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but was led up, &c. so we must not run into it, but pray as he has directed us, that we may not enter into it.

"28.-Preached at Winnick felt sacred pleasure in prayer. O it gives me sweet pleasure to see any appearance of the prosperity of Christ's kingdom.

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May 3.-Some tenderness in preaching at Stagsden, endeavoured to speak plain and home to the understandings and consciences of some poor plain people, on Christ's being a way that men know not.

"7.-Heard Mr. Robert Hall, jun. from, 'He that increaseth in knowledge increaseth in sorrow.' Felt very solemn in hearing some parts. O that I could keep more near to God! how good it is to draw near to him!

"11.-Devoted this day to fasting and prayer in conjunction with several other ministers, who have agreed thus to spend the second Tuesday in every other month, to seek the revival of real religion, and the extension of Christ's kingdom in the world. Feel very unhappy to think that my heart should be no more in it. But very little of the true spirit of prayer throughout the whole day.

"16.-A good forenoon: tender in prayer, for the revival of religion, and the carrying on of a good work among our young people. Very tender to-night at Thrapston, and greatly concerned for the salvation of souls, while

preaching on sinners being like Moab, at ease from his youth, &c. Here I am child enough to think surely some good must be done."

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Having visited Soham, as he returned on the 26th, on his way to Cambridge, he felt a sense of the importance of everlasting things, occasioned by hearing the conversation of some wicked men. O if I had an abiding sense of the danger and worth of souls, surely I should feel more like Aaron, when he ran with his censer between the living and the dead.

"June 11.-Spoke to-night from, Learn of me, for I am meek and lowly in heart.' Indeed I had need to learn more of this. I find applauses to be fiery trials.

"13. At Olney. A poor cold day, except in the evening. I am weary of being out from home so much. I want to be more at home, that I may be more with God.

"18.-At Northampton. Conversation with Mr. R. chief part of the day. Preached this afternoon a lecture with him at Bugbrook, with some pleasure: returned, felt sweetly to-night in prayer, for ardour in Christ's cause.

"19.-Tender in prayer again this morning; but what a poor carnal, stupid creature nearly throughout the day. Some little fervour to-night, in meditating on Christ's mercy.

"21.-Much affected to-day, in visiting some poor friends, especially in going to see a little

boy of seven or eight years old in a decline, not likely to continue long. My heart felt for his everlasting state. Conversed with him a little on divine subjects.

“July 1. Preached at Cranford; but feel as if I had lost all savour of religion. Returning home to-night, my mind was exercised on David's prayer' Renew a constant spirit within me.' O what need have I of that!

"9. Some serious tenderness of spirit, and concerned for the caruality of my heart for some days past. Read to our friends this evening a part of Mr. Edwards's Attempt to promote Prayer for the Revival of Religion, to excite them to the like practice. Felt my heart profited and much solemnized by what I read.

"11.-A good forenoon in preaching on fellowship with Christ. Felt some tenderness of heart several times in the day, longing for the coming of Christ's kingdom, and the salvation of my hearers.

"12.-Read part of a poem, by John Scott, Esq. on the cruelties of the English in the East Indies, causing artificial famines, &c. My heart felt most earnest desires that Christ's kingdom might come, when all these cruelties shall cease. O for the time when neither the sceptre of oppression nor heathen superstition shall bear the sway over them! Lord Jesus, set up thy glorious, peaceful kingdom all over

the world! Found earnest desire this morning, in prayer, that God would hear the right as to them, and hear our prayers, in which the churches agree to unite for the spread of Christ's kingdom.*

"13.-Spent this day in fasting and prayer, in conjunction with several of my brethren in the ministry, for the revival of our churches and the spread of the gospel: found some tenderness and earnestness in prayer several times in the day. Wrote a few thoughts on the desirableness of the coming of Christ's kingdom.

"16.-Rode to Arnsby this morning had some profitable conversation with Mr. Hall: came back, and heard an aged minister [deeply tinged with False Calvinism] with grief. Surely the system of religion which he has imbibed,

• The meetings of prayer, for the revival of religion and the success of the gospel, on the first Monday in every month, had been first set on foot, this year, at the Nottingham Baptist Association, June 3, 1784. They were recommended by the Warwickshire Association in 1786, and adopted by some of the Independents in their neighbourhood. The Western Association recommended the same practice in 1790, which has since spread extensively through the kingdom. See Mr. Fuller's Persuasives to General Union in Extraordinary Prayer, at the end of his Sermon on Walking by Faith. This proposal may be traced yet further back, to a copy of Edwards's Humble Attempt, &c. received from Dr. Erskine, by a friend of Mr. Fuller's, April 23, 1784.

with too many others, enervates every part of vital godliness.

"18. A good forenoon in preaching from, 'All my springs are in thee,' but a better time in prayer: found my heart go out for the children and youth of the congregation; owing perhaps to my having spoken, last night, at the grave of the little boy, mentioned June 21. Poor child! he seemed to like that I should talk with him before he died.

"19.-Chiefly employed in writing, and visiting poor friends. Think I get good, and hope I do some good, by the latter of these practices. Read some more of Edwards on Prayer, as I did also last Monday night, with sweet satisfaction. I have felt sweet serenity in my own mind for some days past.

"22.-Some pleasure to-day at the churchmeeting, speaking from 1 Peter i. 2. Feel my mind now generally serene and peaceful.

"27.--Dull and unaffected, nothing seems to lay hold of me. Some fear to-night in prayer. An accident that has befallen my youngest child, now lays sufficient hold of me. I fear lest he should be taken from me. Very much moved in prayer for him. O Lord, I must having something trying to move me. How I shall endure this I know not.

prepare him, and prepare me!

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"28.-Feel my heart tender to-day, and some thankfulness of heart for hope afforded

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