“It may be asked then, ‘Why did I leave their communion, since I thought so favourably of them:’ I answer, because I was abundantly convinced, that _as a church_, they have erred from the _right way_, and adulterated the truths of God with the inventions and traditions of men; which the scriptures, and even celebrated writers of themselves abundantly testify. God is my witness herein, that the sole motive which induced me to leave them, was an unfeigned desire to know the way of God more perfectly, in order to the salvation of my soul. For altho’ I then felt, and do yet feel my heart to be as the prophet speaks, _deceitful, and desperately wicked_ with regard to God; yet I was sincere in my reformation, having from the holy Spirit an earnest desire to save my soul, and prepare to meet my God.
“If it should be still asked, ‘But could I not be saved, supposing I had never left the church of _Rome_?’ I answer, If I had never known the truth of the scriptures concerning the way of salvation, nor been convinced that their principles were anti-scriptural, then I think I might have been saved in her communion, the merciful God making allowance for my invincible ignorance. But now, since God hath enlightened my mind, and given me to see _the truth as it is in_ Jesus, if I had still continued a member of the church of _Rome_, I could not have been saved.
“With regard to others, I say nothing. I know that _every man must bear his own burden, and give an account of himself to_ God. To their own master, both they and I must stand or fall. But love however, and tender compassion for their souls, constrain me to pour out a prayer to God in their behalf.
“All souls are thine, O Lord God, and thou willest _all_ to come to the knowledge of the truth and be saved. For this end thou did give thy only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him, might not perish, but have everlasting life. I beseech thee therefore O eternal God, shew thy tender mercies upon those poor souls who have been long deluded by _the god of this_ world, the pope, and his _clergy_. Jesus, thou lover of souls and friend of sinners, send to them thy light, and truth, that they may lead them, and call those straying sheep, now perishing for lack of knowledge, to the light of thy word, which is able to make them wise to salvation through faith, which is in thee!”