Relation of William Parkman, [February 23], 17661

It haveing Pleased Almighty God, in his Infinite Goodness, to Shew forth a Way for poor Miserable man, in his Wretched Estate, into which he has fallen by Adams First Sin, whereby he may be Saved: Which is in and through Jesus Christ; and has made this Glorious Offer to all poor Sinners, Saying, “Come Unto me all ye that Labour and are Heavy Laden and I will Give you Rest,” and again, him that Cometh to me I Will in No wise Cast Out; And has also Said, that God, out of Christ, Is a Consuming fire—I Would therefore, Under a deep Sense of My Lost and Undone Condition by Nature, With Repentance of my Sins, and in the Fear of God, Come and Accept of Jesus Christ as he is offered in the Gospel and Close with him in all his Offices; With Faith in him, Praying for the pardon of my many Sins, Original and Actual, which makes the Vast Seperation Between God and Men—and as He has Apointed Ordinances as Sensible Signs for his People, Baptism, and the Lords Supper; and as I have Been Given up to God in the former, the Obligations of Which I acknowledg my self to be under; and pray for Gods Grace to Inable me to approach the Latter, in a Right Manner, being in Some manner as I hope impresed with the heinous Nature and Consequences of my many transgresons as they are Against a God Infinite in Perfections and Excellences, and It is of his Great Mercy that I have Not been Consumed Long ago for my Sins; and Made as Miserable as I have Made myself sinfull—I would pray the Church of Christ to Receeve me into their holy Communion Intreating them to forgive Wherein I have offended any—and desire your prayers for me that I may Walk Uprightly before God and Man—and would put myself under the Care and watch of the Church of Christ here that I may be kept from falling and be admitted to Sitt down with the Glorious Church in the Heavenly World: which, may God in his Infinite Mercy Grant May be my portion, thro the Glorious Redeemer Christ Jesus, Where we may happy with the Lord to all Eternity.

William Parkman