Saturday 12. I was enabled, blessed be the Lord, to be serious and watchful. In the evening, Mr. Rodda preached. His text was Mark xii. 24. _Thou art not far from the kingdom of God._ I was much blest under the sermon, and my mind was stayed on what was delivered. Sunday 13. In the evening, my uncle preached on _Isaiah xxx. 21._ _This is the way, walk ye in it._ I found my thoughts much composed, but being in great pain, I could not attend, as much as I found myself inclined to do. O how many hindrances have we while below! Sometimes from the world, sometimes from the infirmities of the body; and very often from a corrupt heart! Lord, do thou arm me with thy Spirit’s might, and enable me to combat and overcome, all the enemies of my salvation. Monday 14. Our class met at ten as usual, but my soul was in a very wandering dead frame, and afterwards I was light and trifling; this is the natural consequence of the other, if not strove against. Tuesday 15. I was in a very cold indifferent frame all the day. In the evening while my uncle catechised us, such a spirit of laughter came upon us, that we could hardly speak. Lord deliver us from a light, trifling spirit, as also from an unloving, disputing spirit. “Mutual love the token be, Lord, that we belong to thee.” In the evening my uncle preached on _Hosea xiv. 1, 2._ My soul was blest especially in singing the last hymn, in which are these sweet words. “He’ll never quench the smoking flax, But raise it to a flame: The bruised reed he never breaks, Nor scorns the meanest name.” Wednesday 16. I arose this morning with some degree of recollection and stayedness upon my spirit. It partly continued all the day; but in the evening, yielding to levity, I lost it. Lord, give me power over a trifling spirit! Give me a continual sense of thy presence! Then I shall not easily yield to this or any other temptation. I retired and read the 3d chapter of _Matthew_. Went to prayer, and found enlargement in it. Thursday 17. All this day I was in a very disagreeable frame, which I cannot well describe. I retired, read the psalms, and the 4th of _Matthew_. O may I like our blessed Lord when tempted, answer the tempter with the word of God. The text this evening was _Isaiah liv. 22_. _Look unto me and be ye saved._ My thoughts were very wandering all the time. O when will my mind be constantly fixed on, and looking to that glorious object of our faith and love! Friday 18. My soul was in a cold dead frame, and so it continued all the day, yea all the week. For tho’ I cannot accuse myself of the omission of any known duty, yet such a total indifferency I have not felt for some time. O that God would give me to see the fatal cause, the accursed thing that keeps my heart from him!