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COLLECTIONS 

OF   THE 

MASSACHUSETTS   HISTORICAL   SOCIETY 


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Committee  of  |)nblitatian 

CHARLES  FRANCIS  ADAMS 
NATHANIEL   PAINE 
BARRETT   WENDELL 
WORTHINGTON  CHAUNCEY  FORD 


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9@as0act)U0ett0  l^lstotical  ^odetp  Collectton0 

SEVENTH  SERIES  — VOL.   VII 

DIARY  OF  COTTON   MATHER 

1681-1708 

Pnblisbtli  at  t\)t  <Liixst  of  t\)t  ptaboUp  JunO 


BOSTON 
PUBLISHED    BY   THE   SOCIETY 

MDCCCCXI 

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TBX-PLIUPTON-PHESS 

(W-DO) 

NonwooD  -MAsa-  v  -b-a 


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CONTENTS 

PAGE 

Officers  of  the  Society,  April,  1911 vii 

Members: 

Resident viii 

Honorary     x 

Corresponding x 

Preface xiii 

Location  of  Manuscript  Diaries xxiii 

Diary,  1681 i 

1683 ;  54 

168s 86 

1686 121 

Letters. 

1690,  May  17.    To  Increase  Mather 137 

On  his  return  to  New  England.    Agents  appointed.    In- 
gratitude for  services.     His  own  position. 

1691,  September  14.    To  John  Cotton 140 

The  king  and  the  charter.     Forgery  of  a  clerk.     Plymouth 

as  a  province.    Magistrates. 

1692,  August  5.    To  John  Cotton 142 

Execution  of  witches  at  Salem.    The  earthquake  at  Jamaica. 
Trouble  at  Taunton. 

Diary,  1691 xxv 

1692 144 

1693 160 

1696 182 

1697 221 

1698 252 

1699 292 

1700 335 

1701 393 

1702 418 

1703 466 

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VI  CONTEwib 

Letter.  ^^'^'^ 

1704,  December  4.    To  Samuel  Penhallow 507 

Grateful  for  his  communication.     Illness  of  his  daughter 
Catharine.     Colonel  Hobby  and  the  governorship. 

Diary,  1705 509 

1706 545 

1707 593 

Letters. 

1707,  March  6.    To  Samuel  Penhallow 598 

Books  sent  by  a  captive  woman.     Encloses  some  state 

paper. 
1707,  July  8.    To  Samuel  Penhallow 599 

News  from  England.     Some  proceedings  against  traders 

resented.     Francis  Makemie. 

1707.  Esquire  BickerstafT's  Predictions  for  1 708   ....     600 

1708,  September  21.     To 602 

Question  on  baptism. 

1708,  November  22.     To  Samuel  Penhallow 603 

Sends  copies  of  Good  Evening.     Efiect  of  his  name. 


ILLUSTRATIONS 

Portrait  of   Cotton   Mather,  after  Peter  Pelham      Frontispiece. 
Page  of  the  Diary,  to  face  page i 


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OFFICERS 

OF   THE 

^lASSACHUSETTS   HISTORICAL   SOCIETY 

Aprtl  13,  igii. 

CHARLES  FRANCIS  ADAMS Lincoln. 

SitC'PrtsiHenttf 

SAMUEL  ABBOTT  GREEN Boston. 

JAMES  FORD  RHODES        Boston. 

Betorlitng:  S>rtretarp 
EDWARD   STANWOOD Brookune. 

Corrtspontiins  S)ecretarp 
HENRY  Wn.LL\MSON  HAVNES        Boston. 

CTrtaBurer 
ARTHXHi  LORD Plymouth. 

Librarian 
SAMUEL  ABBOTT  GREEN Boston. 

Cabtntt'tltrprr 
GRENVTLLE  ROWLAND  NORCROSS Boston. 

(Suitor 
WORTHINGTON  CHAUNCEY  FORD Cambridge. 

fRtmhns  at  Large  of  tbe  Conntil 

WALDO  LINCOLN Worcester. 

WILLIAM   ROSCOE  LR'ERMORE Boston. 

FREDERIC  WINTHROP Hamilton. 

MOORFIELD  STOREY Boston. 

ROBERT  SAMUEL  RANTOUL Salem. 


[vii] 

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RESIDENT  MEMBERS 


i860. 

Hon.  Samuel  Abbott  Green,  LL.D. 

1867. 
Charles  Card  Sniith,  A.M. 

1871. 
Abner  Cheney  Goodell,  A.M. 

1873- 
Hon.  Winslow  Warren,  LL.B. 
Charles  WiUiam  Eliot,  LL.D. 

1875. 
Charles  Francis  Adams,  LL.D. 

1876. 
Hon.  Henry  Cabot  Lodge,  LL.D. 

1877. 
John  Torrey  Morse,  Jr.,  A.B. 

1878. 
Gamaliel  Bradford,  A.B. 

1879. 
Henry  Williamson  Haynes,  A.M. 

1880. 
Thomas  Wentworth  Higginson,  LL. 

1881. 
Rev.  Henry  Fitch  Jcnks,  A.M. 
Rev.  Alexander  McKenzie,  D.D. 


D. 


1883. 


Arthur  Lord,  A.B. 


Frederic  Ward  Putnam,  S.D. 
James  McKellar  Bugbee,  Esq. 

1884. 
Edward  Channing,  Ph.D. 

1886. 
WiUiam  Watson  Goodwin,  D.C.L. 

1887. 
Edwin  Pliny  Seaver,  .\.M. 

1889. 
Albert  Bushnell  Hart,  LL.D. 
Thornton  KlrUand  Lothrop,  LL.B. 

1890. 
Henry  Fitz-Gilbert  Waters,  A.M. 
Abbott  Lawrence  Lowell,  LL.D. 

1891. 
Hon.  Oliver  Wendell  Holmes,  LL.D. 
Henry  Pickering  Walcott,  LL.D. 

1893- 
Hon.  Charles  Russell  Codman,  LL.B. 
Barrett  Wendell,  .\.B. 
James  Ford  Rhodes,  LL.D. 

1894. 
Hon.  Mward  Francis  Johnson,  LL.B. 
Rt.  Rev.  William  Lawrence,  D.D. 
William  Roscoe  Thayer,  AJkl. 

189s. 
Hon.  Thomas  Jefferson  Coolidge,  LL.D. 
Hon.  William  Wallace  Crapo,  LL.D. 

1896. 
Granville  Stanley  Hall,  LL.D. 


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RESIDENT     MEMBERS 


IX 


1897. 
Rev.  Leverett  Wilson  Spring,  D.D. 
Col.  William  Roscoe  Livennore. 
Hon.  Richard  OIney,  IX.D. 
Lucien  Carr,  A.M. 


Rev.  George  Angier  Gordon,  D.D. 
John  Chipman  Gray,  LL.D. 
Rev.  James  DeNormandie,  D.D. 
Andrew  McFarland  Davis,  A.M. 

1899. 
Archibald  Gary  Coolidge,  Ph.D. 
Charles  Pickering  Bowditch,  A.M. 
Rev.  Edward  Henry  HaU,  D.D. 

1900. 
Melville  Madison  Bigelow,  LL.D. 

1901. 
Thomas  Leonard  Livermore,  A.M. 
Nathaniel  Paine,  A.M. 
John  Osborne  Sumner,  A.B. 
Arthur  Theodore  Lyman,  A.M. 
Samuel  Lothrop  Thomdike,  A.M. 

1903. 
Henry  Lee  Higginson,  LL.D. 
Brooks  Adams,  A.B. 
Grenville  Howland  Norcross,  LL.B. 
Edward  Hooker  Gilbert,  A.B. 

1903- 
Franklin  Benjamin  Sanborn,  .\.B. 
Charles  Knowles  Bolton,  A.B. 
Samuel  Savage  Shaw,  LL.B. 
Ephraim  Emerton,  Ph.D. 
Waldo  Lincoln,  A.B. 
Frederic  Jesup  Stimson,  LL.B. 
Edward  Stanwood,  Litt.D. 
Moorfield  Storey,  A.M. 

1904. 
Thomas  Minns,  Esq. 
Roger  Bigelow  Merriman,  Ph.D. 
Charles  Homer  Haskins,  Ph.D. 


1905. 
Hon.  John  Davis  Long,  LL.D. 
Don  Gleason  HUl,  A.M. 
Theodore  Clarke  Smith,  Ph.D. 
Henry  Greenleaf  Pearson,  A.B. 
Bliss  Perry,  LL.D. 

1906. 
Edwin  Doak  Mead,  Esq. 
Edward  Henry  Clement,  Litt.D. 
William  Endicott,  A.M. 
Lindsay  Swift,  A.B. 
Hon.  George  Sheldon. 
Mark  Antony  DeWolfe  Howe,  A.M. 
Arnold  Augustus  Rand,  Esq. 

1907. 
Jonathan  Smith,  A.B. 
Albert  Matthews,  A.B. 
William  Vail  KeUen,  LL.D. 

1908. 
Frederic  WInthrop,  A.B. 
Hon.  Robert  Samuel  Rantoul,  LL.B. 
George  Lyman  Kittredge,  LL.D. 
Charles  Pelham  Greenough,  LL.B. 
Henry  Ernest  Woods,  A.M. 

1909. 
Worthington  Chauncey  Ford,  A.M. 
William  Coolidge  Lane,  A.B. 


1910. 
Hon.  Samuel  Walker  McCaU,  A.B. 
John  Collins  Warren,  LL.D. 
Harold  Murdock,  Esq. 
Henry  Morton  Levering,  A.M. 
Edward  Waldo  Emerson,  M.D. 
Curtis  Guild,  LL.D. 
Frederick  Jackson  Turner,  Litt.D. 
Gardner  Weld  AUen,  M.D. 

1911. 
Henry  Herbert  Edes,  A.M. 
George  Hubbard  Blakeslee,  Ph.D. 


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HONORARY   MEMBERS 


1896. 

Rt.  Hon.  James  Bryce,  D.C.L. 

1899. 
Rt.  Hon.  Sir  George  Otto  Trevelyan, 
Bart.,  D.C.L. 

1901. 
Pasquale  Villari,  D.C.L. 

1904. 
Adolf  Hamack,  D.D. 
Rt.  Hon.  Viscount  Morley,  D.C.L. 


Ernest  Lavisse. 


1905. 


1907. 


Rear-Admiral  Alfred   Thayer   Mahan, 
D.C.L. 

1908. 
Henry  Adams,  LL.D. 

1910. 
Eduard  Meyer,  Litt.D. 

1911. 
Hon.  Andrew  Dickson  White,  D.C.L. 


CORRESPONDING   MEMBERS 


1875. 

Hon.  John  Bigelow,  LL.D. 
Hubert  Howe  Bancroft,  A.M. 

1878. 
Joseph  Florimond  Loubat,  LL.D. 
Charles  Henry  Hart,  LL.B. 

1879. 
Franklin  Bowditch  Dexter,  Litt.D. 

1880. 
Sir     James     MacPherson      LeMoine, 
D.C.L. 

1883. 
Rev.  Charles  Richmond  Weld,  LL.D. 

1896. 
Hon.  James  Burrill  Angel),  LL.D. 
William  Babcock  Wecden,  A.M. 


1897. 
Woodrow  Wilson,  LL.D. 
Hon.  Joseph  Hodges  Choate,  D.C.L. 

1898. 
John  Franklin  Jameson,  LL.D. 

1899. 
Rev.  William  Cunningham,  LL.D. 

1900. 
Hon.  Simeon  F.ben  Baldwin,  LL.D. 
John  Hassett  Moore,  LL.D. 

1901. 
Frederic  Harrison,  Litt.D. 
Frederic  Hancroft,  LL.D. 
Charles  Harding  Firth,  LL.D. 
William  James  Ashley,  M.A. 


Ixl 


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CORRESPONDING     MEMBERS 


XI 


1902. 
John  Bach  McMaster,  LL.D. 
Albert  Venn  Dicey,  LL.D. 
Reuben  Gold  Thwaites,  LL.D. 
John  Christopher  Schwab,  Ph.D. 

1903- 
Rev.  .-\rthur  Blake  Ellis,  LL.B. 
Auguste  iloireau. 
Hon.  Horace  Davis,  LL.D. 

igo4. 
Sidney  Lee,  LL.D. 

1905. 
William  .\rchibald  Dunning,  LL.D. 
James  Schouler,  LL.D. 
George  Parker  Winship,  A.M. 
Gabriel  Hanotaux. 
Hubert  HaU. 

1906. 
Andrew      Cimningham      McLaughlin, 

LL.B. 
Hon.  Beekman  Winthrop,  LL.B. 


1907. 
Hon.  James  Phinney  Baxter,  Litt.D. 
W'ilberforce  Eames,  A.M. 
George  Walter  Prothero,  LL.D. 
Hon.  Jean  Jules  Jusserand,  LL.D. 
James  Kendall  Hosmer,  LL.D. 

1908. 
John  Bagnell  Bury,  LL.D. 
Rafael  Altamira  y  Crevea. 
Hon.     James     Wilberforce     Longley, 

D.C.L. 
Henr>-  Morse  Stephens,  LittD. 
Charles  Borgeaud,  LL.D. 

1909. 
Lyon  Gardiner  Tyler,  LL.D. 
Clarence  Bloomfield  Moore,  A.B. 

1910. 
Edward  Doubleday  Harris,  Esq. 

igii. 
Charles  William  Chadwick  Oman.  M.A. 
Samuel  Verplanck  HoEfman,  Esq. 


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PREFACE 

THE  Diary  of  Cotton  Mather  is  of  value  as  the 
record  of  a  man  of  peculiar  attainments,  as  a  bibliog- 
raphy of  a  very  prolific  compiler  and  publisher,  and,  most 
of  all,  as  an  important  contribution  to  the  history  of  the 
Congregational  Church  in  Massachusetts.  For  he  was  only 
a  tjrpe,  one  of  many,  made  prominent  by  the  large  number 
of  his  printed  writings,  some  of  which  have  served  to  keep 
him  in  the  public  eye  even  to  this  day.  The  existence  of 
this  record,  scattered  in  three  different  collections,  has  long 
been  known,  and  much  inquiry  has  arisen  about  its  contents. 
Mr.  Wendell  used  a  part  in  his  scholarly  biography  of 
Cotton  Mather,'  and  extracts  have  appeared  in  many  places; 
but  no  year's  record  has  ever  been  transcribed  or  printed. 
In  April,  1908,  Mr.  Henry  H.  Edes  proposed  to  the  Council 
of  the  American  Antiquarian  Society  to  confer  with  the 
Coimcil  of  this  Society  "with  a  view  of  securing  the  proper 
editing  and  publication  of  all  the  manuscript  diaries  of 
Increase  Mather  and  Cotton  Mather.  "^  In  February,  1909, 
the  Massachusetts  Historical  Society  appointed  a  commit- 
tee to  publish  the  diaries  in  cooperation  with  the  American 
Antiquarian  Society,  and  invited  the  latter  Society  to  aid. 
Circumstanced  as  it  was,  the  Antiquarian  Society  could 
•not  take  an  active  part  in  the  editing  and  publication, 
but  freely  offered  such  material  as  it  had,  and  named  a 
committee  of  conference  composed  of  Andrew  McFarland 
Davis,  George  Parker  Winship,  and  Clarence  Saunders 
Brigham.' 

'  Cotton  Mather,  the  Puritan  Priest.     New  York  [1891]. 
•  American  Antiquarian  Society  Proceedings,  xix,  4. 
'76.,  306. 

I  xiii  1 

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XIV  PREFACE 

So  far  as  it  has  been  preserved,  tliis  Diary  is  now  printed 
for  the  first  time.  It  is  far  from  complete,  and  the  record 
for  some  of  the  most  important  years  of  the  diarist's  life 
has  been  lost  or  destroyed.  It  is  an  account  edited  by 
himself,  and  comprises  therefore  only  what  he  wished  to 
have  preserved  for  the  benefit  of  his  children.  Such  care  also 
precludes  the  idea  that  Mather  was  not  preparing  a  calendar 
of  events  and  a  record  of  feelings  for  posterity,  and  there- 
fore for  publication.  Enough  of  the  Diary,  perhaps  more 
than  enough,  remains  to  develop  and  illustrate  his  career, 
and  to  enable  the  reader  to  measure  the  man  in  his  intentions 
and  in  his  actions.  While  describing  these  he  has  pre- 
pared, not  consciously,  the  material  for  a  better  compre- 
hension of  the  position  of  church  aflfairs  in  ^Massachusetts 
during  his  ministrations. 

A  diary  being  the  more  intimate  and  immediate  records 
of  the  writer's  thoughts,  if  spontaneous,  better  expresses  his 
feelings  and  his  character  than  any  other  form  of  writing. 
This  was  peculiarly  the  case  with  Cotton  Mather.  He  early 
formed  the  habit  of  placing  on  paper  his  mental  processes,  of 
examining  his  own  spiritual  condition,  and  of  measuring  him- 
self in  action  by  standards  arbitrarily  imposed  by  his  owti 
behefs,  standards  drawn  from  Scripture  and  his  interpretation 
of  what  Scripture  required.  He  inherited  this  habit  from  his 
father,  Increase  Mather,  whose  leaning  towards  a  somewhat 
morbid  introspection  became  exaggerated  in  the  son.  Cotton 
from  his  early  youth  minutely  recorded  his  performance  of 
the  outward  observances  demanded  by  the  church  of  the  day 
from  its  members;  and,  from  noting  or  listing  such  formal 
acts,  it  was  an  easy  stage  to  recording  the  inward  feelings 
and  interpreting  the  agitations  of  mind  an  ill-balanced 
character  endured.  At  first  he  intended  to  be  a  physician, 
and  had  made  some  progress  in  his  studies  when  he  altered 
his  determination  and  studied  for  the  ministr>-.  The  train- 
ing required  for  the  church  was  in  that  day  not  broad,  being 

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PREFACE  XV 

confined  to  philosophy,  logic,  dogma,  and  the  dry  husks  of 
theological  disputation,  materials  for  culture  that  have  be- 
come more  curious  than  useful,  and  more  capable  of  histori- 
cal use  than  of  actual  application  to  problems  of  Ufe  in 
general.  In  Mather's  case  such  a  training  only  aggravated 
tendencies  handed  down  from  his  father  and  his  grand- 
fathers—  Richard  Mather  and  John  Cotton.  Physically 
not  strong  and  with  oversensitized  intuitions,  he  became  an 
ecstatic,  dangerously  near  to  one  possessed.  In  spite  of  all 
his  reading,  and  he  was  one  of  the  greatest  readers  of  his 
day  in  America,  he  remained  bovmd  and  limited  by  the 
accepted  dogmas  of  his  church;  in  spite  of  his  great  acti\ities 
in  public  and  church  endeavor,  he  continued  to  be  something 
of  a  dreamer,  inclined  to  a  quite  material  mysticism  that 
was  false,  and  to  beliefs  concerning  his  own  power  and 
influence  that  could  onlj-  lead  him  astray.  A  wholesome 
counteraction  of  this  tendency  was  wanting;  and  he  suffers 
accordingly. 

For  this  the  time  was  as  responsible  as  his  nature.  The 
first  generation  of  clergymen  in  New  England  contained 
men  of  strong  characters  and  great  performance.  The 
names  of  Cotton,  Wheelwright,  Wilson,  Norton,  Chaimcy, 
and  Richard  Mather  command  respect  if  they  do  not  com- 
mand allegiance  to  their  beUefs  and  conduct.  Trained  in 
Old  England,  and  armed  with  all  the  weapons  of  controversy 
that  had  been  kept  bright  by  persecutions  and  disputations 
under  the  distracting  changes  of  church  government  from 
the  days  of  Elizabeth,  they  possessed  an  energy  and,  for 
that  day,  a  learning  that  compel  admiration  when  appUed 
to  conditions  in  Massachusetts  Bay.  If  the  standards  of 
today  be  apphed,  and  no  standards  could  be  more  severe, 
they  were  narrow  minded  and  even  cruel  bigots.'  But  the 
purpose  that  led  them  to  migrate  to  a  new  and  unknown 

'Brooks  Adams  in  his  Emancipation  of  Massachusetts  gave  a  much  needed 
critidsm  of  the  rule  of  the  elders. 

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XVI  PREFACE 


land,  marked  them  as  progressives,  however  tempered  by 
an  intention  of  preserving  intact  their  church  organization, 
in  itself  proof  of  an  absence  of  the  advancive  principle  that 
makes    for    progress.     The    conditions    in    New    England 
strengthened  this  purpose  and  intention,  and  also  hardened 
them  to  contend  against  the  many  dangers  which   they 
conceived  threatened  the  safety  and  existence  of  the  new 
settlements,  based  so  firmly  upon  a  strong  churchly  organi- 
zation.    In  this  contest  they  lost  little  of  their  power  or 
influence,  and  found  or  compelled  the  magistrates  to  be 
willing  to  further  their  ideas  of  what  the  situation  required. 
This  influence  of  the  church  and  elders  persisted  in  the 
next  generation.    Yet  even  then  the  beginnings  of  other  ten- 
dencies began  to  be  felt.     However  homogeneous  the  first 
emigrations  had  been,  the  unity  of  purpose  had  not  been 
so  perfect  as  to  exclude  moments  of  rebellion  that  called  for 
the  exertion  of  power  to  suppress.     The  mere  growth  of 
population,  bringing  with  it  an  increasing  diversity  of  in- 
terest,  threatened  the  dominance  of  one  church  or  one 
belief.     The  fear  aroused  in  Winthrop's  time  by  the  visit 
to  Boston  of  a  Jesuit,  exemplified  the  danger  that  seemed 
ever  to  threaten  the  colony.     The  Quakers,  the  French 
refugees,  and  the  presence  of  a  Jew,  were  only  outward 
manifestations   of   disturbing   factors,  against  which    the 
church    must   exert   her   power.    The   Arians,    Pelagians, 
Formalists,  and  Anabaptists  —  and  the  names  were  freeh- 
and wrongly  applied  —  were  enemies  to  the  church,  and 
also  of  the  State.     But  as  time  passed,  these  hostile  ele- 
ments grew  in  number  and  restive  under  restraint,  and  the 
population  perforce  became  more  tolerant  of  their  presence. 
They  even  made  their  influence  felt  and  raised  embarrassing 
questions  on  the  requirements  of  the  churches  of  the  day. 
Political  disturbances  such  as  accompanied  the  abrogation 
of  the  old  and  the  granting  of  the  new  charter  were  reflected 
in   church   unrest.     The  position  of    the   clergyman   was 

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PREFACE  XVU 

always  under  review,  but  not  for  more  than  a  century 
really  shaken. 

To  secure  this  preeminence  all  other  social  activity 
had  been  sacrificed;  whatever  could  question  or  oppose 
the  rule  of  the  church  was  ruthlessly  crushed.  With 
the  ocean  on  one  side  closing  a  free  intercourse  with 
Europe,  and  the  unexplored  wilderness  on  the  other, 
the  community  stood  in  danger  of  intellectual  atrophy. 
"That  result  the  clergy  —  the  dominant  influence  — 
courted.  They,  as  men  are  apt  to  do  under  such  cir- 
cumstances, looked  on  change  with  suspicion  and 
dreaded  innovation  as  concealed  heresy."  After  1647 
their  ascendancy  was  undisputed,  and  for  a  full  century 
under  the  supreme  rule  of  orthodoxy  the  result  was  not 
only  benumbing  and  provincial,  but  produced  a  morbid 
general  condition.  The  preaching  must  be  highly 
seasoned  to  be  palatable,  and  the  great  importance 
attached  to  theology  made  real  progress  impossible. 
The  period  was  sterile — glacial.' 

Cotton  Mather  well  represented  the  scholarship,  the 
theology  and  practically  the  thought  of  the  community 
in  which  he  lived.  The  Puritan  had  passed  out  of  the 
active,  formative  stage  into  the  fixed  and  unchangeable. 
Mather  was  the  young  man  of  promise;  in  him  the  com- 
munity saw  the  qualities  it  regarded  as  its  highest  and 
most  perfect  attributes.  He  reflected  the  Puritan  spirit 
as  it  had  hardened,  become  ossified,  and  thus  his  writ- 
ings serve  to  preserve  the  methods,  expressions,  and  life 
generally  of  that  day. 

If  the  second  generation  of  elders  suffered  in  mind  and 
in  uifluence  by  the  changes  introduced  by  the  supposedly 
hostile   forces,    the    third   generation,    to   which   Mather 

'This  has  been  developed  in  Charles  Francis  Adams,  Massachusetts:  its 
\  Historians  and  its  History,  and  some  of  his  very  words  have  been  used  in  these 
~  paragraphs. 

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XVm  PREFACE 


belonged,  was  even  more  subject  to  disrupting  movements 
among  the  people.  The  dangers  that  surrounded  the  con- 
gregations formed  one  of  the  most  frequent  subjects  of  dis- 
cussion, and  the  decay  of  piety,  the  corruption  of  morals, 
the  presence  of  strange  doctrines,  the  danger  of  incurring 
the  displeasure  of  the  Almighty  by  departing  from  his 
ordinances,  and  the  frequent  display  of  his  anger,  were 
dwelt  upon  in  Sunday  sermon,  Thursday  lecture,  and  elec- 
tion discourse.  The  magistrates  and  people  were  loudly 
called  to  the  rescue  of  the  colony  and  church.  Fast  days 
multiplied  as  occasion  called  for  such  expression  of  public 
humiliation  for  general  wrong-doing. 

It  was  in  this  transition  period  that  Mather  held  sway. 
In  the  beginning  of  his  public  ministry  Church  and  State 
were  still  practically  one,  working  together  and  in  full  con- 
fidence of  their  rectitude  and  devotion  to  public  welfare. 
The  elder  was  still  the  great  man  of  the  community,  con- 
sulted on  all  occasions,  the  source  of  a  wisdom  to  which 
ordinary  mortals  could  not  aspire.  Before  Mather  died, 
this  supremacy  had  been  sadly  shaken,  and  no  one  felt  it 
more  keenly  than  he  felt  it  himself.  He  draughted  fast  day 
proclamations ;  he  clamored  importunately  for  the  main- 
tenance of  church  authority;  he  spent  a  lifetime  in  de\dsing 
schemes  for  advancing  piety  and  religion;  he  deplored  the 
formation  of  new  churches  and  the  introduction  of  ideas 
which  did  not  entirely  conform  to  his  own;  and  he  shrank 
from  whatever  seemed  to  injure  his  o^vn  position  or  methods 
in  the  vineyard.  He  regarded  his  father  and  himself  as  above 
criticism,  and  often  used  the  elders  of  the  former  generation 
as  a  shield  against  those  who  attacked  him,  and,  as  he 
believed,  the  church  through  him.  It  was  all  in  vain,  for 
nothing  he  devised  or  performed  could  stem  the  natural 
current  of  the  non-conformity,  or  the  dissent,  of  the  day. 
He  felt  his  influence  slipping  away,  and  interpreted  it  as 
something  personal  to  himself. 

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PREFACE  XIX 


In  this  he  did  not  err,  and  in  Mather  will  be  found  much 
to  repel  and  little  to  attract.  In  the  course  of  time  his 
earnestness  becomes  painful,  his  resignation  and  self-abase- 
ment ring  hoUow,  his  cries  become  strident,  his  postures  and 
prayers  seem  mechanical.  Believing  himself  to  be  the 
favorite  of  God  he  estabUshed  communication  with  Deity, 
either  through  the  agency  of  an  Angel  or  even  more  directly, 
and  received  encouragements  which  fortunately  he  was  un- 
able to  express  in  human  language,  and  which  become  Uttle 
less  than  ridiculous  in  his  attempts  to  express  them,  unless 
allowance  is  made  for  his  mental  and  physical  condition.  He 
indulged  in  prophecy,  and,  if  he  only  waited  a  sufficient  time, 
he  could  find  some  happening  that  would  fit  his  prophecy. 
The  practice  involved  dangers  that  sometimes  returned 
upon  him  to  his  discomfiture.  These  communications 
and  the  apparent  success  now  and  again  attending  them, 
reacted  upon  an  already  well  developed  vanity,  and  he  Uved 
in  an  atmosphere  of  self-complacency,  as  misleading  as  it  was 
imreal.  His  mind  fed  upon  material  clearly  innutritious, 
and  he  resorted  to  fasts,  vigils,  and  self-mortifications  in  the 
beUef  that  he  was  thereby  assuring  to  himself  this  inter- 
course with  divine  beings,  and  so  increasing  his  usefulness 
to  the  world.  In  reahty  he  was  drawing  heavily  upon  a  not 
very  strong  vitality,  and  inducing  a  state  of  mental  intoxi- 
cation, believed  to  be  of  ecstasis,  a  state  of  rapture  in  which 
the  body  became  insensible  to  surrounding  objects,  while 
the  soul  was  engaged  in  the  contemplation  of  things  divine. 
This  involved  an  intoxication  of  the  senses,  and  an  indul- 
gence in  prophetic  inspiration.  He  took  his  religious 
observances  as  men  take  opium,  and  under  their  action  he 
was  convinced  that  he  felt,  saw,  and  heard  things  beyond 
the  apprehension  of  ordinary  men.  That  the  means  of 
inducing  rapture  were  crude,  that  they  acted  upon  a  man 
incapable  of  high  imagination,  and  that  the  results  were 
not  commensurate  with  the  intentions  of  the  act,  at  times 

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XX  PREFACE 

produce  a  touch  of  absurdity.  Consciously  or  unconsciously 
Mather  records  his  experiences  in  the  very  words  and  experi- 
ences of  eariier  mystics  and  elders,  and  these  frequent  bor- 
rowings awaken  some  doubt  upon  his  ability  to  produce  a 
real  ecstasy,  one  that  could  be  oblivious  to  pain,  or  neglectful 
of  the  effect  to  be  produced  upon  others  by  its  display. 
The  mechanism  is  too  obvious,  and  the  concernment  over 
self  is  too  marked  to  escape  attention.  Indeed  the  impres- 
sion gained  is  that  his  periods  of  transport  were  far  removed 
from  true  religious  rapture  or  frenzy,  and  more  closely 
resembled  a  physical  cataleptic  state. 

In  inducing  these  sensuous  conditions  and  in  surrender- 
ing himself  entirely  to  their  nim^ibing  effects,  he  believed 
he  was  giving  himself  completely  into  the  hands  of  divine 
power,  to  be  directed  wholly  by  that  power.  Such  surrender 
may  arise  from  a  weakness  of  mind  or  body,  which  dislikes 
to  contend  strongly  against  temptation  or  against  the 
armoyances  that  pertain  to  any  station  in  life,  and  which 
seeks  refuge  and  relief  in  giving  the  responsibihty  of  deci- 
sion to  another.  Such  natures  are  apt  to  be  credulous  and 
easily  imposed  upon,  for  they  have  not  passed  through  that 
strengthening  process  that  would  enable  them  to  stand 
alone.  Mather's  training  had  been  a  sheltered  one,  and  he 
early  stepped  into  a  place  already  prepared  for  him,  and  in 
which  he  was  still  in  great  part  protected.  That  he  should 
have  been  carried  too  far  in  the  witchcraft  delusion  is  not 
strange,  for  many  much  stronger  than  he  gave  way  to  it; 
but  it  is  somewhat  strange  that  he  should  so  often  have  been 
*  imposed  upon  by  little  incidents,  as  his  Diary  proves,  and 
\iha.t  he  should  so  seriously  accept  the  mystical  e.xplanation  of 
a  very  commonplace  fact.  The  solemnitj'  of  record  adds  not 
a  little  to  what  is  essential  to  an  apprehension  of  the  man, 
but  it  leaves  an  impression  of  positive  weakness.  No  one 
can  read  the  issues  of  that  day  and  fail  to  recognize  that 
strange  beliefs  were  held,  strange  objects  seen,  and  strange 

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PREFACE  XXI 

interpretations  applied;  but,  after  all  due  allowance,  for  the 
atmosphere  in  which  men  then  Uved,  it  is  stiU  difficult  to 
accept  Mather  at  his  own  estimation.  That  he  was  the 
special  subject  of  divine  favor,  and  the  special  object  of 
Satanic  buffetings,  sums  up  this  estimate.  An  overweening 
vanity  lay  at  the  basis  of  it. 

Under  such  stimulus  the  church  over  which  he  presided, 
the  town  in  which  he  Uved,  and  even  the  Colony  of  Massa- 
chusetts proved  too  narrow  a  field  for  his  endeavors.  His 
restlessness,  made  the  more  imp>elling  by  his  habits,  led  him 
to  look  abroad  for  objects  of  his  care.  The  ungospellized 
plantations  adjacent  to  Massachusetts,  the  colonies  to  the 
southward  and  in  the  West  Indies,  the  concerns  of  European 
coimtries,  the  conditions  in  the  Spanish  American  countries, 
and  the  captives  in  North  Africa,  —  these  were  some  of  the 
objects  of  his  activities.  He  wrote  in  French  to  produce  a 
reformation  in  France;  he  wrote  in  Spanish  to  subvert  the 
colonies  of  CathoUc  Spain;  and  he  urged  the  translation  of 
his  writings  into  other  tongues,  that  they  might  bear  witness 
to  his  desires  to  remodel  mankind  upon  the  lines  of  his 
beliefs.  As  an  ardent  proselytizer  he  sought  the  reformation 
of  the  world,  and  the  instruments  were  to  be  prayers  and 
printed  books.  His  advocacy  of  inoculation  for  the 
smallpox  was  greatly  to  his  credit. 

This  leads  to  a  notice  of  a  notable  phase  of  his  activity, 
for  no  man,  before  or  since  his  day,  sought  and  enjoyed  so 
many  opportimities  to  print  what  he  wrote.  On  this  phase 
nothing  could  be  more  eloquent  than  the  Diary  now  printed. 
The  eagerness  to  see  his  compositions  in  print  grew  with  his 
years,  and  his  industry  was  turned  to  the  regular  manufac- 
ture of  matter  for  the  press.  Having  completed  a  study, 
tract,  or  discourse  the  printing  of  it  became  an  object  of  his 
thought,  a  subject  of  his  prayers.  At  times  his  very  religion 
seems  to  be  subordinated  to  this  passion  for  seeing  his  pro- 
ductions in  type,  and  as  the  nimiber  of  issues  increased,  the 

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XXU  PREFACE 

stronger  became  his  conviction  that  through  them  he  was 
accomphshing  a  great  world-work,  one  that  the  Lord  had 
designed  he  should  perform.  He  was  assiduous  in  dis- 
tributing his  own  books,  and  artful  in  securing  the  aid  of 
others  to  print  or  distribute  them.  These  tracts  possessed 
in  his  eyes  a  great  efficacy  in  advancing  the  cause  of  relig- 
ion, in  soothing  distress,  and  even  in  quieting  bodily  pain. 
As  the  record  of  a  most  active  writer  for  the  press  the  Diary 
possesses  value  in  bibhographical  study.  A  much  larger 
number  of  these  issues  than  Mather  would  have  deemed 
possible  have  entirely  disappeared;  many  exist  in  a  single 
known  copy;  others  are  not  rare.  The  greatest  contribu- 
tion of  value  that  came  from  his  pen  was  the  Magnolia,  a 
work  that  is  still  a  storehouse  of  ill-compiled  and  ill-digested 
matter,  not  without  real  historical  importance.  Moreover, 
it  stands  as  the  one  contribution  from  New  England  of 
value  to  history  in  the  period  from  1650  to  1780.  It  is, 
perhaps,  fortunate  that  his  greater  compilation,  the  Biblia 
Americana,  never  saw  the  light. 

The  text  of  the  Diary  is  as  Mather  wTote  it,  some  changes 
in  punctuation  and  capitahzing  onh'  ha\'ing  been  made. 
The  notes  have  been  confined  to  such  matters  as  seemed  to 
require  explanation,  and  are  not  intended  to  elucidate  every 
point  of  the  text  in  a  biographical  spirit.  Such  a  task  would 
have  led  to  encumbering  the  \olumes  with  notes  equal  in 
length  to  the  text;  and,  as  the  Diar}'  is  not  complete,  the 
notes  would  have  shared  in  this  defect.  On  the  side  of 
bibliography  the  notes  are  brief,  as  a  full  bibliography  of  the 
Mathers  is  being  compiled  by  competent  hands.  Some 
letters,  hitherto  unpublished,  have  been  added  to  their 
respecti\c  years. 

Acknowledgment  is  made  to  Rev.  William  H.  Cobb  of 
the  Congregational  Library  for  the  privilege  of  using  the 
record  for  1716.  Also  to  the  Second  Church,  which  through 
Dr.  Francis  Henry  Brown  placed  its  manuscript  volumes  of 

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PREFACE  XXm 

records  at  the  disposal  of  the  Society.  As  the  records  of 
the  Church  over  which  Mather  presided  have  never  been 
printed,  the  essential  entries  have  been  included  as  notes. 
They  develop  the  church  discipline  of  the  time  as  enforced 
by  Mather,  and  in  his  very  words. 

A  portrait  of  Cotton  Mather  is  in  the  American  Anti- 
quarian Society;  but  its  artistic  value  is  slight  and,  as  a 
representation  of  the  man,  indifferent.  The  mezzotint  by 
Peter  Pelham,  from  a  portrait  painted  by  him  in  1728,  is 
of  a  higher  order  of  workmanship,  and  is  reproduced  on  a 
reduced  scale  from  a  fine  impression  of  the  original,  courte- 
ously loaned  by  Mr.  Henry  W.  Curmingham,  of  Boston. 

Mather's  script  is  not  difficult  to  read  after  certain 
pecuharities  have  been  mastered;  but  the  condition  of  some 
of  the  papers,  blotted  by  erasures,  spotted  or  faded  by 
exposure,  and  frayed  and  torn  at  the  edges  from  use,  made 
the  reading  at  times  difficult  and  doubtful.  The  manuscript 
was  transcribed  by  Miss  Anna  M.  Galvix,  and  with  an 
accuracy  leaving  little  to  be  desired.  The  Latin  sentences 
have  had  the  scholarly  supervision  of  our  colleague,  Prof. 
Henry  W.  Haynes.  The  proofs  have  also  been  read  by 
Mr.  Julius  H.  Tuttle,  whose  knowledge  of  Mather  imprints 
has  proved  serviceable. 

WORTHINGTON   ChAXJNCEY   FoRD. 
Boston,  Mass.,  April,  191 1. 


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LOCATION      OF      MANUSCRIPTS 


LOCATION   OF   MANUSCRIPT  DIARIES 


1681 
1683 
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170S 
1706 
1707 


Vol.  I 
Massachusetts  Historical  Society. 


American  Antiquarian  Society. 
tt  II  li 

Massachusetts  Historical  Society. 
American  Antiquarian  Society. 
Massachusetts  Historical  Society. 

K  It  li 

American  Antiquarian  Society. 
Massachusetts  Historical  Society. 

H  II  it 

Massachusetts  Historical  Society. 
.Vmerican  Antiquarian  Society. 
Massachusetts  Historical  Society. 


Vol.  II 
1709   American  Antiquarian  Society. 
1711 
1713 

1716  Congregational  Library. 

1717  American  Antiquarian  Society. 

1718  Massachusetts  Historical  Society. 
1721 

1724 


(nvl 

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APRIL,      1691 


1691' 

'  A  fragment  found  too  late  to  be  inserted  in  regular  order  in  the  volume. 

1  d.  2  m.  [April.]  1691. 

This  Day,  was  with  mee,  a  Day  of  singular  Distress.  My  Father 
was  now  on  board  a  Ketch,  which  attended  him,  to  meet  the  ship, 
wherein  hee  was  to  take  his  Voyage  for  England.  This  Day  the  Ship 
was  to  sett  sail;  and  I  understood  that  my  Father's  Enemies,  with 
other  Vessels,  which  had  armed  Men  in  them,  were  to  accompany  that 
Ship,  till  clear  of  the  Coast,  that  so  hee  might  have  no  Opportunitie 
to  gett  on  board. 

All  the  Time,  of  my  Father's  Absence,  in  this  Difl5culty  and 
Obscuritie,  I  had  kept  wrestling  with  God,  for  his  Preservation. 
Many  Psalms  had  I  pray'd  and  sang,  with  a  particular  Application 
to  this  Affayr.  Especially,  the  27th,  the  56th,  the  syth,  the  sgth,  the 
64th,  the  i2ist,  the  140th,  and  the  i42d. 

But  this  Day,  I  sett  apart  for  Prayer,  with  Fasting,  before  the 
Lord.  I  humbled  and  loathed  myself  before  God,  for  my  former 
Iniquities,  and  my  present  Infirmities.  I  confessed  my  Unworlhincss 
of  all  Mercies;  and  especially  such  a  Mercy,  as  the  Enjoyment  of  such 
a  Father,  as  mine.  I  Implored  of  the  Lord  once  and  again,  that  He 
would  this  Day,  deliver  my  Father  from  his  Adversaries.  The  fresh 
Accoimts,  which  were  in  the  midst  of  the  Day,  brought  mee,  about 
the  Perils  now  surrounding  of  my  Father,  produced  in  mee  such  a 
Distress,  that  I  cast  myself  prostrate  on  my  Study-floor,  and  there, 
with  my  Mouth  in  the  Dust,  I  begg'd  for  my  Father's  Deliverance; 
promising  that  I  would  within  a  few  Dayes,  keep  a  Day  of  Thanks- 
giving unto  God,  if  I  might  obtain  it.  My  Spirit  was,  after  this,  at 
some  Ease,  about  this  perplexing  Affair. 

But  I  thought  myself  concerned,  further  to  entreat,  that  since 
my  Father  had  now  left  mee,  alone,  in  a  great  Place  and  in  a  great 
Work,  yett  that  I  might  not  be  alone;  or  bee  destitute  of  those  Assist- 
ances from  God,  without  which,  I  must  needs  Dishonour  Him;  which 
was  to  mee,  the  dreadfullest  Thought  in  the  World:  And  the  Lord 
assured  mee,  that  Hee  would  bee  with  mee. 

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XXVUl  DIARY     OF     COTTON     MATHER 

Well;  at  Night,  the  Gentlemen  (my  Father  Philips,  the  Principal) 
who  had  undertaken,  for  the  Safety  of  my  Father,  arrived  home,  and 
came  to  tell  mee,  that  my  Father,  was,  beyond  the  Reach  of  all  111 
men,  putt  aboard,  the  Ship  intended;  thro'  the  Wonderful  Providence 
of  God,  causing  the  same  Wind,  both  to  help  him,  and  hurt  his  pur- 
suers. Thus  the  Lord  heard  mee,  in  the  Day  that  I  cried  unto  Him ; 
/  'ii'ill  love  the  Lord! 

This  Week,  dream'd,  that  being  left  alone,  I  was  putt  upon 
preaching  a  Sermon  publickly,  for  which  I  had  no  Time  to  prepare 
aforehand.  I  dream'd,  that  being  driven  to  this  extemporaneous 
Extremity,  I  preached  a  Sermon  upon  those  Words,  /  will  never  leave 
thee,  nor  forsake  thee.  The  Thoughts,  which  I  had  upon  this  Text,  in 
my  Sleep,  were  so  proper  and  so  lively,  and  I  could,  after  I  awoke, 
remember  so  many  of  them,  that  indeed,  I  preached  the  Lords-Day 
following  upon  that  very  Text. 

And  the  Week  following,  I  kept  a  Day  of  secret  Thanksgiving 
unto  the  Lord,  as  I  had  promised. 


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DIARY  OF  COTTON   MATHER 


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fl 


7.  J    <? 

/^^.(Ji-uy     (^\-^^«:^f/,  OWK^'-*'^'     <:maJ    ^t^.C^-^J    ^i.       _ 
i  flcfiuatiTU.ij'ii  ^^'^uU'  <>^<.&  Icri.  M«jr  «"^^    CU<a^i>ri^r-  ■ 

luff.  ^^♦'>:mvi    UxKx'k^^    erf    Ui<K^    U^^^«^*'*-^y    Hf,/.     1 
'^  <7U/J  Atty  /f^/r  rt'«^'^  v-K.-^f  ^Th-  '?Uit  4  /ic^W-^ 

y,- lSo.(j^  <^iy\ry   c/<?f<v'   --^crtM  «.o.-(f  ^«,,-,  i-cv  ' 


Diary  of  Cotton  Mather 

i68i' 

12  rf.  I  w».  [M'arcA.]  This  Day  was  filled  with  the  Devo- 
tions and  Enjoyments  of  a  raised  Soul. 

But  there  were  especially  two  things,  whereabouts  the 
Salleyes  of  my  Soul,  were  considerable,  not  only  on  this 
Day  but  at  many  other  Times,  in  this  part  of  my  Lije. 

One  Thing,  wherein  I  was  more  fervently  concerned, 
was,  that  great  Thing  of,  a  Closure  with  the  Lord  Jesus 
Christ.  In  the  Prosecution  of  this  Matter  I  may  truly  say, 
t'was  the  Spirit  of  God,  that  was  my  Teacher:  no  Man,  or 
Book,  showed  mee  the  way  of  expressing  this  glorious  Trans- 
action; but  this  Day,  I  used  such  Words  as  these  among 
others,  before  the  Redeemer  of  my  Soul. 

"Oh!  my  Dear  Lord;  Thy  Father  hath  committed  my 
Soul,  into  thy  Hands;  there's  a  Covenant  of  Redemption, 
wherein  I  am  concerned :  I  know  my  Election,  by  my  Voca- 
tion, and  my  Concenmient  in  that  Covenant,  by  my  being 
made  Willing  to  come  imder  the  Shadow  of  thy  Wings  in 
the  Covenant  of  Grace;  Now,  in  that  Covenant,  the  Father 
said  imto  the  Son,  such  an  elect  Soul  there  is,  that  I  will  bring 
into  thy  Fold,  and  thou  shalt  undertake  for  that  Soul,  as  a 
Sufficient  and  an  Vernal  Saviour.  Wherefore,  I  am  now,  in 
thy  Hands,  0  my  Lord;  Thy  Father  hath  putt  mee  there; 
and  I  have  putt  myself  there;  O  save  mee!  0  heal  mee! 

*  The  record  begins  thus  abruptly.  It  was  his  custom  to  begin  a  new  year's 
record  on  February  12,  his  birthday.  The  earlier  pages  covering  the  month's 
entries  have  been  lost.  As  he  was  bom  in  February,  1662-63,  he  had  completed 
his  eighteenth  year. 

1. 1  III 

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2  DIARY  or  COTTON  MATHER 

O  work  for  mee,  work  in  mee,  the  good  Pleasure  of  thy 
Goodness." 

And  afterwards  I  said, 

"Lord,  I  have  been  leaving  my  Soul,  this  Day,  with 
Jesus  Christ,  and  Thou  hast  bid  mee  to  beleeve  that  I  shall 
be  saved  by  Him.  Lord  I  I  do  beleeve,  that  there  never 
came  a  poor  Soul  to  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ  in  vain,  and  I  do 
beleeve  that  I  myself  shall  not  find  it  in  vain.  Hee  will  do 
great  things  for  mee.  Hee  has  already  done  enough,  to  leave 
mee  without  any  Cause  of  rep[en]ting  that  I  have,  thro'  so 
much  Agony  of  [Soul]  come  unto  Him;  yea,  but  I  beleeve 
that  [Hee]  has  more  still  to  do  for  mee.  Having  been  the 
Author  Hee  will  bee  the  Finisher,  of  my  Faith." 

Another  thing  that  much  exercised  mee  was,  that  I 
might  not  bee  left  without  necessary  Supplies  of  Speech  for 
my  Ministry.'  God  was  pleased  so  far  to  lett  my  Infirmity 
remain,  that  altho'  by  a  careful  Deliberation'  my  public 
Services  were  freed  from  any  Blemish  by  it,  yett  I  was,  by 
His  Wisdome,  kept  in  continual  Prayer,  and  Fear,  and 
Faith,  concerning  it.  How  many  Thousands  of  sollicitous 
Thoughts  I  imderwent  concerning  it,  is  best  known  to  Him, 
who  by  those  Thoughts  drove  mee  and  kept  mee  nearer  to 
Himself. 

On  this  Day  particularly  I  pleaded; 

"Lord!  Thou  art  Hee  that  made  man's  Mouth;  and  thou 
wast  angry  with  Moses,  because  hee  would  not  make  that 
consideration,  an  Argument  for  Failh,  that  thou  wouldest 

'  He  was  at  this  time  assisting  his  father  at  the  North  Church.  He  first 
preached  for  his  grandfather  at  Dorchester,  August  22,  1680,  and  for  his  father 
at  Boston  on  the  following  Sabbath.  He  was  called  to  be  assistant  to  his  father 
February  23,  1680-81. 

'  His  son,  Samuel,  states  that  while  Mather  was  in  full  concern  for  relief 
from  this  troublesome  affliction,  "that  good  nUl  Schoolmaster  Mr.  Corlet  gave 
him  a  Visit  on  purpose  to  advise  Him;  5iV,  said  he,  I  should  be  glad  if  you  would 
oblige  yourself  to  a  dilated  DclibiriUion  in  speaking;  for  as  in  singing  there  is  no 
one  who  stammers,  jo  by  prolonf,ini  your  Pronunciation  you  will  get  an  Habit  of 
speaking  without  Hesitation."     Life  of  Lotion  Mather,  26. 

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MARCH, l68o-8l  3 

bee  with  his  Mouth.  And  now,  because  I  would  not  so  sin, 
therefore  I  trust  in  thee!  Thou  dost  send  mee  forth,  as 
thou  didst  Moses,  in  Service  for  thy  Name  among  thy 
people;  and  thou  who  didst  make  Mans  Mouth  and  make 
my  Mouth,  wilt  bee  with  my  Mouth.  It  was  also  once 
used,  as  a  Bottom  for  Faith,  the  Lord  hath,  and  therefore, 
the  Lord  will.  Now  tis  a  blessed  Experience  which  I  have 
already  had  of  thy  Help;  yea,  such  an  Experience  as  hath 
caused  mee  to  promise,  that  I  would  nrocr  distrust  thee  more. 
Lord,  Thou  saist.  None  of  them  who  trust  in  thee  shall  bee 
desolate.  But  how  desolate  shall  I  bee,  if  I  am  left  without 
Speech  for  thy  Work !  I  trust  in  thee ;  and  therefore  it  shall 
not  bee.  Thou  saist,  Thou  will  never  forsake  them  that  seek 
thee.  But  I  have  sought  thee,  and  I  will  seek  thee,  as  long 
as  I  have  a  Day  to  live.  And  now,  O  Lord,  I  will  beleev- 
ingly  wait  on  thee;  I  shall  see  a  Token  for  good;  Thy  People 
too  shall  see  Witnesse  of  the  Token."  ^ 

Butt  one  special  Action  of  this  Day,  was  to  make  and 
write  the  following: 

RESOLtrriONS  as  to  my  Walk  with  God. 

Lord!  Thou  that  workest  in  mee  to  will,  help  mee  to 
resolve. 

I.   As  to  my  Thoughts. 

1.  To  endeavour,  that  I  wiU  keep  God,  and  Christ,  and 
Heaven,  much  in  my  Thoughts. 

2.  In  a  special  manner,  to  watch  and  pray,  against 

'  Mather  suffered  in  youth  from  an  impediment  of  speech  which  threatened 
to  destroy  his  usefuhiess  in  the  public  ministry,  and  fearing  this,  he  first  studied 
medicine,  for  which  he  retained  a  strong  interest  throughout  his  life.  His  treatise 
on  medicine,  the  Angel  of  Beihesda,  on  which  he  placed  a  high  value,  is  a  curious 
mixture  of  medicine  and  his  peculiar  faith  dogmas.  It  has  never  been  printed, 
but  deserves  to  be  for  the  sidelight  it  throws  upon  the  medical  practice  of  the 
day.  From  a  folio  volume  (still  in  manuscript)  of  records  of  cases  treated  by 
Governor  John  Winthrop,  the  younger,  and  this  treatise  by  Mather,  the  medical 
knowledge  of  a  century  and  a  half  could  be  summarized.  The  Winthrop  lis. 
is  in  the  Massachusetts  Historical  Society;  the  Angd  of  Beihesda  is  in  the  American 
Antiquarian  Society. 

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4  DIARY  OF  COTTON  MATHER 

lascivious  Thoughts,   ambitious   Thoughts,   and   wandring 
Thoughts  in  the  Times  of  Devotion. 

II.  As  to  my  Words. 

1.  To  bee  not  of  many  Words,  and  when  I  do  speak,  to 
do  it  with  Deliberation. 

2.  To  remember  my  obligations  to  use  my  Tongue  as 
the  Lord's,  and  not  my  own:  and  therefore,  to  promote 
savaury  Discourse,  if  I  can,  wherever  I  come;  and  to  dis- 
course with  such  as  come  fairly  in  my  way,  about  the  Things 
of  their  everlasting  Peace. 

3.  Never  to  answer  any  weighty  Question,  without  lifting 
up  my  Heart  unto  God,  in  a  Request,  that  Hee  would  help 
mee  to  give  a  right  Answer. 

4.  To  speak  III  of  no  Man;  except,  on  a  good  Ground, 
and  for  a  good  End. 

5.  Seldome  to  make  a  Visit,  without  contriving,  what  I 
may  do  for  God,  in  that  Visit. 

III.  As  to  my  daily  Coiu-se  of  Duties. 

1.  To  pray  at  least  thrice,  for  the  most  part  every  Day. 

2.  To  meditate  once  a  Day;  in  the  Meditation  proceed- 
ing after  some  such  Method  as  this;  that  there  shall  bee 
two  Parts  of  the  work,  doctrinal,  and  applicatory.  The 
doctrinal  to  bee  dispatched  in  an  Answer  to  a  Quaestion. 
The  Applicatory  to  flow  from  thence  into  Examination, 
Expostulation,  Resolution. 

3.  To  make  a  Custome  of  propounding  to  myself,  these 
three  Quaestions,  every  Night  before  I  sleep. 

What  hath  been  the  Mercy  of  God  unto  mee,  in  the 
Day  past? 

What  hath  been  my  carriage  before  God,  in  the  Day 
past.    And, 

//  /  dy  this  Night  is  my  immortal  Spirit  safe  ? 

4.  To  lead  a  Life  of  heavenly  Ejaculations.^ 

'  Mather  early  adopted  the  practice  of  ejaculations,  which  Fuller  describes 
as  a  short  prayer  "darted  up  to  God"  in  an  emergency.  In  this  sense  the  word 
was  much  used  at  the  time  this  record  was  written. 

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MARCH,     I  680-8  I  5 

5.  To  bee  diligent  in  observing  and  recording  of  illtistrious 
Providences. 

But  in  all,  to  bee  continually  going  unto  the  Lord  Jesus 
Christ,  as  the  only  Physician,  and  Redeemer,  of  my  Soul. 

Lord!  Thou  that  workest  in  mee  to  do,  help  mee  to 
perform. 

Penned  by.  Cotton  Mather;  A  feeble  and  worthless, 
yett  (Lord!  by  thy  Grace!)  desirous  to 
approve  himself,  a  sincere  and  faithful 
Servant  of  Jesus  Christ. 

The  Lord  knowes,  how  miserably  defective  I  have  been, 
in  the  performing  of  what  I  have  thus  resolved.  But  my 
Defects,  have  been  the  matter  of  my  continual  Reflections 
and  Abasements  before  Him.  And,  for  the  main,  I  have 
made  in  my  Study,  to  bee  abownding  in  these  Works  of  the 
Lord.  Yea,  these  FUghts  of  my  Soul,  in  Essayes  to  glorify 
God,  have  been  but  the  lower  and  lesser  Flights  of  my 
Youth;  which  I  hope,  will  ere  long  proceed  unto  a  Mounting 
up  with  the  Wings  of  Eagles. 

The  Singular  Assistences  which  the  God  of  Heaven  gave 
unto  mee,  in  my  public  Ministrations  on  the  following 
Sabbath,  were  such,  as  caused  mee  to  draw  up  this  conclu- 
sion; /  beleeve,  I  shall  fiavc  a  glorious  Presence  of  God  with 
mee,  thro'  my  whole  Ministry. 

And  God  so  strangely  inclined  the  Hearts  of  the  People 
in  our  Congregation;  that  besides  their  weekly  Collections 
every  Lord's-Day,  they  did  about  this  Time  subscribe  about 
Seventy  Pounds,  for  my  Encouragement,  in  my  public  Ser- 
vice the  ensuing  year.' 

13  d.  I  m.  [March]  Lord's-Day.    Coming  home,  from  the 

'Cotton  was  not  ordained  colleague  to  his  father  in  the  church  until  May 
13,  1685.  His  uncle  Nathaniel  wrote:  "I  had  forgot  to  say  to  yourself,  by  any 
means  get  to  preach  without  any  use  of  or  help  by  your  notes.  When  I  was  in 
N.  E.,  no  man  that  I  remember  used  them  except  one,  and  hee  because  of  a  speciall 
infirmity,  the  vertigo,  as  I  take  it,  or  some  specie  of  it.  Neither  of  your  Grand- 
fathers used  any,  nor  did  your  uncle  [Samuel]  here,  nor  doe  I,  tho  wee  both  of 
us  write  generally  the  materialls  of  all  our  sermons."    4  Collections,  vui.  34. 

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O  DIARY  OF  COTTON  MATHER 

public  Service,  wherein  I  enjoy'd  the  special  Assistences 
of  God  I  wrote  these  Words:  v^- 1  beleeve  that  I  am  a  chosen 
Vessel,  and  that  the  Lord  will  pour  mercy  unto  mce,  till  I  have 
arrived  unto  a  Fulness  of  eternal  Glory!  Lord,  help  me  to 
serve  thee,  love  thcc,  glorify  thy  Name.  Fill  mee  with  thy 
Spirit.  It  will  bee  so!  Oh!  Who  am  I,  that  I  should  bee 
filled  with  the  Spirit  of  tlie  Iloly  God  I  But  it  mil  bee  sot 
The  Lord  hath  caused  His  Servant  to  trust  in  His  Word. 

Isa.  44-  3-' 

This  Day  in  the  Assurance,  the  glorious  and  ravishing 
Assurance,  of  the  Divine  Love,  my  Joyes  were  almost 
insupportable ! 

igd.  \m.  Three  weeks  are  not  passed,  since  my  keep- 
ing a  secret  Fast,  before  the  Lord;  and  now  on  the  very  same 
Accounts,  I  keep  another.* 

My  Essayes,  to  cast  myself  upon  the  Mercy  of  God, 
in  Jesus  Christ,  this  Day,  were  attended  with  wonderful 
Assurances,  that  the  Lord  was  mine  and  that  I  should  be  His 
forever. 

Yea,  I  feel  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ  most  sensibly  carrying 
on,  the  Interests  of  His  Kingdome  in  my  Soul,  continually. 

The  Day  following  [20th],  having  been  thrown  into  much 
Weakness  and  Faintness  by  the  extraordinary  Devotions, 
wherein  I  had  been  labouring,  Satan  made  it  unto  mee  an 
Occasion  of  many  Discouraging  Fears,  that  I  should  not  bee 
able  to  go  thro'  the  work,  which  was  the  Lords-Day  before 
mee.     But  I  earnestly  cried  unto  the  Lord,  saying,  Lord,  I 

'  "  For  I  will  pour  water  upon  him  that  is  thirsty,  and  floods  upon  the  dry 
ground:  I  will  pour  my  spirit  upon  thy  seed,  and  my  blessing  upon  thine  offspring." 

'  While  Mather  did  not  literally  star\'e  his  veins  with  daily  fasts,  he  undoubt- 
edly carried  his  abstinence  at  times  to  an  excess,  and  produced  a  weakness  that 
accompanied  him  through  life.  When  thus  weakened  he  saw  visions  and  heard 
voices,  the  recordinR  of  which  was  beyond  him  and  his  attempts  to  picture  them 
arc  at  times  not  a  little  ridiculous.  At  first  spontaneous,  these  visitations  became 
in  time  mechanical,  and  the  mechanism  is  so  apparent  as  to  deprive  the  exhibition 
of  its  intended  effect.  He  began  those  exercises  of  days  of  prayer  and  fasting 
when  he  was  about  fourteen  years  of  age,  making  Scuddcr's  ChrUlian's  Walk  his 
directory  in  those  duties.     Paterna,  in  Wendell,  Cotton  ifathcr,  36. 

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APRIL, I&8l  7 

know  not  what  to  do,  but  my  Eyes  are  unto  thee.  Thou  art  a 
Master,  most  able  and  ready  to  help  thy  poor  Servants.  Oh  I 
lett  thy  Strength  appear  in  my  Weakness;  and,  being  strong 
in  the  Lord  lett  mee  be  carried  now  beyond  myself.  Lord, 
Thou  hast  said,  Thou  wilt  bee  with  thy  Disciples  to  the  End  of 
the  World;  I  apply  thai  Word,  I  rely  on  thee;  I  beleeve  thou 
wilt  enable  mee  to  glorify  thy  Name. 

In  the  Strength  of  this  Faith  I  went  into  the  great  Con- 
gregation; and  the  Lord  gave  mee  such  remarkable  and  even 
unusual  Assistences,  that  I  saw  cause  then  to  enter  this 
Advice; 

"Remember,  O  my  Soul;  that  when  I  am  going  about  the 
Work  of  my  dear  Master,  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  thou  art 
then  to  depend  on  Him  for  Strength:  Fear  nothing,  thou 
shall  be  strong." 

2,d.2m.  [April.]  Lord's-Day.  «®°- This  Day,  the  Lord  putt 
itt  into  my  Heart  to  make  this  Prayer  before  Him.  That 
Hee  would  give  mee,  to  write  something  that  may  do  Service, 
for  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  among  young  Persons.  And  I  was 
perswaded,  that  I  should  Uve  to  do  it! 

Sd.  2  m.  I  found  my  Soul  under  strong  Distempers; 
and  especially,  an  idle  Frame  of  Soul,  was  a  Plague  upon  mee. 
Upon  this  Occasion  I  fell  into  an  exceeding  Bittemesse  of 
Spirit;  and  I  was  filled  with  Fears,  that  the  Spirit  of  God 
was  going  to  take  a  sad  Farrwell  of  mee.  This  Agony  of  my 
mind,  sett  mee  upon  Prayer;  but  in  Prayer  I  foimd  myself 
horribly  straitned;  nor  could  I  find  any  Promise  that  I 
could  lay  hold  upon.  Yea,  I  could  not  go  imto  the  Lord 
Jesus  Christ,  nor  do  any  thing  to  rescue  myself  out  of  the 
most  shattered,  and  confused,  condition  in  the  World. 
I  saw,  there  was  no  Peace  to  bee  had,  if  the  Lord  spoke  it  not, 
and  I  saw,  that  it  was  a  dangerous  Thing  to  give  way  unto 
anything,  that  may  grieve  the  Spirit  of  God.  The  Lord  is 
grinding  mee  to  Peaces  for  the  Frames  of  Soul,  wherein  I 
have  allowed  myself. 

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8  DIARY  or  COTTON  MATHER 

But  after  all,  I  will  (thought  I)  do  these  things.  First. 
I  will  not  absolutely  conclude,  that  the  Lord,  intends  mee 
Hurt  in  my  Desertions.  Hee  has  done,  and  will  do,  the  same 
good  unto  mee,  by  them,  that  by  other  Afflictions.  I 
beleeve,  that  when  the  Lord  had  broken  mee,  and  fitted 
mee  for  further  Mercy,  and  laid  mee  low  before  Him,  Hee 
will  raise  mee  up,  in  bestowing  of  great  Comfort  on  mee 
and  employing  mee  in  great  Service  for  Him. 

Secondly;  I  will  not  slacken  my  seeking  the  Face  of  God. 
Tho'  now,  when  I  try  to  pray  I  am  so  full  of  Darkness, 
Horrour,  and  Confusion,  that  I  am  not  able  to  pray  as 
formerly,  yett  when  I  can't  pray,  I'l  groan.  There  is  an, 
It  may  hee,  a,  who  knowesl  a,  who  can  tellt  but  the  Lord  may 
pitty  mee  and  Releeve  mee. 

The  Day  following,  my  Confusions  continued  and  tho' 
I  made  Attempts  at  Prayer,  yett  a  disconsolate  Heart,  that 
I  had,  could  make  no  work  of  it.  I  considered;  I  was  never 
sufficiently  sensible  both  of  my  Vileness  and  Weakness 
before  the  Lord;  and  I  never  enough  prized  His  Consola- 
tions. Now,  thought  I,  the  good  God  will  rectify  my 
Spirit.  I  considered  also;  perhaps  the  Lord  is  trying, 
which  way  my  Spirit  will  work;  and  whither  I  will  go  for 
Help  and  Joy.  But,  Lord,  Thou  art  my  Fountain,  and  I  am 
resolved  in  thy  Strength,  that  tho'  thoii  grindest  mee  to  Powder, 
I  will  never  leave  thee;  tho'  thou  killest  mee,  I  will  putt  my 
Trust  in  thee.  I  have  worldly  Delights  and  Contents  enough, 
but  0  my  Lord,  they  will  not  do. 

After  some  further  Meditations,  I  went  before  the  Lord, 
and  my  departed  Strength  returned  something  to  mee.  At 
last  I  said.  Lord,  this  has  been  the  Counsel,  that  in  thy  Name, 
I  have  given  to  discouraged  Souls,  when  speaking  to  them,  in 
the  great  Congregation:  If  they  could  not  beleeve,  yett  kit  them 
try  what  they  could  do,  and  stretch  out  their  withered  Hands. 
And,  Lord,  this  course  I  will  follow,  this  Counsil  I  will  take 
myself.    Oh  I  Thou  mighty  Saviour,  who  hast  bid  all  the  Ends 

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APRIL, l68l  9 

of  Earth,  to  look  unto  thee,  and  said  that  thou  vdlt  cast  out  none 
of  those  that  come  unto  thee,  Oh!  I  am  helpless.  But  I  look 
unto  thee,  I  come  unto  thee.  O  undertake  for  mee.  Deliver 
mee.  I  beleeve  thou  wilt;  Lord,  help  my  Unbeleef.  My 
Diseases  are  so  complicated,  that  I  am  not  able  so  much  as 
distinctly  to  mention  them  unto  thee;  much  less  can  I  remedy 
them.  Only  thou  art  my  Support;  and  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ 
shall  have  all  the  Glory. 

So  my  Heart  was  quieted. 

lo  d.  2  m.  Lord's-Day.  This  Day  my  enlarged  Heart 
used  these  Expressions,  in  Prayer  before  the  Lord. 

"Lord,  spare  my  Life,  but,  if  thou  dost  call  for  mee  out 
of  this  Vale  of  Tears,  I  am  willing  to  dy,  and  come  imto 
thee.  Nevertheless,  if  it  bee  thy  Will,  I  would  live,  to  do 
some  special  Service  for  thee,  before  I  shall  go  hence  and  bee 
no  more;  a&' Yea.,  lett  mee  do  something  and  in  thy  Time 
lett  mee  write  something  that  may  do  good  unto  young  Per- 
sons when  I  shall  bee  dead  and  gone." 

16  d.  2  m.  This  Day  I  sett  apart  for  solemn  Humilia- 
tion, and  earnest  Supplication,  in  Secret  before  the  Lord. 
My  unsuitable  and  unsanctified  Frames,  under  the  most 
wonderful  Mercies  of  God;  and  the  Desertions  which  had 
lately  darkened  my  Soul,  were  the  things  which  drove  mee 
to  these  Duties; 

And  my  special  Errands  to  the  Lord  were,  that  Hee 
would  speak  Peace  imto  mee,  and  that  Hee  would  give  mee 
Strength  to  overcome  the  Distempers  of  my  Heart,  and  that 
Hee  would  prepare  mee  for  and  employ  mee  in  some  special 
Service,  to  His  dearest  Name. 

Horrible  Agonies  and  Amazements  took  hold  of  my  Soul 
this  Day,  when  I  was,  as  in  the  Beginning  of  such  Dayes  I 
ever  use  to  bee,  entertaining  myself  with  the  manifold 
Instances  of  my  Sinfulness  and  Wretchedness.  After  the 
Prayers  wherein  these  things  were  amplified,  sitting  in  my 
Chair,  I  had  such  Thoughts  as  these;  "What  intends  my 
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lO  DIARY  OF  COTTON  MATHER 

Lord,  to  do  with  my  Soul?  Why  do's  Hee  thus  grind,  and 
break  my  Heart,  and  upon  every  Turn,  cast  mee  into  unutter- 
able Anguishes?  0  surely,  Hee  will  sweeten  Heaven  to  mee 
at  the  last.  Yea,  blessed  bee  the  Name  of  the  Great  God; 
I  know  that  I  am  entred  at  the  strait  Gate  and  walking  in  the 
narrow  Way." 

After  this,  essaying  to  go  unto  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  I 
found  that  I  cotdd  not  beleeve  on  Him.  So,  I  cried  earnestly, 
irnto  God,  even  as  for  my  Life  that  Hee  would  help  mee  to 
beleeve,  and,  Oh!  Blessed  bee  His  Name!  Hee  did  help 
mee;  with  a  moved,  melted,  raised  Soul,  I  laid  hold  on  the 
Lord  Jesus  Christ,  saying,  "Lord,  tho'  I  am  lamentably  full 
of  Miseries;  yett,  blessed  bee  thy  Name,  there  is  a  Christ, 
in  whom  there  is  a  Fountain  sett  open  for  mee.  And  now. 
Lord,  Thou  hast  bidden  mee  to  go  unto  Him;  it  is  thy 
Commandment,  that  I  should  beleeve.  My  Lord  Jesus  Christ 
has  also  encouraged  mee,  with  His  gracious  Invitations,  and 
has  told  mee,  Hee  unll  in  no  wise  cast  mee  out.  Oh!  blessed 
Words!  what  shall  I  now  do,  but  come?  Lord!  At  thy 
Bidding  /  cornel  And  now  I  will  sitt  down  satisfied.  I 
know  that  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ  is  both  an  able  and  2i faith- 
ful Saviour,  and  by  Him  I  shall  bee  saved  from  my  Sins. 
That,  that  is  the  one  Thing  which  I  have  desired;  and  that  I 
will  seek  after,  even,  that  my  Iniquities  may  bee  subdued; 
and  that  I  may  bee  sanctified  as  well  as  pardoned.  .Ajid, 
Oh!  what  a  glorious  Word  is  this!  It  belongs  unto  my 
Lord  Redeemer  now,  to  destroy  aU  my  Sins.  Why  doth 
Hee  call  for  my  Heart?  Is  it  not,  that  Hee  might  work  all 
His  own  works  in  it?  Why  doth  Hee  knock  at  the  Door  of 
my  Soul?  Is  it  not,  that  he  may  come  in  to  sett  up  His 
Kingdome  there!  And  is  that  it?  O  Lord.  Oh!  lett  that 
blessed  thing  bee  done.  And,  now,  I  beleeve  I  shall  bee 
saved.  Being  a  Sheep,  in  the  Hands  of  the  Lord  Jesus 
Christ,  I  never  shall  miscarry." 

These  Passages  I  recite  the  more  distinctly  that  so, 

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MAY,l68l  II 

having  been  thus  in  my  Youth,  taught  of  God,  I  may  do 
something  towards  the  Teaching  of  my  Children  or  others 
with  whom  I  may  leave  these  Papers,  the  Way  oj  Salvation 
by  Jesus  Christ.  J®*  This  Day  also  I  received  an  Assurance 
from  the  Lord,  that  I  should  yett  live  to  do  some  great  Ser- 
vices for  Him. 

lo  d.  3  m.  [May.]  This  Day  being  taken  with  a  violent 
pain  in  my  Back  and  Side,  which  looked  like  a  Messenger  of 
Death,  I  wrote  the  following 

Thoughts. 

Oh!  the  Hardness  of  my  Heart!  If  Mercies  could  have 
softned  or  quickned  mee  I  should  not  have  been  as  I  am; 
but  there  is  desperate  Wickedness,  from  which  I  am  yett 
uncleansed.  I  have  sometimes  thought  I  should  never 
come  to  this  Pass,  when  in  secret  Places,  my  filled  Soul  has 
been  satisfied  with  the  communion  of  the  Blessed  God. 
But  nothing  will  now  work  in  mee!  Oh!  I  am  as  fitt  for 
Sickness,  as  ever  any  poor  Creature  was.  Fitt,  in  the  same 
Sense,  that  a  rotten  Stump,  is  fitt  for  the  Fire.  And,  Lord, 
shall  I  never  bee  awakened,  until  I  feel  the  heavy  Blowes 
of  thy  Hand?  However,  I  have  this  to  say.  First,  Lord, 
Thou  canst  rectify  my  Spirit  every  Way,  without  such  bitter 
Corrections,  as  I  have  Reason  to  expect.  Next,  Lord,  yett 
if  thou  wilt  afflict  mee,  yett  if  I  may  bee  brought  thereby 
to  see  thee  more,  and  love  thee  more,  I  submilt;  here  I  am; 
aflaict  mee;  do  what  thou  wilt  with  mee;  kill  mee;  for  thy 
Grace  hath  made  mee  willing  to  dy;  orUy,  only,  only,  help 
mee  to  delight  in  thee,  and  to  glorify  thy  dearest  Name. 

So  filthy  a  Wretch  as  I  who  continually  grieves  the  good 
Spirit  of  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  and  grow  proud  and  vain 
when  Hee  do^  exalt  mee  with  His  Favors  have  Cause  to 
mention  His  Assistences  unto  mee  with  a  very  trembUng 
Soul. 

And  what  shall  I  make  of  this  Instance? 
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12  DIARY  OF  COTTON  MATHER 

There  was  an  honest  Man  in  the  Town,  whom  I  lovingly 
and  frequently  rebuked,  for  his  neglecting  to  join  himself 
unto  some  Church  of  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ.  His  Indis- 
position thereunto  continuing,  I  told  him.  Well  the  God  of 
Heaven  hath  by  His  Word  been  calling  upon  you;  expect  now 
to  have  Him  speak  unto  you  by  a  Blow!  A  few  Days  after 
this,  the  honest  Man  fell  down  from  the  top  of  an  House  and 
received  a  Blow,  whereof  hee  lay,  for  some  weeks,  as  dead. 
But  coming  to  himself,  one  of  the  first  things  hee  thought 
on,  was  what  I  had  said  imto  him ;  under  the  sense  whereof, 
hee  quickly  went  and  joined  himself  unto  the  South  church. 

14  d.  3  m.  1681.  This  Day  I  saw  that  I  had  great  cause 
to  humble  myself  in  Fasting  and  Prayer  before  the  Lord, 
and  accordingly  I  sett  apart  the  Day. 

Because,  i.  My  old  Iniquities  might  make  mee  walk 
softly  in  the  Bitterness  of  my  Soul,  all  the  Dayes  of  my  Life. 
Oh!  I  was  never  enough  humbled  for  them! 

2.  My  late  Infirmities  have  been  very  grievous,  my  proud, 
my  wanton,  my  slothful  Heart,  fearfully  testifies  against  mee. 

3.  The  Lord  has  been  so  provoked,  as  to  withdraw  the 
Light  of  His  Countenance  from  mee,  and  leave  mee  in  a  con- 
dition of  heavy  Darkness. 

4.  I  am  as  unprofitable  a  Creature,  as  almost  any  I  know 
in  the  World! 

5.  Times  of  Trouble  are  coming,  and  I  had  need  yett  the 
Mark  of  God  upon  mee. 

For  these  causes,  I  devoted  the  Day  imto  the  Lord; 
that  I  might  abase  mjself  before  Him,  and  implore  His 
Blessings,  in  all  Respects,  upon  mee. 

This  Day,  I  thus  renewed  my  Closure  with  the  Lord 
Jesus  Christ. 

"Lord,  I  am  a  vile  Sinner,  and,  which  my  Soul  melts  at 
the  mention  of.  Thou  art  justly  angry  with  mee.  But,  Oh! 
for  a  Reconciliation!  Lord,  Is  there  no  Hope  in  Israel?  Yea, 
thou  hast  opened  a  Door  of  Hope.     And  what  a  Word  is  that 

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MAY,l68l  13 

which  thou  hast  spoken?  Thou  dost  even  beseech  Sinners 
to  bee  reconciled  unto  thyself.  Is  that  so?  Lord,  I  am  will- 
ing to  bee  reconciled  unto  thee;  my  very  Soul  desires  to  love 
thee,  and  love  thy  Wayes,  and  walk  therein  alwayes,  even 
unto  the  End.  But  is  there  not  a  Jesus  who  delivers  from 
the  Wrath  to  come?  A  JESUS!  Lord,  my  Soul  now  lives 
and  melts  at  the  Remembrance  of  that  sweet  Name.  A 
JESUS  who  is  a  mighty  Saviour.  To  Him  I  go;  and,  Lord, 
It  is  at  thy  Bidding  that  I  go.  It  is  Hee  that  formerly 
invited  mee,  formerly  encouraged  vaet,  formerly  assisted  mee, 
to  come  imto  Him,  and  I  formerly  have  also  found  it  good 
for  mee  so  to  do.  Hee  calls  even  such  as  I  am,  and  solemnly 
professes,  that  Hee  will  not  cast  them  out,  when  they  come 
unto  Him.  Lo!  then  I  come;  I  bring  my  Soul  imto  Him; 
Oh,  lett  Him  save  mee.  Is  not  Hee  a  Priest,  a  Prophet,  a 
King?  Now,  now  I  have  enough,  my  Soul  needs  no  more. 
Hee  will  bee  these  to  mee,  and  therefore  Hee  will  bee  All 
to  mee.  And  now  I  am  satisfied!  Tho'  my  Case  bee  so 
very  bad,  and  tho'  my  Distempers  are  so  very  strong,  that 
I  am  in  myself  at  an  utter  Loss,  how  to  releeve  myself,  yett 
Hee  will  bee  my  Undertaker;  I  will  rejoice  in  that  Lord,  and 
in  His  Salvation.  Hee  will  carry  on  the  works  which  Hee 
has  begun,  till  the  Times  of  Refreshing  do  come  from  the 
Presence  of  the  Lord." 

My  Heart  was  this  Day  also  melted  with  a  marvellous 
Assurance,  that  I  should  enjoy  much  of  the  Divine  Presence 
with  mee  in  my  Ministry. 

16  d.  3  m.  Choosing,  for  the  sake  of  some  Conveniences, 
to  retire  for  my  Studies,  into  our  spacious  Aleeting-hotise, 
I  had  a  strong  Impression,  on  my  Mind,  there  to  make  a 
Prayer,  in  one  of  the  Pewes;  and  particularly,  in  a  Pew  belong- 
ing to  one  Mr.  Middlecot; '  a  Gentleman  of  good  Fashion  and 

'  Richard  Middlecot  was  admitted   into  the  Church  March  20,   1691-92. 

He  was  a  merchant,  son  of Middlecott  of  Warminster,  England,  who  served 

his  apprenticeship  with  a  merchant  of  Bristol.  Married  Sarah  Winslow,  widow 
of  Miles  Standish.     Mass.  Hist.  Proceedings,  xm.  410. 

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14  DIARY  OF  COTTON  MATHER 

Quality,  in  our  Neighbourhood;  but  one  of  an  airy  Temper, 
and  not  yctt  making  much  Show  of  Acquaintances  with  the 
Wayes  of  God:  nor  indeed,  was  hee  any  other  than  a 
Stranger  to  myself.  Here,  I  cried  unto  the  Lord,  for  this 
Gentleman,  who  was  the  owner  of  the  Pew,  that  the  Lord 
would  work  thoroughly  and  savingly  on  his  Heart,  and 
make  him  a  really  renewed  Person,  and  lett  mee  live  to  see 
the  Answer  of  these  my  Prayers.  And  I  had  my  Heart 
filled,  with  a  strange  and  a  strong  Hope,  ihat  my  Prayers 
would  at  one  Time  or  other  bee  graciously  answered. 

Memorandum.  About  eleven  years  afterwards,  I  saw 
the  Answer  of  these  Prayers,  when  the  \ery  Gentleman 
joined  unto  our  Church,  and  proved  himself  in  further 
Instances  a  pious  Person,  and  a  great  Blessing  and  Comfort 
unto  myself.' 

4  £?.  4  7n.  [June.]  This  Morning  as  I  was  going,  for  I 
knew  not  what  myself,  into  one  of  our  Chambers,  I  acci- 
dentally took  up  a  Book,  lying  there ;  which  was  Mr.  H. 
Lukins  of  Prayer.*     There  I  Utt  upon  this  Passage, 

"Some  Men  go  to  Markett  only  for  Company  and 
Curiosity,  and  such  are  soon  weary  of  being  there;  and  may 
come  home  as  soon  as  they  please.  But  those  that  are  Men 
of  much  Business,  and  great  Dealing  have  many  Occasions 
to  take  up  their  Time,  which  cause  them  many  Times  to 
stay  late.  Formal  Christians  ha\C  httle  to  do  with  God, 
when  they  come  to  Him  only  for  Company  or  Custome,  but 
a  serious  Christian,  that  understands  the  Business  of  Chris- 
tianitie,  hath  so  much  to  do,  when  hee  comes  to  the  Throne 
of  Grace,  and  the  Favour  of  God,  to  desire  towards  in  so 
many  particular  Cases  and  on  so  many  Occasions,  that  hee 
hardly  knowes  how  to  gett  away." 

These  Words  were  to  mee  like  a  Rebuke  of  Thunder.    I 

'  This  memorandum  is  written  in  the  marRin. 

'Henry  Lukin  (1638-1710),  a  non-conformist  divine,  whose  "The  Interest 
of  the  Spirit  in  Prayer"  was  printed  in  London,  in  1674  and  again  in  1678. 

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JUNE ,     I  68  I  15 

thought,  they  came  to  mee,  as  if  the  Lord  from  Heaven 
had  intended  mee  an  Admonition  for  the  Slothfulness,  the 
Lukewarmness,  the  Formahty,  which  I  saw  was  of  late 
grown  upon  mee,  in  the  Wayes  of  God.  And  I  hope,  not 
without  some  Impression! 

6d.  4  m.  This  Day,  a  good  Woman,  bewayled  unto  mee 
her  Condition,  on  the  Score  of  woful  Thoughts  pestering  her 
Mind;  Shee  told  mee,  shee  was  rendred  afraid  of  her  Con- 
dition, because  I  had  lately  given  it  as  one  Mark  of  an 
effedtiolly  called  Person  to  have  the  Heart  filled  with  New 
Thoughts. 

These  words  of  hers  were  blessed  by  God  unto  my  own 
Awakening.  For  upon  Reflection  I  found  that  I  had  of 
late  been  dog'd  with,  proud  Thoughts,  in  almost  all  I  did. 

My  Heart  grew  full  of  Distress,  lest  the  unreasonable 
Pride,  should  provoke  the  God  of  Heaven,  to  deal  terribly 
with  mee. 

And  a  Sermon  preached  this  week,  by  my  Father  about 
the  Sin  of  Pride,  I  thought,  I  heard  and  wrote  as  my  own 
Condemnation.  The  Apprehensions  of  the  cursed  Pride, 
the  Sin  of  young  Ministers,  lurking  and  working  in  my 
Heart,  filled  me  with  much  Bitterness  and  Confusion, 
before  the  Lord;  and  caused  mee  to  resolve,  nsr-  that  before 
the  week  was  out,  I  would  sett  apart  a  Day,  to  humble  my- 
self before  God,  for  the  Pride  of  m}-  own  Heart,  and  entreat 
that  by  His  Grace,  I  may  bee  deUvered  from  that  Sin,  and 
from  all  the  dreadful  Wrath  whereto  I  have  been  by  that 
sin  exposed. 

Which  accordingly,  I  attended. 

II  d.  4  m.  This  Day  I  sett  apart,  for  Prayer,  with 
Fasting  before  the  Lord. 

And  I  did  endeavour  to  humble  myself  this  Day,  as  for 
my  Unprofitableness  in  every  Relation  and  my  other  mani- 
fold Corruptions,  thus  especially  for  my  PRIDE,  with  the 
several  Manifestations  of  it. 

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l6  DIARY  OF  COTTON  MATHER 

Concerning  my  PRIDE,  I  examined  myself,  by  all  the 
Discoveries  of  it;  but  I  foimd  especially  two  Respects, 
wherein  I  was  most  wofuUy  guilty  before  the  Lord. 

First,  my  Applauding  of  myself  in  my  Thoughts,  when  I 
have  done  any  Thing  at  all  significant,  pray'd  or  preach'd 
with  enlargements,  answered  a  Quaestion  readily,  presently, 
suitably,  and  the  like.  Proiid  Thoughts  fly-blow  my  best 
Performances ! 

Next,  my  ambitious  Affectation  of  Praeheminencies,  far 
above  what  can  belong  to  my  own  Age  or  Worth,  and  above 
others  that  are  far  more  deserving  then  myself. 

For  my  Humiliation,  I  then  wrote  these  Considerations. 

"I.  How  do's  my  Pride  render  mee  without  the  Image  of  God? 
It  is  indeed  the  very  Image  of  Satan,  on  my  Soul.  The  more  any 
Man  has  of  God  in  him,  the  more  humble  will  hee  bee  and  low  and 
vile  in  his  own  Eyes,  and  empty  of  himself.  WTien  the  Lord  renewes 
His  Image  in  us,  Hee  pulls  downe  our  proud  Thoughts.  Tis  true,  my 
Pride  is  a  most  natural  Sin.  But  Grace  would  overcome  thai  in  a  most 
special  Manner  and  Measure.  And  then  how  little  Grace  have  I! 
How  unlike  am  I  to  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  the  Lowly  one !  Oh !  Lett 
mee  for  this  cause  abhor  myself  in  Dust  and  Ashes. 

"II.  Do  I  not,  by  my  Pride,  grievously  of  end  the  Lord?  It  is 
a  Breach  of  His  Holy  Command:  And  how  often  does  Hee  declare  His 
Abhorrence  of  it.  (See  Psal.  138.  6  and  Prov.  6.  17.  and  Hab.  2.  4.) 
His  Uoly  Spirit  is  thereby  grieved;  and  how  vehemently  does  the 
Scripture  caution  against  all  Tendencies  thereunto!  Shall  I  bear 
to  think  of  ofiFending  that  God,  who  has  been  a  Father  to  mee,  and 
whom  I  have  chosen,  and  vow'd  that  I  would  love  and  serve,  as  my 
God?  Or  that  Spirit,  upon  the  sweet  Influences  whereof  my  Soul 
does  Uve,  sealed  unto  the  Day  of  Redemption:  Oh!  the  inexcusable 
Wickedness  of  my  Heart ! 

"HI.  Is  not  my  Pride  a  most  unreasonable  Folly  and  Madness? 
Have  I  any  just  Occasion  for  glorying  in  myself  ?  Do  I  any  thing 
Singular?  Am  not  I  in  most  Attainments  exceeded  by  most  of  my 
Calling  and  Standing?  But,  oh  !  lett  this  bee  a  Dagger  to  my  Heart! 
Have  I  not  a  cursed  Nature  in  mcc  ?  And  has  not  the  Lord  heretofore 
justly  left  mee  unto  some  abominable  Iniquities,  the  Sense  whereof 
should  cause  mee  to  walk  softly  all  my  DayesI    Lord,  I  am  viler  than  a 

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jUNE,i68i  17 

Beast  before  Thee  I  Or,  why  should  I  seek  Honour?  Am  I  fitt  for 
any  Service  ?  Or,  am  I  not  rather  unsavoury  Salt,  fitt  for  nothing  but 
the  Dunghill  ?  What  am  I  better  than  the  least  of  Saints  ?  If  m  any 
external  Grandeurs  I  gett  above  them,  I  am  thereby  obnoxious  to  more 
Temptation  and  Sin,  and  Wrath.  Ly  then  in  the  Dust,  before  God, 
O  my  Soul! 

"IV.  How  dangerous,  How  destructive,  an  Evil  is  this  Pride  of 
Mine!  I  provoke  the  God  of  Heaven  to  take  away  every  one  of 
those  Idols,  which  in  my  fond  Pride  I  dote  upon;  and  if  the  Lord 
should  now  deprive  mee  of  my  Capacities  and  my  Opportunities, 
where  am  I,  but  in  an  horrid  Pitt  of  most  unpittyable  Miseries  I  Yea, 
lett  me  remember,  Pride  sooner  than  any  thing  will  drive  away  the 
good  Spirit  of  God  from  the  Heart  of  a  poor  Creature.  And  if  that 
should  bee  my  Fate,  Oh  I  Lord  have  mercy  I  What  a  Monument 
should  I  bee,  of  thy  ireful  and  thy  direful  Vengeance! 

"0  that  the  Lord  would  sett  home  these  Thoughts,  for  my 
Humiliation  I 

"  But  what  shall  I  do  for  the  Cure  of  my  Disease  ? 

"I.  In  the  first  and  cheef  Place,  I  would  carry  my  distem- 
pered Heart,  unto  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  and  putt  it  into  the  Hands 
of  that  Alsuflicient  Physician,  for  him  to  cure  it 

"II.  I  would  bee  daily  watchful  against  my  Pride;  and  continu- 
ally keep  an  Eye  upon  my  Heart  and  check  the  very  Beginnings  and 
first  Motions  of  the  Corruption. 

"III.  I  Would  study  much,  the  Nature,  Manner,  and  Aggrava- 
tions of  this  Evil,  and  the  Excellency  of  the  Grace  that  is  contrary 
thereunto." 

In  the  Supplications,  which  this  Day  I  spread  before 
the  Lord,  I  was  not  without  His  Assistances.  Especially, 
when  I  was  crying  unto  the  Lord,  about  and  against,  my 
Lust  of  Pride,  which  had  this  Day  brought  mee,  unto  the 
Dust. 

In  one  Prayer,  I  said, 

"Lord,  What  shall  I  do  for  the  Cure  of  this  Disease,  my  Pride? 
Blessed  bee  thy  Name,  that  thou  hast  show'd  mee  a  Way,  and  bid  mee 
walk  in  it.  Have  I  not  heard  thee  saying  to  my  stung  and  swoln 
and  sinful  Soul,  Oh!  look  and  bee  saved  I  And  therefore,  by  thy  Grace, 
I'l  do  it.  I  have  done  it,  and  found,  yea,  to  this  Day  I  find,  the 
Benefit  of  it.     Why  is  it,  that  I  am  not  insensibly  and  incureably 

1-2 

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l8  DIARY  OF  COTTON  MATHER 

forever  carried  away  Captive,  by  the  Lust,  which  I  am  now  warring 
with  ?  Tis  because  I  had  putt  my  Heart  into  the  Hands  of  the  Faith- 
ful Jesus;  and  Hee  it  is  that  hath  not  suffered  mee  to  go  on  uncon- 
cerned about  the  Distemper  of  my  Soul,  but  hath  awakened  mee  to 
seek  Releef  at  His  Hands,  as  I  do  this  Day.  And  now;  Lord,  I  come 
unto  Him.  Hee  sees  how  I  am  labouring  and  heavy-laden,  but  Hee 
has  bid  mee  cotne.  Do's  not  He  call  for  my  Heart  ?  But  what  kind 
of  Heart  ?  It  is  not  mention'd,  but  I  am  sure,  tis  my  Heart,  that  is 
called  for.  Hence,  tho'  my  Heart,  bee  a  protid  Heart,  yell  as  long  as 
tis  tnine,  I  am  to  bring  it.  Yea,  0  Lord,  I  bring  it,  because  it  is  pruud. 
And  wherefore,  doth  Hee  call  for  it  ?  Is  it  not  that  Hee  may  sett  up 
His  Kingdome  in  it,  and  fill  it  with  His  Graces,  and  manifest  the 
Power  of  His  rich  Goodness  in  it  forever  ?  Oh !  then,  lett  Him  take 
my  Heart,  and  make  it  humble  I  Tis  easy,  with  Him  to  do  it.  Tho' 
I  can't  overcome  this  Pride  of  mine,  yett  Hee  can  do  it.  Oh!  Lett 
Him  do  it;  I  wait  upon  Him  for  it;  yea  I  do  beleeve,  I  am  satisfied 
and  assured  that  Hee  will  do  it.  I  have  not  sought  thy  Face  in 
Vain!" 

And  in  some  of  my  further  Prayers,  the  Lord,  gave  mee 
glorious  Assurances,  that  Hee  would  never  lea\e  the  Works 
which  Hee  had  begun  in  my  Soul,  but  fill  mee  \\ith  His  own 
most  Holy  Spirit  and  guide  mee  by^  His  Counsel,  til  Bee 
brought  mee  to  His  Glory. 

US'  And,  that  Hee  would  uphold  mee  graciously  in  my 
Ministry,  yea,  that  Hee  would  employ  mee  to  do  pecuHar 
Services  for  His  blessed  Name. 

i8  d.  4  m.  As  the  last  Week,  I  kept  a  Day  of  Supplica- 
tion, so  I  was  desirous  this  \\'eek  to  keep  a  Day  of  Thanks- 
giving, in  secret  Places  before  the  Lord. 

I  never  knew  of  any  person,  or  heard  of  more  than  one 
Person,'  who  did  accustome  themselves  unto  such  an  Exer- 
cise. But  the  Good  Spirit  of  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  having 
taken  Possession  of  my  sinful  Heart,  I  became  inclined 
and  instructed,  unto  such  Methods  of  Religion,  as  were  now 
before  mee. 

I  was  now  taught  of  God,  thus  to  spend  this  Day. 

'My  Grandfather  Cotton  {In  the  margin).  John  Cotton  (1583-1653),  whose 
daughter,  Maria,  married  Increase  Mather. 

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JUNE,l68l  IQ 

I.  To  recollect  the  merciful  Dispensations  of  God  unto 
mee. 

II.  To  consider  the  Aggravations  of  those  Mercies,  in  the 
Greatness  and  the  Freeness  of  them. 

m.   To  register  them  in  my  Memorials. 

rV.   To  acknowledge  them  in  my  Devotions. 

And  V.  To  contrive  what  Returns  I  should  make  by  way 
of  Gratitude  imto  the  Lord. 

Accordingly;  after  Prayers  for  Assistance,  I  meditated 
over,  the  former  Kindnesses  of  the  Lord  unto  mee,  which 
I  have  already  recorded  in  my  former  Manuscripts;  and 
returned  my  most  hearty  and  solemn  Thanks  unto  the 
Lord  on  the  Account  thereof. 

Especially,  my  Soul  was  moved,  when  saying,  "Lord, 
Hast  thou  not  pull'd  mee  out  of  the  horrible  Pill,  and 
awakened  mee  to  look  after  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  with  a 
Sight  of  my  Misery  without  Him  ?  Hast  thou  not  helped 
mee  to  come  unto  my  Lord-Redeemer  and  feel  the  begun 
and  blessed  Benefit  thereof,  in  His  Healing  of  mee,  when  my 
Soul  has  been  endangered  by  Diseases  that  had  been  undis- 
covered? Whose  Works  are  those  that  have  been  done 
upon  my  Soul  ?  Have  I  done  those  great  Things  on  my  own 
behalf  ?  Oh  Lord,  Not  unto  mee,  Not  unto  mee,  but  unto  thy 
Name  is  all,  all,  all  the  Glory  due;  and  thou  shalt  have 
it.  There  shall  Hallelujahs  bee  sung  to  Thee  forever  and 
ever.   • 

The  Forenoon  being  spent  in  these  things,  in  the  After- 
noon I  proceeded  unto  the  later  Kindnesses  of  God  unto  mee 
in  my  later  Experiences.  Here  I  saw,  besides  my  Life  and 
Health,  and  outward  Comforts  continued  still  unto  mee, 

I.  As  to  my  particular  Calling, 

1.  How  wonderful  is  the  Goodness  of  God  unto  mee,  a 
vile  Worm,  in  that  Hee  does  employ  mee,  in  the  Ministry 
of  the  glorious  Lord  Jesus  Christ! 

2.  How  Miraculous  a  Thing  is  the  Freedom  of  Speech, 

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20  DIARY  OF  COTTON  MATHER 

conferred  upon  mee,  and  enlarged  unto  mee,  in  most  sen- 
sible Answers  to  many  Prayers ! ' 

3.  How  mercifully  has  the  Lord  upheld  mee  in  His 
Work,  notwithstanding  my  weak  Head,  and  my  vain  Heart, 
which  render  mee  the  unfittest  of  most  Men  living  for 
eminent  Services? 

4.  How  great  and  growing  a  Reputation  has  the  Lord 
given  unto  mee,  a  most  contemptible  Creature,  among  His 
People! 

5.  What  comfortable  Provision  has  the  Lord  made  for 
mee,  as  to  my  temporal  and  saecular  Condition;  even  to  a 
Wonderment ! 

Think  on  these  Things,  0  my  Soul.  Soak  thyself  in  the 
Meditation  of  them. 

To  these  Things,  are  to  bee  aimexed, 

The  Smiles  of  God,  upon  my  Father's  Family;  and  upon 
the  Town,  and  the  Land,  and  the  Congregation  whereto  I 
belonged. 

But  especially,  the  Life  and  Health  of  my  dear  Father, 
whom  I  may  reckon  among  the  richest  of  my  Enjoyments. 

The  Lord  helped  mee  in  returning  of  Praises  unto  His 
Name,  on  these  Accounts. 

IL   As  to  my  general  Calling. 

1.  Hath  not  the  Lord  brought  mee  out  of  a  natural 
Estate,  into  the  Kingdome  of  His  dear  Son?  Lett  mee 
eocamine  this,  and  as  long  as  I  live,  lett  mee  feed  on  the 
Foretaste,  and  when  I  dy,  lett  mee  come  to  the  full  Fruition 
of  this  Happiness. 

2.  Do  I  not  most  sensibly  find  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  in 
a  strange,  but  a  sweet  Manner,  with  Acts  of  wonderful 
Wisdome,  Goodness,  Truth,  carrying  on  the  Interests  of  the 
Kingdomr,  which  Hee  hath  begun  in  my  Mind  and  Life! 

' ' '  Blessed  bee  God  also  that  hath  imtyed  your  tongue  so  as  you  are  able 
without  troublesome  impediment  in  your  speech  to  speak  of  the  great  things  of 
the  Gospel  in  great  Conpri'gations."  Nathaniel  Mather  to  Cotlon  Maiher,  March  8, 
1681  (82],     4  CoUctlions,  VIII.  33. 

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JUNE,l68l  21 

And,  what  infinite  Heaps  of  Mercy  are  contained  in 
these  two  Particulars,  my  Hand  cannot  ever  describe,  or  my 
Heart  conceive.  Lord!  bring  mee  to  Heaven,  and  then  I  shall 
know  the  Heighth,  Depth,  Length  and  Breadth,  of  what  now 
passes  all  my  Knowledge! 

These  matters,  I  also  spread  before  the  Lord,  on  my 
KLnee,  with  my  Praises  for  them. 

In  the  close  of  the  Day,  I  came  to  ponder, 

What  shall  I  now  render  to  the  Lord,  for  all  His  Benefits  ? 

And  my  Thoughts  upon  that  Question  were, 

I.  Shall  I  not  love  the  Lord,  and  bee  fervent,  constant, 
unwearied  in  the  Service  of  Him  ?  Especially  in  the  Obliga- 
tion of  the  Rules,  which  I  wrote  at  the  Beginning  of  this 
year,  for  my  future  Conversation  ? 

n.  Shall  I  not  endeavour  to  shine  by  a  good  Exemple. 
Yea,  and  orally  upon  just  Occasion,  as  well  as  practically 
alwayes,  bear  a  Testimony  against  the  Levity  of  the  young 
Generation  ? 

III.  Shall  I  not,  husband  and  redeem,  what  I  can,  the 
golden  Hours,  which  I  enjoy  in  the  midst  of  so  many  smiling 
Providences?  And  prepare  for  Affliction  too,  with  all  Speed 
and  Care? 

nil.  Shall  I  not  every  Day,  in  every  Capacity,  Rela- 
tion, Company,  bee  contriving.  What  can  I  now  and  here  do 
for  God?  And  lay  myself  out  accordingly.  Oh!  that,  oh! 
that.  Oh!  that,  God  would  help  mee,  thus  to  do! 

Thus  I  concluded  the  Day,  ashamed  of  my  Offerings,  but 
relying  on  the  Mediation  of  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  for  the 
Acceptance  of  them. 

igd.  4  m.  Lord's-Day.  This  Morning,  my  Heart  was 
melted,  in  secret  Prayer  before  the  Lord,  when  I  used  these 
Words; 

"Lord,  I  am  in  thy  Hands,  a  poor,  broken,  sorry  despi- 
cable Vessel.  But  it  is  with  Thee,  to  make  mee  a  Vessel 
of  Honour.    Oh!  Do  so!    This,  even  this,  is  the  greatest 

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22  DIARY  OF  COTTON  MATHER 

of  my  Desires.  I  am  worthy  to  bee  Nothing  forever.  But 
Oh!  Lett  thy  Name  have  Glory  by  mee.  Thou  art  worthy 
to  bee  exalted  forever  and  ever.  Oh!  Do  these  Things  in 
mee,  and  for  mee,  and  by  mee,  that  upon  my  Account  it  may 
bee  said,  0  the  Power,  the  Wisdome,  the  Grace  and  the  Truth 
of  the  great  Jehovah!  Lord,  Thou  art  my  Aim,  and  my  AH, 
and  my  exceeding  great  Reward. 

Memorandum.  About  this  Time  I  bought  a  Spanish  In- 
dian, and  bestowed  him  for  a  Servant,  on  my  Father.  This 
Thing,  I  would  not  remember  in  this  Place,  but  only  because 
I  would  observe  whether  I  do  not  hereafter  see  some  special 
and  signal  Return  of  this  Action,  in  the  Course  of  my  Life. 
I  am  secretly  perswaded,  that  I  shall  do  sol ^ 

5  d.  5  OT.  [July.]  The  Sight  of  my  multiplied  Failings 
in  every  Capacity  this  Day  fill'd  mee  with  Disquietment 
and  Indignation. 

There  were  especially  two  Things  that  made  mee  very 
melancholy. 

First,  The  strange  Unafectedness  of  my  Heart,  when 
thinking  and  speaking  about  the  Things  of  God.  Methinks, 
I  am  but  a  very  Parrot  in  ReUgion! 

Secondly,  My  Idleness,  my  Listlessness,  my  grievous 
Mispence  of  my  precious  and  golden  Hoiu"s. 

The  Lord  helped  mee  to  Address,  my  merciful  High- 
priest,  for  Help  against  the  Plagues,  that  are  thus  upon  mee. 

6  d.  $m.  In  Praeparation,  for  a  public  Fast,  kept  thro' 
the  Colony, 2  I  sett  my  self  this  Evening,  to  examine  my 

'"Now  see  what  I  have  recorded,  in  the  Thirty  Fourth  year  of  my  Life." 
In  the  margin.     See  under  August  12,  1696. 

'The  manuscript  resolution  for  this  fast,  in  the  writing  of  Cotton  Mather,  is 
in  the  Mass.  .irchivcs,  xi.  8.  It  passed  the  General  Court  May  30,  1681.  "It 
being  a  Time,  wherein  Cod  is  calling  for  greater  fervency  and  frequency  in  the  most 
solemn  scekings  of  God  in  the  face  of  Jesus  Christ,  then  wee  have  ordinarily  had 
experience  of;  both  with  respect  unto  the  deep  Consultations  of  the  Antichris- 
tian  party  who  have  been  complotting  the  subversion  of  the  true  Christian  prot- 
cstant  Religion,  and  in  a  more  ispnial  manner  designing  the  destruction  of  the 
Lord's  people  in  England,  Scotland  and  Ireland;  And  in  respect  of  ourselves, 
inasmuch  as  besides  the  particulars  expressed  in  former  Declarations  of  this  Nation, 

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jULY,i68i  23 

manifold  Unanswerableness  to  the  Engagements  that  ly 
upon  mee.  I  did  with  Tears  confess  and  bewayl  my  Mis- 
carriages before  the  Lord;  and  at  length,  acting  Faith  in  the 
Blood  of  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ;  I  concluded  with  a  com- 
fortable Assurance,  that  my  Sins  were  all  pardoned,  in  that 
precious  Blood. 

The  Day  following,  in  Consideration,  that  Reformation 
was  the  great  Voice  heard  among  us,  I  resolved  with  God's 
help  to  study  it; 

I.   In  respect  of  Myself. 

Renewing  my  Purpose  peim'd  the  Beginning  of  this 
Year,  and  especially, 

1.  Labouring  after  a  greater  Sense  of  the  Reality  of 
Invisibles. 

2.  Labouring  to  improve  my  Time,  with  more  Diligence, 
to  more  Advantage. 

IL   In  respect  of  my  Father's  Family. 

1.  To  make  my  Brothers  and  Sisters,  as  many  as  are 
capable  thereof,  to  take  their  Bibles,  when  the  Scripture 
is  read  Morning  and  Evening  before  Prayers;  and  atten- 
tively accompany  the  vocal  Reader. 

2.  To  gett  my  Sisters,  as  many  of  them  as  I  can,  to  spend 
an  Hour  together  every  Day.     Half  of  it,  in  writing  and 

which  should  awaken  unto  prayer;  the  Lord  hath  largely  threatned  as  if  Hee 
would  call  for  a  Drought  upon  the  Land;  And  our  present  State  is  on  other  accounts 
awfully  circumstanced;  nor  have  wee  any  but  the  Lord  our  God  to  betake  our- 
selves unto  for  Salvation;  and  him  wee  have  many  a  Time  found  to  be  a  God 
hearing  prayer. 

"Upon  such  considerations  as  these  mentioned,  this  Court  doth  appoint 
the  7th  of  July  next,  to  be  observed  as  a  day  of  public  Humiliation  throughout 
this  Jurisdiction;  hereby  prohibiting  all  servile  Labour  upon  that  day;  and  earnestly 
exhorting  the  ministers  of  God,  with  all  the  Lord's  Remembrancers,  to  lift  up  a 
prayer  in  this  day  of  Rebuke  and  Trouble,  and  to  wresth  with  him  in  a  speciaU 
manner  for  his  dear  People  in  the  Land,  of  our  Fathers'  Sepulchres.  To  entreat 
also  the  Continuance  of  Divine  favour  towards  us  in  these  Ends  of  the  Earth, 
that  the  Lord  our  God  would  bee  pleased  still  to  bless  us  with  Peace,  Health, 
Liberty,  reserving  for  us  the  appointed  weeks  of  Harvest,  and  ordering  all  things 
wherein  wee  are  concerned,  well  for  us,  that  so  our  Souls  may  render  solemn  Praises 
to  his  glorious  Name." 

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24  DIARY     or     COTTON     MATHER 

half  of  it,  in  furnishing  themselves  with  Knowledge  about 
the  Matters  of  Religion. 

3.  To  sett  a  better  Exemple  of  Seriousness  and  Gravity 
before  them. 

III.   In  respect  of  the  Place  where  I  am. 

1.  To  pray  frequently  and  fervently,  for  the  Mending 
of  what  is  amiss  in  it. 

2.  To  contrive  what  I  can,  for  its  Welfare,  and  com- 
municate my  Contrivances  to  my  Father,  who  can  more 
properly  and  effectually  putt  in  Execution. 

About  the  Middle  of  this  Month,  I  lost  abundance  of 
precious  Time,  thro'  tormenting  Pains  in  my  Teeth  and 
J  awes;  which  kind  of  Pains  have  indeed  produced  mee  many 
a  sad  Hour,  in  my  short  Pilgrimage. 

In  the  Pains  that  were  now  upon  mee,  I  sett  myself,  as 
well  as  I  could  for  my  Pains,  to  search  and  try  my  Wayes. 
I  considered, 

I.  Have  I  not  siimed  with  my  Teeth?  How?  By  sin- 
ful, graceless  excessive  Eating.  And  by  e^^l  Speeches,  for 
there  are  Lit  era  dentales  used  in  them? 

II.  This  is  an  old  Malady,  from  which  I  have  yett  been 
free,  for  a  considerable  while.  Lett  mee  ask  then;  Have 
not  I  of  late  given  way  to  some  old  Iniquity? 

22  d.  5  w.  This  Evening  as  I  was  in  Meditation,  enquir- 
ing and  contri\'ing,  liow  I  might  glorify  Cod?  I  happened 
then  to  look. thro'  the  Window  upon  the  HeaNcns  and  this 
Thought  was  after  a  most  powerful  and  refreshing  Maimer 
cast  into  my  Mind.  Surely,  if  the  Lord  intended  not  forever 
to  glorify  mee  in  Heaven,  Bee  would  nrcer  have  pult  it  into  my 
Heart,  that  I  should  seek  to  glorify  Him  on  Earth  I 

6d.  6  m.  [Aitf^ust.]  1681.  Saturcday.  Tho'  I  had  already 
spent  one  Day  this  Week  in  Fasting  and  prayer,  with  our 
Young  men's  Meeting,  to  whom  I  preached  on  Ps.  8.  4.' 

'  The  entry  is  obscure,  being  crowded  in  the  writing.  The  fourth  verse  is 
"What  is  man,  that  thou  art  mindful  of  him?  and  the  son  of  man,  that  thou 
visitest  him?" 

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AUGUST,     l68l  25 

Yett  I  sett  apart  this  Day  for  the  hke  Devotions  in  my 
Study.     And  this  for  these 

I.  Causes  of  Humiliation. 

My  old  Sins,  never  to  bee  forgotten  with  my  mourning 
Sotd. 

My  late  Falls  into  old  Sins,  in  regard  whereof  my  broken 
Vowes  give  mee  broken  Bonds. 

My  great  Unsteadiness,  in  observing  and  performing,  my 
Resolutions. 

II.  Matters  of  Supplication. 

That  the  Lord  would  bee  reconciled  unto  mee. 

That  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  by  taking  my  Heart  into  His 
own  Hands,  would  save  mee  from  all  my  Sins. 

That  I  might  have  the  Presence  of  God  with  mee,  in  His 
Work;  and  bee  fa\'oured  in  my  Utterance,  Acceptance,  and 
Success. 

That  I  may  bee  comfortably  carried  thro*  the  Concerns 
of  my  Commencement,  the  next  week. 

That,  my  Life  may  bee  spared  and  I  may  find  God  help- 
ing of  mee,  to  do  some  special  Services  for  His  Name. 

That  my  Father  and  his  Family  and  our  Assembly  may 
bee  blessed  with  all  suitable  Mercies.    ■ 

That  this  poor  Land  may  bee  refreshed  with  the  wanted 
Showers  of  Heaven,  and  bee  in  all  Respects  healed  and 
saved. 

