deed for any who considers the circumstances of her death, equal to that of an ancient martyr. I preached in the evening at Musselborough, and at five in the morning. Then we rode on to Haddington, where (the rain driving me in) I preached between nine and ten in Provost Dickson's parlour. About one I preached at North-berwick, a pretty large town, close to the sea-shore ; and at seven in the evening (the rain continuing) in the house at Dunbar. Wednesday 13, It being a fair, mild evening, I preached near the quay, to most of the inhabitants of the town, and spoke full as plainly as the evening before. Every one seemed to receive it in love. Probably if there were regular preaching here, much good might be done. Thursday 14, I set out early, and preached at noon on the Bowling-green at Berwick-upon-Tweed. In the evening I preached at Alnwick. Friday 15, abundance of soldiers came in, on their way to Germany. Many of these attended the preaching, to whom I could not but make a particular application. And who knows, but what they have now heard, may stand them in stead in a day of trial? Saturday 16, One of our friends importuned me much to give them a sermon at Warksworth: and a post-chaise came for me to the door; in which I found one waiting for me, whom in the bloom of youth mere anguish of soul had brought to the gates of death. She told me the troubles which held her in on every side, from which she saw no way to escape. I told her, "The way lies straight before you. What you want is the pure love of God. I believe, God will give it you shortly. Perhaps it is his good pleasure, to make you, a poor, bruised reed, the first witness here of that great salvation. Look for it just as you are, unfit, unworthy, unholy, by simple faith, every day, every hour." She did feel the next day something she could not comprehend, and knew not what to call it. In one of the trials which used to sink her to the earth, she was all calm, all peace and love enjoying so deep a communion with God, as nothing external could interrupt. Ah, thou child of 7 affliction, of sorrow and pain, hath Jesus found out thee also? And he is able to find and bring back thy husband, as far as he is wandered out of the way. About noon I preached at Warksworth, to a congregation as quiet and attentive as that at Alnwick. How long shall we forget, that God can raise the dead? Were not we dead, till he quickened us? A little above the town, on one side of the river, stand the remains of a magnificent castle. On the other side, toward the bottom of a steep hill, covered with wood, is an ancient Chapel, with several apartments adjoining to it, hewn in the solid rock. The windows, the pillars, the communion-table, and several other parts are entire. But where are the inhabitants ? Gathered to their fathers, some of them, I hope, in Abraham's bosom, till rocks, and rivers, and mountains flee away, and the dead, small and great, stand before God! Sunday 17, I preached at eight in Alnwick, and about one at Alemouth, a poor, barren place, where, as yet, there is no fruit of the seed which has been sown: but there may be, since many are still willing to hear. In the evening a multitude of people, and a little army of soldiers were gathered in the Market-place at Alnwick. In the morning they were to march for Germany. I hope some of them have “ put their armour on." Monday 18, At nine I preached to a large and serious congregation at Widdrington. Thence we rode to Morpeth. As it was a rainy day, they expected me to preach in the Room but observing a large, covered place in the Market-place, I went thither without delay. It was soon more than filled and many, soldiers and others, stood on the outside, notwithstanding the rain. Why should we despair of doing good in any place, because we do not see present fruit? At five I preached to the honest, simplehearted colliers at Placey, and before sun-set reached Newcastle. : Tuesday the 19th was a day of rest. In the evening God was with us of a truth; and many felt their hearts burn with fervent desire of being renewed in the whole image of God. The same flame was kindled at Gateshead-fell, while I was opening and applying those words, Every one that hath this hope in him, purifieth himself even as he is pure. Thursday 21, I was much struck with a story told by Ephraim Syrus. I wonder it was never translated into English. It is as follows:- "My beloved brethren, I have a desire to relate to you, what our brother Abraham did in his old age. This blessed man had a brother according to the flesh, who had an only child. When her father fell asleep; she remained an orphan. Her friends brought her to him, being six years old. He ordered her to be placed in the outer cell: he himself abode in the inner. A little door was between them. He taught her the Psalms and the other Scriptures, and watched and sang with her. And as he lived an austere life, so did she, willingly profiting in every exercise, and labouring to excel in all virtues. The holy man often besought God for her with tears, that her heart might be fixed on God, and not entangled with the care of worldly things; for her father had left her much