see Lord's servant, and deaf as his messenger; ing many things, but observing them not." My mind became sensibly calmed, under a sense of his adorable mercies, and the gracious operations of Him, "who giveth songs in the night;" who imparteth light in darkness, and counsel in confusion; "who maketh the clouds his chariots, who walketh upon the wings of the wind." Some, on whom the light hath measurably risen, have seen things wrong; and not waiting in self-nothingness, to see more light, a root of bitterness hath sprung up. 27. At the funeral of Ann Orger, our friend Ralph Baimbridge was largely led forth, to demonstrate the necessity of the obedience of faith in the divine principle; the grace which brings salvation. I am clearly convinced that, although salvation is only attainable through Christ the propitiation, yet we are ever under condemnation, whilst we are in a state of disobedience; and are only justified in obedience to him, by whom we are sanctified. An evening of distress and perturbation, on account of myself and others. SIXTH MONTH, 1784. 1. This day four years, I began the recording of experiences; few and evil have been the days which have since elapsed. Inwardly and outwardly I have been cast down and lifted up; and I now stand as it were on the brink of the grave, and the verge of an awful eternity. Measurably, morning by morning," he awakeneth mine ear to hear, as the learned;" "neither turned I away back." His salvation hath been my desire, and a part in his covenant. In unsearchable wisdom, all his works are wrought. If the sons of Belial had been thrust away, peradventure I might have increased; but not in the increase of God. He is justified in all his ways; great and marvellous are all his works; righteousness belongs to him; but to me, shame and confusion of face. May his goodness be more gloriously manifested, before I die, and his name internally proclaimed; "the Lord God, gracious and merciful," "forgiving iniquity, transgression, and sin.” 16. This evening our friend Rebecca Wright, of North America, with her companion, M. R. came to our house. Myself and wife were with them at Hartford, Ware, and Hitchin; in which meetings, their ministrations were well accepted. 19. Walking this evening in the meadows near Hitchin town, in great lowness of body and mind, these words were immediately suggested, viz. Jesus, the fairest of ten thousand. A bare and lifeless remembrance of them only, now remains; but, at the time, the impression of them was so powerful, as to produce tears of contrition: a favour I had not experienced in my rural retirements for many days. The rich and the full loathe even the honeycomb; but to the poor and contrite ones, the smallest crumbs which fall from the Master's table, are precious; inestimably so. i 23. In the week-day meeting, I was favored with some sensations of Christ Jesus; "the same yesterday, to-day, and for ever;" and his gracious operations in the flesh, and in the spirit, as one Lord Jesus; God blessed for ever. 28. Walking in the fields, some sensations were livingly impressed concerning the efficacy of the blood of Jesus Christ, which was shed without the gates of Jerusalem; and as manifested within," sprinkleth from an evil conscience," and purgeth from all sin. SEVENTH MONTH, 1784. 4. In the forenoon meeting, some unexpected. glimpses of light and divine intelligence being imparted, with a pointing to those present, a short testimony was delivered, concerning the blindness of man; and to the Lord Jesus Christ, as a glorious light, who leadeth the blind by a way that they know not, and in paths which they have not known; who maketh darkness light, "and crooked things straight." 7. J. K. having delivered a short testimony, a few words were added, recommending poverty of spirit; according to that which is written; "Blesșed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven." 18. I went to the forenoon meeting much indisposed, both in body and mind: for a season, death was in dominion; but before the close, a degree of recollection was witnessed in solemn silence: a renewed testimony was also internally impressed, to the weakness of man; and to His strength, who, only, "girdeth with power;" "the confidence of all the ends of the earth, and of them who are afar off upon the sea:" but nothing was verbally expressed. 20. As I was going up to London in a chaise, the following sentiment was immediately suggested, nothing previously leading thereto; viz. the error of the Predestinarians and Necessitarians, and of those called Pelagians and Free-willers; arises from the endeavouring to comprehend him who is incomprehensible, whose understanding is unsearchable; and to measure his declarations and testimonies, which only make "wise the simple," with the declarations and proceedings of fallible and finite beings; to measure his ways, who "giveth not account of any of his matters," to the wise and prudent, but only to babes: according as it is written, "thou thoughtest I was altogether such an one as thyself; but I will reprove thee," and set thine errors in order before thine eye's. 21. A mistaken zeal and supposed moderation (falsely called charity), although opposite in their appearances, frequently proceed from the same cause; even in vessels measurably sanctified; viz. the want of "being buried with Christ by bap tism into death:" that not only the earth in them might be shaken, but the heavens also: instead of which there hath been, frequently, fruitless and unsanctified efforts to engraft the remains of the first Adam, into the plant which is of an immortal nature: " this divides in Jacob, and scatters in Israel." 23. In the course of the present week, I received a recent proof of a few words being sufficient for the ministry, and as apples of gold set in pictures of silver: for at a sitting at T. B's, our beloved friend G. D. expressing only the following sentence, viz. " in my Father's house are many mansions;" "I go to prepare a place for you;" there appeared more of a ministry in them, (to myself at least) than sometimes in a multitude of words. EIGHTH MONTH, 1784.` 1. First day. Samuel Nottingham having had lively and acceptable service in the forenoon meeting at Horslydown, I was enabled in a subsequent space of solemn silence, internally to plead for mercy, with the fountain of mercy; to whom mercy, unlimited mercy, sovereign mercy, belongs. Some men are of a merciful forgiving disposition, and blessed are they: but as a mole-hill to a mountain, as a drop to the ocean; so are the mercies of men, in comparison of his, "who |