their money and ours, gave me occasion to reflect on the stupidity of those who place their happiness in that which has no intrinsic worth in itself, but only so much as we arbitrarily put upon it.

Went into a Romish chapel, wherein were the relics of a vast deal of pageantry, and several images of the Virgin Mary, dressed up, not like a poor Galilean, but in her silks and damasks. Oh, thought I, who hath bewitched this people, that they should thus depart from the simplicity of Christ, and go a whoring after their own inventions? Surely, were the great St Paul to rise from the dead, and come and view the Romish church, his spirit would be stirred up with him, as it was at Athens, to see them thus wholly given to idolatry.

Tuesday, February 21. After having read prayers, and written some more letters to my friends in England, went again to Gibraltar, to pay my respects to governor S. being told by captain M. that he expected to see me. The worthy old gentleman, like Sergius Paulus, received me with the utmost candour, and gave me a general invitation to come and dine with him every day, during my stay at Gibraltar. I thanked him for his kindness, had about a quarter of an hour's conversation with him, and took my leave for that time.

At one o'clock I returned to dine with him, according to his appointment, and was well pleased with the regular behaviour of the officers at table. We had what an Epicurean would call cœna dubia. At three I took my leave, and walked about with captain W. and other friends, to take a second view of the fort; went on board about five, read prayers, and began expounding the creed in the cabin; wrote some more letters, and went to bed, very thankful to God for sending me aboard.

Wednesday, February 22. This day I intended to stay on board to write letters, but God being pleased to show me it was not his will, I went again on shore, and paid both the ministers of Gibraltar a visit, who received me very affectionately, and offered me the

use of the pulpit. Oh, what a blessed thing it is for the clergy to dwell together in unity!

At eleven went to public prayers, and was much pleased to see many officers and soldiers attend the general to church. Methinks religion looks doubly amiable in a soldier.

After prayers, dined again with the general, who gave me another particular invitation, as I went out of the church. He treated me with uncommon civility, and desired me to preach the following Sunday.

Had an opportunity of sending a packet of letters with my journal to my dear friends in England. May the good Lord give them his blessing!

Went in the afternoon to visit a deserter, who had sent me a letter, desiring me to intercede for him with the governor, he being apprehensive he should die for desertion; I intended to answer his request, but the governor was so merciful that he ordered him to De whipped only, which I thought punishment little enough. O sin, what mischief dost thou make in the world!

In the evening returned as usual on board, read prayers, and expounded in the great cabin, buried a child, made an exhortation to the soldiers proper for the occasion, wrote to some friends at Deal, and went. to bed with unusual thoughts and convictions that God would do some great things at Gibraltar. Oh, that I were a pure vessel fit for my master's use!

Thursday, February 23. Continued all this day on board, did my usual duty in the ship, and put my dear friend B.'s sermon into the hands of two officers at Gibraltar, who came to dine on board with lieutenant D. They behaved very much like gentlemen, and seemed pleased with serious conversation. May the God whom I serve add the christian to the gentleman!

Friday, February 24. Blessed be God who this day hath shown me that he hath heard my prayer, and not taken his loving-kindness from me! Long before I reached Gibraltar, I prayed that God would open an

effectual door, at the place whither we were going, and direct me where I should lodge; and lo, this day he has answered me.-About ten in the morning comes capt. M. on board, telling me that one major S. (a person I never saw) had provided me a convenient lodging at one merchant B.'s, and desired that I would come on shore. I looked upon this as a call from Providence, received it with all thankfulness, and went with friend H. on shore, but not without first praying that God would direct us how to behave.

About the middle of the town major S. gave us the meeting, conducted us to our new lodgings (which were very commodious) and engaged us to dine with him and captain M. When I sent you without scrip or shoe, lacked ye any thing? and they said, nothing, Lord!

