9L2 MEMOIRS OP PERIOD IX. met with a new temptation akin to the grand trial, which was like to baille me ; but I was helped to ftruggle againft it. I meditated, and read over that of Sept. 29. lift year; and there íäw I had Liken Chrift inftead of that which I had renounced. The renunciation indeed was Rill in my view ; but though with- in this fhort while I. had often read over that, my taking of Chrif inftead,of it was never in my eyes. My eyes were held that I could not fee it. But then' took up thecafe, and was like Hagar having the well that was near her ¡hewn her, when the child was laid by for death: I fàw it was in vain to attempt to empty the heart of what is its carnal choice, unlefs I got it filled with tome. titjng better than what I was to take from it. And thus my bonds were Iool'ed, and I made the exchange over again in a 'solemn manner. And then my foul in foam meafure refted ju the Lord, midi carne away rejoicing in him. Jolhua's laying an ambufh againft Ai, that frnall.city, whereas the walls of great Jericho fell down at the found of rams horns, let 'me fee how holy guile mutt be ufed in the fpiritual combat. And. I found by experience, the import'of felling-all for (hrift, whereby the fcrip. ture exprelfeth the great tranfaótion betwixt the Lord and a foul. For he that felleth, though he part with what is his, yet he gets that in its room which to hitr is better than what he gives away; and fo lives on the thing he receives, inftead of what he parts with. On the laft Lord's day of Obtober, I was affifting Mr James Ramfay in the elebraton,,of the 'Lord's flipper at Keifb ; and the fynod being to meet there ten days after, having demitted my office of clerkship at the April ;fÿnod before, I could not gohome, but went to the Merlk, to.Dunie. There Dr Trotter taking me out to the fields, furprifed me with a motion to print fame of mfr fermons, fhewing.that I lhoukf not want encouragement. I had fpent two days Peeking ' something wherewith to go to Kelfo, but could command nothing : fo upon that account, and not knowing what otherwife I might be called to, I took old notes with me,, and among others thofe on man's fourfold Rate. Upon the Doétor's urging his propofal, I, made mention of thefe, as what feemed. moft fuitable, if any thing of that nature were to be done. On his define, 1 left them with him. On the morrow; ere I came off, Mr Willis puff:Jed the Doétor's motion. 'At thefynod, (peaking of it to Mr Wiifon, he declared, that he minded to have propofed it to me himfeif, and was Tory he was prevented. When I came home, there was a letter for me from Mr B. for a loan of fume of my fermons. Awhile after, the DoCior and Mr Willis having read the papers, fent prefling letters to put me on to that work. All which obliged me to ferinas thoughts on the matter. Nov. 30. Some things this'night obferved and confidered (after prayer) with refpeét to the publithing of the fermons. t. With xefpeót to our parifh. 1ft, I-have many that will not hear me
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy OTcyMjk=