are so I would in a Sermon propose Methods for these Neighbiours to Redeem this Time, especially in such good Thoughts as may be of the best Consequence unto them; and, if I can publish and scatter the Sermon among them.

28. G. D. Warnings to Sammy! About this Time, I committ unto the Press, two Treatises, wherein I propose many Services to the Kingdome of God.

First, having obtained a Time of Prayer with the Commissioners for our Indian-affairs, they direct the publication of my Sermon to them on that Occasion. And having held some Correspondence with the Missionaries in the East-Indies, I take the Occasion to exhibit some very entertaining Things relating thereunto: especially my Letter to them, and theirs to me.

(I) It is entituled, INDIA CHRISTIANA. A Discourse delivered unto the COMMISSIONERS for the Propagation of the Gospel, among the AMERICAN INDIANS which is accompanied with several Instruments relating to the Glorious Design of propagating our Holy Religion, in the Eastern as well as the Western INDIES. An Entertainment, which they that are waiting for the Kingdome of GOD, will receive as Good News from a far Countrey.1

(II) Moreover, observing the grievous Mispence of Time everywhere indulged, and more particularly observing how much there might be a better Husbandry of Time for good Purposes, in them whose Heads are little employed when their Hands are following their Business, and in others whose Heads as well as Hands are very much at Liesure; I preached a Sermon, which I then printed, with a Purpose to lodge it where I come, in the pastoral Visits. Tis entituled, HONESTA PARSIMONIA. An Essay upon, Time spent as it should be; with PROPOSALS, To prevent that great Mischief, The Loss of Time; and employ the Talent of Time

so watchfully and Fruitfully that a good Account may at least

be given of it.1

March. 1. G. D. Encourage a Collection for the Releef of my Kinsman at Roxbury.

2. G. D. I would endeavour that the Governour may interpose to putt an effectual Stop to those cursed Pamphlets and Libels, wherewith some wicked Men, are endeavouring to Poison the Countrey."

3. G. D. An excellent young Minister, as bright a Thing as ever this Town produced, who is particularly insulted and abused by the scurrilous and scandalous Libels, I would greatly encourage him, and endeavour that he may not be at all disheartened. 3

4. G. D. I would endeavour, that a well-qualified young Gentleman, who is out of Employment, may be made a Tutor at the Colledge.

5. G. D. That sublime Thought, the first Idea and Archetype of all Creatures, being in the eternal SON of GOD who is the Wisdome of the FATHER; from whence there follow Consequences full of Astonishments: I would cultivate it with my Contemplations, and thereby prosecute my main Intention of His becoming all unto me.

6. G. D. A comfortable Hope, yea, a lively and joyful Perswasion, that our great SAVIOUR has taken us under the Shadow of His Wings, and will surely do us good, and make us righteous and holy, and save us to the uttermost, I take to belong so much to a saving Faith, that I doubt the dropping of this Doctrine by Divines of later Years, had been a real Disservice unto Piety; and it may

1 Printed by S. Kneeland for J. Edwards, 1721.

2 A bill entitled, “An act for preventing of libels and scandalous pamphlets, and punishing the authors and printers," was laid before the House of Representatives, but was negatived on a second reading, March 27, 1721. Journals.

* Thomas Walter was probably the young minister, and John Checkley's Choice Dialogues, between a godly Minister and an honest Countryman, concerning Election and Predestination, one of the cursed pamphlets. Walter replied in a Choice Dialogue between John Faustus, a Conjurer, and Jack Tory his Friend.

quicken Piety in my Flock, and have a Tendency to recover them from that condition of more feeble Christians, in which they are generally languishing, if this Doctrine were in its true Light and with a suitable Inculcation sett before them.

7. G. D. I see, I must again, with the strongest Reinforcements, direct Employments for Sammy, that may rescue him from the Idleness, which he is too ready to fall into.

A further Accomplishment for Creasy, to render him a more finished Gentleman (Oh! when, when shall I say, Christian) must be paid for.

8. G. D. Writing to my Brother Samuel, I propose to him a matter of great Consequence.

9. G. D. I would use Methods, that several of my poor Treatises to serve the Kingdome of GOD, may reach to the Frederician University; where tis possible they may be, some of them, translated for further Service.

