Moravian Lives

Personals of our Worthy Brother John Friedrich
Gocht who departed this Life the 31st. of January 1769. at
Herrnhuth. He left the following written Account of his Path
I was born at Nieder Oderwiz the 30th. of December 1697 and
brought up by my Parents to all good. From my Infancy I had
no Talent for the World, yet my Corruption lay the deeper. In
time I had an insight into the Holy Ghosts seeking my heart
which I then did not understand. At length I became concernd
for my Salvation, more particularly in my 14th. Year when I
partook the Holy Sacrament the first time at which I shed many
Tears. After this I came into a Light wordly minded way and 
went on some Years under Divine Patience, Till Divine Love
Touch'd my Heart, and convinced me of my unbelief in the time
of Lent 1719. In the Passion Week my Continual Prayer was,
that our Saviour would have Mercy on me, and grant me the
Benifit  Benefit of his Precious Blood Shedding. My Request that he
would graciously Pleased to look favourably on me was granted
and I receiv'd Comfort, It came in my Mind that I could be helpd
if I would apply to our Saviour as a poor Sinner. But the Sinner
=ship was a Mystery, I rather employ'd myself in Reading and An=
=xious seeking. To this was added thy intention to Marry.
After praying to God to give me a Person wholly devoted to him, I married
the 19th. of Novemr. 1723 |:the present Widdow  Widow:| Our Saviour bless'd us
with 3 Sons and 1 Daughter, but has taken Them all 4 to himself
I endeavourd to the Uttmost of my Power to act up to the best of my know=
=ledge, yet my heart was without feeling, untill  until Eternal Love brought
a Text of Scripture to my Mind at the time I was employ'd in my
Business the Text was this: as many as are led by the Spirit they are the Sons