difficulty I had reached what I had obtained, I lived sparingly, and
hopelessness, seemed to be laying the grave-stone upon it at the time of my mother's death; and yet after all he brought it to pass; and that has been the usual method of providence with me all along in matters of the greatest weight. The wisdom appearing, in leading the blind by a way they knew not, shinned in the putting off that matter to this time, notwithstanding all endeavours to compass it sooner; for I am convinced I was abundantly soon put to the college, being then but in the fifteenth year of my age; and the manner of it was kindly ordered, in that I was thereby beholden to none for that my education; and it made way for some things which providence saw needful for me.
During the whole time I was at the college, I dieted myself, being lodged in a private house, to which I was led by kind providence, as fit for my circumstances.
1692. The first year, being somwhat childish, but knowing with what difficulty I had reached what I had obtained, I lived sparingly, and perhaps more so than was needful or reasonable. Being dejected and melancholy, I went but little out of my chamber, save to the class; and thus my improvement was confined in a manner to my lessons.
1693. The second year I attended the college, I had an entire comradeship with Andrew (afterwards Mr. Andrew) Elliot, a minister's son, and now minister of Auchtertool in Fife, which several ways contributed to my advantage, and lasted during the rest of the time we were at the college. Meanwhile I still lived sparingly.
In the spring that year began a breach of my health, whereby I became liable to swoonings, which continued for several years after. It was, I think, in the month of April, when being on my knees at secret prayer, my heart began to fail, and I rose up, and fell on my back on the floor, and lay a while in a swoon. Recovering, I called the landlady; then I went to bed, but fainted a second time, in which she took care of me. Afterwards she unwarily suggested to me, that it might be the falling-sickness, which occasioned me several thoughts