by Vavasor Powell
in ePub, .mobi & .pdf formats
Vavasor Powell’s Spiritual Experiences of Sundry Believers is a stirring collection of conversion testimonies and providential dealings, compiled from solemn gatherings of saints. The book presents firsthand accounts of individuals brought under deep conviction of sin, some enduring prolonged seasons of terror, doubt, and even suicidal despair before being led to peace in Christ. Each testimony is unique, yet they all display the common work of the Holy Spirit in applying the gospel to desperate sinners. Whether through sermons, the reading of Scripture, afflictions, or personal encounters with God, these experiences vividly illustrate the power of divine grace in drawing the lost to salvation. Powell’s compilation not only offers an edifying glimpse into the Puritan understanding of conversion but also provides encouragement to believers who struggle with assurance, reminding them that others have walked the same difficult road of doubt and fear before being led into the joy of salvation.
One of the book’s great strengths is its emphasis on experiential Christianity—the necessity of not merely professing faith but knowing its transforming power. Powell captures the biblical reality that true religion is not a matter of external formality but of heart-renewing encounters with the living God. These accounts confirm that spiritual experience, rightly grounded in Scripture, serves as a means of strengthening faith, comforting the afflicted, and deepening one’s assurance. Readers will find the testimonies strikingly personal and deeply relatable, as they highlight the struggles of conscience, the assaults of Satan, and the ultimate triumph of Christ’s grace. This book is a treasure for those who seek to understand the inner workings of the Spirit in the soul and a call to those who may be resting in a false or shallow profession of faith.
Vavasor Powell (1617–1670) was a Welsh Puritan preacher, evangelist, and author known for his zealous gospel proclamation and commitment to biblical truth. He labored tirelessly in Wales, preaching in the open air, planting congregations, and writing against the errors of his day. Despite facing persecution, imprisonment, and opposition, Powell remained steadfast in his mission to call sinners to repentance and faith in Christ. His works continue to bear fruit, offering valuable insights into the spiritual struggles and triumphs of those who have gone before.
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
PREF. To the Sober and Spiritual Readers of this Book.
1. EXP. I. Experiences of T. A. - Converted after three years terror upon his Conscience, and then rolling himself on Christ.
2. EXP. II. Experiences of T. P. - The terrors of Hell laid hold on him, for offering wrong against the people of God, that he cried out he was damned many years.
3. EXP. III. Experiences of M. W. - By a Sermon at Liverpool and after great afflictions, with a piece of a Bible in a barn.
4. EXP. IV. Experiences of I. I. - By waiting upon the ordinances.
5. EXP. V. Experiences of E. C. - After seven years temptation to kill herself, for neglecting to come to the ordinances, she threw herself upon Christ.
6. EXP. VI. Experiences of D. M. - By a young infant, when she went to a Pond to drown herself.
7. EXP. VII. Experiences of AE. L. - By being driven through afflictions to go to the meetings of godly people.
8. EXP. VIII. Experiences of J. B. - By a Son, a little child of six years of age.
9. EXP. IX. Experiences of A. J. - By waiting on the ordinances after loss of a precious Husband, and that in affliction of spirit for near a year’s time.
10. EXP. X. Experiences of A. A. - In the loss of Children, and great buffetings for sin, by waiting upon God by prayer.
11. EXP. XI. Experiences of E. C. - By repulsing the Devil when he appeared to her, and tempted her.
12. EXP. XII. Experiences of A. O. - By a quarter of a year’s despair, fearing that a Lie told knowingly had been the sin against the Holy Ghost.
13. EXP. XIII. Experiences of M. M. - By fearing Hell, and applying every cross to be a judgment of God for sin.
14. EXP. XIV. Experiences of H. W. - By much prayer night and day against a dead heart, and that God would give him grace to live in a sincere conversation.
15. EXP. XV. Experiences of D. R. - In fear of reprobation, seeing an emptiness in herself, and casting herself upon God, as his workmanship, to do what seemed good to him.
16. EXP. XVI. Experiences of A. O. - In two year’s temptations to despair, by seeking God by prayer, and waiting upon his ordinances.
17. EXP. XVII. Experiences of M. W. - When Satan tempted her, that she had committed the sin against the Holy Ghost, she protested before the Lord, though she should see nothing but Hell before her, yet she would trust in God.
18. EXP. XVIII. Experiences of H. C. - By being persuaded she was a Hypocrite.
19. EXP. XIX. Experiences of M. K. - By a dream of weapons to revenge by murder, and several other things that followed.
20. EXP. XX. Experiences of M. H. - By consideration that some slips he fell into, being a Professor, brought dishonor to God, and scandal to the Gospel.