10. G. D. May I not visit the Watch-house, and there prevail with the Watchmen, to spend their Time in devout Exercises, especially in reading Books of Piety when they are not abroad upon their Duty!

11. G. D. There are several aged People, that I have a strong Disposition to Visit, upon the Intention of bringing their Preparations for Death into its perfect Work.

*12. G. D. Temperate in all Things.

13. G. D. Should not something be done towards the mending of the Singing in our Congregation? 1

1

14. G. D. Sammy now returning to Cambridge, I would write Letters, unto some superior Students there to keep a strict Inspection on Him, and oblige him to observe certain Points of good Conduct, which I shall propose unto them.

15. G. D. I have a Kinsman, who needs my Exhortations and Stimulations, to stick well to his Business.

1 See page 693, infra.

16. G. D. There is a very wicked Party in this Countrey who fill the Land with Strife and Sin, and who are drawing the People into continual Snares, and into such Actions and Follies, as are a Blemish unto us, and threaten to bring horrible Oppresion and Slavery upon us. And such is our poor Condition, that except the Hand of our glorious Lord, in some wonderful Way deliver the Countrey from two or three Men, who are the very Soul and Staff of the wicked Party, the Countrey must in an ordinary way be ruined, and the Churches of the Lord reduced unto wretched Circumstances, and His Work wherein much of His Glory has appeared, be lost among us. In this Distress, what can I do, for this poor, ungrateful and unworthy Country, but cry unto GOD; and unto my SAVIOUR, who has more Pity and Patience for a Congregation full of Murmuring than ever a Moses could express for his froward People? Accordingly, bewayling my own manifold impurities, and particularly my own Frowardness under the Provocations of this People, and getting my Soul well-purified from all personal Revenge or Malice against these Men, I carry them unto the Lord, and I earnestly intercede with Him, that the Countrey, which is perishing by their Means, may be delivered from them. Within these few Hours, GOD has in a marvellous Manner, and at a very critical Moment, smitten with an Apoplexy, one who has been and would still have been the greatest Hinderer of good, and Misleader and Enchanter of the People, that there was in the whole House of Representatives, who are just now come together.1 Methinks, I see a wonderful Token for good in this Matter: And I go on with my humble Supplications to the Lord.

1" Dr. Oliver Noyes is seized with an Apoplexy, at 10 at night." He died the next day, and prayers were made for him by Rev. Thomas Foxcroft and Rev. Benjamin Colman. On the following Sabbath many ministers "improved the sudden death of Dr. Noyes to awaken all to prepare for the Lord's coming." Sewall, Diary, III. 284.

In the Evening I preached unto a large Auditory, where a Society [of] persons learning to Sing, began a quarterly solemnity. On Rev. XIV. 3.1

17. G. D. I am this day, in the most solemn way Prosecuting the Design mentioned yesterday.

17 d. 1 m. Friday. I sett apart this Day, for Supplications, wherein I carry unto the Lord the affairs about which I am concerned, and cast my Burdens upon Him.

Especially, the Deliverance of the Countrey from the Men and Things that are Snares unto it. An happy Period of my Administration. The conversion of my Son Increase, the Preservation of my Son Samuel, who returns this day to the Colledge. The Presence of the Lord with me, in the Lecture upon early Piety, which I have the next Week before me.

18. G. D. Several new Objects of Charity and Compassion, more than one or two, present themselves unto me, to be cared for.

* 19. G. D. I grow continually more and more sensible of this: That I cannot apprehend my SAVIOUR except I am first apprehended of Him. I seek my Satisfaction in conversing with Him, and my Consolation in having the precious Thoughts of Him raised in my Mind. But I cannot myself raise these Thoughts; I continue without them, if He dart not His Rayes into my Mind, for the enkindling of them. This therefore must be the Way that I take; when I feel (as, alas, I often do) my Soul at a distance from the glorious CHRIST, who is my Life, I must first lift up a Cry to Him, O my dear SAVIOUR, shine into my Mind, and send into me the Thoughts wherein I shall enjoy thee!

20. G. D. I am furnishing myself with my Essay on,

tr

1 He preached on the 16th to the young musicians. House was full, and the Singing extraordinarily Excellent, such as has hardly been heard before in Boston. Sung four times out of Tate and Brady." Sewall, Diary, III. 285.