About eleven was introduced by doctor C. to general C. who was desirous of seeing me. He received me exceeding kindly, and after a little serious conversation, we went to the governor S.'s, from thence to public prayers, and I was highly pleased to see so many officers attending on the general to church. Doctor C. told me he had not known governor S. absent himself from prayers once these several years except when he was hindered by real sickness. O, that all others would let their light so shine before men!

Retired in the evening to our lodgings, had family prayer, wrote some few religious letters, and spent nearly half an hour in serious conversation with the people of the house, gave thanks for the blessings of the day, and was soon convinced that God had sent me that particular lodging of a truth. Be careful for nothing, but on every (even the minutest) thing, make your wants known unto God. For he careth for you.

Saturday, February 25. About six this morning went with friend H. to the church to pray with some devout soldiers, who I heard used to meet there at that time, and with whom my soul was knit immediately. For all my delight is in the saints that are in the earth, and in those that excel in virtue.

After we had finished our devotion, I made an inquiry into their state, and found that their society had been subsisting about twelve years, and that one sergeant B. (a devout soldier indeed) now amongst them was the first beginner of it. At first they told me they used to meet in dens and mountains and caves in the rocks; but afterwards upon their applying for leave to build a little place to retire in, doctor C. and governor S. gave them the free use of the church, where they constantly meet three times in a day, to read, pray, and sing psalms, and at any other season when they please. They have met with contempt, and are now in derision called, the new lights. A glorious light they are indeed. For I conversed closely with several of them, and they made me quite ashamed of my little proficiency in the school of Christ. Many have joined with them for a time, but a servile fear of man, that bane of Christianity, made them draw back. However, some continue steadfast and immovable, and though despised by the world, are no doubt highly favoured of God. Governor S. countenances them much, and has spoken of them often to me with respect. Blessed be God, even the father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath not left himself without witness in any place, but hath some every where, who serve him and work righteous

ness.

The Sunday before we came hither, I was telling my friend H. that I had reason to think, by what had happened to me, that God had some work for me to do at Gibraltar; he answered that there could not much good be expected from among soldiers. I replied-no doubt God has some secret ones in all places, who tremble at his word. And lo he hath this day brought me to them. By this I know thou favourest me, O Lord, thou King of saints.

There is also another society of the Scotch church, who in contempt are called dark lanterns. It has subsisted about a year, and is made up of many serious Christians, as I was informed. I did not think it agreeable to visit them, but I sent them, as well as the

other society, some proper books; had religious talk with several of them, and endeavoured to unite both societies together. Oh, when will that time come, when all differences about externais shall be taken away, and we all with one heart and one mouth glorify our Lord Jesus Christ.

About eight returned to my lodgings, and after having written some letters, went on board the Amy to marry a couple who sent to me yesterday to come and celebrate their nuptials. I took that opportunity of exhorting them all to take heed to the things that belong to their peace. Some, I believe, were affected, but the generality of them behaved so carelessly, that I could not but see a difference between those that have a minister and those that have not.

About twelve went on board my own ship, dined, did some necessary business, read prayers, gave my flock a warm exhortation, and returned about five on shore, where I spent nearly two hours with the devout soldiers in the church. Many of them conversed most spiritually, and seemed well acquainted with the pangs of the new birth. May God perfect the good work begun in their hearts! O how amiable are thy servants, O Lord of Hosts! How would the world admire them did they see their beauties! But Satan does now as formerly dress them in bears' skins in order to have them baited.

Sunday, February 26. Between five and six in the morning went with Mr H. (which I did all the while I was at Gibraltar) and sang psalms, prayed and expounded the lessons to the devout soldiers in the church, and was much enlarged. Thanks be given unto thee, O Lord.

Intended to go and preach to my people; was prevented by the violence of the wind; but was pleased to hear from some Gibraltar officers, who dined that day on board the Whitaker, that some of my flock had the courage to read prayers and sing psalms themselves, and (as I found afterwards) continued so to do, during my absence from them. Blessed be God! I hope I