dead, hard, and impenetrable heart-God only can touch it may a live coal from the altar inflame it. Now, on a review of myself, my judgment tells me, and my conscience attests it, that I am a sinner; there is in my heart an unfathomable depth of deceit, there is in my practice an incalculable number of evils; I can neither deny them, nor atone for them; but I will betake myself to Jesus the Saviour, and I will rest on him for deliverance from them, and for the possession of salvation in all its promises and blessings. I adhere to my acceptance of him, professing my faith in him, and my dependence upon him; he is my Master, and I will serve him; he is my Redeemer, and I will hope to be redeemed by him; he is my God, and I will glory in him. I look unto him at this time for his presence, power, and spirit; I am encouraged to do so from former experience, and from present assurances in his word, that he will not forsake them that truly seek him; I have sought him, I feel a wish to seek him, and I hope he will not disappoint me-no, the Strength of Israel will not lie-with all safety I may trust to his word -living and dying I will trust-Lord help mine unbelief-O the need I have of him. A serious providence is visiting me and many others in the death of Mr. C—*, who is now lying a corpse in his house. What shall I say? One is taken, another is left.

Tranent, July 28, 1801.-I think I may speak to the praise of a promise-performing God; he hath not disappointed me; no, he hath dealt bountifully with me, making his service on Sabbath easy, pleasant, and delightful to me; and giving me at times, both in pri

The Parish Minister.

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vate and in public, to anticipate with some degree of satisfaction the glory which shall be revealed. What is this world compared with eternity? what are means and ordinances compared with the enjoyment of God himself? and it seems no very dreary thing to meet with death, and to lie down in a grave, in the faith of that light and gladness which are sown for the upright. A view of this disposes me to call frailty happy, and death desirable. Paul's faith will operate Paul's wish, "I desire to depart and to be with Christ, which is far better;" yet the Lord's time must be waited upon. He is sparing me, I hope it is for some good end; let me be thankful. I ought to sing unto the Lord-I ought to love him-I ought to serve him-I ought above many to say, " My mouth shall speak the praises of the Lord for ever and ever." Amen.

Tranent, Jan. 5, 1802.-With what humble, affec tionate, and grateful recollections should I be filled as on this day; three and twenty years have elapsed this day since I was invested with the ministerial office; how poorly have I discharged the duties of it-how inefficacious my ministrations-how wonderful the divine patience, forbearance, and long suffering kindness! I am spared-some of my brethren, the most of my fathers, and many of my congregation, are removed: I perceive, too, many deaths around me of friends, neighbours, and acquaintances; let me realize the time of my departure, and labour in the work of the Lord with increasing vigour. But, alas! what can I do? the Lord make me in my future course an active and faithful servant, zealous for his glory, successful in his work, and wise in winning souls to the Redeemer. This, I think is my heart's desire and

prayer the Lord in answer unto it, and in fulfilment of his own word, grant the object of it, and to him be all the praise. Make my last days better than my first.

Amen.

Tranent, Feb. 27, 1802.-Penetrated with a sense of the divine goodness, methinks I find myself at a loss in saying, what shall I render to the Lord for all his benefits to me in my family concerns? we are preserved in his mercy, and share bountifully in his providential smiles: the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be exceedingly abundant towards us all. O let these little ones and their parents live before thee; the Lord bless mine as he doth the habitation of the just. Commemorating the mercies and the deliverances which he hath vouchsafed, I have affixed to the name of this child the term Ebenezer. This is my fifth child-I give them back to the Lord-the Lord take care of them, form them for himself, and render them the subjects of the grace of that ordinance which hath been administered in their names. I may be removed from them, they may be taken from me, but may the Lord be their God and mine, and nothing can separate us from him. The promise is unto you and your children, to me and to mine. Amen.

Tranent, June 29, 1802-I feel myself easy-I perceive the goodness of God-I would be thankful. In the Christian life there are many changes-we are lift up and cast down-the Lord doth all things in wisdom and goodness—I leave it to him to lead me onward in what way he pleaseth, "to the house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens." I hope he will bear me up in his service, carry me on in it, and enable me to finish my course with joy.

Expe

rience worketh hope, hope maketh not ashamed, and partial communications are a sure presage of full and future enjoyments. I lament my timidity and my diffidence; perhaps this is more my affliction than my sin my heart is for God-at all times, in all companies and places, I have a desire to show myself on his side. But, alas! how little I do; frequently dare hardly throw out a hint on his behalf; it would please me to be inspired with the boldness of the lion, that I might witness for him with courage, constancy and zeal. Shame may cover me, when I think of the boldness of Scripture saints, of ancient martyrs, and of some present professors; O that a portion of the spirit which rested on them may descend and abide on me at all times. Were my faith stronger and my love warmer, my courage I think would be greater. The Lord work all his works in me, and to him be the glory. Amen.

Tranent, July 25, 1802.

Sacrament Sabbath morn

ing. Yes, Lord, I have thought again, and do again subscribe myself thy servant in the Gospel, and a sinner expecting to be saved by grace.

Let this be a

sure covenant ratified on high, and established through eternity; it cannot fail on God's part-and God hath engaged for the poor, feeble, fallible writer,

ROBERT SHIRREFF.

Tranent, Sept. 10, 1802.-Attended this week the meeting of synod-feel interested in the welfare of the church, and am desirous that her ministers may be under divine conduct in their deliberations, but lament that I cannot make any appearance in her courts; how it is, whether through diffidence, or not having accustomed myself to speak extempore, I will

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not presume to determine; but it is not, as I think, through disinclination or disaffection to the cause of Christ that I sit silent: God, who knows my frame, will pardon my weakness, and accept the will for the deed. "It was good that it was in thine heart to build a house for my name." I would wish for boldness and eloquence in pleading for the honour of him whom I serve, but am conscious here of great defects. Alas! that it should be so. I will not at this time lay down my pen without saying for fresh mercies, "blessed be God, the God of Israel;" he will yet put a new song in my mouth, and continue time after time to do so till he bring me to the end of my course; then I expect to praise him through eternity with adoring seraphs and glorified saints, without interruption, without weariness, and without end, hallelu. jah! Amen.

Tranent, Sept. 26, 1802. Sabbath evening.—I take up my pen to record the Lord's goodness. What I have felt engages me to say, "I will sing unto the Lord, who hath dealt bountifully with me." O the inexpressible difference between enjoying his presence and pining in his absence! This day my strength has been renewed, and I have been carried up as on eagles' wings: it is frequently otherwise, but all is done in wisdom and goodness on God's part.

Tranent, March 26, 1803.-Arranging some secular concerns, I see much cause to sing unto the Lord, who in things of this kind hath dealt bountifully with me. I desire to guide my affairs with discretion, to give to every one his due, to consecrate my substance to the Lord, and to covet earnestly the best gifts. I cannot too much detest the world as a portion, yet to