware of the impropriety of this advice, till he made the trial, when he found, to his surprize, that the best helps for attaining of the Hebrew were written in Latin. This obliged him to change his plan; but still he was so frequently perplexed for want of proper directions respecting suitable books, that nothing but a determined resolution could have carried him forward, especially as he had not much leisure, being, at that time, engaged in business, and frequently employed in preaching. By perseverance, however, he not only attained to a grammatical knowledge of the languages, but to a copious acquaintance with classical history. Having laboured for some years in Mr. Wesley's connection, it pleased God to give him such consistent views of divine truth, that he could no longer publicly insist upon certain

certain points of doctrine maintained by that people. This occasioned some struggle in his mind, as to the propriety of continuance in that connexion, or separation from it. But after mature deliberation, and earnest prayer, a sepa ration appearing most eligible, he determined peaceably to withdraw. This event took place about the spring of 1762. For a short season his mind was perplexed; not that he doubted his call to preach the Gospel, but being unable to perceive to whom his future labours should be directed. The providence of God, however, soon delivered him from this embarrassment. A few faithful friends, to whom he had been useful, still adhered to him; and to them he continued to preach as opportunity permitted. These being soon increased by the addition of others, a scheme was suggested of erecting a house in which they might more regularly as semble together. This plan was immediately adopted; but fresh difficulties occurred, as the parties concerned had no resources within themselves, equal to such an undertaking. But they were soon taught that the word of God is not bound, and that the Lord has the hearts of all men at his disposal. Such liberal contributions were obtained, as enabled them to accomplish their design. A house was erected, and a church formed on the independent, or congregational plan, of which Mr. Knight was ordained pastor in the summer of 1763. This was a Bethel indeed. The word delivered within these walls was made effectual to the turning of many from the error of their ways, and to the building up of the people of God in their most holy faith. The congregation continually increasing, it soon became necessary to erect a gallery, as large as the building would admit. Here he laboured with much assiduity and zeal, preaching twice on the Lord's day in the winter season, and three times in the summer, and giving a lecture on every Thursday evening throughout the year. He administered the Lord's Supper regularly every month; and on the Friday evening preceding the celebration of it, he met the members of his church, and delivered an address suited to the approaching solemnity. He established among his people several little societies, which assembled once a week for the purpose of prayer and religious conversation. One of these societies met at his own house; and the rest he attended occasionally, as opportu nity permitted. By the divine blessing on his public and VOL. III.-No. 56.

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private labours, the number of those who attended the preaching of the word became so great, that a larger and more commodious house was necessary for their reception. This was for some time considered as a thing rather desirable than attainable. At length, however, it was cordially set about, and a very spacious and elegant structure completed, which was opened in May, 1772. Here he exercised his public ministrations to very large congregations, till it pleased the Lord to incapacitate him for public service; and, to use his own expression, to reduce him from a working to a waiting servant. About 1764 his acquaintance with Mr. Whitefield commenced, which, under God, was the means of extending his usefulness very considerably. For being invited by Mr. Whitefield to his pulpit, and his preaching being approved, he afterwards became one of the assistant preachers, and spent two months every year in preaching at the Tabernacle, Tottenham Court Chapel, Greenwich, Woolwich, and other places in the same con

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As a preacher Mr. Knight was justly esteemed. His discourses were sound, judicious, and practical. And though compared with many eminent ministers of the present day, some might be of opinion, that his public addresses were not sufficiently animated, it is generally allowed that this defect was abundantly compensated, by the good sense and connection of his matter. By his life and conversation he adorned the doctrine which he maintained and inculcated. Among the leading traits of his character may be properly noticed, his assiduous improvement of time. Being himself of a very active disposition, nothing disconcerted him more than to see any of his former acquaintance, and particularly his family, unemployed. He had a great aversion to long and frequent visits, and seldom exceeded two hours upon these occasions, even when in company with those whose turn of mind was most congenial with his own. But if, on any occasion, his interview with his friend was unavoidably protracted, the dissatisfaction of his mind was apparent in his countenance; and on his return, he never failed to give his family some useful hints on the subject of redeeming time. His own life was a good example of the precepts he inculcated, as he judiciously and regularly apportioned his time for the purpose of instructing his family, improving his own mind, and visiting his people. His

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