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consider that "a soft answer turneth away "wrath," and that "in resisting the devil, "he will flee from us." I do hope, notwithstanding all my sinfulness, that the cause of God lies near my heart, and that it would grieve me to bring any reproach upon his gospel.

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Yea, truly, the LORD is good, and doeth good. It was on this very day six years, that I was made willing to prostrate myself as a sinful wretch at the footstool of the LORD JESUS CHRIST for mercy. There I found it; and by the same mercy am spared to this very moment, and enabled to acknowledge, that though I have wished for many things the LORD in infinite wisdom has seen fit to deny, yet have I never lacked any one really good thing. Oh that I might now be

helped to take such a retrospective view of his past great kindness, as that I may never more doubt or distrust him! Oh what shall I render him? All that I have, and all that I I would unfeignedly give.

am,

July 6.

My own conscience bears me witness that I have been brought into great sorrow by my own sin. The LORD however, in the greatest wisdom, after having, I would hope, taught me, in the most effectual way, the best lesson I have ever had on that subject, has removed the affliction. Oh that it may never more be forgotten by me! What sweet emotions did I feel at its removal!It was indeed such a deliverance as I cannot express. My heart seemed for the time to overflow with love and gratitude to the LORD. But alas! how soon do these impressions wear off! The LORD give me in all things a tender conscience. He has seen fit to remove, and

take to glory, a very dear and valuable wobe made up by

man. Oh that the loss may be made himself to a husband and seven dear children. May the hearts of all, who know their pitiable situation, be much engaged in earnest prayer to the LORD to appear for them in this time of great need! May the many many prayers of their dear mother be answered on their behalf, now that her head is laid low, and she entirely precluded from doing them any further service. Oh that the blessings of her covenant GOD and FATHER may richly rest upon every one of them!

July 23.

What shall I say of the LORD? I can never speak sufficiently to his praise. He has been pleased to give me some sweet and very precious times in drawing near to him. I hope I do not deceive myself in thinking so: really and in truth, I am often afraid of being presumptuous. Oh that my God would

in

great mercy preserve me from so fatal an error! He knows that I do dread to think that I am something while I am nothing. How I long (surely I do) after holiness of heart, and conformity in life to the blessed JESUS! I want to be made and kept truly, yea, very humble at all times, in all places and circumstances. I desire, if it please the LORD, that he would fit me for every situation in life; so as that I may be enabled to glorify him, and bear a sweet testimony, living and dying, that he has loved me, and delivered me out of trouble.

September 6.

The LORD has been mindful of his handmaid and very unprofitable servant, in her low estate. It often seems as if he wounded, to give an opportunity of displaying his efficacious power of healing. I wish and desire. that all these afflictions may be sanctified, so that I may be made more fruitful in the

LORD's vineyard; that I may live here to his praise and glory, and die in his favour and love, to be for ever with him.

September 13.

It is just a week since I wrote here. I was on that day suddenly called from home, and I went indeed with great heaviness; and, far from being relieved, my trouble was aggra. vated. A variety of painful circumstances pressed upon me all at once; so that I was nearly overwhelmed. O how did I charge GOD foolishly said that he was shewing me hard things,-that it would have been better I had never been born; and was ready to wish for death, to deliver me from my trouble. As before-mentioned, I was from home, and went to my room at night with a heavy heart, determined to harden myself in sorrow. I spake to the LORD in the very bitterness of my soul; but from prayer I gained no relief, neither from the scripture.

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