Diary of Alexander Jaffray, provost of Aberdeen

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under my feet, Rom. xvi. 20. Not only do I desire
to wait for the fulfilling- of this promise, fully,
after death, in glory; but that, in a good measure,
according- to the riches of his grace, it shall be ful-
filled to me here, even in tliis life; so that, although,
as it were, trodden upon by Satan, I shall, ere long-,
(as to these particular evils, by which now he prevails
and buffets me so sore,) prevail over him, and trample
on him and them, by obtaining the victory ; — but
that my Lord, who is only wise, and knows best how
and by what temptations to exercise me, is pleased
thus to prove me for a while.
I was also seeking of the Lord, for myself and my
wife, that we might be prepared for death, — and
might have oui- hearts loosed from too much engage-
ment to the rest of our dear children, that are left
behind ; — and for grace to them, that whether they
die or live, they may be the Lord's ; and that we may
be ready heartily to give them up to him, to be dis-
posed of at his pleasure.
The 22d of March, 1658, my body being a little
indisposed, I was seeking, as I could, a blessing- on
the means [to be used,] that both soul and body
might be better disposed ; and if the Lord shall pros-
per, so that my health and strength be prolonged,
then my desire and promise was, in his strength to
be more forthcoming for his service. Many such
vows are upon me :■ — ^Lord! help me to perform them
better for the time to come, than I have done in times
that are gone by.
The 24th day, in my reading in my family, Matt,
v. 21, &c. and chapter vi., I was much convinced,
that I had many ways failed, and exceedingly come
short of the gospel rules there prescribed, in watch-
I