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ly satisfy me and my poor congregation with his mercy, that we may rejoice and be glad all our days ;— make us glad according to the days wherein he hath afflicted us, and the years wherein we have seen evil. This, with the two next verses, Psalm xc. 14—17. I tried to sing and pray over; I would endeavour to keep myself easy, and trust in the Lord for all. O that this were my attainment, whatever course the Lord takes with me! O that I had the comfort of seeing the pleasure of the Lord prospering in my heart, and in my hand! These I think are my sincere desires; may he who hath given the desire, grant the things desired. Amen.

Tranent, June 6, 1787.-Fast evening, prayedsung a few lines-read a few verses, and meditated a while on the evils in and about me ;-can say little more than observe that my views of them are exceedingly imperfect and indistinct. Yet, from the view I have of them, can perceive nothing but the most absolute need of the Saviour. In me there are deficiencies and pollutions of every kind; but I trust I am complete in him, my wisdom, my righteousness, my sanctification, my redemption, my all. Notwithstanding my baseness and wretchedness, with which I desire to be deeply affected, I would hope my desires are sincere, and from the heart, to be his only as a Christian, and serve him in the Gospel as a minister. Felt this evening some earnestness in respect of these and some other concerns, and prayed that his Spirit and presence may be with me, and with the congregation on the approaching solemnity. O that it may be a time of love, a time of refreshing, and a day of power. My heart's desire is that God's presence may be with us all: It would be a pleasing

sight indeed to behold Satan's kingdom falling, and Christ's rising and increasing more and more.

Tranent, December, 29, 1787.-In views of a winter sacrament, was helped to some degree of earnestness in prayer for the Lord's presence. Had humbling thoughts of myself, considering it wonderful that the Lord had not thrust me from the pulpit into the pit. O were it his pleasure to favour us in every respect, to give us a season of spiritual revival-but God the Spirit is sovereign and good;-believe and wait-hope and pray.

Tranent, Jan. 28, 1788.-Administered the Sacrament Jan. 20th; the Lord dealt kindly with us in many respects; in several of which I thought I saw a return of prayer. Although I was rather languid throughout, yet not without some solid impressions, and some degree of liveliness, particularly in consecrating the elements, and serving the first table, a deadness seized me at the second table when communicating; however, a sincere desire to be the Lord's, and a hearty willingness to give myself unto him, is, I think, a constant and an abiding principle in my soul at all times. On that text, 2 Cor. viii. 5. "They gave their ownselves to the Lord." I preached two Sabbaths before this sacrament with some satisfaction to myself, and I would hope with some profit to my hearers. O that the blessed Jesus would smile on my poor endeavours, and enable me to be more in real good earnest with my work, and more successful in it. Preached yesterday from 2 Cor. ix. 15. thanks be unto God for his unspeakable gift! desirous of stirring up myself and people to gratitude for the Lord's goodness, especially in the instance specified in the

text, but could not get into the spirit of the doctrine as I wished; however let me be thankful-the Lord is kind indeed, considering what I am, and what I deserve. May my heart be bound with gratitude to Him, warm and everlasting.

Tranent, Feb. 18, 1788.-Set apart some time for meditation and prayer, but ah, my aversion to, and deadness in these exercises! Notwithstanding, I believe it is good for me to draw near unto the Lord. O that in my experience I felt better and better. Reviewing the past part of my life, was sensible there was much ground of humiliation and thanksgiving. Having the prospect of entering into the married state with M. H. attempted to give ourselves unto the Lord, praying that we might be betrothed unto Him for ever in righteousness, in judgment, in loving-kindness, in mercies and in faithfulness. I wish to be kept humble and thankful, and in a close and constant dependence on the Lord. I think all the leading dispensations of his providence towards me clearly designed to make me so ;-my own hopes are commonly dashed, and my own plans are usually disappointed before the mercy desired is granted;-according to my little observation and experience, the best wine is brought forth last, there is first a casting down, and then a lifting up. The counsel of the Lord standeth sure, the thoughts of his heart to all generations. A man's heart deviseth his way, but the Lord directeth his steps. My only wish is, that all may be for his glory and our good, and as he seems to answer what hath been a matter of concern to me, in this instance, may I speedily obtain it in another-a prosperous congregation; and let me be his humble, faithful and devoted servant for ever. May his grace at all times,

and in all things, be sufficient for the weak and unworthy writer, who subscribes himself a debtor and dependent for all. ROBERT SHIRREFF.

Tranent, April 23, 1789.-Day of public thanksgiving. I consider the mercies of the Lord as very great, and quite undeserved. Lord I am less than the least of them, yet my cup runneth over, and I would humbly hope I have an interest in the great mercy promised unto the Fathers. Can say little more on this head, than just bewail my insensibility and ingratitude; if in some degree I am earnest in praying for the mercies of my heavenly Father, I seldom or never fail in being less fervent in returning thanks for them. Confusion of face belongs unto me, but when my time comes, I shall be what I should be, and do what I ought to do. The present is a state of trial and suffering; the Lord tries me presently, and for some considerable time past, with weakness of mind and nerves, so that his work which I hoped to be the pleasure of my life, and in which I have found cordial delight, is become in a sense a fear, and a burden to me; yet, still employed in it, as I would wish to be, he carries me through it without confounding me before the people, though frequently I feel great inward distress and weakness.

Tranent, Sept. 7, 1789.—I am again plunged into deep waters; the Lord hath exercised me with a sharp trial-the death of my dear wife. Delivered, August 22d, about half-past ten at night, of a daughter, she seemed easy, and in as good a way of recovery as we could desire all that night and next day, till between twelve and one of the following morning, when she was suddenly seized with a dangerous illness of the

inflammatory kind, which brought on a mortification, that put a period to her life about 10 minutes after 8 of the morning of the 26th of that month. Now when in the dust, I pretend not to do justice to her character; but may say that she was an amiable woman, an affectionate wife, and a sensible companion. I have also good reason to believe that she was an excellent and valuable Christian. Though her superior qualities were veiled with an uncommon degree of modesty, yet they could not be wholly concealed; breaking forth reluctantly on her part, they were, so far as known, admired by all her relations and acquaintances; consequently she was much esteemed by them all. To this the humility of her mind and the sweetness of her natural dispositions contributed, rendering all her excellencies greater and more engaging; but she is now no more.

This and the whole of it hath been an affecting scene to me, but the Lord has not left me without some supporting consolation; he hath borne and carried, and delivered through this Providence, which at a distance would, I think, have overwhelmed me.It is a hard dispensation, but I confess that it is measured out in righteousness-I desire to get my mind reconciled unto it as the doing of the Lord. The exercises of my mind urder it have been various; but I found this a quieting consideration, that God hath done it. Much of his hand appeared in forming the connexion, and in favouring us with mutual comfort the short time it lasted-only about 18 months, and since his hand is as evident in the dissolution of it, let me submit and adore. Have tried to be earnest in prayer, that the dispensation might be sanctifiedenabled at times to call the Lord my God with more

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