"but have not made the progrefs might "have been expected over fin. I therefore "bemoan myself, but what fhall I do? I "muft renew my application to the grace of "Chrift. I confent to the gospel covenant; engaging myself, anew, in the strength

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" of God to perform all the duties it requires, and to oppofe all fin, thofe fins " especially, which I have found warring against my own foul. And, O! my foul, return to thy reft, to a quiet refignation to the will of God, to a firm confidence " in him, and a cheerful acquiefcence in "his providence, return to meeknefs, purity, "and charity.

THIS is all that I fhall transcribe from the diary, excepting what is neceffary to give the reader a juft view of Mr. Abernethy's reasonings with himself upon some important turns of life, and the principles upon which his refolutions were founded. To proceed with the account of his life.

His behaviour as the head of a family, was, in all respects, exemplary. Befides the daily regular worship of God in it (a matter in which he was very exact himself, and which

which with the greateft zeal he recommended to others, accounting it one great cause of the decay of religion, fo juftly complained of in the present age, that family worship was so much neglected) he set a part a day, from time to time, feveral hours of which he spent with his family, instructing his children and fervants, and praying with them. And he had the teftimony of all in his houfe, and of all the neighbourhood, to the great meekness of his fpirit, the evennefs of his temper, and a generous affectionate care of all that were under his roof.

It may be reckoned amongst his more private labours, that every fortnight, for feveral years, he spent a day with the members of his feffion, or (as it is fometimes called) confiftory, and as many of the principal perfons in the congregation, as were difpofed to attend fuch fervice, in prayer and converfation upon useful fubjects. Many of these have spoken frequently of it fince, as what was of great advantage to them. Several points in chriftianity, which are less obvious to the unlearned, were freely dif courfed upon, and every man had oppor tunity of propofing his difficulties. But the

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converfation always turned principally upon matters relating to practice, and which might tend to edification.

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In the public service he followed the rules then usually observed in the north; Expounding fome portion of fcripture, and preaching twice every Lord's day. On wednesday he always preached a fermon after which he spent some time in converfing with the members of the feffion, about the ftate of the congregation; and inquiring into any public fcandals, which were laid before them, according to the rules of dif cipline obferved amongst the Diffenters, in which he was very exact.

IN the year 1716, in purfuance of a project which had been long in his thoughts, he applied himself to labour among the native Irish, in the neighbourhood of Antrim, who were (almost universally) of the popifh perfuafion, to try if their prejudices would be removed, and they might be brought to embrace the proteftant religion. His heart was very much fet upon the execution of this defign; and for a confiderable time he managed it alone. He went frequently to

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Loughfide, a place in the neighbourhood, where the greatest numbers of them lived; invited them to public lectures, which were appointed in the most convenient places for their attendance; went from house to house among them, and where they would admit of it, converfed freely with them, labouring to convince them of their errors. When he had continued in this courfe fome time, he had such encouragement from their attendance upon public worship, and the good impreffions made upon some of them, that he defired the affiftance of the minifters of the neighbourhood in carrying on the defign, and with their help continued this attempt for a confiderable time. Sermons were frequently preached, and much time spent in private conversation with the Irish. There is nothing more frequently taken notice of in his diary than this affair, which he often very warmly and affectionately recommends to the divine care and bleffing. Nor did he ever exprefs greater zeal in any thing, than propagating the true proteftant principles, and delivering men from papal, and all other ecclefiaftical tyranny, together with the unhappy prejudices on the one hand, and enfnaring arts on the other, by which it is fupported,

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fupported. His labours among the Irish were not without fuccefs. Several were prevailed upon and embraced the protestant religion. Some of thefe did indeed return to the profeffion of popery; others continued firm to proteftant principles, and gave good evidence of being fincerely religious.

Ir will appear to the reader from the accounts already given, that Mr. Abernethy was a person of unwearied application and diligence. But no one who was not well acquainted with him, could imagine how little time he loft. It appears from his diary, that he very particularly knew the state and character of those who were under his paftoral care. They had always ready accefs to him. He carefully vifited the fick and his people had fo high an opinion of his wisdom, that in all difficulties and perplexing cafes, he was their refuge. He was ready with a most friendly spirit to affist in their counfels, and had a very uncommon dexterity in conducting affairs. He thought it not beneath him to ferve the meaneft of them, when he had an opportunity of doing good. From this it will be readily conclud

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