Thursday 31. The evening text was Matthew xi. 28. Come unto me all ye that are heavy laden, &c. My mind was taken up with observing a gentleman and lady who were laughing and talking together all the sermon time. Lord forgive my sin and lay it not to my charge.
Friday February 1. My mind was much stayed on the things of God when I awoke and it continued so all the day.
Saturday 2. My soul was much alive this day, and I was given to see more clearly than ever, the mystery of iniquity which is in my heart. O thou who searchest and triest the reins of the children of men, give me to see more and more of the sinfulness of it, and do thou wash and cleanse it in the blood of Jesus.
Monday 4. This morning we experienced God’s providential care over us; for the chimney of the little parlour took fire, and might have done great mischief had it not been discovered in time. Thus the Lord took care of us [♦]where we knew of no danger, and could not take care of ourselves.
[♦] “when” replaced with “where” per Errata
Thursday 7. This day my uncle, and Miss H——e sat out hastily for Bristol, [♦]where my Aunt B——ly was in great distress, Mr. B——ly having died suddenly, and left her among strangers, with whom she was quite unacquainted till within three or four weeks. O how many unforeseen troubles are we liable to, which are all so many calls to us, to lay up our heart and treasure above.
[♦] “were” replaced with “where”
Sunday 10. Mr. Rodda preached on Matthew iii. 10. The discourse, blessed be God, came with power to my soul. O Lord give me the hearing ear, the seeing eye, and the understanding heart.
Monday 11. This morning being to be taken measure off for our mourning, we were obliged to go out, which dissipated my thoughts very much. O what a little serves to draw our minds from God! But alas they are not so easily drawn off other things; such enemies are we to ourselves.
Tuesday 12. My thoughts were pretty much stayed this day, and I was enabled to resist a temptation not to go to prayer because the weather was cold, and I was unwilling to leave the fire.