doubt? The mercy of the Lord endureth for ever. Amen.

Tranent, August 27, 1792.-It is my desire, but, alas! far from being my attainment, to be suitably affected with the doings of the Lord. O that I could remember in a Christian manner, and for Christian purposes, all the way which the Lord my God hath led me in this wilderness. It were very desirable to have the carnality and corruption of my affections removed, the hardness of my heart softened, and the obstinacy of my will subdued, that, pleased with the ways of God, I might rejoice in all his works. Notwithstanding that deadness and depression which lie on my mind, sin stirs and prevails; I hope I may say it is no more I, but sin that dwelleth in me. There is, I trust, a principle within which maintains the ascendancy of my heart; and when at any time it is overpowered, as, alas! it is too frequently, I consider myself as led captive by the law of sin which is in my members. Let me wait, and look, and long for deliverance, and give thanks to God in expectation of the victory at last.

Tranent, Nov. 19, 1792.-I have much reason to be thankful-was carried through my late services with ease, and frequently with inward feeling and satisfaction; to the praise of sovereign grace, be this written and recorded. Notwithstanding the conviction of my mind that all is owing to the goodness of the Lord, yet my vain heart would lift up itself. Hence my proud and self-flattering thoughts, which, though concealed from men, are manifest to God, and not unknown to myself. I need humbling dispensations, and I get them. The services of yesterday

were, in the main, very tasteless and insipid to me, neither pleasing me while I was employed in them, nor satisfactory to my reflection. I see no truths impress the heart, without the energy and operation of the Lord the spirit. Alas! that I should resist and grieve him at any time, and so provoke him to withdraw from me. O to be filled with him at all times, and forsaken by him at none, then spiritual exercises would be my delight.

Tranent, Feb. 20, 1793.-To-day we have been employed in the exercise of fasting, having the prospect of the sacramental supper on Sabbath first. Felt rather languid in praying, yet not altogether without some fervour heard concerning the stony heart; felt as I may always feel, a proof of the hardness of my own heart. Now, with my present views, I ask myself what are the evidences of my faith; do I believe on the Son of God? He is the object of my trust, I resign myself unto him, I accept of him, I am well pleased with him, and desire to serve him. I ask myself again, what are my needs which I would wish to have supplied? that the Lord would grant me an increase of grace, strength for duty, victory over my corruptions, support under my trials; and so far and so soon as he thinks proper, deliverance out of them. Further, I ask myself what are my plagues? Ah! a carnal heart, including the basest, the vilest, and the most wicked inclinations; and these of every sinful kind, known to the Lord, and not unknown to myself, painful on reflection; but this is all my support, that Christ came to save sinners. As to the work before me, I desire and hope the Lord will be gracious -He is a tried stone. I am encouraged by his help on former occasions--I trust he will not deny me on

this. O to be enabled to tell the church that Christ is all in all, and to find it so in my experience, that, like an angel, I may be all love and life in his service! The above is the action sermon text.

Tranent, Sept. 21, 1793.—I have much reason to lament over my weakness and wickedness. I must commit myself wholly unto the Lord; there is no possibility of standing but as upheld by him. O that I may be kept from fainting and falling, and enabled to maintain my hope and confidence in his word. The Lord knoweth the days of the upright, he knows all my days, and I trust will be with me until the days of my mourning be ended. Let me be of good comfort; if he denies me some things, let me try to find all in himself. I would be submissive to his will. O that he would endow me with a humble, patient, and submissive spirit, that I may be resigned in every thing; though this time may seem long, yet it is my duty to wait. He hath done well for me in past periods of my life, I hope he will continue his loving kindness; his hand is not shortened that it cannot save he is always the same.

Tranent, October 4, 1793.-Reflecting a little on the ways of providence, I find my heart far, very far, from being suitably affected with them. I have to lament the want of a kindly and cheerful submission to the will of God. Nevertheless, I see and do acknowledge that the most painful of his dispensations are mingled with mercy. O to be pleased with every thing as the doing of the Lord; let me aim at this attainment; let me, like the poor woman in the Gospel, press through the crowd of lusts within me, and devils without me, to get to Christ; and having got

to him, let me stay myself upon him, in hope he will cure my plagues, forgive my sins, and save my soul, At the same time, I would acquiesce in his disposals respecting all that concerneth me with calmness and composure. May this be ever satisfactory to my mind, that all things are of God. Surely there is enough for my comfort in this consideration: "would to God it were always fresh, and always powerful, to the soul of him who desires to love the Lord Jesus Christ in sincerity."

Tranent, Nov. 4, 1793.-Jacob vowed a vow, saying, "If God will be with me, and will keep me in this way that I go, and will give me bread to eat, and raiment to put on, &c. then shall the Lord be my God." In like manner, hoping that the Lord will be with me, and will keep me in the way of duty, I embrace him as my God, and surrender myself and all I have to his service; trusting in his power and promise, I go forth to duties and difficulties, to work and warfare. Let me stay myself upon the holy One of Israel in truth; none perish that him trust. With David, my prayer is, " uphold me according to thy word, that I may live, and let me not be ashamed of my hope; anoint me with fresh oil, and let my tongue be like the pen of a ready writer. Have finished the Christian armour on Eph. vi. 10-19. Began these discourses in October last year, and concluded them on the last Sabbath of the same month this year. May the Lord impress them upon us all, that we may overcome all. Amen.

Tranent, Dec. 26. 1793. In the course of this year, to the above date, the ways of providence have been much in an uniform strain: No remarkable change has

fallen out in my lot; my little family and congregation remain without any extraordinary alterationblessed be God for his mercies to both. O let us

live, and our souls shall praise thee! My little one, and all the souls of my small charge, I cast upon thee. With regard to myself, I am thy servant, let me never be a discredit to a master so great and so good; come what may in the subsequent period of my poor life, I purpose to adhere to thee, and to thy work; if my trials and temptations are continued, let me experience the power of Christ, that out of weakness I may be strong. Thankful would I be for the divine goodness-humbled lower than the earth it becomes me to be on account of my own unworthiness ; yet I trust that I have some good hope through grace that the Lord will bear, and carry, and deliver me, and shew me at last his salvation. Amen.

Tranent, March 5, 1794.-We have again been privileged with our sacramental communion on Sabbath last. I was supported and upheld by the good hand of God upon me. The Lord does not give me much sensible comfort in my work; at times, however, I felt what I spake, and was impressed about the close of the service, in communicating, with this pleasing thought, that nothing should separate between Christ and my soul. Have much reason to mingle thanksgiving with humility: let me praise the Lord for all his mercies-let me go softly all my days. Providence takes every method to keep down my pride, and to teach me humility. O that I may learn the lesson, and go through the chequered scene, leaning and staying myself on the mighty One. The Lord does not seem to give me much success; perhaps the prophecy and promises relative to the people being ga