brought them on, we shall have to encounter the bitterness of regret, as well as the afflictive dispensation. To pray for preservation from evils of my own making, I often feel the engagement of my mind. Lamenting the state of human weakness and frailty that I feel, I have no resource to fly to but thy protection. O most merciful Father! be thou my strength and my support, and enable me, both spiritually and temporally, to pursue those things that make for peace.

26th, 6th Mo.-"The lot is cast into the lap, but the whole disposing thereof is of the Lord."* This consideration may have some tendency to tranquillise our minds, and calm our spirits, when agitated with the prospect of dangers and difficulties that seem likely to overtake us. The present view of public affairs is an awful one. The flames of war are again kindled, and so much threatening of an invasion from the French, that great preparations are making to repel the blow. How far this will operate on individuals, seems doubtful, and there is great room to fear, that it will be attended with particular difficulties. In all situations, we should endeavour to do the best we can; remember* Prov. xvi. 33.

ing, with humility, from whence all our help and strength must be derived, and relying on the good providence of God for protection. If "the lot is cast into the lap;" if every thing future seem doubtful, and we are anxious respecting the issue, yet the consideration that all events are in the hands of a merciful Creator, should revive our confidence, and encourage a degree of hope, that however gloomy the prospect may be, it will, under all-wise direction, ultimately terminate in good. I believe it is not advantageous to our minds to dwell much on scenes of horror, or frequently to read descriptions of them. They seem to harrow up the feelings of human nature without benefit, and often make so deep an impression on the mind, that they are not easily effaced. To prepare for such scenes would be almost impossible; to endeavour after it would embitter life; perhaps, comparatively, it is but a few to whose lot they fall, and when they have happened, however dreadful they may have been in contemplation, some alleviating circumstance unforeseen, may have accompanied them, or there has been an internal support, beyond what could have been expected.

21st, 7th Mo.-Yesterday we had a violent storm of wind and rain, accompanied by thunder and lightning. I am not particularly fearful of a thunder storm; but I generally feel it productive of a degree of awfulness in my mind, and giving rise to serious reflections. Yet, if I considered it more dangerous than it most commonly is, and that I had my choice of some inevitable evils, I think I should not hesitate to say, with David, "Let us fall now into the hand of the Lord, for his mercies are great and let me not fall into the hand of man."* Let me have that punishment, or affliction, which seems to have most of his immediate appointment and influence. I have often experienced him to be a God of mercy and longsuffering: and though I know that all events are under his all-wise direction, yet faith is not always sufficiently strong to prevent some dismay at prospects that at times come before the view of our minds.

11th, 10th Mo.-In the present state of public affairs, I do not always feel my mind as tranquil as I could wish. Notwithstanding an endeavour to put our trust in Him,

* II Samuel, xxiv. 14.

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who can over-rule all events, apprehensions of danger will sometimes agitate the mind; for our confidence in the Supreme Being, is not a confidence that we shall be guarded from the evils and afflictions of this life; observation and experience must convince us, that those most desirous of devoting themselves to his service, and coming up in the performance of all the duties of life, are yet liable to the afflictions attendant on humanity, whether from public calamity, or of a more private nature. A rational confidence arises from the belief, that He who governs the universe will cause every thing ultimately to terminate in good, though we may be very unable to comprehend the means he makes use of. This faith in his power and goodness is a source of consolation under every dispensation; and when afflictions are brought home to individuals in this humble state of dependance upon Him, I believe they will sometimes experience a renewal of their faith, and a vigour and strength of mind beyond what they could expect. comprehensive view of the goodness of God towards all his creatures, does not equally affect our minds, with the contemplation of his goodness to us as individuals. Nothing is too great for him, nor is any thing too small.

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We are separately, as well as collectively, the objects of his providential care; and we are assured by revelation, that the humble and contrite in spirit are the peculiar objects of his regard.

16th, 10th Mo.-Wilt thou not spare the city, for the sake of the righteous that are in it was the pleading of Abraham with the Lord formerly, on behalf of Sodom; and may not we be permitted to plead with the Lord for this hitherto prosperous island? Though we must acknowledge that in the strict sense of the word, "there is none righteous, no not one;" yet we trust, there are many who delight to walk in the law of the Lord, and to obey all his commandments. Wilt thou not spare, O Lord, for the sake of these, and preserve us from those who threaten us, and who would bring us into bondage? When we humble ourselves before thee, and repent of the sins which we have committed, have mercy upon us, we beseech thee, O Lord, as thou hast heretofore had mercy on the children of Israel, when they humbled themselves before thee, and sought thy protection! We trust we may intercede with thee for the blessings of peace, or indeed for other temporal blessings, so long as we feel