Re: This Really Helped Me

misrepresented by reports
that were spread in distant parts of the land, as though the people here
had wholly thrown by all worldly business, and betook themselves
entirely to reading and praying, and such like religious exercises.

But although people did not ordinarily neglect their worldly business,
yet religion was with all sorts the great concern, and the world was a
thing only by the bye. The only thing in their view was to get the
kingdom of heaven, and every one appeared pressing into it. The
engagedness of their hearts in this great concern could not be hid, it
appeared in their very countenances. It then was a dreadful thing
amongst us to lie out of Christ, in danger every day of dropping into
hell; and what persons' minds were intent upon, was to escape for their
lives, and to fly from wrath to come. All would eagerly lay hold of
opportunities for their souls, and were wont very often to meet together
in private houses, for religious purposes: and such meetings when
appointed were greatly thronged.

There was scarcely a single person in the town, old or young, left
unconcerned about the great things of the eternal world. Those who were
wont to be the vainest and loosest, and those who had been disposed to
think and speak lightly of vital and experimental religion, were now
generally subject to great awakenings. And the work of conversion was
carried on in a most astonishing manner, and increased more and more;
souls did as it were come by flocks to Jesus Christ. From day to day for
many months together, might be seen evident instances of sinners brought
out of darkness into marvellous light, and delivered out of an horrible
pit, and from the miry clay, and set upon a rock, with a new song of
p