Friday, January 13. Remained all day on shore, the weather being too rough to go on board. Was in care about leaving my flock so long; but hope this short absence will make our meeting more agreeable to-morrow. Had the pleasure of joining in public worship at Deal, in a pretty chapel; which was more agreeable on account of our being confined for some time within the narrow limits of a ship.

Set apart this day as a day of humiliation, abstinence, and intercession for friends and all mankind, and found my heart greatly enlarged in that divine exercise. Intercession is a glorious means to sweeten the heart!

Spent the remainder of the day, and sat up till one in the morning in writing to friends.

Had two or three added to my company at night, who seemed very attentive, and prayed for me most heartily. The poor receive the gospel. I dispersed some books among them, as I saw proper. I hope God will give them his blessing.

Expected letters to-night from London, but was disappointed. God enable me in every thing to give

thanks!

Fancied myself all this day in my little cell at Oxford: for I have not spent so many hours in sweet retirement since I left the university. The pleasure I felt was inexpressible.

Saturday, January 14. Spent the morning in writing letters, and was much pleased with the pious conversation of a poor woman, who was one of my auditors last night, and who, I believe, has passed through the pangs of the new birth

Hasted on board about eleven, (the wind promising fair,) to take us out of the channel, and was affectionately received by the people.

I was greatly delighted to see all the ships sail together from the Downs. Nature, indeed, would have been glad to have staid till the morrow, that I might have received letters from my London friends, but God, I considered, ordereth all things for the good of those that love him, and therefore gave thanks from my heart.

Examined into the state of my little ones, (my friend H.'s charge,) and had reason to hope well of them.

Was enlarged in preaching after prayers to the soldiers, and spent two most pleasant hours in reading God's holy word. At night, though it was piercingly cold, we continued instant in intercession on deck; and the prospect of a clear sky, the stars glittering, and the inoon shining bright warmed my heart, and made me greatly rejoice in spirit. I now began to be more reconciled to a ship life; for God gave me health of body, and, without which all is nothing, content of mind. Had near an hour's conversation with one who, I hope, will become an altogether christian. O that that blessed time would come.

Sunday, January 15. God gave me and Mr H. sweet sleep. Had near two hours' retirement in the captain's round house, and was much delighted with singing psalms on deck with my companions. Read public prayers in the cabin this morning, and was much enlarged in preaching to the soldiers on this article, "1 believe in the Holy Ghost." In treating of which, I took occasion to show the nature and necessity of the new birth; a subject on which I delight to dwell.

Catechised the soldiers, and, blessed be God, find some of them improved. Was enlarged again in my evening sermon to the soldiers, and had prayers a second time in the great cabin, which gave me no small satisfaction; the officers, &c., willingly complied as soon as I imposed it; God be praised!

Had great delight in reading the holy scriptures, enioyed an unspeakable peace of mind, and was much comforted in interceding for friends, &c., on deck. The weather was cold, and the wind blew very hard; but when the heart is full of God, outward things affect it little. Surely my friends in England pray for me; nethinks I feel they do.

All the day the sea was entirely becalmed; every thing about us seem hushed and quiet, as though it would remind us of that sacred rest the day was set apart to commemorate. In the evening the wind blew

very fresh, but being full against us, we were obliged to sail back to the Downs (though we had got near fifty miles) where we arrived about twelve o'clock.

Monday, January 16. After private prayer, was most agreeably entertained with some letters from my London friends, which filled my soul with unspeakable pleasure, and caused me to shed tears of joy. If the correspondence of good people is so transporting here, O! how unspeakably ravishing must the personal communion of saints be hereafter. Hasten, O Lord, that blessed time, and let thy kingdom come.

Was a little affected by seeing a poor soldier tied neck and heels, for several mutinous words he had spoken. The captain related the case to me, and said, if I could make him sensible of his crime, I might beg him off. I endeavoured to do it, but, alas, in vain; be continued obstinate, and thereby hindered my design taking effect. After this, the captain ordered him to be tied down between decks; from whence I took occasion, in my morning sermon, to exhort the soldiers to obey them that had the rule over them, and to avoid those sins that would provoke God to command them to be tied hand and foot, and to be cast into outer darkness, where would be weeping and gnashing of teeth.

