_Of his conversion and carriage when fellow of ♦the college._
♦ duplicate word “the” removed
THE great work of _conversion_, was not ♦carried on upon his soul, in that dreadful manner that it is upon some, but the Lord was pleased, sweetly, to unlock his heart, by the exemplary life, and heavenly discourse of a young man in the college whose heart God had inflamed with love to his soul. He quickly made an attempt upon this young man, and the Spirit of God set home his councils with such power, that they proved effectual for his awakening; being accompanied with the preaching of Dr. _Hill_, and Dr. _Arrowsmith_, together with the reading of Mr. _Baxter_’s Saints Everlasting Rest.
♦ “carcarried” replaced with “carried”
Now a mighty alteration might be discerned in him. He did not taste so much sweetness in those kind of studies, which he so greedily employed himself in as formerly. He began to pity them who ♦were curious in their enquiries after every thing, but that which is most needful, _Christ_, and themselves; and that which sometimes was his gain he now counted loss for Christ. Not that he looked upon human learning as useless; but when not improved for Christ? He looked upon wisdom as folly, and learning as madness, and that which would make one more like the devil.
♦ “where” replaced with “were”
Mr. _Janeway_ now considered how he might best improve what he did know, and turn all his studies into the right channel: grace did not take him off from, but made him more diligent and spiritual in his study. And now Christ was at the end of every thing: how did he contrive how he might most express his love and thankfulness to him who had brought him out of darkness into his marvellous light! To this end he sent up and down packets of letters, in which, he discoursed so substantially of the great things of God, that it would not at all have unbecome some grey head to have owned what he wrote.
He was not a little like _Elihu_, in whose words he used to excuse his freedom with persons of years. He said, _days should speak, and multitude of years should teach wisdom; but there is a spirit in a man, and the inspiration of the Almighty giveth them understanding; I am full of matter, the spirit within me constraineth me: behold my belly is as wine which hath no vent, it is ready to burst like new bottles, I will speak that I may be refreshed_. He could not but speak the things which he had seen and heard, and invite all the world, to taste and see how good the Lord is.
He began first with his relations, begging them to think of their immortal souls, and to lay in speedy provisions for eternity. And what pathetic expressions did he use, what vehement expostulations?
Read what his language was (when he was between _eighteen_ and _nineteen_ years old) in a letter to a friend that had the care of many children.