sword is not death, but life; and against self-righteous souls this latter ought to be more used than the former.  For such souls can hear us tell of the open gates of hell and the unquenchable fire far more unconcernedly than of the gates of heaven wide open for their immediate return.  When we preach that the glad tidings were intended to impart immediate assurance of eternal life to every sinner that believes them, we strike deeper upon the proud enmity of the world to God, then when we show the eternal curse and the second death.

“June 19, Sabbath.—­Wet morning.  Preached at Dunipace to a small audience, on Parable of the Tares.  I thank God for that blessed parable.—­In both discourses I can look back on many hateful thoughts of pride, and self-admiration, and love of praise, stealing the heart out of the service.”

“June 22.—­Carron-shore.  My last.  Some tears; yet I fear some like the messenger, not the message; and I fear I am so vain as to love that love.  Lord, let it not be so.  Perish my honor, but let thine be exalted forever.”

“June 26.—­True Sabbath-day.  Golden sky.  Full church, and more liveliness than sometimes.  Shall I call the liveliness of this day a gale of the Spirit, or was all natural?  I know that all was not of grace; the self-admiration, the vanity, the desire of honor, the bitterness—­these were all breaths of earth or hell.  But was there no grace?  Lord, Thou knowest.  I dare not wrong Thee by saying—­No!  Larbert Sabbath school with the same liveliness and joy.  Domestic work with the same.  Praised be God!  Oh that the savor of it may last through the week!  By this may I test if it be all of nature, or much of grace.  Alas! how I tremble for my Monday mornings—­those seasons of lifelessness.  Lord, bless the seeds sown this day in the hearts of my friends, by the hand of my friends, and all over the world—­hasten the harvest!”

“July 3.—­After a week of working and hurried preparation, a Sabbath of mingled peace and pain.  Called, morning before preaching, to see Mrs. E., dying.  Preached on the Jailor—­discomposedly—­with some glimpses of the genuine truth as it is in Jesus.  Felt there was much mingling of experience.  At times the congregation was lightened up from their dull flatness, and then they sunk again into lethargy.  O Lord, make me hang on Thee to open their hearts, Thou opener of Lydia’s heart.  I fear Thou wilt not bless my preaching, until I am brought thus to hang on Thee.  Oh keep not back a blessing for my sin!  Afternoon—­On the Highway of the Redeemed, with more ease and comfort.  Felt the truth sometimes boiling up from my heart into my words.  Some glimpses of tenderness, yet much less of that spirit than the last two Sabbaths.  Again saw the dying woman.  Oh when will I plead, with my tears and inward yearnings, over sinners!  Oh, compassionate Lord, give me to know what manner of spirit I am of! give me thy gentle Spirit, that neither strives nor cries.  Much weariness, want of prayerfulness, and want of cleaving to Christ.”  Tuesday the 5th being the anniversary of his licence to preach the gospel, he writes:  “Eventful week; one year I have preached Jesus, have I? or myself?  I have often preached myself also, but Jesus I have preached.”