This  Day,  I  was  melted  into  Tears,  when  putting  my 
greatest  Interests  into  the  Hands  of  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ, 
and  saying, 

"Lord,  My  Soul  is  full  of  Wants  and  Woes;  but  into  thy 
Hands  I  putt  it.  Oh!  Thou  Mighty  Saviour,  bee  thou  the 
compleat  Saviour  of  my  Soul.  Yea,  I  know  thou  wilt  bee 
so.  Never,  never,  never  any  Soul  miscarried,  that  was  in 
thy  Hands.  I  shall  not  bee  the  First.  I  shall  feel  and  find 
Thee  saving  of  mee,  and  giving  mee  blessed  Earnests  of 
an  Inheritance  among  the  Saints  in  Light.  Oh,  my  Lord; 
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26  DIARY  OF  COTTON  MATHER 

my  Soul  can  live  upon  Thee;  tho'  all  my  other  holds  do 
fail  mee,  as  I  am  willing  they  should,  yett  I  can  live  upon 
thee.  I  shall  serve  Thee  a  while  in  this  World,  and  I  will 
•want  all  the  Dayes  of  my  appointed  Time,  till  my  change  do 
come.  Then  shall  I  walk  thro'  tite  very  Valley  of  the  Shadow 
of  Death,  fearing  no  Evil,  because  my  Soul  does  live  upon 
thee.  Tho'  I  am  a  vile  Sinner,  yett  thy  Mercy  will  in  mee 
bee  glorified!" 

gd.  6  m.  This  Day,  I  took  my  second  Degree,  proceeding 
Master  of  Arts. 

My  Father  was  Prcesident,  so  that  from  his  Hand  I 
received  my  Degree. 

Tis  when  I  am  gott  almost  half,  a  year,  beyond  Eighteen, 
in  my  Age. 

And  all  the  Circumstances  of  my  Commencement,  were 
ordered  by  a  very  sensibly  kind  Providence  of  God. 

My  Thesis  was,  Piincta  Uehraica  sunt  Originis  Divinoe. 

23  d.  6  m.  In  secret  Prayer  before  the  Lord,  my  Heart 
was  much  moved,  when  I  uttered  these  Passages. 

"Ah,  Lord!  My  Soul  desires  Thee.  I  have  sometimes 
fallen  into  Sin,  but  my  Soul  hates  it,  and  has  groaned  under 
its  own  Slavery  by  reason  of  it.  But  as  for  Thee,  Lord,  my 
Soul  does  love  thee;  I  choose  thee,  for  my  best  Good  and 
my  last  End.  Lett  mee  enjoy  Thee,  and  engage  Thou 
for  my  Good.  l@~  Especially,  fill  my  Soul  with  Grace;  lett 
thy  Spirit,  even  bee  poured  out  upon  mee;  and  improve  mee 
in  special  Services  for  thy  Name.    /  bclcrcc  it  will  bee  so!" 

T,d.  "J  m.  [September.]  This  Day  I  again  spent  in  secret 
Humiliations  and  Supplications  before  the  Lord. 

Matters  of  Humiliation,  were, 

My  old  and  new  Sins. 

My  exceeding  Want  of  Grace. 

And  my  wonderful  Unprofitableness  in  every  Relation. 

Matters  of  Supplication,  were, 

That  God  would  bee  reconciled  unto  mee;  and  that  the 

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SEPTEMBER, l68l  27 

Mediation  of  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  might  rescue  mee  from 
the  Dangers  whereto  my  Sins  exposed  mee. 

That  I  may  bee  directed,  assisted,  supplied,  in  all  the 
Concerns  of  my  Ministry. 

And,  that  Blessings  might  [be]  dispensed  on  all  those 
Persons  or  Peoples  which  I  ought  more  particularly,  to 
bring  imto  the  Lord. 

The  Lord  helped  mee,  in  the  morning  of  this  Day,  to 
bewayl  my  own  Vileness,  before  Him,  with  many  Tears, 
and  with  much  Abasement,  and  Confusion  of  Spirit. 

When  I  came  to  seek  Reconciliation,  the  Lord  putt  Argu- 
ments into  my  Mouth;  I  pleaded,  Jer.  3.  12  and  at  last,  I 
concluded, 

"Lord,  What  wilt  thou  have  mee  to  do?  Am  I  to  con- 
fess my  Sin?  I  have  done  it;  Oh!  do  thou  now  forgive  the 
Iniquity  thereof.  Am  I  to  renounce  my  Sin  ?  I  do  so,  I  do 
it;  it  is  an  evil,  bitter,  hateful  Thing  unto  mee.  Thou  art 
my  only  Portion.  I  declare,  I  protest,  Thou  shalt  bee  so; 
What  have  I  any  more  to  do  with  Idols?  Am  I  to  go  unto  the 
Lord  Jesus  Christ?  He  only  can  make  Satisfaction  for  my 
Sins,  and  purchase  my  Reconciliation.  To  Him  I  would 
go.  Lord,  Help  mee ;  for  tho'  I  hear  Him  calling,  look  and  bee 
saved!  and  come  and  have  Rest!  Yett,  except  the  Father 
'draw  mee,  I  cannot  look,  I  cannot  com^.  Well,  In  thy 
Strength,  I  do  it.  Oh!  behold  what  that  blessed  High- 
priest  has  done  and  suffered,  as  done  and  suffered  in  my 
Stead.  Oh!  Lett  mee  bee  accepted  in  the  Beloved.  And 
what  will  my  Lord  now  say  unto  my  Soul!  Wilt  thou  say 
imto  mee,  thy  Faith  hath  saved  thee !  Wilt  thou  say  unto  mee, 
thy  Sins  are  forgiven  thee!  WUt  thou  say  unto  mee.  In  my 
Son  I  am  well-pleased  with  thee!  Oh!  I  know  not  what  to 
do.  I  cannot,  I  cannot  live  under  thy  Wrath.  Dearest 
Lord;  if  thou  wilt  not  refresh  my  Soul,  with  immedi- 
ate Intimations  of  thy  being  reconciled  unto  mee,  yett 
I  will  catch  hold  of  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  and  cleave 

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28  DIARY  OF  COTTON  MATHER 

to  Him,  while  I  have  a  Day  to  live,  while  I  have  any 
Being!" 

Afterwards,  on  this  Day,  I  found  my  Soul  somewhat 
comforted,  when  I  thus  addressed  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ. 

''Lord,  in  thee,  there  does  all  Ftdness  dwell.  I  want  no 
Part  of  Salvation,  to  which  Thou  art  not  able  to  help  mee; 
and  Thou  knowest  what  Part  I  most  want.  Thou  knowest 
the  Pollution  of  my  Soul,  the  Blindness  of  my  Mind,  the 
Hardness  of  my  Heart,  its  Wandrings,  and  Wantoimess, 
and  Pride,  and  woful  Indispositions,  and  the  grievous 
Temptations  whereto  I  may  be  exposed.  Oh!  I  putt  my 
self  into  thy  Hands:  I  beseech  Thee  to  take  the  Care  of 
mee,  and  fulfil  in  mee,  and  for  mee,  the  good  Pleasure  of 
thy  Goodness!^' 

But  I  earnestly  sought  unto  the  Lord,  that  before  the 
Day  were  done,  Hee  would  manifest  of  His  Love  unto  mee, 
with  some  yett  more  effectual  Intimations. 

And  behold!  Immediately  after  this,  as  I  was  then  sit- 
ting in  my  Chair,  the  Lord  brought  unto  mee  that  Scrip- 
ture, in  Joh.  14.  23.  Jesus  said,  If  a  man  love  mee,  Hee  wiU 
keep  my  Words,  and  ?ny  Father  will  love  Him,  and  wee  will 
come  to  him,  and  make  our  Abode  with  him.  My  Heart  was 
even  dissolved  upon  the  Reading  of  these  Words.  I  said. 
Oh!  I  feel!  I  feel!  I  feci!  I  love  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ;  I  love 
Him  dearly,  I  love  Him  greatly,  yea,  I  love  Him  above  all. 
And  wlmt?  Will  God  love  mee,  and  will  my  Lord  come  to 
dwell  with  mee?    Oh!  Joy  unspeakable  and  full  of  glory! 

At  last,  I  concluded  the  Day,  with  Assurances  that,  my 
Advocate,  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  had  procured  the  Accept- 
ance of  my  Petitions  in  the  Court  of  Heaven. 

"And  now.  Lord,  wilt  thou  give  mee  {said  I)  one  Glimpse 
of  thy  Love  before  I  go  ?  What  shall  thy  Spirit  say  unto  my 
Soul?  Dost  thou  love  mee;  Yea,  or  Xo?  Well,  my  Dear, 
Dear,  Dear  Lord;  Thou  dost  love  mee  so  that  I  shall  bee  a 
Monument,  exhibiting  thy  Grace  forever  and  ever.     Oh! 

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SEPTEMBER,     1681  29 

What  Love,  what  Love,  what  Love  is  this!  That  I  who  have 
been  so  polluted,  and  so  unworthy,  should  bee  loved  by 
the  great  God!  Lord,  Thy  Loue  will  comfort,  support,  and 
make  happy  forever.  Now,  Oh!  that  I  could  praise  Thy 
Name,  and  love  Thee  again,  as  thou  art  worthy  that  I  should, 
with  all  my  Heart."  ' 

19  d.  7  w.  This  Morning,  I  began  a  Custome,  which  I 
found  many  wayes  Advantageous  to  mee. 

My  rising  Thoughts,  in  the  Morning,  I  chose  to  fix  upon 
some  Scripture,  but  sometimes  upon  some  Question,  which 
might  bee  of  some  special  Consequence  to  my  everlasting 
Interests.  I  judged,  that  my  morning  Thoughts,  being 
placed  as  they  should  bee,  on  some  divine  and  holy  Subject, 
I  should  bee  thereby  the  better  disposed,  unto  the  Fear  of 
the  Lord  all  the  Day  long.  And  that  the  passing  of  so  many 
Truths,  as  would  hereby  pass  thro'  my  Mind,  would  mar- 
vellously sanctify  mee.  The  Text  which  I  began  withal, 
was,  that  in  Zach.  13.  i.'  Whereon,  the  Head  of  my 
Meditations  were  cast  into  these  three  observations. 

"The  Blood  of  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  is  fitly  compared 
imto  a  Fountain. 

"This  is  an  open  Fountain. 

"And,  the  End  of  it  is,  for  the  washing  away  of  Sin, 
which  is  uncleanness." 

This  my  Custome,  I  may  explain,  by  giving   one 
Instance  more. 

On  the  Following  Sabbath. 

"  My  Rising  Thoughts  were,  on  Isa.  56.  4.' 

"The  Lord  expresses  the  whole  of  Religion,  under  that 
Phrase,  keep  my  Sabbaths. 

"Tis  true  concerning  both  Persons  and  Peoples, 

'  Cf.  Parkman,  Jesuits  in  North  America,  J46. 

'"In  that  day  there  shall  be  a  fountain  opened  to  the  house  of  David, and 
to  the  inhabitants  of  Jerusalem,  for  sin  and  for  uncleanness." 

•"For  thus  saith  the  Lord  unto  the  eunuchs  that  keep  my  sabbaths,  and 
choose  the  things  that  please  me,  and  take  hold  of  my  covenant." 

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30  DIARY  OP  COTTON  MATHER 

"That  if  Religion  desireably  flourish,  Sabbaths  will  bee 
duely  kept. 

"But  Religion  will  decay  and  wither,  if   Strictness 
about  the  Sabbaths  do  go. 

"Indeed,  not  to  keep  Sabbaths  exactly,  is  both  the 
Guise  of,  and  the  Way  to,  the  greatest  Irreligion. 

As  has  been  said  of  Prayer,  either  Sin  will  make  Men 
leave  of  praying,  or  Prayer  will  make  Men  leave  ojff  sinning; 
so  may  wee  say  of  the  Sabbath." 

I  will  give  no  more  Instances.  Tho'  I  did  in  certain 
Papers  enter  the  Heads  of  my  Thoughts,  in  vast  Numbers 
of  these  Meditations. 

Yea,  I  went  over  many  Portions  and  Chapters  of  the 
Bible  in  these  morning  Exercises;  and  I  herein  handled 
Multitudes  of  Cases  referring  to  the  most  important  Points 
of  Christianitie. 

21  d.  J  m.    Thoughts,  then  formed  and  written. 

There  are  certain  miserable  People  to  bee  executed  on 
the  morrow,  for  horrible  Crimes  by  them  committed;  A 
Man,  for  a  Rape;  and  Two  Negroes,  for  Burning  of  Houses, 
and  Persons  in  them.' 

What  use  am  I  to  make  of  this  ? 

I.  Lett  mee,  with  deep  Humiliation  reflect  on  the  Vile- 
ness  of  my  own  Heart.  It  was  the  holy  Bradford's*  Custome 
when  hee  heard  of  any  atrocious  Iniquity  perpetrated,  hee 
would  lay  his  Hand  on  his  Breast,  and  sa}',  There  is  that  in 
this  Heart  of  mine,  which  would  make  mee  as  vile  as  the  Vilest, 
if  sovereign  Grace  did  not  prevent  it.  Alas,  I  have  the  Seed 
of  all  Corruption  in  mee.  My  Heart  naturalh'  departs  from 
God;  it  is  not  any  Vertue  of  my  own,  that  keeps  mee  from 

'An  account  of  this  "ovennuch  wicked"  man,  William  Cheny,  is  in  the 
Magnolia,  Bk.  vi.  40.  The  negroes  were  Marja  (ncgress),  servant  of  Joshua 
Lambe,  of  Roxbury,  and  Jack,  a  servant,  of  Samuel  Wolcott,  of  Wethersfield. 
Records  Court  of  Assislanls,  I.  198. 

'  William  Bradford,  of  Plymouth  Plantation.  The  saying  has  been  attrib- 
uted to  others,  e.g.  John  Bunyan. 

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SEPTEMBER,       1681  3I 

the  most  enormous  Villanies.  Oh!  the  Plague  of  my  own 
Heart!  Yea,  and  am  I  not  guilty  of  Unbeleef?  wherein 
there  is  as  horrid  Sin,  as  in  the  most  horrible  Abomi- 
nations that  the  Sword  of  civil  Justice  takes  Vengeance 
for.  O  that  I  could  abhor  myself  in  Dust  and  Ashes; 
and  when  I  see  Malefactors  hanged  and  burned,  I  may 
judge  myself  unworthy  to  breath  in  God's  Air,  yea  worthy 
to  bee  condemned  unto  everlasting  Fire,  with  the  Divel  and 
his  Angels. 

II.  Lett  mee  bee  exceedingly  Thankful,  for  the  restrain- 
ing Grace  of  God,  which  I  may  look  back  upon.  Lord,  why 
have  not  the  Outbreakings  of  my  corrupt  Nature,  been  as 
hideous  as  any  whatsoever!  My  Nature  is  as  corrupt,  as 
any  Man's  in  the  World.  Furious  Temptations,  to  the  worst 
of  Wickednesses,  at  the  very  Thoughts  whereof  my  Heart 
shivers,  have  sometimes  assaulted  mee;  and  I  have  been 
upon  the  very  Brink  of  such  Confusion,  as  perhaps  never  any 
poor  Creature  fell  into.  What  was  it  that  then  upheld  mee? 
Lord!  Thou  hast  restrained  mee,  and  Thou  shalt  have  the 
Glory  of  this  Goodness  forever. 

III.  Lett  mee  observe  the  Wayes  of  sinful  Apostasy, 
that  have  carried  any  unhappy  Wretches  unto  a  fatal  Mis- 
carriage and  a  final  Overthrow:  and  now  avoid  the  same  in 
myself,  with  all  the  Care  imaginable.  Yea,  and  solemnly 
warn  others,  as  far  as  God  gives  Opportunitie,  to  take  heed 
of  the  like  Undoings. 

The  bitter  Anguishes  raised  in  my  Soul,  by  violent  and 
enslaving  Temptations,  to  Sins  that  had  heretofore  given 
mee  the  worst  of  Wounds  imaginable,  these  were  in  this 
Month  very  singularly  exercising  to  mee. 

I  had  no  Remedy,  but  continually  to  fly  and  cry  unto 
the  Lord  Jesus  Christ;  which  I  did,  as  a  most  wretched  Man, 
for  my  Deliverance. 

But,  I  desire,  to  walk  humbly  before  the  Lord,  all  my 
Dayes,  in  the  Remembrance  of  the  lothsome  Corruptions, 
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32  DIARY  OF  COTTON  MATHER 

which  my  Soul  has  been  from  my  Youth  polluted  withal. ' 
Lord,  Wherewithal  shall  a  young  man  cleanse  his  way? 

Altho'  I  have  been  kept  from  such  Out-breakings  of 
Sin,  in  Actions  towards  others,  as  have  undone  many  in  the 
World,  yett  I  have  certainly  been  one  of  the  filthiest  Crea- 
tures upon  Earth. 

If  ever  the  Lord  make  any  Use  of  mee  to  glorify  His 
Name,  after  I  have  been  such  a  polluted  Siimer,  the  free, 
rich  sovereign  Grace  of  God,  will  have  as  glorious  a  Triumph 
as  ever  any  poor  Sinner  could  afford  unto  it. 

I  d.  Sm.  [October.]  After  my  rising  Thoughts  had  been 
employed  on,  Psal.  126.  5.*  I  spent  this  Day  in  sowing  the 
Tears  of  Repentance  and  SuppUcation;  with  Desires  to 
humble  myself  before  God,  for  my  old  Sins,  and  for  my  late 
ones;  especially  my  exceeding  Sluggishness  and  Laziness, 
and  woful  Dulness,  in  the  Service  of  God,  and  obtain  His 
Mercy,  in  the  Pardoning  and  Subduing  of  my  Sins,  and  my 
enjoyment  of  EOis  Presence  with  mee,  in  my  Ministry. 

My  Spirit  was  in  Agonies  this  Day,  when  after  my  Con- 
fession of  Sin,  I  found  my  Heart  yett  unbroken.  I  cried 
unto  God,  that  Hee  would  embitter  Sin  to  mee,  and  give  mee 
a  just  Sorrow  for  my  being  so  sinfully  Sorrowless  as  I  am.  I 
concluded, 

"And,  Lord,  I  hope,  thou  hast  now  taken  away  my 
Delight  in  Sin.  My  Heart  would  abhor  it,  and  resist  it. 
My  Soul  does  not  like  it.  I  think  it  is  thus  with  mee.  If 
it  bee  not  thus,  Lord,  lett  mee  know  it.  Search  mee,  try 
mee,  see  if  there  bee  any  way  of  Wickedness  in  mee.  If  I 
have  done  Iniquity,  or  if  I  delight  in  doing  it,  show  it  mee, 

'  His  brother,  Nathaniel,  said:  "Of  the  manifold  sins  which  then  (in  boyhood] 
I  was  guilty  of,  none  so  sticks  upon  me  as  that,  being  very  young,  I  was  whitling 
on  the  Sabbath-day;  and  for  fear  of  being  seen,  I  did  it  behind  the  door.  A  great 
reproach  of  GodI  a  specimen  of  that  athciuit  that  I  brought  into  the  world  with 
me!"  Magnolia,  Bk.  iv.  Ji6.  The  extract  illustrates  the  unfortunate  moral 
surroundings  of  a  child  under  the  teachings  of  the  day  and  the  extraordinary 
application  of  the  word  atheism. 

'  "They  that  sow  in  tears  shall  reap  in  joy." 

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OCTOBER, i68i  33 

and  /  %vill  do  so  no  more.  I  would  give  thee,  my  Heart  and 
Love,  and  Sotd,  and  all  that  I  have,  or  am,  or  can.  I  am, 
like  the  man  with  a  imthered  Hand,  essaying  to  do  it.  0  my 
Lord,  Help  mee,  in  this  my  Resignation." 

Afterwards,  I  made  these  attempts,  at  closing  with  the 
Lord  Jesus  Christ. 

"I  have  plunged  my  Soul  down  into  an  horrible  Pitt  of 
Sin  and  wo;  but  I  caimot  think  of  lying  there.  Salvation,  I 
must,  I  must  bee  made  Partaker  of.  And  what  shall  I  do? 
I  am  utterly  unable  to  save  myself.  But  there  is  one 
mighty  to  save,  one  whom  God  has  laid  Help  upon;  Him, 
Him  would  I  look  unto.  0  my  Lord  Jesus  Christ!  Tho' 
I  may  bee  still  as  wretched  and  sinful  as  ever,  yett  is  it  not, 
is  it  not,  as  much  my  Duty  to  come  unto  thee  as  ever !  Art 
thou  not  able  to  save  mee?  Lord,  I  will  never  dispute  tliat; 
I  know  Thou  art,  bee  my  Sins  never  so  many,  and  never 
so  horrid,  and  bee  my  Heart  never  so  hard,  and  my  State 
never  so  sad.  And  art  thou  not  willing  to  save  mee?  In- 
deed, I  am  imworthy;  and  I  have  nothing  in  mee,  to  move 
thee,  unto  any  saving  Notice  of  mee.  Yea,  I  have  rejected 
Thee,  and  therefore  thou  mayst  reject  mee;  and  then  I  am 
in  a  forlorn  Condition  indeed!  But,  Lord,  it  repents  mee, 
that  I  have  rejected  thee,  I  will  never,  never,  never  do  so 
again.  My  Soul  now  followeth  hard  after  thee.  I  see  my 
Need  of  thee;  and  an  excellent  Beauty  in  thee.  Oh! 
Surely  Thou  art  willing  to  imdertake  in  the  Work  of  my 
Salvation.  Didst  thou  putt  away  those  that  came  imto 
thee,  for  the  Healing  of  their  bodily  Diseases,  when  thou 
wast  visibly  incarnate  here  in  this  lower  World?  Art  not 
those  things  recorded,  as  an  Intimation  of  what  Method  I 
should  use,  and  what,  Success  I  should  find,  in  my  addressing 
of  thee,  for  the  Healing  of  my  Soul?  Yea,  which  is  a  Word 
full  of  Life  and  Heaven!  Tis  one  Thing  in  the  Faith  required 
of  mee,  to  beleeve  thy  Willingness  to  accept  of  miserable 
Sinners,  when  they  come  unto  thee;  so  that  if  I  doubt  thy 

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34  DIARY  OF  COTTON  MATHER 

Willingness,  I  shall  bee  guilty  of  a  very  criminal  Unbeleef. 
Oh !  therefore  I  look  up  unto  Thee.  WUt  thou  pass  by  mee, 
now  thou  seest  mee  in  my  Blood;  and  shall  it  not  be  a  Time 
of  Love?  Wilt  thou  not  say  unto  mee,  Live?  O,  lett  mee 
now,  beleeving,  rejoice  with  joy  unspeakable  and  f till  of  Glory! 
The  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  will  bee  my  Priest,  Prophet,  King. 
Hee  wUl  engage  for  my  good.  Hee  will  take  away  my 
Sins.  Hee'  will  bring  mee  safe  Home  to  His  Father's  House 
forever!' 

>&■  Towards  the  close  of  the  Day,  I  could  not  but  use 
these  words ;  Lord,  I  know  Thou  wilt  bee  with  mee.  Lord,  I 
know  Thou  wilt  improve  inee  in  eminent  Services  for  thy  Name. 
Lord,  I  know  Thou  will  signalize  mee,  as  thou  hast  my  Father, 
my  Grandfathers,  and  my  Uncles  before  mee.  Hallelujah. 

Sd.  8  m.  As  I  kept  this  Day  se'imight  a  Day  of  Sup- 
plication, so  I  sett  myself  to  keep  this,  as  a  Day  of  Thanks- 
giving, alone  in  my  Study. 

On  this  Day,  having  largely  revolved  the  former  Mercies 
of  God  with  mee,  I  proceeded  then  to  enumerate  further 
Mercies. 

I.   On  my  spiritual  Estate,  I  observed. 

I.  It  is  the  infinite  and  stupendous  Grace  of  the  blessed 
God,  that  Hee  has  taken  any  Kind  of  Notice  of  my  Soul 
at  all.  Are  not  ]\jIillions  left  eternally  to  perish  under  the 
Wrath  of  God.  And,  why  mee.  Lord,  why  mee?  Oh!  why 
should  I  bee  singled  out,  as  a  Monument  whereon  Mercy 
shall  bee  glorified  forever?  This  Consideration  will  have  a 
wonderful  Share,  in  the  Fulness  of  Joy,  that  is  in  Heaven 
above;  Lett  mee  now  \\ith  a  ravishing  Astonishment  of 
Soul,  begin  the  Contemplation  of  it.  I  never  had  any 
thing  to  move  the  Lord,  unto  any  kind  Notice  of  mee,  but 
lay  like  a  wretched  Infant  in  my  Blood.  And  for  the  Lord 
now  to  pass  over  millions,  of  a  better  Disposition,  of  more 
Learning,  more  Wisdome,  and  more  Figure  in  the  World,  and 
look  with  an  Eye  of  Love,  upon  so  crabbed,  foolish,  despic- 

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OCTOBER, l68l  35 

able  a  Soul  as  /  am!  No  Reason  can  bee  given,  but, 
Father,  it  hath  so  pleased  Thee  I 

2.  And,  yett,  very  great  are  the  Things  which  the  great 
God  has  done  for  mee.  Hee  has  not  only  offered  such  an 
Alsufficient  Saviour,  as  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  unto  such  an 
every  way  forlorn  Creature  as  I  am,  upon  such  happy  Terms, 
as  those  in  the  Gospel,  and  continued  so  to  do,  after  I  had 
rejected  Him,  and  exposed  myself  thereby  to  His  hottest 
Indignation :  But  Hee  has  also  made  mee  to  feel  my  Wants 
of  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  and  so  to  prize  Him,  that  I  have 
been  willing,  yea,  earnest  and  restless  to  obtain  an  Interest 
in  Him.  And  yett  further,  I  have  also  found  the  Lord 
Jesus  Christ,  a  mighty  and  a  faithful  Saviour,  altogether  as 
good  as  His  Word.  Hee  has  been  with  a  strong  Hand  saving 
of  mee,  and  kept  mee  from  dark  Pitts  of  Sin  and  of  Death, 
which  I  have  been  ready  to  stumble  into,  and  favoured  mee 
with  two  Things,  which  (however  vile  I  am)  I  caimot  but 
acknowledge. 

One  is,  A  tender  Heart;  not  able  to  live  quietly  under 
the  smaller  Neglects  of  God,  which  the  GeneraUty  of  Chris- 
tians give  way  unto. 

The  other  is,  an  active  Mind;  uneasy  except  when  I  am 
doing  something  to  promote  the  Kingdome  and  advance 
the  Glory  of  God,  in  my  Generation. 

II.  On  my  Employment  in  the  Ministry  of  the  Gospel, 
I  observed; 

1.  The  Freedom  of  Speech,  bestowed  on  mee  by  a 
Miracle,  is  by  a  Miracle  continued  unto  mee.  Hereby  I 
have  not  only  an  Advantage  to  do  good,  but  the  Glory  of 
the  Divine  Power  and  Bounty  is  after  a  most  affecting 
Manner  displayed  before  many  Hundreds  of  the  Children 
of  Men.  And  this  I  enjoy,  tho'  by  Sin  daily  provoking  of 
Heaven  to  take  it  away. 

2.  My  Life  and  Health  are  spared,  albeit  I  have  been 
wicked  enough  to  dy  before  my  Time. 

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36  DIARY  OF  COTTON  MATHER 

3.  I  am  employ'd  in  a  populous  Place,  the  Metropolis 
of  the  whole  English  America,  and  may  cast  the  Net  among 
much  Fish. 

4.  And  I  am  herein  a  Colleague  to  a  Father;  yea.,  to  a 
Father,  given  mee  from  the  Dead,  and  one  of  my  greatest 
Blessings. 

5.  I  am  esteemed  and  honoured  among  the  people  of  God, 
who  pray  for  mee. 

6.  I  have  seen  some  Success  of  my  Labours;  many  that 
have  joined  unto  our  Churches,  have  acknowledged  it. 

III.   On  my  external  Conditions,  I  observed, 

1.  My  Comforts  in  my  Father^ s  Family. 

2.  My  convenient  Study,  with  a  well  furnished  Library.^ 

3.  My  considerable  Salary. 

4.  My  prospering  in  my  Care  of  my  Pupils. 

5.  A  Constellation  of  many  snuling  Providences. 

To  these  Things,  I  added,  the  Smiles  of  God  upon 
Others,  wherein  I  am  concerned. 

These  Things,  I  did  on  my  knees,  in  several  Prayers, 
acknowledge  before  the  Lord;  at  last  concluding: 

"Oh!  my  Lord;  tho'  I  have  sinned  against  Mercy,  and 
been  unworthy  of  Mercy,  yett  I  have  been  a  Child  of  Mercy, 
my  Life  has  been  filled  with  Mercy,  and  thou  hast  followed 
mee  with  Goodness  and  Mercy  all  my  Dales.  Praise  waiteth 
for  Thee.     I  thank  God,  thro'  Jesus  Christ,  my  Lord." 

So  I  came  to  consider  on  that  Qusestion. 

What  shall  I  render  to  the  Lord,  for  all  His  Benefits? 
Here,  besides  my  Renewal  of  the  Resolutions  penned 
in  the  beginning  of  this  Year,  I  did  resolve  upon  two 
Things, 

L  To  have  my  sett  Times  for  Meditations  on  that 
Enquiry,  what  is  there  that  I  may  do  for  the  Interests  of  God! 

'  The  reference  is  more  probably  to  his  father's  library.  Cotton  Mather 
early  began  to  accumulate  a  library,  which  in  time  came  to  be  one  of  the  largest 
in  the  Province.  The  history  of  the  Mather  libraries  is  told  by  Julius  H.  Tuttle 
in  the  Am.  Antiq.  Soc.  Proc,  xx.  new  series,  269-356. 

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OCTOBER, i68i  37 

II.  To  act  as  much  as  may  bee,  for  God,  in  every  Action. 
And  therefore, 

Before  I  study,  or  preach,  or  hear,  a  Sermon; 

Before  I  make  a  Visit; 

Before  I  eat  a  Meal; 

Before  I  sett  upon  any  Recreation; 

Before  I  fall  asleep  at  Night; 
I  would  still  have  distinct  Thoughts,  lett  mce  now  do  this 
(or,  /  will  do  this)  for  God. 

9&-  The  Lord  having  taught  mee  thus  to  fall  into  the 
Way  of  declared  and  expUcit  Acting  for  Him,  tis  incredible 
what  a  new  Life  of  Soul,  I  did  thereby  Experience.  My 
Soul  was  from  this  Time  raised  into  an  high,  a  sweet,  an 
heavenly  Way  of  Living;  I  something  felt  the  Meaning  of 
dwelling  in  God,  tho'  no  Books  or  Men  on  Earth  had  ever 
instructed  mee  how  to  do  it.  The  Thoughts  of  being  for 
God,  continually,  and  of  expressly  interesting  the  great  God, 
in  all  my  Motions,  exceedingly  ravished  mee. 

Thus  the  Holy  Spirit  of  God,  most  mercifully  discovered 
somewhat  of  the  Possession,  which  Hee  had  long  since  taken 
of  mee.  Thus  did  the  Faithfulness  of  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ, 
appear,  in  carrying  on  the  Sanctification,  for  the  producing 
whereof  I  had  relyed  upon  Him.  And  thus,  while  I  was  yett 
a  Child,  I  fell  into  some  singular  Methods,  of  doing  those 
things,  which  might  render  mee  in  Time,  a  Man  of  God. 

gd.Sm.  Lord's-Day.  This  Day,  the  Lord  made  mee 
somewhat  an  Instrument  of  His  Praises,  to  encourage  my 
Endeavour  at  His  Praises  yesterday.  I  went  unto  the  Pulpit 
of  my  old  Grandfather  Cotton,  in  the  Old  Church  of  Boston; ' 
and  there,  being  thereto  called,  I  preached,  with  a  very  sin- 
gular Assistance  of  the  Lord.  Yea,  Such  was  His  power- 
ful Presence  with  mee,  that  some  afterwards  declared  their 

•  John  Cotton  was  installed  as  Teacher  in  the  First  Church  in  October,  1633, 
Rev.  John  Wilson  being  the  Pastor.  He  served  the  church  until  his  death  in 
1652. 

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38  DIARY  OF  COTTON  MATHER 

melted  and  broken  Hearts,  could  hardly  forbear  crying  out 
aloud,  in  the  Assembly. 

i6d.8m.  Lord's-Day.  As  I  was  going  to  serve  the 
Lord  Jesus  Christ  in  the  pubUc  Assembly,  I  did  on  my 
Knees  in  my  study  utter  such  Words  as  these. 

"Lord,  If  I  might  hold  forth  much  of  Thee,  If  I  might 
glorify  Thee,  and  bee  a  Vessel  by  Means  whereof  a  great 
Revenue  of  Praise  may  redound  unto  thy  great  Name,  I 
should  count  it,  yea,  I  have  clwse  it,  as  my  greatest  Happi- 
ness; and  this  Happiness,  /  know,  I  shall,  I  shall,  I  shall 
enjoy  it  forever! 

29  d.  8  m.  In  the  Fear,  and  by  the  Help,  of  God, 
lamenting  my  most  lamentable  Temptations,  both  unto 
Slothf illness,  and  unto  some  Degrees  of  Want<ynri€ss,  1  sett 
apart  this  Day,  for  the  Duties  of  a  secret  Fast  before  the 
Lord. 

One  of  my  Exercises  this  Day,  was  to  pen  down  the 
following  Arguments,  which  encourage  mee  to  beleeve  that 
tho'  my  Sins  are  many  and  mighty,  yett  they  are  all 
forgiven. 

1.  There  are  in  the  Scriptures,  blessed  Encouragements, 
unto  the  vilest  of  Siimers,  to  hope  and  wait,  and  seek  for 
pardoning  Mercy.    Particularly, 

Psal.  130.  4.  Isa.  55.  7. 

Exod.  34.  6,  7.  Mic.  7.  18 

Neh.  9.  17.  Isa.  i.  18 

II.  The  Lord  Jesus  Christ  is  Alsufficient  Sa\'iour,  in  and 
thro'  whom,  the  worst  of  Siimers  may  recei\e  Atonement. 
Consider 

Zach.  13.  I.  Math.  26.  28 

Math.  I.  21.  Acts.  5.  31. 

Now,  I.  I  go  to  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  for  a  Pardon. 
I  now  do  it,  and  I  have  heretofore  done  it.  So,  being  justi- 
fied by  Faith,  I  shall  have  Peace  with  God.     Rom.  5.  i. 

2.  I  attend  those  Things,  which  are  the  Symp tomes  of  a 

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OCTOBER, l68l  39 

True  Faith,  and  have  the  Promise  of  a  Pardon  thereunto 
annexed. 

First;  Hee  that  confesseth  and  forsaketh  shall  find  Mercy. 
Prov.  28.  13.  Now  I  confess  my  Sins;  I  do  it  on  my  knees. 
And  in  my  Affection,  I  forsake  them  all.  Why  else,  do  I  sett 
apart  such  Dayes  as  these  to  combate,  and  to  distress,  my 
Lusts,  and  obtain  the  Destruction  of  the  most  beloved 
among  them? 

Again;  Hee  that  judgeth  himself  sJtall  not  hee  judged  of 
the  Lord.  i.  Cor.  11.  31.  I  judge  myself  as  the  worst  of 
Siimers;  Hence  the  Great  God,  will  in  and  thro'  His  own 
Son,  my  Surety,  judge  mee  righteous.  I  judge  myself 
worthy  of  Death,  Death,  Death  forever.  Hence,  the  great 
God,  on  the  Account  of  Him  that  has  made  Himself  a 
Sacrifice  for  mee,  will  jiidge  mee  to  Life  eternal. 

Thus  did  I  try  to  argue  myself  into  the  Faith,  and  Hope 
of  my  Justification.  But  I  must  say,  that  I  found  no  Spirit 
in  aU  this  rational  way  of  Arguing:  None  of  the  Argu- 
ment brought  unto  my  Soul,  that  joyful  Peace  which  I 
wanted.  At  last,  the  Spirit  of  God  powerfully  came  in 
upon  my  Heart,  and  enabled  mee  to  receive  the  Pardon  of 
my  Sin,  offered  freely  imto  mee,  with  the  Righteousness  of 
the  Lord  Jesus  Christ;  and  this  without  any  distinct  Con- 
siderations, on  my  having  these  and  those  Conditions, 
wrought  in  mee.  Then  could  I,  and  never  till  then,  rejoice 
with  Joy  unspeakable  and  full  of  Glory.  Afterwards,  t'was 
comfortable  for  mee,  to  see  in  my  self,  the  Conditions  of  a 
pardoned  Sovl. 

30  d.  8  m.  Lord's-Day.  Taught  of  God,  I  fell  upon  a 
particular  Way  to  exercise  Grace,  and  proceed  regularly  and 
methodically  at  the  Table  of  the  Lord. 

The  Instance  this  Day  was  this. 

'Workings  of  Heart. 
"At  the  Administration  of  the  Bread. 

"Do  I  need  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ? 

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40  DIARY     OF     COTTON     MATHER 

"Yes,  infinitely.     But  cheefly  on  two  Accounts. 

"The  Guilt  of  Sin  on  mee,is  mountainous:  none  but  Hee 
can  remove  it. 

"The  Power  of  Sin  in  mee,  is  marvellous:  none  but  Hee 
can  subdue  it. 

"But,  am  I  willing  to  have  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ? 

"Yes,  most  readily.     For 

"There  is  a  dreadful  Necessity  that  the  Maladies  of  my 
Soul  should  bee  releeved. 

"Hee,  and  none  but  Hee  can  releeve  them. 

"I  cannot  find  any  Thing  unlovely  in  the  Lord  Jesus 
Christ.     All  His  OflSces  and  Benefits  are  desireable. 

"And  therefore.  Lord  I  am  willing. 

"Art  Thou  so!  Then  take  Him;  said  the  Lord;  /  give 
Him  to  Thee. 

"And  by  this  Time,  the  Bread  is  brought  unto  mee,  to 
seal  this  Gift;  which  I  take  accordingly. 

"And  now,  I  proceed,  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ  is  mine; 
if  I  won't  beleeve  it,  with  Thomas,  I  may  now  see  it,  feel  it, 
tast  it.  And  Hee  will  engage  for  my  Good,  and  perfect 
every  Part  of  my  Salvation. 

"At  the  Administration  of  the  Wine. 

"The  first  Covenant  being  broken,  and  speaking  nothing 
but  Confusion  to  fallen  Man,  the  gracious  God  enters  into  a 
New-Covenant,  of  Grace. 

"In  it,  is  tendered  all  manner  of  good,  for  Beleavers  on 
the  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  the  Mediator  of  that  Covenant. 

"Am  I  willing  thus  to  come  under  the  Way  of  this 
Covenant? 

"Yea,  Lord,  Thou  hast  made  mee  willing. 

"Then,  said  the  Lord,  Here  is  the  New  Testament  in  my 
Blood. 

"By  this  Time,  the  Wiuc  comes,  and  I  drink  of  it,  and 
thereby  I  have  all  the  good  of  the  Covenant  sealed  unto  mee. 

"And   now,   I   proceed,    I   shall  have  Repentance  and 

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OCTOBER,     l68l  41 

Remission  of  Sins.  There  are  some  Sins,  wherefrom  I  shall 
bee  certainly  praeserved,  and  at  last  I  shall  be  wholly  rescued 
from  all.  All  my  Changes  in  this  World,  will  bee  weU- 
ordered  for  mee;  and  I  shall  bee  safely  brought  unto  Glory 
at  the  Last." 

With  what  Variety  of  Contrivance,  may  I  now  approache 
unto  the  Table  of  the  Lord!  ' 

I  foresee,  I  shall  not  have  Liesure  to  write,  the  Devo- 
tions, which  I  have  used  in  this  one  Way  of  suiting  my 
Thoughts,  to  the  Circumstances  that  pass  at  the  Lord's 
Table.  However,  it  may  bee,  I  shall  insert  one  or  two 
Examples  more,  if  I  Uve  till  hereafter,  for  the  Instruction 
of  my  Uttle  Folks,  for  whom  these  Papers  are  intended. 

About  this  Time,  there  was  a  Proposal  made  among 
many  devout  People,  in  this  Coimtrey,  to  retire,  each  one, 
every  Monday,  between  eleven  and  twelve  a  clock,  for 
secret  Prayer  before  the  Lord,  purely  on  the  behalf  of  the 
Church  abroad  weltring  imder  grievous  rersccution,  and 
our  own  Land  now  in  many  threatning  Circumstances.* 

'  In  i6go  Mather  published  a  little  volume,  A  Companion  far  Communicants, 
composed  of  discourses  upon  the  nature,  the  design  and  the  subject  of  the  Lord's 
Supper,  with  "Devout  Methods  of  preparing  for  and  approaching  to  that  Blessed 
Ordinance."  It  was  dedicated  to  the  Church  in  the  North  Part  of  Boston,  and 
especially  to  Sir  William  Phips,  John  Richards,  Adam  Winthrop,  John  Foster, 
and  Dr.  John  Clark,  who  were  instrumental  in  having  the  book  printed.  Sections 
were  devoted  to  self-examination,  embodying  the  later  developments  on  the  lines 
indicated  in  the  text. 

'The  French  King,  Louis  XIV,  in  June,  1681,  issued  "an  Edict  unsurpassed 
in  the  history  of  religious  persecution  for  its  mixture  of  hypocrisy  and  cruelty. 
It  declared  that  children  of  Protestant  parents  might  declare  themselves  con- 
verted to  Catholicism  at  the  age  of  seven.  The  Edict,  which  at  first  sight  seemed 
merely  ridiculous,  proved  in  its  working  a  terrible  weapon  of  religious  coercion. 
Any  trivial  acts  or  words  could  be  interpreted  as  implying  adhesion  to  Catholicism; 
then  came  the  invasion  of  Protestant  households  and  the  forcible  abduction  of 
children.  All  appeals  to  the  king  were  in  vain.  He  had  perhaps  not  yet  deter- 
mined on  the  revocation  of  the  Edict  [of  Nantes];  but  he  told  Ruvigny,  'the  deputy- 
general  of  the  Reformed  churches,'  that  he  was  henceforth  'indispensably  bound 
to  effect  the  conversion  of  all  his  subjects  and  the  extirpation  of  heresy.'"  Cam- 
bridge Modern  History,  v.  23.  In  England  Charles  had  dissolved  his  last  Par- 
liament, and  the  effects  of  the  so-called  Popish  Plot  were  still  felt. 

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42  DIARY  OF  COTTON  MATHER 

A  practice  of  this  Nature,  had  been  agreed  among  many 
N[on]  C[onformists]  in  Great  Britain  and  Ireland;  and 
from  thence  it  came  to  bee  recommended  here.  Now,  tho' 
many  good  Men  disliked  it,  as  having  somewhat  of  Super- 
stition in  it,  yett  I  did  very  successfully  promote  it,  among 
many  Scores  of  pious  People  in  this  Country,  as  having  in  it, 
nothing  but  what  was  allowable,  commendable,  and  what 
was  agreeable  to  a  pious  and  public  Spirit. 

Many  good  Men  did  afterwards  highly  bless  God,  for 
this  Proposal;  and  I  did  myself  a  long  while  more  or  less 
attend  it.' 

In  the  Month  of  November,  Messengers  from  the  ancient 
and  famous  Church  of  Newhaven  addressed  themselves  unto 
mee,  to  become  their  Pastor,  but  I  did  not  comply  with  their 
Desires.2  Nevertheless,  on  this  occasion,  I  sett  myself  to 
admire  the  most  wonderful  Grace  of  God,  that  so  mean, 
and  vile  a  Creature  as  I  am,  should  bee  at  all  acknowledged 
among  His  People. 

And  while  I  was,  with  much  Amazement  of  Soid,  con- 
sidering the  incureable  Corruptions,  of  my  Heart,  that  as  it 
were,  defy'd  all  the  Means  of  Mortification,  j'ea,  and  even 
my  best  Endeavours  to  putt  my  Heart  into  the  Hands  of 
the  Lord  Jesus  Christ  for  cure,  I  yett  wrote  the  following 
Thoughts. 

"I  think, _^r.y/,  the  Lord  will  not  utterly  destroy  mee. 
Hee  has  wrought  those  Works  in  nice,  that,  I  hope,  Hee  will 
never  disown  or  forsake.  If  Hee  do,  I  shall  bee  the  dire- 
fullest  exemple  of  a  deluded  and  an  exalted  Hypocrite,  that 
ever  was!    Lord,  Ictt  my  Soid  tremble! 

"But,  Secondly,  the  Lord  will  bring  my  Soul  down  into 

•  Written  in  the  margin. 

'  For  ten  years  after  the  death,  in  1674,  of  Rev.  Nicholas  Street,  the  colleague 
and  successor  of  John  Davenport,  the  church  of  New  Haven  was  without  a  regu- 
larly constituted  pastor.  At  this  time  John  Harriman  was  serving,  and  there 
were  differences  of  opinion  in  the  church,  of  which  little  is  known.  Bacon's  Bis- 
Icrical  Discourses,  1 59.  See  letter  from  the  New  Haven  church  to  Increase  Mather, 
April  17,  i68j,  in  4  Collections,  viii.  692,  308. 

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KOVEMBER,      l68l  43 

the  Dust,  and  under  all  Enlargements  and  Attainments, 
cause  mee  to  abhor  myself.  And  I  have  infinite  Reason  so 
to  do.  If  ever  I  am  lift[ed]  up  with  Pride,  I  shall  bee,  {LordI 
I  here  own  it  under  my  Hand!)  a  most  unreasonable  Wretch. 
I  must  walk  softly  and  sorrowfully  as  long  as  I  breathe  on 
Earth.  Shame  is  to  bee  my  Garment,  Grief  my  meat.  Tears 
my  Drink,  and  Sighs  my  Language,  as  long  as  I  am  related 
imto  this  vile  Body! 

"  And, thirdly, Strength  against  Sin,is  a  Mercy  so  glorious, 
that  the  Lord  will  have  mee  stirr  up  myself  and  wrestle  and 
struggle  to  purpose,  before  I  shall  attain  it.  Wherefore, 
Lord,  I  here  make  my  Vow,  that  I  will  never  give  Thee,  or 
my  own  Soul  rest,  until  my  dearest  Lust,  become  as  bitter  as 
Death,  as  hateful  as  Hell  unto  mee." 

2\d.gm.  A  pubHc  Thanksgiving,  being  celebrated  in 
the  Coimtrey,'  I  did  on  that  Occasion,  thus  recapitulate, 
the  Favours  of  God  unto  mee;  following  the  Method  of 
Jacob,  in  the  thirty  second  Chapter  of  Genesis. 

I.  The  Lord  hath  shown  mee,  very  much  of  His  Good- 
ness and  His  Truth.  How  many  are  His  Mercies!  (Psal. 
119.  156.)  And  how  mighty!  (Psal.  126.  3.)  The  least  of 
them  worthy  of  an  Hallelujah. 

1.  Common  Mercies;  Life,  and  the  Comforts  of  it,  I 
enjoy,  in  more  than  a  common  Manner. 

2.  Special  Mercies.  Whereof,  I  single  out  these,  for  my 
present  Observation. 

^  Mass.  Col.  Records,  v.  324.  The  manuscript  resolution,  in  the  writing  of 
Cotton  Mather,  is  in  the  Mass.  Archives,  xi.  21.  It  was  adopted  October  21. 
"The  Court  being  sensible  of  the  Goodness  of  the  Lord  in  remembring  Mercy 
towards  his  people  inhabiting  this  Wilderness,  in  the  midst  of  Judgment  which 
wee  have  had  Experience  of;  since  in  the  Time  of  the  late  Drought  Hee  did  gra- 
ciously incline  His  Ear  to  the  Prayers  of  his  People,  in  sending  down  seasonable 
showrs  of  blessing  from  Heaven,  so  as  that  the  Harvest  this  year  hath  not  wholly 
failed,  as  once  there  was  cause  to  fear  it  might  have  done;  Being  also  sensible  of 
the  Divine  favour  as  yet  continued  to  us  in  respect  of  our  Libertyes  both  civil 
and  sacred,  and  the  public  Peace  and  Health,  which  God  hath  this  last  Year  blessed 
this  Land  with,  and  that  Thankfulness  for  such  invaluable  mercys  is  the  way 
still  to  enjoy  them." 

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44  DIARY  OF  COTTON  MATHER 

I.  W iihin  my  own  SovH. 

1.  I  hope  the  Spirit  of  God,  has  brought  mee  home  unto 
the  Lord  Jesus  Christ. 

2.  I  am  sure  the  Lord  hath  powerfully  inclined  mee,  to 
live  unto  Himself,  and  made  mee  above  aU  Things  desirous, 
to  bee  unto  llic  Praise  of  the  Glory  of  His  Grace. 

2.  Anion ii  others. 

1.  The  Lord  has  improved  mee,  in  the  Ministry  of  His 
Blessed  Son.  To  mee,  who  am  less  than  the  least  of  all  Saints, 
is  this  Grace  given. 

2.  Therein  Hee  hath  given  mee  the  Happiness  to  hold 
forth  Something  of  Himself. 

1.  Hee  hath  made  my  poor  Endeavours,  both  public 
and  private  successful  unto  Good. 

2.  Hee  hath  done  those  things,  for  mee,  which  give 
others  to  see  and  hear,  and  magnify  His  own  great  Name, 
which  is  the  Heaven  of  Heaven  itself. 

II.    I  am  less  than  the  least  of  all  this.     For, 

1.  Had  I  been  the  most  upright,  and  fruitful,  and  useful 
Man  in  the  World,  yett  I  could  have  merited  Nothing,  at 
the  Hands  of  God. 

2.  Whereas,  I  have  done  just  Nothing  at  all,  for  the 
Lord;  no  Service,  no  Honour,  has  Hee  had  of  mee. 

3.  Yea,  I  have  done  \ery  much  against  the  Lord,  and 
been  a  \'iler  Creature,  than  I  know  any  one  in  all  my 
Generation. 

Bless  the  Lord,  O  my  Soul,  and  all  that  is  within 
mee! 

26  d.  9  w.  In  a  Self-EXAMINATION,  praeparatory  to 
a  Communion.     I  find 

I.  Not  only  my  Understanding  sees,  but  my  Will  chooses 
the  Great  God,  as  my  best  Good,  and  my  last  End. 

I.  My  Interest  in  Him,  is  my  greatest  Wish  and  Joy. 
According  to  Psal.  4.  6.  Psal.  73.  25.  Psal.  16.  5,  6.  Lam. 
3.  25.     Isa.  26.13. 

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DECEMBER, l68l  45 

Obj :  Then  you  would  bee  more  careful  and  earnest  for 
the  Securing  of  it. 

Am.  I.  I  mourn  under,  and  strive  against,  my  own 
Coldness,  and  endeavour  to  stirr  up  myself. 

2.  My  Zeal  to  make  sure  of  any  other  Enjoyment,  is  not 
so  lively,  as  to  make  sure  of  this. 

2(3].  I  do  heartily  embrace  and  propose  the  Glorifying 
of  Him,  as  the  main  Design,  which  I  would  bee  and  live 
and  work  upon. 

Obj:  How  do  you  know  that? 

Ans:  I.  By  my  frequent  and  actual  Dedications  to  His 
Glory. 

2.  By  the  Disposition  of  my  Heart,  in  Prayer,  for  any 
Mercy;  above  all,  for  that  Mercy. 

3.  By  my  exceeding  Satisfaction,  when  I  see  God  acknowl- 
edged, especially  when  by  race,  or  by  my  Means. 

n.  With  much  Detestation,  I  reject  all  that,  which 
hath  made  a  Separation  between  the  Lord  and  my 
Soul. 

Sin,  is  that  accursed  Thing,  Isa.  59.2.    Wherefore, 

I.  I  lament  it.     2.  I  abhor  it.     3.  I  labour  to  avoid  it. 

ni.  I  essay  to  come  unto  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  the 
ever-glorious  Mediator,  that  I  may  bee  instated  in  the  full 
Enjoyment  of  God.    According  to  Joh.  14.  6. 

1.  Thirsty  after  thf  Fountain  of  Life  in  God,  I  go  to  the 
Lord  Jesus  Christ,  as  the  Way. 

2.  I  would  have  None  but  Him,  to  bee  my  Saviour. 

3.  I  am  free,  that  Hee  should  execute  every  One  of  all 
His  Offices,  in  the  accompUshing  of  my  Salvation. 

Blessed  bee  my  Lord,  who  has  not  left  mee  destitute  of 
His  eternal  Mercies! 

21  d.  10  m.  [December.]  As  I  lay  in  my  Bed,  this  Morn- 
ing, many  glorious  Thoughts  passed  thro'  my  Mind;  where- 
with I  gave  up  my  whole  self,  unto  God,  in  the  Lord  Jesus 
Christ;  and  I  contrived  particularly,  how  my  Body,  each 

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46  DIARYOFCOTTONMATHER 

Member  of  it,  might  [be]  serviceable  unto  Him,  in  bringing 
of  Honour  to  His  blessed  Name. 

24  d.  10  m.  Examining  myself,  by  the  Discoveries  of, 
tlie  Power  of  Godliness,  in  Mr.  White's  Holy  Book,  on 
that  Subject  I  found  myself,  not  altogether  a  Stranger 
thereunto. 

Only,  I  find  myself  defective,  in  the  Entireness  of 
my  giving  up  myself  unto  God,  so  as  to  bee  troubled, 
if  any  love  mee,  prize  mee,  but  not  purely  upon  His 
Account. 

Wherefore  I  resolved,  that  I  would  labour  after  greater 
Attainments,  in  this  matter. 

2$  d.  10  m.  Lord' s-Day.     I  will  once  again  record  the 
Methods  of  my  Soul  at  the  Table  of  the  Lord. 
At  the  Administration  of  the  Bread. 

Qu:  Do  I  not  impensely  desire  to  live  unto  the  glorious 
God,  and  glorify  His  blessed  Name,  throughout  all  my  Life, 
yea,  while  I  have  any  Being? 

An:  Yes;  this  one  Thing  have  I  desired,  and  this  mil  I 
seek  after. 

Qu:  But  feel  I  not,  that  I  want  Strength  to  do  that 
glorious  Thing? 

An:  Alas,  yes,  I  do  so.  My  lamentable  E.xperience  has 
told  mee  this. 

Qu:  WeU,  there  is  now  Strength  enough  in  the  Lord  Jesus 
Christ.  Am  I  willing  that  Hee  should  bee  ray  Strength? 
and  am  I  desirous  to  live  upon  His  blessed  Strength? 

An:  Yes,  most  heartily. 

Then  thou  shall  have  it,  sales  the  Lord.     And  imme- 
diately the  Bread  now  comes  to  mee,  and  seals  to  mee  my 
Union  with  tlic  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  and  the  Strength,  whereof, 
I  now  consider  that  I  shall  thereby  bee  made  Partaker. 
At  the  Administration  of  the  Cup. 

Qu:  Is  there  a  great  Salvation,  whereof  the  Lord  Jesus 
Christ  has  been  the  Author? 

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JANUARY,     l68l-82  47 

An:  Yes:  great  upon  all  accounts;  the  Price  of  it,  the  III 
from  which,  and  the  Good  in  which,  it  is. 

Qu:  Is  it  not  all  oj^ered  unto  mee? 

An:  Yes,  the  Lord  holds  forth  all  saving  Benefits  unto 
mee,  and  bids  mee,  drink  Abundantly. 

Then,  sales  my  Soul,  /  will  take  the  Cup  of  Salvation,  and 
call  on  the  Name  of  tlie  Lord.  And  immediately  the  Cup 
comes  to  mee.  So,  I  consider  thereupon,  how  my  Interest 
in  that  inconceivable,  comprehensive,  everlasting  Salvation 
is  now  confirmed  unto  mee  forever. 

28  d.  10  m.  This  Day,  our  Church  renewed  their  Vote 
for  the  Continuance  of  my  pubUc  Labours  among  them; 
adding  that  it  should  bee  in  order  to  my  Settlement  among 
them  as  their  Pastor. 

And  afterwards,  voted  mee  a  Salary  of  70  lb.  Annum. 

gd.  II  w.  [Jamiary,  1681-82.]  I  sett  apart  this  Day  to 
humble  myself  before  the  Lord  for  my  exceeding  Sinfulness; 
and  implore  His  favour  in  two  Respects;  first,  the  Freedome 
of  my  Speech,  which  from  some  Difficulties  upon  it,  was 
become  a  matter  of  more  than  ordinary  Thoughtfulness 
imto  me;  and,  secondly,  the  Guidance  of  all  concerns  between 
our  Church  and  myself. 

The  Lord  raised  my  Soul  this  Day  unto  some  very 
singular  Entertainments  of  Devotions;  and  I  will  record 
especially  two  or  three  of  the  Addresses  which  I  now  made 
imto  Him. 

One  Address  was  in  Words  to  this  purpose. 

"Oh!  Holy  Lord  God!  I  am  altogether  vile:  and  tho'  I 
have  been  endeavouring  to  enumerate  some  of  my  Rebel- 
lions against  Thee,  I  can  do  nothing  at  it;  my  Spirit  is 
overwhelmed  within  mee,  because  I  see  innumerable  Evils 
compass  mee  about,  and  my  Sins  are  more  than  the  Hairs  of 
my  Head.  Now,  O  Lord  God,  is  there  any  Hope  of  Mercy, 
for  such  a  Sinner  as  I  am?  It  will  bee  a  Wonder  indeed,  if 
there  bee!    But  there  is,  Lord,  there  is.    Thy  own  mouth 

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48  DIARY  OF  COTTON  MATHER 

has  told  mee,  There  is  Forgiveness  with  thee,  that  thou  mayst 
bee  feared:  And,  Thou  delightest  in  mercy,  and  therefore  par- 
donest  Iniquity.  Thy  Call  is,  lett  the  Wicked  forsake  his  Way, 
and  return  to  the  Lord,  and  thou  unit  abundantly  pardon.  O 
blessed  Words!  O  glorious  Newes!  Behold  then,  I  desire 
to  return  unto  thee.  But  in  what  way  am  I  to  return? 
Lord,  I  am  to  return  in  a  way  of  Repenting. 

"  Wherefore,  0  my  God,  I  now  turn  from  all  my  Idols.  I 
turn  from  them,  with  Sorrow.  I  am  grieved,  I  am  grieved, 
at  my  very  Heart,  for  my  displeasing  of  Thy  Majesty,  imto 
whom  I  have  had  infinite  Reason  to  give  my  Love,  my  Life 
and  all  that  I  am  or  have.  I  turn  from  them  with  Hatred. 
I  abhor  aU  my  Lusts.  I  renounce,  I  reject  with  Detestation, 
all  that  hath  stood  in  Competition  with  thy  Blessed  Self, 
within  my  Soul. '  And,  O  my  God,  I  turn  to  Thyself.  Who 
would  not  so  do?  I  come  unto  Thee,  Thou  art  the  Lord  my 
God.  I  take  Thee  for  my  best  Good;  Vouchsafe  mee  Thy- 
self, and  I  shall  bee  contented,  tho'  thou  deny  mee  ever}- 
Thing  else.  Lett  mee  bee  able  to  say,  the  Lord  is  my  Por- 
tion, and  then  I  shall  also  say,  the  Lines  are  fallen  to  mee  in 
pleasant  Places.  And,  I  take  Thee  for  my  Ic^st  End.  Nothing, 
no,  nothing  else,  is  worthy  of  my  Aim,  and  my  Heart. 
Self  is  not  so,  World  is  not  so,  Satan  is  not  so.  Whom  have 
I  in  Heaven  but  Thcc  ?  There  is  none  on  Earth,  that  I  desire 
or  design,  in  Comparison  of  Thee.  But,  Lord  I  am  to  return, 
in  a  Way  of  beleeving  also.  Oh!  I  do  it  most  heartily, 
readily!  Thou  offerest  Thy  dear,  sweet,  heavenly  Son,  the 
Lord  Jesus  Christ,  unto  my  Soul.  O  my  God,  I  accept 
of  Him.  Thou  tenderest,  His  Blood  unto  mee.  Lord,  I 
receive  it,  with  both  Hands,  with  all  my  Heart.  Alas,  all 
my  own  Righteousnesses  are  Filthincsscs.  But  oh!  Lett  the 
Obedience  of  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  bee  the  Satisfaction  for 
all  my  Sins  against  Thee ;  and  lett  that  Satisfaction  bee  the 
Conduit-Pipe  thro'  which,  all  the  good,  that  ever  I  enjoy 
from  thy  Hands,  may  come  swimming  down.     And  thou 

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JANUARY, 1681-82  49 

commandest  mee  to  rely  upon  Him,  for  Strength,  in  order  to 
my  doing  all  that  I  have  to  do,  for  thy  Glory.  Oh!  To  Him 
I  go,  that  Hee  would  undertake  the  Cure  of  my  miserable 
Soul.  May  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ;  strengthen  mee,  instruct 
mee,  defend  mee,  and  govern  mee  forever!  And,  now,  I 
know,  I  shall  bee  saved.  Thou  wilt  bee  my  God,  and  my 
Friend;  and  I  shall  in  the  highest  Heaven  celebrate  thy 
Grace  with  eternal  Hallelujahs!" 

Afterwards,  I  made  another  Address,  that  the  Impedi- 
ment of  my  Utterance,  which  threatned  such  a  Return  upon 
mee  as  to  render  mee  imserviceable,  might  bee  removed. 
And  this  in  such  Terms  as  these.  (As  near  as  I  can  well 
recollect  them.) 

"Most  Gracious  Lord,  God;  Thou  Fountain  of  all  Good! 
Help  mee,  I  pray  thee,  to  present  the  Desires  of  my  Soul 
before  thee,  concerning  that  free  Speech,  which  thou  knowest 
is  needful,  and  would  bee  useful,  for  mee.  What  Measure 
thereof  I  would  have,  I  do  not  praesume  to  define;  but  I 
leave  it,  O  Lord,  unto  Thy  infinite  and  excellent  Wisdome. 
But,  oh !  deny  not  unto  mee  what  may  bee  good  for  mee ! 
I  must  indeed,  begin  my  Supplications,  0  Lord,  with  my 
hearty  and  humble  Confession,  that  I  am  every  way  un- 
worthy of  this  Mercy.  If  I  had  walked  never  so  exactly 
before  Thee,  yet  could  I  have  merited  Nothing.  But,  Lord, 
I  have  sinned  horribly;  and  by  my  early  Wickedness  and 
Filthiness,  I  have  provoked  Thee,  to  take  away  from  mee 
one  of  the  greatest  Conveniencies,  enjoyed  by  thy  reason- 
able Creatures.  I  must  lay  my  Hand  upon  my  Mouth,  and 
say,  that  tho'  thy  Rod  has  been  very  heavy  in  this  regard 
upon  mee,  yett  thou  hast  punished  mee  farr  less  than  my 
Iniquities  have  deserved.  Lord,  I  deserve,  not  only  a  Stam- 
mering, Slowness,  but  also  a  total  Dumbness  in  my  Speech; 
yea  to  bee  sent,  where  I  should  not  have  a  Drop  of  Water  to 
cool  my  Tongue.  I  have  therefore  no  Argument,  in  this 
case,  to  plead,  O  Blessed  Lord,  but  what  shall  bee  found  in 

I  '4 

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50  DIARY  OF  COTTON  MATHER 

Thyself.  And  what  shall  I  now  say?  In  Thyself,  O  Lord, 
I  see  enough  and  enough. 

"Lord  Art  thou  not  a  Good  God?  Yea,  I  am  every  way 
sure,  that  there  are  no  Bounds  of  thy  Goodness.  Now, 
Lord,  lett  this  thy  admirable  Goodness,  mercifully  pardon 
all  the  SiJis,  which  might  Intercept  the  course  of  this  thy 
Favour  to  mee.  And  oh !  lett  not  thy  Goodness  permit  mee 
to  ly  under  a  dreadful  Affliction,  that  shall  prejudice  my 
Services  of  Thyself,  in  the  weighty  Work,  whereto  thou  hast 
called  mee;  lest  the  Spirit  fail  before  Thee,  and  the  Soid  that 
Thou  hast  made! 

"And,  Lord,  Art  thou  not  a  Powerful  God?  Yea,  I  know, 
that  great  is  my  Lord,  and  of  great  Power.  Oh!  Thou  that 
madest  Man's  Mouth,  didst  Thou  not  make  the  Mouth  of  the 
Stammering  Moses  to  speak?  Didst  thou  not  open  the  Lips 
of  Jeremiah,  when  hee  pleaded,  /  cannot  speak?  Did  not 
my  Lord  Jesus  Christ  cure  a  man  that  had  an  Impediment 
in  his  Speech?  Oh  I  Lord,  Oh!  Lord,  I  am  sensible,  that  one 
Touch,  one  Word  of  thine  will  releeve  my  Infirmitie.  Oh! 
touch  my  Tongue:  Say,  EphpJtatha  and  my  mouth  will  bee 
opened!  That  which  Thou  hast  already  done  for  mee, 
showes  what  thou  art  able  to  do.  Oh !  Lett  thy  wonderful 
Works  bee  Seen ! 

"And,  Lord,  Art  thou  not  a  Faithful  God?  Yea,  Thou 
airt  faithful  and  tru^.  And,  Lord,  shall  I  now  say  that  Thou 
hast  encouraged  mee,  in  this  also.  I  have  heretofore  found 
Thee  marvellously  proportioning  my  Speech  to  my  Need: 
The  Language  of  which  was,  Trv^t  in  mee,  Fear  not,  I  will 
never  fail  Thee.  Hast  thou  not  many  a  Time,  created  in  mee 
a  strong  Perswasion,  when  I  have  been  upon  my  Knees 
before  Thee,  that  Thou  liadst  greater  Supplies  of  Speech  in 
store  for  mee,  than  I  ever  yett  received?  and  shall  this  Per- 
swasion prove  a  Delusion?  Farr  be  it?  No,  I  had  with 
it  a  frequent  Earnest  of  this  future  Mercy.  And  what  is 
thy  Word?    Hast  thou  not  expressly  said,  the  Tongue  of  the 

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JANUARY,      1681-82  51 

Stammerer  shall  speak  plainly?  Lord,  I  lay  hold  upon  that 
Word.  Hast  thou  not  said  unto  my  Faith,  none  of  them  who 
trust  in  Thee  shall  be  desolate;  and  Thou  wilt  never  forsake 
them  that  seek  Thee?  Oh!  fulfil  unto  mee,  those  words  of 
Thine.    Thou  wilt  fulfil  them! 

"But,  Oh!  my  Lord,  I  have  one  Argument  more,  to 
bring  which  Thou  wilt  have  regard  unto.  It  is  this:  0 
Lord,  open  Thou  my  Lips,  and  my  Mouth  shall  show  forth 
Thy  Praise.  Abundance  of  Praise  will  come  to  thy  Name, 
if  Thou  grant  mee  my  Request.  Others  that  hear,  will  adore 
thy  Attributes;  and  I  shall  myself  do  Service  for  Thee. 
What  shall  I  say?  Oh !  Lord  God ;  my  Tongue  is  Thine.  I 
have  given  it  unto  Thee.  I  have  endeavoured  a  Uttle  to 
improve  it  for  Thee;  and  shall  yett  more  do  so.  And, 
Lord,  wilt  thou  lay  unhappy  Chains  upon  one  of  Thy 
Tongues?  There  are  Multitudes  in  the  World  that  never 
gave  their  Tongues  unto  Thee,  who  yett  enjoy  them,  with- 
out any  afflictive  Restraint  upon  them.  And  wilt  thou 
deny  this  to  mee,  who  have  otherwise  desired,  otherwise 
designed?  Lord;  I  now  know,  that  Thou  hast  heard  mee. 
Oh!  my  God  and  Father:  Tliou  hast  heard  tlie  Voice  of  my 
Supplications.  I  wUl  now  live  unto  Thee  forever  and  ever. 
And  I  now  conclude,  with  declaring,  that  I  do  not,  I  dare 
not,  expect  this  Mercy,  on  the  Account  of  any  Thing  that  I 
perform,  or  purpose ;  but  I  reckon  it  swimming  down  unto 
mee,  in  the  Blood  of  the  Sweetest  Jesus;  to  whom  I  shall 
render  everlasting  Hallelujahs." 

Thus  did  my  glorious  Lord-Redeemer,  make  the  Re- 
mainders of  my  Affliction  in  my  Utterance  an  Occasion  of 
my  continual  Addresses  unto  Him,  with  a  manifold  exercise 
of  Grace.  Tis  possible,  that  Satan  also,  might  make  this 
an  Occasion  of  daily  Buffetings  upon  mee;  albeit  by  careful 
Speaking,  I  all  this  while,  was  an  uninterrupted  Preacher, 
that  found  much  Acceptance  among  the  Churches  of  God. 

Why  should  I  bee  discouraged  ?    Moses  complained  that 

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52  DIARY  or  COTTON  MATHER 

the  Infirmitie  of  his  Utterance  continued,  after  his  Entrance 
upon  his  Ministry ! ' 

However,  I  received  an  Answer  to  the  Prayers  of  this 
Day,  in  an  immediate  and  perceptible  Enlargement,  unto 
the  Liberty  of  my  Speech.  And  as  for  Matters,  in  the 
Church,  which  I  this  Day  also  recommended  unto  the  Lord, 
they  went  on  very  comfortably. 

22  d.  II  m.  Lord's-Day.  I  will  once  more,  give  a  Speci- 
men, of  an  Heart  proceeding  methodically,  at  the  Table  of 
the  Lord. 

My  Heart,  this  Day,  thus  proceeded. 

At  the  Administration  of  the  Bread. 

"It  is  said,  Joh.  2.  ii.  Jesus  manifested  forth  His  Glory 
and  His  Disciples  beleeved  on  Him. 

"Here  my  Lord,  is  manifesting  of  His  glory,  His  media- 
torial Glory.     What  remains,  but  that  I  beleeve  on  Him. 

"Am  I  willing  so  to  do? 

"  Yes;  I  have  nothing  against  it.  Lett  mee  receive 
Him,  enjoy  Him,  depend  on  Him,  in  aU  His  OflBces  forever. 

"  Thou  shall  so;  sales  the  Lord:  Here  I  bring  Thee,  a  Seal 
of  it.     So  the  Bread  comes :  taking  whereof,  I  consider,  that 
the  Lord  Jesus  Christ  is  mine,  and  I  shall  bee  saved  by  Him. 
At  the  Administration  of  the  Cup. 

"May  not  the  greatest  Sinners,  have  an  Interest  in  the 
Salvation,  whereof  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ  is  the  Author? 

"  Yes. 

"But  what  must  I  do,  that  I  may  have  so! 

"I  must  return  to  God,  in  and  b)-  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ; 
and  then  all  that  Salvation  is  mine  forever. 

"Am  I  willing,  so  to  do? 

"  Yes;  I  am  willing. 

"  Then  saies  the  Lord,  the  Salvation  is  thine:  I  seal  it 
unto  thee.  So  the  Cup  comes;  and  I  spend  the  Rest  of  the 
Time,  in  rejoicing  upon  this  Assurance." 

'  This  paragraph  is  written  in  the  margin. 

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JANUARY,     l68l-82  53 

6  d.  12  tn.  The  Church  of  Newhaven  renewed  their 
Addresses  unto  poor,  vile  mee  to  become  their  Pastor;  but 
this  Day,  I  wrote  unto  them,  the  Indisposition  which  I  had, 
imto  the  Thing  which  they  desired. 

My  Reason  was,  because  the  Church  of  North  Boston 
would  have  entertained  uncomfortable  Dissatisfactions  at 
my  Father,  if  after  so  many  importunate  Votes  of  theirs, 
for  my  Settlement  here,  hee  had  any  way  permitted  my 
Removal  from  them.' 

What  Repentance  will  do?  The  same  that  you  read, 
Prov.  30.  20.  But  more  effectually,  more  commendably. 
David  in  his  younger  years  was  taken  in  Adultery;  in  his 
old  Age  was  found  abed  with  a  Virgin. 

Haec  est  virtus  Christi  Domini;  ut  quamvis  peccator  sit, 
qui  ejus  unda  ablutus  fuerit,  denuo  in  virginem  reparetur, 
fitque  Virgo  Fide  Christi,  qui  fuerit  Adulter  corruptione 
peccati. 

'  He  remained  an  assbtant  until  January  8,  1682-83,  when  the  North  Church 
chose  him  for  its  Pastor,  but  was  not  ordained  until  May,  1684. 


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1682-83 

THE  XXIsT  YEAR   OF  MY  AGE 

Horae  plusquam  Amoenae,  nunquam  rediturae.* 
12  d.  12  m.  [Febrtiary],  1682-83.     I  am  this  Day  twenty 

Yeare  old.     But  alas,  how  Uttle  have  I  done,  for  the  Glory 

of  God  aU  this  WhUe! 

I  would  this  Day  resolve,  especially  two  Things. 

I.  To  bee  more  diligent  in  searching  of  the  Scriptures. 

II.  To  bee  more  Concerned,  for  the  Welfare  of  the 
Church  whereto  I  am  related. 

igd.  12  m.  A  Purpose.  There  are  some  Gentlemen, 
and  Merchants,  in  whom  the  Good  God,  hath  given  mee 
an  Interest;   and  shall  I  not  improve  that  Interest? 

I  may  do  well,  to  engage  them,  in  Agreements,  together, 
to  single  out  some  godly,  but  needy  Ministers  in  the  Coun- 
trey,  for  the  Objects  of  their  Charity;  unto  whom  their 
Bounty  may  so  expresse  itself,  that  God  ma>-  bee  glorified 
and  they  themselves  gloriously  rewarded. 

4  d.  1  m.  [March.]  1682-83.  Lord's-Day.  Hearing  my 
Father  preach  a  Sermon,  upon  the  Eighth  Commandment, 
I  considered,  that  I  have  in  m}-  study,  two  or  three  small 
Books,  which  I  borrowed  of  my  Schoolfellow,  when  wee 
were  at  School  together,  and  the  Promise,  to  return  them 
when  hee  should  call  for  them.  He  afterwards  left  off 
Learning,  and  went  out  of  the  Count rc}-,  but  I  still  have 
the  Books:  I  resolve  to  lay  out,  however  ten  times  the 
Value  of  them  in  good  Books  to  give  away;  not  knowing 
how  else  to  ha\c  Peace  in  my  own  mind. 

'  "More  than  delightful  hours,  never  to  return." 
[S4l 

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.    MARCH,     1682-83  55 

i2d.im.  Purposes.  It  will  bee  for  the  Glory  of  God, 
that  I  should  observe,  the  following 

Rules  of  Speech. 
Oh!  Lord  God,  in  Jesus  Christ,  help  mee! 

I.  Lett  mee  in  a  solemn  Way,  give  my  Speech  up  unto 
God,  as  a  Faculty  to  be  everlastingly  improved  for  Him. 

II.  Lett  my  future  Care,  in  and  of  my  Words,  declare 
the  Sinceritie  of  such  a  Dedication. 

And  therefore,  lett  mee  seek  Rules  of  right  Speaking. 

1.  By  praying  daily  to  God,  Lord,  lett  my  Mouth  show 
forth  thy  Praise. 

2.  By  Reading,  both  of  exemplary  Men,  and  of  profit- 
able Books,  which  may  teach  mee,  the  Government  of  the 
Tongue. 

Lett  mee  then  use  the  Rules  which  I  have  sought,  espe- 
cially 

1.  By  being  a  Person  of  but/ew  Words. 

2.  By  being  deliberate  in  the  Motions  of  my  Tongue  and 
Lip. 

3.  By  avoiding  all  Expressions,  which  I  apprehend  will 
trespass  on  the  Commandments  of  God. 

4.  By  rarely  coming  into  Company,  without  seeking  of 
useful  Discourse  in  the  Company. 

In  so  doing,  the  Tongue  of  the  Stammerer  shall  speak 
plainly. 

26  d.  I  m.  A  PtTRPOSE.  I  have,  by  happy  Experience, 
been  convinced  what  good  may  bee  done,  by  Visits  relig- 
iously performed. 

I  wotdd,  as  soon,  as  is  convenient,  sett  apart  one  After- 
noon, every  Week,  to  visit  all  the  Families,  in  our  Neigh- 
bourhood; and  therein  essay,  as  handsomely  as  I  can,  to 
bring  Persons  of  all  Ages  and  Sexes,  unto  an  Acquaintance 
with  God. 

30  d.  I  m.  In  Prayer,  the  Lord  filled  mee,  with  Faith 
and  Joy,  when  I  considered  that  admirable  Clause  in  the 
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56  DIARY  OF  COTTON  MATHER 

new  Covenant,  /  udll  not  turn  away  from  them  to  do  them 
good;  and  when  I  professed  unto  the  Lord,  that  since  the 
Covenant,  and  all  the  inestimable  Blessings  of  it,  were 
offered  unto  my  Acceptance,  I  did  humbly  lay  hold  thereon; 
And  I  desired,  not  only  an  Interest,  in  all  that  Salvation, 
which  the  Covenant  proposed,  and  above  all,  that  highest 
Blessedness,  of  being  made  like  to  God  and  Jesus  Christ; 
but  also  I  consented  that  Jesus  Christ,  the  Surety  of  the 
Covenant,  should  bee  the  Way,  in  which  all  Mercy  should 
bee  communicated  unto  mee. 

16  d.  2  m.  [April?[  Purposes.  The  Lord  hath  graciously 
given  mee  to  see,  that  I  have  but  one  Thing  to  do  in  the 
World,  and  that  is,  to  become  acquainted  vsith  Him,  so 
as  to  bee  continually  acting  of  Grace  upon  Him. 

The  greater  my  Attainments  in  this  kind,  are,  the  more 
Glory  shall  I  bring  to  my  Blessed  Maker  and  Master. 
Wherefore,  hereunto,  I  press  on. 

1.  Lett  mee  bee  abundant  in  secret  Prayers. 

2.  Lett  mee  carefully  read  some  excellent  Books,  which 
my  Saviour,  in  His  infinite  Faithfulness,  has  bestowed  upon 
mee. 

And  among  the  rest,  Howes  Blessedness  of  the  Right- 
eous.' 

In  the  whole  former  part  of  this  Year  there  occurr'd 
little    Remarkable,    concerning    the    Experiences    of    my 
Ufe. 
Wherefore,  but  little  is  Recorded. 

5  (f.  3  ?».  [A/ay.]  Upon  many  Calls  thereunto  I  spent 
this  Day  in  secret  Prayer  with  Fasting,  before  the  Lord. 

And  I  will,  to  give  one  instructive  Instance,  unto  my 
few  Friends,  with  whom  I  lea\'e  these  papers,  particularly 
recite  the  Method  of  my  Proceedings,  from  the  Beginning, 
to  the  Conclusion,  of  the  Day. 

'John  Howe  (1630-1705),  domestic  chaplain  to  Oliver  Cromwell.  His 
Treatise  on  the  Blessedness  of  the  Righteous  was  printed  in  1668. 

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MAY,     1683  57 

1.  I  Began  the  Day,  with  expressing  before  the  Lord, 
my  Beleef,  of  His  being  a  Rewarder  of  them  which  diligently 
seek  Him,  and  my  Request,  that  Hee  would  now  strengthen 
mee  to  seek  Him. 

2.  I  then  read  the  Chapters  of  the  Bible,  which  occurred 
unto  mee,  in  my  Course  of  Reading;  and  those  Chapters, 
I  largely  turned  into  Prayers,  before  the  Lord. 

3.  Afterwards,  I  essayed  in  Meditation,  to  affect  my 
own  Heart,  with  a  Sense  of  the  manifold  Vileness  where- 
with I  have  provoked  God:  My  old  Sins,  and  my  late 
Sins;  especially  my  woful  Unfruitfulness,  under  my  mar- 
vellous Enjoyments,  Priviledges  and  Advantages. 

AU  which,  I  then  confessed,  and  bewayled,  upon  my 
Knees,  before  God. 

4.  This  done;  I  sang  unto  the  Lord,  that  Hymn  of 
Barton's,  which  is  called.  Confession  of  5w.' 

5.  Hereupon,  I  spent  some  Time  in  pondering  of  a 
profitable  and  a  seasonable  Question;  and  then  in  forming 
of  some  occasional  Reflections. 

6.  I  then  went  again  unto  my  Supplications;  wherein  I 
considered,  that  after  all  my  Vileness,  the  Lord  is  willing 
to  deal  with  mee,  in  the  way  of  the  Covenant  of  Grace;  and 
for  that  End,  offered  imto  mee  such  a  Surety  and  a  Saviour, 
as  the  Blessed  Jesus.  Wherefore,  I  now  stirr'd  up  myself, 
to  take  hold  of  Him,  earnestly  putting  my  Soul,  into  the 
Hands  of  the  Mediator,  and  crying  to  Him  that  Hee  would 
convey  unto  mee,  not  only  Pardon  of  Sin,  but  also  Power 
against  it,  and  make  mee  an  happy  Subject  of  all  His 
redeeming  Works. 

7.  Now,  I  sang  imto  the  Lord,  that  Hynm  in  Barton's 
which  is  entitled.  Humble  Confessions  and  Supplications. 
And  I  sett  myself,  by  further  Meditation,   to  establish 

'  William  Barton  (iS98?-i678),  hymnologist,  whose  verse  translation  of  the 
Psalms  was  first  published  in  1644,  and  ran  through  many  editions  in  the  Ufe- 
time  of  the  author,  and  with  many  alterations  of  text.  He  complained  of  editions 
printed  by  stealth,  but  in  large  numbers,  both  in  England  and  in  Holland. 

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58  DIARY  OF  COTTON  MATHER 

myself,  in  the  use  of  such  Rules  of  Speech,  as  might  render 
mee,  a  perfect  Man. 

8.  From  which,  I  betook  myself  imto  Prayer.  And  my 
Prayer  now  was,  especially  for  such  a  Door  of  Utterance,  as 
from  Time  to  Time  in  my  Ministry  I  might  have  occasion 
for.  Jffi"  And  I  had  a  full  Assurance,  that  I  was  heard  in 
this  Petition. 

9.  I  then  sang  Part  of  the  51st  Psalm. 

And  so  proceeded  unto  another  Prayer,  wherein  I  pre- 
sented before  the  Lord,  the  Desire  of  Solomon  for  Wisdome; 
and  for  the  Presence  of  God  with  mee,  in  all  the  Concerns 
of  my  Ministry. 

10.  Which  being  finished,  I  sang  Part  of  the  103d. 
Psalm.  And  then  I  examined  myself  by  the  signs  of  a 
State  of  Nature,  and  a  State  of  Grace,  given  in  Mr  X.  Vin- 
cents, True  Touchstone ; '  and  found  Joyful  cause  to  hope. 

11.  In  the  next  Place,  I  made  another  Prayer;  to  recom- 
mend unto  the  Blessing  of  God,  my  particular  Friends,  and 
all  His  people. 

12.  So  I  went  unto  a  Meeting  of  Christians,  that  were 
praeparing  for  the  Communion  tomorrow  and  pray'd  and 
preach' d  with  them. 

13.  Leaving  them  I  visited  a  sick  Neighbour  and  pray'd 
with  him. 

14.  And  last  of  all,  I  shutt  up  the  Day,  renoimcing 
all  Apprehension  of  Merit,  in  my  own  Duties,  and  relying 
upon  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ  alone,  for  Acceptance  and 
Salvation. 

1 2  rf.  3  m.  This  Evening,  I  had  much  Satisfaction  of 
Mind  in  contriving  what  noble  Allainmenls,  I  should  bee 
continually  pursuing  of.     And  while  I  was  lying  on  my 

'  Nathaniel  Vincent  (i63Q?-i697),  an  ejected  minister.  The  True  Touch- 
stone was  printed  in  i68i.  "Mr.  Vincent,"  wrote  Samuel  Baker  to  Increase 
Mather  in  January,  1682-83,  "  '^  London  minister,  convicted  on  the  35th  of  Eliz; 
lies  a  prisoner  his  3  months,  then  must  leave  the  king's  dominions  or  suffer  death." 
4  Collections,  viil.  511. 

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MAY,     I  6  83  59 

Couch,  in  the  Dark  of  the  Evening,  I  extempore  composed 
the  following  Hymn,  which  I  then  sang  imto  the  Lord. 

High  Attainments. 

Lord,  what  shall  I  return  unto  Him,  from  Whom  all  my  mercies 
flow? 

(I)  To  mee  to  live,  it  Christ  shall  bee. 

For  AU  I  do,  I'l  do  for  Thee. 
(II)  My  Quastion  shall  bee  oft  beside. 

How  thou  mayst  most  bee  glorified/ 
(m)  I  will  not  any  creature  love, 

But  in  the  Love  of  Thee  above. 
(IV)   Thy  Will  I  shall  embrace  for  mine, 

And  every  Management  of  Time 

Shall  please  mee  (V.)  A  Conformity 

To  Thee,  shall  bee  my  Aim  and  Eye. 
(VI)  Ejactilalions  shall  ascend, 

Not  seldome  from  mee.    (VII.)   I'l  attend 

Occasional  Reflections,  and 

Turn  all  to  Gold  that  comes  to  hand. 
(VII)'  And  in  particular,  among 

My  Cares,  I'll  try  to  make  my  Tongue, 

A  Tree  of  Life;  by  speaking  all 

As  bee  accountable  who  seall. 
(IX)   But  last,  yea,  first,  of  all  I  will 

Thy  Son  my  Surety  make,  and  still 

Implore  Him,  that  Hee  would  mee  bless 

With  Strength,  as  well  as  Righteousness. 

I  designed  rather  Pietie,  than  Poetrie,  in  these  Lines. 
But  being  truly,  and  briefly,  expressive,  of  the  Desires, 
working  in  my  Soul,  I  afterwards  wrote  the  following 
Explications  of  them. 

Notes. 

I.  That  I  may  press  after  the  apostolical  Excellency. 

To  mee  to  live  is  Christ,  I  would  endeavour  to  dedicate 
every  Day  of  my  Life  unto  God,  yea,  to  dedicate  each 

'  Error  for  VIII. 

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6o  DIARY  OF  COTTON  MATHER 

Action  of  every  Day,  as  far  as  I  can,  unto  the  Honour  of 
God.  In  the  Morning  I  would  Uft  up  my  Heart,  unto 
Him,  who  knowes  my  Thoughts  afar  of,  saying  this  Day  shall 
be  spent  in  the  Acknowledgments  of  God.  And,  as  far  as  I  can, 
to  each  new  Improvement  of  myself,  natural,  civil,  and  relig- 
ious, I  would  putt  such  a  Preface  as  that,  Thy  Glory  is  in 
this  aimed  at,  0  God !  In  aU  which,  I  would  have  a  special 
Respect  unto  the  Magnifying  of  that  Mediator,  whose  redeem- 
ing Works,  wUl  come  to  bee  considered,  in  my  Obedience. 

2.  Besides  the  welcome  Entertainment  which  I  would 
give,  all  the  Day  long,  unto  Methods  that  may  occur  for  my 
Serving  of  God,  I  would  for  the  most  part,  every  Week, 
sett  apart  a  Time,  to  consider,  what  is  there  that  I  may 
do  for  God.  First,  in  my  own  Heart  and  Life,  and  then 
in  every  Relation  instanced  by  mee!  And  reserve  many 
written  Memorials,  of  my  Conclusions  and  Contrivances. 

3.  I  must  look  to  it,  that  I  love  Creatures,  under  what- 
soever endearing  Circumstances  they  court  my  Affections, 
with  a  Love,  not  only  less  than  my  Love  to  God,  but  also,  on 
the  Score,  and  for  the  Sake  of  my  Love  to  God;  whose  Beauty 
or  Image  resting  thereon,  with  an  Advantage  thereby  putt 
into  my  Hands  for  the  glorifying  of  Him,  shall  bee  the 
Reason,  of  my  Love  thereimto.  Since,  Non  amat  te,  qui 
quid  amat  Ic,  prater  tc,  quod  turn  amut  propter  te.  And  one 
manifestation  hereof,  shall  be  my  Jacob-\\ke,  paying  to  the 
divine  Majesty,  such  a  Rent  of  my  possessions,  as  the  Tithes 
of  all  my  Income,  whether  in  Salary,  or  in  Donation. 

4.  I  am  to  resign  all  my  Concerns  unto  Him,  without 
whom  not  a  lillle  Bird  falls  unto  the  Ground.  And  I  would 
so  own  His  Hatul  ordering  and  managing  all  that  betides 
mee,  as  that  I  would  rest  contented  therewithal,  in  a  Con- 
fidence that  it  is  a  Dispensation  of  Him,  who  is  both  a 
wise  Friend  and  my  best  Friend;  and  whose  Cravings  for 
mee,  are  infinitely  better  than  any  Cravings  of  my  own. 
This  is  to  issue  in  my  having  no  will  opposed  unto  His. 

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MAY,     1683  61 

S-  My  highest  Acquisition,  I  will  reckon  to  bee,  a  Like- 
ness unto  God.  To  love  that  which  God  loves,  and  hate 
that  which  God  hates;  to  bee  holy  as  God  is  holy,  and  like 
Him,  a  great  For  giver;  and  bee  His  Child,  as  much  as  may  bee 
like  the  jtist  at  the  Resurrection  from  the  Dead.  This  will 
I  seek,  as  the  noblest  Crown,  that  ever  I  can  wear;  and 
that  which  the  Thorns  placed  upon  the  Temples  of  the 
greatest  earthly  Monarchs,  were  never  worthy  to  bee 
compared  with.  O  That  I  may  bee  conformable  unto 
the  communicable  Attributes  of  God,  and  agreeable  unto  his 
Incommunicable. 

6.  Every  Day,  and  at  such  Minutes,  as  I  have  not  Lib- 
erty to  make  my  more  sett  Visits  unto  the  God  of  Heaven, 
I  would  then  ty  my  Desires  imto  the  Arrowcs  of  cjacidatory 
Prayers,  and  so  shoot  them  over  the  Heads  of  aU  Interrup- 
tions. 

Every  Opportunitie,  to  speak  well  of  Him  that  redeems 
mee  from  all  Adversitie  I  would  have,  not  pass  mee,  without 
a  Lord,  I  thank  tJiee.  When  I  read  or  hear,  anything  of 
Importance,  I  would  add  a  pertinent  Scdley  of  Soul  to  Heaven 
upon  it.  I  would  never  answer  a  weighty  Quastion,  with- 
out such  a  silent  Petition  to  God,  for  Direction  in  it.  Yea, 
As  I  walk  in  the  Street,  or  sitt  in  the  House,  tho'  I  will  not 
bee  so  Pharisaical  as  to  show  it,  yett  I  will  use  frequently 
to  lift  up  a  cry  unto  God,  for  some  suitable  Blessing,  to  bee 
vouchsafed  unto  the  Persons  that  I  have  before  mee,  not 
knowing,  but  that  Thousands  of  Men,  Women,  and  Chil- 
dren may  fare  the  better  for  mee;  however  I  shall  myself 
have  the  Comfort  of  exercising  this  Christlike  Disposition, 
of  an  universal  Charitie  to  Mankind,  and  my  Prayers  will 
return  into  my  own  Bosom.  Oh!  Blessed  the  man  that 
hath  his  Quiver  filled  with  such  Arrowes. 

7.  The  World,  is  filled  with  loud  and  plain  Preachers, 
whose  Instructions,  it  shall  bee  no  lesse  a  Pleasure,  than  a 
Profit  for  mee,  to  yeeld  Attention  unto.     And  especially. 

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62  DIARY  OF  COTTON  MATHER 

the  little  Parcels,  Fragments,  and  Intervals  of  Time,  wherein 
the  Generalitie  of  People,  do  suffer  their  minds  to  ly  like  the 
Field  of  the  Sluggard,  overgrown  with  Weeds,  I  would  have 
to  bee  so  well-husbanded  by  mee,  as  that  at  aU  Places 
of  Diversion,  I  would  be  at  my  spiritual  Alchymie.  The 
candid  Lessons,  thus  received,  shall  not  bee  dismissed  with- 
out a  gainful  Ejactdalion,  unto  the  God  of  all  Grace. 

8.  It  was  the  Resolution  of  the  Psalmist,  whose  Tongue 
was  his  Glory,  to  take  heed  that  hee  sinned  not  with  His  Tongue. 
And  it  shall  bee  my  Study  to  do  this,  which  the  Apostle 
pronounces  the  Praerogative  of,  a  perfect  Man.  What 
Solomon  ascribes  to  the  Tongue  of  the  Righteous,  is  to  bee 
endeavoured  by  my  Tongue;  which,  by  uttering  my  Con- 
ceptions cautiously,  moderately,  deliberately,  and  by  making 
all  that  come  into  my  Company,  the  Partakers  of  some 
useftd  Notion,  shall  discover  mee,  to  bee  under  the  Awe  of 
that  Admonition,  of  cocry  idle  Word  shall  an  Account  bee 
given. 

9.  The  former  honest  Purposes,  are  amiable,  are  neces- 
sary. But  the  Things  are  too  great  for  mee,  and  I  cannot 
do  them  myself  alone.  Wherefore  my  Dependence  must  bee 
upon  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  for  the  Pardon  of  my  Defects, 
and  for  a  Supply  of  Grace  that  shall  bee  sufficient  for  mee. 
Unto  Him  will  I,  in  the  most  explicit  and  importunate 
manner  betake  myself;  and  that  still,  forever;  unto  Him, 
as  my  Prophet,  Priest,  and  King;  with  the  Profession,  In 
the  Lord  have  I  Righteousness  and  Strength. 

Surely,  Hee  that  doeth  these  Things,  shall  never  bee  moved. 

14  d.  3  m.  Purposes.  I  shall  bee  serviceable  to  God,  in 
being  serviceable  to  Man ;  especially  with  Sord-Service.  And 
how  shall  I  better  bee  so ;  than  by  fervent  Prayers  ?  Where- 
fore I  design, 

I.  To  take  the  Bills,'  that  are  putt  for  Prayer  or  Praise, 

'  A  few  of  the  original  slips  or  bills  sent  to  Mather  have  been  preserved.  "  Ben- 
jamin Elton  Bound  to  Sea  Desires  prayers  for  him,  that  God  would  Bless  and 

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MAY,     1683  63 

in  our  Congregation,  and  afterwards  present  the  particular 
Cases,  there  exhibited,  before  the  Lord,  in  my  Study,  where 
I  may  more  particularly  implore  the  Grace  of  God,  for  each 
of  them,  than  I  did  in  the  pubhc. 

2.  To  ask  myself,  before  my  evening  Prayers  in  secret, 
Who  has  in  the  foregoing  Day  show'd  mee  any  Kindness? 
and  particularly  supphcate  the  God  of  Heaven,  that  Hee 
would  bestow  spiritual  and  eternal  Favours,  on  each  of 
them  that  have  so  obHged  mee. 

14  rf.  3  w.  I  am  extremely  defective  in  recording  par- 
ticular Providences,  that  appear  in  the  conduct  of  my 
Life.  But  indeed  I  am  so  shallow,  that  I  carmot  easi'y 
avoid  the  Fault  of  being,  either  negligent  on  one  side,  or 
superstitious  on  other. 

However,  I  will  now  mention  one  Uttle  Thing  of  the 
same  Kind,  that  I  have  seen  many,  in  the  Course  of  my 
Life;  and  it  may  bee,  t'will  do  some  Friend  or  other  some 
good,  that  I  should  mention  it. 

I  was  owner  of  a  Watch,  whereof  I  was  very  fond,  for 
the  Varietie  of  Motions  in  it.  My  Father  was  desirous  of 
this  Watch,  and  I,  in  a  manner,  gave  it  him,  with  such 
Thoughts,  /  owe  him  a  great  deal  more  than  tJiis;  and  the 
Observation  of  the  fifth  Commandment,  never  wants  a  Recom- 
pense. Quickly  after  this,  there  came  to  mee  a  Gentle- 
woman, from  whom  I  had  no  Reason  to  expect  so  much  as 
a  Visit,  but  in  her  Visit,  shee  to  my  surprise,  pray'd  mee  to 
accept,  as  a  present  from  her,  a  Watch;  which,  was  indeed 
preferrible  imto  that  which  I  had  before  parted  with.'    I 

prosper  him  and  in  Safety  Retume  him."  "Anne  Williams  would  Return  thanks 
to  God  for  Hire  safe  deliverance  in  child  bead,  and  desires  your  prayers  for  Hir 
Absent  Husband  Abroad  at  see."  "Thomas  Diamond  Returned  from  see  Desirs 
to  Returne  thanks  to  God  for  his  mercies  to  him."  Sewall  records  in  his  Diary,  I. 
68,  "I  put  up  a  Note  to  pray  for  the  Indians  that  Light  might  be  communicated 
to  them  by  the  Candlestick,  but  my  Note  was  with  the  latest,  and  so  not  pro- 
fessedly prayed  for  at  all." 

'  In  February,  1893,  the  Society  received  as  a  gift  from  Mrs.  Elizabeth  Anna 
Byles  Ellis,  a  watch  which  bad  long  been  in  the  Mather  family.    It  was  made 

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64  DIARV   OF  COTTON  MATHER 

resolved  hereupon,  to  stirr  up,  Dutijulness  unto  Parents,  in 
my  Neighbours,  more  than  ever;  and  redeem  the  Time, 
which  I  was  helped  thus  to  Measure. 

T,x  d.  3  m.  A  Purpose.  I  have  many  Enjoyments.  One 
way  of  improving  them  all,  for  the  glory  of  God,  will  bee, 
by  making  them  the  Subjects  of  my  occasional  Reflections. 
They  shall  then  afford  mee  Multitudes,  hundreds,  thousands 
of  Lessons  about  the  Kingdome  of  God. 

2,d.  ^m.  [June.]  Lord's-Day.  Intending  to  record  no 
more  of  my  sacramental  Methods,  I  will  distinctly  at  this 
Time  recite  the  Workings  of  my  Heart  at  the  Table  of  the 
Lord. 

While  the  Bread  was  breaking,  I  considered,  that  the 
Lord  Jesus  Christ  had  given  Himself. 

To  whom?   For  whom? 

The  Answer  is  made,  mec;  for  the  Sign  and  Seal  thereof, 
is  brought  unto  mee. 

But  for  what  End?  Even,  that  I  may  become  very 
holy. 

Then  I  sett  myself,  to  entertain  such  Considerations 
drawn  from  the  Death  of  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  as  might 
induce  mee  unto  Holiness.  And  I  look'd  up  unto  Him, 
for  the  Communication  of  so  great  Salvation. 

While  the  Wine  was  filling,  I  considered.  That  the  Lord 
Jesus  Christ  was  crucified. 

On  whose  Behalf? 

On  mine.  For  so  I  hear  the  voice  here  uttered.  Shed 
for  you. 

I  then  resolved,  that  I  would  crucify  all  the  Lusts  of 
the  Flesh;  inasmuch  as  either  they  had  killed  the  Lord 
Jesus  Christ,  or  else  they  would  kill  mee. 

This  Work  I  now  began,  b>'  doing  unto  my  Lusts,  as 
the  Jcwes  did  unto  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ.     They  enquired, 

by  D.  Quare,  London,  and  bears  the  numbrr  807.  On  the  case  of  the  works 
has  been  scratched  the  year  lyi:,  probably  the  date  of  a  repair.  With  it  are 
two  silver  seals. 

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JUNE,      1683  65 

who  and  where  Hee  was?  and  I  said,  Lord,  make  mee  to 
know  my  Transgression  and  my  Sin. 

They  brought  Him  then  before  the  Rulers.  And  I  pre- 
sented my  Corruptions  before  God. 

They  soUidted,  that  Hee  might  bee  slain,  as  worthy  of 
Death.  And  I  professed  unto  the  Lord,  that  for  innimierable 
Reasons,  I  thought  my  Iniquities  worthy  to  dy,  and  I  be- 
sought the  Lord  now  to  destroy  those  Enemies  in  my  Heart, 
that  would  not  have  Him  to  reign  over  mee. 

And  I  purposed  that  I  would  hereafter  bee  as  active 
in  the  Execution  of  these  evil  Liclinations  as  the  Jewes 
were  in  the  execution  of  my  dearest  Redeemer. 

1 1  d.  4  w.  The  first  of  my  Father's  Children  that  have 
Dyed  and  the  Ninth  of  his  Children,  my  Uttle  Sister 
Katharine,  dyed  this  Day.' 

When  shee  was  opened,  it  was  foimd,  that  the  right  Lobe 
of  her  Lungs  was  utterly  wasted  and  not  any  thing  but  about 
three  Quarters  of  a  Pint  of  Quittor,  in  the  room  thereof. 

Shee  was  not  a  year  old;  and  had  lain  sick,  for  four  or 
five  months. 

Purposes.  I.  There  are  brought  unto  my  Hands,  the 
Lives  of  many  excellent  Christians  and  Ministers;  namely, 
Sam:  Clarks  last  Volumes;  where  among  the  rest  there  is 
the  Life  of  my  Grandfather  Mather.^  In  reading  hereof,  I 
would  particularly  take  notice  of  such  passages  as  rendered 
other  Persons  excellent;  and  vigorously  endeavour  to  follow 
them. 

n.  There  is  an  old  Hawker,  who  will  fill  this  Coimtrey 
with  devout  and  useful  Books,  if  I  will  direct  him;  I  will 
therefore  direct  Him,  and  assist  him,  as  far  as  I  can,  in 
doing  so. 

'  She  was  born  September  14,  1683. 

•  Samuel  Clarke  (1599-1683). 

"I  faave  seen  Mr.  Clark's  late  book,  and  am  ill  pleased  with  that  abuse  of 
my  father's  life.  But  it  caimot  now  bee  helped."  Nathaniel  Mather  to  Increase 
Mather,  August  13,  1683.    4  Collections,  vm.  50. 

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66  DIARY  OF  COTTON  MATHER 

i8  J.  4OT.  Purposes.  I.  I  may  do  something  for  God 
in  my  Visits.  And  therefore,  as  an  Effect  of  my  constant 
and  earnest  Cares,  to  carry  on  holy  Designs,  in  my  occa- 
sional Diversions,  I  now  think  of  one  Rule,  which  I  have 
not  formerly  so  much  observed;  That  I  should,  for  my 
ordinary  Farewel  to  my  christian  Friends,  as  my  parting 
with  them,  contrive  to  commend  unto  them  some  suitable 
Text  of  Scripture,  whereof  they  may  think,  when  I  am  gone 
from  them. 

II.  I  would  endeavour  to  do  much  more  for  God,  in 
my  Studies.  And  therefore  I  would,  if  I  can  attain  it,  bee 
a  more  early  Riser,  for  them. 

25  d.  4  m.  The  Lord  sent  mee  a  httle  Book,  of  Mr 
Corbet's;  entituled.  Self -Employment.^  In  the  dose  of  which 
Book,  I  found  some  excellent  Resolutions  of  his,  from  whence 
I  singled  out  these  that  follow,  for  my  more  assiduous 
Meditation  and  Imitation. 

"In  Arguing  with  another,  watch  against  every  inordinate  Heat, 
loud  Speaking,  and  every  rash  word. 

"If  any  Neglect,  or  Sleight  thee,  care  not  for  it,  yett  observe  it. 

"  Any  matter  of  Trial  to  thee,  reckon  among  thy  Gains. 

"Take  no  Delight  of  Sense,  but  in  a  manifest  and  direct  Sub- 
serviency to  spiritual  Ends;  and  use  not  that  Delight  to  irritate,  but 
to  allay  Sensualitie. 

"When  thou  art  in  Company,  where  the  Talk  is  but  vain,  watch 
to  putt  in  a  Word  that  may  bee  for  Edification. 

"If  any  despise  thee,  do  not  bear  a  Grudge  against  him  for  it, 
and  bee  not  offended  with  any,  meerly  because  they  do  not  honour 
Thee. 

"When  thou  art  framing  Excuses,  take  heed  of  speaking  an  Un- 
truth, or  approaching  too  near  it.  Lest  in  avoiding  the  offence  of 
Man,  thou  make  too  bold  with  God.  Take  heed  of  this  also,  when 
thou  wouldst  speak  pleasingly. 

"Use  no  Recreation,  or  Delight  of  Sense,  but  what  thou  canst, 
at  the  very  Time,  desire  of  God,  may  bee  sanctified,  unto  spiritual 
Ends. 

'John  Corbet  (i6jo-i68o),  an  ejected  minister.  Self-Employmtni  in  Secret 
was  issued  in  1681,  and  passed  through  many  editions. 

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JULY,     1683  67 

"When  thou  hearest,  that  another  hath  spoken  any  thing  unto 
thine  Injury,  or  Disparagement,  beware  of  a  Transport  of  Anger;  that 
thou  speak  not  harshly  or  unadvisedly  against  him;  or  too  passion- 
ately for  thyself;  or,  as  too  much  concerned  for  thyself. 

"Uphold  the  Reputation  of  thy  Collegue;  or  any  that  is  joined 
with  thee,  in  Service,  as  thou  wouldst  thiTie  own. 

"Watch  against  all  secret  Pleasure,  in  the  lessening  of  Another, 
for  the  advancing  of  Thyself. 

"When  thou  hast  an  Opportunitie  of  speaking  a  Word,  for  the 
Good  of  another's  Soul,  defer  not  the  doing  of  it,  until  another  Time. 

"Watch  against  all  bitter,  and  over-passionate  Speeches  against 
malignant  Opposers  of  the  Truth.  For  Meekness  of  Spirit,  and 
Behaviour  is  more  according  to  Christ,  than  wrathful  Zeal. 

"Bee  not  discomposed  about  some  petty  Absurdities  of  Behaviour, 
or  Uttle  Indecorums,  or  Oversights;  for  so  to  bee,  is  Pusillanimitie. 

"When  thou  hast  conceived  a  Dislike  of  any  Person,  his  Wayes, 
or  Actions,  or  dost  ill  resent  his  Carriage  towards  thee,  take  heed 
thou  do  not  take  any  secret  Pleasure  in  the  Foresight  of  Evil  coming 
upon  him,  or  in  hearing  or  observing  any  such  Folly  of  his,  as  tends 
to  his  Reproche,  or  Ruine,  or  notable  Damage. 

"After  thy  public  Ministrations,  in  prayer  and  preaching,  bee 
not  thoughtful,  or  much  concerned,  how  Men  like  thy  Performance, 
but  bee  concerned  for  this,  how  acceptable  it  is  to  God,  and  how 
effectual  and  successful,  to  holy  and  saving  Ends. 

"Watch  every  Opportunitie,  to  putt  in  a  savoury  Word,  for  the 
Good  of  a  Soul,  with  whom  thou  hast  Occasion  of  Converse. 

"Bee  as  serious  and  hearty;  in  thy  Prayers  to  God,  for  the  Con- 
cerns of  Others,  as  for  thine  Own. 

"Do  not  value  other  Men,  according  to  their  Esteem  of  thee;  but 
according  to  their  trtie  Worth. 

"Watch  against  the  Expectation  of  hearing  thy  own  Praise;  and 
when  such  a  Thought  arises,  instantly  suppress  it. 

"Watch  against  all  Eagerness  and  immoderate  Delight,  in  eating 
and  drinking;  and  against  minding  any  kind  of  Food,  for  the  Pleasing 
of  the  Sense. 

"By  no  means,  lett  Pride  sett  thee  to  study,  or  preach  or  pray, 
or  carry  thee  on,  in  any  Service." 

In  such  Things  as  these,  0  my  Soul,  are  thy  Deficiencies; 

In  such  Things  now,  lett  bee  thy  Excellencies. 

gd.  sm.  [Jttly.]    About  this  Tintie,   I  sett  myself,   to 
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68  DIARY  OF  COTTON  MATHER 

promote  a  pious  and  praying  Meeting,  among  the  young 
People,  in  the  south  part  of  Boston;  for  the  Prevention  of 
the  Mischiefs  arising  from  vain  Company,  and  as  a  Nursery 
to  the  Church  there.  But  the  Matter  did  not  obtain  so 
far  as  I  desired. 

It  was  afterwards  obtained;  when  there  were  such 
Numbers  of  young  Men  from  the  South  End  of  the  Town, 
joined  unto  the  Meeting  at  the  North,  as  that  I  could  make 
of  them  enough  to  constitute,  a  distinct  Meeting.  They 
did  so,  and  at  their  first  Setting  up,  I  preach'd  unto 
them.' 

i$d.  sm.  This  Day,  over-looking  the  Addresses  of  per- 
sons to  join  imto  our  Church,  I  foimd  above  thirty  Seals 
of  my  Ministry  in  this  Place,  among  these  Papers.  From 
whence  I  may  form  a  probable  Computation,  of  many  scores, 
that  have  here  and  elsewhere  been  thereby  helped  in  their 
Acquaintance  with  the  Lord.     Blessed  be  God. 

26  d.  5  m.  This  Evening,  as  I  was  walking  where  I  had 
such  a  prospect  of  our  Neighbourhood,  as  gave  mee  to  see 
that  God  had  cast  my  Lot,  in  a  place  exceedingly  Populous, 
I  found  my  Heart,  after  a  more  than  ordinary  Manner 
melted  in  Desires  after  the  Conversion  and  Salvation  of 
the  Souls  in  this  Place.  ^  And  my  Soul,  was  afterwards 
exceedingly  transported,  in  Prayers  for  such  a  Mercy. 

i&' Memorandum.  Using  of  sacred  Meditations  (with 
mixed  Supplications)  at  my  waking  Minutes,  every  Morning, 
in  my  Bed,  and  in  this  Course,  going  over  many  Portions 
of  the  Scriptures  a  Verse  at  a  Time,  the  Thought  of  Isaac 
having  his  happy  Consort  brought  unto  him,  when  and 
where,  hee  was  engag'd  in  his  holy  Medilatimis,  came  some- 
times into  my  Mind,  and,  I  had  sometimes  a  strange  Per- 
swasion;    that  there  would  a  Time  come,  when  I  should 

'  Written  in  the  margin. 

'  The  usual  estimates  of  the  population  of  Boston  about  1684  give  between 
four  and  five  thousand  inhabitants. 

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AUGUST,     1683  69 

have  my  Bed  blessed  with  such  a  Consort  given  unto  mee, 
as  Isaac,  the  Servant  of  the  Lord  was  favoured  withal. 

In  the  Beginning  of  August,  spending  about  a  Fort- 
night, with  my  Father  at  Lyn,  where  wee  both  of  us  preached 
on  two  successive  Sabbaths,  I  enjoy'd  many  happy  Hours, 
in  the  coimtrey-Retirements  of  the  Fields;  and  in  some 
of  those  «®"  Retirements,  I  received  strong  and  strange 
Assurances,  That  the  God  of  Heaven  intended,  not  only  to 
bless  me,  hut  also  to  make  mee  a  Blessing. 

