“Altho’ love and joy lived and flowed in me, yet I wept and made supplication, being strongly tempted by the devil. Ah Lord. Thou knowest my state and trials. My desire is before thee, and my groanings are not hid from thee. Hast not thou made me pure, and sealed me thine for ever! Shine on thy work, and bear thy witness with my heart. Suffer not thy servant to be of a doubtful mind.” “I see, that I ought to be much in prayer for the _Holy Ghost_. I plainly perceive that to be taught by him for one hour, is more profitable to the soul than many days reading.” “I spent several hours in private, begging of God to enable me to fulfil the law of love. I feel so as I cannot write, the extent of Christian obedience. How deep, how wide!” “Deliver me O Lord from the strife of tongues, and from the ungodly, who are a sword of thine. I found in retirement this day sore struggles, and deep consolation.” *“O how great is the profit of simple prayer, and diligent reading of the holy scriptures? They are I find, of singular service to me. My soul is calmed, sweetened, melted, invigorated, and sensibly strengthened in the exercise of these holy duties. I weep and pray, and give thanks: yet still, I want deeper repentance, and much more humility. I would be penetrated with the sense of _my own_ helplessness; and I do not find power equal to my will. I live however by faith, and find God unspeakably, and continually present.” “My soul was solidly happy, and longing for humility this day. I desire to be simple, and filled more abundantly with love to God and my neighbour.” “I never felt such gratitude to God, as I did this day, for bringing me from the idolatry of the _Romish_ church. My heart was grieved in reading some of their horrid doctrines¹ about saints, and images. O God, thou hast done this for me; and thou hast done many thousand things beside for me; and now I beseech thee do this for me, give me an humble, thankful and penitent heart.” ¹ He was about this time, employed partly in reading Bishop _Usher_’s famous disputation with the _Jesuits_ in _Ireland_. And of this book he says, ‘I cannot think that a papist who has learning and the fear of God, can, after reading it, remain in the errors of _Popery_.’ “This was a feast, and a fast day to my soul. All the ordinances of God are exceeding precious and profitable to me.” “I was all day deeply engaged with God: wept much, and prayed earnestly, yet I had not much joy. I had a full and firm confidence that he would fulfil his word of promise to my soul. My weakness can do nothing without thy power. I lay hold on thy strength, and offer myself to thy holy will. O let me glorify thee, as well by _suffering_ as by _doing_.”