rather lively; a short testimony was borne to the Lord Jesus Christ, "the faithful and true witness." M. P. concluded the meeting very accepttably in supplication.

SEVENTH MONTH, 1780.

1. Bodily pain hath of late attended. The sufferings which are sustained in this respect, being unfelt by others, are much unnoticed and uncommiserated by them; but they are known to Him who is touched with a feeling of the infirmities both of the saints, and of the most vile and abject of his creatures, who are alike the works of his hand: "for all things were created by him and for him." O! may my afflictions in the flesh be sanctified by Him" who suffered without the gate," whose head was crowned with thorns, whose hands and feet were pierced.

3. At the monthly meeting, some difficulty attended respecting the acceptance of a paper produced; my lips were sealed in silence; passiveness appeared my proper province. Afterwards a caution was imparted against holding the faith of Christ with respect of persons, and against a spirit of emulation and personal dislike, as equally inconsistent with our Christian discipline.

4. I read Henry Brookes on Redemption, an admirable poem.

9. The meeting at Hunsdon was large. "God

was in Christ reconciling the world to himself." The gracious interposition of the Deity, intended by the apostle in the preceding expression, seemed measurably attendant in a state of silence; and under the ministry of M. P. afterwards, there was a dry wind from the wilderness.

15. Divers vexatious incidents were attendant, and I was wanting in patience and resignation; capital virtues which calm the storms of life. I was too fretful on slight and immaterial events.

16. After a long waiting in deep poverty in the forenoon meeting at Hartford, a degree of travail was begot both on behalf of myself and those present a short testimony was also borne to that universal redemption which is in Jesus Christ, and the necessity of an inward application thereof, in ourselves, and for ourselves.

20. I went to London. At times I was favored to look towards the God of patience and consolation, but the want of due resignation barred the influences which proceed from him'; "for what doth let will let, until it be taken out of the way." During this dispensation I considered the propriety of the apostolic injunction, "Remember them who are in bonds, as bound with them, and them who suffer adversity, as being also in the body:" "bear ye one another's burthens, and so fulfil the law of Christ." A practical adherence to these precepts, next to the grace which is sufficient and soul-saving, would be as the balm of human life; it would alleviate the diversified cup

that is handed forth to mortals; but how deficient am I herein; how deficient also are others.

30. Pretty early at the Park meeting, a degree of solemnity clothed my mind, not without some presentations for a public ministry, which, on proving, appeared immature. How suitably adapted are the following precepts, not only to me, but to all who at any time appear in the ministry. "Be more ready to hear, than to offer the sacrifice of fools." "Be not rash with thy mouth to utter any thing before God." And when thou speakest, "let thy words be few.” "Be slow to speak." All true and profitable ministry arises from the ability which the spirit gives in a rightly exercised understanding; as it is written, "I will pray with the spirit and with the understanding also." Nonsense proceeds not from the ability which the spirit giveth. But what is nonsense? Here it may be difficult to draw a line. "For the preaching

of the cross is, to them that perish, foolishness:" and "the foolishness of God is wiser than man."

EIGHTH MONTH, 1780.

I. In the week-day meeting at Horslydown, something opened by way of ministry; but waiting under the opening, silence seemed most advisable; and after long sitting the meeting closed lively. I had rather refrain from speaking, when perhaps I might have spoken with a degree of profit, than

at any time to speak unprofitably. There are, comparatively speaking, but few ministers left amongst us; yet frequently many words are uttered. The following sentiment, contained in the Apology of that skilful minister of Christ, Robert Barclay, is therefore, I think, worthy of the observation of all concerned. "Yea, we doubt not, but assuredly know, that a meeting may be good and refreshing, though from the sitting down thereof to the rising up, a word may not be outwardly spoken; though the life may have been so known, as that words might have been acceptably spoken, and that from the life." Barclay's Apology, 6th edition, p. 360. The above is not referred to as an insinuation that the ministers now among us are of a dissimilar disposition from Barclay and the brethren of that day, but rather as a caution to myself and others, than as a censure upon any. We are voyagers in a tempestuous ocean, stationed on a sea of glass, surrounded on every side with rocks and sands ;-may not therefore a little one, who needeth himself to be more perfectly instructed in the way and work of the Lord, recal the attention of the brotherhood to such beacons as have been held forth by such, "who, through faith and patience, inherit the promises." There is a spiritual worship and introversion of spirit, which excels outward ministration. In it, honey is imparted from the Rock-Christ.

6. The general meeting at Cross Brook-street was large, composed, and chiefly held in silence.

"It is thy word, O Lord, which healeth." "The word which was in the beginning with God and was God;" the same which in the fulness of time was made flesh, and dwelt amongst men; and they beheld His glory, as the glory of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth; "of whose fulness we have all received, and grace for grace." "I waited patiently for the Lord,” said one formerly, "and he heard my cry." In this patient waiting is experienced the ministry of the spirit, and the glory of Christ.

20. After long sitting, and some solemnity in silence at our forenoon meeting, I stood up simply with an opening on these words, "The kingdom of God stands not in words, but in power." Some more expressions were uttered in a testimony to that kingdom, worship and work, which consists in the manifestation of a divine and supernatural power. I sat down with a degree of freshness; but speaking a second time, I seemed to flatten both myself and others.

22. Some good desires were attendant; good desires will not carry a man to heaven, but they proceed from heaven, and tend heaven-wards, as it is written, "It is God that worketh in you to -will."

27. I attended Mims general meeting; divers friends ministered to a mixed auditory. I was much shut up, as I usually am on such occasions; and may I never attempt to open by any efforts of my own.