27  d.  6  m.  [August.]  Considering  my  own  many  Sins 
and  Wants  and  the  many  Sorrowes  of  the  Church,  I  sett 
apart  this,  for,  a  Day  of  Prayer,  with  Fasting,  in  my  study, 
before  the  Lord. 

I  judged  myself  before  God,  for  my  horrible  Transgres- 
sions of  all  Sorts;  and  on  the  Distresses  of  my  Soul,  behold- 
ing my  Miseries,  by  my  imavoidable  Exposedness  unto  the 
Wrath  of  God;  and  my  insuperable  Estrangedness  from  the 
Fovmdation  of  all  Good;  but  beleeving  that  the  Mediator 
was  yett  wiUing  to  have  Mercy  on  mee,  after  aU  the  Indig- 
nities which  I  had  putt  upon  Him,  if  I  now  look'd  unto 
Him,  I  earnestly  besought  Him,  that  Hee  wotild  graciously 
take  the  Care  of  all  that  concerned  my  Sahation;  and 
rescue  mee  from  all  the  Confusions  which  I  had  brought 
upon  myself  by  my  leaving  of  God;  and  bee  my  Prophet, 
Priest,  and  King  forever.  And  I  professed  unto  Him,  that 
I  left  my  uiomortal  Spirit,  in  His  blessed  Hands,  and  that 
I  wovdd  expect  every  Part  of  my  Welfare,  as  the  Fruit  of 
His  blessed  Satisfaction  and  Intercession ;  and  that  I  would 
submitt  unto  His  glorious  Dominion,  Power  and  Wisdome, 
so  as  never  wittingly  and  willingly  to  withdraw  from  the 
Regulations  thereof;  but  I  would  fly  unto  His  precious 
Blood,  for  Pardon,  whenever  I  perceived  any  Deviation  in 
myself.  And  I  concluded  with  a  triumphant  Hope,  that 
Hee  would  now  delight  in  mee,  to  do  mee  Good;  and  that 
God  would  have  no  Controversie  with  mee;  and  that  I 
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7©  DIARY  OF  COTTON  MATHER 

should  after  a  desireable  Manner  know  Him,  love  Him, 
honour  Him:  that  I  should  find  my  never-dying  Soul  to 
bee  under  the  pecuUar  Care,  of  a  loving  and  faithful  Re- 
deemer in  the  Times  of  the  greatest  Extremitie  that  should 
ever  come  upon  mee. 

Hence  forward,  rejoice,  0  my  Soul,  in  thy  Saviour. 

This  Day,  I  also  made  a  most  expUcit  Address  unto  the 
Lord  Jesus  Christ,  as  having  all  Keyes  in  His  Hands,  for 
my  Speech,  that  I  might  have  such  continual  and  sufficient 
Supplies  of  it,  as  in  my  Mmistry  I  had  Occasion  for.  I 
adored,  I  confessed.  His  infinite  Might.  I  praised  Him 
for  His  Mercy;  I  exceedingly  bewayled  the  Sins  of  my 
Tongue.  I  declared,  I  asked  for  a  Tongue  only  to  serve 
Him,  and  bespeak  the  Loves  and  Lives  of  my  Neighbours 
for  Him;  and  I  concluded,  with  a  glorious  Assurance,  that 
the  J®"  Tongue  of  the  Stammerer  should  speak  Plainly;  and 
whereas  there  are  vUe  Mortals,  who  have  questioned  His 
Deity,  I  should  from  an  happy  Experience  testify,  That 
verily  Hee  is  GOD,  and  His  Kingdome  ruleth  over  all. 
Whereto  I  added, 

"Only,  O  Lord,  thy  Servant  herewith,  does  vow  unto 
Thee,  that  Hee  Will  endeavour  to  honour  Thee,  with  His 
poor  Speech,  more  than  heretofore ;  and  labour  after  greater 
DeUberation,  Gravity,  Savouriness  therein,  than  hee  has 
yett  attended  or  attained."    Amen,  Lord  lett  mee  do  so! 

But  in  the  Close  of  this  Day  I  formed  certain  Contriv- 
ances, about  my  Walk  with  God,  which  ha\ing  in  them  some- 
thing of  Curiosilie,  I  shall  give  a  particular  Account  of  them. 

I  was  desirous,  not  only  to  entertain  Purposes  of  glori- 
fying my  glorious  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  but  also  to  honour 
Him  with  my  Substance,  particularly  thro'  my  being  thereby 
quickened  unto  Stedfastness  in  those  Purposes. 

There  now  occurr'd  unto  mee,  no  way  more  ingenious, 
or  ingenuous,  than  for  mee  to  awe  myself  mto  Faithfulness 
unto  them,  with  Forfeits  upon  that. 

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AtrGUST,i683  71 

Such  Penalties,  I  also  saw,  would  lay  mee  under  a  neces- 
sitie  to  Do  Good  still,  one  Way  or  other. 

Herein  I  was  very  far  from  any  vile  Imagination,  That 
I  could  buy  of  the  Guilt  of  any  Omission  whatsoever;  I 
knew,  I  own'd,  that  only  the  precious  Blood  of  the  Lamb 
of  God,  signified  anything  to  do  that.  But  I  imagined, 
that  for  mee  to  make  my  Omissions  more  painful  and  costly 
unto  my  Flesh  would  bee  to  furnish  myself,  with  effectual 
Monitors  of  my  Duty. 

Wherefore,  I  now  purposed,  that  if  I  did  any  Day  omitt 
such  or  such  Exercises  of  Religion,  which  I  have  hereto- 
fore prescribed  imto  myself,  I  vfouLd  forfeit  a  certain  Piece 
of  Money,  (besides  and  beyond  my  Tithes)  to  be  given  imto 
the  Poor. 

These  Usages,  I  continued  for  some  while,  until  I  found 
my  Disposition  unto  such  Methods  of  conversing  with  God, 
so  strengthened,  that  I  had  not  so  much  Need  of  using  these 
Incitements  any  longer. 

Thus,  I  have  sometimes  laid  a  Penally,  for  some  while 
upon  myself,  that  if  in  joining  with  the  Prayers  of  another, 
I  did  lett  more  than  one  entire  Sentence  pass  mee  at  any 
Time  without  annexing  some  Ejaculation  pertinent  there- 
unto, I  would  forfeit  a  Piece  of  Money  to  bee  given  imto 
the  Poor.  And  I  foimd  this  Effect  of  it,  that  in  a  Week  or 
two,  I  had  little  Occasion  to  lay  my  Penalty;  for  I  found, 
my  Distractions  in  my  Duties,  which  had  been  my  Plague, 
most  wonderfully  cured. 

Thus  also,  I  have  sometimes  laid  a  Penalty  upon  myself, 
on  a  Lord's-Day,  that  if  thro'  the  whole  Day,  I  spoke  one 
Word,  which  I  could  not  judge  proper  to  bee  spoken  on 
such  a  Day,  I  would,  in  like  manner,  forfeit.  And  I  found 
myself  marvellously  strengthened  by  this  Caution,  in  keep- 
ing the  Lord's-Day  at  such  a  Rate,  as  was  unto  mee,  a  little- 
Praelibation  of  the  rest  remaining  for  the  People  of  God. 

Moreover,  because  at  this  Time  I  kept  a  Diary  of  my 

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72  DIARY  OF  COTTON  MATHER 

daily  Actions,  I  now  purposed,  that  I  would  note  no  Action 
in  my  Diary,  except  it  had  been  praefaced  or  attended,  with 
some  such  Motion  of  Soul  as  this.  Oh,  Lord  this  is  that 
thou  mayst  bee  glorified!  or.  Thy  Glory  is  in  this  aimed  at, 
Oh  God! 

That  I  may  but  just  exemplify  the  Watch  which  the 
Lord  in  those  Dayes  helped  mee  to  keep  over  my  Walk, 
I  will  here  transcribe  only  the  Actions  of  one  Day,  namely 
the  first  occurring  in  that  part  of  the  Diaries  then  written 
by  mee. 

"2&d.6m.  1683.  Legi  Exod.  34,  35,  36,  Oravi.  Exa- 
minavi  Adolescentes.  Legi  Cartesium.  Legi  Commen- 
tatores  in  Joh.  6.  37.  Jentacul:  Paravi  Concionem. 
Orationi  interfui  Domesticae.  Audivi  pupiUos  Recitantes. 
Legi  Salmon  pharmacop:*  pransus  simi.  Visitavi  plures 
Amicos.  Legi  \'aria.  Paravi  concionem.  Audivi  pupillos 
Recitantes.  Meditat:  On  t/te  exceeding  Willingness  of  the 
Lord  Jesus  to  Do  good  unto  those  that  come  unto  Him;  and, 
I  resolve, 

"As  to  bee  encouraged  in  my  Addresses  unto  the  Lord 
Jesus  for  His  Mercy,  from  the  Thoughts  of  His  Mercifulness, 
thus  also  to  endeavour  that  I  may  bee  like  unto  Him  in 
humble  and  ready  Helpfulness  unto  others.  Oravi.  Cae- 
navi.  Paravi  concionem.     Orationi  Interfui  Domesticae." 

Thus,  I  find  my  Diary,  entering  it  may  bee  twenty 
Actions  in  a  Day,  which  had  been  all  of  them  expHcitly 
dedicated  unto  God.  And  I  continued  thus  noting  my 
Actions  in  my  Diary,  till  my  sinful,  slothful  Heart  grew 
weary  of  it;  besides,  I  afterward  said  t'was  but  Loss  of 
Time,  and  a  Thing  of  no  worth  or  use,  to  keep  such  Records. 
Wherefore  I  left  oflf  writing  of  them. 

Nor  may  it  bee  thought,  that  I  have  every  Day  been  so 

'  William  Salmon  (1644-1713),  a  voluminous  and  somewhat  notorious  writer 
on  medicine,  who  visited  New  England  in  his  travels;  but  in  what  year  has  not 
been  determined.  His  Pharmacopoeia  Lotuiintnsis  was  probatly  what  Mather 
used. 

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SEPTEMBER,     1683  73 

watchftd;  however  the  Free-grace  of  God  helped  mee  not 
a  Few.i 

I  continued,  indeed,  a  considerable  while  in  that  prac- 
tice.' 

When  I  did  at  last  leave  off  recording  the  Actions  every 
Day  explicitly  dedicated  unto  God,  I  added  these  words, 
in  my  Diary : 

"I  perceive  that  for  mee  to  note  down  all  the  Actions 
in  the  Day,  which  I  have  given  up  to  God,  is,  however 
specious  to  bee  attempted,  yett  not  ecisy  to  bee  performed, 
nor  us^td  when  it  is  performed.     Wherefore, 

"I  shall  with  all  possible  Care  uphold,  yea,  advance  and 
augment,  my  own  Diligence  and  Devotion. 

"And  all  my  Services,  to  my  Maker  and  Master,  I  desire 
may  bee,  as  already  the  most  of  them  have  been,  both 
canceled  and  forgotten,  by  every  one  except  Him  alone,  who 
will  not  for gett  my  Labour  of  Love." 

My  Diaries,  wherein  I  had  written  the  Course  of  my 
Study  and  preaching,  and  the  Resolves  of  Piety  upon  my 
Daily  course  of  Meditation,  I  have  thrown,  as  useless  Papers 
into  the  Fire.' 

10  d.  7  m.  [September]  Pxirposes.  Yesterday  I  ear- 
nestly call'd  upon  my  Hearers  to  putt  this  Qucestion  some- 
times unto  themselves.  What  is  there,  that  I  may  do  for  the 
Name  of  God?  And  I  must  now  myself  answer  that  Qucestion. 

I.  As  a  CHRISTIAN.  I  may  glorify  God,  more  than 
I  do,  by  an  exceeding  Accuracy  in  my  Walk  with  Him.  To 
befriend  this,  I  may  do  well  to  draw  up  several  and  punctual 
Quaestions,  pursuant  unto  my  three  evening  Interrogatories, 
the  Review  whereof,  every  Evening,  may,  more  than  a  httle 
correct  my  Failings,  and  strengthen  my  Graces,  and  render 
mee  a  spiritually-minded  Man. 

'  Written  in  margin  against  the  first  paragraph. 

'  A  line  struck  out. 

*  Not  one  of  them  seems  to  have  escaped  this  destruction. 

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74  DIARY  OF  COTTON  MATHER 

II.  As  a  MINISTER.  I  may  save  myself  and  them 
that  hear  mee  if  having  preached,  first  upon  the  Duty  of 
Consideration,  I  single  out  suitable  Subjects  for  the  Matter 
of  it;  and  handle  those  important  Subjects,  especially,  the 
cheef  End  of  Man,  the  Day  of  Judgment,  the  everlasting 
Punishment  of  the  Wicked  and,  the  Life  eternal  of  the  Right- 
eous;  in  my  public  Sermons. 

According  to  the  former  of  these  Purposes,  I  have 
methodized  my  nocturnal  Recollections. 

Qujestions  for  the  Evening. 

I.  What  hath  been  Gods  Providence  towards  myself  in 
the  foregoing  Day  ? 

I.  My  Interiour.  2.  My  Exteriour.  3.  My  Friends 
about  mee. 

II.  What  hath  been  my  Behaviour  towards  God,  in  the 
foregoing  Day  ? 

1.  Have  I  lived  this  Day,  imder  a  deep  Sense  of  Mor- 
talitie  and  Eternitic;  and  as  a  Stranger  in  tlie  World? 

2.  Have  I  devoutly  read  the  Word  of  God,  this  Day; 
and  seriously  sought  the  Face  of  God;  both  in  my  Retire- 
ment, and  with  the  Family? 

3.  Have  I  had  many  Ejaculations  this  Day;  both  in  a 
Way  of  Petition,  and  in  a  Way  of  Thanksgiving,  unto  God? 

4.  Have  I  had  most  affectionate  Meditations  upon 
heavenly  Things  this  Day;  and  have  I  made  earthly  Things 
to  occasion  some  of  my  profitable  Reflections? 

5.  Have  I  been  careful  of  my  Discourse  this  day;  and 
spoken  with  a  Tongue  bridled  by  the  Fear  of  the  Lord? 

6.  Have  I  been  diligent  in  my  Calling  this  Day;  and 
avoided  all  needless  Expence  of  my  precious  and  golden 
Minutes  in  Diversions? 

7.  Have  I  this  Day  endeavoured  all  Usefulness,  unto 
those  to  whom  I  am  related,  or  with  whom  I  have  been 
concerned  ? 

8.  Have  I  this  Day  controlled  and  conquered  my  Master 

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SEPTEMBER, 1683  75 

Sin;  and  has  my  Watchfulness  issued  in  my  Victory  over 
my  own  Iniquitie  ? 

III.  Am  I  in  a  fitt  State  and  Frame,  to  dy  this  Night  if 
called  thereunto? 

1.  Do  I  still  choose  the  great  God,  as  my  best  Good,  and 
my  last  End? 

2.  Do  I  still  choose  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  as  my  Prophet, 
my  Priest,  my  King? 

3.  Is  it  still  my  Desire  to  bee  employ 'd  as  a  Witness 
for  His  Truths  and  Wayes  forever? 

Afterwards,  that  I  might  oblige  myself,  unto  a  conven- 
ient Pause  on  each  of  these  Quaestions,  I  composed  the 
following  Hymn,  to  bee  Sung  in  my  evening  Walk  with 
due  Deliberation.! 

Psd.  68. 19.' 
Blest  bee  the  Great  JEVOHAH  who 
Doth  mee  with  Daily  Blessings  Load 
Thou,  with  a  Saviour,  dost  Bestow 
Salvations  on  mee,  O  my  God! 

Psd.   139.   2,  3,  4.» 

To  Thee  my  Wayes  have  all  been  known; 
Known  all  my  Words  have  been  to  Thee: 
Thou  know'st  my  Thoughts;  My  Faults  I  own; 
May  all,  thro'  Christ,  now  pardon'd  bee. 

PhU.  I.  2i.< 

'  To  illustrate  his  method  in  thus  paraphrasing  the  Psalms,  the  texts  are 
added. 

'"Blessed  be  the  Lord,  who  daily  loadeth  us  with  benePts,  even  the  God 
of  our  salvation.     Selah." 

'  "Thou  knowest  my  down-sitting  and  mine  up-rising,  thou  understandest 
my  thought  afar  off." 

"Thou  compassest  my  path  and  my  lying  down,  and  art  acquainted  with 
all  my  ways." 

"For  there  is  not  a  word  in  my  tongue,  but,  lo,  O  Lord,  thou  knowest  it 
altogether." 

Comparison  with  the  Bay  Psalm  Book  does  not  indicate  any  features  favor- 
able to  Mather's  verse.  It  was  John  Cotton's  practice  to  sing  psahns,  though 
whether  of  his  own  paraphrasing  the  record  does  not  show. 

*  "For  me  to  live  is  Christ,  and  to  die  is  gain." 

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y6  DIARY  OF  COTTON  MATHER 

Thy  CHRIST  as  now  my  Life;  I  fly 
To  CHRIST  with  an  enlivened  Faith 
And  now  twill  bee  my  Gain  to  dy 
To  CHRIST  fetcht  by  a  sHngkss  Death. 

II  d.  T  m.  This  Day,  I  did,  with  unaccountable  En- 
largements and  Expansions  of  Heart,  pray  over  my  dear 
Friend,  Mr.  Avery,  who  after  long  unconquerable  Illness, 
was  apprehended  now  irrecoverably  drawing  very  near  his 
End.  But  in  the  very  Time  of  my  Prayer,  the  good  Man, 
felt  as  it  were  a  Load,  or  Cloud,  beginrung  to  roll  off  his 
Spirits;  and  from  that  Instant,  unto  his  own  Admiration, 
hee  began  to  recover;  and  came  abroad  shortly,  unto  the 
Glory  of  God.  Oh!  my  Soul,  why  dost  thou  forgett  such 
Benefits ! 

24  d.  J  m.  A  Purpose.  I  will  quicken  our  Tithing- 
men,^  to  revive  their  Inspections  upon  the  celebration  of 
the  Sabbath,  in  our  Neighbourhood. 

Much  of  Sin,  will  bee  hereby  prevented. 

gd.  8  m.  [October.]  This  Day,  I  took  up  this  RESO- 
LUTION. 

I  will  never  hear  or  see,  that  any  Person  has  wronged 
mee,  or  sleighted  mee,  but  I  will  immediately,  before  Him 
that  sees  in  Secret,  pray  for  the  Welfare  of  that  person  by 
Nam^. 

20  d.  8  m.  The  Apprehension  of  the  marvellous  Mercies 
wherewith  I  am,  on  every  side  surroimded,  awakens  mee, 
to  sett  apart  this  Day,  for  secret  Thanksgi\dngs  to  the  Lord. 

On  this  Day,  besides  other  agreeable  Devotions,  I  sett 
myself  to  read  over  all  the  Mercies  of  God,  which  I  have 
recorded,  in  my  former  Papers,  with  cjaculatory  Pauses 
upon  them  all. 

I  then  meditated,  on  the  spiritual  Blessings,  whereof  the 
wonderful  Grace  of  God,  had  made  mee  a  Partaker.  I  saw, 

'  Regular  oflScers  who  preserved  order  in  the  meetinghouse  during  divine 
service  and  enforced  attendance  upon  it.  They  exercised  a  general  moral  police 
in  the  town,  and  were  elected  by  the  town  annually.    See  3  Procetdings,  xix.  175. 

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OCTOBER,     1683  77 

1.  That  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  had  gone  thro'  the 
Work,  and  even  the  most  humbUng  and  suffering  Work, 
of  a  Mediator  for  mee. 

2.  That  the  Spirit  of  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  had  wrought 
in  mee  such  Works  as  these. 

1.  Hee  has  made  mee  weary  of  my  Distances  from 
God:  So  that  I  behold  a  Vanitie  in  all  other  Objects,  and 
I  abhor  every  Liist  that  carries  mee  after  them,  and  I  cannot 
bear  to  think  of  being  putt  off  with  any  Enjoyments  of 
this  World  for  my  Portion. 

2.  He  has  carried  my  Soul  forth  to  the  Choice  of 
the  right  End,  and  of  the  right  Way  to  reach  that  End. 
So  that, 

1.  My  only,  my  earnest  Wishes  are,  that  I  may 
glorify  God;  that  I  may  have  His  Image  imprinted  on  my 
Soul,  and  may  show  forth  His  Praise  World  without  End. 
Besides  this,  I  aspire  not  after  other  Happiness. 

2.  My  frequent  Addresses  are  to  the  Adorable 
God-Man,  that  Hee  would  obtain  for  mee,  and  apply  to 
mee,  so  great  Salvation;  and  I  resign  myself  up  into  His 
Hands,  resolving  to  comply  with  the  executions  of  all  His 
Offices. 

For  these  Things  I  offered  up  my  Thanks  unto  the 
Lord;  longing  to  bee  brought  into  the  Land  of  Hallalujahs. 

I  proceeded  afterwards  to  consider  some  further  Favours 
of  God.    E:g. 

1,  My  Improvement  in  the  Ministry  of  the  Gospel,  after 
I  have  been  the  vilest  Creature  in  the  World. 

2.  The  many  Advantages,  which  I  have  to  countenance 
mee,  in  that  Improvement. 

1.  The  miraculous  Freedome  of  my  Speech. 

2.  A  Library,  exceeding  any  man's,  in  all  this  Land. 

3.  A  desireable  Acceptance,  among  the  People  of  God. 

4.  An  happy  Success  of  my  Labours,  both  public  and 
private,  upon  Hundreds  of  Souls, 

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yS  DIARY   OF  COTTON  MATHER 

Which  Things  I  also  acknowledged  unto  the  Praise  of 
God. 

2  d.  gm.  [November.]  I  had  newly  been  thinking,  how 
all  my  Sufferings,  might  bee  rendred,  after  a  sort,  Sufferings 
for  God;  and  so  have  a  Reward  belonging  thereunto:  upon 
which,  one  of  my  Notions  was,  that  I  would  so  acknowledge 
the  Hand  of  God,  in  all  that  befel  mee,  as  to  praise  Him 
for  it,  rather  than  bee  thereby  discouraged  in  serving  of  Him. 

Within  a  few  Minutes  after  this,  I  received  Information, 
that  a  Gentleman  having  procured  from  England,  a  very 
valuable  Seal,  which  it  was  his  Intention  to  present  unto 
mee,  as  a  Token  of  his  Love,  it  was  unhappily  lost,  among 
other  Goods  in  a  great  Fire,  which  the  last  Week  raged 
among  our  Warehouses. 

Memorandum,  Several  Months  after  this,  the  Seal  was 
found  preserved  from  the  Fire,  and  bestowed  upon  mee.' 

I  thought  myself,  called  now,  by  a  little  Trial,  to  exercise 
the  Grace,  which  I  had  been  pressing  after;  which  the  Lord 
helped  mee  to  do,  with  Contentation,  with  Joy,  with  Life. 

And  I  pray'd  herewithal,  that  by  no  Fire,  neither  the 
Fire  of  Lust  here,  nor  the  Fire  of  Hell  hereafter,  I  might 
miss  of  the  Promises,  which  the  Blood  of  the  Lord  Jesus 
Christ  hath  sealed. 

i^d.  ID  m.  [December.]  This  Day,  I  sett  apart  for  secret 
Humiliation,  with  Fasting  and  Prayer  before  the  Lord. 

My  great  Errand,  was  to  beg  Pardon  for  my  Sin,  and 
Power  against  it. 

I  found,  Satan  buffeting  of  mee,  with  unclean  Tanpta- 
timis;  and  used  Fasting  and  Prayer,  that  the  Kind  might 
bee  cast  out. 

Besides  my  other,  and  usual  Devotions,  for  such  Day, 
I  did  this  Day  write,  after  this  manner. 

That  I  may  pluck  out  my  rigid  Ey,  and  cutt  of  my 
right  Hand,  these  are  My  Purposes. 

'  This  paragraph  is  written  in  the  margin. 

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JANUARY,       1683-84  79 

1.  To  putt  this  Petition,  into  almost  every  Secret  and 
Settled  Prayer,  Lord  keep  mee  from  mine  Iniquitie. 

2.  To  not  only  read  all  that  I  can  meet  withal,  which 
may  render  my  Sin  odious,  but  also  to  write  Something 
that  may  have  the  same  Tendency. 

3.  If  my  Sin  do  still  rage,  I  will  spend  a  Day  in  Fasting 
and  Prayer,  ever[y]  Fortnight,  imtil  I  bee  a  Conqueror. 

4.  Never,  never,  never,  will  I  lay  aside  my  combate, 
against  my  Temptations,  or  Corruptions. 

Now,  Oh!  Blessed  Saviour;  Save  mee  from  the  horrible 
Pitt;  Let  mee  perform  what  I  resolve,  and  bee  accepted, 
and  succeeded,  in  what  I  perform! 

12  d.  II  w.  [January.]  The  sorrowful  and  horrible  Vex- 
ation, given  mee,  by  such  Temptations  of  the  Divel,  as 
these  that  I  have  already  mentioned,  again  drove  mee  this 
Day,  to  Prayer  with  Fasting,  in  secret  Places  before  the 
Lord. 

I  cried  unto  God,  that  for  the  Sake  of  the  Lord  Jesus 
Christ,  the  Pollutions  of  my  Soul,  might  bee  pardoned,  and 
that  I  might  have  the  Spirit  of  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  pos- 
sessjfig  of  my  Heart,  and  enabling  mee  to  serve  Him  in 
Holiness,  aU  the  Dayes  of  my  Life.  I  pleaded  with  the 
Lord,  that  Hee  did  not  use  to  deny  those,  who  came  unto 
Him,  with  such  Requests  for  Grace! 

igd.  II  m.  Having  newly  been  acquainted,  with  a  tre- 
mendous and  an  amazing  Instance,  of  a  Minister  stricken 
in  years,  and  eminent  and  remarked  all  the  Countrey  over, 
for  a  strict  Profession  of  Holiness,  who  yett  has  lately  fallen 
into  those  lascivious  Violations  of  the  Seventh  Command- 
ment, which  have  given  a  most  infamous  Wound  unto 
Religion;  my  Soul  was  thereby  cast  into  exceeding  Fears, 
lest  I,  who  am  a  young  Man,  in  my  single  Estate,  should 
bee  left  by  God,  unto^ome  Fall,  whereby  His  Blessed  Name 
would  suflfer.  And  this  the  rather,  because  I  have  many 
Wayes  grieved  the  good  Spirit  of  God;  and  I  am  strongly 
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80  DIARY  OF  COTTON  MATHER 

haunted  by  the  evil  Spirit,  with  Temptations,  that  horribly 
vex  my  very  Soul  within  mee.  For  this  Cause,  I  spent 
this  Day,  in  the  mortifying  Exercises  of  a  secret  Fast,  with 
Prayer,  before  the  Lord. 

As  also,  that  I  might  obtain  a  Deliverance  for  this  poor 
Countrey;  which  is  in  extreme  Danger  of  becoming  a  Prey 
to  unreasonable  Men,  that  have  no  Faith. 

I  Likewise  carried  the  wounded  Minister,  in  my  Prayers 
unto  the  Lord^  for  all  seasonable  Mercies  to  bee  vouchsafed 
him. 

23  d.  II  m.  The  young  people  of  our  Congregation,  kept 
this  as  a  Day  of  Thanksgiving,  together;  for  the  Success 
of  the  Gospel  here;  and  for  the  Lives  of  my  Father,  and 
my  wretched  Self,  who  dispense  it. 

The  Lord  helped  mee  to  preach  unto  them  almost  three 
Hours  (tho'  I  had  Uttle  more  than  one  Hour's  Time  to  prae- 
pare  for  it)  on  Act.  11,  21.'    And  a  good  Day  it  was! 

g  d.  12  m.  [February.]  My  extraordinary  Occasion  for 
Fasting  and  Praying  still  continuing,  I  did  again  sett  apart 
this  Day,  to  bee  therein  spent,  secretly  before  the  Lord! 

And  indeed,  little  memorable  attended  mee,  all  the 
latter  part  of  the  year;  except  this,  —  that  the  Distempers 
of  my  Heart,  enraged  by  the  Temptations  of  a  filthy  Divel, 
drove  mee  to  the  macerating  Exercises,  of  much,  Prayer 
with  Fasting  before  God.  For,  I  exceedingly  trembled,  lest 
I  should  so  grieve  the  Holy  Spirit,  as  to  bee  left  unto  some- 
thing or  other,  whereby  His  glorious  Name  would  bee  dis- 
honoured; which  was  the  Thing  that  I  deprecated,  above 
all  the  Plagues  in  the  world.  And  I  resolved,  that  I  would 
never  leave  crying  unto  the  Lord,  until  I  had  obtained  from 
Him,  the  Grace  to  serve  Him,  with  such  Holiness,  that  so 
much  as  an  ugly  Thought,  should  not  once  dare  to  expect 
any  Lodging  in  my  Soul. 

•  "And  the  hand  of  the  Lord  was  with  them:  and  a  great  number  believed, 
and  turned  unto  the  Lord." 

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FEBRUARY,     1683-84  81 

Only,  I  must  here  exceedingly  bewayl  it-;  I  over-did,  in 
these  Mortifications.  I  broke  the  sixth  Commandment,  I 
wasted  my  Strength,  I  wounded  my  Health,  very  sinfuUy, 
in  the  Excesses  of  my  Devotions.  I  doubt,  I  have  shortned 
my  Dayes,  by  this  Over-doing;  I  feel  that  I  have  thereby 
brought  upon  myself  splenetic  Maladies;  yea,  tis  well,  if 
I  escape  a  Consumption.  Perhaps,  hoc  Ithacus  velit.  This 
is  that,  at  which  the  Divels  aim,  in  their  molestations. 

What!  Axe  my  very  Duties  now,  but  Murders?  Lord 
pardon  mee,  and  pitty  mee,  for  the  sake  of  Jesus  Christ. 

Mantissa.* 

Having  somewhere  in  these  Papers  mentioned  this,  for 
one  of  my  Methods  to  do  good;  "As  I  walk  in  the  Street, 
or  sitt  in  the  House,  tho'  I  will  not  bee  so  pJiarisaical  as 
to  show  it,  yett  I  wUl  use  frequently  to  lift  up  a  Cry  unto 
God,  for  some  suitable  Blessing  to  bee  vouchsafed,  unto  the 
Persons  that  I  have  before  mee:"  I  am  willing  to  add  a 
more  particular  Explanation  of  that  passage,  for  the  In- 
struction of  those  few  Friends,  with  whom  I  may  leave 
(if  at  all  I  leave!)  these  Memorials  of  my  sinjid  Conver- 
sation. 

It  has  been  a  frequent  Thing  with  mee,  to  redeem  the 
silent,  and  otherwise,  thoughtless,  Minutes  of  my  Time,  in 
shaping  Thousands  of  ejaculatory  Prayers  for  my  Neigh- 
bours. And  by  reciting  a  Few  of  them,  the  Way  of  my 
shaping  the  Rest,  may  bee  conjectured. 

At  a  Table,  where,  I  being  the  youngest  of  the  Company, 
it  was  not  proper  for  mee  to  discourse  at  all,  and  the  Dis- 
courses of  others  were  too  trivial,  to  bee  worthy  of  my 
Attention. 

Casting  my  Eye  upon,  Ejaculations. 

The    Gentlewoman    that   carved     Lord,  carve,  of  thy  Graces  and 
for  us.  Comforts,  a  rich  portion,  unto 

that  Person. 

'  That  is,  a  lesser  work,  or  supplement,  following  on  a  greater. 

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82 


DIARY  OP  COTTON  MATHER 


A  Gentlewoman  stricken  in  years. 


A  Gentlewoman  lately  married. 


A  Gentlewoman  very  beautiful. 

A  Gentlewoman  very  gay  in  her 
Apparrel. 


One  of  our  Magistrates. 


One  of  our  Ministers. 


One  unhappy  in  his  Children. 


One  crazy  and  sickly. 


A  Physician. 


One   that  had   mett  with  great 
Losses. 

A  Servant,  giving  Attendance. 


Lord,  adorn  that  Person,  with 
the  vertues  which  thou  pre- 
scribest  imto  aged  women,  and 
prepare  her  for  her  approach- 
ing Dissolution. 

Lord,  espouse  and  marry,  the 
Soul  of  that  Person  to  thy- 
self, in  a  Covenant  never  to 
be  forgotten. 

Lord,  beautify  the  Soul  of  that 
Person  with  thy  Comeliness. 

Lord,  give  that  Person  an  humble 
Mind,  and  lett  her  Mind  bee 
most  concern 'd  for  the  Orna- 
ments, that  are  oj  great  Price 
in  thy  Sight. 

Lord,  inspire  that  Person  with  Wis- 
dome.  Courage,  and  Goodness,  to 
seek  the  Welfare  of  His  People. 

Lord,  incline  and  assist  that  Per- 
son, to  bee  a  faithful  Steward 
in  thy  House. 

Lord,  convert  the  Children  of 
that  Person,  and  lett  him  have 
the  Joy  to  see  them  walking 
in  thy  Truth. 

Lord,  lett  the  Sun  of  Righteous- 
ness arise  to  that  Person,  with 
Healing  in  His  Wings;  In  the 
Lord,  lett  him  have  Righteous- 
ness and  Strength. 

Lord,  lett  that  Person  bee  suc- 
cessful in  his  Practice;  and  let 
him  carry  all  the  Distempers 
of  his  own  Soul  unto  thee,  as 
the  Lord  his  Healer. 

Lord,  give  to  that  Person,  the 
good  Part,  which  canni)t  bee 
taken  away. 

Lord,  make  that  Person,  a  Ser- 
vant of  Jesus  Christ. 


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FEBRUARY,       1683-84 


83 


In  like  Maimer,  when  I  have  been  sitting  in  a  Room 
full  of  People,  at  a  Funeral,  where  they  take  not  much 
Liberty  for  Talk,  and  where  yett  much  Time  is  most 
unreasonably  lost,  I  have  usually  sett  my  Witts  a  work, 
to  contrive  agreeable  Benedictions,  for  each  Person  in  the 
Company. 

In  passing  along  the  Street,  1  have  sett  myself  to  bless 
thousands  of  persons,  who  never  knew  that  I  did  it;  with 
secret  Wishes,  after  this  manner  sent  unto  Heaven  for 
them. 


Upon  the  Sight  of 
A  tall  Man. 


A  lame  Man. 

A  Negro. 

Children  standing  together. 

Children  at  Play. 

A  Merchant. 

A  Very  little  Man. 

A  Man  carrying  a  Burden. 

A  Man  on  Horseback. 

Young  People. 


Ejaculations. 

Lord,  give  that  Man,  High  At- 
tainments in  Christianity:  lett 
him  fear  God,  above  many. 

Lord,  help  that  Man,  to  walk 
uprightly. 

Lord,  wash  that  poor  Soul  while 
in  the  Blood  of  thy  Son. 

Lord,  lett  the  blessing  Bands  of 
my  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  bee  putt 
upon  these  Children. 

Lord,  lett  not  these  Children 
always  forgett  the  Work,  which 
they  came  into  the  World 
upon. 

Lord,  make  that  man  a  wise 
Merchant. 

Lord,  bestow  grecU  Blessings  upon 
that  Man,  and  above  all,  thy 
Christ,  the  greatest  of  Blessings. 

Lord,  help  this  Man,  to  carry  a 
burdened  Soul,  unto  his  Lord- 
Redeemer. 

Lord,  thy  Creatures  do  serve  that 
man;  help  him  to  serve  his 
Maker. 

Lord,  help  these  Persons  to  re- 
member their  Creator  in  the 
Dayes  of  their  Youth. 

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84 


DIARY   OF   COTTON   MATHER 


Young  Gentlewomen. 


A  Shop-keeper,  busy  in  the  Shop. 


A  Man,  who  going  by  mee  took 
no  Notice  of  mee. 

One  in  mourning. 


A  very  old  Man. 
One  leaning  on  a  Staff. 

One  whom  I  know  not:  (and 
saw  no  other  singular  Circum- 
stance about  him,  to  shape  any 
Thoughts  upon.) 

One  who  (as  I  had  heard)  had 
spoken  very  reproachfully  and 
injuriously  of  mee. 


One  that  was  reckon'd  a  very 
vficked  Man. 


Lord,  make  'em  wise  Virgins,  as 

the    polish' d    Stones     of    thy 

Temple. 
Lord,  lett  not  the  World,  cause 

that  Person  to  neglect  the  one 

thing  that  is  needful. 
Lord,  help  that  Man,  to  take  a 

due  Notice  of  the  Lord  Jesus 

Christ,   I   pray  thee. 
Lord,  give    to  that   Person,  the 

Comforts,     which     thou    hast 

promised  for  blessed  Mourners. 
Lord,  make  this  an  old  Disciple. 
Lord,  teach  this  Person  to  lean  on 

a  Christ. 
Lord,    lett    this    Person    bee    so 

known  to,  as  to  bee  sav'd  by, 

the  Lord. 

Lord,  bless  and  spare  and  save 
that  Person,  even  as  my  own 
Soul.  May  that  Person  share 
with  mee,  in  all  the  Salvations 
of  the  Lord. 

Lord,  rescue  that  p)oor  Man, 
from  Satan,  who  leads  him 
captive. 


It  were  endless,  and  it  is  now  needless  to  exenaplify  an 
hundreth  part  of  the  Ejaculations,  which  I  find,  a  Person 
may,  without  any  Loss  of  his  Time  or  any  Prejudice  and 
Obstruction  to  any  of  his  Afairs,  thus  refresh  himself 
withal. 

Wherefore  all  that  I  now  add,  is,  that  I  have  imspeak- 
able  Cause,  to  bless  my  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  for  teaching 
mee,  by  His  Holy  Spirit,  before  I  was  twenty  years  of  Age, 
these  Methods  of  living  unto  His  glory. 


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FEBRUARY,      1683-84  85 

Quo  magis  rios  sani  sumus,  hoc  magis  libidinos[us]  morbus 
insanet.    Augtist.^ 

'  Cotton  Mather  published  an  almanac  for  1683,  The  Boston  Ephemeris, 
copies  of  which  are  in  the  Massachusetts  Historical  Society. 

The  Mathers  were  too  active  politicians  at  this  time  to  escape  being  made 
a  mark  by  their  opponents.  The  letter  purporting  to  have  been  written  by  Increase 
Mather,  and  addressed  to  Gouge,  dated  December  3,  1683,  became  known  in 
England  and  in  Boston  at  this  time,  and  naturally  attracted  much  attention. 
Mather  indignantly  denied  that  the  letter  was  his,  and  on  its  face  the  letter  from 
such  a  source  would  have  been  a  blazing  indiscretion.  Whether  Randolph  him- 
self perpetrated  the  rather  clumsy  forgery,  or  inspired  another  to  prepare  it, 
can  never  be  determined.  The  paper  and  the  various  opinions  expressed  of  it 
will  be  found  in  4  Collections,  viii.  104,  and  references  under  Gouge  in  the  index. 
Cotton  Mather  shared  in  the  "persecution"  of  his  father,  and  unduly  exagger- 
ated his  share  by  his  usual  methods  of  self-castigation  not  unmingled  with 
much  indirect  self-laudation. 


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1684-85 

THE  XXIIlD   YEAR. 

Cum  Relego,  Scripsisse  Pttdell 
Res  Mirabilis  et  Memoranda. 

Post  Fusas,  maximis  cum  Ardoribus,  lejuniisque  Preces, 
apparuit  Angelus,  qui  Vultum  habuit  solis  instar  Meridian 
micanlem.  Caetera  Humanum,  at  prorsus  imberbem:  Caput 
magnifica  Tiara  obvolutum;  In  Eumeris,  Alas:  Vesies 
deinceps  Candidas  et  Splendidas;  Togam  nempe  Tatar  em: 
et  Zonam  circa  Lumbos,  orientalium  cingalis  non  absimilem. 

Dixitque  hie  Angelus  a  Domino  JESU,  se  missum  ut 
Responsa  cujusdam  Juvenis  precibus,  articulatim  afferat 
referatque. 

Quam  plurima  retulit  Angelus,  quae  hie  scribere  non  fas 
est.  Verum  inter  alia  Memoratu  digna;  Futurum  hujusce 
Juvenis  Fatum  optime  posse  exprimi  asseruit  in  illis 
Vatis  Ezekielis  verbis.   Ezek.  31.  3,  4,  5,  7,  and  9. 

Behold  hee  was  a  Cedar  in  Lebanon  with  fair  branches, 
and  with  a  shadowing  Shrowd,  and  of  an  high  Stature,  and  his 
Top  was  among  the  thick  Boughs.  The  Waters  made  him 
great,  the  Deep  sett  him  up  on  high,  with  her  Rivers  running 
about  his  Plants.  His  Heighth  was  exalted  above  all  the 
Trees  of  the  Field,  and  his  Bouglis  were  multiplied,  and  his 
Branches  became  long,  because  of  the  Multitude  of  Waters, 
when  hee  shott  forth.  Thus  was  hcc  fair  in  his  Greatness  in 
the  Length  of  his  Branches  for  his  Root  was  by  the  great  Waters. 
Nor  was  any  Tree  in  the  Garden  of  God  like  unto  him  in  his 
Beauty.    I  have  made  him  fair  by  the  multitude  of  his  Branches 

[86] 

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FEBRUARY,     1684-85  §7 

SO  that  all  the  Trees  of  Eden,  that  were  in  the  Garden  of  God 
envied  him.^  Atque  particulariter  clausulas  de  Ratnis  ejus 
extendendis,  exposuit  hie  Angelus,  de  Libris  ab  hoc  Juvene 
componendis  et  non  tantum  in  America,  sed  etiam  in  Europa, 
publicandis.  Addiditque  peculiares  quasdam  prcedictiones, 
et  pro  Tali  ac  Tanto  peccatore,  valde  Mirabiles  de  Operilms 
Insignihus,  quae  pro  Ecclesia  Christi  in  Revolutionists  jam 
Appropinquantibus,  Hie  Juvenis  olim  facturus  est. 

Domine  Jesu!  Quid  sibi  vult  haec  Res  tam  extraordi- 
naria?  A  Diabolicis  Illusionibus  obsecro  te,  Servum  Tuum 
Indignissimum,  ut  Liberes  ac  Defendas!' 

The  XXIIId.  Year  of  my  Age. 

12  d.  12  m.  [February.]  1684.  HITHERTO,  my  God 
hath   helped  mee. 

This  Day,  I  am  twenty  two  years  old. 

Humble  mee,  O  Lord,  that  I  have  done  so  little  for  thee, 
all  this  while ! 

Oh!  How  much  of  my  short  Life  is  gone, most  unaccount- 
ably! Lard,  help  mee  now  unto  the  Redeeming  of  Time, 

'Mather  paraphrased  this  in  "Enchantments  encountred,"  prefixed  to  his 
Wonders  of  the  Invisible  World. 

*"A  strange  and  memorable  thing.  After  outpourings  of  prayer,  with  the 
utmost  fervour  and  fasting,  there  appeared  an  Angel,  whose  face  shone  like  the 
noonday  sun.  His  features  were  those  of  a  man,  and  beardless;  his  head  was 
encircled  by  a  splendid  tiara;  on  his  shoulders  were  wings;  his  garments  were 
white  and  shining;  his  robe  reached  to  his  ankles;  and  about  his  loins  was  a  belt 
not  unlike  the  girdles  of  the  peoples  of  the  East.  And  this  Angel  said  that  he 
was  sent  by  the  Lord  Jesus  to  bear  a  clear  answer  to  the  prayers  of  a  certain  youth, 
and  to  bear  back  his  words  in  reply.  Many  things  this  Angel  said  which  it  is 
not  fit  to  set  down  here.  But  among  other  things  not  to  be  forgotten  he  declared 
that  the  fate  of  this  youth  should  be  to  find  full  expression  for  what  in  him  was 
best :  and  this  he  said  in  the  words  of  the  prophet  Ezekiel.  .  .  .  And  in  particular 
this  Angel  spoke  of  the  influence  his  branches  should  have,  and  of  the  books  this 
youth  should  write  and  publish,  not  only  in  America,  but  in  Europe.  And  he 
added  certain  special  prophecies  of  the  great  works  this  youth  should  do  for  the 
church  of  Christ  in  the  revolutions  that  are  now  in  hand.  Lord  Jesus!  What  is 
the  meaning  of  this  marvel?  From  the  wiles  of  the  Devil,  I  beseech  thee,  deliver 
and  defend  Thy  most  unworthy  servant."  Translation  from  Wendell,  Cation 
Mather,  64. 

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88  DIARY  OF  COTTON  MATHER 

and  the  Spending  as  much  as  I  can,  of  it,  in  a  perpetual 
Exercise  of  Grace! 

This  Day,  is  the  usual  Day  of  the  week,  whereon  I  most 
particularly  consider,  how  may  I  further  glorify  God?  My 
DESIGNS,  this  Day  were  two. 

I.  Lett  mee,  besides  my  usual  Prayers,  hereafter  spend 
in  large  Supplications  to  God,  for  myself,  and  my  Flock, 
and  my  Countrey,  at  least  Half  an  Hour,  between  the 
Hours  of  Twelve  and  One,  every  Day  of  the  week,  except 
the  fifth  and  the  seventh. 

n.  Lett  mee  spend  the  whole  Afternoon,  on  the  last 
Day  of  every  Week,  in  peculiar  Transactions,  between  the 
most  High  God,  and  my  own  Soul.     Especially  thus. 

1.  Making  three  Prayers 

The  first,  as  I  begin  other  Afternoons,  consisting  of 
Praises  unto  God,  for  His  Mercies  unto  mee,  and  my  Re- 
quests on  the  behalf  of  others. 

The  second,  consisting  of  more  signal  Converses  ^^ith 
God,  in  Renewals  of  Covenant,  and  Closures  with  the  Lord 
Jesus  Christ,  and  the  Hke. 

The  Third,  consisting  of  Petitions,  relating  to  the  minis- 
terial Capacitie  wherein  I  stand;  and  particularly  the  Ser- 
vices of  the  Day  ensuing. 

2.  Thinking  on  that  QujEstion,  What  is  there  that  I  am 
further  to  do,  for  the  Xante  of  God? 

3.  Meditating  on  the  Truths  of  God;  and  especially  on 
such  as  I  am  to  deliver  on  the  morrow. 

4.  Reading  of  Books  and  singing  of  Hymns  wherein 
Grace  may  bee  excited. 

14  (f.  12  m.  Saturday.  P.  M.  After,  and  amidst,  the  usual 
Devotions  of  this  Time,  I  considered  with  myself,  why  do  I 
bclccuc  the  Scriptures  to  he  the  Word  of  God?  And  having 
settled  the  Convictions  thereof  upon  my  Mind,  I  took  into 
my  Hands  the  Bible,  whereof  I  ordinarily  make  use  in  my 
public  Ministrations;  and  presenting  myself  with  it,  on  my 

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MARCH,       1684-85  89 

knees  before  the  Lord,  I  professed  unto  Him,  that  I  did 
embrace  the  precious  Book,  as  His  Word;  resolving  ever  there- 
fore to  credit  all  the  Revelations  of  it:  that  I  would  love  it, 
prize  it,  converse  with  it,  as  His:  that  I  would  bee  so  aw'd 
by  the  Promises,  and  Threatenings  and  Histories  of  it,  as  to 
study  a  Conformitie  unto  the  Precepts  of  it,  while  I  have  my 
Being.  So,  I  blessed  Him,  for  His  Vouchsafing  of  this 
invaluable  Word  unto  mee. 

16  d.  12  m.  O  my  Soul!  Is  it  not  very  bitter  and  vex- 
ing unto  thee,  to  hear  in  the  most  venerable  Company,  for 
whole  Hours  together,  Uttle  but  the  idle  Chat  whereby  Holes 
are  pick'd  in  the  Coats  of  other,  and  absent  and  honest 
Men?  Lett  mee  alwayes  withold  my  Countenance  from 
such  Conference,  at  least  by  my  Silence  at  it.  And  lett  mee 
alwayes,  if  it  bee  possible  for  mee,  divert  these  Discourses 
into  better  Chaimels. 

Lord,  make  my  Tongue,  a  Tree  of  Life! 

21  d.  12  m.  Saturday.  A  Design.  The  Letters  of  some, 
have  often  turned,  not  only  unto  the  present,  but  also 
the  future  Advantage  of  Men.  How  if  I  should  now  and 
then,  sett  apart  a  few  Hours,  to  draw  up  a  seasonable 
Epistle,  for  some  or  other,  whose  good,  I  may  promote,  by 
sending  the  same  unto  them. 

s@~This  Afternoon,  as  I  was  crying  importunately  imto 
the  God  of  Heaven,  that  Hee  would  bestow  His  Holy  Spirit 
upon  mee,  yea,  and  this  in  a  more  than  ordinary  Maimer  and 
Measure,  I  had  a  blessed  Assurance  that  it  will  bee  so. 

14  d.  I  m.  [March.]  1685.  Designs.  It  is  in  the  Heart 
of  diverse  Ministers  here,  to  address  themselves,  the  next 
Week  unto  our  General  Court,  with  Proposals  for  the  Refor- 
mation, and  so  the  Deliverance,  of  the  Land.' 

•  A  general  reformation  of  the  land  had  long  been  the  object  of  endeavor  on 
the  part  of  the  churches,  due,  in  part,  to  a  recognition  that  their  influence  with 
the  people  was  lessening  each  year.  To  maintain  their  power  in  spiritual  affairs 
had  become  difficult,  and  to  restore  their  hold  on  the  magistrates  had  become 
impossible.    Hence  the  tendency  to  dwell  upon  the  growing  wickedness  of  the 

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QO  DIARY  OF  COTTON  MATHER 

Little  can  bee  done  by  so  little  a  person,  as  I  am,  in  this 
matter.    But  three  Things  /  may  do. 

I.  I  may  confer  with  my  Father,  as  a  sorry  Remembrancer. 

II.  I  may  excite  the  Christians,  who  are  meeting  pri- 
vately before  then,  to  commend  this  matter  in  their  earnest 
SuppHcations  unto  God. 

III.  The  Lecture-day,  wherein  the  matter  is  to  bee 
transacted,  I  may  spend,  a  great  part  of  it,  in  secret  Prayers 
and  Cries  unto  the  God  of  Heaven,  for  the  good  Success 
of  it. 

AH  which  Things,  I  did  accordingly.  And  the  Lord 
heard  my  Addresses ! 

23  d.  I  m.  I  spent  this  Day,  in  the  Travails  of  a  secret 
FAST,  before  the  Lord:  Wherein  I  obtained  from  Him,  an 
Assurance  of  my  Pardon,  and  of  His  Presence  with  mee, 
in  my  whole  Ministry,  and  in  my  approaching  Ordination. 

And  I  then  made  these  Promises  unto  the  Lord. 

I.  That  I  will  endeavour,  to  bee  alwayes  exemplary  for 
my  Chastitie. 

II.  That  I  will  daily  endeavour  to  bee  dehberate  and 
considerate  in  my  Speeches. 

III.  That  if  the  most  High  will  vouchsafe  to  mee,  an 
Opportunitie  to  build  up  His  Church  with  an  unblemished 
Reputation,  I  vnil  endeavour  to  bee  contented  with  what- 
soever Estate  Hee  shall  order  for  mee  in  the  World,  tho' 
mean,  tho'  poor,  tho'  single,  and  tho'  many  wayes  Afflicted. 

About  this  Time  under  some  Exercises,  the  Workings 
of  my  Heart,  were  after  this  Manner. 

"Lord,  whatever  doth  befal  mee,  this  I  am  resolved  on; 
"I  will  forever  acknowledge  that   thou   art  righteous  altcgelher, 
yea,  that  thou  dost  punish  mee  far  less  than  my  Iniguities  do  deserve. 
"I  will  also,  unto  my  very  utmost,  bee  dedicating  myself  unto 

towns,  the  drunkenness,  swearing,  excess  of  apparel  and  disregard  of  the  church 
ordinances;  and  ihc  interpretation  placed  upon  any  visitation,  be  it  Indians, 
disease  or  fire,  as  an  indication  of  divine  displeasure.  See  John  Westnaie  to  Increase 
Mather,  in  4  CoUfctions,  vill.  578. 

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MARCH, l68S  91 

thee  continually,  that  I  may  bee  thy  Servant  devoted  unto  thy  Fear, 
forever. 

"Lord,  if  I  might  sufer,  and  Thy  Name  not  bee  dishonoured,  I 
should  give  a  Welcome,  unto  the  bitterest  Affliction,  with  thy  Grace 
being  sufficient  for  mee.  But  when  I  think,  of  having  Thy  Name 
reproched,  the  Dear  Name,  unto  the  Glory  whereof  I  have  a  long 
While  consecrated  all  that  I  have  and  am,  and  when  I  am  appre- 
hensive of  meeting  with  any  Prejudice  or  Obstruction  in  serving  of 
Thyself,  here  my  Soul,  full  of  Agonies  and  Anguishes  cries  out,  Oh  I 
left  the  Cup  pass  from  mee  I 

"I  am  willing  to  bee  any  Thing,  that  God  will  have  mee  to  bee. 
Oh!  how  hath  Hee  broken  my  Heart,  and  ground  it  and  pun'd  it  into 
Powder,  before  Him!  How  is  the  inflexible  Slom  tum'd  into  pliable 
Flesh  I  Yea,  If  Hee  will  have  mee  rejected,  reproched,  confounded, 
my  Spirit  will  yett  ly  at  His  Holy  Feet,  without  indecent  Frettings, 
at  His  Dispensations!  And  if  Hee  will  have  mee  to  bee,  for  the  Time 
to  come,  reckoned  as  unsavoury  Salt,  I  shall  endeavour  to  kiss  His 
Rod,  and  say,  Calcate,  me  insipidum  salem,  calcate  me  I 

"Happy  are  those  Chastisements,  which  awaken  my  Soul,  unto 
a  lively  Converse,  with  the  Holy  one  of  Israel.  I  can  from  the  Bottom 
of  my  Heart,  praise  God  for  my  afflictive  Exercises,  and  even  take 
Pleasure  in  them,  on  this  Account. 

"If  it  my  Glory  to  bee  conformed  unto  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ, 
Oh!  how  ready  should  I  bee,  to  give  a  cheerful  Entertainment  unto 
any  Cross  on  the  Score  of  its  advancing  this!  But  one  Thing  my  Soul 
is  exceeding  earnest  in;  that  my  Crosses  may  not  come  on  mee,  as 
Punishments  for  my  Errors  and  Evils.  O  lett  the  Satisfaction  of  the 
Lord  Jesus  Christ  bee  accepted  for  them.  Any  other  way,  lett  mee  bee 
broken  to  Peeces,  and  my  Soul  will  yett  magnify  the  Lord." 

28  d.  I  m.  Saturday.  I  do  not  purpose,  to  record  many 
more  of  the  rare  Experiences,  which  the  Devotions  of  my 
Saturday-afternoons  have  brought  imto  mee. 

But  this  Afternoon,  in  prayer,  a  gracious  God  gave  mee 
Assurance,  that  Hee  had  pardoned  all  my  Sins,  in  and  thro' 
the  ever-lovely  Lord  Jesus  Christ. 

Hereupon,  by  way  of  Gratitude  unto  Him  whom  I  have 
cause  to  bless,  with  my  whole  Soul,  for  His  forgiving  all 
my  Iniquities  and  Healing  all  my  Diseases,  I  took  up  these 
Resolutions. 

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92  DIARY  OF  COTTON  MATHER 

1.  That  I  would  bear  a  special  and  eternal  Hatred, 
against  all  the  Lusts  of  the  Flesh;  and  I  would,  with  all 
convenient  Expedition,  compose  a  Discourse  to  antidote 
others,  against  some  of  them. 

2.  That  I  would  labour  after  a  very  eminent  Measure  of 
Watchfulness  over  myself,  in  the  Worship  of  God,  with  En- 
deavours after  a  spiritual  Worship  in  my  Approches  to  Him. 

3.  That  I  would  speedily  give  up  myself  imto  God  and 
Christ,  with  a  written  Covenant,  whereto  I  will  subscribe  my 
Engagement,  that  I  wUl  bee  the  Lords.' 

Sd.  2  m.  [April.]  Lord's-Day.^  Our  Congregation,  hap- 
pening this  .\f  ternoon  to  bee  thinner  than  ordinary,  my  Heart 
began  to  sink  imder  some  foolish  Discouragements  here- 
upon. But  I  vanquished  them,  with  such  Thoughts  as 
these. 

"Consider,  O  my  Soul;  How  unworthy  my  Sins  have  rendered 
mee,  of  the  least  Acceptance  among  the  People  of  God;  and  that  if 
there  were  nothing  else  besides  the  Meanness  which  attends  my  Min- 
istrations, this  were  enough  to  cause  in  my  Auditors,  a  Withdraw 
therefrom,  unto  the  Assemblies  where  they  may  easily  mend  them- 
selves. 

"Consider  likewise,  how  many  Hundreds  were  my  Auditors  this 
Day,  making  a  Congregation,  which  in  Bulk  exceeds  all,  except  per- 
haps two  or  three,  in  the  Land;  and  that  many  far  more  excellent 
persons  than  myself,  would  count  themselves  happy,  if  they  might 
preach  quietly  to  a  Company  one  quarter  so  big. 

"Consider  also,  tis  possible  the  Hearers  that  went  from  mee, 
found  their  Edification  to  bee  promoted  Elsewhere;  and  it  is  not  im- 
possible, some  of  that  Number  that  staid  with  mcc,  did  also  reap  some 
little  Benefit.  And  then,  bee  glad,  that  the  Church  of  God,  is  built 
per  Alios,  when  that  Nos  non  sumus  Digni;  but  in  the  mean  Time 

'  See  under  May  4,  in  this  year,  p.  96,  infra. 

'On  this  day  "the  brethren  stayed  in  the  mecting-housc  and  unanimously 
consented,  that  the  thirteenth  day  of  May  should  be  the  day  for  my  son  Cotton's 
ordination  as  their  pastor;  and  that  letters  should  be  sent  to  the  two  churches  in 
Boston,  to  Charlcstown,  Cambridge,  Roxbury,  Dorchester,  to  desire  them  to 
send  their  messengers  to  give  us  the  risht  hand  of  fellowship;  that  Mr.  [James] 
Allen  and  Mr.  (Samuel)  Willard  should  be  desired  to  join  with  myself  in  imposing 
hands."    From  the  records  of  the  Second  Church,  in  Ware,  Two  Discourses,  49. 

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APRIL,    i68s  93 

triumph  in  it,  as  a  most  undeserved  Favour  of  the  Most  High,  that 
I  may  bee  capable,  of  helping  forward  the  Salvation  of  so  much  as 
one  immortal  Soul;  and  since  I  have  heretofore  had  the  Temptation 
of  being  flock'd  after,  lett  mee  now  suspect,  that  I  need  a  Rod,  for 
some  Irregularities  of  Spirit  under  it:  but  if  a  Wise  Redeemer  will 
now  try  mee  another  way,  lett  mee  now  humbly  act  the  Graces  that 
shall  bee  suitable  thereunto,  and  especially  bee  careful  to  apprehend, 
that  an  affectation  of  displaying  ones  gifts  before  Throngs,  is  too  often 
an  abominably  proud  Fishing  for  popular  Applause;  but  my  Work 
in  the  Pulpitt,  must  bee,  rather  to  acquit  myself  well,  in  the  Discharge 
of  the  Duties  inciunbent  on  mee  there,  before  the  AU-Seeing  Eye  of 
that  Majesrie,  who,  to  mee,  shall  bee  Theatre  enough. 
Satis  mihi  pauci  Auditores,  satis  unus,  satis  ntdlus. 

2d.  2m.  Things  being  represented  unto  mee,  as  if 
the  extreme  Criticahiess  of  the  Time,  with  regard  unto  our 
public  Affayrs,*  had  raised  such  a  Di\'ersitie  of  Apprehen- 
sions in  the  Brethren  of  our  Church,  about  the  Conveniencie 
of  my  Ordination  at  this  Time,  that  there  was  like  to  bee 
some  Division  thereby  occasioned;  I  humbly  besought  of 
God,  That  if  my  Life  were  a  real  Prejudice  unto  His  Interest, 
or  a  necessary  Occasion  of  Strife  and  Sin,  11  ee  would  please 
to  take  mee  out  of  the  World. 

But  the  Design  of  Satan,  to  embarass  the  Concerns  of 
my  Settlement,  were  soon  disappointed,  by  a  most  uniting 
Work  of  God  upon  the  Spirits  of  the  people. 

20  d.  2  m.  K.  James  II.  being  this  Day,  proclaimed  in 
Boston,  and  ail  people  hereabouts '  generally  attending  the 
Solemnities  of  the  Proclamation,  I  withdrew  from  the  Noises 
of  the  World,  and  spent  the  Day  in  Humiliations,  and 
Supplications,  before  the  Lord:  particularly  to  deprecate 
the  Confusions  with  which  the  Protestant  ReUgion  and 
Interest,  were  threatned  by  the  Accession  of  that  Prince 
imto  the  Throne;   especially  in  our  own  vmhappy  Colony.' 

'  The  charter  had  been  vacated  and  Colonel  Percy  Kiike  named  as  his  Majesty's 
Lieutenant  and  Governor-General  over  the  now  royal  province  of  Massachusetts, 
with  ahn^  unrestricted  authority. 

*  Intelligence  o^  tlie  deatb  of  Charles  II  and  the  succession  of  James  II  reached 
Boston,  by  a  ship  from  Newcastle,  April  14.    "News  came  to  us  as  we  were  busy 

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94  DIARY  OF  COTTON  MATHER 

Two  Persons  visited  mee,  in  the  morning;  one  of  whom 
related  unto  mee  his  own  Purpose  to  spend  this  Day,  as  a 
Fast,  without  knowing  what  I  had  purposed.  Hereupon  I 
invited  Ihem  to  join  with  mee,  in  the  Devotions  of  the  Day 
before  mee;   and  they  did  so. 

In  the  Pauses  between  our  several  prayers,  I  preached 
unto  my  two  Friends,  three  Sermons,  each  of  them  about 
an  Hour  long  apiece,  on  a  Text,  which  was  the  very  first, 
that  on  the  opening  of  my  Bible,  for  a  Subject  of  Medi- 
tation, came  to  sight;  namely,  Psal.  109.  19,  20.'  which 
proved  wonderfully  suitable. 

In  the  close,  wee  made  unto  each  other  a  Promise,  that 
wee  would,  within  a  few  Dayes  at  most,  sett  apart  some 
Time,  to  bee  spent  in  pondering  that  Quaestion,  What 
Special  Service  shall  wee  do  for  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  in 
Case  Hee  deliver  His  people,  Itere,  (or  in  England)  from  the 
Distresses  now  upon  them!  And  that  wee  will  turn  the 
Results  of  our  Considerations  into  Engagements;  whereof 
wee  will  keep  written  Memorials  by  us ! 

22d.  2  m.  As  I  was  walking  and  thinking,  alone,  retired 
into  our  Meeting-house  this  Day,  my  Soul  was  after  an 
unusual  Manner  transported,  in  a  Thought,  that  I  did 
above  all  Things  »@"  desire  to  glorify  God,  and  show  forth 
His  Vertues  and  His  Praises  forever;  and,  that  I  should 
bee  sure,  never  to  have  this  Happiness  deny'd  imto  mee; 
and,  that  therefore  now  Nothing  should  ever  make  mee 
miserable. 

openiDg  the  Nominations  just  before  Dinner;  it  much  startled  the  Govemour 
[Simon  Bradstrcet]  and  all  of  us."  Two  days  later  commands  were  received  to 
proclaim  the  King.  Scwall,  Diary,  i.  6q.  See  also  page  70  in  the  same  volume 
and  Mass.  Col.  Rec.,  v.  474,  for  ceremonies  attending  the  proclamation.  The 
new  King  on  his  accession  promised  to  "  preserve  this  Government  both  in  Church 
and  State  as  it  is  now  by  law  established,"  but  he  was  at  heart  intent  upon 
establishing  Catholirism,  and  was  much  feared  by  the  dissenters. 

'  "Let  it  be  unto  him  as  a  garment  which  covereth  him,  and  for  a  girdle  where- 
with he  is  girded  continually.  Let  tliis  be  the  reward  of  mine  adversaries  from 
the  Lord,  and  of  them  that  speak  evil  against  my  soul." 

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MAY,     I  68  s  95 

Oh!  what  a  Challenge  can  I  now  give,  unto  all  my 
Enemies,  to  do  their  worst  upon  mee! 

2sd.  2  m.  This  Afternoon  I  gave  myself,  and  all  that 
can  any  way  bee  mine,  unto  the  Blessed  God;  resting 
assured,  that  Hee  would  accept  of  mee,  and  employ  my  All, 
in  His  deUghtful  Service.  Wherefore  now  I  am  happy. 
World  without  End. 

2j  d.  2  m.  A  kind  Redeemer,  is  continually,  I  find, 
carrying  on  my  Conformitie  to  Himself,  strengthening  my 
Faith  in  God  imder  weighty  Concernments;  weaning  mee 
from  all  the  DeUghts  of  this  World;  filling  mee  with  per- 
petual Thoughts  of  the  Things  that  are  not  seen;  making 
mee  contented  under  all  Afflictions,  yea,  joyful  in  them, 
and  thankful  for  them,  and  causing  of  mee  to  long  for  my 
Dissolution. 

Bless  the  Lord,  O  my  Soul,  forever! 

2d.  ^m.  [May.]  A  Design.  O  my  Soul;  give  Glory  to 
thy  everglorious  Lord,  by  being  like  Noah,  like  Lot,  like 
Joshua  and  Caleb,  for  an  Abstinence  from  the  Sins  of  the 
Time  and  Place,  wherein  thou  Uvest. 

And  for  thy  Assistence  herein,  bee  careful  to  single  out, 
now  and  then,  a  Season,  (on  a  Lord's-Day  Noon)  wherein 
to  consider,  Whai  are  the  special  Sins  of  this  Time  and 
Place?  and  upon  a  Discovery  thereof,  lett  thy  Cautions  bee 
quickened. 

^d.  7,m.  Lord's-Day.  My  Heart,  is  this  Day  very  much 
melted,  in  thinking. 

If  on  the  one  Side,  there  should  bee  profered  unto  mee, 
all  that  can  bee  desired  of  this  World's  Good,  attended  with 
the  degrading  Misery  of  Uving  only  to  myself,  in  the  Midst 
of  aU; 

If  on  the  other  side,  there  should  bee  profered  unto 
mee  the  Happiness  of  bringing  very  much  Glory  unto  the 
Lord  Jesus  Christ,  even  in  a  Life  of  many  and  bitter  Afflic- 
tions; 

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g6  DIARY  OF   COTTON  MATHER 

I  should,  with  an  unspeakably  strong  Bent  of  Soul, 
choose  the  latter.  And  so,  I  assuredly  infer,  that  I  shall 
not  miss  of  so  great  Salvation! '^ 

^d.  2,^.  Because  my  Ordination  is  to  bee  performed 
the  next  Week,  and  because  a  Parliament  is  this  very  Day 
to  sitt  in  England,  I  now  apphed  myself  imto  the  Exercises 
of  a  secret  FAST  before  the  Lord. 

The  Lord  having  assured  mee,  that  all  Controversie 
between  Him  and  my  Soul,  was  done  awa}-,  I  solemnly 
thus  renewed  and  subjected  His  Covenant  and  gave  up 
myself  unto  Him. 

The  COVENANT. 


I  renounce  all  the  Vanities,  and  cursed  Idols,  and  evil  Course 
of  this  World. 

I  Engage,  That  I  will  ever  have  the  Great  God,  my  best  Good, 
my  last  End,  and  my  only  Lord. 

That  I  will  ever  bee  rendring  of  Acknowledgments  unto  the  Lord 
Jesus  Christ,  in  all  the  Relations  which  Hee  bears  unto  mee. 

That  I  will  ever  bee  studying,  what  is  my  Dutie  in  these  Things; 
and  wherein  I  iind  myself  to  fall  short,  I  will  ever  make  it  my  Grief, 
my  Shame;  and  for  Pardon  betake  myself  unto  the  Blood  of  the  aer- 
lasling  Covenant. 

Now,  humbly  imploring  the  Grace  of  the  Mediator,  to  bee  suffn-ienl 
for  mee,  I  do,  as  a  further  Solemnitie,  hereunto  subscribe  my  Name, 
with  both  Hand  and  Heart. 

Cotton  Mather. 

Hereupon,  I  committed  into  the  Hands  of  the  Lord 
Jesus  Christ  the  Affayrs  of  my  future  Ministry.     Declar- 

'  "Sabbath  May  3rd,  a  letter  read  from  the  Nforth)  Church  wherein  Mr 
Willard  and  Messengers  desired  to  be  sent  in  order  to  ordain  Mr.  Cotton  Mather, 
Pastor  of  that  Church,  signed,  Increase  Mather,  at  the  desire  and  order  of  the 
Church.  The  Covcrnour  and  self  with  the  Deacons,  nominated  to  goe."  Scwall, 
Diary,  i.  71.  On  May  11,  Sewall  "accompanied  Mr.  [Joshua]  Moodey  to  Mr. 
[John]  Eliot's  to  persuade  Mr.  Benjamin  (l';iiot]  to  go  to  the  Ordination  of  Mr. 
Cotton  Mather,  in  which  I  hope  we  have  prevailed;  the  mentioning  of  it  drew 
Tears  from  the  good  Father  so  as  to  hinder  his  Speech."  Diary,  i.  75.  Hcnjamin 
Eliot  assisted  his  father  for  many  years  in  the  church  in  Roxbury,  but  was  never 
ordained.  lie  died  October  15, 1687,  before  his  fatlier,  the  "Apostle  to  the  Indians." 
Sewall  adds  that  Benjamin  Eliot  had  "not  been  at  Town  these  many  years." 

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MAY,       1685  97 

ing  irnto  His  Majesty,  that  I  had  received  from  Him,  a 
Call  unto  a  Work,  wherein  I  expected,  that  I  should  meet 
■with  no  external  Advantage,  but  Sorrow,  and  Sickness,  and 
Obloquy;  nevertheless,  out  of  Love  to  Him,  who  hath  done 
marvellous  Things  for  mee,  I  would  undertake  it,  and  feed 
His  Sheep,  and  His  Lambs. 

The  Lord  having  assured  mee,  that  Hee  would  bee  with 
mee;  and  particularly  in  my  approaching  Ordination;  I 
promised  unto  Him, 

1.  That  I  wovild  ever  endeavour  to  bee  &  faithful  Pastor 
unto  those,  over  whom  Hee  should  sett  mee. 

2.  That  I  would  endeavour  to  bee  very  humble,  under 
whatever  Enlargements,  Hee  should  vouchsafe  unto  mee. 

3.  That  I  never  would  retain  upon  my  Spirit  any 
Resentments  of  any  Wrong  or  Sleight,  which  an}-  of  the 
Church  might  heretofore  have  ill-treated  mee  withal. 

At  length  coming  to  sollicit  the  Lord,  for  the  DeUver- 
ance  of  His  People,  in  this  cloudy  Day,  I  did,  according  to 
my  late  Promise,  now  engage,  that  if  the  Lord  would  merci- 
fully work  Deliverance, 

1.  I  would  bee  a  Servant  of  the  Lords  forever;  and 
alwayes  reserve,  often  revolve,  sometimes  renew,  my  written 
Covenant  so  to  bee. 

2.  I  would  labour  to  bee  contented  with  whatever  Con- 
dition, the  Lord  shall  carve  unto  mee. 

3.  I  would,  as  my  Capacitie  for  it  growes,  unto  my 
utmost  pursue  the  Welfare  of  all  the  Churches  in  this 
Land. 

4.  I  would  promote  the  PubUcation  of  a  good  Book, 
whereby  the  Souls  of  many  in  the  Countrey  may  bee  edified.' 

5.  I  would  essay  to  visit  the  Families,  of  the  Flock, 
belonging  unto  mee;  and  seek  the  Salvation  of  the  lost 
Souls  in  them. 

'  His  first  published  sermon  or  treatise  was  that  on  The  CM  of  the  Gospel 
applyed  unto  all  Men  in  general,  preached  before  the  execution  of  James  Morgan. 

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98  DIARY  OF  COTTON  MATHER 

Diverse  Times  this  week,  have  I  been  overwhelmed, 
with  melancholy  Apprehensions  of  my  Unfitness  for  the 
weighty  Work  now  before  mee,  and  of  the  Likelihood  that 
the  supporting  Presence  of  God  may  bee  denied  unto  mee. 
Woful  have  been  the  Disorders  of  my  Soul,  thro'  these 
Apprehensions! 

But  then,  I  have  poured  out  my  Soul  imto  the  Lord 
and  Hee  hath  given  mee  glorious  Visions  of  His  Power,  His 
Goodness,  and  His  Truth;  and  Hee  hath  helped  mee,  with 
a  weeping  Faith,  to  rest  assured,  that  Hee  will  surely  do 
mee  Good,  and  never  leave  mee,  nor  J  or  sake  mee. 

13  d.  3  w.  THIS  DAY  is  appointed  {Because  Thou,  O 
Lord,  art  stronger  than  I,  and  hast  prevailed ! )  for  my  ORDI- 
NATION, to  the  Office  of  a  Pastor  over  the  North  Church 
in  Boston. 

In  the  Morning  while  I  was  alone,  meditating  on  the 
Work,  which  the  Call  of  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ  hath  now 
putt  mee  upon,  and  of  the  Supports  and  Rewards  which 
Hee  has  therein  ensured  imto  mee,  I  was  diverse  Times 
melted  into  Tears;  and  the  Spirit  of  my  Glorious  Master 
gave  mee  such  rapturous  Touches  and  Prospects,  as  that  I 
was  forced  most  unwillingly  to  shake  them  off;  they  would 
have  been  too  hard  for  mee,  and  I  would  not  have  others 
take  notice  of  any  Effects  thereby  left  upon  mee. 

With  a  Soul,  inexpressibly  irradiated  from  on  High,  I 
went  into  one  of  the  vastest  Congregations  that  has  ever 
been  seen  in  these  parts  of  the  World;  where  I  prayed 
about  an  Hour  and  a  Quarter,  and  preached  (on  Joh.  21.17.) ' 
about  an  Hour  and  a  three  quarters;  With  such  Assistences 
from  Heaven,  as  exceeded  all  that  my  poor  Faith  could  have 
imagined. 

In  the  Afternoon,  my  Father  having  prayed  and  preached 

'  "He  saith  unto  him  the  third  time,  Simon,  son  of  Jonas,  lovest  thou  me? 
Peter  was  grieved  because  he  said  unto  him  the  third  time,  Lovest  thou  me?  And 
he  said  unto  him,  Lord,  thou  knowcst  all  things;  thou  linowest  that  I  love  thee. 
Jesus  saith  unto  him,  Feed  my  sheep." 

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MAY,i68s  99 

(on  Act.  13.2.)/  the  Ordination  was  perfonned,  with  a  more 
than  ordinary  Solemnitie,  producing  a  greater  Number  of 
moved  Hearts  and  weeping  Eyes,  than  perhaps  have  been 
at  any  Time  here  seen  together. 

My  Father,  with  Mr.  Allen  and  Mr.  Willard,  the  other 
two  Ministers  in  the  Town,  imposed  Hands  on  mee.  My 
Father  gave  mee  my  charge:  (which  I  have  transcribed  at 
the  Beginning  of  my  Bible) :  And  good  old  Mr.  Eliot  gave 
mee,  the  right  Hand  of  Fellowship.^ 

The  CHARGE  given  to  mee  at  my  Ordination  to  the  Office  of 
Pastor  over  the  Second-Church,  in  Boston. 

Whereas  you  Ufwn  whom  wee  impose  our  Hands,  are  called  to 
the  Work  of  the  Ministry,  and  to  the  Office  of  a  Pastor  in  this  Church 
of  Christ,  wee  charge  you  before  God  and  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ  and 
in  the  Presence  of  elect  Angels,  that  you  take  heed  to  the  Ministry 
which  you  have  received  in  the  Lord,  to  fulfill  it,  and  that  you  feed 
the  whole  Flock  of  God  over  which  the  Holy  Ghost  hath  made  you 
Overseer;  that  you  study  to  shew  yourself  approved  of  God  and  a 
Workman  that  need  not  bee  ashamed;  that  you  give  yourself  to 
Reading  and  to  Meditation,  to  Exhortation  and  to  Doctrine;  and 
that  you  endeavour  to  show  yourself  an  Example  of  the  Beleevers,  in 
Faith,  in  Spirit,  in  Purity,  in  Charity,  and  in  Conversation. 

And  if  You  keep  this  Charge,  wee  pronounce  unto  you  that  the 
Lord  of  Hosts  will  give  you  a  Place  among  His  Holy  Angels  that 
stand  by,  and  are  Witnesses  of  this  Dayes-Solemnity,  and  of  your 
being  thus  solemnly  sett  apart  to  the  special  Service  of  God,  and  of 
Jesus  Christ;  And  if  you  do  thus,  when  the  Lord  Jesus  shall  appear, 
you  shall  appear  with  Him  in  glory.  Hee,  who  is  the  cheef  Shepherd 
will  then  give  imto  you  a  Crown  of  Glory  which  shall  never  fade  away.* 

16  d.  3  m.  Designs.  I  am  now  in  a  Station,  wherein 
I  am  to  do  more  for  my  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  than  ever. 

•  "As  they  ministered  to  the  Lord  and  fasted,  the  Holy  Ghost  said,  Separate 
me  Barnabas  and  Saul  for  the  work  whereunto  I  have  called  them."  Sewall 
records  that  the  father  spoke  in  his  sermon  of  "Aaron's  Garments  being  put  on 
Eleazer,  intimating  he  knew  not  but  that  God  might  now  call  him  out  of  the 
world."     Diary,  1.  76. 

» He  called  Mather  "a  Trover  of  Jesus  Christ."    Sewall,  Diary,  1.  76. 

•  The  charge  is  written  on  a  slip  which  has  been  attached  to  the  page  of  the 
Diary  by  wafers. 

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lOO  DIARY  OF  COTTON  MATHER 

As  I  have  not  hitherto  recorded  all  my  Designs  to  glorify 
the  Lord,  so,  as  my  Work  increases,  I  suspect  I  shall  have 
less  Time  to  do  it,  than  heretofore. 

Yett  some  of  my  Contrivances  now  and  then,  I  would 
write,  that  so  I  may  suggest  unto  some  other  Persons,  a 
few  Methods  of  honouring  the  Redeemer;  (except  I  should 
see  cause,  before  I  dy,  to  throw  all  these  Papers  into  the 
Fire!) 

At  this  Time,  I  think  on  these  Things. 

I.  It  should  bee  my  care,  that  on  the  Close  of  every 
Satureday,  the  Sabbath  find  mee  engaged,  in  some  fixed 
Meditation  on  the  Lord  JESUS  CHRIST.  Oh!  That  I 
might  know  Him,  love  Him,  serine  Him,  now  more  than  ever! 
My  affectionate  Thoughts  in  this  way  upon  Him,  will  very 
much  befriend  mee,  in  my  doing  so.  And  besides,  my 
prcBparations  for  His  Day,  will  hereby  bee  very  much 
assisted. 

II.  I  would,  on  some  Dayes,  lay  myself  under  a  Penaltie, 
that  thro'  the  whole  Day  I  will  not  speak  one  Word,  of 
which  I  win  not  bee  able  to  saj-,  tJtat  I  directly  transgressed 
not  any  plain  Commandment  of  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ  by 
speaking  it;  and,  titat,  unto  the  best  of  my  Apprehension  I 
had  cause  for  speaking  of  it. 

III.  I  would  frequently  use  for  study  a  great  Part  of 
my  Sermons,  kneeling.  That  is,  thus:  I  will  have  my 
Table-Book  of  Slate '  lying  before  mee,  WTien  I  am  going 
to  compose  a  Sermon;  and  kneeling  at  my  chair,  I  would 
earnestly  call  upon  the  eternal  Spirit,  that  Hee  would  assist 
mee  in  what  I  am  about.  If  I  do  it,  in  a  settled  Prayer,  I 
would  after  the  Prayer  is  over,  still  remain  in  my  Posture, 
for  some  Time,  noting  down  what  Hints  occurr  to  mee,  fitt 

'  One  of  the  record  books  of  the  Second  Church,  known  as  No.  i  in  Mr.  Brown's 
memorandum,  is  of  pocket  si/c,  with  thick  oiled  card-board  leaves  alternating 
with  leaves  of  usual  writing  paper.  These  card  boards  were  the  "book  of  slate," 
for  they  could  be  used  again  ami  again.  The  book  was  given  to  Mather  by  his 
brother  Samuel,  October  i6,  1682. 

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JUNE,     1685  lOI 

for  my  Improvement.  If  I  do  it  with  Ejaculations,  I  would 
intermingle  my  Writing  with  my  Prayer,  so  far,  and  so 
long,  as  may  bee  convenient.* 

23  d.  3  w.  Designs.  When  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ, 
was  entring  upon  His  public  Ministry,  very  sore  Tempta- 
tions assaulted  Him.  It  may  bee,  now  I  am  lately  ordained, 
I  shall  not  want  my  Temptations.  To  prevent  my  dis- 
honouring of  God  under  them, 

1.  I  would  Immediately  go  read  a  profitable  Book  or 
two,  concerning  Temptations. 

2.  I  woiild  now  and  then  sett  apart  a  Time  to 
think, 

What  is  the  Temptation  wherewith  I  am  now  most  of  all 
endangered? 

2$d.  ^m.  This  Day  I  sett  apart  for  secret  Thanksgiv- 
ings unto  God.  I  spent  the  Day,  most  of  it,  retired  in 
our  Meeting-house;  Meditating  on  the  Lord's  various 
Mercies  to  mee,  and  mentioning  of  those  Mercies  on  my 
Knees  before  Him;    and  singing  Psalms  agreeable. 

Moreover,  in  the  Beginning  of  the  Day  I  took  sin- 
gular Pains  to  celebrate  and  magnify  the  Lord,  for 
those  Things  wherein  I  am  not  so  nearly  concerned,  as 
particular  Favours  to  myself;  namely,  His  Attributes, 
and  Perfections,  and  His  wondrous  Works  in  Creation 
and  Providence. 

Yea,  I  blessed  Him  for  Afflictions  also.  I  then  contrived, 
how  to  glorify  the  Lord,  particularly,  by  Strengthening 
the  Hands  of  our  Tithing-Men,  to  promote  Reformation. 
And  by  reviving  our  young  Men's  Meetings  on  the  Sabbath- 
Evening,  which  are  fallen  under  some  Decay. 

And  by  studying  to  speak,  with  more  Exactness,  Watch- 
fulness, Fruitfulness. 

7  d.  4  m  [June.]     My    dear    Friend,    Mr.  Shepard  of 

'On  May  22  a  private  fast  was  held  at  Judge  Sewjill's,  both  Mathers 
taking  part.    Diary,  1.  76. 

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I02  DIARY  OF  COTTON  MATHER 

Charlestown,  being  taken  suddenly  ill,  I  preached  for  him, 
in  the  forenoon.' 

At  Noon,  hee  said  unto  mee,  My  Hopes  are  built  on  the 
free  Mercy  of  God,  and  the  rich  Merit  of  Christ,  and  I  do 
beleevc,  thai  if  I  am  taken  out  of  the  World,  I  shall  only  change 
my  Place;  I  shall  neither  change  my  Company  nor  change 
my  Communion:  And  as  for  you,  Syr,  I  beg  the  Lord  Jesus 
to  be  with  you,  unto  the  End  of  the  World. 

At  Night,  unto  the  Consternation  of  mee,  and  all  his 
Friends,  hee  dyed.'' 

On  this  Day,  I  baptised  the  first  Child  that  ever  I  washed 
in  the  Name  of  the  Glorious  Trinitie.  It  was,  Hannah  the 
Daughter  of  John  Green. 

On  28  d.  4  m.  was  the  first  Time  of  my  Administring 
the  Lord's-Supper,  which  I  did,  after  I  had  preached  on 
Joh.  3.  16.'  with  comfortable  Assistances  from  Heaven. 

30  d.  4  m.  This  Day,  I  sett  apart  for  secret  Thanksgiv- 
ings before  the  Lord. 

In  the  former  Part  of  the  Day,  I  sang,  I  read,  I  thought, 
and  on  my  Knees,  I  mentioned,  such  Occasions  to  speak 
well  of  God,  as  I  had  heretofore  took  Notice  of. 

In  the  Afternoon,  I  thanked  the  Lord, 

1.  For  His  gracious  Works  on  my  Heart. 

2.  For  my  Improvement  in  the  Ministry  of  His  Gospel. 

3.  For  my  Acceptance  among  His  People. 

4.  For  the  Success  of  my  Labours,  become  very  manifold 
and  visible. 

'  From  Sewall's  entry  under  June  9,  it  would  seem  that  the  afternoon  sermon 
was  preached  by  Nathaniel  Gookin.     Diary,  i.  83. 

'  This  was  Thomas  Shepard,  the  younger,  who  had,  on  May  5,  1680,  succeeded 
his  father  in  the  pulpit  and  was  regarded  as  a  worthy  son  of  an  honored  father. 
He  was  only  twenty-seven  at  his  death.  He  was  buried  on  June  9.  "It  seems 
there  were  some  Verses;  but  none  pinned  on  the  Hersc.  Scholars  went  before 
thp  Herse."  See  Sewall,  Diary,  1.  81,  8j.  Mather  wrote  an  appropriate  sketch 
of  him  in  the  Magnalia,  Bk.  rv.  201,  and  the  text  of  a  sermon  is  given  on  page 
120,  post. 

• "  For  God  so  loved  the  world,  that  he  gave  his  only  begotten  Son,  that 
whosoever  believcth  in  him  should  not  perish,  but  have  everlasting  life." 

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AUGUST,     1685  103 

5.  For  my  /rec  Utterance. 

6.  For  my  large  Library 

And  in  Thankfulness  to  the  Lord,  I  invigorated  my 
Design  to  visit  the  Families  of  the  Flock. 

2  d.  5  w.  [Jtdy.]  This  Day,  was  the  first,  of  my  preach- 
ing the  Countrey-Lecture,'  wherein  the  Lord  gave  mee 
extraordinary  Assistance.     (I  discoursed,  on  2.  Cor.  5.  5.) ' 

About  the  Beginning  of  this  Month,  I  began  one  of  the 
most  holy  and  useful  Practises,  of  all  that  ever  the  Good 
Spirit  of  the  Lord  has  taught  mee,  in  the  whole  Course  of 
my  Life.    This  was, 

A  Course  of  Reading  the  Scriptures,  with  such  a  devout 
Attention,  as  to  fetch  at  least  one  Observation,  and  one 
Supplication,  a  Note  and  a  Wish,  out  of  every  Verse  in  all 
the  Bible. 

I  have  a  Prospect  of,  who  can  tell  how  much,  Truth, 
and  Grace,  to  pass  thro'  my  Soul,  in  thus  waiting  upon 
God! 

And  I  give  more  Thanks  unto  the  Lord,  for  teaching 
mee,  this  Way  of  living,  than  if  Hee  had  bestowed  the  great- 
est earthly  Revenues  upon  mee. 

The  Method,  which  I  thus  used  in  Reading,  I  also  took 
up  for  Singing;  and  thus  tis,  that  the  Singing  of  Psalms, 
becomes  to  mee,  a  more  deUcious,  entertaining,  profitable 
Exercise,  than  tis,  perhaps  to  many  of  them  that  practise  it. 

The  Rest  of  this  month,  and  the  most  of  the  Next, 
brought  not  with  it,  much  that  was  remarkable. 

I  went  on,  in  such  Methods  of  serving  my  Lord,  as  have 
been  already  here  and  there  described. 

And  I  took  a  Voyage  to  Plymouth,  where  I  spent  a  couple 
of  Sabbaths. 

25  d.  6  m.  [August.]    I  spent  this  Day  in  secret  Humilia- 

'  "In  his  Father's  Turn,  who  keeps  at  Cambridge."    Sewall,  Diary,  i.  8$. 
■  "Now  he  that  hath  wrought  lis  for  the  selfsame  thing,  is  God,  who  also 
hath  given  unto  us  the  earnest  of  the  Spirit." 

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I04  DIARY  OF  COTTON  MATHER 

lions,  and  Supplications;  especially,  to  seek  for  the  Guidance 
and  Blessing  of  God,  in  what  concerns  the  change  of  my 
Condition  in  the  World,  from  single,  to  married;  whereto, 
I  have  now  many  Invitations. 

•J  d.  "J  m.  [September.]  There  is  a  young  Gentleman,  Mr. 
Daniel  Royse,  for  whose  everlasting  Happiness,  I  have  used 
many  Endeavours.    But  unto  all  the  rest,  I  now  added  this. 

I  prevailed  with  him,  to  bee  with  mee,  all  this  Day  in 
my  Study;  and  I  spent  the  Day,  in  Prayer  with  Fasting, 
for  His  eternal  Welfare.  I  intermingled  the  Devotions  of 
the  Day,  with  as  entertaining  a  Varitie  of  Discourses  upon 
Divine  Matters  as  I  could:  I  also  putt  him  upon  bearing 
a  part  in  these  Devotions;  and  having  drawn  up  in  Writing, 
a  solemn  Covenant,  I  left  EUm  not,  until  his  conquered  Heart 
and  Hand,  most  affectionately  subscribed  it,  and  so  hee 
bound  himself  unto  the  Service  of  the  Lord. 

This  gentleman,  afterwards  joined  unto  our  church  and 
lived  and  died,  a  serious  Christian.' 

This  Day  has  been  painfully  laid  out,  by  mee,  for  the 
gaining  of  one  precious  and  immortal  Soul,  unto  the  Lord 
Jesus  Christ;  and  I  trust  that  I  have  prospered  in  it. 

How  willing  should  I  bee,  to  employ  no  small  Part  of 
my  Life,  after  this  rate! 

About  this  Time,  the  Calamities  and  Confusions  of  the 
English  Nation,^  caused  mee  to  order  myself  to  bee  called 
up,  an  Hour  earlier  in  Mornings,  than  I  use  to  Rise;  that 
I  might  retire  for  Siglis,  and  Prayers,  and  Psalms,  to  bee 
employed  for  the  distress'd  Churches  of  God. 

•This  paragraph  is  written  in  the  margin.  Sewall,  under  date  January  31, 
1685-86,  notes,  "Mr.  Royse  taken  in  and  baptised  in  the  North  Church."  The 
name  was  Daniel  Royce. 

'  The  news  of  Argyll's  capture  and  death,  and  of  Monmouth's  rising  were 
now  known  in  Boston.  The  victory  of  the  King  over  Monmouth  at  Sedgcmoor, 
on  July  6,  the  capture  and  execution  of  Monmouth,  were  not  known  until  Sep- 
tember 2a.  The  letters  from  Nathaniel  Mather  to  Increase  Mather,  written 
from  Ireland  in  these  years,  contain  much  that  would  give  occasion  to  anxieties. 
4  Collec lions,  vrii.  56. 

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OCTOBER,     l68S  105 

And  I  made  a  VOW: 

That  whenever  I  received  certain  Tidings,  of  the  Lord's 
appearing  to  scatter  our  Foes  and  our  Fears  I  will,  within 
a  Fortnight  after,  at  furthest,  keep  a  Day  of  Thanksgiving 
unto  Him;  wherein  also  I  would  make  it  my  Business  to 
contrive  what  other  Acknowledgments,  I  should  make  unto 
Him,  for  His  Benefits. 

Several  have  been  my  Designs,  in  the  two  Months  that 
are  past;  but  these  among  the  rest: 

I.  Whenever  I  pray  with  any  sick  Person,  I  would  bee 
at  pains  to  do  what  good  I  can,  upon  the  Souls  of  them, 
that  attend  in  the  Room,  where  I  give  the  \'isit. 

II.  I  would  on  Lord's  Day  Mornings,  have  my  rising 
Thoughts  often  employed  on  this  Quaestion,  What  Service 
may  I  do  for  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  as  I  am  a  Pastor  to  a 
Flock  of  His? 

III.  Oh !  That  while  I  am  dressing  myself  in  any  Morn- 
ing, I  may  bee  frequently  thinking,  What  special  Service 
is  there  to  bee  done  by  mee,  for  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  in  tlie 
Day  ensuing. 

rV.  When  I  have  heard  a  Sermon  preached,  I  would,  as 
I  go  out  of  the  Assembly  send  up  an  Ejaculation  to  Heaven, 
that  the  Truths  newly  delivered  may  have  an  happy  and  a 
lasting  Effect  upon  mee! 

V.  What  Service  may  I  do  for  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ, 
as  I  am  an  Overseer  of  Harvard-College?  I  may  suggest 
imto  my  Father,  who  is  the  Rector  of  it,  many  profitable 
Things.  Especially,  as  to  settling  the  Students  in  good 
Principles. 

VI.  When  I  imderstand  that  any  Person  belonging  to  my 
Flock,  is  in  any  peculiar  Affliction  or  Temptation,  I  would 
of  my  own  Accord,  seek  an  Opportunitie,  to  assist  them. 

1"]  d.?)m.  [October.]  '    This  Day,  which  was  a  Fast  in 

'  Mather  prayed  at  the  Artillery  Meeting,  Monday,  October  $.  Sewall, 
Diary,  I.  og. 

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I06  DIARY  OF  COTTON  MATHER 

my  Study,  was  a  Day  full  of  Sweetness  and  Heaven;  and 
Assurances,  that  I  am  a  pardon'd  and  shall  be  a  blessed 
Man.  One  of  my  Errands  to  Heaven  was,  Guidance  about 
the  Change  of  my  Condition. 

i8d.8m  Lord's  Day.  At  the  Lord's-Table,  I  did,  as  the 
Pastor  of  the  Church,  in  the  Name  of  my  Father,  then  pres- 
ent, and  myself,  profess,  that  if  our  Death  were  needful  to 
ensure  the  Salvation  of  any  Soul  present,  wee  would  bee  willing 
to  dy  immediately:  and  that,  however  wee  brought  all  of  them 
in  our  Arms  unto  the  Saviour  of  Souls,  that  there  might  not 
bee  one  Child  of  Perdition  among  them  all. 

24  d.  8  m.  Designs.  I.  Lett  mee  do  my  part,  in 
obtaining  of  the  Ministers  in  this  Town,  that  wee  may 
together  in  private  have  our  Dayes  for  Prayer  with  Fast- 
ing; which  ourselves,  our  Flocks  our  whole  distressed  Land 
may  fare  the  better  for. 

II.  Never  bee  at  Rest,  while  our  Island  here,  the  North 
part  of  Boston,  is  without  a  good  Schoolmaster,  and  a  florish- 
ing  School. 

III.  My  Father  has  praepared  a  little  Book,  about  FaUh, 
and  Repentance,  and  the  Day  of  Judgment.^  Lett  mee 
promote  and  assist  the  Publication  of  it;  and  ^vith  no 
small  Expence,  endeavour  to  scatter  it  into  Multitudes  of 
Houses. 

J  d.  g  m  [November.]  This  DAY,  was  devoted  unto 
secret  Humiliations  and  Supplications,  before  the  God  of 
Heaven. 

Having  this  Day,  obtained  and  received,  a  joyful  Assur- 
ance, that  none  of  my  former  Iniquities  would  bee  remem- 
bred  against  mee,  I  sett  myself  to  beg  the  Smiles  of  God 
upon  mee,  in  the  Ordering  of  my  single  or  married  Estate, 
unto  His  Glory. 

I  acknowledged  unto  the  Lord,  my  own  Unworthiness 
of  any  good  Thing,  especially  of  the  good  Thing,  which  is 

'  The  Greatest  Sinners  Exhorted  and  Encouraged,  Boston,  1686. 

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NOVEMBER,     1685  IO7 

found  by  them  that  ohtaxa.  favour  of  the  Lord:  I  professed, 
that  I  would  study  to  do  nothing  hereabout,  that  should 
bee  Displeasing  unto  Him:  I  declared,  that  I  desired 
Nothing  in  this  World,  which  might  prejudice  my  Glorify- 
ing of  Himself:  I  said,  that  if  Hee  saw  any  thing  would 
hinder  mee  from  honouring  of  Him,  I  should  bee  glad,  if 
Hee  would  hinder  mee  from  having  of  that,  whatever  my 
misguided  Appetites,  might  plead  unto  the  contrary:  I 
said,  that  if  Hee  would  have  mee  to  embrace  a  Codibacy, 
I  would  evermore  take  a  Contentment  in  it,  as  that  which 
would  capacitate  mee  to  serve  my  Parents,  and  His  People, 
to  whom  I  owe  my  All.  i®"  Nevertheless,  to  this  I  sub- 
joined, that  since  my  Inclinations  and  Invitations  did  now 
seem  to  recommend  a  married  Estate  unto  mee,  I  begg'd 
of  Him,  that  Hee  would  lead  mee  in  the  Way  wherein  I  should 
go;  and  I  VOW'd  imto  Him,  that  if  Hee  would  prevent 
all  Obstructions,  of  my  desirable  Settlement  in  a  married 
Relation,  imto  one  who  shall  bee  a  Blessing  to  mee,  in 
that  Work,  which  my  Hand  finds  to  do,  I  will  TWICE 
at  least,  EVERY  YEAR,  join  with  her,  in  keeping  a 
Day  of  Thanksgiving,  privately  imto  Himself:  except  His 
Providence  at  any  Time,  give  a  sufficient  Cause,  for  the 
Omission  of  it. 

In  this  month,  I  had  these  among  other.  Designs. 

I.  The  Apostles  advice  to  a  Young  Minister,  was  Exer- 
cise thyself  unto  Godliness^ 

1  would  now  Read  over  Mr.  Swinnock's  fine  Discourses,' 
on  this  Art;  and  bestow  my  particular  Ejactdations  upon 
every  Article,  as  I  go  along. 

II.  Tis  observable,  that  the  Want  of  Mortification  in  a 
Minister,  procures  a  sad  Unsuccessftdness  unto  his  Ministry. 
That  I  may  not  bee,  as  alas,  I  fear,  I  am,  a  doleful  Instance 
hereof,  lett  mee  immediately  read  over  Dr.  Owens  Holy 

'  I  Tim.  4,  7. 

'  George  Swinnock  (1627-1673),  a  non-conformist  divine.     He  wrote  much, 

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I08  DIARY  OF  COTTON  MATHER 

Treatise  of  Mortification,^  and  endeavour  to  apply  and  follow 
the  Directions  in  it. 

III.  When  I  hear  a  Sermon,  it  shall  bee  a  Custome  with 
mee,  to  attend  every  Head,  and  every  Text,  mentioned  by 
the  Preacher,  with  some  Ejactdaiion  to  Heaven,  pertinent 
thereunto. 

Oh!  Blessed  bee  the  Lord,  for  teaching  mee,  this  Way 
of  liearing  His  word,  and  moulding  my  Heart  according  to 
that  Word! 

IV.  I  would  have  by  mee,  a  Catalogue  of  all  the  Com- 
municants belonging  unto  our  church, ^  and  in  my  secret 
Prayers,  I  would  sometimes  go  over  this  Catalogue,  by 
Parcels  at  a  Time,  upon  my  Knees;  praying  for  the  most 
suitable  Blessings  I  can  think  of,  to  bee  bestow'd  on  each 
Person,  by  Name  distinctly  mentioned. 

lid.  lo  m.  [December.]  In  a  praeparation  for  the  Lord's 
Supper,  I  came  at  last  imto  these  Passages  before  the  Lord. 

"Lord,  I  am  willing  to  part  with  aU  that  thou  wouldest 
have  mee  to  forego,  for  an  Interest  in  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ. 
I  am  willing  to  forego  my  Righteousnesses;  and  I  do  confess 
unto  Thee,  that  after  all  that  I  have  done,  or  can  do,  for 
Thee,  if  Thou  shouldest  break  mee  sore  in  the  Place  of 
Dragons  forever,  I  could  not  sa>-,  there  were  any  Injustice 
in  thy  Proceedings.  I  am  wUling  to  forego  my  Corrup- 
tions too;  and  I  do  profess  unto  Thee  that  I  wish  every 
Sin  were  made  bitter  unto  my  Soul;  I  wish  I  may  choose 
Thee  only  for  my  Best  Good  and  my  last  end;  and  never 
do  or  bee  any  thing,  but  glorify  Thee  forever." 

The  last  Week  of  this  Month,  I  preached  on  Lord's-Day, 
Munday,  Tuesday,  Wednesday,'  Thursday,  in  the  same  week. 

'  John  Owen  (1616-1683),  Of  the  Morlification  of  Sin  in  Believers,  1668. 

'  Such  a  list,  but  in  the  writing  of  Increase  Mather,  is  in  Record  Book,  No.  3 
of  the  Second  Church.  There  were  sixty-nine  brethren  and  one  hundred  and 
seven  sisters. 

'"Mr.  Cotton  Mather  Preaches  forenoon,  mentions  the  Notion  Mede  has 
about  America's  Peopling."     Scwall,  Diary,  1.  115.     Nathaniel  Mather,  uncle  of 

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JANUARY,     1685-86  109 

Yea,  several  weeks,  I  have  in  one  week  preached  five  Times 
and  once,  I  preach'd  five  Times  in  two  Dayes,  which  came 
together.  So  that  it  cannot  bee  expected,  that  I  should 
have  much  Liesure,  to  record  much  in  my  private  Papers. 
But  among  my  Designs,  I  would  particularly  enter 
these. 

I.  In  perusing  my  Sermons  before  I  preach  them,  I 
would  ever  make  my  doing  of  that,  an  Exercise  of  Devotion; 
by  endeavouring  to  fetch  an  Ejaculation,  out  of  every  Head, 
and  every  Text  produced  in  them. 

II.  In  preaching  of  my  Sermons,  lett  my  active  Mind 
bestow  upon  my  Hearers,  ejaculatory  prayers,  like  those 
which  I  have  employ'd  for  myself,  in  the  revolving  of  them. 

HI.  When  I  understand,  that  any  of  my  Flock  do  not 
walk  so  as  to  adorn  the  Doctrine  of  God  their  Saviour,  I 
would  with  a  very  particular  and  pecuUar  Concernment 
for  them,  often  cry  unto  God,  on  the  behalf  of  those  Per- 
sons by  Name;  that  they  may  glorify  the  Lord. 

22,  d.  II  m.  [January,  1685-86.]  This  Day  I  spent,  in  the 
Services  of  a  secret  FAST.  Especially  for  the  Smiles  of 
Heaven  upon  mee,  to  direct  mee  about  the  change  of  my 
single  Estate. 

This  Day,  with  Anguish  of  Soul,  in  the  Sense  of  my  own 
Sinfulness,  and  Filthiness,  I  cast  myself  prostrate,  on  my 
Study-floor  with  my  mouth  in  the  Dust.  Here,  I  lamented 
imto  the  Lord,  my  Follies,  which  might  have  an  Influence 
to  deprive  mee  of  the  Blessing  which  I  was  now  pursuing. 
I  judg'd,  I  loath'd,  I  hated  myself,  because  of  those  accursed 
Things  and  besought  the  Forgiveness  thereof,  thro'  the 
Blood  of  the  Covenant.  I  then  begg'd  of  the  Most  High, 
that   Hee   would,   notwithstanding   all   my   Miscarriages, 

.Cotton,  had  a  poor  opinion  of  Mede's  works.  "It  is  easy  to  discern  all  along  his 
other  writings  that  there  was  a  secret  rottennes  that  influenced  his  glosses  and 
interpretations  of  Scriptures,  and  indeed  this  is  it  that  makes  his  books  so  accept- 
able with  many  of  our  prelaticall  clergy;  yea,  very  many  of  his  admired  notions 
are  only  covers  for  some  such  sore."    4  Collections,  vm.  8. 

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no  DIARY  OF  COTTON  MATHER 

bestow  upon  mee,  a  Companion  for  my  Life,  by  whose 
Prudence,  Vertue,  good  Nature,  I  might,  while  I  am  alive 
in  this  World,  bee  assisted  in  the  Service  of  my  Master, 
and  whose  company  I  might  also  at  length  have  in  the 
Heaven  of  Heavens  forever.  I  pleaded  that  Marriage  was 
His  Ordinance;  and  that  Hee  had  promised,  no  good  Thing 
should  bee  witheld  from  mee.  I  said  unto  Him;  that  I 
cast  the  whole  Burden  of  the  Care,  about  this  Affayr,  upon 
Him;  Expecting,  that  Hee  would  mercifully  divert  my 
Inclinations,  from  this  matter,  if  it  would  prove  displeasing 
to  Him,  or  Disadvantageous  to  myself;  entreating,  that  if  it 
may  bee  left  for  mee  to  proceed  Hee  would  please  to  direct 
my  Choice,  and  all  my  Steps,  and  overrule  the  Hearts  of  my 
Friends,  and  of  Her  unto  whom  I  may  make  my  Addresses, 
to  favour  what  I  prosecute :  and  in  His  due  Time,  so  settle 
mee,  as  to  give  mee  rich  Demonstrations  of  His  loving 
Kindness;  engaging  herewithal,  that  I  would  then  more  than 
ever  glorify  Him,  and  spend  my  Time,  in  making  of  blessed 
Matches  between  the  Son  of  God,  and  the  Souls  of  Men. 

27  d.  II  m.  This  Day,  I  kept  in  my  Study,  as  a  Day  of 
secret  THANKSGIVING,  unto  that  Gracious  God,  wliose 
I  am,  and,  whom  I  serve. 

The  Forenoon,  I  spent, 

I.  In  acknowledging  of  my  own  Vilemss  before  God, 
whereby  I  have  become,  after  an  aggravated  Manner, 
unworthy  of  all  that  Goodness  and  Mercy,  which  has  fol- 
lowed mee  all  my  Dayes. 

II.  In  acknowledging  of  tliose  Glories,  which  belong 
unto  the  Great  God,  as  Hee  is  infinitely  excellent  in  Himself, 
and  as  Hee  is  the  Creator  and  the  Governour,  of  all  the  World; 
and  unto  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  as  Hee  is  one  altogether 
lovely. 

In  these  Exercises,  my  Heart  was  rapt  into  those  heavenly  * 
Frames,  which  would  have  turned  a  Dungeon  into  a  Para- 
dise. 

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JANUARY,     1685-86  III 

In  the  Afternoon,  I  went  over  the  former  Kindnesses  of 
God  unto  myself,  in  my  Thoughts,  my  Psahns,  my  Praises. 

But  I  more  emphatically  single  out  three  Things,  wherein 
I  have  seen  the  Loving-kindness  of  God. 

1.  Answers  to  Petitions. 

2.  Rescues  from  Temptations. 

3.  Those  Afflictions,  by  means  whereof,  I  have  enjoy'd 
both. 

I  assay'd  then  to  Bless  the  Lord,  for  those  Favours 
wherewith  I  am  at  present,  on  every  side  surrounded. 

1.  My  Life  and  Health. 

2.  My  Accomplishments  in  any  Points  of  Learning. 

3.  My  exceedingly- well-furnished  Library. 

4.  My  Improvement  in  the  Ministry  of  the  Gospel. 

5.  My  peaceable  Settlement,  in  a  place  of  great  Oppor- 
tunities. 

6.  My  Deliverance  from  the  Chains  upon  my  Utter- 
ance. 

7.  My  Success  in  my  public  and  private  Labours. 

8.  My  Acceptance  and  Interest,  among  the  People  of 
God. 

9.  My  Enjoyment  of  my  Father,  notwithstanding  my 
many  Dangers  of  loosing  him. 

10.  The  notable  Growth  and  Peace  of  the  Flock,  whereof 
I  am  the  Pastor. 

11.  The  Continuance  of  New  England's  precious  and 
pleasant  Things. 

Having  employ'd  my  Admirations  and  Adorations  upon 
the  Grace,  from  whence  these  Things  do  come  imto  mee; 
I  then  came  to  consider  the  Free-grace  of  God  unto  mee  in, 

1.  The  Gift  of  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  imto  the  World. 

2.  The  Offer  of  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ  unto  myself  in 
partioilar. 

3.  The  Sense  of  my  Need  of  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ, 

which  God  has  given  mee. 

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112  DIARY  or  COTTON  MATHER 

4.  The  Union  with  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  which  the 
Holy  Spirit  has  brought  mee  unto. 

5.  All  the  Operations  of  God,  upon  my  Soul,  whereby 
Hee  is  every  Day  making  mee  more  meet  for  the  Inheritance 
of  tlte  Saints  in  Light. 

I  concluded  the  Day,  with  considering.  What  shall  I 
r Older  to  the  Lord? 

I  then  gave  my  Self,  my  whole  Self,  aU  my  powers, 
Members,  Interests,  and  Capacities,  which,  I  owned,  was 
the  least  that  I  owned,  unto  the  Lord. 

In  particular,  I  added. 

That  since  I  ow'd  all  my  good  Things,  unto  the  Com- 
passion of  God, 

I  would  always  bee  contriving,  how  to  honour  Him; 
and  immediately  procure  some  Testitnony,  against  some 
common  and  growing  Evils,  which  ofiFended  Him,  in  our 
Land. 

And  since  it  was  the  Mediation  of  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ 
unto  which  I  own'd  the  Procurement  of  all, 

I  would  quickly  preach  a  Sermon,  in  the  biggest  Auditory 
of  this  Countrey,  the  Scope  whereof  should  bee,  to  magnify 
the  Lord  Jesits  Christ,  and  invite  the  Minds  of  men,  unto 
an  assiduous  Contemplation  of  His  glories. 

I  did  it,  on  Isa.  33.  17.' 

Some  of  the  other  Designs,  which  I  had  this  Month 
were  these. 

I.  Alas,  tis  because  I  have  an  hard  Heart,  that  I  do  so 
httle  Good,  in  the  World.  And  what  shall  I  do  for  it? 
Among  other  Things,  I  will  go  read  some  savoury  Book, 
the  Tendcncie  whereof  shaU  bee,  to  represent  the  Signs  and 

'  This  line  is  written  in  the  margin.  "Thine  eyes  shall  see  the  King  in  his 
beauty;  they  shall  behold  the  land  that  is  very  far  off."  Sewall  says  of  this  ser- 
mon that  it  was  "somewhat  disgusted  for  some  expressions;  as  sweet  sented 
hands  of  Christ,  Lord  High  Trcasurir  of  .Klhiopia,  Ribband  of  Humility  which 
was  sorry  for,  because  of  the  excellency  and  seasonableness  of  the  subject,  and 
otherwise  well  handled.  Doctrine,  'lis  a  matchless  privilcdg  to  behold  Christ 
in  his  liiauty."     Diary,  l.  iig. 

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JANUARY,     1685-86  113 

Cures  of  an  }iard  Heart,  with  a  serious  Hearkening  to  what, 
God  the  Lord  shall  thereby  speak  unto  mee. 

