great reason to stand astonished at my own baseness; nor less so, at the several instances of mercy, both temporal and spiritual, with which God has favoured me since I awaked this morning. I can, through grace, adopt David's language, and close the evening with his sweet hymn of thanksgiving: "Praise the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits: who forgiveth all thy sin, and healeth all thine infirmities; who saveth thy life from destruction, and crowneth thee with loving kindness and tender mercies; who satisfies thy mouth with good things,' the good things of his providence, and thy heart with the better things of his grace; "making thee young and lusty as an eagle," Psalm ciii.

Sunday, 6. In the morning, read prayers, and preached, at Harpford; and, in the afternoon, here at Fen-Ottery: would I could say, with the fervour and sensible joy I sometimes experience. But I was rather in a cold frame the whole day. Lord, pardon my unworthiness, and wash away the iniquity of my holy things, in the blood of him thou hast provided for a burnt-offering! Thou art faithful, who hast promised: nor is my interest in thee the less secure, because I have not always eyes to see it clearly.

Tuesday, 8. .Our family dining early to-day, Mr. Harris (of Wellington) and myself took a walk, about two in the afternoon, to the top of FenOttery Hill. Looking round from thence, I observed to him how plainly we could see the two churches, of Harpford and Fen-Ottery, in the vale beneath us. Perceiving, however, a pillar of smoke rising into the air, at a little distance from Harpford tower; I asked my companion, "What he thought it was?" He replied, "I suppose they are burning stroil." Imagining this to be the case, we continued our walk for, I believe, full three hours, round Ailsbear Hill, and other parts of the common. Coming, at last, to Micktam in our circuit, we called on old farmer Francke: and were hardly seated, before

he asked us, "Whether we had heard of the fire at Harpford ?" Adding, that, "according to the best of what his eldest son could discern, it was farmer Endicott's house that was burning." The wind being pretty strong, north-east by east, I knew, that, if it was Endicott's house, or any of the adjoining ones, the vicarage-house and offices must be in imminent danger. I posted away for Harpford, without delay and, being got within near view of the village, plainly perceived, by the course of the smoke, that the vicarage had actually taken fire. By the time. I arrived at the wooden bridge, I met a man coming to acquaint me with what had happened: upon seeing me, he saluted me with " Sir, your house is burnt down to the ground." Entering the village, I found it almost literally true. The dwelling house, the barn, the linhays, the stable, &c. with the back house rented by John Woodford, were, as it were, by sympathy, all in flames at once, and more than half consumed.-Thomas Wilson's house, and that in which Henry Bishop lately lived (from which latter mine caught fire,) were totally destroyed. When I saw the vicarage irrecoverably lost, I returned to Fen-Ottery, and took horse for Exeter; where I arrived between eight and nine in the evening, and put up at Mr. Lathbury's. Being fatigued with my hasty ride, I thought it best to apprize Mr. Gearing (agent for the London Insurance Office) by a note, of what had happened: who, in his answer, desired to see me the next morning.

What I chiefly enter down this account in my diary for, is this: namely, as a memento of God's great goodness to me, both in a way of providence and grace. Though I was not certain whether the expence (I mean, all above the insurance) of rebuilding the vicarage-house, with its appendages, might not eventually fall on me (notwithstanding my resignation of the living last January 23), by Mr. Luce's probably refusing, in consequence of this

misfortune, to complete our projected exchange; yet neither the report, nor the sight, of this alarming visitation, made me so much as change countenance, or feel the least dejection. This could not proceed from nature; for, my nerves are naturally so weak, that, in general, the least discomposing accident oversets me quite, for a time. It was therefore owing to the supporting goodness of God, who made me experience the truth of that promise, "Thy shoes shall be iron and brass; and as is thy day, so shall thy strength be." Surely, we can both do, and endure, all things, through Christ enabling us. Had any one told me beforehand, "You will see the vicarage all in flames, without the least emotion of mind," I should have thought it impossible. But the strength of God was made perfect in my weakness; and therefore it was that my heart stood fast, believing in the Lord. O may thy grace be ever sufficient for me!

