Monday, October 30. Still God is pleased that the wind, what there is of it, should be contrary, and our ship's company are now brought into great straits. Their allowance of water is a quart a day, and our constant food for some time has been on salt beef and water dumplings, which do not agree with the stomachs of some amongst us. But God enables me to rejoice in that and all other necessities, yea, he so comforts me that many I believe are surprised at my cheerfulness. But when we are destitute of outward comforts, then does God more comfort our souls. This morning when I awoke, the faith of Abraham was greatly pressed upon me; and the example of Daniel, and the three children, who were fat and well favoured, notwithstanding they were fed with pulse and peas, is continually before my eyes. Some say we are within a hundred leagues of land. But what does that signify, if God says, hitherto shall you go, and no farther. Lord, in thy due time, let that which now letteth be taken away, but not before this trial has done what it was sent for, though it make us smart.

I warm myself by smiling on, and exhorting them, and this afternoon we joined in solemn prayers suitable to our present circumstances. Lord, let our cry come unto thee. I know it will, and that we shall be answered, if it be best. But great blessings await me on shore, and great trials must precede. Oh, that I may by these small, be prepared for greater sufferings. Amen, Lord Jesus.

Monday, October 30. Was comforted to night in my present circumstances, by these verses out of this evening's lesson. "I have learnt in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content. I know both how to be abased, and I know how to abound; every where, and in all things I am instructed, both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. I can dc all through Christ which strengtheneth me. come, Lord Jesus." Amen, and Amen. Reading afterwards in the book of Maccabees, thinking of my present situation, this verse was pressed

Even so

and

with unspeakable comfort upon my soul. "After this, they went home, and sung a song of thanksgiving, and praised the Lord in heaven; because it is good, because his mercy endureth for ever." I hope my friends will take care to fulfil this when we meet together on shore. Wednesday, November 1. This afternoon, about four o'clock, as I was in secret, humbling my soul before God, interceding for my friends, and had been praying for a fair wind, and assistance in the great work lying before me, news were brought that the wind was fair; which put me in mind of the angel's being sent to Daniel, to tell him his prayer was heard, when he was humbling his soul with fasting, and praying for the peace and restoration of Jerusalem. Indeed I cannot say, I have purposely, for these three weeks, eaten no pleasant food or fasted, as he did; but our food is so salt that I dare eat but little, so that I am now literally in fastings often. Oh! that I may improve this blessed season for humiliation, and extraordinary acts of devotion, that I may be duly prepared to approve myself a faithful minister of Jesus Christ, whether by honour or dishonour, by evil report or good report.

As soon as we found the wind fair, we joined in thanksgiving, and in singing the first part of the thirtyfourth Psalm, (new version,) which was very applicable to our circumstances. For they tell me they have not above three days' water on board, allowing a quart to each man a day. But he, that at one time, at the request of his disciples, considered the multitude, and worked a miracle for their relief; and, at another time, at the intercession of Moses, gave water to the wandering Israelites, I trust, now, has heard our prayers, and sent this wind with a commission to bring us where he will supply all our wants, if not, ( blessed Jesu, thy will be done. Give me grace, I most humbly beseech thee, to hold out iny three watches, and at the fourth watch I know thou wilt come. Even so come Lord

Jesus.

Saturday, November 4. For these two days last

past, God has been pleased greatly to humble my soul, and bring me low by spiritual desertions; and to-day ne has thought proper again to send us a contrary wind, blessed be his name. Our allowance of water now is

out a pint a day, so that we dare not eat much beef. Our sails are exceeding thin, some more of them were split last night, and no one knows where we are; but God does, and that is sufficient.

Last night he lifted up the light of his blessed countenance upon me, and to day fills me with joy unspeakable, and full of glory; so that though I have little to eat, yet I inwardly possess all things. I am sometimes afraid lest continued abstinence may occasion a bodily sickness. But wherefore do I fear? If it does, that and every thing else I know will work for my good. What I most dread, is lest any on board should charge God foolishly; but I check the first motions I discern arising in any one's heart, and endeavour to justify our good God, in all the evil that he hath brought upon us.

put before them the example of the widow of Sarepta, and caution them against murmuring like the Israelites, at the waters of Marebah. And thus I endeavour to comfort and support them with the comforts wherewith I myself am comforted of God.

