afternoon to a wandering disposition, and strong fights of imagination, which surely lead from that peaceful and quiet habitation, which, methought my soul enjoyed this morning. O, may it be favoured to get again into the valley, where there is safety.

27. Favoured in my retirement to-day; yet was guilty of a weakness in the evening, in saying Sunday to a person not a Friend, for which I felt condemnation, and desire to abide humbly under it.

28. This day passed I trust in humility and fear; and I was favoured in the evening far beyond my deserts, with sweet access to the throne of grace, where I implored forgiveness and more stability for the future.

29. Was desirous this morning at meeting of sitting like Mary of old, at the feet of Jesus; and to be taught of him; when it was shown me that I was not enough pure; that the warfare must be continued, and that daily. O, that I might be thoroughly cleansed.

EIGHTH MONTH, 1791.

2. Was favoured in my retirement to-day to recur, as it were, to Bethel (where the Lord was first pleased to visit my soul), and gratefully to call to mind his gracious dealings with me. Though his appearance was at first very low and small, even as it is compared to a grain of mustard seed,

:

yet he was pleased to incline my heart to prize it, and in abundant condescension hath been pleased to encrease my store; and, blessed for ever be his holy name, hath kept me alive to this very day. O, that I may never turn aside to the right hand or the left, but deeply ponder the path of my feet, and let my eye look straight forward.

6. A sweet refreshing season this evening being favoured to partake of that stream which makes glad the whole heritage of God. How unworthy such goodness! Did not choose to go out this evening, lest I should lose the sweet savour.

8. Deeply humbled to-day under a sense of my own unworthiness, and a fear that my love is not sufficiently pure and chaste towards Christ, who is alone worthy of our affections. O, to be more weaned from the world.

12. A very favoured heart-tendering season this morning at meeting; but towards the close a scheme of benevolence caught my attention; which, though there was something specious in its appearance, drew my mind off its proper watch. Thus can the enemy transform himself as into an angel of light, in order to gain his ends.

17. Shook off sloth, and rose early, that I might have a little time for retirement before the rest of the family were stirring; that, waiting at Wisdom's gate, my mind might be influenced sa as to step safely through the day; yet did not feel the divine presense so sensibly as many times.

May I be sufficiently humbled; not doubting but the deficiency was on my part.

23. A sweet cloudless morning. I rose with a tranquil mind, being desirous of preservation through the day; and surely I had need of it, finding fresh exercise for my patience.

24. A refreshing time this evening, under the belief that it was nothing short of the good hand of God, that first inclined my heart thus to religious retirement. It was not from any imitation, not knowing any, at the time I began, that were in the practice; but I can with thankfulness acknowledge, that it hath been abundantly blessed to me.

28. I sensibly felt the divine presence this morning at meeting, and, under a sense of my manifold infirmities, was led to aspire after a greater. degree of holiness and renewed strength to walk uprightly; seeing some who had, I believe,. made a good beginning, turning aside from the narrow way; not being (I fear) humble enough to receive the babe Jesus in his lowly appearance; but perhaps expecting great things, and looking as some did formerly for signs and wonders.

31. Very well in my bodily health, yet favoured with a renewal of strength to press forward.

NINTH MONTH, 1791.

1. A very trying day, and my spirits, being weak from indisposition, could hardly bear up

under it; yet earnestly desired an increase of patience and humble resignation under every allotment, however trying.

2. A stripping time at meeting. I felt weak, poor, and helpless, like a little child; having nothing of my own, and scarcely strength to ask for a little help.

4. A precious meeting in the morning. In the afternoon, after labouring for about an hour, without gaining what my soul longed for, these words opened livingly in my mind, "He trod the "wine-press alone, and of the people there was "none with him," which tendered me exceedingly: and the language of my soul was, that I might not be like those formerly who followed him for the sake of the loaves and fishes; but that I might be willing to be his faithful companion in tribulation, believing, that if ever I entered the kingdom it must be through suffering.

13. Went a journey, and poorly in health, so that I could not have retired but with difficulty: and am fearful of appearing more in shew than in substance; yet thought I felt good near, and was preserved in a degree of quiet and (I trust) inno

cence: 21. "The heart knoweth his own bitterness." and were it not that I am sometimes favoured to partake of that joy with which the stranger cannot intermeddle, surely my heart would have fainted long ago.

24. A favoured season this morning! Surely

the oftener we repair to the fountain, the more likely we are to keep our garments unspotted of the world.

25. A time of labour the forepart of the meeting; yet being desirous of patiently abiding under it, the clouds at length were dispelled, and the Lord was pleased to arise with healing under his wings; for which favour may all that is within me magnify his adorable name.

27. A severe struggle this morning with indisposition. What a favour, in such seasons of distress, to feel the Physician of value near; and Oh, what an unspeakable favour to have a wellgrounded hope, that when this earthly tabernacle shall decay, we shall have a better mansion prepared for us, even a house eternal in the heavens!

29. No time for retirement to-day; yet felt my mind sweetly attracted upwards, several times in the course of the day; especially in the evening when in company, so that I could scarcely refrain from tears.

TENTH MONTH, 1791.

3. Our quarterly meeting at Esher. A pre cious heart-tendering time at meeting this morning, after some conflict. At the conclusion of the meeting for worship, received the affecting intelli gence of the death of my beloved uncle Jeremiah Waring, which affected most, if not all friends present: his removal being considered a publick