Life and diary of Lieut. Col. J. Blackader

506 LIFE OF COL. BLACKADER. CHAP. XX.
July 26. Sabbath. At night the minister and good
company supping with us. Alas ! the best are but
men. There was cross humour and resentment break-
ing out in one, who, I dare say, has much grace, yet
he was not sensible of it. Corruption shewing itself
strong ; even these very failings he was ridiculing and
running down in another, were just his own, which
every body but himself saw plainly to be his own
predominants ; and yet he is a clear-sighted man in
every thing else. O, what is man ! no wonder we
weak confused Christians know not ourselves, nor see
our own failings, when wise men are so ignorant of
theirs. All flesh is grass.
October 8. Rode out in the morning to pay a visit
in the country. The gentleman not being at home, I
went two miles farther, and there met with a provi-
dence that affected me very much ; an acquaintance
of mine seemingly dying, both to her own and others
apprehension. Yet she was in the greatest serenity
and composure, yea, spiritual rapture, rejoicing to die,
and sorry to live. I staid some hours with her, and
joined in conversation, confirming her in that frame
of joy, believing it to be well-founded, and prayed
with her. I came away both melancholy and joyful
upon different accounts. There was company with
us at night, and perhaps I went too far in holding out
the things I had seen through the day, to some that
may be were strangers to religion. I am weak, Lord
pardon.
November 3. This is a new charge laid on me, a
Justice of the Peace. Lord, give grace to discharge
the duties of it, singly with an eye to thy glory, the
suppression of vice, and encouragement of virtue, &c.