the sailors were very busy in taking care of the ship, which by the morning had dragged her anchor two miles.

Went early and visited the sea-sick soldiers and their families between decks, gave them some sage-tea and sugar, &c., and excited them all to thankfulness and repentance, out of gratitude for their preservation from the last night's storm; and returned public thanks at morning prayers.

Thought much of my dear London friends; though. absent in body, was present in spirit in sacred ordinances; and interceded for them and all mankind most fervently. Read public prayers and preached twice to the soldiers and read prayers once in the great cabin to the officers, at their request, which I liked very well: catechised my own companions, but had not time to catechise the soldiers, on account of attending the sick.

To-day being the first Lord's day I have spent this long time in so private a manner, I could not avoid reflecting on the following lines :

I sigh whene'er my musing thoughts
Those happy days present,

When I with troops of pious friends
Thy temple did frequent ;

When I advanced with songs of praise,

My solemn vows to pay,

And led the joyful sacred throng

That kept the festal day.

But I considered it was the Divine Will that placed me here, and therefore I rejoiced. He is unworthy the name of a christian, who is not as willing to hide himself when God commands, as to act in a public capacity.

Began now to live a little by rule, and to examine into the interiors of those that came with me; which I found a most useful exercise both for them and me. Continued all this day at the Nore, being quite becalmed; and at night had a most comfortable intercession for all friends, &c.

Monday January 9. Mr II. began to learn Latin.

Had near twenty catechumens with my own companions, who I believe made some advances.

Weighed from the Nore, and sailed before the wind in company with several others, which carried us on so briskly, that we anchored before Margate about one. Here I enjoyed a wished-for opportunity of writing to some of my London friends, and found my heart greatly enlarged towards them.

After dinner, having some necessaries to buy, Mr H. and I went on shore to Margate. The wind blew very fresh, and the sea raged horribly, but He that dwelleth on high was mightier, and kept us from the least fright, and filled me with great joy, and brought us safe on shore. We had the most abandoned man with us I ever saw, who came out of an East India ship: he had so much of the devil in him, that the very boat-men, profane as they were, abhorred him. From whence Í infer, that were the devil himself to appear as he is, the wickedest sinners could not but detest him.

This afternoon I began to feel the power of faith more than ever I did before, and to find that as the day, so will our strength be. When I went into the boat the sea ran dangerously high; but I could boldly say:

God is our refuge in distress,

A present help when dangers press;
In him undaunted we'll confide,

Though earth were from her centre tossed,
And mountains in the ocean lost,

Torn piecemeal by the roaring tide.

About five we got safe to Margate, where having received a little bodily refreshment, and recommended ourselves to God in prayer, we went about the town to buy the things we came for. The generality of the people we met with were civilized and teachable.

After we had done our secular business, we paid the curate a visit, the minister being at Canterbury. He received us most courteously. Our conversation was such as tended to the use of edifying; it ran chiefly

upon the great importance of the ministerial function; the necessity of preaching up the doctrine of the new birth; and the necessity and benefit of visiting from house to house.

About ten we left him, greatly refreshed in spirit, and thankful to God for exciting persons every where to entertain us.

On the morrow I sent him Mr Law's "Serious Call" and "Christian Perfection," with some other books; and also a few catechisms and sermons to some other serious people, whom Providence put in our way. Now, thanks be to God, saith the Apostle, which always causeth us to triumph in Christ, and maketh manifest the savour of his knowledge to us in every place!

Tuesday, January 10. About four this morning, Mr H. and I arose, intending to go on board immediately; but the wind blew so very violent, that by the advice of the boatmen we deferred going on board till daylight; and therefore, after we had kneeled on the shore and prayed for ourselves and others, we went back to the inn, and took that opportunity of writing to a friend or two.

About seven we took boat and praised and blessed God to see the floods clap their hands. About eight we came on board, and found we had great reason to be thankful that we were on shore last night. The sailors told us that the lightning shone on the sea all night; that the storm was very great, and the ship's long-boat was lost.

I read public prayers, returned public thanks for our deliverance, and expounded by way of sermon the_second article of the creed, which I began yesterday. Did the same after evening prayers. Spent the remainder of the day in writing letters; and have not enjoyed a more calm delightful frame of mind a long time.

The sick increased on my hands, but were very thankful for furnishing them with sage-tea, sugar, broth, &c. At the sight of so many objects of pity, I was sensibly touched with a fellow feeling of their miseries. I could not but transverse the prodigal's complaint, how many

of my father's children are ready to perish with hunger, whilst I have enough and to spare.

Had a most comfortable sense of the Divine Presence with me in many particulars. And in the evening, joined in intercession with my other companions on deck, in behalf of absent friends and all mankind.

Wednesday, January 11. Weighed from Margate road, and cast anchor in the Downs, the ship sailing most pleasantly before the wind. Wrote several letters whilst the ship was under sail. Had my spirits mightily refreshed upon our arrival in the Downs, by hearing from two or three christian brethren at London; and was desirous to bless God for a providential opportu nity that was offered of sending a whole packet to them and some other friends, to acquaint them how lovingly the Lord had dealt with me. O that the mercies bestowed on me may through the thanksgiving of many redound to the glory of God.

Had no public prayers this morning, being much hurried in writing letters to go by post; and when I went to read, the soldiers were engaged in their military affairs upon deck, so that I did nothing but visit the sick. I fear I did foolishly. Father, forgive me for thy dear Son's sake.

Went on in explaining the creed after evening prayers, and was enabled to talk of the crucifixion of our Lord: I believe it pricked them to the heart. O that I could hear them cry out, "what shall we do to be saved?"

Had the comfort to hear good was done among the soldiers; and the captain was pleased to express his approbation of my conduct. God grant I may with a single eye seek to please the captain of my salvation!

After evening prayers and visiting the sick, went ashore with Mr H. to Deal; and was so highly delighted with a prospect of the Downs, that we expressed our thankfulness in singing of psalms all the way. The boat-men I believe wondered at it at first; but they were not ashamed to blaspheme, and I thought had no reason to be ashamed to praise God. I had the satis

faction before we got to Deal, to hear one of them join seriously with us; and perceived a surprising alteration in their behaviour always after, blessed be God!

About five we got to Deal, and not knowing a single person, went (as at Margate) to pay my respects to the two ministers of the place: but finding neither of them at home, spent the remainder of the evening with my friend H. very comfortably in religious talk, family prayer, interceding for absent friends, and all mankind, and writing to christian brethren. And even here God did not leave my ministry without a witness; for he was pleased to impress something I said on a poor woman's heart, that providentially came in and joined with us in family prayer: for which we endeavoured to thank him. Behold how great a fire this little spark kindled before we left Deal!

Thursday, January 12. Spent most of the morning in writing letters: went about eleven on board, and was highly delighted with the prospect on the Downs, which was exceedingly calm; and a great many beautiful ships which were riding here, added to the prospect. O that men who occupy their business in the great waters, would (since they cannot but see) admire God's wonders in the deep!

Read prayers and went on explaining the creed to the soldiers; visited and prayed with the sick; and began this afternoon to explain the catechism to the women by themselves: I find they are in number about sixteen; and, blessed be God, were much affected. Prosper thou, O Lord, this work of my hands upon me!

Had some religious talk with the surgeon of the soldiers, who seems very well disposed. I seldom (if ever) see him idle, and find he has many good qualities. God grant christianity may be grafted in him!

After evening prayers and expounding the creed, went again to Deal with Mr H. to buy some necessaries for our companions. Spent the remainder of the evening in writing letters, and reading and praying with eight or nine poor people, who came I suppose at the report of the other poor woman to hear me.

D