wealth, which by his advice she gave to the poor. And she intreated him, saying, 'Pray for me, that I may be delivered from evil thoughts, and from all the wiles and snares of the devil.' The blessed man rejoiced, seeing her good conversation and forwardness, and tears, her lowliness, meekness, quietness of spirit, and earnest love to God. And for twenty years she thus exercised herself with him, as a fair lamb, a spotless dove. "When the twentieth year was fulfilled, the devil was mad against her, and lay in wait to get her into his net. There was a man in name religious, but not in truth, who frequently came to consult Abraham. He saw the maid, and his heart burned within him. He lay in wait for her a whole year, till her heart was inflamed also; and opening the door of her cell, she went out to him, and consented to his will. But no sooner had she committed wickedness, than she rent her clothes, smote her breast, and thought of putting an end to her own life. For she said in herself, 'Now I am dead, and I have lost all my time, and all my labour, and my austerity, and my tears are perished, and I have destroyed my own soul, and I have brought sorrow upon the man of God, and am become a laughing-stock to the devil. Why do I live any longer? Ah me, from whence, how low am I fallen! How shall I be hid? Where shall I go? Into what pit shall I cast myself? Where is the exhortation of the blessed man, Keep thy soul spotless for thy immortal bridegroom?' I dare no more look up to heaven. I am lost, both to God and men. I dare not approach that holy man, sinner as I am, and full of uncleanness. Were I to make such an attempt, surely fire would come out of that door, and consume me. It is better for me to go where none knows me; for I am undone, and there is no salvation for me.' And rising up, she went straight to another City, and became servant at an inn. "A little before this, Abraham saw a vision:-A dragon, great and terrible, rising out of his place. And coming to his cell, he found a dove, and devoured it; and then returned to his place. The holy man coming to himself, was much troubled and wept bitterly, and said, 'Thou, Lord, knowest all things; and thou only knowest what this vision meaneth.' After two days, he saw the same dragon again. And he came out of his place, to the blessed man, and laying his head under Abraham's feet, burst asunder, and the dove was found alive in the dragon's belly. "Coming to himself, he called once and again, saying, 'Child, where art thou? Behold, here are two days that thou hast not opened thy mouth in the praise of God.' Finding that none answered, and that she was not there, he perceived the vision related to her. And he groaned in spirit, and said, 'O Saviour of the world! bring back this lamb into thy fold, that my grey hairs come not down with sorrow to the grave. Lord, despise not my supplication; but send down thy hand, and take her out of the mouth of the dragon that hath devoured her.' "After a season he heard where she was; and having learned all things concerning her, he called one of his friends, and said to him, 'Bring me a horse and the babit of a soldier:' and having put it on, with a large cap upon his head, he left his cell, and rode away. Being come to the place, he alighted and went in; and, after a time, said to the inn-keeper, Friend, I have heard thou hast a beautiful damsel here: call her to me, that I may rejoice with When the holy man saw her.' Being called, she came. her, in her harlot's attire, he was melting into tears: but he refrained himself, that she might not perceive it. After they sat down, she embraced him, and kissed his neck. And she smelled the smell of his cell, and called to mind past things, and groaning deeply, said, Woe is me! What am I?' The inn-keeper, being astonished, said, 'Mary, thou hast now been with us two years, and I never heard thee groan before, or heard such a word from thee. What is come to thee?' She answered, Would I had died three years since; then I had been happy.' 6 "Immediately Abraham said to him, 'Prepare us a supper, that we may rejoice together; for I am come from far, for her sake.' After supper she said to him, 'Let us go into the chamber.' And when they were come in, he saw a bed made ready: and he sat upon it, and said, 'Make fast the door:' she made it fast, and came to him. Having taken hold of her, so that she could not run away, he took off his cap, and said to her weeping, 'My child, Mary, dost thou not know me? Am not I he that brought thee up? Mary, what is come to thee? Who hath destroyed thee, my daughter? Where are thy prayers and thy tears-tby watching and holy exercise? My child, when thou hadst sinned, why didst thou not tell me, that I might have humbled myself for thee? My daughter, why hast thou done this? Why hast thou forsaken thy father?' She remained in his hands as a lifeless stone; till he said to her, with tears, Dost thou not speak to me, my child, Mary? Dost thou not speak to me? Am I not come hither for thy sake? I have besought the Lord concerning thee.' Till midnight he continued exhorting and comforting her. Then coming a little to herself, she said to him |