Showers and wind. Usual exercises of the day. Evening at the Mansion.

It was quite dark this morning and we were up late. I devoted however my usual portion of time to my daughter Louisa and attended divine service where I heard Mr. Lunt in the morning from Romans 7. 22.23. “For I delight in the law of God after the inward man. But I see another law in my members warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members.” A very good sermon upon the contest between duty and inclination which makes all the trial of life.

Afternoon, Mr. Whitney from 1. Corinthians 15. 53. “For this corruptible must put on incorruption and this mortal must put on immortality.” This gentleman is decidedly too old to preach. I could not hear him so as to fix any idea.

Read a discourse in the English Preacher. Proverbs 29. 25. “The fear of man bringeth a snare.” A good discourse by Dr. James Foster upon that servility to the world’s opinion which is rather a prevailing vice of our nation.

Finished Alciphron today, the ten last dialogues contain a close and powerful argument in favour of revealed Religion. On the whole the work is an able one though now probably very little read. In the Evening we went to the Mansion.