342 PROFITABLE READING OF THE SCRIPTURES. [1775.

Monday, September 4.-Last night, after writing down my exercise during the day, I took up my Bible, and read in Revelations, from the sixth chapter to the end; during which the Lord was pleased to give me such hope and comfort in the faith of the glory to be revealed, and of my own part in it, that I could hardly read for tears of joy. I had sweet peace through the evening,-the enemy seemed to have left me, and this morning I awoke with these words: "He hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin, that we might be made the righteousness of God in him." I made haste to get upon my knees, and the Lord poured out upon me the spirit of grace and supplication with thanksgiving. I got much liberty of access to God, and made known my suit with boldness, and confidence of being heard; in particular, for the church of Christ, for my chapels, ministers, schools, my bosom friends Lady Maxwell and Lady Henrietta Hope, their parents and mine. I felt much love for them, and all the saints, as being one with them in Christ;-was astonished at the grace and mercy of the Lord, in calling such worms to partake of his glory, and particularly myself, the vilest of all. I got new light upon some Scriptures while praying over them, especially Heb. xii. 1-6. "Wherefore, seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us. For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth;" and Phil. ii. 5. 11. "Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus.” "And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of the Father." I got a sight of one great evil in my heart, namely, being

unwilling to become of no reputation for Christ. I prayed earnestly to be made willing; and also for a spiritual mind, and to be delivered from vain thoughts. I asked power to persevere in the use of the means for attaining spirituality of mind, and that I might be kept from temptations which have hitherto overcome me, and now threaten me. Glory be to God for the mercies of this morning. I note this to the praise of his glorious rich free grace to the most unworthy of all his redeemed creatures.

Sunday, September 10.—This last week I have again been tried with vain company, and have cause to lament my numberless miscarriages and omissions. I yielded too much to their spirit, yet I have cause to bless the Lord for enabling me to confess him before them. I have had little life or comfort to-day in my soul, yet at bottom there is a hope I would not part with for a thousand worlds. There is a state of life and immortality beyond the grave.

Sunday, September 17.-During the course of last week I have had much occasion to lament the deep depravity of my mind, and the power of old habits; yet, notwithstanding my folly, the Lord has at times been very gracious to my soul, particularly one day when reading in the fields an old book, Christ in you the hope of Glory, by Brown; or Christ dwelling in the Believer by the Spirit. I was made to believe my union with him, and his actually dwelling in my heart by faith, in so clear and satisfactory a manner, that I was filled with joy and wonder unspeakable. My soul was transported with a view of invisible things,-it seemed too much for the body.

This morning, after trying to pray, being very dull

and dead in it, I took up Vincent on the Coming of Christ to Judgment, and had not read far before my soul was filled with unspeakable joy and peace in believing. I was made to see my willingness to receive him, and consequently my interest in him. I was overwhelmed with a sense, or foretaste as it were, of the glory to be revealed, and astonished at the sovereign rich grace of God, that had written my worthless name in the book of life before the foundation of the world. I fell at his feet overcome with love, unable to speak, and could only adore in silence, uttering my feelings by sighs and tears.

At church the Psalms were refreshing to my soul. I could sing heartily to the Lord, my Strength and Redeemer. The text was, "Rejoice that your names are written in the book of life.”—I did rejoice. The four last verses of the 97th Psalm, which were afterwards sung, were very pleasant to my soul:

For thou, O Lord, art high above

All things on earth that are;
Above all other gods thou art
Exalted very far.

For all those that be righteous,

Sown is a joyful light;

And gladness sown is for all those

That are in heart upright, &c. &c.

I saw much in that verse, Light is sown for the righteous, and gladness for the upright in heart. But this pleasant frame did not last long. Upon the whole, this has been a blessed day to my soul. Glory be to God!

Sunday, October 8.-The Lord has been very gra

cious to me during the course of last week and this day. This is a time of prosperity with me in soul and body. I enjoy health, riches, friends, comforts of various sorts; spiritual mercies, peace of conscience, freedom from many evils, and some measure of faith in the glorious things that await me when time shall be no more. The dangers I have now to fear are spiritual pride, high-mindedness, self-seeking, selfrighteousness, impatience, sloth, carelessness, omission of known duties, and carnal security. Gracious Lord, deliver me from these, and every other sin and snare thou seest me in danger of,-undertake for me,-preserve me now in this day of wealth, lest I be full, wax fat, and kick against thee. Let thy grace and power be manifested in keeping my soul near to thyself, in a humble dependance on thee for all things. Sensible of my own nothingness and emptiness, may I come every moment to receive from thy fulness, wisdom, righteousness, and strength. Grant this, for thy holy name's sake. Amen!

CHAPTER XIV.

Lady Glenorchy returns to Edinburgh-Some circumstances with respect to her chapel there cause her much uneasiness-Extracts from Diary -Letter from Lady Glenorchy to the Presbytery of Edinburgh concerning Mr Grove-Answer from the Presbytery to her LadyshipMr Grove determines to return to England-Lady Glenorchy still further distressed with the circumstances of the chapel-Resolves to leave Scotland-Her friends' remonstrances against this resolution, particularly Lady Henrietta Hope-Lady Glenorchy determines to invite a minister to her chapel to whom the Presbytery could have no objections-Extracts from Diary, from January 14, to April 20, 1776 -Lady Glenorchy makes choice of Mr Balfour as the minister of her chapel-Correspondence of Lady Glenorchy with the Presbytery of Edinburgh on the subject-Difference of opinion in the Presbytery on the measure The matter brought by complaint before the Synod of Lothian and Tweeddale-Lady Glenorchy goes to Taymouth-Extracts from Diary, from July 11, to September 2, 1776.

LADY GLENORCHY returned to Edinburgh in October, where circumstances soon occurred which gave her much and long vexation. Some of her religious friends had scruples with respect to their continuing members of the established church, and they separated from it, and became zealous and censorious sectarians of different denominations. These occurrences affected her very much. Mr Grove had preached in her chapel three months at the close of the last year, and after going back to England, he returned in October, bringing his family with him, and preached for as long a period at the end of this present year. He was very generally acceptable to the congregation, and desirous to settle amongst them; nor was Lady Glenorchy averse to it.