some of the Ministers of the Neighbourhood, about the best Methods of encountering the follies of unreasonable Bigots.

5. G. D. I would make a Motion unto each of the religious Societies in our Neighbourhood, that they would sett themselves very much to pray for Effusions of the divine Grace on the rising Generation, and a mighty Success of the Gospel among us; and sett apart special Times on this holy Intention.

6. G. D. The Apostasy of that famous French Confessor, Mr. Elias Neau1 at N. York, is to me one of the most grievous and shocking Things that I have mett withal. I desire to do something towards his Recovery, or at least, a Testimony proper for this Occasion.

20 d. 5 m. [July.] Friday. I sett apart this Day for Prayers, with Alms, on the usual Occasions; and because a great Force is now going from hence against the Canadian Enemy.

My Soul arrived unto some sweet Assurances, that my Sin is pardoned, and that in Token of it, I shall have a pure Heart given to me, and be filled with the Grace of God.

But by reason of Illness upon me, I could not so ply my Supplications as I would have done. I made it up in Benignities.

7. G. D. There is a beautiful Creature of God, whereon He has enstamp'd a sacramental Character. He has made the Rainbowe, a Sacrament of His Covenant that He will preserve His Church in the World. And His faithful Servants may apply this Covenant, unto their own particular Circumstances, in regard of any Mischiefs which may threaten to overwhelm them. I would endeavour more affectionately, more comfortably, more explicitly than ever, to apply the Rainbowe unto the Use for which the glorious One has appointed it, when I see the Cloud in the Day of He became a communicant of the Church of England.

1 See Vol. I, p. 300.

Rain brightened with it, and have proper Meditations raised in my Mind.

About this time, considering what an Use the glorious Lord has assigned unto the Rainbowe, but how much the Use of it is neglected among His People, and what a Service it might be unto Religion, to teach our People the Use of the Bowe, and recover this Engine of Piety into that Improvement, for which the Maker of it intended it; especially now the Time is coming on, for an Angel to descend with a Rainbowe about His Head, and the great Covenant of God for His Church in the World is hastening to an Accomplishment; I prepared for the Public a Treatise under this Title,

THOUGHTS FOR THE DAY OF RAIN. In two Essayes. I. The Gospel of the Rainbowe. In the Meditations of Piety, on the Appearance of the Bright Clouds, with the Bowe of God upon them. II. The Saviour with His Rainbowe. And the Covenant which God will Remember to His people, in the most cloudy Times that are passing over them.1

1. [July 22.] G. D. The Representation of the particular Cases occurring among the People, is not, methinks, made so fully, so pungently, so usefully, in the public Prayers, as it might be. I would apply my Thoughts this way, with more Endeavours to accommodate the Edificacon of the Neighbourhood.

22 d. 5 m. Lord's-day. My Errands to the Table of the Lord, were especially these two.

I. I considered, That my Lord Jesus Christ is the Object of His Father's infinite Love. That He is in Himself altogether lovely. That in what He has done, and what He will do, for me, He has obliged me to love Him with all my Heart and Soul and Strength. I considered, That the Grace of Love to my dear Saviour, is that wherein I am still very defective. But yett it is purchased for me by the Death of my Saviour, wherefore I consider the Sacrifice of my Saviour, as procuring for me, the Pardon of the Defects in my

1 1 Printed by B. Green, 1712.

Love to Him. And such a precious Gift, as an Heart full of Love to him. With this Disposition I took the Bread of the Eucharist. I proceeded then to form these Resolutions, of the Things werein I would express my Love to my Saviour. That I would often, often think of Him, and with unspeakable Delight. That I would watch all Occasions to make an advantageous Mention of His Glories. That I would in my Sermon and in my Writings, use extraordinary Methods to declare His Glories. And that I will Rejoice in all Conformity to Him; yea, when it shall be in the most abasing Circumstances.

II. I considered, that Fruitfulness is a most illustrious and comprehensive Blessing of the new Covenant. But that it is a Thing wherein I am extremely Wanting. My Barrenness! My Barrenness! Tis a killing Thought unto me. I considered, That in the Blood of my Saviour, I have the Pardon of my criminal Unfruitfulness. And I have also the Purchase of Grace to glorify my heavenly Father, by bringing forth much Fruit. I received the Cup with these Dispositions. And with Hopes, that the Spirit of God, who makes His People fruitful, would now more than ever enter into me. I proceeded then, to contrive and resolve the Methods of being very fruitful.

