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Journal of Joshua Evans 1795-1796 (E)

SW_JE1796E_Page_20

praised who is alone worthy, saith my Soul. 9th. Feeling a draught in my mind to go and visit a Clergyman named Perkins in West Hartford whohad shewn some bitterness towards friends; and although some thoughtit was likely he would treat me with contempt, I was most easy to go,being accompanied by two friends: when we went to him, he treated usfriendly beyond our expectation, saying he had attended at one one Mee-ting, and was well satisfied with what I said: I replied, if thou wouldestlay aside forms and ceremonies, I think we shall be likely to agree inthe parts which are essential: he then said, he believed the Scriptures tobe the only rule of faith and practice, and that revelation had ceased. I en-deavoured to open my Sentiments to him in freedom, That the Scripturesappeared to be a sealed book, and the true meaning of many parts not to be ob-tained, except thro' the assistance of the same Spirit which gave them forth,That the divine principle of Light and Grace which we preach up, andtestify unto, is that, which if attended to, brings to the knowledge ofGod; That the Spirit of Wisdom which inspired the Penmen whowrote the Scriptures, is surely to be preferred before that which waswritten under its' Influence, &;c, altho' he said he believed in free graceyet he continued to urge the Scriptures being the only Rule, other Con-versation followed, yet it appeared he was loth to yield to any Sen-timent different from what he had been accustomed to endeavour touphold, according to their Creed: I let him know before we parted, that Ithought he knew better than he spake. 10th. The next day I had a Meeting with Friends of Hartford by them-