have a little in the world, with the divine blessing, is a mercy. I do not wish to be prodigal; and I desire to be neither mean nor miserable. I hope my heart, though too carnal, is renewed and set in its habitual aims on things above. To morrow I supply a neighbouring congregation, whose pastor is in much bodily weakness. Consider it as a mercy that this is not my situation; and reckon it in this respect more blessed to give than to receive.

Tranent, Nov. 14, 1803.-The Lord is good-I derive all from him-I owe all unto him-I wish to be more entirely devoted to his honour and to his service-my desires run this way; but, alas! they are languid and inoperative: there is a period approaching when every sanctified wish of the renewed mind will be completely gratified. We have of late been visited with death upon death in the congregation-Christ hath the keys of death and the grave, he opens and shuts according to his pleasure-let us be sober and watchful, like men waiting for the coming of their Lord. I feel thankful, if my heart does not deceive me, for the divine patience and goodness-the Lord does not take me away in his long sufferinghe gives me bodily health, and upholds me in his service-" not unto me, not unto me," &c. Preached yesterday (Sabbath) at North Berwick, by appointment of presbytery, (the Lord having removed by death the pastor of that congregation, a young man, settled not much above two years,) and made intimation of this providential visitation, and declared them in a vacant state. Christ holds the stars in his right hand, he determines the time and the place of their shining, and extinguishes them whenever he pleases; to his praise I record my preservation, and to his name I

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present my request, that he would make me a burn. ing and a shining light. The Lord my God light my candle, and enlighten my darkness. Amen.

Tranent, Nov. 28, 1803. Birth-day.-The mercies of God to me, and my ingratitude to him during the years of my life that are past, form a striking contrast. I cannot sufficiently admire the one, I cannot be humbled low enough on account of the other: God hath been a God of mercy unto me-alas! I have been a child of disobedience unto him. I see in some measure my forgetfulness of God, and condemn myself for it; my desire is for grace, that I may be enabled to live to his praise; and my hope is, that he will uphold me in his service, till he bring me to that place where his servants serve him in purity; then I shall be freed from all present imperfections, and from all selfreproach on account of them, and will vie with the great multitude in proclaiming his praises. Meanwhile let his merciful kindness to me, and my family, and my flock, be marvellous in my eyes. All inflamed and all enraptured with it, let me sing aloud of his righteousness! blessed Jesus, I call thee, my Lord and my God! I consider myself as one of thy unworthy servants, and do look unto thee for support and assistance. Whether my appointed course shall be longer or shorter, may it be well occupied ; and at the end of it may the glories of the Redeemer be in my mouth, assurance of his favour in my heart, and a glorious immortality in my eye. In life may I walk with God, at death may I die in the Lord, and through eternity may I be with him.

Tranent, Jan. 17, 1804.-Looking over some money matters this forenoon, I must admire the goodness of

God to me. "I will sing unto the Lord, because he hath dealt bountifully with me." Forbid, O my God, that concerns of this kind should ever occupy an undue place in my affections. Make me humble, thankful, and careful, that I may be ready for every good work, forward in remembering thy poor members, and contributing my mite to every purpose that has for its object the glory of thy dear name. I owe thee myself, and all that I am and have; and O let me be in myself, and in my substance, solely and entirely for thee. Amen.

Tranent, April 24, 1804.-I should have been in Edinburgh this day at the meeting of Synod; the morning being unfavourable, and continuing to rain through the day, did not set out. Shut myself in my closet between four and six in the afternoon, and mused, and thought, and moaned out my desires to the everywhere present God, that his cause may be supported in the feeble hands to which it is committed, and among all denominations who make a profession of it, that with our body the Gospel may be preserved in its purity, and felt in its power. I think we seldom display greater weakness than in Christ's judicatories; I cannot correct the evil, but I pray God that those whom he emboldens to speak and act in them may be under his direction and influence, and that the proceedings of men may terminate in the glory of God.

Tranent, July 8, 1804.-Now I am by myself, I must acknowledge the divine goodness, and record. the mercies of the Lord. He is a God who is mindful of his covenant, and faithful to his promise. Those assurances, Isa. xli. 10-16. were animating and

encouraging; experiencing the grace contained in them, and hoping for a continuance and an increase of this experience, I will rejoice in the Lord, and glory in the Holy one of Israel. God's words to Jeremiah are written for our comfort, "I am with thee to deliver thee, saith the Lord." Methinks he points out my duty in saying to the same Prophet, "thou therefore gird up thy loins, and arise and speak unto them all that I command thee." This is what I would wish to do, what, through grace, I purpose to do, and what I hope in this way to be strengthened to do. Amen.

Tranent, Oct. 27, 1804.-I feel uneasy at being so long in noting down providential occurrences towards my family: An addition was made to our number by the birth of a son on the 8th of September last: the child was apparently healthful and thriving; he continued so about fourteen days, when he was seized with an inward complaint, of which he died in about two days and a half more; the disorder soon changed his countenance, and numbered him with the dead. He died on the 26th of the above monthbaptism was intended on the following Sabbath, consequently it was not administered in the outward sign; but, conscious of no contempt of the ordinance, and not aware of the event in his unexpected removal, may I not hope that he was blessed with the grace of the institution, and saved by the washing of regeneration? I see in this dispensation the truth of what I have often read, "Man that is born of a woman is of few days and full of trouble." Can I bring him back? no; I must go to him, he will not return to me. The time is short-O to be active and earnest in working the work of him that sent me. Rise up,

shake off indolence and heaviness, be patient, resigned, and cheerful-the will of the Lord is good-the work of the Lord is necessary, and the enjoyment of the Lord will be sweet and everlasting.

Tranent, Feb. 26, 1805.-With a thankful heart I sit down to mention the loving kindness of the Lord; he hath shewn me his favour, not so much in lifting me up, as in supporting and delivering me. I trust I was not without his presence in my Christian and ministerial services on Sabbath-I can at least say,

my heart trusted in him, and I was helped." Spoke, I thought, a word in season; the people were apparently serious and attentive-the Lord alone can open their hearts, and plant the seed of grace in them. I wish to express it as a testimony of God's goodness that I felt little or no inconvenience on Sabbath from this troublesome cough which I have had for some time. God hath done for me in this respect what I was directed to ask from him, giving me rest from my sorrow, and from my fear, and from my har bondage, wherein I have been made to serve. I think I am pleased with every view I take of God's character and conduct; and feel gratitude, love, duty, and interest, all constraining me to subscribe myself his poor, unworthy, yet, I trust, his sincere and devoted servant, ROBERT SHIrreff.

Tranent, Dec. 5, 1805.-To-day there was a na-tional thanksgiving. Embracing the opportunity, it was with us a congregational thanksgiving and humiliation. Public exercises were conducted accordingly. O that I, as an individual, were exemplary in gratitude and humility. God's manifold kindness is great-greatly is he to be praised. Would wish to