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24. G. D. Some of my Sister's Children at Roxbury, I address with further Excitations to Piety.

dear

25. G. D. I am this Week, writing Letters to my Franckius, and the Professors in the Hallensian University. I have in View several great Services for the Kingdome of GOD. Among other Things I send my, PARENTATOR, to them.

26. G. D. The Church at Portsmouth wanting a Pastor, and being in singular Circumstances and there being a likely Person in View for them, who is in danger of being detained by the Humours of some foolish Relatives, I exert myself on this Occasion.1

27. G. D. Especially, in strong Letters, to the Person, who has it a Day of Temptation with him.

* 28. G. D. Very strange things have befallen me, to Impoverish me, and leave nothing of this World in my Possession. I am willing to enter my Sentiments on this Occasion.

I acknowledge the Punishment of my Sins, in the impoverishing Dispensations of an holy and a righteous GOD: and I humble and abhor myself before Him.

I approve the Conduct of Heaven, in keeping such a Balance on the divine Favours to me. I am richer in the Best of Treasures, and especially in great Opportunities to Do Good, than the most of Men; and I shall count this Grace to be sufficient for me.

I am to entertain what befalls me, as not meerly a Chastisement for my Miscarriages, but also as an Experiment made upon me, whether I shall count myself sufficiently enriched, in having a glorious CHRIST concerned for me, and visiting of me, and having the Disposal of my whole Condition, so that His gracious Providence will suffer me

1 Rev. Nathaniel Rogers died in October, 1723, and a call was given to John Hancock. He served only a short time, and in the summer Rev. Jabez

Fitch was ordained.

to want nothing that shall be good for me; and by being employ'd in Service for Him.

Finding my Mind full of the sweetest Contentation and Satisfaction in this View of Things, I arrive to a joyful Assurance, that my SAVIOUR is by my Poverty only præparing me for the unsearchable Riches, which He has in the spiritual Blessings of the heavenly Places, to bestow upon me.

I am now, As having nothing, yett possessing all Things! 29. G. D. The Spirit of Adoption and of the Gospel, operating after a very conspicuous, impressive, heartMelting Manner, in the public Supplications, how can the Edification of the Flock, and the Salvation and Sanctity of the People, be consulted more effectually!

30. G. D. Miserrima mea Conjux, post flagrantissimos mei Amores, rursus in Pristinos dilapsa Furores, ob impetum de Maligno Spiritu per Lyram Davidicam sopito ac fugato, Concionem, summas mihi meisque tentat Injurias, Creatque Molestias.

Ah, Mi Domine Redemptor; Quid agam, nescio: Sed versus te sunt mei timidi ac tumidi oculi.

Quotidianis precibus, in quibus Filium associatum habeam, gratiam tuam Quærere, est mihi propositum.

July. 1. G. D. They are so near to me on some accounts that if I consider them as Relatives, among the Objects of my Essays to do Good, there will be no Trespass in it.

An honourable Family at Marshfield, having lately buried a Daughter, have also had their Son, who was a Captain in the public Service, and should have this day proceeded Master of Arts, murdered by the Indians, with some singular Circumstances of Embitterment.1 This Day, I write a Letter of Condolence and Consolation to them.

1 The family was that of Isaac and Sarah (Wensley) Winslow; the daughter's name was Anna (1709-1723), and that of the son, Josiah (1701-1724).

This Day, being our insipid, ill-contrived, anniversary Solemnity, which we call, The Commencement, I chose to spend it at home, in Supplications; partly on the behalf of the Colledge, that it may not be foolishly thrown away: but that GOD would bestow such a President upon it, as may prove a rich Blessing unto it, and unto all our Churches.

The other usual Matters for my Supplications, were also carried unto the Lord.

And the sad Things which my Ministry and my Family are threatened withal, were particularly considered.

In the Sacrifices which I this day offered unto the Lord I felt astonishing Impressions and Assurances of my being brought nigh to the glorious GOD, and of my Union to my SAVIOUR and His Concern for me.

But, Oh! what Advice from Heaven, is come to me this Day, about my poor Son Increase! Yea, how many Times have I been of late overwhelmed with Afflations, which tell me, that

2. G. D. Expecting many Ministers, to be together this day, from several Parts of the Countrey, I would endeavour, in a Speech unto them, to sett before them such Matters for their Prayers and Cares as it may be of great Service for them to think upon.