This is now the eighth week I have been aboard. If my friends ask me, why I arrived no sooner, I may truly answer, Satan hindered us. For I believe it is he who is permitted to do this; but this still gives me greater hopes, that a more effectual door than ever will be opened in England, for preaching the everlasting gospel. O Satan, Satan, I defy thee to do thy worst; thou mayest toss me up and down, and bring me into jeopardy on every side; but Jesus Christ is praying for me on the mount. And when the time appointed by the father is come, and my soul hereby prepared, he whom winds and storms obey, will speak the word; and then I shall have a happy meeting with my dear friends!

Sunday, November 5. This day we rejoiced with trembling. For though we thereon commemorated our

deliverance from the gunpowder-plot, yet as our cireumstances called for acts of humiliation, I used part of the office of commination, (besides solemn prayer and psalms three times,) and enlarged on these words of St. James," My brethren, count it all joy, when ye fall into divers temptations; knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience but let patience have her perfect work." I hope this had a good effect upon my hearers' hearts, and calmed their spirits. For indeed we are brought very low; but I can say with the penitent thief, "that I suffer justly, and do not receive the ten thousandth part of the reward due to my crimes." Lord, remember me now thou art in thy kingdom!

Monday, November 6. Last night, about seven o'clock, God was pleased to suffer a violent wind to arise, which would not permit me to rise till this afternoon, about which time it began in some measure to abate. Blessed be God, through the precaution used by our shipmates, we shipped but little water, only we were driven some leagues back. The weather was pretty cold, and a little cake or two baked on the coals, and a very little salt beef was all my provision for the day; but thus Elijah lived for a long while, and why not I? Nay, he fasted forty days and forty nights. And though I dare presume to do so, yet if God still brings me into greater wants, I doubt not but I shall find that man liveth not by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God. Lord, I desire not to be exempted from suffering, but to be supported under them. If thy glory can be promoted by my trials, lo, here I am, scourge me, try me as it seemeth good in thy sight!

Wednesday, November 8. Preached myself, yesterday and this morning, inwardly weak and fainting, and unable to read scarce any thing. But, blessed be God! though he kill me, yet will I put my trust in him.

When my spirits are gone, I then find my faith, as it were, less lively; but I trust that is only owing to

the frame of my body. For at all other times I have great confidence in God! and was he now to put it to my choice, whether this trial should continue, or he should send us a fair wind, I should humbly refer it to him again. For I know not what is best for me!

Most in the great cabin now begin to be weak, and look hollow eyed, yet a little while, and we shall come to extremities; and then God's arm will bring us salvation. May we patiently tarry the Lord's leisure! Amen, Amen.

Great part of this day I lay down, being weak and much oppressed in my head; but at night when some doubted what the end of this visitation would be, the following verses were with great comfort pressed upon my soul. "For I am in a strait between two, having a desire to be dissolved, and to be with Christ, which is far better. Nevertheless to abide in the flesh is more needful for you. And having this confidence, I know that I shall abide and continue with you all, for your furtherance and joy of faith: that your rejoicing may be more abundant in Jesus Christ for me, by my coming to you again." Thus christians have meat to eat, which the world knoweth not.

In confidence of this, and such like texts, that have been from time to time applied to my soul, I still (as often as my strength will permit) continue to write letters ready to send when I come on shore. Which reminds me of Jeremiah being commanded to buy land, when his whole country was about to be carried into captivity. Blessed are they that walk by faith, and not by sight!

Though one in his haste the other day cried out, "What Jonah have we here on board?" And I answered, I am he; yet many now, I believe, bless God, that I am with them. For, say they, "How should we have been blaming and cursing one another, had not Mr W――d been amongst us." Blessed be God, if my ministry or presence can be instrumental to prevent sin against thee, O Lord, toss me on the ocean as