Thursday 12. I rose with new desires to seek the Lord, and I found him at the morning preaching. After dinner, some of our neighbours were talking of one that had wronged them, and I thought it was better I should be reading my bible. So I withdrew. Glory be to God who gave me light to see, and power to take the safer path. In the evening some were pleading for a wilderness-state. I told them, that was not the Lord’s will concerning us: and I found freedom to tell them what he had done for my soul. O may he keep me low at his feet, depending upon him every moment for fresh supplies of grace!
Friday 13. Thanks be to God, I am at peace with God and all men, and love them all for Christ’s sake. I see, I am myself all weakness: yet I can do all things through Christ’s strengthening me. His mercies are new unto me every morning. O may he give me a thankful heart!
Sunday 15. I was much tempted with wandering thoughts at church, and to anger about the children: but, glory be to God, I perceived the enemy in his first approach, and looked for strength, and received it. May the Lord give me a watchful, praying spirit, and fill my soul with humble love!
Monday 16. Was the quarterly meeting, and Mr. W. was there. I wanted to go; but continually another and another business interposed. I was often tempted to impatience; but I saw the temptation just as it came, and it fled away. At the love-feast, I stood up to speak: but I had only spoke two or three words, when Mr. Furz (I suppose not hearing me) concluded. I was tempted to be displeased; but it took no place, the Lord giving me strength.
Tuesday 17. What a solemn morning was this! Dear Mr. W. preached his farewel sermon. May the Lord graft it on my heart, and brighten my evidence more and more. I have had reasonings to-day, whether the work was done: but glory be to God, I cannot doubt of it. I cannot doubt, but he has cast out sin. May he keep it out for ever!
*Wednesday 18. I am afraid, lest I should think something of myself. O may the Lord keep the foot of pride from me! It is of his free mercy that I am out of hell, and that I am preserved to this hour. And I must still perish, if he were extreme to mark my misdoings, and if he did not wash my most holy things in his blood.
Thursday 19. Blessed be God, I have been stayed upon him this day, and desiring to be filled with all his fulness. O for this spirit of prayer at all times, and in all places, to set the Lord always before me!
Saturday 21. My whole desire, is to have every thought, word and work, brought into the obedience of Christ, and to have my soul always ascending to God, wherever I am, and whatever I am about. This evening he was pleased to brighten my evidence. May he wash and keep me clean every moment!
Wednesday 25. This has been a day of temptation and trial on every side; but glory be to God, I could rejoice in the midst of it. May the Lord always give me to see the difference between sin and temptation!
Thursday 26. I often feel a soreness of heart, as sore as if it had been cutting. May the Lord give me to know, whether it is from him, or from any thing I have done amiss! If it is, may he bring it to my mind, that I may bring it to him and have it done away!