A Brief Account of the Gracious Dealings of God, with a poor, sinful, unworthy Creature, relating to some particular Experiences of the Lord’s goodness, in bringing out several little Tracts, to the Furtherance and Joy of Faith. With an Appendix, and a Letter prefix’d on the Lawfulnes of a Woman’s appearing in Print. Part III. (1750).

Below is the Dutton's “Epistle to the Reader,” which appears just prior to the title page to Part I. In this short piece, added to the 1750 edition of A Brief Account, Dutton declares her modesty in writing these three volumes about her life and writings:

The First and Second Parts of my Brief account, were printed some Years ago, as appears by their Date [1743]. And the Third Part, which is now added, perhaps might not have been printed till after my Decease, but for special Reasons which induc’d me to it. I have sincerely aim’d in the Whole, so far as I know my own Heart, at the Glory of God, and the Good of Souls: And not at my own Honour, that any Man should think of me, more highly than is meet: Or any otherwise, than as a chief Sinner, on whom the Lord hath shewed great Mercy. I desire forever to be deeply humbled for my Unworthiness and Vileness, and that God’s Free Grace alone, may be highly and eternally exalted, in the Whole of my Salvation, in my present and future Bliss. Oh, Not unto me, Not unto me, unto ville unworhty me; but unto the Lord alone, be all the Glory! If [next page, unmarked] God’s Ways of Grace, may be made known, by any Thing I have written: To the Praise of his great Name, the Joy of his dear Children, and their Encouragement to put their Trust under the Shadow of his Wings: I have the blessed End I wish’d, and the great Reward, which, of the God of Grace, I sought. – I commit the Whole, to the Lord’s Blessing: And be intreated to ask it, Dear Reader, on thy Perusal of every Part, of the Gracious Dealings of God, with

                                             Thy Sincere Friend,

                                                         And

                                                           Servant in Christ,

A.    D.

Dutton repeats at the beginning of Part III of A Brief Account of the Gracious Dealings of God, what she had said at the close of Part II, that God had given her “a Heart and Opportunity, an outward Call, and inward Inclination, to write and publish many little Tracts” (4). She says that her she has sought in her tracts to bring glory to God and do good to the souls of her readers (4). She is aware of her own “Weakness and Unworthiness” to be a writer of religious tracts. She sees herself as a “little Child” obeying the voice of her “Lord and Master” who has commissioned her to write to his children. Yet despite her inability, God “wrought Wonders” for her (5). She says her writing was initially just for her own “private Use” (6) but that God then moved her to publish it abroad.  Her Narration was “wrote upon the Doctrines of Grace, shining gloriously into my Soul, with particular Application; and was first design’d for my own private Use. But after a Time, it appear’d needful to me on divers Accounts to publish it. Many Discouragements I met with in my own Mind, from my Weakness, Unworthiness, &c. But that Word encourag’d my Hope in God, that he would bring it out and make it useful, And He shall bring forth the Head stone thereof with Shoutings, crying, Grace, Grace unto it, Zech. iv. 7. I was also much encourag’d as to the Lord’s Acceptance of this little Piece, which in Love to his Glory, and for the Good of his People, I cast into the Book-Treasury of the Church; from the Acceptance of the Widow’s Mite, Luke xxi. 3, 4.” [The inference here is that she added the proceeds of her book to the Church’s Book Treasure (library?) at Great Gransden.] (7)

. . . . . .

[A Discourse upon Walking with God] was written in Answer to a Letter from a dear Servant of Christ in the Ministry, who desir’d me to write to him on that Subject. And such was the deep Sense I had of my Unfitness for so great a Work, that I design’d to send him a short Letter, and tell him, He was much mistaken in me that the Subject was [8] much too great and glorious for such a poor little Worm to say any Thing about it. And so bewailing my Weakness and Unworthiness, to excuse myself from answering his Letter. I said in my own Mind, Days should speak, and Multitude of years should teach that Wisdom, and not such a Babe as I.

        But the Lord gave a Turn to my Mind, by this Thought: ‘That his Letter was a Call of Providence to engage in the Work.’ And tho’ I had no Ability for it in myself, yet the Lord encourag’d me from his infinite All-sufficiency. The King of Syria’s sending to the King of Israel, to heal Naaman of his Leprosy, which he was altogether unable to do, and upon which he rent his Clothes, came into my Mind. With the Prophet Elisha’s saying to him, Wherefore hast thou rent thy Clothes? Let him come now to me, and he shall know that there is a Prophet in Israel, 2 Kings v. 7, 8. From hence the Lord shew’d me, That tho’ this Servant of his had sent to me to write on so great a Subject, which I had no Ability for in myself, yet that I need not rend my Clothes as it were, and send him Word, that I could not answer his Request. For as the Prophet Elisha said to the King of Israel, concerning Naaman, Let him come now to me, and he shall now that there is a Prophet in Israel: So said the Lord unto me, “Let him come now unto Me: Bring the Case to Me. Tho’ thou hast no Ability to answer the Request that is sent thee; I am well able to do it. Bring [9] all thy Wants unto my Fulness: I will answer for thee; and he shall know that there is a God in Israel,” I Sam. xvii. 46. By this the Lord strengthned [sic] me, to obey the Call of his Providence. And in the Faith of his All-sufficiency, as Israel’s God, as my God, that would not suffer me to be ashamed, I attempted the Work. And thro’ his good Hand upon me, was delightfully carried thro’ it; and enlarged in my Answer, much beyond what I thought of. And while I was engage’d in the Work, the Lord gave me a Heart-melting Intimation, That it should be useful to Souls. From this Word, Thy Teeth are as a Flock of Sheep, which go iup from the Washing, whereof every one beareth Twins, and there is not one barren amongst them, Song vi. 6. Here our dear Lord, the Bridegroom of the Church, commends the beautiful, useful Teeth of his Spouse. By which her Ministers, cloth’d with his Beauty and Strength, which prepare her food, for their Usefulness and Profitableness to the Church, may be chiefly intended. But by Teeth, as apply’d for my Comfort in this Work, I understood the Meditations of my Heart which I then wrote. By their being as a Flock of Sheep which are even shorn, their Fitness, thro’ the Grace and Power of Christ, to prepare Meat for his People. By their coming up from the Washing, their being sanctify’d by the Blood of Jesus unto this Service. And by their bearing Twins, and not one barren among them, [10] their full and extensive Fruitfulness, under the divine Blessing. Much was I encourag’d from hence, as to this little Piece of Service I was then about. And in some little Time after, the Lord, in his kind Providence, brought out the Book. (7-10)

. . . . . .

The Lord having shined into my Heart, to give the Light of the Knowledge of the Glory of God in the Face of Jesus Christ, with regard to some particular Truths, relating to God’s Act of Adoption, and to the Inheritance of the adopted Sons of God; I was desirous to write what I saw, for the Edification of myself and others. Sweetly was I enlarg’d in the Work; and receiv’d such a Testimony of God’s Well pleasedness therewith, that fill’d me wth Joy, melted my Heart, and humbled me in the Dust before the Majesty of Divine Grace. Which shone into my Mind, thro’ that Word, For God is not unrighteous, to forget your Work and Labour of Love, which ye have shewed toward his Name, in that ye have ministred to the Saints, and do minister, Heb. vi. 10. Oh how sweetly did the Lord testify his Acceptance, by this Word, of this my little Piece of Work, as a Labour of Love, shewed toward his Name, and for the Good of his People! And how did He point my Eye to the glorious Recompence of Reward! Truly, the Lord said so much to me in this one Word, that I knew not how to take it in. I was amaz’d at his infinite Grace, that He should thus regard the feeble Attempts of so [11] weak a Worm, and put it upon his Righteousness, not to forget my Labour of Love therein! And in due Time, in his infinite Kindness, He brought out for me, this Book also. (10-11)

. . . . . .

My writing of [A Sight of Christ, Absolutely Necessary for all True Christians, and Gospel Ministers] was occasion’d by a particular Providence. A certain Person I was in Conversation with, having misconstru’d some Expressions of mine, and rais’d a false Report concerning them. Which the Strangers to Christ, and Enemies to his People, gladly receiv’d, and improv’d against others, as well as myself, to further their Opposition to the Cause and People of God, in the Place where I live. Upon which I thought it necessary to set things in a true Light, and publickly declare to the wondring World, and to one that was a Teacher of others, who yet knew not what any Person meant, by speaking of Seeing Jesus: That Christ was to be seen. Even now, tho’ not carnally, by the bodily Eye, as they misconstru’d my Words, but spiritually, by the Eye of Faith. And that such a Sight of Christ, was absolutely necessary for all true Christians, and Gospel-Ministers, in order to make them such. And mightily did the Lord encourage my Heart to engage in this Work, notwithstanding my Weakness, and the Reproaches I might expect to meet with on this Account. I was helpt to believe that it should turn to me for a Testimony: According to Luke xx. 13. And such an ineffable Glory I [12] saw, in being a Witness for Christ and his Truth, inasmuch as our Lord says, Whosoever shall confess Me before Men, him shall the Son of Man also confess before the Angels of God, Chap. xii. 8. That I could rejoyce, not only to suffer Reproach for the Name of Christ, but also to have laid down my Life for his Sake, and He call’d me to it, to bear a Testimony for Him and his Truth in the Earth. Oh, the Cross of Christ, to take it up in witnessing Work for Him, was glorious in my Eye! And sweetly my Lord carried me thro’ this little Piece of Work and brought it to publick View, to the Glory of his great Grace! (11-12)

. . . . . .

Concerning A Discourse Concerning the New-Birth, A Discourse upon Justification, and Letters on Spiritual Subjects, and Divers Occasions (Vol. 1), she writes that she

thought the first two would have appeared in 1739, but they were delayed and finally brought forth with assistance from her husband, along with the book of Letters (12). She writes that for a time prior to these publications she experienced “a very deep and humbling Sense” of her own “Deadness and Unfruitfulness to God” (13), produced by her own feelings and “by some of the dear Saints slighting my Books already extant, and partly, by a Fear that I was [14] of but little Use to those among whom I was conversant” (13-14). She writes that her works on the New Birth and Justification were “read by one single Person, for whose Perusal they were principally written. After which, the Lord inclin’d my Heart to desire their Publication; and especially to seek for it, upon some hopeful Appearance thereof, as I have said above. Which tho’ the Lord at present seem’d to deny me, yet at length, he granted my Desire, and brought out another Book together with them which I did not then think of ” (14).

Concerning being slighted by some people, she adds this:

I have hinted before, That some slighted and despis’d me, which was one Cause of my Dejection, and made me fear, that I should be no more useful. But lo, tho’ some despis’d and rejected; God rais’d up others to receive, and even to honour me; and made me, tho’ an Outcast of the People, a Blessing unto them! When some in England slighted my Books, and would None of me: God sent ’em beyond the Seas: Wrought Marvels by his mighty Hand, for their Disposal, and there he would bless them! Not that all in England despis’d: No; blessed be God, some embrac’d, some Souls receive’d Benefit, and blest the Lord for the Books; even that Remnant which the Lord left me here: Which to me was a very great Mercy, considering my great Unworthiness. And tho’ some despis’d me, yet God took Occasion hereby, to commend his Love, in using me to others, so much the more. (17)

She later adds that some time after these books appeared, God

shew’d me what great Things he had done for me, not only in saving my Soul from Hell, but in those great Manifestations of his Love, with which he had favour’d me to my own Soul’s Joy; and also, in those wonderful Favours he had conferr’d upon me, as to my Usefulness to others. He shew’d me, how he had distinguish’d me from most of my Sex: That he [had] not dealt with many, as he had dealt with me; and that he had done all for me freely, from his own Heart, from the Riches of his own Mercy, and free, sovereign Grace, notwithstanding all my Sinfulness. . . The Lord shew’d me, That in his great Grace, he had pardon’d all [19] my great Sins, and brought forth my poor Books, unto Seven-fold, notwithstanding my great Unworthiness! And these last, in the Exuberance of his Love, Three at once! (18-19). She sees herself as a “Partaker of Kingly Power and Dignity” (19), that God had made her “a King and Priest unto God; and that in the Royalty of a Prince with God, I should prevail over all his and my Enemies” (19). To Dutton, God had given her “some Souls to take for him, by [her] Books, out of the Enemies Hands” (20). She adds that God “shew’d me likewise, That I had such a Fulness of Strength for this Service, in his all-sufficient Power and Grace, that I might in Faith, couch as a Lion, and as an old Lion; (that is confident of his Strength) and not be roused up from my Resting-Place, thro’ Fear of any Enemy, or Disappointment” (20).

She closes this section with a grand finale:

That as God brought me forth out of Egypt, and had given me Kingly [21] Dignity, Royalty and Power, the Strength of an Unicorn, I should eat up the Nations my Enemies, I should be successful in my Labours for Christ, I should take the Prey for Him; notwithstanding my own Sins, and the Sins of others, and whatever Opposition from the Powers of Hell might be made against it. And that in the Faith of my Lord’s All sufficient Grace, I might couch as a Lion, and as a great Lion! (20-21)

On 6 April 1741 she composes an impressive passage on herself as the object of Christ’s love (taken from Song of Songs) (24). She concludes this passage with a reference to her books:

Upon the whole I was persuaded, That I had Christ’s Heart, and should have his Hand. That the King was held in the Galleries; that He would take his Walks with me in all the Paths of Duty, (in the Outgoings of my poor Books, and otherwise) and be seen in the Displays of his Grace and Glory, to the Joy of his People, his royal Courtiers! Oh my Soul, wait thou upon God thy Saviour, for his promis’d Goodness: and thou shalt not be ashamed!” (25)

The next section is dated 13 July 1741, followed by two passages dated 5 and 6 August 1741, all of which record how she was renewed in her sense that she still had a calling to fulfill before God and that he was not finished with her yet (her “Usefulness” to God and the saints) (27). She is still the “vile, little, worthless Worm!” (27), yet also the beloved of God and Christ (as in the Song of Solomon). This is rather an oxymoronic stance. She writes, after much inward searching and scripture references, that she was “fully persuaded, that the Lord had chosen me to do some Service for him, and not cast me away, as to Usefulness, altho’ I was the most unworthy and vilest of all; My Soul was humbled before the Lord, drawn out to love him, and enabled to bless him” (29). When she is tempted by Satan to think herself too proud of her accomplishments, she writes on 7 August: “Be what I will, Satan, thou shalt never get me out of the Hands of Christ. And I’ll desire outward Things (i.e. Usefulness to others) for his outward Glory; and inward Things  for his inward Glory” (30).

She then makes a fascinating defense of her writing and reputation:

I am little, very little. But God, by giving me a great Name among some of his Children; prepares me for Usefulness to them: If they saw me in my own Littleness, they would not regard me. But God gives me great Esteem with them, to serve the Ends of his great Grace, in making me useful to then. And however little I am in myself, if I may be greatly useful to the [31] Saints, I shall rejoice: If God will be greatly glorify’d, and his People edify’d, by so little a Worm, it will be my Joy. And tho’ I should be stript naked of all my Greatness, and shewn before all in my Littleness in the Day of Christ; yet will I submit thereto, and even take a Sort of Pleasure therein, because God’s great Grace will be the more glorify’d, in working by such a little Worm: and therefore I’ll go on to serve Christ and the Saints to the Utmost, however it fares with me. (30-31)

Next entry is 19 August 1741. She is now bent on sending books to America. She writes that she received a letter from a friend on 17 October casting doubt on her usefulness, but she persevered nevertheless (36). She continues to have great inner turmoil about her usefulness as a writer. At one point, she hears the Lord speak to her that he was God and that he would enable her to perform what he called her to do, and that all in God was also hers. “And I knew it was the Voice of God. I felt his Power on my Heart. And was more fully convinced that it was his, in that I could not, tho’ but a few Moments after, make such an Impression upon my own Soul, nor regain by thinking over the Word, what I felt when He spake it to me. It was so sweet, that I wanted the Impression to be lasting” (40). Her account is very dramatic, with Dutton as the primary actor before God.

She writes that God was with her during her travels with her husband in the 1720s, “from N—n, to W—h; and from W—ea, again to W—h. Wherein I saw all the Promises the Lord had given me, fulfilled” (44).  (Locations are Northampton, Wellingborough, Whittlesea [Whittlesey] , and back to Wellingborough.)

Dutton's entries for 31 October and 12 November 1741 are most interesting in their use of the language of sentiment and her focus on her spiritual state as well as her physical body as a woman believer in relation to Christ. During this time, Dutton quotes often from the Song of Solomon, linking herself with Christ but not merely within the typical allegory of the Singer of the Song as Christ and the Woman to whom he is singing as the Bride of Christ. Instead, Dutton employs highly emotional and evocative language to create an intense dramatic scene between herself and Christ, in which she becomes his Beloved as an individual woman seeking his “Favour,” and not merely as a representative of the universal Church, both visible and invisible.

Oct. 31 [1741]. Upon some Stirrings of Sin in my Soul, I was much oppressed in Spirit, with my Hellish Baseness, and Unkindness to my Lord; and some Degree of Fear lest my Sins should separate me from Communion with him in Love, and oblige him to cast me off, as to Service. My Heart was ready to break, I knew not what to do, but I fell down before him, and as I could, bewail’d my Wretchedness, confess’d I was a Sinner, a chief Sinner, that I deserv’d to be cast away, yea, into the hottest Hell; that there was no Help for me but in Himself, the mighty Saviour; that I fled to his Cross, and hung upon him for all Salvation. I told him, “I was grieved, and pained at Heart for my Baseness to him; and I cast myself at his Feet.” – But still my Pressure remained. Until it was suggested to me, “That the greater Sinner I was, and the greater my Iniquities were, the more I [49] should honour Christ, as the great Saviour, if I believed on him for my Salvation.”

        Upon this, being somewhat rais’d in Spirit, and enlarg’d with Desire to glorify him, I fell down before him again, and confess’d my Vileness: “That I was the vilest Sinner that ever came to him; but that for his Honour as the great Saviour, I believed on Him for all Salvation.” And this I did with a Sort of holy Pleasure. Not at my Vileness; no, that was my exceeding Grief. But that hereby, the Glory of the Saviour would be the more advanced, by my believing on him for Salvation, and by his saving of me to the Uttermost. But still my Burden was not wholly gone. The Weight of Sin made my Heart sink within me, altho’ I knew the Rock was beneath me. Oh my Ingratitude and Unkindness to my loving Lord, pressed my Soul down. And a Crowd seem’d to stand in my Way to oppose my coming to him, and forbid my intreating his Favour: suggesting, “That he would not, or could not love me, or at least, that it was not meet for him so to do.” But that Word dropt on my Mind, The Kingdom of Heaven suffereth Violence, and the Violent take it by Force. Matt. xi. 12.

