1. JANE COOPER was born at _Hingham_, in the county of _Norfolk_, in the year 1738. Her father died when she was very young, and some time after, her mother married again. She was a daughter of affliction from her childhood; her father-in-law meeting with many misfortunes: But rather than be burdensome to any, when she was about twenty years of age, she chose to go out to service. For this purpose she came to _London_, and undertook to do all work in a small family. What sweetened all her labour was, that she had frequent opportunities of hearing what she believed to be the pure gospel. But after some months, she judged it best to leave this place, though much against the desire of her master. She then lived with a gentlewoman in _Pall-mall_, who for a considerable time, used her more like a companion than a servant. Her mistress afterwards removing to _Brentford_, she remained with her till spring 1762, though exceedingly to the prejudice of her health, which continually decayed. When she quitted _Brentford_, finding her strength so entirely lost that she was no longer capable of service, she hired a lodging in _London_, by the advice of her friends, designing to work plain-work: but before she settled, she took a journey into _Norfolk_, to visit her friends and relations. Part of the time she was in the country was spent at _Norwich_, where she indeed “lived as an angel here below,” comforting the sick and afflicted, supporting the weak, lifting up the hands that hung down, confirming the wavering, and in every possible way _ministering to the heirs of salvation_.
2. Of her spiritual experience during this time, we have no account, but in some of her letters, and in her diary: part of which runs thus: (it is dated _January 16, 1762_.)
“I received peace in believing four years ago. For some time after, I felt no sin, and thought I never should any more. How far it was owing to my unfaithfulness, I cannot tell; but it was not long, before I found my inward parts were very wickedness. I was amazed to feel, that notwithstanding this, I loved him who died for _me_, that I still retained my confidence in God, and had the witness in myself, that I was a child of God. But with all I thought, I should always have a carnal mind, which would sometimes be at _enmity with God_.
“In this belief I continued, till about two years ago God brought me to hear the _whole_ gospel. Not long after, those words were continually on my mind, _Once have I heard, yea twice hath God spoken, that power belongeth unto God_; and I was deeply convinced, that I had in effect denied his power. Even after I had tasted his love, I limitted the Holy One of _Israel_: and from this time I began to plead the promises of sanctification; but I still set them at a distance, supposing the accomplishment of them to be afar off.
“In _March_ following I heard a letter read from one, who had entered into the rest of the people of God. It described a happiness in religion, which I was a stranger to: I was much stirred up to seek after it, and was determined to wrestle with God till I prevailed. One day in prayer, that promise was applied, _The Lord whom ye seek, shall suddenly come to his temple_. From that time, I expected him in every means I used, to come and destroy the works of the devil. I was agonizing with God in family prayer, when he gave me power to venture upon Jesus, as of God _made unto me wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption_. He spoke into my heart, ‘The Lord, even the king of _Israel_, is in the midst of thee; _and the enemies thou hast seen this day, thou shalt see them no more for ever_.’ From this time I have rejoiced indeed, and yet loathed myself in my own sight. I feel no desire but to please him, and know of nothing in me that is not subjected to Jesus: I depend upon him every moment, as my advocate with the Father: I daily feel my coming short of what I would be, yet without any condemnation. The blood of sprinkling speaks me clean. Indeed if I could perform the obedience I desire, I should still be ashamed before him.”
3. In the midst of various outward trials, her soul was now kept as a watered garden. She was _satisfied with the favour, and full blessing of the Lord_: she enjoyed deep communion with God, and that without any interruption: she sought for and found direction from him in every circumstance of life. She truly proved him to be her counsellor, who instructed her by his small still voice. She walked continually in his presence, and felt her soul always approved of him. She used to say, “Would Jesus on this or the other occasion, have acted or spoken thus?” And this rule she steadily copied after, in all her life and conversation. She knew a little of what our Lord meant, when he said, _The Father which dwelleth in me, he doth the works_. To his will she was entirely given up, in sickness and health, ease and pain.