ing our own unworthiness and manifold transgressions, and with the sense of unmerited favours, have cause for being bowed in reverent, awful thankfulness, desiring to render the tribute of a grateful heart. More and more, O Lord, impress me with these. humbling sensations. Let me reflect how much thou hast bestowed, and how little I deserve, and with the sense of the many obligations I am under to thee, enable me to walk before thee in filial love and fear.

15th, 9th Mo.-" Unto the pure, all things are pure."* As this text has much dwelt on my mind, I have been led to consider the necessity of inward purity, and the great happiness attending such a state. It would save us much trouble and anxiety about many trifling events which now greatly discompose us; and we should feel that serenity of mind which arises from a consciousness of endeavouring to have our thoughts, as well as actions, under the guidance of the Spirit of Truth. Here we find solid satisfaction; and though sorrow may be our portion, from outward circumstances, yet can we rejoice under a sense of divine favour. If we rightly considered, we should find it well worth our * Titus, i. 15.

while to endeavour after this inward purity. While discord reigns within, and various passions are rising in our breasts, an outward harmony of conduct can hardly be preserved; but if the inside be clean, the outside will be clean also. If we sincerely desired to please God, we should be as solicitous to keep our thoughts unpolluted, as we are to preserve a fair outside to the world; knowing that his eye searches the most secret recesses, and that he beholds, with displeasure, every thing that is impure. Whilst we are sincerely aspiring after rectitude, and keeping our eye singly to the Lord, we can look with confidence towards him under every dispensation, and shall receive strength to support, with patience and fortitude, any trials we may have to encounter. But if we are indulging a vain imagination, or giving way to that which we perceive to be contrary to the manifestations of truth, we lose that hope which is as an anchor to the soul, and have to tread in the paths of lamentation and woe.

1777.

14th, 1st Mo.-"Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God."*

This text has given rise to various sentiments and conjectures, some of which have had no happy influence on the mind.

A few thoughts occur to me, on the impropriety of supposing (as many have done) that regeneration is an instantaneous work, of which we are sensible at the time; and from a state of death and darkness, feel ourselves translated into the kingdom of life and light, born of that incorruptible seed which is to inherit the promise.

By the fall of Adam, we lost that glorious state in which we were at first created; but through a Redeemer we may be restored again to happiness and glory. Now, as our Lawgiver has thought proper to compare this restoration to a second birth, I have been led to consider that, according to his simile, it is impossible we should be instantaneously sensible of it, as some have imagined. With regard to the natural life, we find that we are born, but we neither know when nor how; we feel that we have got a little strength, be* John, iii. 3.

fore we begin to consider what we are. May we not suppose it so, spiritually? We feel something within us of a spiritual nature; but we at first scarcely know what it is, or how it came there. If we treat it properly, it will, like our natural bodies, increase in strength; but if otherwise, it will never thrive; and though it cannot totally die, that is, be annihilated, yet it will be separated from the Divine life; which separation constitutes the death of the soul.

From the supposition that the new birth is some sensible impression on the mind, at a particular time, we may be led to a hasty conclusion, that we are in a justified state, from feeling some tender emotions, or a warmth of spirit, whilst we still remain unsanctified, and have not passed through the many dippings in Jordan, which are necessary to purify the soul. But this sudden transition from death to life, is an easy way of salvation; therefore, no wonder if it captivate the unwary mind. "As in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive." This seems to me to imply, that as, by the fall of Adam, we lost our union with the Divine nature, and consequently our state of happiness and glory, so, through

* I Cor. xv. 22.

Christ, each individual has the seed of life again sown in the heart, by faith in, and obedience to which we shall be again restored to a happy immortality.

I believe, many are witnesses of the power of this new birth, who yet as to outward knowledge, understand little about it; they would hardly be sensible what was meant by conversation on the subject. But the speculative frequently perplex themselves with words; and endeavouring to explain the manner of the operation of a divine influence, neglect retiring, in the silence of all flesh, to that inspeaking word, which can alone unfold the mysteries of a heavenly kingdom.

The wayfaring man and the fool, who probably find neither time nor inclination for deep studies, need not err in the path to happiness; because, by a simple obedience to the leadings of a divine principle, which they inwardly experience, they are drawn nearer and nearer to the fountain of light, and thus, by faith in this power, they become more and more enlightened, and increasing in holiness and virtue, are made fit to be translated to an inheritance incorruptible.

1st, 2d Mo.-O Lord, am I a sheep of thy