I strive and struggle against iniquity, by the strength of my God, that I may never yield a full consent to it; and though I cannot avoid all sins, yet I exceedingly hate and abhor them all.

My desire is to set myself universally against every thing that is evil, And though I may, through strong temptation, commit great sins, yet will I fight against the smallest. Indeed I am persuaded that no sins are small, when I consider them as done against the infinite majesty of Heaven, and that they cannot be expiated, but by the precious blood of the Son of God, of which I dare not be too prodigal.

I have endeavoured to search out my bosom sins, and most of all to fight against them. Yes, against those sins, in which both nature and custom cause me to delight, I earnestly contend daily, though I cannot conquer them; well assured, that if these great Goliahs die, the rest must be put to flight. I would willingly pull out a right eye, or cut off a right hand, rather than they should keep me out of my inherit

ance.

I wish to strive not only against open, but also against secret iniquity. For God knoweth the very secrets of my heart. His eyes are in every place. There is no flying, no hiding, from his all-seeing eye. What availeth it then to avoid the view of men, when He, who will one day judge me, continually sees me? Could I find a place to sin, in which God might not see me, the case would be different.

It is my prayer that I may ever take heed, not only of running great lengths in iniquity, but even of giving way to it in the least degree. For though I know that neither one act of sin, nor yet two, constitute a habit, yet they exceedingly strengthen a vicious inclination.

I determine to fight against the very first motions. of iniquity, that I may kill my sins in their birth. I

resolve to struggle against anger, as well as murder; against lust, as well as adultery. For as one drop of water is of the same nature with the Ocean, so is a sin in thought of the same nature with the same sin in act.

Beside I strive to kill these sinful propensities, lest they should grow up, and be too strong for me. "When lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin : and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death."And for the time to come I shall carefully avoid all provocations to sin. These kindle a fire. And if we keep not ourselves from the temptation, how can we think that God will keep us from the sin?— Woeful experience has taught me, that evil and profane company hath often infected me, and hath dishonored my profession. I have found that I never was in such company, but, at departure, I was either grieved or corrupted. And who will think me a dove when I fly with the raven? Or a sheep when I resort with swine? From this time therefore I resolve, by the strength of my God, that if I am occasionally cast among such persons, I will lose them with all possible speed, lest I should lose myself. I will say with David, "Depart from me, ye evil-doers; for I will keep the commandments of my God." I will hate sin, because God hates it; and be grieved at sinners, because they hate God.

The grounds of this Evidence are-"Depart from evil, and do good; and dwell forevermore: He that will love life, and see good days, let him eschew evil, and do good: Beloved, follow not that which is evil, but that which is good. He that doeth good is of God; but he that doeth evil has not seen God."

I FIND in myself a deliberate, inward, and exalted estimation of God above all the things in the world; accounting his loving-kindness to be better than life, and the signs of his favour to be my greatest joy.

What delight I have in the presence of God my own soul best knows! With what earnest desires, and filial affections, have I heard him in this word! How often have I been even transported, when I have conversed in prayer with him whom my soul loves! How frequently have I run to him in my straits and necessities! And as often hath He relieved and refreshed me; so that I can say with David, "I sought the Lord, and he heard me, and delivered me from all my fears."

I can with sincerity of soul say, that I have been as heartily vexed, when I have seen and heard the great name of God, who is blessed forever, blasphemed and dishonoured, as for any injury or disgrace offered to myself. And though I am but of low estimation in the eyes of the world, yet will I value myself according to my interest in God; being more pleased with his approbation, than with all the praises of men.— And oh that I could never more sin against him, to provoke the eyes of his jealousy to anger!

No virtue can continue so long as love. "It is strong as death" It will accompany my soul after its separation, and never leave me when all the other graces have taken their flight. Having brought me to the gates of Heaven, it will abide with me to all eternity.

Now I must not think that my love to God merits his to me. His acceptance of my duty is a rich and un

merited favour.

But though my love to God, in respect of his to me, is but as the running of a little stream to the

Compassion for the Poor.

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flowing of the great Ocean; yet since his love to me begets my love to him, and that my love to him is nothing else but a faint reflection of his to me, I may comfortably conclude that He hath loved me in Christ before the world was.

The grounds of this Evidence are- God is love, and he that dwelleth in love, dwelleth in God, and God in him: Every one that loveth, is born of God, and knoweth God: The Father himself loveth you, because ye have loved me, and have believed that I came out from God."

SEVENTH EVIDENCE.

Compassion for the Poor.

WHAT self-denial God hath given me in administering to the necessities of the poor, He knoweth, who understandeth all my thoughts, and is acquainted with all my ways. To him I appeal who is my witness and judge.

And as God hath given me a pitiful and tender heart towards all, so he hath; in an especial manner, given me bowels of tenderness towards the Saints; so that I account nothing too dear for them if they need it, and can live in the thought of this sweet truth, that though my ability in regard to worldly wealth be very small, yet if my cup did run over, it would not come up to the height of my wishes. I have as much rejoiced when God hath made me an instrument of cheering up some languishing spirit, as ever I have when my own spirits were borne up on a similar occasion. And I have never forborne my usual attention to my Christian brethren, when adversity, sickness, disgrace, or any other misery has come upon them.

2*

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Love for the Brethren.

The grounds of this Evidence are" He that hath pity upon the poor, lendeth unto the Lord; and that which he hath given will he pay him again: He that hath a bountiful eye shall be blessed; for he giveth of his bread to the poor: Blessed is he that considereth the poor: the Lord will deliver him in time of trouble."

LIGHTH EVIDENCE.

Love for the Brethren.

I HAVE an unfeigned love for all God's children: not for any sinister ends, or carnal considerations, but merely for the good I see and believe to be in them. Nay, on this account I love even those, whom otherwise I could not love. I desire that I may not have the glorious "faith of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory, with respect of persons."

I wish to love the godly, because they are like God in holiness, being "born of him." These I have accounted the only excellent people in the world, and I love them far more than if they were my natural kindred in a carnal state. I esteem their society, next to communion with my God, to be my greatest earthly happiness. They are the happy companions of my life.

The grounds of this Evidence are" We know that we have passed from death unto life, because we love the brethren: He that loveth his brother, abideth in the light, and there is none occasion of stumbling in him: Beloved, let us love one another, for love is of God and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God.