1679.

October 2nd.—I rode to Stubbings, and preached at S. Hopkinson's; God wonderfully melted my heart in prayer, and assisted me in preaching from these words: "Let us consider one another, to provoke unto love and to good works."

3rd. We had our solemn day of humiliation at my house. God was pleased to assist me wonderfully in praying and preaching; it was a precious season.

4th.-Was assisted in study, though much interrupted. My wife and I resolved to spend some time in prayer together -distracted by company.

5th.-God wonderfully enlarged my heart in prayer, preaching, and administering the Lord's supper. Blessed be his holy

name.

6th.-Visited the family of J. Baxter, and was comforted in prayer. Studied the rest of the day.

7th. My wife and I rode to Mr. Sharp's at Little Horton, where we kept a day of thanksgiving for family deliverances. It was a good season, though my heart was not so much affected as I have experienced on the like occasion. Lord, shew me the cause.

8th. My son Eliezer and I rode to Mr. Cotton's, at Denby, where God mercifully assisted us in the acts of worship, in which we were both engaged.

9th. Mr. Hancock and I preached at Mr. Cotton's. He on these words, "Giving thanks to the Father, who hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light;" and I on the following: "But this I say, brethren, that the time is short." God graciously comforted my heart in the work of the day.

10th.-Visited some other friends; set out after dinner, called on Mr. Thorp, rode home, and was mercifully delivered from the dangers of the waters by the way. Blessed be God.

12th.-Was graciously assisted in all the public services of the day, and filled with comfort. Blessed be the name of the Lord for ever.

13th. Attended the funeral of Robert Ramsden, of Halifax, called on Dr. Hook, and visited other friends.

14th.-Rode to Dam-head, where God wonderfully melted my heart in prayer, and in preaching to a full assembly from these words: "Now, therefore, thus saith the Lord of hosts, Consider your ways. The Lord gave hopes of good, by stirring up the affections of those who were present.

15th. Was mercifully assisted in making preparations for

the work of the ensuing day. My heart was quickened in offering praise and thanksgivings to God for his unnumbered

mercies.

16th. We had a day of thanksgiving for public and family mercies. Mr. Dawson was employed in offering up our praises to the Lord; after which I was engaged in the same delightful work, and in preaching.

17th. We had a solemn day of fasting and prayer at J. Kershaw's. O what a heart-melting season was this to us! I hope God will hear and answer prayer.

18th. In study and prayer was much enlarged: it was a good day. Glory be to the name of my merciful Father. 19th. We had a numerous assembly. I would be thankful for some measure of comfort, though I did not experience such meltings in prayer as at some times.

The

20th. I travelled to Great Gomersal, kept a solemn fast with Mr. Dawson, Mr. Holdsworth, * and many more. Lord sweetly melted my heart in prayer and preaching.

21st. Took a journey towards Craven, visited J. Forster's family, and preached at Thos. Leech's to a considerable company. In the evening, the Lord assisted Thomas Leech, M. Broadley, and myself in praying for the nation.

22nd. Preached at J. Key's to a full assembly. The Lord wonderfully blessed us in prayer; many tears were shed, and the people were so much affected that at some times my voice was scarcely heard. I have seldom known the like before! Surely it is a favourable token.

24th.-Came with some friends to J. Baldwin's, where some time was spent in useful discourse. Returning home at night, I saw great reason to bless God for this sweet journey.

25th-Endeavoured to study, but my heart was cold, dead, and distracted. The Lord pardon me.

26th. This was a day of mercy. The Lord helped me in praying and preaching amongst a multitude of people. My "He also shall be my salvation."

text was,

27th. We kept a solemn fast at Alice Holt's. O what a day was this! What meltings of heart and shedding of tears before the Lord! Mr. Dawson, Mr. Priestley, Mr. Bradshaw, and myself were employed in prayer. Blessed be my God for such seasons as these!

He was chaplain to Sir Rich. Houghton, of Houghton Tower, in Lancashire, after his ejectment from the University of Cambridge. In 1672, he preached publicly at Heckmondwike, in Yorkshire, and continued to labour there till his death in 1685, when not quite fifty years of age. His memory is still revered as a useful minister of Christ.

-

29th. We had a solemn fast at Mr. Dawson's on account of the nation. My heart was sweetly enlarged.

30th.-Preached at Sowerby on Heb. x. 24. Alas! I see many defects in what I do, and great cause for humiliation; yet the Lord stands by me to help me in time of need.

31st. Was much refreshed in closet prayer, but afterwards lost much time in seeking some sermons which I could not find. The Lord pardon me. Afterwards visited J. Langley, discoursed, and prayed with him.

November 1st.-The Lord graciously led my thoughts to a text, after I had been much agitated about the choice of one. My heart was then quieted, and I was helped in studying.

2nd.-Preached on these words, "Thy will be done." I was much helped and comforted.

4th.-Studied in the morning, and in the afternoon Mr. Dawson and I rode to Morley, and lodged at Mr. John Brooksbank's. We had the next day a double lecture at the meetinghouse, Morley, where there was a large assembly. Mr. Dawson's text was, "There is none like the God of Jeshurun;" mine, "Let us consider one another, to provoke unto love and good works." For assistance afforded to us both, we have great reason to be thankful.

