A short account of the extraordinary life and travels of H. L. L.---- native of St. Domingo, now a prisoner of war at Ashbourn, in Derbyshire, shewing the remarkable steps of Divine providence towards him, and the means of his conversion to God

Naked came I out of my Mother's womb, and naked shall I return thither: the LORD gave, and the LORD hath taken away; Blessed be the name of the LORD. Job. chap. 1 ver. 21 Thy Righteousness is like the great mountains; thy judgment are a great deep: O LORD, thou preservest Man and Beast. Psalm. Chap. 36 ver. 6.

WRITTEN BY HIS OWN HAND.

ENTERED AT STATIONERS HALL.

PRINTED AND SOLD BY PARKES ASHBOURN, BURDITT LONDON, AND PRITCHARD DERBY.

Price One Shilling.

OBSERVATION.

It is not doubtful, (as it is a common method in this world,) that my life, and all what is contained therein, will be contradicted and criticised; but as it hath pleased GOD to reveal unto me the mystery of the way of the truth, (of which I hope I am not ignorant;) therefore I expect persecutions, contradictions, and criticism to take place; knowing, that whosoever will live according to the Gospel of CHRIST, must while in this vale of tears go through much sufferings and pains: for thus is the road that leads to everlasting happiness. Therefore let every true born soul know, that as our SAVIOUR suffered for us: so must we in return for the blessing of Redemption, suffer for his sake, for unto us it is given, in the behalf of CHRIST, not only to believe on him, but also to suffer for his sake. phi. chap. 1. ver. 29. I therefore leave to the public to say what they please of this book; but the GOD in whom I have trusted shall be the judge of it.

Finally, the decisive day of our LORD, will put a determination to all our works, whether they be acceptable, or not.

TO THE READER.

In reading this little work, (not only to read but to meditate,) you will see the great disappointments that there is in those things, [_the riches of this world_.] which men put their trust. Oh! reader, art thou of that unhappy number? if thou art, delay no longer, but go to JESUS CHRIST, who is the fountain of durable riches, and take with thee the words of the Po√ęt? "whom have I in heaven but thee that can thy creature bless? what were all the Earth to me, if a stranger to thy peace? all is vanity but CHRIST, pain and darkness, and dispair, rankling in a sinner's breast, till thou art present there." Art thou in prosperity, be Joyful, and praise thy GOD; art thou in adversity, consider: for GOD hath set the one over against the other, to the end that man should find nothing after him. Be not as those, which through weakness of faith, dare not trust their GOD, whensoever in poverty or distress; for I never knew of any that trusted in GOD, and were yet confounded; He surely will supply the wants of all those who being sensible of their sins, groan after him: and lo, (says CHRIST) I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world.

Read, and read again this book, that thou mightest know, that wheresoever GOD hath a child, there will his eyes be, and that to protect him; though he may run to a certain degree of sins and wickedness, but at last He will snatch him as a bran from the eternal burning, and let him know, that it is not of him that willeth, nor of him that runneth, but of his good pleasure to shew mercy. "Oh! had not GOD shown his mercy to me, where should I have been? in the broad road that leads to everlasting misery, yea in the dark and dolesome dungeon of dispair, without a glimmering ray of hope; everlastingly bewailing my miserable destiny." See how the words of the holy prophet prove true to my case; "I am sought of them that asked not for me; I am found of them that sought me not."

Oh! if ever I am so happy as to reach within a blessed view of the happy possession of saints, what a debtor shall I be to mercy and free grace alone; to save such an ungovernable and unwilling creature as I: "Oh! my soul it is hard for thee to kick against the pricks[1]! thou, who hast so long despised, rejected, and set at nought the commandments of GOD, art now through thy SAVIOUR'S obedience and blood brought to know the way of Salvation."

[1] I allude this passage to a Ship going straightways against the wind; for it is no more in the power of a sinner to resist the will and mercies of GOD, than it is possible for a Ship to go straightways against the wind.

Dear reader, art thou a blasphemer, or a despiser of the words of GOD? if thou art, I will advise thee to take a warning in reading my case, and to consider about it, for fear thou shouldest be plunged for ever into eternal misery. Delay no longer to open thy case before the merciful GOD, though it should be ever so desperate; for He is all-sufficient, yea all-powerful, to plead the cause of thine immortal soul, and to bring to pass whatsoever thou shalt commit into his hands, for He ever liveth to make intercession for sensible[2] sinners, and to brighten their evidences for the approaching of a future and everlasting Glory.

[2] Remember, that GOD makes us sensible that we are sinners.

