192 1iEMOIRS OP PERIOD ix. had no time to ftudy another to preach after the facrament. On Friday morning, while I was at breakfaft, and my horfe Handing .fuddled for the journey, W. D. came in and told me, that my horfe was all fwelled'in the counter and fide, (and my other horfe was at Bol\vell's fair). This furprifìng difpenfation ftung me to the heart, being fo timed. I knew not what to do., To getfor- ward appeared a great difficulty; and to flay at home upon this, teemed to -be to make a Bible of providence. So I went away, thinking to hire a horfe by the way ; but two that we had a mind for, both mifgave. William Biggar, one of my elders, went àlongf with me, the rather that I had been indifpofed. My horfe ferved nie, fo that we came to Penpont that night; fafely. When I. came there, I found there were other two appointed to preach on the Saturday ; but Mr Murray wouldhave me to be a third. I peremptorily refuted, and fo laid afide thoughts of preaching- that day ; but withal I was difpleafed, that I fhould have been called to come to far, to a place where there was no need, and left my own congregation defolate. On the morrow Mr Murray prefled me again to preach with the other two ; and I yielded ; and to went to my chamber to prepare for preaching that day with the Other two, Mr D. and Mr P. ' While I was there, I heard foine with Mr Murray in the other room, fpeaking not very favourably of three preachings. Within a very little I went into that room, upon that occafion, and found Mr P. there alone, who very freely gave we to underitand his mind, and then -went away to the tent to begin. Then Mr Murray and Mr D. came thither ; and 1 find to Mr Murray, It is timenow we were at a point ; pray determine what we are to do. To which he anfivered,. Well, I am content. Very well, faid I ; and fo I went, and cafe off my hand., and put on my cravat again. This made me very uneasy. I heard fermons, sod they werebut fhort ; and had I been (Wired again, I had certainly preached. When we came home,.I found this a great temptation; and. was forry I Mould have come, and left my parifh defolate. But it was too fur off to help it then. Then they urged me to make the exercife in the kirk, which I very peremptorily refuted i and the rather that I had been pat to pains before. to no purpofe ; and having clad fb much vexation, and having been before indifpofed ere I came from home, I found my body very weak. However that exercise was as peremptorily laid upon nie, Mr.Murray faying to me, You mull do it. Well then, faid I, I (hall do it. So I retired a little, and then went to the exercife, where, I think, would have been three hundred people in the church. It pleated the Lord to blow upon us, and it was very well with me; and there was indeed an uncemmon moving among the people. One told me afterwards, that he never favi. the like in that placefiuce he knew it;- and told me of fome particular perfons whofe hearts the Lord had touched. After I came out, turning homeward fpeedily, I taw feveral people gathered together in the church.
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