About twelve, a Deal boat coming alongside, I was minded to go on shore to answer my letters. The sea was very boisterous, but God brought us to shore rejoicing. O wherefore did I in the least fear? What am I, when left to myself?

It being the 16th day of the month, Mr H. and I Joined in an hour's intercession and abstinence, with all those that meet together to bewail their own and the sins of the nation. About four, took some bodily refreshments; and from thence till one in the morning, continued answering my correspondents, having first spread their letters before the Lord in prayer, and begged that I might send them answers of peace.

Tuesday, January 17. Was awakened with an alarm that the ship was ready to sail, but found it soon contradicted. Spent an hour in particular intercession,

and the rest of the morning in writing letters, and teaching Mr H. Latin. () that I may be made an instrument of breeding him up for God!

Came on board about two in the afternoon, and found all things quiet in the ship, was most kindly received; and I observed the women were very attentive when I proceeded to explain the catechism to them. May God open their hearts as he did that of Lydia, that these may give diligent heed to the things that are spoken.

Was much enlarged in my evening discourse, and hope the word entered into their hearts. Was kindly invited by the post-master of Deal, to lie at his house. Gained an opportunity, by walking at night on deck, after intercession, to talk closely to the chief mate, and one of the sergeants of the regiment, and hope my words were not altogether spoken in vain. O that all men would come to the knowledge of the truth, and be saved! Wednesday, January 18. Spent all the morning in retirement, reading the scriptures, public prayer, and preaching; the weather being extremely pleasant.

Began to live by rule more than ever, for nothing I find is to be done without it. All that had been sick being recovered, came to prayers, for whom I gave thanks, particularly to them. At the end of my sermon exhorting them with the utmost earnestness, to sin no more lest a worse evil should befall them, and to show forth their thankfulness, not only with their lips, but in their lives. O that there may be always in them such a mind!

Finished my exposition on the creed, read public prayers, and preached as usual in the afternoon. Catechised both my own companions and the soldiers; and was pleased to see many others very attentive to hear. Had great comfort in reading the scriptures. Was afterwards a little inclined to heaviness, but drove it off by a long intercession. Prayer is an antidote against every evil.

Upon examination, had reason to hope my compa. nions grew in grace; blessed be God for it!

About eleven at night went and sat down among the sailors in the steerage, and reasoned with them about righteousness, temperance, and a judgment to come, at which some of them almost trembled.

Thursday, January 19. Was much comforted by hearing from my friends. Began, after prayers this morning, to explain the catechism to the soldiers, and draw proper inferences by way of sermon, I find it is

much approved of, and, for them, by far the fittest way of instruction.

Spent the afternoon in answering correspondents; was much assisted in my evening's exposition on the catechism, and had great hopes of two soldiers becoming christians indeed. Would to God all the king's

soldiers were such!

Was enabled to compose a great part of a new sermon this evening. Enlarged in intercession, and afterwards much rejoiced by three more letters, and sat up till one in the morning to answer them. Whatsoever thou findest in thy hand to do, saith the wise man, do it with all thy might.

We had now such a calm and smooth sea, that all the people everywhere expressed their admiration of it. God grant that we may in a calm provide for a storm, and, like the primitive christians, when the churches had rest, walk in the comforts of the Holy Ghost, and be edified!

Friday, January 20. Rose with great peace of mind, spent all the morning in composing a sermon.

Happily composed a difference between a soldier and his wife, who were one of the four couple I married when first I came on board. The man had resolved to leave her, but upon my reminding him of his marriage vow, and entreating him with love, he immediately took to her again. What may not a minister do through Christ when his flock love him? Almost finished the sermon I began yesterday, blessed be God!

Went on in expounding the catechism after evening prayer; and now began to read the first lesson, which I purposely omitted before, not knowing they would