The Conversion of Howell Harris 2: Deeper Conviction

On Easter Day, Howell Harris returned to Talgarth Church (pictured). With the rest of the congregation, he repeated the general confession from the Book of Common Prayer:

“Almighty God, Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, Maker of all things, judge of all men; We acknowledge and bewail our manifold sins and wickedness, Which we, from time to time, most grievously have committed, By thought, word, and deed, Against thy Divine Majesty, Provoking most justly thy wrath and indignation against us. We do earnestly repent, And are heartily sorry for these our misdoings; The remembrance of them is grievous unto us; The burden of them is intolerable. Have mercy upon us, Have mercy upon us, most merciful Father; For thy Son our Lord Jesus Christ's sake, Forgive us all that is past; And grant that we may ever hereafter Serve and please thee In newness of life, To the honour and glory of thy Name; Through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.”

But Harris felt nothing like the feeling of wretchedness which the Confession spoke of. ‘He found no inward grief at the remembrance of his sins, nor was their burden a heavy weight to his soul.’