Didst thou ever read, or hear mentioned, of the compassionate invitation of our blessed SAVIOUR when He lived on Earth; where He saith, "him that cometh to me (believing) I will in no wise cast out, but I will raise him up at the last day." Perhaps thou say'st in thine own heart, CHRIST is no more upon the Earth that I might go to him. Knowest thou not faithless man or woman, that though CHRIST is no more upon the Earth, that He is the same yesterday, to day, and for ever; and hath the same power to save and to bring to heaven whom He will: and now that He is in his holy mansion, is He not still the same? yea, He is still entreating his Father on our behalf, and his bowels are always melting in mercy towards us his rebellious Children; and his most precious arms and pierced hands, which we ourselves have crucified, are always extended to receive prodigals and backsliders home: for I am (says CHRIST) the friend of sinners, I eateth and drinketh with them; therefore let him that is athirst come, and take of the water of life freely.

Oh! reader, whoever thou art, I pray GOD through Grace, that thou and I, might be of that happy and highly favoured number, that shall sing above with the innumerable legions of blessed Angels, the chorus of the victory of a wounded and suffering SAVIOUR. AMEN. H. L. L.

INTRODUCTION.

Ever since the GOD of truth was pleased to open my blind eyes, and Lead me to the knowledge of the truth, I have often meditated upon my Life past, and how the divine providence of GOD, has delivered, and preserved, such a worthless creature as I out of divers dangers: I therefore think it proper and useful to take my pen, and give a short account of my Life, and my calling to the knowledge of the true and living GOD, hoping that by the Blessing of the Eternal JEHOVAH, it may be made useful to those who Love to meditate upon the mysterious ways of the wonder working GOD.

I was born in the once proud and haughty Island of St. Domingo, in the Parish of St. Rose, of Ancient and respectable parents. My Father and Mother, were the most accomplished union according to their Religion and ways of worshiping; they were equal in fortune, for they had each a plantation, when united together made them an exceeding good livelihood.

But I have not taken my pen for to write my parents History, but my own: here then my narration shall begin. In the year one thousand seven-hundred and eighty-three, the Sixth of September, betwixt eight and nine o'Clock in the morning I was brought forth into a World of troubles, and was baptised the twenty-fourth of November in the same year, by Father Julien Capuchin Missionary Curate; and had for God-father my Mother's Brother, and for God-mother my Father's Sister.

From the day that I was born, I never enjoyed a good state of health; for I was so weak and Sickly, that I looked more like a Spectre than a human creature; for my Death was daily and Hourly expected, in me was seen the very picture of Death: I was in that situation till I attained my seventh year; when I was forced to leave a Mother by whom I was dearly loved, and a Father that cherished me above all earthly creatures.

For one Morning I yet very well remember, (though I did not expect it,) my Father called me and my two eldest Brothers also, and lead us into my Mother's chamber, where I saw her weeping bitterly: when there I could not help asking her what was the matter that she was crying so; she made no reply but by sighs and tears; when in a sympathetic manner she took me up in her arms and pressed me with tenderness to her bosom and bedewed my innocent face with tears; it was with great difficulty that she consented to let me go; and then she kissed my Brothers in the like manner, when we left her to sooth her sorrows, and to console herself to the loss: in the mean time my Father handed us into our coach, and gave orders to drive away to Town.

I was some time silent, effected by this sudden change; when looking through the window of the coach, I saw both my little Sisters stretching out their arms as if it were to bid me the last Adieu; the scene was so affecting, that I could not restrain myself but to ask my Father where we were going to; (for I did not know any thing about that sudden journey.) He satisfied me, by saying, that he was sending us into France for our education, and that he would spare no expence to give us a good one.

In the afternoon we reached the Town, and alighted at the Crown-Hotel: my Father being not well in health, we were obliged to delay our voyage for the space of three weeks; and when the appointed time was come to separate us from a Father dear and tender, I was taken very ill, in which state I remained for some days; at the same time the Captain of the Ship came to let my Father know that he could not wait any longer, and that he was to weigh Anchor the next day. My Father, though very ill, said, "well, they shall be ready to go with you to-morrow." (I was then but indifferent in health.)

The most affecting parting took place, he took us by the hand and led us to the Sea-side where we were to embark, and said, in the most pathetic manner.--"My most beloved Children! the time is now come that you must be parted from a Father, by whom you are dearly loved; receive for the last time from my almost dead lips, the pledge and tenderness of my love towards you; for I know I shall never live to see you again, so take the last parting of your Father, for you shall never see him any more; to day is the last time that you will behold the Author of your days: my duty forced me to send you into France, and your education will be a friend to you when in distress."

Before we parted he recommended us to a gentleman that was on board, and that nothing should be wanted for our care. And then he withdrew, extending his arms once more towards us in the most distressing manner: so that we were filled with grief and sorrow to see our Father in such a melancholy state.

We begun our course with a fair wind and good weather, which continued for several days.

About twenty days after we were upon the Sea, the wind rose with such violence, that we expected every instant to be cast into the depth of the Ocean: we was in that situation for a considerable time, till at last it pleased the ALMIGHTY to appease the waves, and to send fair weather. We were seventy-two days in crossing the immense Ocean, at the end of which we landed at Bordeaux. Myself and my Brothers were received with great kindness by our Banker, to whom we delivered the letter concerning our coming into France.