2 Monday 2. This Morning my Soul was exceedingly blet while Mrs L was fpeaking to me, encouraging me to come, and lay hold of the Bleffing, affuring me, that even now the LORD was willing to impart it. My Defires were alfo very ftrong in the Afternoon; altho' I was in Compapany, and the Converfation not very edifying; (fo gracious was the LORD to me.) Tuesday 3. I found my Soul exceedingly bleft this Day, especially in the Evening: Such Hope and Confidence I had that the LORD would reveal Himfelf, that I had no doubt of it, and fuch a fiveet Calm was upon my Spirit till I went to Bed as I never experienced before. I was alfo greatly encouraged by accidentally opening the Bible upon thefe words, Then fall we know if we follow in ta know the LORD. Amen let it be according to thy word, LORD JESUS.. Wednesday 4. I experienced a Measure of the fame Confidence as the Night before. LORD continue it, and alfo increase it, fo that I may never doubt more. Thursday 5. I was not altogether in such a sweet Frame as the two preceding, Days; nevertheless my Mind was ftayed on GoD, and my Defires carneit for the Bleffing, while my Uncle was Difcourfing upon thefe Words, Except ye repent, ye fhall all likewife perij. Luke xiii. 5. Friday 6. My Mind was diftracted with wandering Thoughts, but the gracious LORD foon gathered F 3 1 * Monday JULY 7. All this Week my Soul har been cold and dead, and I (to my Shame and Grief) have been too negligent in private Duties. How truly may it be faid the Way of Sin is down Hil. I was hindered from Prayer one Day at my usual Hour, and almoft every Day afterwards, fomething happened just at that Time to keep m from that Duty. I obferve that if I neglect it one Day, I am fure to do the fame for feveral Days running. LORD help me to be watchful, feeing my fubtle Adverfary is ever watching to betray me into Sin, either of Omiffion or Commifion. Senday 12. I found a fmall Degree of Life in private Prayer, which was the only Duty I was quickened in this Day. LORD help me out this stupid State! On Thursday Evening my Uncle preached on Mat. xiii. 45. Who when he bal found one Pearl of great Price, &c. O that the LORD would enable me inftantly to part with all, and purchase this Pearl! All this Week my Soul has been in the fame lukewarm State, and yet ge nerally quickened in private Prayer, especially one Evening I had fuch a difcovery of the Love of God to Sinners, that I was almost enabled to be lieve He died for me. Sunday 20. This Morning Mr. M gave us a fweet Difcourfe on 2 Pet. i. 4. Whereby are given unto us exceeding great Promifes, &c. I found my Soul bleft under it, and afterwards at the Sacrament in St. John's Church, bleffed be God. He likewife met me in the Evening while Mr. A---was difcourfing on Rom. iv. 5. Monday Monday 1. I was too neglectfal of private Du ty this Day, and therefore 'tis no wonder if my Soul was dry and barren in other Duties. While we were at Preaching in the Evening, my dear Friend Mifs D----- arrived from Ireland. I was much rejoiced to fee her, and be feemed to be fo at feeing me. May we all at lat meet round our Father's Throne! Tuesday 22. My Soul was much fhut up in Prayer. When fhall I find free Access to the Throne, and be enabled to call JESUS mine, my LORD, and my GoD. Friday 25. In the Afternoon we walked to Criflington; and went to fee the Rector's Garden, who is for ever altering it, after being at great Expence to have it done to his Mind, ftill it does not please him. O how reflefs is the Mind of Man! Ever feeking after Ret, he cannot find it nigh, nor ever will, till he finds it in Jesus. Friday AUGUST I. The State of my Soul this Week has been much as ufual. O that the Lord would ftir me up! That he would make me in earnest, and then I fhould foon attain the Prize. I fhall one Day perish by the Hand of Sin, unless a Miracle of Mercy interpofe. Lord fave or I perih Save, or I muft inevitably fall a Prey to the Evil that lies in this rebellious Heart! Sunday 3. I found myfelf much encouraged while Mr. G-----k was defcribing the Reft that remained to those who were Seekers after Gon: O Monday JULY 7. All this Week my Souf has been cold and dead, and I (to my Shame and Grief) have been too negligent in private Duties. How truly may it be faid the Way of Sin is down Hill. I was hindered from Prayer one Day at my usual Hour, and almost every Day afterwards, fomething happened juft at that Time to keep me from that Duty. I obferve that if I neglect it one Day, I am fure to do the fame for several Days running. LORD help me to be watchful, feeing my fabtle Adverfary is ever watching to betray me into Sin, either of Omiffion or Commifion. Sunday 13. I found a fmall Degree of Life in private Prayer, which was the only Duty I was quickened in this Day. LORD help me out of this ftupid State! On Thursday Evening my Uncle preached on Mat. xiii. 46. Who oben he had' found one Pearl of great Price, &c. O that the LORD would enable me inftantly to part with all, and purchase this Pearl! All this Week my Soulhas been in the fame lukewarm State, and yet generally quickened in private Prayer, especially 3.one Evening I had fuch a difcovery of the Love of God to Sinners, that I was almost enabled to be-lieve He died for me. M-, Sunday 20. This Morning Mr. M gave us a fweet Difcourfe on 2 Pet. i. 4. Whereby are given unto us exceeding great Promifes, &c. I found my Soul bleft under it, and afterwards at the Sacrament in St. John's Church, bleffed be God. He likewife met me in the Evening while Mr. M---was difcourfing on Rom. iv. 5. Monday Monday 1. I was too neglectfal of private Daty this Day, and therefore 'tis no wonder if my Soul was dry and barren in other Duties. While we were at Preaching in the Evening, my dear Friend Mifs D----- arrived from Ireland. I was much rejoiced to fee her, and be feemed to be fo at feeing me. May we all at last meet round our Father's Throne! Tuesday 22. My Soul was much fhut up in Prayer. When fhall I find free Access to the Throne, and be enabled to call JESUS mine, my LORD, and my GOD. Friday 25. In the Afternoon we walked to Criflington; and went to fee the Rector's Garden, who is for ever altering it, after being at great Expence to have it done to his Mind, ftill it does not please him. O how reflefs is the Mind of Man! Ever feeking after Ret, he cannot find it nigh, nor ever will, till he finds it in JESUS. Friday AUGUST I. The State of my Soul this Week has been much as ufual. O that the Lord would ftir me up! That he would make me in earnest, and then I fhould foon attain the Prize. I fhall one Day perish by the Hand of Sin, unless a Miracle of Mercy interpofe. Lord fave or I perich! Save, or I muft inevitably fall a Prey to the Evil that lies in this rebellious Heart! Sunday 3. I found myself much encouraged while Mr. G-k was defcribing the Reft that remained to thofe who were Seekers after GoD: O |