II.  0,  that  the  Time,  which  the  Ministers  have  together 
every  week,  after  the  Lecture,  were  spent  unto  more  ixniversal 
Edification!     Can  I  do  nothing  to  promote  it? 

III.  The  glorious  Assurances,  which  I  have  enjoyed  and 
uttered,  very  many  Times,  for  now  some  years  together, 

.about  the  Lord's  Appearing  to  dehver  His  People  from 
impending  Desolations,  are  now  answered.  That  Monster 
Kirk,^  who  was  coming  to  New  England,  with  a  Regiment 
of  Red-Coats,  to  sacrifice  the  best  Lives  among  us,  is  diverted 
from  coming  hither,  by  the  happv  Death  of  t^at  greater 
Monster  K.  Charles  II.  And  with  K.  James  II.  things  are 
operating  towards  such  a  Liberty  for  the  Dissenters,  as  may, 
for  ought  I  know,  begin  the  Resurrection  of  our  Lord's 
Witnesses:  it  being  just  three  years  and  an  half  since  their 
Congregations  were  all  dissipated,  and  a  Thanksgiving  cele- 
brated thro'  a  wicked  Nation  for  it.' 

Wherefore,  lett  mee  now,  procure  as  many  Dayes  of 
Praise  as  I  can,  among  the  Meetings  with  whom  I  have  had 
so  many  Dayes  oj  Prayer,  on  these  Occasions. 

IV.  I  would  endeavour  to  make  my  Prayers  at  the 
Lord's  Table  an  Engine,  for  the  cure  of  whatever  Distempers 
in  our  Church,  at  any  time  occvu-  to  Observation.  I  would 
therefore  observe,  the  Disorders,  the  Vanities,  the  Corrup- 
tions, which  my  Flock  is  most  in  danger  of,  and  I  would, 
in  the  most  ingenious  Methods  I  can  use,  labour  to  spoil 

•Percy  Kirke.  "Kirke,  a  short-tempered,  rough-spoken,  dissolute  soldier, 
was  no  doubt  harsh  and  unscrupulous,  but  the  accounts  of  his  atrocities  are  ficti- 
tious or  exaggerated,"  Chichester,  in  Dictionary  of  National  Biography,  xxxi. 
215.  No  good  word  was  ever  said  for  Kirke  in  New  England,  but  even  Edward 
Randolph  thought  him  a  most  unfit  person  to  be  sent  to  America.  See  Toppan, 
Edward  Randolph  (Prince  Society). 

'  Nothing  could  have  been  further  from  the  truth  than  this  expectation. 
The  king  was  working  to  restore  Catholicism,  and  to  that  end  had  an  understand- 
ing with  France.  His  efforts  to  introduce  an  irresponsible  despotism  caused  all 
his  other  plans  to  fail,  and  drove  him  from  the  throne. 

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114  DIARY  OF  COTTON  MATHER 

them,  with  my  Prayers  over  my  poor  Sheep,  when  wee  are 
at  the  Holy  Supper,  lying  down,  in  the  green  Pastures. 

6  d.  12  m  [Febriiary.]  A  Design.  It  will  cost  mee 
very  bitter  Toyls  and  Pains,  yett  perhaps  I  may  bee  very 
serviceable  in  it;  if  I  procure  to  myself  an  exact  Account 
of  those  Evil  Humours,  which  this  place  is  at  any  Time, 
under  the  observable  Dominion  of.  And,  whereas  those 
Divels  may  bee  cast  out  by  Fasting  and  Prayer,  sett  apart , 
still  a  Day  of  secret  Prayer,  with  Fasting,  on  the  Occasion 
of  each  of  them;  to  deprecate  my  own  Guiltiness  therein, 
and  supplicate  for  such  Effusions  of  the  Spirit  from  on  High, 
as  may  redress,  remove,  and  banish  such  Distempers  from 
the  Place.' 

In  the  Winter  of  this  Year,  I  putt  in  execution,  a  couple 
of  Designs,  wherein  the  Favour  of  God,  was  \-ery  Great 
unto  mee. 

I.  I  sett  upon  Visiting  all  the  Families  of  our  Church, 
taking  sometimes  one  and  sometimes  two.  Afternoons  in  a 
Week  for  that  purpose. 

I  still  sent  aforehand  unto  the  Families,  that  I  intended 
at  such  a  Time  to  visit  them,  and  when  I  came  unto  them, 
I  essay'd  with  as  handsome  and  as  pungent  Addresses  as 
I  was  able,  to  treat  every  Person  particularly  about  their 
everlasting  Interests;  and  the  young  People  I  still  asked 
some  Questions  of  the  Catechism,  from  the  Answers  whereof 
I  made  as  lively  Apphcations  unto  them  as  I  could,  for 
the  engaging  of  them  unto  the  Service  of  God. 

I  enjoy'd  a  most  wonderful  Presence  of  God  ^\'ith  mee, 
in  tliis  Undertaking;  and  seldome  left  a  Family,  without 
many  Tears  of  Devotion  dropt  by  all  sorts  of  Persons  in  it. 

'  lie  may  refer  to  the  beginnings  of  the  witchcraft  outbreak.  In  January 
Sewall  heard  of  a  "  Maid  at  Wobum  who  tis  feared  is  possessed  by  an  evil  Spirit." 
But  Mr.  Willard  preached  a  sermon  on  I'cbruary  7,  seeming  "very  sensible  of 
the  Countries  Danger  as  to  Changes."  There  was  certainly  enough  in  what 
was  passing  in  England  to  awaken  sad  forebodings.  What  was  reported  to  be 
roving  in  the  fields  may  be  gathered  from  Sewall,  Diary,  I.  ua. 

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FEBRUARY,     1685-86  II5 

I  could  seldome  dispatch  more  than  three  or  four  Families 
in  an  Afternoon;  and  the  work  was  as  laborious  as  any  in 
all  my  Ministry.  But  I  dispatch'd  more  than  fifty  Families, 
in  two  or  three  Months;  promising  to  the  Lord,  that  when 
Hee  had  carried  mee  thro'  my  Undertaking,  I  would  keep 
a  Day  of  Thanksgiving  to  Him,  on  that  Occasion. 

n.  I  singled  out  a  Number  of  Students,  who  were 
Gradtiates,  and  capable;  and  these  mett  at  my  Study  in  the 
Forenoon  of  every  Thursday. 

Here,  in  the  several  Common-place-Heads  in  LHvinitie, 
where  any  notable  Controversie  had  been  managed  in  the 
Church  of  God,  wee  had  a  solernn  Disputation,  on  the  con- 
troverted Qucestion;  in  which  Disputation  I  was  alwayes  the 
Moderator,  and  still  concluded  with  a  Discourse  which  by 
Argument  established  the  Truth,  defended  by  the  Respondent. 

But,  because,  upon  every  Head  of  Divinitie,  there  were 
multitudes  of  Qucestions,  not  so  worthy  of  a  solemn  Dis- 
putation, these  I  laboriously  gathered  up;  and  giving  them 
to  the  Societie,  at  some  of  our  meetings,  wee  came  all 
praepared  with  brief,  but  strong  and  proved,  Answers  to  them, 
which  wee  accordingly  dehvered  in  our  Order. 

Thus,  wee  resolved  upon  going  thro'  a  Body  of  Divinitie. 
And  it  is  incredible,  how  much  wee  advantaged  ourselves 
by  these  Exercises. 

Appendix. 

I  will  take  this  place  to  relate  the  most  of  the  Subjects 
which  with  my  good  God's  Direction  and  Assurance  I 
have  taken  unto  this  Time  in  my  public  Ministry  prin- 
cipally insisted  on.*  As  for  my  private  sermons  the  subjects 
therein  handled,  I  have  not  praeserved.  My  first  public 
Sermons,  (for  having  laid  aside  my  own  Thoughts  of  being 
a  Physician,  my  two  first  Sermons  from  Luc.  4.  18  were  on 

'  In  this  place  Mather  has  probably  given  an  account  of  more  than  one  year's 
service,  for,  in  one  instance,  he  gives  the  date  of  the  discourse  as  June,  1684,  and 
again  speaks  of  some  as  having  been  delivered  about  his  twenty-first  year. 

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Il6  DIARY  OF  COTTON  MATHER 

the  Lord  Jesus  Christ  as  the  Physician  of  our  Souls)  They 
were  to  recommend  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  unto  the  Faith 
of  my  Hearers,  (twice  from  such  Texts  as  Cant.  5.  17.)  and 
to  show  the  Meaning  of  Beleeving  (from  such  Texts  as  Act. 
16.  30.  and  (twice)  i.  Joh.  3.  23.),  and  the  Nature  and  Vile- 
ness  of  Unbeleef  (from  such  Texts,  as  Luc.  14.  18.  and 
(twice)  Joh.  16.  9.).  Pressing  therewithal,  the  Worth  of  the 
Soul,  as  well  as  of  the  Saviour,  from  Math.  16.  26.  and  the 
Difficulty  of  being  saved,  on  Math.  7.  14.  Two  Sermons  I 
preached,  at  Dorchester,  on  Isa.  3.  10,  11.  Two,  at  Dedham 
from  Act  16.  30,  31  Afterwards  I  distinctly  handled,  five 
Discourses,  and  Assertions  of  the  Gospel:  that  wee  want 
a  Saviour  (from  Rom,  5.  6.);  that  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ 
is  a  Mighty  Saviour,  (from  Isa.  63.  i.);  and  only  Saviour, 
(from  Act.  4.  12.);  an  offered  Saviour,  (from  Isa.  65.  i.); 
and  infaUibly  bestowing  Salvacan  on  the  Beleever  (from 
Marc.  16.  16.).  On  a  pubUc  Thanksgiving  I  preached,  on 
I.  Thess.  5.  18.  giving  thanks  in  all  Things.  From  hence,  I 
passed  on,  to  describe  the  several  Works,  by  which  the  Holy 
Spirit  prcepared  men  for  the  Lord  Jesus,  touching  with  one 
whole  Sermon,  upon  Election,  as  the  foundacon  of  all,  from 
I.  Thes.  5.  9.  And  the  Vocation  in  three  Sermons  on  Rom. 
8.  36.  On  a  pubhc  Fast,  I  handled,  Ezek,  9.  4.  the  Mark  — 
I  describ'd  the  Prceparation,  in  general,  with  two  Sermons 
from  Luc.  i.  17.  Then  in  particular,  insisted  on  Convic- 
tion, in  two  Sermons,  from  Psal.  51.  3.  And  on  another, 
Psal.  122.  6.  On  Contrition  in  three  Sermons,  from  Act.  2. 
37.  On  Separation  from  Sin,  in  two  sermons  from  Hos. 
14.  3.  And  on  another,  Amos  6.  6.  On  Denial  of  one's 
own  Righteousness  in  three  Sermon,  Pliil.  3.  9,  and  of  one's 
own  Strength  in  two  Sermons,  from  Isa.  40.  29,  and  of 
one's  own  Will,  in  Two  Sermons  from  Act.  9.  6.  And  on 
another.  Gen.  22.  14.  Having  thus,  with  some  faint  Imita- 
tion of  John  Baptist,  endeavoured,  the  Pra;paration  of  my 
Hearers  for  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ;    I  then  gave  them  a 

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FEBRUARY,     1685-86  II7 

solemn  Invitation  to  Him  (and  I  hope,  with  many  of  them 
it  was  a  successM  one)  from  Math.  ii.  28.  On  which  I 
preached  no  less  than  ten  Sermons;  adding  one,  on  Joh. 
5.  6.  and  one  from  Isa.  i.  3.  about  Consideration.  And  a 
couple,  from  Act.  16.  14.  Once  I  preached  at  the  Old 
Church,  on  Mark.  i.  40.  While  I  was  doing  this  Work, 
there  were  several  other  Subjects  whereon  I  did,  as  it  were 
with  a  Parenthesis,  ever  now  and  then,  more  occasionally 
discourse,  for  the  Advancement  of  Godliness,  in  my  Neigh- 
bourhood, e.g.  on  Math.  6.  33.  in  four  Sermons;  on  Jer.  13. 
27.  in  two  Sermons;  On  Eccl.  9.  10.  in  three  Sermons;  and 
three  or  four  Sermons  on  Tim.  i.  15;  one  on  Math.  5.  29, 
30;  one  on  Psal.  119.  6.  On  a  public  Thanksgiving  I  han- 
dled. Gen.  32.  10. 

After  this,  I  was  willing  to  give  my  Hearers  a  Scheme 
of  all  practical  Religion,  with  the  Motives  of  it;  and  for  that 
End,  I  gave  them  about  half  a  score  Sermons,  on  Psal. 
73.  28.  Tacking  them,  with  a  Discourse,  on  Isa.  55.  3. 
Hear  and  Your  Soids  shall  Live.  And  with  two  or  three 
Discourses,  on  Jam.  i.  5.  and  one  on  Psal.  119.  5.  Because 
also,  I  observed  many  Christians  to  bee  much  exercised 
with  spiritual  Troubles,  I  preached  several  Sermons  on 
Cant.  5.  6.  and  i.  Pet.  i.  8. 

Moreover,  because,  it  was,  now  a  Time  of  much  Trouble 
among  the  people  of  God  abroad,  and  all  things  look'd 
as  if  a  black  Night  were  coming  on  ourselves,  I  preached 
several  Sermons  on  Psal.  46.  2. 

I  then  singled  out  those  two  Pillars  of  Religion,  to 
insist  largely  upon:  in  Heb  11.  6.  and  added  many  Ser- 
mons about  the  Sin  of  Apostasy  from  such  things,  as  I 
hop'd  many  by  these  Discourses  had  been  perswaded  unto; 
on  Heb.  10.  38.  Thrice  I  preached  at  the  Old  Church,  on 
Joh.  6.  37.  and  once  on  Psal.  119.  60.  And  thrice  at  the 
South  church  on  Isa.  i.  18. 

To  pursue  further  the  Interests  of  Religion;  I  preached 
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Il8  DIARY  OF  COTTON  MATHER 

a  Couple  of  Sermons  upon  the  Duty  of  Consideration; 
from  Ezek.  i8.  28.  and  then  singled  out  four  main  Subjects 
of  Consideration;  as  first  the  End  for  which  wee  were  made, 
in  two  Sermons,  from  Isa.  43.  21;  the  Account,  unto  which 
wee  must  bee  call'd,  in  two  Sermons,  from  Eccl.  12.  14; 
the  Hell  of  the  Wicked  and  the  Heaven  of  the  Godly;  in 
nine  Sermons  from  Math.  25.  46.  On  a  pubUc  Fast,  5  d. 
4  m.  1684,  I  handled  Exod.  32.  10.  Moses  at  Prayer.  I 
preached  these  many  Sermons  when  I  was  about  twenty 
years  old;  all  of  which,  one  of  my  Scholars  afterwards 
transcribed,  having  the  Title  of,  Consideranda,  by  Mee 
left  upon  them.  Some  worthy  and  aged  Christians,  per- 
swaded  mee  to  publish  them;  but  I  did  it  not.  I  also 
twice  preached  on  Ps.  26.  8.  the  Godly  man's  Love  to 
Ordinances.  On  another  public  Fast,  Neh.  9.  15  [17].  God 
ready  to  pardon.  In  a  sickly  Time  I  preached  on  Isa.  33.  24. 
The  Inhabitant  not  sick. 

For  the  further  Advancement  of  Religion,  I  thought  of 
one  Way  more,  to  recommend  it;  even  in  the  greatest 
Instances.  Wherefore,  I  first,  show'd  how  far  an  Hypo- 
crite might  go  in  Religion  in  two  Sermons,  from  Act  8.  23. 
And  then  pressed  the  Duty  of  Self- Examination,  in  two 
Sermons,  from  2.  Cor.  13.  5.  And  thereupon,  I  discoursed 
on  thirteen  Several  Marks  of  Godliness,  — ■  as,  ejffectual 
Calling,  from  2.  Pet.  i.  10;  a  new  Creature,  from  2.  Cor. 
5.  17;  an  Illumination;  from  Heb.  10.32;  God  preferred, 
from  Psal.  73.  25;  Christ  prized  from  i.  Pet.  2.  7;  Sin 
mortified;  from  Psal.  18.  23;  Afflictions  entertained,  from 
Psal.  119.  71;  the  Omniscience  of  God  realized,  from  i. 
Thess.  2.  4;  a  Respect  to  the  Name  of  God,  from  Isa.  26.  8; 
the  Leadings  of  the  Spirit,  from  Rom.  8.  14;  good  Resolu- 
tions, from  Job.  13.  15;  Growth  in  Grace,  from  Joh.  15.  2; 
lastly,  good  Sorrowes,  and  good  Desires;  from  Marc.  9.  24. 

I  preached  three  Sermons  on  Isa.  i.  3.  The  Ingratitude 
in  Irreligion.    In  a  public  Fast,  22  d.  8  m.  1684,  I  handled, 

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FEBRUARY,     1685-86  IIQ 

Jer.  31.  18.  Turn  thou  mee.  On  another  Jon.  2.  11  [9]. 
Salvation  belonging  to  the  Lord.' 

And,  (before  the  underlining,  last  mentioned)  that 
Religion  might  bee  yett  more  advanced;  I  preached  a  Ser- 
mon, on  Psal.  31.  19,  the  general  Intention,  and  Advantage 
of  the  Fear  of  God;  with  two  Sermons,  on  the  Good  of 
Desiring  it;  from  Neh.  i.  ii;  and  one  on  the  Evil  of  refus- 
ing it;  from  Jer.  6.  16.  I  then  handled,  the  Fear  of  God, 
as  attended  with  an  Interest  in  Christ,  from  Mai.  4.  2.  in 
three  Sermons;  the  Guardianship  of  Angels,  from  Psal. 
34.  7.  in  three  Sermons;  Life,  from  Prov.  19.  23;  Health, 
from  Prov.  3.  7,  8;  Honour,  from  Prov.  22.  4;  Riches,  from 
Ps.  III.  5;  Welfare  in  an  evil  Day,  from  Psal.  33.  18,  19. 
The  Forgiveness  of  Sin,  from  Psal.  103.  11,  12,  in  three 
Sermons;  the  Audience  of  Prayer,  from  Psal.  145.  19; 
Benefit  by  Afflictions,  from  Psal.  112.  i,  4,  in  two  Sermons, 
the  Knowledge  of  God,  from  Psal.  25.  14;  the  Comfort  of 
the  Holy  Spirit,  from  Act.  9.  31;  good  Circumstances  in  the 
Day  of  Judgment,  from  Rev.  11.  18,  in  two  Sermons,  ever- 
lasting Happiness,  from  Prov.  14.  27,  in  two  Sermons.  I 
proceeded  then  to  urge,  a  solemn  Consecration  of  ourselves 
to  the  Fear  of  God;  from  Psal.  119.  38,  in  two  Sermons; 
an  Eminency  in  the  Fear  of  God;  from  Neh.  7.  2;  a  Con- 
stancy in  the  Fear  of  God,  from  Deut.  4.  10;  the  Company 
of  them  that /ear  God,  from  Psal.  119.  63;  the  daily  Exer- 
cise of  the  Fear  of  God;  from  Prov.  23.  17;  an  immediate 
Engagement,  unto  the  Fear  of  God;  from  Josh.  24.  14. 
With  that  great  Motive  to  the  Fear  of  God;  the  Divine 
Omniscience;  from  Jer.  23.  24.  Two  Sermons  I  added,  for 
the  Cure  of  Care,  from  Psal.  37.  5.  And  a  Sermon,  on  2. 
Chron.  i.  7.  Solomon's  choice. 

I  preached  also  four  Sermons  on  Jam.  2.  23.  Friend- 
ship with  God.     A  Sermon,  on  Joh.  12.  26,  at  the  Death 

'■  These  items  were  written  in  the  margin.  The  "underlining,  last  mentioned  " 
refers  to  "good  Desires,"  at  the  end  of  the  paragraph  preceding. 

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I20  DIARY  OF  COTTON  MATHER 

of  Mr.  Shcpanl.'  Two  Sermons  on  Job.  6.  44,  The  Draw- 
ings of  the  Father.  A  sermon  on  Prov.  14.  32,  Hope  in 
the  Death,  for  the  Death  of  a  worthy  Neighbour.  On  Psal. 
90.  12.  Numbring  our  Dayes.  On  Psal.  116.  4.  5om/- 
Dclivcrancc.  Three  Sermons,  on  2.  Cor.  5.  20.  Reconcilia- 
tion. On  sacramental  Occasions,  Cant.  5.  2.  and  i.  Cor. 
II.  28.  and  Joh.  22,  28. 

After  these  things,  I  preached  four  Sermons  on  Phil. 
I.  21.  Christ  our  Life;  one,  on  Act.  26,  28,  almost  Per- 
swaded,  and  three  on  Joh.  13.  15  Christ  our  Exemple. 
And  then  I  sett  myself,  to  handle  and  propose  the  Ex- 
emple of  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  in  many  Articles.  The 
Imitation  of  Him,  in  His  Childhood;  from  Ps.  22.  9.  and 
in  His  Youth,  from  Ps.  no.  3,  three  Sermons.  And  three 
in  particular  Instances. 

'  See  page  102  supra. 


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i686. 


THE  XXIVth  year. 

R.  Gafnalicl,^  on  his  Wedding-Day,  at  Night,  said  over 
his  Phylacteries;  his  Disciples  said  unto  him,  Sir,  hast  not 
thou  taught  tis,  that  a  Bridegroom  is  free  from  saying  over  his 
Phylacteries  the  first  Nights  Hee  saith  unto  them,  /  will  not 
hearken  unto  you,  to  lay  from  mcc  the  yoke  of  the  Kingdo?ne  of 
Heaven,  no,  not  one  Hour. 

THE   XXIVth   YEAR   OF   MY   AGE. 

12  d.  12  w.  1685.  This  Day,  thro'  the  good  Hand  of 
God  upon  mee,  I  finish  the  Twenty-third  Year  of  my  Age. 

And  this  Day,  I  ga\'e  one  of  my  first  Visits,  unto  a  >oung 
Gentlewoman,  the  Daughter  of  worthy,  pious,  and  credible 
Parents,  in  Charlestown;  unto  an  Acquaintance  with  whom, 
the  Wonderful  Providence  of  God,  in  Answer  to  many 
Prayers,  directed  mee.^ 

I  propounded  unto  myself,  the  Methods,  the  divine  and 
sacred  Methods,  wherein  the  glorious  Lord  Jesus  Christ, 
engaged  our  immortal  Souls  unto  Himself;  and  I  studied 
how  to  nfeke  my  Addresses  unto  my  Friend  analogous  unto 
those.  But,  alas,  wherewithal  shall  a  young  Man  cleanse  his 
Way? 

Moreover,  for  a  whole  Quarter  of  a  year,  now  ensuing,  I 
think,  I  did  lett  scarce  one  Week  pass  mee,  without  a  Day 

'  Rabbi  Gamaliel,  a  Pharisee  and  Jewish  doctor  of  the  law  living  at  Jerusalem 
in  the  first  century,  and  the  preceptor  of  Saint  Paul.     He  died  about  88  a.d. 

'  In  the  margin  is  written:  "ABIGAH.,  the  Happy  Daughter  of  JOHN,  and 
KATHARIN  PHttlPS." 

[121] 

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122  DIARY  OF  COTTON  MATHER 

oj  Prayer  unto  the  Lord:  for  the  good  Success  of  the  AflFayr 
wherein  I  was  engaged:  and  lest  any  Unholiness  might  gain 
upon  my  Heart.  And,  I  beleeve,  never  any  sinful  Man, 
saw  more  sensible  Answers  to  Prayer,  than  poor  I  did,  in 
this  matter. 

While  I  was  in  this  conversation,  even  in  the  month  of 
March,  1686,  there  befell  mee,  an  imexpected  Thing,  which 
was  the  occasion  of  my  being  shown  unto  Israel.  A  poor 
condemned  Malefactor '  did  on  March  6.  Saturday,  beg  of 
mee,  to  preach  a  suitable  Sermon  for  him  on  the  Day 
following.  Accordingly,  tho'  I  should  have  spent  the  whole 
Sabbath  at  Charlstown,  my  Father  answered  that  Engage- 
ment for  mee,  in  the  former  Part  of  the  Day.  So,  in  our 
Congregation  at  Boston,  I  preached,  that  Morning  to  a  vast 
Concourse  of  People,  with  a  great  Assistence  of  Heaven,  on 
Isa.  45.  22.'  Administring  also  the  Lord's-Supper,  in  the 
room  of  my  absent  Father.'  But  in  the  Afternoon,  I  went 
myself  over  to  Charlstown,  and,  tho'  excessively  tired,  I 
again  preached  there.  Now,  it  pleased  God,  that  the  people, 
throughout  the  Countrey,  very  greedily  desired  the  Publica- 
tion of  my  poor  Sermon;  and  so,  in  the  Midst,  between 
my  Father  and  Mr.  Moodeyes,  (which  three,  were  the  three 
last  of  them  that  the  Malefactor  heard)  my  mean  Sermon 
came  abroad;  and  I,  a  sorry  Youth,  in  conjunction  with  two 
of  the  venerablest  Men  in  the  Land,  had  an  Opportunitie, 
most  publickly  to  invite  men,  \mto  such  Closures  with  the 
Lord  Jesus  Christ,  as  I  myself  had  privately  been  f)ractising 
for  many  years.* 

'  James  Morgan,  condemned  to  die  for  murder.  On  the  same  day  (March  6) 
he  acknowledged  the  sinfulness  of  his  life  and  the  justness  of  the  Court's  sentence, 
and  desired  longer  time  to  live,  which  was  denied. 

'  "Look  unto  me,  and  be  ye  saved,  all  the  ends  of  the  earth;  for  I  am  God, 
and  there  is  none  else." 

•See  Sewall,  Diary,  i.  uj;   Magnolia,  Bk.  vi.  40. 

*  A  Sermon  Occasioned  by  the  Execution  of  James  Morgan,  preached  at 
Boston  by  Increase  Mather,  March  11,  1685,  Boston,  1686;  followed  by  Tkt 
Call  of  the  Gospel,  by  Cotton  Mather;  and  An  Exhorlalion,  by  Joshua  Moodey. 

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MARCH,     1685-86  123 

The  Book  sold  exceedingly;  and  I,  hope  did  a  World 
of  Good.    It  is  entitled,  The  Call  of  the  Gospel. 

There  has  been  since,  a  second  Edition  of  the  Book, 
with  a  Copy  of  my  Discourse  with  the  poor  Malefactor 
walking  to  his  Execution  added  at  the  End.' 

About  this  Time  also,  I  endeavoured  the  Service  of  the 
Church,  by  procuring  an  Impression  of  my  Father's  Dis- 
courses, about  The  Glory  of  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ.  And, 
by  my  poor  means  also,  a  Book  of  another  Minister  in 
the  Town,  about  Buying  the  Truth,^  came  to  see  the  Light. 
In  this  Time,  namely,  on 

6d.  im.  [March]  I  thus  managed  a  SELF-EXAMI- 
NATION. 

O  My  Soul! 

Q.  I.  How  art  thou  affected  imto  all  Crea/Mf&s? 

It  answers,  I  never  found  any  Happiness  in  them. 

I  reckon  them,  to  bee  all  so  many  Lies,  filled  with  Vanitie 
and  Vexation. 

I  cannot  bear  the  Thoughts  of  being  putt  off  with  a 
Portion  in  them. 

I  lothe  in  myself  the  irregular  Appetites  of  my  carnal 
Mind  after  them;  desiring  nothing  more  than  the  Cure  of 
those  Distempers  in  mee. 

Q.  2.  How  art  thou  affected,  unto  God,  the  great  God! 

It  answers,  I  count,  that  His  loving  Kindness  is  better 
than  Life;  His  Favour  will  make  Amends  for  the  most 
afflicted  Condition  in  the  World. 

I  count  that  His  Commandments  are  all  holy,  and  just, 
and  good,  wishing  for  nothing  more,  than  that  my  Wayes 
may  bee  directed  unto  the  Keeping  of  them. 

I  coimt,  that  His  Glory,  most  righteously  challenges  all 

'The  same  sermons,  Boston,  1687,  followed,  on  pp.  115-124,  by  Cotton 
Mather's  Discourse  of  the  Minister  with  James  Morgan  on  the  Way  to  his 
Execution.     This  paragraph  is  written  in  the  margin. 

•  Heavenly  Merchandize;  Or  The  Purchasing  of  Truth  Recommended,  by 
Samuel  Willard.    Boston,  1686. 

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124  DIARY  OF  COTTON  MATHER 

that  I  am,  or  have,  or  can;  being  in  a  most  raging  Disquiet- 
ment  of  Soul,  until  I  see  this,  as  the  chief  End,  swallowing 
up  ray  All. 

Q.  3.  How  art  thou  affected  unto  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ, 
the  Dearest  Lord? 

It  answers,  I  count  Him  to  bee  precious,  and  altogether 
lovely.  I  count,  nothing  too  desirable,  to  bee  parted  withal, 
for  an  Interest  in  Him. 

I  count  all  His  Offices  and  Kindnesses,  and  every  Part 
of  His  great  Salvation,  to  bee  the  welcomest  Things  imagi- 
nable. O  lett  Him  bee  mine,  and  mee  bee  His;  this,  this, 
this,  is  all  my  salvation,  and  all  my  Desire! 

20.  d  1.  m.  On  this  which  was  one  of  the  Dayes  of 
Prayer  kept  by  mee,  in  my  Study,  I  particularly  addressed 
the  God  of  Heaven,  that  I  might  have  a  comfortable  Habi- 
tation provided  for  mee,  and  that  the  Lord,  my  glorious 
Master,  would  afford  mee,  aU  Conveniencies,  without  the 
Distresses  and  the  Temptations,  which  Poverty  does  expose 
unto. 

In  the  prosecuting  of  this  Request,  I  professed  imto  the 
Lord,  that  I  count  myself  unworthy  of  the  least  Bitt  of 
Bread;  that  I  must  own,  I  have  gi\en  way  to  the  Lusts, 
whereof  Penury  is  the  just  punishment;  that  nevertheless, 
I  putt  my  Trust  in  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  whose  I  am,  and 
whom  I  serve  continually,  for  a  hberal  Suppl}',  of  all  Necessi- 
ties. I  professed  hercwithal,  that  if  the  Lord  would  give 
mee  to  find  much  Kindness,  from  the  People,  that  I  am 
labouring  among,  it  should  bee  a  strong  Engagement  unto 
mee,  to  do  the  Duties  of  my  Place;  but  that  tho'  I  mett  with 
never  so  much  of  Sorrow,  and  Hardship,  and  Unkindmss, 
I  would  yett  endeavour  to  bee  as  diligent,  in  serving  Him, 
and  them,  as  if  I  had  mett  with  None  at  all. 

I  never  yett  spoke  one  Word  unto  my  Church,  about  my 
Salary.  I  never  made  any  Agreement,  or  Overture  with 
them  about  it,  or  ask'd  them  to  do  for  mee.  But  I  cast  that 
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APRIL,     1686  125 

Matter,  upon  the  Care  of  my  glorious  Lord  Jesus  Christ, 
in  whose  Work,  I  am  employ'd. 

Tis  not  imfit  in  this  place  also  to  bee  inserted;  that  the 
neighbouring  INIinisters,  did  a  little  before  this  Time,  take 
up  a  Custome,  to  keep  (with  their  Wives)  whole  Dayes  of 
Prayer  together,  at  each  other's  Houses. 

And  the'  I  were  a  yoimg  Man,  yett  Owner  of  neither 
Wife  nor  House,  nevertheless,  they  did  mee  the  Honour, 
to  meet  and  fast,  at  my  Study,  on  21  d.  2  m.  [April]  when 
I  preached  unto  them,  on  Gen.  32.  26. 

About  this  Time  also,  having  seen  a  poor  young  Minister ' 
terribly  stigmatized  for  his  Misdemeanours,  by  a  Council, 
whereof  I  was  myself  a  Member,  I  thought; 

What  if  God  should  single  mee  out  now  to  bee  so  publickly 
loaded  with  Shame  for  Sin? 

To  this  my  Soul,  with  a  wonderful  Transport,  gave  this 
Answer; 

"Ah!  Lord;  If  I  must  bee  filled  with  utmost  Confusion, 
and  bee  made  the  Gazing-stock  of  the  World,  yett,  if  I  may 
procure  thereby,  more  of  a  Reputation  unto  the  Wayes,  and 
the  Truths,  and  the  Worship,  and  the  Kingdonic,  of  the 
ever-dearest  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  I  submitt  myself;  here  I 
am,  lett  the  Lord  to  do  to  mee  what  seemeth  Him  good;  I  will 
take  pleasure  in  His  Glory,  tho'  I  become  a  Vessel  wherein 
Hee  will  have  no  Pleasure.  Yett  I  do  beleeve,  O  Lord,  I 
beleeve,  that  Thou  wilt  make  mee  a  Vessel  of  Honour,  unto 
Thyself." 

I  confessed  unto  the  Lord,  that  my  Sins  had  made  mee 
worthy  to  bee  left  unto  the  sorest,  vilest,  blackest  Blemishes 
in  my  Reputation;  but  I  was  afeared,  that  I  desired  a  spot- 
less Credit,  meerly  for  the  sake  of  my  being  in  a  better 
Capacitie  to  serve  the  Lord,  Jesus  Christ.    Hereupon,  I 

'Probably  Rev.  Thomas  Cheever,  of  Maiden.  See  Corey,  History  of  Maiden, 
267.  The  Council,  of  which  Cotton  Mather  was  a  member,  gave  its  decision 
April  7.     Sewall,  Diary,  n.  21. * 

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126  DIARY  OF  COTTON  MATHER 

said  before  the  Lord,  that  if  His  Honour  would  not  bee 
impaired  by  my  Reproche,  but  promoted  and  advanced  by 
it,  I  was  content  that  my  Name  should  bee  made  as  odious 
as  Hee  would  please  to  have  it  made  in  the  World.a®-But 
while  I  was  thinking  so,  the  Lord  gloriously  told  mee,  that 
Hee  would  honour  mee,  and  sett  mee  on  High  because  I  had 
known  His  Name. 

One  Day  this  Month,  I  likewise  had  Opportimities  to 
write,  this  Remark: 

I  have  some  Cause  to  think,  that  there  are  Persons  in 
this  Place,  who  have  a  very  low  and  mean  Opinion  of  mee, 
and  perhaps  an  undue  Prejudice  against  mee.  But  I  find 
my  Heart  strangely  filled  with  kind,  loving,  tender  Affections 
towards  those  very  Persons:  I  feel  a  sensible  Pitty  and  Can- 
dour  in  mee,  extending  itself  towards  them.  Thanks  bee  to 
God,  for  this  unspeakable  Gift.  I  rejoice  in  such  a  Smile 
of  Heaven,  upon  my  Soul,  more  than  in  the  good  Will  of 
all  the  Creatures  in  the  World.  And  while  I  am  thus 
affected,  I  find  another  deUghtful  Temper,  which  the  good 
Spirit  of  God  has  now  at  last,  raised  mee  imto.  I  find  a  Joy, 
at  the  Respect,  which  other  Persons  receive  at  the  Hands 
of  God  or  Man;  even  as  if  it  were  bestowed  upon  myself. 

These  Words  I  once  also  had  before  the  Lord: 

"  0  Lord,  of  all  the  Plagues  in  the  World,  I  beseech  Thee, 
do  not  suffer  this  to  come  upon  mee,  that  I  should  bee  a 
Vessel  of  Dishonour  to  thee,  or  that  I  should  cause  thy 
Religion  to  bee  in  any  wise  evil-spoken  of.  Now,  that  I 
may  not  behave  myself  unsuitably  to  so  great  a  Favour  as 
this,  I  purpose,  in  thy  strength,  to  bee  exceedingly  tender, 
careful,  just  and  kind  about  the  Reputation  of  aU  other 
Persons;  never  uttering  any  reprocheful  Thing  of  any  one 
whatsoever,  unless  it  bee  not  only  true  in  itself,  but  also 
proper  and  uscfid  to  bee  mentioned." 

On  Tuesday,  4  (f.  3  w.  [May],  I  was  married,  and  the 
good  Providence  of  God  caused  my  Wedding  to  be  attended 
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MAY,     1686  127 

with  many  Circumstances  of  Respect  and  Honour,  above 
most  that  have  ever  been  in  these  parts  of  the  World.' 

In  the  Morning  of  my  Wedding-Day,  the  Lord  filled  my 
Soul,  while  secretly  at  prayer  before  Him,  with  ccelestial 
and  imutterable  Satisfactions,  flowing  from  the  sealed  Assur- 
ances of  His  Love  unto  mee.  And  my  Heart  was  particu- 
larly melted  into  Tears,  upon  my  further  Assurances  that 
in  my  married  Estate,  Hee  had  reserves  of  rich  and  great 
Blessings  for  mee. 

After  this,  going  over  to  Charlstown,  and  having  some 
Liesure-Time  there,  before  the  Arrival  of  the  Neighbouring 
Ministers,  and  other  persons  of  Qualitie,  expected,  I  carried 
my  Bible  with  mee,  into  the  garden;  where  I  singled  out, 
the  story  of  the  Wedding  in  the  second  Chapter  of  John,  and 
fetched  for  myself,  one  Observation,  and  one  Supplication, 
out  of  every  Verse  in  that  Story  :S®"  In  the  doing  whereof, 
I  received  fxirther  Assurances  from  the  Spirit  of  my  Heavenly 
Lord,  tftat  I  was  Blessed,  and  should  bee  Blessed  by  Eim  for- 
ever. 

The  next  Sabbath,  I  preached  at  Charlstown  on  Psal. 
17.  14,  Whose  portion  is  in  this  Life;  being  myself  imder 
the  Fear  of  being  putt  of,  with  a  Portion  here;  now  I  had 
received  so  good  an  one,  in,  as  well  as  with,  my  Consort. 

The  next  Sabbath  after  that,  I  preached  at  Boston,  on 
Psal.  119.  14  [24?],  Divine  Delights. 

One  Passage  which  I  took  the  Liberty  to  use,  in  that 
Sermon,  I  will  in  this  place  transcribe:  "Oh!  that  the  God 
of  Heaven  would  effectually  perswade  every  Person  here, 
every  Day  without  fail,  to  read  a  Portion  in  the  Bible. 
But,  I  wish  that  you  would  read  it,  not  customarily,  but 
with  suitable  Observations,  and  Applications,  and  Ejacula- 
tions, during  the  whole  Exercise.    I  freely  profess  unto 

•  "Mr.  Cotton  Mather  married  Mrs.  [Abigail]  Phillips  before  Major  Richards 
(Mr.  Russell  and  Capt.  Hutchinson  also  present.)  'Tis  said  was  a  great  Wed- 
ding, but  Eliakim  not  bidden."    Sewall,  Diary,  i.  136. 

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128  DIARY  OF  COTTON  MATHER 

you,  for  my  own  Part,  that  all  the  Delights  which  I  have  ever 
enjoy'd  for  these  three  and  twenty  years  in  the  World,  are 
not  comparable  to  those,  which  a  Chapter  in  the  Bihle  has 
thus  brought  unto  mee."  ' 

Several  Months  after  this,  I  resided  at  the  House  of  my 
Father-in-Law,  with  my  dearest  Consort,  in  CJmrlstown; 
(going  over  on  the  Lord's-Dayes  to  preach  at  Boston.) 

And  here,  besides  my  Studies  to  bee  serviceable  imto 
every  Soul  in  the  Family,  whereto  I  was  now  become  related, 
there  occurr'd  little  nnv,  to  bee  remark'd,  in  the  Steps  of 
my  Life. 

The  Methods  of  glorifying  the  Lord,  heretofore  con- 
trived and  mentioned,  had  little  ncn',  added  unto  them. 

But,  one  Thing  I  will  mention. 

As  the  Effect  of  a  Contrivance  and  an  Experience,  where 
to  I  was  myself  now  attaining,  I  did,  in  a  Sermon,  on  2.  Pet. 
I.  4.  utter  these  Passages: 

"Let  it  bee  a  main  Part  of  your  Business,  every  Day,  to  bee  apply- 
ing of  the  Promises.  There  are  certain  Promises,  that  are  of  con- 
tinual use,  in  the  Christian  s  daily  Walk:  and  for  my  own  Part,  I  wish 
that  I  may  not  wilUngly  lett  many  Hours  of  a  Day  pass  mee,  without 
some  delightful  Reflections  on  several  of  them. 

"Every  Day,  you  will  have  Occasion,  for  a  Promise  of  a  Supply 
for  all  your  Wants,  in  the  Day.  Such  an  one  is  that,  in  Phil.  4.  19. 
God  will  supply  all  your  Needs. 

"Every  Day,  you  will  have  occasion  for  a  Promise  of  Grace,  to 
manage  the  Day  for  the  Glory  of  God.  Such  an  one  is  that  in  Zech. 
10.  12.  /  will  strengthen  them  in  the  Lord,  they  shall  walk  up  and  down 
in  Eis  Name;  saith  the  Lord. 

"Every  Day,  you  will  ha\c  occasion  for  a  Promise  of  a  growing 
Victory  over  Sin.  Such  an  one  is  that  in  Mic.  7.  19.  Hcc  will  subdue 
our  hiiijuilics. 

"Every  Day,  you  should  ha\  c  a  Promise  of  Success  in  your  Under- 

'  Mather  makes  no  mention  of  the  hmdinR  of  Randolph  on  May  14,  1686, 
bringing  with  him  the  judgment  against  the  Massiichusctls  charter,  and  of  the 
ceremonies  which  closed  the  charter  gu\crnment  of  the  Colony.  Sec  Sewall, 
Diary,  i.  137. 

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SEPTEMBER,     1686  I29 

takings.  There  is  one  in  Psal.  i.  3.  Whatsoever  hee  doth,  shall 
prosper. 

"Every  Day,  you  should  have  a  Promise  of  Protection  from  your 
Dangers.    There  is  one  in  Psal.  91.  10.    No  Evil  shall  bejel  thee. 

"Every  Day,  you  should  have  a  Promise  of  Council  in  your  Diffi- 
culties. It  is  to  bee  found,  in  Psal.  32.  8.  /  wiU  instruct  thee,  and  I 
will  teach  thee,  in  the  way,  which  thou  shouldest  go. 

"Every  Day,  twere  worth  the  while  you  should  have  a  Promise, 
of  not  being  the  Worse,  by  whatever  happens  to  you.  You  have  it 
in  Rom.  8.  28.  All  things  shall  work  together  for  good. 

"Every  Day,  you  can't  bee  without  a  Promise  of  eternal  Happi- 
ness, in  case  you  are  taken  out  of  the  World.  Here  it  is,  in  Luc.  12.  32. 
It  is  your  Father's  good  pleasure,  to  give  you  the  Kingdome. 

"Oh!  Bee  almost  every  Hour  of  the  Day,  glancing  at  such 
Promises  as  those.    Tis  Heaven  upon  Earth,  to  bee  doing  so!" 

But  the  Methods  of  Religion,  which  the  Spirit  of  the  Lord 
has  heretofore  taught  mee,  were  the  most,  that  now,  for 
some  considerable  while,  I  contented  myself  withal.  And  I 
wish  that  thro'  my  slothful  and  carnal  Disposition,  some  of 
those  also  had  not  begun  to  wither  with  mee. 

At  length,  returning  to  Boston,  I  took  an  House,  wherein 
my  Father  lived,  in  the  years  1677,  and  78.  and  wherein  my 
more  childish  Age  had  made  many  Hundreds  of  Prayers  unto 
the  God  of  Heaven.  I  could  not  but  observe  the  Providence 
of  God,  in  ordering  my  Comforts  now,  in  those  very  Rooms, 
where  I  had  many  years  before,  sought  Him  with  my 
Prayers. 

In  the  beginning  of  September,  I  dreamt  that  in  a  Room 
with  other  Gentlemen  tnere  was  my  inend  Mr.  Shepard  of 
Charlstown,  whom  yett  in  my  sleep,  I  knew  to  bee  dead. 
I  dreamt  that  being  somewhat  shye  of  him^on  that  accoimt, 
I  was  contriving  to  slip  out  of  the  Room;  whereupon  Hee 
nimbly  coming  up  with  mee,  took  mee  by  the  Hand,  and  said, 
Syr,  you  need  not  hee  so  shie  of  mee,  for  you  shall  quickly  bee 
as  I  am,  and  where  I  am.  I  was  presently  taken,  with  a  Fit 
of  my  Ephialtes,^  which  almost  killed  mee.    But  I  was 

'  A  nightmare. 

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130  DIARY  OF  COTTON  MATHER 

immediately  upon  this,  arrested  with  so  violent  a  cold,  as 
threatened  mee  with  a  mortal  Feavour. 

In  this  my  Illness,  the  Lord  overcame  for  mee,  the  Fears 
of  Death;  I  apprehended  not  such  Ghasthness  therein,  as 
heretofore ;  I  could  not  but  say,  that  I  felt  in  my  own  Soul, 
the  Foretasts  and  Earnests  of  life  eternal. 

But  in  the  Week  following  my  Disease  was  mercifully 
removed,  sooner  than  I  expected. 

Being  now  settled  in  a  Family  of  my  own,  where  I  am 
surroimded  with  all  the  Blessings  of  Goodness,  I  did.  On 
lid.  7  w.  [September],  sett  apart  a  Day,  to  bee  spent  in 
secret  Thanksgiving  unto  God. 

The  former  part  of  the  Day,  I  did,  with  some  Raptures 
of  Soul,  employ  in  these  Exercises. 

I  pray'd,  as  usually,  at  my  Entrance  into  my  study.  I 
read,  a  Portion  in  the  Word  of  God.  I  read,  and  prayed  and 
praised,  with  my  Family.  After  this,  I  assay'd  on  my 
knees  to  confess  my  own  Unworthiness  of  the  least  Mercy, 
before  the  Lord.  Hereupon,  I  laid  out  a  large  Measure  of 
Time,  in  considering  some  Collections  of  Texts  which  repre- 
sent the  Glory  of  God,  in  His  Nature,  Trinitie  and  Attributes, 
and  wonderful  Works  of  Creation  and  Providence;  and  the 
Glory  of  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  in  His  Natures,  Person,  Offices, 
Life,  Death,  Resurrection  and  Exaltation:  still  dwelling  upon 
the  Scriptures  that  exhibited  these  things  unto  mee,  with 
innumerable  Ejaculations  and  multiplied  Hosannahs  and 
Hallelujahs,  magnifying  the  most  High,  till  Failure  of 
Strength  engaged  mee  to  break  off. 

The  latter  Part  of  the  Day,  was  given  to  such  Exercises 
as  these, 

I  sang  what  was  pertinent.  On  my  knees,  I  acknowledge 
unto  the  Lord,  His  old  Mercies,  as  I  could  call  them  to  mind; 
and  His  Kindnesses  also,  in  my  present,  Life,  Health,  Im- 
provement, Learning,  Library,  Utterance,  Reputation,  Settle- 
ment, and  the  like;  and  in  the  Welfare  of  my  Friends,  of  our 
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SEPTEMBER,     1686  I3I 

church,  and  of  the  Land.  Afterwards,  on  my  knees  again 
I  blessed  the  God  in  Heaven,  for  Pwo  Dispensations  of  His, 
which  I  have  alwayes  been  under;  namely  His  Hearing  of 
my  Supplications,  and  His  Keeping  of  mee  from  Tempta- 
tions. I  blessed  Him  also,  for  His  bestowing  on  mee,  a 
good  Thing,  a  Meet  Help,  an  extremely  desireable  Companion 
for  my  Joyes  and  Griefs,  and  setting  the  Desolate  in  a  Family. 
I  blessed  Him,  lastly,  for  spiritual  and  eternal  Blessings; 
for  which,  I  hope,  my  Spirit  shall  bless  Him,  throughout 
everlasting  Ages. 

In  fine,  I  thought  upon  some.  Returns  of  Gratitude,  and 
I  sang  my  Hymn  of  high  Attainments;  and  concluded  with 
Prayer. 

The  Returns  then  thought  upon  were  these. 

I.  One  of  the  Services  most  nearly  now  incimibent  on 
mee,  is,  to  study  what  I  can,  that  the  Soul  of  my  dear  Con- 
sort, may  bee  saved  with  spiritual  and  eternal  Salvation. 
To  this  End,  besides  what  may  bee  done,  by  Conference 
and  Exemple,  I  would  use  daily  Prayer,  with  her,  a^  well  as 
for  her,  in  Retirements. 

II.  And  I  would  bee  at  some  further  Pains,  in  helping 
my  gracious  and  honoured  Father-in-law,  to  bee  very  ser- 
viceable in  His  Generation.  I  would  not  only,  ask  his 
Acceptance  of  some  very  savoury  Books,  which  may  have 
this  Tendencie;  but  also  spend  some  Time  with  him,  in 
contriving  how  to  glorify  God. 

Moreover,  about  this  Time,  for  the  Service  of  God  in 
my  Neighbourhood,  I  began  this  Custome. 

I  lett  it  bee  known,  unto  some  of  the  Neighbours  who 
wanted  it,  that  I  was  willing  to  entertain  them,  for  an  Hour 
on  the  Lord's-Day  Evenings,  with  Prayers  and  Psalms  and 
a  Repetition  of  the  Sermons  preached  in  the  Day.  Where- 
upon, there  was  indeed  such  an  imexpected  Resort  unto  my 
House,  that  there  was  ordinarily  near  an  hundred  People  at 

a  Time,  (and  more  than  one  Room  could  hold)  who  cheer- 
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132  DIARY  OF  COTTON  MATHER 

fully  attended  these  Exercises.  I  hope,  the  Sabbath  was 
better  spent  among  Scores  of  People,  and  the  Souls  of  many 
were  awakened  and  edified  by  this  my  laborious  Undertaking. 

I  continued  this  Custome  until  being  left  altogether 
alone  in  my  public  Labours,  for  the  Sabbath,  I  had  no  longer 
Strength  to  continue  it.' 

There  happened  another  Thing  to  mee,  in  the  Summer 
now  running,  which  had  in  it  something,  that  I  had  Reason 
to  think  upon. 

Sermons,  at  the  Artillery-Elections,  in  this  coimtrey, 
have  been  things  of  considerable  Observation.  I  was  near 
being  chosen  to  preach  one,  at  the  Artillery  Election,  in 
Boston,  the  last  Spring,  but  I  took  some  Satisfaction,  I  hope, 
in  being  overlookt,  as  to  that  Choice.  Nevertheless,  a 
very  imexpected  Thing  of  that  kind,  befel  mee,  before  the 
Summer  was  out:  For  the  ArtiUery-Company  of  Middles- 
sex  this  year,  did  a  new  Thing,  in  ordering  their  Anniversary 
Solemnities  to  bee  at  Charlstown,  and  not  at  Cambridge; 
and  they  did  another  new  Thing,  in  choosing,  as  they  never 
did  before  or  since,  a  Minister  not  belonging  imto  their 
own  County,  to  bee  their  Preacher;  and  this  was  my  poor 
self.  So,  on  13  d.  7  w.  I  preached,  at  Charlstown,  imto  a 
very  great  Assembly,  a  Sermon  which  was  afterwards 
printed,  under  the  Title  of  Military  Duties.'  And  thus, 
having  had  a  little  while  ago,  an  Opportunitie,  to  print,  for 
the  Publicans,  I  had  now  the  further  Part  of  the  signalizing 
Advantage  that  John  Baptist  had,  in  an  Opportunitie,  to 
tell  the  Soiddiers  also,  what  they  are  to  do. 

On  II  d.gm.'  I  sett  apart  another  Day,  for  secret 
Thanksgivings,  before  the  Lord. 

'  This  paragraph  is  written  in  the  margin. 

•  His  text  was  Ps.  144.  i,  and  he  made  a  "very  good  discourse,"  according 
to  Scwall.  "The  Artillery  Company  had  like  to  have  been  broken  up;  the  ani- 
mosity so  high  between  Charlestown  and  Cambridge  Men  about  the  Place  of 
Training.  Were  fain  at  last  to  vote  the  old  Officers  to  stand  for  next  year,  in 
general."    Sewall,  Diary,  i.  131.    The  sermon  was  printed  by  Richard  Pierce. 

•  A  blot  has  covered  the  month,  but  I  believe  it  to  be  the  ninth. 

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NOVEMBER,     1686  I33 

I  devoted  the  Time,  especially  unto  three  Things;  be- 
sides the  usual  religious  Exercises  of  every  Day. 

1.  I  endeavoured  in  Prayer  both  in  my  Retirement  and 
in  my  Family,  to  magnify  the  great  God! 

The  Expressions  of  His  Goodness,  which  Hee  hath  [ ']  ved 
mee  withal.  In  the  former  part  of  the  Day,  I  celebrated 
the  old  Mercies  of  God  unto  mee;  the  Mercies  of  my  Par- 
entage, the  Mercies  of  my  Vocation;  the  Mercies  of  my 
Praeservation,  and  the  Mercies  of  my  Employment,  and  Im- 
provement. In  the  latter  Part  of  the  Day,  I  took  Notice 
of  the  Mercies  which  I  am  at  present  surrounded  with: 
particularly  my  spiritual  Mercies,  my  Ministry  Mercies, 
and  my  family  Mercies.  To  which  Exercises,  I  annexed 
the  singing  of  Psalms,  and  Hymns,  agreeable. 

2.  I  went  from  Room  to  Room  in  my  House,  deliberately 
looking  upon  the  distinct  Parcels  of  the  Estate,  whereof  I  am 
now  become  the  Owner,  or  as  I  should  rather  say,  the 
Steward.  And  with  a  ravished  Soul,  I  gave  every  Thing 
back  to  God,  variously  contriving,  and  so  declaring,  how  all 
that  I  have  should  bee  made  serviceable  unto  His  Glory. 

3.  I  meditated,  upon  my  usual  Quaestion,  What  shall  I 
now  do  for  God? 

Which  I  thus  answered: 

I.  The  Common-Prayer-Worship  now  being  sett  up  in 
this  Coimtry,'  I  would  procure  and  assist  the  Publication 

» A  blot. 

'  The  service  was  introduced  by  Randolph,  and  confirmed  by  Andros,  who 
sought  to  obtain  the  existing  church  buildings  for  holdinf^  the  services:  but  the 
ministers,  Increase  Mather  among  them,  protested,  ^and  the  Town  House  was 
used.  Rev.  Robert  Ratcliffe,  the  first  Episcopal  minister  settled  in  New  England, 
was  selected  by  the  Lord  Bishop  of  London,  and  recommended  to  the  inliabitants 
by  the  Privy  Council  for  a  "kinde  entertainment  and  sutable  maintenance." 
He  was  a  graduate  of  Oxford,  and  Dunton  thought  him  an  "extraordinary  good 
preacher."  He  held  service  in  the  Town  House,  and  drew  many  to  him  from 
curiosity,  a  Chiirch  of  England  assembly  being  a  decided  novelty  in  the  Province. 
The  treatment  accorded  to  him  was  not  wholly  what  the  Privy  Coimcil  could 
accept.  Some  called  him  Baal's  priest,  and  some  of  the  ministers  of  the  town 
speaking  in  their  pulpits,  called  the  prayers  of  the  service  "leeks,  garlic  and  trash." 
See  Edward  Randolph  (Prince  Society),  Andros  Tracts,  and  Winsor,  Memorial 

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134  DIARY  OF  COTTON  MATHER 

of  a  Discourse  written  by  my  Father,  that  shall  enlighten 
the  rising  Generation,  in  the  Unlawfulness  of  that  Worship, 
and  antidote  them  against  Apostasy  from  the  Principles  of 
our  First  Settlement. 

II.  And  I  would  prosecute  the  Pubhcation  of  the  like 
Testimony  against  several  other  Superstitions  that  are  now 
creeping  in,  upon  the  rising  Grneration. 

I  have  mett  with  little  else  this  Year,  that  I  have  had 
Heart  or  Time,  to  record.     Only  one. 

?>d.  II  m.  [January.]  I  kept  a  secret  FAST  before  the 
Lord, 

Especially  to  implore  this  Favour  of  God,  that  whereas, 
I  suppose,  my  dear  consort  may  bee  now  with  Child,  the 
Infant  conceived  by  her  may  bee  an  Holy  Thing,  and  For 
[']  by  the  blessed  Spirit  of  God,  and  that  the  Lord 

would  carry  her  to  and  thro'  the  Time  of  her  Travel. 

I  also  prosecuted  these  Designs. 

I.  As  I  would  show  all  the  Kindness  that  I  can,  unto 
the  French  Refugees  arrived  in  this  Countrey,  so  I  wovdd 
earnestly  recommend  it  unto  their  Ministers  to  awaken 
that  People  unto  a  greater  Obsen,'ation  of  the  Lord's  Day; 
by  the  Neglect  whereof  they  had  given  too  much  of  Scandal.' 

History  of  Boston,  i.  200.  Increase  Mather's  book  was  A  Brief  Discourse  con- 
cerning the  Unlawfulness  of  the  Common  Prayer  Worship,  but  was  issued  without 
his  name. 

Mather  represented  the  stronp  feeling  among  the  churches  of  Boston  against 
the  Church  of  England.  The  abuse  and  prutcst  were  not  confined  to  pamphlets, 
the  clergyman  was  openly  affronted  and  threats  made  of  tearing  down  the  newly 
built  church,  of  converting  it  into  a  school,  or  of  turning  it  over  to  the  French 
Protestants.  Palmer,  An  J m partial  Account  of  the  State  of  .Yr.c  England,  33. 
The  unknown  writer  of  Nrw  Englatid's  Faction  Discorrred  (1690),  knew  that  Cotton 
Mather  was  responsible  for  the  printing  and  publishing  of  this,  to  him,  "most 
scandalous  Pamphlet,"  and  CoUon  and  others  were  bound  over  to  answer  charges 
of  favoring  faction  and  rebellion,  when  the  "revolution"  in  New  England  inter- 
vened.    Andros  Tracts,  II.  211. 

'  Obscured  by  a  blot. 

'The  Edict  of  Nantes  had  been  revoked  October  17,  i68s,  and  brought  to 
an  end  the  hope  of  enjoying  any  religious  freedom  in  France.  By  1684  more 
than  two  thirds  of  the  French  Protestant  churches  had  been  closed,  and  the  revo- 

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JANUARY,     1686-87  135 

II.  I  will  perswade  several  Gentlemen  belonging  unto 
our  Congregation,  to  combine  into  a  private  Meeting,  Wherein 
they  shall,  once  a  Fortnight,  seek  the  Face  and  hear  the 
Word  of  God,  in  their  several  Families  together;  as  they 
ly  in  Order;  and  as  at  every  other  Meeting,  I  will  carry  on 
their  Exercises,  thus  I  will  endeavour  to  make  this  an 
Opportunitie,  for  mentaining  of  Love,  and  all  the  other 
Instances  of  ReUgion,  in  the  Members  of  the  Meeting. 

(They  had  their  first  Meeting  at  my  House.) 

III.  Several  religious  Families  there  are  among  us,  not 
yett  joined  unto  any  of  the  private  Meetings  in  our  Neigh- 
boiurhood;  I  would  therefore  address  them,  to  gett  into 
this  way  of  their  Edification. 

rV.  I  plainly  see,  that  from  the  public  Prayers  which  I 
make  in  our  Congregation,  my  Hearers  take  Exemple,  for 
their  own  private  Prayers.  Oh!  then,  lett  mee  therein  bee 
so  affectionate,  so  argumentative,  so  instructive,  as  intend- 
ing to  sett  an  Exemple  for  their  Devotions. 

V.  When  any  ofifer  themselves  imto  the  Communion  of 
our  Church,  I  would  with  much  Fervency  and  Frequency, 
implore  the  Directions  of  Heaven  about  it,  before  I  do 
admitt  them. 

(I  have  seen  a  marvellous  Providence  of  God,  by  strange 
Accidents,  hindring  the  Irruptions  of  Communicants  into 
our  Church,  that  afterwards  proved  unsound;  in  Answer  to 
such  Prayers  and  Cares.) 

VI.  Before  my  Morning  Prayers,  I  would  still  read  a 

cation  of  the  Edict  withdrew  the  last  shadow  of  protection.  Although  emigra- 
tion of  laymen  was  prohibited,  the  movement  out  of  France  was  immense,  and 
a  part  found  refuge  in  America.  They  came  to  Massachusetts  by  way  of  the 
West  Indies,  in  a  most  wretched  and  destitute  condition.  See  Winsor,  Memorial 
History  of  Boston,  n.  250. 

In  his  Wonders  of  the  Invisible  World,  p.  20,  Mather  asserts  that  the  "late 
French  Persecution  is  perhaps  the  horriblest  that  ever  was  in  the  World:  And  as 
the  Devil  of  Mascon  seems  before  to  have  meant  it  in  his  out-cries  upon  the  Mis- 
eries preparing  for  the  poor  Bugonots  I  Thus  it  has  been  all  acted  by  a  singular 
Fury  of  the  old  Dragon  inspiring  of  his  Emissaries." 

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136  DIAEY  OF  COTTON  MATHER 

Chapter  or  Part  of  a  Chapter,  in  my  Family,  and  compose 
my  Prayers  out  of  it. 

But  before  my  Evening-Prayers,  I  would  single  out  some 
Text  of  Scripture,  and  make  a  short  Meditation  upon  it. 
In  this  Way,  I  may  go  thro'  a  Body  of  Divinitie;  and  whole 
Chapters  of  the  Bible;  if  God  spare  my  Life. 

(I  did  so;  and  sometimes  I  also  read  in  the  Evenings,  from 
some  Treatise;  that  I  judged  suitable.) 

And  thus,  the  good  Hand  of  God  brings  mee,  to  the  End 
of  my  twenty-fourth  Year.' 

'  "We  shall  do  well  to  remember  the  situation  in  which  he  found  himself  at 
the  age  of  twenty-five.  Full  of  traditional  belief  in  the  Divine  authority  of  his 
professional  work,  he  was  left,  by  the  absence  of  his  father  on  the  most  important 
public  business  ever  yet  confided  to  a  native  of  New  England,  in  full  charge  of 
one  of  the  greatest  churches  in  America.  There  is  no  reason  to  doubt  that,  accord- 
ing to  the  standard  of  his  time,  he  was  a  scholar  unapproacbed  by  any  one  of  his 
age:  that  is,  he  had  read  more  books  than  anybody  else,  he  was  reading  more 
day  by  day,  and  he  was  already  launched  in  that  career  of  authorship  which  made 
him  at  last  the  most  volimiinous  of  American  writers.  And  the  state  of  public 
affairs,  bringing  theocracy  and  democracy  for  the  moment  into  complete  accord, 
and  throwing  political  as  well  as  spiritual  leadership  once  more  —  and  for  the 
last  time  —  chiefly  into  the  hands  of  the  clergy,  gave  his  words  and  actions  such 
public  authority  as  he  never  enjoyed  again.  All  the  while,  too,  there  is  every 
reason  to  believe  that  his  ecstatic  prayers  and  fastings  kept  him  in  what  he  never 
doubted  was  direct  communication  with  the  angels  of  God."  Wendell,  Cotton 
Mather,  79. 

Bewail  in  his  Diary,  i.  342,  makes  the  following  minute  of  a  sermon  by  Mather. 
"March  19,  i6go-i.  Mr.  C.  Mather  preaches  the  Lecture  from  Mat.  24.,  and 
appoint  his  portion  with  the  Hypocrites:  In  his  proem  said,  Toliu  mundus  ogit 
histrionem.  Said  one  sign  of  a  hypocrit  was  for  a  man  to  strain  at  a  Gnat  and 
swallow  a  Camel.  Sign  in's  Throat  discovered  him;  To  be  zealous  against  an 
innocent  fashion,  taken  up  and  used  by  the  best  of  men;  and  yet  make  no  Con- 
science of  being  guilty  of  great  Immorahties.  Tis  supposed  means  wearing  of  Perri- 
wigs:  said  would  deny  themselves  in  any  thing  but  parting  with  an  opportunity  to 
do  God  service;  that  so  might  not  offend  good  Christians.  Meaning,  I  suppose, 
was  fain  to  wear  a  Perriwig  for  his  health.  I  exp>ected  not  to  hear  a  vindication 
of  Pcrriwigs  in  Boston  Pulpit  by  Mr.  Mather;  however,  not  from  that  Text." 

Mather's  MS.  Record  of  the  Second  Church,  n.  begins  with  an  entry  for 
December  8,  i68g.  This  record  is  chiefly  composed  of  admissions,  baptisms,  and 
dismissals;  but  there  arc  occasional  entries  of  discipline  and  church  business.  The 
following  will  bring  the  record  to  the  beginning  of  1692: 

"2d.  12m.  [February,  1689-90.)  The  Church  this  Day,  having  voted  a 
Letter  to  my  Father,  desired  Major  Richards,  Mr.  Winthrop,  Mr.  Foster,  Mr. 
Clark,  to  join  with  myself,  in  signing  it. 

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MAY,     1690  137 

To  Increase  Mather. 

[Return  to  N.  E.] 

May  17,  1690. 
Sir,  —  Tis  not  a  little  Trouble  unto  mee,  to  find  your  so  speedy 
and  sudden  an  Inclination  in  you,  to  such  a  Dishonourable  Thing, 
as,  Your  not  Returning  to  N.  E.,  where  you  have  such  measures  of 
Respect  and  Esteem,  as  no  person  in  this  part  of  America,  ever  had 
before  you;  and  where  the  Sleights,  which  you  have  thought  cast 
upon  you  are  but  so  Imaginary. 

"  2$  d.  3  m.  [May,  1690.]  This  Day,  at  the  Lord's  Table,  I  endeavoured  to 
furnish  every  Communicant  with  my  Companion  for  Communicants.  (Printed  in 
1690,  by  S.  Green  for  B.  Harris.] 

"nd.  2  m.  [April,  1691.]  At  a  Church  meeting,  voted,  that  Captn.  Danitl 
Turd,  and  Lieut.  Richard  Way  be  desired  and  emjjowered,  they  or  either  of  them, 
in  the  Name  of  the  Church,  to  look  after  the  Arrears  due  to  this  Church,  on  account 
of  the  Legacy  of  i^lb  per  Annum,  bequeathed  by  Captn.  Scarlet  Deceased;  and 
to  prosecute  the  Executors  of  John  Jacob  deceased,  for  those  Arrears. 

"Voted,  that  Major  John  Richards,  Mr.  Adam  Winthrop,  Mr.  John  Foster, 
do  in  the  name  of  this  Church,  make  and  sign  an  Instrument,  enabling  Mr.  Turel 
and  Mr.  Way  to  act  as  Atturneyes  for  the  Church  in  the  Afiayr  above  mentioned. 

"Voted,  that  Lieut.  Way,  Mr.  Gill,  Mr.  Rober,  and  Mr.  Barnard,  bee  desired 
to  take  the  Care  of  seating  Persons  in  the  Meeting-house. 

"Voted,  that  the  Pastor  bee  desired  to  take  what  care  hee  shall  judge  proper, 
in  choosing  and  settling  fitt  persons,  for  the  Inspection  of  the  Children  in  the 
Meeting-house. 

"Voted,  that  Mr.  Turel,  Mr.  Barnard,  Mr.  Goodwin,  bee  a  Committee  to 
inspect  the  condition  of  the  Meeting-house,  as  to  any  want  of  Repairs  in  it,  and 
act  accordingly. 

"  19  d.  3  m.  [May]  At  a  Church  meeting,  voted,  that  Major  Richards,  Mr. 
Winthrop,  Mr.  Foster,  Mr.  Coleman,  Mr.  Keach,  Mr.  Greenough,  Mr.  Howard, 
bee  a  Committee,  with  Mr.  Turel  and  Mr.  Way,  to  act  for  the  Church  in  the 
further  prosecution  of  the  Recovery  of  what  is  due  to  the  Church  from  the  Estate 
of  John  Jacob  deceased. 

"  28  d.  4  m.  [June.]  Mr.  Robert  Howard  and  Mr.  Robert  Lurst  having  the 
last  Week,  given  public  Scandal,  by  Words  and  Blows  in  a  Quarrel  between  them, 
this  day  they  had  their  Confession  and  Repentance  readd  unto  the  whole  Con- 
gregation. 

"iod.^m.  At  a  Church  Meeting,  voted,  that  the  Committee  chosen  on 
19  i.  3  m.  to  act  for  the  Church,  in  recovering  of  what  is  due  to  the  Church  from 
the  Estate  of  John  Jacob  deceased,  continue  to  act  in  that  Affayr,  and  in  dispos- 
ing to  the  best  Advantage,  what  has  been  by  Law  recovered. 

"84.9  m.  [November.]  This  Day  our  Congregation  made  a  Collection  of 
about  forty  four  pounds  for  the  Releef  of  the  poor  Inhabitants  in  our  Frontier 
Towns  in  the  East. 

"id.  11  m.iFebruariL^fxn  92.I, This  Day,  oui  Congregation  gathered  sixty 

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138  DIARY  OF  COTTON  MATHER 

Last  February,  there  went  hence,  Dr.  Oaks  and  Dr.  Cook,  our 
Agents,  to  assist  Sir  Ashurst,  and  yourself,  in  what  Concerns  the 
affayrs  of  this  poor  Countrey.  If  they  are  arriv'd,  I  suppose  you  have 
long  ere  this,  received  satisfaction  in  those  Matters,  which  I  perceived 
touch  you  with  much  Displeasure.  If  they  have  miscarried,  wee  are 
the  most  miserable  people  in  the  world;  which,  God  of  His  mercy 
prevent! ' 

two  pounds,  odd  shillings,  for  the  Redemption  of  our  Captives  in  the  hands  of 
the  Indians. 

"3d.  2  m.  [April,  1692.]  Elizabeth  Durham  having  an  Infant  born  within 
five  Months  after  shee  was  married,  made  a  most  poenitent  and  ingenuous  Con- 
fession, and  was  reconciled  unto  the  Church." 

Mather's  Companion  for  Communicants,  printed  in  1690,  contains  adver- 
tisement of  three  earlier  issues  by  him:  i.  The  Wonderful  Works  of  God  Com- 
memorated: in  a  Thanksgiving  Sermon  on  December  19,  1689.  With  a  Postscript 
giving  an  Account  of  the  Childrens  Prophesies,  which  has  lately  happened  in 
France.  To  which  is  added,  a  Sermon  preached  to  the  Convention  of  the  Massa- 
chusetts-Colony: With  a  Narrative  of  several  Prodigies  which  New  England 
hath  of  late  had  the  Alarms  of  Heaven  in. 

2.  Speedy  Repentance  urged:  A  Sermon  preached  at  Boston,  Decemb.  29, 
1689.  In  the  Hearing  and  at  the  Request  of  one  Hugh  Stone,  under  a  just  Sen- 
tence of  Death,  for  a  tragical  and  horrible  Murder.  With  certain  Memorable 
Providences  relating  to  some  other  Murders,  and  some  great  Instances  of  Repent- 
ance which  have  been  seen  among  us. 

3.  The  Present  State  of  New  England,  considered  in  a  Discourse  on  the 
Necessities  and  advantages  of  a  PubUck  Spirit  in  every  man;  especially  at  such 
a  time  as  this.  Made  at  the  Lecture  in  Boston,  March  20,  1690,  upon  the  News 
of  an  Invasion  by  bloody  Indians  and  French  men  begun  upon  us.  All  three 
were  printed  in  1690,  the  first  two  at  a  shilling  each  (bound),  the  last,  at  sixpence 
("stitcbt"). 

'  The  Diary  for  the  years  1687-1689  is,  unfortunately,  wanting.  Although 
the  record  can  give  little  satisfaction  upon  matters  of  fact,  and  is"  too  closely  con- 
fined to  expressing  his  own  state  of  feeling  in  "piety,"  the  lost  years  were  for 
Cotton  of  some  political  activity.  The  measures  taken  by  Sir  Edmund  Andros 
and  Edward  Randolph  aroused  the  opposition  of  those  who  had  been  contented 
in  exercising  the  powers  of  government  under  the  old  charter,  and  they  had  no  more 
active  opponents  than  the  Mathers.  In  April,  1688,  Increase  went  to  England, 
to  see  what  could  be  done  to  obtain  the  recall  ol  Andros  and  the  restoration  of 
the  charter.  Shortly  after  occurred  the  revolution  in  England,  and  a  like  "revo- 
lution"  was  effected  in  New  England,  the  chief  instruments  of  the  Andros  govern- 
ment being  seized  and,  after  a  long  imprisonment,  sent  to  England.  Of  the  part 
taken  by  Cotton  Mather  we  have  two  accounts.  That  by  his  son  is  naturally 
'  partial,  and  the  style  of  writing  used  by  Samuel,  does  not  inspire  confidence  in 
his  accuracy  or  discretion.  When  intelligence  of  William's  passage  from  Holland 
to  England  reached  Boston,  in  April,  1689: 

"The  principal  Gentlemen  in  Boston  met  with  Mr.  Mather  to  consult  what 
was  best  to  be  done;  and  they  all  agreed,  if  possible,  that  they  would  extinguish 

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MAY,     1690  139 

This  distressed,  Enfeebled,  mined  Coimtrey,  have  hitherto 
designed  nothing  but  your  Honour;  they  celebrate  you  as  Their 
Deliverer;  and  have  all  along  Resolved,  not  only,  the  Repayment  of 
our  Debts,  which  our  AfiFayrs  in  your  Hands  have  made;  but  also 
such  a  Requital  of  all  your  pains  for  us,  as  would  have  been  proper, 
when  you  should  have  arrived  here,  in  the  way  of  Receiving  it.    Per- 

all  Essays  in  our  People  to  an  Insurrection;  but  that  if  the  Country  People  to 
the  Northward  by  any  violent  Motions  push'd  on  the  Matter  so  far  as  to  make 
a  RemltUion  unavoidable,  Then  to  prevent  the  shedding  of  Blood  by  an  ungov- 
emed  Multitude,  some  of  the  Gentlemen  present  would  appear  at  the  Head  of 
what  Action  should  be  done;  and  a  Declaration  was  prepared  accordingly."  On 
April  i8th  the  opportunity  came.  "  'Twas  then  Mr.  Mather  appeared.  He 
was  the  Instrument  of  preventing  the  Excesses  into  which  the  Wrath  of  Man  is 
too  ready  to  run;  He  came  and  like  a  Nestor  or  Ulisses  reasoned  down  the  Passions 
of  the  Populace:  had  he  lisped  a  Syllable  for  it,  perhaps  the  People  would  by 
sudden  Council  of  War  have  try'd,  judg'd  and  hang'd  those  ill  Men,  who  would 
have  treated  him  otherwise.  Nevertheless  he  set  himself  both  publickly  and 
privately  to  hinder  the  Peoples  proceeding  any  further  than  to  reserve  the  Crimi- 
nals for  the  Justice  of  the  English  Parliament."    Life  of  Cotton  Mather,  43. 

A  less  partial,  but  a  better  informed  writer,  Robert  Calef.  states,  that  on 
the  seizure  of  Andros  it  was  confidently  believed  that  the  old  government,  that 
under  .he  old  charter,  would  be  reassumed,  and  the  old  officers  restored  to  their 
places  That  was  the  general  opinion,  but  the  refusal  of  some  again  to  take  office 
aSSe  necessary  some  other  plan.  Calef  says:  "It  has  been  an  observation  of 
long  continuance  that  matters  of  State  seldom  prosper,  wlien  managed  by  the  Clergy. 
Among  the  opposers  of  the  reassuming  few  were  so  strenuous  as  some  of  the  Min- 
isters, and  among  the  Ministers  none  more  vehement  than  Mr.  Cotton  Mather, 
Pastor  of  the  North  Church  in  Boston,  who  has  charged  tliem  as  they  would  answer 
it  another  day  to  reassume.  Among  his  Arguments  against  it,  one  was  that  it 
would  be  to  put  a  slight  upon  his  Father,  who,  he  said,  was  in  Englatui,  labouring 
for  a  compleat  Restoration  of  Charter  Privileges,  not  doubting,  but  they  would 
be  speedily  obtain'd.  Any  man  that  knows  New  England  cannot  but  be  sensible, 
that  such  Discourses  from  such  Men,  have  always  been  very  prevalent.  And 
hence  it  was  that  even  those  that  would  think  themselves  wronged,  if  they  were 
not  numbred  among  the  best  Friends  to  New  England,  and  to  its  Charter,  would 
not  so  much  as  stoop  to  take  it  up,  when  there  was  really  nothing  to  hinder  them 
from  the  Enjoyment  thereof."  The  Assembly,  after  seven  weeks  of  anarchy, 
proposed  that  the  old  oflScers  again  take  the  places  from  which  they  had  been 
thrusTBy  the  revocation  of  the  charter,  but  a  Declaration  prepared  for  the  occa- 
sion  expressly  stated  that  these  officers  would  not  have  it  understood  that  they 
did  reassume  charter-Government,  an  assertion  that  amazed  the  people,  and 
disappointed  the  deputies,  "who  if  these  naa  not  promised  so  to  act,  had  taken 
other  care,  and  put  in  those  that  would."  More  Wonders  of  the  Invisible  World. 
It  is  safe  to  assume  that  the  reservation  that  proved  so  disappointing  was  largely 
the  work  of  Cotton  Mather.  It  was  then  that  the  Assembly  appointed  a 
member  from  each  House  to  go  to  England,  and  the  choice  fell  upon  Thomas 
Oakes  and  Elisha  Cooke. 

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I40  DIARY  OF  COTTON  MATHER 

haps  our  Delayes  have  been  Imprudent,  and  Ungrateful  Things;  but 
place  them  in  a  true  Light,  and  you  will  see  that  they  have  been 
purely  Necessary.  Nor  have  wee  forebom  to  give  you  and  our 
Friends  with  you,  those  Assurances,  which  you  ought  rather  to  com- 
plain for  the  miscarrying,  than  the  not-sending  of.' 

But,  have  you  indeed  come  to  Resolutions  of  seeing  N.  E.  no  more? 
I  am  sorry  for  the  Countrey  the  CoUedge,  your  own  church,  all  which 
Languishes  for  want  of  you.  I  am  sorry  for  your  Family,  which  can- 
not but  bee  Exposed  unto  miserable  Inconveniendes,  in  Transporta- 
tion. I  am  sorry  for  myself,  who  am  Left  alone,  in  the  midst  of  more 
cares.  Fears,  Anxieties,  than,  I  beleeve  any  one  pyerson  in  these  Terri- 
tories; and  who  have  just  now  been  within  a  few  minutes  of  Death, 
by  a  very  dangerous  Feavour,  the  Reliques  whereof  are  yett  uf)on  mee. 
But  I  am  sorry  for  my  dear  Father  too,  who  is,  Entred  into  TemptO' 
lion,  and  will  find  snares  in  his  Resolutions.  May  the  God  of  Heaven 
direct  you;  and  prevent  Every  Step,  which  may  not  bee  for  the 
Honoiu'  of  His  Blessed  Name! 

I  confess,  that  I  write  with  a  most  111  boding  Jealousy,  that  I  shall 
never  see  you  again  in  this  Evil  world;  and  it  overwhelms  mee  into 
Tears,  which  cannot  bee  dry'd  up,  unless  by  this  Consideration,  That 
you  will  shortly  find  among  the  Spirits  of  Just  men  made  perfect, 

Your  Son, 

CM. 

To  John  Cotton 

Boston.  14  d.  7  m.,  1691. 
Rev'd  Sir,  —  The  Short  and  Long,  and  the  Truth,  of  our  Intelli- 
gence from  England  is,  That  the  K.  the  Last  Day  hee  was  at  White- 
hal,  declar'd  it  his  Pleasure  and  Purfwse,  that  N.  E.  should  have 
Charter  Priviledges  Restored;  Nevertheless  (said  hee)  "I  think  it 
will  bee  for  the  welfare  of  that  people,  if  I  send  over  a  General,  or  a 
Governour,  to  unite  the  Territory,  and  inspect  the  Militia  of  it. 
However  (added  hee)  I  will  not  send  any  person,  but  one  that  shall 
bee  acceptable  to  that  people,  and  Recommended  by  their  Agents 
here."    This  notwithstanding,  the  Clerk  of  the  Council  made  a  false 

'  "Some  Friends  of  mine  in  Enflami  who  were  very  willing  I  should  spend 
the  remainder  of  My  days  amongst  them,  told  me,  that  they  had  bin  informed 
that  the  People  of  Nrw  England  were  always  ungrateful  to  their  Publick  Ser\'ants, 
and  that  altho'  they  knew  I  had  with  Industry  and  Fidelity  served  them  to  the 
utmost  of  ray  Capacity,  they  doubted,  whether  they  would  be  sensible  of  it  or 
no."  Increase  Mather's  statement,  prefixed  to  Great  Blessing  of  Primitive  Coun- 
selloun. 

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SEPTEMBER,     169I  I4I 

Entry  of  the  Kings  Order,  as  if  wee  were  to  bee  settled  Like  Barbados, 
etc.,  at  which  our  Tories  there  grew  mighty  brisk.'  But  before  the 
month  was  out,  they  grew  down  in  the  mouth.  The  clerk's  forgery 
was  discovered,  and  by  Order,  our  Charter  was  finished  (tho  not  yett 
sealed)  by  which  our  Colony,  unto  which  the  Eastern  parts  are  added, 
have  power  to  choose  D.  Govemour  and  Assistants  and  all  General 
OflBcers,  on  the  Last  Wednesday,  of  every  May;  only  the  K.  Reserves 
to  himself,  the  Liberty  of  sending  a  General,  for  all  the  united  Colonies; 
who  nevertheless,  will  have  no  power  to  do  any  thing  in  our  Colony 
without  the  Concurrence  of  our  own  Magistrates;  nor  can  any  Lawes, 

*  Mather  appears  to  have  unaccountably  confused  two  incidents  in  this  struggle 
for  a  charter.  On  April  30,  1691,  the  Ring  stated  that  he  believed  it  would  be 
for  the  good  of  his  subjects  in  New  England  to  be  under  a  governor  appointed 
by  himself;  "nevertheless,  that  he  would  have  the  Agents  of  Nrw  England  Nom- 
inate a  Person  that  should  be  agreeable  to  the  Temper  and  Inclinations  of  the 
people  there;  only  that,  at  this  time,  it  was  necessary  that  a  Military  Man  should 
be  set  over  them;  and  that  this  notwithstanding,  he  should  have  Charter-Privi- 
ledges  Restored  and  Confirmed  to  them."  On  the  next  day  he  left  for  Holland, 
and  an  Order  of  Council  was  drawn  up  intimating  "  that  it  was  the  King's  Pleasure 
to  have  a  Govemour  of  his  own  Appointing  sent  to  New- England,  who  should 
have  a  Negative  Voice  in  all  Acts  of  Government:  and  that  the  Maisachusetts 
Colony  should  be  settled  on  the  same  Foundation  with  Borbadoes  Sic.  And  that 
a  Charter  should  be  prepared  accordingly."  Mather  protested  that  this  was 
not  what  the  King  intended,  and  appealed  to  the  King,  but  received  no  reply. 
The  Attorney  General  prepared  the  draught  of  a  Charter,  which  was  accepted, 
by  the  King.  Sir  William  Phips  was  named  Governor,  and  William  Stoughton, 
deputy.    Andros  Tracts,  n.  279  £[. 

The  "forgery"  by  a  clerk  may  relate  to  an  earlier  incident,  published  in  t688: 
"Besides  this,  Mr.  Increase  Mather,  with  two  New-England  Gentlemen,  pre- 
sented a  Petition  and  humble  Proposals  to  the  King,  wherein  they  prayed,  that 
the  Right  which  they  had  had  in  their  Estates  before  the  Government  was  changed, 
might  be  confirmed;  and  that  no  Laws  might  be  made  or  money  Raised,  without 
an  Assembly,  with  sundry  other  particulars;  which  the  King  referred  to  a  Com- 
mittee for  Foreign  plantations,  who  ordered  them  into  the  hands  of  the  Attoumey- 
General  to  make  his  report.  The  Clerk,  William  Blatkwait  sent  to  the  Attoumey 
General  a  Copy,  wherein  the  Essential  Proposal  of  an  Assembly  was  wholly  left 
out;  and  being  spoke  to  about  it,  he  said  the  Earl  of  Sunderland  blotted  out  that 
with  his  own  hand.  Likewise  a  Solidter  in  this  Cause  related  that  the  said  Earl 
of  Sunderland  affirmed  to  him,  that  it  was  by  his  Advice  that  the  King  had  given 
a  Commission  to  Sir  Edmond  Andross  to  raise  moneys  without  an  Assembly,  and 
that  he  knew  the  King  would  never  consent  to  an  Alteration,  nor  would  he  propose 
it  to  His  Majesty."  Increase  Mather,  Narrative  of  the  Miseries  of  New  England, 
9.  The  mention  of  Barbadoes  is  explained  by  John  Palmer's  assertion  that  "Bar- 
bados, Jamaica,  the  Leeward  Islands,  and  Virginia  have  their  Assemblies:  but 
it  is  not  sui  juris,  'tis  from  the  grace  and  Favour  of  the  Crown,  signified  by  Letters 
Patents  under  the  Broad  Seal."    Impartial  Account  of  the  State  of  New  England,  19. 

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142  DIARY  or  COTTON  MATHER 

bee  made,  or  Taxes  Levied,  without  a  General  Court.  There  are 
several  Additional  Priviledges  in  this  charter  which  make  it  better 
than  our  old  one;  and  our  friends  in  England  express  much  Satisfac- 
tion in  it.  This  is  now  Like  to  bee  our  settlement;  but  I  suppose, 
Plymouth,  which  is  so  wonderfully  Sottish,  as  to  take  tw  Care  of  itself, 
is  Like  to  bee  throvm  in  as  a  Province,  which  the  Governour  may  have 
particular  Instructions  about}  The  [King]  you  know  choosing  our 
Magistrates  for  the  first  year,  most  of  our  old  ones,  are  pitch'd  on; 
some  New  ones  are  added,  whose  N"ames  tis  needless  to  mention;  and 
Mr.  Stoughton  will  bee  the  first  D.  Governour.  The  Governour  of 
the  whole  I  suppose,  I  know,  but,  multa  cadunl  inter  calicem  supremo- 
que  Ldbra. 

I  suppose,  per  my  next,  I  shall  send  you,  my  LitUe  Flocks  guarded 
against  Grievous  Wolves}  Heaven  guard  us  all,  from  all  sorts  of  them. 
Remember  mee,  to  my  Relations  with  you,  and  pray  for.  Sir,  Your 
kinsman  and  servt. 

Mather.' 
To  John  Cotton. 

Boston,  Augt.  s,  1692. 

Reverend  Sir,  —  Our  Good  God  is  working  of  Miracles.  Five 
Witches  were  Lately  Executed,  impudently  demanding  of  God,  a 
Miraculous  Vindicacon  of  their  Innocency.  Immediately  upon  this, 
Our  God  Miraculously  sent  in  Five  Andover-Witches,  who  made  a 
most  ample,  surprising,  amazing  Confession,  of  all  their  Villainies 
and  declared  the  Five  newly  executed  to  have  been  of  their  Company; 
discovering  many  more;  but  all  agreeing  in  Burroughs  being  their 
Ringleader,  who,  I  suppwse,  this  Day  receives  his  Trial  at  Salem, 
whither  a  Vast  Concourse  of  people  is  gone;  My  Father,  this  morn- 
ing among  the  Rest.  Since  those,  there  have  come  in  other  Con- 
fessors; yea,  they  come  in  daily.  About  this  prodigious  matter 
my  Soul  has  been  Refreshed  with  some  Little  short  of  Miraculous 
Answers  of  prayer;  which  are  not  to  bee  written;  but  they  comfort 
mee  with  a  prospect  of  an  hopeful  Issue. 

The  whole  Town  yesterday,  turned  the  Lecture  into  a  Fast,  kept 
in  our  meetinR-house;  God  give  a  Good  Return.  But  in  the  morning 
wee  were  Entertained  with  the  horrible  Tidings  of  the  Late  Earth- 

'  It  had  been  proposed  to  annex  Plymouth  to  New  York. 

'This  was  an  attack  upon  the  "modem  teachers  of  the  misled  Quakers," 
and  contained  "just  Reflections  upon  the  extrcam  Ignorance  and  Wickedness 
of  CoorRe  Keith."     It  was  printed  by  Benjamin  Harris  and  John  Allen,  1691. 

*  This  is  the  original  letter  endorsed  by  Cotton. 

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AUGUST,     1692  143 

quake  at  Jamaica,  on  the  7th  of  June  Last.  When,  on  a  fair  Day,  the 
sea  suddenly  swell'd,  and  the  Earth  shook,  and  broke  in  many  places; 
and  in  a  Minutes  time,  the  Rich  Town  of  Port-Royal,  the  Tyrius  of 
the  whole  EngUsh  America,  but  a  very  Sodom  for  Wickedness,  was 
immediately  swallow'd  up,  and  the  sea  came  Rolling  over  the  Town. 
No  less  than  seventeen  hundred  souls  of  that  one  Town,  are  missing; 
besides  other  Incredible  Devastations  all  over  the  Island,  where 
Houses  are  DemoUshed,  Mountains  overturned,  Rocks  Rent,  and  all 
manner  of  Destruction  inflicted.  The  N[on]  C[onformist]  Minister 
there,  scap'd  wonderfully  with  his  Life.  Some  of  our  poor  N.  E. 
people  are  Lost  in  the  Ruines,  and  others  have  their  Bones  broke. 
Forty  Vessels,  were  simk,  namely  all  whose  Cables  did  not  break; 
but  no  N.  E.  ones.  Behold,  an  Accident  speaking  to  all  our  English 
America. 

I  Live  in  Pains,  and  want  your  prayers.  Bestow  them,  dear  Sir, 
on  Your 

C.  Mather. 

What  a  filthy  stir  do  they  keep  at  Taunton,  about  their  military 
Affayrs:  whereof  you  and  I  bear  most  of  the  blame  !  Is  it  Reason- 
able? 


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1692 


THE  XXXth  year. 

Foelix  Conversatio,  in  qu4  inimici  nullam  rejjeriunt 
occasionem,  nisi  fortfe  in  Legitimis  Dei.    Hieron. 

Si  Amatur,  quomodb  infirmatur!    Aug. 

It  was  the  Popish  Malice,  to  upbraid  Calvin  with  his 
Diseases.  You  may  see  (said  they)  what  hee  is  by  his  Dis- 
eases I 

THE  XXXth  YEAR  OF  MY  AGE. 

1692. 

This  Year,  finds  mee,  in  my  public  Ministry,  handling 
the  Miracles  of  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ;  on  the  Histories 
whereof,  I  still  gave  my  Hearers,  a  Variety  of  Reflections, 
by  way  of  brief  Observation,  and  Application.  But,  who  can 
tell  what  miraculous  Things,  I  may  see,  before  this  Year 
bee  out! 

In  the  Begiiming  of  this  Year,  my  Heart  being,  after 
a  poor  Manner,  sett  upon  the  Designs  of  Reformation.^  I 
obtained  a  Vote  of  our  neighbouring  Ministers  mett .  at 
Cambridge: 

"Recommending  it  as  very  advisable,  that  the  several 
Churches,  having  in  an  Instrument,  proper  for  that  Purpose, 
made  a  Catalogue  of  such  Things,  as  can  indisputably  bee 
found  amiss  among  them,  do,  with  all  Seriousness,  and 

'"Some  admirable  Designs  about  the  Reformation  of  Maimers,  have  lately 
been  on  foot  in  the  English  Nation  in  pursuance  of  the  most  excellent  Admoni- 
tions which  have  been  given  for  it,  by  the  Letters  of  their  Majesties.  .  .  . 
There  has  been  started  a  Proposal  for  the  well-affected  people  in  every  Parish, 
to  enter  into  orderly  Socittits."    Wonders  of  the  Invisible  World,  64. 

[144I 

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APRIL,     1692  145 

Solemnitie,  pass  their  Votes,  that  they  count  such  Things 
to  bee  offensive  Evils,  and  renouncing  all  Dependence  on 
their  own  Strength,  to  avoid  such  EvUs,  they  humbly  ask 
the  Help  of  the  Divine  Grace,  to  assist  them,  in  watching 
against  the  said  Evils,  both  in  themselves  and  in  one  another. 
And  that  the  Communicants,  do  often  reflect  upon  those 
their  Acknowledgments  and  Protestations,  as  perpetual  Moni- 
tors, imto  them,  to  prevent  the  Miscarriages,  wherewith 
too  many  Professors  are  too  easily  overtaken." 

Accordingly,  letters,  reporting  this  Advice,  were  now 
sent,  thro'  a  considerable  Part  of  the  Land.  But  so  mon- 
strous was  the  Sleepiness  upon  our  Churches,  (and  Pas- 
tors,) that  few  of  them,  did  any  thing,  in  pursuance  of  this 
Advice. 

However,  I  resolved,  that  their  Lethargy,  should  bee  no 
Excuse  for  mine.  Wherefore  having  prepared  my  Church, 
by  a  solemn  and  pubUc  FAST,  (when  I  twice  preached  on 
Rom.  13.  II.),'  I  drew  up  an  Listrument,  of  Acknowledg- 
ments and  Protestations,  wherein,  renewing  our  Covenant,  wee 
declared  against  sixteen  common  Evils,  which  were  Trans- 
gressions of  it.' 

That  I  might  make  this  Instrument  the  more  easy,  imto 
the  dullest  Capacitie  among  them,  I  did,  after  a  Speech, 
at  the  Lord's  Table,  weave  it,  all  into  my  Prayer  before  the 
Lord. 

So,  on,  10  d.  2  m.  [April.]  Having  first  preached  unto 
them,  on  Jer.  44.  10.    They  solemnly  voted  it.'     And  then, 

» "And  that  knowing  the  time,  that  it  is  high  time  to  awake  out  of  sleep." 

'  See  Mather  to  Richards,  February  13,  1692,  in  4  Collections,  vni.  390. 

'"lod.  2  m  [April]  This  day,  our  Church  unanimously  signify'd  their 
Acceptance  of  an  Instrument,  which  I  laid  before  them,  as  containing  the  Acknowl- 
edgments and  Protestations  of  their  souls,  and  a  Recognition  of  their  Obligations, 
by  their  Covenant,  laid  upon  them,  for  the  revival  of  practical  Godliness  among  us. 

"And  the  day  after,  I  sent  a  little  Book  to  the  Press;  at  the  End  whereof, 
1  publish  a  copy  of  that  Instrument,  to  bee  putt  into  the  hands  of  every  Com- 
municant in  the  Church."    Cotton  Mather's  MS.  Records  of  the  Second  Church,  n. 

The  "Acknowledgments"  occupy  pp.  66-71.  They  glance  at  current  dis- 
turbances as  follows:  "And  being  also  awakened,  by  the  most  heavy  Judgements 

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146  DIARY  OF  COTTON  MATHER 

printing  it,  with  my  two  Fast-Sermons,  (which  I  called,  A 
Midnight  Cry)  I  found  a  way,  to  convey  the  little  Book, 
into  the  Hand  of  every  one  of  our  Communicants.^ 

And  now  in  my  Prayers;  with  my  Church,  the  Lord 
moved  mee  to  utter  my  Perswasion  and  Assurance  that  some 
great  Mercy  was  near  to  this  Flock  of  His. 

29  d.  2  m.  1692.  This  Day  I  spent  in  secret  Humilia- 
tions and  Supplications  before  the  Lord;  upon  the  many 
Occasions,  which  His  Providence  had  given  for  them:  but 
the  many  continuing  Iniquities  and  Calamities  of  the  Coun- 
trey,  were  the  cheef  Things,  that  brought  mee  on  my 
Knees. 

When  I  was  crying  to  God  this  Day,  that  Hee  would 
fill  mee  with  His  Holy  Spirit,  and  make  mee  a  Man  of  an 
excellent  Spirit,  and  help  mee  to  glorify  Him,  in  bringing 
forth  of  mu£h  Fruit,  I  had  my  Heart  melted  with  a  glorious 
Assurance,  that  it  would  bee  so. 

I  sett  myself  to  recount  the  abasing  Circumstances  of 
the  Land;  and  my  Soul  mourned  over  them.  I  wrestled 
with  my  God,  that  Hee  would  awaken  these  Churches,  to 

of  Heaven,  under  which  this  country  has  been  Weltring  and  Wasting  for  many 
later  years,  to  suspect  lest  in  the  Hearts  and  Lives  of  US  in  particular,  there  may 
be  found  some  of  those  ACCURSED  THINGS,  which  have  brought  upon  the 
Land,  such  a  Long  Variety  of  Sore  Calamity:"  etc.  Sensualities  in  eating,  drink- 
ing and  recreation,  and  extravagancies  in  apparel,  profanation  of  the  Sabbath, 
dishonesty  and  other  sins  are  mentioned.  He  seems  to  have  sent  the  paper  in 
its  first  form  to  John  Richards.     4  Collections,  viii.  390. 

'"That  the  whole  World  has  been  generally  Asleep  for  some  Thousands 
of  Years,  and  that  particular  Professors  of  Religion  in  this  Age  of  the  World  are 
ordinarily  Asleep  all  their  Dayes,  I  should  therein  but  utter,  A  Truth,  as  horrible, 
aa  notorious.  As  for  You,  my  Dear  CharRc.  the  Office  which  I  sustain  towards 
you,  is  that  of  a  WATCHMAN;  and  in  the  discharge  of  that  OflSce,  I  have  here 
put  into  your  hands,  another  perpetual  INSTRUMENT  for  yom  AW AKENING, 
lest  when  our  Lord  comes.  He  find  you  Sleeping!  I  have  not  Published  it  with 
so  much  presumption  as  to  propound  therein  the  Direction  of  any  other  Churches. 
But  I  have  ordered  a  SirtaU  Impression,  that  I  may  fulfil  my  promise  of  providing 
for  every  one  of  you,  a  Copy  of  this  your  Monitor;  so  that  perhaps  I  may  say  of 
this  Book,  as  the  Philosopher  did  of  his,  'Tis  Published,  but  scarce  made  Puhlick." 
Prefatory  letter  to  the  Church  in  the  North-part  of  Boston.  He  describes  his  action 
in  a  letter  to  John  Richards,  December  14,  1693,  in  4  Collections,  vxn.  397. 

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APRIL,       1692  147 

do  some  remarkable  Thing  in  returning  to  Him;  I  also  beg'd 
of  Him,  that  Hee  would  accept  of  Service  at  my  hands, 
and  make  a  singular  Use  of  mee,  in  the  Awakening  of  my 
people;  I  pray'd  Him  therefore  particularly  to  smile  upon 
my  little  Book,  entitled,  A  Midnight  Cry,  which  is  just  now 
coming  out  of  the  Press. 

This  Day,  I  likewise  obtained  of  God,  that  Hee  would 
make  use  of  mee,  as  of  a  John,  to  bee  an  Herald  of  the 
Lord's  Kingdome  now  approching.  and  the  Voice  crying 
in  the  Wilderness,  for  Preparation  thereunto.  And  I  also 
implored  the  Assistance  of  God,  unto  my  undertaking  to 
write  a  Book  (now,  in  my  Thoughts)  accommodated  unto 
the  Designs  of  Religion,  among  the  Husbandmen  in  this 
Countrey. 

But  my  Prayers  did  especially  insist  upon  the  horrible 
Enchantments,  and  Possessions,  broke  forth  upon  Salem  Vil- 
lage; things  of  a  most  prodigious  Aspect.'  A  good  Issue 
to  those  things,  and  my  own  Direction  and  Protection  there- 
about, I  did  especially  petition  for. 

My  Health,  has  been  lamentably  broken  for  diverse 
Years,*  partly  by  my  excessive  Toyle,  in  the  pubUc  and 
private  Exercises  of  my  Calling,  but  cheefly,  I  fear,  by  my 
Sins  against  the  God  of  my  Health;  whence  tis,  that  I  have 
been  put  many  Times  to  preach,  when  I  had  been  fitter  to 
have  been  in  my  Bed,  and,  when  that  by  Sickness  I  have 
been  almost  utterly  disabled  for  all  preparatory  Study, 
yett  I  have  delivered  long  and  hard  Sermons,  with  great 
Assistances  to  great  Congregations,  and  come  easier  out  of 
the  Pulpit,  than  I  went  into  it. 

But,  now  Illness  and  Vapour,  with  an  aguish  Indis- 

•  Sewall,  Diary,  1.  358.    Upham,  Salem  Witchcraft. 

'  In  apologizing  for  his  unfruitfulncss,  Mather  wrote  in  the  introduction  to 
his  Companion  for  Communicants:  "My  Readers  must  remember  that  these  Things 
are  but  my  Blossoms,  which  1  do  the  more  vigorously  put  forth,  because  whether 
1  consider  the  Doubtful  State  of  my  Health,  now  twice  in  less  than  a  Twelve 
Month  attack'd  with  very  Fiery  Feavers,"  etc. 

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148  DIARY  OF  COTTON  MATHER 

position,  growes  upon  mee,  at  such  a  rate,  that  indeed,  I 
live  in  exceeding  Misery:  and  I  can  see  nothing  but  a  speedy 
Death  approaching. 

Blessed  bee  God,  that  I  can  dyl 

But  the  Time  for  Favour  was  now  come:  the  sett  Time  was 
come! 

I  am  now  to  receive  the  Answers  of  so  many  Prayers 
as  had  been  employ 'd  for  my  absent  Parent;  and  for  the 
Deliverance  and  Settlement,  of  my  poor  Countrey,  for 
which  hee  had  been  employ'd,  in  so  long  an  Agencie.' 

Wee  have  not  our  former  CJtarter,  but  wee  have  a  better 
in  the  Room  of.  it.  One  which  much  better  suits  our  Cir- 
cumstances. And  instead,  of  my  being  made  a  Sacrifice 
to  wicked  Riders,  all  the  Councellours  of  the  Province,  are 
of  my  own  Father's  Nomination;  and  my  Father-in-Law, 
with  several  related  unto  mee,  and  several  Brethren  of  my 
own  church,  are  among  them.  The  Governour  of  the  Prov- 
ince is  not  my  Enemy,  but  one  whom  I  baptised,  namely 
Sir  William  Phips,  and  one  oT  my  own  Flock,'  and  one  of 
rny  dearest  FriendsT 

On  14  d.  3  m.  [May\  Satureday-Evening.  My  Father 
arrived,  unto  mee,  with  all  of  these  Mercies.' 

My  only  Brother  then  also  arrived  well  improved  in 
his  education.  < 

Oh  I  what  shall,  I  render  to  the  Lord,  for  all  His  Benefits! 

'  "  Three  Years  are  now  passed,  since  our  Merciful  God,  by  a  wonderful  Turn, 
rescued  this  People  from  the  Hands  of  those,  who  declared  us,  A  People  fit  only 
to  be  Rooted  off  the  Face  of  the  Earth,  and  who  might  have  been  in  Forwardness 
enough  to  accomplish,  Tliat  Rooting  Business."    A  Midnight  Cry  (i6qj),  63. 

'  Admitted  and  baptized  March  23,  1690.  It  should  be  remembered  that 
until  the  recall  of  the  charter  only  a  church-member  could  be  a  freeman.  Eliza- 
beth and  Sarah  Mather  were  admitted  upon  the  same  day.  Mather  gives  an 
account  of  the  Phips's  incidents  in  his  Life  of  Phips,  Magnolia,  Bk.  n.  46,  and 
shows  how  he  came  to  be  selected  Governor  under  the  new  charter. 

•"Sir  William  arrives  in  the  Nonsuch  Frigat:  Candles  are  lighted  before 
He  gets  into  Townhouse.     Isight  Companies  wait  on  Him  to  his  house,  and  then 
on  Mr.  (fncrease]  Mather  to  his.     Made  no  volleys  because  'twas  Satterday  night. 
Scwall,  Diary,  1.  360. 

*  This  sentence  was  written  in  the  margin. 

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MAY,     1692  149 

On  this  occasion,  tho'  I  was  then  ill,  and  had  but  a  few 
minutes  of  Time  also,  for  my  Study,  I  did  on  the  Lord's- 
Day  Morning,  preach  very  largely  with  a  very  sensible 
Assistance  of  Heaven,  upon  Math.  14.  15,  Our  Lords  pass- 
ing over  the  Water. 

Thus  have  I  seen,  the  wonderful  Effects  of  Prayer  and 
Faith;  and  now,  /  unll  call  upon  the  Lord,  as  long  as  I  Live. 

A  Great  and  General  Assembly  was  now  called;  and  it 
was  a  Time,  on  that  account,  whereof  it  might  bee  said  of 
the  Inhabitants  of  this  Province  as  of  the  Romans,  on  an- 
other Occasion.  They  had  never  seen  a  greater  Day.  By  the 
Providence  of  God,  it  then  fell  unto  me,  to  preach  unto 
this  Assembly;  which  I  did,  on  2.  Chron.  12.  12,  bearing 
as  full  a  Testimony,  as  I  was  able,  imto  all  those  things, 
wherein  I  say  the  Interests  of  my  Coimtrey."  Among 
other  things,  T  ran  the  Hazard  nf  npuch  Reproch  bv  testi- 
fying in  that  Sermon,  against  the  Persecution  of  erroneous 
and  conscientious  Dissenters,  by  the  civil  Magistrate.  I 
feared,  that  the  Zeal  of  my  Coimtrey  had  formerly  had  in 
it  more  Fire  than  should  have  been;  especially,  when  the 
mad  Quakers  were  sent  unto  the  Gallowes.  that  should 
have  been  kept  rather  in  a  Bedlam.^  I  did  therefore  on 
this  great  Occasion  bear  my  Testimony;  hoping,  that  if 
the  General  Assembly  now  thank'd  mee  for  it,  their  doing 
so,  would  bee  accepted  both  by  God  and  Man.  I  think, 
I  am  the  only  Minister  Living  in  the  Land,  that  have  testi- 
fyed  against  the  Suppression  of  Hceresy,  by  Persecution. 
And  I  hope^  the  Lord  will  own  mee  with  a  more  singular 
Success,  in  the  Suppression  of  Haeresy  by  Endeavours  more 
spiritual  and  evangelical.* 

'  The  Court  appointed  a  day  of  solenui  Thanksgiving  for  the  safe  arrival  of 
Phips  and  Increase  Mather.     Magnolia,  Bool;  n. 

'"Let  not  the  Tares  of  Will-Worship,  of  Arminianism .  a.nd  of  Serpentine 
Quakerism,  be  nourished  in  our  Churches."     A  Midnight  Cry  (1692),  61. 

•  From  "Among  other  things"  etc.,  to  this  point  was  written  in  the  margin, 
and  presumably  an  afterthought. 

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150  DIARY  OF  COTTON  MATHER 

I  received  the  Thanks  of  the  Assembly;  and  gave  my 
Sermon  unto  the  Bookseller,'  (with  another,  on  Prov. 
17.  27).  So  the  Book  was  pubUshed,  under  the  Title  of, 
Optanda;  or.  Good  Men  described,  and,  Good  Things 

PROPOUNDED. 

In  my  public  Ministry,  I  now  largely  handled,  the 
Description  of  the  Day  of  Judgment,  in  the  twenty-fifth 
Chapter  of  Matthew. 

In  the  Spring  of  this  Year,  I  preached,  on  the  Lecture, 
to  the  Countrey,  a  Sermon  upon  Temptations;  and  now, 
behold,  my  poor  Countrey  entred  quickly  into  Temptation. 

The  Rest  of  the  Simimer,  was  a  very  doleful  Time,  unto 
the  whole  Countrey. 

ThtPivels,  after  a  most  praetematural  Maimer,  by  the 
dreadful  Judgment  of  Heaven  took  a  bodily  Possession,  of 
many  people,  in  Salem,  and  the  adjacent  places;  and  the 
Houses  of  the  poor  People,  began  to  bee  filled  with  the 
horrid  Cries  of  Persons  tormented  by  m/  Spirits.  There 
seem'd  an  execrable  Witchcraft^  in  the  Foundation  of  this 
wonderful  Affiction.  and  many  Persons,  of  diverse  Char- 
acters, were  accused,  apprehended,  prosecuted,  upon  the 
Visions  of  the  Afilicted. 

For  my  own  part,  I  was  alwayes  afraid  of  proceeding 
to  convict  and  condemn  anv  Person,  as  a  Confaederaie  with 
afficting  Daemons,  upon  so  feeble  an  Evidence,  as  a  spectral 
RepresentatMji.^  Accordingly.  I  ever  testified  against  it, 
both  publickly  and  privately;  and  in  my  Letters  to  the 
Judges,  I  particularly,  besought  them,  that  they  would  by 

'  Printed  by  Benjamin  Harris. 

'  "It  was  the  ResiJt  of  a  Discourse,  lately  held  at  a  Meeting  of  some  very 
Pious  and  Learned  Ministers  among  us,  That  the  Devils  nay  someiimei  have  a  per- 
mission to  Represent  an  Innocent  Person,  as  Tormenting  such  as  are  under  Diabolical 
Molestations:  But  th'U  such  things  are  Rare  and  Extraordinary;  especially  when 
such  matters  come  before  Civil  Judicature."  From  "Enchantments  Encountered," 
prefixed  to  Wonders  of  the  Invisible  World.  Mather  treats  of  these  specters  and 
spectral  evidences  in  Wonders  of  the  Invisible  World,  $0.  His  letter  to  Richards, 
one  of  the  judges  in  the  trials,  is  in  4  Collections,  vm.  391.  Pure  specter  testi- 
mony is  treated  in  that  letter. 

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MAY,     I  6g  2  151 

no  means  admitt  it;  and  when  a  considerable  Assembly  of 
Ministers  gave  in  their  Advice  about  that  Matter,  I  not 
only  concurred  with  their  Advice,  but  it  was  /  who  drew 
it  up.* 

Nevertheless,  on  the  other  side,  I  saw  in  most  of  the 
Judges,  a  most  charming  Instance  of  Prudence  and  Patience, 
and  I  knew  their  exemplary  Pietie,  and  the  Agony  of  Soul 
with  which  they  sought  the  Direction  of  Heaven;  above 
most  other  People,  whom  I  generally  saw  enchanted  into 
a  raging,  raiUng,  scandalous  and  unreasonable  Disposition, 
as  the  Distress  increased  upon  us:  For  this  Cause  tho'  I 
could  not  allow  the  Principles,  that  some  of  the  Judges 
had  espoused,  yett  I  could  not  but  speak  honourably  of 
their  Persons,  on  all  Occasions;  and  my  Compassion,  upon 
the  Sight  of  their  Difficidties,  raised  by  my  Journey es  to 
Salem,  the  chief  Seat  of  these  diaboUcal  Vexations,  caused 
mee  yett  more  to  do  so.''  And  meerly,  as  far  as  I  can  learn, 
for  this  Reason,  the  mad  people  thro'  the  Coimtrey,  under  a 
fascination  on  their  Spirits,  aequal  to  what  our  Energumens 
had  on  their  Bodies,  reviled  mee,  as  if  I  had  been  the  Doer 
of  all  the  hard  Things,  that  were  done,  in  the  Prosecution 
of  the  Witchcraft. 

