préparations, and influence me to go to the pulpit in a humble dependant frame of mind. Since the public services of the day were finished, I have been essaying the duties of consideration, confession, and supplication; but, alas! I attained not to any degree of fervour in them. I attempted, however, as a vile creature, to give myself, my family, my flock, unto the Lord. What can I do? where can I go? upon whom can I rely? all refuge fails me- -there is none that can take effectual care of my soul-wherefore I will cry unto the Lord, I will say unto him, thou art my refuge, and my portion in the land of the living. I would likewise desire to accept of him as the God of my child; trusting and praying that he will be my God, and the God of my seed-so be it, O Lord. Another year is on the point of leaving me. Reflecting on the events of it, I see a diversified scene of mercies and judgments, of comforts and crosses, of smiles and frowns. Considering all the way by which the Lord hath led me in the course of my pilgrimage, let me set up a stone, and call the name of it Ebenezer, saying, hitherto hath the Lord helped me. Pensive and thoughtful, broken in heart, and wounded in spirit, mine eyes are unto thee, O God, thou givest power to the faint, and to them that have no might thou increasest strength. Having these promises, why art thou cast down, O my soul? why art thou not always triumphing in Christ Jesus?

Tranent, Feb. 21, 1791.-In dependence on God, let me cast away my fears, and rejoice all the day. Alas! that I should be so fearful, so distrustful, so unbelieving; this may be owing in part to the weak and wounded state of my mind; but the Lord who

knoweth my frame will not, I hope, break the bruised reed, nor quench the smoking flax. Let me encourage myself in the Lord my God, believing that in the day when I call upon him, he will draw near unto me, and say, fear not. Our Fathers trusted in him, and he did deliver them; he will be the same to their believing children, none of whom shall be confounded. How precious the word of God-how suitable in all cases-how pertinent to mine! Believing it, let me rejoice in hope that the Lord will be my rock, my fortress, and my deliverer. The Lord work all his work in me, make me a shining Christian, a successful minister, and a lively expectant of the glory which shall be revealed. Amen.

Tranent, May 9, 1791.-I would desire to cast myself, in all my personal and relative concerns, on the mighty God my Saviour-my precious soul, my child, my family, my flock, and my friends; and Oh! that I might be enabled to do so with the heart, that whatever the Lord means to do with me in his providence, I may cheerfully submit. Yet, Lord, what wilt thou have me to do, my trials have come in the course of thy providence, support me under them, let me not fall before them; give me animal spirits, but especially an abundant supply of the spirit of Jesus Christ, particularly when I feel frequently so much a want of the former. Let me wait on the Lord, and be of good courage, hoping he will yet strengthen my heart.

Tranent, July 28, 1791. Fast evening.-Sitting and meditating by myself, what says my conscience to the following questions: What evidences have I

that I am Christ's? He is, I think, precious to me. Upon what ground do I stand? upon the sure foundation which God has laid in Zion. What are my ends in remembering Christ's death? that this command of his may be obeyed, and that my poor soul may be filled as with marrow and fatness. What should be my exercise at the table of the Lord ? resigning myself unto him, and casting all my cares upon him, temporal, spiritual, personal and relative, for time and eternity. What petitions shall I present ? that my carnal mind may be spiritualised, that my perverse temper may be rooted out, that my will may be subdued, that my trials may be sanctified, grace may be given to support under them, and that I may be enabled to wait on the Lord in the exercise of faith and patience till deliverance is vouchsafed. I would hope such are my views and sentiments; Lord, perfect that which concerneth me. I am poor and needy-think upon me thou art my help and my deliverer-make no tarrying, O my God! Let thy work be the delight of my soul, and the mean of much good to the souls of others. Amen.

that

Tranent, November 28, 1791.-This is the day on which I was born, O that it may be as the beginning of days unto me, the Lord renewing my days as of old, and causing me to sing as in the days of my younger years; with my soul, and all that is within me, I would bless the Lord, and say of him, "He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in him will I trust." Cast down at times I am; cast off, I trust, I never am, nor ever shall be; for I take this promising God to be my God for ever and ever, and my guide even unto death. With him also I would entrust my child, my family, my flock; as to my per

sonal concerns, I leave them with him, desiring and hoping that he will perfect that which concerneth me. Lord, thy mercy lasteth for ever! Let my shadow of death be turned into the morning; let me be strengthened with might, and rejoice as a strong man to run a race. Thus may it be with him, who, though unworthy of the name, subscribes himself the Lord's servant for ever. ROBERT SHIRREFF.

Tranent, Feb. 14, 1792.- Providence hath been vi siting me with a fresh trial-inflicting the small-pox on my child. I have yet cause to praise God this affliction hath been tempered with much mercy; now there are some appearances of its removal. O the goodness of God! he knows my frame, and does not suffer me to be tempted above what I am able to bear. But ah! my own weakness, I am hasty and distrustful, as if I were afraid he was deficient in wisdom and goodness to manage all our concerns. It ought to be a wonder to me that he does not bring my fears upon me. Let me bewail my unbelieving anxiety, and regret my want of faith in the promise, and trust in the providence of God-Lord help both. We have the prospect of a sacramental solemnity on the first Sabbath of March ensuing. In some degree sensible of my need, I would desire to wait on the Lord for every thing, as a Christian and a minister. In both respects I would hope that my God will supply all my needs by Christ Jesus. Amen.

Tranent, Feb. 29, 1792. Fast evening.-My heart is hard, my thoughts are vain, my affections are cold; this, alas! is too much my situation; but it is not to be rectified by staying from God; I will therefore go to him, crying, Lord circumcise my heart, establish my

thoughts, and warm my affections by a live coal from the altar. I would take notice that this is the day on which my short time in the married state commenced in the year 1788. Oh! the vanity of life, and the uncertainty of human friendships. Lord, betrothe me unto thee for ever. Amen.

Tranent, June, 11, 1792.-Preached yesterday on the Christian's triumph over death. My desire is, that the truths spoken may be the faith and the food of my own soul at all times, particularly at that trying period. Have much work before me; I desire to prepare for it, and to go through with it, looking to the Lord for direction, assistance, and acceptance. Although seldom very lively in my addresses to God, yet my persuasion of the need in which I stand of his presence is, I think, constant and firm. The question is, do I belong unto the Lord? Yes, Lord, I am thine; I have often said it before, I repeat it again, and will adhere unto it living and dying. Let me then hope that my Lord will be with me to perform all things for me, till he hath perfected that which concerneth me. In views of sacramental solemnities, I renew my claim, and desire that a sincere and lively hope of promoting the glory of God, the honour of Christ, and the good of souls, may animate me in the whole of my conduct; to these let me add the hope of getting something for myself. O it were desirable to have the Lord working with me, in and by me, that my heart being lifted up in the good ways of the Lord, I may run my race of service and suffering with pleasure and perseverance, till I have finished my course with joy. Come then, my soul, trust a faithful God, rejoice to do his will, and continue hoping unto the end. Why art thou cast down? wherefore do ye