which yett I do not ask to have remembred, that I have not the Liesure which else I might have to replenish these Memorials. Tis possible, I may, if I live to the End of the Year, make some Recapitulation.

One going from hence for England, about this Time, I did committ into his Hands, an Essay to be there published; under the Title of, A MAN OF REASON. The Design of it, is to show, that Men ought to hearken to Reason, and therefore to the Maxims of Religion.

But there was another Peece of Work, in which my Heart was at this Time, very much engaged. I have of late, begun a Method, of lodging Books, which may be Instruments of Piety, in all the Vessels of any Burden, that may sail out of these Colonies. But now, that I may be more accommodated, with Instruments for my purpose, I fitted for the Press a Discourse, designed first of all, to awaken the unregenerate Sailour, out of his dangerous Condition, sleeping on the Top of a Mast in the midst of the Sea; and then to provide and direct a various Employment for him. I fitted the Work, with Admonitions of Piety, fetched out of the various Objects and Actions aboard; and with Devotions accommodated unto the various Occasions of the Mariner; and with Proposals for the keeping of good Orders in the Vessels. I convey'd it unto the Press, with a Resolution that by the Hands of the Naval Officers, in our several Ports, there should be lodged convenient Numbers of these Books, in every Vessel that clears and sails from them. Who can tell, what may be done? Whether some of the Elect of God may not be found out upon the Waters! It is entituled, THE MARINERS COMPANION AND COUNSELLOUR.1

Moreover, I considered, that the glorious Mystery of the Trinity, tho it be one of the first Articles in our holy Religion, yett is not enough liv'd upon. Tis a Mystery of Godliness; and a practical Improvement of it, in and for 1 The Sailours Companion, etc. 1 Printed by B. Green, for Samuel Gerrish.

the Life of Christianity, I thought, would much tend unto the Advancement of Godliness. I thought, it would be a Service unto Religion, and unto many Christians, if I answered the Desires of some, who asked me to publish a Discourse, wherein I practically improved and applyed the Doctrine of the Trinity, and plainly brought it into the Life of Christianity. Accordingly, I fitted for the Press, and gave to the Printer, such a Discourse; entituled; A CHRISTIAN CONVERSING WITH THE GREAT MYSTERY OF CHRISTIANITY.1

2 d. 7 m. [September.] Friday. The other Ministers of the Neighbourhood, are this Day feasting with our wicked Governour; I have, by my provoking Plainness and Freedom, in telling this Ahab of his wickedness, procured myself to be left out of his Invitations. I rejoiced in my Liberty from the Temptations, with which they were encumbred, while they were eating of his Dainties and durst not reprove him. And, considering the Power and Malice of my Enemies, I thought it proper for me, to be this day Fasting, in Secret, before the Lord.

Accordingly, I sett apart this Day, for Prayer with Fasting. And the special Intention of the Day was, to obtain my Deliverance and Protection, from the Enemies, which hate me with a cruel Hatred, and sometimes breath out Cruelties. I mentioned their Names unto the Glorious Lord, who has promised me to be my Shield. I pray'd for Mercies to be bestow'd upon them, and yett I pray'd, that my precious Opportunities to be serviceable, may not ly at their Mercy. I entreated this Favour, with my whole Heart, that I may make a good Use of their Enmity, and that I may rather do the more Good because of it. I sang agreeable Psalms, and left my Cause with the Lord, resolving to conform unto that Word; Prov. 20. 22. Say not thou, I

1 Printed by T. Green.

2 Joseph Dudley.

will recompense Evil; but wait on the Lord, and He shall save thee.

14 d. 7 m. Thursday. It was now a General Fast, thro' the Province.1 I enjoy'd a precious Presence of the Lord, with me in the Services of the Day.

But in Conformity to what I have once and again press'd upon others, I did, among other Services of this day, sett myself to consider,

What further have I to do, in that Work of Reformation, either upon myself, or among others, which the heavy Judgments of God upon our People, have so long been calling for?

The principal Articles and Purposes, which I could now pitch upon, were these.

I. In myself:

I observe, the peculiar Spirit, and Error of the Time, to be Indifferency in Religion. I would therefore be more zelous, more active, than ever, more sollicitous about my own Salvation, and that Sin may be discouraged in the World.

