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underwent for my sake, and of what I might have endured, but for him, to all eternity in hell. I wish I may, if it be his will, have a praying frame at the time; and that the Spirit of God may powerfully assist me, by bringing home parts of the word suitable to my time of need. Let a holy serenity be vouchsafed me, and, however sharp my sufferings, may I remember, with gratitude, the past great things he hath done for me, and be happily resigned to his all-wise determination respecting me and mine!

December 12.

What shall I render to the LORD for all his benefits toward unworthy, but I trust not ungrateful me? He hath wrought great things for me, whereof I have a right to be glad. In my distress I called upon the LORD -he heard-he answered, and graciously delivered me. Like indeed unto a woman in travail, I had sorrow when my hour was

come, but I have long since forgotten the anguish thereof, seeing I have been the honoured instrument of bringing a man-child into the world.

Oh how my heart cleaves to him! My bowels yearn over him; he is the child of many prayers, of many praises, and of many fears. Oh that he may be devoted to the service of our God from early youth! LORD make him thy peculiar care, watch over him in the helpless days of infancy, if it be thy heavenly will lead him up to manhood. Preserve him as much as possible from sinning against thee: and may he, late in life, die rejoicing in thee his father's and his mother's GOD, and be for ever with thee! Hear my many many petitions for my darling offspring-accept this my first-born, earlyyea, from the very birth given up to thee, and graciously give me wisdom to act a right part in every respect towards him. May my dearest partner and myself, walk toge

ther, agreed in our conduct to him; so that our best and mutual wishes and prayers on his behalf, may in no wise be hindered.

March 22, 1796.

A day to be had by me in everlasting remembrance! being that on which, I trust, the LORD was pleased to make himself known in a peculiar manner to my soul. He met with me, and drew me by the cords of his love. His way of dealing with me, was goodness and mercy; and ever since that, I may well say, "the lines have fallen to me "in very pleasant places." In every respect I have been favoured above thousands and tens of thousands; but this day especially, calls for my thankful remembrance and acknowledgements of those spiritual blessings which have been vouchsafed me. Oh how often, when there has been none other to help, save and deliver, hath the LORD appeared, dissipating gloomy fears and appre

hensions; bidding the enemy of my soul to be gone; bringing in a sweet calm, when all within has been hurry and confusion; and crowning my utmost wishes with a sense of loving kindness to my soul: so that he has made the affliction, though grievous for the time, afterwards to yield the peaceable fruits of righteousness. The LORD be praised for all that he has graciously done for, in, and by me, to this day!

September 26.

How much have I been exercised of late, without having even named it in this book! And chiefly my trouble arises from that which to all others would be no trouble at all: from a prospect of some changes in domestick matters, and from a feeling of such utter incapacity respecting them. to change my servant, and have not yet got another. I hope the LORD will direct my choice, and lead me to act a wise, pru

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dent, and consistent part in the management of household affairs. In every situation there requires wisdom-I feel ignorant-I know the LORD hath acted kindly by me in such matters: he hath often been better to me than all my fears, hath made darkness light, and crooked things straight :—and this I trust, he will yet do in this matter, and then give me fresh occasion to glorify his name. I am going to look over my trials concerning my dear William. How good hath the LORD been to me in this respect! so that I am much better able, than ever I expected to be, to keep him in tolerable subjection. But I still want much wisdom daily from above.

January 16, 1798.

I have been rescued from the jaws of death!I have no adequate conception of the deliverance that has been wrought for me, the greatest I believe, I ever had in my

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