In  this  EvU-Tim^e,  I  offered,  at  the  beginning,  that  if  the 
possessed  People,  might  bee  scattered  far  asunder,  I  would 
singly  provide  for  six  of  them;  and  wee  would  see  whether 

'  This  paper  is  printed  in  Magnolia,  Book  n.  63,  where  with  characteristic 
indirection  it  is  stated  to  have  been  prepared  at  the  desire  of  the  ministers  "by 
Mr.  Mather,  the  younger,  as  I  have  been  informed." 

'  On  August  19th  five  unfortunates  were  executed  at  Salem  for  witchcraft, 
"a  very  great  number  of  Spectators  being  present.  Mr.  Cotton  Mather  was 
there,  Mr.  Sims,  Hale,  Noyes,  Chiever,  &c.  All  of  them  said  they  were  innocent, 
Carrier  and  all.  Mr.  Mather  says  they  all  died  by  a  Righteous  Sentence."  Sewall, 
Diary,  i.  363.  Of  the  judges  he  said  in  Enchantments  Encountred:  "Such  of 
them  as  I  have  the  Honour  of  a  Personal  Acquaintance  with,  are  Men  of  an  excel- 
lent Spirit;  and  as  at  first  they  went  about  the  work  for  which  they  were  Cora- 
missioned,  with  a  very  great  aversion,  so  they  have  still  been  under  Heart-breaking 
Sollicitudes,  how  they  might  therein  best  serve  both  God  and  Man."  See  ajjrf 
Magnolia,  Book  n.  61. 

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152  DIARY  OF  COTTON  MATHER 

without  more  bitter  methods,  Prayer  with  Fasting  would 
not  putt  an  End  unto  these  heavy  Trials:'  But  my 
offer  (which  none  of  my  Revilers,  would  have  been  so 
courageous  or  so  charitable,  as  to  have  made)  was  not 
accepted. 

However,  for  a  great  part  of  the  Simimer,  I  did  every 
Week,  (mostly)  spend  a  Day  by  myself,  in  the  Exercises  of  a 
sacred  FAST,  before  the  Lord.  On  these  Dayes  (whereof 
I  have  kept  no  Record)  I  cried  unto  the  Lord,  not  only  for 
my  own  Preservation,  from  the  MaUce  and  Power  of  the 
evil  Angels,  but  also,  for  a  good  Issue  of  the  Calamities 
wherein  Hee  had  permitted  the  eoil  Angels  to  ensnare  this 
miserable  Countrey. 

I  also  besought  the  Lord,  that  Hee  would  please  to  accept 
mee,  direct  mee,  prosper  mee,  in  publishing  such  Testi- 
monies for  Him,  as  were  proper,  and  would  bee  serviceable 
imto  His  Interests,  on  this  occasion. 

Moreover,  the  Prison  being  filled  with  Persons  com- 
mitted on  Suspicion  of  Witchcraft,  I  went  and  preached  unto 
the  Persons  in  Prison,  (on  Act.  24.  25.)  with  a  special  Help 
from  the  Spirit  of  the  Lord. 

That  a  right  Use,  might  bee  made,  of  the  stupendous 
and  prodigious  Things,  which  had  been  happening  among 
us,  I  now  composed  and  pubUshed  my  Book,  entituled. 
The  Wonders  of  the  bmsiBLE  World:'  in  the  Preface 
whereof,  I  could  say,  "None  but  the  Father  who  sees  in 
secret,  knowes  the  heart-breaking  Exercises,  wherewith  I 
have  composed,  what  is  now  going  to  bee  exposed;  lest 
I  should,  in  any  one  Thing,  miss  of  doing  my  designed  Ser- 
vice for  His  Glory,  and  for  His  People:  But  I  am  now 
somewhat  comfortably  assured  of  His  favourable  Accept- 
ance; and  /  mil  not  fear;  what  can  a  Satan  do  unto  mee."' 

'  Mather  mentions  this  offer  in  the  Magnolia,  Book  n.  6j,  as  made  by  "one 
particular  person  (whom  I  have  cause  to  know)." 

'  "Diverse  Times  reprinted  at  London."     WriUen  in  margin. 

'"I  have  indeed  set  myself  to  countermine  the  whole  plot  of  the  Devil, 

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DECEMBER,     1692  I53 

When  this  Book  was  printed,  many  besotted  People 
would  not  imagine  any  other,  but  that  my  Father's,  Cases 
of  Conscience,  about  Witchcraft,^  which  came  abroad  just 
after  it,  were  in  opposition  to  it;  which  caused  him,  in  the 
Postscript  of  his  Cases,  to  say, 

"Some  have  taken  up  a  Notion,  that  the  Book  newly 
pubUshed  by  my  Son,  is  contradictory  to  this  of  mine. 
Tis  strange,  that  such  Imaginations  should  enter  into  the 
Minds  of  Men;  I  perused,  and  approved,  that  Book,  before 
it  was  printed,  and  nothing  but  my  Relation  to  him,  hinderd 
mee,  from  recommending  it  unto  the  world." 

Tis  not  proper  for  mee  to  recite  on  this  occasion,  what 
encouraging  Letters  I  received  from  some  reverend  Persons, 
about  that  reviled  Book;  and  how  one  Sais,  /  think  never 
Book  came  out  more  seasonably;  and  I  give  Thanks  to  our 
gracious  God,  for  His  Assistence  of  you,  both  in  Matter  and 
Manner;  and  how  another  sais,  /  solemnly  profess,  without 
the  least  Adulation,  I  never  mett  with  an  humane  Author  in 
my  Life,  tJtat  spake  more  solidly  and  thoroughly  to  the  Subject 
hee  handled;  and  if  eoery  one  that  reads  it,  do  not  close  with  it, 
I  shall  fear  gross  Ignorance,  inveterate  Prejudice,  or  a  pomcl 
Stroke  of  God,  the  Cause  thereof.  The  Shield  given  by  the 
Lievt.   Govemour,   of    the   Province,   under   which,    that 


against  New-England,  in  every  branch  of  it,  as.  far  as  one  of  my  darkness  can  com- 
prehend such  a  Work  of  Darkness.  I  may  add,  that  I  have  herein  also  aimed 
at  the  Information  and  Satisfaction  of  Good  Men  in  another  Country,  a  thousand 
Leagues  off,  where  I  have,  it  may  be,  more,  or  however,  more  considerable  Friends, 
than  in  my  own:  And  I  do  what  I  can  to  have  that  Country,  now,  as  well  as  always, 
in  the  best  Terms  with  my  own.  But  while  I  am  doing  these  things,  I  have  been 
driven  a  little  to  do  something  likewise  for  myself;  I  mean,  by  taking  off  the  false 
Reports,  and  hard  Censures  about  my  Opinion  in  these  Matters,  the  Farter's 
Portions  which  my  pursuit  of  Peace  has  procured  me  among  the  Keen.  My  hitherto 
unvaried  Thoughts  are  here  published;  and  I  believe,  they  will  be  owned  by  most 
of  the  Ministers  of  God  in  these  Colonies;  nor  can  amends  be  well  made  me, 
for  the  wrong  done  me,  by  other  sorts  of  Representations."  The  Author's  Defence 
in  Wonders  of  the  Invisible  World. 

'  Willard  contributed  an  "  Epistle."    The  book  was  prepared  at  the  request 
of  the  ministers  of  the  Province.    Magnolia,  Book  n.  63. 

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154  DIARY  OF  COTTON  MATHER 

Book  is  walk'd  abroad,  is  enough,  and,  I  confess,  too 
much. ' 

I  mention,  these  vindicating  Passages,  only  for  some 
Ease  of  my  own  Mind,  under  the  many  buffeting  Tempta- 
tions, which  attended  the  Publication  of  that  Book. 

(Upon  the  severest  Examination,  and  the  solemnest 
Supplication,  I  still  think,  that  for  the  main,  I  have,  written 
Right.)  ^ 

The  greatest  part  of  the  ensuing  Winter,  brought  with 
it  unto  mee,  little  that  was  remarkable. 

My  winter  Ministry,  was  chiefly  upon  the  Prayer  of  Jonas. 

It  has  been  my  usual  Practice  every  morning,  to  render 
my  Thanks  unto  the  good  God,  for,  my  Life  and  the  Com- 
forts of  it;  particularly  for  my  Health,  and  my  Li\'ing,  and 
for  the  Life  of  my  Father,  and  (afterwards)  for  the  Com- 
panion of  my  Life.  Then,  for  my  Work  and  the  Supports 
of  it;  particularly,  for  my  Free  speech,  my  large  Library, 
and  my  unblemished  Reputation.  But  last,  and  most. 
For  the  L[ord]  Jesus  Christ,  and  His  Benefits.  At  last,  I 
thought  Singing  the  best  way  of  Speaking,  these  my  praises; 
and  so  I  cast  them  into  this  little  Hymn. 

Health,  Bread,  with  Life,  my  God  mee  sends, 

My  Consort,  Fallicr,  Friends; 
Employment,  with  Free  Speech  and  Fame, 

And  Books  to  feed  the  Same. 

For  This,  but  most,  for  thy  dear  Son, 

My  Thanks  are  now  begun. 
Help  mee,  Good  God,  to  love  and  praise. 

And  serve  thee  all  my  Dayes. 

'  William  Stoughton,  whose  letter  is  prefixed  to  the  volume.  It  is  cast  in 
the  highly  complimentary  mould.  Mather  returned  the  rompliment  by  saying 
in  Enchantments  Encounlred  of  Stoughton:  "Wc  are  under  the  Influence  of 
a  Lieutenant  Governour,  who  not  only  by  being  admirably  accomplished  both 
with  Natural  and  Acquired  Endowments,  is  fitted  for  the  Service  of  Their  Majes- 
ties, but  also  with  an  unspotted  Fidelity  applies  himself  to  that  Service."  He 
is  equally  complimentary  to  the  Governor  and  Councillors. 

'  Written  at  some  later  time. 

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DECEMBER,       1692  I55 

Afterwards,  I  thus  mended  it. 

Lord,  bought  by  thy  All-worthy  Blood, 

Life,  worthless  I  Receive: 
Nourish'd  with  Health,  and  Peace,  and  Food, 
Free  from  just  Plagues,  I  live. 

From  thy  great  Friendship  I  enjoy 

Friends  that  my  Jewels  are;' 
Mee  Thou  dost  in  thy  Church  employ 

And  still  accept  my  Prayer.^ 

CHRIST,  His  Promise,  is  mine;' 

His  Angels  are  my  Guard. 
I'l  my  long  Praises  therefore  join. 

With  Thy  good  Angels,  Lord. 

I  had  filled  my  Countrey,  with  httle  BOOKS,  in  several 
whereof,  I  had,  with  a  Variety  of  Entertainment,  offered 
the  New-Covenant  formally  drawn  up,  imto  my  Neighbours: 
hoping  to  engage  them  eternally  unto  the  Lord,  by  their 
subscribing  with  Heart  and  Hand,  imto  that  Covenant.* 
Now  in  the  late  horrid  Witchcraft,  the  manner  of  the  Spectres 
was  to  tender  BOOKS  unto  the  afflicted  People;  solliciting 
of  them  to  subscribe  imto  a  League  with  the  Divel  therein 
exhibited,  and  so  become  the  Servants  of  the  Divel  forever; 
which  when  they  refused,  the  Spectres  would  proceed  then 
to  woimd  them  with  Scalding,  Burning,  Pinching,  Prick- 
ing, Twisting,  Choaking,  and  a  thousand  praetematural 
Vexations.* 

'  Originally  the  line  read,  "Friends  greatly  dear  to  mee:" 

'Originally  written,  "To  speak  and  wriit  for  Thee." 

•Originally,  "Christ  and  his  promises  arc  mine." 

*  "Would  we  find  a  Covert  from  these  Vvltures?  Let  us  then  Hear'ourLord 
Jesus  from  Heaven  Clocquing  unto  us,  O  that  you  would  be  gathered  under  my  Wings  I 
Well;  When  this  is  done,  Then  let  us  own  the  Covenant,  which  we  are  now  come 
into,  by  joining  ourselves  to  a  particular  Church,  walking  in  the  Order  of  the  Gos- 
pel; at  the  doing  whereof,  according  to  that  Covenant  of  God,  We  give  up  Ourselves 
unto  the  Lord,  and  in  Him  unto  One  Another.  While  others  have  had  their 
Names  Entred  in  the  DevUs  Book;  let  our  Names  be  found  in  the  Church  Book." 
Wonders  of  the  Invisible  World,  73. 

'"Yea,  more  than  One  Twenty  have  Confessed  that  they  have  Signed  unto 
a  Book,  which  the  Devil  show'd  them,  and  Engaged  in  his  Hellish  Design  of  Bewitch- 

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156  DIARY  OF  COTTON  MATHER 

Before  I  made  any  such  Reflection  myself,  I  heard  this 
Reflection  made  by  others,  who  were  more  considerate; 
That  this  Assault  of  the  evil  Angels  upon  the  Countrey,  was 
intended  by  Hell,  as  a  particular  Defiance,  unto  my  poor 
Endeavours,  to  bring  the  Souls  of  men  unto  Heaven.  When 
I  more  attentively  considered  this  matter,  it  enflamed  my 
Endeavours  this  Winter  to  do  yett  more,  in  a  direct  oppo- 
sition xmto  the  Divel.  Wherefore  I  composed  and  published, 
a  little  Book,  entituled,  Awakenings  for  the  Uniuegen- 
ERATE.'  Wherein,  I  sett  the  Covenant  of  Grace,  yett  more 
evangelically  and  explicitly  before  the  Children  of  Men, 
and  besought  them,  to  sign  it,  in  order  to  their  everlasting 
Happiness.  And,  as  a  further  Opposition  unto  the  Divel, 
besides,  diverse  other  Discourses  about  the  Concerns  of 
Regeneration,  in  that  Book,  I  added  a  Discourse,  about,  A 
Name  written  in  tfte  Book  of  Life.  Promising,  that,  for  the 
two  Years,  next  ensuing,  if  I  lived,  I  would  of  those  Books, 
buy  from  the  Book-seller,  after  the  rate  of  two  a  Week;  and 
scatter  them,  in  Places,  where  I  might  Judge,  most  of  Good 
would  bee  done  by  them. 

Remember  mcc,  O  God,  concerning  this  also,  and  spare  mee 
according  to  the  Greatness  of  thy  Mercy! 

(After,  the  evil  Angels  in  a  possessed  yovmg  woman  had 
reproched  mee,  for  having  never  preached  on  that  in  Rev. 
13.  8.  I,  to  oppose  them  and  yett  not  foUow  them,  chose  to 
preach,  on  Rev.  20.  15.)' 

ing,  and  Ruining  our  Land."  From  "Enchantments  Encountred,"  prefixed  to 
Wonders  of  the  Inmsible  World. 

'  Unum  Necasarium.  Printed  by  Benjamin  Harris  for  Duncan  Campbell, 
1693.  In  his  preface  Mather  states  that  the  volume  is  made  up  of  notes  of 
two  or  three  sermons  preached  "  almost  seven  ytars  ago,"  and  of  two  or  three 
more  since  delivered. 

'This  paragraph  is  written  in  the  margin.  The  first  text  is:  "And  all  that 
dwell  upon  the  earth  shall  worship  him,  whose  names  arc  not  written  in  the  book 
of  life  of  the  Lamb  slain  from  the  foundation  of  the  world."  The  second  is:  "And 
whosoever  was  not  found  written  in  the  book  of  life  was  cast  into  the  lake  of  fire." 
Increase  Mather  believed  that  it  "puts  too  much  Respect  upon  a  DiM,  to 
Argue  and  Parley  with  him,  on  a  Point  which  the  Devil  himself  Believes  and 

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december,   1692  157 

Memorandum. 

I  observed  That  in  the  horrible  Assaults  made  by  the 
Invisible  World,  upon  some  scores  of  people,  in  the  Enchant- 
ments and  Possessions,  which  amazed  the  Coimtrey,  the 
matter  still  urged  upon  the  poor  Energumens,  with  a  thou- 
sand praetematural  Torments,  was,  to  sign  (sett  their  Names 
and  Hands)  unto  a  Book,  by  a  Dcemon  presented  unto  them} 

Hereupon,  I  reckoned,  that  it  would  bee  a  convenient 
Contradiction  unto  this  method  of  the  Divels,  for  mee  to 
subscribe  unto  GODS  BOOK. 

Wherefore,  I  took  the  BIBLES,  which  I  most  commonly 
vised;  and  I  wrote, 

In  ONE,  at  the  Top  of  the  first  Leaf, 

Received  as  the  Book  of  God  and  of  Life,  by 

Cotton  Mather. 

At  the  End  of  the  last  Leaf, 

Embraced  as  the  Word  of  Christ  and  Salvation 
BY  Cotton  Mather. 

In  ANOTHER,  at  the  Top  of  the  first  Leaf, 

Enjoy'd  as  the  unerring  ,  Rule  of  Beleef,  and 
Practice,  by  Cotton  Mather. 

At  the  End  of  the  last  Leaf, 

Received  as  the  Word  of  God,  of  Truth,  and  of 
Life,  by  Cotton  Mather. 

In  a  THIRD,  At  the  End, 

Trembles  at,"  but  flat  contradiction  was  the  better  method.     Wendell,  Cotton 
Mather,  25. 

'  "  'Tis  well  known,  that  the  Devils  make  a  Compact  with  some  Witches 
to  be  the  Masters  of  their  Souls  upon  their  Departure  hence;  and  such  Witches 
have  been  among  our  selves  Convicted  by  so  fair  and  full  a  process  of  Law,  as 
would  render  the  Dangers  thereof  worthy  of  no  Reasonabler  Company  than  that 
in  Bethlem;  and  greater  Prodigies  than  any  that  are  in  Witchcraft  it  self."  A 
Midnight  Cry  (1692),  10.  "The  Devil,  Exhibiting  himself  ordinarily  as  a  small 
Black  man,  has  decoy'd  a  fearful  knot  of  proud,  froward,  ignorant,  envious  and 
malicious  creatures,  to  lift  themselves  in  his  horrid  Service,  by  entring  their 
Names  in  a  Book  by  him  tendred  unto  them."  Wonders  of  the  Invisible  World, 
49.    See  also  p.  50. 

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I  58  DIARY  OF  COTTON  MATHER 

Received  as  the  Book  of  God  and  of  Life,  by 

Cotton  Mather. 

Approaching  towards  the  Age  of  Thirty,  tis  Time  for 
me  to  think  upon  the  memorable  Words,  in  Chanuk's 
Memoires. 

Cum  Natalis  Dies  Febrtiaris  admonuissei  /Etatis  nume- 
randcE,  el  Tricesimo  reperissem,  invasil  me  subiia  mastitia,  el 
perculsil  admiranlem,  quom^do  sine  sensu  Vila,  ad  ejus  culmen 
pervenissem,  quo  Lux  qucelibet  fil  obscurior,  el  Dies  noslri  ad 
occasum  indinare  incipiunl.  Visa  est  mihi  Rerum  fades 
momenlo  mulata;  El  tuiu  primum  me  Hominem  agnovi. 

The  Hearty  Wishes,  of,  Collon  Malher. 

I  have  ever  now  and  then  gone  to  the  Good  God,  with  the 
most  solemn  Addresses,  iJml  I  may  bee  allogether  delivered 
from  Enchantments;  tlial  no  Enchantment  on  my  Mind, 
may  hinder  mee  from  seeing  or  doing  any  thing  for  tlie  Glory 
of  God,  or  dispose  mee  to  any  thing  whereat  God  may  bee 
displeased.  The  Reason  of  this  Wish,  is,  because  I  beleeve 
that  a  real  and  proper  Enchantment,  of  the  Divels,  do's 
blind,  and  moi'c  the  Minds  of  the  most  of  Men;  even  in 
Instances  of  every  sort.  But  I  remember,  that  much  Fast- 
ing as  well  as  Prayer,  is  necessary-,  to  obtain  a  Rescue  from 
Enchantment. 

It  has  been  one  of  my  watchful  Desires  and  Studies,  to 
mention  a  personal  Quarrel,  with  no  person  hving  in  the 
World;  but  rather  to  deny  myself  of  my  Humour,  my 
Esteem  and  any  thing  in  the  world.  The  Reason  of  this 
Wish,  is  because,  no  man  can  manage  a  personal  Quarrel 
against  another,  without  loosing  abundance  of  precious 
Time,  which  might  bee  laid  out,  unto  infinitely  better  pur- 
pose, in  the  Service  of  Christ  and  His  Church;  besides  a 
deal  of  unavoidable  Sin,  which  will  insinuate  itself  into 
every  personal  Quarrel,  thereby  ones  internal  Peace  is 
broken, 

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DECEMBER,     1692  1 59 

And  one,  likely  to  live,  so  little  a  Time,  as  I,  had  need 
throw  away,  as  little  of  his  Time,  as  ever  hee  can. 

Musculus,  just  before  hee  Dyed,  wrote  the  following 
verses. 

NU  superest  Vitae;  Frigus  p'raecordia  capiat, 

Sed  Tu,  Christe,  mihi  vita  perennis  ades. 
Quid  Trepidas,  Anima  ?  Ad  sedes  abitiira  quietis, 

En,  tibi  Ductor  adest,  Angelus  ille-tuus. 

Linque  Domum  banc  miseram,  nunc  in  sua  fata  ruentem, 

Quam  tibi  fide  Dei  Dextera  restituet. 
Peccasti?  Scio:  Sed  Christus  Credentibus  in  se 

Peccata  Expiu-gat  Sanguine  cuncta  sua. 
Horribilis  Mors  Est  ?  Fateor:  Sed  proxima  Vita  est 

Ad  quam  te  Christi  Gratia  certe  vocat. 
Praesto  est  de  Satana,  peccato,  et  Morte  triumphans 

Christus;  Ad  Hunc  igitur,  Laeta  alacrisque  migra.' 

'  From  Sewall's  Diary  it  is  learned  that  Mather  preached  October  27  from 
James,  i.  4. 

From  Cotton  Mather's  MS.  Records  of  the  Second  Church  are  taken  the  fol- 
lowing entry: 

"2d.  sm  [July.]  Jane  Deuce,  who  had  long  lain  under  Admonition  for 
the  Sin  of  Drunkenness,  this  Day  offered  unto  the  Church,  the  Expressions  of 
Repentance,  and  was  received  unto  our  Communion." 

A  letter  from  Mather  to  John  Richards  on  baptism,  dated  December  14, 
1692,  is  in  4  Collections,  \ra.  397. 


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1692-93 


THE  XXXIST  YEAR, 
(of  a  Forfeited  Life.) 

Cotton  Mather 

Anagram  by  Mr.  Grindel  Rawson, 

Not  Heart, mort.^ 

THE  XXXIST  YEAR  OF  MY  AGE. 

12  d.  12  m.  [February.]  Lord's-Day.  1692.  This  Day,  hav- 
ing finished  the  thirtieth  year  of  my  Age  thro'  the  wonder- 
ful Patience  and  Goodness  of  God;  I  preached  unto  my 
Congregation,  as  agreeable  Things,  as  I  could,  upon  Psal. 
102.  24.  /  said,  0  my  God,  take  mee  not  away  in  the  midst  of 
my  Dayes. 

After  this,  I  sett  myself,  to  preach  over,  the  whole 
Epistle  of  Jude,  as  being  a  rich  Portion  of  Scripture,  fit  for 
our  Time  and  Place.'  But  I  intermingled  many  occasional 
Texts. 

About  this  Time,  I  had  many  wonderful  Entertainments, 
from  the  Invisible  World,  in  the  Circimistances  of  a  Young 
Woman,  horribly  possessed  with  Divels.  The  Damsel  was 
cast  into  my  cares,  by  the  singular  Providence  of  God;  and 
accordingly  besides  my  Cares  to  releeve  her,  to  advise  her, 

'These  three  lines  are  not  in  Cotton  Mather's  writings. 

'"The  object  of  the  epistle  is  declared  to  be  an  exhortation  to  the  readers 
to  'contend  earnestly  (or  the  faith,'  on  account  of  certain  ungodly  men  whose  lives 
are  reprehensible,  and  whose  teaching  is  a  denial  of  '  the  only  Ruler  and  our  Lord, 
Jesus  Christ.'  Examples  of  the  destruction  by  divine  judgment  of  those  whose 
belief  and  life  were  false  are  deduced  from  the  old  Testament  and  Jewish  apoca- 
lyptic, and  directions  arc  given  as  to  the  proper  deportment  of  believers  toward 
such  persons."    0.  Cone  in  Encydopadia  Biblica  (Cheyne),  n.  2630. 

[i6ol 

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FEBRUARY,     1692-93  161 

to  observe  the  prodigious  things  that  befel  her,  (whereof  I 
have  written  a  Narrative)  I  procured  some  of  my  devout 
Neighbours,  to  join  with  mee  in  praying  for  her.  Wee  kept 
Three  Successive  Dayes,  of  Prayer  with  Fasting  on  her 
behalf;  and/Aen  wee  saw  her  Delivered;  for  which,  wee  kept 
a  Time  of  solemn  Thanksgiving.  But  after  a  while,  her 
Tormentors  returned,  and  her  Miseries  renewed;  and  my 
Neighbours  being  now  either  too  weary  or  too  busy,  to  do  as 
afore,  tho'  they  made  much  Prayer  daily  imth  her  as  well  as 
for  her,  /  did  alone  in  my  Study,  fast  and  pray  for  her 
DeUverance.  And,  imto  my  Amazement,  when  I  had  kept 
my  third  Day  for  her,  shee  was  finally  and  forever  deUvered 
from  the  hands  of  evil  Angels;  and  I  had  afterwards  the 
Satisfaction  of  seeing  not  only  her  so  brought  home  unto 
the  Lord,  that  shee  was  admitted  unto  our  Church,  but  also 
many  other,  even  some  scores,  of  young  People,  awakened 
by  the  Picture  of  Hell,  exhibited,  in  her  Sufferings,  to  flee 
from  the  Wrath  to  come.^ 

1693. 

Our  Church,  having  hitherto  extended  a  Church-Watch 
xrato  none  but  our  Communicants,  and  confined  Baptism 
unto  them  and  their  Children,  I  was  desirous  to  bring  the 
Church  into  a  Posture  more  agreeable  unto  the  Advice  of 
our  Synod,  in  the  year,  1662. 

My  Method  for  it,  was  this.  Having  first,  in  a  Sermon, 
at  a  Chiurch-Meeting,  declared  my  own  Perswasion  about 
this  Matter,  I  permitted  no  pubUc  Disputation  to  follow 
upon  it;  but  I  employ 'd  fitt  Hands,  to  carry  an  Instrument, 
containing  my  Sentiments  and  Purposes,  unto  the  Brethren 
of  the  Church;  who  generally  signed,  a  Desire  and  Address 
unto  myself,  thereto  annexed  that  I  would  act  accordingly. 
As  for  the  few  Brethren,  who  were  disaffected  unto  my  Pro- 

'  Compare  with  this  the  account  of  a  not  dissimilar  experience  related  by 
James  Fitch  to  Increase  Mather  in  a  letter  dated  July  i,  1684,  printed  in  4  Col- 
lections, vm.  ^7  5.  „ , 

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l62  DIARY  OF  COTTON  MATHER 

ceedings,  I  carried  it  so  peaceably,  and  obligingly,  and  yett 
resolutely  towards  them,  that  they  patiently  lett  mee  take  my 
Way;  and  some  of  them  told  mee,  they  thought  /  did  well,  to 
do  as  I  did;  tho'  they  could  not  yett  come  to  see  as  I  did. 

Thus,  was  our  Church,  quietly  brought  unto  a  Point, 
which  heretofore  cost  no  little  Difficiilty.  But  my  Charge 
of  such  as  now  submitted  themselves  unto  my  ecclesiastical 
Watch,  was  exceedingly  increased. 

Lord,  lett  thy  Grace  bee  sufficient  for  mee! 

In  the  Spring  of  this  year,  I  did  ever  now  and  then  keep 
Dayes  of  secret  Humiliation  before  the  Lord;  so  many 
indeed,  that  I  foimd  myself  not  able  well  to  keep  exact 
Records  of  them  all.  I  also  kept  one  or  two  Dayes  of 
Thanksgiving  in  my  Study. 

But  on  one  of  these  Dayes,  my  special  Errand  imto  the 
Lord,  was  this;  that,  whereas.  His  good  Angels,  did  by  His 
Order,  many  good  Offices  for  His  People,  Hee  would  please 
to  grant,  unto  mee,  the  Enjoyment  of  all  those  angelical 
Kindnesses,  which  use  to  bee  done  by  His  Order,  for  His 
chosen  Servants;  I  requested  only  those  Kindnesses,  which 
the  Word  of  God  mentioned,  as  belonging  to  the  Heirs  of 
Salvation;  but  I  requested,  that  I  might  receive  these 
Kindnesses,  in  a  Manner  and  Measure  more  Transcendent, 
than  what  the  great  Corruptions  in  the  Generality  of  good 
Men,  permitted  them  to  bee  made  Partakers  of. 

Now  that  I  might  bee  qualify'd  for  this  Favour,  I  first 
entreated  that  I  may  not,  and  engaged  that  I  will  not,  on 
the  Score  of  any  angelical  Communications,  forsake  the 
Conduct  of  the  Lords  written  Word,  but  apply  myself  more 
than  ever  to  the  assiduous,  and  reverent  Contemplation  of 
that  Word. 

I  proceeded  then  to  consider,  what  things  would  render 
mee  singularly  agreeable  to  the  Holy  Angels  of  God;  and 
for  my  Assistence  in  those  things  I  humbly  implored  the 

Grace  of  the  Lord.    It  was  now  my  Purpose, 

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MARCH,     1693  163 

To  bee  entirely  devoted  xinto  God,  in  all  the  Wayes 
of  dedicating  Holiness. 

To  bee  continually  contriving  how  to  glorify  God,  in 
being  eminently  Serviceable. 

To  bee  much  in  Studies  upon  the  Person,  but  especially 
upon  the  Kingdome,  of  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ  which  things 
the  Angels  desire  to  look  into. 

To  render  myself  more  useful  unto  my  Neighbours  in 
their  AflBictions;  not  only  releeving  the  Poor,  but  also  the 
Sick;  to  which  purpose,  I  would  collect,  at  Leisure,  a  fit 
Number  of  most  parable  and  effectual  Remedies  for  all 
Diseases,  and  pubUsh  them  imto  the  world;  so,  by  my 
Hand,  will  bee  done  things  that  the  Angels  love  to  do.* 

Finally,  to  conceal  with  all  prudent  Secrecy  whatever 
extraordinary  Things,  I  may  perceive  done  for  mee,  by  the 
Angels,  who  love  Secrecy  in  their  Administrations. 

i®~  I  do  now  beleeve,  that  some  great  Things  are  to  bee 
done  for  mee,  by  the  Angels  of  God. 

On  March  28.  Tuesday,  between  4  and  5  A.M.  God  gave 
to  my  Wife,  a  safe  Deliverance  of  a  Son.^  It  was  a  child  of 
a  most  comely  and  hearty  Look,  and  all  my  Friends  enter- 
tained his  Birth,  with  very  singular  Expressions  of  Satis- 
faction. But  the  Child  was  attended  with  a  very  strange 
Disaster;  for  it  had  such  an  obstruction  in  the  Bowels,  as 
utterly  hindred  the  Passage  of  its  Ordure  from  it.  Wee 
used  all  the  Methods  that  could  bee  devised  for  its  Ease; 
but  nothing  wee  did,  could  save  the  Child  from  Death.  It 
languished,  in  its  Agonies,  tiU  Saturday,  April,  i.  about 
10  h  P.M.  and  so  dy'd,  unbaptised.  There  was  a  conjunction 
of  many  and  heavy  Trials  in  this  Dispensacon  of  God;  but 
Grod  enabled  mee  to  bear  them  all,  with  an  unexpected 
Measure  of  Resignacon,  imto  His  Holy  Will.  I  did  not 
suffer  such  a  Discomposure  in  my  Thoughts,  as  to  hinder 


'  A  suggestion  of  the  Angel  of  Bethesda. 

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164  DIARY  OF  COTTON  MATHER 

mee,  from  preaching  both  parts  of  the  Day  following;  in 
the  Forenoon  on  Heb.  11.  17;  in  the  Afternoon,  on  Job. 
2.  10,  and  to  exemplify  unto  my  Congregation,  a  Uttle  of  the 
Faith,  Patience,  Thankfulness,  which  I  then  preached  unto 
them.  On  the  Monday,  the  Child  was  buried,  with  a  very 
numerous  and  honourable  Attendence  of  my  Neighbours; 
and  on  one  of  the  Grave-stones,  I  wrote  only  that  Epitaph, 
Reserved  for  a  Glorious  Resurrection. 

When  the  Body  of  the  Child  was  opened,  wee  found, 
that  the  lower  End  of  the  Rectum  Intestinum,  instead  of 
being  Musculous,  as  it  should  have  been,  was  Membranous, 
and  altogether  closed  up.  I  had  great  Reason  to  suspect 
a  Witchcraft,  in  this  prjetematural  Accident;  because  my 
Wife,  a  few  weeks  before  her  DeUverance,  was  affrighted 
with  an  horrible  Spectre,  in  our  Porch,  which  Fright  caused 
her  Bowels  to  turn  within  her;  and  the  Spectres  which  both 
before  and  after,  tormented  a  yoimg  Woman  in  our  Neigh- 
bourhood, brag'd  of  their  giving  my  Wife  that  Fright,  in 
hopes,  they  said,  of  doing  Mischief  unto  her  Infant  at  least, 
if  not  unto  the  Mother:  and  besides  all  this,  the  Child  was  no 
sooner  bom,  but  a  suspected  Wonjan  sent  unto  my  Father, 
a  Letter  full  of  railing  against  myself,  wherein  shee  told  him, 
Hee  little  knew,  what  might  quickly  befall  some  of  his  Pos- 
terity. However  I  made  Uttle  use  of,  and  laid  little  Stress 
on,  this  Conjecture;  desiring  to  submitt  unto  the  Will  of 
my  Heavenly  Father  without  which,  Aot  a  Sparrow  falls 
unto  the  Ground. 

In  the  Summer  of  this  Year,  1693.  My  Good  God 
helped  mee,  to  do  some  other  little  Services,  for  His  dearest 
Name.' 

I  had  often  wished  for  an  Opportunity,  to  bear  my 
Testimonies,  against  the  Sins  of  Uncleanness,  wherein  so 

'  "6  (f.  6  m.  lAugusl.\  This  Day  by  a  dear  Vote  of  the  Brethren,  there  were 
chosen  to  the  office  of  Deacons  in  the  Church,  Mr.  John  Atwood,  Mr.  Obadiah 
Oill,  Mr.  John  Barnard."  Cotton  Mather's  MS.  Records  of  the  Second 
Church,  u. 

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JULY,     1693  165 

many  of  my  Generacon  do  pollute  themselves.  A  young 
Woman  of  Haverhil,^  (and  a  Negro  Woman  also  of  this  Town) 
were  under  sentence  of  Death,  for  the  Murdering  of  their 
Bastard-children.  Many  and  many  a  weary  Hour,  did  I 
spend  in  the  Prison,  to  serve  the  Souls  of  those  miserable 
Creatures;  and  I  had  Opportunities  in  my  own  Congrega- 
tion, to  speak  to  them,  and  from  them,  to  vast  Multitudes 
of  others.  Their  E.xecution,  was  ordered  to  have  been, 
upon  the  Lecture  of  another;  but  by  a  very  strange  Provi- 
dence, without  any  Seeking  of  mine,  or  any  Respect  to  mee, 
(that  I  know  of)  the  order  for  their  Executiott  was  altered 
and  it  fell  on  my  Lecture  Day.  I  did  then  with  the  special 
Assistance  of  Heaven,  make  and  preach,  a  Sermon  upon, 
Job.  36.  14.  Whereat  one  of  the  greatest  Assemblies,  ever 
known  in  these  parts  of  the  World,  was  come  together.  I 
had  obtained  from  the  yoimg  Woman,  a  pathetical  Instru- 
ment, in  Writing,  wherein  shee  own'd  her  own  miscarriages, 
and  wam'd  the  rising  Generacon  of  theirs.  Towards  the 
dose  of  my  Sermon,  I  read  that  Instrvunent  unto  the  Con- 
gregation; and  made  what  Use,  was  proper  of  it.  I  accom« 
pany'd  the  Wretches,  to  their  Execution;  but  extremely  fear 
all  our  Labours  were  lost  upon  tkem:  however  sanctifyed 
unto  many  others.  The  Sermon  was  immediately  printed; 
with  another,  which  I  had  formerly  uttered  on  the  like 
Occasion;  (entitled,  Warnings  from  the  Dead.)  and  it 
was  greedily  bought  up;^  I  hope,  to  the  Attainment  of  the 
Ends,  which  I  had  so  long  desired.  T'was  afterwards 
reprinted  at  London.' 

Moreover,  a  Fast  was  kept  in  the  Old-Meeting-house, 

'  From  Sewall  the  name  of  the  unfortunate  is  learned  —  Elizabeth  Emerson. 
Diary,  i.  379.  See  also  Chase,  History  of  Haverhill,  14s.  It  never  seemed  to 
occur  to  the  legislators  and  churchmen  of  that  day  that  the  requirement  of  public 
confession  and  penance  for  sin  against  morality  encouraged  child  m'irder.  Rather 
than  face  the  public  exhibition  of  their  fault,  the  mother  made  away  with  the 
child. 

•  Printed  by  Bartholomew  Green  for  Samuel  Phillips,  1693. 

•  This  line  is  written  in  the  margin. 

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l66  DIARY  OF  COTTON  MATHEK 

the  Day  after  the  Conunencement;'  occasion 'd  by  an 
extreme  Drought  on  these  parts.  I  preached  all  the  Day, 
and  God  inclined  some  of  His  People,  to  print  the  Sermons, 
They  are  abroad  under  the  Titles,  of.  The  Day  and  the 
Work  of  the  Day.*  Who  am  I,  that  God  should  thus 
use  and  read  my  poor  Thoughts,  for  the  Good  of  my  whole 
Generation? 

Moreover,  the  good  People  of  Reading,  saw  cause,  in 
July,  to  keep  a  Day  of  Prayer  on  the  behalf  of  their  young 
People;  that  the  rising  Generation  of  the  place  may  bee 
made  a  praying  and  a  pious  Generation;  and  they  chose  a 
Time  of  my  Direction  for  it.  I  went,  and  spent  the  Day 
with  them,  and  preached  unto  a  vast  Assembly,  on  Psal. 
119.  9.  being  entertained  with  a  very  extraordinary  Atten- 
tion and  Affection  in  the  Auditory,  and,  I  hope,  with  Suc- 
cesses very  comfortable. 

And  because  I  foresaw  an  inexpressible  Deal,  of  Service, 
like  to  bee  thereby  done  for  the  Church  of  God,  not  only 
here,  but  abroad  in  Europe,  especially  at  the  approaching 
Reformation,  I  formed  a  Design,  to  endeavour,  The  Church- 
History  Of  This  Countrey.'  Laying  my  Design  be- 
fore the  neighbouring  Ministers,  they  encouraged  it;  and 
accordingly  I  sett  myself  to  cry  mightily  unto  the  Lord,  that 
if  my  Undertaking  herein  might  bee  for  His  Glor}-,  Hee 
would  grant  mee  His  Countenance  and  Assistance  in  it. 
(However,  I  did  not  actually  begin  this  Work,  till  the  latter 
End  of  the  year.) 

In  the  Month  of  July  a  most  pestilential  Feaver,  was 
brought  among  us,  by  the  Fleet  coming  into  our  Harbour 
from  the  West-Indies/    It  was  a  Distemper,  which  in  less 

>  6  rf.  s  m.  (July.) 

'  Printed  by  Benjamin  Harris. 

•  The  germ  idea  of  the  Magnolia. 

*  The  Fleet-fever  raged  until  the  middle  of  September.  Sewall  records  many 
deaths.  Diary,  i.  380.  See  Hutchinson,  History,  n.  71.  Mather's  statements 
in  his  Magnolia  upon  this  visitation  are  contradictory  to  what  is  said  above,  and 

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JULY,     1693  167 

than  a  Week's  time  usually  carried  off  my  Neighbours, 
with  very  direful  Symptoms,  of  turning  Yellow,  vomiting 
and  bleeding  every  way  and  so  Dying;  tho'  for  diverse 
Dayes  after  the  first  Deciraibiture,  the  Disease  did  but  as  it 
were  play  with  the  Sick.  God  was  pleased  most  mercifully 
to  preserve  mee,  from  this  Pestilence;  for  I  had  undertaken 
one  Lord's-Day  morning,  in  Answer  to  a  Desire,  from  some 
Commanders  in  the  Army,  to  visit  a  considerable  Party  of 
the  Souldiers  lately  arrived  from  their  disastrous  Expedi- 
tion at  Martinico,  and  now  randezvouzed  on  our  Islands.' 
Had  I  proceeded,  in  this  rash  undertaking  to  go  and  pray 
and  preach,  among  an  herd,  that  were  so  infectious,  in  prob- 
ability it  would  have  cost  mee  my  Life;  as  it  proved  mortal 
imto  others  that  spent  their  Time  among  them:  especially, 
while  our  Physicians  had  not  yett  leam'd  the  way  of 
encoimtring  the  Distemper.  But  while  I  was  on  Board  the 
Govemour's  Barge,  in  the  Harbour,  going  down,  I  was  taken 
so  vehemently  sick,  that  my  Friends  would  not  lett  mee  go 
any  further.  I  was  well,  as  soon  as  I  came  home,  and  in 
the  Afternoon  preached  in  my  own  Congregacon,  where 
the  Admiral,  and  principal  Commanders  of  the  Fleet  came 
to  hear  mee.  Knowing  the  horrid  Atheism,  and  Wickedness 
of  these  that  were  now  come  to  bee  my  Hearers,  I  preached 
imto  them,  on  Psal.  119.  59,'  and  my  God,  help'd  mee  in 
it.  I  beleeve,  t'was  a  Good  Angel,  which  there  struck  mee 
sick;  and  by  the  Ministration  of  those  good  and  kind  Spirits, 
I  beleeve,  I  was  afterwards,  putt  upon  such  MeSiods  as  God 
blessed  for  the  Preservacon  of  my  Health.  ^  ^ 

misled  Webster  into  placing  greater  reliance  in  the  clergyman,  than  in  the  definite 
statements  of  Hutchinson.  Bri^  History  of  Epidemic  and  Pestilential  Diseases, 
I.  308. 

'  This  fleet,  with  about  two  thousand  soldiers  on  board,  had  come  to  Boston 
to  take  part  in  an  attack  upon  Quebec.  No  orders  had  been  given  to  prepare 
for  its  coming,  and  the  epidemic  swept  off  two  thirds  of  the  soldiers.  It  only 
remained  to  await  a  reinforcement  from  England,  which  never  came.  Sir  Charles 
Wheeler  was  in  command.    See  Magnolia,  Book  n.  71. 

•"I  thought  on  my  ways,  and  turned  my  feet  unto  thy  testimonies." 

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l68  DIARY  OF  COTTON  MATHER 

I  endeavoured  now  to  accommodate  myself  unto  the 
humbling  DispensaCons  of  God  among  my  Neighbour's 
by  humbling  myself  under  those  Dispensacons.  I  did  sett 
myself  by  Dayes  of  Prayers  kept  secretly  as  well  as  Publickly, 
not  only  to  obtain  my  own  Praservation,  but  also  to  divert 
the  Wrath  of  Heaven,  from  the  Neighbourhood.  I  bore  my 
Testimony  as  earnestly  as  I  could,  against  the  Views,  that  I 
judg'd  among  the  Causes  of  the  Calamity;  (Especially  when 
I  preached  on  i.  Cor.  ii.  30.)  and  such  of  those  Vices,  as 
call'd  for  the  Correction  of  the  Magistrate,  I  hope,  I  did 
effectually  stirr  up  some  of  our  Justices  to  prosecute.  I 
took  occasion  also,  to  quicken  and  assist  such  Prceparations 
for  Death,  as  were  in  this  dangerous  Time,  to  bee  press'd 
with  more  Vehemency,  (especially,  by  preaching  on  Psal. 
90.  12,  and  on  Ps.  119.  19),  and  I  essay 'd  further  to  recom- 
mend Preservatives  from  the  Dangers  of  the  Time;  (espe- 
cially, by  preaching  on  Ps.  57.  i.)     Accept  of  mee,  O  my  God  I 

In  these  dying  Times,  I  fovmd  the  Grace  of  God  helping 
mee,  unto  some  singular  Dispositions. 

I  was  now  more  willing  and  ready  to  dy,  than  perhaps  I 
had  ever  yett  been,  in  all  my  Life.  This  World  was  grown 
more  little  to  mee,  and  the  World  whereto  I  am  going,  was 
grown  more  glorious,  more  sensible,  in  my  Apprehensions 
of  it.  My  Translation  from  this  World  unto  that,  would 
have  been  with  less  Convulsion  perhaps,  tham  ever  heretofore. 

Moreover,  J  now  took  up  Resolutions,  with  God's  Help, 
to  bee  more  diligent  than  ever,  in  that  Expression  of  pure 
Religion,  to  visit  the  Widow  and  tlte  Orphan.  I  designed,  that 
every  Week,  I  would  ordinarily  do  something,  at  visiting  the 
headless  Families  in  my  Flock,  and  praying  with  them  and 
for  them. 

About  this  Time,  the  Lord  accepted  mee,  and  employed 
mee,  to  do  a  singular  Service  for  my  ungrateful  Countrey, 
(besides  other  little  Services  which  I  have  been  doing  for  it 
continually).     I  wrote  such  a  true  and  brief  Representation 

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ADGUST,     1693  169 

of  the  Countrey,  with  the  Posture  both  of  Men  and  of 
Things  in  it,  as  all  the  thinking  Friends  of  the  Countrey 
would  have  thought  it  worth  a  vast  Sum  of  Money,  if  any 
one  could  have  laid  before  the  King,  such  a  State  of  our 
affayrs.  This  Representation  I  directed  unto  the  KING 
Himself;  and  using  of  certain  particular  Methods,  with  our 
Governour,  it  was,  by  the  good  Providence  of  Heaven 
convey'd  with  all  the  Secrecy  desireable,  unto  the  KING'S 
own  Hand;  who  read  it  with  much  Satisfaction,  and,  I  hope, 
formed  from  thence,  in  His  own  royal  Mind,  those  Char- 
acters of  the  Countrey;  whereof  wee  shall  reap  the  good 
Effects  for  many  a  Day. 

Among  other  Services,  which  I  was  desirous  to  do  for  my 
glorious  Lord,  about  the  latter  End  of  the  Summer,  this  was 
One.  I  considered  with  myself,  that  the  Time  of  Winter, 
was  a  Time  of  Leisure  with  most  of  my  Neighbours;  here- 
upon, I  contrived  with  myself  how  I  might  with  as  charm- 
ing a  Mixture  of  Religion  and  Ingenuity,  as  I  could,  invite 
my  Neighbours,  to  improve  the  Leisure  of  the  Winter,  for 
the  Glory  of  God,  and  their  own  spiritual  and  eternal  Advan- 
tage. So  I  did  with  much  Labour  and  Study,  compose  a 
Book,  which  I  entitled,  Winter  Meditations;'  (and  when 
Winter  came,  I  published  it.) 

Towards  the  latter  End  of  the  Sununer  now  running, 
I  began  one  of  the  greatest  Works,  that  ever  I  undertook 
in  my  Life. 

With  many  cries  unto  the  God  of  Heaven,  that  Hee  would 
by  His  good  Spirit  Assist  mee,  in  my  Undertaking,  and  that 
Hee  would  employ  His  good  Angels  to  supply  mee  from 
Time  to  Time,  with  Materials  for  it,  I  sett  myself  every 
Morning  to  write  upon  a  Portion  of  Scripture,  some  Illus- 
tration,  that  should  have  in  it,  something  of  Curiositie.  I 
considered,  that  all  the  Learning  in  the  World  might  bee 

'  With  a  preface  by  Rev.  John  Higginson,  dated  October  s,  1693-  The 
printer  was  Benjamin  Harris. 

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170  DIARY  or  COTTON  MATHER 

made  gloriously  subservient  unto  the  Illtistraiion  of  the 
Scripture;  and  that  no  profess'd  Commentary  had  hitherto 
given  so  much  of  Illustration  unto  it,  as  might  bee  given. 
I  considered,  that  Multitudes  of  particular  Texts,  had, 
especially  of  later  years,  been  most  notably  illustrated,  in 
the  scattered  Books  of  learned  Men,  than  in  any  of  the 
ordinary  Commentators;  and  I  considered,  that  the  Treas- 
ures of  Illustrations  for  the  Bible,  dispersed  in  the  Volumes 
of  this  Age,  might  bee  fetch'd  all  together  by  a  laborious 
Ingenuitie.  Accordingly,  resolving  still  to  give  the  Church 
of  God,  such  Displays  of  His  blessed  Word,  as  may  bee  more 
entertaining  for  the  Novelty  and  Raritie  of  them,  than  any 
that  have  been  hitherto  seen  together,  in  any  Exposition; 
and  yett  such  as  may  bee  acceptable  vmto  the  most  Judi- 
cious for  the  demonstrative  Truth  of  them,  and  unto  the  most 
Orthodox,  for  the  Regard  had  vmto  the  Analogy  of  Faith 
in  all;  I  now  began  my  great  Work.  I  thought,  that  after 
the  Rate  of  one  Illustration  in  a  Day  I  might,  if  the  Lord 
would  spare  my  Life  one  seven  Years  more,  have  (without 
sensible  Hardship)  gotten  together,  a  Number  of  golden 
Keyes  for  His  precious  Word,  and  learned,  charming  and 
curious  Notes  on  His  Word,  far  beyond  any  that  had  yett 
seen  the  Light;  or,  if  I  dy'd  in  the  midst  of  my  Work,  yett 
my  Labour  might  not  bee  in  vain  in  the  Lord;  yett  it  would 
bee  worth  the  while,  tho'  I  furnished  none  but  myself,  with 
such  Accomphshments  for  a  Minister  of  the  New  Testament.^ 
(I  have  since  found  a  marvellous  Providence  of  Heaven, 

'  He  wrought  at  it  until  his  fifty-first  year,  when  he  published  proposak  for 
printing  it,  an  indication  of  his  belief  that  it  was  finished;  but  the  delay  in  securing 
a  publisher  enabled  him  to  add  many  more  illustrations,  and  the  son,  Samuel, 
continued  his  eOorts  to  find  a  publisher.  The  result  in  six  folio  volumes  of 
manuscript  material  is  in  the  Massachusetts  Historical  Society.  No  more  futile 
labor  has  come  down  to  us.  It  is  a  great  indigested  mass  of  material,  drawn 
from  many  sources,  and  with  no  evidence  of  design  or  settled  plan.  Marking  his 
industry,  it  also  indicates  the  ill-regulated  activity  of  Mather's  labors,  and  his 
tendency  to  scatter  rather  than  concentrate  his  energies.  The  Biblia  is  one  of 
the  most  characteristic  of  the  products  of  Mather's  pen. 

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SEPTEMBER,     1693  I7I 

directing  my  Endeavours,  thus  to  make  His  Word  run  and 
bee  glorified;  and  the  Lord,  unquestionably  by  angelical 
Operation,  throwes  into  my  Hands  continually  those 
Assistences  for  this  Work,  that  oblige  mee  to  thank  His 
Name  exceedingly,  and  go  on  abounding  in  this  Work  of  the 
Lord.) 

I  purpose  to  entitle  this  work 

BIBLIA  AMERICANA. 

About  a  Week  after  the  Beginning  of  September,  being 
sollidtous  to  do  some  further  Service,  for  the  Name  of  God, 
I  took  a  Journey  to  Salem.  There,  I  not  only  sought  a 
further  Supply  of  my  Furniture  for  my  Church-History,  but 
also  endeavoured,  that  the  complete  History  of  the  late 
Witchcrafts  and  Possessions,  might  not  bee  lost.  I  judg'd 
that  the  Preservacon  of  that  History,  might  in  a  while  bee 
a  singular  Benefit  imto  the  Church,  and  unto  the  World, 
which  made  mee  soUicitous  about  it.  Moreover,  I  was  will- 
ing to  preach  the  Word  of  God,  unto  the  numerous  Congre- 
gation at  Salem;  which  I  did,  on  both  Parts  of  the  Sabbath, 
not  only  with  a  most  glorious  Assistence  of  Heaven,  but  also 
with  some  Assurance  of  Good  thereby  to  bee  done  among 
the  People.'  But  I  had  one  singular  Unhappiness,  which 
befel  mee,  in  this  Journey.  I  had  largely  written  three 
Discourses,  which  I  designed  both  to  preach  at  Salem,  and 
hereafter  to  print.  These  Notes,  were  before  the  Sabbath, 
stolen  from  mee,  with  such  Circimastances,  that  I  am  some- 
what satisfied.  The  Spectres,  or  Agents  in  the  invisible 
World,  were  the  Robbers.    This  Disaster,  had  like  to  have 

>  Salem  church  was  passing  through  3  serious  crisis,  arising  from  the  protests 
made  against  Rev.  Samuel  Farris  by  some  members  of  his  congregation.  The 
witchcraft  troubles  had  broken  out  in  Parris's  household,  and  he  had,  among 
other  indiscretions,  gone  to  Abigail  Williams  and  some  others,  whom  he  supposed 
to  have  "spectral  sight,"  to  be  informed  who  in  the  town  were  witches,  and  who 
afiBicted  those  claiming  to  be  sufferers  through  witchcraft.  The  danger  in  such 
a  method  of  obtaining  evidence  is  too  dear  to  require  any  comment.  See  Calef, 
More  Wonders  of  the  Invisible  World,  90. 

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172  DIARY  OF  COTTON  MATHER 

disturbed  my  Designs  for  the  Sabbath;  but  God  helped 
mee  to  remember  a  great  part  of  what  I  had  written,  and  to 
deliver  also  many  other  Things,  which  else  I  had  not  now 
made  use  of.     So  that  the  Divel  gott  nothing! 

Among  other  things  which  entertained  mee  at  Salem, 
one  was,  a  Discourse  with  one  Mrs.  Carver,  who  had  been 
strangely  visited  with  some  shining  Spirits,  which  were 
good  Angels,  in  her  opinion  of  them. 

Shee  intimated  several  things  unto  mee  whereof  some 
were  to  bee  kept  secret.'  Shee  also  told  mee,  That  a  new 
Storm  of  Witchcraft  would  fall  upon  the  Countrey;  to 
chastise  the  Iniquity  that  was  used  in  the  wilful  Smothering 
and  Covering  of  the  Last;  and  that  many  fierce  Opposites 
to  the  Discovery  of  that  Witchcraft  would  bee  thereby 
convinced. 

Unto  my  Surprise,  when  I  came  home,  I  found  one  of 
my  Neighbours,  horribly  arrested  by  rvil  Spirits.  I  then 
beg'd  of  God,  that  Hee  would  help  mee  wisely  to  discharge 
my  Duty  upon  this  occasion,  and  avoid  gratifying  of  the 
evil  Angels  in  any  of  their  Expectacons.  I  did  then,  con- 
cern myself  to  use,  and  gelt  as  much  Prayer  as  I  could  for 
the  afflicted  young  Woman;  and  at  the  same  time,  to  for- 
bid, either  her  from  accusing  any  of  her  Neighbours,  or 
others  from  enquiring  any  thing  of  her.  Nevertheless,  a 
wicked  Man,  wrote  a  most  lying  Libel  to  revile  my  Conduct 
in  these  matters;  which  drove  mee  to  the  Blessed  God, 
with  my  Supplications  that  Hee  would  wonderfully  protect 
mee,  as  well  from  unreasonable  Men  acted  by  the  Divels,  as 
from  the  Divels  themselves.  I  did  at  first,  it  may  bee  too 
much  resent  the  Injuries  of  that  Libel;  but  God  brought 
good  out  of  it;  it  occasioned  the  Multiplication  of  my 
Prayers  before  Him;  it  vcr>'  much  promoted  the  Works 
of  Humiliation  and  Mortification  in  my  Soul.  Indeed,  the 
Divel  made  that  Libel,  an  Occasion  of  those  Paroxysms  in 

'  A  line  is  here  struck  out. 

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OCTOBER,     1693  173 

the  Town,  that  would  have  exceedingly  gratify'd  him,  if 
God  had  not  helped  mee  to  forgive  and  forgett  the  Injuries 
done  unto  mee,  and  to  bee  deaf  imto  the  Sollicitations  of 
those  that  would  have  had  mee  so  to  have  resented  the 
Injuries  of  some  few  Persons,  as  to  have  deserted  the  Lec- 
ture at  the  Old  Meeting  house. 

When  the  afficted  yoimg  woman  had  imdergone  six 
Weeks  of  praetematural  Calamities  and  when  God  had 
helped  mee  to  keep  just  three  Dayes  of  Prayer  on  her  behalf, 
I  had  the  Pleasure  of  seeing  the  same  Success,  which  I  used 
to  have,  on  my  third  Fast,  for  such  possessed  People,  as  have 
been  cast  into  my  cares.  God  gave  her  a  glorious  DeUv- 
erance;  There  markable  Circumstances  whereof,  I  have 
more  fully  related,  in  an  History  of  the  whole  Business.' 

As  for  my  missing  Notes,  the  possessed  young  Woman, 
of  her  own  Accord,  enquir'd  whether  I  missed  them  not  ? 
Shee  told  mee,  the  Spectres  brag'd  in  her  hearing,  that  they 
had  rob'd  mee  of  them;  shee  added,  Bee  n't  concern' d;  for 
they  confess,  they  can't  keep  them  alwayes  from  you;  you  shall 
have  them  all  brought  you  again.  (They  were  Notes  on  Ps. 
119.  19  and  Ps.  90.  12  and  Hag.  i.  7.  9.  I  was  tender  of 
them  and  often  pray'd  unto  God,  that  they  might  bee 
retum'd.)'  On  the  fifth  of  October  following,  every  Leaf 
of  my  Notes  again  came  into  my  Hands,  tho'  they  were  in 
eighteen  separate  Quarters  of  Sheets.  They  were  foimd 
drop't  here  and  there,  about  the  Streets  of  Lyn;  but  how 
they  came  to  bee  so  drop't  I  cannot  imagine;  and  I  as 
much  wonder  at  the  Exactness  of  their  Praeservation. 

It  pleased  God,  that  on  October  3.  my  Daughter  Mary 
was  taken  very  dangerously  sick  of  a  Feaver,  with  a  Vomit- 
ing, and  with  Worms.    I  was,  by  a  strange  Diversion  upon 

'  The  afflicted  young  lady  was  Margaret  Rule,  of  whom  Mather  wrote  an 
account  which  fell  into  the  possession  of  Calef,  who  threatened  to  publish  it. 
Mather  became  alarmed,  threatened  to  arrest  Calef  for  slander,  called  him  "one  of 
the  worst  of  Lyars,"  and  denounced  him  from  the  pulpit. 

'  The  words  in  the  parenthesis  were  written  in  the  margin. 

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174  DIAEY   OF  COTTON  MATHER 

my  Spirit  hindred  from  importunate  Prayers,  for  the  Life 
of  the  sick  Child;  but  at  Length,  on  October  5.  in  the 
Evening,  I  had  my  Heart  wonderfully  melted  in  Prayers 
at  my  Father  Philips' s  where  the  Child  lay  sick:  I  de- 
manded not  the  Life  of  the  Child,  but  I  resigned  it  unto  the 
Mercy  of  God,  in  Jesus  Christ;  with  such  rapturous  Assur- 
ances of  the  Divine  Love  unto  mee  and  mine,  as  would  richly 
have  made  Amends  for  the  Death  of  more  Children,  if  God  had 
then  called  for  them,  t&'l  was  unaccountably  assured,  not 
only  that  this  Child,  shall  bee  happy  forever,  but  that  I 
never  should  have  any  Child,  except  what  should  bee  an  aier- 
lasting  Temple  to  the  Spirit  of  God:  Yea,  tliat  I  and  mine 
should  bee  together  in  the  Kingdome  of  God,  World  without  End. 

About  Six  a  clock  in  the  Morning,  following,  it  being  the 
sixth  Day  of  the  Month,  and  the  sixth  Day  of  the  Week, 
the  Child  near  a  Month  short  of  two  Years  old,  expired. 

The  next  Day,  it  was  buried  in  Boston,  with  an  honour- 
able Attendence  at  the  Funeral.* 

On  one  of  the  Grave-Stones,  I  wrote, 

Gone,  but  not  Lost. 

On  the  Day  following,  was  our  Communion  at  the  Lord's 
Table.  I  then  administred  the  Sacrament,  and  before  it, 
preached  on  Gen.  22.  12.  Now  I  know  that  tfiou  fearest  God: 
Handling  that  Observation,  A  good  Man  may  by  many 
Tokens  come  to  know,  that  Itee  has  in  him  the  Fear  of  God; 
but  a  right  Behaviour  under  afflictive  Trials,  is  the  Token  that 
will  more  especially  and  eminently  serve  to  make  it  known. 
And,  I  hope,  that  I  now  so  exemplify'd  such  a  Behaviour, 
as  not  only  to  embolden  my  Approches  to  the  Supper  of  the 
Lord,  but  also  to  direct  and  instruct  my  Neighbourhood, 
with  what  frame  to  encounter  their  Afflictions 

On  the  Tuesday  ensuing,  namely  on  October  10,  which 
was  a  Day  of  military  Diversions,  to  the  whole  Town  of 

'  The  bearers  were  Picrpont,  Willard,  Jeremiah  Allen,  and  Adam  Winthrop. 

Scwall,  Diary,  i.  385. 

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OCTOBER,     1693  17s 

Boston,  I  sett  apart  the  Day,  for  prayer  with  Fasting  in  my 
Study.  I  then  considered  my  many  humbling  Circum- 
stances, both  as  to  my  Sins,  and  as  to  my  Sorrowes;  espe- 
cially, in  the  Breaches  made  upon  my  Family;  as  also  in 
the  cursed  Reproches  with  which  this  unworthy,  ungodly, 
ungrateful  People,  do  load  not  myself  only,  but  both  of 
my  Fathers  too. 

On  this  Day,  my  God  gave  mee  great  Assurances,  of  His 
Purpose  to  bestow  many  Blessings;  and  particularly,  that 
Hee  would  make  my  Name  and  the  Names  of  both  my 
Father's  also,  to  become  honourable  among  His  People: 
that  Hee  will  support  us,  comfort  us,  and  at  last,  requite  us 
good,  for  all  the  Evil  wee  meet  withal. 

On  this  Day,  I  also  visited  a  possessed  young  Woman  in 
the  Neighbourhood,  whose  Distresses  were  not  the  least 
occasion  of  my  being  thus  before  the  Lord.'  I  wrestled 
with  God  for  her:  and  among  other  things,  I  pleaded,  that 
God  had  made  it  my  Office  and  Business  to  engage  my 
Neighboiurs  in  the  Service  of  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ;  and 
that  this  yoimg  Woman  had  expressed  her  Compliance  with 
my  Invitations  imto  that  Service;  only  that  the  evil  Spirits 
now  hindred  her  from  doing  what  shee  had  \'owd:  and 
therefore  that  I  had  a  sort  of  Right  to  demand  her  Deliv- 
erance from  these  invading  Divels,  and  to  demand  such  a 
Liberty  for  her  as  might  make  her  capable  of  glorifying  my 
Glorious  Lord;  which  I  did  accordingly.  In  the  close  of 
this  Day,  a  wonderful  Spirit,  in  White  and  bright  Raiment, 
with  a  Face  unseen,  appeared  imto  this  yoimg  woman,  and 
bid  her,  count  mee  her  Father,  and  regard  mee  and  obey  mee, 
as  her  Father;  for  hee  said,  the  Lord  had  given  her  to  mee; 
and  shee  should  now  within  a  few  Dayes  bee  delivered.' 
It  proved,  accordingly. 

'  Margaret  Rule. 

'  This  is  related  in  Mather's  account  of  Margaret  Rule,  printed  in  Calef ,  More 
Wonders  of  the  Invisible  World,  8.  The  "man  in  while"  or  the  "white  man" 
played  a  prominent  part  in  .the  Salem  tragedy. 

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176  DIARY  OF  COTTON  MATHER 

Besides  the  other  praying  and  pious  Meetings,  which  I 
have  been  continually  serving,  iA  our  Neighbourhood;  a 
little  after  this  Time,  a  company  of  poor  Negroes,  of  their 
own  Accord,  addressed  mee,  for  my  Countenance,  to  a 
Design  which  they  had,  of  erecting  such  a  Meeting  for  the 
Welfare  of  their  miserable  Nation  that  were  Servants 
among  us.  I  allowed  their  Design  and  went  one  Evening 
and  pray'd  and  preach'd  (on  Ps.  68.  31.')  with  them;  and 
gave  them  the  following  Orders,  which  I  insert  only  for 
Curiositie  of  the  Occasion. 

Wee,  the  miserable  Children  of  Adam  and  of  Noah,  thankfully 
admiring  and  accepting  the  free  Grace  of  God,  that  offers  to  save  us 
from  our  Miseries  by  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  freely  resolve,  with  His 
Help  to  become  the  Servants  of  that  Glorious  Lord. 

And  that  wee  may  bee  assisted  in  the  Service  of  our  Heavenly 
Master,  wee  now  join  together  in  a  Company,  wherein  the  following 
Rides  are  to  bee  observed. 

I.  It  shall  be  our  Endeavour,  to  meet  the  Evening  after  the 
Sabbath;  and  pray  together  by  Turns,  one  to  begin,  and  another  to 
conclude  the  Meeting;  and  between  the  two  Prayers,  a  Psalm  shall 
bee  sung,  and  a  Sermon  repeated.  This  Way  would  wee  spend  the 
Evening,  which  wee  observe  too  many  of  our  Condition,  to  mispend 
unto  the  Dishonour  of  God,  and  the  Prcejudice  of  those  to  whom  they 
do  belong. 

IL  Our  coming  to  the  Meeting  shall  never  be  without  the  Leave 
of  such  as  have  Power  over  us:  and  wee  will  bee  careful  that  our 
Meeting  may  begin  and  conclude,  between  the  Hours  of  seven  and 
nine;  and  that  wee  may  not  bee  unseasonably  absent  from  the  Families 
whereto  wee  may  pertain. 

HL  As  wee  will,  with  the  Help  of  God,  at  all  Times  avoid  all 
wicked  Company,  so,  wee  will  recei\'e  none  into  our  Meeting  but  such 
as  have  sensibly  reformed  their  Lives,  from  all  manner  of  Wickedness. 
And  therefore,  none  shall  bee  admitted  without  the  Knowledge  and 
Consent  of  the  Minister  of  God  in  this  Place;  unto  whom  wee  will 
also  carry  every  Person  that  seeks  for  an  Admission  among  us,  to  bee 
by  him,  examined,  instructed  and  exhorted. 

'  "  Princes  shall  come  out  of  Egypt;  Ethiopia  shall  soon  stretch  out  her  hands 
unto  OtxI." 

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DECEMBER,       1693  I77 

IV.  Wee  will,  as  often  as  may  bee,  obtain  some  wise  and  good 
Man,  of  the  English  in  the  Neighbourhood;  and  especially  the  Officers 
of  the  Church  to  look  in  upon  us,  and  by  their  Presence  and  Council, 
do  what  they  think  fitting  for  us. 

V.  If  any  of  our  Number  fall  into  the  Sin  of  Drunkenness,  or 
Swearing,  or  Cursing  or  Lying,  or  Stealing,  or  notorious  Disobedience 
or  Unfaithfulness  to  their  Masters,  wee  will  admonish  him,  of  his  Mis- 
carriage; and  forbid  his  coming  to  the  Meeting  for  at  least  one  Fort- 
night; and  except  hee  then  come  with  great  Signs  and  Hopes  of  his 
Repentance,  wee  will  utterly  exclude  him,  with  blotting  his  Name  out  of 
our  List. 

VI.  If  any  of  our  Society  defile  himself  with  Fornication,  wee 
will  give  him  our  Admonition;  and  so  debar  him  from  the  Meeting, 
at  least  half  a  Year;  nor  shall  hee  return  to  it,  ever  any  more,  without 
exemplary  Testimonies  of  his  becoming  a  new  Creature. 

Vn.  Wee  will,  as  wee  have  Opportunity,  sett  ourselves,  to  do 
all  the  good  Wee  can  to  the  other  Negro-Servants  in  the  Town;  and 
if  any  of  them  should  at  unfit  Hours  bee  abroad,  much  more,  if  any 
of  them  should  run  away  from  their  Masters,  wee  will  afford  them  no 
Shelter;  but  wee  will  do  what  in  us  lies,  that  they  may  bee  discovered 
and  punished:  And  if  any  of  us,  are  found  faulty  in  this  Matter,  they 
shall  bee  no  longer  of  us. 

VIII.  None  of  our  Association,  shall  bee  absent,  from  our  Meeting, 
without  giving  a  Reason  of  the  Absence;  and  if  it  bee  found  that  any 
have  pretended  unto  their  Owners,  that  they  came  unto  the  Meeting, 
when  they  were  otherwise  and  elsewhere  employ'd,  wee  will  faithfully 
inform  their  owners  and  also  do  what  wee  can  to  reclaim  such  a  person, 
from  all  such  evil  Courses  for  the  future.' 

The  Rest  of  the  Winter,  brought  little  with  it,  that  was 
remarkable.' 

I  reviewed  and  revived,  the  Orders  of  our  young  Men's 

'These  "Rules"  were  printed  as  a  broadside  after  1706,  with  a  ninth  rule 
adde4:  "  IX.  It  shall  be  expected  from  every  one  in  the  society,  that  he 
learn  the  Catechism;  And  therefore,  it  shall  be  one  of  our  usual  Exercises,  for 
one  of  us,  to  ask  the  Questions,  and  for  all  the  rest  in  their  order,  to  say  the 
Answers  in  the  Catechism;  either  the  New-English  Catechism,  or  the  Assemblies 
Catechism,  or  the  Catechism  in  the  Negro  Christianized."  This  last  work,  by 
Mather,  was  not  printed  until  1706. 

•"31  i.  10  m.  [December.]  This  Day  our  Congregation  made  a  Collection  of 
about  Fifty  Three  Pounds,  for  the  Redemption  of  two  Persons,  that  were  in  Turkish 
Captivity."     Cotton  Mather's  MS.  Records  of  the  Second  Church,  n. 

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lyS  DIARY  OF  COTTON  MATHER 

Meetings,  and  went  and  preached  unto  them:  to  prevent 
the  Snares  of  Satan,  which  may  threaten  their  welfare, 
(There  is  a  copy  thereof  since  printed,  at  the  End  of  my 
Book  of,  Early  Religion.^) 

Considering,  that  there  is  a  good  Nimaber  of  poor  and 
old  People,  in  our  Alms-house,  who  can  not  often  come  to 
the  public  Worship  of  God,  especially  at  this  Time  of  the 
year,  I  went  and  spent  an  Afternoon,  I  pray'd,  and  I 
preach'd  (on  Jam.  2.  5.)  among  them;  with  the  comfort- 
able Assistence,  and,  I  hope.  Acceptance  of  Heaven. 

And  one  memorable  Providence,  I  must  not  forgett. 
A  young  Woman  being  arrested,  possessed,  afflicted  by  evil 
Angels,  her  Tormentors  made  my  Image  or  Picture  to  appear 
before  her,*  and  then  made  themselves  Masters  of  her 
Tongue  so  far,  that  shee  began  in  her  Fits  to  complain  that 
I  threatened  her  and  molested  her,  tho'  when  shee  came  out 
of  them,  shee  own'd,  that  they  could  not  so  much  as  make 
my  dead  Shape  do  her  any  Harm,  and  that  they  putt  a 
Force  upon  her  Tongue  in  her  Exclamations.  Her  greatest 
Out-cries  when  shee  was  herself,  were,  for  my  poor  Prayers 
to  bee  concerned  on  her  behalf. 

Being  hereupon  extremely  sensible,  how  much  a  mali- 
cious Toym  and  Land,  would  insult  over  mee,  if  such  a 
lying  Piece  of  a  Story  should  fly  abroad,  that  the  Divels  in 
my  Shape  tormented  the  Neighbourhood,  I  was  putt  upon 
some  Agonies,  and  singular  Salleys  and  Efforts  of  Soul,  in 
the  Resignation  of  my  Name  unto  the  Lord;  content  that  if 
Hee  had  no  further  service  for  my  Name,  it  should  bee  torn 
to  pieces  with  all  the  Reproches  in  the  world.  But  I  cried 
imto  the  Lord  as  for  the  Deliverance  of  my  Name,  from  the 
Malice  of  Hell,  so  for  the  Deliverance  of  the  young  Woman, 
whom  the   Powers  of   Hell  had   now  siezed   up>on.    And 

'  This  paragraph  is  written  in  the  margin.  Early  Religion  appeared  from 
the  press  in  1694,  printed  by  Benjamin  Harris  for  Michael  Perry. 

•  "  A  Viper,  speedily  and  happily  shaken  oft! "     Written  in  the  margin. 

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JANUARY,     1693-94  179 

behold!  Without  any  further  Noise,  the  possessed  Person, 
upon  my  praying  by  her,  was  deUvered  from  her  Captivity, 
on  the  very  same  Day  that  shee  fell  into  it;  and  the  whole 
Plott  of  the  Divel,  to  reproach  a  poor  Servant  of  the  Lord 
Jesus  Christ,  was  defeated. 

About  the  middle  of  January,  my  little  and  my  only, 
Katharin,  was  taken  so  dangerously  sick,  that  small  Hope 
of  her  Life  was  left  unto  us.  In  my  Distress,  when  I  saw 
the  Lord  thus  quenching  the  Coal  that  was  left  unto  mee,  and 
rending  out  of  my  Bosom  one  that  had  lived  so  long  with 
mee,  as  to  steal  a  Room  there,  and  a  Lamb  that  was  indeed 
imto  mee  as  a  Daughter,  I  cast  myseK  at  the  Feet  of  His 
Holy  Soveraignty. 

When  I  was  going  to  resign  the  dying  Child,  in  a  Prayer 
for  that  purpose  over  it,  I  took  the  Bible  in  my  Hand, 
resolving  to  seek  and  read  first,  some  agreeable  Portion  of 
the  Scripture. 

The  first  Place;  that  accidentally  fell  under  my  View 
was,  the  Story  of  our  Lords  raising  the  little  Daughter  of  the 
Rider  of  the  Synagogue,  in  the  8th  Chapter  of  Luke.  Amazed 
at  the  Pertinency  of  this  Place,  I  readd  it  with  Tears,  and 
then  with  more  Tears  tum'd  it  into  a  Prayer;  wherein  I 
freely  gave  up  this  ChUd  unto  the  Lord,  assured  that  it, 
I®"  and  whatever  Children  Hee  ever  gave  mee,  should  bee 
the  Temples  of  His  good  Spirit,  the  Subjects  of  His  King- 
dome,  and  the  Vessels  of  His  Glory  forever.  But  I  also 
begg'd  for  the  Life  of  the  Child  in  this  World;  promising  to 
the  Lord,  with  His  Help,  That  I  would  bring  her  up  for 
Him;  and  that  I  would  likewise  assay  to  do  some  special 
Service  quickly  for  the  rising  Generation  in  this  Land. 

Immediately,  the  Child  fell  into  a  critical  and  plentiful 
bleeding,  and  recovered  from  that  Hour,  unto  the  Admiration 
of  us  all. 

This  Day,  to  prepare  my  own  Heart  for  all  Events  which 

threatned  my  Family,  and  express  what  should  bee  in  the 

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l8o  DIARY  OF  COTTON  MATHER 

Heart  of  others  on  such  Events,  I  preached  a  Sermon  on 
those  words,  The  Lord  is  able  to  give  thee  mttch  more  than  this.^ 
Memorandum.  (Tho  tis  hardly  worth  remembring) 
Many  Families  of  my  Flock,  residing  on  t'other  side  the 
water,  putt  themselves  unto  considerable  Trouble,  every 
Lord's-Day,  to  attend  upon  my  Ministry.  Now,  tho'  it 
would  be  a  considerable  Diminution  of  my  Auditory,  yett 
I  have  often  called  upon  them,  to  gather  and  settle  a  Church 
among  themselves,  and  offered  them  all  the  Assistence  that 
I  could  possibly  give  them,  in  their  doing  so.  At  length, 
perceiving,  that  the  Thing  which  hindred  them,  was,  that  it 
would  bee  too  great  an  Expence  for  so  small  a  Village,  to 
maintain  their  Minister  themselves  I  made  them  an  Offer, 
that  if  they  would  furnish  themselves  with  a  worthy  Minis- 
ter, I  would  assist  his  Maintenance  as  far  as  I  could,  and 
even  abate  my  own  poor  Salary  for  it.  They  wondred  at 
the  Generosity  of  these  Tenders;  and  I  glorifyed  the  Lord 
Jesus  Christ,  and  His  Gospel,  by  making  them.  Neverthe- 
less they  never  Accepted  them.^ 

•  J  Chron.  25.  9. 

'  "igd.  I  m.  [March,  1694.]  This  Day,  Mary  Cooly,  one  by  Covenant  under 
ecclesiastical  Inspection  in  this  Church,  having  been  convicted  of  li\ing  in  Adultery, 
with  many  Aggravations  of  her  Crime,  and  being  so  far  from  giving  due  Discoveries 
of  Repentance,  that  she  is  fled  from  the  Admonitions  that  should  have  brought  her 
to  Repentance,  the  DiscipUne  of  our  Lord,  whereto  the  Concurrence  of  our  Brethren 
was  the  preceding  Lord's  Day  expressed,  was  this  Day  attended.  Though  she  were 
absent,  yett,  in  the  public  Assembly,  the  Pastor,  using  many  Words,  relating 
thereto,  both  before  and  after,  passed  the  following  Censure: 

"In  the  Name  of  the  Glorious  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  I  do  declare  that  this  unhappy 
M.  C.  is  cutt  off  from  the  ecclesiastical  I'riviledges  and  Expectations,  which  per- 
tain to  such  as  are  in  Covenant  with  the  Churches  of  God. 

"I  declare  her  to  belong  visibly  unto  the  doleful  and  woful  Kingdome  of 
Satan,  the  Ruler  of  the  Darkness  of  this  World. 

"I  declare  her  to  bee  a  Person  whom  wee  cannot  own,  for  a  Disciple  of  the 
Lord  Jesus  Christ,  but  one  from  whom  the  Disciples  of  our  Lord  are  to  withdraw, 
as  from  one  that  walks  disorderly. 

"And  this  first  Senlcnce  is  now  passeil  upon  her,  as  a  Rcpr.Tsentation  of  a  more 
dreadful  Sentence  to  bee  passed  upon  her  in  the  Day  when  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ 
shall  judge  the  World;  except  it  bee  prevented  by  a  seasonable  Repentance:  — 
whirh  Repentance,  God  of  his  infmilo  Mercy  bestow  upon  her. 

"Sd.  ^  m.  [April.]    Two  young  Women,  belonging  to  our  Communion,  to 

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AUGUST,     169S  181 

wit,  Rebeckah  Adams  and  Alice  Pennel,  having  been  guilty  of  consulting  an 
ungodly  Fortune-teller,  in  the  Neighbourhood,  with  desires  to  be  informed  of  some 
secret  and  future  things,  this  Day  in  public  made  a  poenitent  Acknowledgment  of 
that  Miscarriage,  and  so  the  Church  was  reconciled  unto  them. 

"  17  (f.  4  m.  [Jiirif.]     Baptized  my  Abigail. 

"25  d.  2  m.  [April,  1695]  This  Day  a  public  Fast  being  observed  through  the 
Province,  this  Opportunitie  was  taken  for  the  Ordination  of  the  Deacons  formerly 
elected  by  our  Church,  .\ccordingly  in  the  Close  of  the  Afternoon,  after  distinct 
Votes  for  them,  Mr.  John  Atwood,  Mr.  Obadiah  Gill,  [and]  Mr.  John  Barnard, 
were  with  solemn  Imposition  of  Hands,  from  my  Father  and  self,  ordained  unto  the 
Office  of  Deacons  in  the  Church. 

"  II  <i.  6  m.  [i4ugu;(.]  This  Day  our  Congregation  made  a  Cnllcrtion  nf  about 
four  score  pounds,  for  three  young  Men  in  Turkish  Slavery."  Cotton  Mather's  MS. 
Records  cf  the  Second  Church,  11. 


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1696 

THE  XXXIVth  year, 

Of  a  Life,  Sweel'd  away  in  horrible  Sin  and  Sloth! 

It  was  said  of  a  certain  Scotch  Divine;  that  hee  did  eat, 
and  drink,  and  sleep,  the  Kingdome  oj  Heaven. 

When  shall  my  too  earthly  Soul,  arrive  to  this  Happiness! 

The  Jewes  Report  of  R.  Zadok,  That  hee  did  so  mortify 
himself  with  Fastings,  that  hee  was  commonly  called,  whT\ 
Chalsha,  that  is  the  weak  I 

Streposo  words  upon  Stephen.  Act.  6.  8.  Stephen  fidl  of 
Faith  and  power  did  great  wonders  and  miracles  among  the 
people. 

"Per  Swa/ieis  inteUiguntur  Incitationes  et  Impulsus 
spiritus  Sancti,  ex  quibus  poterant  observare  praesentiam  et 
promptitudinem  spiritus,  ad  perpetrationem  Miraculorum. 
Vide  phrasin  scripturae  Jud.  14.  6.  19,  et  15.  14.  i.  Sam. 
10.  10.  Cum  spiritus  per  hos  volebat  facere  miraculum, 
non  solebat  Extemo  verbo  promissionem  edere ;  sed  irruebat 
in  eos.  i.  e.  ahquo  motu,  et  IncitaLione  aliqua,  praesentiam 
et  promptitudinem  suam  ad  Miraculum  ipsis  insinuabat,  et 
sic  promissionem  miracuH  ipsis  dabat.  Cum  Homines  huic 
promissioni  credebant  et  illius  Fiducia  miraculum  edebant, 
fiebat  Miraculum.  Cum  autem  Ejusmodi  Incitationes 
Spiritus  non  fiunt,  etiamsi  adfit  Fides,  Miracula  tamen  non 
fiunt. 

Observaticum.  When  he  said  in  the  Old  Testament, 
The  Spirit  of  the  Lord  came  upon  these  and  those,  tis  in  the 
New  Testament  still  said,  of  what  they  then  did.  They  did 

[182] 
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FEBRUARY,     1695-96  183 

*■/  by  Faith.  It  seems  the  Spirit  of  the  Lord,  still  produced 
a  particvilar  and  an  extraordinary  Faith,  in  those  blessed 
Hero's! 

THE  XXXIVth  year  OF  MY  AGE, 

12  d.  12  m.  [February.]  This  Day  being  thirty  three 
of  Age,  compleat,  I  sett  it  apart,  for  secret  Thanksgivings, 
unto  the  Lord  JESUS  CHRIST,  the  God  of  my  Life.' 

I  made  those  Words  of  the  Apostle  the  Rule  of  my  Pro- 
ceedings, in  the  Duties  of  the  Day,  Act.  26.  22. 

Having  obtained  Help  of  God,  I  continue  to  this  Day. 

I  considered,  what  continuance  the  Help  of  the  Lord 
JESUS  CHRIST,  hath,  to  this  Day,  granted  unto  my  Life, 
and  the  comfortable  Circumstances  of  my  Life;  and  then, 
what  Acknowledgment  I  shovild  make  of  the  Help  which  I 
have  had  from  the  Lord  JESUS  CHRIST,  in  this  Continu- 
ance. 

My  Meditations,  I  did  make  the  Matter  of  my  Confes- 
sions before  the  Lord;  In  part  whereof,  I  did  call  my 
Consort  also  to  bear  her  Part. 

And  having  digested  these  Things  into  a  Sermon  proper 
for  my  Neighbours,  I  preached  it  in  the  Evening  unto  a 
private  Meeting  of  Christians,  with  whom  I  spent  the  Even- 
ning. 

On  the  Day  following,  I  enjoyed,  a  singular  presence  of 
the  Lord  Jesus  Christ  with  mee,  after  a  lively  and  wrestling 
Faith  for  it;  in  preaching  the  Lecture,  to  a  greater  Assembly. 
I  considered,  that  wee  had  many  poor  among  us;  and  that, 
the  Truths  of  the  Gospel,  would  come  with  some  very  par- 
ticvdar  Accepts,  upon  them,  to  render  them  Acceptable,  and 
profitable,  if  I  should,  as  much  as  I  cotdd,  accommodate 
them,  vmto  the  Condition  of  the  Poor.  So,  I  preached  this 
Day,  on  Math.  ii.  5.     The  Poor  have  the  Gospel  preached 

'  Sewall  in  bis  Diary,  i.  430,  records  an  interesting  incident  in  bis  own  family, 
wbere  his  daughter  Betty  gave  every  evidence  of  a  temporary  insanity,  due  to 
reading  the  sermons  of  the  day,  and  among  them  one  of  Mather's. 

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184  DIARY  OF  COTTON  MATHER 

unto  them:  reserving  a  second  Sermon,  on  that  Subject, 
for  my  next  Lecture. 

22  d.  12  m.  I  sett  apart  this  Day  for  secret  PRAYER, 
with  Fasting  in  my  Study.  And  as  I  intended  it  for  a  Day 
of  Humiliation,  such  an  one  the  Lord  made  it  unto  mee. 
For  the  main  Exercise  with  mee,  that  gave  a  Character  to 
this  Day,  was,  a  Reflection,  upon  the  manifold  Filthiness  of 
my  Heart  and  Life,  and  the  horrible  Aggravations  of  that 
Filthiness,  especially  from  the  great  Obhgations  to  Sanctity, 
which  I  have  sinned  against.  My  Soul  was  exceedingly 
humbled,  in  my  Confessions  of  my  own  Vileness  before  the 
Lord,'  and  I  confessed,  that  if  the  Lord  should  not  only 
expose  to  the  whole  World,  all  my  Abominations  hitherto 
committed,  but  also  leave  mee  unto  such  an  infatuating 
Possession  of  Satan,  that  I  should  commit  those  prodigious 
Things,  which  may  make  mee  a  terrible  Exemple  to  all  His 
Churches,  like  some  that  I  have  known,  there  would  bee 
no  less  Righteousness  than  Soveraignty  in  such  a  Dispensa- 
tion. Yett,  lying  at  the  Foot  of  that  Soveraignty,  I  cryed 
unto  God,  that  His  Free-Grace  would  impute  unto  mee  the 
perfect  Obedience  of  my  Surety,  the  Lord  JESUS  CHRIST, 
the  ojffer  whereof,  with  His  Help,  I  now  thankfully  accepted: 
And  I  then  further  cried  unto  Him,  that  Hee  would  yett 
accept  mee  to  serve  the  Lord  JESUS  CHRIST,  and  grant 
that  His  Holy  Spirit,  tho'  grieved  by  mee,  may  yett  glori- 
ously sieze  mee,  fill  mee,  use  mee,  and  make  mee  a  very 
holy,  and  a  very  useful  Man.  Many  other  Matters,  I  this 
Day  also  spread  before  the  Lord,  referring  to  my  particular 
Opportunities  of  serving  Him,  in  my  Ministry.  t&'  And  I 
fervently  pleaded  with  Him,  that  England,  Scotland,  and 
Ireland,  might  speedily  undergo,  mighty  and  happy  Changes, 
that  should  bee  gloriously  subservient  imto  His  Interests; 
which  Request,  wUl  doubtless  bee  accomplished. 

'  Sewall  manifested  the  same  intention,  describing  himsell  in  his  prayers  as 
"beyond  conception  vile."    Diary,  I.  434. 

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FEBRUARY,     1695-96  185 

After  this  Day,  I  continued  full  of  such  dejected  and 
abasing  Thoughts,  of  my  own  extraordinary  Vileness,  as  did 
fill  mee  in  the  Day  itself. 

Oh!  the  Lord  is  laying  of  mee  low! 

So  I  wrote;  and  so  it  must  come  to  pass.    For 

28  d.  12  m.  Friday.  Early  this  morning,  my  Daughter 
Mehetabel,  dyed  suddenly,  in  its  nurses  Arms;  not  known 
to  bee  dying,  till  it  was  dead;  of  some  sudden  stoppage  by 
Wind;  the  Wind  passed  over  the  Flower,  and  it  was  presently 
gone! 

The  Spirit  of  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  helped  mee,  I  hope, 
to  a  patient  and  cheerful  Submission,  under  this  Calamity: 
tho'  I  sensibly  found,  an  Assault  of  Temptation  from  Satan, 
accompanying  of  it. 

The  Day  following,  the  Child  was  interr'd,  with  an 
honourable  Funeral:  and  on  one  of  the  Grave-Stones,  in 
Faith  of  the  Resurrection,  I  wrote.  Your  Bones   shall 

FLOURISH   LIKE   AN   HeRB.' 

And  being  in  course,  to  compose  a  Sermon,  for  the 
Lord's-Day,  on  Luk.  2.  15.  The  Angels  were  gone  away  from 
them  into  Heaven;  I  found  a  singular  Providence  of  the  Lord 
Jesus  Christ,  in  ordering  it,  that  under  this  new  Death 
upon  my  Family,  I  should  have  my  Meditations  called  unto 
that  Subject;  that  there  is  a  glorious  Heaven,  whereunto 
heavenly  Spirits  do  go  away,  when  they  leave  the  Eartli.  Four 
of  mine,  are  now  flown  thither  before  mee ! 

On  this  occasion,  I  made  and  sang,  this  hymn,  of 
Job.  I.  21. 

I  stript  of  earthly,  Comforts  am; 
Stript,  lett  mee  duely  mourn: 
Naked  from  Earth  at  first  I  came, 

And  naked  I  return. 
What,  but  Gifts  from  above,  were  they? 
GOD  gave  them  unto  mee. 

'  Isaiah  Lxvi.  14.  Mather  also  uses  the  phrase  in  the  opening  paragraph  of  his 
life  of  Sir  WUUam  Phips. 

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1 86  DIARY  or  COTTON  MATHER 

And  now  they  take  their  flight  away, 

Taken  by  GOD  they  bee. 
The  Name  of  my  Great  GOD,  I  will 

Forever  then  adore; 
Hee's  wise,  and  just,  and  soveraign  still. 

And  good  forevermore. 

Memorandum.  This  morning,  in  my  study,  praying  for 
each  of  my  Children  by  Name  (as  I  use  to  do)  I  left  the  Name 
of  my  Mehetabd  unmentioned.  I  wondred  at  this  Omis- 
sion, in  myself  and  blam'd  and  chid  myself,  that  I  should 
bee  so  sottish,  as  having  but  three  children  to  forgett  one  of 
them.  Now,  I  had  no  sooner  done  my  prayers,  but  the 
messenger  gave  mee  to  understand  that  the  Child  had  been 
for  above  an  Hour  before,  by  its  Death,  gone  beyond  the 
reach  or  use,  of  our  Prayers.  (Alas,  the  Child  was  overlaid 
by  the  Nurse !)' 

1696. 

I  considered,  that  the  memorable  Changes  undergone, 
and  Actions  performed,  in  the  Life  of  our  late  Govemour, 
Sir  William  Phips,  had  very  many  Things  in  them,  to  dis- 
play the  glorious  Power,  and  Wisdome,  and  Grace,  of  the 
Lord  JESUS  CHRIST.  Wherefore  I  did,  with  much 
Elaboration,  write  the  History  thereof,  and  give  it  imto 
his  Lady,  that  in  Time  convenient,  it  may  bee  sent  unto 
London,  to  bee  there  published.  I  entituled,  it,  not  without 
very  good  Reason,  Pietas  ik  Patriam:  and  how  many 
wayes  I  have  propounded  unto  myself,  in  this  Composure, 

'  This  paragraph  was  entered  in  the  margin.  The  sentence  in  parenthesis 
was  added  at  a  later  day  —  the  parenthesis  being  Mather's. 

Mather  uses  the  same  idea  in  many  connections,  and  what  his  father  had 
experienced  he  repeats  as  his  own,  or  reads  into  his  father's  life  what  he  believes  to 
have  been  an  experience  of  his  own.  Increase  had  "for  diverse  Lordi-Days  made 
the  Death  of  that  Miserable  King  [Philip],  a  Petition  which  in  his  PublU  Prayers 
he  somewhat  enlarged  upon.  But  on  one  Lords-Day  he  quite  forgot  it;  for  which 
Forgelfiilness  1  well  Remember,  that  I  heard  him  wondering  at,  and  Blaming  of, 
himself  one  I'.vening.  Howc\cr,  he  was  more  Satisfied,  when  a  few  Hours  after, 
there  came  to  Town  the  Tidings,  That  before  That  Lords-Day,  the  Thing  v-'os 
accomplished." 

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MAKCH,     1695-96  187 

to  serve  my  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  it  is  needless  for  mee  to 
mention. 

It  was  published  in  London.^ 

2id.  im.  [March]  Tis  high  Time  for  mee  to  bee  again, 
with  the  Exercises  of  a  secret  Fast,  on  my  Knees  before  the 
Lord.  Alas,  I  have  starved  my  Soul,  by  making  it  a  whole 
Month,  since  I  was  last  engaged  in  such  Devotions! 

This  Day,  I  devoted  unto  extraordinary  Supphcations 
in  my  Study.  And  after  I  had,  with  much  Bitterness, 
himibled  myself  imder  the  Causes  and  the  Tokens  of  the 
Divine  Displeasure  against  mee,  the  Lord  not  only  enabled 
mee  to  rely  on  the  Suretiship  and  Sacrifice  of  Jesus  Christ, 
for  my  Peace  with  Heaven,  but  also  assured  mee  of  my 
Reconciliation:  so  that  I  said,  /  may  now  dare  to  dy,  when- 
ever I  am  called  thereunto  t 

After  I  had  spread  many  particular  Concerns  before  the 
Lord,  I  concluded  the  Day,  with  a  Prayer,  which  brought 
with  it,  the  Rewards  of  the  whole  Day. 

Being  prostrate,  in  the  Dust  on  my  Study-floor,  after 
many  Fears  of  a  sad,  heavy,  woful  Heart,  that  the  Holy 
Spirit  of  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  grieved  by  my  Miscarriages, 
would  forsake  mee  utterly,  that  Spirit  of  the  Lord  made 
an  inexpressible  Descent  upon  mee.  A  Stream  of  Tears 
gushed  out  of  my  Eyes,  upon  my  Floor,  while  I  had  my  Soul 
inexpressibly  irradiated  with  Assurances,  of  especially  two 
or  three  Things,  bore  in  upon  mee. 

'  Written  in  the  margin. 

It  contained  a  brief  prefatory  letter  signed  by  Nathaniel  Mather,  John  Howe 
and  Matthew  Mead,  in  which  brevity  was  made  good  by  fulsome  flattery  of  the 
author.  He  is  described  as  "a  person  of  such  well  known  integrity,  prudence  and 
veradty,  that  there  is  not  any  cause  to  question  the  truth  of  what  he  here  relates, 
and  moreover  this  writing  of  his  is  adorned  with  a  very  grateful  variety  of  learning, 
and  doth  contain  such  surprizing  workings  of  Providence,  as  do  well  deserve  due 
notice  and  observation."  Follows  a  letter  of  Nathaniel  Mather,  dedicating  the 
work  to  the  Earl  of  Bellomont.  Both  letters  are  dated  April  27,  1697,  in  which 
year  the  book  was  printed.  It  is  included  in  the  Magnolia,  Bk.  n.  35.  The 
wife's  name  was  Mary,  widow  of  John  Hull  (not  the  mint-master)  and  daughter 
of  Roger  Spencer,  of  Saco. 

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l88  DIARY  OF  COTTON  MATHER 

«er  Particularly,  That  the  Spirit  of  the  Lord  Jesus 
Christ,  would  more  than  ever,  take  Possession  of  my 
Tongue,  and  cause  mee  with  a  more  free,  and  fit,  and  use- 
ful Speech,  than  ever  to  glorify  Him. 

And,  That  the  Spirit  of  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  would 
give  mee  a  more  exact  Understanding  of  the  Times,  and  help 
mee  to  discern  this  Time. 

I®"  And,  that  there  were  mighty  and  happy  Changes 
to  bee  speedily  brought  upon  England,  and  Scotland,  and 
Ireland,  by  the  Spirit  of  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  marvellously 
lifting  up  a  Standard,  against  the  impious  Men  and  Things, 
that  have  come  in  upon  those  Kingdomes  like  a  Flood. 

I  particularly  besought  the  Lord,  That  I  might  bee 
helped  by  Him,  to  handle  the  Doctrine  of  Grace,  in  my 
Ministry,  so  as  to  glorify  Him;  and  that  His  good  Spirit 
would  lead  mee  unto  all  Truth,  about  this  Doctrine.' 

This  is  a  Request  which  I  have  also,  in  several  Dayes  of 
Prayer,  formerly  insisted  on.' 

Herewithal,  it  was  a  Perswasion,  which  I  entertained 
from  Scripture,  but  with  Wonder,  that  I  had  my  oum  Angel: 
That  there  is  one  good  Angel  of  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ, 
which  is  at  present  peculiarly  My  Angel.  I  now  mourned, 
for  the  Grief  which  I  had  given  unto  that  Angel  of  the  Lord, 
when  I  have  grieved  the  Holy  Spirit  of  the  Lord,  by  my 
Sins  against  the  Lord;  and  I  prayed,  that  I  might  by  the 
Holy  Spirit  bee  made  more  agreeable  to  this  Angel,  and  so 
enjoy  his  very  peculiar  Ministration  for  my  Good,  in  those 
Instances,  which  the  infinite  Wisdome  of  Heaven,  should 
appoint  it  for. 

On  the  Day  following  at  the  Lord's  Table,  the  Spirit  of 
my  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  gave  mee  a  singular  Satisfaction,  of 
Soul,  in  my  Reliance  upon  the  Righteousness  of  the  Lord 
Jesus  Christ  alone,  even,  on  the  Merit,  of  the  Obedience, 
which  Hec  yeelded  unto  God,  as  our  Surety,  for  my  Atone- 

'  These  two  paragraphs  arc  written  in  the  margin. 

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APKIL,     1696  189 

ment  and  Acceptance  with  the  God  of  Heaven.'  More- 
over, 

28  d.  im.  I  was  again,  engaged  in  the  Exercises  of  a 
secret  Fast,  before  the  Lord,  on  the  very  same  occasions, 
that  I  was  this  Day  Se'nnight  so  employed. 

I  thought,  that  I  could  not  obtain,  and  enjoy  the  As- 
sistances of  the  Holy  Spirit,  necessary  to  the  Discharge  of 
my  Ministry,  and  necessary  for  the  several  Conditions,  and 
Relations,  whereinto  the  Lord  may  bring  mee,  except,  I 
bee  much  in  Prayer,  with  Fasting,  before  the  Lord.  I  soon 
loose  that  serious,  that  gracious,  that  generous,  and  that 

'  "  23  <f .  I  m  [^farch.]  The  Brethren  of  the  Church  mett  with  us  in  the  Meet- 
ing-house. 

"Evidences  of  a  threefold  Crime  committed  by  Mrs.  Hanna  Bishop,  now 
absent  at  Rhode  Island,  were  produced. 

"i.  That  altho'  her  Husband  had  not  been  gone  a  Twelvemonth  to  sea,  nor 
was  there  any  .\dvice  come  of  his  Death,  one  way  or  another,  yett  shee  made 
Overtures  and  Promises  of  Marriage  with  another  Man,  (one  Mr.  Daniel  Hodgson), 
which,  if  they  had  been  consummated,  her  Offence  had,  by  the  Law  of  the  Province, 
been  capital. 

"2.  That  altho'  shee  were  never  legally  and  formally  married  unto  the  Man 
to  whom  shee  made  the  Engagements  of  Marriage,  yctt  shee  declared  herself  willing 
to  converse  with  him  as  her  Husband. 

"3.  That  in  her  Vowes  of  Marriage  to  the  Man,  shee  declared  with  an  Oath 
upon  the  Bible,  that  shee  would  never  marry  with  any  other  Man,  while  hee  was 
living  on  the  Earth. 

"These  things  were  proved,  by  the  Oathes  of  William  Smilh,  and  Edward 
Davis,  taken  before  the  Governor  of  Rhode  Island,  as  is  asserted  in  a  Certificate  by 
him  signed. 

"And  by  the  Testimonies  of  Mary  Webster,  senior  and  junior,  and  Sarah  Buck- 
master,  to  whom  the  said  Bishop  owned  all  the  premise^. 

"The  Church  hereupon  agreed,  that  Mrs.  Bishop  should  immediately  bee 
written  unto,  advised  of  what  is  testified  against  her,  suspended  from  the  Com- 
munion, admonished  to  repent  of  the  Crimes  proved  against  her;  and  within  two 
or  three  Months'  time  give  the  Satisfaction  expected  by  the  People  of  God:  or  else 
the  Church  would  proceed  then  to  cutt  her  off  from  the  Communion  of  the  Faithful. 

"At  the  said  Meeting,  the  Vote  of  the  Church  devolved  on  the  three  Deacons, 
Mr.  Ativood,  Mr.  GiU,  Mr.  Bernard,  the  Care  and  Power  of  ordering  the  Seats  in 
the  Meeting-house. 

"The  Vote  of  the  Church  also  then  desired  and  empowered  Lieut.  R.  Way,  with 
the  Assistance  of  the  Deacons,  to  endeavour  the  Recovery  of  what  is  due  to  the 
Church  on  the  Account  of  the  Legacy  of  Capt.  Scarlet  deceased,  by  a  due  [iroccss 
of  Law,  with  all  convenient  Expedition."  Cotlon  Mather's  MS.  Records  of  the  Second 
Church,  ri. 

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igO  DIARY   OF  COTTON  MATHES 

watchful,  and  useful,  Disposition  of  Mind,  that  I  gain,  by 
these  Devotions,  if  I  do  for  many  Dayes  intennitt  them. 
To  bee  a  Christian,  and  a  Minister  too,  Oh!  tis  no  easy 
Matter. 

This  Day  was  not  altogether  so  full  of  Joy  and  Heaven 
and  internal  Irradiation,  as  my  last;  yett,  I  hope,  it  leaves 
a  Savour  upon  my  Soul. 

One  special  Request,  which  I  carried  imto  the  Lord  this 
Day,  was  for  the  Preservation,  and  Restoration,  of  the 
worthy  Minister  of  Salem,  that  is  Mr.  Noyes,^  who  is  dan- 
gerously ill. 

In  the  following  Week,  there  was  a  public  Fast  kept  by 
the  whole  Province;  namely  on  2  d.  2  m.  [Aprii\,  Thursday. 

1  had  made  considerable  Progress,  in  my  preparation 
of  my  Sermon,  for  the  Fast;  but  coming  to  understand,  that 
my  Subject,  and  my  Discourse,  happened  odly,  to  bee  very 
much  the  same  with  my  Father's,  I  was  putt  upon  other 
Studies.  And  there  was  a  singular  Providence  in  my  being 
so;  For  it  was  resolved  on  Wednesday,  that  on  the  Fast,  the 
Day  following,  there  should  bee  a  Collection  for  the  Releef 
of  the  Poor,  in  this  Time  of  extreme  Scarcitie.  To  promote 
the  Charity  of  such  a  Collection,  I  thought,  would  bee  a  very 
angelical  Service;  and  if  I  took  the  words  of  an  Angel,  for 
my  Text,  I  thought,  my  Assistances  would  not  bee  the  less 
for  my  doing  so.  Accordingly,  after  a  strange  Impression 
on  my  Spirit,  while  -I  was  in  secret,  on  my  Knees  before 
Him,  that  the  Spirit  of  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  would  bee 
sensibly  and  gloriously  present  in  my  Congregation,  I  did, 
on  the  Fast,  preach  (on  Act.  10.  4.  Thy  prayers  and  Alms 
are  come  up.)  for  two  Hours,  more  or  less,  unto  a  very 
great  Assembly  with  very  singular  Help  from  Heaven.  In 
Prayers  also,  I  received  and  uttered  Assurances,  that  the 

'  Nicholas  Noyes,  son  of  Nicholas  Noyes,  of  Newbury,  and  nephew  of  Rev. 
James  Noyea,  the  first  minister  of  Newbury;  ordained  at  Salem,  November  14, 
1683.    He  died  December  13,  1717. 

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APRIL,       1696  191 

terrible  Famine,  this  Day  deprecated,  should  not  over- 
whehn  us.  And  my  Proposals  for  the  Succour  of  the  Poor, 
were  so  prospered,  that  the  highest  Contributions  in  the 
other  Assemblies  of  the  Town,  did  not  arise  to  near  the  Sum 
that  was  gathered  in  ours.' 

Memorandum,  In  my  Sermon,  I  uttered  such  words,  as 
these,  under  a  marvellous  Impression  upon  my  Spirit.  The 
Great  God,  is  about  the  shaking  of  England,  and  the  shaking 
of  Scotland,  and  the  shaking  of  Ireland;  very  tremendous 
will  be  the  Shake,  that  the  Lord  is  giving  to  the  Kingdome, 
yea,  the  Lord  wUl  once  more  shake  not  the  Earth  only  btit  the 
Heaven  also. 

Tho'  at  this  Time,  wee  knew  nothing  of  the  Matter,  yett 
in  a  few  weeks  after  this,  wee  heard,  of  the  mighty  Shake, 
that  was  now  giving  to  the  Kingdomes  by  the  French  Inva- 
sion and  the  plot  of  Killing  the  King.' 

16  d.  2  w.  [April.]  The  unusual  Scarcity  of  provisions, 
already  distressing,  yett  further  threatening  of  this  province, 
caused  mee  to  draw  up,  as  moving  an  Epistle,  as  I  could, 
unto  the  Ministers  of  Connecticut-Colony,  that  they  would 
prevail  with  the  Government  in  that  Colony,  to  remitt  the 
Embargo  which  they  have  laid  upon  their  Com,  unto  our 
exceeding  Detriment.  This  Letter  of  mine,  the  neighbour- 
ing Ministers,  did  sett  their  Hands  unto;  and  I  considered 
with  myself,  that  the  providing  of  Corn,  for  a  poor  People 
in  a  Wilderness,  was  to  be  like  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  and 
His  Holy  Angels. 

iSd.  2  m.  I  spent  this  Day,  in  the  Exercises  of  a  sacred 
and  a  secret  Fast,  on  the  same  Occasions,  that  had  invited 
mee,  in  some  later  weeks,  to  bee  thus  before  the  Lord. 
And  the  Direction  of  Heaven,  which  I  want  for  my  bearing 
some  singular  Testimonies  imto  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  at 

'  From  the  Church  Record  the  amount  of  this  collection  is  obtained  —  fifty- 
five  pounds  and  odd  money. 

'  This  paragraph  is  written  in  the  margin. 

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192  DIARY  OP  COTTON  MATHER 

the  approaching  Day  of  Election  of  Counsellors  for  the 
Province,  to  the  Service  of  preaching  whereat,  the  Lieut. 
Govemour  and  Council  have  this  week  chosen  mee.  This 
was  a  further  matter  of  Supplications,  which  I  must  bring 
to  God,  on  such  a  Day. 

1®°-  On  this  Day,  prostrate  in  the  Dust,  on  my  Study- 
floor  and  melted  into  Tears  of  Joy,  I  Received  fresh  Assur- 
ances, that  the  Spirit  of  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  would  fill 
mee  marvellously,  and  gloriously,  and  that  Hee  would 
quickly  employ  mee  in  eminent  Services  for  His  Interests. 

Moreover,  there  being  sore  Degrees  of  the  terrible  Famine 
advanced  upon  us,  I  considered  that  it  was  my  Duty,  to 
bee  much  in  Fasting  before  the  Lord,  that  so  I  might 
procure  Food,  for  my  distressed  Neighbours.  There  were 
three  renowned  in  the  Scripture,  for  Fasting;  and  the  Lord 
made  use  of  all  those  three,  to  be  miraculous  Feeders  of 
other  Men. 

About  this  Time,  I  considered  what  special  Truth,  I 
might  glorify  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  by  recommending  to 
the  Countrey,  in  this  Time  of  Scarcity.  And  thereupon,  I 
did,  in  the  Coimtrey-Lecture,  to  a  great  Assembly,  with  a 
great  Assistence,  preach  from  those  words,  Math.  14.  17. 
Wee  have  here  but  five  Loaves.  And  from  the  Miracle  of  our 
Lord's  multiplying  the  Loaves,  I  press'd  the  Things,  which  I 
judged  agreeable  unto  our  present  Circumstances.  I  saw, 
so  much  of  the  Hand  of  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  in  ordering 
this  peece  of  work  for  me,  that  I  cannot  leave  it  unre- 
membred. 

2  cf.  3  w.  [Afay.]  Satureday.  It  is  now  a  Fortnight,  since 
I  laid  myself  in  the  Dust,  with  in  the  Exercises  of  a  secret 
Fast  before  the  Lord.  And  such  is  the  treacherous  Wicked- 
ness of  my  Heart  that  if  any  longer  Time,  should  pass  mee, 
without  such  Exercises,  I  should  loose  very  much  of  that 
Walk  in  the  Spirit  whith  T  would  alwayes  maintain. 

This  Day,  (the  Occasions  whereof,  were  the  same  with 
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MAY,       1696  193 

the  last,)  I  did  exceedingly  abhor  myself  before  the  Lord, 
for  my  extraordinary  Vileness,  and  admire,  that  Hee  did 
not  reject  mee,  with  Abhorrence  forever.  But,  I  received 
Assurance,  that  the  Righteousness  of  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ, 
is  imputed  unto  mee,  and  that  by  this  Righteousness,  I  am 
entitled  unto  the  Favours  of  Heaven. 

