Dedication by the Author to Mr Thomas Ross
Reverend Sir,” T HxWE thought the disregarding of the Lord’s provi-X dences to be one common great sin, not only among open enemies, but among professed friends of Christ, Isa. v. 12; Psal. xxviii. 5. All God’s ways, being wisdom and goodness, are worthy of observation; but especially those wherewith ourselves are exercised (as having most certainty and fuller information of them, and concerning ourselves most) are much to be observed, Prov. xxiii. 26, and these providences that concern our spiritual estate most of any, wherein the Lord hath appeared more eminently. Exod. xii. 42, ‘A night much to be observed unto the Lord,’ etc. I have in nothing been more refreshed, quickened, and edified, than by hearing and reading of the spiritual experiences of others of the Lord’s people, Heb. xii. 1, and in nothing more comforted and sanctified than by a serious recalling to mind of the Lord’s dealings with me. Three ways doth the Lord reveal himself — by His Word, by His works of creation, and by His works of providence — and ’tis man’s happiness to know Him thus revealed, John xvii. 3. And these are the several glasses through which the invisible God is seen, John iv. 16. God doth not reveal Himself to any, that this might be kept under a bushel, for the manifestation of the Spirit is given to profit withal, and we find the Lord’s people in Scripture to be much in recounting to others their own experiences, and God’s dealing with them: ‘Come, and I will tell you what the Lord hath done for my soul,’ Psal. lxvi. 16. As also, the blessed effect this has had on others: ‘For this shall every one that is godly pray unto the Lord, in a time when He may be found,’ Psal. xxxii. 6. The consideration of this, with the desires of others, and my willingness to show my thankfulness unto the Lord, by an acknowledgment of these His favours at least, and being some way hopeful that it might profit others, and to provoke those exercised more nobly, to manifest the Lord’s goodness unto them; I say, these things have put me out to this work at this time (O that the Lord would accept it of my hand:) even to record some passages of divine providence manifested towards me while here in my pilgrimage.
“I have dedicated them to you, sir, because I hold myself much bound unto you; and some little thing of this nature, whereby I might kyth my gratitude, I thought incumbent upon me to do. I looked on you likewise as one who would with more moderation and discretion pass over the faults and weaknesses therein than others, to whom notwithstanding I owe much love; as likewise, you was the occasion of my undertaking this work at this time in a more especial way; and, therefore, I looked for a more kindly entertainment to this child from you, who had such influence in bringing it to the world, than from others. I believe you will not fail my expectation; make what use you please of it, and either censure, correct or approve, divulge or hide it, as you shall think fit. I wish you profit hereby, and am in Christ,
“Reverend Sir,
“Your loving friend,
“JAMES FRASER.”
I shall reduce what I have met with to these eight heads: (i) What hath been the Lord’s carriage to me before I knew anything of God, or had so much as the form of religion. (2) Some steps of God’s providence while the Lord was drawing me to Himself; or some preparation-work to my conversion, while my heart was not fully changed, but only had some appearance of godliness. (3) Some things concerning my conversion, the time and manner, and what immediately followed. (4) Of the sad and long decay that happened thereafter. (5) Relate some things touching my recovery out of that decay. (6) Some things that happened immediately after this recovery for the space of four or five years. (7) Some things relating to my present condition, and some things I have observed in my experience. (8) Some particular mercies I have met with from the Lord at several occasions.