Saturday 10. Mr. _R――――s_ preached upon _Isaiah xliii. 25, 26_. _I, even I am he that blotteth out thy transgressions for mine own sake._ My soul was in a waiting, expecting frame. Lord, how long shall it be e’re thou satisfy my longing heart with thy love, the thing I desire above all others. I can truly say, “Of all thou hast in earth, or heaven, Let love alone be mine.” Sunday 11. We went to church, had a sermon on _Ecclesiastes ix. 10_. It was an exceeding pretty discourse, but not a word of Christ in it. The minister exhorted us to improve our time in works of piety, charity, and the duty of our respective callings, but never told us how we were to be enabled to do all these things, presuming, I suppose that his auditory needed no such information. Towards the latter end he allowed us a little innocent diversion, and concluded with saying that by a diligent improvement of our time in all the duties he had recited, we should recommend ourselves to God, and be accounted worthy to be admitted into heaven. I found much ♦thankfulness that I was better instructed. I was at preaching in the following fortnight but twice: all this time I was sometimes in earnest, then too careless. Lord, pardon what is past, and O let me for the future give all diligence to make my calling and election sure. ♦ “thankness” replaced with “thankfulness” per Errata Sunday 25. I did not go out in the morning, but I spent the time very comfortably, in reading the blessed word of God; and in the afternoon I read Mr. _Hervey’s meditations_, which were also exceeding sweet and profitable. Sunday, February 1. I went to the sacrament this day at _Trinity_ church. This being the place where the remains of my dear Miss _L――――y_ were deposited, it brought many serious reflections, but they did not draw me off the duty, in which I was more immediately engaged. For this week past I have at times found a measure of seriousness and enlargement in private duty. I scarcely know what state my soul has been in this fortnight past, not having had time to write. I fear I am falling into the former Laodicean spirit. Lord Jesus, quicken me; O save me for thy mercy’s sake. Saturday 28. This being my birth-day, I would have spent in retirement, but was prevented; however I spent two hours herein exceeding comfortably. O may I spend each day and moment in the service of him, who has so graciously preserved me to this time! Surely it is of the Lord’s mercies that I have not long since been consumed, because his tender compassions fail not. Sunday, March 8. My heart was much drawn towards God this morning, both before and at church. Friday evening a young stranger who appeared quite illiterate, agreeably surprised us with a connected sensible and profitable discourse on, _Behold God is my salvation_. O when shall I experimentally say these words? Lord, why not now?