      Upon which I fell down before the Lord again, and told him, “I was a leprous Sinner, full of Leprosy, overspread with the Plague of Sin, from the Head even to the Foot; and pray’d him as the great High-Priest over the House of God, in the Virtue of his great [50] Sacrifice, to pronounce, to make me clean, from Sin in its Guilt, Filth and Power. I pray’d him to love me, to make me like him, and to let me serve him. I claspt about him, and said, I will not let thee go.”

        Soon after, this Word came in, If Heaven above can be measur’d, and the Foundations of the Earth searched out beneath, I will also cast off the Seed of Israel for all that they have done, saith the Lord, Jer. xxxi. 37. The infinite Grace of it comforted me. But Oh, all that I had done against my gracious Lord, pierc’d me to the Soul. Then this Word was apply’d sweetly, Be it unto Thee, even as thou wilt, Matt. xv. 28. By which the Lord granted my Requests, and I was enabled to believe that he would love me, vile me, make me like him, and let me serve him. Which gave me sweet, solid Soul-Rest. But still my Burden was not quite taken off. There was something between me and my Lord. (Perhaps some Degree of secret Suspicion, that he could not delight in such an unlovely Creature) Then he said, Thou hast ravish’d my Heart, my Sister, my Spouse, with one of thine Eyes, with one Chain of thy Neck, Song. iv. 9. By this he shed abroad his Love abundantly in my Soul, he pour’d it into my Heart, he told me, that he lov’d me, that he delighted in me as his own.

        Then I fell down before him; was melted into Tears of Love, Joy and Praise: I ador’d his Grace; and pray’d him to let a black Sinner [51] kiss his Feet. Now my Joy was full. I had found my Lord, and his Love, whch was better to me than Wine! Better than Life! Then that Word dropt sweetly on my Heart, Thou art more glorious and excellent than the Mountains of Prey, Psal. lxxvi. 4. Before this, that Word had been a sweet Support to me, The Lame take the Prey, Isa. xxxiii. 23. And now my dear Lord had opened his Heart to me, and told me Himself was mine in Love; and my Joy was full: Oh how precious, how exceeding precious was Christ to me! I told him, “That I lov’d Himself more than all his Gifts; that if it was possible for me to enjoy the Favours my Soul desir’d, as to the external Part of them, without Himself, his Heart, his Love, I could not be satisfy’d. That Himself was my All, and himself in them, in the Royal Grants he had made me, made them precious to my Soul.” Oh how sweet was Christ and his Love to me! How did my Soul delight in, and cleave unto Him in Love! I hated Sin intensely, and pray’d against it most earnestly. Remember, O my soul, the Loving-Kindness of the Lord to Thee! Watch against Sin, and labur to walk worthy of his infinite Love! (48-51)

Nov. 12, 1741. As I was seeking the Lord, that Word dropt upon my Heart, Then was I in his Eyes as one that found Favour, Song vii. 10. In which I heard an encouraging Sound of Free-Grace, That I should find [52] Favour with the Lord, with regard to Usefulness. And a sweet Remembrance of that wonderful Favour which I found with my dear Lord Jesus in Time past, was brought to my Mind. When under a special Providence, he admitted me into Bosom-Communion with him in Sion, in answer to my Desires and Prayers, in such a Manner that I was abundantly satisfy’d with his Goodness, and took up my Rest in his Favour, as in the Midst of Delights. And I was drawn out to intreat I might find the same Favour with him, as to Usefulness. I had a deep Sense of my own Unworthiness, and I told my dear Lord, “That I was very thirsty and needy, but came unto Him in the Faith of his Grace, as being full of Grace, a Well of Life, infinitely enough to satisfy all my Desires; that I pleaded nothing but Grace, and intreated him not to send a Sinner away empty.” I was pained with Desire after Christ and his Love, after Himself in Love. I wanted his Heart’s Delight to be in me, and his boundless Favour to flow out upon me, in making me fruitful and useful. And tho’ I was such a black, unlovely Sinner, yet since he had lov’d me, and dy’d for me, I pleaded the Strength, the Sovereignty of his Love, who can command his Loving Kindness, and be gracious to whom he will. I cast myself at his Feet, as Ruth at the Feet of Boaz, and intreated him to spread his Skirt over me; and found sweet [53] Liberty to move him to it with this: That he was my Kinsman, my near, my nearest Kinsman. That in his infinite Grace, he had made Himself of Kin to me, tho a poor Stranger, that he had took my Nature, dy’d for me, and betroth’d me to Himself: And therefore I pray’d him to do the Kinsman’s Part, to spread his Skirt over me, and satisfy me with all that Favour whch my Soul long’d for.

        And these Words were sweet to me: Your Heart shall live that seek GOD, Psal. lxix. 32. I saw, there was Grace enough for me in God in my Saviour, and that in any other, there could not be enough. And I had a sweet Persuasion, that my Heart should live, in seeking Him; that he would flow out upon me as a Well of living Water, to my full Supply. This likewise delighted me, I, even I am he that comforteth you, Isa. li. 12. Oh, thought I, ‘There’s none but He has Grace enough to do it!’ This Word also was brought, The Lord thy God in the Midst of thee is Mighty; he will save, he will rejoyce over thee with Joy: he will rest in his Love, he will joy over thee with Singing, Zeph. iii. 17. Precious was this to my Soul. But some Degree of Fear I found, lest I should not be so highly favour’d. From which that Word deliver’d me, Be not faithless, but believing, John xx. 27. Then I took in the Grace of the other sweetly, and believed, That the Lord my God, my dear Lord Jesus, my royal, [54] Bridegroom, had lov’d and chosen me; that he was in the midst of me, that he dwelt in me as in his Palace. That in his mighty Love and Power he would work for me. Yea, that I was his Heart’s Delight; that he would rejoice over me with Joy and Singing, and complacently rest in his Love. Likewise, this was sweet to me, The Lord God will make my Feet like Hind’s Feet, Hab. iii. 19. I was persuaded, I should leap over Difficulties, and walk upon my high Places in his Service. This Word also was precious to me, Thou shalt be called Hephzibah, – and thy Land shall be married, Isa. lxii. 4. Hence I saw, That I should be the Lord’s Delight, that I should be married to him, appear to be so, under bright Displays of his infinite Favour, as my Royal Bridegroom. Oh this Grace fill’d me with Wonder and Adoration, that I should be the Lord’s Delight, and find such Favour with him, who had deserv’d to be an Object of his Wrath forever! Sweetly it melted my Soul, humbled me for my Vileness, and made me long after Holiness. Bless the Lord, O my Soul! Believe thy Bridegroom’s Grace: and wait for the Time when thou shalt be in his Eyes, as one that has found Favour. (51-54)

On 16 November 1741, as she was writing her Letter to the Saints, on the Duty of Love, she says a thought came to her mind

“That it would rise up in Judgment against me and condemn me; by Reason of my little Love to them: And therefore I had [55] better desist, and say nothing about it.” But I was enabled to answer the Tempter thus:

“If hereby I can serve Christ and the Saints, I am willing to be condemn’d. I shall not be condemned as to my Person, and if I would be as to my Actions, yet if the Glory of Christ may be hereby the more advanced, and the Saints reap any Advantage, I will write it notwithstanding. I write as a Rule to myself, as well as others. And as to teach others, and not do the same Things myself, is an aggravated Sin; so I desire to watch, and that hereby I may be the more quickened to the Obedience of Love. And besides, it is the Will of my Lord, that I should write it; and Necessity is laid upon me so to do.” (55)

She adds that just as Paul was laid under a necessity to preach the Gospel, so “Necessity was laid upon me to write this Letter” (55).

On 20 November 1741, she is writing another letter (this one to a single person), Hints of the Glory of Christ, and has another revelation of her unworthiness which she again rebutts and continues on.  That evening, she writes, “My Soul was much drawn out to seek the Lord, “That he would make me useful, and bring out the Letter I had begun to transcribe, and my other Books” (58). She says that later she had “a sweet Persuasion” that God “would not, could not, send me away empty” (58).  She realizes that when God wants something done, he is never at a loss for “Instruments, for Ways and Means to fulfil his Word” (60).

On 6 December 1741 she receives a letter from a friend who had received considerable help from one of her writings ( 61). As she thinks of Jesus feeding the multitude with a few fishes, she thinks, “I had three Books, (my last Three, which came out together, my Mind was upon) and tho’ I had but Three; yet the Lord Jesus could feed three Thousand thereby, if I brought them unto Him” (63). She then composes a summation of her recent doubting and searching for peace about her calling:

I came to Christ with my three Books, and laid hold by Faith, on his compleat Righteousness, for free Forgiveness, and full Justification, for Blessings, even the Blessing of Abraham, to come down upon me, particularly that Part of it: Thou shalt be a Blessing. I believed on my dear Lord Jesus, for a Blessing to come down upon me, and my poor Books, for the feeding of Thousands; that I by them, might be a Blessing to Thousands of [64] his Children. Then these Words came in: And he that sat upon the Throne, said, – It is done, Rev. xxi. 5, 6. They entered my Heart, in the Majesty and Glory of God, as a Royal Grant from the Prince of Grace on his Throne, of that great Request, which I, a vile Sinner, had asked; and abundantly satisy’d my Soul. Now I had enough. (63-64)

She returns in the next section to the Song of Solomon, this time allowing her own body to become the Bride of Solomon and not just a typological member of the church as the Bride of Christ. Christ, not Solomon, is coming to her to “marry me to Himself . . . with me as his Bride” (65).

On 7 December the thought comes to her that “Who knows but God is about, even this Day, to bless some Souls in turning them from their Iniquities, thro’ his Sent Son Jesus, by me as an Instrument, in Something of mine, that is either wrote, or printed” (66), a remarkable sense of her viability as a writer of religious matters.  She prays that the Lord will make her “a Joyful Mother of Children,” someone who provides the impetus that God then uses to give spiritual birth to someone who reads one of her works. She is so struck by this thought on this particular day (7 December 1741) that she adds in a footnote that she hoped that someone reading something written by her  on or about 7 December 1741 and was moved toward Christ as a result, that they would write to her about it, being “one of the Children which God hath given me by what he hath enabled me to write.” She then says that someone had written to her about it and she believes it was on that very day, from which Dutton receives much encouragement (69-70). The person had been reading her first volume of Letters.

She later asks God for “an experimental Knowledge thereof [of his Grace], a Taste of it, a Feeling Possession of Himself.” Which I did. And blessed be his Name, while I was speaking, He heard” (74). She is then comforted by this thought:

That as he brought out all the Stars by Number, called them all by Names, and kept them from failing in their Course, by the Greatness of his Might, as the God of Nature; so he bringeth out the Host of his People, calleth them all by Names, and keeps them from failing in their Course, in that Work, that Sphere he has allotted them, by the Almightiness of his Grace; and that Thus he would deal with Me. (75)

. . . . . .

During the time Dutton composed A Letter to all the Saints, on the General Duty of Love, she wrote the following, much of it about the Trinity: 

  Then these Words came in, to raise my Wonder and Adoration, Will God in very Deed dwell with Men on Earth? Behold Heaven, and the Heaven of Heavens cannot contain Thee; how much less this House which I have built? 2 Chron. vi. 18. – O Thou that inhabitest the Praises of Israel, Psal. xxii. 3. – Oh, thought [79] I, ‘It was infinite Condescension in the great Jehovah, to dwell in that Magnificent Temple which Solomon built; but how much more is it so, that He should dwell in my feeble Praises! Will God in very Deed dwell with Me, in my weak Praises, as in his House, displaying his Glories there.’ Then my Heart was struck with a delightful Sense of the Love of God towards me herein; and sweetly it was shed abroad in my Heart by the Holy Ghost, in that Word, And the Lord had Respect unto Abel, and to his Offering, Gen. iv. 4. Oh, I saw, That Christ loved me; and that in Love to my Person, He accepted my Offering, my Service, my feeble Work! And much it affected my Soul, that my Dear Lord Jesus should thus acquaint me with his Grace; and strongly my Heart was attracted to love Him again, to Love Himself, and his Work, his People, &c. for his Sake. – Then I wanted to know the Father’s Mind concerning me, and my present Service; and sweetly his Love flow’d in upon my Heart, from these Words: The Son can do nothing of Himself, but what He seeth the Father do, Joh. v. 19. And, The Father Himself loveth you, Chap. xvi. 27. And then the Love of the Spirit likewise, was let in upon my Soul, from These Three are One, I Joh. v. 7. Oh the Love of the Three-One God, which I then beheld! I saw, That the Father lov’d me in Christ, that Christ lov’d me from the Father, and the Spirit from both. And that God in Christ was Well-pleased with [80] my Person, and accepted my Service! And that it was the Mind of the Three-One God, to be Gracious to me therein! Oh the sweet, Soul satisfying, Heart-melting Fellowship, which I then had with God in Love! My Soul was humbled before the Lord, for all my Unkindness, Ingratitude, and base Selfishness; enlarg’d to praise and adore Him as the God of Glory, the God of all Grace in Christ; and long’d to be at Home, that I might love, adore, and praise Him, perfetly and for ever! Oh surely, This was a Foretaste of Heaven, an Earnest of that Bliss! Then these Words came in, in the Majesty of Jehovah: The God of Glory thundredth, Psal. xxix. 3. He maketh Lightnings with Rain, and bringeth forth the Wind out of his Treasures, Jer. x. 13. He stood and measured the Earthy: He beheld, – and the everlasting Mountains were scattered, the perpetual Hills did bow, Hab. iii. 6. The Sea saw and fled, and Jordan was driven back. The Mountains skipped like Rams, and the little Hills like Lambs. What ailed thee, O Sea, that thou fleddest? Thou Jordan, that thou wast driven back? Ye Mountains, that ye skipped like Rams; and ye little Hills like Lambs? Psal. cxiv. 3, 4, 5, 6. By These I had a sweet Intimation, and conceiv’d a delightful Hope, That God would display his Glory, by and through my feeble Work: That He would thunder from Sinai’s Mount upon secure Sinners; and make Lightnings with Rain, enlighten their Minds in the Knowledge of Christ, [81] and refresh their Souls with the Showers of his Grace; and bring forth the Wind of his Spirit out of his Treasures, upon Dry-boned Sinners, unto their Conviction and Consolation, their Life and Joy. And that He would do this as the God of Glory: with such a Majesty, that every Way becomes his Great Being! And that all Opposition should flee before Him! That the Sea of Nature-Corruption, should see Him, and flee, and the over-flowing Rivers thereof, and be driven back. That the Hearts of Sinners, firm as Mountains in their Opposition to God, should bow, shake, and tremble, and skip like Rams and Lambs at the Presence of the Lord, this Lord of Glory! – Upon this, my Soul ador’d the Majesty of Jehovah, and my Heart made Melody to Him with Thanksgivings for all his Grace: In that Word, which was precious to me, He exalteth the Horn of his People, the Praise of all his Saints, even of the Children of Israel, a People near unto Him. Praise ye the Lord. And also, this Verse, which came sweetly into my Mind, tun’d my Heart to the Musick of Praise:

Ye People, Bless the Lord,

And lift his Glory high:

Your Praise in Songs record;

For God is ever Nigh!

Oh my Soul, remember the Kindness of thy God to thee at this Time: how He accepted thy feeble [82] Work, and gave thee sweet Intimations of his using it. And though, weak as it was, thou thoughtest again and again, Surely the Lord hath not Chosen This; Surely He will not work by This:’ Yet encourag’d by Him, Wait thou upon Him, to see how his own Arm will bring Salvation, to the eternal Glory of his Power, in thy Weakness! And, Lord, let it be unto thy Worm, according to thy Word! Amen.  (78-81)

. . . . . .

Concerning A Letter to the Reverend Mr. John Wesley (1742), Dutton writes: 

When I began this Letter, I design’d to send it to him in Writing. But being enlarg’d beyond my Expectation, as I wrote much more than I at first purpos’d, and as I had some Doubt, whether he would have Patience to read it, and thence, some Fear, that it might be of little Use: I spread the Case before the Lord. And intreated Him to tell me, If He would have me send the Letter to Mr. Wesley in Writing, for his own Use only; or in Print, that others might see it together with him? And the Answer I receiv’d from the Lord, was this: Bind up the Testimony, seal the Law among my [95] Disciples, Isa. viii. 16. By which I was fully satisfy’d, that it was God’s Mind, I should print it. That thereby, I should bear a publick Testimony for Him and his Truths before All; and thus as it were seal the Law, the Doctrines of his Word, which thro’ his Assistance in that Letter, I had been vindicating. The Lord cast a particular Shine upon this Part of the Word, Among my Disciples. He pointed to it as with a Sun-Beam, which made his Mind perspicuous to me. “There, as if the Lord should say, there, among my Disciples, let this Testimony be. They shall have it. Bind up the Testimony, seal the Law, make it sure among them.” And for its Usefulness, sweetly the Lord encourag’d me by this Word, Many shall run to and fro, and Knowledge shall be increased, Dan. xii. 4. (94-95)

. . . . . .

Secondly, Thoughts about Faith in Christ: &c. This, which was first design’d for private Use, and wrote for the Perusal of a Friend, when the Lord made it evident to me, that to bear Witness for Him and his Truth, it was my Duty to publish it; I had some Fears, from my own Weakness, &c. lest it should not be of that Use which he desir’d, lest the dear Children of God, should not regard me. But sweetly the Lord encourag’d me, from that Word, I have graven Thee upon the Palms of my Hands, Isa. xlix. 16. By which I had a Heart-melting Discovery of the Love of Christ to Me, even to Me, with Relation to this little Piece, and an Assurance given me, [96] that He would use it to some of his People. That for this Service, He had graven me upon the Palms of his Hands. That as sure as He dy’d for me on the Cross, as his precious Hands were there pierc’d for me; as He had the  quickest Remembrance of his Death, and pleaded the Efficacy thereof on his Throne above; so surely, in his infinite Love to me, and as a Fruit of his Death, He would use this little Piece, to some of his People: In the Publication of which, I singly aim’d at his Glory, in bearing Witness for Him and his Truth in the Earth. (95-96)

. . . . . .

On 18 October 1742, as she is writing her Letter to the Believing Negroes, she is constrained by the thought that she should not complete the work.  She writes:

. . . it was suggested to my Mind: “That the Lord had not sent me about that Work.” – Upon which, my Heart being much drawn out towards them, I sought the Lord again: “That if He had any Thing to send to those his Children by Me, He would signify his Mind, and give me a Message.” And the Lord was graciously pleased to say: Go, – and I will be with thy Mouth, Exod. iv. 12. And, The Companions hearken to thy Voice: cause Me to hear, (or as Mr Durham renders the Word, and as it was brought to me, cause Me to be Heard) Song viii. 13. By which Words the Lord encourag’d me to engage in the Work, satisy’d me of his Presence with me therein, and informed me what I should say; That Himself should be the Subject of my Discourse, that I should cause Him to be Heard. And blessed be his Name, He carried me comfortably through it.

