sore; there was no soundness in my flesh, neither rest in my bones, because of my sin; mine iniquities went over my head, were a burden too heavy to bear.  I was feeble and sore broken, and roared by reason of the disquiet of my heart.  My lovers and friends stood aloof from my sore, and my kinsmen stood afar off.  I was ready to halt, and my sorrow was continually before me; yet even in my darkest, deepest afflictions, when deep called to deep, and thy waves and billows were passing over me; when my soul seemed sinking in the mire where there was no standing, I groped in the dark; my heart panted, my strength failed, and the light of mine eyes seemed gone out.  I was weak with my groaning; in the night I made my bed to swim with my tears; yet even then, by that same covenant by which I was suffering, light sprang out of darkness, glimmering hope in the midst of despair.  I remembered the years of thy right hand; in the multitude of my thoughts within me—­the provision made in this covenant—­thy comforts delighted my soul.

“I was furnished with a plea which would condemn, by every covenant but thine:  Pardon my iniquities, for they are great.  Thou, even thou, art he who blottest out transgressions as a cloud, and iniquity as a thick cloud.  Verily thou art a God that pardoneth, though thou takest vengeance on the inventions of thy rebellious children.  ‘Vengeance!’ not the vengeance of the curse; no, that, O thou blessed Covenant, thou blessed Surety, that fell on thy devoted head.  Thou by this covenant wast ‘made a curse for us.’  Thou didst tread the wine-press alone, and of the people there was none to help thee.  Thou didst expend the last drop of that cup of vengeance.  Every cup put into our hand, though a cup of trembling, is a cup of blessing.  I this day take a fresh hold of thy covenant, for myself, for my children, and for my children’s children, to the latest generation.  For my brother and sister, for their children, and children’s children; for the near concerns of our dear D. B——­; and for all whom I carry on my mind to thy throne of grace.  This is the sum and substance of my prayers.  Bring them into the bond of this covenant, and deal with them according to the order of it, and the provision made for them in it, in all possible circumstances.  Amen.

“O God, in the multitude of thy mercies hear me, in the truth of thy salvation.  Truth of thy salvation! thou only knowest the truth of thy salvation.  How little do we know of thy work.  Many of those providences which appear to us dark and dismal, are wheels turning round ‘the truth of thy salvation;’ opening our blinded eyes to the issues of sin, and also delivering from the snares of the devil.  Deal not, O Lord, with me, and mine, as our iniquities deserve; this has never been thy way with us; but according to thy former loving-kindness, and to all the long-suffering, patience, and pardoning mercy which thy aged servant has experienced through her sinful guilty pilgrimage.  Thou hast forgiven me all the way from Egypt.  Leave me not now, when I am old and grey-headed; but when strength and heart fail, be thou the strength of my heart and portion for ever.  Amen.”