Diary of Alexander Jaffray, provost of Aberdeen

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remembered ; for, otherwise, they are innumerable. I
know not where to begin, nor how to proceed in this
inquiry, — his mercies to me have been so many.—
Lord! help me to praise thee for Christ; since in
Him and for Htm, are all my mercies given and
sanctified to me ! — I was also desiring to have all my
sins before me, that I might lament and mourn for
them, my God being now pacified towards me. O
how this consideration, of God's being pacified to-
wards me, should heighten the matter of lamentation
and woe ! that when I was sinning against him, he was
minding mercy to me; and while I was still sinning
yet more against him, in the days of 7ny greater know-
ledge, yet even then, when I was worst and vilest, did
he manifest love ; — how ought this to overcome my
heart for ever to love Him, who halh thus loved me,
and given himself for me! — I was this day, also, de-
siring to bless the Lord for the mercies bestowed on
my family — how oft hath he heard me for them, for
the mother, the children, and the servants ! as well
for the hope I have, that he will still hear me on their
behalf, and be a God to me and my seed for ever. He
takes the care of them oflf me, [while] here; and when
I shall be gone, I have none else to leave them to,
like him !
I was also desiring to remember my friends and
acquaintance at Aberdeen, and to recommend them
to the Lord, — and, even in a particular manner, my
friends in the Lord: that his grace may be multi-
plied unto them, and that the gospel may prosper
there, and that gospel ordinances may be in a right
and pure way of administration set up there; — that
the Lord would direct such who are waiting for this,
and are deprived of some ordinances, to walk hum-