Afterwards  prostrate  on  my  Study-floor,  when  I  was 
representing  before  the  Lord,  that  I  was  employ'd  in  great 
Work  for  Him,  whereimto  I  had  no  Sufficiency,  and  my 
Heart  was  often  ready  to  sink,  with  Fear  that  I  should  not 
go  well  thro'  my  Work,  which  is  also  His,  my  Heart  was 
after  an  •©"  astonishing  Manner,  melted  before  the  Lord, 
with  a  strange  Assurance,  which  I  received,  even  as  if  it 
had  been  spoken  from  Heaven  unto  mee,  that  I  shall  cer- 
tainly bee  carried  comfortably  thro'  every  Article  of  Work, 
that  shall  hereafter  occurr  unto  wee,  in  my  fulfilling  of  my 
Ministry:  Yea  that  I  should  bee  suppUed,  with  Sense,  and 
with  Strength,  and  with  Speech  too,  (and  a  greater  Freedom 
of  it,  thro'  the  Holy  Spirit  of  Christ  possessing  the  Organs 
of  it,  than  ever  I  yett  enjoyed:)  In  the  uttering  of  which 
Assurance,  my  Tears  ran  down  upon  my  Study-floor,  with 
Joy  unspeakable  and  full  of  Glory. 

Moreover,  it  being  a  Time,  of  unusual  scarcity  for 
Bread,  in  this  Place,  I  thought  it  my  Duty,  to  make  this 
one  Occasion  of  my  Fasting.  I  would  fast,  that  my  Neigh- 
bours might  bee/ed. 

Now,  I  will  take  this  Place,  to  Record  the  great  Experience, 
which  my  poor  Family  has  had,  of  the  care  which  the  Lord 
Jesus  Christ,  [showed]  concerning  us,  in  this  Time  of  Scarcity. 
The  Supplies,  that  Hee  sent  in  unto  us,  were  plentiful, 
and  wonderful;  and  sometimes  the  season  of  them,  just  at 
the  very  Time,  when  I  had  been  expressing  what  Charity 
I  could,  for  the  Releef  of  others,  was  very  remarkable. 

Remember,  0  my  Soul:   the  Eye  of  the  Lord  is  upon 

them  that  Fear  him:   upon  them  that  Hope  in  His  Mercy; 

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ig4  DIARY  OF  COTTON  MATHER 

to  deliver  their  Soul  fro7n  Death,  and  to  keep  them  alive  in 
Famine! 

i6  d.  3  w.  Satureday.  I  was  again  employ 'd  in  the 
Exercises  of  a  secret  Fast,  before  the  Lord;  on  the  same 
Occasions,  that  have  called  for  the  like  Humiliations,  in 
some  former  Weeks. 

In  the  Close  of  the  Day,  giving  myself  up  to  bee  possessed 
by  the  Spirit  of  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  that  I  might  bee 
employed  in  great  Service  for  Him,  I  had  fresh  Assurances 
of  the  Divine  Favour  to  mee,  in  this  blessed  matter. 

Moreover,  a  great  scandal  being  reported  of  an  aged 
Minister  in  the  Town,  whereby  much  Dishonour  is  like  to 
arise  unto  the  Name  of  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  and  confusion 
unto  at  least  one  of  His  Churches,  I  thought  it  my  duty  to 
Humble  myself  on  this  woful  occasion,  and  cry  mightily  to 
God,  that  I  also  might  not  bee  tempted,  and  that  wee  might 
bee  all  directed  how  to  steer  in  the  DiflBculties  hereby  laid 
before  us. 

22  d.  T,m.  Friday.  Tho'  it  bee  not  a  week  since  I  was 
engaged  in  the  Exercises  of  a  secret  Fast  before  the  Lord, 
yett  I  saw  myself  surrounded  with  Occasions  to  devote  this 
Day  likewise  to  such  Exercises;  And  the  occasions  were  the 
same  with  the  former:  especially  to  obtain  the  presence  of 
the  Spirit  of  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ  with  mee  (whereto  I 
resign  myself)  in  the  Services  of  next  week,  and  the  other 
hard  Services,  which  I  have  before  mee. 

23  d.  3  m.  Satureday.  This  Evening  I  mett  with  an 
Experience,  which  it  may  not  bee  unprofitable  for  mee,  to 
remember. 

I  had  been  for  about  a  Fortnight  vext  with  an  extraor- 
dinary Heart-Burn ;  and  none  of  all  the  Common  Medednes 
would  remove  it,  tho'  for  the  present  some  of  them  would  a 
little  releeve  it.  At  last,  it  grew  so  much  upon  mee,  this 
Evening,  that  I  was  almost  ready  to  faint  under  it;  but 
under  my  fainting  Pain,  this  Reflection  came  iiito  my 
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MAY,     1696  19s 

mind:  there  was  this  among  the  Sufferings  and  the  Com- 
plaints, of  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  my  Heart,  like  Wax,  is 
melted  in  the  Midst  of  my  Bowels.  Hereupon,  I  beg'd  of  the 
Lord,  that  for  the  sake  of  the  horrible  Heart-hum  under- 
gone by  my  Saviour,  I  might  bee  delivered  from  the  other 
and  lesser  Heart-burn,  wherewith  I  was  now  incommoded. 
Immediately,  it  was  darted  into  my  Mind,  that  I  had  Sir 
Philip  Paris's  Plaister  in  my  House,  which  was  good  for 
Inflammarions;  and  laying  this  Plaister  on,  I  was  cured  of 
my  Malady. 

After  this,  tho'  I  was  humbled  into  this  Feebleness,  yett 
the  Lord,  in  a  few  Dayes  carried  mee  thro'  many  Services 
full  of  Difficulty.  On  the  Lord's-Day,  I  preach'd  unto  a 
great  Assembly,  with  such  excessive  Labours,  that  I  was 
thereby  yett  more  unfitted  for  the  Labours  of  the  approach- 
ing Election.  On  the  Tuesday,  I  therefore  abased  myself 
before  the  Lord,  and  that  I  might  keep  myself  under  a 
lasting  Abasement,  I  composed,  what  I  have  entituled,  The 
true  Picture  of  Cotton  Mather,  wherein  I  have,  with  black, 
but  yett  with  tru£.  Characters,  described  my  own  vile- 
ness  at  such  a  Rate,  that  it  cannot  bee  look'd  upon 
without  Horror  of  Soul;  but  I  resolve  often  to  look 
upon  it.  On  the  Wednesday,  came  the  opportunity  for 
mee,  to  glorify  my  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  by  my  speaking  to 
my  whole  Countrey;  which  I  did,  on  i.  Sam.  7.  6.  with 
such  wonderful  Assistences  from  Him,  as  answered  all 
the  Prayers,  and  exceeded  all  the  Hopes,  which  had  been 
about  that  matter.'  The  Day  following  I  en  joy 'd  further 
Assistences  from  the  Lord,  in  Discourses  among  the 
Ministers  of  the  Province,  about  the  important  Matters 
that  lay  before  us. 

On  the  Lord's-Day  ensuing,  [May  31,]  I  did  not  propose 
to  preach  at  all;  but  about  an  Hour  before  the  forenoon 
Exercises,  the  illness  on  the  Minister  of  the  South-church, 

'  Sewall  notes  that  it  was  a  rainy  day,  so  the  text  was  appropriate. 

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196  DIARY  OF  COTTON  MATHES 

in  Boston,  made  the  Deacons  apply  themselves  imto  mee, 
to  carry  on  those  Exercises,  in  their  great  Congregation.' 
And  the  Lord  gave  mee  very  singular  Demonstrations  of  His 
Presence  and  Spirit  with  mee,  in  my  doing  so;  which  Hee 
likewise  did,  in  my  Managing  some  weighty  Affayrs  of 
Church-Discipline  (admonishing  a  scandalous  Offendor)  in 
my  own  Congregation,  in  the  Afternoon.'  And  hee  con- 
tinued still  to  do  so,  in  my  Lecture,  when  I  gave  the  second 
part  of  my  Election-Sermon,  to  the  Great  and  General 
Assembly,  the  Thursday  following.  When,  in  Prayer  also, 
before  that  vast  Congregation,  my  wrestling  and  melted 
Heart,  expressed  a  strange  Faith,  on  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ 
that  wonderful  Releefs  would  bee  sent  in  unto  us,  against 
the  Famine  that  was  now  distressing  us. 

Memorandum.  The  Night  following,  there  arrived,  a 
little  Fleet  of  Com,  and  Floure,  to  us,  which  were  fear'd  to 
have  miscarried. 

>  "Mr.  Willard  is  so  faint  with  his  Flux,  that  [he]  is  not  able  to  come  abroad, 
and  50  there  is  a  disappointment  of  the  Lord's  Supper,  which  should  otherwise  have 
been  celebrated  this  day.  Mr.  Cotton  Mather  preaches,  exhorts  us  to  examine  our- 
selves, whether  we  were  prepared  for  that  Ordinance.  And  said  that  Humiliation 
for  the  disappointment,  and  mourning  after  Christ,  God  might  malce  as  profitable 
to  us  as  the  Ordinance."     Sewall,  Diary,  i.  427. 

'  "This  Day  the  Case  of  James  Fowl  was  laid  before  the  Church.  Hee  was 
Clerk  of  a  trained  Company  in  the  Town,  under  Oath  for  the  faithful  Discharge  of 
his  Trust.  Nevertheless,  hee  several  Times  wanted  his  Complement  of  Men  upon 
the  Watch,  even  when  hee  might  have  had  it  and  it  was  offered  unto  him.  But 
that  hee  might  conceal  the  Unfaithfulness,  hee  ordered  the  Halberts  to  bee  hid, 
and  the  two  Persons  (when  there  should  have  been  four)  upon  the  Watch,  to  tell 
the  Grand  Rounds  that  their  Fellowes  had  gone  out. 

"For  the  Proof  whereof,  there  were  produced,  five  single  Testimonies:  All  of 
which  had  been  sworn  before  the  Committee  of  the  Militia,  who  had  proceeded 
thereupon  to  censure  him. 

"  Great  Pains  had  been  taken  with  him  to  bring  him  unto  a  Sight  and  Sense 
of  his  Miscarriages.  But  hee  would  not  own  himself  to  have  been  guilty  of  any 
Thing,  but  on  a  bidding  his  defective  Number  of  Men  on  the  Watch  to  tell  the 
Grand  Rounds  that  the  rest  were  out. 

"The  Church  therefore  agreed,  that  hee  should  bee  laid  under  a  solemn  Ad- 
monition, and  therewithal  bee  suspended  from  the  Communion  until  satisfactory 
Fruits  of  that  Admonition  should  bee  produceed. 

"The  Pastor  did  accordingly  now  dispence  the  Admonition,  which  the  Church 
concurred  unto."     Cotton  Mather's  MS.  Records  of  the  Second  Church,  n. 

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JUNE,     1696  197 

T  d.  ^m.  [June.]  Lords-Day.  This  Day,  in  a  very  great 
Congregation,  praying  for  some  of  our  Neighbours,  that  are 
in  Captivity  among  the  Turks  of  Zallee,  from  whence  as  to 
any  hiimane  Prospect,  Redemption  ceaseth  forever,  I  received 
and  uttered,  my  Assurance  that  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  had 
some  wonderful  Thing,  to  do  for  the  DeUverance  of  some 
of  our  Captives.' 

Yea,  several  Times  on  the  Lord's  Dayes,  before  vast 
AssembUes,  my  pubUc  Prayers,  have  uttered  this  Assurance. 
O  my  sinful  Soul,  mark  the  Event! 

l»-  For  I  shall  certainly  see  these  poor  Captives,  wonder- 
fully delivered,  in  Circumstances,  that  shall  particularly 
furnish  mee,^  with  Opportunities,  to  glorify  the  Lord  Jesus 
Christ  exceedingly. 

(In  the  Forty  first  year  of  my  Life,  this  thing  is  wonder- 
fully accompUshed.)' 

13  d.  4  m.  This  Day,  I  sett  apart,  for  the  Exercises  of  a 
secret  Fast  before  the  Lord;  tho'  I  once  this  Week  already, 
performed  the  afternoon  Exercises  of  a  private  Fast,  preach- 
ing and  praying  among  the  Faithful  in  our  Neighbourhood; 
and  I  preached  and  prayed  with  another  Meeting,  the  last 
Evening. 

One  thing  for  which  I  fasted,  was  that  I  might  obtain 
Bread  for  my  Neighbours. 

But  Supplies  from  the  Spirit  of  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ, 
for  my  whole  Ministry,  were  the  special  Desires,  which  I 
now  presented  before  the  Lord. 

And  the  Manuscripts,  which  I  have  designed  for  the 
Press,  here,  or  in  London,  I  did  solemnly  commit  into  the 
Hands  of  the  L[ord]  Jesus  Christ. 

This  Day,  was  not  a  Day  of  much  Rapture  to  mee. 
Yett  in  the  Close  of  the  Day,  I  had  some  joyful  Assurances, 

'  These  prisoners  called  for  much  compassion  and  prayer  on  the  part  of  the 
New  Englanders.    See  4  CoUecHons,  vm.  360. 

•  "  Poor  mee ' '  had  been  originally  written. 

•  This  paragraph  is  written  in  the  margin.    The  parenthesis  is  Mather's. 

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igS  DIARY  OF  COTTON  MATHER 

that  the  Spirit  of  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  would  yett  fit  mee 
for  and  use  mee  in  eminent  Services  for  Him.' 

$d.  $m.  [Jtdy.]  Lords-Day.  »W  Several  Times  of  late, 
when  wrestling  with  the  Lord,  for  such  a  wonderful  Thing, 
I  have  received  and  uttered,  a  strong  Perswasion,  that  some 
very  overturning  Dispensations  of  Heaven,  will  quickly  befal 
the  French  Empire,  and  that  such  a  mighty  Revolution  will 
happen  quickly  in  that  Kingdome,  as  to  render  the  Almighty 
Power  of  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  illustrious  forever.  But 
this  Day,  in  a  great  Congregation,  the  Perswasion  grew  into 
a.  fidl  Assurance,  as  I  was  representing  this  Matter  before 
the  Lord,  and  His  People  accordingly  heard  mee  declare 
as  much  among  them. 

/  mil  wait  for  the  Lord,  my  God  mill  hear  mee  I 
8d.  $m.  The  people  of  Watertown  having  had  a  Str^e 
above  half  an  hundred  years  old  among  them,  about  the 
Place  of  their  Meeting-Iwuse,  and  the  Strife  being  of  late 
grown  into  an  Extremity,^  poor  I  was  chosen,  to  gi\e  them 
a  Sermon,  on  a  Day  of  Humiliation,  kept  among  them  on 
this  Occasion.  Accordingly,  this  Day  I  visited  them;  and 
after  my  earnest  Resignations  of  myself  unto  the  Spirit  of 
the  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  for  His  Directions  and  Assistences, 
in  the  hard  Services  before  mee,  I  did  this  Day,  with  a  great 
Help  from  Heaven,  preach  unto  the  two  Congregations  of 
Watertown  assembling  in  one  Meeting-house,  on  Jam.  3.  16. 
Where  strife  is,  there  is  Confusion  and  every  evil  Work.  The 
Issue,  I  must  now  humbly  leave  unto  the  Lord. 

'  "  14  d.  4  m.  [June]  This  Day  was  read  unto  the  Church,  a  mast  poenitent 
and  expressive  Letter  of  Mrs.  Hannah  Bishop  unto  us:  wherein,  tho'  she  might 
have  insisted  on  Rreat  Extenuations  of  her  Miscarriage,  shee  rather  wholly  con6ned 
herself  unto  the  Language  of  the  deepest  Repentance.  Moreover,  as  a  further 
Effect  of  the  Admonition  that  wee  sent  unto  her,  shee  did  herself  personally  appear 
before  the  Church  and  acknowledge  what  shee  had  written.  Hereupon,  the  Church 
voted.  Satisfaction,  and  shee  was  restored  unto  the  Communion."  CoUon  Mather's 
US.  Ruords  of  the  Second  Church,  ii.     See  p.  189  n,  supra. 

•  Two  years  had  passed  since  Sewall  and  others  had  Kiven  a  decision  intended 
tn  h(  al  all  differences.     Sowall,  Leiler  Book,  1.  141.     6  Mass.  Hist.  Collections,  i. 

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JULY,     1696  199 

II  d.  5  w.  Satureday.  My  having  been  laboriously  em- 
ploy'd  at  a  public  Fast  three  Dayes  ago,  will  not  now  excuse 
mee  from  a  secret  one.  The  many  Causes  for  Humiliation 
and  Supplication,  which  attend  mee,  do  cause  mee  to  sett 
apart  this  Day,  for  secret  Prayers  before  the  Lord. 

f®~This  Day,  as  I  was  crying  imto  my  Lord  Jesus 
Christ,  and  lying  before  Him,  with  Agonies  of  Desire,  that 
whereas  there  were  quickly  very  great  Things  to  bee  done  for 
His  Name  and  Church  in  the  World,  Hee  would  please  to 
accept  of  such  a  loathsome  Wretch  as  I  am,  and  employ 
mee  to  do  some  of  those  Things;  And  pleading,  that  it  was 
doubtless  a  lawful  Thing  for  mee  to  desire  this  Favour;  for 
indeed,  I  had  chosen  it,  as  my  chief  Happiness,  to  glorify  my 
Lord  Jesus  Christ,  and  I  would  relinquish  every  Thing, 
overlook  every  Thing,  for  the  sake  of  this  one  Thing:  I  was 
melted  into  a  Flood  of  Tears,  which  ran  down  my  Face; 
the  Spirit  of  my  Lord  Jesus  Christ  assured  mee,  that  Hee 
would  grant  mee,  that  which  I  thus  desired  of  Him. 

18  d.  5  m.  Satureday.  I  sett  apart  this  Day,  for  the 
Exercises  of  another  secret  Fast  before  the  Lord.  And  I 
will  recite  the  Occasions,  with  the  Proceedings  of  it. 

Having  first  confessed  and  bewayled,  my  manifold 
Sinfulness  before  [the]  Lord,  (wherein,  my  Meditations  in 
course,  on  Psal.  130.  3.  for  my  Sermon  to  Morrow,  were 
some  Assistence  imto  mee,)  and  obtained  the  Hope  of 
Pardon,  thro'  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ.  I  sett  myself  to  con- 
sider. That,  altho'  in  my  Devotions  I  had  still  remembred 
the  Churches  and  Interests  of  my  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  abroad 
in  the  World,  yett  I  had  not  arrived  unto  a  due  Enlarge- 
ment of  Soul,  in  my  doing  so. 

Wherefore  I  now  lamented  before  the  Lord,  the  Private- 
ness  and  Selfishness  of  Spirit,  which  in  my  former  Devotion 
had  attended  mee;  and  I  resolved,  that  I,  as  poor  and  as 
vile,  as  I  am,  would  now  become  a  Remembrancer  unto  the 
Lord,  for  no  less  than  whole  Peoples,  Nations,  and  King- 

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200  DIARY  or  COTTON  MATHER 

domes.  I  apprehended  with  myself  that  if  I  would  thus  lay 
to  Heart  the  Concerns  of  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  and  the 
State  of  whole  Peoples,  and  Continue,  with  extraordinary 
Supplications  crying  to  Heaven,  for  mercy  to  them,  I  should 
bee  more  Angelically  disposed  and  employed,  than  I  have 
been  heretofore;  and  I  should  prepare  myself  also  for  very 
extensive  Services  to  bee  done  by  mee;  and  I  should  enjoy 
unutterable  Communications  from  the  Holy  Ghost  then 
Delighting  in  mee;  yea,  and  perhaps,  Manifestations  of 
what  the  Lord  is  going  to  do  in  the  Earth. 

This  Day,  from  the  Dust,  where  I  lay  prostrate,  before 
the  Lord,  I  lifted  up  my  Cries; 

For  the  coming  of  the  Kingdome  of  my  Lord  Jesus 
Christ;  and  my  Acquaintance  with  the  Characters  and 
Approches  of  it. 

For  the  Conversion  of  the  Jewish  Nation,  and  for  my  own 
having  the  Happiness,  at  some  Time  or  other,  to  baptise  a 
Jew,  that  should  by  my  Ministry,  bee  brought  home  unto 
the  Lord.' 

For  a  mighty,  and  speedy.  Revolution  upon  the  French 
Empire;  and  the  Raising  up  of  eminent  Persons  to  preach 
the  pure  Gospel  in  it. 

For  the  overturning,  overturning,  overturning  of  such 
Things,  as  are  displeasing  to  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  in  the 
British  Dominions. 

For  the  Directing  of  matters  in  the  next  General  Court 
of  this  Province;  and  the  Salvation  of  the  Province,  from 
Sword,  and  Want,  as  well  as  other  Confusions. 

In  my  Cries  to  Heaven,  about  the  Matters,  my  Spirit 
was  rewarded  and  comforted,  with  some  inexpressible 
Irradiations;  and  in  some  Things,  I  arrived  unto  joyful 
Assurances,  that  the  Lord  had  heard  my  Supplications. 

i»"In  the  conclusion  of  the  Day,  a  rapturous,  trium- 

'  In  1702  Mr.  Bradstreet,  of  Charlestown,  baptised  Simon,  a  Jew,  for  whose 
conversion  he  was  instrumental.    Sewall,  Diary,  n.  65. 

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JULY,     1696  201 

phant,  weeping  Faith,  caused  mee,  as  I  lay  prostrate  in  the 
Dust  on  my  Study-Floor,  to  conclude,  that  the  Spirit  of  the 
Lord  Jesus  Christ,  should  yett  fill  mee  wonderfully. 

This  Day,  an  honest  Man  of  Salem,  gave  mee  a  Visit, 
at  the  very  Time,  when  the  Lord  was  entertaining  of  mee, 
with  some  of  my  cheef  Employments  and  Enjoyments  in 
the  Day.  When  I  came  out  of  my  Study  to  him,  hee  odly 
gott  mee  into  his  Arms,  and  pray'd  mee,  to  lett  him  serve 
mee;  but  hee  fell  a  Discoursing,  how  prone  wee  all  are  to 
spiritual  Pride,  and  what  need  wee  all  have  to  watch  against 
it;  and  what  poor,  sorry,  silly,  earthen  Vessels,  the  best  of 
us  are,  after  the  best  that  God  has  done  for  us,  or  wee  for 
him.  Now  hee  not  knowing  in  the  least,  how  I  had  been 
engaged  this  Day,  I  could  not  but  wonder  at  these  Dis- 
courses, and  ponder  with  myself,  whether  the  Good  Angels 
of  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  might  not  have  a  particular 
Design  in  them. 

23  d.  5  m.  Thursday.  This  Day,  was  a  general  Fast 
thro'  the  Province. 

A  proper  Exercise  for  such  a  Day,  is  for  mee  to  think, 
what  particular  Points  of  Reformation  are  to  bee  now,  in  the 
Strength  of  Christ,  resolved  upon? 

I  answer  myself:  Many.    But  especially  these, 

1.  Oh!  when  shall  I  rise  earlier;  that  my  Lord  Jesus 
Christ  may  have  more  of  my  morning  Hours! 

2.  I  must  bee  exacter,  in  my  Hours  for  Family-Devo- 
tions, and  add  unto  the  Methods  of  Christianity  in  them. 

3.  Something  more  of  Care,  must  I  take,  to  educate  my 
little  Daughter,  for  the  Lord. 

4.  I  have  not  said  enough  tmto  my  Servants  to  bespeak 
Religion  from  them. 

5.  The  Children  in  our  Congregation,  are  not  sufficiently 
inspected,  in  the  Times  of  our  pubUc  Exercises. 

6.  I  grow  too  slack,  in  pastoral  Visits  of  my  Neighbours. 

Lord,  help  mee ! 

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202  DIARY  OF  COTTON  MATUER 


26  d.  5  m.  Lord's  Day.  tO-This,  Day,  while  I  was  at 
Prayer,  before  my  Sermon,  in  a  great  Assembly  of  People, 
I  received  a  strange  Assurance;  it  was  with  a  strong  Hand 
of  the  Lord  bore  in  upon  mee,  and  I  could  not  butt  utter 
it,  before  the  Congregation;  that  the  Almighty  Arm  of  the 
Lord  Jesus  Christ,  was  going  to  do  a  strange  work  in 
France,  and  bring  such  a  wonderful  Revolution  upon  that 
Kingdorae,  that  men  would  not  beleeve  it  tho'  it  were  declared 
unto  them. 

30  d.  s  m.  Understanding  that  many,  especially  of  our 
young  People  gave  themselves  a  Liberty,  to  do  Things  not 
of  good  Report,  especially,  in  using  the  scandalous  Games  of 
Lottery.  I  sett  myself,  in  the  Lecture,  to  bear  my  Testi- 
mony, against  their  Miscarriages,  with  a  Sermon,  on  Act. 
16.  2.    One  well-reported  of. 

And  about  this  Time,  I  published,  my  late  sermon  to 
the  General  Assembly,  under  the  Title  of,  Things  for  a 
Distress'd  People  to  think  upon.'  Moreover,  hoping 
thereby  to  glorify  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  I  aimexed  an  His- 
tory of  the  late  Miracles  wrought  by  His  Almight>'  Hand: 
as  well  as  of  the  Deliverance  lately  granted  unto  the 
three  Kingdomes,  and  all  the  English  Dominions  from  the 
French  Invasion.' 

Sd.  6  m.  [August.]  The  Lord  Jesus  Christ  enabled  mee, 
to  travel  about  thirteen  miles,  and  preach  the  Lecture  to  a 
great  Congregation  at  Redding,  with  more  than  ordinary 
Assistences  (from  Luc.  2.  10.),  and  return  home  in  the 
Evening.  So  great  a  Restoration  of  Strength  am  I  favoured 
withal!  And  shall  I  not  love  my  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  with 
all  my  Strength,  and  study  to  lay  out  my  Strength  for  His 
Glory! 

'  Printed  by  B.  Green  and  J.  Allen,  for  Duncan  Campbell,  i6g6. 

*  "2  d.  6  m.[A  ugusl.]  This  Day  James  FawU,  tendering  a  poenitent  Confession 
of  the  Miscarriages  for  which  the  Censures  of  the  Church  had  been  upon  him,  was 
restored  unto  the  Communion  of  the  Church."  Cotton  Mather's  MS.  Records  of  the 
Second  Church,  ii.     Si-c  p.  169  n,  supra. 

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SEPTEMBER,     1696  203 

i2d.6m.  $&•  I  kept  this  Day,  as  a  private  Fast,  with 
some  of  my  Neighbours,  on  the  public  Accoimts:  (and  I 
did  something  that  way,  the  next  week  also:)  but  in  the 
Prayers  of  this  Day,  my  Assurance  was  wonderfully 
renewed,  and  expressed,  of  a  marvellous  Revolution  hastning 
on  the  French  Empire. 

Memorandum.  About  fifteen  years  ago,  I  bought  a 
Spanish  Indian,  and  bestowed  him  for  a  Servant,  on  my 
Father.!  About  three  Years  ago.  Sir  William  Phips,  our 
Govemour,  bestowed  a  Spanish  Indian  for  a  Servant  on 
myself.  My  Servant  affecting  the  Sea,  I  permitted  him, 
to  go  to  Sea;  and  being  an  ingenuous  Fellow,  I  gave  him 
an  Instrument  for  his  Freedom,  if  hee  serv'd  mee  till  the 
End  of  the  year  1697.  Two  years  ago,  the  French  took  him, 
and  I  lost  him.  The  Loss  occasion'd  mee  to  make  a  cheer- 
ful Resignation,  imto  the  Will  of  God.  But  I  was  hereupon 
perswaded  and  often  expressed  my  Perswasion,  that  my 
Servant  would  bee  retum'd  unto  mee.  In  the  Beginning 
of  the  year,  an  EngUsh  Man  of  War,  by  taking  the  vessel, 
wherein  my  Servant  was,  retook  him.  Nevertheless,  the 
Captain  of  the  Man  of  War,  being  a  Fellow,  that  had  no 
Principles  of  Honour  or  Honesty  in  him,  I  could,  by  no 
means  recover  my  servant  out  of  his  hands,  who  intended 
to  make  a  perpetual  Slave  of  him.  So,  I  gave  over  my 
Endeavours  to  recover  him;  chiefly  troubled  for  the  Condi- 
tion of  the  poor  Servant.  But  then,  a  strange  Conjunction 
of  Circumstances  fell  out,  that  the  churlish  Captain  was 
compelled  without  any  Consideration,  but  what  I  should 
please,  to  restore  Him.  And  my  Servant  being  so  strangely 
returned,  I  sett  myself  to  make  him  a  Servant  of  the 
Lord. 

2d.  7  m.  [September.]  This  Day,  I  sett  apart  for  Prayer, 
with  Fasting,  in  my  Study. 

Among  such  Matters  of  Supplication,  as  I  this  Day  pre- 

'  See  under  June  19,  1681,  p.  22,  supra. 

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204  DIARY  or  COTTON  MATHER 

sented  before  the  Lord,  (such  as  I  have  heretofore  address'd 
Heaven  withal)  one  was,  for  the  special  Favours  of  the 
Lord  Jesus  Christ  unto  mee,  with  the  Ministry  of  His 
good  Angels,  in  a  Journey  to  Salem,  and  Ipswich,  which  I 
have  the  next  week  before  mee. 

6d.  J  m.  Lords-Day.  In  the  Forenoon,  this  Day,  the 
Lord  inclined  mee,  in  our  great  Congregation,  to  putt  into 
our  public  Prayers  the  particular  Name,  of  an  honest,  and 
an  aged  Neighbour,  like  to  perish  in  an  horrible  Captivity, 
without  hope  of  Redemption;  And  in  the  Afternoon,  that 
very  Neighbour,  was  by  a  surprising  Providence,  brought 
home  in  safety  to  us;  whereof  much  Notice  was  taken  by 
the  people  of  God  in  the  Place. 

gd.  J  m.  I  spent  good  part  of  this  Day,  with  other 
Ministers  of  the  Town,  in  Prayer.  And  the  Lord  exceedingly 
irradiated  my  Soul,  by  His  Good  Spirit,  especially  when 
praying  for  that  Spirit:  and  when  saying,  "Lord,  wee  know, 
wee  that  are  Parents  feel  it  so,  that  if  one  of  our  Children 
should  come  and  say  unto  us,  Father,  there  is  one  thing  that 
would  make  us  perfectly  and  forever  Happy,  and  it  is  a  thing 
that  you  can  do  for  us,  by  speaking  of  one  Word;  wiU  you  please 
to  do  it?  Wee  could  sooner  dy,  than  deny  that  thing  imto 
them.  Now  the  Hearts  of  the  kindest  Fathers  on  Earth, 
are  Stones,  and  Flints,  in  comparison  of  thy  more  fatherly 
Compassions.  Wherefore  wee  now  come,  and  say  imto 
thee,  Father,  there  is  one  Thing,  thai  would  make  us  wonder- 
fully happy;  one  Word  of  thine  can  do  this  Thing  for  us;  yea, 
and  wee  are  sure,  tis  infinitely  pleasing  unto  thee,  that  wee 
should  ask  for  this  Thing;  Tis,  that  thou  wouldst  please  to 
bestow  thy  Holy  Spirit  upon  us!" 

II  d.  T  m.  A  Great  Storm  seem'd  breeding  in  the 
Weather;  but  being  in  Distress  about  my  Journey,  I  wholly 
left  it  with  my  Lord  Jesus  Christ.  So  I  undertook  my 
Journey  to  Salem,  and  the  storm  strangely  held  off,  till  my 
Return,  which  was  above  a  week  after. 
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OCTOBER,     1696  205 

At  Saletn,on  the  Lord's-Day  (13  d.  7  nt.)  I  preached  both 
parts  of  the  Day,  the  Gospel  to  the  Poor  (on  Math.  11.  5.), 
with  great  Assistences.  On  Tuesday  [isth],  I  went  as  far 
as  Ipswich,  accompanyed  with  many  Friends;  and  on 
Thursday,  preached  the  Lecture  there,  (on  Luc.  i.  50.) 
with  yett  greater  Assistences.  On  Friday  [i8th],  I  returned 
unto  Salem,  and  on  Satureday,  unto  Boston.  A  Journey, 
full  of  Comfort,  of  Mercy,  and  of  Service,  and  more  than 
answering  all  my  prayers  concerning  it. 

Li  the  Beginning  of  the  following  Week,  I  preached 
on  Lord's-Day,  on  Tuesday  [2 2d],  on  Wednesday,  and  on 
Thursday;  and  on  the  Thursday,  I  preached  unto  the  Gen- 
eral Assembly  of  the  Province,  upon  Rev.  2.  5.  the  Way  to 
prevent  the  Removal  of  our  Golden  Candlesticks.  In  inter- 
weaving into  my  Discourse,  the  Condition  of  the  Land,  and 
especially  of  many  particular  Churches  in  the  Land;  and  in 
testifying  particularly  unto  the  Purity  of  Churches,  that  wee 
profess,  in  opposition  to  the  English  W ill-worship ;  and  in 
petitioning  for  the  Safety  of  the  Colledge  (whose  Charter,  the 
Representatives  voted  immediately  after  the  Sermon,  to 
restore)  from  whence  all  our  Churches  were  to  bee  supplied; 
I  enjoy'd  the  special  Assistences  of  Heaven. 

2d.  8m.  [October.]  Friday.  I  sett  apart  this  Day,  for 
the  Exercises  of  a  secret  Fast  in  my  Study.  Especially  to 
obtain  Mercy  for  this  Land  in  its  deplorable  Circumstances, 
and  a  mighty  Revolution  upon  the  Kingdomes  of  Great 
Britain  and  upon  the  French  Empire.  As  well  as  to  obtain 
the  special  Assistences  of  Grace  for  the  various  Concerns 
of  my  Ministry;  and  the  safety  of  my  many  particular 
Friends  now  going  to  sea,  and  my  affayrs  with  them. 

i®-The  Lord  left  mee  not  altogether  without  some 
Impressions  upon  my  Mind,  of  my  Acceptance  with  Him, 
and  Hee  did  particularly  renew  my  weeping  Assurances  and 
Evidences,  that  His  Holy  Spirit  would  yett  more  gloriously 
take  possession  of  mee. 

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206  DIARY  OF  COTTON  MATHER 

Moreover,  I  find  in  myself,  a  strong  Inclination  to  learn 
the  Spanish  Language,  and  in  that  Language  transmitt 
Catechisms,  and  Confessions,  and  other  vehicles  of  the 
Protestant-Religion,  into  the  Spanish  Indies.  Who  can 
tell  whether  the  Time  for  our  Lord's  taking  Possession  of 
those  Countreyes,  even  the  seti  Time  for  it,  bee  not  come? 
This  Matter  I  now  solemnly  pray'd  over;  beseeching  the 
Lord,  that  Hee  would  accept  of  my  Service  in  it;  and  I  have, 
of  late  often  done  so! 

It  may  bee.  I  shall  find,  that  this  thing  is  of  the 
Lord! 

10  d.  8  m.  Altho'  I  did  this  Week,  spend  some  Time, 
with  certain  Christians  keeping  a  Day  of  Prayer  for  Cap- 
tives in  the  Hands  of  cruel  Enemies,  (and,  I  uttered  a  Par- 
ticular Faith,  for  a  wonderful  DeUverance  of  some  Captives; 
which  perhaps,  might  have  some  Answer,  in  the  Newes  that 
came  the  Day  following,  of  several  Persons,  escaped  out  of 
the  Hands  of  the  Indians;  tho'  this  must  not  bee  all  the 
Answer:)  Nevertheless,  I  sett  apart  this  Day,  for  the  Exer- 
cises of  a  secret  Fast  in  my  study:  and  the  occasions  of  my 
doing  so,  were  the  very  same,  upon  which  I  was  the  last 
week,  in  this  way  before  the  Lord.  Much  Deadness  was 
upon  my  sinful,  slothful,  woful  Heart,  in  all  the  Exercises 
of  the  Day. 

«®"This  Day,  With  Reflection,  renewing  and  reviving, 
the  Cares  of  my  Mind  about  the  Government  of  my  Speech, 
I  do  here  insert  the  following  Rules,  which  I  have  hitherto  in 
part  observed,  that  I  may  observe  them,  yett  more  watch- 
fully and  exactly,  before  the  Lord;  and  I  give  up  all  my 
speaking  Powers  and  organs  unto  the  Holy  Spirit  of  my 
Lord  Jesus  Christ,  that  being  possessed  by  Him,  I  may  be 
by  Him  assisted  unto  the  Observation  of  the  Rules,  thus 
imposed. 

I.  May  I  not  affect  Loquacitie,  in  my  Discourses,  but 
contrary  thereunto,  affect  much  Deliberation.     The  GravUie 

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OCTOBER,     1696  207 

and  the  Discretion,  accompanying  such  a  Caution,  will  bee 
of  more  Consequence  to  mee,  in  all  Companies,  than  the 
Reputation  of  Wit  which  by  a  greater  Volubility  of  Tongue, 
might  easily  bee  acquired:  And,  in  many  words,  there  wants 
not  sin. 

II.  May  I  studiously  decline  to  utter  any  thing,  that 
I  may  foresee,  will  be  useless,  and  much  more,  every  Thing 
that  may  bee  hurtful,  and  sinful,  to  bee  uttered.  It  must 
bee  my  Ambition,  every  where  to  speak  usefully,  and  only 
those  things,  that  some  one  may  bee  the  better  or  the  wiser 
for. 

III.  May  I,  with  all  the  Contrivance  imaginable,  im- 
prove Opportunities,  to  say  something  or  other,  that  may 
particularly  sett  off,  some  Glory  of  my  Lord  JESUS  CHRIST. 
I  wovdd  every  where  contrive,  if  it  bee  possible  to  lett  fall 
some  Sentence  or  other,  whereby  some  high  Thoughts,  of 
the  Lord  JESUS  CHRIST,  may  bee  produced  in  them  that 
hear  mee.' 

ij  d.  S  m.  Satureday.  This  Day  I  was  again  engaged, 
as  I  was  this  Day  se'imight,  in  the  Exercises  of  a  secret 
Fast  before  the  Lord. 

»©- And  the  Lord  assured  my  weeping  Faith,  That  being 
possessed  by  the  Holy  Spirit  of  my  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  I 
shall  bee  employ'd  in  great  Service  for  Him,  which  is  the 
one  Thing,  that  I  desire  above  every  Thing  else. 

«®"  I  have  this  Day  also,  wrestled  with  the  Lord,  until 
I  have  obtained  it,  that  a  mighty  Convulsion  shall  bee 
given  to  the  French  Empire;  and  that  England,  Scotland, 
and  Ireland,  shall  bee  speedily  Illuminated,  with  glorious 
Anticipations  of  the  Kingdome  of  God.  Moreover,  a  Revo- 
lution upon  the  Turkish  Empire,  which  is  now  attempted 
by  Troubles  in  Asia,  I  cryed  unto  the  Lord  for;  that  so  wee 
may  have  another  good  Symptom  of  the  Approach  of  the 

>  On  this  day  he  went  to  Cambridge,  and  Sewall  notes:  "Mr.  Cotton  Mather 
took  off  Mr.  Chauncy  and  Oakes's  Epitaphs  as  I  read  them  to  him."    Diary,  1.  435. 

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2o8  DIARY  OF   COTTON  MATHER 

Time,  when  the  Kingdomes  of  this  world  shall  become  the 
Kingdomes  of  our  Lord  and  of  His  Christ.^ 

Tis  the  Apprehension  of  mighty  Changes  at  hand,  that 
Causes  mee  to  bee  thus  extraordinarily  before  the  Lord. 
I  would  by  extraordinary  Devotions,  prepare  for  those 
Changes  and  obtain  from  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  the  Mercy 
of  being  eminently  serviceable  in  them. 

30  d.  &m.  I  sett  apart  this  Day  for  the  Duties  of  a 
secret  Thanksgiving. 

I  endeavoured  this  Day,  to  peruse  the  Records  of  Mer- 
cies, which  I  have  made  on  former  Dayes  of  Thanksgiving; 
and  I  studied  in  this,  as  well  as  in  the  other  Exercises  of 
the  Day,  to  find  in  some  contrary  Suffrings  of  my  Lord 
JESUS  CHRIST,  the  Reason  of  all  the  Mercies  and  Com- 
forts wherewith  I  have  been  favoured. 

I  also  enumerated  before  the  Lord,  the  Heads  of  His 
Mercies,  to  mee,  as  they  are  mentioned  in  my  Book  of, 
Winter-Meditations. 

After  which,  I  did  yett  again,  in  another  Action,  recapit- 
ulate the  special  Mercies  of  the  Lord  JESUS  CHRIST 
unto  mee,  in  that  Method,  a  Work,  full  of  Mercies;  an 
House  full  of  Mercies;  a  Church,  full  of  Mercies. 

Hereto  I  added,  my  Acknowledgments  of  the  Mercies, 
which  this  Land,  and  the  whole  English  Nation,  have  of  late 
received  from  the  Lord. 

And  that  my  Heart  might  bee  kept  in  Tune,  I  did  all  the 
Day  long,  multiply  Hallelujahs  unto  my  Lord  Jesus  Christ, 
with  Ejaculations  fetch'd  out  of  numberless  Occasions,  in 
almost  every  Thing  that  I  encountred  withal. 

'  Increase  Mather  drew  conclusions  from  the  Turks.  "Your  last,  about  the 
downfall  of  the  Turks,  and  theyr  hastening  towards  a  period  is  great  neues.  The 
Lord  perfect  that  great  work.  If  he  that  was  to  last  for  a  year,  a  month,  a  day  and 
an  hour  [Rev.  rx.  15]  bee  the  Turkish  Empire,  which  began  in  1300,  then  he  passes 
away  about  i6gi,  and  then  woe  to  Babylon.  And  the  ruine  of  the  Turkes  by 
intestine  Jarrs  is  a  paralcU  to  the  Lord's  dealings  of  old  with  such  kind  of  Enemies 
to  His  people."  Joshua  Moodey  to  Samuel  Nowell  November  19,  1688.  4  C«/- 
lutions,  vin,  371. 

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NOVEMBER,     1696  SOQ 

In  the  close  of  the  Day,  I  gave  Thanks  to  my  Lord 
JESUS  CHRIST,  for  spiritual  and  eternal  Blessings;  but 
in  a  special  manner  for  His  making  use  of  mee  to  serve  His 
Name;  and  I  earnestly  cryed  unto  Him,  giving  up  myself 
to  the  possession  of  His  Holy  Spirit,  that  I  may  enjoy  yett 
much  more  of  this  matchless  Mercy.  Herewithal,  I  gave 
Thanks  to  my  Lord  JESUS  CHRIST,  for  the  Ministry  of 
His  good  Angels,  which  Hee  had  granted  unto  such  a  miser- 
able and  contemptible  Wretch  as  I  am,  and  for  the  manifold 
Benefit,  which  I  have  received  by  their  Ministry;  And 
whereas  I  have,  by  His  Gift  My  own  Angel,  I  call'd 
upon  that  Angel  (in  imitation  of  the  103d  Psalm)  to 
join  with  mee,  in  glorifying  of  my  Lord  Jesus  Christ 
exceedingly. 

In  this  Day,  I  sang  many  Hymns,  in  praise  of  my  most 
precious  Lord  Jesus  Christ.  And,  as  an  Expression  of  my 
Thankfulness  unto  Him,  I  sent  a  Token  of  several  peeces 
of  Eight,  vmto  a  poor  Man,  a  Preacher  in  my  Neighbourhood, 
who,  I  hope,  is  a  good  Man,  however  hee  bee  not  of  my 
Perswasion,  but  a  froward  Anabaptist.^ 

I  also  sett  myself,  to  consider,  what  services  I  might  now 
further  do,  for  my  dear  Lord  JESUS  CHRIST;  and  I  re- 
solved upon  several  Services,  the  mention  whereof,  I  shall 
make,  if  at  all,  not  here,  but  as  they  come  to  bee  performed. 

i^d.  gm.  [November.]  Observing  the  Death  of  some 
young  Men,  in  our  Neighbourhood,  by  Sickness  contracted 
in  an  unsuccessful  Expedition  lately  attempted,  I  took 
occasion  to  preach  vmto  a  very  vast  Assembly  of  young 
People,  on  Psal.  78.  63.  The  Fire  consumed  their  young 
Men.  And  I  sett  before  our  young  Folks,  as  lively  as  I 
could,  the  Judgments  which  had  been  upon  their  Genera- 
tion, and  the  Methods  to  escape  those  Judgments. 

'  It  is  safe  to  assume  that  Mather  uses  this  term  in  no  special  sense,  but  merely 
to  designate  one  who  believed  on  baptism  otherwise  than  he  did.     The  word  is  now 
almost  wholly  applied  to  the  anabaptists  of  Germany  and  elsewhere  at  the  period 
of  the  Reformation. 
I    14 

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2IO  DIARY  OF  COTTON  MATHER 

Lord!  prosper  this  one  Endeavour  more.' 

About  this  Time,  I  took  a  Discourse  which  I  had  uttered 
at  the  Lecture  of  Boston,  the  last  Spring;  on  Luk.  13.  35. 
Expressing  the  Use,  that  All  should  make  of  the  terrible 
Disasters  wherewith  some  are  afliicted.  Unto  this  I  added 
a  Collection  of  terrible  and  barbarous  Things  imdergone  by 
some  of  our  English  Captives  in  the  Hands  of  the  Eastern 
Indians.  And  I  annexed  hereunto,  a  memorable  Narrative 
of  a  good  Woman,  who  relates  in  a  very  Instructive  Manner, 
the  Story  of  her  own  Captivity  and  Deliverance.  I  thought, 
that  by  exposing  these  things  to  the  Public,  I  might  very 
much  promote  the  general  Repentance,  which  ought  to  bee 
the  Effect  of  the  Divine  Dispensations,  hitherto  not  enough 
regarded  by  the  Generality  of  our  people;  and  therewithal 
give  a  Testimony  to  the  Justice  and  Goodness  of  our  Lord 
Jesus  Christ.  Yea,  I  could  not  easily  contrive,  a  more  sig- 
nificant Way,  to  pursue  these  Ends;  not  only,  in  respect  of 
the  Nature  of  the  Book  itself,  which  is  historical  as  well  as 
theological;  but  also,  in  respect  of  its  coming  into  aU  Comers 
of  the  Countrey,  and  being  read  with  a  greedy  Attention; 
which,  by  an  Advertisement"^  of  it  in  the  Almanack,  was  fur- 
ther accommodated.  So,  I  published  it,  under  the  Title, 
of.  Great  Exemples  or  Judgment  and  jSIercy. 

28  d.gm.  I  sett  apart  this  Day,  for  Prayer,  with  Fast- 
ing, in  my  Study:  on  such  Accounts  £is  have  caused  mee 
formerly  to  bee  thus  engaged.  » 

Nothing  extraordinary  occurred  in  the  Actions  of  the  Day. 

'  isd.gm.  [November.]  This  Day  upon  the  Testimony  of  many  Witnesses, 
Mr.  William  Coleman  was  convicted  of  Revelling  and  of  Drunkenness,  with  a 
scandalous  Company  routed  by  the  Watch  and  other  Officers  about  the  Middle  of 
the  Night,  between  the  gth  and  the  loth  Instant. 

"The  Revelling  hec  confessed;  the  Drunlcenness  he  denied.  In  the  whole  he 
showed  such  Insensibility  (and  the  Church  was  also  satisfied,  that  hec  had  of  late 
in  other  Instances  abandoned  himself  to  a  disorderly  Life),  that  the  Church  now 
agreed  for  his  being  laid  under  the  ("ensure  of  an  Admonition;  which  was  now 
accordingly  dispensed  unto  him."  CoUon  Mather's  MS.  Records  of  the  Second 
Church,  H. 

'  In  Tulley,  i6q7. 

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DECEMBER,     1696  211 

The  General  Court  now  sitting,  a  Committee  of  the 
Representatives  apply'd  themselves  unto  the  Ministers  in 
this  Town,  to  furnish  the  General  Court  with  some  Thoughts, 
that  might  have  some  effectual  Tendency  towards  the 
Reformation  of  the  Land.  The  Ministers  desired  mee  to 
draw  up  an  Instrument  (which  I  did,)  wherein  there  was  an 
impartial  Recapitulation  of  the  Sins,  whereby  the  Divine 
Anger  has  been  provoked  against  the  Countrey;  with  a  call 
to  Hvmiihation  for  those  Sins,  and  OTie  Day  particularly 
indicated  for  that  purpose;  whereto  there  was  annexed, 
something  both  directing  and  exciting,  all  that  have  any 
power,  whether  civil  or  sacred,  in  their  Hands,  to  use  it,  for 
the  Reformation  of  a  Land,  now  upon  the  Brink  of  Ruine. 

This  Instrument,  was  read  and  pass'd  in  the  House  of 
Representatives;  but,  thro'  some  unhappy  Influence,  they 
added  an  Article  unto  it,  which  was  not  of  my  Composure; 
and  that  Article  gave  such  Offence  unto  the  Councellors, 
that  the  whole  Instnmient  there  met  with  Opposition,  and 
all  come  to  Nothing.^ 

»®"  Yett  I  was  perswaded,  that  I  should  shortly  have 
some  singular  Opportunity,  to  pubhsh  the  Articles  of  this 
Instrument,  imto  my  Covmtrey,  with  some  special  Advan- 
tages.^ 

'"Dec'r  2.  1696.  Now  about  Capt.  Byfield  brings  in  a  long  Bill  from  the 
deputys  for  a  Fast  and  Reformation,  written  by  Mr.  Cotton  Mather,  to  which  a 
Streamer  was  added  expressing  that  Partiality  in  Courts  of  Justice  was  obvious: 
with  a  vote  on  it  that  500  should  be  printed,  should  be  read;  and  sent  up  for  Con- 
currence: 'twas  deny'd;  and  our  Bill  for  a  Fast  was  sent  down;  Dept's  deny'd  that. 
Gov'r  told  them  the  way  was  unusual,  they  had  taken,  sending  out  a  Committee, 
calling  the  Ministers,  voting  all,  and  never  letting  the  Council  know:  that  it  per- 
tain'd  prindpally  to  the  Gov'r  and  Council  to  set  forth  such  orders  with  a  motion 
from  them.  A  while  after  Capt.  Byfield  came  in,  and  said  'twas  no  new  thing,  and 
they  had  taken  no  wrong  step.  Little  was  said  to  him.  It  seems  this  message  is 
enter'd  in  their  Booke.  The  Council  were  exceedingly  grieved  to  be  thus  roughly 
treated."  See  Sewall,  Diary,  i.  439,  440,  where  the  "streamer"  and  the  accepted 
proclamation  are  printed.  It  was  on  the  fast  day  thus  appointed  that  Judge 
Sewall,  who  had  sat  in  judicature  in  Salem,  handed  to  Mr.  Willard  his  famous 
"bill,"  of  confession  and  contrition  for  his  part  in  the  witchcraft  persecutions. 

'"About  Dec'r  18,  Mr.  Mather,  Allen,  Willard,  C.  Mather  give  in  a  paper 

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212  DIARY  OF  COTTON  MATHER 

20  d.  10  m.  [December]  Lords-Day.  This  Day,  there  being 
a  violent  Slor))i  arisen/  I  laid  aside  the  Discourse,  which 
1  had  prepared  for  my  Congregation  and  with  plentiful 
Assistcnces  from  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ.  I  discoursed  on 
the  Lord  Jesus  Christ  as  a  Refuge  fratn  the  Storms  of  the 
Wrath  of  God.     (My  Text  was  Isa.  25.  4.) 

Before  the  Sermon,  as  I  was  praying  in  the  great  Con- 
gregation, it  was  very  strongly  imprinted  on  my  Mind,  that 
I  must  pray  for  some  of  our  sea-faring  Friends,  who  might 
at  this  Instant,  bee  in  Distress,  upon  our  Coast.  I  did  so 
with  much  Parlicidarilie  and  with  a  Particular  Faith  for 
mercy  to  bee  \'ouchsafed  unto  some  such  distressed  Xeigh- 
bours. 

Now,  within  a  few  Minutes,  after  the  Prayer  was  ended 
the  Congregation  heard  several  great  Guns  fired,  by  a  vessel 
in  the  Bay,  wanting  Help;  and  Heaven  sent  that  Help  imto 
the  poor  People  aboard,  that  the  vessel  thro'  extreme  Dan- 
gers, gott  safely  in. 

26  d.  10  m.  I  sett  apart  this  Day,  for  the  Exercises  of 
a  secret  Fast  in  my  Study,  on  such  occasions,  as  were 
offered,  in  my  own  exceeding  Sinfulness,  Unwatchfulness, 
and  Unfruitfulness:  and  my  want  of  Divine  Assistence  for 
the  Discharge  of  my  Ministry:  and  such  likewise,  as  I  saw, 
in  the  Condition  of  my  Family,  (my  Consort  not  having 
many  Weeks  to  go  ere  her  Travel  bee  expected:)  and  in 
the  Confusion,  either  distressing,  or  threatening  of  the  Land, 
(especially  the  unsettlement  of  the  CoUedge:)  and  in  the 
State  of  the  Church  abroad. 

This  Day,  I  was  exceedingly  refreshed,  with  Tidings 
arriving  from  Ent^land,  concerning  the  Signs  of  a  quick  and 

aubsiribcil  by  them,  shewing  their  dislike  of  our  draught  for  the  CoUedge  Charter 
and  desiring  that  their  Names  might  not  be  entered  therein.  One  chief  reason  was 
their  appointing  the  Gov'r  and  Council  for  \isitor."  Sewall, />iory,  I.  441.  This 
provision  was  in  the  act  <if  June  4,  1697,  incorporating  Harvard  College,  and  led 
to  its  being  disallowed  by  the  Cniwn.     /Vhi'/hic  Laws,  i.  ago. 

'  "A  very  great  Snow  is  on  the  (ground,"  Sewall  records  under  December  21. 
Diary,  i.  442. 

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JANUARY,     1696-97  213 

a  great  Fall  coming  on  the  Turkish  Empire; '  and  concerning 
the  Hopes  of  a  speedy  Peace  with  France,^  and  the  Restora- 
tion of  the  Protestants  unto  their  ancient  Liberties,  in  that 
Kingdome. 

On  the  Day  following,  I  administred  the  Lord's  Supper. 
But  there  being  a  mighty  Snow  upon  the  Ground,  I  diverted 
from  the  Subject,  which  I  intended;  and  suddenly  com- 
posed a  Discourse,  on,  Psal.  68.  14.  Shee  was  white  as  the 
Snow  in  Salmon.  In  the  Close  of  this  Discourse,  urging 
upon  my  own  particular  Church,  that  wee  would  earnestly 
endeavour  to  become  a  Church,  as  white  as  the  Snow,  I  lett 
fall  these  words;  /  do  verily  bclcnr,  aiui  I  do  lliis  Day  openly 
foretell;  (lis  with  some  Grief  and  pain  of  Soul,  that  I  faretel 
it!)  that  there  are  Church-Members  among  us,  whom  the  Lord 
Jesus  Christ,  will  terribly  give  up,  to  such  Blindness  of  Mind, 
and  Hardness  of  Heart,  that  Ihcy  will  ere  long  bee  brotcght 
forth;  such  horrible  Scandals  will  they  fall  into,  that  they 
shall  bee  brought  forth,  as  ripe  for  Church-Censures  to  bee 
dispensed  unto  them. 

Within  a  few  Months,  this  was  terribly  accomplished, 
in  several  Instances.' 

2d.  HOT.  [Januory.]  Saturcday.  This  Day  I  was  again  be- 
fore the  Lord  employ 'd  in  E.\ercises  of  a  secret  Fast,  for  such 
Reason  as  caused  mee  the  last  Week  thus  to  wait  upon  Him. 

And  very  good  was  this  Day  unto  mee. 

I  had  assured  unto  mee,  the  Pardon  of  all  my  Sins, 
thro'  the  Righteousness  of  my  Lord  Jesus  Christ. 

4®"  And,  with  a  Flood  of  Tears,  it  was  told  mee,  from 
the  Lord,  that  His  Holy  Spirit,  would  mercifully  and  mar- 
vellously take  a  particular  Possession  of  my  speaking  Organs, 
and  Cause  mee  with  a  free,  fitt,  useful  Speech,  to  glorify 
Him  exceedingly. 

'  See  Sewall,  Letter  Book,  i.  173. 

'  News  had  come,  by  way  of  Rhode  Island,  that  the  King  of  France  was  dead 
or  dying. 

•  Written  in  the  margin. 

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214  DIARY  OF  COTTON  MATHER 

I  petitioned  for  Assistence  from  Heaven,  to  all  the  Con- 
cerns of  my  Ministry. 

I  had  in  my  Prayers,  particularly  a  strange  Perswasion,' 
that  I  should  ere  long  have  a  notable  Accession,  made  unto 
the  Treasures  of  my  Library.  I  wonder  what  should  bee 
the  meaning  of  this. 

I  cry'd.  That  my  poor  Countrey  might  not  bee  over- 
whelmed in  Ruines;  but,  that  if  Ruines  must  come  I 
may  bee  advised  of  them,  and  I  and  mine  preserved  from 
them. 

And  I  spread  before  the  Lord,  the  Condition  of  His 
Churches  abroad.  I  pray'd  for  the  Reformation,  to  bee 
wonderfully  revived,  and  advanced.  Especially,  in  Great 
I  Britain,  and  in  France.  And  I  pray'd,  that  the  poor 
\  Vavdois  may  not  bee  ruin'd  by  the  Peace  now  made  between 
i  France  and  Savoy.  I  pray'd  likewise  for  further  Mortifica- 
tions upon  the  Turkish  Empire;  wherein  wee  may  see  signs 
of  the  Kingdome  of  God  approaching. 

I  was  also,  afraid  lest  there  were  secret  and  horrid 
Sinners,  in  our  church;  and  I  cry'd  imto  the  Lord,  that  none 
of  their  Sins  (for  all  which  I  humbled  myself)  might  bee 
laid  imto  my  Charge,  and  give  unto  the  A  ngels  of  Death,  an 
Advantage  against  mee,  I  pleaded,  the  great  Sacrifice  for  the 
Congregation. 

14  d.  II  m.  This  Day,  being  a  general  FAST,  through- 
out the  province,  the  Lord  mercifully  carried  mee  thro'  the 
Duties  of  it. 

And  I  am  willing,  in  this  place  to  insert,  the  Articles  of 
Confession,  which  I  then  publickly  insisted  on. 

In  a  growing  Apostasy  from  that  religious  Disposition,  that 
signalized  the  first  Planting  of  these  Colonies,  wee  have  sinned  exceed- 
ingly. 

The  Spirit  of  this  World,  hath  brought  an  epidemical  Death  upon 
the  Spirit,  and  Power  of  Godliness. 

'  "Sec  the  43cl  year,  o(  these  memoirs,"  is  written  in  the  margin. 

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JANUARY,     1696-97  215 

The  glorious  Gospel  of  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  here  enjoy'd  with 
much  Ple?Uy  as  well  as  Purity,  hath  not  been  thankfully  &n<i  fruitftdly 
entertained  with  such  as  have  heard  the  joyful  Sound. 

The  Covenant  of  Grace  hath  been  by  Multitudes  not  submitted 
unto,  and  of  them  that  have  submitted  unto  it,  Multitudes  have  not 
walked  according  to  the  sacred  Obligations  thereof. 

The  unreasonable  Vices  of  rash  and  vain  Swearing,  with  hell- 
ish Cursing,  in  the  Mouths  of  many,  have  rendred  them  guilty 
Sinners. 

A  Flood  of  excessive  Drinking,  hath  begun  to  drown  very  much 
of  Christianity,  yea,  and  of  Civility  itself,  in  many  places. 

Some  English,  by  selling  of  strong  Drink  unto  the  Indians,  have 
not  only  prejudiced  among  them  the  Successes  of  the  Word  of  Life, 
but  also  been  the  faulty  and  bloody  Occasions  of  Death  unto  them. 

A  Vanity  of  A  p  parr  el,  hath  been  affected  by  many  persons,  who 
have  been  so  vain,  as  to  glory  in  their  Shame. 

Wicked  Sorceries  have  been  practised  in  the  Land,  and  yett  in  the 
Troubles  from  the  Divels,  thereby  brought  in  among  us,  those  Errors, 
on  both  Hands,  were  committed,  which  wee  have  Cause  to  bewayl 
with  much  Abasement  of  Soul  before  the  Lord. 

The  Lord's-Day  of  sacred  Rest,  hath  been  disturbed  with  so  many 
Profanations,  that  wee  may  not  wonder  if  the  Land  see  no  Rest. 

The  woful  Decay  of  good  Family- Discipline,  hath  opened  the 
Flood-gates,  for  EvUs,  innumerable,  and  almost  irremediable. 

Magistrates,  Ministers,  and  others  that  have  served  the  Public, 
have  been  but  great  Sufferers  by  their  Services,  and  mett  with  un- 
righteous Discouragements. 

Some  that  have  belonged  unto  this  Countrey,  have  perpetrated 
very  detestable  Pyracies,  in  other  Parts  of  the  World. 

Wee  have  in  former  Years,  used  unjustifiable  Hardships,  upon 
some  that  have  conscientiously  dissented  from  our  Perswasions  in 
Religion. 

With  scandalous  Contentions,  and  Animosities,  wee  have  been 
inflamed  one  against  another. 

The  Sins  of  Uncleanness,  in  many  and  the  grossest  Instances  have 
defiled  the  Land. 

The  Joy  of  Harvest,  hath  been  filled  with  Folly  and  Lewdness,  and 
forgotten  the  glad  Service  of  God,  whom  wee  should  have  served  in 
the  Abundance  of  all  things. 

Much  Fraud  hath  been  used  in  the  Dealings  of  Many,  and  the 
Spirit  of  Oppression  hath  made  a  Cry. 

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2l6  DIARY  OF  COTTON  MATHER 

Falshood  and  Slander,  hath  been  continually  carrying  of  Darts 
thro'  the  Land. 

And  the  Succession  and  amazing  Judgments  of  God  upon  us,  for 
our  thus  trespassing  have  not  reclamed  us,  but  wee  have  gone  on  still 
in  our  Trespasses. 

I  thought  the  Lord,  in  my  public  Prayer  assured 
mee,  that  New  England  should  not  yett  bee  utterly  given 
up  unto  Desolation,  until  more  of  the  dear  Servants 
of  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  bee  fetched  away  from  the 
midst  of  us. 

i$d.  II  m.  Being  afflicted  last  Night,  with  discourag- 
[  ing  Thoughts  as  if  unavoidable  Marks,  of  the  Divine  Dis- 
pleasure must  overtake  my  Family,  for  my  not  appearing 
with  Vigor  enough  to  stop  the  proceedings  of  the  Judges, 
when  the  Inextricable  Storm  from  the  Invisible  World 
assaulted  the  Countrey,  I  did  this  morning,  in  prayer  with 
my  Family,  putt  my  Family  into  the  jNIerciful  Hands  of 
the  Lord.i  And,  with  Tears,  I  received  fi®~  Assurance  of  the 
Lord,  that  jMarks  of  His  Indignation  should  not  follow  my 
Family,  but  that  having  the  Righteousness  of  the  Lord 
Jesus  Christ  pleading  for  us,  Goodness  and  Mercy  should 
foUow  us,  and  the  signal  Salvation  of  the  Lord. 

2T,d.  iim.  I  attempted,  this  Day,  the  Exercises  of  a 
secret  FAST  before  the  Lord.  But  so  extremely  cold  was  i 
the  weather,  that  in  a  warm  Room,  on  a  great  Fire,  the 
Juices  forced  out  at  the  End  of  short  Billets  of  Wood,  by 
the  Heat  of  the  Flame,  on  which  they  were  laid,  yett  froze 
into  Ice,  at  their  coming  out.  This  Extremity  of  the  Cold 
caused  mee  to  desist  from  the  purpose,  which  I  was  upon; 
because  I  saw  it  impossible  to  scr\'e  the  Lord,  without  such 
Distraction,  as  was  inconvenient.' 

2gd.  II  m.     Spreading    the   Condition  of   my   Family 

'  Perhaps  the  public  a\o\v.il  of  Sewall,  as  expressed  in  the  "bill"  he  handed  to 
Mr.  Willard  to  be  read  in  the  church,  may  have  quickened  this  course  in  Mather. 
See  Sewall,  Diary,  i.  445. 

'See  Hutchinson,  History,  11.  loi. 

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FEBRUARY,       1696-97  217 

before  the  Lord,  Hee  said  unto  my  tearful  Faith,  and  then 
with  such  a  Faith  I  also  said  it,  unto  the  Lord,  that  Hee 
will  bless  my  Family;  that  my  Consort  shall  have  an  easy, 
and  an  Happy  Travail  and  the  Circumstances  of  it,  shall 
fall  out  seasonably,  that  our  Servant  under  a  painful  Fever, 
which  almost  all  the  Spectators  conclude  beyond  Hope  of 
Recover^',  shall  yett  have  more  Time  granted  unto  her  to 
serve  the  Lord. 

30  <f.  II  m.  Satureday.  The  Angel  of  Death,  stands  with 
a  drawn  Sword  over  my  sinful  Family;  my  Consort  is  every 
Hour  expecting  her  Travail,  in  Circumstances  none  of  the 
safest;  one  of  my  Servants  Ues  dangerously,  and  they  think, 
desperately  ill,  and  miserably  tormented  with  a  rheumatic 
Feoer. 

To  deprecate  the  Effects  of  the  Divine  Displeasure,  I 
sett  apart  this  Day,  for  the  Exercises  of  a  secret  FAST 
before  the  Lord.  I  confessed  and  bewayled  my  manifold 
Sinfulness,  and  fled  vmto  the  Righteousness  of  the  Lord 
Jesus  Christ,  my  Surety,  for  my  Atonement.  I  spred  the 
Case  of  my  Family  before  the  Lord;  The  Lord  assured  mee, 
of  Salvations  coming  to  my  Family. 

Memorandum.  This  Day,  my  little  Daughter  Nibby, 
fell  directly  upon  the  Fire,  and  yett  by  a  wonderful  Provi- 
dence of  Hea\en,  was  pull'd  out  without  the  least  scorch 
upon  Hands  or  Face,  to  damnify  her. 

4  (Z.  12  m.  [February.]  This  Day,  was  a  Public  Thanks- 
giving; and  on  this  Day  the  Lord  helped  mee,  with  the 
rest  of  our  Congregation,  to  make  a  liberal  Contribution  ' 
for  the  Propagation  of  the  Gospel  unto  the  dark  Places  in  our 
Borders.  In  the  year  past,  I  have  been  employ'd  many 
Wayes,  for  the  Direction  and  Encouragement,  of  that  work; 
(tho'  I  am  far  from  being  the  Cheef  in  it!)  and  the  Lord 
prospers  it. 

And  I  now  wrote,  a  circular  Letter,  unto  the  Ministers, 

'  Sixty  pounds  say  the  Church  Records. 

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2l8  DIARY  OF  COTTON  MATHER 

in  the  Province,  (which  others  also  signed)  for  the  further 
Prosecution  of  this  matter. 

y  d.  12  m.  Lord' s-Day.  Is  not  the  Lord  good  unto  the 
Soul  that  wails  for  Him.  Oh  I  how  great  is  the  Goodness  of 
God,  unto  those  who  putt  their  Trust  in  Him  I 

This  Morning,  a  little  after  one  a  clock,  my  Consort  had 
an  easy,  and  an  happy.  Travail,  and  all  the  Circumstances 
of  it,  fell  out  most  seasonably.  Shee  was  delivered,  of  a 
Daughter;  a  very  hearty  and  comely  Infant;  which  this 
Day  also,  my  Father  baptised.  I  gave  her  the  Name  of 
Hannah,  with  my  Desires,  that  shee  may  bee  a  gracious 
Child,  and  imitate  those  of  her  Name,  which  are  com- 
memorated in  the  Oracles  of  God. 

My  sick  Servant  also  did  recover  wonderfully. 

10  d.  12  m.  The  people  of  Charl[c\stovm,  being  about 
the  Choice  of  a  Minister,  I  earnestly  advised  'em.  That 
they  would  not  affront  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  by  doing 
so  important  a  Matter,  without  first  making  their  solemn 
Addresses  unto  Him,  for  Direction.  \\'herefore  they  sett 
apart  this  Day  for  those  Addresses;  and  tho'  I  did  not 
preach  with  them,  as  they  desired  mee,  but  I  desired,  and 
obtained,  an  elder  and  abler  person  to  do  it,  yett  I  went 
over  and  pray'd  with  them;  and  enjoy'd  the  special  Pres- 
ence of  the  Holy  Spirit  of  Christ,  with  mee,  in  doing  so. 

My  Studies  and  Subjects,  for  my  public  Ministry,  in  the  year 
past,  have  been  some  of  them,  already  mentioned.  The  Rest  were 
such  as  these. 

I  had  begun  to  handle,  the  Paragraphs  of  the  Gospel  preached 
by  the  Angels  of  Heaven,  to  the  Shepherds  of  Bethlehem.  This  year 
found  mee,  at  Luk.  2.  12. 

I  went  on,  till  I  arrived  at  Ver.  20.  on  17  d.  3  m.  whereon  I 
made  a  sacramental  Discourse,  as  I  had  also  done  on  14.  15. 

I  concluded  my  seventeen  Sermons,  on  that  portion  of  Scripture, 
with  a  Discourse,  on  the  \'isit  unto  our  Lord  made  by  the  Magicians, 
of  Kedemah  |K;ist],  at  the  Invitation  of  the  Glory,  which  they  saw  of 
the  Angels  thus  appearing  (as  a  star)  over  Bethlehem,  on  Math.  2.  12. 

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FEBRUARY,     1696-97  2I9 

And  added  another  Sermon,  on  MatL  21.  19.  about  the  Danger 
of  Unfruitftdness  under  such  a  Gospel.  (7  d.  4  w.) 

This  Year  also  found  mee  preaching,  on  2.  Cor.  5.  14.  the  Love 
of  Christ  constraining:  which  I  handled  in  three  Sermons. 

I  then  considering  it,  as  a  Time  wherein  wee  were  brought  into 
Depths  of  Iniquity  and  Calamity  preached  over  the  whole  130th 
Psalm.  I  began  it,  28  d.  4  m.  and  finish't  it,  18  d.  8  m.  with  nine 
Sermons,  .\fterwards,  I  preached  nine  Sermons,  on  the  Sum  of 
the  Gospel,  in  the  three  Last  Verses,  of  the  ^2d.  Chapter  of  Isaiah, 
Begun  Sd.gm.     Finished  -j  d.  12  m. 

On  sacramental  Occasions,  I  preached,  three  Sermons  on,  Joh. 
14.  6.     Christ,  the  Way,  Truth,  Life. 

And  on  i.  Tim.  3.  16.  The  great  Mystery,  one  sermon.  Another 
on  God  Manifest  in  the  Flesh.  A  Third  on  Justified  in  the  Spirit.  And 
on  I.  Pet.  I.  3  [2].     The  Sprinkling  of  Christ. 

On  other  Lord's-Dayes,  these  were  the  Subjects  of  my  Sermons. 

Having  on  a  public  Fast,  handled  the  Prayers,  and  Alms  of 
Cornelius,  I  did  on  the  Lord's-day  following  handle  from  Act.  11.  15. 
The  Repentance  which  was  the  EfiFect  of  the  Gospel  preach'd  unto  him. 

(S  d-  2  '»■) 

I  preached  on  Psal.  37.  16.     The  Betterness  of  the  little  that  a 

righteous  man  enjoyes.     (In  a  Time  of  Scarcity,  3  rf.  3  m.) 

On  Ezek.  7.  26.     Mischief  upon  Mischief,   (when  many  of  our 

vessels,  and  Neighbours,  one  after  another  had  miscarried  at  Sea. 

21  d.  4  m.) 

On  Hos.  2.  8,  9.    The  Cause,  why  wee  loose  our  temporal  Blessings. 

(Up)on  Losses  multiplied.  26  d.  8  m.) 

On  Prov.  18.  10.     The  strong  Tower,  (when  the  Town  alarmed 

from  the  French,  was  fortifying  23  d.  6  m.) 

On  Luk.  16.  2.     The  Account  of  Stewardship.     {20  d.  7  m.) 

On  Psal.  6.  9.     The  Nature,  Meaning,  and  Signs,  of  a  Particular 

Faith,  in  Prayer.     (On  the  Occasion  of  meeting  with  many  strange 

Instances  of  it.     3  «i.  8  m.) 

On  Prov.  23.  26.     Giving  the  Heart  unto  God.  (25  d.  8  m.) 
On  Psal.  78.  63.    Young  men  consumed.     (On  a  dreadful  In- 
stance of  the  divine  Judgment  agt.  the  young  people  of  N.  E.  15  d. 

gm.y 

On  Prov.  27.  I.  presuming  on  To  Morrow.    (When  many  sudden 

Deaths  had  lately  happened.  6  d.  10  m.) 

'  This  paragraph  was  struck  out. 

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2  20  DIARY  OF  COTTON  UATHEE 

My  monthly  Lectures,  besides  those  already  mentioned,  in  the 
former  pages,  were 

On  Joh.  IS-  8.  bearing  much  Fruit.  (When  there  was  an  Auditory 
of  Ministers,  at  the  Commencement.     2  d.  $  m.) 

On  2.  Chron.  32.  2,  3,  5,  6,  7,  8,  select  Clauses,  in  each  of  those 
Verses.  (When  the  Town  was  at  Work  upon  their  Fortifications. 
27  i.  6  m.) 

On  Prov.  19.  II.  For  the  Cure  of  Anger.  (Having  had  Advice 
of  angry  Disturbances,  frequently  happening,  where  there  is  more 
than  ordinary  reason  to  watch  against  rash  AnKcr.  22  d.  S  m.) 

On  Prov.  5.  II.     The  Thoughts  of  Men,  at  the  Last,     (ig  d.  9  m.) 

On  Luc.  10.  42.    The  one  Thing  needful  (17  d.  10  m.) 

When  there  was  a  public  Fast,  23  d.  5  m.,  I  preached  on,  Job.  42.2. 
Christ,  able  to  do  every  Thing.  And  another,  14  rf.  11  w.  I  preach'd  on 
Num.  14.  19.    Pardon  to  bee  desired  for  a  perishing  people. 

When  there  was  a  public  Thanksgi\ing.  One  for  DeUverance 
of  the  Nation  from  the  late  Plot,  18  d.  4  w.  I  preached  on  PsaL 
102.  16.    The  glorious  Times  at  Hand. 

Another,  ^d.i2m.  for  the  Mercies  of  the  year,  on  Lam.  3.  22. 
Mercies  that  wee  are  not  consumed. 


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1697 

THE  XXXVth  year 

Terret  me  Tota  Vita  Mea;  num  apparet  milii,  aut  pec- 
catum,  aut  tota  sterilitas.     Anselm. 

Tully,  in  his  Second  Book,  De  Natura  Deorum,  saies, 
Nemo  Vir  Magnus  sine  aliquo  Afflatu  Divino  unquam  fuit. 
[11.  Ixvi.] 

THE  XXXVth  YEAR  OF  MY  AGE 

12  d.  12  m.  [February.]  1696-7.  Friday.  Being  this  Day 
thirty  four  Years  old,  I  sett  apart  this  Day,  for  a  Thanks- 
giving, to  bee  offered  unto  God,  in  my  Retirements;  from  a 
sense  of  the  great  Obligations  unto  Thankfulness  which  my 
Life,  hath  now,  for  thirty  four  Years  together,  been  filled 
withal. 

In  the  former  Part  of  the  Day,  tho'  I  mett  with  much 
Interruption,  by  Company  that  visited  mee,  I  did  several 
Things,  to  express  my  Praises  xmto  God  in  my  Lord  Jesus 
Christ. 

I  paraphrased,  improved  and  applied,  the  whole  Hun- 
dred and  Third  Psabns,  on  my  Knees  before  the  Lord. 

I  deliberately  read  over  a  Catalogue  of  the  Divine  Dis- 
pensations towards  mee  from  the  Begiiming;  particularly 
Blessing  of  God,  on  each  Article. 

I  distinctly  perused,  what  I  have  recorded,  in  the  Year 
past;  with  grateful  Reflections  on  each  Paragraph. 

And  I  sang  such  Things  as  were  suitable. 

In  the  latter  Part  of  the  Day  I  largely  acknowledged 
unto  the  Lord,  the  more  special  Instances,  wherein  His 
Favours  had  been  bestow'd  upon  mee.    The  Heads  enu- 

[221] 
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222  DIARY  OF  COTTON  MATHER 

merated  in  my  Winter  Meditations,  were  those,  which  I 
cheefly  regarded  in  these  Acknowledgments. 

But  unto  each  of  these  Things,  I  annexed  a  threefold 
y\mplification. 

First,  I  confessed,  that  I  had  observed,  many  in  the 
world,  lesser  Sinners  than  myself,  labouring  under  the  con- 
trary Miseries. 

Secondly,  I  ascribed  still  unto  some  such  Sufferings  of 
my  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  the  Purchase  of  my  Dehverance  from 
Sufferings,  in  my  several  Enjoyments. 

Thirdly,  I  owned,  from  such  Parallels,  as  the  Scriptures 
of  Truth  afforded  mee,  the  Agency  of  the  good  Angels, 
employ'd  by  the  Lord  of  Heaven,  to  convey  imto  mee.  the 
Enjoyments,  wherein  I  am  rejoicing. 

Then  I  sang  suitable  Things. 

But  in  the  Evening,  tho'  I  were  so  spent  with  the  fore- 
going Exercises,  that  I  thought  I  had  not  Strength  to  pro- 
ceed any  further,  I  laid  myself  prostrate  on  my  Study-floor 
before  the  Lord. 

And  there  did  the  Spirit  of  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  after 
a  wonderful  Maimer,  irradiate  my  mind,  and  quicken  mee, 
and  rejoice  mee,  with  wondrous  Assurances,  that  Hee 
would  possess  mee,  and  employ  mee,  and  grant  mee  to 
glorify  my  Lord  Jesus  Christ  exceedingly.  Yea,  the  good 
Angels  of  that  Holy  Spirit,  were  so  near  unto  mee,  in  my 
rapturous  Praises  of  my  Lord-Redeemer,  that  the  Prae- 
libations  of  Heaven  which  I  enjoy'd  in  this  Matter,  are  not 
ftt  here  to  bee  uttered. 

But  perceiving  that  it  was  now  a  Time  with  mee,  wherein 
I  might  obtain,  even  what  I  would,  of  the  Lord,  I  took  this 
Time  to  cry  unto  Him,  that  the  Spirit  of  Reformation,  may 
mightily  come  down  upon  the  Nations  of  Europe,  and  that  a 
mighty  Revolution,  upon  France,  and  upon  Great  Britain,  par- 
ticularly, may  accompany  it.  It  will  bee  so!  This  poor  Man 
cried,  and  the  Lord  heard  his  Cry,  for  this  glorious  Matter. 

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FEBRUARY,     1696-97  223 

iSd.  12  m.  Considering,  That  the  people  of  Connecticut 
Colony  were  the  last  year  bless'd  with  a  plentiful  Harvest, 
while  the  Harvest  so  failed  in  several  Parts  of  this  Prov- 
ince, as  to  expose  the  Poor  in  some  Towns  to  no  small  Diffi- 
culties; and  understanding,  that  some  of  the  good  People 
in  Connecticut,  would  liberally  and  bountifully  express  their 
Thankfulness  to  God,  in  Charity  to  our  Poor,  if  they  were 
call'd  upon:  I  wrote  as  vigorous  a  Letter  as  I  could,  unto 
the  Govemour  there,  for  the  procuring  of  this  Matter;  and 
the  Ministers  hereabouts,  were  so  kind,  as  to  sign  the 
Letter.i 

I  since  vmderstand,  that  this  Letter  was  read  in  all  the 
Churches,  of  that  Colony;  who  thereupon,  made  a  very 
liberal  Collection  of  many  Hundreds  of  Bushels  of  com,  for 
the  Releef  of  the  Poor,  in  the  XortJiern  Towns  of  this  Prov- 
ince.' 

2od.  12  m.  I  sett  apart  this  Day,  for  Prayer,  with  Fast- 
ing, in  my  Study.  My  Administration  of  the  Eucliarist,  on 
the  Morrow,  with  a  Sermon  on,  Christ  seen  of  Angels,  causes 
mee  this  Day,  to  bee  at  particular  Pains  that  I  may  come  to 
enjoy,  first  the  Heart,  and  then  the  Tongue  of  Angels. 

The  Concerns  of  my  Ministry,  and  of  my  Family,  I  this 
Day,  spread  particularly  before  the  Lord.  But  these  were 
not  all;  for  I  sett  myself,  to  wrestle  with  the  Lord,  pros- 
trate in  the  Dust  before  Him,  on  the  behalf,  of  whole  Nations. 
I  cried  importunately,  unto  the  Lord,  for  the  Refortnation, 
to  bee  revived,  and  perfected,  not  only  in  Great  Britain,  but 
in  France  also,  with  a  mighty  Revolution.  The  Angels  of 
my  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  are  going  to  do  a  strange  Work,  on 
the  Nations  of  Europe! 

And,  when  I  was  thus  prostrate  in  the  Dust  before  the 
Lord,  my  Heart  being  poured  out  in  Tears,  received  wonder- 
ful Assurances  from  Heaven,  that  the  Spirit  of  my  Lord 

•  See  Sewall,  Letter  Book,  i.  183,  184. 

'  Written  in  the  margin  against  this  paragraph. 

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2  24  DIARY  OF  COTTON  MATHER 

Jesus  Christ,  shall  fill  mee,  and  use  mee  to  glorify  Him;  and 
that  His  Angels  have  wonderful  Things  to  do  for  mee! 

21  d.  12  in.  Lords-Day.  At  the  Lord's  Table,  it  was  a 
Perswasion  powerfully  produced  in  my  Mind,  that  I  should 
ere  long  bee  with  the  innumerable  Company  of  Holy  Angels, 
and  that  when  they  came  to  call  for  mee,  I  should  go  away, 
easily  and  joyfully,  and  that  my  Offspring  which  I  leave  in 
this  evil  World,  shall  bee  the  Servants  of  the  Lord  Jesus 
Christ,  who  will,  as  a  most  merciful  Father,  take  such  care 
of  them  that  they  shall  want  for  no  good  Thing. 

(About  this  Time,) 

That  I  might  render  my  pastoral  Visits,  the  more  sig- 
nificant, I  published  my  Sermon,  on  Prov.  5.  11.  which  I 
entituled.  The  Thoughts  of  a  Dying  Man,  wherein  I  do, 
with  all  possible  Pungency  and  Fervency,  sett  before  my 
Neighbours,  the  Advice  of  what  they  will  think,  and  choose, 
At  the  Last,  when  they  come  to  dy,  and  bespeak  their 
Consent  unto  the  Spirit  of  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  in  the 
Covenant  of  Grace.^  It  was  my  Purpose,  even,-  Week,  to 
leave  this  Book,  in  several  visited  Families,  at  my  Neigh- 
bours. 

27  J.  12  m.  Being  under  Apprehensions,  that  the  Lord 
Jesus  Christ,  is  going  to  do  Great  Things  in  the  \\'orld,  yea, 
that  the  Kingdome  of  God  is  at  Hand,  I  think  it  necessary  for 
mee,  to  imitate  the  Holy  Daniel,  in  extraordinary  Suppli- 
cations. 

Wherefore,  I  sett  apart  this  Day,  as  I  did  this  Day 
Se'nnight,  for  the  Exercise  of  a  secret  Fast,  before  the  Lord. 

In  repairing  to,  and  relying  on,  the  Righteousness  of  my 
Lord  Jesus  Christ,  for  my  Acceptance  with  God,  His  Holy 
Spirit  raised  mee,  unto  very  evangelical  Satisfactions. 

My  Heart  expanded,  in  a  fcr\'cnt  Importunity,  for  the 
cure  of  those  Distempers  in  my  Soul,  Pride,  Sloth,  Envy, 
Selfishness,  Sensuality,  Earthly-mindedness,  which  rendred 

'  Printed  by  B.  Green  and  J.  Allen,  for  Joseph  Wheeler. 

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FEBRUARY,     1696-97  225 

me  unfit  for  the  Kingdome  of  God,  or  for  any  eminent  Ser- 
vice to  that  Kingdome.  I  pleaded,  that  nothing  but  the 
Ahnighty  and  infinite  Spirit  of  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  could 
cure  the  Lusts,  which  disordered  my  Soul;  nevertheless,  the 
Blood  of  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  hath  purchased  the  Favours 
of  His  good  Spirit  for  mee,  whereon  I  now  placed  my 
Dependence,  for  the  Communication  thereof. 

The  bereaved  Condition  of  some  Churches  in  this  Wilder- 
ness, and  the  divided  Condition  of  one,  (that  at  Water toum^ 
I  made  a  large  Article  of  my  Petitions. 

The  whole  State  of  the  Land,  in  danger  of  a  French 
Inversion  the  ensuing  Summer,  as  well  as  of  my  own  Church, 
which  has  been  wounded  by  the  Death  of  considerable  Per- 
sons belonging  thereunto,  I  particularly  spread  before  the 
Lord. 

In  the  close  of  the  Day,  when  I  lay  prostrate  on  my 
Floor,  in  the  Dust,  before  the  Lord,  I  obtained  fresh  and 
sweet  Assurances  from  Him,  that  altho'  I  have  been  the 
most  loathsome  Creature  in  the  world,  yett  His  Holy 
Spirit,  would  with  soveraign  and  glorious  Grace,  take  Pos- 
session of  mee;  and  accept  mee,  and  employ  mee,  to  glorify 
His  Name,  exceedingly.  And  I  successfully  renewed  my 
Cries  unto  the  Lord,  that  Hee  would  Visit  France,  and 
Great  Britain,  speedily,  with  a  mighty  Revolution. 

This  Day  I  took  up  a  Resolution,  with  the  Help  of 
Christ,  that  I  would  every  Day  spend  some  Time  extraor- 
dinary, in  Supplications,  like  those  of  Daniel,  the  Man  of 
Desires,  for  the  Captivity  of  the  Church  to  bee  hastned  unto 
its  Period. 

This  Resolution,  perhaps,  I  may  speedily  shape,  into 
further  Exactness  of  Contrivance. 

Considering  that  there  is  doubtless  a  great  Revolution, 

and  the  great  Reformation  at  hand,  I  judg'd  it  would  bee  a 

Thing,  on  many  Accounts  profitable,  for  mee,  to  single  out 

a  select  Number  of  Christians,  whose  Appetites  are  strong  to 

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226  DIAKY  OF  COTTON  UATHES 

bee  informed  about  the  Characters  and  Approaches  of  the 
Kingdome  of  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  and  entertain  them  at 
my  Study,  in  fitt  Seasons,  with  Discourses,  and  Researches, 
of  those  Matters,  which  the  Holy  Angels  themselves  desire 
to  look  into.  After  the  other  Passages,  with  which  I  may 
nourish  them,  and  they  may  sharpen  mee,  in  their  Visits  to 
mee,  I  may  conclude  still,  with  a  Prayer,  for  the  Hastening 
of  the  glorious  Things  that  are  spoken  about  the  City  of  God. 

I  began  the  year  97,  with  putting  this  Design  in  execu- 
tion; and  I  found  in  it  an  unspeakable  Consolation.* 

20  d.  6  m.  [August]  Friday.  This  Day  I  sett  apart,  for 
the  Exercises  of  a  secret  THANKSGIVING  before  the  Lord. 

In  the  former  Part  of  the  Day,  when  I  was  on  my  Knees 
confessing  the  Glories  of  God,  in  my  Lord  JESUS  CHRIST, 
after  I  had  requested  and  obtained  the  Irradiations  of  His 
Holy  Spirit  for  that  Service,  I  received  an  Heart-melting 
Assurance  from  the  Lord,  that  inasmuch  as  my  Heart  was 

'  "April  8,  1697.  Mr.  Cotton  Mather  gives  notice  that  the  Lecture  hereafter 
is  to  begin  at  Eleven  of  the  Clock,  an  hour  sooner  than  formerly.  Reprov'd  the 
Towns  people  that  attended  no  better;  fear'd  twould  be  an  omen  of  our  not  enjoy- 
ing the  Lecture  long,  if  did  not  amend."     Sewall,  Diary,  i.  452. 

"  4d.  2  m.  [April.]  Abigail  Day  received  the  Censure  of  an  Admonition,  for 
I.  Untruths  uttered  in  her  Speeches  on  many  Occasions.  2.  Expressions  full  of 
scandalous  Discontent  and  Impatience  under  her  Afflictions. 

"Expecially,  saying  of  laudable  Diet  in  the  Alms-house,  where  she  is  lodged, 
that  she  would  thank  neither  God  nor  Man  for  such  Victuals. 

"3.  Defaming  the  Man  who  keeps  the  Alms-house,  as  if  hee  had  several 
Times  made  Attempts  upon  her  Chastity. 

"Her  Pcenitence  for  the  two  former  Heads  of  Scandal  appeared  somewhat, 
but  not  enough. 

"Shee  still  insisted  on  the  Truth  of  what  shee  hath  said,  in  the  third,  though 
blaming  her  imprudent  divulgation. 

"The  Man  asserts  his  Innoccncy,  and  shee  has  no  proof  to  support  her  Charge 
of  his  Guilt. 

"This  Day  also  our  Church  voted  a  Letter  of  Admonition  to  the  Church  of 
Charhlown,  for  betraying  the  Liberties  of  the  Churches,  in  their  late  putting  into 
the  Hands  of  the  whole  Inhabitants,  the  Choice  of  a  Minister. 

"isd.6m.  [August.]  This  Day  Afary  Dutson,  having  been  convicted  of  steal- 
ing in  five  or  six  horrid  Instances,  and  of  lying  very  many  Times  on  the  Occasion 
thereof,  had  the  Sentence  of  Excommunication  passed  upon  her."  CoUon  Mather's 
MS.  Records  of  the  Second  Church,  11.    See  note  to  July  i,  1705. 

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AUGUST,     1697  227 

become  desirous  to  Praise  Him,  Hee  would  never  send  mee 
down  to  that  miserable  World,  where  they  do  not  praise,  but 
hate  Him,  and  curse  Him,  and  blaspheme  Him  forever:  No, 
but  Hee  would  grant  mee  a  State  of  eternal  Blessedness, 
wherein  I  shall  carry  on  the  blessed  Work  of  praising  Him, 
which  I  was  now  beginning  to  do. 

An  Heavenly  Disposition  of  Soul  this  Day  came  upon 
mee,  in  many  Exercises  of  the  Day. 

But  the  more  special  Matter  of  Thankfulness,  for  which 
I  intended  this  Day,  was  the  USE,  which  the  infinite  Grace 
of  Heaven,  has  made  of  MEE,  the  most  filthy  Sinner  out  of 
HeU,  to  glorify  my  Lord  JESUS  CHRIST. 

In  the  Prosecution  of  Design,  to  glorify  the  soveraign 
Grace  of  God^  in  this  Matter,  I  first  confessed  and  bewayled, 
my  own  horrible  Sinfulness,  by  which  I  have  deserved  for- 
ever to  bee  rejected  from  the  Service  of  the  Lord.  I  then 
solemnly  declared  imto  the  Lord,  that  I  made  Choice  of 
this,  as  my  chief  Happiness,  to  bee  a  Servant  of  my  Lord 
JESUS  CHRIST,  and  an  Instrument  of  His  Glory.  There- 
with I  magnified,  the  Favour  of  the  Lord  unto  mee,  in  those 
Operations  of  His  Holy  Spirit  upon  mee,  by  which  Hee  has 
brought  mee  to  such  a  Choice. 

Afterwards,  I  gave  Thanks  unto  the  Lord,  for  the  Good 
which  Hee  gave  mee  to  do,  when  I  was  but  a  Child  and 
a  Youth. 

For  His  giving  mee  this  Grace,  to  preach  the  unsearchable 
Riches  of  Christ;  and  making  mee  a  Preacher  of  the  Gospel, 
when  I  was,  of  all  Persons,  not  only  the  most  unworthy,  but 
also  the  most  unlikely,  to  bee  so  improved. 

For  His  upholding  mee,  now  seventeen  Years  together, 
in  the  Work  of  the  Ministry,  notwithstanding  my  many 
Difficulties,  Temptations,  and  Weaknesses. 

For  His  employing  mee,  in  so  eminent  a  Place;  the  most 
considerable  Town,  in  all  New  England;  when  I  have  been  in 

myself  one  of  the  most  inconsiderable  Wretches  in  the  Land. 

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228  DIARY     OF     COTTON     MATHER 

For  His  granting  mee  continually  to  dispense  His  Truths, 
unto  as  great  Avditories  in  my  own  Congregation,  as  one 
Man  can  well  speak  to;  and  calling  mee  to  Dispensations 
ever  now  and  then,  upon  the  most  solemn  Occasions,  that  the 
Countrey  could  have  afforded. 

For  His  making,  both  my  publick  and  my  private 
Endeavours,  remarkably  Profitable,  unto  the  Souls  of 
Multitudes. 

For  His  favouring  mee,  with  the  Liberty  of  the  Press, 
and  publishing  more  of  my  Composures  than  any  Man's, 
that  ever  was  in  America,  while  I  am  yett  a  young  Man: 
and  making  my  Studies,  to  bee  readd,  and  priz'd,  and 
serviceable,  not  only  all  over  these  American  Colonies, 
but  in  Europe  also. 

For  some  Significancy  which  Hee  has  now  given  among 
His  People,  and  the  Eye,  which  His  Churches  have  upon 
mee.  The  Comforts,  and  Supports,  which  I  have  enjoy'd, 
while  the  Lord  hath  been  making  Use  of  mee,  I  then 
thankfully  acknowledged;  and  the  Mercy  of  God,  and  the 
Purchase  of  Christ,  from  which  I  have  had  them. 

Especially,  my  Life,  my  Health;  my  Speech;  my  Library; 
my  Dwelling-House;  my  Salary:  And  my  Consort,  with  my 
Children;  and  my  unblemished  Reputation;  and  such  Deliv- 
erances granted  unto  the  Countrey,  that  my  Opportunities 
to  bee  serviceable  have  not  been  overwhelmed,  in  the 
Ruines  of  it. 

In  the  Evening,  I  retired  into  our  empty  Church,  and 

there,  I  essay 'd  with  greater  Elevations  of  Soul,  in  this 

Retirement,  for  to  give  myself  up  unto  the  Spirit  of  my 

Lord  Jesus  Christ,  that  Hee  may  glorify  Himself,  in  making 

yett  a  greater  Use  of  mee  than  ever. 

f        I  cast  myself  prostrate  on  the  Floor  of  my  Pulpitt;  and 

'.gave  Thanks  unto  the  Lord,  for  the  Use  which  Hee  had 

/  made  of  mee,  in  that  very  Pulpitt. 

And  I  offered  up  my  Praises  unto  my  Lord  Jesus  Christ, 
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AUGUST,     1697  229 

for  His  good  Angels,  and  their  Ministry;  and  for  My  Angel, 
and  all  the  Love  and  Care,  wherewith  hee  has  treated  mee : 
and  I  concluded,  with  a  joyfid  Assurance,  that  hee  had 
yett  more  good  Offices  to  do  for  mee,  and  that  hee  would 
gloriously  join  with  mee,  in  my  serving  of  our  Glorious 
Lord  JESUS  CHRIST. 

But  one  special  Article  of  my  Thanksgivings,  this  Day 
was,  the  singular  Favour  of  the  Lord  unto  mee,  in  upholding, 
and  assisting  of  mee,  to  finish  my  Chxirch-History. 

And  now,  because  it  will  more  particularly  express  the 
Favour  of  Heaven  imto  mee,  in  this  Matter, 

I  will  in  this  Place,  transcribe  a  few  Lines,  in  my  Litro- 
duction  to  that  History. 

A  Varietie  of  other  Employments,  hath  kept  mee,  in  continual 
Hurries,  I  had  almost  said,  like  those  of  the  nititk  Sphcere,  for  the  few 
Months,  in  which  this  Work  hath  been  Digesting.  It  was  a  Thing 
well-thought  by  the  wise  Designers  of  Chchey-CoMtdge,  wherein  able 
Historians  were  one  sort  of  Persons  to  bee  maintained;  that  the 
Romanists  do  in  one  Point  comdemn  the  Protestants;  for  among  the 
Romanists,  they  don't  burden  their  Professors  with  any  parochial 
Encumbrances;  but  among  the  Protestants,  the  very  same  individual 
Man,  must  preach,  catechise,  administer  the  Sacraments,  visit  the 
Afflicted,  and  manage  all  the  parts  of  Church-Discipline;  and  if  any 
Books,  for  the  service  of  Religion,  bee  written,  Persons  thus  extremely 
encumbred  must  bee  the  Writers.  Now,  of  all  the  Churches  under 
Heaven,  there  are  none  that  expect  so  much  Varietie  of  Service  from 
their  Pastors,  as  those  of  New  England;  and  of  all  the  Churches  in 
New  England,  there  are  none  that  require  more,  than  those  in  Boston, 
the  Metropolis  of  the  English  America;  whereof  one  is,  by  the  Lord 
Jesus  Christ,  committed  unto  the  Care  of  the  unworthy  Hand,  by 
which  this  History  is  compiled.  Constant  Sermons,  usually  more  than 
once,  and  perhaps  three  or  four  Times  in  a  Week,  and  all  the  other 
Duties  of  a  pastoral  Watchfulness,  a  very  large  Flock  hath  all  this 
while  demanded  of  mee;  nor  hath  my  Station  left  mee  free  from 
Obligations  to  spend  very  much  Time,  in  the  evangelical  Service  of 
others  also.  It  would  have  been  a  great  Sin  in  mee,  to  have  omitted 
or  abated  my  just  Cares,  to  fulfill  my  Ministry  in  these  Things,  and  in 
a  Manner  give  myself  wholly  to  them.  All  the  Time,  I  have  had  for 
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230  DIARY  OF  COTTON  MATHER 

my  Churchrhistory,  hath  been  perhaps  only  or  chiefly  thai,  which  I 
might  have  taken  else,  for  less  profitable  Recreations;  and  it  hath 
all  been  done  by  Snatches.  Nor  have  I  spent  Ikirty  Years  in  shaping 
this  my  History,  as  Diodorus  Siculus  did  for  his,  (and  yett,  both 
Bodinus  and  Sigonius  Complain  of  the  2<^aX^To  attending  it!)  but 
I  wish  I  could  have  enjoyed  entirely  for  this  Work,  one  Quarter  of  the 
little  more  than  two  Years,  which  have  rolled  away,  since  I  began  it; 
whereas  I  have  been  forced  sometimes  wholly  to  throw  by  the  Work, 
whole  Months  together,  and  then  resume  it,  but  by  a  stolen  Hour  or 
two  in  a  Day,  not  without  some  hazard  of  incurring  the  Title,  which 
Coryat  putt  upon  his  History  of  his  Travels,  Crudities  hastily  gobled 
up  in  five  Months.  Our  English  Martyrologer,  cotmted  it  a  suflBdent 
Apology,  for  what  Meannesses  might  bee  found  in  the  first  Edition 
oi  bis  Acts  and  Monuments,  that  it  was  hastily  rasked  up  in  about  four- 
teen Months:  and  I  may  Apologize  for  this  Collection  of  our  Acts  and 
Monuments,  that  I  should  have  been  glad  if  in  the  little  more  than 
two  Years,  which  have  ran  out,  since  I  entred  upon  it,  I  could  have 
had  one  half  of  about  fourteen  Months,  to  have  entirely  devoted  there- 
unto. But,  besides  the  Time,  which  the  daily  Services,  of  my  own 
first,  and  then  of  many  other  Churches,  have  necessarily  called  for, 
I  have  lost  abundance  of  precious  Time,  thro'  the  feeble  and  broken 
State  of  my  Health,  which  hath  unfitted  mee  for  hard  Study:  I  can 
do  nothing  to  Purpose  at  Lucubrations.  And  yett,  in  this  Time  also, 
of  the  two  or  three  Years  last  past,  I  have  not  been  excused  from  the 
further  Diversion  of  Publishing  (tho'  not  so  many  as  they  say  Mer- 
curius  Trismegistu-s  did,  yett)  more  than  a  Score  of  other  Books,  xipon 
a  copious  Varietie  of  other  Subjects,  besides  the  composing  of  several 
more,  that  are  not  yett  published.  Nor  is  this  neither,  all  the  Task, 
that  I  have  in  this  while  had  lying  upon  mee ;  for,  when  I  applied  my 
Mind,  unto  this  way  of  serving  the  Lord  JESUS  CHRIST,  in  my 
Generation,  I  sett  upon  another,  and  a  greater,  which  hath  had,  I  sup- 
pose, more  of  my  Thought  and  Hope  than  this,  and  wherein  there  hath 
passed  mee,  Nulla  dies  sine  Linea.  I  considered,  that  all  sort  of 
Learning,  might  bee  made  gloriously  subservient  unto  the  lUustrO' 
tion  of  the  Sacred  Scripture,  and  that  no  professed  Commentaries  had 
hitherto  given  a  thousandth  Part  of  so  much  Illustration  unto  it,  as 
might  bee  given.  I  considered,  that  Multitudes  of  particular  Texts, 
had,  especially  of  later  Years,  been  more  notably  illitstraled,  in  the 
scattered  Books  of  learned  Men,  than  in  any  of  the  ordinary  Com- 
mentators. And,  I  considered,  that  the  Treasures  of  Illustration  for  the 
Bible,  dispersed  in  many  hundred  Volumes,  might  bee  fetched  all 

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AUGUST,     1697J  231 

together,  by  a  Labour,  that  would  resolve  to  conquer  all  Things;  and 
that  all  the  Improvements,  which  the  later  Ages  have  made  in  the 
Sciences,  might  bee  also,  with  an  inexpressible  Pleasure,  call'd  in, 
to  assist  the  Illustration  of  the  Holy  Oracles,  at  a  Rate  that  hath  not 
been  attempted  in  the  vulgar  Annotations;  and  that  a  conmion  Degree 
of  Sense,  would  help  a  Person,  who  should  converse  much  with  these 
Things,  to  attempt  sometimes  also  an  Illustration  of  his  own,  which 
might  expect  some  Attention.  Certainly,  it  will  not  bee  ungrateful 
unto  good  Men,  to  have  innumerable  Antiquities,  Jewish,  Chaldee, 
Graecian,  and  Roman,  brought  home  unto  us,  with  a  sweet  Light  re- 
flected from  them,  on  the  Word,  which  is  our  Light:  or,  to  have  all  the 
typical  Men  and  Things,  in  our  Book  of  Mysteries,  acconmiodated  with 
their  Antitypes;  or.  To  have  the  Histories  of  all  Ages,  coming  in  with 
punctual  and  surprising  Fulfilments,  of  the  Divine  Prophecies,  as  far 
as  they  have  been  hitherto  fulfilled;  and  not  meer  Conjectures,  but 
even  mathematical  and  incontestable  Demonstrations  given  of  Exposi- 
tions, upon  the  Prophecies  that  yett  remain  to  bee  accomplished;  or, 
to  have  in  one  Heap,  Thousands  of  those  remarkable  Discoveries  of  the 
deep  Thing  of  the  Spirit  of  God,  whereof  one,  or  two,  or  a  few  some- 
times, have  been,  with  good  Success,  accoimted  Materials  enough  to 
advance  one  into  Authorism;  or,  to  have  the  delicious  Curiosities 
of  Grotius,  and  Bochart,  and  Mede,  and  Lightfoot,  and  Selden,  and 
Spencer,  and  many  more  Giants  in  Knowledge,  all  sett  upon  one  Table. 
At  more  than  all  this,  our  Essay  is  levelled;  if  it  bee  not  anticipated 
with  that  Epitaph,  Magnis  tamen  excidit  ausis.  Designing  accord- 
ingly, to  give  the  Church  of  God,  such  Displayes  of  His  blessed  Word, 
as  may  bee  more  entertaining  for  the  Rarilie  and  Noveltie  of  them, 
than  any  that  have  hitherto  been  seen  together  in  any  Exposition; 
and  yett  such  as  may  bee  acceptable  unto  the  most  judicious  for  the 
demonstrative  Truth  of  them,  and  unto  the  most  orthodox,  for  the 
Regard  had  unto  the  Analogy  of  Faith  in  all,  I  have  now,  in  a  few 
,  Months,  gott  ready  an  huge  Number  of  golden  Keyes,  to  open  the 
Pandects  of  Heaven,  and  some  Thousands  of  charming  and  singular 
,  Notes,  by  the  new  Help  whereof,  the  Word  of  CHRIST  may  run  and 
I  bee  glorified.  If  the  God  of  my  Life,  will  please  to  spare  my  Life,  (my 
yett  sinful,  and  slothful,  and  thereby  forfeited  Life!)  as  many  years 
longer,  as  the  barren  Fig-tree  had  in  the  Parable,  I  may  make  unto  the 
Church  of  God,  an  humble  Tender  of  our  BIBLIA  AMERICANA, 
a  Volumn  enriched  with  better  Things,  than  all  the  Plate  of  the  Indies; 
yett  not  I,  but  the  Grace  of  Christ  with  mee. 

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232  DIARY  OF  COTTON  MATHEE 

I  allotted,  Friday,  2y  d.  6  m.  for  a  Journey  first  unto 
Salem,  and  then  unto  Ipswich.  All  the  former  Part  of  the 
Week,  I  was  under  sickly  Disorders;  yett  I  preached,  on 
Wednesday,  and  on  Thursday,  as  well  as  on  the  Lord's-Day. 
The  Afternoon  before  my  Journey,  there  was  a  violent 
Storm,  that  threatened  a  Disappointment  of  my  Designs; 
but  I  resigned  all  unto  the  Lord;  concluding,  that  since  I 
was  going  abroad  into  the  Countrey,  to  preach  the  Glories 
of  my  Lord  JESUS  CHRIST,  I  would  ascribe  imto  EUm, 
the  particular  Glory  of  the  good  Weather,  if  I  might  enjoy 
such  a  Favour.  The  Weather  cleared  up  immediately; 
my  lost  Health  and  Strength  returned;  I  had  a  most  com- 
fortable Journey,  and  it  was  made  the  more  comfortable, 
by  the  Company  of  some  young  Gentlemen,  who  by  duti- 
fully waiting  on  mee,  gave  mee  an  Opportunitie  to  study 
how  I  might  effectually  recommend  the  Service  of  Christ 
unto  them.  Wherever  I  came,  I  was  received  with  much 
undeserved  Respect  and  Honour;  and  besides  my  private 
Opportunities  to  entertain  and  edify  my  Friends,  I  had  pub- 
lic Opportunities  to  preach  imto  vast  Assemblies,  at  Salem, 
twice  the  Lord's-Day  on  CHRIST,  seen  by  Angels,  and, 
preached  unto  the  Gentiles;  and  at  Ipswich  once,  the  (Thurs- 
day) on  glorifying  of  God,  by  bringing  forth  much  Fruit.  At 
last,  I  began  to  feel  myself  coming  under  the  Calamity,  of, 
Loss  of  Time.  I  therefore  on  the  ensuing  Friday,  made  my 
Journey  home.  Storms  were  gathering  and  expected,  two 
Dayes,  before  I  gott  home;  I  submitted  unto  the  Lord 
cheerfully  under  this  Inconvenience;  but  the  Lord  unto  my 
Surprise,  kept  off  the  Rain,  unto  the  End  of  my  comfort- 
able Journey. 

Weary  with  my  Journey,  I  thought  myself  excused  from 
the  Severities  of  a  secret  Fast,  on  the  Day  ensuing,  when  yett 
I  did  spend  no  small  part  of  the  Day,  in  Praeparations,  for 
the  Eucharist;  which  on  the  Morrow,  I  was  to  administer.  And 
in  the  Administration  of  it,  when  the  Time  arrived,  I  enjoy'd 

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SEPTEMBER,     1697  233 

rapturous  Communications  from  Heaven;  tis  my  great  un- 
happiness,  that  I  have  Time  to  write  no  more  of  these  things. 

i2d.  T  m.  [September]  Lords-Day.  This  Day,  at  Noon, 
in  my  Study,  pouring  out  my  Prayers,  that  my  Lord  Jesus 
Christ,  may  shortly  bee  more  known  and  served  than  ever, 
throughout  England,  Scotland,  and  Ireland;  and  that  the 
Angels  of  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  may  bring  a  wondrous 
Convulsion  on  the  French  Empire;  I  received  a  wonderful 
Assiirance  from  the  Lord,  that  it  shall  bee  so. 

18  d.  7  m.  Saturday.  I  did  this  Day,  in  the  Exercises  of 
a  Secret  Fast,  exceedingly  abhor,  and  abase,  myself  before 
the  Lord,  for  the  incredible  Vilenesses  of  my  Life,  and 
admire  ffis  Grace,  in  that  Hee  had  not  utterly  rejected 
mee  from  serving  Him,  and  permitted  Satan  to  praecipitate 
mee,  into  scandalous  Miscarriages,  that  should  render  mee 
the  Astonishment  of  all  His  Churches. 

I  likewise  cried  unto  the  Lord,  for  His  Mercies,  to  my 
Family,  my  Flock,  the  Countrey,  the  Colledge,  and  several 
miserably  disordered  Churches  among  us. 

One  special  Design  of  my  Hvmiiliations  this  Day,  was,  to 
praepare  mee  for  good  Advice,  in  the  Fleet  hourly  expected 
from  England;  even  the  Advice,  that  the  Lord  has  there 
accepted  and  employed  more  of  my  poor  Composures,  to 
glorify  my  Lord  Jesus  Christ.  Such,  and  comfortable 
Advice,  I  shall  receive! 

In  the  Close  of  the  Day,  as  I  lay  prostrate  on  my  Study- 
floor,  exceedingly  judging  myself,  as  the  most  lothsome 
Wretch  in  the  world,  I  received  from  Heaven,  in  a  Manner, 
which  I  may  not  utter,  a  wonderful  Assurance,  that  my  Sins 
are  all  pardoned,  by  the  infinite  Grace  of  God  imputing  to 
mee  the  Righteousness  of  my  Lord  Jesus  Clirist;  and,  that 
I  shall  bee  employed  in  great  Services,  by  which  my  Lord 
Jesus  Christ  shall  bee  glorified;  and,  that  the  Angel  of  my 
Lord  Jesus  Christ,  shall  bee  inexpressibly  helpful  to  mee, 

in  the  Work  of  the  Lord. 

