336 MEMOIRS OF PERIOD XS. Phil. ii. 7. The myftery of Chrift in the form ofa fervant," being printed, were going off well. Nov : 6. Monday. Laft week was a heavy week to me, to the . weakening of my very body, through anembargo from the Lord laid on me, in the ftudy of the queftion concerning Chrift's kingly office ; the which lies yet untaken off. Tuefday's night we fell to fing Pfal. xxv. 11.-15. which being fo dote to my cafe, particularly verf. 14. I fo laboured to gripe it, that being withal fore broken, I, had begun, cre I was aware, to fing over again the latter part of that verfe a fecond time, " And he his holy covenant will manifeft to them." On the morrow morn- ing, refle&ingon my paft life, this thought heavily went through my heart, viz. That I had been neglected, and broken, and now was fallen down : prefently after, I waa furprifingly catched, and my cafe explained, and hope given, reading in my ordinary Pfal. cvii. particularly verf. 11, 12, 13. Once, juft as I was going to prayer, that was f'uggefted to nee, " They that wait on thee (hall not be afhamed." See If, xlix. 23. And this paflàge, and that of Pfal. xxv. are ufeful to help me to wait, though relief is not yet come. The conviétion of my rafhnefs in this undertaking is renewed ; though frill I cannot but think it is my duty'to hold on : and thereto is added a convi &ion of my too little concern, for the honour of Chrift in his kingly office. Nov. 9. Being juft on the point of fettling my childrens por- tions by affignation, I had yefterday an account of one of my debtors being broken, whereby my meafures are quite difcon- certed. This day having fent away my fon, to ufe diligence on that head, and to arreft, I did force time after fit down to my fludies, being feveral ways unfitted for them, and with little hope of fuccefs. But it pleafed the fovereign Lord to loofe the arrefrment he had laid on my fpirit, and kept on me about fourteen days. This Cweet tryft made me very eafy as to that fecular affair. He has kept up the deliverance till the fitteft time of giving it. O the nothingnefs of the creature, and of gifts, without the Spirit ! God has accomplifhed his word that Was my comfort in my affli&ion. He has manifefted the cove pant ; I am not dimmed. I fee now, this is a great work, and that I need to depend on the Lord for ftrength of body, and for light, for that effect, as in the former. Nov. 14. By letters from Edinburgh I find, that a third part of the LatinMSon theaccentuation is amilling : and nine fheets; of the copy of the firft part. My wife has been for fume time worfe than before. Confidering thofe things, with,the breach . made on my fubftance, I fáw myfelf befet, arid upon the trial of my faith, hope, patience, refignation ; and therefore aimed at exercifing tilde graces, and I hope: not in vain. I am now brought to look and cry to the Lord, for continuance of life, for bodily ftrength, and light, for the ftudy of the catechifin, as in
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