“The love of God still increased more abundantly than ever; the fire burned vehemently within me. I saw more clearly, that God had confirmed me in his favour; and that all was quietness and assurance for ever. I am astonished at the gift of God, and am willing if it pleaseth him to be hated of all nations for his name-sake. I will sing of mercy and judgment.”
“This day I was sorely tempted. Lord Jesus, thou knowest what my temptations are. I would rather die than deny thee by sinning against thee. Thou seest my simple heart. O guard and cover my head. My enemies are many, subtle, and powerful, and malicious; but thou art greater than them all. O God, thou art my friend, and strong helper, I will trust, and not be afraid.”
“I sensibly felt the Lord impressing his image on my soul. O perfect love! ’Tis all in all in religion. I want it above every thing, even this fulness of God in Christ.”
“The Lord gives me to drink of his love as out of a river. All things work together for my good. May every one that is godly, praise him for this, and trust in his name for ever!”
“I took to my bed through violence of pain in my head, and other symptoms of a fever. I resigned myself to God, and was unmoved. I wept with gratitude to my good God. My fever soon abated, and in the night I got rest. So graciously does he deal with me!”
*“At the Lord’s table, I had not only a clear witness that all was forgiven me; but likewise strong assurance, that God had purified my heart by faith. My soul was deeply affected with his love. The blessed Jesus is present with, and precious to me. O let my soul adore the Lord, and tell of his works with gladness. Let this be written for the generations to come.”
*“I wept with a sense of the goodness of God to me, and found all my dependance is on Christ. Christ alone! He makes me to rejoice in his salvation. His blood, and not my holiness, or usefulness is the only cause of my acceptance, and final justification. O who can bear praise, and rejoice in contempt? Only he that is fully crucified with Christ. This is my aim, to burn and flame with pure love to God. Nothing less than the full enjoyment of him shall ever satisfy me. Thy presence makes my heaven. O praise the Lord ye servants of the Lord, all ye that do his pleasure! Why am I not lost in astonishment and love! O the goodness and condescension of the blessed Jesus!”
“I was this day extremely ill in body; there was a burning all over my flesh. But God was the rest and life of my soul; who, notwithstanding my sickness, enabled me to continue in prayer and reading his word; yea, there was a burning of love in my heart. O may I sink into this boundless sea, and lose myself in God!”
“This afternoon, taking a view of my whole life, from my infancy, the manner of bringing me up, &c. I could not but admire and adore with weeping, the goodness of God for his dealings with me. I was an ignorant poor sinner; having no knowledge of God, and little of this world. But the Lord looked upon me, and said unto me live! My soul doth praise and magnify his name for ever! O for an enlarged heart! Jesus thou art my strength.”
*“I believe great things are at hand for me. This was one of my best days, nothing will satisfy me till John xiv. 23. is more fully than ever fulfilled in me: And my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him. Jesus saith I come quickly. Lord Jesus come! My soul burns with desire. I pant for the living God. O strengthen me to do always the things that please Thee! I believe thou wilt fully and finally save me.”