Spent the evening not only in a comfortable, but even in a rejoicing frame of mind; and never rested better afterwards. Thou, Lord, canst make the feeble, as David. Thus, the 8th of March was a day to be particularly noted, not in my book only, but in my latest remembrance; on account of that wonderful support with which I was favoured: which not only made my feet as hind's feet, and caused me to walk on the high places of Jacob; but which even bore me up, as on eagles' wings, above the reach of grief, fear, and weakness; and, as it were, laid me at rest on the bosom of Christ, and within the arms of God.

Wednesday, 9. Continued at Exeter until after dinner. Called on Mr. Gearing, and Mr. Geare. Found, upon inquiry, that, the fire at Harpford happening after the living was vacated by my resignation of it, the exchange will certainly stand good, and the melancholy event there, cannot possibly af fect me. Who would not trust in the Lord, and

wait until a cloudy dispensation is cleared up? Through grace, I was enabled to do this: and the result of things has proved that it would not only have been wicked, but foolish to have done otherwise. O that I may always be as well enabled to adopt and realize that divine apothegm, " He that believeth, shall not make haste.

Spent about an hour and an half with good Mr. Holmes: whom I found in great distress of mind, on account of his only surviving son being given over in a fever. During our interview, God so opened my mouth, and so enlarged my heart, that, I trust, both my friend and myself found our spiritual strength renewed, and were sensibly and powerfully comforted from above.-In the evening, returned to Fen-Ottery.

Thursday, 10. Drinking tea, this afternoon, at farmer Carter's, I had an opportunity of seeing more leisurely, the devastation at Harpford. The whole vicarage is one large mass of ruins. What a providential mercy was it, that I resigned the living before this misfortune happened! O God, how wise, and how gracious, art thou, in all thy ways!

Friday, 11. After breakfast, rode to BroadHembury, where I dined with Mr. Luce; who bears the late afflictive providence at Harpford better than I could have expected.

Sunday, 13. In the morning, read prayers, and preached, here at Fen-Ottery; and, in the afternoon, at Harpford, (from Rom. viii. 28.) to an exceeding large congregation.-I have much reason to bless God, for the great measure of bodily strength, vouchsafed me to-day: yet my soul was by no means in a lively frame. Neither triumphant, nor depressed, my mind seemed to resemble the time mentioned by the prophet, in which the day will be neither clear nor dark, Zech. xiv. 6.

At night, before I went to bed, was much troubled with coldness and wanderings in secret prayer.

VOL. I.

E

Monday, 14. Looking over one of my journals this morning, I could not help blessing God for such a series of mercies as my life has been made up of; upon which, these words were instantaneously and sweetly suggested to my soul, "I will carry thee on." Amen, gracious Lord!

But

Sunday, 20. In the morning, read prayers, and preached, at Harpford, to a very full congregation: but without any ray of sweetness or enlargement; at least, to myself. Between morning and afternoon service, I was much dejected and bowed down in spirit. I was so far left to the doubtings and evil surmisings of my own unbelieving heart, as even to dread the remaining public duties that lay before me. the glorious Lord was better to me than my fears, and graciously disappointed my ungracious misgivings: for, in the afternoon, he was with me, both in a way of strength, and in a way of consolation. I read prayers, and preached, here at Fen-Ottery, with great freedom, and considerable liveliness, to a crowded church.

About six in the evening, being alone in my chamber, I was still more sensibly led forth beside the waters of comfort. I tasted some sweet droppings of the honey-comb, and could say, "My Lord, and my God." The embers were blown aside, by the breath of the holy Spirit; the veil of unbelief was rent; and the shadows fled away. Light sprung up, and the fire kindled: even the light of God's countenance, and the fire of his love. Yet my comforts did not amount to the full triumph, and extatic bliss, I have sometimes experienced; but were gentle, peaceful, and serene: attended with a mild, refreshing, lenient warmth; which melted me into conscious nothingness before God, and made me feel him and rest upon him as my all in all. The very state this, in which, if it be his will, I could wish both to live and die: for I look upon such a placid reception of his gently-pervading in