I would be exceeding watchful against all Impurity, and the least Glance of my Mind that way, shall but provoke me to holy Contemplations and Resignations.

I would be afraid of too easily and suddenly taking up evil Reports; which is a very common Miscarriage among us. I would endeavour a more prudent and early Dispatch of my Studies for the Lord's-Day; that I may better enjoy the Saturs-day Evening and employ it in some religious Exercises, with such as are under my Charge.

II. In my Family:

Besides the numberless Wayes, which I am using to carry on a good Education there, I would use if I can, more of a continual Dropping, of the Maxims of Piety on those under my Charge; and this particularly in the way of occasional Reflection, to make the Maxims more easily and more durably remembred with them.

1 Error for 15th. See p. 32, infra.

And I renew my Purpose of praying successively with each of my Folks alone, after I have engaged their Consent and Purpose, to be the Lord's.

III. In my public Circumstances:

I would, besides my careful Visits, in my Flock, to inculcate those Lessons of Godliness, which I may see their special Circumstances recommending unto them, express in certain Prayers and Sermons, a great Concern, in a way of Pitty, for several Sorts of ensnared ones among my People, who do not pitty themselves. It may be, God will sanctify this Way of treating them, and awaken them to pitty themselves.

I would also bear, and procure to be born due Testimonies, against all prevailing Iniquities in the Land.

And I would compose and publish many Essayes, accommodated unto the Interests of Christianity in the Land; such as may find out all Sorts of People, in the several Wayes, wherein they may be sett athinking on such Things, as may be for the Glory of God.

23 d. 7 m. Friday. This Day, I undertook a Journey to the Town of Bridgewater. My Design was to comfort and honour, a pious, aged, afflicted Servant of God, Mr. James Keith, the Minister of the Place.1 And to answer the Desire of the people in that Place, who flatter me with Hopes that by preaching there, I may do some sensible Service to the Interests of languishing Religion.

I made many Prayers over the Journey; and humbled myself before the Lord, that so the fond Expectations of the People might produce no Inconvenience; and I resigned the whole Affair before me, to the Conduct of the Lord, whose are all my Wayes. Inasmuch as the Journey was for the Service of the Blessed Jesus, the second Adam, I hoped, that no Curse would attend it.

1 He was the first minister of Bridgewater, a Scotchman, educated at Aberdeen, and came to New England in 1662. He was ordained in 1664, and died July 23, 1719.

The Lord smiled upon my Journey, in all the Circumstances of it wonderfully. I travelled in a Calash. I had above thirty Miles to go. Much of the Road, was very bad, Yett I gott to the Journey's End,

rough, dangerous Way.
safe, and long before Night.

I preach'd both Parts of the Lord's Day, and with great Assistences from above.

On Monday, my Journey homewards, was yett more comfortable. It was dispatch'd in a little Time, and admirably accommodated.

6 d. 8 m. [October.] Thursday. The Lord is multiplying the Testimonies of His Favour to me. He showes me many Tokens for good, at the Sight whereof my Adversaries are ashamed. The wicked see what is done for me; they see it and are grieved; they gnash their Teeth, and melt away.

On the Occasion of some Judgments which God has dispensed on some Sinners (especially, Drunkards) in my Neighbourhood, I thought, that I would watchfully endeavour an holy Improvement of them. I preached a sermon at the Lecture, on that Subject, how Sinners are punished in their very Sins themselves.1 But after I had greatly humbled myself before the Lord, and my Spirit had been reduced into præparatory Frames of Contrition and Repentance, I enjoy'd a mighty Presence of the Lord with me. There was a vast Assembly of People; perhaps of some Hundreds more than the great House could hold. The Spirit of the Lord came upon me, and quickened me, and strengthened me, and enabled me to discharge the Service I had now before me. And I hope, the Minds of the people had uncommon Impressions made upon them.

14 d. 8 m. Friday. This Day, I sett apart for Prayer with Fasting, (and Alms) in secret before the Lord.

1"Mr. C. Mather preaches from Prov. 14. 14. Backslider in heart shall be filled with his own Ways. Mentioned the indulgence of Adonijak; the prophet Micajah; not the prophet, but the King was hurt by his Estrangement." Sewall, Diary, п. 266. See p. 32, infra.