        But when I was got upwards the Close, my Bowels yearn’d towards the poor Negroes that were yet in Unbelief; and I knew not how to wind up, without saying somewhat to Them. But here again I was told: “That I was not call’d to it, that it would be in vain to say any Thing, and that I had better leave [77] them quite out.” – But that Word, in seeking the Lord, was some Encouragement to me: That he that ploweth should plow in Hope, and that he that thresheth in Hope, should be Partaker of his Hope, I Cor. ix. 10. Upon which I engaged in the Work.

        But not finding that Liberty therein which my Soul desired, I was again tempted to leave that Part out of the Letter. Upon which I sought the Lord again to know his Mind. And as in the former Part I was enlarged beyond my Expectation, and much straitned in the latter; I brought the Whole before the Lord, and shew’d Him the Work: And ask’d Him to tell me, “If He would have me send it in Writing, to those few Persons which I had in my Eye when I first began, or in Print, that it might be useful to others, with them: And also, If He would have the last Part left out, or the Whole sent.” – And while I blessed the Lord, for the Assistance of his Spirit, wherein I was enlarg’d, and humbled myself before Him, wherein I was straitned: He was graciously pleas’d to accept the Whole, and particularly satisy’d me about that Part, whereof I was in Doubt. These Words were apply’d with Power and Sweetness to my Soul: He that goeth forth and weepeth (by which the last Part was particularly glanc’d at) bearing precious Seed, shall doubtless come again rejoicing, bringing his Sheaves with him. Psal. cxxxvi. 6. God hath chosen Things which are not, to bring to nought [78] Things which are: That no Flesh should glory in his Presence, I Cor. i. 28, 29. There is none like That, give it Me, I Sam. xxi. 9 – This filled me with Wonder at infinite Condescension, that the great God, should regard the weak Attempts of his feeble Worm to serve Him; and call for his own Word, wrapp’d up as it were in my Weakness, as his chosen Sword, to be given into his Almighty Hand, to fight his Battles and gain his Victories. (76-78)

. . . . . . 

On 9 February 1743, when she is putting together her second volume of Letters, she writes that she had begun work on them the previous summer (working from copies of her letters), “And lo, as soon as it was finish’d, my gracious God, in his kind Providence, call’d for its Publication” (83).  She then comments on her desire that some of her books be sent into America. This came about through her husband’s departure for America. She writes,

So, when the Time of the Promise drew nigh; my dear Husband, having Thoughts of going into America [84] on another Account [this was to raise funds for an addition to the church], which he judg’d to be a Call of Providence, He resolv’d to print and take many of my Books with him. Did ever any seek the Lord in vain? Trust in God, and were confounded? Or wait for Him, and were ashamed? No; All the Lord’s Suppliants, his Dependents and Expectants, shall say, Lo, this is our God, we have waited for Him, and He will save us: this is the Lord, we have waited for Him, we will be glad and rejoice in his Salvation!

        And as when my Second Volume of Letters, last mention’d, was to be printed; and other of my Books soon to follow, which were to be sent into America; I had some Fears of the Difficulties, Dangers, and Trials, that might attend their Publication: I thence sought the Lord, to give me some Encouragement from Himself about them, and as to this Book in particular, that was just then coming out. And He was pleas’d to say to me, Fear not ye; – for ye seek Jesus, Mat. xxviii. 5. This gave me sweet Peace in attempting the Work, and strengthened me to hope for a good Event. I was also further encouraged from this Word, For the Merchandize of Wisdom is better than the Merchandize of Silver, and the Gain thereof than fine Gold, Prov. iii. 14. From hence I was taught, That it was my Duty to venture out, in this Work for God, in the Face of all Dangers and Difficulties that might attend; in Hope of that Gain in the Glory of God, and the Good of his People, which my Soul [85] desir’d; and which is so far superior to that, for which this World’s Merchants run such Hazards, and make such large Adventures. And by this Word also, the Lord strengthned and encourag’d me: He that goeth forth and weepeth, bearing precious Seed, shall doubtless come again with Rejoicing, bringing his Sheaves with him, Psal. cxxvi. 6. – Oh my Soul, Be thou like the Husbandman! – Go forth in thy Work for God, to comfort and exhort thy Brethren by the Word of the Lord, in the Face of Storms: For, bearing precious Seed, thou shalt come again with Rejoicing, bringing thy Sheaves with thee. Thou shalt find a rich Account of thy Seeds-Time Labours, in the blessed Fruit thereof, to thy own and others Joy in this World, and an Harvest of endless Glory, in that to come! Prosper thou, O Lord, this Work of my Hands!  (83-85)

. . . . . .

      Dutton writes at the end of 1749 that she had prepared a second edition of this work for the press, adding to it a new work, Notes on the Love of Christ. If she did, no copies survive. She does not list the work in her calendar of publications at the end of Part III, but that could be due to the fact that the work, if it did appear, would have been printed after A Brief Account. The following is her account of this second publication which may or may not have come to fruition:

Aug. 3, 1749. Having copied my Notes on the Love of Christ, as above, and Thoughts of adding them to my little Piece, The Hurt that Sin doth to Believers, which I had a Desire to Re-print; as when first printed, I chiefly design’d it for England, and almost all the Copies were by Mistake, sent into America, when my dear Husband went: I sought the Lord for his Direction and Blessing. And while I was before him, this Word dropt on my Heart, with great Power and Sweetness, Yea, saith the Spirit, Rev. xiv. 13. By which I receiv’d an Intimation, as to their Publication, and the Lord’s Blessing thereon. O this, Yea, saith the Spirit! melted my Heart, humbled me before the Lord, and engag’d me to praise him: To give Thanks to the Father, who sends the Spirit in Christ’s Name; to the Son, who dy’d and lives, that He might send him; and to the Holy Ghost, who comes as sent, who would come, and bless these weak Labours, of his vile, unworthy, Hell deserving Worm! I took the Words, as a Grant of that Blessing, my Soul sought: Which I tho’t extended to the Whole of what I desir’d to publish, in this Piece. – But I wanted the Lord to say somewhat to me in particular, to the former and the latter Parts, of this intended Book. And for the former Part, The Hurt of Sin, and The Word of Intreaty, at the End of it, He was graciously pleas’d to hint both my Duty and Privilege in its Publication, by that Word, sweetly apply’d to my Heart, Wash one another’s Feet, Joh. xiii. 14. And by this also, my Lord’s Pleasure with my feeble Attempt, notwithstanding my Unworthiness, was signify’d to me. And as I was praying for his Blessing upon this, and the latter Part, Notes on the Love of Christ, He said unto me, Because I live, ye shall live also, Chap. xiv. 19. By which I was sweetly persuaded, that because Christ lives for me at God’s Right Hand, I should live also; Rejoice for the Consolation, which He would minister to his dear Children, by what I had written, of his Knowledge-passing Love, which my Heart pray’d for. And for a Blessing on the Improvement thence made, to poor Sinners, I likewise prayd. And soon that Word dropt on my Heart, The Dead shall hear the Voice of the Son of God; and they that hear, shall live, Joh. v. 25. By which I was encourag’d to hope, that my Lord would speak Himself by his own Truths, in the feeble Lines I had written, to the Hearts of some dead Sinners. And that Word also was bro’t to my Mind, The Lord was with Samuel, and did let none of his Words fall to the Ground, I Sam. iii. 19. Which gave me [147] Hope, that the Lord would bless the Whole of what He gave me to say for Him in this Book. And as I was humbled before him, under a Sense of my Littleness and Vileness, and told the Lord, “That I was not a Samuel, one of his Prophets, or great Servants; but one of the least and last, and worst of his Children.” He said unto me, I have chosen thee, and not cast thee away, Isa. xli. 9. As to Usefulness, in this poor Book; as I took it. Which melted my Heart, and I pray’d him to exalt his Grace, to work by it, for the Glory of his great Name, and secure to Himself all the Praise. Then that Word was bro’t O Napthali, satisy’d with Favour, and full with the Blessing of the Lord: possess thou the West and the South, Deut. xxxiii. 23. By which a sweet Hint was given me, of the Grant of all that Blessing on my poor Book, that my Soul desir’d; to my full Satisfaction with Favour, and Possession of that happy wondrous Lot assign’d me. And soon after, that Word dropt on my Mind, Behold, I and the Children which the Lord hath given me, are for Signs, and for Wonders in Israel; from the Lord of Hosts, which dwelleth in Mount Zion, Isa. viii. 18. Which fill’d my Heart with a precious abiding Savour, of the wondrous Grace of God, cast upon Christ, his First- born Son, and thro’ Him upon all his Junior Brethren, his given Children; and so upon me, the Lord’s little One, in relation to Christ, [148] with respect to this, my little Service. O how sweet was it, is it to me, That in all the wondrous Grace, cast upon me thro’ Christ, in all my Work appointed, and Success granted, I share the same with Him! That I am with Him, in my proper Sphere, in my little Measure, for a Sign, and for a Wonder; (of infinite Kindness, of omnipotent Favour:) from the Lord of Hosts, which dwelleth in Mount Zion! – Amen! Hallelujah! (145-148)

. . . . . .

Dutton writes about Parts 1 and 2 of A Brief Account in Part III of A Brief Account of the Gracious Dealings of God (1750). Her entry is dated  29 April 1743:

The last Week, My Pamphlet, A brief Account of the gracious Dealings of God with a poor, sinful, unworthy Creature, Relating to the Work of Grace on the Heart, in a saving Conversion to Christ, &c. Part I. was put to the Press. As was soon after the IId Part. I had much Work, much Writing, &c. upon Hand the last Week; by which I was in some Sort diverted from that particular Seeking of the Lord, for some Intimation of his Mind, about the Publication of this little Tract, which I had been wont to observe with respect to my others already published. And as soon as I had finish’d the Work of the former Part [86] of this Week, and my Mind was a little unbended from it; this Thought was darted in: “That I had not sought God, about the Publication of this little Piece.” Which laid me under Guilt for my Neglect, Concern for that Dishonour which I had done to God thereby, and Discouragement, lest it should be useless. Not that I did not seek God at all; for in a more general Way, I did. I ask’d his Direction about it, and his Blessing upon it, and dedicated it to Him. But thro’ Hurry, I did not so particularly seek Him, as I ought to have done. I went,  as to its Publication, upon a more general Persuasion, that it was God’s Mind it should come out. Which arose from that sweet Encouragement which He gave me at first to write it, and also from that which I receiv’d, when I sought the Lord about the Publication of my last Book of Letters. For, as I said, it was not that Book only, but all the other which were design’d to be brought out, and dispos’d of with  it, that I had in my Thoughts, when I was under some Fears, as to the Difficulties which might attend their Publication, sought the Lord about it, and receiv’d gracious Encouragement from Him, to proceed in the Work, and trust the same with Him. But not having sought God, nor receiv’d any Intimation from Him, about this little Piece in particular; I humbled my Soul before Him, confest and bewailed my Sin, and pray’d Him to tell me something of his Mind. [87]

        And while I was before Him, He instantly and sweetly, broke in upon my Heart with this Word: Thou art my Servant, ——— in whom I will be glorified, Isa. xlix. 3. By which he testify’d his gracious Acceptance of my feeble Work, and Design to use it; that He would account Himself glorify’d, and get Himself Glory thereby. And sweetly this grace melted my Heart, humbled me in the Dust before Him, and rais’d up my Soul to praise and bless Him. And I admir’d his forgiving Love, and said, with the Prophet, Who is a God like unto Thee, that pardoneth Iniquity, and passeth by the Transgression of the Remnant of his Heritage? He retaineth not his Anger for ever, because He delighteth in Mercy! And these Words also brake in, with Power and great Glory: And the Woman fled into the Wilderness, where she hath a Place prepared of God, that they should nourish her there. And to the Woman were given two Wings of a great Eagle, that she might fly into her Place: – where she is nourish’d – from the Face of the Serpent, Rev. xii. 6, 14. From which the Lord gave me a sweet Hint, Where my poor Books were to be us’d, even in the American Wilderness; that there I had a Place prepared of God, Father, Son and Spirit; that there were Two Wings, a Fulness of Power, given me to fly into that my Place, and that there I should be Nourish’d from the Face of the Serpent; who by his Rage, forc’d me out of England. And sweetly that Word dropt upon [88] my Heart, And there will I nourish thee, Gen. xlv. 11. I read the Scriptures, and precious they were to me; and especially the Account given of the Woman, the Church, Rev. xii. As it was then apply’d to my own Person and Case. And from hence I was taught, 1. That whenever the Woman, the Church, or any of her Seed, appearing in the Glory of Christ, and adorn’d with the Doctrine of the twelve Apostles, doth labour to bring forth any Fruit unto God, the Dragon, the Devil, is wroth, and stands ready to devour it. 2. That the Dragon’s Rage against the Woman, may be so great, as to force her thereby, to flee from him into the Wilderness. 3. That when this is the Case, even there She hath a Place prepar’d of God, where She shall be fed and nourish’d. 4. That for this her Flight into the Wilderness, She hath Two Wings, a Fulness of Power given her. 5. That when the Woman is got into her Place in the Wilderness, even thither will the Dragon go after her, casting Water out of his Mouth like a Flood, to cause her to be carried away of the Flood. And 6. That in this Case, the Earth shall help the Woman’ that tho’ the Dragon thus pursues and persecutes the Woman, She shall not be destroy’d and swallow’d up by him, but shall have suitable, seasonable, and sufficient Help. And oh how sweet and encouraging were these Things unto Me!

        Long have I look’d upon my poor Books as my Children, by which I hop’d to serve and [89] glorify God. And having conceiv’d Hopes that the Lord would bring them out, and use them; when the Time drew nigh, I have cried, travailing in Birth, and pained to be deliver’d. And when opprest with Fear that they would not come forth, and so all my Labour be in vain; the Lord has comforted me with this Word, “Shall I bring to the Birth, and not cause to bring forth? Saith the Lord.” And when any of them have been brought out, and I have been ready to think, that one, and another of them would be the last; the Lord hath said unto me, “Shall I cause to bring forth, and shut the Womb?” (Shall I do this, and no more for thee?) Saith thy God.” By which He has sweetly encourag’d me to hope in his Mercy; and upon me it has been, according as I hoped and trusted in Him. For most of my poor Books are now brought forth, and all the rest are coming out. Oh what a Good, Gracious, Wonder-working, and All-performing God, have I!

        But, Oh! The Dragon has been wroth with me, and made some of the Friends of Christ to be the Channels of his Rage, and from England, with my poor Books, he forceth me to flee. – ‘But my Soul, be not dismayed: Since God is for thee, Who can be against thee? See, yonder, in the Wilderness, thy God hath prepared thee a Place, where He will nourish thee from the Face of the Serpent! And he hath given thee of the freest Grace, [90] two Wings of a great Eagle, the Grace and Power of thy Dear Lord Jesus, who bears and carries thee as on Eagle’s Wings, and Faith and Love from him: Upon which, soar thou aloft, and fly from the Face of the Serpent, into thy prepared Place. And tho’ some of thy Mother’s Children are angry with thee; be not overmuch grieved, for it is the Serpent’s Rage against Christ, which They vent against Thee. Thy Lord, takes all the unkind Treatment which thou meet’st with, as done to Himself. And as He in the Days of his Flesh, when despis’d and rejected in one Place, departed to another: and has bid thee, when persecuted in one City, to flee unto another; So, take thy Wings, the Wings of His Grace and Providence, and of thy Faith and Love, which He hath given thee, and flee yonder unto thy Place. Thou hast a Place there, tho’ none here. And there thy Lord will skreen and nourish thee from the Serpent’s Rage. And don’t wonder, if the Dragon should cast Water out of his Mouth like a Flood after thee; nor be dismayed thereby: For the Lord God will help thee, and that right early: and never suffer thee to be destroy’d by the Serpent’s Rage. – And remember what He said unto thee, even this Day, “I have chosen Thee, and not cast Thee away? I will make all my Goodness pass before thee, and I will proclaim the Name of the Lord before thee; and will be gracious to whom I will be gracious,” Exod. [91] xxxiii. 19. which he spake concerning a particular Service. And, “I will make of Thee a Great Nation, Gen. xii. 2. By which He hinted thy more general Usefulness. Which with Joy and Wonder made thee cry out, Lord, What, Still! Hast thou more Grace in Reserve for me Still! What bless me, and work by me Still! Ten Thousand Glories to thy great Grace! Upon which he answer’d, “I will never leave thee.” – Then, Oh my Soul, Love the Lord, hope in Him, and wait for the God of thy Salvation! And thou shalt see Him as thy Wonder-working and Covenant-keeping God!

        A Hint I would just give, as to the 2d Part of my Brief Account of the gracious Dealings of God, Relating to a Train of special Providences attending Life. This, as I said, was not put to Press quite so soon as the other. I wanted Time to revise it, &c. But as both are but one continued Account of the Lord’s Dealings with me; which were both as it were coming out together; I take that gracious Promise which the Lord gave me for the 1st Part, Thou art my Servant – in whom I will be glorify’d: to extend also to the 2d Part. (86-91)

. . . . . . 

In August 1743 her husband, Benjamin Dutton, departed for a long trip to America designed to raise funds for the chapel in Great Gransden and to sell and promote Anne Dutton's printed works. She writes about his departure in the Appendix to Part III of A Brief Account of the Gracious Dealings of God (1750):

As my dear Husband, apprehending it his Duty to go thither [to America] on another Account, brought out all my Books, I then had by me in MS. and took with him a great Number of them; which the Lord blest to many Souls. – Praise to my good God, who in this Regard heard my Prayer!

Aug. 17, 1743. My dear Husband went from Home, in order to embark for America. At which time, the lord most kindly granted my Desire, and abundantly satisfy’d me with his Favour, in bringing out all my Books, that I had by me, even all my Manuscripts, except some few Letters, Glory be to his great Name!

        Some Time after my Husband was gone, the Lord gave me Opportunity to write many Letters to his dear Lambs, who desir’d to hear from me. And I found my Heart inclin’d to take the Copies of them. But as I could see no [105] Way how any more of my Books should be brought out and dispos’d of; I was at a Loss, if it was my Duty to take them, or not; and loth to labour in vain, to take copies of Letters which might not come out, or be of any farther Use. Yet I desir’d to serve Christ as much as ever, tho’ I was in Doubt, if I cou’d serve him by taking those Copies: And looking up to the Lord for Direction, He said unto me, Leave thy Fatherless Children with Me: I will preserve them alive, Jer. xlix. 11. I had long look’d upon my Books, as my Children: And by this Word the Lord encourag’d me to go to Work again, and leave the Copies of Letters I might after take, with Him, unto his Care, and for Him to glorify Himself thereby, as He pleased.

