blessings which I am favoured with, and may it be my daily concern to improve them.

8. Still struggling with my frailties. What an unspeakable favour that the Lord should still condescend to aid me with his Spirit, in limiting the desires and thoughts of my vain heart. O, that it were wholly conformable to his divine will, and my will wholly slain. Then "instead of the "thorn would come up the fir-tree, and instead of "the brier would come up the myrtle-tree, &c." Blessed exchange!

10. A fresh scene of trial and affliction opened on us to-day, under which I was favoured to feel a degree of humble resignation.

15. My poor weak mind disquieted with some cross occurrences this morning, for want of keeping on the watch: never, sure, had I more need of it than at this juncture, when adverse winds blow from different quarters. O, to keep in the patience.

25. Since the last remark, have been to London to attend the yearly meeting, which I esteem a great favour: and though my poor mind has at times been greatly depressed on account of a very afflictive event, and prevented from much enjoyment in company, even of valuable friends, whom I loved and esteemed, yet I have with sincere gratitude to acknowledge that the staff hath evidently accompanied the rod; and some seasons of sweet refreshment been mercifully vouchsafed. May renewed vigilance and circumspection denote the deep sense I retain of such unmerited favours.

SIXTH MONTH, 1793.

3. Have been favoured, in my solitary sitting. this evening, to see some of the various stratagems of an unwearied enemy to destroy and lay waste the good seed of the kingdom. How cunning,. how subtile is he, transforming himself at times. into an angel of light! O, may I dwell near that divine Power, who alone can preserve from this devourer.

5. Have been led this evening to look back a little, and number some of the many blessings received. A humbling yet profitable employ; as it tends to reduce sclf, and strip it of every fancied excellence.

8. Took a walk. Was too light and airy in my conversation, for which I quickly felt gently. corrected, which humbled me; and when I returned, sought retirement; when I was enabled to approach Him whom I believe I had offended; and believe my penitence and tears were accepted.

14. Indisposed. Staid from meeting; but did not let the time pass unimproved: during my silent sitting before the Lord, the remembrance of my dear departed sister Lettice was unexpect edly brought to my mind, with so much sweetness and brokenness, that it seemed as if our spirits were afresh united. The impression left is plea

sant.

20. Sat up last night with a sick friend;

O, my

which was an instructive season to me. soul, mayst thou sufficiently improve by these lessons; line upon line, &c. Am thankful in believing that my faith and confidence in the Lord does increase.

21. A sweet refreshing time at our week-day meeting, though silent. Oh, what an unspeakable favour to feel an evidence at times that we are not following cunningly devised fables, but the eternal living substance!

30. Went to our quarterly meeting at Wandsworth; thought the morning meeting rather dull; the evening and next morning favoured seasons: and though dear Samuel Emlen and Richard Baker were led in close searching testimonies, yet they seemed fully to believe that the arm of divine compassion and regard was afresh extended to a backsliding generation. Marvellous love and condescension! O, that it might prevail on some, who I believe have strayed far from the true sheep-fold, to return while the day of mercy lasts.

SEVENTH MONTH, 1793.

3. Have felt the attacks of an unwearied enemy to draw my mind from its true centre, and to lay waste every good resolution; insinuating that a state of perfection is unattainable: but was he not found a liar from the beginning? So doth he still remain.

9. Have felt the attractive influence of truth divers times to-day; and once, in particular, suppressing a wrong disposition, and enabling to flee to that name which is a strong tower. O, that I could dwell ever there; then would nothing be suffered to annoy. But, alas, I have often to mourn my instability!

23. Fresh trials of patience, under which was preserved in a good degree of quiet; which I esteem a favour and have also had, this evening renewedly, to Believe 'that it was nothing short of divine regard which first drew my mind to these frequent retirements; and am well convinced that it hath been a means of preservation. ~

29. Sat up last night with a sick child. My mind, both then, and to-day, was too much inclined to dwell on a subject which I think, if too much indulged, may be hurtful to me; yet have frequently breathed to the Lord for preservation within the limiting power of Truth.

EIGHTH MONTH, 1793.

2. Went to our monthly meeting: which proved (notwithstanding some unwatchfulness) a baptizing season. Among other things, dear uncle Kidd was led to mention, in the course of his testimony, that passage in scripture, "And I will turn "C my hand upon thee, and purely purge away thy "dross, and take away all thy tin." How did it

prostrate my soul before the Lord, with fervent desires that he would indeed thoroughly purge my heart of every defiling thing! Often am I made sensible of its impurity.

13. Not idly spent, as to action; but my mind too much outward, and too easily yielding to anxious thoughts. How much work does unwatchfulness make! Humbled this evening with the retrospection of my various infirmities as a creature; and how often they get the ascendancy over my good resolutions.

18. A precious watering season this morning at meeting. What can I render unto the Lord for all his benefits? Staid at home from meeting in the afternoon from necessity, not choice.

25. The rest of last week confined by illness; yet was gently dealt with; and so far recovered as to get down stairs to-day-renewed cause of humble thankfulness. Am fearful I have not yet learned sufficient meekness and patience under suffering. O, for an increase of it and every other virtue. What a poor creature am I when left to myself, and from under the seasoning virtue and efficacy of truth, which can alone preserve from the snares of death.

30. These last few days have been much taken up in preparing and coming to Bristol, yet my mind has, at times, been enabled to retire to the true centre, where I have felt quiet.