1792.

Diary and Correspondence continued.

FROM this period, the letters of Lady Maxwell, which have been preserved, become less numerous. We shall, therefore, in tracing the subsequent stages of her experience, have recourse principally to her Diary; reserving, however, the liberty of inserting in chronological order at the end of each year, such extracts from her letters, as may either tend further to elucidate the exercises of her mind, or be calculated to convey instruction to others.

January 7. Agreeably to my earnest desire, I have, through the tender mercy and great indulgence of a God of love, seen greater things indeed. I had frequently prayed that I might terminate the last, and begin this new year, under the peculiar smile of heaven; and of a truth, my expectations were greatly exceeded. Early on Sunday morning, the first day of this year, I had a most wonderful display of the love and power of a Triune God. This continued for many hours, in its full strength; and in a

degree, for several days: it was a most memorable season: I proved the "overwhelming power of saving grace." I would here attempt to give the great outlines, for no human pen can describe all I felt and saw. Early on Sunday morning in secret prayer, God the Father, and Son, drew very nigh. A sense of the Divine presence so penetrated my inmost soul as to arrest the whole powers of my mind, in deep and solemn attention. A spirit of supplication was then poured upon me, for myself and others; while I felt so surrounded with Diety, so let into Jehovah, as no words can express. It seemed as if I might ask what I would, both for myself and others, with confidence that it should be done for me. This glorious and solemn interview continued till half past ten. I then went to chapel, when it was greatly increased. The eternal world felt very nigh: I seemed by faith come to Mount Zion, the heavenly Jerusalem. My spirit felt mingling with its blessed inhabitants, while the SACRED THREE felt, as it were, encamping around me. It was glory all-past expression! I seemed to sink deeper into the boundless ocean of pure love. This did not appear to me a solitary blessing, but in a measure diffused through the whole congregation assembled for the purpose of shewing forth the dying love of Jesus. I have learned that many were peculiarly blessed at the time. O my God, what can I say to these things? It is mercy, pure unbounded mercy. Enable me to improve these precious seasons to the utter

most. O Jesus, keep the loving eye of my faith steadily upon thyself; cover my defenceless head with the shadow of thy wing; then shall I be safe.

20. Since the 13th, I have experienced the goodness of the Lord: the languor then complained of, has been in a measure removed. On the morning of the 16th, my God strongly impressed upon my heart the following words : "The Lord is with me as a mighty terrible one; therefore, my persecutors shall stumble, and they shall not prevail; they shall be greatly ashamed; for they shall not prosper; their everlasting confusion shall never be forgotton. But, O Lord of hosts, that triest the righteous, and seest the reins and the heart, let me see thy vengeance on them; for unto thee have I opened my cause. Sing unto the Lord, praise ye the Lord; for he hath delivered the soul of the poor from the hand of evil doers."* Immediately after, the following passage seemed to pierce my inmost soul, "Watch ye, therefore, and pray always, that ye may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of man."+ It is not easy to say, what my feelings were on this occasion; the words solemnized my mind, and increased my desire and power to pray and watch. They have frequently recurred to my remembrance since, awakening in me a godly jealousy lest I should offend. O how good is the

* Jer. xx. 11-13. + Luke xxi. 36.

Lord to his poor creature, who, in the midst of many weaknesses, desires to love him with all her heart. With what wisdom and tenderness was the word of admonition administered! First strengthening and comforting my soul, by telling me he was with me; and then, warning me of danger, by pointing me to the best preservatives against it. Bless the Lord, O my soul.

May 20. Since my last date, I have gone through a hot furnace of bodily and mental distress. At times, my God and Saviour drew nigh, and often disappointed my fears; but my disorder deeply affecting my nerves and spirits, I suffered keenly. I now learned the propriety and necessity of those Scriptures, which were applied to my mind before the commencement of this great affliction. Alas! fear chilled my soul, and in a measure sunk me from God; at least, from that degree of sweet communion with the Father and Son, with which I had been favoured for four or five years. Words can faintly express what I have suffered. O that all may be sanctified to the utmost, and be succeeded by love so matured, as to exclude all doubt and fear. In many things, during my illness, I saw the hand of God, and had cause to bless him for his tender dealings: but still the powers of darkness were permitted to harass me greatly; and I did not, as I ought, glorify my God in the midst of the fires. One lesson my God has been teaching me all along-the virtue, the necessity of simple faith; that by faith, and not joy, I

must live. He has, in a measure, often enabled me so strongly to act faith on Jesus for sanctification, even in the absence of comfort, as diffused a heaven of sweetness through my soul, and brought with it the powerful witness for purity. The Lord has also been teaching me to die to all self-complacency. He hath shewed me much of my weakness, nothingness, poverty, and emptiness; and, at the same time, how simple faith brings Divine life into the soul. Within these few days, he has begun to repeat former manifestations of love, but they are generally succeeded by temptation. Though restored in a measure, it is as yet a state of spiritual weakness, but I fervently desire an increase of every grace.

June 22. During the last fortnight, I have been travelling for the benefit of my health, and have cause to say, the end has been in some measure answered. Many opportunities have offered for the spiritual and temporal benefit of others: O that an effectual blessing may follow the efforts. The Lord graciously interposed in times of danger on the road. In mercy he brought me home on the 20th, and enabled me to testify of his goodness to my soul when with his children. His dealings with me for some time past have been widely different from former times; he seems to call me now especially to live by faith, and to listen to the various teachings of his Spirit. O that I may profit by all, and be enabled to glorify my God under every varied dispensation.