I. The Quæstion every Lord's-day Morning, was, what Service to be done for my Saviour, in the FLOCK whereof I am the Pastor.

Here I purposed, that I would endeavour much Service in my occasional Visits. Learning (from the Bills putt up, or otherwise,) who has received any special Mercy, I would visit them, and agree with them on some special Return of Glory to God. Learning who are in any singular Affliction, I would visit them, and propose unto them some singular Fruits of Repentance and Obedience. The Handmaids of the Lord that are near their Travail, I would visit, and make their Circumstances an awakening Occasion to settle the Peace of their Souls.

That I would use more than ordinary Endeavour to rescue the Children of the Covenant, from the woful Formality, with which many of them lay hold on the Covenant.

That I would in the most pathetical and emphatical Wayes imaginable, warn the young people, against the Snares of Death, whereby many are endangered.

That I would labour mightily to begett a Temper of Benignity in the Neighbourhood; and among other Methods for it, preach as winningly as I can, on the Duties of good Neighbourhood.

That I would sett up a Charity-School, and make it a precious Opportunity of Good unto many Children. Particularly, visit it often, and instruct the Children and give pecuniary Rewards unto them, when they have learn't the good Things, which I sett 'em to learn.

That I will animate an Addition to the Religious Societies in the Neighbourhood.

That I would write a Letter unto the principal Person in each of the Religious Societies (or at least mention the Matter to them,) expressing my Desire, that the Societies would suggest unto me, what Subjects they most want or wish, to hear publickly preached on; and preach accordingly. &c. &c. &c.

II. Every MUNDAY Morning, what to be done in MY FAMILY?

Here, among many other things, I purposed,

That I would order the Children to read over the Mother's Catechism, written by Mr. Baxter, in the most profitable Manner.1

That to increase in my Family, their Attention to, and understanding of, the Scriptures, each Person shall have a Bible in their hands, and read the Verse, as I am going to make my Observations upon it.

That the Children shall have their Apartments wellfitted up, in which they may read, and write, and pray. That I would oblige each of the Children, to retire, and ponder on that Quæstion, what should I wish to have done if I were now adying! And report unto me their Answer to the Quæstion; of which I may take unspeakable Advantage, to inculcate Piety upon them.

That I would cause those of the Children who can write, ever now and then, to draw up a Prayer in writing, and shew it unto me.

By which Means, I may see, how far they consider the State of their own Souls: and it may bring them to consider it. I would particularly putt them upon drawing up of Prayers, against such Miscarriages of Temptations, as they may be most of all in a Danger of.

That I would spend the Saturs-day Evenings in the most exquisite Wayes of instilling Piety into my Family, by successively taking each Person alone into my Study, and there Talking and Praying with them. And alwayes make that Evening an Opportunity of Praying with my Wife, before the Communion of the Lord's-Table, and preparatory to it.

That I would labour to discharge unto my Son-in-Law,

1 First published in 1701. No American issue seems to have been published before 1729.

the Duty of a Father, in a most exemplary manner; see that he be tenderly used, and well-provided for. Assist his Education; and instil the Lessons of Piety into him, with all possible Assiduity. &c. &c. &c.

III. On TUESDAY Morning, I came to consider two Quæstions alternately.

On the First week, I thought; what Service to be done for Christ, and my RELATIVES ABROAD?

Here, I contrived several things to be done, that I may assist some aged Relatives in their Præparation for the heavenly World.

And, I contrived to find out my most distant Relatives and reach them with Books of Piety, and such Things as may be useful to them.

And some of my Sisters, having their Husbands abroad; I constantly, at least once a week, visited their Families, and pray'd with them. &c. &c. &c.

But then, every other Week, instead of my Relatives, I considered my Enemies. I singled out my personal Enemies, as many of them, as I can know of, and considered, what good may I do unto them?

I am in the Way of it, and I have made good Progress in the Way; that I shall not know that I have one Adversary in the World, but what I have explicitly charged my Soul, to take heed of all personal Revenge of him; yea, I have actually done some good Office for him.

I will not here mention the Persons, or the Purposes; because tis better they should be forgotten.

IV. Every WEDNESDAY Morning, my Quæstion was, what Service to be done for Christ, and the Interest of His Kingdome, in the Countrey, or among other People?

Here, I scattered Books of Piety, about the Countrey; yea, in all the Towns of these Colonies. Books, upon such Intentions of Religion, as appeared most necessary and seasonable to be prosecuted.

I did the like for all the Vessels, of Burden, that sail out of these Colonies.

I published, near as many Books, as there have been Months in the Year.

I send Numbers of Books, to serve the Designs of Religion, in the other Plantations. Yea, in England, in Scotland, in Ireland, in Saxony.

And many Services were done for particular Churches here and there; for which there were frequent Occasions administred.

V. Every THURSDAY Morning; what Service in and for the SOCIETIES?

Here, many Things were done, to stop the Torrent of Wickedness.

Proposals for general Advantage, were hence made unto the General Assembly.

More Charity-Schools were erected; and the Methods of supporting them agreed upon.

A new Society for the Suppression of Disorders, was formed.

I proposed a Method, that every Person in the Reforming Societies, might be obliged in their Turn, to mention some thing, that be a Proposal of Consequence to the main Intention.

I visited the other Religious Societies; and where some of them were languishing I preached, on Eccl. 4. 9. Two are better than one; the Benefit of Associations for religious Purposes.

VI. Every FRIDAY Morning, what particular Objects of Compassion have I to do good unto?

Here, I fill'd my List, successively, with afflicted People. And, I did what I could for them.

Unto the same List, I added, particular Persons, who in regard of their Souls ensnared by the Destroyer, called for my particular Labours to address them, and rescue them.

VII. My last Quæstion, and that for the SATUREDAY Morning, has been;

What remains to be done for the Kingdome of God in My OWN HEART AND LIFE? I thought,

That I am favoured with surprising and uncommon Opportunities, to publish many Books of Piety. There is nothing of so much Concernment for me, as to take effectual Care, that my own Books, do not at last prove my own Condemnation, by my failing in those Points of Piety, which I commend unto others. Wherefore, (with Prayers to be delivered from so great a Confusion) I would, on the Lord's Day Evenings read over my own Books of Piety, and work them over again upon my Heart; that my Soul may be exquisitely conformed unto them.

That whatever bodily Infirmities I labour (or can call to Mind, that I have laboured) under, I would make them the Occasions and Incentives of some Dispositions and Purifications in my Soul, which they may agreeably mind me of; and I would sett myself to consider what.

That I would, at my Meals, think more frequently and thoroughly on the super-essential Bread, the Food that endures to everlasting Life.

That I would invent agreeable Motto's, and have every Room, in my House furnished with them; as Admonitions of Piety and good Management, for myself and others.

That I would sett myself more distinctly to consider, first, what were the more special Sins, and Crimes of my Youth; And thereupon, what more special Service I should now do for the Kingdome of God, in the directest Contrariety and Contradiction to my former Sins.

Then, to consider, what Reproaches I have mett withal; and thereupon, what Services I should be awakened thereby to do for the Kingdome of God.

Yea, that when I hear of any Abuse offered me, I would instead of giving way to any Passion, presently sett myself