6th.—We had a meeting preparatory to the ordinance of the Lord's supper at Morley; after which I went to Leeds, lodged at Mr. Hick's

7th.-Visited several friends at Leeds, discoursed with them about the concerns of their souls, and joined with them in

prayer.

8th.-Dined with Dr. Whitaker, and discoursed about some unhappy differences among good people.

9th.-Rode to Alverthorp, where I was much assisted in prayer and preaching. On my return home, I found all well after this long absence. Blessed be the name of the Lord.

11th.-Preached at John Butterworth's of Warley, where God brought many people to hear me, and gave my soul sweet enlargement in speaking to them, and praying with them.

12th. We had a day of fasting and prayer at James Tetley's. God graciously helped me in the work, especially in praying for the nation.

Went to Little Lever, the place of my nativity, and preached there to a full assembly of my relations, old neighbours, and friends; God was graciously with us.

At Cockey chapel I was mercifully assisted in preaching to a large audience of serious people; and afterwards at the house of my relation, Mr. Peter Heywood. Returning to

Rochdale, God gave us a merciful opportunity in worshipping him at Robt. Milan's.

Travelling towards Wakefield I visited John Burhead, Josiah Oates, and other christian brethren, and lodged at Mr. Jenkinson's, Horbury. The next day, after preaching at Alverthorp, rode towards York. In that city, I waited on Lord Clifford and Lord Fairfax, lodging at night with Sir John Hewley. Preached at Lady Watson's and spent the evening at Lady Hewet's. God dealt graciously with me.

The next

day I visited many friends, and dined at Sir John Hewley's, with Lord Clifford, Sir Gilbert Gerherd, Sir John Brook, and others. The morning after I was called upon to preach in Lady Hewley's room. God mercifully assisted me and gave me freedom. His mercies are infinite!

1680.

Jan. 2nd, Lord's day.-Was sweetly comforted in praying and preaching. I attempted to describe the fruits which the Lord expects from his vineyard; and, blessed be his name, he was pleased to make it a good day.

12th. Mr. Dawson, several others, and I, kept a day of solemn humiliation, at the house of J. K. in Wyke. God sweetly melted my heart, and helped me in preaching from Psalm lvi. 8, "Thou tellest my wanderings; put thou my tears into thy bottle; are they not in thy book ?"

13th.-Rode to Bingley, preached at Josh. Walker's at Rushworth-hall, on Psalm cxix. 158, "I beheld the transgressors and was grieved, because they kept not thy word." A full assembly. Had good assistance. In the evening several brethren prayed: it was a good season.

14th. Called on Mrs. Ferrand, of Bingley, discoursed and prayed with her. Conversed with another at Cottingley under trouble of mind. Called on Mr. Joseph Lister, and returned home in safety, though it was a very stormy day.

16th. We had a day of fasting and prayer at my house, on account of M. R. My heart was sweetly melted while Mr. Dawson was employed.

-

17th. Studied closely, and was much assisted, but not so comfortable in prayer with my wife and servant, as at other times.

18th. Preached at Kipping, and was graciously helped through the day's work.

19th. Attended the funeral of that gracious young woman, Grace Bastow, at Halifax. Mr. Hook preached.

22nd.-Went to Sowerby, and preached at Stubbings; my

God graciously assisting me; blessed be his holy name; it was a good day.

25th, Lord's day. We assembled for divine worship at W. Clay's, and were exceedingly thronged, yet God was with us of a truth.

26th. We had a day of fasting and prayer at W. Clay's, on account of the gloomy aspect of public affairs. There were many present, and O what a heart-melting day was it unto us! 28th.-Rode to Captain Hodgson's, where we had a day of fasting and prayer. God wonderfully assisted those who were employed in wrestling with him in behalf of the nation.

30th.-Was greatly assisted in my studies, though somewhat interrupted by company. That pious Christian, Mr. Joseph Lister, paid us a visit.

me.

My Lord Rutherford did me the honour to call upon We spent most of the afternoon together, I hope, to mutual edification. I returned to my chamber in the evening, where it pleased God to afford me his gracious help in my studies. Lord's day, I preached at Alverthorpe, and was mercifully assisted in every part of the work.

Friday, we had a solemn day of fasting and prayer, preparatory to the Lord's supper. It pleased the Almighty to favour us with tokens of his gracious presence; my own heart was deeply affected in prayer and preaching.

Monday, much interrupted in my studies by visitors. Have to complain of dullness and stupidity of mind. Lord, pity and pardon me.

Tuesday, spent about six hours in secret prayer and meditation, and am unable to express what I then experienced. O what a season of humiliation and comfort was it to my poor soul! Blessed be the holy name of my gracious God for ever. We had a private fast at James Halstead's, which was to us a time of spiritual refreshment from the presence of the Lord. My heart was deeply affected while Mr. Joseph Lister, of Kipping, prayed.

Thursday, I preached to a large assembly at Sam. Hopkinson's, from these words, "Almost thou persuadest me to be a Christian." I trust, God was with us of a truth, and that some good was done among us.

Preached to a full assembly at Mr. Leech's, Bingley, from the precious declaration of our Redeemer, "Him that cometh unto me, I will in no wise cast out." It was a refreshing season to myself, and, I hope, to many others.

We had a large assembly at Mr. John Butterworth's, Warley, where I spent about four hours in prayer and preach