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234  DIARY  OF  COTTON  MATHER 

igd.  7  wt.  Lord'S'Day.  On  this  Lord's-day,  at  Noon,  in 
my  Study,  /  was  in  the  Spirit.  I  cast  myself  prostrate  in 
the  Dust,  on  my  Study-floor,  to  lift  up  a  Cry  from  thence, 
for  Zion  in  the  Dust.  The  Spirit  of  the  Lord  came  near  unto 
mee;  doubtless,  the  Angel  of  the  Lord  made  mee  sensible  of 
his  Approaches.  I  was  wondrously  Irradiated.  My  Lord 
Jesus  Christ,  shall  yett  bee  more  known,  in  the  vast  Regions 
of  America;  and  by  the  means  of  poor,  vile  sinful  mee,  Hee 
shall  bee  so.  Great  Britain  shall  undergo  a  strange  Revo- 
lution and  Reformation;  and  sinful  /  shall  bee  concerned  in 
it.  France  will  quickly  feel  mighty  Lnpressions  from  the 
Almighty  Hand  of  my  Lord  Jesus  Christ:  and  I  shall  on 
that  Occasion  sing  His  glorious  Praises.  Nor  was  this  all, 
that  was  then  told  mee  from  Heaven:  but  I  forbear  the  rest. 

24  d.  7  m.  This  Day,  discoursing  with  a  worthy  Minis- 
ter, who  lay  dangerously  sick,  I  said  unto  him,  "To  praise 
Christ,  in  the  midst  of  Myriads  of  Angels  in  Heaven,  may  in 
some  Respects  bee  as  good  as  to  preach  Christ,  in  the  midst 
of  Hundreds  of  Mortals  on  Earth.  Hee  replied;  Its  true. 
I  added,  (for  our  Discourse  was  managed  with  a  certain 
serious  and  sacred  EUaritie')  But,  Syr,  have  you  prepared 
a  Song?  Have  you  thought,  what  to  say,  when  you  arrive 
among  the  blessed  Angels?  Hee  rephed:  Why,  pray,  what 
do  you  intend  to  say?  I  answer'd;  I'l  say,  Belwld,  0  yee 
Holy  Spirits,  the  most  wretched  and  lothesome  Sinner,  that 
ever  arrived  among  you:  but  it  is  our  Glorious  Christ,  that 
hath  brought  mee  hither.  I'l  say,  Syrs,  here  is  one  come  among 
yot{,  that  was  the  most  abominable  Sinner  thai  ever  was  in  the 
World,  and  yett  I  have  as  good  a  Righteousness  as  any  of  you. 
I'l  say,  Oh  I  yee  Illustrious  Angels,  if  you  don't  wonderftdly 
glorifie  the  Grace  of  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  in  fetching  so  vile 
a  Sinner  into  these  Mansions,  you'l  never  do  it  I" 

I  mention  this  Passage,  for  some  Reasons,  that  I  need 
not  mention.' 

'    36  d.  7  m.  [Sfptember.]    Baptised  Vines  Elicut,  a  Youth  about  i]  Years  ol 

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OCTOBER,     1697  23  s 

2d.  8m.  [October.]  Saturday.  I  spent  this  Day  in  the 
Exercises  of  a  secret  Fast,  hungring  and  thirsting  for  Rigkt- 
eottsness. 

God  gave  mee  some  comfortable  Tokens  of  His  Presence 
with  mee,  this  Day. 

Especially,  in  the  Close  of  the  Day;  when,  from  the 
Dust,  where  I  lay  prostrate,  I  cried  vmto  the  Lord,  that  Hee 
would  accept  mee,  and  employ  mee,  in  eminent  Services 
for  my  Lord  Jesus  Christ;  and  grant  mee  a  special  Assist- 
ence  from  His  Good  Angel  in  my  Services.  With  Tears,  I 
received  Assurance  of  my  being  heard  in  these  Petitions! 

One  singular  Errand,  upon  which  I  went  unto  Heaven, 
this  Day,  was,  to  bee  informed,  whether  I  should  glorify  my 
Lord  Jesus  Christ,  by  writing  a  Treatise,  on,  The  Great 
Mystery  of  Godliness,  in  the  several  Articles  of  it;  (i.  Tim. 
3.  16.)  and  bearing  a  Testimony  to  the  great  Points  of  the 
Christian  Religion. 

I  must  attempt  it,  and  the  Lord,  and  His  good  Angel, 
will  bee  with  mee,  in  my  Attempt. 

gd.Sm.  Much  of  my  Time,  has  been  spent  abroad, 
this  Week,  out  of  Town;  where,  tho'  I  did  endeavour  to  do 
service,  (especially,  at  miserable  Watertown,  bringing  the 
People  in  the  east  part  of  that  poor  Town,  to  sign  an  Instru- 
ment, wherein  they  confessed  the  Errors  of  their  late  Actions, 
and  promised,  by  the  Help  of  Christ,  a  regular  Behaviour; 
and  otherwise  helping  the  Council  that  mett  there;)  yett 
I  am  very  imeasy  at  my  spending  my  Time,  thus  imcom- 
fortably,  and  (in  Comparison  of  what  might  have  been) 
improfitably. 

Moreover,  the  Afternoon  of  yesterday  I  was  with  the 
Ministers  of  the  Town,  praying  for  one  of  our  Number,  who 
continues  ill. 

Age,  presented  by  a  Woman  of  the  Old  Church  (one  Cable),  who  had  brought  him 
up  in  the  Knowledge  and  for  the  Service  of  Christ,  and  promised  still  to  do  so." 
Cotton  Mather's  MS.  Records  of  the  Second  Church,  n. 

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236  DIARY  OF  COTTON  MATHER 

This  was  one  Occasion,  why  I  could  not  so  well  sett 
apart,  this  present  Saturday,  for  a  secret  Fast,  in  my  study; 
as  I  would  have  done. 

But,  yett,  in  the  Evening  of  this  Day,  being  under 
extreme  Anguish  of  mind,  from  the  terrible  and  amazing 
Circumstances,  of  my  poor  Uncle  at  Plymouth,  (condenmed 
the  last  Week,  to  Silence,  by  the  just  Sentence  of  a  Council,)' 
I  was  afraid,  lest  the  Lord  shoidd  bring  His  dreadful  Judg- 
ments upon  mee  also,  for  my  sins  against  Him,  and  leave 
mee  to  things  that  might  horribly  wound  His  Name  and 
Work  in  mine,  and  bee  the  horrible  Astonishment  of  all 
His  Churches.  Under  this  melancholy  Fear,  I  cast  myself 
prostrate  on  my  Study-Floor  before  the  Lord;  and  as  I  was 
there  confessing  my  Sins,  and  accepting  the  Sacrifice  and 
Righteousness  of  my  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  God  from  Heaven, 
wonderfully  touched  my  Soul,  and  melting  mee  into  Tears, 
Hee  assured  mee,  that  Hee  had  pardoned  my  Sins,  and  that 
Hee  would  glorify  His  infinite  and  soveraign  Grace,  in  employ- 
ing mee  to  serve  my  Lord  Jesus  Christ  exceedingly. 

13  d.  8  m.  This  Day,  I  rode  unto  Dedham,  not  without  a 
sensible  Protection,  from  the  good  Angels  upon  mee,  once 
when  my  headstrong  Horse  broke  the  Chap  of  his  Bridle, 
and  another  Time,  when  my  Horse  fell  do^vn  with  mee,  so 
as  to  lame  himself,  and  not  hurt  mee  at  all,  and  a  third 
Time,  when  I,  with  the  Gentleman  that  bore  mee  Company, 
were  just  mistaking  our  way,  and  a  Friend  unknown  to  us, 
just  then  in  sight  of  us,  informed  us  of  our  Mistake.  My 
Errand  was,  To  preach  the  unsearcliable  Riches  of  Christ; 
a  Subject  whereof  the  Angels  are  the  glad  Students,  and 
would  bee  glad  to  bee  the  Preachers.  As  I  was  beginning 
my  Sermon,  an  inexpressible  Satisfaction  filled  my  Soul, 

'  Rev.  John  Cotton,  whom  the  church  w.is  advised  to  dismiss  with  as  much 
charity  as  the  rule  would  admit.  "This  was  for  his  Notorious  Breaches  of  the 
Seventh  Commandment,  and  undue  Carriage  in  chusing  Elders.  Thus  Christs 
words  are  fulfilled,  Unsavoury  Salt  is  cast  to  the  Dunghill.  A  most  awfull 
Instance."     Sewall,  Diary,  i.  460,  472. 

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OCTOBER,     1697  237 

in  Thoughts,  of  the  Divine  Favour,  which  accepted  mee  in 
the  Holy  Service  of  glorifying  my  Lord  Jesus  Christ.  I  was 
therewithal  assured,  That  the  Spirit  and  the  Angel  of  my 
Lord  Jesus  Christ,  would  assist  mee  wonderfully:  And  it 
was  with  mee,  even  beyond  my  Assurance. 

16  d.  8  w.  Saturday.  This  Day,  I  sett  apart,  for  the 
Duties  of  a  secret  FAST.  Inexpressible  Self -Abhorrence, 
for  my  abominable  Sinfulness  before  the  Holy  Lord,  was 
the  Design,  and  the  very  Spirit  of  my  Devotions  this  Day. 
The  deplorable  Condition  of  my  fallen  Uncle,  was  that  which 
God  sanctified  for  my  Awakening  unto  such  a  Strain  in  my 
Devotions. 

And  yett,  in  the  Close  of  the  Day,  when  I  was  prostrate 
in  the  Dust,  on  my  Study-floor  before  the  Lord,  I  received 
a  new,  a  strong,  a  wonderful  Assurance  from  Heaven  (melt- 
ing mee  into  Tears  of  Joy!)  that  my  Sins  are  all  pardoned 
thro'  the  Blood  of  Christ,  and  that  notwithstanding  all  my 
horrid  Sinfulness,  I  shall  bee  employ'd  in  great  Services 
for  His  Name.  Whereupon,  I  resolved,  that  inasmuch  as 
the  Grace  of  Heaven  was  never  more  magnified,  than  in 
pardoning  and  employing  so  vile  a  Wretch  as  I  am,  I  would 
sett  myself  to  glorify  Free-Grace,  by  preaching  and  writing 
the  Doctrines,  the  Riches,  and  the  Glories  of  it,  with  all 
possible  Application. 

21  d.%m.  Thursday.  The  General  Assembly  was  now 
sitting,  and  I  had  this  Day  an  Opportunity  to  address  my 
whole  Countrey  in  one  Assembly  I  considered,  that  my  Lord 
JESUS  CHRIST,  as  the  great  Sacrifice  for  the  Congregation, 
had  never  been  enough  preach'd  and  pris'd,  and  us'd  in  this 
Land.  Wee  urged  Reformation,  without  beginning  at  those 
Exercises  of  our  Faith,  which  are  to  rely  upon  that  great 
Sacrifice,  for  Grace  to  reform  what  is  amiss,  and  so  for  Help 
in  and  from  all  of  our  Distresses.  Wherefore  this  Day,  I 
did,  in  my  Lecture,  to  a  vast  Assembly,  preach  on  Lev.  4.  21. 
A  Sin-Ofering  for  the  Congregation;  and  show  my  People, 
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238  DIARY  OF  COTTON  MATHER 

how  to  glorify  my  Lord  JESUS  CHRIST,  by  acting  Faith 
on  Him,  as  a  Sin-Ojjering,  for  our  Public  Atonement  and 
Salvation.  I  concluded  my  Sermon,  with  telling,  the 
Elders  of  the  Land,  that  they  should  not  stirr  out  of  place, 
till  the  Exhortation  was  putt  in  Execution.  I  call'd  upon 
them,  to  stand  up,  and  join  with  mee,  in  the  Cries,  that  wee 
would  proceed  then  to  lift  up  unto  the  Lord.*  So,  I  made  a 
Prayer,  wherein  (the  General-Assembly  standing  up  to  say. 
Amen,  imto  it,)  I  spread  before  God,  the  great  Sacrifice  of 
our  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  for  our  Deliverances. 

After  this,  I  thought,  that  wee  should  ere  long  under- 
stand of  great  Salvations  this  year  vouchsafed  imto  this 
Land,  notwithstanding  our  great  Unworthiness  and  Unf ruit- 
fulness.  And  I  was  therefore  exceedingly  desirous,  to  lay 
before  the  People  of  this  Land,  my  Advice  of  that  great 
Sacrifice,  to  whom  all  the  Glory  of  our  great  Salvation  will 
bee  due;  and  bespeak  for  my  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  the  Glory 
of  it  all.  I  ask'd  of  the  Lord,  that  Hee  would  allow,  and 
assist  mee,  to  publish  unto  my  People,  my  late  Meditations 
of  the  great  Sacrifice:  And  immediately,  it  came  into  my 
mind,  that  I  had  in  my  Hand,  an  excellent  Letter,  full  of 
divine  Rarities,  lately  written  from  a  Prison  in  France,  by 
a  pious  Confessor  of  the  reformed  Religion,  once  dwelling 
in  my  Neighbourhood.*  The  Translating  and  Publishing 
of  this  Letter,  I  saw,  would  bee  a  very  charming  way  to 
do  good,  throughout  all  this  Countrey,  and  to  diffuse  the 
Spirit  of  Christianitie  wonderfully.  Accordingl)',  I  agreeably 
joined  this  Letter,  unto  my  Sermon,  to  render  it  the  more 
taking,  and  gave  it  the  Title  of,  A  Present  from  a  far 
CoxjNTREY  TO  THE  PEOPLE  OF  New  ENGLAND.  The  Book- 
seller gladly  accepted  it,  and  published  it;  But  herewithal, 
that  I  might  watchfully  lay  hold  on  all  Opportunities  to  bee 

'  "Satterday,  Oct'r  30,  1697.  Several  Acts  arc  published;  particularly  that 
against  Athcismc  and  Blasphcmie."    Scwall,  Diary,  t.  463. 

'  "One  Eliai  Nean"  written  in  the  margin.    .S«e  under  May  2,  1699,  infra. 

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NOVEMBEK,     1697  239 

serviceable,  I  composed  and  inserted  a  Discourse  in  the 
French  Tongue,  addressed  unto  the  French  Church  in  this 
Town,  advising  them  as  prudently  as  I  was  able,  to  reform 
Things,  that  are  amiss  among  them. 

I®-  I  do  in  this  Place  also  record  it,  that  tho'  there  bee 
no  Humane  Probability,  or  Possibility,  of  DeUverance  for 
that  blessed  Confessor  Nean,  now  perishing  in  the  French 
Dungeons,  yett  I  cannot  forbear  crying  to  God  for  his 
Deliverance,  and  carrying  his  Condition  before  the  Lord. 
These  Prayers  will  not  bee  lost! 

30  d.  8  m.  Saturday.  This  Day  I  spent  in  the  Exercises 
of  a  secret  FAST,  for  the  same  Reasons,  and  with  the  same 
Requests  that  have  occasioned  my  being  several  Times  thus 
of  late  before  the  Lord. 

Nothing  remarkable  occurr'd  in  the  Day. 

But  in  the  Close  of  the  Day,  the  Lord  marvellously 
renewed  my  Assurances,  that  Hee  will  Accept  mee,  and 
employ  mee,  to  glorify  my  Lord  JESUS  CHRIST  exceed- 
ingly. 

But  then  this  Thought,  was  with  inexpressible  Joy  sett 
home  upon  my  mind,  that  since  my  Heart  was  exceedingly 
sett  upon  promoting  and  advancing  the  Glory  of  the  Lord 
Jesus  Christ  in  this  World,  God  will  certainly  grant  mee  the 
Sight  of  that  Glory  in  another,  and  a  better  World;  I  shall 
certainly  bee  with  Him,  where  Hee  is,  to  behold  His  Glory: 
and  therefore  I  shall  bee  happy  throughout  eternal  Ages. 

This  Consolation  was  renew'd  unto  mee,  the  Day  follow- 
ing, in  Administring  the  Supper  of  the  Lord. 

y  d.  g  m.  [November.]  Lords-Day.  I  took  my  little 
Daughter,  Katy,  into  my  Study;  and  there  I  told  my 
Child,  that  I  am  to  dy  shortly,  and  shee  must,  when  I 
am  Dead,  Remember  every  Thing,  that  I  said  unto  her, 

I  sett  before  her,  the  sinful  and  woful  Condition  of  her 
Nature,  and  I  charg'd  her,  to  pray  in  secret  Places,  every 

Day,  without  ceasing,  that  God  for  the  Sake  of  Jesus  Christ 

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240  DIAEY  OF  COTTON  MATHER 

would  give  her  a  New  Heart,  and  pardon  Her  Sins,  and  make 
her  a  Servant  of  His. 

I  gave  her  to  understand,  that  when  I  am  taken  from 
her,  shee  must  look  to  meet  with  more  humbling  Afflictions 
than  shee  does,  now  shee  has  a  careful  and  a  tender  Father 
to  provide  for  her;  but,  if  shee  would  pray  constantly,  God 
in  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  would  bee  a  Father  to  her,  and  make 
all  Afflictions  work  together  for  her  Good. 

I  signified  unto  her.  That  the  People  of  God,  would 
much  observe  how  shee  carried  herself,  and  that  I  had 
written  a  Book,  about.  Ungodly  Children,  in  the  Conclusion 
whereof  I  say,  that  this  Book  will  bee  a  terrible  Witness 
against  my  own  Children,  if  any  of  them  should  not  bee 
Godly. 

At  length,  with  many  Tears,  both  on  my  Part,  and  hers, 
I  told  my  Child,  that  God  had  from  Heaven  assured  mee, 
and  the  good  Angels  of  God  had  satisfied  mee,  that  shee  shall 
bee  brought  Home  unto  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  and  bee  one  of 
His  forever.  I  bid  her  use  this,  as  an  Encouragement  imto 
her  SuppUcations  imto  the  Lord,  for  His  Grace.  But  I 
therewithal  told  her,  that  if  shee  did  not  now,  in  her  Child- 
hood seek  the  Lord,  and  give  herself  up  imto  Him,  some 
dreadful  Afflictions  must  befal  her,  that  so  her  Father's 
Faith,  may  come  at  its  Accomplishments. 

I  thereupon  made  the  Child  kneel  down  by  mee;  and  I 
poured  out  my  Cries  unto  the  Lord,  that  Hee  would  lay 
His  Hands  upon  her,  and  bless  her  and  save  her,  and  make 
her  a  Temple  of  His  Glory.     It  will  bee  so;  It  will  be  so! 

I  write  this,  the  more  particularly,  that  the  Child  may 
hereafter  have  the  Benefit  of  reading  it.' 

Memorandum. 
This  Week,   I   understand,   that  my  poor  Servant  is 
happily  and  gloriously  delivered,  from  the  deplorable  Cir- 

'Shc  was  born  September  i,  1689,  and  was,  tliercforc,  in  her  ninth  year  at 
this  time. 

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NOVEMBER,     1697  24I 

cmnstances  which  occasion'd  my  beseeching  the  Lord  Thrice, 
for  her  DeUverance. 

Moreover,  tis  as  I  said,  a  great  Salvation  has  this  Year 
been  granted  unto  this  Land.  Wee  have  with  a  plentiful 
Harvest,  been  saved  from  the  terrible  Famine,  when  a  few 
Dayes  of  Drought  more,  would  have  rendred  it  irresistible.' 
A  great  Body  of  Indians,  with  French,  were  on  their  way,  to 
make  a  Descent  on  our  Frontiers;  but  our  Army  happily 
must  meet  'em,  and  beat  'em,  and  save  the  Lives  of  Hun- 
dreds. A  formidable  Squadron  of  about  fifteen  French 
Men  of  War,  were  coming  to  this  Town,  and  would,  no 
doubt,  have  laid  it  very  desolate:  but  when  they  were  a 
Uttle  Way  off,  the  Angel  of  the  Lord  went  forth,  and  smote 
'em  with  such  a  wasting  Sickness,  that  the  Loss  of  their 
Men  by  it,  enfeebled  'em,  so  as  to  make  'em  desert  the 
Enterprise. 

IX  d.gm.  This  Day,  was  a  Day  of  pubUc  Thanksgiving 
throughout  the  Province  for  our  DeUverance,  from  the 
Calamities,  which  in  the  Summer  past,  sorely  threatned 
our  Desolation.  I  remembred  my  Purposes;  and  glorified 
my  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  as  the  Author  of  our  DeUverance. 

The  whole  Day,  I  fiUed  with  the  Hallelujahs  of  occasional 
Ejaculations,  besides  the  more  solemn  Exercises  of  the  Day. 

And  having  my  Spirit,  by  means  hereof  raised  up  into 
Heaven,  I  received  a  Perswasion  from  thence,  that  there 
wUl  immediately  bee  a  great  Revolution  upon  England,  in 
favour  of  the  Reformation,  and  the  Church  and  cause  of 
my  Lord  Jesus  Christ.' 

27  d.gm.  Having  sett  apart  this  Day,  for  the  Exer- 
cises of  a  secret  FAST,  in  my  Study,  I  did,  at  the  Close  of 
the  Day,  prostrate  on  my  Study-floor,  joyfully  receive  these 
Assurances  from  Heaven. 

•  Sewall  mentions  a  drought  which  much  afflicted  them,  but  towns  not  far 
distant  had  a  sufficiency  of  rain.    Letter  Book,  l.  187. 
'  A  paragraph  foUows  which  has  been  struck  out. 

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242  DIARY  or     COTTON  MATHEK 

That  notwithstanding  my  horrible  Sinfuhiess  and  Filthi- 
ness,  there  will  bee  a  Triumph  of  the  Divine  Grace,  in  em- 
ploying mee  to  do  special  Services  for  the  Name  of  my  Lord 
Jesus  Christ. 

That  the  Spirit  of  my  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  will  bee 
mightily  present  with  mee,  in  my  writing  a  Book  which  I 
have  now  begun,  for  the  Illustration,  and  the  Demonstra- 
tion of  the  Christian  Religion. 

That  there  are  good  Newes  coming  to  mee  from  England; 
and  such  particularly,  as  will  give  mee  Encouragement, 
about  the  future  Pubhcation  of  my  Church-History. 

That  France,  is  quickly  to  undergo  a  mighty  Revo- 
lution. 

28  d.  9  m.  Lord's-Day.  At  Noon,  in  my  Study,  crying 
to  Heaven,  that  I  might  bee  employ'd  in  glorifying  my  Lord 
Jesus  Christ,  I  had  my  Heart  strangely  carried  into  a  Par- 
ticular Faith,  that  I  have  yett  some  special  and  Notable 
Thing  to  do,  by  means  whereof  my  Lord  Jesus  Christ  shall 
bee  more  known  throughout  my  own  Countrey;  even 
throughout  the  Churches  of  this  Wilderness 

4  d.  10  m.  [December.]  Saturday.  Horrible  Crimes,  are  by 
strange  Dispensations  of  Heaven,  discovered  in  some  Com- 
municants of  my  Church,  especially  one  very  criminal 
Adulteress.^ 

I  thought  it  my  Duty  to  himible  myself,  extraordinarily 
before  the  Lord  on  this  Occasion,  lest  the  Lord  should  bee 
offended  at  mee,  for  the  Liiquities  of  those  that  are  under 
my  Charge. 

I  therefore  sett  apart  this  Day,  for  Prayer  with  Fasting 
in  my  Study,  that  I  might  obtain  the  Pardon  of  all  my 
own  vile  Sinfulness,  which  the  Sins  of  others  led  mee  to 
reflect  upon:  and  I  obtained  it. 

But  one  special  Errand,  upon  which  I  went  unto  Heaven 
was,  that  I  might  procure  speedy  and  wondrous  Rebukes 

■  See  p.  344  H,  infra. 

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DECEMBER,     1697  243 

of  God,  upon  our  Indian  Salvages,  in  the  East;  in  which, 
the  Lord  has  heard  mee! 

I  also  besought  the  Lord,  that  I  might  bee  pre- 
pared for  merciful  Tidings,  to  arrive  imto  mee,  from 
England. 

g  d.  10  m.  Thursday.  Li  the  Evening  of  this  day,  the 
select  Company  of  Christians  with  whom  I  once  a  Fortnight 
privately  preach  and  pray,  upon  the  Approaches  of  the 
Kingdome  of  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  heard  mee  discoursing 
to  them,  on  i.  Thess.  5.  3.  Whence  I  observed,  that  men 
shall  talk  much  of  PEACE,  and  look  much  for  PEACE,  in  the 
World,  when  the  second  Coming  of  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  is 
going  to  be  ushered  in,  with  a  sudden  Destruction  on  the  King- 
dome  of  Antichrist. 

Immediately  after  the  finishing  of  our  Exercises,  Word 
is  brought  in  \mto  us,  that  Ships  arrived  from  England, 
bring  the  Tidings  of  a  Peace  proclaimed  among  the  Nations 
of  Europe.  And  of  such  an  Overthrow  given  to  the  Turk, 
as  looks  Like  the  second  wo  passing  away. 

10  d.  10  m.  This  day,  I  not  only  imderstand,  that  the 
Life  of  Sir  Wm.  Phips,  is  published  in  London;  but  also 
another  of  my  Composures,  very  particularly  circum- 
stanced. Considering,  that  the  late  Calamities  fill  the  Eng- 
lish Nation  with  poor  People,  I  sent  over,  in  Manuscript 
the  last  year,  my  Discourses  entitled,  Gospel  for  the  Poor. 
The  Ship  was  taken,  and  so  I  gave  over  the  Manuscript 
for  lost;  which  occasioned  my  printing  of  it,  in  this  Coimtrey. 
Nevertheless,  this  day  I  receive  a  Letter  from  a  Bookseller 
in  London,  which  has  this  Passage  in  it. 

"Sir  Henry  Ashurst,  some  weeks  since,  putt  a  manuscript 
of  yours  into  my  Hand,  entitled,  Gospel  for  the  Poor;  but 
hee  being  most  of  the  Summer  in  the  Coimtrey,  wee  have 
not  concluded  on  the  Terms;  but  when  hee  comes  to  Town, 
I  question  not,  but  wee  shall  agree;  and  you  will  have  some 
sent  you." 

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244  DIARY  OF  COTTON  MATHER 

Sir  Henry  Ashurst  himself  also  writes  to  mee;  I  have  it, 
and  it  will  bee  printed. 

Oh!  what  shall  I  render  to  the  Lord,  for  the  care  that 
Hee  takes,  and  the  Use  that  Hee  makes  of  my  poor  Labours! 

11  d.  lo  m.  Salurcday.  I  sett  apart  this  Day,  for  the 
Exercises  of  a  secret  Fast,  on  the  same  Occasions,  that  I  did 
so,  this  day  Se'imight. 

And  the  Lord,  added  the  last  Night,  one  Occasion  more 
for  mee  to  abound  in  Exercises,  that  may  prepare  mee  for 
Death,  and  ripen  mee  for  Heaven ;  Inasmuch  as  the  Newes 
of  the  Death  of  my  worthy  Uncle,  Mr.  Nathanael  Mather, 
a  Minister  of  great  Note  in  London,  then  arrived  unto  mee. 
Hee  dyed,  July  26.' 

12  d.  10  m.  [No  entry.] 

16  d.  10  m.  Thursday.  On  the  last  Lord's-day,  dyed  a 
worthy  and  a  noted  Minister  in  this  Town;  my  dear  Friend, 
Mr.  John  Baily. 

His  last  words  were,  Oh!  my  Lord  Jesus  Christ  is  alto- 
gether lovely!  All  our  Praises  of  Him  here,  are  poor  and  low 
Things!    His  glorious  Angels  are  come  for  mee! 

Before  hee  was  taken  sick,  hee  had,  under  a  Presage  of 
his  Life  and  Work  drawing  to  an  End,  begun  to  study  a 
Sermon  on  Psal.  31.  5.  Into  thy  Hands  I  commend  My 
Spirit.  But  hee  never  had  opportunity  to  finish,  or  utter, 
what  hee  had  studied.  God  call'd  him  from  the  Study,  to 
the  Practice  of  it. 

When  hee  lay  a  dying,  hee  ask'd  of  mee,  that  I  would 

'  He  was  born  in  England  March  jo,  1630,  but  graduated  at  Harvard  College 
in  1647,  and  then  returned  to  England.  After  many  experiences  he  was  at  the 
time  of  his  death  pastor  of  a  dissenting  congregation  in  London.  Sewall  says: 
"Mr.  Cotton  Mather  was  at  the  Townhouse  Chamber  pretty  merry  and  pleasant: 
but  was  made  sad  by  Col.  Hutchinsons  telling  him  of  the  death  of  his  Unlde  Mr. 
N.  Mather,  a  very  worthy  Friend  of  New  England."     Diary,  i.  465. 

This  Day,  Mrs.  Sarah  Cock,  having  been  convicted  by  her  own  Confession  to 
diverse  Persons,  together  with  several  corroborating  Evidences,  of  Adultery,  three 
Weeks  ago,  and  of  telling  diverse  gross  Lyes  to  cover  her  Adultery,  shee  had  the 
Censure  of  Excommunication  passed  upon  her."  Colton  Mather's  MS.  Records  of 
the  Second  Churth,  11. 

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DECEMBER,     1697  245 

preach  this  Text,  after  his  Death.  And  the  Providence  of 
Heaven,  does  now  strangely  order  the  Funeral  of  this  good 
Man,  to  bee  on  the  Day  of  my  Lecture.  A  vast  Assembly 
now  came  together,  and  preaching  to  them  on  the  Text  so 
remarkably  circumstanced,  there  was  the  more  of  a  pun- 
gency on  the  Truths  which  I  deUvered.  Into  the  Sermon,  I 
interwove  many  Memorables  of  the  Person  deceased,  which 
also  proved  a  profitable  and  an  acceptable  Entertain- 
ment.' 

The  PubUcation  of  this  Discourse  was  much  Desired; 
so  I  gave  it  unto  the  Book-sellers.     It  is  entitled,  A  Good 

M.\N,  MAKING  A  GoOD  EnD.* 

And  by  perusing  of  my  dear  Friend's  Diaries,  I  had  the 
Opportunity  of  transcribing  into  it,  abundance  of  most 
useful  Passages.  Who  am  I,  that  the  Lord  should  make  this 
Use  of  mee  ? 

And  at  this  Time  also,  arrives  imto  my  Sight,  the  His- 
tory, which  I  had  written  of  the  Life  of  Sir  William  Phips; 
printed  at  London,  with  very  considerable  Names  recom- 
mending of  it,  and  its  (unworthy)  Author.  Here  I  see  a 
further  Answer  of  my  poor  Prayers.  Our  base  Tories,  are 
in  much  Anguish  at  this  Book;  but  it  will  certainly  prove  a 
great  Service  unto  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ. 

26  d.  10  m.  Satureday.  I  spent  this  Day,  in  the  Exercises 
of  a  secret  Fast  before  the  Lord. 

One  special  Action  of  this  Day,  was,  my  getting,  an  hope- 
ful young  Gentleman,  Mr.  R.  Whittingham,  to  visit  mee  at 
my  study,  and  my  praying  with  him,  there,  in  such  Terms 
as  effectually  to  pursue  my  Designs  of  engaging  him  unto 
the  eternal  Service  of  Christ,  and  therewithal  obtaining  the 

•  Sewall  notes  that  it  was  a  very  cold  day.  The  text  of  the  funeral  sermon  was 
Psalm  31.  5.  Bayley  died  about  three  o'clock  in  the  afternoon  of  Decem- 
ber 12,  "just  the  time  he  should  have  stood  up  to  preach  for  Mr.  Willard," 
and  after  much  pain  and  illness  by  the  Gout  and  other  distempers.  Diary, 
I.  46s,  466. 

'  Printed  by  B.  Green  and  John  Allen. 

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246  DIARY  OF  COTTON  MATHER 

Favour  of  God  unto  him,  in  a  Voyage  to  England  now  before 
him.' 

In  this  Action,  I  enjoy'd  special  Communications  from 
Heaven,  assiiring  mee,  of  a  Blessing  for  my  Friend,  whom 
I  thus  carried  unto  the  Lord. 

But  in  the  other  Duties  of  the  Day,  an  unhappy  Dark- 
ness, and  Coldness  attended  mee,  which  made  mee  fear, 
that  I  had  grieved  the  Holy  Spirit  of  God.  I  must  con- 
sider, wherein?  And  seeking  a  Pardon  thro'  the  Blood  of 
Christ,  reform  it. 

However,  on  the  Day  following,  at  the  Lord's  Table,  the 
Holy  Spirit  of  God  came  upon  mee,  in  my  last  Prayer,  and 
perswaded  mee  and  assured  mee,  that  my  Sins  are  forgiven 
mee. 

Memorandum.  While  my  Book,  entitled,  A  Good  Man 
making  a  Good  End,  is  in  the  Press,  one  thing  happens,  that 
in  part  answers  the  Faith,  which  I  recorded,  (28  d.  9  m.)  a 
month  ago.  The  Bookseller  desires  mee  to  add  unto  that 
Book;  (which  will  bee  greedily  read  throughout  all  New 
England!)  and  I  add  unto  it,  my  Discourse  had  a  while 
since,  at  our  Lecture,  on  Act.  11.  26.  which  I  entitled,  The 
Character  of  a  Christian.  This  discourse  describes,  the 
Respect  unto  CHRIST,  which  is  essential  unto  Christianity, 
and  the  Glory  which  every  true  Christian  payes  unto 
CHRIST.  So  will  my  Lord  Jesus  CHRIST,  bee  more 
known  throughout  my  Countreyl 

Memorandum.  On  j  d.  11  m.  [January.]  Arrives  to  mee, 
a  Book  in  Folio,  this  year  published  in  London,  which  pro- 
fesses itself  to  bee  a  Collection  of  Remarkable  Providences. 
I  find  myself  often  quoted  in  this  Book;  yea,  very  often; 
and  very  large  Paragraphs  from  several  Books  of  mine 
transcribed  into  it.    And  I  find,  the  Names  and  Lives  of 

•  Richard  Whittingham  was  admitted  to  the  Second  Church,  February  jo, 
1697-98. 

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JANUARY,     1697-98  247 

Nonconformists,  thsrein  much  magnified,  tho'  the  Book  bee 
written  by  a  Conformist. 

This  gives  mee  a  very  encouraging  Prospect,  that  the 
Publication  of  my  Church-History  may  now  bee  seasonable. 

And  the  Restoration  of  Peace,  makes  a  more  easy  Pas- 
sage for  it  into  Europe. 

Yea,  To  my  Surprise,  I  find  an  Advertisement  of  it,  at 
the  End  of  the  Book,  which  thus  arrives  imto  mee. 

Behold,  the  Faith  which  Irradiated  mee,  the  last  Novem- 
ber, answered! 

8  d.  11m.  [January]  Satureday.  I  sett  apart  this  Day, 
for  the  Exercises  of  a  secret  Fast  before  the  Lord. 

One  sp>ecial  Design  of  my  Supplications,  was,  to  obtain 
the  Direction  of  Heaven  about  my  Church-History;  the 
Time  and  Way  of  my  sending  it  into  Europe,  and  the 
Methods  of  its  Publication.  I  think,  I  am  assured,  that  my 
Supplications  are  heard,  in  this  matter. 

The  Rest  of  this  Month  prov'd  a  Time  of  much  Calamity 
to  mee. 

Epidemical  and  Pestilential  Colds,  at  once  came  upon 
this  whole  Town,  and  most  of  the  neighbouring  Planta- 
tions. These  Colds  prov'd  mortal  to  many,  and  grievous  to 
most:  nor  can  any  man  Uving  remember  such  a  Time  as 
was  hereby  brought  upon  us.'  I  had  my  Share  in  it.  A 
sore  Cough,  lacerated  my  Breast;  and  a  periodical  Head- 
ache, with  Fever,  did  every  morning,  for  a  long  time  together, 
distress  mee,  with  exquisite  Miseryes.  I  was  confined  for 
almost  a  whole  Month;  and  sometimes  my  Distemper 
threatned  my  Dissolution. 

The  Prospect  of  approaching  Death,  gave  mee  an  Oppor- 
tunity, to  tast  the  Consolations  of  God.  When  I  thought, 
of  being  within  a  Fortnight,  among  the  Angels,  of  Heaven, 
(which  I  was  assured  that  I  should  bee,  at  my  Departure 

•  This  winter  appears  to  have  been  of  exceptional  severity,  with  deep  snows 
and  bitter  cold. 

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248  DIARY  OF  COTTON  MATHER 

hence)  it  caused  mee,  to  fall  into  Tears  of  Joy.  And,  yett, 
such  a  sweet  contradiction  there  is  in  Christianity!  I 
resolved,  out  of  Respect  unto  the  Service  which  I  desire 
to  do,  for  the  Name  of  my  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  that  I  would 
keep  out  of  those  blessed  Hands,  yett  for  a  while,  if  I  could, 
by  using  the  best  means  for  my  Recovery.  The  Lord  my 
Healer,  at  length  blessed  those  means,  but  not  until  I  had 
first  praepared  myself,  by  these  Considerations. 

That  I  may  come  out  of  my  Sickness,  as  Gold  out  of  the 
Fire: 

I.  I  must  effectually  learn  this  Lesson,  that  this  present 
World,  which  imhappy  Maladies  ever  now  and  then  recur- 
ring, render  such  an  evil  World,  is  not  my  Home.  And  I 
must  think  more  on,  and  long  more  for,  the  glorious  World, 
which  my  Lord  Jesus  Christ  has  purchased. 

II.  I  must  enquire  after  Sin,  as  the  Cause  of  Sickness. 
And,  as  I  must  infer  what  a  bitter  Thing,  aU  Sin  in  general 
is,  from  the  Bitterness,  which  I  tast  in  the  Effect  of  it;  so, 
I  must  enquire,  whether,  a  malignant  Cold,  bee  not  the  very 
distemper  of  my  Soul;  a  cold  Indisposition  to  Religion, 
accompanied  with  sinful  Malignity. 

III.  I  must  ascribe  unto  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  the 
Glory  of  my  Deliverance  out  of  Sickness.  When  Hee  bore 
my  Sins,  on  the  Cross,  then  Hee  bore  my  Sicknesses.  Hee 
has  by  His  obedience,  made  Atonement  for  the  Sins,  for 
which,  God  might  make  mee  sick  in  smiling  mee.  His 
Death,  is  the  Price  of  my  Health.  And  therefore  when  my 
Health,  shall  bee  restored,  I  must  sett  myself,  with  more 
Vigour  than  ever,  to  glorify  my  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  by  bring- 
ing forth  much  Fruit  unto  Him. 

When  the  first  Lord's-day  of  my  going  abroad  arrived; 

6d.  12  m.  [February.]  I  had  a  very  particular  Experi- 
ment. 

At  noon,  I  found  myself  very  ill,  that  I  thought  it 
impossible  for  mee,  to  do  any  public  Service  in  the  After- 

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FEBRUARY,     1697-98  249 

noon:  so  very  ill,  that  thro'  Faintness  I  could  not  well  rise 
out  of  my  Chair,  to  pray  for  the  Assistences  of  Heaven  to 
my  public  Service,  as  I  use  to  do.'  In  my  Anguish,  taking 
the  Bible,  I  turned  irnto  those  Passages,  in  Dan.  iv.  8.  lo, 
1 8.  /  was  left  alone;  there  remained  no  Strength  in  mee,  my 
Comeliness  in  mee  was  turned  into  Corruption;  I  retained  no 
strength.  And  behold,  an  Hand  touched  mee,  which  sett  mee 
cm  my  Knees.  Straightway  there  remained  no  Strength  in  mee, 
neither  Breath  left  in  mee:  Then  there  came  again  and  touched 
mee,  the  Appearance  of  a  Man,  and  hee  strengthened  mee. 
Hereupon  I  cryed  unto  the  Lord,  that  Hee  would  send  His 
Angel,  (and  my  Angel)  to  touch  mee.  And  behold,  when 
the  Time  came  for  my  going  forth,  I  received  a  new  Strength; 
and  the  longer  I  continued  in  the  public  Exercises,  the  more 
did  my  Strength  seem  to  return  unto  mee.  I  went  thro' 
the  Exercises,  with  a  very  singular  Assistence  of  Heaven, 
and  pray'd  and  preach'd  and  baptis'd,  and  managed  other 
Church-matters,  for  the  best  Part  of  three  Hours  together. 
My  Sermon  was,  on  Psal.  103.  3,  Hee  healeth  all  thy  Diseases. 
And  my  Design,  to  show,  how  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  the  God 
of  Heaven,  is  to  bee  considered  and  acknowledged  as  healing  all 
the  Diseases  of  His  people  on  Earth. 

In  the  Beginning  of  the  Following  Week,  I  went  thro' 
a  great  Variety  of  Work.  But  my  concern  to  recover  the 
Time  I  had  lost  in  my  Sickness,  and  glorify  my  Lord  Jesus 
Christ  being  managed  with  too  indiscrete  an  Intemperance, 
I  was  cast  into  a  Fitt  of  the  Cholic,  which  held  mee  for 
diverse  Hours. 

But  God  looked  on  my  Affliction  and  my  Pain,  and  forgave 
my  Sin,  and  heard  my  SuppUcations  in  the  Name  of  my 
L[ord]  Jesus  Christ.    I  found  speedy  Releef .    And  Hee  gave 

•"Mr.  Wigglesworth  preach'd  Jan'y  23,  from  those  words.  Who  can  stand 
before  his  Cold  ?  Then  by  reason  of  his  own  and  peoples  sickness,  three  Sabbaths 
passed  without  publick  worship.  Feb.  20,  a  very  cold  day.  He  preached  from 
those  words;  He  sends  forth  his  word  and  thaws  them;  which  began  21  and  espe- 
cially 22,  and  has  thaw'd  much  and  yet  moderately."    Bewail,  Diary,  1.  471. 

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250  DIARY  OF  COTTON  MATHER 

mee  an  Opportunity,  with  a  great  Assistence,  to  preach  unto 
a  great  Assembly,  on  the  Thursday-Lecture.  Where,  consid- 
ering how  almost  all  the  Town  had  been  sick,  I  sett  myself 
to  direct  the  best  Improvement  of  it,  that  I  could,  with  a 
Discourse,  on  Isa.  33.  24.  The  Inhabitant  shall  net  say,  I 
am  sick;  but  the  People  bee  forgiven  their  Iniquity. 

The  Subjects  handled  in  my  publick  Ministry  (besides  those 
which  the  former  Pages,  have  on  special  occasions  mentioned.)  for  the 
year,  thus  expired,  were  these. 

I  have  preached,  four  and  twenty  Sermons,  (usually  every  other 
Lords-day,)  on  the  S3d  chapter  of  Isaiah.  Two  Sermons  more,  wiU 
finish  my  Design  upon  the  Chapter. 

1  reserved  myself  (as  formerly)  a  Liberty,  for  the  most  part, 
every  other  Lord's-day,  to  discourse  on  such  occasional  Subjects,  as 
I  might  see,  would  bee  most  edifying  for  my  Congregation. 

21  d.  I.  m.  [March.]  I  discoursed;  on  Jam.  2.  20.  Good  Works; 
justifying  our  Faith. 

^d.  2  m.  [April.]  On,  Joh.  6.  70.  Diabolical  Hypocrites,  in  the 
purest  Societies.  (When  a  Censure  was  passed  in  the  Church.) 

2  (f.  3  m.  [May.]  On,  Luk.  14.  27.  The  Cross.  (Affictions  being 
multiplied.) 

30  d.  3  m.    On  Luk.  13.  6.  The  Lord  looking  for  Fruit. 

13  d.  4  m.  [June.]  On  Prov.  28.  14.  Fearing  alwayes.  (When 
most  fearful  things  had  happened,  in  some  that  after  much  Reputa- 
tion for  Godliness,  had  yett  killed  themselves,  even  with  praenatural 
Assistences,  as  it  should  seem,  from  Djemons  in  the  Tragedy.) 

27  d.  4  m.     On  Prov.  28.  14.     Hardness  of  Heart. 

25  d.  s  m.  [July.]  On  Psal.  94.  22.  Christ  a  Rock  for  our  Shelter. 
(When  a  formidable  Invasion  from  the  French,  was  expected.) 

id.  6  m.  [August.]  On  Hos.  10.  12.  The  Rain  of  Righteousness. 
(In  a  Time  of  sore  Drought.) 

22  d.  6  m.  On,  Psal.  102.  23.  24.  Wonderful  works  of  God,  seen 
by  those  that  go  to  Sea.  (When  a  great  Fleet  of  my  Neighbours, 
were  going  to  sea.) 

19  d.  7  m.  [September.]  On  Luk.  lo.  34.  The  merciful  and  plen- 
tiful care,  taken  by  Christ,  in  His  Church,  for  the  Welfare  of  Souls, 
wounded  by  Sin. 

3  rf.  8  w.  [October.]  On,  Eph.  3.  8.  The  unsearchable  Riches  of 
Christ.     (My  Neighbours  being  impoverished  with  many  Losses.) 

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FEBRUARY,     1697-98  251 

17  i.  8  m.  On,  Rom.  i.  26.  Sin  punished  with  Sin.  (On  some 
sad  Instances  of  it.) 

14  d.  9  m.  [November.]  On  2.  Tim.  3.  5.  A  Fonn  of  Godliness, 
without  the  Power  of  it.  (Beholding  it  sadly  every  where  exempli- 
fied.) 

2&d.gm.  On  Gen.  28.  17.  The  Reverence  to  bee  paid  imto 
God  in  Places,  that  are  signalized  with  His  special  Presence.  (Be- 
cause I  saw  it  exceedingly  wanting.) 

12  d.  10  m.  [December.]  On  Math.  8.  12.  The  children  of  the 
Kingdome  cast  out.  (When  there  was  a  tragical  Instance  of  one,  cast 
out  of  our  Church.) 

On  sacramental  Occasions,  I  discoursed, 

21  d.  12  m.  [February.]  From,  i.  Tim.  3.  16.  Christ,  seen  by 
Angels. 

19  d.  2  m.  [April.]    Then,  Preached  unto  the  Gentiles. 

Sd.jm.  [September.]    Then,  Beleev'd  on  in  the  World. 

31  i.  8  m.  [October.]    Then,  Received  up  into  Glory. 

26  d.  10  m.  [December.]  From,  Math.  9.  2.  The  Wayes  wherein 
wee  have  the  Forgiveness  of  Sin  declar'd  and  assur'd. 

In  my  Lectures,  I  discoursed, 

10  d.  I  m.  [March.]  and  j  d.  2  m.  [April.]  From  Math,  8.  24,  25,  a6. 
What's  to  bee  done,  when  wee  see  ourselves  on  the  very  Point  of 
Perishing.   (Which  wee  then  were.) 

3  d.  4  w.  [June.]  From,  Hab.  2.  13.  The  use  to  bee  made  of 
signal  and  wondrous  Disappointments,  blasting  our  most  hopeful 
AflEayrs.     (Which  wee  see  all  the  World  over.) 

26  d.  6  m.  [July.]  From  Rev.  19.  6.  The  Satisfaction  to  bee  had 
in  the  Reign  of  Christ,  under  all  Changes.  (When  I  look'd  for  a 
Peace.) 

7  m.  [August.]    From,  Act.  11.  25.    The  Character  of  a  Christian. 

iS  d.  g  m.  [November.]  From,  Phil.  2.  12.  Working  out  Salva- 
tion with  Fear.     (Composed,  Raptim,  Die  frigidissimo.) 

13  d.  II  m.  [January.]  From,  2.  Tim.  3.  9.  The  Power  of  Godli- 
ness. On  a  General  Fast,  13  d.  3  m.  [May.]  From,  Num.  14.  19. 
Mercy,  the  best  plea.  On  a  general  Thanksgiving,  iid.gm.  [Novem- 
ber.]   From  Psal.  136.  23.    Remembrance  in  our  low  Estate. 

The  Jewes  tell  us,  of  R.  Joshua  hen  Ananiah,  that  his 
Face  was  Black,  by  reason  of  his  Fastings.  Why  is  his 
Name  called  Ashur!    (1.  Chron.  4.  5.)    Because  his  Face 

was  Black  by  Fastings. 

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1697-9^ 

THE  XXXVlTH  YEAR. 

Ego  Sic  Semper  et  ubique  Vixi  tanquam  uUimum  Diem, 
nunquam  rediturum,  Consumeretn.     Eumolp. 

C.  M.   Can't  say  so! 

Discupio  Solvi,  Tecumque,  0  Christe,  Manere:  Portio  fac 
Regni,  sim  qiwtacunque  Tui.    Beza. 

C.  M.  would  say  so! 

C cetera  Vitia,  in  Peccalis;  superbia  in  reclefactis,  Maxime 
est  titnenda.    Aug. 

Lett  C.  M.  amidst  his  few  recte  Facta,(if  they  bee  such!) 
take  the  Caution. 

In  Operibus  sit  abundantia  mea;  Divitijs  per  me  hevt 
abundet  quisquis  voliierit.     Melanch. 

C.  M.  heartily  subscribes  to  This! 

THE  XXXVlTH  YEAR  OF  MY  AGE. 

12  (i.  12  OT.  1697.  This  Day,  thro^  the  Forbearance  of 
God,  I  am  thirty  five  Years  old.  When  I  behold,  how  ex- 
tremely foolish,  and  carnal,  I  still  am,  and  how  httle  Ser- 
vice I  have  done  for  my  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  at  this  Age,  my 
Spirit  sinks  with  Astonishment!  Lord!  I  am  astonished, 
that  thou  hast  Suffer'd  such  a  barren  Tree,  to  stand  thus 
long,  among  thy  People. 

I  would  have  spent  this  Day,  in  the  Exercises  of  a  proper 
Devotion;  only,  having  the  Feebleness  of  my  late  Sickness 
yett  upon  mee,  I  durst  not  further  enfeeble  myself,  lest  I 
should  become  indisposed,  for  the  Labours  of  the  Lord's- 
day,  which  is  to-morrow. 

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FEBRUARY,     l697~98  253 

However,  I  did  spend  some  Time-extraordinary,  in  con- 
fessing and  bewayling  the  Sins  of  the  Year  past,  and  giving 
Thanks  for  the  Mercies  of  the  year;  and  in  Supplications, 
that  in  the  ensuing  Year,  I  may  enjoy  the  gracious  Presence 
of  God  with  mee. 

iSd.  12  m.  Friday.  I  sett  apart  this  Day,  for  the  Duties 
of  a  secret  Fast,  before  the  Lord:  that  I  might  obtain  from 
Him,  those  Measures  of  Sanctity,  which  the  Lord  Jesus 
Christ,  has  purchased  for  His  chosen  Servants;  and  that 
I  might  bee  favoured  in  special  Endeavours  to  serve  the 
Name  of  my  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  wherein  I  am  now  engaged. 
(And  for  Direction  about  my  Church  History.) 

I  renewed,  my  Acceptance  of  the  Lord,  in  the  Cove- 
nants of  Grace,  resigning  myself  unto  Him,  with  Tears 
of  Joy. 

22  d.  12  m.  I  did,  this  Winter,  with  many  Cries  to 
Heaven  about  it,  undertake  to  write  a  Book  of  Essays,  for 
the  Illustration,  and  the  Demonstration  of  the  Christian 
Religion.  This  Day,  I  finish  that  Book,  which  I  entitled. 
The  Confirmed  Christian:  Beholding  the  Triumphs  of 
Christianity,  over  all  its  Adversaries. 

And  it  is  now  Time  for  mee  to  observe,  that  I  have 
enjoy'd  a  wonderful  Assistence  from  Heaven,  in  the  writing 
of  it.  Altho'  I  have  been  full  of  other  Employments,  and 
have  lost  more  than  a  little  Time  thro'  Sickness,  and  Sloth 
and  Sleep  do  shamefully  prevail  upon  mee,  yett,  in  a  few 
Weeks'  Time,  I  have  now  composed  this  Treatise,  which 
does  consist  of  about  four  and  twenty  Sheets.  And  my 
Meditations  have  had  a  strange  Supply  sent  in  unto  them, 
with  Circumstances,  that  have  argued  a  particidar  Care  of 
Heaven,  about  the  Work,  wherein  I  am  engaged.  If  this 
Book  bee  published,  I  shall  do  more  Service  to  the  Interests 
of  my  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  than  ever  in  my  Life.  But  I  must 
send  it  unto  London,  for  its  Publication ;  and  therefore  I  am 
waiting  upon  the  Lord,  unto  whom  the  Book  is  devoted. 

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254  DIARY  OF  COTTON  MATHEB 

for  the  Direction  of  His  Providence,  about  what  remains 
to  bee  done,  for  its  coming  into  Light. 

As  I  was  finishing  this  Work,  some  of  my  Neighbours, 
(and  some,  from  whom  I  little  expected  any  such  Respect,) 
call  for  the  Discourse,  which  I  lately  uttered,  at  Boston- 
Lecture,  after  that  a  great  part  of  the  Town,  as  well  as  my- 
self, had  recovered  from  our  late  Illness.  Accordingly  in  a 
Peece  of  a  Day  or  two,  I  fitted  the  Discourse  for  the  Press, 
and  gave  it  unto  the  Bookseller.  It  is  entitled.  Mens  sana 
IN  CoRPORE  SANO.  or,  a  Discourse  upon  Recovery  from  Sick- 
ness.^ O  my  Lord  Jesus  Christ!  I  am  astonish'd,  I  am 
astonish'd,  at  thy  Favours,  in  thus  employing  the  most 
unworthy  Sinner  in  the  World. 

1698. 

4  <f.  I  m.  [March.]  Friday.  I  was  this  Day  (as  this  Day 
fortnight)  engaged  in  the  Duties  of  a  secret  Fast,  before  the 
Lord. 

God  helped  mee,  this  Day,  with  tearful  Agonies,  to  cry 
xmto  Him,  for  the  Pardon  of  the  Sins,  which  I  bitterly  con- 
fessed before  Him;  and  lay  hold  on  the  offered  Righteous- 
ness of  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  for  my  Justification;  and 
plead  the  Merits  of  His  Blood,  that  I  may  bee  purified  from 
all  Iniquity,  and  sanctified  with  a  great  Measure  of  Grace 
bestowed  upon  mee. 

In  the  Close  of  the  Day,  as  I  lay  prostrate  on  my  Study 
floor,  in  the  Dust,  before  the  Lord,  the  Spirit  and  the  Angel 
of  the  Lord  came  nigh  imto  mee;  and  so  as  I  cannot  utter, 
assured  mee.  Thai  I  shall  serve  my  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  yett 
exceedingly;  and,  more  particularly,  that  I  am  quickly  to  do 
a  special  Service  of  great  Consequence  for  the  Name  of  my 
Lord  Jesus  Christ,  which,  as  yett  I  know  not  what  it  is. 

And,  putting  those  two  Composures,  my  Church-History, 

>  Printed  by  B.  Green  and  J.  Allen,  1698. 

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MARCH,     1097-98  255 

and  my  Confirmed  Christian,  into  the  Hands  of  the  Lord 
Jesus  Christ,  it  was  told  mee  from  Heaven,  That  they  shall 
bee  carried  safe  to  England,  and  there  employed  for  the 
Service  of  my  glorious  Lord. 

The  Rest  of  the  Beginning  of  this  Month,  brought  with 
it,  little  that  was  remarkable;  besides  multiplied  Experi- 
ences, of  strange  Dejections,  and  sad  Buffetings  upon  my 
Mind,  just  when  I  have  been  going  to  do  some  special  Ser- 
vice for  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ  in  my  public  Ministry,  and 
then  a  more  than  common  Assistence  and  Enlargement,  in  the 
Service  itself,  when  the  Opportimities  for  it  arrived. 

The  Arrival  of  a  ptMic  Fast,  the  Middle  of  this  Month, 
released  mee,  from  my  Intentions  of  a  secret  one. 

20  d.  I  m.  Lord's-Day.  This  Day  after  my  public 
Labours,  retiring  into  My  Study,  at  the  Evening,  I  there 
cast  myself  prostrate  in  the  Dust,  on  my  Floor  before  the 
Lord.  And  there,  a  wonderful  Thought  with  an  Heavenly, 
Force,  came  into  my  Mind;  That  God  loved  my  Lord  JesjiS 
Christ  infinitely,  and  had  given  Worlds  imto  Him,  and  made 
Him  the  Lord  of  all;  and,  that  I  had,  thro'  the  Efiicacy  of 
His  Grace  upon  mee,  my  Heart  exceedingly  sett  upon  the 
glorifying  of  my  Lord  Jesus  Christ  and  was  entirely  devoted 
imto  Him.  Hereupon,  an  unutterable  Joy  fill'd  my  Mind, 
from  Assurance,  that  God,  for  the  Sake  of  my  Lord  Jesus 
Christ,  had  great  Things  to  do  for  mee;  that  Hee  would  even 
delight  in  mee,  and  delight  in  using  mee,  and  use  mee  in  I 
eminent  Services  for  Him,  who  is  dearer  to  mee,  than  all! 
Things.  Yea,  it  was  told  mee,  from  the  World,  whereto 
I  am  going,  that  the  Angels  of  my  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  had 
marvellous  Offices  of  Good-Will  to  do  for  mee,  and  that  they 
would,  on  the  Score  of  my  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  love  mee,  help 
mee,  teach  mee,  bee  nigh  mee,  bee  mth  mee,  fetch  mee  to  bee 
with  Them  forever. 

Memorandum.  I  was  a  little  comforted  with  a  Word 
spoken  to  mee,  by  a  Gentleman,  a  Lawyer,  who  came  a  few 

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256  DIARY  OF  COTTON  MATHER 

months  ago  out  of  England,  and  who  since  hee  came  had  sett 
himself  a  little  to  observe  the  People  of  New  England: 

"Mr.  Mather,  (said  hee)  I  can  tell  you  this;  All  the  men 
that  have  any  Vertue  or  any  Reason  in  them,  I  find,  love 
you,  and  value  you,  and  honour  you;  but  all  the  base 
People,  who  are  scandalous  for  Vice  and  Wickedness,  hate 
you,  and  can't  give  you  a  good  Word." 

I  d.  2  m.  [April.]  Friday.  I  poured  out  my  Prayers  this 
Day,  with  Fasting,  in  my  Study,  before  the  Lord;  crying  to 
Heaven,  for  the  Pardon  of  my  Sins,  the  Support  of  my 
Ministry,  the  Welfare  of  my  Family,  the  Deliverance  of 
my  Countrey  from  the  Invasions  of  the  Salvages,  and  of  the 
whole  Protestant  Religion  and  Interest,  from  the  threat 'ning 
Circumstances,  whereinto  the  scandalous  Peace  [of  R}'s- 
wick]  lately  concluded,  has  involved  it. 

But  one  special  Request,  which  I  this  Day  made  unto 
Heaven  was;  For  the  gracious  Presence  of  the  Lord  Jesus 
Christ  with  mee,  in  my  Design,  on  my  Lecture  the  next 
week,  to  relate  and  improve  the  History  of  the  Divine  Dis- 
pensations, towards  this  Town;  whereof  I  am  a  Native. 

In  the  close  of  the  Day,  Heaven  showred  upon  my 
Mind,  imutterable  Satisfactions,  as  I  lay  in  the  Dust,  before 
the  Lord,  that  I  shall  yett  glorify  my  Lord  Jesus  Christ  ex- 
ceedingly. 

"]  d.  2  m.  Thursday.  The  Lord  having  helped  mee,  beyond 
my  expectation  in  preparing  a  Discourse  for  the  Lecture, 
Hee  yett  more  gloriously  helped  mee,  in  uttering  of  it,  unto 
a  vast  Assembly  of  His  People. 

I  first  laid  my  sinful  Mouth,  in  the  Dust  on  my  Study- 
floor  before  the  Lord,  where  I  cast  myself,  in  my  Suppli- 
cations for  His  Assistence  and  Acceptance,  as  utterly 
unworthy  thereof.  But  the  Lord,  made  my  sinful  Mouth, 
to  become  this  Day,  the  Trumpett  of  His  glory;  and  the 
Hearts  of  the  Inhabitants,  of  the  Town,  were  strangely 
moved,  by  what  was  delivered  among  them. 

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APRIL,     1698  257 

A  Copy  of  the  Discourse,  was  much  desired;  I  gave  it 
unto  the  Bookseller;  entitling  it,  The  Bostonian  Eben- 
EZER.  And  I  added  another  unto  it,  entitled.  Household 
Religion.  1 

After  my  Lecture,  I  was  taken  ill:  and  tho'  I  preached 
on  the  Lord's-day  following,  with  much  Help  from  Heaven, 
yett  in  the  Beginning  of  the  Week,  my  Illness  grew  into  a 
Feavour.  But  the  Time  of  my  Departure  is  not  yett  come! 
The  Lord  broke  my  Feavour,  in  the  Begiiming,  with  season- 
able Applications.  Towards  the  End  of  the  Week,  I  could 
return  to  my  Studies;  and  then  tho'  I  had  not  Strength,  to 
spend  a  Day  in  Prayer,  with  Fasting,  as  I  would  have  done, 
to  praepare  for  the  Eucharist,  which  on  the  Lord's-day,  I 
administred,  yett  the  Lord  accepted  my  feeble  Praepara- 
tions. 

In  my  SeK-Examination,  my  Soul  sallied  forth,  to  these 

'Printed  by  B.  Green  and  J.  Allen,  for  Samuel  Phillips,  1698.  No  better 
example  of  Mather's  "  historical  "  writing  need  be  sought  than  this  volume 
of  what  he  specifically  names  "The  History  of  Boston,  related  and  improved." 
Though  the  "metropolis  of  America,"  Boston  was,  in  its  early  days,  prover- 
bially called  "  Lost  Town,  for  the  mean  and  sad  circumstances  of  it."  Terrible 
famines  had  stared  the  town  in  the  face;  four  times  had  it  been  visited  by  the 
small-pox.  "  How  often  have  there  been  Bills  desiring  Prayers  for  more  than 
an  Hundred  Sick  on  one  Day  in  one  of  our  Assemblies  ?  In  one  Twelve-month 
about  one  Thousand  of  our  Neighbours  have  one  way  or  other  been  carried 
unto  their  long  Home:  And  yet  we  are  after  all,  many  more  than  Seven  Thou- 
sand Souls  of  us  at  this  Hour  living  on  the  Spot."  Ten  times  had  fire  wrought 
great  destruction,  but  more  than  a  thousand  houses  composed  the  town  at  the 
time  he  was  speaking.  Most  wonderful  of  all,  the  place  had  in  the  last  year 
been  preserved  from  an  attack  by  the  French.  Leaving  such  matters  he  turns 
to  questions  of  churches  and  public  morals,  and  found  much  to  suggest  and  to 
condemn.  Among  the  disturbing  features  of  the  times  was  the  danger  of  send- 
ing the  young  men  to  other  lands,  where  their  morals  could  be  corrupted. 
Such  a  place  was  Port  Royal  in  Jamaica,  recently  visited  by  an  earthquake. 
It  was  noted  that  "just  before  the  Earthquake  the  People  were  violently  and 
scandalously  set  upon  going  to  Fortune-Tellers  upon  all  Occasions:  much  notice 
was  taken  of  this  Impiety  generally  prevailing  among  the  People  :  But  none  of 
those  wretched  Fortune-Tellers  could  foresee  or  forestal  the  direful  Catastrophe. 
I  have  heard  that  there  are  Fortune-Tellers  in  this  Town  sometimes  consulted 
by  some  of  the  sinful  Inhabitants.  I  wish  the  town  could  be  made  too  Hot 
for  these  Dangerous  Transgressors."  The  tract  may  be  seen  in  the  Magnolia, 
Bk.  I.  30. 

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258  DIARY  OF  COTTON  MATHER 

three  HIGH   ACTS   of    Beleeving,   and   Repenting,  and 
Loving. 

I.  Lord,  I  am  so  satisfied  in  the  infinite  Glory  and  Great- 
ness of  my  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  and  of  thy  infinite  Regard 
unto  Him,  that  I  wholly  give  up  myself  unto  that  Illustrious 
Lord,  and  I  pitch  upon  it,  as  my  cheef  Happiness,  to  serve 
Him  forever. 

II.  Lord,  I  am  in  such  ill  Terms  with  my  Sin,  that  I 
most  heartily  give  Thanks  unto  thee,  for  all  the  most  bitter 
and  humbling  Dispensations  of  thy  Providence  towards  mee, 
that  have  had  any  Tendency  to  mortify  it. 

III.  Lord,  I  will  bee  alwayes  at  Work  for  Thee,  for  thy 
People,  and  bee  so  far  from  thinking  much  of  any  Work 
which  I  may  do  for  them,  that  whatever  Sufferings  do  befal 
mee,  for  the  sake  of  that  Work,  I  will  rejoice  in  the  Sufferings 
exceedingly. 

My  many  Studies,  and  Labours,  with  the  Distempers 
of  a  slothful  Soul,  hindred  mee  now  from  setting  apart  so 
many  whole  Dayes,  for  secret  Communion  with  Heaven,  by 
Prayer,  with  Fasting,  as  I  should  have  had:  And  my  Spirit, 
I  soon  felt  suffer  for  the  want  of  these  Dayes.' 

3  </.  3  m.  [May.]  This  Day,  my  Uttle  Daughter  Hannah, 
was  taken  very  dangerously  sick  of  a  Feavour,  with  Con- 
vulsions, to  such  a  Degree,  that  there  was  little  Hope  of  her 
Life.  My  Lecture,  with  other  Fatigues,  coming  this  Week 
upon  mee,  I  could  not  Fast  and  Pray,  as  I  would  have  done. 
Yett  I  pray'd,  and  cry'd  unto  Heaven,  for  the  Child,  and 
openly  and  pubhckly,  as  well  as  privately,  made  this  an 
Opportunity,   to   glorify  the   Lord   Jesus  Christ,    by  the 

'  "17  d.  2  m.  [April.]  This  Day,  Abiel  Loresen,  having  been  convicted  of  Dis- 
orders in  her  House,  and  of  Untruths,  and  of  a  very  indiscreet  Action,  in  going 
and  lodging  aboard  a  Frigate,  she  publickly  made  a  pcenitent  Confession  of  her 
Miscarriages,  and  the  Church  accepted  her  Confession. 

"Moreover  Abigail  Day,  having  while  she  was  yett  under  the  Censure  of  the 
Admonition  a  Year  since  passed  upon  her,  fallen  into  the  Crime  of  Fornication, 
the  highest  Censure  of  Excommunication  upon  her  was  this  Day  in  the  Church 
publickly  proceeded  unto."    Cotton  Mather's  MS.  Records  oj  Ike  Second  Church,  n. 

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MAY,     1698  259 

cheerful  Resignation  thereof  unto  Him.  Now,  behold,  the 
Event!  Resigned  Enjoyments,  will  bee  still  enjoy' d.  While 
I  was  Joyfully,  and  yett  mournfully  giving  up  the  Infant 
unto  the  Lord,  the  Lord  raised  my  Heart  at  last,  unto  some- 
thing of  a  particular  Faith,  for  its  being  restored  unto  mee. 
And,  unto  my  Amazement,  it  came  to  pass  accordingly. 

Moreover,  having  written,  with  exceeding  Pains,  an 
Idcea  and  History,  of  the  Reformation,  especially  in  the 
1  English  Nation,  and  of  the  Obstructions  which  it  has  mett 
withal,  all  still  asserted  with  Passages  quoted  from  the 
Writings  of  conformable  Divines  in  the  Church  of  England; 
whereto,  I  have  added,  some  Conjectures,  of  a  Reformation 
and  Revolution  at  hand,  exceeding  that  in  the  former  Cen- 
tury: I  now  sent  the  Manuscript,  {Anonymous)  by  the  Hand 
of  my  Brother-in-Law,  to  a  Bookseller  in  London;  and,  if 
it  bee  published,  I  have  a  secret  Hope,  that  it  will  much 
affect  the  Affayrs  of  the  Church,  in  the  Changes  that  are 
approaching.  In  this  Treatise,  because  I  distinguish  the 
Friends  of  the  Reformation,  by  the  Name  of  Eleutherians, 
(while  I  call  its  Foes,  Idumaans,)  for  the  Causes  there 
assigned,  I  therefore  entitled  the  Book,  Eleutheria.'  Lord! 
Accept  and  prosper  this  my  poor  Endeavour  to  serve  Thee! 

Memorandum;  This  Morning,  when  I  was  in  Distress, 
whether  I  should  send  my  Manuscript  unto  London,  or  no, 
I  went  unto  my  Family-Prayer;  and  reading  (as  usually  in 
Mornings,)  a  Paragraph  of  the  Scripture,  to  bee  tum'd  into 
Prayer,  that  which  came  of  Course  to  bee  read,  was,  2.  Sam. 
7.  in  which  those  words  occurring,  Go,  do  all  that  is  in 
thine  Heart,  for  the  Lord  is  with  thee.  I  felt  a  strange  Force 
on  my  Mind,  assuring  mee,  that  my  Action  should  bee 
prospered. 

13  </.  3  w.  Friday.    I  am  now  returned  unto  my  dear 

•  The  word  was  originally  applied  to  Zeus  as  protector  of  political  freedom. 
It  also  meant  a  deliverer.  The  more  usual  form  of  Idunuea  is  Edom,  whence 
Edomites.     See  p.  280,  infra. 

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26o  DIARY  OF  COTTON  MATHER 

Exercises  of  Praying  with  Fasting,  in  Secret  before  the  Lord. 
Besides  my  own  manifold  Sinfulness,  there  are  more  Scan- 
dals, committed  by  some  in  my  Church,  that  call  for  my 
deepest  Humiliation;  which  accordingly  I  therefore  en- 
deavoured. And  I  carried  my  Ministry,  and  the  Things  I 
have  written,  or  design  to  write,  for  the  Churches,  and  my 
Family,  and  Friends,  and  Church,  and  Colledge,  and 
Countrey,  and  our  Churches,  especially  our  distempered 
Ones,  and  the  English  Nation,  and  the  Protestant  Inter- 
est, especially  in  France,  imto  the  everglorious  Hearer  of 
Prayer. 

In  the  following  Week,  I  considered,  that  wee  had  many 
of  our  poor  Friends,  fallen  into  the  Hands  of  the  Turks  and 
Moors,  and  languishing  under  an  horrible  Slavery  in  Zallea. 
And,  I  considered,  that  it  might  bee  a  thing  very  service- 
able imto  the  Souls  of  those  poor  Slaves,  to  write  unto  them 
some  agreeable  Meditations. 

Wherefore,  I  wrote  imto  these  distressed  People,  a 
Letter,  to  establish  them  in  the  Christian  Faith,  and  com- 
fort them  imder  their  terrible  Calamities,  and  counsil  them, 
how  to  make  such  an  use  of  their  Calamities,  as  to  praepare 
them  for  the  Salvation  of  God.  I  took  some  care,  to  print 
many  Copies  of  this  large  Letter,  that  so  it  might  bee,  by 
diverse  Opportunities,  the  more  certainly  conveyed  unto 
them. 

I  Entituled  it;  A  Pastoral  Letter,  to  the  Engush 
Captives  est  Africa.' 

(Afterwards  I  understood,  that  the  Lord  blessed  this 
Pastoral  Letter  wonderfully  to  the  Captives;  yea,  it  proved 
the  Pra:paration  and  the  Introduction  unto  their  Deliver- 
ance.)* 

20  d.  Friday.    I  sett  apart  this  Day,  for  Prayer  with 

'  Printed  by  B.  Green  and  J.  Allen,  i6q8. 

'  This  paragraph  is  written  in  the  margin.  Sewall  distributed  some  of  those 
letters.    Letter  Book,  i.  300. 

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MAY,     1698  261 

Fasting,  in  secret  before  the  Lord,  on  the  same  Occa- 
sions, and  with  the  same  Petitions,  that  I  had  this  Day 
se'nnight. 

Moreover,  another  of  my  Flock,  is  to  bee  censured  the 
next  Lord's-day,  for  the  Crime  of  Adultery;  and  one,  whom 
I  had  formerly,  with  many  Cries  to  Heaven,  rescued  from 
the  Hands  of  evil  Angels,  which  had  a  bodily  Possession 
of  her.' 

I  was  desirous  to  humble  myself,  exceedingly  before  the 
Lord,  for  the  Scandals  of  my  Flock;  lest  the  Lord  should 
bee  offended  at  mee  for  them.  I  therefore  bewayled  my 
own  Sins  in  the  sight  of  Heaven,  with  Hopes  of  Pardon 
thro'  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ;  and  so  I  praepared  for  that 
sad  Action,  wherein,  I,  who  myself  am  a  vile  Sinner,  must 
bee  employ'd,  for  to  pass  a  dreadful  Censure  on  one,  for 
sinning  against  the  God  of  Heaven. 

When  the  Time,  for  the  Action,  on  the  Lord's-day, 
arrived,  I  enjoyed  an  extraordinary  Presence  of  His  therein; 
after  I  had,  into  a  vast  Congregation,  preached,  on  Hos. 
9.  15.  For  the  Wickedness  of  their  Doings,  I  mill  drive  them 
out  of  my  House. 

29  d.  3  m.  Lord's-Day.  Tis  now  a  Time,  for  mee  to 
recapitulate  the  astonishing  Answers,  which  my  Lord  Jesus 
Christ,  begins  to  give  unto  my  Particular  Faith,  about  the 
State  of  His  People,  abroad  in  the  World. 

I  read  of  poor  Beleevers,  who,  thro'  Faith  subdued  King- 
doms. My  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  is  going  to  subdue  Kingdomes; 
and  Hee  hath  informed,  inclined,  and  assisted  the  Particular 
Faith,  of  a  vile  Sinner,  in  a  Comer  of  America,  to  foresee,  and 
putt  on  that  Work  of  His. 

I  have  secretly,  yea,  publickly,  declared,  that  the  Lord 
Jesus  Christ,  would  speedily  bring  about  a  wondrous  Reoo- 

'"22  (/.  3  >».  [Afay.]  Mercy  Marshal,  being  found  guilty  of  Adultery,  had  the 
highest  Censure  of  Excommunication  this  day  passed  upon  her."  Cotton  Mather's 
MS.  Records  t>f  the  Second  Church,  n. 

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262  DIARY  OF  COTTON  MATHER 

lution,  whereby  Hee  shall  come  to  bee  own'd  and  serv'd 
in  England,  Scotland,  and  Ireland.  Well,  in  Scotland,  the 
Reformation  of  the  Church,  is  the  last  year  accompUshed, 
unto  the  Satisfaction  of  them  that  breathed  after  it.  In 
England,  the  King,  upon  the  unanimous  Address  of  the 
Parliament,  has  emitted  an  excellent  Proclamation,  for  the 
suppression  of  all  Profaneness,  yea,  and,  for  the  punishing 
of  them,  who  pubUsh  Doctrines,  derogatory  to  the  Person, 
and  Ofl&ce,  and  Glory  of  Christ:  and  the  Effect  of  that  and 
other  Things  has  appeared  in  a  sudden  and  wondrous  Alter- 
ation, upon  the  whole  Face  of  the  Kingdome:  a  notable 
Reformation  is  commenced! 

I  have  again,  and  again,  received  Assurances  from  the 
Lord,  which  I  have  sometimes  also  in  a  convenient  Maimer 
uttered,  that  the  Lord  was  going  to  do  an  astonishing  Work 
in  France,  for  the  Reviving  of  His  holy  Religion  there. 
Behold,  the  whole  Principahty  of  Orange,  which  is  in  the 
Bowels  of  France,  has  had  an  astonishing  work  done  upon 
it:  Its  Pastors  being  restored,  the  holy  Religion  of  Christ  is 
restored  with  them,  and  the  poor  Protestants,  who  had  been 
dragoon' d^  into  a  sad  Apostasy,  are  all,  with  Transports  of 
Joy,  recovered. 

Breefly,  I  have  many  Years  ago  pubUshed  it,  as  my 
Opinion,  that  the  Antichrist*  entred  his  last  Half -Time,  at 
the  Half-Reformation  in  the  former  Century,  and  that  about 
an  hundred  and  eighty  years  from  thence,  would  bring  us 
to  a  new  Reformation,  vastly  exceeding  the  former.  Now,  I 
live  to  see  in  1697.  greater  Tendencies  to  the  new  Reformc- 

'  A  form  of  persecution  directed  by  Louis  XIV  aRainst  French  Protestants, 
in  which  draRoons  were  quartered  upon  the  persecuted. 

'  It  is  curious  to  note  that  "  the  earliest  indications  of  a  thoroughly  scientific, 
historical  and  critical  handling  "  of  the  question  of  Antichrist  are  to  be  found  in  a 
work  by  Ludovicus  Alrasar,  Vrslifnii!  arrant  smsus  in  Apoail.,  printed  at  Ant- 
werp in  1614.  In  Mather's  day  the  subject  was  treated  literally,  and  as  vaguely 
and  briefly  indicated  in  certain  passaRcs  of  Scripture,  notably  in  Revelations.  In 
reality  the  Antichrist  rests  upon  an  original  body  of  tradition  of  which  Scripture 
contains  only  a  small  part.    See  Cheyne-Black,  Encyclopadia  Biblica,  sub  verba. 

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JUNE,     1698  263 

Hon,  than  there  were  to  bee  seen  in  1517.  for  the  Half- 
Reformaiian,  then  begun.' 

0  my  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  accept  of  mee,  the  vilest  of 
Men,  to  do  some  great  Things  for  thee,  in  the  approaching 
Reformation.  Thou  wilt  accept  of  mee!  But,  oh!  make 
mee  a  very  holy,  prayerful,  watchful,  and  prudent  Man, 
that  I  may  heefittfor  my  Master's  Use. 

This  Day,  both  in  my  Study,  and  in  the  Pubhc,  I  did, 
in  Imitation  of  the  Angels,  in  the  first  Chapter  of  Zechariah, 
present  this  Report,  before  the  Lord;  that  much  of  the  Earth 
sitts  stUl,  and  is  at  Rest;  thro' the  Peace  lately  ratified  among 
the  Nations  of  Europe;  only  Jerusalem  is  yett  in  its  Ruines; 
the  French  Churches  are  dissipated,  the  Hungarian  Churches 
are  desolated,  the  Piemontese  Churches  are  again  afflicted: 
And  I  cried  imto  Heaven,  for  a  marvellous  Redemption  to 
bee  wrought  for  them.'  It  will  bee  done!  It  will  shortly 
and  surely  bee  done! 

10  d.  4  m.  [June.]  Friday.  I  sett  apart  this  Day,  for  the 
Exercise  of  a  secret  Fast:  On  the  same  Occasions,  that  I 
had  on  diverse  late  Weeks  for  my  doing  so. 

1  was  favoured  with  some  Satisfactions,  and  Entertain- 
ments of  an  heavenly  Importance,  in  the  Duties  of  the  Day; 
and  my  Interviewes  with  Heaven,  left  a  Savour  on  my  Spirit. 

Yea,  At  the  Close  of  the  Day,  lying  prostrate  in  the  Dust 
before  the  Lord;  Quum  non  sine  nusrore  ac  Dolor e  Animi, 
hanc  peccatorum  meorum  Aggravationem,  coram  Deo  recita- 
veram,  quod  illius  Angeli  boni  et  sancti,  cum  Dolore  quodam, 
atrocia  mea  peccata  observassent;  et,  Quum  horum  omnium 
Delictorum,  per  Gloriosissimi  Jesu  Christi  Sanguinem,  Fide 
Apprehensum,  impetraveram  Condonationem;  Hoc  mihi  vide- 

'  Luther's  theses  were  published  at  Wittenberg  in  1517  and  mark  the  com- 
mencement of  the  reformation  that  renounced  mediaeval  doctrine. 

• "  There  is  no  doubt  but  the  Prayers  and  Tears  of  the  Massachusets  being 
skilfully  directed  will  in  the  manner  of  a  Warlike  Ram  have  a  very  considerable 
Efficacy  in  shaking  and  shattering  Anti-christian  Walls  at  the  greatest  distance." 
Sewall,  Letter  Book,  1.  198. 

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264  DIARY  or  COTTON  MATHER 

batur  a  Cmlo  persuasum,  et  infusum,  quod  Ccdestis  quidam 
charissimi  mei  Salvaloris  Angelus,  non  Solum  invisibili  suo 
Auxilio  me  in  Operibus  sui  ac  mei  Domini  sustentaverit,  sed 
aliquando,  {ante  m^um  obitum),  cum  Domino  nostra  visum 
fuerit,  mihi  se  visibiliter  exhibuerit,  ut  Insignia  qucedam,  de 
Ecclesia,  et  Rebus  novissimis,  patefaciat. 

A  Diabolicis  lUusionibus,  libera,  et  protege,  Indignissimum 
Tuum  Servum,  Oro  te,  mi  Redemptort 

Latine  licec  scribo,  ne  chara  mea  Conjux,  has  Chartas  ali- 
quando inspiciens,  intelligat. 

Moreover,  the  Lord  is  furnishing  of  mee,  with  one  special 
Opportunity,  for  the  Exercise  of  His  Graces,  under  a  Trial 
of  a  very  particular  Importance.  There  is  a  sort  of  a  Sad- 
ducee  in  this  Town;  a  man,'  who  makes  little  Conscience  of 
lying;  and  one  whom  no  Reason  will  divert  from  his  mali- 
cious Purposes.  This  man,  out  of  Enmity  to  mee,  for  my 
public  Asserting  of  such  Truths,  as  the  Scripture  has  taught 
us,  about  the  Existence  and  Influence  of  the  Invisible  World, 
hath  often  abused  mee,  with  venemous  Reproaches,  and  most 
palpable  Injuries.  I  have  hitherto  taken  little  Notice  of  his 
Libels  and  Slanders;  but  this  Contempt  enrages  him.  I 
understand,  that  hee  apprehends  the  shortest  way  to  deliver 
People,  from  the  Beleef  of  the  Doctrines  which  not  I  only, 
but  all  the  Ministers  of  Christ  in  the  World,  have  hitherto 
mentained,  will  bee,  to  show  the  World,  what  an  ill  Man  I 
am.  To  this  End,  I  imderstand,  hee  hath  written  a  Volumn 
of  invented  and  notorious  Lies,  and  also  searched  a  large 
Part  of  the  Books  which  I  have  published,  and  with  false 
Quotations  of  little  Scraps  here  and  there  from  them, 
endeavoured  for  to  cavil  at  them.  This  Volimin  hee  is,  as 
I  understand,  sending  to  England,  that  it  may  bee  printed 
there.  2  And  now,  I  thought  it,  high  Time  for  mee  to  look 
about  mee. 

'  Some  words  in  the  ms.  have  been  carefully  obliterated  at  this  point. 
'  Robert  Calef  is  intended,  whose  More  Wonders  of  the  Invisible  World  appeared 
in  London  in  1700,    His  name  and  book  will  be  mentioned  later  in  this  Diary. 

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JUNE,     1698  265 

Wherefore,  in  my  Supplications,  I  first  of  all  declared 
unto  the  Lord,  that  I  freely  Forgave  this  miserable  Man,  all 
the  Wrongs  which  hee  did  unto  mee,  and  I  pray'd  the  Lord 
also  to  forgive  him,  and  to  do  him  good  even  as  to  my  own 
Soul.  But  then,  I  pleaded  with  the  Lord,  that  the  Design 
of  this  Man,  was  to  hurt  my  precious  Opportunities  of  glorify- 
ing my  Glorious  Lord  Jesus  Christ;  and  I  could  not  but  cry 
unto  the  Lord,  that  Hee  would  rescue  my  Opportunities  of 
serving  my  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  from  the  Attempts  of  this 
Man  to  damnify  them.  I  submitted  my  Name  imto  the 
Disposals  of  the  Lord,  owning  my  Deserts  to  have  it  vilified, 
and  begging  His  Help  to  bear  it  prudently  and  patiently,  if 
it  must  bee  vilified.  But  yett  I  earnestly  besought  the  Lord, 
that  for  the  Sake  of  the  Calumnies  which  my  Lord  Jesus 
Christ  once  did  suffer  for  mee,  I  might  bee  delivered  from 
such  Calumnies  as  might  imfitt  mee  to  serve  Him.  So,  I 
putt  over,  my  calumnious  Adversary,  into  the  Hands  of  the 
Righteous  God,  unto  whom  I  made  my  Appeal  against  him. 
In  those  Hands,  I  left  my  Adversary,  as  not  having  any  other 
to  Appeal  unto. 

And  I  now  beleeve.  That  the  Holy  Angels  of  my  Lord 
Jesus  Christ,  whose  Operations  this  impious  Man  denies, 
(which  is  one  great  Cause  of  his  Enmity  against  mee!)  will 
do  a  wonderfid  Thing  on  this  occasion! 

23  rf.  4  w.  .  It  was  my  Custome  for  many  years,  to 
write  Notes  of  Sermons,  as  I  heard  them.  Two  or  three 
Years  ago,  I  left  it  oflF,  cheefly,  because  I  write  so  much  other- 
wise, that  I  found  myself  too  much  tired  with  this  Action. 
My  Soul,  I  now  find,  suffers  by  my  omitting  it.  I  do  not 
hear  Sermons  with  such  Attention,  and  such  Affection,  and 
such  nimiberless  Ejaculations  to  Heaven,  since  I  left  off 
writing  after  the  Preachers,  as  I  did  before.  Wherefore,  I 
now  resolved,  that  I  would  revive  my  old  Custome;  and 
tho'  perhaps  I  may  hear  many  Sermons,  wherein  I  shall 
see  sxifficient  Meannesses,  yett  I  wiU  use  to  fix  my  Mind  in 
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266  DIARY  OF  COTTON  MATHER 

hearing,  with  taking  Minutes  of  what  I  hear;  and  keep 
working  my  Mind  all  the  while,  even  more  than  ever,  into 
the  Frame  of  the  Truths  delivered,  and  praying  or  praising 
for  such  Things,  as  the  Truths  give  mee  Occasion  to  think 
upon. 

24  d.  4  m.  Friday.  I  sett  apart  this  Day,  for  a  secret 
and  a  solemn  THANKSGIVING  unto  the  Lord. 

In  the  former  part  of  the  Day,  I  endeavoured,  especially 
two  Things,  after  I  had  begun  the  Day,  with  my  usual 
Devotions,  and  with  imploring  the  Assistence  of  Heaven 
for  what  was  before  mee; 

First,  I  did  with  Bitterness  of  Soul,  confess  before  the 
Lord,  the  many  and  horrid  Sins,  by  which  I  had  rendred 
myself,  not  only  unworthy,  of  His  Favours,  but  also  most 
worthy  of  the  dreadfuUest  Judgments,  that  can  bee  inflicted. 

Next,  I  enumerated  the  more  special  Mercies  of  Heaven, 
wherewith  I  am  at  this  Time  surrounded.     Particularly, 

I.  My  spiritual  Salvations,  in  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ, 
and  my  Title  to  the  Promises  of  the  Covenant  of  Grace. 

II.  My  Employment,  in  the  sacred  Ministry  of  my  Lord 
Jesus  Christ. 

III.  My  precious  Opportunities,  even  such  as  no  man 
in  my  Countrey,  ever  had  before  mee,  to  glorify  the  Lord; 
both  in  preaching  to  vast  Assemblies  of  His  People,'  and  in 
printing,  if  I  mistake  not,  at  least  threescore  Books. 

IV.  My  recovered  Health,  with  a  Freedome,  from  ter- 
rible Diseases  which  do  render  the  Lives  of  many  uneasy 
to  them. 

V.  My  Family,  my  Consort,  my  Children,  and  my 
desireable  Relations,  both  praeserved  and  restored  unto  mee. 

VI.  My  Salary,  and  the  comfortable  Provision  made  for 
mee,  in  my  Habitation,  above  what  many  other  and  better 

;  Servants  of  God  enjoy. 

'  Increase  Mather  stated  the  ordinary  attendance  at  this  time  in  his  congre- 
gation to  be  6fteen  hundred  souls.     Sewall,  Diary,  i.  493. 

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JUNE,     1698  267 

VII.  My  unblemished  Reputation,  in  spite  of  all  the 
Malice  of  Earth  and  Hell  against  mee. 

These  Things,  I  thankfully  acknowledged  unto  the  Lord. 

My  Family-Devoiions  I  also  subordinated  unto  the 
Design  I  was  now  upon. 

And  I  intermingled  Psalms  and  Hymns,  that  were  agree- 
able. 

And,  that  I  might  keep  in  Time,  I  essay'd  from  all  sorts 
of  Objects,  aU  the  Day  long,  in  the  Intervals  of  my  other 
Exercises,  to  mix  numberless  Ejaculations  of  Thanksgiving 
to  the  Lord. 

In  the  Afternoon, I  sett  myself,  (with  intermixed  Psalms). 

I.  To  consider  the  wonderful  Perfections  of  the  Great 
God,  and  His  Works  of  Creation,  and  of  Providence;  and 
celebrate  His  Glories  therein  display'd. 

II.  To  consider  the  marvellous  Excellencies  of  my  Lord, 
Jesus  Christ,  and  magnify  the  Greatness  of  my  Lord- 
Redeemer. 

ni.  To  consider,  the  Kindness  of  Heaven  to  mee,  in 
the  Ministry  of  the  good  ANGELS,  and  upon  the  Ac- 
count thereof,  to  offer  up  my  Praises,  unto  their  Lord, 
and   mine. 

rV.  To  consider,  what  I  should  render  to  the  Lord,  for  all 
His  Benefits. 

Hereupon,  I  gave  myself  unto  the  Lord,  and  resolved 
upon  being  more  fruitful  (with  His  Help,)  in  my  whole 
Conversation;  in  my  Study,  my  House,  my  Flock. 

And  that  my  Purposes  might  bee  the  better  digested,  1 
thought,  I  would  usually  spend  some  Time,  on  the  Lord's- 
Day  after  I  come  home  to  my  Study,  as  I  ly  on  my  Couch, 
tired  with  my  puhlick  Labours,  to  contrive  into  shape,  the 
Methods  of  my  glorifying  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ. 

26  d.  4  m.  Lord's-Day.  Considering  with  myself,  that 
the  King,  upon  the  Advice  and  Address,  of  the  House  of 
Commons,  hath  with  a  Proclamation,  as  with  a  great  Voice 
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268  DIARY  OF  COTTON  MATHER 

from  Heaven,  called  upon  the  Nation,  to  reform  its  Vices; ' 
and,  that  our  Goveraour  at  N.  York,  and  our  Lieut.  Gover- 
nour  in  this  Province,  have  proclamed  for  the  like  Reformat 
tion  here;  I  thought,  it  would  bee  a  Service,  well-becoming 
the  Ministers  of  the  Gospel,  to  sett  an  Edge  upon  these 
holy  Essayes.  I  resolved  therefore,  That  I  would  on  my 
next  Lecture,  preach  to  the  Countrey,  a  Sermon  upon  the 
Zed,  with  which  wee  should  all  endeavour  to  do,  what  is 
thus  called  for. 

I  did  it  the  Thursday  following,  with  the  Special  Assist- 
ence  of  Heaven. 

8  d.  5  OT.  [July.]  Friday.  This  Day,  I  devoted  imto  the 
Exercises  of  a  secret  Fast.  The  Occasions,  and  Exercises, 
were  the  same,  that  I  have  had,  on  other  such  Dayes,  lately 
observed.  Only,  I  had  the  Addition  of  another  sad  Hu- 
miliation, in  that  a  new  Scandal  is  broke  forth  in  our  Church. 
One,  whom  all  had  thought  well  concerning,  is  lately  con- 
victed of  horrid  Stealing  and  Lying,  and  seems  too  impceni- 
tent.'  For  this  Cause,  I  thought  myself  concerned,  exceed- 
ingly to  humble  myself  before  God,  and  obtain  His  Mercy 
thro'  His  Christ,  that  neither  I,  nor  my  Church,  may  suffer 
His  Holy  Displeasure,  for  the  Sins  found  in  any  of  our 
Communion.  I  also  implored  the  Presence  of  the  Holy 
Spirit  of  Christ  with  mee,  in  the  Censure,  wherewith  I  pur- 
pose the  next  Lord's-day,  to  shutt  the  Leper  out  of  the  Camp, 
in  a  just  Sentence,  awfully  representing  the  last  Judgment 
of  God.    And  what  I  now  implored,  I  then  enjoyed. 

But,  in  my  Prayers  at  the  Table  of  the  Lord,  on  that 
Lord's-day,  I  received  a  special  and  wonderful  Assurance 
from  Heaven,  that  a  Marvellous  thing  for  the  Glory  of  the  Lord 

'  Dated  February  34,  1697-98.  It  is  summarised  in  the  notable  list  of 
English  Broadsides  prepared  tor  the  Earl  of  Crawford,  i.  507. 

'  "  10  d.  5  m.  [JiUy.]  Joanna  Jones,  having  been  found  guilty  of  stealing  and 
lying,  in  many  instances,  and  not  agreeably  pocnitent,  had  the  Censure  of  Excom- 
munication this  Day  passed  upon  her."  Cotton  Mather's  MS.  Records  of  the  Second 
Church,  u. 

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JULY,     1698  269 

Jestis  Christ,  will  shortly  bee  done  in  my  Church,  which  the  Lord 
is  turn  in  a  strange  manner  purifying  and  preparing  for  it. 

22  d.  $m.  Friday.  I  sett  apart  this  Day  also,  for  the 
Exercises  of  a  secret  Fast,  as  a  Fortnight  ago. 

The  distressed  Case  of  some  Contentions,*  and  other 
apostatising  Churches  among  us,  was  one  special  Matter 
of  my  Supplications  before  the  Lord. 

This  Day,  when  I  was  pouring  out  my  Prayers  unto  the 
Lord,  I  mentioned  the  Prolongation  of  my  Life,  to  enjoy 
and  improve  more  Opportxmities,  of  glorifying  Him.  In 
my  Prayers,  I  humbly  represented  unto  the  Lord,  that 
there  were  two  Objections  against  Dying,  which  Flesh 
would  bee  ready  to  make;  but  thro'  His  Grace  I  had  con- 
quered them.  First,  my  Flesh  pleaded,  that  the  Comforts 
of  Earth,  were  too  agreeable  Things,  to  bee  easily  forsaken. 
But  my  Faith  is  perswaded  and  satisfied,  that  the  Delights 
of  Heaven  are  sweeter  than  the  Comforts  of  Earth;  and  I  can 
freely  leave  all  the  Entertainments  of  this  evil  World,  that 
I  may  bee  with  Christ,  where  to  bee,  is  by  far  the  best  of  all. 
Secondly,  my  Flesh  pleaded.  What  will  become  of  my  poor 
Offspring,  when  I  am  gone?  But  my  Faith  is  perswaded 
and  satisfied,  that  God  will  bee  a  Father  to  my  fatherless 
Offspring;  and  my  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  whom  I  have  served, 
without  seeking,  as  many  others  would  have  done,  to  enrich 
myself,  with  a  Portion  for  my  Children,  will  marvellously 
become  such  a  Guardian  to  my  Orphans,  that  they  shcUl 
never  want  any  good  Thing.  My  Mind  being  on  these  two 
Accoimts,  thus  easy,  and  ready  to  dy,  I  then  besought  of 
the  Lord,  nevertheless,  that  Hee  would  yett  spare  my  Life, 
to  work  for  Him,  a  little  more,  among  His  People. 

'One  of  these  "contentions"  may  be  gathered  from  the  joint  letter  from 
Increase  and  Cotton  Mather  to  the  Church  in  Charlestown  on  its  receiving  Rev. 
Simon  Bradstreet  to  be  its  pastor.  The  Mathers  objected  that  he  believed  the 
church  covenant  to  be  a  human  invention.  Bradstreet  was  not  ordained  at 
Charlestown  till  October  26, 1698,  succeeding  Rev.  Charles  Morton.  4  Collections, 
vm.  119.    Sewall,  Diary,  1.  448. 

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270  DIARY  OF  COTTON  MATHER 

Some  of  my  cheef  Desires  this  day  before  the  Lord  were, 
that  I  might  bee  fill'd  with  Grace,  and  that  all  my  filthy 
Lusts,  might  bee  extinguished  by  the  Power  of  His  Grace 
and  Spirit. 

But,  I  had  also  special  Petitions  to  Heaven  about  the 
Manuscripts,  which  I  have  sent  into  England;  and  the 
Angels  of  Heaven  have  once  and  again  revived  mee,  with 
strange  Assurances,  that  the  Lord  hath  accepted,  and  pros- 
pered my  Composures,  and  will  give  them,  among  His 
People,  a  considerable  Operation. 

In  the  Beginning  of  the  Month  of  August,  I  travelled 
unto  Sudbury,  with  other  Ministers  and  Messengers  of 
Churches,  where  a  Council  assembled,  at  the  Desire  of  some 
aggrieved  Brethren,  to  rectify  the  Male-Administrations  of 
the  Church  there.  Here  the  Lord  made  use  of  mee,  to 
draw  up  the  Advice  of  the  Council,  and  publickly  to  address 
the  Church,  with  several  Speeches,  which  I  thought  their 
Circumstances  called  for. 

The  Fatigues  of  this  Journey  hindred  mee,  from  keeping 
a  Day  of  Prayer  with  Fasting,  in  my  Study  as  otherwise  I 
might  have  done  this  Week. 

Nevertheless,  I  enjoyed  a  special  Presence  of  the  Lord 
Jesus  Christ  with  mee,  in  the  Exercises  of  the  following 
Lord's-Day.  And,  whereas,  one  of  the  last  Times  I  was  at 
the  Lord^s-Tdble,  I  made  my  particular  Apphcations  imto 
the  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  in  the  way  of  sacramental  Com- 
munion, to  obtain  from  Him,  the  Cure  of  that  one  Distemper, 
an  Heart  wandring  with  impertinent  Thoughts,  in  religious 
Exercises,  I  must  now  record,  that  I  have  seen  an  extraor- 
dinary Success,  of  my  Faiths  making  those  Apphcations. 
On  this  Lord's-day  particularly,  I  know  not,  that  one  sen- 
tence passed  mee,  in  all  the  five  Prayers  made  by  Father, 
or,  one  Head  or  Text,  of  all  the  long  Sermon  preached  by 
him  in  the  Forenoon,  but  what  my  Heart  accompanied 
with  some  agreeable  Ejaculation.  And  my  own  Services 
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SEPTEMBER,     1698  27I 

in  the  Afternoon,  were  under  the  special  Operations  of 
Heaven. 

In  the  Month  of  August,  I  sett  myself  to  consider  on 
some  further  and  special  Services  for  the  Name  of  my  Lord 
Jesus  Christ.  And  I  foresaw  a  very  comprehensive  one  to 
bee  done,  first,  in  collecting  and  improving  the  observable 
Dispensations  of  God,  which  have  occurred,  in  the  long  War,^ 
which  wee  have  had  with  our  Indian  Salvages,  and  uttering 
my  Observations,  in  a  Sermon  or  Two,  at  our  Countrey- 
Lecture:  And,  then,  in  composing  as  agreeable  an  History 
of  our  Indian-War  as  I  can,  and  incorporating  into  it,  as 
charming  and  useful  Entertainments  for  the  Countrey,  as 
I  may  think  upon:  so,  resigning  myself  up  to  the  Conduct 
of  the  Spirit  of  Grace,  I  sett  about  the  Service  thus  before 
mee;  hoping  within  a  few  Weeks  time,  in  the  midst  of  my 
other  Undertakings,  to  dispatch  it,  for  the  Glory  of  my 
Heavenly  Lord. 

The  Work,  being  accompUshed,  I  putt  upon  it  the  Title 
of  Decennium  Luctuosum.'  It  is  filled  with  a  great  Vari- 
ety of  Things,  contrived  as  well  as  I  can  together,  for  the 
Glory  of  my  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  and  the  Welfare  of  His 
People,  throughout  the  Land. 

0  my  God,  I  exceedingly  give  Thanks  to  thy  Name,  for 
the  Help  thou  hast  given  mee,  in  dispatching  this  Work! 

2d.  J  m.  [September.]  Friday.  I  spent  this  Day,  in  the 
Exercises  of  a  secret  Fast;  carrying  to  the  Lord,  the  Affayrs 
of  my  own  Soul,  my  Ministry,  my  Family,  my  Flock,  His 
Churches,  and  the  particular  Services,  I  have  before  mee, 
especially  in  a  Journey  to  Salem  and  Ipswich,  the  next  week. 
My  God  will  hear  mee. 

4d.  J  m.  Lord's-Day.  I  considered  with  myself,  that 
there  are  many  Miserables,  at  this  Time,  in  our  Prison; 

1  The  war  had  lasted  for  about  ten  years. 

'  Printed  in  1699,  by  B.  Green  and  J.  Allen,  for  Samuel  Phillips.  It  contains 
(p.  199)  his  sermon  at  Boston  Lecture,  September  37, 1698. 

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272  DIARY  OF  COTTON  MATHER 

and  that  their  Circumstances,  would  afford  unto  a  Minister, 
an  Opportunity  to  speak  very  pungent  things  unto  them. 
So,  albeit,  I  preached,  and  administred  the  Eucharist,  in  the 
former  Part  of  the  Day,  yett  after  our  afternoon  Exercises 
were  over,  I  visited  the  Prison.  There  I  pray'd  with  the 
poor  Creatures,  and  preach 'd  imto  them,  on  Psal.  142.  7. 
Bring  my  Soul  out  of  Prison.  They  heard  mee,  with  Floods 
of  Tears:  Who  can  tell,  but  that  I  have  this  day  found  an 
Onesimus?  Who  can  tell,  but  some  Wretches,  by  running 
into  Prison,  may  run  into  the  Arms  of  Christ,  and  His  vic- 
torious Grace! 

On  September  5.  I  travelled  unto  Salem,  with  a  good 
Hand  of  Heaven  upon  mee.  On  the  next  Day,  I  Travelled, 
with  a  Council  of  five  Chiurches,  to  Chehacco;  where  the 
Day  following,  the  Lord  made  some  use  of  poor  mee,  among 
other  of  His  more  able  Servants,  to  help  the  Case  laid  before 
us;  and  indeed,  Hee  appeared  wonderfully,  in  the  very  Arti- 
cle of  our  Extremity,  when  wee  were  upon  the  very  Point 
of  cutting  off  a  disorderly  Church,  from  the  Communion 
of  the  Faithful,  to  subdue,  and  alter  the  Spirits,  with  which 
wee  were  concerned,  and  bring  things  to  a  comfortable 
Issue.  On  the  Thursday,  I  preached  the  Lecture  at  Ipswich. 
On  the  Friday,  I  returned  unto  Salem.  And  on  the  Lord's 
Day  I  preached  both  Forenoon  and  Afternoon,  at  Salem. 
The  Lord  gave  mee  aforehand,  a  ParticiUar  Faith,  for  His 
assisting,  accepting,  and  prospering  my  Labours  at  Salem; 
and  His  Presence  was  mightily  with  mee,  in  my  Labours, 
giving  mee  therewithal,  a  marvellous  Ground  of  Hope,  that 
thro'  His  Hand  with  mee,  many  are  this  Day  there  turned 
unto  the  Lord. 

On  the  Day  following  I  returned  Home,  imto  an  House 
fiU'd  with  the  Mercies  of  the  Lord. 

Finding,  that  whenever  I  go  abroad,  the  Curiosity  and 
Vanity  of  the  people  discovers  itself,  in  their  great  Flocking 
to  hear  mee;  with  no  little  Expectation;  it  still  causes  mee 
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SEPTEMBER,     1698  273 

aforehand,  exceedingly  to  humble  myself  before  the  Lord, 
and  cry  from  the  Dust  unto  Him,  that  the  fond  Expectation 
of  the  People,  may  not  bee  chastised,  upon  myself,  in  His 
leaving  of  mee  to  any  Inconvenience.  By  this  Method, 
I  not  only  am  in  a  comfortable  Measure  kept  from  the 
foolish  Taste  of  poptdar  Applause  in  my  own  Heart,  but  also 
from  the  humbling  Dispensations  of  Heaven,  whereto  the 
Fondness  of  the  People  might  otherwise  expose  mee. 

One  Day,  while  I  was  at  Salem,  I  retired  into  the  Bury- 
ing-place,  and  att  the  Grave  of  my  dear  younger  Brother' 
there,  I  could  not  but  fall  down  on  my  knees  before  the 
Lord;  with  Praises  to  His  Name,  for  granting  the  Life  of 
my  dead  Brother  to  bee  writt,  and  spread,  and  read,  among 
His  People,  and  bee  very  serviceable:  and  for  sparing  mee, 
a  barren  Wretch,  to  survive  these  many  years,  upon  the 
Earth,  to  serve  His  People,  in  several  Parts  of  the  World. 
I  then  considered,  what  if  I  were  speedily  to  bee  called  away 
by  Death,  after  my  younger  Brother?  I  found  my  Spirit, 
gloriously  triumphing  in  the  Thoughts  of  going  by  Death, 
to  bee  with  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  and  among  His  Angels. 
But  when  I  further  Thought,  of  staying  to  glorify  Him, 
tho'  in  the  midst  of  many  Temptations,  among  His  People 
here,  I  did,  at  present,  because  of  my  Age,  prefer  this;  and 
request  it  of  the  Lord.^ 

28  d.  7  m.  Wednesday.  The  Lord  of  my  Life,  and  of 
my  Health,  how  mercifully  hath  Hee,  in  Answer  to  many 
Prayers,  restored  my  Health!  Four  Dayes  this  Week,  I 
preach,  and  yett  I  do  not  sink  under  it.  One  of  these 
Dayes,  was  this  Day;  wherein,  I  rode,  it  may  bee  fourteen 

'Nathaniel. 

'  "  18  d.  7  m.  [September.]  Voted  by  the  Church,  that  whereas  the  Land  on 
which  the  late  Enlargement  of  the  Meeting  House  now  stands,  is  unjustly  appre- 
hended by  a  certain  person  or  two,  to  have  been  originally  an  High-way  left  for 
them,  and  they  complain  accordingly,  the  Deacons  (with  the  Elders)  are  now 
desired  and  empowered  by  the  Church  to  do  all  that  they  shall  judge  necessary  to 
bee  done  for  the  comfortable  Issue  of  that  Affayr."  Cotton  Mather's  MS.  Records 
of  the  Second  Church,  n. 

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274  DIARY  or  COTTON  MATHER 

Miles  in  the  Morning,  even  to  Reading,  and  rode  Home,  a 
shorter  Way,  of  about  a  dozen  Miles,  in  the  Evening;  and 
preached  at  Reading,  unto  a  great  Auditory,  gathered  from 
all  the  Towns  in  the  Neighbourhood. 

In  my  Journey,  going  out,  I  received  a  remarkable 
Deliverance.  Riding  over  a  Bridge,  one  of  the  rotkn  Poles 
upon  it  broke;  and  my  Horse  broke  thro'  and  broke  in, 
and  sunk  down  to  his  very  Breast.  I  chose  rather  to  keep 
the  Saddle,  than  go  off  into  the  River;  and  the  Horse,  to 
the  Astonishment  of  my  Company  rose  again,  (tearing  off  a 
Shooe  in  his  Rising,)  and  leaped  over,  with  mee  safe  upon 
him.  How  happily  do  the  Creatures  all  serve  us,  while  wee 
are  serving,  their  and  our  Lord,  the  Blessed  Jesiis! 

1  d.8m.  [October.]  Saturday.  I  endeavoured  the  Duties 
of  a  secret  Fast,  this  Day,  before  the  Lord.  The  Occasions 
of  it,  were  such  as  I  have  mentioned  for  the  like  Duties,  in 
some  former  Weeks.  In  the  Duties,  there  occurr'd  some 
Things,  I  could  gladly  have  written.  But,  alas,  my  Em- 
ployments do  so  thrust  in  upon  mee,  that  I  miss  writing 
Multitudes  of  Passages,  which  it  would  bee  comfortable  and 
profitable  afterwards  to  reflect  upon. 

13  <f.  8  m.  Thursday.  This  Day,  I  received  of  Mr. 
[Joseph]  Baxter,  the  Pastor  of  the  Church  in  Medfield,  the 
following  Account,  written  by  himself. 

"Joan  Ellis,  a  very  Godly  Widow,  about  fourscore  years  of  Age, 
was  deprived  of  her  Hearing,  to  her  great  Grief,  and  Sorrow.  Shee 
became  so  Deaf,  that  it  was  very  DiflBcult,  for  any  to  Discourse  with 
her;  and  shee  could  hear  Nothing,  when  shee  went  unto  the  House  of 
God.  Whereupon  shee  was  exceedingly  troubled  and  distressed,  that 
shee  could  not  enjoy  the  Benefit  of  the  public  Ordinances.  Neverthe- 
less shee  was  all  that  while,  constant  in  her  Attendence,  thereupon: 
but  was  afraid,  that  God  was  angry  with  her,  because  of  his  thus  deal- 
ing with  her.  At  this  Time,  shee  hearing  of  a  Book  of  Mr.  Mathers, 
wherein  hee  gives  an  Account  of  some  Miracles,  wrought  lately  by  the 
Lord  Jesus  Christ,  was  exceedingly  revived  at  the  Hearing  thereof; 
belecving  that  Christ  was  able  to  work  a  Miracle  on  her,  as  well  as  on 

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OCTOBER,     1698  27s 

Others;  (for  she  thought,  that  shee  was  now  so  old,  that  shee  could  not 
hear  again,  unless  a  Miracle  was  wrought).  So  that  shee  could  not 
bee  satisfied,  without  seeing  of  the  Book,  but  went  presently  and 
borrowed  it.  And  there,  viewing  what  Christ  had  done  of  late,  did 
exceedingly  magnify,  and  admire,  the  Power  and  Goodness  of  Christ, ' 
and  did  earnestly  Desire,  that  Hee  would  make  known  His  Power  on 
her:  Thinking  on  the  Words  of  the  Leper,  //  Tkou  unit,  thou  canst 
make  mee  clean;  and  of  the  Centurion,  Speak  the  Word,  and  my  Ser- 
vant shall  bee  Healed.  Shee  beleeved,  that  Christ  could,  and  would, 
give  her,  her  Hearing,  and  upon  this,  shee  had  her  Hearing  suddenly 
restored  unto  her:  and  to  this  Day  can  fiear  very  well,  and  doth  with 
great  Comfort  attend  upon  the  pubUc  Ordinances  of  Christ,  but  is 
very  much  afraid,  that  shee  is  not  thankful  enough  unto  the  Lord 
Jesus  Christ,  for  so  great  a  Mercy." 

26  d.  8  m.  This  Day,  at  CharlesUrwn,  was  the  public 
Ordination  of  a  Pastor,  which  was  accompHshed  with  no 
little  Difficulty,  thro'  his  Averseness,  to  conform  unto  the 
Orders  of  our  Churches. 