        And about this Time, I had some pleasant Thoughts, ‘of committing every of the Books I might after write, into the Hands of Christ, as a small Gift, or Legacy, for his weak Children.’ And I was much delighted to think, ‘That in his infinite Grace, He would accept my little Mites, which given by Him, He had inclin’d my Heart to offer up unto Him; and that He would see to it, that they were not lost, and bring them out, that his weak Children might not lose their Right.’ – Lord Jesus, of thy Royal Grace, accept the Goat’s Hair, what Thou gavest to, and shall willingly be offer’d by, thy most weak, unworthy Worm, towards building thee a Sanctuary! [1o4-05]

In the Appendix to Vol. 3 of A Brief Account, Dutton adds a lengthy section on her husband's departure for America in 1743, recounting the difficulties the church experienced during his absence and her defense of having her husband take ber books to America with him to distribute there. The latter issue forced her to write a lengthy justification concerning any responsibility she might bear in her husband' death upon his return to England in 1747, given the fact that her writings had played a significant role in his mission in America.

  These Books were dispersed in England; and the most if not every one of these, with the former, which before, and together with them, were here dispersed abroad; The Lord [150] hath now given me to hear, that they have been much blest unto some Souls. And I trust they are blest, and shall be blessed in Time to come. Even in England, my good God, had greatly blest my poor Writings, before any of my Books were sent into America: Tho’ I had not so full a Knowledge of it then, as hath been given me since; and was under Discouragement, from the Opposition I met with from some, and fearing the Books were of but little Use to others. – But the Lord wrought for me, tho’ it was out of my Sight, and brought it to my View, when I had most Need of the Consolation. – And since I heard of the Lord’s using my former Books, for the Instruction and Comfort of some Souls, and for the Conversion of others; I think the latter, have been more extensively blest, for the Edification of Saints, for the Relief and Refreshment of our dear Lord’s tender Lambs. O marvellous Grace, to a Creature the most unworthy! Unbounded, All-surmounting Mercy, to a Sinner deserving the utmost Misery! Thus in England hath the Lord my Father, shewn the exceeding Riches of his Grace, in Kindness towards me thro’ Christ Jesus! – Nor was England a Place large enough, to answer the vast Designs of his Loving Kindness to unlovely me; but to other Nations, and even to America, must my Books be sent, and there also blest! O wondrous Lot, assign’d me in surprizingly Free, and Infinite Favour! For, [151], tho’ less than the least of all Saints, and the chief of Sinners: So great hath been the Grace of God towards me! So great hath been his promis’d Goodness, his Covenant Faithfulness! And still his infinite Kindness, is to me extended, and in it He hath spoken of great Things concerning me, for a great while to come! Praise to that Grace, which reigns thro’ Righteousness, by Jesus Christ our Lord! – I am to give,

        Secondly. Answer to an Objection that may be made against the Lord’s Grant of my Desire in special Favour, in sending my Books into America: From that great Trial which follow’d upon it, in the Loss of my dear Husband by Sea. For,

        As in this Third Part of my brief Account, I gave a Hint of the Lord’s sending my Books into America, as an Answer of Prayer; and of his engaging my Heart to trust in Him, and fearless, venture into this Service for Him, in the Face of Difficulties: from those Words, Fear not ye; for ye seek Jesus: And, The Merchandise of Wisdom is better than Silver, and the Gain thereof than fine Gold: Hence, as it pleas’d God to exercise me with so great a Trial as the Loss of my dear Husband by Sea, in his Return Home: Some may be ready to think and say,

        Obj. That if the Lord had granted my Desire in special Favour; and call'd me to venture in this Service for his Honour: Surely the [152] End, would not have been so dark and trying: The Event, having in it, rather the Face of a Rebuke, than the least Aspect of Favour – To this therefore, I think it my Duty to make some Reply. And to set Things in the same Light, in which they appear to me, let it be observed by way of Answer, in General:

        Ans. 1. That my dear Husband’s going into America, was not desired, nor sought for, by me, nor was his going thither, on Account of my Books, but on other Accounts; and his Design to take the Books with him, was after he had determined his Voyage. So that my great Trial in the Loss of my dear Yokefellow, was not occasion’d, principally, by my Books being sent into America: Tho’ it followed thereon consequentially. – But if it had; no just Argument could thence be drawn, That the Lord had not granted my Desire in special Favour, nor call’d me to venture in this Service for his Honour. Because,

        Ans. 2. The Judgments of God are a great Deep: No Man knoweth either Love or Hatred, by all that is before them: Whilst, All Things come alike unto all. So that God’s Way being in the Sea, and his Path in the great Waters, his Footsteps are (at Times, to his dearest Favourite) not known. And,

        Ans. 3. The Estimate of God’s special Favour, or of his fatherly Displeasure, in his various Dispensations towards his dear Children, is not to be taken merely from the outward [153] Face of Things in Providence; but rather from the inward Effect of those Dispensations upon their Souls. – Great Trials, are not always the Fruit of great Sins, nor a Token of God’s great Displeasure, but are sometimes an Indication of his great Favour. As is clear in the Case of Job, whom the Lord singled out in special Favour, to be an eminent Instance and Example of suffering Affliction and of Patience, to God’s Honour, in supporting him under the Trial, and bringing him out of the Furnace, as Gold seven Times refined, and to Job’s special Advantage, present and eternal. So that, if great Trials, are blest to God’s People, to exercise their Graces, and to prepare them for their Crown, they may, they ought to be, esteemed by them, as Tokens of his special Favour. And so, the greatest temporal Loss, may prove to Wisdom’s Merchants, the greatest Gain, both spiritual and eternal: And can be no Argument, against the Grant of their Desires in peculiar Favour, nor against their being call’d of God to venture in any Piece of Service for his Honour; whatever Trial may attend their Labour. – But, more particularly,

        Though, No Affliction that befalls the Saints in a Way of Duty, can be any just Argument against the Lord’s special Mercy; yet Satan and Unbelief, are not wanting to make such Suggestions, when the dear Children of God are under trying Dispensations. And thus [154] I must confess, that my Soul-Enemies, tho’ in the main mightily restrained, yet at Times, under my great Trial, have said unto me, “Where is thy God? If thou hadst found Grace in his Sight as his special Favourite, would he have dealt thus with thee? Is this the End, of thy trusting in God? &c.” To which when most oppress’d, I was enabled to reply thro’ Grace, “No; this is not the End: My God, is but on his Way, in special Favour, to do me Good, by this great Trial. Tho’ he now veils his Face in a Cloud, he will again bring me forth to the Light, and I shall behold his Righteousness. But, whatever my God doth with me; He will be glorify’d; and that shall be my Joy, &c.”

        I have no Doubt, of God’s sending my Books into America, as an Answer of my Prayer, not that he did this of special Favour. And in that he did it by Means of my dear Husband’s going thither, who dispers’d them abroad in such Numbers, as no other Person either could or would; my God herein, hath not only answered, but far exceeded, my Desires, Faith and Hope. O how small would have been my Portion of Favour, if God had granted my Request, in the Way I wish’d, and sent only a few of the Books, to be dispers’d by a Friend that went thither, as I desired; to what it was, when the Lord answered my Prayer in his own Way, and did for me therein, according to the infinite Grace of his own [155] Heart! – By the Way, then, How good is it, to refer all our Petitions, for Manner, Measure, and Time of Answer, to the Wisdom and Grace of the God of Compassions: Who delighteth to do for his People, exceeding abundantly above all that they ask or think! – Great was the Goodness of my God towards me, in sending my Books by my dear Husband, in that unthought of, undesired Way; in carrying him and them safe over the great Waters; in preserving his Life till they were spread abroad, and till he could inform me, “That many dear Friends desir’d to be remembred [sic] to me most kindly, and that he would acquaint me, that the Books had been blest to their Souls, and they made to bless God, that they ever saw them:” Which was, and is, my present Consolation, and will be my eternal Joy, to the endless Glory of infinite Grace!

        And as my dear Husband, aim’d at the Glory of God and the Good of Souls, in his going into America; and in this Work, which he did there, and likewise had the Satisfaction to see his Desires in part accomplished: so likewise, he had the Pleasure to see, and to acquaint me, “that his Labours in the Gospel of Christ, were blest for the Edification of Saints, and for the Conversion of some Sinners, not less than Eleven or Twelve Souls.” This he inform’d me of with the deepest Humility, under a Sense of his great Unworthiness, [156] and with the highest Wonder at the exceeding riches of God’s Free Grace, in thus working by his Ministry. And this was to me, a very great Joy; and made the Pain of Absence more easy. Yea, I thought, when I had this News, ‘that I could freely give him up to the Lord’s Service, if he should call for his very Life to be spent in it; and that I should lose my Pain for his Absence, in the Pleasure of my Lord’s Glory, by his Presence where such blessed Work was to be done by him.” – And as the Lord wrought this Disposition then in my Heart; So when he was pleas’d thus actually to try me, it was brought to my Thought. And thro’ his Grace with my Spirit, I was still of the same Mind, and sweetly the Lord drew me into Resignation to, and Acquiescence with, his good Pleasure.

        But notwithstanding this, my Trial was very great; not only personally, but relatively consider’d with respect to the Church. I had not only lost my dear Husband, but the Church also had lost its Pastor. I gave a Hint in the Second Part of my Brief Account, of that great Love to the People, and Concern for their Good, which the Lord wrought in my soul, when he first brought me amongst them, from the Promises he gave me concerning then. – And by his applying that Word to my Heart, He sent before them Moses, and Aaron, and Miriam: I was persuaded that the Lord had some Work [157] for me to do among them. And thus, a natural Care for their State, possessed my Heart. And this Love and Care being continu’d, was heightned [sic], by their being left destitute, having none to care for them. Their desolate Case, made my Heart desolate.

        Great were my Trials, with respect to the Church during my dear Husband’s Absence, who was providentially detained from us, much longer than he thought of or designed. For while he was absent, many of our Members dy’d, others were providentially remov’d, and the Auditory much decreased, &c. This melancholy Aspect, greatly try’d me, as it did also my dear Husband, who would fain have return’d to us much sooner, but was prevented. But the Lord did me great Good, by my great Trials. Blessed be his holy Name, he hereby exercis’d and increas’d my Faith and Love, Hope and Patience, and every Grace. So that I would not have been without my Afflictions, which were attended with such blessed Fruits. Believing, I rejoiced, that the Lord led me the right Way, to a City of Habitation. And as my God enabled me to bring a little Glory to Him, under my Griefs, my Joys therein, were unspeakable! I lov’d the Glory of God, I rejoiced in it, far above all Things. But the low Estate of the Church, lay very near me. This put me upon crying to the Lord most earnestly, for my dear Husband’s Return, and that the Lord, in an eminent Manner, would return with Him, and build up [158] the Tabernacle of David, which was fallen down amongst us. I pray’d, I wrestled with God, I could not, would not, let him go, without a Blessing. And he said unto me, repeatedly, I know thee by Name; and Thou hast found grace in my Sight: And, Thou hast prevailed. Innumerable were the Promises that the Lord gave me; which greatly reviv’d, and mightily supported me. I liv’d amidst promis’d Grace, I trusted Divine Faithfulness. And whenever my Heart fainted, some Word or other, as a spiritous Cordial, was given me. And fain, very fain, would I have seen the Promises fulfilled in my dear Husband’s safe Return, and his abundant Usefulness. I could see no Way like this, for the Glory of God, and our Joy. And therefore thought, ‘That if the Lord comforted me on every Side, (as he said he woud) surely he would return my dear Husband, and work eminently by him.’ But God’s Thoughts and Ways, were as high above my Thoughts, and the Ways which I drew out for him to work in, as the Heavens are above the Earth!

        Thus for several Years was I carried on. Promises supported me, Providences try’d me. And a Spirit of Supplication, with earnest Expectation for God, were kept up in my Soul. I cry’d to him, believ’d in him, lov’d him, long’d for him, and patiently referring the Time of his Appearance for me, to his sovereign Pleasure, and cheerfully, for his Honour, I waited for him. And every Spring [159] and Fall, when I had Hopes of my Husband’s Return, my Trial was renewed by repeated Disappointments. – And when I last expected his coming, according to this Purpose, I had many Scriptures brought to my Mind on a certain Day, and part of the next, with Power and great Glory: and that in particular, Lo, this is our God, we have waited for him, and he will save us: this is the Lord, we have waited for him, we will be glad, and rejoice in his Salvation, Isa. xxv. 9. Whence I thought, ‘Perhaps this may be the Time of my dear Husband’s landing.’ But again I thought, ‘Surely it cannot, as the Wind is contrary.’ And while I was reasoning thus in my Mind, those Words came in, My Thoughts are not your Thoughts, neither are your Ways my Ways, saith the Lord. For as the Heavens are higher than the Earth, so are my Ways higher than your Ways, and my Thoughts than your Thoughts. For as the Rain cometh down, and the Snow from Heaven, &c. Isa. lv. 8, 9, 10, 11. Upon which, I knew not what to think, more than this, ‘That God’s Word, should be fulfilled in his own Way.’ And wait I did, to see how the Lord would work. – And as divers of the Promises seem’d to bespeak the Church’s Deliverance near, and that, Thou shalt arise and have Mercy upon Zion: for the Time to favour her, yea, the set Time is come, Psal. cii. 13. I rejoic’d in Hope of promis’d Glory. – But soon, amidst all the Brightness that shined upon my Spirit, that [160] Word was brought, Who is among you that feareth the Lord, that obeyeth the Voice of his Servant, that walketh in Darkness and hath no Light? Let him trust in the Name of the Lord, and stay upon his God, Isa. l. 10. This I knew not how to take: Having had so many Promises of Light, that such a Word should come in, which seem’d to foretel Darkness. But I thought, ‘Perhaps the Lord might open this to me more hereafter.’

        And lo, from that Time, when I look’d for Light to surround me suddenly, Darkness cover’d me speedily. The Fleet came, with which I expected my Husband, but He was not with it; nor any Letter from him, (as I us’d to have when he was prevented coming) nor Account of him, had I by it. – This try’d me exceedingly; as from that Time I waited earnestly and constantly, in hopes to see, or hear from him, or of him, and could hear Nothing, for near Six Months afterwards. – During this Time of Trial, the Lord supported, and variously exercised me. I walk’d in Darkness, indeed, and had no Light in Providence; but enabled I was to trust in the Lord, and to stay upon my God, in the Faith of his Promise: That I should yet see his Faithfulness, in fulfilling his Word according to his own Mind: And I hop’d it might be in the Way that I desir’d; viz. in my dear Husband’s safe Return, after so long an Exercise. Various Temptations at Times press’d hard upon me, but exceeding great and precious [161] Promises were given to support me; and I counted my God able and faithful who had promised; and for his Honour, labour’d thus to set to my Seal, That He is true: Believing to see the Goodness of the Lord, in the Land of the Living.

        At length, it pleas’d my kind Lord, to grant my Desire of a Letter. – But oh! The News it brought: Instead of my dear Husband’s safe Return, I heard of his Death, and that he was cast away in his Passage home, by the foundering of the Ship! How grieving was this to Nature! How trying to my Faith and Hope! The real Loss of my dear Yoke-fellow; the seeming Denial of my earnest Prayers; and the Failure of my Expectation, as to his Return, which I hoped might have been included in God’s never-failing Promises, with the Distress of the Church, occasion’d thereby; came all upon me at once. And Satan and Unbelief with their usual Insults, would fain have triumph’d over me. And doubtless, prest with such Weights, I should have sunk in deep Waters, if I had not been mightily Underpropped. But, Glory to the Eternal God! Underneath were the Everlasting Arms! I received Mercy, and fainted not, in the Day of Adversity; but was enabled to stand my Ground for God, and in Faith to resist the Enemy. And the Lord in tender pity, restrained the Powers of Darkness, and blest me with the Light of Promise, that I might endure the Gloom of Providence. So far as [162] the Trial had the Face of Rebuke, I was humbled for my Unworthiness and Vileness, justify’d God in his Dispensations, as holy, wise, and good. My Heart clave to him. I lov’d, ador’d, and blest him in all. And amidst my Sorrows, in my greatest Depressions, I rejoiced, that whatever fell, God’s Glory, by all would rise. I lov’d the Glory of God above all Things; I earnestly long’d actively to glorify him in all; and with my utmost Strength, attempted to give him Praise. I dreaded Nothing so much, as casting Dishonour upon my good God, by any unmeet Dejection of Spirit, when cast by Providence into the Depths of Trial. And blessed be the Lord my own God, that I was enabled to think and speak well of Him, under all, and to rejoice in Him as my All: And in Hope of the Light of Glory, when the Vail of Darkness, should be taken off the Face of Providence, and I see it clearly, in a full Consistency with the Promise. And mean while, To give my God a little Glory by the Trial, Oh, it was Joy in Sorrow, Ease in Pain, Life in Death, to my Spirit! I accounted this as my Gain, a Gain so great, that no Loss of mine could equalize, or was worthy to be compared with it: Yea, my very Loss, as a subservient Means, to this great End, was esteemed by me a Sort of Gain. Thus my good God, supported, instructed, and counsell’d me. For [163]

        Once in particular, when I was thinking on my Trial, ‘That in Itself, and Circumstances, it was the greatest I ever met with:’ This was suggested to my Mind, “That if this was the greatest Trial I ever met with; if I would love, adore and bless my God under it, now he seem’d thus to rebuke me; I should give him a greater Glory, than I ever gave him.” And this, of the Glory of God, took my Heart exceedingly, and drew away my Soul after it. I rejoiced at a Thought, of glorifying God in the Fires; and lost my Pain, in the sweet Pleasure. I rejoiced at my given Opportunity, to give Glory to my great and good God. I look’d upon this as my Work; and long’d to engage in it in good Earnest. – And while I was thus exercis’d, the Lord shined into my Heart, to give the Knowledge of his Glory in the Face of Christ, in this Trial: He opened another Prospect of it to me, and shew’d me, That I rather miscalled this Affliction, when I nam’d it Rebuke, and ought to account it a Favour, and an Honour cast upon me, that I was call’d by such a Trial, and enabled by Grace, to give the Lord such a Glory, as without it I could not have given him. And thus I saw, That Sufferings to the Saints, and this to me, was a Gift of God’s special Love, for the Sake of Christ, that on the Behalf of Christ, it was given me, not only to believe on him, but also to suffer for his Sake, Phil. i.29. This also was farther clear’d to [164] me, from Mar. x 30. But he shall receive an Hundred-fold now in this time, Houses, and Brethren, and Sisters, and Mothers, and Children, and Lands, with Persecutions; and in the World to come eternal Life. Peter said to our Lord, Lo, we have left all, and have followed thee, Ver. 28. And Jesus answered and said, Verily I say unto you, There is no Man that hath left House, or brethren, or Sisters, or Father, or Mother, or Wife, or Children, or Lands, for my Sake and the Gospel’s, But he shall receive, &c. Ver. 29, 30. Here our dear Lord assures his Followers, that they should be no Losers, but Gainers, by whatever they had forsaken for Him, and his Gospel’s Sake, that now in this Time, they should receive an Hundred fold, and in the World to come eternal Life. And among their Receivings here, as Royal Gifts of his special Favour, he puts in Persecutions. Strange! That Persecutions should be put into the Reward of those, who had forsaken all for Christ’s Sake. But thus, thus Troubles and Afflictions, are cast upon the Favourites of Heaven, that have left any Thing for Christ’s Sake, To give them the present Bliss, under Efficacious Grace, of Opportunities to glorify God, and our Lord Jesus Christ, by their Sufferings; that this also may be unto their Glory, for the Advancement of their Crown, when He appears! Oh rich Reward, of forsaking All for Christ’s Sake! Ineffable Gain, of that Loss! [165]

        Thus, in General and Particular, I have attempted to set Things in the same Light, in which they appear to me: In order to shew, That the Lord’s sending my Books into America, was the Answer of my Prayer, in special Favour: And also, That as I was call’d to trust the Lord, and to venture in this Service for his Honour; So my Gain was unspeakably great thereby, to my exceeding Joy, notwithstanding my great Trial and Sorrow, in the Loss of my dear Yoke-fellow: Yea, to shew, That my great Loss, over-ruled by Grace, for the Glory of God by me, and for my Glory in Him, was my ineffable Gain! And this I have done,

1.  For the Vindication of God’s Honour; The Honour of his Grace and Faithfulness, as a God hearing Prayer, and keeping Covenant. And

2.   For the Advantage of his dear Children: To remove any Objection, or Cause of Stumbling, from the tender Lambs of Christ, which might be caset in their Way, while viewing the Lord’s gracious Dealings with me, from that great Trial, with which he was pleas’d to exercise me. And thse Ends I chiefly had in view in this Appendix.

