dwelt in the bush, when the "bush burned, and was not consumed.".

7. As I was walking over London bridge, my mind was powerfully impressed with a consideration, that the time of my natural life being so far spent, every day, every hour, every moment, is a mercy; that if possible, I might redeem the time; because the days are few and evil.

II.

11. This week has, for the most part, been passed pretty comfortably; the fruits of that righteousness," which is sown in peace," having for the most part, been prevalent until this morning; when petulance sorrowfully prevailed. The usual plea for petulance is provocation; but what provocation can be pleaded, as a sufficient cause for transgressing the royal law of love? Where are the fruits of that "charity which suffereth long;" which, instead of being easily provoked, “beareth all things." Where is "the gentleness and meekness of Christ Jesus;" "who, when he was reviled, reviled not again; but committed himself to him that judgeth righteously?" Consequently, I went to the week-day meeting under condemnation; which was measurably alleviated under the ministry of our worthy friend, Samuel Nottingham; whom, after dinner, I accompanied to Dunkirk's farm; where, in the days of our youth, we were both frequently at the house of our deceased friend, Thomas Grubb; who was a tender nursing father to those who loved the truth, but hath long since been removed from works to rewards;

having in the meridian of human life, asleep in Christ.".

12.

"fallen

In the forenoon, myself and wife went with our beloved friend, S. N. in a chaise, to Ware; a meeting there being appointed at Samuel's request, in which he particularly enlarged, in an evangelical ministry; and after his having been exercised in supplication, a solemnity in silence covered the assembly; uncommon in these low and degenerate days. An eminent dissenting minister who was present, on his going out, addressed Samuel in a very affectionate manner; and others, not of our society, expressed their satisfaction.

13. This forenoon, myself and wife accompanied our friend S. N. in a chaise to Hitchin; he had lodged at our house four nights, and been chiefly with us in the day time, much to our satisfaction; his ministerial exercise having been not only lively and evangelical, but his conduct and conversation, comfortable and edifying.

15. First day. Myself and wife set out about seven in a chaise; and baiting at Hitchin, proceeded to the general meeting at Clifton; and reached Hartford about nine in the evening. Notwithstanding the length of the journey, and excessive heat of the weather, I came home without languor or weariness; an admirable and adorable mercy. The meeting was large, many of other professions being present; some of whom appeared sober and serious, but others restless enough:

3. Crawley, H. Kite, and Samuel Nottingham, respectively appeared in testimony. The members of our society are too generally" uncircumcised in heart and ear;" yet to the posterity of a people once highly favored, "is the dew of heaven" frequently diffused, both in a ministerial and immediate manner in their assemblies: from whence I am persuaded, did not their goodness pass away

as a morning cloud, and as the early dew," the Lord of infinite mercy would make many of them as polished shafts in his quiver; and in his quiver would he hide them. For many weeks past, both in a spiritual and corporeal sense, my days have been passed in weakness, and wearisome nights have been my allotment; but for a short time immediately preceding, my sorrows have been rather alleviated. Although great has been my spiritual poverty, and manifold my defects; yet in some good degree I have been enabled to seek the Lord, and the word of his holiness: "I have sought him, but I have found him not." Nevertheless, if "he standeth behind the wall, if he looketh forth at the windows, shewing himself through the lattice," adoration and thanks are due to him for ever.

18. In the week-day meeting, those present were persuaded to an introversion of spirit; that being turned from a state of natural darkness, to the inshining of divine light, they might not only receive remission of sins, but "have this treasure, in earthen vessels." During most of the sitting, a

degree of exercise, which had been recommended to others, was experienced in my own particular.

22.

The forenoon meeting was large, but wholly silent; some inward exercises and openings were attendant: in the afternoon, I was strongly assailed with a spirit of heaviness; but ere I was aware, a desire was raised,, that we might be "quickened together with Christ;” and a short testimony borne to that power, which is able to quicken the dead.

28. My bodily health and strength have, for some weeks, been rather increasing; but a fresh attack of a local complaint, has been this week renewed; so as to threaten a danger of dissolution. But what shall I say? I said in my youth, My days are as an hair's breadth; but, behold, the Lord hath made them a span long; my times are still in his hand, who can scatter every cloud, and make mercy to rejoice against judgment; and his ewn works to praise him. Recollection, and spiritual reading, have, this week, been not wholly omitted.

29. Both meetings were held in silence: in the forenoon, some solemnity attended; and va, rious allusions to passages in the Old Testament were immediately suggested, respecting the neces sity of our ascent in spirit, from that which is visible to that which is invisible; from earth to heaven, in and by Christ, the heavenly Elijah, the prophet, and high-priest; who hath consecrated

for us a new and living way through the veil, that is to say, his flesh.

31. In the evening, as I walked in the fields, I remembered the Lord, and his loving kindnesses, which have been of old, and his compassions, which have been renewed every morning: that balm of Gilead, and never-failing medicine for the diseased in body or spirit, only administered by the Mediator, who, himself, in the days of his flesh, took our infirmities, and bare our sicknesses; and remains unchangeably the physician, and highpriest of his people; "Christ Jesus, the same yesterday, to-day, and for ever;" "God over all; blessed for ever, Amen."

NINTH MONTH, 1784.

I. This day commenced the ninth month in the year 1784. Thanks are due for the preservations and upliftings of the last; if life, and a degree of health, are vouchsafed to the conclusion of the present, may an offering be prepared to him, who delivers from evil; and a tribute of thanks to the "Preserver of men."

4. The most part of this week, bodily pains have been relaxed; and desires after "the increase, which is of God," have been freshly renewed: this day, I spoke unadvisedly, and closed the week under condemnation.

5. Notwithstanding, in the night and morning,