I will bring the Blind by a Way that they know not, I will lead them in Paths that they have not known: I will make Darkness Light before them and crooked Things straight. These Things will I do unto them and not forsake them. Isa. xlii. 16.
BATH:
Printed by W. GYE in Westgate-Street; and sold by T. MILLS,
Bookseller, in King's-Mead-Square.
Price Six-Pence.
1772
This Account of the Life and spiritual Experience of JamesAlbert was taken from his own Mouth and committed to Paper by theelegant Pen of a young Lady of the Town of Leominster,for her own private Satisfaction, and without any Intention at firstthat it should be made public. But she has now been prevail'd on tocommit it to the Press, both with a view to serve Albert andhis distressed Family, who have the sole Profits arising from the Saleof it; and likewise as it is apprehended, this little History containsMatter well worthy the Notice and Attention of every Christian Reader.
Perhaps we have here in some Degree a Solution of that Question that hasperplex'd the Minds of so many serious Persons, viz. In what Manner willGod deal with those benighted Parts of the World where the Gospel ofJesus Christ hath never reach'd? Now it appears from the Experience ofthis remarkable Person, that God does not save without the Knowledge ofthe Truth; but, with Respect to those whom he hath fore-known, thoughborn under every outward Disadvantage, and in Regions of the grossestDarkness and Ignorance, he most amazingly acts upon and influences theirMinds, and in the Course of wisely and most wonderfully appointedProvidences, he brings them to the Means of spiritual Information,gradually opens to their View the Light of his Truth, and gives themfull Possession and Enjoyment of the inestimable Blessings of hisGospel. Who can doubt but that the Suggestion so forcibly press'd uponthe Mind of Albert (when a Boy) that there was a Being superiorto the Sun, Moon, and Stars (the Objects of African Idolatry) came fromthe Father of Lights, and was, with Respect to him, the First-Fruit ofthe Display of Gospel-Glory? His long and perilous Journey to the Coastof Guinea, where he was sold for a Slave, and so brought into aChristian Land; shall we consider this as the alone Effect of a curiousand inquisitive Disposition? Shall we in accounting for it refer tonothing higher than mere Chance and accidental Circumstances? WhateverInfidels and Deists may think; I trust the Christian Reader will easilydiscern an All-wise and Omnipotent Appointment and Direction in theseMovements. He belong'd to the Redeemer of lost Sinners; he was thePurchase of his Cross; and therefore the Lord undertook to bring him bya Way that he knew not, out of Darkness into his marvellous Light, t