  And, as my Trials respected, not only Providences, but also Promises; I have one Thing more, that for the Glory of God and the Good of his People, I would give some Hints about. This:[166]

        That it pleaseth God at Times, to fulfil his Promises to his People, not by the Gift of those very Things, or in those very Ways, which they desir’d, and perhaps expected from the Promise: But by Things, or in Ways, which He, in his infinite Wisdom and Goodness, sees better.

        Of this I have had abundant Experience, in these my late Trials. To instance in one Particular.

        About a Fortnight before I heard of my dear Husband’s Death, while I was waiting with a Who can tell but God may be gracious to me, in his safe Return? Had almost lost Hope of it, but knew not how the Lord might appear, tho’ every Thing then look’d very dark and trying: That Word, with great Power, came into my Mind, Pursue; for thou shalt surely recover all, I Sam. xxx. 8. This Word, I knew not how to take. I thought it very improbable, that my Husband should be return’d, and my Desire thereby granted, in the Deliverance and Prosperity of the Church. But I ask’d the Lord, “if there was yet room for me to hope for so great Favours?” And I was directed to cast myself upon the Grace, Power and Faithfulness of God, to fulfil his Promise as should be most for his own Glory in my Salvation. Then that Word came in, Go thy Way, and as thou hast believed, so be it done unto thee, Mat. viii. 13. And these likewise, Ps. Xii. 5. [167] For the Sighing of the Needy, now will I arise, saith the Lord, Isa. xlii. 13, 14. The Lord shall go forth as a mighty Man, he shall stir up Jealousy like a Man of War: He shall cry; yea, rore; he shall prevail against his Enemies. I have long Time holden my Peace, I have been still and restrained myself: now will I cry like a travailing Woman, I will destroy and devour at once. From these Words I was persuaded, that the Lord would surely and speedily appear for me, to answer my Faith and Hope, in promis’d Deliverance; notwithstanding the Triumphs of my spiritual Enemies over me, in the Depths of my Distress, while in Providence the Lord hid his Face. And by the former, Pursue, for thou shalt without Fail recover all: I was directed to go on by Faith and Prayer, in the Pursuit of promis’d Mercies, and assur’d that I should recover all; as it were out of the Hand of the Enemy; tho’ at Times I was ready to give up all for lost, as if my Hope was cut off, and carried away by adverse Power. And being thus strengthned [sic] by these Promises, I waited for their Fulfilment and knew not then, but the Lord might perform his Word, in that very Way, and by that very Person which I desir’d; viz. by returning my dear Husband in Safety, and by Blessing his Ministry for the Church’s Prosperity: Tho’ at that Time, nothing appear’d but the contrary. [168]

        And blessed be my good God, he speedily fulfil’d his Word, and answer’d my Prayer, in giving me to hear of my Husband. And tho’ it was of his Death, by which my Hope was cut off as to his Return, and so as to his Usefulness, who was the Person that I wish’d, and hop’d the Lord would work by: (And which I then was apt to call the very Thing that sought; but have since seen, that the main Thing I sought the Lord for, was the Prosperity of the Church; and that my dear Husband’s Return, and Usefulness, were but the Means, I wish’d to have the Thing I desir’d accomplish’d by: For,) Yet, the Lord’s Promise, did not fail, nor did what I hop’d for from it, come to Nothing. My Hope (what I hop’d for) in his Word, was Gladness: Or, the Matter of my Joy, in its Accomplishment. For tho’ the Lord did not give me the main Thing I desir’d, by my Husband’s Return, he gave it me in another Way, which He thought better, by another Minister, brought to reside amongst us, and dispense his Gospel to us; and some Reviving by his Ministry he blest us with. The Lord lov’d my dear Husband into his own Bosom, lov’d the Trial of his Death to me and the Church, and lov’d another Minister to us in his Room: All which, infinite Wisdom and Goodness saw better, more for God’s Glory and our Advantage, than if Things had been as I wish’d, and hop’d for. – And as when [169] God gives Mercies and Comforts to his People, he sometimes gives them in Parts: And reserves to himself a Liberty to bestow what Trials with them, He pleaseth, to answer the Ends of his Wisdom and Grace: So, tho’ the Mercy I desir’d, was at first given but in part, and various Trials attended, while this Minister resided with us, and after he had done ministring to us; yet the Lord appear’d for us. – That Promise, before I heard of my Husband’s Death, was apply’d for Comfort to my Heart, I will settle you after your old Estate, and will do better unto you than at your Beginning, Ezek. xxxvi. 11. From this I was persuaded, that the Church should enjoy a Pastor, and be blest with the Administration of special Ordinances, &c. and that therein, under a rich Descent of Divine Influence, the Lord would do better unto us than at our Beginning: And fain would I have had, yea, was apt to think, my dear Husband might be the very Person and Instrument, design’d by the promis’d Grace. But tho’ Providence shew’d, that He was not the Person, nor yet that other Minister, intended in the Promise: Yet the Lord, to fulfil his Word, appear’d gloriously, as a God hearing Prayer, at a Time of our great Necessity, in providing another Person, a choice Minister, for us, and giving him into the Bosom of the Church. Whose Ministry being blest unto us, we requested him to take the Pastoral Care of us: To which the Lord, of his infinite Mercy, inclin’d his Heart. – And tho’ the Church is yet in a low Estate; we hope to see the Plummet in the Hand of Zerubbabel, in the Hand of Christ, the King of Sion, that again he will build us, and we shall be built: And with Expectation for God, who hath promis’d to do great Things, we wait to see, How much better the Lord will do unto us, than at our Beginning! – And in divers Respects, I see already, now much better it was, for God’s Glory, and the Good of his People, that He took his own Way, in working Deliverance for us, according to his Promise, than if he had wrought in that Way, which I most earnestly desired.

        Thus, Pursuing, in the Paths of Duty, promis’d Mercy, I have surely recover’d, and shall recover all. All that the Lord intended in the Promise, and all, in Substance, that I desir’d, and hop’d for, from the Word of the Lord: Tho’ not in that very Way, and by that very Person which I wish’d, and in some Sort expected; but in others, that God saw better, and in and by which, I trust, He will far exceed my Expectation: Fulfilling his Promises, and my Desires, in doing for me, according to the Immensity of his Wisdom and Goodness, and the Eternity of his Truth and Faithfulness, more exceeding abundantly than I could ask or think! * – From hence then I shall [171]

* N. B. The Reader is here desir’d to review the Instruction given me in the Night of Nov. 20, 1741.  [171]

         Thirdly, Close this Appendix with a Word or two of Use.  And [172]

N. B. (continued from previous page)

For doubtless the Lord intended more in the Truths he taught me by those Scriptures then apply’d to me, than what at that Time I apprehended. – My Instruction and Comfort then given, were rather general, than particular, viz. “That the Lord would open a Way for my desired Usefulness according to his Promise. And that tho’ I might meet with Trials before the Fulfilment of the Promise, yet when the Time of it came, I should be deliver’d out of them.” – But now, having the Light of Providence, to irradiate the Promise, I humbly think, That the Lord design’d me a farther Usefulness, than what at that Time I explicitly desir’d: That he intended Promises which should be afterward given me, as well as those that were then apply’d: That the Time of the Promise, respected both: That the Trials I might meet with between the giving and fulfilling of the Promise, had likewise a double Aspect: And that the Deliverance, and the Deliverer, then hinted, were various in their Intendment, and distinct in their Accomplishment.

        The Usefulness which I then chiefly sought, was that I earnestly wish’d for by the bringing out of my Books, the sending them abroad, and particularly in America. The Promises then given me chiefly respected this. The Trials I was first to meet with, related to the Delay of the Books coming out, it being from that Time near two Years, ere Providence open’d a Way for their being printed. But when the time of the Promise, in that Respect, drew nigh, lo, my God brought them out, as it [172]

   1. Let the dear Saints be cautious, when God applies Promises to comfort them in their Distresses, which foretel their Deliverances; How they draw out Ways, and fix Times, for God to walk, and work in: As He often performs his Word, answers their Faith and Prayer, fulfils, and even exceeds their Desires, in granting them, not those very Things, or not in those very Ways, which they most earnestly wish and expect, but in others, which for his Glory and their Good, are far, far, better. ’Tis true, our good God, [173]

N. B. (continued from previous page)

were all at once. And an unthought of Instrument, my dear Husband, the Lord employ’d, to disperse them in America.

        But my farther Usefulness, which the Lord also intended, did particularly respect this poor little Church, for which I all along was much concerned. The Promises which the Lord gave me after my Husband’s Departure, chiefly respected their Prosperity, which I most earnestly sought for. The Trials I met with relating to the Church, occasion’d by my Husband’s long Stay, and the Delay of the Answer of my Prayers, were very great, a Wilderness indeed; into which the Lord brought and in some Sense allur’d me: And fitly was this my State resembled by the Bush on Fire, and not consumed. But when the Time of the Promise respecting the Church, drew nigh, the Lord in boundless Mercy and infinite Faithfulness, rais’d up a Deliverer, and wrought Deliverance, by sending the Minister he had provided; and whom he gave to be our Pastor. – Thus in both Respects, was I satisfy’d with the Lord’s promis’d Goodness, and my Trials in both, were blest for my Advantage. [173]

doth many Times perform his Promise, answer our Faith and Hope, and abundantly satisfy our Desires, by granting us the very Things, in those very Ways, that we request and expect: As in my Second Part of Brief Account, &c. page 34, &c. But as he doth not always do thus; it is safest to wait for the Explication of the Promise, in Providence, before we draw any positive Conclusions, as to the particular Manner and Time of its Accomplishment.

  2. Let the Heirs of Promise, judge the God of Promise, both able and faithful, to fulfil his gracious Engagements: For not a Jot or Tittle of his Word shall fail. If he visits us not in that Way which we wish, or expect, he will come in another and better. Whatever fails, God’s Promise shall not fail, nor any Part of the Grace of it, be unaccomplished. And much it is for God’s Honour, and our Joy, that we set to our Seal, That He is true. And that, while promis’d Mercies are depending, we frequently say in Faith and Hope, The Strength of Israel, will not lie, nor repent: Hath He said, and will he not do it? Or, hath He spoken, and will he not make it good? For thus believing, there shall be a Performance of those Things, which are told us from the Lord. And hence,

  3.  Let us learn, The Blessedness of Those, who trust in the Lord at all Times, and pour out their Hearts before Him, who as their God, [174] is a Refuge for them: For, They shall praise the Lord, that seek him. Their Heart shall live, that seek God. For the Eyes of the Lord run to and fro thro’ the whole Earth, to shew Himself strong, in behalf of them (in fulfilling his Promises and working Deliverances for them) whose Heart (in respect of Trust) is perfect towards him – Now unto Him who hath done, and is able to do for me, and all his Suppliants, exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the Power that worketh in us, Unto Him be Glory in the Church by Christ Jesus, throughout all Ages, World without End! Amen. (149-174)

. . . . . . 

Dutton writes about Vol. 3 of her Letters on Spiritual Subjects in the Appendix to Part III of A Brief Account of the Gracious Dealings of God (1750):

Oct. 1, 1744. I sought the lord, about bringing out a Third Book of Letters. And He satisfy’d me that it was his Mind it should come out, by this Word, which He brought to my Heart with Power and Sweetness, O my Dove, that art in the Clefts of the rock, in the secret Places of the Stairs, let me see thy Countenance, let me hear thy Voice; for sweet is thy Voice, and thy Countenance is comely, Song ii. 14. “Look forth (said the Lord) in this Piece of Service of Me, let Me therein hear thy Voice; for sweet is thy Voice unto Me, and thy Countenance is comely.” And whereas I was under a humbling Sense of my own Vileness, my dear Lord, sweetly cheer’d my Heart, by giving me to see Myself in the Clefts of the Rock, secur’d in his Wounds; and that by Virtue of his All-cleansing Blood, He could, He did, call me His Love, his Dove, his Undefiled; notwithstanding all my Defilement in Heart and Ways. Which melted me into Humility, Love and Thankfulness. – And then being satisfy’d that it was the Lord’s Mind, that I should publish a Third Book of letters, I ask’d Him which should come out first; as I had more than one by me. And He said, Judah shall go up, Judg. i. 2. By which He pointed to that which my Thoughts were first upon. Which was a Collection of Letters, sent to the Reverend Mr. Whitefield and his Friends. For as Judah was the Regal Tribe, I was pointed thereby to [107] those Letters sent that dear Servant of Christ, Mr Whitefield, and to several of his Brethren in the Ministry; who were as Princes among God’s People: These, said the Lord, shall go out first. Upon which I fell down before Him, and gave up the Book, and what the Lord had given me to bring it out, as an Offering unto Him, to build up his People, his spiritual Temple; as David offer’d of what the Lord had given him, towards the building of his material Temple. And most kindly, for Jesus Sake, the Lord accepted it. And sweetly apply’d that Word to my Heart, which He sent to his Servant David, He will make thee an House, 2 Sam. vii. 11. By which the Lord assur’d me, “That He would use this Book, that He would bless it to his dear Children, and make me fruitful thereby.” – And with respect to what I offered, which the Lord had given me to bring it out, He assur’d me that I should receive an Hundred fold in this World, and in the World to come, Life everlasting. And as in some Sort, it was as it were my All; the Lord encourag’d me to hope that He would give me more, to bring out some of my other Books for Him, from that Word, Now He that ministreth Seed to the Sower, – multiply your Seed sown, and increase the Fruits of your Righteousness. – that you always having all Sufficiency in all Things, may abound to every good Work, 2 Cor. ix. 8, - 10. [108]

Oct. 8. Having sought the Lord, on other Accounts, I again ask’d Him to give me some Word about this Book of Letters, as above. And He said unto me, Go to my Brethren, and say unto them, I ascend unto my Father and your Father, and to my God and your God, Joh. xx. 27. By which the Lord again encourag’d me to publish it. But as the Word did not come with so much Power, as at some times; I was a little inclin’d to Heaviness. But by that Word, the Lord rais’d me in some Measure, He that goeth forth and weepeth, bearing precious Seed, shall doubtless come again with Rejoicing, bringing his Sheaves with him, Psal. cxxvi. 6. And then these Words came in, Rejoice in the Lord always; and again, I say, Rejoice. Phil. iv. 4. As sorrowful, yet always rejoicing, as poor, yet making many rich, as having Nothing, and yet possessing all Things, 2 Cor. vi. 10. By which I had a sweet Intimation of the Lord’s using this little Book, and of the Ground that I had to rejoice in the Lord again, on this account notwithstanding the Scriptures I had this Day to encourage me, came not with such Power, as at some Seasons. – Oh my Soul, be thou like the Angels of the Lord, Hearkning to the Voice of his Word, when He doth but whisper to thee, and speaks not so loud as at other Seasons. And thankfully receive the Refreshment which thy Lord gives, when He comes down upon thee as the Dew and the finall Rain, as well as when He waters thee with the great Rain of his [109] Strength. And wait for the Fulfilment of all his Promises. For as the Lord assur’d thee this Day, concerning what He gave thee about this Book, There shall not fail ought of all the good Things which the Lord hath spoken. 

June 12, 1745.  The Lord brought out my Third Book of Letters: At the Close of which He inclin’d me to add a Letter on the Being and Working of Sin in a justified Man, &c. and another Letter on the Duty and Privilege of a Believer to live by Faith; and to improve his Faith unto Holiness. And to encourage me to hope, that the Lord would use this Book, (brought out) He gave me these Words: Feed thy Kids beside the Shepherds Tents, Song. i. 8. Thou makest the Outgoings of the Morning and the Evenings to rejoice, Psal. lxv. 8. By the first, the Lord gave me to hope that I had some Souls (some Kids) given me to be fed by the Book, in the several Places where it might be sent. And by the latter, I was persuaded, that the Lord would bless both the former and the latter Parts of the Book. (106-09)

. . . . . . 

Dutton writes about A Postscript to a Letter lately Published, on the Duty and Privilege of a Believer, to live by Faith (1746) in the Appendix to Part III of A Brief Account of the Gracious Dealings of God (1750):

July 7, 1746. Before this Time, the Lord gave me to hear, that He had blest my last Book, to some souls in several Places. Glory to my All-gracious, my infinitely faithful, and All-performing God! – And now the Lord inclin’d my Heart, and gave me Ability to put to the Press Two other Books, viz. A Postscript to a Letter on the Duty and Privilege of a Believer to live by Faith, &c. (which was at the End of the Book published last Year). [110] To which was added, A Caution against Error, when it springs up together with Truth; in a Letter to a Friend; and Some of the Mistakes of the Moravian Brethren, in a Letter to another Friend. And with this Book, to feed my dear Lord’s tender Lambs, He inclin’d my Heart to bring out a Fourth Book of Letters.

        The Postscript I had long desir’d to write, but was providentially prevented, chiefly by other Work for God, which called for present Attention. When I thought at first of writing it; I desir’d to know the Lord’s Mind, “If he would have me go about it.” And He signify’d his Approbation thereof, and the Reward that I should receive therein, by that Word, apply’d with Power and Sweetness to my Heart: For God is not unrighteous to forget your Work of Faith and Labour of Love, which ye have shewed towards his Name, in that you have ministred to the Saints, and do minister, Heb. vi. 10. By the Word have ministred to the Saints, the Lord pointed my Eye to the Letter I had published; and by the Word do minister, to the Postscript which I was inclin’d to add to that Letter: And by the first of these Words, He signify’d his Acceptance of what I had already done; and by the latter, his gracious Approbation of what I then inclined to, and the blessed Fruit which should attend that Labour. Upon which, in the Lord’s Name and Strength, I began the Work.

