“_Thursday 23._ At _Bristol_, I met Mr. W. T. under whose preaching (as has been related) God gave me the clear witness of his forgiving love. Our meeting was for the better. _As iron sharpneth iron, so doth the countenance of a man his friend._ We remembered the years of the right hand of the most high; and how the Lord filled our mouths with laughter, when he brought back our captivity. Lord bless this man, and make him faithful in all things! And now that I am come to this city to preach the gospel of the kingdom, and spend my life and strength in thy service; assist me O Lord, and make thy goodness known to me. Give me wisdom and strength, O help me Lord Jesus, to glorify thy name. Amen.”
“I read through to day, the epistle of St. James. And I do not wonder that the proud, the sensual, and the lovers of the world, yea all the ungodly of the earth, should find fault with it. In prayer with the family, the spirit was poured out from on high upon us, and great grace rested upon us all.”
“After prayer this morning, I began and read through, in _Greek_ and _Latin_ the 2d. Epistle to _Timothy_, and found much instruction, and reproof for my soul. O what a man ought a minister to be! How holy, and how wise! What courage, zeal, patience and temperance, are necessary for him in an especial manner in order to give account of himself and others to God with joy.”
“Preaching on _1 John iv. 18._ My mind was more clearly enlightened than ever, to see that _perfect love is Christian perfection_. By simple, but powerful faith, I desire to attain it; and to live and grow in this love, till my spirit returns to God.”
With such desires, and in such meditations as these did he spend his days and nights, longing and sighing for the sight of God continually; and in his prayers, the violence of his affections, did not a little increase the weakness of his body.
The End of the _Eleventh_ VOLUME.