SSS MEMOIRS OF PERIODXI. I had a difmal view of the cafe of the generation, finding, by a fcandal broke ,out, how the children of religious parents are degenerated, as a token of approaching judgment. On the morrow I fpent fome time in prayer, particularly for two caufes 1. Direction as to what I fhould take in hand ; 2. The prefer- vation of my children from fnares in this dangerous time of apoftafy. Having reviewed myfelf, made confefl'ion, and re- newed my acceptance of the covenant, I laid thefe, and other things, before the Lord, committing my children, and other members of my family, to the proteótion'of the great Shepherd of the fheep. And having confidered the matter of my ftudies, I found, that the work on the Hebrew text was begun already that God had allowed an occafionof returning to it, of the which there was fome time little hope ; that nothing did now catt up in competition therewith, even while I looked about to obferve ; that this has been what I much defired ; and that, being an im- mediate ftudy of the holy fcripture, it is a bufinefs in which I may becomingly fpend my remaining time, as the Lord shalt Ware to give accefs : and therefore I concluded, that I was called to addrefs myfelf thereto, tho' my strength is fmall, and thefe things are now much out of my head. Wherefore, that I might juft begin, I did that fame night put pen to paper; but did nothing to purpofe. It pleated the Lord, for my trial, to make the entry on that work difficult ; and the progrefs has, through feveral interrup- tions, been,fmall to the writing hereof whatever he minds to do about it. On the morrow 1 catechifed at Buccleugh. I con- tinued about three hours in that exercife Without my fpirits or flrength failing ; which is the more fweet, and filled my heart with thankfulnefs, that in the morning I had, in confideration of my weaknefs, prayed for pity. I was minded next day to have fpent fome time in prayer for affittance in the forefiid work : but being called out of my bed that night, to vifit a tick perfon fuppofed to be a-dying, I found in the morning that I was not in cafe for it. So I applied myfelf to writing of letters, which at length I was obliged alío to give over. Being feized with a colic, I behoved to take my bed that night: and riling on the Friday, I -was obliged to take bed again, where I was fixed till the Saturday morning. Then the pain was removed ; but I was unfit for bufinefs, fave writing of letters. But though the Lord's day was fo had that few came to church, it was a good day to me, in delivering the Lord's word, weak and crazy as I was. I admired the indulgenceof my gracious Matter, in timing the trial fo as not to mar my public work; and in that I had as much ftudied the preceding week, as fully ferved that Sabbath; fo that as I was not able, iò I did not need to ftudy. He is a good Matter to me : and, I kilted that rod. In the prayers of .Monday, Nov. 9. I fpread the Hebrew Bible before him, and cried to the Father, that, for the fake of his Son, he would by
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