        But thinking I should be more fully fit for it, in some Respects, after I had heard further [111] from a Friend; I thought it best to wait a little, altho’ I had then some Leisure for the Work. But my waiting prov’d fruitless, as to the Particulars which I thought of. – And I afterwards saw, that I thereby yielded to a Temptation; in neglecting, while I had a little Time, the present Work which the Lord encourag’d me to engage in. And as I was for some Time providentially prevented from proceeding therein, (altho’ by other Parts of the Lord’s blessed Work which he gave me to do) I fear’d my God was displeas’d with me, for not improving those present Moments which He gave me for that Service; and knew not, if He would ever let me do it. There was at Times, a Desire in my Heart after the Work; but I sometimes found I had lost my Spirit for it, and often fear’d that it would be useless, if I then attempted it; but however, I had no Time for it.

        After this, I was ill, and thought thus: ‘If the Time of my Dissolution was near: What would I do for Christ, before I am taken up to be forever with the Lord?’ And that Word was brought to my Mind, Well done thou good and faithful Servant; enter thou into the Joy of thy Lord. And instantly, glancing upon that Work which I had left undone; thought, ‘That my Lord could not call me, Good and faithful Servant; because I had neglected doing that which He set me about.’ – Upon which, as I was griev’d for my Neglect, and fear’d, if I should attempt [112] the Work now, it would be Fruitless; I bewail’d my Negligence before the Lord, acknowledg’d his Righteousness, if He should never let me do that Piece of Service; plainly told him how Things at present stood, and humbly ask’d Him, “If, notwithstanding, He would have me attempt it?” – And, forgiving my Iniquity, He most graciously said unto me, Open to Me, my Sister, my Love, my Dove, my Undefiled: for my Head is filled with Dew, and my Locks with the Drops of the Night, Song v. 2. This Scripture the Lord apply’d to me a little Time before, about the same Thing, and he was now again pleas’d to speak to my Heart therein. By the first Clause, Open to Me, &c. my kind Lord, with most endearing Language call’d me to engage afresh in the Work, which I had so long neglected. And by the latter Part of the Verse, For my Head is filled with Dew, &c. He led my Thoughts to those inclement Distillations of Error, which had fallen upon his Head, (his Government, to the Injury of several of the doctrinal Truths thereof) in that Night which had pass’d over a Part of his People which I was concern’d for. And strongly, thro’ my Lord’s Hand upon my Heart, my Bowels were moved for Him, afresh to engage in that Part of his Service. As by this, and many other Scriptures, He satisy’d me, It was his Mind that I should – Which fill’d my Heart with Wonder at his Grace, that He should permit me to attempt it now, [113] after so long a Time! And tho’ in some Sort I had lost my Strength, yet the Lord said unto me, Fear thou not, for I am with thee: be not dismayed, for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee, yea, I will help thee, yea, I will uphold thee with the Right Hand of my Righteousness, Isa. xli. 10. And to comfort me at last, He said, There shall not an Hair of your Head perish, Luke xxi. 18. By this Text my Lord told me, That I should lose Nothing, none of the desir’d Fruit of my Labour, tho’ I had neglected the Work so long. – And truly the Lord so over-ruled my Delay, that during the Time of it, I was more fully acquainted with those Errors, which I was to bear Witness against, and prepar’d me to answer the Objections made against his Truths. – Fill’d now with Hope in God, Dependance on Him, and Resolution for him, I design’d to attempt the Work.

        But straightway after this I fell sick, and was laid aside for some Weeks from the desired Service of my dearest Lord. Many Promises he gave me for my Comfort, some of which seem’d to foretel my Recovery. And in the Lord’s good Time he was pleas’d to redeem my Life from Destruction, to strengthen me in Soul and Body, and to carry me comfortably thro’ the Work. All Praise to his glorious Name!

  To this Postscript, as I said above, I added the Letter, A Caution against Error, &c. Many Words I had to encourage me to send [114] this Letter in Writing at first, to the Person to whom it was writ. Some of which are inserted in a Postscript at the End of it. And this Word also encourag’d me about it, Thou art my Battle-Ax, and Weapons of War, Jer. li. 20.

        And as to the other Letter added, Some of the Mistakes of the Moravian Brethren; It was written at first, in answer to the Request of a particular Person, who desir’d me to inform him, “Wherein I thought the Moravians were mistaken.” And tho’ I was not so free at first to engage in this Work, as in some others, it being of a controversial Nature; yet the Lord inclin’d me, for the Glory of his Name, and the Good of Souls to attempt it, and with much Evidence to the Truth, and sweet Pleasure in it, He carry’d me thro’ the Work. But when I had wrote it, having other Work upon Hand, I was not free to take the Copy of it, until the Lord brought this Scripture to my Mind, He that hath my Word, let him speak my Word faithfully: What is the Chaff to the Wheat? saith the Lord, Jer. xxiii. 28. The Lord’s Voice to me herein was this: “Have I given thee my Word in this Letter: And wilt thou not speak it, write, preserve, and communicate the same? Wilt thou be unfaithful? What is the Chaff of Error, to the Wheat of Truth? My Truth is valuable: Wilt thou not speak it?” The Lord also brought to my Mind, That wicked and slothful Servant, who hid [115] his Lord’s Money in the Earth; and what was said unto him, Thou oughtest therefore to have put my Money to the Exchangers, and then at my Coming I should have received mnine own with Usury, Matt. xxx. 27. From this the Lord said unto me, “It is my Money, my Truth, which I have given thee in this Letter, to trade with: It is not thine, to do what thou pleasest with it, to hide it at thy Pleasure. Thou oughtest to put my Money to the Exchangers, to communicate it to my People, that at my Coming I may receive mine own with Usury.” From these two Scriptures, the Lord fully convinc’d me that it was my Duty to copy out the Letter; and my Spirit was laid under such Awe, by the one Talent that was taken away from the slothful Servant, and given to him that had Ten; that I durst do no other. I thought, ‘If I did not put my Lord’s Money to the Exchangers, if I did not speak his Word faithfully; He might justly take it from me, and use me no more to any of his People.’ And from that Clause, “Receive mine own with Usury,” I was encourag’d to hope, that if I was found in my Duty, my dear Lord would have Glory. Upon which my Heart was fully inclin’d, and sweetly drawn to this little piece of Work. And the Copy I took at the Lord’s Bidding, and laid it at his Feet, to do what He pleased with it.

        Soon after, the Lord shew’d me, how good He was to me, in persuading me to take the [116] Copy. For the Original being sent to the Person for whom it was writ, he and others being displeas’d with it, as it oppos’d their Errors; it was resolv’d among them, That it should never be seen more by any Person. “It is not fit to be seen:” said one of them. So that, if I had not had the Copy, the Witness which the Lord enabled me to bear for his Truth in that Letter, would have been as it were entirely lost.

        And when the Postscript to my Letter publish’d the last Year, was written; it appear’d to me very needful, to add that Letter, A Caution against Error, &c. and this, Some of the Mistakes of the Moravian Brethren, to that Postscript: Which for the Glory of God, and the Good of his People, I accordingly did. (113-116)

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Dutton writes about Vol. 4 of her etters on Spiritual Subjects in the Appendix to Part III of A Brief Account of the Gracious Dealings of God, (1750):

  And before I put this Book, and the Book of Letters to the Press, I sought the Lord for his Blessing upon them. But while I was before Him, I had such a Sense of my Vileness, and Unworthiness of the great Favours which my Soul desir’d, that I thought, ‘It was in some Sort enough for me, to be honour’d to aim at God’s Glory, in any little Thing I did; if He should please to take no Notice of it, and not to make any Use of it.’ I thought, ‘What am I, that I should be so earnest for my Books being blest!’ Tho’ most surely I desir’d this for the Glory of God and the Good of Souls. But under a deep Sense of my own Unworthiness, I cast my poor Books, as Mites of Duty, in Love to [117] his Glory, at the Royal Feet of the Prince of Grace, to be dispos’d of as to Usefulness, according to his sovereign Pleasure. And instead of a Word to comfort me, that He would bless them, which I at first desir’d; I trusted the Books in the Lord’s Hands, with sweet Submission and a pleasurable Satisfaction, that He should glorify Himself thereby, just as He pleased. – In a little Time after this, that Word was brought to Mind, with an encouraging Sound of glorious Grace, If any Man serve Me, Him will my Father honour, Joh. xii. 26. By which a Blessing upon the Books was hinted to my Faith and Hope. – Soon after, that Word was apply’d to my Heart, I will surely do thee Good, Gen. xxxii. 12. And this, For I will not leave thee until I have done that which I have spoken to thee of, Chap. xxviii. 15. Which pointed my Eye to the Word I had before, If any Man serve Me, Him will my Father honour, and further encourag’d my Faith and Hope, for a Blessing upon these poor Books.—About this time also, the Lord apply’d many Promises to me, as a Child of Abraham, that were made to him the Father of the Faithful. Frequently that, I will make of thee a great Nation, Gen. xii. 2. The latter Part of the Verse, also, the Lord was pleas’d to apply, And I will make thy Name great, and thou shalt be a Blessing. And also that Promise made to Jacob, Gen. xxviii. 14. which was thus brought to me, I will spread thee abroad, to the West and [118] to the East, and to the North, and to the South. And that Word also the Lord apply’d to me some little Time before, By Myself have I sworn, That in Blessing I will bless thee, and in multiplying I will multiply thee, Gen. xxii. 16, 17. And some of the Promises apply’d, seem’d to look as if there would be Opposition made by some, as I thought, against one of the Books. These: I have made thee an Iron Pillar, and brasen Walls, – And they shall fight against thee, but they shall not prevail against thee: for I am with thee, saith the Lord, to deliver thee, Jer. i. 18, 19. Whosoever shall gather together against thee, shall fall for thy Sake, – And every Tongue that shall rise against thee in Judgment, shalt thou condemn, Isa. liv. 15-17. And, Thou shalt drink, and make a Noise as thro’ Wine, and devour, and subdue with Sling-Stones, Zech. ix. 15. – And most certainly, by inward Temptations, I was set upon, Not to publish the Postscript, &c. I thought Satan seem’d to be in a Rage at me. – But fear not, O my soul, Since the Lord hath said, “I am with thee: be not dismayed, for I am thy God.” Wait thou on thy God continually, to see his promis’d Goodness, in the Land of the Living; and to give Him the glory of all his Grace. God is a Refuge for thee: Flee unto Him to hide thee. Walk humbly with thy God; and, All his Goodness (according to his Promise) He will make to make to pass before thee. – “Blessed be the Lord God of Israel, [119] from Everlasting, and to Everlasting, Amen, and Amen.

Aug. 10, 1746. As I was desiring a Blessing on the Postscript, &c. that Word was bro’t to my Mind, Thou hast the Dew of thy Youth, Psal. cx. 3. From this I had a sweet Persuasion, That Christ had receiv’d the Holy Spirit, for some of his People, to be distill’d upon them thro’ that Book. And in the Evening, my Heart was much drawn out to ask for a Blessing on both the Books: That the Postscript, &c might be blest, for instructing and confirming some of the weak and wavering Saints in the Truth; and for the Reduction of some of those fallen into Error. And that the Book of Letters might be blest, for the Feeding of many of my dear Lord’s tender Lambs; and for the Conversion of some Soul, or Souls, to Christ. And soon after, these Words came in, The Lord shall open unto thee his good Treasure, the Heaven to give Rain unto thy Land, Deut. xxviii. 12. And, I will do this Thing also that thou hast spoken, Exod. xxxiii. 17. By these I was encourag’d to hope, that my Requests were granted; and I pray’d the Lord to fulfil those his good Words unto me. And soon this Word came in with much Power, and Heart melting Sweetness, Can a Woman forget her Sucking Child, that She should not have Compassion on the Son of her Womb? Yea, they may forget: Yet will not I forget thee, saith the Lord. Behold, I have graven thee upon the Palms of my Hands, and thy Walls are [120] continually before Me, Isa. xlix. 15, 16. By which my Lord assur’d me, that He could not, would not forget me, but grant my Desires, and abundantly satisfy me with his great Goodness; as He had dy’d for me on the Cross, to grant me the Blessings I desir’d from his Throne. And with sweet Freedom I drew near to my dear Lord Jesus as his Sucking Child, and pray’d Him to draw out the Breast, and let me milk out and be delighted with the Abundance of his Love, Life, and Glory. And believing in him, and thankful to him, I rejoiced in his Word, as one that had found great Spoil. (116-120)

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Dutton writes about Brief Hints concerning Baptism in the Appendix to Part III of A Brief Account of the Gracious Dealings of God, (1750):

  With these Two Books, the Postscript and 4th Book of Letters, the Lord brought out also my Two Letters on Baptism. As from some Occurrences in Providence, it seem’d to me, that these Letters might be of present Use, and that it was my Duty to print them; I sought the Lord about their Publication, and for his Blessing thereon. And most kindly my Lord said unto me, There will I give thee my Loves, Song vii. 12. These Words appear to be spoken by the Spouse to Christ; but he was pleas’d to apply them as his Words to my Soul: And by them said unto me, “There, in that Path of Duty, will I give thee my Loves: My Blessing upon these Mites of Service, and my Heart-Love therein.” By which my Lord satisfy’d me, that it was his Mind I should publish them, sweetly drew me to this my Duty, and melted my Soul down with his [121] infinite Grace. These Words also, the Lord sweetly apply’d to my Heart, I will pour my spirit upon thy Seed, and my Blessing upon thine Offspring: And they shall spring up as among the Grass, and as Willows by the Water-courses. One shall say, I am the Lord’s: and another shall call himself by the Name of Jacob: and another shall subscribe with his Hand unto the Lord, and sirname himself by the Name of Israel, Isa. xliv. 3, 4, 5. Hence the Lord persuaded me, that he would pour his Spirit upon his People, and his Blessing upon his Offspring, and upon those of them in particular, which he had given me, to be useful to, by these my poor Letters; and that hereby some should be encourag’d to follow him, to his Glory, in his solemn Ordinance of Baptism, and therein profess that they were, and dedicate themselves to be, the Lord’s. – Glory to the God of Promise! Thy Words were found, and I did eat them, and thy Word was unto me the Joy and Rejoicing of mine Heart.

April 19, 1747. My Letters on Baptism, Postscript, and both my last Letter-books, the Lord hath now given me to hear, That he hath blest them for the Good of Souls. – O what a good God, a kind Father, a bounteous Master, have I! Who (in Grace) is a God like unto Thee, who pardoneth Iniquity, and passeth by the Transgression of the Remnant of his Heritage! Who is a strong Lord like unto Thee, and to thy Faithfulness round about thee! (120-122 [misnumbered as 112 in original text])

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Dutton writes about A Letter to Mr. William Cudworth: In Vindication of the Truth (1747) in the Appendix to Part III of A Brief Account of the Gracious Dealings of God, (1750):

April 23, 1747. I sent my Letter to Mr. Cudworth to the Press, which is a Reply to his Answer to my Postscript. I thought when I publish’d that little Piece, I should meet with Opposition, by some of the Promises given me. And when I did, it was no Surprize to me; but what the Lord said unto me before, encourag’d me, and enabled I was to plead his Promise with him. I thought when I had read his publick Answer to my Postscript, which was very sophistical, there seem’d to be a Call of Providence for my Reply, in Vindication of the Truth, against the Errors which he advanc’d. But as this would call me off from other Work, and as I don’t natively delight in Controversy, the Prospect of it was not naturally pleasing to me. But upon my receiving his little corrupt Piece, fitted to entangle Souls, the Lord said unto me, Rise up my Love, my fair One, and come away, Song. ii. 10. By which he seem’d to call me inwardly to engage in this Work of Reply. And again, the Lord sad to me, Open thy Mouth for the Dumb, in the Cause of all such as are appointed to Destruction, Prov. xxxi. 8. By this Scripture the Lord hinted to me my Duty, to assert and vindicate his Truth, for the Help of those of his dear Children who might be ensnar’d, or oppressed by this little erroneous Piece, and not know how to extricate, or speak for themselves; and likewise to open my Mouth in the Cause of all his Saints, who by this little corrupt Piece are appointed to Destruction: All those [123] being deem’d therein, Natural Men, who have and plead for, Holiness in themselves. And upon reading this sophistical little Piece, the Lord further encourag’d me to a Reply, by this Word, Fear thou not, for I am with the: be not dismayed, for I am thy God: I will help thee, yea, I will strengthen thee, yea, I will uphold thee with the Right Hand of my Righteousness, Isa. xli. 10. And by that Word also, Inasmuch as ye have done it to the least of these my Brethren, ye have done it unto me, Mat. xxv. 40. By the former of these, the Lord assur’d me of his Help, of sufficient Assistance for this Service. And by the latter, my Lord’s infinite Grace, in his Acceptance of this Service, as done to Himself, was signify’d to me; and my Heart was sweetly enlarg’d thereby, to engage therein, for the Good of some of the least of his Brethren. For before this, I had some Discouragement arose in my Mind, from a Thought, ‘That it would not be of general Use.’ But, Oh, when my Lord said, Inasmuch as ye have done it to the least of these my Brethren, ye have done it unto Me; it was enough. If He would take this poor little Piece of controversial Work, as done to his great Self, altho’ it should be of Use only to some few of the very least of his Brethren, I found it an all constraining Motive to engage therein; and esteem’d my Lord’s Acceptance of my poor little Work, as my exceeding great Reward. And towards the very least of his Brethren, with Desire after [124] their Relief and Advantage, my Bowels were moved.

        Thus, encourag’ed by the Lord, and trusting in him, I began the Work; and thro’ his Power and Grace, was comfortably carried thro’ it. And when finisht, I sought the Lord for his Blessing upon its Publication, and to say somewhat to me about it. And that Word he apply’d to my Heart, And ye shall be Witnesses unto Me, Act. i. 8. And that Word, a little Time before, the Lord set with Power on my Heart, about its Publication, I am with thee, Isa. xli. 10. By these my gracious Lord assur’d me, to my Joy, that in this little Piece of controversial Work, I should be a Witness unto Him; that his Presence was with me in its Out-going; and encourag’d me to hope for his Blessing thereon. Lord, Remember thy Word unto thy unworthy Worm, upon which thou hast caused me to hope! (122-124)

Dutton also mentioned this tract in a letter to Howell Harris, 23 July 1747:

"Mr Cudworth’s Answer to my Postscript, was very sophistical, & adapted to deceive unwary Souls. And tho’ I don’t natively delight in Controversy, yet my Lord inclin’d me for his Honour, & ye Relief of some of the least of his Brethren to make a Reply, and I trust my Labour will not be in vain in ye Lord." 

