Providence acknowledged, &c.

"23. This day I exchanged my lodgings, and have seen the hand of the Lord very remarkable in providing a place for me. I was much afraid and distressed, having no place to go to. But all hearts are in the Lord's hand; and we shall never be disappointed, if we believe and trust in him. May I be enabled to spread the savour of the Gospel in this family.-It strengthens my hands and encourages my heart much to reflect on Col. i. 6.; which proves that the Gospel is never sent in vain to any place; but that it will "bring forth fruit every where, and in all the world."

The smiles of the world dangerous.

Its

July 22. The smiles of the world are always more pernicious to the soul than its frowns. smiles, like a soporific draught, sooth the soul into carnal security, whilst its frowns drive us to God. I think I have found this truth lately verified in my own experience.-25. I was last week afraid, lest the smiles of the world should stupify my soul, and draw me into a conformity to it. But the world, it seems, like its god, only smiles that it may fall upon you afterwards with more fury. But I hope, through grace, to disregard the one as well as the other. May I ascend out of the wilderness, leaning on my Beloved, till I arrive at last to a land of peace and rest, where every danger will be over, and all will be quietness and serenity.

Aug. 22.

Distress and Comfort.

I have been of late in very great distress of mind. All is dark and disconsolate withincorruptions very strong, and I am without strength, Lord, have mercy upon me.

Thy bless'd effulgence can dispel

The clouds of horror and the gloom of hell.

"26. How suitable is the revelation God has made of himself in the scriptures to the miserable condition of fallen sinners! My thoughts have dwelt this day with comfort and profit on his glorious perfections; and I hope I found my heart drawn out in love to him and desire after him. May my soul be enlarged to receive out of his fulness.

Tender Conscience.

"Dec. 24. I often compare myself to some musical instrument, which sounds well when in tune, but the least thing will put it out of tune; nor is it without some expence and trouble that it can be brought to play well again. So have I often found my soul put out of order by things that might be looked upon as of no great consequence. For instance, not reproving sin in others, has often left a kind of guilt on my soul, and brought a cold chill over all its powers, which sometimes is accompanied with very pernicious effects.

Vain attempts to avoid the cross.

"Dec. 4. Many are forced to bear the cross, who would be very glad, if practicable, to shake it off. But to take it up out of choice is utterly contrary to the old man; and nothing but the grace of God can enable us, with Moses, to choose affliction with God's people. When distressed and afflicted, we often comfort ourselves, not with the promises of God suited to our particular state at the present time, but with our own vain imaginations and contrivances. But when those fruitless contrivances prove abortive, as they always do, we are then plunged deeper than ever into distress, and

it

may

be at last, into despair: whereas if we had immediate recourse to the sure promises of God, we should infallibly find sufficient present support; nor should we ever in the issue of things be disappointed. We are apt to think every thing more likely to extricate us than patient waiting and reliance on God. Such an aversion is there in our corrupt nature to every thing that belongs to God, however suitable to our present condition."

We have in the foregoing passages a specimen of what the life of a Christian is. It is a life of trials, temptations and distresses, as well as of enjoyments and consolations. Both are necessary according to the plan of God to promote and secure the great end-the manifestation of his own glory in the restoration of a sinful creature. His gradual recovery, accompanied with trials and difficulties, carried on in the midst of enemies, and effected notwithstanding all their opposition and malicious attempts, will far more fully display the divine character, than if it were immediate, made perfect at once. This should not only reconcile the Christian to the hardships of his warfare, but make him even thankful for them. Paul could never have so fully known the gracious power of God, had he not such trials as made him feel his own utter weakness and flee for help to Him who had promised to support him. What silenced all his discontent under his trying circumstances, was the view of God's power and grace as manifested in sustaining him. "Most gladly therefore," said he," will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me." His weaknesses would occasion the display of divine power; and this satisfied him. The more God is seen

E

and known, the greater will be his manifested glory, and the larger the enjoyments of his glorified creatures. To know him is life or happiness. The more we shall know him as the God of grace, wisdom, love and power, the greater finally will be our eternal felicity. Then let us join Paul and say, We "take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ's sake: for when we ARE WEAK, then are we strong."

SECT. III.-Diary and Letters during 1780.

We meet again with reflections on the new year's day. The occasion was the same as before, but it gave rise to a different train of ideas. There is not in nature a greater variety, than in the thoughts of the human mind.

66

:

Jan. 1, 1780. I found last year the following promise remarkably fulfilled to me-" Fear not, I am with thee, be not dismayed, I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness. When thou passest through the water, I will be with thee and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee: when thou walkest through the fire, thou shalt not be burned, neither shall the flame kindle upon thee.” If thou hadst not been with me, I must have fallen and perished: but, blessed be the Lord, the everlasting arms were underneath me. Bless the Lord, O my soul. Gratitude for thy numerous and undeserved mercies, both temporal and spiritual, bestowed on me last year, cannot but powerfully influence my mind to devote myself most solemnly and deliberately to thy service this

year also. O God, give me the privilege and happiness of living to thee. I trust I have been in thy family these seven years; nor would I change my Master for ten thousand worlds. His service is perfect freedom, and the only happiness in the universe. Astonishing the grace that first called me from the world: but more amazing, if any thing can be so, is the grace, mercy and patience, which hath since borne with me and pardoned my sins, and is still compassionate to my daily infirmities. O Lord, continue thy strengthening grace and thy refreshing presence to me this year also." It appears by a letter written the 12th of this month to his friend W. that he had notice, Michaelmas before, to quit his curacy, unless he consented to serve it for £30 a year. His salary at first was £45. It had been reduced before to £40, but at this time to £30; a sum far too small even then for a decent support. The first reduction, though made about the time when he had an offer of a better curacy through Mr. G-, before-mentioned, did not induce him to leave his situation but the second, which lessened his salary so much, rendered him doubtful as to the course it was his duty to follow. He was therefore in a great strait, not willing to leave on the ground of pecuniary considerations, and yet being distressed, having not sufficient means for a livelihood. He was providentially relieved from this difficulty through the kindness of a friend, the Rev. Mr. Lucas, whom he knew a little when at College, and who had just come to reside on a living in the neighbourhood. His own account in the fore-mentioned letter is the following:

"When the time came that I was to determine one in order to enable me to

way or another, Mr. L