1730. MR THOMAS BOSTON. 381 continued betwixt us, though kept very quiet on both fides. But, on Saturday, July 18. I received a letter from him, inviting me to preach with them, on Monday after the facrament, being the 27th ; and withal bearing, that the two fermons he preach- ed here, were compofed before he was licenfed, efpecially the laft ; and that he could not fay they were altogether agreeable to his ordinary 'train ; and that, however fond hehad Tome time ago been of what fome reckon fathionable, yet he could no v fincerely declare, he is fully perfuaded that thofe fermons which run in a gofpel-ftrain, are only valuable. Herewith I was fo ftisfied, that I ftrongly inclined to anfwer his 'demand : the which too early readinefs cuffed, that, going to God with it, I found it not fo bound on my confcience from himfelf as I could have withed. But having again and again confidered and con- fulted the matter, I fignified to him my refolution to anfwer his demand if L was able. But on the Monday, being obliged to vifit a lick perfon at Dalgleifh, I found myfelf under an un- ordinary indifpofition after. Neverthelefs I attempted to ftudy for the efeht forefaid, on the Tuefday : but ftuck that day, after twice beginning it. I began it a third time on the Wednefday; but ftuck again, being quite unable to manage the text, Ifa. xi. lo. Whereupon I gave it over, and wrote to him that I could not be with him ; and thereupon was eafy, confidering both this difpenfation, and how it was quite above my ftrength to preach at home on the Lord's day, and then to ride nine or ten miles, and preach on the Monday again. The facrament was adminiftered at Penpont the fame day it was in Eikdalemoor ; 4nd thereat affifted my friend Mr Wilton. The ftrange conduét of Providence with refpe& to my two friends or myfelf affifting at the facrament in that place, from time to time, is before obferved. Never any of us went thither, on that occafion, but we met with fomething of un- ordinary trial, about it. That time wherein my journey to and from it was profperous, the tofs in the affair ofClofeburn, arofe out of it. The former time Mr Wilton was there, he was publicly contradicted by brethren, and obliged to fpeak to the people, before difmiflìng of the congregation, in defence of his dobt.rine he had preached to them. This timehe was there, having had a profperousjourney, and cómfortable being there, upon his return hither we were comforted ; and that ftrange courfe of holy providence feemed fo far to be broken off. In the laft week of Auguft I was obliged to vifit one fick at Porthurn, on the Monday ; and on the Tuefday having thoughts of going to Chapelhop, to vifit the fick there, I was fent for exprefs to Buccleugh, to fee Adam Linton a-dying; and he died that day, while I was with him. I had, on the Wednef, day was eight days before, gone to Buccleugh occafionally, knowing nothing of his illnefs, till I was by the way : but fo my God led me, by the way I knew. not. On the Wednefday I
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