Memoir of Old Elizabeth, A Coloured Woman by Anonymous
page 11 of 14 (78%)
page 11 of 14 (78%)
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enlightened by the Spirit, we are incapable of discerning the mystery
of God in these things. Individuals creep into the church that are unregenerate, and after they have been there awhile, they fancy that they have got the grace of God, while they are destitute of it. They may have a degree of light in their heads, but evil in their hearts; which makes them think they are qualified to be judges of the ministry, and their conceit makes them very busy in matters of religion, judging of the revelations that are given to others, while they have received none themselves. Being thus mistaken, they are calculated to make a great deal of confusion in the church, and clog the true ministry. These are they who eat their own bread, and wear their own apparel, having the form of godliness, but are destitute of the power. Again I felt encouraged to attend another and another appointment. At one of these meetings, some of the class-leaders were present, who were constrained to cry out, "Surely the Lord has _revealed_ these things to her" and asked one another if they ever heard the like? I look upon man as a very selfish being, when placed in a religious office, to presume to resist the work of the Almighty; because He does not work by man's authority. I did not faint under discouragement, but pressed on. Under the contemplation of these things, I slept but little, being much engaged in receiving the revelations of the Divine will concerning this work, and the mysterious call thereto. I felt very unworthy and small, notwithstanding the Lord had shown himself with great power, insomuch that conjecturers and critics were |
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