“I met with several trials to-day, but it was given me to bear them chearfully, and to praise the Lord, who has given me integrity of heart, and simplicity of intention, in all my ways. Lord I love thee. I will praise thy name yet more, even for ever and ever!”
“O how plain is it, that God reveals to babes, those gracious things which are hid from the wise and prudent; so doth he magnify his mercy, and stain the pride of human glory. In my closet I wept much, that I may be more filled with God than ever.”
“I thirsted and prayed this day to be with him. My whole soul was in a flame for God. O for more faith, to see him continually!”
“Lord, I am sorely tempted, but thou comfortest me. I am happy in thy love. Still open thy kingdom more fully and powerfully _within_ me.”
“In all things I come short; but I have the testimony of a good conscience.”
*“I stand as in the presence of God. The awe of God I feel rests upon my soul. O how dreadful, and yet how joyful is this place! Lord Jesu, thou art _Immanuel_, God with _me_!”
“I mourned for the sins of the people, and found a willingness even to lay down my life, if that would save them from hell. Many wept, and trembled. O the depths of love in God!”
“I felt this day an ardent desire to suffer for his name-sake, tho’ I am conscious of my own weakness.”
“Being much disturbed by dreams, I rose early, and called upon God. I continued reading, praying, and weeping, till seven in the evening. I was mollified, and deeply humbled. My soul adored _Immanuel_, and desired to die, rather than offend him. O Holy Ghost, abide with, and in me for ever! A short sentence which occurred this day in reading, and which I made the subject of discourse, deeply affected me; namely.
‘אלהים אתה אלי’
“O God, thou art my God. Blessed be thy Majesty, and exalted be thy name. Let the earth and heavens praise and proclaim thy greatness and glory. Jesus, I love and adore thee! My soul’s delight is in thee!”
“I was told of some who talked evil of me. I prayed for myself, and for them, and truly the love of God was as a mighty fire in my soul. O what a heaven is this!”
“Altho’ love and joy lived and flowed in me, yet I wept and made supplication, being strongly tempted by the devil. Ah Lord. Thou knowest my state and trials. My desire is before thee, and my groanings are not hid from thee. Hast not thou made me pure, and sealed me thine for ever! Shine on thy work, and bear thy witness with my heart. Suffer not thy servant to be of a doubtful mind.”
“I see, that I ought to be much in prayer for the _Holy Ghost_. I plainly perceive that to be taught by him for one hour, is more profitable to the soul than many days reading.”
“I spent several hours in private, begging of God to enable me to fulfil the law of love. I feel so as I cannot write, the extent of Christian obedience. How deep, how wide!”
“Deliver me O Lord from the strife of tongues, and from the ungodly, who are a sword of thine. I found in retirement this day sore struggles, and deep consolation.”
*“O how great is the profit of simple prayer, and diligent reading of the holy scriptures? They are I find, of singular service to me. My soul is calmed, sweetened, melted, invigorated, and sensibly strengthened in the exercise of these holy duties. I weep and pray, and give thanks: yet still, I want deeper repentance, and much more humility. I would be penetrated with the sense of _my own_ helplessness; and I do not find power equal to my will. I live however by faith, and find God unspeakably, and continually present.”
“My soul was solidly happy, and longing for humility this day. I desire to be simple, and filled more abundantly with love to God and my neighbour.”
“I never felt such gratitude to God, as I did this day, for bringing me from the idolatry of the _Romish_ church. My heart was grieved in reading some of their horrid doctrines¹ about saints, and images. O God, thou hast done this for me; and thou hast done many thousand things beside for me; and now I beseech thee do this for me, give me an humble, thankful and penitent heart.”
¹ He was about this time, employed partly in reading Bishop _Usher_’s famous disputation with the _Jesuits_ in _Ireland_. And of this book he says, ‘I cannot think that a papist who has learning and the fear of God, can, after reading it, remain in the errors of _Popery_.’
“This was a feast, and a fast day to my soul. All the ordinances of God are exceeding precious and profitable to me.”
“I was all day deeply engaged with God: wept much, and prayed earnestly, yet I had not much joy. I had a full and firm confidence that he would fulfil his word of promise to my soul. My weakness can do nothing without thy power. I lay hold on thy strength, and offer myself to thy holy will. O let me glorify thee, as well by _suffering_ as by _doing_.”