retain a lively sense of what God has done or me, my family, and flock. It should pain me to think that grateful impressions are so feeble and inoperative. I trust God has given me his grace, which is infinitely better than silver and gold; though, in this respect, he has communicated more liberally than I ever expected, or could deserve. While I would be thankful for all his mercies, I would prize the best, and request that none of these inferior blessings may occupy any undue place in my heart. Though an economist in the use of money on common things, yet would not feel backward in laying it out for whatever purpose has the glory of my God and Saviour for its object. My prayer in this, as in every other case, is to know my duty, and to be strengthened for the performance of it. Forbid, O God, that ever I should be averse to serve thee with the first and best of all that I am or have. But here, too, I come short, and ought to be ashamed of myself. Let me declare mine iniquity, and be sorry for my sin ; and endeavour through grace to be more holy and humble, more devoted to the interests of religion, and more liberal in distributing to the necessities of the saints, for the sake of our common Lord and Master. Amen.

Tranent, Feb. 27, 1806. Sacrament fast.—On Sabbath first the holy ordinance of the supper is, God willing, to be administered. In the prospect, we have this day been employed in fasting, as was also the nation at large on account of the war. Having none to assist me, I preached twice from Hosea. xiv. 2, 3. Considering penitent Israel's conduct as recorded for the instruction and imitation of penitent sinners and nations in after times: the Lord was gra

cious, and I desire to be thankful. I would mention his goodness in relation to my bodily health; though not exempted this season from the cold, attended with a cough, yet the visitation hitherto has been moderated, and I have not been disabled for public service. I would hope the God of my health will continue to favour me in this respect, to the end I may glorify him. Now I am by myself, conscious that the Lord looketh on the heart, and that my Father. seeth in secret, I do sincerely record my convictions, my feelings, and my desires; my convictions of guilt, my feelings of misery, and my desires of mercy, through the righteousness of my dear Redeemer. With these views I preach the truth to others, I receive it for myself, and make an open confession of it in the church, and before all men- -God forbid that I should glory but in the cross. I would persuade myself of the presence of my God in the sanctuary. What will he withhold from those of whom he speaks as his people that have sought him? he says unto them, "be it unto thee even as thou wilt." I humbly hope that God will not forget me-no; the word is gone out of his mouth in righteousness, "O Israel, thou shalt not be forgotten of me. Herein I do and will rejoice, casting my fears and dependencies to the moles and to the bats. So be it, and so I trust it shall be.

Tranent, March 5, 1806.-Well, my God hath not disappointed me; "he is found of them that seek him." Strengthened, I hope, by his grace, I was enabled to speak with some degree of feeling and readiness on the poverty of our Lord Jesus Christ, "who though he was rich, yet for our sakes became poor." (Action sermon text.) Let gratitude and love con

tinually work in my heart; much is forgiven me, much is done for me, and much is promised unto me. O let me love much. I would wish to recommend the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ to all that hear me, and may God make my services acceptable to the saints; he hath not left me, and I trust never will; changes have befallen us, but he still continues to uphold us. To me individually, his providences have been changing and diversified, yet not without a large infusion of mercy and goodness. I will trust him, and praise him, and live and die rejoicing in him; praying that I, my family, and my flock, may be to the Lord for a name and for an everlasting sign that shall not be cut off. Content to be enriched through his poverty, and willing to ascribe the whole praise to the glory of his grace; not unto me, not unto me; unto thee, O God, I give thanks, I do give thanks to thee, for that thy name is near, thy wondrous works declare. In relation to what may await me, it is not for me to know. Let me rejoice in the will of my God, and labour to be accepted of him; employing my time, my strength, my character, my influence, my all, to his glory. So help me. Amen.

Tranent, May 11, 1806. Sabbath evening.-How long, O Lord, shall vain vexing thoughts prey upon me? why is it thus with me? shew me wherefore thou contendest with me-uphold me in mine integrity, and set me continually before thy face-let not mine enemies rejoice over me-make me more than feet a conqueror-set my upon the Rock of Salvation, and there may I stand with firmness amid all the storms and tempests of this poor life-he shall dwell on high, and hear as below him the din and noise of

this bitter world. Alas! that I should be so little acquainted with the calmness and composure, the joy and peace of believing. Were my faith vigorous and active, I might be always cheerful, elevated, and happy; but this grace is sometimes as it were asleep, and then there is within darkness, disorder, impatience, fretfulness, and every evil work. Have to bewail that these discourses on the abounding of sin and grace, and the superabounding of the one to the other, have not had that sweetness to me in the delivery and afterwards, which such precious things ought to have; though not so savoury to me, they may perhaps be satisfactory to others. The most excellent doctrines will make no impression on our obdurate hearts, but as the Lord the spirit pleaseth. Amen.

Tranent, July 24, 1806. Sacrament Fast evening."There is another law in my members warring against the law of my mind," I cannot do the things which I would-I feel corrupt affections lively and strong, gracious attainments languid and feeble, and spiritual exercises heavy and long-strengthen, O God, the things that remain. I will not cast away my confidence-my faith rests not on frames and feelings the word of the Lord endureth for ever. Looking to it, I will rejoice in hope; as a sinner, as a Christian, and as a minister, I derive encouragement from it. I will not dishonour my God, I will trust and not be afraid as for me, I will come to thy house in the multitude of thy mercies. Thus will I go to the sanctuary on earth and in heaven, to the pulpit and to the table, to services, to sufferings, to death, and to the tribunal, and, I will add, to God the judge of all. Such are the mercies of an atoned God, that they are my only resource. He is a merciful and a gracious

God I know he is so, and I hope to find him to be so.

Tranent, Sept. 12, 1806.-I write myself a debtor every day to the goodness of God; with much humility and self-condemnation should I acknowledge his kindness to me. What care do I perceive in others about their families? I would not be careless about mine, but let my chief care be that God may care for them; I give them to him that he may provide for them, and dispose of them to his own glory. Let me never forget what he hath done for the family of which I am a member: it is my duty to receive thankfully what God gives freely, and to make the best use of it, first unto his glory, and then for all the purposes of real advantage for my domestics-much wisdom and grace are requisite. The love of the world is a prevailing evil-let me use it, but not abuse it-let me not put it where it ought not to be-let me, in the same sense in which all true Christians are, be dead to it, and notwithstanding the use which my children may have of it-let me in my own time honour the Lord with what he gives me-Abraham called the name of that place Jehovah-Jerah.

Tranent, Feb. 26, 1807. Sacrament Fast.-Preached this day on Luke ii. 48. and Rev. xvii. 14. The Lord does great things for me, the weakness of the instrument contributes to his honour. I cannot lift up myself what but gratitude and humility are be coming in such a debtor and dependant. I feel, if I am not deceived, a warm heart to the Lamb, an attachment to his interest, and a desire to promote his glory. Can hardly doubt of his love to me, but must lament my coldness and inactivity in his service.