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Dutton writes about Letters on Spiritual Subjects (1747) in the Appendix to Part III of A Brief Account of the Gracious Dealings of God, (1750):

June 21, 1747.  I sent my Fifth Volume of Letters to the Press. When I was about to send it, I thought it my Duty to seek the Lord for his Blessing thereon, and to say somewhat to me for my Encouragement about it. But as I was under various Trials, and Heaviness of Spirit, by a pressing Sense of my own Sinfulness, I thought I was not fit to pray to the Lord. Nevertheless I attempted my Duty. And these Words were brought to my Mind, Thine Iniquity is taken away, and thy Sin purged. And I heard the Voice of the Lord, [125] saying, Whom shall I send, and who will go for Us? Isa. vi. 7, 8. By the former Verse, the Lord rais’d my Spirit, and deliver’d me from the Burden of Sin. And I thought, if the Lord had took away mine Iniquity, and purged my Sin; I might intreat him to send me forth, by this little Book, to do some Service to his People. And while by the latter Verse I heard the Voice of the Lord, saying, Whom shall I send, and who will go for Us? I said, as the Prophet, Here am I, send me. I was encourag’d by this, Whom shall I send, and who will go for Us? to hope that the Lord  had some Service, to be done for his dear Children, by my poor little Book; and humbly intreated him, to send me, thereby to do it: that his Blessing might attend this my feeble Attempt for his Glory and the Good of his People. Next, that Word came to my Mind, For we are unto God a sweet Savour of Christ, in them that are saved, and in them that perish, 2 Cor. ii. 15. From hence I had a Heart-melting Persuasion, that in this little Book, I should be unto God a sweet Savour of Christ.  And I admir’d his infinite Grace, that any Service of so vile a Creature, should be acceptable to him thro’ his dear Son. That He should thus have Respect to the Lispings of a Babe, concerning the Glory of his Great Son, unto this my poor Offering, thro’ the Sacrifice of Christ, having made my Person accepted in Him, the Beloved: As God had Respect unto Abel, and to his Offering. And [126] much Glory I saw in the Service of God, and was drawn out to love, and desire it, as his Honour was not only thereby advanced, but also his Heart delighted. But still I wanted to know if the Lord would please to bless my poor Book to his Children. And that Word he sweetly brought to my Heart, Let us eat and be merry, Luk. xv. 23. By which the Lord hinted to me, that He would make a Feast for some of his dear Children by my poor Book, and that He would rejoice with them therein. And some farther Satisfaction therein I wanted, or rather, Communion with God in Love, with respect hereto, and I pray’d my dear Lord, to give me a Word from his sweet Mouth: And He said unto me, And the Roof of thy Mouth like the best Wine for my Beloved, that goeth down sweetly, causing the Lips of those that are asleep, to speak, Song, vii. 9. By which he assur’d me, that my Palate, or spiritual Taste of his Truths, as manifest in my little Book, should be as the best Wine for his Beloved, that goeth down sweetly, causing the Lips of those that are asleep, to speak: To delight, and awake to Love and Praise, his sleeping Children. And a Sense of the Father’s Love, of the Son’s, and of the Spirit’s Love towards me herein, in thus using this little Piece for the Good of God’s People, melted my Heart, and rais’d me to admire his infinite Grace, to so vile a Worm. The Language of my Heart was, “Lord, why me! why me, that Thou shouldst be thus gracious [127] to sinful me!” Upon which my Lord said, Thou art all fair, my Love, there is no Spot in thee, Song. iv. 7. Which further melted and delighted my Soul, and gave me a sweet View of the Love of Christ towards me, of his having wash’d me from my Sins in his own Blood, adorn’d me with his Righteousness, and that in his infinite Grace, he dealt with me as one that was all fair in his own Beauties. But farther, I desir’d, that my dear Lord would please to bless my poor Book for the Conversion of some soul, or Souls, if agreeable to his and his Father’s Will. And these Words being brought to my Mind, gave me some Hope that He would do this Thing also, for which I had spoken: I have chosen thee, and not cast thee away, Isa. xli. 9. Fear not, O Jacob, my Servant, I will pour my Spirit upon thy Seed, and my Blessing upon thine Offspring. – One shall say, I am the Lord’s: and another shall call himself by the Name of Jacob: and another shall subscribe with his Hand to the Lord, and sirname himself by the Name of Israel, Chap. xliv. 3, 5. – Wait, O my Soul, to see how thy God, will shew forth the exceeding Riches of his Grace, in Kindness towards thee, thro’ Christ Jesus! (124-127)

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Dutton writes about Thoughts on the Lord’s Supper (1748) and the preceding one in the Appendix to Part III of A Brief Account of the Gracious Dealings of God, (1750):

May 9, 1748. Having Thoughts of sending my little Pieces to the Press, Hints of the Glory of Christ, as the Friend and Bridegroom of the Church; and Thoughts on the Lord’s Supper: I intreated the Lord to give me some Word to encourage me, if he would have them [128] published. And this Word first came to my Mind, Feed my Lambs, Joh. xx. 25. And as I was under Discouragement from my own Weakness, Sinfulness, and Unworthiness, the Weakness of my poor little Pieces, and some Fears and Temptations, lest they should not be useful, for the Glory of God and the Good of Souls; my Heart seem’d to draw back. But these Words were brought to encourage me, O my Dove, that art in the Clefts of the Rock, in the secret Places of the Stairs, let me hear thy voice, let me see thy Countenance; for sweet is thy Voice, and thy Countenance is comely, Song ii. 14. He that overcometh, and keepeth my Works unto the End, to him will I give Power over the Nations: (And he shall rule them with a Rod of Iron: as the Vessels of a Potter shall they be broken to Shivers) even as I received of my Father, Rev. ii. 26, 27. Which sweetly persuaded me, that it was the Mind of Christ, to hear my Voice, in the Publication of these two little Pieces; and also gave me some Encouragement as to others I desir’d to publish: And made it plain, that it was my Duty to overcome by Faith, my Fears and Discouragements, and to keep the Lord’s Works, unto the End, the Work that he gave me to do, in Writing and Printing, for his Glory, and the Good of Souls: And that my Labour should not be in vain in the Lord. This Word also encourag’d me, I will make of thee a great Nation, Gen. xii. 2. And this likewise, with Heart-melting Power was brought to my [129] Mind, I have chosen thee, and not cast thee away, Isa. xli. 9. – With respect to the largest of these little Pieces, I was under some Discouragement, as I thought it had not been so useful to the Person to whom I sent it in MS. as I wished. But to encourage me concerning that, and its Publication; (and other such like Things, wherein I had; or might attempt any Thing for the Glory of God and the Good of Souls, and not instantly see a wish’d Effect, and my Desires fulfilled as to particular Persons and Things:) this word was bro’t, If the Son of Peace be there, your Peace shall rest upon it; if not, it shall turn to you again, Luk. x. 6.  The Hint I receiv’d, was this: ‘That I ought to wish well to, and seek the Good of Souls, for the Glory of God; and if my Attempts, according to his revealed Will, were according to the Purpose of his secret Will, as to the Persons and Things I aim’d at; He would succeed them: If not, my Peace, my Labour of Love, should turn into me again; not as being in vain in the Lord, but as accepted by him, and to be rewarded of him: Or, that He would esteem of my weak Attempts of Duty, in Love to his Glory, as if I had thereby done something for his Honour, and the Good of Souls.’ – Else, I saw, that many of the Labours, of some of the Servants of Christ, yea, even of the Son of God, in the Days of his Flesh, would have been in vain. As under Discouragement, some of the great Servants of [130] Christ, have been ready to say. But well our glorious Lord, knows how to sympathize with every Servant of his, great or small, that is tried in this Regard; in that He Himself, on Account of the little Success of his Ministry to the Jews, was tempted in this Point like as we are, tho’ without Sin. But in the Foreview of it, he is brought in thus speaking, Then I said, I have laboured in vain, I have spent my Strength for Nought, and in vain, Isa. xlix. 4. But the reading of what our Lord adds, which encourag’d Him, was at this Time strengthening and sweet unto me: Yet surely my Judgment is with the Lord, and my Work with my God. And now saith the Lord, that formed me from the Womb to be his Servant, to bring Jacob again to him, Tho’ Israel be not gathered, yet shall I be glorious in the Eyes of the Lord, and my God shall be my Strength, Ver. 4, 5. – Thus was I encourag’d to put my little Pieces to the Press. – O my God, succeed my weak Labours, and do for me exceeding abundantly, more than I can ask or think! (127-130)

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Dutton writes about Vol. 6 of Letters on Spiritual Subjects (1748) in the Appendix to Part III of A Brief Account of the Gracious Dealings of God, (1750):

June 6, 1748. I sent my Sixth Volume of Letters to the Press. And upon seeking the Lord for some Encouragement as to its Publication, He was pleas’d to persuade my Heart, that He was with me therein as my God: and that I should be unto Him in that Service, a sweet Savour of Christ: And upon intreating him for a Blessing thereby upon precious Souls, He said unto me, in the Infinity of his Grace, Thou hast prevailed, Gen. xxii. 28. Oh, [131] what shall I render to the Lord for all his Benefits! (130-131)

Aug. 13. I was troubled, that thro’ Hurry I had not so fully sought the Lord, as I should, before I sent my Sixth Volume of Letters to the Press; and likewise, that I did not write down the Encouragement I then had from the Lord, till some Time after, when I did not fully remember all that he said to me. And my Spirit was much prest with a Sense of my Sin, in neglecting the same, and of that great Loss I might sustain thereby; in that if I had been more earnest with God in Prayer, and had waited upon him in a more particular Manner for the good Words of his Grace, I might have receiv’d a greater Blessing, with respect to that Book. And in the midst of my Dejection, a Thought came into my Mind, ‘That it was not too late now, the Book was not finisht, and the Lord was a God merciful and gracious, I might seek him for a Blessing on it still,’ – But oh how it reviv’d me to think, that there was yet Room for me to seek God, before the Book came out! – With joyful Haste, I fell down before the Lord, humbled myself for my Sin, and took Hold on his Covenant, wherein he has said, I will be merciful to their Unrighteousness, and their Sins and their Iniquities I will remember no more. And I pray’d him, as The Lord, the Lord God, merciful and gracious, forgiving Iniquity, Transgression and Sin, slow to Anger, and abundant in Goodness and Truth, to extend his infinite Grace, over all my abounding Sin, in granting me a Blessing now on this poor Book, for the Glory of his own Name, and the Good of his dear People. And while I was before him, He was graciously pleas’d to say to me, And the Roof of thy Mouth like the best Wine for my Beloved, that goeth down sweetly, causing the Lips of those that are asleep, to speak, Song vii. 9. Which sweetly melted my Heart, while I receiv’d it as a full Answer of my Prayer, [135] from the God of all Grace, that he would bless this poor Book, to his dear Children. For I had intreated my great Lord, to bless it to his tender Lambs, to instruct, revive and comfort them thereby, as their various cases required: and likewise to make it a Blessing to every Soul that might read the Book; and particularly I desir’d the Conversion of Souls thereby. But as I thought the Word did more peculiarly respect the Edification of the Saints, which the Lord promis’d me by that Book; I thank’d and blest him for such a gracious Answer to my Request in that Regard; and earnestly I pray’d him to grant a Blessing of Life thereby, upon some dead Sinners, and to give me some Word of Encouragement as to this. I was directed to cast myself upon my Lord’s Grace, for the Grant of my Desires, to be dealt with by sovereign Grace, as should be most for its own Glory. And soon after, this Thought came into my Mind, ‘That as I had appealed unto Grace; unto Grace I should go.’ And some Degree of Encouragement and Rest it gave to my Heart. But I found such an Earnestness of Spirit, that I knew not how to let my Lord go, except he blest me, in converting some Souls by my poor Book, and gave me some Word to encourage me about it. I pleaded the Infinity of his Grace, the Immensity of his Fulness, that he would not be the poorer, if he granted my Desire, nor the richer if he deny’d my Request; and pray’d him as [136] the God of Compassions, not to send a needy, thirsty Soul, away empty. I ask’d him, “If it would not be to his endless Praise by Men and Angels, if He glorify’d his Grace, in thus working by such a little, vile, unworthy Worm!” And tho’ I desir’d to ask with Submission to his Will, yet I knew not how to be deny’d. ‘Oh, thought I, my Lord can, he can be thus gracious to me; He is Able to do this.’ And while my Heart was thus working, He said unto me, I will make of Thee a great Nation, Gen. xii. 2. No sooner almost had I said, My Lord can, He can; but He said, I will; I will make of thee a great Nation. Which melted, and delighted my Heart. That Word also came in, Thus shall it be done to the Man whom the King delighteth to honour, Esth. vi. 9. O this Word, Delighteth, that the Lord should delight to be gracious unto me, affected me much. And as I had ask’d the Favour I requested of the Father, in the Name of Christ, and was thinking that my Lord would intercede for me, this Word came in, We have the Mind of Christ, I Cor. ii. 16. Which led me to the Promises he had given me, and persuaded me, that he had therein spoke his Mind; and that it was indeed his Design to bless this poor Book, for the Good of souls, for the Edification of his Saints, and gave me Hope for the Conversion of Sinners thereby. Upon which I ador’d and blest him, and [137] pray’d him to remember his Word, upon which he had caused me to hope. – Oh my Lord, satisfy a longing, waiting Soul, with thy great Goodness; To the Praise of the Glory of thy Grace! (134-137)

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Dutton writes about An Appendix to a Pamphlet, entitled, Some Thoughts about Faith in Christ (1748) in the Appendix to Part III of A Brief Account of the Gracious Dealings of God, (1750):

Aug. 12 [1748]. I sought the Lord, to know if he would please to have the Appendix I had written to my Pamphlet, [Some Thoughts about Faith in Christ: &c.] published. And by the following Scriptures brought to my Mind, I was persuaded and satisfy’d, that it was the Lord’s Will, that it should appear in Print. Now they have known that all Things whatsoever thou hast given Me, are of Thee. For I have given them the Words which thou gavest Me, and they have received them, Joh. xvii. 7, 8. The Hint I receiv’d from hence was this: That as our great Lord, gave to his Disciples, the Words which his Father gave him, which they received, and whereby they know that all Things which his Father gave him, which he had declared to them, were of God: So that I, his poor Worm, after the Example of my great Lord, should be faithful in declaring to my Brethren, the Things which he had given unto me; and that thro’ his Blessing thereon, they might know the Things (and this of the Command of Faith given to all Men in the Gospel, as being one of those) that the Father gave to Christ. Then this Word came in, Now He that ministreth Seed to the Sower, increase the Fruits of your Righteousness, 2 Cor. ix. 10. From whence I was instructed, That as the Lord had ministred to me some farther Light into this his Truth, I ought to sow it, in its Publication, [132] that thro’ his Blessing thereon, there might be a farther increase of Light among his People. This Word also, gave me some Pleasure, And might perfect that which is lacking in your Faith, I Thes. iii. 10. I thought if the Lord would please to use what I had written, to help the Faith of any his Servants in this Particular; how great a Blessing it would be to me! And while my Heart was thus working to the Lord’s People, this Word dropt on my Mind, He that in these Things serveth Christ, is acceptable to God, Rom. xiv. 18. A Thought of serving Christ, in what I had written, sweetly inclined my Heart to its Publication. And that Word cane in with Sweetness, And where I am, there shall also my Servant be, Joh. xii. 26. And what our Lord spake of himself, and of the Work which the Father gave him to do, encourag’d me to publish what I had written: I must work the Works of him that sent me, while it is Day: the Night cometh when no Man can work, Joh. ix. 4. But still I wanted, and intreated the Lord to speak to me concerning this Work, in some Word, with greater Power, unto fuller Satisfaction, and Heart-melting Influence. Upon which he said, Thou art Gilead (an Heap of Witness) unto Me, Jer. xxii. 6. Which sweetly melted my Heart, and fill’d me with joyful Wonder at his infinite Grace, to a creature so unworthy, to a Sinner so vile; and made me cry out, Lord, why me! Why me! How is it that thou shouldst be thus gracious [133] unto me! I admir’d and ador’d his boundless Love and Grace, in which he dy’d for me, not only to save me from Hell, and to bring me to Heaven; but also, that he might employ me in his Work, while in my Time-State. And that he should herein do so much for me, give me so many little Pieces to bring out for Him, and then in his infinite Condescension, account me therein, as an Heap of Witness unto Him! And falling down before him, I blest his Name, that as a God Hearing Prayer, he had given me so full an Answer. And I gave him my little Self, in all my little Service, as the Purchase of his Blood, and pray’d him to pardon, and accept me in this little Thing I had just finisht, and that he would make it a Blessing to his dear People. – And to comfort me concerning its Weakness, this Word was given me, That Thou givest, they gather, Ps. civ. 28. And concerning its Usefulness, this Word, The Lord shall increase you more and more, Psal. cxv. 14. Remember, O Lord, the Word to thy Worm, upon which thou hast caused me to hope! (131-133)

. . . . . . 