This Day I received from New London, some copies of a Book, newly printed there. Being willing to be furnished with another Book, to lodge in the hands of my Neighbours and such as I have opportunity to converse withal, I putt myself to some Expense for it; And what now comes out of the Press, is entituled;

(III.) STIMULATOR. Or The Case of a Soul walking in Darkness awfully and suitably considered. An essay to awaken People out of the Lethargy, which disposes them to continue in a Dark Uncertainty about their Future State, in the World, which is not seen, but is Eternal.1

1 Printed by Timothy Green, 1724.

What I spoke to the Convention of Ministers, at Boston July 2, 1724.

It was a Sentence, which I think I more than once heard fall from the Lips of our Memorable, and venerable ELIOT; It is no little Notice, which is taken by our Holy Lord, of what passes in the Meetings of His Ministers. The Ministers of the Countrey, doubtless have their frequent Meetings; and in these Interviews, their Discourses and Projections to serve the Kingdome of GOD our SAVIOUR are such as to demonstrate that they remember, He hearkens to hear what passes there, and that He has a Book of Remembrance in which He enters what passes from them who think upon His Name.

That what now passes may somewhat answer such an Expectation, I would humbly ask Leave, to offer unto the Brethren a Word or two, which may stir up their pure Minds to the Remembrance of some Things, that cannot be well forgotten or neglected.

It is to be supposed, and beleeved, that Ministers being Men of GOD, are Men of Prayer. And, we not only do ourselves pray without Ceasing, but also animate and encourage Prayer all we can among the People, whom we instruct how to pray, while in that holy Exercise, we go before them.

There are among the many Matters of Prayer, which call for our Consideration, very particularly two, or three, which you will allow me to mention, as Points upon which the Watchmen on the Walls of Jerusalem, should not keep Silence before the Lord.

First; the State of Religion in the whole World is very deplorable. A fearful Decay and withdraw of real and vital Piety is every where greatly confessed and lamented, by those Few that have any thing of it, yett remaining in them. Our United Brethren, in Gr. Britain and Ireland appear to have a dismal Share in this epidemical Wretchedness. It is no small Instance of it, that when there is an horrible Conspiracy in our Nation to dethrone and degrade and ungod the infinite SON of GOD, a very great Part of our Brethren by refusing to subscribe those Explanations of the sacred Scripture, which are necessary to distinguish the Precious from the Vile, have acted as if they were willing to embrace as their Brethren in CHRIST, the Vile Conspirators: they have too much paved the Way for the Countenancing and Introducing of those Damnable Heresies, which are inconsistent with the Life of God, and their Alienations from one another on this Occasion, have a tremendous Aspect on them. Certainly, we should pray much, that God would avert the Omens; and that we may not be our selves overwhelmed in the Sleep of the

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Midnight in which the World will be surprized by the Coming of the Lord.

Again, the State of our Colledge is not altogether unknown unto us. Our Colledge is as great an Interest of this Countrey, as any one that can be spoken of. Religion is like to be præserved or betrayed in our Churches, as the Colledge is provided for. A well-furnished, a well-principled Governour of that Society will be of mighty Consequence unto us all. Such a Gift of our SAVIOUR to us, would be more valuable than the golden Wedge of Opher. We should count it worth our while to pray much for such an inestimable Blessing. And the more so, because there may probably be less Prospect of obtaining it, than is by some imagined.

Finally, Since our Churches are under shaking Dispensations, and may look for more; Our Prayers for the Establishment of them in the Things that cannot be shaken, are the more necessary. But what Labours may do well to accompany our Prayers! Private Labours and public Labours; And especially in the Dispersing of profitable and seasonable Books, into the Hands of our People.

And since the Ministers throughout the Land, thro the Folly and Baseness by which our Bills of Credit are depreciated in their Circulation, have their Subsistence extremely threatened; extreme Wants and Straits are likely to distress us, above any Sort of Persons whatsoever; lett us make this Holy Use of it. That we shall by a more exemplary Diligence and Vigilance in the Discharge of our Ministry, recommend our selves unto the Providence and Protection of our faithful SAVIOUR, who can and will so look after us, that the Quæstion, lacked ye anything? shall anon have a strange Answer given to it.

3. G. D. The Thursday Interviews of the Ministers being thus renewed, I would make it my perpetual Study, forever to bring forth something at them, which my Brethren may be the better for.

4. G. D. A young Gentlewoman in dying Circum

stances.

* 5. G. D. I am astonished at the Visits which the Holy SPIRIT of Grace makes unto the Chief of Sinners. He visits me, instructs me, comforts me, and raises me to such Interviews with Heaven as assure me of my being one that my SAVIOUR intends Mercy for. Oh! may I not

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