given me some appearances of his Almighty power attending my poor labours. His name be praised, that all the seed sown is not lost. Though all was sown in weakness, I trust some is raised in power. I ought indeed to be thankful that it is not all barThere are some fruits, though but as

renness.

the gleanings of the vintage.

A young lady of Portsmouth Common, I have reason to believe, is another seal added to the ministry of the unworthiest of God's servants. Glory be to God for these beginnings, these first-fruits. Thine, O Lord, is the power; be thine the glory! Oh to see the fields white for harvest! Oh, Lord, return!

1774.

June 26.-Again unto thee, O Lord, will I sing praises: I would sing aloud of journeying mercies granted me and my family-of mercy in the midst of judgment would I sing. Myself and son have been thrown out of a chaise, the wheel going over my leg, yet no material hurt received. Lord, all my bones praise thee. May I never lose the sense of thy goodness!-Perhaps this accident and deliverance were designed to render me more humble and dependent, to quicken me in prayer and in praise. Lord, what am I when left of thee! I cannot express how much I am indebted to thee for thine upholding and preventing kindness! Let me live to thee!

July 17.-This day I have been considering my own obligations as a minister, and the duty of my

people as hearers; the talents our Lord has entrusted us with, and his expectations from us, in a discourse founded on the Parable of the Talents. What shame and self-abasement become me on account of my unprofitableness! How small a proportion do my best efforts bear to my obligations! O God of grace, quicken me in thy way, enliven my affections, warm my zeal; increase my light, my faith, my strength; widen the vessel, and fill it with thy fullness. Let the image of Christ shine in my conduct, the Spirit of grace attend my feeble ministrations for good to precious souls, that sower and reaper may one day rejoice together.

1775.

Aug. 6. We have this day been devoting our dear child in baptism. May the Lord take her into his arms, and bless her! Oh that the grace of the covenant may reach the hearts of all our dear children, and effectually engage them all on the Lord's side! I have been calling to remembrance God's faithful care and abundant mercy, since I engaged myself to be his; and can set to my seal, that God is true. Hitherto, indeed, he has graciously led, and fed, and delivered me. Nothing hath failed of all the good things he spake unto me of; and I can believe (blessed be his name) nothing will. With this persuasion, I have been reviewing my engagements to be his, esteeming it to be my reasonable service, my unspeakable privilege. O that his promises, and my engagements, may be ever

fresh on my memory and my heart! And oh that I may bear an honourable testimony to the faithfulness of Divine care and mercy, with my latest

breath!

Nov.19.-This is now the fifth Sabbath since the providence of God has, by bodily indisposition, pressed me down, debarring me from that delightful work to which he hath called me! Oh that he would shew me wherefore he thus contendeth with me and the Church! Perhaps it may be to impress the minds of the people with a deeper conviction of the solemnity and value of the Gospel Ministry; to teach them that his ministers are held in his hand, and go and return at his will, and thus excite them to greater diligence in improving the blessing while it lasts. Oh that in this sense the providence may answer the desired end!

But it has lessons to my own soul as well as others. "I have had the sentence of death in myself, that I should not trust in myself, but in God who raiseth the dead." Perhaps it is designed to teach me, that instead of stationing me in a larger sphere, he might justly close my lips in perpetual silence, and thus check my uneasy discontented spirit. Perhaps it is to teach me, that, instead of revealing his grace for my greater usefulness, he might justly set me aside as a broken vessel, no longer to be employed in the least service. Perhaps it is to remind me of past inactivity, and my little im

ble

provement of those valuable opportunities I have enjoyed. Perhaps he may have further and greater work for me to do; and, by showing me how incapamy constitution is of supporting the fatigues of my present school engagements, may be pointing out my duty, and by these afflictive exercises preparing me for the duties of a wider sphere. However it be, I trust the prevailing language of my heart is this: "Not as I will, but as thou wilt." I feel not solicitous as to the event of these exercises as they respect life or death, so that it may be the means of promoting the glory of God. rightly to improve the dispensation! O Thou who givest grace, who givest more grace! who hast said, My grace is sufficient for thee! give thy rich grace to my soul; give thy grace to my companion in affliction; and help us to sing of judgment and to sing of mercy.

May I be enabled

SOME GENERAL VIEW OF THE CONDUCT OF A GRACIOUS PROVIDENCE IN MY REMOVAL FROM MY CHARGE AT FAREHAM, AND MY SETTLEMENT AT TOOTING.

FOR several months my health gradually declined at Fareham; and though I continued preaching there for some time in a state of great weakness, yet I soon

found it absolutely necessary wholly to decline my ministerial labours. After having preached from these words, "Great peace have they that love thy law, and nothing shall offend them," I signified to the people the necessity I was under of declining public service for a season. I took a journey to London, where I continued several months. During this time I visited some relations at Tooting, with no thought of a settlement in that neighbourhood. But "God's thoughts are not as our thoughts." I was soon informed that Dr. Wilton had received a call from the church at the Weigh-house, and was still in debate with his own church at Tooting whether to accept or refuse it. As soon as he knew of my being at Tooting, he called, and urged my preaching a lecture. At that time I had not preached for three months, and was still very weak; but being urged, I at length complied. I chose for my subject, 2 Pet. i. 10: "Give all diligence to make your calling and your election sure." The next morning I was much surprised by a proposal from the Doctor, relative to my settlement at Tooting. He was fully persuaded that I should be acceptable among the people, and should find a comfortable settlement among them.. I could say little nor did I wish to have a will of my own until I should know by farther intimation the will of God. I preached a second time at Tooting, and then returned to Fareham. On the next day I preached what proved to be my last sermon as their pastor,

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