1707. MR THOMAS BOSTON. 155 a bleffed disappointment at Oxnam ; for by that means I was driven to the fountain of' light. Jan. 19. This day being to fpeak fomething with refpeót to the public, I prayed particularly, that God would guide tongue and heart. On reflection, I mutt fay, he is the hearer of pray- er ; for my heart and tongue were guided in that particular, far better. than my pen in my notes. Three things make nie hope, that the Lord will clear me in the bufinefs of Etterick, and bring it to a happy couclufion 1. The calmingof my fpirit after prayer, 1 Sam i. 18. 2. Several that have intereft with God, are concerned to cry for light to me at the throne of grace, Jam. v. t6. 3. I am willing to go or. flay, as the Lord thall give the word, Pfal. xxxii. 8, 9. &, xxi. 9. And, as often before, upon this matter,_ fo this night I was. helped with fbme boldnefs to protect before the Lord, that I mutt be canted to walk in his way, Pfal. xxv. 3. Ezek. xxxvi. The oçcat:on of thefe thoughts was, that about two or three days ago I received a letter from Mr. M , touching that affair, another frorn Mr B , in name of the prefbytery of Selkirk, defiring me to go to Etterick again. This I could not yield to ; becauíe, 1. The main thing they delired.it for was, that I might be la- tisfied as to the inclinations of the people ; but unlefs other things did it, I could 'not have it that way, in regard I had fignified my difffatisfa&ion with their carriage towards me : 2. I thought it would make my own people and them alto miftake nie. Jan. 25. My fervant yefterday went to D with bear. We waited long for his coming home, but he came not, and we were afraid he had filled himfelf drunk. When we were going to bed, and he not come, we were afraid he had either perithed, or was lying by the way unable to help himfelf. I minded to fet flame time 'apart for tatting and prayer in my, family, as was ordinary before facraments ; and this determined me to this day. So it was obíérved for thefe three caufes efpecially : 1. Thefacrament 2. The,ftate ofpublic affairs; 3. The bufinefs of Etterick. This day, when we arofe, and found he was not come, we ietblved'to wait till eight o'clock, and then fend one to feek him, if he came not ere then. I went to my claret in great diftrefs, as all my family was; and while I was begging a bleffing on theferipture I was to read, I earneftly prayed the Lord would calm my fpirit,' and.helpme to depend on hire. The Lord anfwéredme prefent- ly, and fo I fell on to read. And when I had read about ten or eleven verfes, my fon came to the door, and told me the lad was come. This helped me to pray, wondering at the Lord's good- nefs. Our fears in one part had good ground ; for fo it was with him. The family met, and the Lord was with us, and filled us with goodnefs and with thankful-fiefs. I obíérved here, I. That the devil was driving on the old trade of raging about the time of the facrament, as he ufes to do, But he was outfhot in his owi
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