[Struck into a great Passion at the sight of the Book.] The sight of
this Book so rejoiced me, and affrighted me together, that I cannot
say, which Passion was greater, the joy, for that I had got sight of a
Bible, or the fear, that I had not enough to buy it, having then but
one Pagoda in the World, which I willingly would have given for it,
had it not been for my Boy, who dissuaded me from giving so much,
alledging my Necessity for Money many other ways, and undertaking
to procure the Book for a far meaner price, provided I would seem
to slight it in the sight of the old Man. This counsel after I
considered I approved of, my urgent Necessities earnestly craving,
and my Ability being but very small to relieve the same: and however,
I thought, I could give my piece of Gold at the last cast, if other
means should fail.

I hope the Readers will excuse me, that I hold them so long upon this
single passage, For it did so affect me then, that I cannot lightly
pass it over as often as I think of it, or have occasion to mention it.

The sight indeed of this Bible so overjoyed me, as if an Angel had
spoke to me from Heaven. To see that my most gracious God had prepared
such an extraordinary Blessing for me; which I did, and ever shall
look upon as miraculous, to bring unto me a Bible in my own Native
Language, and that in such a remote part of the World, where his
Name was not so much as known, and where any English Man was never
known to have been before. I looked upon it, as somewhat of the same
nature with the Ten Commandments he had given the Israelites out of
Heaven; it being the thing for want whereof I had so often mourned,
nay and shed tears too; and than the enjoyment whereof there could
be no greater joy in the world to me.

[He casts with himself how to get it.] Upon the sight of it I left
off Fishing, God having brought a Fish to me, that my Soul had longed
for; and now how to get it and enjoy the same, all the Powers of my
Soul were employed. I gave God hearty thanks that he had brought it so
near me, and most earnestly prayed that he would bestow it on me. Now,
it being well towards Evening, and not having wherewithal to buy it
about me, I departed home, telling the old Man, that in the Morning
I would send my Boy to buy it of him.

All that Night I could take no rest for thinking on it, fearing lest
I might be disappointed of it. In the Morning as soon as it was day,
I sent the Boy with a knit Cap he had