1699. MR THOMAS BOSTON. 77 fide, returned to Dunfeon the Wednefday, where I got fome'im- preffìon of the weight of the work of the miniftry fixed on my fpirit, which continued with me, while at my chamber, and while abroad about neceffary bufinefs, and received Tome corn- fortable account of the preceding Sabbath's work. Sept. 2Ò. After prayer, meditating -on what is before me, I faw much of the weight of the work ; wherefore I went to God mourning, and poured out my foul to him. I faw it a great matter to have the charge of fouls, and to be faithful. Two things were mainly before me : the difficulty to carry right in the minüiry in general ; which was heightened from the confideration of the prefent ftateof affairs, and an impreflion I had of matters turning worfe : and then thedifficulty of carrying right to the poor parifh to which I am called. Thefé mademy heart almoft to fink : and indeed my heart and flefh did faint and fail but that word, John xiv. 18. above cited, and efpecially that If xl. 11. " He " fhall feed his flock," did bear me up. When I went to pray.. er again, I had more confidence and courage and when I came away, that word came, Heb. x. 35. " Caft not away your con- fidence," &c. And while I was meditating, J. F. carne in to me ; and told me, that lait Lord's day at Langton was, in her opinion, an extraordinary day, particularly to her cafe and feel- ing and that her cafe was read in the fermons. This is the fecond time that fermons preached for my own café had fo reached that woman's. Having (pent the time in.prayer, meditation, and reading, till the night was well far on,' and remembering how Satan is Pure to lay wait for me in a fpecial manner before time great work that i have to do, I committed foul, body, and fpirit, to the Lord, and fo went on with fpiritual thoughts. Sept. 21. But that which I feared carne upon me : Satan got advantage of me indeed, and his hand appeared eminent in it. This did fadly caft me down : fo I poured out my foul before the Lord hoping againit hope while I walked up and down ; for in to far as it came from the devil, it dallied my confidence the lets. Afterwards I grew more dull in my frame ; but going to God again, I got a little more of God. I fpent the reft of the time in my chamber in prayer and meditation., After I' had been a while in company in Mr Colden's, I retired to his garden and meditated, my heart being ina tenderframe. And when I came away, and through the day, that word was given me for fupport, Deut. xxxiii. 27. " The eternal God is thy refuge, and under- " neath are the everlafting arms," And I came to Sirnprin in a folid compofed frame of fpirit, leaning on the forefaid word. This was the doing of the Lord, and wondrous in my eyes. I heard fermon with force good frame ; but my heart was very much moved when I came in to the kirk. Mr John Powminiter at Lennel preachedfromActs xx. Z4. " But none of thefe things " move me, neither count I my life dear unto myfelf, fo that I " might finifh my courfe with joy, and the miniftry whichI have No. . K
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