many days,
and often took my Bible, and sat in hollow trees and lonesome places
until night came on; and frequently in the night walked mournfully
about by myself; for I was a man of sorrows in the time of the first
workings of the Lord in me.

"During all this time I was never joined in profession of religion with
any, but gave up myself to the Lord, having forsaken all evil company,
taking leave of father and mother, and all other relations, and
traveled up and down as a stranger on the earth, which way the Lord
inclined my heart; taking a chamber to myself in the town where I came,
and tarrying sometimes more, sometimes less in a place: for I durst
not stay long in a place, being afraid both of professor and profane,
lest, being a tender young man, I should be hurt by conversing much
with either. For which reason I kept much as a stranger, seeking
heavenly wisdom and getting knowledge from the Lord; and was brought
off from outward things, to rely on the Lord alone. As I had forsaken
the priests, so I left the separate preachers also, and those called
the most experienced people; for I saw there was none among them all
that could speak to my condition. And when all my hopes in them and in
all men were gone so that I had nothing outwardly to help me, nor could
tell what to do; then, oh then, I heard a voice which said, 'There is
one, even Jesus Christ, that can speak to thy condition.' When I heard
it, my heart did leap for joy. Then the Lord let me see why there was
none upon the earth that could speak to my condition. I had not
fellowship with any people, priests, nor professors, nor any sort of
separated people. I was afraid of all carnal talk and talkers, for I
could see nothing but corruptions. When I was in the deep, under all
shut up, I could not believe that I should ever overcome; my troubles,
my sorrows, and my temptations were so great that I often thought I
should have despaired, I was so tempted. But when Christ opened to me
how he was tempted by the same devil, and had overcome him, and had
bruised his head; and that through him and his power, life, grace, and
spirit, I should overcome also, I had confidence in him. If I had had
a king's diet, palace, and attendance, all would have been as nothing,
for nothing gave me comfort but the Lord by his power. I saw
professors, priests, and people were whole and at ease in that
condition which was my misery, and they loved that which I would have
bee