Monday.—Weak in body, low in mind, sadly harrassed. Many useless visitors upon mere trivial affairs, with the wretched reflection upon a debt owing to —. Could find no text to preach upon in the evening. Fretful, peevish, and in much bondage. Yet oh! the patience and forbearance of God! How sweetly supported, supplied and melted in the house of God, in preaching on _John_ xvi. 27. Received the same evening a present from a lady, which relieved my anxious mind and confounded my unbelief. Closed the day in holy wonder and admiration at the grace and providence of God. Tuesday.—I almost grieve I let sleep close my eyes last night; my frame is changed again; corruption sin and folly has interrupted me, disturbed my mind, prevented communion with God in meditation, prayer and reading; irregular passion let loose to vex me. Oh, that I could fly from myself! In vain I wish a solitary life, a cave, or the place of the way-faring man; I should carry the same nature with me there: I sink in despondency about the renovation of this sinful nature; but, blessed be God for Jesus Christ, in whom his people stand complete. A clear spiritual apprehension of this warms my heart, and again carries me above all my horrid feelings. Beset with snares on every hand, In life’s uncertain path I stand. Wednesday.—Blest with a spirit of prayer, diligence in reading, and clear light in the Word. Read a little of “Dr. Owen, on Communion with God,” “Dr. Goodwin, on the Condition of the Creatures,” “Gospel Magazine,” “Huntington’s Moral Law not Injured by the Everlasting Gospel.” &c. “My willing soul would stay In such a frame as this.” No exstacies or ravishing joys, but a solid satisfaction of soul, by the knowledge and reception of truth. Very happy in preaching this evening, on “Is thine heart right.” Thursday.—Lost much time to day in needless visits and trifling company, disputed with a Swedenborgian for three hours, about some of the grand truths of the Word, but I saw no good effects in my opponent. I am thankful I was kept cool and deliberate all the time. I dislike disputes, and always very reluctantly enter the lists, but when compelled I never keep back; the religion that is not worth contending _for_, is not worth having. A good man once observed, _that_ was always a lost day wherein he neither _got_ any good, nor _did_ any good; such days are painful to reflect upon. I gained one thing to day—a grateful heart for the knowledge of the truth. Friday.—Received a gracious answer to prayer in the opening of a very great subject in the Word of God; also an answer to prayer in a providential way. Some time previous, a sweet portion was sent to my soul; but the fulfilment of the promise evidences it to be of God’s sending: thousands boast of promises applied, but it is the _accomplishment_ proves them to be of God. He that hath received his testimony, hath set to his seal that God is true. Comfortable in preaching in the evening.