“_Thursday 8._ Poured out my soul before the Lord, who gave me to feel hearty contrition with earnest desires to be sanctified wholly. For
“O how wavering is my mind Tost about with every wind? O how quickly doth my heart From the living God depart.”
“Son of God, set me free, and knit my soul to thyself!”
“_Saturday 10._ The Lord sweetly refreshed my spirit, I was strongly moved to pour out my soul, for my enemies, and all that forget God. There was a burning in my heart after all the life of God. Nothing appeared so desirable as holiness. O God take the whole capacity of my soul, and possess it by thy spirit.”
“_Sunday 25._ I have had a proof to day of the vanity and uncertainty of human friendship. Some who loved and greatly esteemed me when I left _Dublin_, about ten weeks ago, will now, at my return, hardly speak to me. O that I may seek friendship and all good in God alone.”
*“Some words I heard this morning pierced me to the very soul. Enter not into judgment with thy servant, O Lord. I fly to Jesus, the _just one_, to hide me in his wounds. He is my sanctuary, the ark, the covenant, and the true altar. Come my life, my treasure, and my God, shine into this drooping heart. Have I not an interest in thy blood! Am I not a child of thine, O God? Hast thou not said unto me, _live_? O that thy powerful voice would now speak to my soul, and bless me, O my Father!”
“How little do I know of God, or of myself? O what a mystery is man? How difficult to find, and then to lose himself! Lord, I long to be settled and fixed in thee! O how does this mortal body press down the soul!”
“_Saturday April 21._ Strengthened in the hope of full redemption. Jesus forsake me not, or I shall be of all men most miserable!”
“_Wednesday May 4._ Woke with the presence of God. Jesus was amiable, and altogether lovely to my soul. My heart was carried out in praise to him for redeeming me, and making me his own for ever, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost.”
*“I earnestly longed after inward holiness: the image of God brought into my soul. For then only shall I be truly happy, when self-love, self-will, and all other roots of bitterness are rooted out of my heart, and the pure love of God overflows my whole soul. When Jesus is the supreme and sole governor, and all things within, are subdued by his grace; then the heart rests in peace, and all things move in their proper time and manner. The soul is retired, tho’ in the midst of hurry; and sweet peace, and joy flow from Jehovah, their source. This is the victory, the salvation, the liberty, the deliverance from sin, which very few believe, and which no one can know, save he that receiveth it. But it is the privilege of the children of God, and every one who sincerely seeks and with all his might, strives for it, shall surely attain, by the Spirit of the Lord; for the mouth of the Lord hath spoken it.”
“_Friday 31._ After preaching, gave myself to my usual study. O freedom of heart, and contempt of the world, how great blessings are ye? Plentifully did the Lord shower his love into my soul this day, in our public meeting. Verily thou art the pleasure of my soul, the hope and desire of my heart.”
“This day God prepared me for a sore trial, by giving me sweet repose in his love. I lived as it were in heaven. My soul was ravished with his sweetness. So was I enabled to bear with calmness and patience, the abusive language of one who came to my room, breathing out threatenings against me. Alas, How many are there who are great friends in profession, but not such in reality.”
“_Saturday August 29._ In the night I was grievously tempted of the devil. He injected such blasphemies, and threw such fiery darts as I never experienced before. I was sore amazed, and cried unto the Lord Jesus. He heard my cry, bruised his head and delivered my soul from his rage and fury. Lord, thou upholdest me, or I should fall! O stay with me, till I arrive safe in thy kingdom!”
“_Sunday, September 1._ Was a day of feasting and rejoicing to my soul. I had sweet converse with my Beloved, while I joyed in his salvation. I proclaimed his name to thousands, from _Jeremiah vi. 10._ And never felt more freedom to preach my Saviour. O my Lord, thou art precious to my soul, and thy service is my reward!”
“_1754. Sunday, March._ At the Lord’s supper this morning, my soul was dissolved with divine love. I could bless God that ever I was born to so happy and glorious an end, as to love and praise and serve my Redeemer. Yes, Jesus, thou art precious to my soul. Thy yoke is easy, and thy commandments holy and just and good. I desire to keep them with my whole heart.”
“The more I see of the world, the less happiness I can discern in it. Happy are they who are well out of it. Let me die the death of the righteous, and let my last end be like his.”