2. G. D. I would carefully observe the Tempers of each of my Children. And, first, I would warn them against the peculiar Indiscretions and Temptations, whereto they may be exposed in their Tempers. Then I would see, whether I can't suit their Tempers with Motives that may encourage and animate their Piety.

1

3. G. D. My Nephew (Ivкрeασe Taλrep)1 is now disposing to fitt himself for Service in the Study of Physick; I would more than ever be thoughtful for him, and direct and supply his Studies, and do all I can to render him serviceable.

4. G. D. I procure a Sum of Money, to be laid out in Books of Piety; which I propose to lodge in each of our Transport-ships, for the Good of the Sailors, as well as more to be putt into the Hands of our Souldiers, now bound for Canada.

1 Increase, son of Nehemiah and Sarah (Mather) Walter.

5. G. D. There are some hopeful young Merchants, of whom I am thinking, whether it were not a possible and profitable Thing, to associate them in a Conversation, that may turn on Points of Service to themselves and others.

1

26 d. 5 m. Thursday. This Day, I attended the Prayers and Alms and other Duties of a Fast, which was kept throughout the Province, relating to our great Enterprize against Canada.

I enjoy'd a gracious Presence of the Lord with me in the Works of the Day.

2

6. G. D. There is a minister at Endfield, who conflicts with distressing Poverty. And with my Letters unto him, to direct and hearten him, I would also send him such Releefs as I am able.

7. G. D. When I read, or see, any new Book, wherein the Truth, and Church, and Cause of God, has any notable Service done for it, I would offer up my solemn Thanks unto the glorious Head of the Church, for His thus expressing His Care of it, and His Dispensing such Gifts unto the Children of Men.

1. [July 29.] G. D. There are very many Widowes in our Neighbourhood. I incline to preach a Sermon on purpose to them, and for them. Yea, and then also to publish it, and so to disperse it among them.

2. G. D. Would it not be for my Son's Advantage, if I should procure him the Company of three or four more serious Lads, to join with him, in spending the Lord's-day Evening together, and reading over by Turns, those Things which I shall recommend unto them, and forming such Resolutions of Piety, as they shall acquaint me withal?

3. G. D. I have a poor Kinswoman, a Daughter of my cosen-german, (Evvike Tiλλiaμs) 3 who has been six or seven 1 It was a public fast, ordered by proclamation.

2 Rev. Nathaniel Collins. His pay appears to have been twenty pounds

a year.

• Eunice Williams. See Sewall, Diary, II. 374.

years a Captive, in the hands of the French Popish Indians. I am afraid, I have not considered the miserable Condition of that Child, with such a frequency and fervency of Supplication, as I should have done; tho' I have not forgotten it.1

But I would now with a more importunate Supplication than ever, continually carry that Child unto the strong Redeemer.

4. G. D. Upon further Thoughts, I further Thoughts, I grow into an Opinion that my writing a Book of, Christian Asceticks, may prove a great Service to the Interests of Piety in the World. I will make my Cries to Heaven, for Direction and Assistence in it, and go about it, as soon as may be.

5. G. D. I would write such things unto Annapolis, as may be of use to our poor People there; and procure some good People to join with me, in sending thither, Bibles, and other Books of Piety.

6. G. D. There is a poor Man, a prisoner for Debt, for whom I would do all possible good Offices; but particularly, visit him and supply him with Books of Piety; and counsel how to spend his Time well, and make a good Use of his bad Circumstances. (PEркIVя).2 (Ρερκινς).2

7. G. D. I think, it will be highly expedient for me, at least once a Month, to look back upon my Good Devised, and in the Perusal of the registred Articles, consider what has been forgotten or neglected; and so quicken the Execution of my Proposals.

The Lord's-day Evening, may be a good Season, for these Reflections.

1. [August 5.] G. D. I entertain Thoughts of going thro' my large Flock again, with pastoral Visits. And I will therefore cry mightily to the Lord, for His Direction

1 Eunice Mather (1664-1704), daughter of Rev. Eleazar, and thus cousin of Cotton, married Rev. John Williams of Deerfield. Her daughter Eunice (16961786?), the captive, married an Indian.

2 Perkins. Probably John Perkins, the physician.