21. EXP. XXI. Experiences of L. P. - By thoughts touching a child in her womb, when Satan tempted her to destroy herself.
22. EXP. XXII. Experiences of F. P. - By a dream of the Death and Resurrection of Christ.
23. EXP. XXIII. Experiences of C. M. - By trouble about some miscarriages towards her children.
24. EXP. XXIV. Experiences of T. H. - From consideration that every one of his sins offended the Lord, and deserved his eternal curse.
25. EXP. XXV. Experiences of E. B. - By laying to heart that she had not served God as she ought to do.
26. EXP. XXVI. Experiences of G. D. - From trouble of spirit, that Satan was very busy with her.
27. EXP. XXVII. Experiences of A. B. - From consideration in temptations, and of that destruction which would befall her, if she forsake her God.
28. EXP. XXVIII. Experiences of W.C. - Being satisfied with nothing in his soul but the Lord Christ.
29. EXP. XXIX. Experiences of A. C. - By seeing herself undone without Christ.
30. EXP. XXX. Experiences of N. B. - A Papist, by his being persuaded to come into Protestant meetings.
31. EXP. XXXI. Experiences of A. H. - By terror of Conscience, and fear that the Devil would fetch her, was converted from Popery.
32. EXP. XXXII. Experiences of D. C. - From thoughts for offending so good a God.
33. EXP. XXXIII. Experiences of A. H. - By falling into a sin she feared.
34. EXP. XXXIV. Experiences of F. D. - By longing for Jesus Christ.
35. EXP. XXXV. Experiences of H. W. - By his trouble for deadness of heart.
36. EXP. XXXVI. Experiences of M. W. - By earnest prayer in trouble of spirit.
37. EXP. XXXVII. Experiences of J. H. - By being thrown down so low, that he thought it almost impossible for God to save him.
38. EXP. XXXVIII. Experiences of H. N. - From his hearing of Paul’s words, that all might be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness.
39. EXP. XXXIX. Experiences of W. F. - From consideration of his sinful condition he wrestled with God by prayer, and would not let him go until he found comfort.
40. EXP. XL. Experiences of T. G. - By solemn engagement to God, as he loved God, his word, or his own soul, to leave his sins.
41. EXP. XLI. Experiences of E. D. - By being much troubled, that she could not serve God as she should.
42. EXP. XLII. Experiences of W. W. - From the considerations of God’s gracious dealings towards him, and many deliverances.
43. EXP. XLIII. Experiences of A.F. - By discovery of some particular sins when God took away several near relations.
44. EXP. XLIV. Experiences of G. R. - By being brought near to despair for some things that touched her conscience.
45. EXP. XLV. Experiences of J. G. - By being troubled at that place of Scripture, The wages of sin is death, which made him for a quarter of a year, meet with temptations by Satan to despair, but proved his conversion.
46. EXP. XLVI. Experiences of A. G. - By God’s smiting the Conscience from her sense of sin.
47. EXP. XLVII. Experiences of A. T. - By so great sorrow as made his heart ready to break, from the consideration of the hardness of his heart.
48. EXP. XLVIII. Experiences of S. P. - By a Sermon at Norwich.
49. EXP. XLIX. Experiences of E. L. - By following the hearing of the Word, though with a dead heart, until God quickened her.
50. EXP. L. Experiences of J. F. - From the sense of her natural condition, and her sins, and offending God, laying it to heart.
51. EXP. LI. Experiences of S. P. - From his experience of God’s deliverance to him from his enemies, against which he had engaged in the field.
52. EXP. LII. Experiences of P. P. - By outward straits, and afflictions, and inward temptations of Satan.
53. EXP. LIII. Experiences of M. T. - By coming to hear with a gathered Church.
54. EXP. LIV. Experiences of E. R. - By a dream of Christ as a Child, carrying her over Hell, when she lay under despair for telling a lie, and was tempted of Satan to murder herself.
55. EXP. LV. Experiences of T. M. - By a dream of Christ like a Child, and a Dragon, and other Beasts.
56. EXP. LVI. Experiences of J. H. - By hearing the Word, and his conference with a Minister.
57. EXP. LVII. Experiences of I. H. - By hearing Doctor Gouge, and prayer.
58. EXP. LVIII. Experiences of T. R. - By several experiences of God’s deliverances to him.
59. EXP. LIX. Experiences of J. S. - By sense of a dead heart.
60. EXP. LX. Experiences of E. P. - By outward crosses.
61. EXP. LXI. Experiences of G. S. - By coming to a private meeting.
62. APPENDIX. The Practice of Gathered Churches in the City of London, and other parts of England.