1731. )it THOMAS BOSTON. 39 trial toa comfortable iffue : which helped to truft him for what remains at the writing hereof. I obferved, that this turn came not, until I was engaged again in the work an the Hebrew text, in which the Lord has pitied me as to fleep, according to mfr define, p. 381. ; and this timing of that favourable turn, was fo agreeable to the Lord's ordinary way of dealing with me, that I bad fbme expeétation before I returned to that work, that I be- hoved to be yoked to it again, ere that dark piece of Providence relating thereto would open. Moreover, I obferved, that it came at a time wherein I had attained, through grace, to more wean- ednefs and quieting of myfelf under a particular in my cafe, than I had of a long time before. And I` cannot but further remark, to the praife of glorious free grace, and the covenant-order in difpenfing the benefits thereof, that on the Wednefday before the firll of the letters direéted to myfelf came, being Dec. 23. 1730, we had been led to keep a congregational thankfgiving, for the removal of the late touch ofdearth, and the good harveft. This had been in my view lime my converfing with the five dif- fenters above mentioned, who, from their personal knowledge, informed me of more difmal effeóts of that dearth than I had been aware of, though I knew it to be very grievous : but it was put off fo long, waiting if perhaps we might be called thereto by a fuperior authority. However, the people were fenfible of the call of Providence, and we had a very full meeting that day. Now the fenfe of the above- mentioned fignal appearance of Providence for my comfort, in that work: which has long been at heart with me, moved me to begin, and thus far 'to carry on the account of my life, before I thould return to my workbroke off by thefe letters. And that filled my hand till this Saturday's night the 9th of January. As for the diets of catechifing, whereofone only now remains, viz. for the firit time, I have been comfortably carried through them all, except that at Calera- bank above mentioned. On the morrow there carne to my hand a letter, ¡hewing that Mr Du-pont, who had urged me to writ to M. Maurice, profeffor of theology at Geneva, impatiently expe6ted a letter for him. The accentuation, fo far as I could underftand, being of little reputation in thole parts, I was not fond of the toil of that writing, whence I could have fo little expe&&ation. But upon that repeated call thereto, I addreffed myfelf to it; and on the Monday and Tuefday, the Lord helping me, I made out a fpecìmen, of two fheets, for him. Being on the morrow to Catechife at Kirkhop, I, thus exhaufted, fearing I thould be confuted in that work, prayed that the Lord would make me clear and diftinét in it ; and my God heard me, to my owncon- viction. On the Thurfday with force difficulty I carried the fcrolling of my letter force length : but at night applying thereto again, I was fo worked thereby, that on the morrow,
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