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viz. O Lord! keep thou the doors of our lips, that we offend not with our tongues.

29. During this month, an increase in bodily strength has been continued. Some embarrassment on account of acute disease in the neighbourhood, has for some days past been rather prevalent; and interrupted a due gratitude and thankfulness for an increase of strength and health, beyond all human probability; but this day, I remembered with consolation and self-application, the following declarations in Holy writ, viz. "When Israel came out of Egypt," " Jordan was driven back; the mountains skipt as rams, and the little hills as lambs :" the great mountain became a plain.

SEVENTH MONTH, 1787.

1. In the forenoon meeting, heaviness and lassitude attended; towards the close of the sitting, the spirit of heaviness was removed, and a religious exercise increased; all visions of a divine savour were withheld; "the wind bloweth" when and where it listeth." I hope this sitting in poverty and outward silence was profitable; although before the close, as is too common, some were desirous of the meeting breaking up; an error very inconsistent with the profession of a patient waiting; for, after we have long sat under the dominion of death, eircumscribed with penury

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and distress, He who "turneth the shadow of death into the morning," is sometimes pleased by an unexpected exertion of grace, to cause light to arise out of obscurity; to quicken the dead, and to call "those things which be not, as though they were:" His is the power, and to him the praise belongs.

2. The monthly meeting was large and measurably satisfactory; I was enabled, if I mistake not, to speak in the meeting for business with some clearness on various subjects. Walking in the evening in the meadows behind my former habitation, near Cowbridge, I was enabled in weakness to petition the Supreme Being, that sweetness of spirit might prevail; that instead of the thorn, there might be the myrtle, and instead of the briar, the fir tree; for a name and a sign not to be cut off, to the praise of the Prince of Peace. Amen.

8. After attending the forenoon meeting at Hitchin, I was at an evening meeting at Wymondly; where after two testimonies were delivered, there was a long time in silence; during which, inward and religious exercise was experienced, and an increase of solemnity seemed to cover the large assembly, which I believe was upon the whole satisfactory.

25. Went in great distress to the evening meeting; by a remembrance of that faith in Christ by which "the elders obtained a good report" before the law, and under the law; but which is

more conspicuously signified by the manifestation of God in the flesh, and the publication of the gospel; I was measurably relieved.

28. I have been at Hitchin above three weeks; have experienced during that period a considerable increase of bodily health and strength; every increase in that which is of good, "cometh from the Father of light" and spirits, whether it is ghostly or corporeal; but that increase which is by the faith of Christ, is inestimably precious, the chiefest good; and proceeding from Him who is from everlasting to everlasting, is of an everlasting duration but in this, I have grievously fallen short; when I would have done well, evil has been too frequently present with me: who shall deliver me from "the law in my members," which warreth against the law in my mind? “I delight in the law of God, after the inward man."

29. Two low meetings at Hitchin, and very small; but I hope not altogether unprofitable.

30. I went with my wife to Baldock monthly meeting, which was large and satisfactory; our friend T. D. of Surry, being accidentally present, appeared in testimony: towards the close, some words were spoken concerning the benefit of a due attendance of such assemblies, if the minds of those present were exercised in feeling after that inward life, which far surpasses all that is outward.

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EIGHTH MONTH, 1787.

1. I came with my wife and sister D. from Hitchin, having passed a month in and about that town; my strength and health were considerably increased during that time; but a due thankfulness for the unexpected blessing received, and the fruits of righteousness and peace, were greatly wanting.

5. I was at Hertford meeting in the forenoon, which was a low season.

6. Some degree of life seemed to attend in the monthly meeting.

12. Went with my wife and M. P. in great weakness to Crossbrook-street general meeting, which was small, and to some a suffering season.

15. I went in a coach to the week-day meeting, in much faintness and debilitation; but after sitting a while, some glances were imparted towards the great Physician, who heard the blind man, that earnestly sought for help from him; He" is the same yesterday, to-day, and for ever,” and " in Him dwelleth all the fulness of the godhead." I received a hint, if possible to continue my diary, which has of late been too much neglected; it may perhaps be only necessary to add a few lines to those which are written. A peaceable day, with some desires after the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus.

16. Great lowness and languor continue, the

little degree of strength which was unexpectedly renewed, being dried up as a potsherd; I am in "the dust of death," but there is life in Christ, and that is the light of them who sit in darkness, bound in chains of affliction and iron. My wife read to me in Quarles's Barnabas and Boanages, and some other pious books.

17. On my bed I suddenly remembered these words, which I found written in the 14th chapter of the book of Hosea, viz. "I will be as the dew unto Israel; he shall grow as the lily, and cast forth his roots as Lebanon;" a gracious promise. Very weak and low, but pretty clear from condemnation on account of temporary transgression. 21. I came from Hartford to Tooley-street.

25. Since I have been in London my bodily strength has increased, with frequent incitements to petulance and peevishness; nevertheless, desires have attended, that being "blind as the Lord's servant, seeing many things" but observing them not; opening mine ears, but hearing not; I might be delivered from "debates, envyings, wrath, strifes, backbitings, whisperings, swellings, tumults."

26. I was rather recollected in the room adjoining to the Park meeting-house in the forenoon; I remembered those who were tried at the water, and the men who lapped, even "as a dog lappeth."

29. In the evening with soreness in my throat, I was cast down; I remembered that awful and

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