1698. MR. THOMAS BOSTON; 32 with Carnock : but Mr Turnbull (hewed me, that I behoved not to go ; and I went not. William Paton, one of the elders of Clackmannan, was clearfor my going, and told me, what others kept'fecret from me, that they had a defign on me for, Clack- mannan ; but withal, that Mr Inglis, tackfman of the eftate of Clackmannan, whofe coal-grieve he was, and Kennet, would fet their foot againft it. But on July 26. two of the elders of Car- nock came to the Ferritown unto me, trying how I would relifh a call to their parifh. I left the matter open, faying little, and defining them to feek a minifter from the Lord. About the beginningof. Auguft, Mr Wylie wrote to the pretby- tery of Stirling, in name of the pretbyteryof Dunfermline, defer. ing them to allow me to come a day or two to them ; the which they abfolutely refufed : and that day, or foon after, I perceived the prelbytery had a defign on me for Clackmannan. That their, refufal I did not take well : but they never afked my inclination, and I had no freedom to urge their letting me go. However, afterward, on a letter frorn Mr James Erafér of Brea, minifterof Culrofs, inviting me to atiift by preaching at the communion there, on the 2111, I went and preached there accordingly in the church-yard ; Mr Turnbull having allowed, that if there was fuch a neceffity as was alledged in the letter, it could not well be refufed. At this time began my acquaintance with the worthy Mr George Mair, Brea's colleague, whofe converfation was after- wards of good ufe tome, in regardof the fpirituality of it, and the infight he had into the do6trine of the gofpel. I think, that holy and learned man Brea died not very long after. On the 14th of Auguft I communicated at Larbert, and was not altogether deferted in it : but I think, as I was walkingalone to my lodgings, I got my communion indeed. Two or three days before, I did endeavour to examine myfelf thus: They that havea fincere defire of union and communion with Chrift, have true faith, Matth. v. 6. ; 2 Cor` viii. 12.: and fuch are thofe who, t. chufe and defireChrift, without defire to retain fin ; that chufe Chrift whatever may follow, Heb. xi. 25. ; 2. that are not carried forth after fpiritual good things merely as profitable to themfelves, but as things in themfelves good and defirable, Pfal. lxxiii. 25. ; 3. who delire a whole Chrift, as well for fan&ifica- tion as juftification, 1 Cor. i. 30. ; 4. who efteem Chrift above all, 1 Pet. ii. 7. ; 5. who have a fenfe of fin preífing the con- fcience, and ferious difpleafure with it, Matth. xi. 28. ; 6. who make fuitable endeavours after Chrift, Prov. xxi. 25. But I (I appeal to God's omnifcience) have fuch a defire. For, 1. I de- fire Chrift without exception ofany fin, or the crofs : I am con- tent to part with all fin, and take Chrift, to follow him in his ftrength whitherfoever he goes. 2. I defire union and commu- nion with Chrift, though there were no hell to punith thofe who are united to their fins. 3. I delire a whole Chrift, and would as fain have fm fubdued and mortified, as guilt taken away. 4.
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