Dutton writes about Vol. 7 of Letters on Spiritual Subjects (1749) in the Appendix to Part III of A Brief Account of the Gracious Dealings of God, (1750):

May 10, 1749. I sought the Lord about the Publication of my Seventh Volume of Letters: And He was pleas’d to say to me, with respect to this Service, I have chosen thee, and not cast thee away, Isa. xli. 9. Whatsoever thy Hand findeth to do, do it with thy Might, Eccles. ix. 10. And, Be stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the Work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your Labour is not in vain in the Lord, I Cor. xv. 58. By these Words I was directed and excited to publish this volume, and my Duty and Privilege therein, were sweetly hinted to me: For which I gave Thanks. And I intreated my dear Lord, to grant his Blessing upon this little Piece, for the Feeding of his tender Lambs, and the Conversion of Souls; and to give me some Word to encourage my Faith and Hope therein. And He was pleas’d to say, I will give Men for thee, and People for thy Life, Isa. xliii. 4. By this I was caus’d to hope, that the Lord would give me some Souls to be useful to, by this Book, for the Life of my Joy in Him. But something farther I wanted my Lord to say to me, about his granting me his Blessing on this my weak Labour. And by these Words he was pleas’d to raise my Faith and Hope, Prov. x. 21. Isa. liv. 1, &c. [138] Chap. lx. 1, 3. And to assure me thereof, by, I will not fail thee, nor forsake thee, Josh. i. 5. And, In blessing, I will bless thee, and in multiplying I will multiply thee, Gen. xxii. 17. And that Word, with a sweet Soul-melting Power, dropt on my Mind, Thou hast ravished my Heart, my Sister, my Spouse, with one of thine Eyes, with one Chain of thy Neck, Song iv. 9. This Word came in while I was seeking for a Blessing on my poor Book; and I tho’t, that it was a glorious Reward of my feeble Work, if my Lord’s Heart was pleas’d therewith, and delighted with my Faith and Love therein. But I pray’d him, if He took Pleasure in this poor Work, that he would bless it unto Souls. And most graciously by the former Words, he granted my Desire, and assur’d me of my Request. – After this, I intreated my dear Lord Jesus, to speak to my Heart, and to tell me the Thoughts that were in His, that very Instant, concerning my Person and Work, as wash’d in his Blood, and cloth’d with his Beauties, and to seal his Love with a Kiss. Humbled I was, under a deep Sense of my Unworthiness of so high a Favour; but I pleaded the Freeness and Exuberance of his Grace, to the chief of Sinners. And the Lord of Glory, from his exalted Throne at God’s Right Hand, in infinite Condescension granted my Petition, and cast his Royal Favour, upon vile, unworthy me! He said unto me, Thou art all-fair, my Love, [139] there is no Spot in thee, Song iv. 7. By which my Lord assur’d me of my Beauty in his Eye, and Interest in his Heart. And then He added, How much better is thy Love than Wine! and the Smell of thine Ointments than all Spices! Ver. 10. Which amazing Words of infinite Grace, spoke to my Heart with a sweet Soul-melting Efficacy, humbled me in the Dust before him, for my poor, low, little Love to him, and rais’d me into Wonder, Joy and Praise, that my great Lord, should thus regard and delight in it, and by an amazing Stoop of infinite Favour, thus graciously acquaint me, that my weak imperfect Love, was to Him, better than Wine! and the Smell of mine Ointments than all Spices! That my unworthy Person, and this my poor Service, as cleansed by his Blood, and array’d with his Beauties, were his Heart’s Delight! – And as I had asked a Blessing on my poor Book of the Father, in the Name of Christ; my Lord assur’d me of his Grace, likewise, in the Grant of it, and of the Father’s being of the same Mind with Him, in what he had said unto me: By that Word, my Father and I are one, Joh. x. 30. Who is a God like unto Thee, that pardoneth Iniquity, and passeth by the Transgression of the Remnant of his Heritage. Let thy Mercy O Lord be upon me, and thy Blessing on this my poor Work, according as I trust in Thee! (137-139)

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Dutton writes about Letters Sent to an Honourable Gentleman, for the Encouragement of Faith (1749) in the Appendix to Part III of A Brief Account of the Gracious Dealings of God, (1750):

June 29, 1749. Having Thoughts of sending to the Press my second Volume of Letters to an Honourable Gentleman; I sought the Lord for his Direction and Blessing; and that he would please to speak to my Heart in some or other of the precious Words of his Grace. And the Lord bro’t this to my Mind, Feed thy People with thy Rod, – let them feed in Bashan and Gilead, Mich. vii. 14. By which I had a sweet Hint, That God the Father, had granted to his Son Jesus, to feed his People with his Rod, or Governing Power, by his own precious Truths, in my poor little Book; and that thereby they should feed as upon Bashan and Gilead, the High Mountains of Israel. By this my Duty to bring it out, and my Privilege therein, were hinted to me. For which I blest the Lord, and intreated him to bless the Book, for the Edification of the Saints, and the Conversion of some Sinners. Then this Word came in, God is able to make all grace abound towards you, 2 Cor. ix. 8. Grace, suited my great Unworthiness, and all Grace, my extensive Desires of Usefulness, unto Saints and Sinners, and encourag’d my Hope as to both. And for both, I cast myself upon this All-Grace, or All-sufficient Grace, to be dealt with thereby, as should be most for the Praise of its own Glory. These Words also, the Lord spake to me, Lovest thou Me? – Feed my Lambs, Joh. xxi. 15. Inasmuch as ye have done it to the Least of these my Brethren, ye did [141] it unto Me, Matt. xxv. 40. The Lord sent a Word into Jacob, and it hath lighted upon Israel. By which my Love to Christ, and Desire to feed his Lambs, were drawn out, and a sweet Persuasion given me, that the Lord would feed them by my poor Book, that he thereby sent a Word unto them, that should light upon them; and that what I desired to do for them, He would take as done to Himself. His gracious Acceptance of this my weak Labour, was likewise signify;d to me by that Word, God accepteth thy Works, Eccl. ix. 7. And as I desir’d to do much for my Lord, by this little Book, while, to exalt his Grace, He did much for me as to its Usefulness: He said unto me, What wilt thou that I shall do unto thee? Luk. xviii. 32. Upon which the Language of my Heart was, “Lord, take the Book into thy own Hand, and feed thy Lambs, and convert some Soul, or Souls, thereby.” Then He said, Be it unto thee even as thou wilt, Matt. xv. 28. Thy Faith hath saved thee, go in Peace, Luk. vii. 50. And as for the grant of my Requests, I hoped in his Word; So I long’d to have his Love shed abroad in my Heart, and that he would tell me the present thoughts of his Heart, concerning me and my poor Work, if He lov’d and delighted therein. Which great Favour, I asked of the Lord, and that He would speak like Himself, unto Heart-melting Influence. And tho’ my dear Lord had said so much to [142] me, yet if He spake not thus again to me, I knew not how to be satisfied. And as for a small Moment, He seem’d to hide Himself from me, I mourn’d my Vileness and Unworthiness, and pleaded his Grace. Then this came in, Thou art ever with me, and all that I have is thine, Luk. xv. 35. It was as if my Lord had said, “If I don’t manifest myself to thee so fully at this Time, at some Seasons, thou hast an entire and eternal Interest in Me, and my Fulness.” This stay’d my Heart; but yet I wanted my Lord’s manifested Love. Then He said unto me, There will I give thee my Loves, Song vii. 12. The Words again, of the Spouse to Christ, my Lord took, and made them his own to me; and thereby assur’d me, That there, in that Service, He would give me His Loves, the various Displays, and Flows, of his infinite Favour, in blessing my poor Book, for the Good of Souls: For which I humbly gave Thanks. But still, I wanted a farther Opening of his Heart, and knew not how to go from Him, unless He drew near, and spake with greater Power to my Soul. My spirit grieved, and as it were dy’d for want of his Favour. Then, in his boundless Grace, my Lord drew nigh, and said, I am come into my Garden, my Sister, my Spouse; I have gather’d my Myrrh with my Spice, I have eaten my Honey comb with my Honey, I have drank my Wine with my Milk: Eat, O Friends, [143] yea, drink abundantly, O beloved, Song v. 1. And by these All gracious Words, spoke to my Heart with a Soul-melting Power and Sweetness, I was abundantly satisfy’d. I had what I wanted, my Lord, and his Love: I had Him in Communion and his Love in Enjoyment. And Oh how I admir’d his Grace, that He should call me, his vile Worm, His Sister, his Spouse! That He should assure me of his Delight, his present Delight, in my Person and Service, that He had eaten and drank, and made Himself a Feast, as it were, upon his own Provisions, in his unworthy Worm, and my poor Work! And that from the Delight He took herein, He would likewise feast his Favourites, and say, Eat O Friends, drink, yea drink abundantly, O beloved! – Then I fell down before Him, ador’d and blest him for this sweet, this full, Answer of Prayer; humbled myself at his Foot, for my Vileness and Unworthiness; lamented my Unprofitableness, that there were so little in me and my poor Service, to delight my Lord’s Heart; and pray’d him to extend his Grace, according to his Word. – Lord, say, Amen. And let me say, with thy Saints and Angels, Hallelujah! To Him that sits upon the Throne, and to the Lamb, be Blessing and Honour, and Glory and Power, forever and ever. Amen! (140-143)

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In Part III, She comments on her composition of this third volume focused on her writings: 

Concerning this poor, broken, brief Account of the Lord’s gracious Dealings with me, even this Third Part, which was at first design’d for my own Use; He hath inclin’d my Heart, and greatly encourag’d me to prepare it for the Press. When I had some Thoughts about it, I sought the Lord, to know if He would have me do it; and receiv’d a secret Hint, that I should, from these Scriptures: He established a Testimony in Jacob, and appointed a Law in Israel, Psal. lxxviii. 6. Her Children arise up, and call her Blessed, Prov. [99] xxxi. 28. From the former, I had a Glance of God’s Mind, that He would have me prepare the Account I had taken, of his gracious Dealings with me, for the Press; and leave it as a publick Testimony of his great Goodness, among his People. From the latter, I receiv’d a sweet Hint, that it might be a useful and acceptable Provision for the Children of the Church: Which drew out my Desires that it might be so, and in some Measure inclin’d my Heart to engage in it. But as I was not fully persuaded about it, I sought the Lord for further Satisfaction, before I could engage therein. And especially, as I wrote it for myself, and had some Fears, that it might not be so fit for Usefulness to others. Inasmuch as therein, I did not address them, but the Lord, and my own Soul, upon the Notes which I took of his gracious Dealings with me, and the Outgoings of my Heart towards Him. And soon after, these Words dropt sweetly into my Mind, And there shall come forth a Rod out of the Stem of Jesse, and a Branch shall grow out of his Roots. And the Spirit of the Lord shall rest upon Him, the Spirit of Wisdom and Understanding, the Spirit of Counsel and Might, the Spirit of Knowledge, and of the Fear of the Lord: and shall make Him of quick Understanding in the Fear of the Lord, and he shall not judge after the Sight of his Eyes, nor reprove after the Hearing of his Ears. But with Righteousness shall He judge the poor, and reprove with Equity, for the Meek of the Earth, [100] Isa. xi. 1, 2, 3, 4. From hence I had a Heart-melting Discovery, that the Lord would have me prepare my Notes for the Press, and that He would use them. That my Dear Lord Jesus, who humbled Himself to become a Rod out of the Stem of Jesse, and a Branch out of his Roots, to sympathize with his People in their low Estate; that He upon whom the Fulness of the Spirit rests, as my exalted King, would judge with Righteousness, and reprove thereby with Equity for me. That He, by the Publication of what passed between Him and me, about my Books, would for me reprove with Equity, those unjust Censures, which had been pass’d by Some. As if in the Publication of my Books, I had done what I was not call’d to, and therein sought myself, and outward Gain. And precious was this Hint to me, That my dear Lord hereby, would set Things in a true Light: would judge, or plead my Cause, with Righteousness, and reprove with equity. And oh how sweet were these Words to me: For the Meek of the Earth! But still, notwithstanding this Part of its Usefulness, for the Conviction of God’s People, and so, for the Glory of his Name, which the Lord hinted to me; I much wanted to know, if it might be useful for the Refreshment of some poor Souls. And to satisfy me in this, which I so much desir’d, the Lord brought that Word, Then shall the Lambs feed after their Manner, and the waste Places of the fat Ones, shall Strangers eat, Isa. v. 17. Oh [101] this delighted my Heart, that the Lambs of Jesus should be fed hereby: And that what full Souls passed over, the Poor and Hungry should gather up. And then follow’d this Word, with great Power, And the People which shall be created, shall praise the Lord, Psal. cii. 18. And when I look’d [at] it, the preceding and following Words were very precious to me. As ver. 16, 17. When the Lord shall build up Zion, He shall appear in the Glory. He will regard the Prayer of the Destitute, and not despise their Prayer. Oh how exceeding applicable did these glorious Discoveries of Himself which the Lord had made unto me, in relation to that Work about which my Heart had been engag’d , for the Edification of his People by my poor Books! And also with respect to those glorious Grants that He had given me in answer to my Prayer, which as one destitute of all Creature Help, I had put up unto Him! And thus the following Verses also. He looked down from the Height of his Sanctuary: From Heaven did the Lord behold the Earth: To hear the Groning of the Prisoner, to loose those that are appointed to Death; To declare the Name of the Lord in Zion, and his Praise in Jerusalem, Ver. 19, 20, 21. Oh how sweetly did these Verses agree, with the Account which I had taken of the Lord’s gracious Dealings with me! And then, from the former Part of the 18th verse, how abundantly was I satisfy’d of my Duty, [102] in preparing it for the Press: This shall be written for the Generation to come! And from the latter Part of it, how abundantly was I delighted with the happy Effect, the Glory of God, beheld in the Glass of the Promise: And the People which shall be created, shall praise the Lord! Oh how fit, how sweet, how glorious, was this Word unto me! A Word in Season, how good is it!

  Having then, this Satisfaction of my Duty, and Hope of its Success: I gladly began the Work. And shall now commit the Whole unto the God of all Grace. Who is Able to do for his dear Children, by this br0ken Account of his gracious Dealings with me his weak Worm, more exceeding abundantly than I can ask or think: To his endless Praise, thro’ Jesus Christ. To Whom be Glory and Dominion for Ever and Ever. Amen. (98-102)

At the conclusion of the Appendix to Vol. III, she closes with this summation:

Thus have I given some account of the Lord’s Loving-kindness towards me, in bringing out Twelve more of my little Books; and also hinted what I had from Him, to encourage me in their Publication. – From which I hope, my dear Friends in Christ, will see how greatly the Lord lov’d me, in bringing out my little Pieces; and be able to judge of my Motives to appear in Print; and also hence be induced to form similar Ideas concerning those few more, that may yet see the Publick Light. As what I may have from God about Those, I don’t at present think to publish. And to shew the complete Number of my Books now extant, I shall add the latter to the former, with their Names, as they came out in Order. (148)

By the end of Part III and the Appendix, Dutton had discussed 33 publications in chronological order: 

1. A Narration of the Wonders of Grace, in Verse, &c.

2. A Discourse on Walking with God: &c.

3. A Discourse concerning God’s Act of Adoption: And another on the Inheritance of the Adopted Sons of God.

4. A Sight of Christ, absolutely necessary for all true Christians, Gospel-Ministers: &c.

5. A Discourse of Justification: &c.

6. A Discourse concerning the New-Birth: &c.

7. Letters on Spiritual Subjects, and Divers Occasions: &c. Vol. I.

8. A Letter to all the Saints, on the General Duty of Love.

9. A Letter to the Reverend Mr. John Wesley: In Vindication of the Doctrines of Absolute Election, Particular Redemption, Special Vocation, and, Final Perseverance.

10. Some Thoughts about Faith in Christ. Whether it be requir’d of all Men under Gospel? To prove that it is.

11. A Letter to the Negroes, lately converted to Christ in America.

12. Letters on Spiritual Subjects, and Divers Occasions: &c. Vol. II.

13. Letters sent to an Honourable Gentleman, for the Encouragement of Faith. Vol. I.

14. A Letter to such of the Servants of Christ, who may have any Scruple about the Lawfulness of Printing any Thing written by a Woman: &c.

15. Letters to the Rev. Mr. J. Wesley: Against Perfection.

16. Meditations and Observations upon the Eleventh and Twelth Verses of the Sixth Chapter of Solomon’s Song.

17. Brief Hints concerning God’s Fatherly Chastisements: Shewing their Nature, Necessity, and Usefulness; and the Saints Duty to wait upon God for Deliverance, when under his Fatherly Corrections.

18. The Hurt that Sin doth to Believers: &c.

19. A Brief Account of the Gracious Dealings of God, with a Poor, Sinful, Unworthy Creature. Relating to the Work of Divine Grace on the Heart, in a Saving Conversion to Christ, and to some Establishment in Him. Part I.

20. A Brief Account of the Gracious Dealings of God, with a Poor, Sinful, Unworthy Creature. Relating to a Train of Special Providences attending Life, by which the Work of Faith was carried on with Power. Part II.

21. A Letter to all Those that Love Christ in Philadelphia: To excite them to adhere to, and appear for, the Truths of the Gospel.

22. Letters on Spiritual Subjects, and Divers Occasions: sent to the Rev. Mr. George Whitefield, and others, &c. Vol. III.

23. A Postcript to a Letter lately Published, on the Duty and Privilege of a Believer, to live by Faith, and to Improve his Faith unto Holiness: &c.

24. Letters on Spiritual Subjects, and Divers Occasions: &c. Vol. IV.

25. Brief Hints concerning Baptism: &c.

26. A Letter to Mr. William Cudworth: In Vindicatino of the Truth, from his Misrepresentations; – Being a Reply to his Answer to the Postscript of a Letter lately Published: &c.

27. Letters on Spiritual Subjects, and Divers Occasions: &c. Vol. V.

28. Hints of the Glory of Christ, as the Friend and Bridegroom of the Church: from the Seven last Verses of the Fifth Chapter of Solomon’s Song: &c.

29. Thoughts on the Lord’s Supper: &c.

30. Letters on Spiritual Subjects, and Divers Occasions: &c. Vol. VI.

31. An Appendix to a Pamphlet, entitled, Some Thoughts about Faith in Christ: &c.

32. Letters on Spiritual Subjects, and Divers Occasions: &c. Vol. VII.

33. Letters Sent to an Honourable Gentleman, for the Encouragement of Faith. Vol. II.

Postscript.

Feb. 21, 1749. I sought the Lord, to know if He would please to have my Third Part of Brief Account put to the Press, having finisht its Appendix. And by these Scriptures sweetly apply’d to my Heart, I was persuaded it was his Mind that it should. Fear thou not, for I am with thee; be not dismayed, for I am thy God, Isa. xli. 10. From this I had a sweet Hint, That the Lord would be with me in its Out-going, as my God. Which fill’d me with Heart-melting Wonder, that the Lord should be with me, and my God still, notwithstanding my Unprofitableness. Lovest thou Me? – Feed my Lambs, Joh. xxi. 15. By this my dear Lord call’d for this little Piece to come out, put it upon my Love to him, to feed his Lambs thereby, and gave me a pleasing Hint, That this Blessing should attend my Labour. Thou art Gilead unto Me, Jer. xxii. 6. That is, An Heap of Witness unto Him, in this Service, and an Healer of the Spirits of his People, as it was then apply’d with Heart-melting Power unto me. And as I had some Fears, lest by its Publication, any should think of me more highly than is meet; or any reflect upon me, for presenting to publick View, while I was living, what passed between God and my Soul in private: These Scriptures were brought, I have made thee an Iron Pillar, and brasen Walls: Be not dismayed at their Faces, lest I confound thee before them, Jer. i. 17, 18. Whosoever therefore shall be [176] ashamed of Me, of him shall the Son of Man be ashamed, when he cometh in the Glory of his Father, with his holy Angels, Mar. viii. 38. These laid my Spirit uder an holy Awe, pointed my Eye singly to the Lord, and made me in some Sort regardless of Men. This Word likewise came in, to excite me to publish it now, and to hint it to me as Duty, She hath done what She could, Ch. xiv. 8. That Text also encourag’d me, This shall be written for the Generation to come: and the People that shall be created, shall praise the Lord, Ps. cii. 18. And, The Lord hath Need of him, Mar. xi. 3. By this my Heart was sweetly melted, at the infinite Condescension of my Lord’s Grace, that He should say, He had Need of this my poor Service! – O my dear Lord Jesus, drawn by thee, of thine Own I give thee! And with it, my little Self. Wash thy vile Worm, and my polluted Service in thy precious Blood, clothe me with thy Beauties; take my feeble Work, into thine Almighty Hand, get Thyself Honour thereby; and let thy most unworthy Worm have the Bliss, with all thy Saints and Angels, to give thee endless Praise! – Say, Lord Jesus, yea, thou dost say, Be it unto thee, even as thou wilt! (175-176)