The  Messengers  of  the  Churches,  with  their  unanimous 
Vote,  calling  mee,  to  give  him  the  Right  Hand  of  their  Fellow- 
ship; I  perform'd  it  in  the  public  Assembly,  with  such 
undeserved  Assistences  of  the  Lord,  that  I  afterwards  heard 
it  said,  there  were  hardly  any  there,  but  what  either  wept 
or  trembled  in  the  Action.  Alas,  I  was  one  of  the  most 
shallow,  and  sinful  Creatures,  (my  very  Soul  beleeves  it!) 
in  the  Assembly:  yett  the  Lord  helped  mee,  (and  the  more 
Eis  Glory!)  to  signify  in  some  lively  Terms,  unto  the  Minis- 
ter then  ordained,  first,  what  Sort  of  Churches,  they  were, 
into  the  Services  whereof  hee  was  now  accepted;  (particu- 
larly, that  they  were  not  only  like  to  the  primitive,  in  the 
Instances,  which  I  specified,  but  also  that  they  were  some 
of  the  soundest  Parts  of  the  Church  of  England;)  And  then, 
what  Service  tis,  that  they  expected  from  him:  (intimating 
in  several  Instances,  how  hee  should  acquitt  himself,  so  as  to 
please,  our  Glorious  Lord;)  Hereupon,  I  gave  my  Hand 
unto  him,  in  the  Name  of  our  churches,  expressing  what  this 
Rite  intended.  And,  so,  I  addressed  the  Church,  also;  in 
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276  DIARY  OF  COTTON  MATHER 

my  Address  taking  some  Notice  of  the  Days  of  Temptation 
which  had  been  among  them;  and,  (knowing  them,  to  have 
had  an  horribly  railing  sort  of  People  among  them,)  I  did, 
without  quoting  the  Words  of  it,  leave  the  first  of  James, 
and  the  twenty  sixth,  among  them,  to  bee  considered,  if  ever 
they  should  grow  out  of  Frame  any  more.  Many  more 
Things,  were  then  uttered,  which  need  not  here  bee  inserted. 

28  d.  8  m.  The  Printer,  wanting  something  to  fill  the 
last  Leaf  of  his  Almanack,  for  the  year,  1699,  came  unto 
mee,  to  furnish  him.  I  could  not  but  see,  a  special  oppor- 
tunity given  mee,  to  send  some  serviceable  Admonition, 
into  every  Corner  of  the  Land.  I  took  my  Opportunity, 
and  wrote  a  few  ptmgent  Lines,  concerning  the  Changes, 
which  may  bee  coming  as  a  Snare  upon  the  Earth;  and  ad- 
vising every  particular  Person  however,  to  consider,  whether 
in  this  Year,  there  may  not  come  upon  himself,  the  greatest 
Change  that  ever  befel  him;  even  that  of  his  own  Mortality. 

Who  knowes,  what  good  may  bee  done,  by  such  a  seem- 
ingly trivial,  but  extensive  way,  as  that  of  the  Almanack! ' 

29  d.  8  7n.  I  spent  this  Day,  in  the  Duties  of  a  secret 
Fast  before  the  Lord. 

The  Occasions  and  Exercises  of  this  Day,  differed  little, 
from  those  that  I  have  kept  in  the  former  part  of  the 
Year. 

But  the  Lord,  irradiates  my  mind,  with  Assurances,  that 
I  have  Tidings  coming  from  England,  of  His  accepting  my 
poor  Composures  to  serve  His  People  there,  and  ordering 
some  of  them,  to  bee  published. 

My  Soul,  wait  thmi,  upon  God! 

Moreover,  a  miserable  j'oung  W^oman,  being  this  Day 
condemned  to  dy,  for  murdering  her  base-bom  Child,  I 
pray'd  unto  the  Lord,  that  her  Condition  might  bee  so 
ordered  in  His  providence,  as  to  give  mee  a  special  Oppor- 
tunity of  glorifying  my  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  on  that  Occasion. 

'In  Tulley,  1699.     The  printer  was  B.  Green. 

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NOVEMBER,       1698  277 

T'wil  doubtless  bee  so!  The  Lord  from  Heaven  satisfied 
my  mind,  that  it  will  bee  so. 

On  the  Day  following,  the  condemned  prisoner  was 
brought  unto  our  Congregation;  and  a  special  Assistence  of 
Heaven,  was  granted  mee,  in  my  sermon,  which  I  adapted 
imto  that  Occasion,  as  well  as  unto  the  more  desireable 
Occasion  of  the  Eucharist,  which  I  then  administred.' 

My  poor  Uncle  Cotton,  being  reconciled  unto  the  Church 
at  Plymouth,  is  by  the  Agent  of  the  destitute  Flock  at  Caro- 
lina, now  invited  thither!  Hee  not  only  told  mee,  that  just 
before  this  most  imexpected  Invitation  was  brought  unto 
him,  hee  had  kept  three  Dayes  together  in  Prayer  with 
Fasting  before  the  Lord,  that  the  Lord  would  look  upon 
him  in  his  desolate  Condition;  but  hee  also,  now  lying  wind- 
bound  in  this  Town,  sett  apart  (as  hee  tells  mee)  such 
another  Day  (5  d.  9  m.),  in  the  Close  whereof,  hee  came  to 
mee,  in  my  Study,  with  Desires  that  I  would  pray  with 
him,  and  committ  unto  the  Lord,  him,  and  the  great  Con- 
cern of  this  Voyage.  I  did  so.*  Memorandum.  The  par- 
ticular Articles,  in  the  Testimonies  (which  were  single  ones) 
against  my  Uncle,  being  this  Day  laid  before  my  Uncle,  hee 
very  peremptorily  denies  the  most,  and  the  worst  of  them. 

About  this  Time,  a  Friend  of  mine  going  to  London,  I 
sent  by  him,  to  bee  pubhshed,  three  Discourses,  one,  about, 
Heart  work,  another,  about  the  Stewardship  of  Talents,  a 
third,  about  ejaculatory  Prayer.  The  Book  I  entitled.  The 
Serious  Christian.'    May  the  Lord  prosper  it! 

II  d.  g  m.  [November.]  Friday.  Because  my  mind  is 
touch'd  from  Heaven,  with  particular  Assurances,  that  I 

'  Sarah  Threeneedles  was  the  sufferer,  and  Thomas  Savage,  Jun.,  shopkeeper, 
was  charged  by  her  of  the  fault.  Sewall  says  "Fifth-day,  Nov'r  17th.  Very  fair 
serene  wether;  Mr.  Cotton  Mather  preaches  at  the  South-Meetinghouse;  Sarah 
Threeneedles  is  an  Auditor;  is  a  very  vast  Assembly,  and  the  street  full  of  such  as 
could  not  get  in."  Diary,  i.  486. 
'       ^  Three  lines  were  struck  out  here. 

'  Printed  in  London,  1699. 

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278  DIARY  OF  COTTON  MATHER 

shall  quickly  hear  happy  Tidings  from  England,  of  the  Lord's 
Accepting  my  poor  Composures  to  glorify  Him  there,  and 
that  I  shall  here  also  have  some  further  and  special  Oppor- 
tunities to  glorify  Him,  I  made  it  my  Study  to  praepare  for 
these  wonderful  Salvations  of  the  Lord:  And  therefore,  I 
sett  apart  this  Day,  for  the  Exercise  of  a  secret  THANKS- 
GIVING, in  my  Study,  before  Him.  The  Methods  of  Devo- 
tion, which  I  used  this  Day,  were  much  the  same  that  I  have 
observed  on  some  other  Dayes  Uke  this  But  the  Delights 
and  Raptures,  whereto  the  Lord  raised  my  Soul,  in  these 
Methods,  were  beyond,  what  I  have  ordinarily  enjoy'd. 
The  Holy  Lord  has  this  Day  dealt  familiarly  with  mee;  I 
have  this  Day  gone  into  the  Suburbs  of  Heaven;  the  Spirit 
of  my  Lord  has  carried  mee  thither,  and  has  told  mee  glori- 
ous Things;  yea.  Heaven  has  come  near  unto  mee,  and 
fill'd  mee  with  Joy  unspeakeable  and  Fidl  of  Glory.  I  caimot 
utter,  I  may  not  utter,  the  Communications  of  Heaven, 
whereto  I  have  been  this  Day  admitted:  but  this  I  will  say, 
/  have  tasted  thai  tite  Lord  is  gracious. 

My  Exercises  and  Enjoyments,  left  mee  very  faint. 
Indisposing  Illness  came  upon  mee.  And  that  I  might  bee, 
the  more  effectually  Buffeted,  the  Providence  of  the  most 
High,  ordered  some  Things  to  befall  mee  in  and  from  my 
Neighbourhood,  which  had  a  more  than  ordinary  Measure 
of  Temptacon  and  Vexacon  in  them.  I  saw  the  holy  Hand 
of  the  Lord  in  these  Things,  to  abase  mee,  under  and  after 
His  matchless  Favours. 

13  d.  g  m.  Lord's-Day.  This  Day,  I  baptised  four 
Negro's;  and  the  Lord  helped  mee,  to  make  this  Action,  a 
special  Occasion  of  my  glorifying  Him:  especially,  with  what 
I  then  spoke  unto  the  rest  of  that  Nation.' 

lyd.gm.  Thursday.    Now  I  feel  that  there  is  a  God, 

'  Samuel,  a  negro  servant  of  Robert  Howard,  Katharine,  a  negro  woman,  wife 
of  Thomas,  chair-maltcr,  and  two  infant  children  of  Samuel.  The  names  are 
obtained  from  the  MS.  church  records. 

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NOVEMBER,     1698  279 

and  there  is  a  Christ,  and  there  is  an  Holy  Spirit,  and  there 
are  glorious  Angels,  and  I  am  a  Servant  of  the  Lord,  and  a 
Fellow-servant  with  His  Angels! 

The  Execution  of  the  miserable  Malefactor,  was  ordered 
for  to  have  been  the  last  Week,  upon  the  Lecture  of  another. 
I  wondred  then  what  would  become  of  my  Particular  Faith, 
of  her  condition  being  so  ordered  in  the  Providence  of  God, 
that  it  should  furnish  mee,  with  a  special  Opportunity  to 
glorify  Him.  While  I  was  entirely  resigning  to  the  wisdome 
of  Heaven,  all  such  Matters,  the  Judges,  wholly  without 
my  seeking,  altered  and  allow'd  her  Execution  to  fall  on  the 
Day  of  my  Lecture.  The  General  Court  then  sitting,  ordered 
the  Lecture  to  bee  held  in  a  larger  and  a  stronger  House, 
than  that  old  one,  where  tis  usually  kept.  For  my  own 
part,  I  was  weak,  and  faint,  and  spent;  but  I  humbly 
gave  myself  up  to  the  Spirit  of  my  Heavenly  Lord  and 
Hee  assured  mee,  that  Hee  would  send  His  good  Angel 
to  strengthen  mee.  The  greatest  Assembly,  ever  in  this 
Countrey  preach'd  unto,  was  now  come  together;  It  may 
bee  four  or  five  thousand  Souls.  I  could  not  gett  unto  the 
Pulpit,  but  by  climbing  over  Pues  and  Heads:  and  there  the 
Spirit  of  my  dearest  Lord  came  upon  mee.  I  preached  with 
a  more  than  ordinary  Assistence,  and  enlarged,  and  uttered 
the  most  awakening  Things,  for  near  two  Hours  together. 
My  Strength  and  Voice  failed  not;  but  when  it  was  near 
failing,  a  silent  Look  to  Heaven  strangely  renew'd  it.  In 
the  whole  I  found  Prayer  answered,  and  Hope  exceeded, 
and  Faith  encouraged,  and  the  Lord  using  mee,  the  vilest 
in  all  that  great  Assembly,  to  glorify  Him. 

Oh!  what  shall  I  render  to  the  Lord! 

The  Sermon,  I  gave  to  the  Bookseller;  and  annexed 
thereunto,  an  History  of  Criminals  executed  in  this  Land, 
and  effectually,  an  Account  of  their  dying  Speeches,  and  of 
my  own  Discourses  with  them  in  their  last  Hours;  hoping 
to  warn  others  against  Vice,  by  an  History  thus  accomo- 

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28o  DIARY  OF  COTTON  MATHER 

dated  unto  the  purpose.  I  entitled  the  Book,  Pillars  of 
Salt.' 

26  d.  9  m.  Saturday.  I  sett  apart  this  Day,  for  the 
Exercises  of  a  secret  Fast,  without  any  thing  extraordinary 
occurring  in  it. 

But  only  there  was  one  special  Article  of  my  Supplica- 
tions this  Day,  whereupon  I  would  see  some  Remark,  to  see 
what  may  bee  the  Event  thereof. 

A  Ship,  whereof  my  Brother-in-Law  is  Master,  and 
wherein  I  have  some  considerable  Interest,  is  hourly  expected 
from  England.  Another  Ship,  that  came  some  way  in 
Company  with  this,  arrived  some  Weeks  ago;  and  some 
Circumstances  occurr,  which  make  us  afraid  whether  all 
bee  well  with  it,  or  no.  Many  Prayers  have  I  of  late  sent 
up  to  Heaven,  on  this  Occasion;  and  I  have  thought,  the 
Lord  may  delay  the  coming  in  of  the  Ship,  on  purpose  that 
by  the  more  Prayers,  I  may  bee  the  better  praepar'd  for 
an  Harvest  of  Mercies  in  it.  This  Day  presenting  my  Sup- 
plications before  the  Lord,  on  this  occasion,  I  had  my 
mind  irradiated  with  a  strange  Assurance  from  Heaven, 
that  the  Ship  is  well,  and  that  it  will  shortlj-  arrive,  with 
some  special  Tokens  of  the  divine  Favour  to  mee.  Thus 
much  I  express'd  on  my  Knees  before  the  Lord:  //  will 
bee  so! 

I  d.  10  m.  [December.]  And  now,  Ictt  mee  again  bring 
in  my  Testimonies,  that  Faith  is  no  Fancy,  and  that  there  is 
a  special  Operation  of  the  Holy  Spirit,  perhaps,  not  \\'ithout 
some  Energy  of  His  Holy  Angels,  to  produce  a  particular 
Faith,  in  the  Minds  of  those  that  humbly  wait  upon  Him. 

This  day,  the  Ship,  for  whose  Arrival,  I  had  pray'd 
with  so  much  Failh,  safely  arri\-ed.  .\nd  by  this  Ship, 
there  comes  to  my  Hand,  my  Elcutherin,  or.  Idea  of  the 
Reformation,  and  History  of  Non-Conformity,  published  at 
London,  with  Circumstances,   which  give  mee   to  see,  a 

'  rrintcd  by  B.  ('■rcen  and  J.  Allen,  169Q. 

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DECEMBER,     1698  281 

special  Care  of  the  Holy  Angels  concerning  it;  and  I  beleeve, 
it  will  have  some  notable  Effects  in  the  English  Nation. 

15  J.  low.  T'was  now  a  Day  of  Thanksgiving,  cele- 
brated throughout  the  Province,  for  the  Mercies  of  the  year 
past. 

In  my  Sermons,  urging  that  the  Inhabitants  of  this 
Town,  in  Gratitude  for  the  Mercies  that  have  preserved  and 
suppUed  the  Town,  would  labour  more  than  ever,  that  the 
Lord  may  bee  glorified  in  their  Families,  I  found  my  own 
Heart  more  especially  concerned  upon  this  Article,  relating 
to  my  own  Family. 

But  this  was  not  all  the  Effect,  which  the  Mercies  of 
God  have  had  upon  mee. 

I  will  proceed  now  to  relate  another  Matter. 

I  beleeve  that  the  God  of  Heaven  vouchsafes,  especially 
to  some  of  His  faithful  Servants,  a  more  singular  Conduct 
of  His  Providence,  with  the  Management,  and  Ministry 
of  His  Holy  Angels.  And  not  altogether  insensible  of  the 
Sweetness  attending  such  a  Life,  I  desire  to  have  all  the 
Affairs  and  Motions  of  my  Life,  more  than  ever,  imder  that 
singular  Condiict  of  Heaven. 

It  is  therefore  necessary  that  besides  the  Gravity,  and 
Sanctity,  and  Trustfulness,  of  a  Conversation  in  Heaven, 
there  bee  these  two  Things  endeavoured. 

First,  I  would  with  more  Explicitness  than  ever,  con- 
tinually spread  before  the  Lord,  the  Concerns,  wherein  from 
Time  to  Time,  I  may  want  His  Direction,  and  Assistence. 
Now,  for  this  purpose,  I  find  it  has  been  a  Wrong  unto  mee, 
that  I  have  so  much  confined  these  Representations  of  my 
Concerns,  unto  my  more  stated  Prayers,  at  the  Hours  con- 
stantly recurring  for  them.  Wherefore  I  would,  for  the 
Time  to  come,  use  at  any  Hour  of  the  Day  when  a  Case,  or 
a  Care,  offers  itself  imto  my  Thoughts  to  make  a  brief 
Supphcation  to  Heaven  distinctly  upon  it.  Thus  I  shall 
be  going  to  Heaven  continually,  and  have  Opportunity,  not 

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282  DIARY      or     COTTON     MATHER 

only  to  converse  with  the  Commandments  and  Promises 
of  God,  and  Righteousness  of  Christ,  more  fully  on  all 
Occasions;  but  also  to  have  an  high  Respect  eimobling  all 
my  Concerns.     What  an  excellent  way  of  living  is  this! 

But,  secondly,  I  would  more  exactly  and  curiously 
than  ever,  observe  what  is  Remarkable,  in  the  divine  Dis- 
pensations towards  mee.  I  would  observe  most  of  all, 
what  Answers  of  Prayer,  I  receive;  and  I  would  observe 
the  Efiforts  and  Effects  of  a  Particular  Faith.  And  thus 
would  I  keep  waiting  upon  God  in  Christ  perpetually,  and 
critically  eying  of  Him. 

Lord,  help  mee ! ' 

18  d.  10  m.  Lord's-Day.     [No  entry.] 

24  d.  10  m.  Satureday.  I  spent  this  Day  in  the  Exercise 
of  a  secret  FAST.  The  Occasions,  were  the  same  that  I 
have  had  for  some  former  such  Dayes  as  these. 

And  my  Father-in-Law,  being  by  order  of  the  General 
Assembly  this  Week  sail'd  unto  the  East-ward,  on  a  diffi- 
cult Work,  in  a  dangerous  Time,  to  fetch  home  our  Cap- 
tives in  the  Hands  of  the  Indians,  and  see  what  is  to  bee 
done  about  a  Peace  with  the  Salvages,  I  thought  it  my 
Duty,  to  carry  the  Concern  of  his  Voyage,  with  special 
Supplications  before  the  Lord. 

Memorandum.  This  Day,  as  I  was  mentioning  to  the 
Lord,  my  Book,  of.  The  Confirmed  Christian,  I  received  a 
strange  Assurance  from  Heaven,  that  it  hath  been  prae- 
served,  and  will  bee  published,  in  London,  and  that  it  shall 
bee  very  serviceable  unto  the  Interests  of  the  Lord  Jesus 
Christ,  and  that  I  shall  quickly  have  the  Tidings  thereof. 

2  d.  11  771.  [Ja7iuary.]  Monday.  This  Day  an  uncomfort- 
able Thing  happened  in  my  Family.  My  little  Daughter 
Nanny,  being  in  my  study,  with  her  two  Sisters,  when  I  was 
not  there,  fell  into  the  Fire.      The  right  Side  of  her  Face 

'  Mather  makes  no  mention  of  the  request  made  that  his  father  should  remove 
to  Cambridge,  giving  up  his  ministry  in  Boston.     Sewall,  Diary,  i.  487,  493. 

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JANUARY,     1698-99  283 

especially,  and  her  right  Hand  and  Arm,  were  sorely  burned 
in  this  Fall;  and  wee  feared  a  terrible  Event.  Alas,  for  my 
Sin,  the  just  God  throwes  my  Child  into  the  Fire! 

I  immediately  sett  myself  before  I  slept,  in  the  Evening 
to  suit  my  Family,  with  solemn  Adinonitions  on  this  Occa- 
sion: And  I  kept  pouring  out  my  Prayers  to  God,  for  His 
Mercies  unto  the  Child,  and  the  rest  of  the  Family. 

The  Friday  following,  (which  was  the  first  Day,  I  could 
easily  command.)  I  sett  apart  for  the  Exercises  of  a  secret 
Fast,  in  my  Study,  under  this  Rebuke  of  Heaven.  On  this 
Day,  I  hvraibled  myself  before  the  Lord,  for  the  Sins,  which 
upon  strictest  Examination,  I  thought  the  humbling  Dis- 
pensation of  Providence  now  upon  mee,  obhged  mee  to  con- 
sider; and  I  hoped,  the  Lord  has,  thro'  the  Blood  of  His  own 
Son,  pardoned  them  ail.  But  then,  I  sett  myself,  to  ciy  unto 
Heaven,  for  the  Welfare  of  my  Children,  and  my  whole 
Family,  on  all  accounts;  and  my  cries  are  heard,  in  the  Holy 
Place  of  God.    Behold,  what  I  have  obtained! 

I  have  this  Day  obtained  Mercy  for  all  my  Children. 
And  for  the  scorched  Child,  I  have  particularly  obtained,  that 
shee  shall  not  only  bee  speedUy  and  happily  Cured,  but  shee 
shall  bee  blessed  throughout  eternal  Ages.  God  will  make 
her  one  of  His  oiim  Children;  God  will  distinguish  her  with 
Marks  of  His  everlasting  Love.  The  Fire,  that  hath  wounded 
the  Child,  hath  added  a  strong  Fire  and  Force  to  the  Zeal 
of  my  Prayer  for  her;  and  God  has  now  raised  my  Prayer 
for  her,  to  this  Degree  of  a  Particular  Faith  in  her  behalf. 
If  this  Writing  of  her  poor  Father,  ever  come  to  bee  readd 
by  her,  lett  her  give  Thanks  to  God,  that  ever  Hee  cast  her 
into  a  Fire,  which  thus  enflamed  the  Supplications  of  her 
Father  for  her. 

But  then,  because  nothing  must  befal  mee,  but  what 
shall  bee  evidently  serviceable  unto  the  Interests  of  my 
Lord  Jesus  Christ,  I  besought  the  Lord,  that  Hee  would 
show  mee,  what  Improvement  I  should  make  of  this  affiict- 

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284  DIARY  OF  COTTON  MATHER 

ive  Providence.     Hereupon  I  resolved,  with  the  Help  of 
Heaven, 

To  grow  more  fruitful,  in  my  whole  Conversation  with 
my  Family. 

To  have  more  of  Holiness,  especially  in  my  Conversation 
with  my  dearest  Consort:  And  therefore,  not  only  to  pray 
with  her  alone  in  my  Study,  every  Salureday  Evening  as  I 
have  done  hitherto,  but  much  oflener  than  so. 

To  preach  the  next  Lord's  Day,  upon  the  Providence  of 
God,  in  the  smallest  Actions  and  Accidents,  as  Extended 
'even  to  Sparrowes;  and  make  as  profitable  Observations  as 
I  can  thereupon. 

To  preach  ere  long,  on  the  Duties  of  Parents  and  Children, 
with  more  forceable  Inculcations.  And  see,  whether  there 
bee  nothing  further  that  I  may  do,  to  save  the  Children  of 
my  Flock,  from  falling  into  the  imquenchable  Fire  of  the 
Wrath  of  God. 

This  Day,  I  also  spread  such  other  blatters  before  the 
Lord  as  were  proper  Subjects  for  my  Supplications. 

About  this  Time,  imderstanding  that  the  way  for  our 
Communication  with  the  Spanish  Indies,  opens  more  and 
more,  I  sett  myself  to  learn  the  Spanish  Language.^  The 
Lord  wonderfully  prospered  mee  in  this  Undertaking;  a 
few  hesure  Minutes  in  the  Evening  of  every  Day,  in  about 
a  Fortnight,  or  three  weeks  Time,  so  accomphshed  mee, 
I  could  write  ven,'  good  Spanish.  Accordingly,  I  composed 
a  little  Body  of  the  Protestant  Religion,  in  certain  Articles, 
back'd  with  irresistible  Sentences  of  Scripture.  This  I 
tum'd  into  the  Spanish  Tongue;  and  am  now  printing  it, 

'  In  August  of  this  year  intelligence  had  reached  Boston  of  a  revolt  in  New 
Spain  against  the  Spanish  rule,  and  of  the  crowning  of  the  \iceroy  of  Mexico  as 
King;  but  the  revolt  was  "a  sham,"  Sewall,  Diary,  i.  484,  485.  Some  weeks 
later  the  Scotch  fleet  bearing  the  Daricn  settlers  reached  the  West  Indies,  and  its 
success  was  sought  by  prayer  and  attention.  Sewall  wished  it  to  be  in  part  ful- 
filment of  the  latter  part  of  the  seventy-seventh  Psalm,  and  the  Company  formed 
the  subject  of  prayer  in  the  South  Church. 

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with  a  Design  to  send  it  by  all  the  wayes  that  I  can,  into 
the  several  parts  of  the  Spanish  America;  as  not  knowing, 
how  great  a  matter  a  little  Fire  may  kindle,  or,  whether  the 
Time  for  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ  to  have  glorious  Churches 
in  America,  bee  not  at  hand.  The  Title  of  my  Composure 
is.  La  Religion  Pura,  En  Doze  palabras  Fides,  dignas  de  ser 
recebidas  de  Todos. 

Oh!  how  happy  shall  I  bee,  if  the  God  of  Heaven  will 
prosper,  this  my  poor  Endeavour  to  glorify  my  Lord  Jesus 
Christ. 

But  these  my  Studies,  in  Conjunction  with  some  other 
Inconveniencies,  raised  the  Vapors  of  my  Spleen  into  my 
Head.  A  grievous,  painful,  wasting  Head-ache  siezed  mee. 
In  a  few  Dayes,  I  was  enfeebled  with  it,  into  deplorable 
Circumstances.  I  cryed,  imto  the  Lord,  that  for  the  sake 
of  what  my  Lord  Jesus  Christ  endured  in  His  Holy  Head, 
I  might  receive  some  Ease  of  the  Pains  in  my  sinful  one. 
Hee  heard  my  cry;  and  by  the  method  of  Cupping,  Hee 
sent  mee  Releef.  I  was  disabled  from  going  abroad  on  the 
Lord's-day,  22  d.  11  m.  But  according  to  my  poor  Strength, 
I  spent  part  of  it,  at  home,  on  my  Knees,  in  Prayers,  with 
Tears,  lamenting  my  horrible  Filthiness,  Unthankfulness, 
and  Unfruitfulness,  and  imploring  pardon,  thro'  the  Blood 
of  Jesus. 

I  was  able,  on  the  Wednesday  following,  to  Discourse 
imto  a  great  Company  of  Christians,  at  my  House,  above  an 
Hour,  on  the  Apostles  Thorn  in  the  Flesh;  which  I  find  some 
of  the  Ancients,  expound  of  a  troublesome  Head-ache. 

Nevertheless,  my  Health  is  overthrown,  and  my  Spleen 
especially  so  disordered,  that  Satan  getts  into  it:  And  now 
my  Mind,  is  horribly  buffeted  with  Temptations,  which  tell 
mee,  that  being  unable  to  do  any  further  Service,  and 
unworthy  that  God  should  help  mee  to  do  any,  I  shall  fall 
into  an  unserviceable  old-Age,  before  I  am  forty  years  old. 
It  is  impossible  for  mee,  to  e.xpress  the  sad  Thoughts  which 

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286  DIARY  OF  COTTON  MATHER 

now  distress  mee,  and  confound  mee,  and  how  much  I  am 
unhinged  with  them.  Lord,  pitty  thy  poor  Servant;  and 
tho'  I  am  exceedingly  vile,  yett,  O  lett  mee  not  bee  a  cast 
away! 

Under  these  grievous  Buffetings,  I  had  no  Remedy,  but 
earnest  Cries  to  Heaven.  I  had  not  Health  and  Strength 
enough,  in  my  frail  Body,  to  sett  apart  whole  Dayes  for 
Prayer  with  Fasting,  as  otherwise  I  would  have  done.  But 
I  took  only  my  daily  Opportunities,  to  plead,  the  Right- 
eousness of  my  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  who  suffered  wonderful 
Temptation  from  Satan,  without  being  betray'd  into  any 
Sin,  for  the  pardon  of  all  the  Sin,  which  I  discover  under 
my  Temptation;  and  for  my  obtaining  from  Heaven  Assist- 
ence  against  all  Temptation,  and  at  length  Deliverance  from 
Temptation. 

Some  Light,  at  last,  began  to  appear  imto  mee;  and  I 
begim  to  consider,  whether  these  Buffetings  from  Satan, 
may  not  bee  permitted  by  Heaven,  to  annoy  mee,  because 
I  am  about  a  special  Peece  of  work,  whereby  the  Kingdome 
of  Satan  may  receive  a  more  than  ordinary  Blow;  or,  that 
so  I  may  bee  praepared  for  some  special  Mercy  or  Service 
near  unto  mee! 

My  Public  Ministry  this  Year  has  been  thus  managed. 

1697.  13  i.  12  w.  I  preached,  on  Isa.  53.  12.  Christ  numbred  with 
Transgressers. 

20  d.  12  tn.  I  preached,  on  Gen.  28.  21.  Choosing  of  the  Lord  for 
our  God,  in  the  Covenant  oj  Grace.    And  I  administred  the  Eucharist 

2-j  d.  12  m.  I  preached,  on  Isa.  53.  12.  Christ  Interceding  for 
Transgressors.  (My  Twenty  Seventh,  and  last  Sermon,  on  that 
evangelical  Chapter,  I  concluded  with  solemn  Obtestations  of  my 
Neighbours,  to  beware  of  sleighting  the  Christ,  in  the  Reports  of  the 
Gospel,  thus  brought  unto  them.) 

1698.  6d.  1  m.  As  a  general  Application,  of  my  Discourses  on  the 
Gospel  of  Isaias,  I  preached,  on  Eph.  6.  24.  The  Sincere  Love  to  the 
Lord  Jesus  Christ,  which  His  Love  disposes  the  Christian  unto. 

10  d.  I  m.  Thursday.  I  preach'd,  on  2.  Tim.  3.  5.  The  Power  of 
Godliness,  to  a  great  Assembly,  with  a  great  Assistence. 

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13  d.  I  m.  I  preach'd  on,  2  Thes.  3.  i.  The  Word  of  the  Lord, 
so  Running  as  to  be  glorified. 

1 7  d.  I  »n.  Thursday.  It  was  a  general  Fast,  thro'  the  Province 
I  preached  on  Isa.  43.  22.  Weariness  of  calling  on  God,  in  them  that 
are  called.  His  People. 

20  d.  I  m.  I  preached  on,  Luk.  10.  16.  Some,  who  despise  the 
Lord  Jesus  Christ,  when  they  little  think  they  do  so. 

27  d.  I  w.  I  began  to  preach  on  the  Parable  of  the  Sower.  I 
preached  on  Math.  13.  3. 

^d.  2  m.  I  preached  on  Rom.  8.  13.  The  Gospel  Mystery  of 
Mortification:  which  I  saw,  much  neglected,  and  little  understood. 

•J  d.  2  m.  Thursday.  I  preached  on  i.  Sam.  7.  12.  and  in  a  vast 
Assembly,  with  a  great  Assistence,  I  erected  the  Ebenezers  of  Boston. 

10  d.  2  m.  I  preached,  on  Math.  13.  4.  The  Seed  falling  on  the 
high-way  Ground. 

17  d.2m.  I  began  to  preach  on  the  Song  of  Simeon,  Luk.  2.  29. 
And  I  administered  the  Eucharist. 

24  d.  2  m.     I  preached,  on  Math,  13.  5.  6.    The  stony  Ground. 

id.  2,m.  I  preached,  on  Tit.  2.  10  Adorning  the  Doctrine  of 
God  our  Saviour,  because,  I  saw  many  Professors  of  the  Doctrine  did 
not  so. 

S  (i.  3  »M.  Thursday.  At  the  Lecture, I  discoursed,  on  2.  Pet.  2.  2. 
The  Way  of  Truth,  by  reason  of  some  Evil  spoken  of:  because  I  saw 
many  Occasions  taken  for  its  being  so. 

8  d.  3  »i.     I  preached,  on  Math.  13.  7.    The  thorny  Ground. 

15  d.  ^m.  I  preached,  on  Psal.  141.  5.  The  christian  Way  of 
receiving  Reproofs,  (of  all  sorts :)  because  I  saw  it  much  neglected. 

ijd.^m.  Tuesday.  I  preached,  the  Lecture  at  Roxbury.  On 
Math.  13.  3.  A  Sower  going  forth  to  sow.  Their  late  sowing  Time, 
rendred  it  agreeable. 

22  d.  ^m.  I  preached,  on  Hos.  9.  15.  Being  driven  out  of  tlie 
House  of  God,  for  Wickedness.  On  occasion  of  a  Censure  passed  then 
in  the  Church. 

29  d.  T,m.  I  preached,  on,  i.  Cor.  6.  9.  Bee  not  deceived:  What 
are  the  usual  Deceits  imposed  on  men,  in  the  matters  of  eternal  Happi- 
ness. 

2  i.  4  w.  Thursday.  At  the  Lecture,  (the  General  Assembly  sit- 
ting) I  discoursed,  on  Exod.  3.  2.    The  burning  Bush  not  consumed. 

Sd.  4  m.     I  preached,  on  Math.  13.  8.    The  good  Ground. 

12  d.  4  m.  I  preached,  on  Rev.  3.  i.  Having  a  Name  to  live,  and 
yett  being  dead:  Because  I  saw  horrible  Instances  of  Hypocrisy  dis- 
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288  DIARY  or  COTTON  MATHER 

covered  in  diverse  members  of  our  Church;  (and  this  Day,  I  solemnly 
foretold  the  Discovery  of  more.) 

19  d.  4  m.     I  preached,  on  Rom.  4.  20.     A  strong  Faith. 

26  d.  ^m.  I  preached,  on  Phil.  3.  19.  Earthly-mindedness;  which 
I  fear'd,  would  bee  the  Ruine  of  a  great  Part  of  my  Hearers,  and  now 
I  solemnly  warned  them  of  it. 

2,0  d.  i\m.  Thursday.  I  preached,  on  Num.  25.  11.  Zealous 
Phinehas;  to  sett  an  Edge  upon  the  late  Proclamations,  about  Refor- 
mation. 

2d.  $m.  I  preached,  on  Rom.  8.  6.  Spiritual- Mindedness,  in 
opposition  to  the  Eartfdy-miTtdedness,  condemned  this  day  se'imight. 

iod.$m.  I  preached,  on  Num.  12.  14.  Lepers,  to  bee  shutt 
out  of  the  Camp.  (And  I  administered  the  Eucharist.)  In  the 
Afternoon,  a  Censure  was  pass'd  in  the  Church. 

ijd.sm.  I  began  to  preach  on  the  eleventh  Chapter  to  the 
Hebrew's;  a  rich  Portion  of  Scripture;  designing  with  the  Leave  and 
Help  of  Heaven,  to  proceed  upon  it. 

24  (f.  5  w.  I  preached,  the  second  Time,  on  Heb.  11.  i.  with 
special  Assistences  of  Heaven. 

28.  d.  5  m.  Thursday.  I  preached  at  the  Lecture  on  Col.  3.  5. 
Mortification,  the  evangelical  ^Mysterj'  and  Method  of  it;  which  I  see 
too  generally,  neither  understood,  nor  practised. 

31  d.  $m.  I  preached  on  Heb.  11.  2.  Faith  obtaining  a  good 
Report. 

■J  d.6m.  I  preached,  on  Math.  10.  16.  The  Wisdome  of  the 
Serpent,  and  the  Goodness  of  the  Do\-e,  united. 

i4d.  6  m.  I  preached,  on  Heb.  11.  3.  Faith  exercised  about 
the  Creation  of  the  World. 

2id.6m.  I  preached  unto  our  young  People,  a  Sermon,  on 
Jer.  3.  4.  Persons  in  their  Youth,  making  choice  of  God,  as  their 
Father,  and  the  Guide  of  their  Youth. 

1$  d.  6  m.  Thursday  I  endeavoured,  upon  the  Encouragement 
which  I  read  for  my  Text,  in  Ps.  107.  43.  Who  is  wise,  and  will 
observe  these  things  f  to  offer  unto  the  Public,  my  Observation  of  the 
Remarkables  that  have  occurr'd  in  our  late  and  long  Indian  War,  and 
make  some  due  Improvements  of  them. 

29  d.  6  m.  In  the  Forenoon,  I  preached  at  the  South  Church  in 
Boston,  on  Jer.  3.  4.  In  the  Afternoon  at  my  North-Church,  a 
second  Time,  on  the  same  Text,  —  a  Call  to  Youth. 

4  (i.  7  m.  I  preached  on  Luk.  2.  29.  Departing  in  Peace.  And 
Administred  the  Eucharist. 

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Sd.  "J  m.  Thursday.  I  preached  the  Lecture  at  Ipswich.  On 
2  Tun.  3.  5.     The  Power  of  Godliness. 

II  d.  1  m.  I  preached  at  Salem,  A.  M.  especially  to  Old  People, 
on  Luk.  2.  29.  P.  M.    Especially  to  Young  People,  on  Jer.  3.  4. 

18  d.  J  m.  I  preached  on,  Exod.  23.  2.  An  Antidote  against  the 
Contagion  of  Sin,  from  the  Exemple  of  a  Multitude. 

22  d.  y  m.  Thursday.  I  concluded  at  the  Lecture,  what  I  began 
a  Month  ago. 

2$d.'jm.  I  preached  on  Heb.  11.  4.  Faith  making  a  more 
excellent  Sacrifice. 

28  d.  7  m.  Wednesday.  ■  I  preached  the  Lecture  at  Reading,  on 
Rom.  8.  6.    Spiritual-mindedness. 

2d.  8  m.  I  preached  on  Psal.  37.  25.  The  Provision  of  Bread 
made  for  the  Righteous,  in  the  wonderful  Providence  of  God. 

(Fearing  lest  the  frequent  Losses  befalling  our  Neighbours,  might 
make  the  Fear  of  Want,  prove  a  sore  Temptation  unto  them.) 

gd.Sm.  I  preached  on,  Heb.  11.  4.  Faith  making  us  righteous, 
and  obtaining  a  Witness  of  our  being  so. 

16  d.  8  tn.  I  preached,  on  Psal.  31.  14.  Describing  and  offering 
the  Covenant  of  Grace,  unto  my  Neighbours,  and  earnestly  bespeaking 
their  Consent  imto  every  Article  of  it,  and  instructing  them  how  to 
give  it. 

20  d.  8  m.  Thursday.  Because,  I  foresaw,  that  before  my  ne.\t 
Lecture,  the  whole  Countrey  would  bee  entertained  with  a  tragical 
Instance  of  a  young  Woman  who  was  to  come  upon  her  Trial  the  next 
week,  for  murdering  her  Base-born  child,  I  now  began  to  discourse, 
on  Rom.  i.  28.  Handling  the  Case,  of  God's  Punishing  Men  for  some 
Sins,  by  leaving  them  to  more.  Intending  a  Month  hence,  if  the  Lord 
please,  to  finish  what  I  now  began,  and  make  the  sad  Exemple  before 
the  Countrey,  particularly  subservient  unto  my  Designs. 

23  d.8m.  I  preached  on  Heb.  11.  4.  God  first  Accepting  the 
Person  and  then  the  Offring.     And  dead  Abel  speaking. 

30  d.  8  m.  I  preached  on,  Luk.  2.  30.  Christ  the  Salvation  of 
God;  the  Blessedness  of  seeing  Him.  And  I  administered  the  Eu- 
charist. 

6d.gm.  I  preached  on  Heb.  11.  5.  A  blessed  State  in  a  better 
World. 

13  d.gm.  I  preached,  on  Gen.  20.  6.  The  Mercy  of  being 
withheld  from  Sin.  Upon  tragical  Instances  of  some  undone,  by  fall- 
ing into  Sin. 

IT  d.gm.  Thursday.  The  Lecture  was  held  at  the  South-Meet- 
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290  DIARY     OF    COTTON     MATHER 

ing  house.  I  concluded  my  Discourse  on  Rom.  i.  28.  to  a  more  than 
ordinary  Assembly,  with  a  more  than  ordinary  Assistence.  After  the 
Sermon,  was  the  miserable  young  Woman,  executed. 

20  d.gtn.  I  preached  on  Hcb.  11.5.  Pleasing  of  God,  by  walk- 
ing with  Him. 

27  (f.  9  >».  I  preached  on  Eph.  4.  28.  Against  the  Sin  of  Steal- 
ing; the  Time  of  the  year,  now  advancing,  when  that  Sin  is  more 
frequently  committed,  by  the  poor,  in  the  Town. 

29  d.  9  m.  Tuesday.  I  preached,  the  Lecture  at  Roxbury,  on 
Math.  13.  8.  The  good  Groutid  bringing  forth  Fruil.  I  promised 
them,  to  do  this,  when  their  Harvest  should  bee  ingathered.  (Look 
back  to,  1"]  d.  i  m.) 

4(f.  lom.  I  preached,  on,  Heb.  11.  6.  The  Impossibility  oi 
pleasing  God  without  Faith. 

lid.  10m.  I  preached,  on  Rom.  2.  4.  The  Goodness  of  God, 
leading  to  Repentance. 

IS  d.  10  m.  Thursday.  And,  on  a  public  Thanksgiving,  the 
Thursday  following,  for  the  Mercies  of  the  year  past,  I  from  hence, 
made  a  Recapitulation,  of  the  Favours  which  the  Di\ine  Goodtiess 
had  been  showing  to  this  Town  and  Land;  adding  upon  each  Article, 
what  wee  should  bee  thereby  led  unto. 

18  d.  10  m.     I  preached,  on  Heb.  11.  6.     Faith  coming  to  God. 

25  <f.  10  m.  I  preached  on  Luke.  2.  31.  Christ  prcepared  before 
all  People,  And  I  administered  the  Eucharist. 

I  d.  II  m.  I  preach'd  on  Heb.  11.  6.  Faith  apprehending  the 
Existence  of  God. 

8d.  II  m.  I  preach'd  on  Math.  10.  29.  The  Providence  of  God 
extended  unto  the  smallest  Accidents.  (The  Occasion  is  mendon'd, 
on  2  J.  II  m.) 

12  d.  II  m.  Thursday.    I  preach'd  on  Joh.  21.  17.     Love  to  Christ. 

i$d.  II  m.  I  preached  on,  Heb.  11.  6.  Faith  apprehending  of 
God  as  a  Rewarder. 

2gd.  II  m.  I  preached  on  Heb.  11.  7.  Faith  minding  the  Warn- 
ings of  the  Threatnings. 

5  (/.  12  m.     I  preached  on  Heb.  11.  7.     Faith  getting  into  the  Ark. 

gd.  12  m.  Thursday.  I  preached,  on  Mar.  8.  38.  Being  asltamcd 
of  Christ.     (Because  I  saw  much  Occasion  for  such  Admonition.) ' 

^"()d.i3m.[February,  1698.]  The  Brethren  of  the  Church  mett,  and  by 
their  \'ote  aRrced: 

"That  wh.ilcvor  the  Deacons  find  neccssar\'  to  be  disbursed  for  obtaining  the 
quiet  Possession  of  the  Land  on  which  our  Meeting-house  is  lately  enlarged,  and 

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FEBRUARY,     1698-99  29I 

answering  the  Claims  of  the  Widow  Moore  unto  it,  bee  by  them  disbursed  out  of  the 
Churches  Treasury. 

"That  Mr.  Foster,  Mr.  Wintkrop,  Mr.  Middlecot,  and  Mr.  Howard,  with  the 
Deacons  of  the  Church,  do  repair  unto  the  Heirs  of  Major  Clark,  and  endeavour  to 
obtain  from  them  a  final  Acquittance  to  the  Church,  from  all  their  pretensions  of 
any  Privilege,  in  any  Part  of  the  Land  aforesaid.  And  that  the  Churches  Treasury 
shall  defray  that  Expence  also,  provided  it  exceed  not  twenty  five  pounds. 

"Finally,  that  the  Salary  of  the  present  Pastor  shall  bee  three  pounds  pet 
Week.  And  that  the  Deacons  out  of  the  Churches  Treasury  furnish  the  Families 
of  both  Teacher  and  Pastor  with  Fuel  as  there  is  Occasion."  Cotton  Mather's  MS. 
Records  of  the  Second  Church,  n. 


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1699 

THE  XXXVIlTH  YEAR. 

Fastings  were  so  frequent  among  the  Christians  in  the 
primitive  Times,  that  it  was  to  bee  discovered  in  their 
Joints  and  Faces;  Pallidi,  and  Trepidi,  were  the  oppro- 
brious Names,  which  for  this  Reason  the  Heathen  gave 
imto  them. 

THE  XXXMlTH  YEAR  OF  MY  AGE. 

12  d.  12  m.  [February  ]i6g^.  Lord's-Day.  Lord!  lam 
astonished,  I  am  astonished,  at  that  wonderful  ^Ierc\-  of 
Heaven,  that  has  upheld  an  unfruitful  Wretch,  now  for 
thirty  six  years  together! 

My  Birth-day  now  falls  out  on  a  Lord's-day.  I  may 
not  alienate  this  Day,  from  the  Celebration  of  my  Lord- 
Redeemer's  New-Birth,  for  which  Hee  hath  sanctified  it. 
And  yett,  besides  my  Endeavours  the  last  Evening,  to 
obtain  a  Pardon  for  the  Sins  of  the  year  past,  and  render 
Thanks  for  the  Mercies  of  the  Year,  and  pray  for  a  Bless- 
ing on  the  next,  I  thought  I  might  improve  the  Sense  of 
my  Circumstances  this  Day,  to  quicken  my  Apprehensions 
of  the  Need  which  I  have  of  such  a  Lord-Redeemer. 

Wlierefore  I  chose  this  Day  to  preach  upon  those  Words, 
Luk.  18.  13.  God  bee  merciful  to  nice  a  Sinner.  I  thought, 
I  would  in  the  ensuing  Evening  endeavour  to  call  over  the 
special  Dispensations  of  the  Divine  Providence  towards 
mec,  and  write,  Mercy  to  a  Sinner  upon  them  all.  I  thought, 
I  would  consider  what  Conditions  I  had  passed  through, 

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FEBRUARY,     1698-99  293 

what  Relations  I  had  sustained,  what  Employmenls  I  had 
managed,  and  cry,  God  bee  merciful  to  mee  a  Sinner,  upon 
the  View  of  my  jSIiscamages  in  all  of  them.  And  now,  for 
the  rest  of  this  Year,  God  bee  merciful  to  mee  a  Sinner! 

ij  d.  12  ?n.  I  sett  apart  this  Day,  for  the  Exercises  of 
a  secret  Fast  in  m}'  Study;  to  obtain  the  Pardon  of  my  Sins, 
and  a  sweet  Releef  against  the  Temptations  that  sometimes 
darken  and  bufdt  my  Mind;  and  a  great  Measure  of  Grace, 
by  which  I  ma}^  bee  prepared  for  all  the  Trials,  and  Changes, 
that  may  bee  before  mee;  and  the  manifold  Smile  of  God 
upon  mee,  in  my  Ministry  and  in  my  Family,  and  in  the 
many  special  Services  which  I  am  contriving  and  attempting 
to  do,  for  the  dear  Name  of  my  Lord  Jesus  Christ;  particu- 
larly, that  of  sending  the  Light  of  the  reformed  ReUgion 
into  the  Spanish  Indies. 

The  Day  was  not  altogether  uncomfortably  spent. 

22  d.  12  m.  Wednesday.  This  Day,  besides  abundance  of 
other  Work,  I  composed  three  Sermons,  and  preached  one 
of  them.  I  not  only  prepared  a  Sermon  for  the  Lecture, 
on  the  morrow,  when  also  I  enjoy'd  a  most  comfortable 
Presence  of  the  Lord  with  mee,  in  the  Great  Assembly; 
but  also  I  prepared  a  Sermon  for  a  private  Meeting,  to 
bee  this  Evening  attended.  Now,  just  before  my  going 
to  the  private  Meeting,  a  terrible  Thing  happened  in  my 
Family.  For  my  Daughter  Katy,  going  into  the  Cellar 
with  a  Candle,  her  musslin  Ornaments,  about  her  Shoulders 
took  Fire  from  it,  and  so  blazed  up  as  to  sett  her  Head-gear 
likewise  on  Fire.  By  the  wonderful  and  merciful  Provi- 
dence of  God  her  Shriek  for  Help  was  heard;  and  by  that 
Help  the  Fire  was  extinguished.  The  Child's  Life  was 
preserved;  and  her  Head,  and  her  Face,  tho'  in  the  midst 
of  horrible  Flames.  But  yett  her  Neck  and  her  Hand 
were  horribly  burnt,  and  shee  was  thrown  into  Exquisite 
Misery.  This  Disaster  befalling  my  eldest  Daughter,  soon 
after  that  my  youngest  had  suffered  the  like  Disaster,  it 

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294  DIARY  OF  COTTON  MATHER 

threw  mee,  into  extreme  Distress.  And  this  Distress  caus- 
ing mee  to  lay  aside  the  Discourse,  I  had  intended  for  the 
Meeting,  I  did,  with  much  Influence  from  Heaven  on  my 
Mind,  at  the  sudden  compose  and  utter  unto  the  Meeting, 
a  Discourse,  for  above  an  Hour,  from  Lam.  5.  13'  on  that 
Case,  What  use  ought  Parents  to  make  of  Disasters  befalling 
their  Children. 

My  Child  fell  into  a  Feavour,  and  her  Neck  obliged  her 
to  so  wry  a  Posture  of  her  Head,  that  I  was  in  grievous  Dis- 
tress, whether  shee  would  live,  or,  whether,  if  shee  did  live, 
there  would  not  bee  some  visible  Mark  of  the  Stroke  of  the 
Wrath  of  the  Lord,  always  upon  her.  I  cryed  unto  the  Lord 
for  the  Child,  in  this  my  Distress;  and  I  obtained  Assurance 
from  Heaven  that  the  Child  should  not  only  bee  shortly 
and  safely  cured  of  her  Burning,  but  that  God  would  make 
this  very  Burning,  to  bee  the  Occasion  of  her  being  brought 
more  effectually  than  ever.  Home  unto  EUmself,  and  His 
Christ.  Oh!  blessed  Affliction,  that  shall  prove  the  Salva- 
tion of  my  Child!  //  shall  bee  so;  It  shall  bee  sol  Lord, 
How  much  ought  I  to  love  Thee,  when  thou  dost  rebuke 
and  chasten  meet 

But  one  Affliction  must  not  come  alone.  My  Wife's 
Mother,  took  her  Bed,  very  sick  of  a  Feavour,  that  Night, 
that  my  Daughter  was  thus  grievously  scorched.  Shee  dyed, 
on  the  Friday  Night,  about  ten  o'clock.'  Now,  I  count  it  a 
singular  Favour  of  God  unto  mcc,  (and  it  might  bee  so  unto 
her!)  that  tho'  shee  were  delirious  the  first  Night  of  her  Ill- 
ness, yett  shee  had  the  free  Use  of  Reason,  all  the  rest  of 
her  little  Time.  And  hereby,  I  enjoy 'd  an  Opportunity  for 
two  Daycs  together,  to  talk  with  her,  and  pray  with  her,  and 
do  all  that  it  was  possible  for  mee  to  do,  in  assisting  her, 

'  "They  took  the  younR  men  to  grind,  and  the  children  fell  under  the  wood." 

'She  was  buried  Thursday.  March  2.     "Mr.  Danforth,  Major  Gcn'I  Winthrop, 

RusscI,  Cook,  Elisha  Hutchinson,  Kcwlcr,  Bearers.     I  think  all  the  Council  had 

rIovcs  sent,  and  Rings  there.    Lt.  ("Dvr  was  not  there.   .   .  .    Gov'r  Winthrop  was 

at  the  I'uncral."     Scwall,  Diary,  I.  492. 

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CO.  A  mj  a.  ,     luyo  —  99  295 

about  the  great  Ads  of  resigning  her  Spirit  unto  the  Lord. 
Shee  was  a  pious  Woman,  and  one  full  of  Prayers  and  Alms; 
and  tho'  shee  were  of  a  very  fearful  Temper,  and  was  par- 
ticularly in  her  Life-Time  under  some  slavish  Fear  of  Death, 
yett  as  her  Death  approached,  shee  comfortably  gott  over  it. 
26  d.  12  m.  Lords-Day.  I  had  not  made  haste  enough, 
it  may  bee,  in  performing  my  Resolutions,  upon  the  Falling 
of  my  Uttle  Daughter  Nanny  into  the  Fire,  to  do  some 
special  Thing,  for  the  exciting  and  assisting  of  Parents, 
unto  their  Duty,  about  the  Salvation  of  their  Children  from 
the  Fire  of  the  Wrath  of  God.  And  I  cannot,  but  now 
take  notice  of  it,  that  this  Day,  which  is  the  next  Lord's- 
day,  after  the  second  burning  Stroke  my  Family,  I  am  in 
my  course  of  Preaching  on  the  eleventh  Chapter  to  the 
Hebrews,  necessarily  led  tmto  it.  My  Text  this  Day  is 
that,  in  Heb.  ii.  7.  For  the  Saving  of  his  House;  and  so,  I 
insist  on,  what  Parents  are  to  do  for  the  Salvation  of  their 
Children;  intending  the  next  Lord's-Day  to  insist  on  the 
Duties  of  Children  towards  their  Parents. 

1699. 

4  (f.  1  m.  [March.]  Satureday.  Under  the  Changes  and 
Sorrowes,  befalling  of  my  Family,  and  imder  the  various 
Labours,  Designs,  and  Concerns  of  my  Ministry,  I  thought  it 
my  Duty,  to  bee  again  employ'd  in  the  Exercises  of  a  secret 
Fast,  before  the  Lord.  The  Occasions  for  my  being  thus 
employ'd  are  legible  in  the  foregoing  Pages.  And  while  I 
was  thus  employ'd,  I  enjoy'd  comfortable  Communications 
from  Heaven  that  recompenced  all  the  Fatigues  of  it. 

The  following  Week,  was  a  Week  of  much  pain  to  mee, 
with  my  old  Malady  in  my  Jaw,  and  Head.  But  God 
sanctified  it  unto  mee,  to  produce  in  mee  those  Thoughts 
and  Frames,  that  were  worth  all  my  Pain.  I  am  sorry  that 
I  have  no  more  Time  to  write  more  largely  of  it. 

About  this  Time,  I  sett  myself  to  draw  up,  a  compleat 

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296  DIARY     OF     COTT  ON     M  A  T  H  E  K 

System  of  the  Christian  Religion.  I  comprized  it  in  twenty 
four  Articles;  a  sacred  Number  of  Articles.  And  because 
much  objection  has  been  made  against  Creeds  of  an  humane 
Composure,  that  this  might  bee  liable  to  no  Objection,  I 
contrived  every  one  of  the  Articles,  to  bee  expressed  in  the 
express  words  of  the  sacred  Scripture.  When  this  was  done, 
I  tum'd  it  into  the  Spanish  Tongue,  and  printed  it,  (along 
with  my.  La  Religion  Pura)  under  the  Title  of.  La  Fe  del 
Christiano.' 

My  Design  is,  to  attempt  the  Service  of  my  Lord  Jesus 
Christ,  by  casting  this  Treatise,  into  the  midst  of  the  Spanish 
Indies.  And  I  employ  constant  Prayers  upon  this  my 
Design,  that  it  may  bee  favoured  by  my  Lord  Jesus  Christ, 
and  that  my  dear  Lord  Jesus  Christ  may  thereby  bee 
glorified. 

18  d.  I  m.  Satureday.  I  sett  apart  this  Day,  as  I  did  this 
Day  fortnight,  for  the  Exercises  of  a  Day  of  Prayer  in  my 
Study,  and  on  the  like  Occasions. 

Nothing  remarkable  occurr'd  in  it. 

In  the  following  Week;  namely,  on  23  d.  i  m.  a.  public 
Fast,  was  attended,  throughout  the  Province  and  God 
graciously  carried  mee  thro'  the  Duties  of  that  also. 

6d.  2  m.  [April.]  Thursday.  In  pursuance  of  my  Inten- 
tions to  do  all  possible  Service  for  the  Children,  in  the 
Families  of  my  Neighbours,  I  this  day  preached,  a  Ser- 
mon to  the  Parents,  with  a  great  Assistance  of  Hea\en, 
in  a  great  Assembly  of  People,  at  our  £o.y/oM-Lecture: 
hoping  this  Day  month  to  proceed  unto  a  Sermon  for  the 
Children.'^ 

And,  behold,  as  I  come  out  of  the  Meeting-house,  the 
Book-sellers  come  to  mee,  entreating  that  they  may  have 
a  Copy  of  these  two  Sermons,  when  the  next  shall  bee 

'  This  is  probably  ihe  "  Spanish  sheet,"  the  printing  of  which  Sewall  mentions 
on  April  lo.     Diary,  i.  495. 
'  Sec  p.  302,  infra. 

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APRIL,     1699  297 

delivered,  for  to  bee  published  unto  the  Countrey.  Thus 
mercifully  and  wonderfully  does  my  Lord  Jesus  Christ, 
continue  to  employ  mee  the  vilest  of  Men,  in  precious 
Opportunities  of  serving  Him! 

It  may  not  bee  amiss  for  mee  to  mention  in  this  Place, 
that  yesterday  I  preached  a  Sermon,  with  some  very  par- 
ticular Circumstances. 

A  good  woman  in  our  Neighbourhood,  has  languished 
miserably  for  diverse  Years,  and  stiffered  many  things  of 
many  Physicians,  and  is  nothing  bettered,  but  rather  growes 
worse.  Her  Husband,  apprehending  her,  not  far  from 
Death,  prevailed  with  some  Christians,  to  keep  this  as  a 
Day  of  Prayer  with  Fasting  for  her.  I  spent  part  of  the 
Forenoon  with  them;  and  as  I  was  drawing  towards  the 
Close  of  my  prayer,  I  thought  with  myself,  the  Word  should 
go  with  Prayer.  When  the  Prayer  was  ended,  I  called  for 
a  Bible,  intending  to  look  out  some  agreeable  Scripture,  for 
the  present  Occasion.  And  behold,  the  very  first  Place, 
which  in  the  opened  Bible,  I  look'd  upon,  was  that  in  Mar. 
5.  25.  A  certain  Woman  had  suffered  many  Things  of  many 
Physicians,  and  ivas  nothing  bettered,  but  rather  grav  worse; 
when  shee  heard  of  Jesus,  shee  came,  and  touched  His  Gar- 
ment; and  sftee  felt  in  her  Body,  that  shee  was  healed.  I 
wondred  at  the  Pertinency  of  the  Place,  and  preached  a 
Sermon  upon  it. 

The  woman,  to  the  surprize  of  us  aU,  recovered  so  that 
shee  came  abroad  into  the  Congregation,  to  give  Thanks, 
for  the  wondrous  Works  of  God.' 

gd.  2  m.  Lords-Day.  I  am  inclinable  here  to  insert  an 
Experiment,  which  I  have  had  this  Lord's-Day  and  the  Last, 
(and  on  many  others.) 

I  was  this  Lord's-day,  to  preach  on  Renouncing  our  own 
Righteousness,  and  repairing  to,  and  beleeving  in,  the  Right- 
eousness of  Christ.    As  I  was  on  my  Knees  in  my  Study, 

'  This  paragraph  is  written  in  the  margin. 

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298  DIARY  OF  COTTON  MATHER 

before  my  going  forth  to  preach,  imploring,  as  always  the 
Help  of  Heaven,  I  bad  that  Scripture  darted  into  my  Mind, 
Psal.  71.  16.  /  imll  go  in  the  Strength  of  the  Lord  God;  I 
will  make  Mention  of  thy  Righteousness,  even  of  thine  only. 
Hereupon,  I  thought,  that  Ministers,  when  they  go  to 
preach  on  that  great  Point  of  the  Gospel,  A  sinners  being 
justified  by  the  Righteousness  of  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ, 
even  by  that  only,  they  might  expect  for  to  go  in  the  Strength 
of  the  Lord  God,  and  enjoy  singular  Assistences  from  on 
High.  I  was  verily  perswaded,  I  should  find  it  so;  and  in 
a  vast  Congregation  I  did  this  day  find  it  so;  and  I  have 
several  Times  found  it  so. 

Indeed,  in  my  poor  Life,  notable  Experiences  have  been 
multipHed.  But,  I  am  so  slothful,  and  so  feeble,  and  my 
other  Employments  are  so  multiplied,  that  I  foolishly  have 
omitted  the  recording  of  them. 

This  Week,  I  attempted  a  further  service  to  the  Name 
of  my  Lord  Jesus  Christ.  I  considered,  that  when  the 
Evangehcal  Elias,  was  to  prepare  the  Jewish  Nation,  for 
the  coming  of  the  Messiah,  hee  was  to  do  it,  by,  bringing 
down  the  Heart  of  the  Fathers  upon  the  Children.  .\nd  I 
considered,  that  it  would  not  only  confirm  us  Christians  in 
our  Faith  exceedingly  to  see  every  Article  of  it,  asserted  in 
the  express  Words  of  the  Old  Tcstamait,  but  that  it  would 
mightily  con\'ince,  and  confound  the  Jrwish  Nation.  Yea, 
who  knowes,  what  Use  the  Lord  may  make  of  such  an 
Essay?  WTierefore,  with  much  Contrivance,  I  drew  up  a 
Catechism  of  the  whole  Christian  Religion,  and  contrived 
the  Questions  to  fitt  the  Answers,  whereof  I  brought  even*' 
one  out  of  the  Old  Testament.  I  prefaced  the  Catechism, 
with  an  Address  unto  the  Jewish  Nation,  telling  them  in 
some  lively  Terms,  That  if  they  would  but  Return  to  the 
Faith  of  the  Old  Testament,  and  beleeve  with  their  own 
ancient  and  blessed  Patriarclis,  this  was  all  that  wee  desired 
of  them  or  for  them.     I  gave  this  Book  to  the  Printer,  and 

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APRIL,     1699  299 

it  was  immediately  published.  Its  Title  is,  The  Faith  of 
THE  Fathers.' 

14  d.  2  m.  Friday.  Setting  apart  this  Day,  for  Prayer, 
with  Fasting,  in  my  Study,  I  obtained  the  Mercies  of  the 
Lord. 

The  Pardon  of  Sin,  with  a  Title  to  Life,  was  assured  unto 
mee,  thro'  the  Righteousness  of  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  appre- 
hended by  my  Faith. 

One  special  Exercise  of  the  Day  was  this.  I  considered, 
that  the  Christian  Religion  is  a  Doctrine  of  Godliness.  Where- 
fore I  went  over  the  several  Articles,  in  my  La  Fe  del  Chris- 
tiana, in  my  Meditations;  and  examined  my  want  of  Con- 
formity to  it,  in  Godliness  both  of  Heart  and  Life;  and 
judged  myself  before  the  Lord. 

The  special  Petitions  presented  unto  God  this  Day  were 
much  the  Same,  that  I  have  had,  on  such  dayes,  which  I 
have  of  late  observed. 

16  d.  2  m.  Lord's-Day.  At  the  Lord's  Table,  I  recei\ed 
Assurance  from  Heaven,  that  I  had  greater  Services  to  do 
for  my  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  than  any  that  I  have  already 
done. 

After  the  other  public  Services  of  the  Day  were  over,  I 
visited  the  Prison.  A  great  Number  of  Pyrates  being  there 
committed,  besides  other  Malefactors,  I  went  and  pray'd 
with  them,  and  preach'd  to  them.  The  Text,  in  which  the 
Lord  helped  mee  to  Discourse,  was  Jer.  2.  26.  The  Thief  is 
ashamed,  when  hee  is  found.  I  hope,  I  shall  have  some  good 
Fruit  of  these  Endeavours. 

28  d.  2  m.  Friday.  This  Day  I  sett  apart  for  secret 
Prayer,  with  Fasting  to  carry  unto  Heaven  such  Matters, 
as  those  that  occasioned  other  Dayes,  that  I  have  of  late 
so  sett  apart. 

One  special  Petition,  that  I  had  now  to  bring  unto  the 
Lord,  was,  for  His  Presence  with  mee,  in  my  Lecture  the 

'  It  was  printed  by  B.  Green  and  J.  Allen. 

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300  DIARY  OF  COTTON  MATHER 

next  Week.  Ill-ness  on  my  Eldest  Daughter  was  likewise 
one  of  my  Errands  to  Heaven.  Scandal  reported  of  one 
in  our  Communion  was  also  one  Occasion  for  mee  to  humble 
myself. 

The  X'oyage  of  my  Father  Philips,  gone  this  week,  on  a 
public  Negotiation,  with  the  Indians  of  the  East,  was  a  very 
special  Subject  of  my  Supplications. 

One  of  my  Exercises  this  Day,  was,  to  take,  my  Faith 
of  the  Fathers;  and  with  Meditation  on  every  Article,  form 
from  it,  some  agreeable  Confession  or  Petition  before  the 
Lord. 

And  whereas,  I  have  now  for  diverse  Years,  employ'd 
much  Prayer  for,  and  some  Discourse  with,  an  infidel  Jew 
in  this  Town;  thro'  a  Desire  to  glorify  my  Lord  Jesus  Christ 
in  the  Conversion  of  that  Infidel,  if  Hee  please  to  accept 
mee  in  that  Service.  I  this  day  renew'd  my  Request  unto 
Heaven  for  it.  And  writing  a  short  Letter  to  the  Jew, 
wherein  I  enclosed  my,  Faith  of  tlie  Fatliers,  and,  La  Fe  del 
Christiana,  I  sent  it  unto  him. 

2  d.  T,m.  [May]  There  is  printing  a  new  Edition  of  our 
Psalm-book.  In  every  former  Edition,  that  excellent  Portion 
of  Scripture,  the  36TH  Chapter  of  Isali^,  was  in  such  a 
metre,  that  few  of  our  Churches  could  sing  it.  \\Tierefore 
I  this  day,  took  a  few  Minutes,  to  turn  it  into  another 
Metre,  with  perhaps,  a  smoother  and  sweeter  \'ersion.  So 
tis  published  in  the  Psalm  book; '  and,  tho'  this  were  but  a 
small  Action,  yett  I  felt  a  great  Comfort,  when  I  thought, 
that  the  Praises  of  God,  would  bee  the  more  sung  throughout 
this  Wilderness,  for  any  of  my  poor  Endeavours. 

Lett*iee  now  also  insert  in  this  Place,  an  Encourage- 
ment that  Heaven  has  given  to  my  Prayers.  I  am  this 
day  advised,  that  my  Friend  FJias  Ncan,  (whose  condition 
is  mentioned  in  these  papers,  21  d.  8  m.  1697.)  is,  by  means 

'  The  ninth  edition  of  the  Psalm  Book  appeared  in  i6g8,  so  tliis  poem 
probably  was  included  in  the  tenth  edition,  issued  in  170J. 

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M  AY  ,    1699  301 

of  the  English  Embassador  wonderfully  delivered  out  of 
his  Captivity.' 

4  (f .  3  m.  Thursday.  Being  this  Day,  to  address  the 
Children  and  Servants  of  the  Town,  with  an  agreeable  Ser- 
mon, an  extraordinary  Storm  came  up,  the  Night  before, 
which  threatned  to  disappoint  mee  of  my  expected  Audi- 
tory. In  the  Morning  the  Storm  continued;  but  with  a 
sweet  Satisfaction  of  Mind,  I  left  the  Weather  in  the  Hands 
of  my  Lord  Jesus  Christ;  beleeving  that  Hee  is  the  Lord 
of  it,  and  that  Hee  would  compose  the  Tempest,  and  send 
a  vast  Assembly  this  Day  to  hear  His  Word,  and  by  His 
Holy  Spirit  coming  on  mee  in  the  vast  Assembly  assist 
mee  to  glorify  Him  exceedingly.  Every  Point  of  this  my 
Expectation  wonderfully  came  to  pass.  But  in  my  public 
Labours,  my  Fervours  carried  mee  somewhat  beyond  my 
Strength,  which  occasioned  some  humbling  (and  needful) 
Illness  for  some  following  Dayes,  to  afflict  mee. 

13  d.  3  m.  Satureday.  I  sett  apart  this  Day,  for  the 
Exercises  of  a  secret  Fast,  on  such  Occasions,  as  ha\e  here- 
tofore putt  mee  on  the  like  Exercises:  and  especially,  to 
obtain  of  the  Lord,  the  Wisdome,  whereby  I  may  take 
right  steps,  imder  all  the  Changes  that  are  quickly  coming 
on  the  Countrey,  and  all  the  Trials  that  may  bee  encountred, 
in  our  Churches. 

In  the  Close  of  the  Day,  the  Lord,  sweetly  irradiated  my 
Mind,  with  Assurances,  that  Hee  would  possess  mee  with 
His  good  Spirit,  and  employ  mee  in  great  Service  for  Him. 

21  rf.  3  w.  Lord's-day.  At  noon,  in  my  Study  this  Day, 
when  I  had  been  turning  the  forty-fourth  Psalm,  into  Cries 
to  Heaven,  for  the  French  Flocks,  now  languishing  under 
horrible  Persecutions,  I  did  with  Tears  receive  a  strange 
Assurance,  from  Heaven;  that  France  will  quickly  undergo 
a  wonderful  Revolution. 

But  this  was  not  all;    for  I  had  Advice  from  Heaven, 

'  A  line  which  follows  is  blotted  out.     See  p.  238,  supra. 

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302  DIARY  or  COTTON  MATHER 

that  a  glorious  Reformation  is  near  to  the  English  Nation. 
And  more  than  so ;  that  the  Light  of  the  Gospel  of  my  Lord 
Jesus  Christ,  shall  bee  carried  into  the  Spanish  Indies;  and, 
that  my  Composures,  my  Endeavoures,  will  bee  used,  in 
irradiating  the  Dark  Recesses  of  America,  with  the  Knowl- 
edge of  the  Glorious  Lord.  Yea,  more  than  this;  That  I 
shall  shortly  see  some  Harvest  of  my  Prayers  and  Pains, 
for  the  Jewish  Nation  also. 

About  this  Time,  I  gave  unto  the  Booksellers,  my  two 
Lectures,  upon,  the  Duties  of  Parents  unto  their  Children, 
and,  the  Duties  of  Children  unto  tlieir  Parents.  The  little 
Book,  is  I  perceive  much  desired.  I  entitled  it,  A  Family 
WELL  ordered;  or  An  Essay  to  render  Parents  and  Children 
happy  in  one  another.    The  God  of  Heaven,  prosper  it. 

I  (f.  4  w.  [June.]  This  Day  besides  other  Services,  which 
I  endeavoured  for  the  Churches,  among  the  Elders,  now 
assembled  from  all  Parts  of  the  Province,  they  concurred 
in  an  Address  to  the  Govemour,  the  Earl  of  Bellomont,  who 
arrived  the  last  week  among  us.  This  Address  was  wholly  of 
my  composing;  and  I  composed  it,  with  as  charming  an  Arti- 
fice and  Contrivance,  as  I  could  use,  to  suit  the  Ends  of  it. 

The  Ministers  of  the  Province,  waiting  upon  him,  in  a 
Body  together,  my  Father,  after  a  short  Speech  dehvered 
the  Address.  The  Govemour  immediately  gave  it  back 
into  my  Hand;  asking  mee  to  read  it  unto  him.  Which 
being  done,  I  again  delivered  it  into  his  Hand;  and  hee 
made  a  very  generous  and  obliging  speech  upon  it. 

The  Address  was  then  published  unto  the  World.' 

This,  and  a  Representation  made  from  the  Ministers,  to 
the  General  Assembly,  to  revi\e  the  Care  of  Schools  in  the 
Countrey;  was  the  most  of  the  Service,  that  my  Barren 
Soul,  did  in  the  Convention  of  Ministers,  at  this  Oppor- 
tunity. 

'  It  was  dated  May  31.  A  copy  is  in  the  Massachusetts  Historical  Society. 
Printed  by  B.  Green  and  J.  Allen. 

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J  U  N  E  ,    I  6  9  9  303 

I  am  siezed  with  a  certain  Slothfulness  of  Spirit,  for 
several  Dayes  of  late.  I  lett  whole  Hours  pass  mee,  with- 
out Essayes  to  do  any  Service  for  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ 
in  those  Hours.  My  usual  Activity,  in  Endeavours  to  fill 
my  Time  with  Service  to  the  Lord  of  my  Time,  is  very 
sensibly  abated,  A  certain  Anguish  falls  upon  my  Soul, 
in  the  Observation  of  this  my  slothful  Indisposition;  and 
makes  mee  beleeve,  that  I  am  near  to  some  Affliction. 

Mark  the  Issue ! 

7  (/.  4  m.  Wednesday.  And  shall  I  so  suddenly  have 
Occasion  to  mark  it!  This  Day  my  pretty  Little  Daughter 
Nanny,  was  taken  with  a  terrible  Convulsion;  and  the  Con- 
vulsion was  follow'd  with  a  violent  Feaver. 

^ly  Soul  was  many  wayes  wounded,  with  the  deplorable 
State,  which  this  little  Bird,  that  had  ahead}-  undergone  so 
much  Calamity,  was  again  fallen  into. 

On  the  morning  after  the  Child  was  taken  sick,  it  occurr'd 
in  the  Course  of  our  Family -Devotions,  to  read  the  last 
Chapter  of  Job.  And  there  finding  that  Job  had  three 
Daughters  of  eminent  QuaUties,  in  the  room  of  three  more, 
which  were  dead;  I,  who  had  buried  three  Daughters,  could 
not  but  cry  to  the  Lord,  that  Hee  would  give  mee  a  Bless- 
ing in  the  three  which  I  had  now  living  with  mee.  While 
I  was  pleading  with  the  Lord,  for  His  Favour  in  this  matter, 
I  declared  unto  Him,  that  if  my  sick  Daughter,  should  not 
live  in  the  Service,  and  for  the  Honour,  of  my  Lord  Jesus 
Christ,  I  would  not  ask  for  her  Life.  But  my  Soul  was 
immediately  and  inexpressibly  hereupon,  irradiated  with  a 
Faith  from  Heaven,  that  the  Child  should  live. 

God  helped  mee,  to  follow  Him  with  importunate  Sup- 
plications, on  this  Occasion.  I  wrestled  with  the  God  of 
Jacob,  for  my  threatened  Family,  as  once  Jacob  did  for 
his.  Yea,  when  the  Satureday  arrived,  I  sett  apart  the  whole 
Day,  to  do  this,  with  Prayer  and  Fasting;  as  well  as  to 
obtain  the  Smiles  of  God,  on  my  Soul,  my  Work,  the  Land, 

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304  DIARY  OF  COTTON  MATHER 

and  His  whole  People;  and  bewayl  the  Scandals  whereinto 
more  of  my  Flock  are  fallen,  and  prevent  the  Wrath  of 
Heaven  against  mee,  for  their  Scandals. 

Being  moreover  sollicitous,  that  no  Afflictions  may  befall 
mee,  but  such  as  may  afford  some  Revenues  of  Glory  unto 
my  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  I  sett  myself  particularly  to  consider, 
what  special  Duties,  the  Condition  of  my  Child  should 
awaken  mee  unto. 

I  purposed,  that  I  would  grow  yett  more  fruitful  in  my 
Conversation,  with  my  little  Birds,  and  feed  them  with 
more  frequent  and  charming  Lessons,  of  Religion. 

That  I  would  more  concern  myself  to  promote  Schools 
for  Children,  in  my  Neighbourhood.  And  what  if  I  should 
visit  aU  the  Schools;  and  endeavour  to  speak  such  things 
both  to  the  Teachers  and  the  Scholars,  as  they  may  all  bee 
the  better  for! 

That  I  would  quicken  my  pastoral  Visits,  to  the  Families 
of  my  Neighbours;  and  scatter  among  the  Families,  my 
little  Book,  of  a  Family  well-ordered. 

That  I  would  shortly  write  a  Uttle  Book,  which  my 
Kinsman  shall  Translate  into  the  Indian  Tongue,  to  make 
the  Knowledge  of  Christ,  and  Christianity,  more  effectu- 
ally apprehended  among  the  Indians,  and  their  Children. 

Lord,  pitty  mee,  assist  mee,  accept  mee! 

The  sickness  of  the  Child  proceeded,  after  I  had  written 
these  Things,  unto  a  very  great  Extremity.  One  Morn- 
ing, when  I  was  in  distress  about  this  Matter,  taking  up 
the  Bible,  to  read  in  Course,  before  our  Family-prayers,  the 
Bible  first  opened  at  the  Story,  of  Children  blessed  by  the 
Hand  of  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ  putt  upon  them,  when 
brought  unto  Him.  (Mar.  10.  13-16.)  I  therefore  took 
that  Paragraph,  and  read  it,  and  pray'd  over  it.  And  it 
was  again  assured  mee,  that  the  Child  shotdd  live. 

Notwithstanding  all  this;  the  Sickness  of  the  Child  grew 
so  very  extreme,  that  on  Wednesday  Night,  there  was  little, 

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JUNE,    I  699  30s 

if  any  Hope  of  its  Life  left,  and  the  Physician  himself  began 
to  despair. 

Wherefore,  being  in  Distress,  lest  my  Particular  Faith, 
should  prove  but  a  Fancy,  and  a  Folly,  and  End  in  Confu- 
sion, I  sett  apart  the  Day  following,  (which  was  Thursday, 
15  d.  4  m.)  for  the  Exercises  of  Prayer  with  Fasting,  in  my 
Study,  as  well  for  the  same  Intentions,  that  I  kept  the  Last 
Satureday,  as  more  especially  to  obtain  Mercies  for  my 
Family,  and  my  little  Daughter,  and  my  Consort  now  near 
her  Time. 

Now,  behold  the  Effect  of  Prayer  and  Faith!  On  this 
very  day,  the  Child  began  to  recover.  A  sensible  and  mar- 
vellous Change  this  day  came  upon  the  Child;  and  from 
this  very  Time,  its  Recovery  went  on  most  comfortably. 

God  has  ordered  this  Matter,  for  my  Encouragement, 
about  several  greater  Points  of  my  Particular  Faith,  not 
yett  accomplished. 

But  on  this  Day  of  my  Supplications,  I  had  a  further 
Communication  from  Heaven,  of  a  wonderful  importance! 

The  General  Court  has  diverse  Times  of  late  years,  had 
under  Consideration,  the  matter  of  the  settlement  of  the 
CoUedge,  which  was  like  still  to  issue  in  a  Voyage  of  my 
Father  to  England:  And  the  matter  is  now  again  considered. 
I  have  made  much  Prayer  about  it,  many  and  many  a  Time: 
Nevertheless,  I  never  could  have  my  mind  raised  unto  any 
Particular  Faith  about  itj  one  way  or  another.  But  this 
Day,  as  I  was,  (may  I  not  say?)  in  the  Spirit,  it  was  in  a 
powerful  Manner  assured  mee  from  Heaven,  that  my  Father 
shall  one  Day  be  carried  into  England:  and  that  he  shall 
there  glorify  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ:  and  that  the  Particular 
Faith  which  had  introduced  it,  shall  be  at  last  made  a  matter 
of  wonderful  Glory  and  Service  unto  the  Lord. 

And  thou,  0  Mather  the  Younger,  shalt  live  to  see  this 
accomplished. 

And  thy  Son  too  shall  glorify  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ  on 

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306  DIARY  OF  COTTON  UATHER 

Earth,  after  thou  also  hast  follow'd  thy  Father  into  the 
Kingdome  of  God! 

The  Lord  having  restored  my  Child,  I  thought,  what 
further  special  Service  to  do  for  His  Name,  on  that  Occasion. 
The  Result  of  my  Thoughts  was,  that  observing  a  great  and 
sad  want  of  Schools,  for  the  Education  of  Children  thro' 
the  Countrey,  I  added  at  the  End  of  my  Book  of,  A  well- 
ordered  Family,  just  now  coming  out  of  the  Press,  as  pungent 
a  Discourse,  as  I  could  in  so  few  pages,  to  excite  in  the 
Countrey  a  sense  of  that  Want,  and  a  Zeal  for  the  erecting 
of  schools  in  all  our  Towns.  I  entitled  it.  An  Address,  ad 
Fratres  in  Eremo. 

Moreover,  I  thought  of  a  further  Service  to  bee  done 
for  the  Churches  of  my  Lord  Jesus  Christ.  The  Ministers 
of  Boston,  and  the  Towns  adjacent  have  had  their  stated 
Meetings  in  the  Library  of  Harvard-Colledge,  at  Cambridge. 
At  these  Meetings,  many  important  Cases  have  been  dis- 
coursed on.  The  voted  Results  of  the  Discourses,  were  still 
of  my  drawing  up.  These  Results  I  now  procured  to  bee 
transcribed:  And  prefixed  a  Preface,  wherein  I  quicken 
the  Ministers  in  other  Parts  of  the  Countrey,  to  the  like 
Associations.  By  the  Publication  of  this  Book,  with  the 
Consent  of  the  Ministers  concerned,  I  now  hope,  abundance 
of  Service  may  bee  done  to  all  the  Churches.  This  Book,  I 
now  gave  unto  the  Booksellers,  entituled.  Thirty  Impor- 
tant Cases.' 

And  tho'  it  go  under  the  Name  of  all  the  associated 
Ministers,  yett  I  think,  I  may  humbly  pretend  to  bee  the 
real  Author  of  it;  all,  but  two  or  three  Pages  of  it,  being 
mine. 

While  thus  I  am  serving  the  House  of  my  Lord  Jesus 
Christ,  I  again  and  again  find  Him  saving  of  mine. 

On  8  (f.  s  m.  [July,]  my  Consort  having  the  Symptomes 
of  her  approaching  Travail  upon  her,  I  sett  apart  this  Day 

'  Printed  by  B.  Green  and  J.  Alien. 

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JULY,    1 6  99  .  307 

for  Prayer  with  Fasting,  in  my  Study,  that  I  might  obtain 
Mercy  for  my  Family,  and  my  Ministry. 

In  the  Evening  of  this  Day,  near  eleven  a  Clock,  my 
Consort  fell  into  her  Travail.  Just  before  this,  the  Text  with 
a  Meditation  whereon  I  chose  to  entertain  my  Family  at  our 
Evening  Prayers,  was  that  in  Joh.  16.21.  A  woman,  when  shee 
is  in  Travail,  hath  Sorrow,  because  her  Hour  is  come;  but  as 
soon  as  shee  is  delivered  of  the  Child,  shee  remembreth  no  more 
the  Anguish,  for  Joy  that  a  Man  is  born  into  the  World. 

After  I  had  commended  my  Consort  vmto  the  Lord,  I 
laid  mee  down  to  sleep,  after  Midnight  that  I  might  bee 
fitt  for  the  Services  of  the  Day  ensuing.  But  after  one  a 
Clock  in  the  morning,  I  awoke,  with  a  Concern  upon  my 
Spirit,  which  obhged  mee  to  rise,  and  retire  into  my  Study. 
There  I  cast  myself  on  my  Knees  before  the  Lord,  confessing 
my  Sins  that  rendred  mee  unworthy  of  His  Mercy,  but 
imploring  His  Mercy  to  my  Consort,  in  the  Distress  now 
upon  her.  While  my  Faith  was  pleading,  that  the  Saviour 
who  was  born  of  a  Woman,  would  send  His  good  Angel  to 
releeve  my  Consort,  the  People  ran  to  my  Study-door  with 
Tidings,  that  a  Son  was  born  unto  wee.  I  continued  then  on 
my  Knees,  praising  the  Lord;  and  I  received  a  wonderful 
Advice  from  Heaven,  that  this  my  Son,  shall  bee  a  Servant 
of  my  Lord  Jesus  Christ  throughout  eternal  Ages. 

Hee  was  born,  about  three  Quarters  of  an  Hour  past 
one,  in  the  morning,  of  the  Lord's-day  gd.  $m.  an  hearty, 
lusty  and  comely  Infant. 

In  the  Forenoon  following,  I  preached  on  Psal.  90.  16. 
managing  this  Doctrine,  That  the  Enjoyment  of  the  precious 
Christ,  who  is  the  glorious  Work,  of  God,  is  tfie  Great  Blessed- 
ness desired  by  good  Men  both  for  themselves,  and  for  their 
Children.  And  I  particularly  inculcated,  the  Duties  of 
Parents,  that  their  Children  might  not  miss  of  a  Christ. 
After  which  I  administred  the  Eucharist. 

In  the  Afternoon,  I  baptised  my  Son,  and  in  Honour  to 
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308  -DIARY     OF     COTTON     MATHER 

my  Parent,  I  called  him,  Increase.  After  which,  retiring 
to  my  Study,  it  was  again  assured  mee  from  Heaven,  that 
this  Child  shall  glorify  my  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  and  bee  with 
Him,  to  behold  His  Glory. 

16  d.  s  m.  [July.]  Lords-Day.  Being  full  of  Distress  in  my 
Spirit,  as  I  was  at  Prayer  in  my  Study  at  Noon,  it  was  told 
mee  from  Heaven,  that  my  Father  shall  bee  carried  from 
mee  into  England,  and  that  my  Opportunities  to  glorify  the 
Lord  Jesus  Christ,  will  on  that  Occasion  bee  gloriously 
accommodated. 

i&d.  5  w.  Tuesday.  Both  Houses  in  our  General  Assem- 
bly, have  so  passed  their  Bill,  for  the  Incorporation  of  our 
Colledge,  that  there  appears  a  Necessity  of  sending  an 
Agent  unto  Whitehal  to  solUcit  the  royal  Approbation  for 
it.  The  Agency  will  doubtless  fall  upon  my  Father;  and 
this  Day  proves  the  Time  for  its  being  one  way  or  other 
determined.' 

I  therefore  sett  apart  this  Day  for  Prayer  with  Fasting 
in  my  Study  before  the  Lord,  especially  on  that  Occasion. 
And  when  I  was,  about  Noon,  crying  to  Heaven,  that  the 
Matter  of  my  Father's  Voyage  to  England,  might  bee  well- 
ordered,  it  was  in  a  manner  that  I  may  not  utter,  assured 
unto  mee  from  Heaven,  that  my  Father  shall  bee  carried 
into  England,  and  that  I  should  live  to  see  the  Glory  of  the 
Lord  in  this  Matter,  and  that  at  this  very  Time  there  was 
occurring  that  which  would  one  Day  accomplish  it. 

Other  Things  also,  as  on  other  Dayes,  when  thus  em- 
ploy'd,  I  laid  before  the  Lord. 

Now  behold,  a  most  unintelligible  Dispensation!  At 
this  very  Time,  even  about  Noon,  instead  of  having  the 
Bill  for  the  Colledge  enacted,  as  was  expected,  the  Gover- 
nour  plainly  rejected  it,  because  of  a  Provision  therein  made 
for  the  Religion  of  the  Countrey.  But  at  the  same  Time, 
hee  told  them,  hee  beleeved  the  King  would  grant  them, 

'  Quincy,  History  oj  Harvard  VnivtnUy,  1.  97-102. 

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J  U  L  Y  ,    I  6  9  9  309 

that  very  Provision  and  Security  for  our  Religion,  and  urg'd 
them  to  Address  the  King  for  it,  and  send  an  Agent  with  an 
Address,  and  choose  my  Father  for  their  Agent;  and  added, 
that  hee  would  heartily  join  with  them  in  their  doing  so. 
The  Assembly  was  now  all  in  Confusion,  and  had  satt 
many  Weeks,  and  were  grown  impatient  for  to  bee  at  home, 
and  many  of  their  Members  were  already  gone  home;  so 
that  no  Importunity  of  the  Govemour's,  could  prevail 
with  them,  to  bee  willing,  to  do  any  thing  in  this  Matter, 
until  their  next  Session  in  October. 

Lord,  preserve  my  Faith,  and  assist  mee  to  wait  with  an 
holy  and  hiunble  Patience,  for  the  Issue  of  these  myste- 
rious Things! ' 

'  "  23  <l-  S  »»•  [•^•''y-J  This  Day  the  Censure  of  Excommunication  was  passed 
upon  Mr.  Edward  Mills.     His  Case  was  this: 

"I.  The  Foundation  of  the  Displeasure  conceived  in  the  Minds  of  good  Men 
against  him  was  this.  His  Landlady,  who  had  been  a  young  Woman  of  a  very 
laudable  Character,  became  at  length  an  horrible  .Adulteress,  and  for  her  confessed 
Adulteries  was  made  a  publick  Example  of  Punishment. 

"Now  in  the  hours  of  her  most  poenitent  Confession,  she  solemnly  declared, 
more  than  once  or  twice  to  more  than  two  or  three,  that  Mills  was  the  Person  who 
first  of  all  debauch'd  her,  and  that  he  not  only  had  been  adulterous  with  her,  but 
that  his  being  so  had  led  the  Way  to  all  her  other  Adulteries.  Thus  was  that 
poor  young,  hopeful  Family  broken  up. 

"Wee  could  never  find  that  Mills  denyed  his  Adulteries,  they  were  by  credible 
Circtmistances  become  so  very  evident. 

"And  there  were  more  than  one  or  two  Testimonies  that  Mills  had  been 
guilty  of  lewd,  vile  and  lascivious  carriages  towards  her  (too  abominable  to  be 
mentioned). 

"The  Matter  being  so  plain  that  it  was  no  fault  in  any  reasonable  Person  to 
believe  it,  some  think  the  Church  might  justly  have  proceeded  (after  the  manner 
of  the  French  Protestant  Churches,)  to  have  demanded  either  a  positive  Denial, 
or  a  poenitent  Confession  from  him;  he  by  a  sudden  withdraw  to  other  Countreys, 
left  us  no  Opportunity  at  all  about  him. 

"II.  After  long  absence,  he  returned;  and  we  hoping  his  future  Conversation 
would  byits  exemplary  Poenitence  and  Piety  recover  his  Reputation, only  suspended 
him  certain  months  from  the  Communion,  with  private  admonitions. 

"But  instead  of  any  such  conversation,  we  were  alarm'd  from  all  parts,  with  a 
continual  and  credible  fame  of  his  taking  a  scandalous  Liberty  at  the  Games  which 
the  Law  hath  declared  unlawfull,  and  of  his  mispending  almost  whole  nights,  and 
sometimes,  indeed,  whole  nights  at  the  Tavern,  and  in  lewd  Company:  by  which 
means  his  Family  suffered  under  a  scandalous  mis  government:  extreamly  to  the 
reproach  of  our  holy  Religion. 

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3IO  DIARY  OF  COTTON  MATHER 

gd.  6Tn.  [August.]  Salureday.  I  endeavoured  this  Day  the 
Exercises  of  a  Thanksgiving  in  my  Study.  One  thing,  that 
especially  quickened  mce  thereunto,  was  the  manifold  Mercy 
of  God  unto  my  Family,  in  carrying  my  Consort  thro'  her 
Time,  and  in  bestowing  upon  mee  a  Son  of  hopeful  Circiun- 
stances,  and  in  sparing  and  saving  the  Rest  of  my  children, 
when  they  have  been  in  Danger  of  Death. 

"And  being  admonished  of  these  things  hee  owned  the  main  matter  of  fact, 
which  if  he  had  not  owned,  we  were  able  to  have  proved  it  upon  him. 

"And  besides  the  other  profanities  chargeable  upon  him,  it  was  proved  that 
coming  late  from  the  Tavern  in  the  evening  of  our  preparation  for  the  Lords-Day, 
he  made  himself  troublesome  to  his  other  Neighbors  by  impertinent  visit  and 
Discourse,  untill  near  midnight;  at  which  they  showing  them-selves  troubled,  he 
replyed,  Hee  knew  it  troubled  them,  yet  he  would  still  stay,  to  vex  them. 

"  III.  Wee  were  entertained  with  satisfactory  assurances,  of  his  having  wiiten 
wicked  and  profane  Letters  to  his  Comrades  in  London,  and  boasting  of  wickedness 
(even  of  no  less  than  inceslumis  wickedness)  wherein  he  nevertheless  could  be  no 
otherwise  guilty,  than  as  his  wicked  boasting  made  him  so;  and  hereby  a  great 
reproach  was  cast  upon  many  very  worthy  persons  in  the  Neighborhood. 

"Now  tho  he  hath  not  confessed  all  the  pKirticulars  affirmed  to  have  been  in 
these  villainous  Letters,  yet  he  hath  confessed  that  hee  did  write  foolish  Letters  to 
London,  and  that  he  hath  foolishly  taken  a  Liberty  to  speak  inconvenient  Things 
of  some  virtuous  people. 

"IV.  There  appeared  full  convictive  Evidence,  that  with  horrid  Lying  and 
Slander  hee  defamed  several  young  Gentlewomen '  in  the  Neighborhood,  of  an 
unspotted  Character;  and  reported  them  to  be  infamous  Whores. 

"And  he  was  found  guilty  of  adding  further  Lyes  in  his  own  defence,  when  he 
was  accused  of  those  Impieties. 

"V.  Had  hee  expressed  the  least  Symptom,  or  Shaddow,  of  Repentance,  when 
the  Pastors  and  Brethren  of  the  Church,  once  and  again  dealt  with  him  for  his 
Offences,  wee  had  not  yett  proceeded  unto  the  highest  Censure  of  our  Discipline  upon 
him.  Instead  thereof,  when  all  possible  pains  to  smite  him  into  some  Remorse 
had  been  taken  with  him,  he  manifested  such  an  Obduration  as  was  to  our  aston- 
ishment. 

"Yea,  between  the  Resolution  and  the  Execution  of  the  just  Sentence  to  be 
passed  upon  him,  he  made  it  his  Business,  in  matters  not  relating  to  his  own  Case, 
to  sow  Discord  among  the  Neighbors,  by  such  Talebearing  as  is  not  only  a  abomina- 
tion unto  the  Lord,  but  also  intollcrable  and  abominable  to  all  Civiil  Society. 

"So  far  was  he  from  Repentance, 

"  VI.  When  the  Day  appointed  for  the  Censure  arrived,  hee  appeared  not, 
tho  he  had  been  most  solemnly  once  and  again  required  to  make  his  appearance, 
and  hear  the  Church.  Instead  thereof,  and  as  a  further  contempt,  hee  sent  (in  the 
time  of  the  publick  Exercises,)  unto  the  Elders  then  in  the  Congregation,  a  rude, 

'  Mather  has  entered  on  the  margin  the  names  of  Mr.  John  Caiman  and  Mr. 

Newcomb  Blague. 

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AUGUST,     1699  311 

My  Exercises  were  managed,  with  little  variance  of 
Method,  from  what  has  been  usual  with  mee,  on  such 
Dayes:  But  with  such  Feebleness,  that  I  resolved  upon 
an  Endeavour  shortly  to  set  apart  another  Day  for  this 
Purpose. 

One  singular  Article  of  my  Thought  and  Praise  this  day 
was,  the  Singularity  of  the  Divine  Dispensations  towards 
mee.  There  are  many  Favours  of  Heaven,  wherein  I  have 
been  singular.    Especially, 

First,  that  I  should  bee  such  an  horribly  guilty  and 
filthy  Sinner,  (in  some  Respects,  above  any  that  I  know, 
of  my  Generation) ;  and  that  yett  my  Sin  bee  covered,  and 
I  bee  after  all  my  Sin,  employ'd  in  more  than  ordinary 
Service,  for  the  Churches  of  my  Lord  Jesus  Christ. 

Secondly,  that  I  should  bee  a  great  Stammerer,  and  yett 
bee  made  not  only  a  Preacher  of  the  Gospel,  but  also  my 
Utterance  in  my  preaching  bee  not  the  least  Ornament  of 
it,  and  I  bee  used  in  speaking  more  than  any  man  of  my 
Age  in  the  Land,  on  the  most  important  Occasions. 

Thirdly,  that  I  should  bee  a  more  silly  and  shallow  Per- 
son, than  most  in  this  Coimtrey;  and  yett  write  and  print 
more  Books,  and  have  greater  Opportunities  to  do  good  by 
my  pubUshed  Composures,  than  any  Man  that  ever  was  in 
this  Countrey,  or  indeed  in  all  America. 

Fourthly,  that  I  should  bee  as  unqualified  for  the  evan- 
gelical Ministry,  and  as  unfruitful  in  it,  as  any  Man;  and 
yett  bee  settled  in  the  Metropolis  of  New  England,  and 
enjoy  the  greatest  Auditories  in  that  Metropolis;  and  in  my 
early  Youth,  bee  called  forth  on  the  most  solemn  Occasions, 
that  these  Colonies  have  afforded. 

venemous  and  villainous  paper,  asserting  that  nothing  heinous  had  been  proved  against 
him,  and  contriving  to  fix  further  Odium  and  Reproach  on  the  Names  of  other 
people:  which  paper  he  demanded  to  be  read  in  the  publick. 

"On  the  whole  the  Church  passed  on  him  the  Censure,  for  which  those  Mis- 
carriages and  Impoenitencies,  had  ripened  him."  Cotton  Mather's  MS.  Records  of  the 
Second  Church,  n. 

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312  DIARY  OF  COTTON  MATHER 

Sensible  of  the  Divine  Favours  to  mee,  in  these  Regards, 
I  rendred  my  Thanks  unto  the  Lord.  And  that  I  might 
the  more  effectually  do  that  Part  of  my  Duty  belonging  to 
this  Day,  which  lies  in  studying,  What  I  shall  render  to  the 
Lord!  I  studied  a  Sermon,  on  Math.  5.  47.  What  do  yee 
more  than  others?  which  I  preached  on  the  day  ensuing. 

About  this  Time,  considering  the  Condition  of  the  Non- 
Conformists,  in  the  English  Nation,  and  the  Temptations 
whereto  they  are  obnoxious,  and  how  little  the  Babylonish 
Constitution,  and  Pelagian  Apostasy,^  of  the  Canonical 
Church  of  England,  is  considered;  I  did,  with  some  Exact- 
ness of  study,  write  an  Essay,  to  prove,  that  the  Churches 
of  the  Non-Conformists,  have  a  very  great  Claim,  to  bee 
accounted  The  Church  of  England;  and  are  indeed  the  truest 
and  soundest  parts  of  it.  This  Essay,  I  entituled,  A  Let- 
ter OF  Advice,  to  the  Chxirches  of  the  Non-conform- 
ists. In  it,  I  had  also  a  special  Design  to  fortify,  the 
Neighbours  in  the  Town,  and  the  Scholars  in  the  Land, 
where  I  lived  against  the  Dangers  of  Conforming.  But, 
I  am  forbidden  printing  it  here;  so  that  I  must  watch  my 
best  Opportunity  of  sending  it  imto  London. 

I  sent  it  unto  London.  And  in  the  Spring  of  the  year 
1 701,  I  understand,  it  is  published  and  much  Notice  taken 
of  it.« 

A  few  Months  ago,  the  bloody  Bishop  of  London,  (as  I 
am  credibly  informed)  wrote  over  unto  one  of  his  Curates 
in  this  Town,  desiring  information  from  him,  of  whatever 
treasonable  or  seditious  Passages  (I  suppose  against,  the 
Church  1)    I  might  bee  charged   withal.     Doubtless,   this 

'  As  Pelagius  taught  that  there  was  no  such  thing  as  original  sin,  sin  being  a 
thing  of  will  and  not  of  nature,  the  opposition  of  Mather  is  easily  explained. 
Such  a  doctrine  would  undermine  and  destroy  the  teachings  of  the  congregational 
churches. 

'This  paragraph  is  written  in  the  margin.  The  book  was  printed  by  A. 
Baldwin,  in  London.  The  letter  was  signed  "Philalethes."  Increase  Mather's 
copy  was  io  the  Brinley  catalogue,  No.  1151. 

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AUGUST,     1699  313 

little  Composure,  if  it  comes  to  bee  published,  wUl  sett  some 
Edge  upon  his  bloody  Inclinations:  but  the  Lord  whom  I 
serve,  even  the  Great  Bishop  of  Souls,  will  preserve  mee.* 

igd.tm.  Satureday.  I  sett  apart  this  Day,  for  Prayer 
with  Fasting,  in  my  Study,  to  obtain  the  Pardon  of  my 
many  Sins,  and  the  Blessing  of  God,  on  mee  in  my  Min- 
istry, and  my  Family,  and  on  my  Undertakings  to  glorify 
Him. 

I  had  occasion,  very  particularly,  to  pray  for  the  Counsil 
and  Conduct  of  Heaven,  in  several  Articles,  that  my  Studies 
have  been,  or  would  bee  upon. 

I  would  bee  directed,  about,  my.  Letter  of  Advice  to  the 
N[on]  C[onformist]s.  I  would  bee  directed  and  assisted  in 
my  Lectiu-e  the  next  week;  and,  if  God  will  favour  it,  I 
would  publish  it,  by  the  Press,  with  my  two  former  Lectures. 

I  am  inclineable  to  write.  An  History  of  the  Caroline 
Persecution.  O  my  God,  Grant  mee  thy  Direction  about 
it;  and  never  suffer  mee  to  write  any  Thing,  whereby  the 
Interests  of  Truth  and  peace,  may  bee  damniSed. 

I  want  the  Direction  of  Heaven,  and  Assistence  also, 
about  a  Journey,  to  some  of  our  northern  Towns. 

But  one  Occasion,  that  now  more  particularly  drove  mee 
to  Heaven  was  this. 

A  Manj(called  May)  is  lately  arrived  among  us  from 
EnglandfaxiSrSstXup  ioT  a  public  Preacher.  The  Man  is 
a  wondrous  Lump  of  Ignorance  and  Arrogance;  but  having 
a  plausible  Delivery  of  himself,  the  People  of  the  Town, 
are  wonderfully  taken  with  him. 

The  Ministers  of  the  Town,  to  whom  hee  declines  giving 
an  Accoimt  of  himself,  seeing  very  suspicious  Marks  of  an 
Impostor  upon  him,  have  therefore  declined  asking  him  to 
preach  in  oiu'  Pulpitts.  The  Incendiary  is  therefore  gone 
off  to  preach  unto  a  Congregation  of  Anabaptists  in  our 

'Henry  Compton  (1632-1713)  was  then  bishop  of  London,  but  in  no  sense 
deserved  the  appellation  given  by  Mather. 

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314  DIARY  OF  COTTON  MATHER 

Neighbourhood,  which  was  before  dwindled  almost  into 
nothing:  and  Multitudes  of  the  giddy  People  are  as  much 
bewitched  with  him,  as  if  hee  were  another  Simon  Magus. 
There  is  evidently  a  Satanic  Energy  on  the  People  in  this 
Town;  and  Satan  is  attempting,  tho'  by  a  very  little  Tool, 
a  great  Shock  to  our  churches. 

I  therefore  thought  it  my  Duty  to  carry  the  matter,  by 
Prayer,  with  Fasting,  unto  the  Lord.  I  did  so;  and  con- 
fessed the  Defects  of  my  pastoral  Care  over  my  Flock,  and 
implored  the  Help  of  the  Good  Spirit  of  Grace,  that  my 
Flock  may  bee  preserved  from  all  the  evil  Influences  of  the 
Evil  one,  and  I  may  more  faithfully  and  fervently  than  ever, 
discharge  my  Office  to  my  Flock,  especially  in  the  Point 
of  calling  upon  them,  as  well  privately  as  pubhckly  to  answer 
their  baptismal  Obligations. 

Prayer  and  Patience,  will  bring  this  Temptation  to  a 
comfortable  Issue. 

24  d.  6  m.  Thursday.  I  enjoy'd  a  more  than  ordinary 
Help  from  Heaven,  in  preaching  of  my  Lecture. 

After  it,  I  am  desired  by  some  judicious  and  sensible 
Persons,  to  publish  these  my  Discourses  on  Justification.  I 
foresee,  that  I  am  likely  herein  to  enjoy,  (what  I  have 
earnestly  pray'd  for)  an  Opportunity,  not  only  to  explain 
and  maintain  the  evangelical  Truth  unto  the  Churches  in 
this  Land,  but  also  to  do  some  special  Service  for  the  Lord 
Jesus  Christ,  in  His  contending  Churches  beyond-sea;  which 
I  will  now  solemnly  Address,  with  the  true  Doctrine  of 
Justification,  under  this  Advantage,  as  being  the  Doctrine 
of  the  Churches  of  New  England.  And  that  it  may  with 
the  more  Efficacy  and  Authority  pretend  so  to  bee,  I  single 
out  some  of  the  most  significant  Pastors,  in  our  Churches, 
to  accommodate  my  Treatise,  with  their  Attestations.  To 
make  the  composure,  yett  more  significant,  I  do  with  an 
Agreeable  Dedication,  direct  it  unto  the  Ministers  in  Lon- 
don, with  all  the  Charms  I  can  readily  devise,  to  make 
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SEPTEMBER,     1699  315 

them  resume  the  Character  of  United  Brethren.  So  I  give 
it  unto  the  Bookseller,  under  the  Title  of  The  Everlasting 
Gospel.  1 

2d.  T  tn.  [September.]  Satureday.  I  sett  apart  this  Day, 
for  Prayer,  in  my  Study,  on  the  same  Occasion,  that  thus 
employ 'd  mee,  a  Fortnight  ago;  and  very  particularly  to 
implore  the  Smiles  of  Heaven  on  my  northern  Journey. 

This  Day,  I  understand  by  Letters  from  Carolina,  a 
thing  that  exceedingly  refreshes  mee;  a  Jew  there  embracing 
the  Christian  Faith,  and  my  little  Book,  The  Faith  of  the 
Fathers,  therein  a  special  Instrument  of  good  imto  him. 

"J  d.  y  m.  And  now  I  carmot  but  observe  a  wonderful 
Thing.  Several  Wretches  have  arrived  among  us,  pretend- 
ing to  preach  the  Gospel,  with  a  more  than  ordinary  Zeal. 
But  the  flaming  Eyes  of  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  who  had  been 
affronted,  by  the  Hypocrites,  have  quickly  demonstrated 
His  Holy  Presence  in  His  Churches,  by  precipitating  into 
a  speedy  Confusion,  those  hj^ocritical  Intruders.  And  one 
special  Way  of  His  confounding  them  has  been  by  Detect- 
ing some  scandalous  Plagiarism,  in  their  Sermons. 

Accordingly,  that  pernicious  Incendiary  S.  May,  for 
the  Discovery  of  whose  Cheats,  I  had  sent  up  some  secret 
Prayers  unto  the  Lord  is  now  likely  in  that  way  already  to 
bee  discovered,  and  exposed.  I  heard  him  deliver  a  Ser- 
mon at  a  private  Meeting;  the  Sermon  I  repeted  unto  my 
Father.  Hee  newly  having  bought  a  Book  of  Dr  Bolton's^ 
tiuu'd  it  over  a  httle,  to  see  the  Subjects  handled  in  it. 
There  hee  found  the  very  Sermon,  which  I  had  repeted; 
the  Wretch  had  stolen  his  whole  Sermon  from  that  Author. 
This  being  demonstrated  unto  the  Neighbourhood,  they 
admire  the  Providence,  that  hath  taken  such  swift  Steps,  to 
find  out  a  Cheat.    And  he  hardened  Wretch  denying  that 

>  It  was  printed  in  Boston,  1700,  by  B.  Green  and  J.  Allen  for  N.  Buttolph,  and 
contained  addresses  to  the  reader  by  Increase  Mather,  John  Higginson  and  Samuel 
Willard.    Brinley,  No.  1110. 

'  Samuel  Bolton. 

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3l6  DIARY  or  COTTON  MATHER 

ever  hee  saw  any  Book  of  Bolton's,  but  asserting,  and  oflFer- 
ing  to  swear  it,  that  the  whole  Discourse  was  entirely  the 
Effect  of  his  own  Industry  and  Invention,  it  increases  their 
Detestacon  of  him.  Thus  is  the  Lord  hearing  Prayer ;  and  the 
Incendiary  that  hath  so  quickly  begun  to  fall,  ivill  surely  falll 

lo  d.  7  m.  Lords-day.  The  Lord  gives  mee,  a  more  than 
ordinary  Assurance  from  Heaven,  this  Day,  that  I  shall 
enjoy  a  special  Presence  of  His  with  mee,  in  the  Journey 
which  I  intend  this  Week,  and  that  I  shall  therein  glorify 
my  Lord  Jesus  Christ  exceedingly. 

On  the  Day  following,  I  began  my  Journey  accompanied, 
with  an  hopeful  young  Gentleman,  a  Graduate  of  the  Col- 
ledge,  whose  Parents  desired  mee,  to  make  his  waiting  on 
mee,  an  Opportunity  of  my  doing  all  possible  Good  unto 
him.  God  smiled  on  my  Journey  all  along,  with  signal 
Demonstrations  of  His  Favour,  in  all  the  Circumstances  of 
it.  The  Weather  proved  seasonable,  and  some  threatned 
Storms,  kept  off  till  I  returned.  A  strange  Descent  of 
Hundreds  of  Bears,  infesting  the  Road  I  was  to  travel, 
alarmed  all  People,  but  I  mett  none  of  them.  I  was  enter- 
tained with  very  unmerited  Respects  wherever  I  came.  I 
went  the  first  Night  unto  Salem;  and  the  next,  I  went  unto 
Ipsvdch;  where  I  preached  the  Lecture,  (on  Heb.  ii.  i.) 
Thursday,  igd.  j  m.  to  a  very  vast  Assembly.  On  the 
Day  following  I  returned  unto  Salem;  where,  on  the  Lord's- 
day,  I  preached  both  parts  of  the  Day,  to  great  AssembUes. 
On  the  Munday,  I  returned  home,  with  the  good  Hand  of 
God  upon  mee,  and  found  all  well  at  Home. 

30  d.  7  m.  Satureday.  That  I  may  carry  the  Concerns  of 
my  Soul,  my  Health,  my  Flock,  my  Family,  my  Ministry, 
and  the  whole  Church,  unto  the  Lord,  I  sett  apart  this  Day 
for  Prayer,  with  Fasting  in  my  Study.  Nothing  remark- 
able occurred  in  it. 

About  this  Time,  seeing  the  declining  and  languishing 
State  of  the  Old  Church  in  this  Town,  I  thought,  that  what- 

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SEPTEMBER,     1699  317 

ever  Diminution  it  might  prove  to  my  own  flourishing 
Flock,  it  would  bee  a  Thing  acceptable  to  Heaven,  and  ser- 
viceable to  all  the  Land,  and  a  Demonstration  of  Sincerity, 
in  my  Dispositions  to  the  Interests  of  my  Lord  Jesus  Christ, 
if  I  might  bee  an  Instrument  of  bringing  that  Church  again 
to  florish.  I  saw,  there  was  but  one  Way  to  do  it;  and  that 
was,  by  commending  to  them,  and  procuring  for  them,  a 
Minister  of  some  Age,  and  great  Abihty,  and  Authority,  and 
Experience,  and  of  eminent  Piety,  and  of  a  peaceable  Tem- 
per, and  of  Congregational  principles,  and  a  popular  and 
plausible  preacher.  Now,  I  having  a  correspondence  with 
such  an  one,  at  this  Time,  sojourning  in  West  New  Jersey, 
commended  him  to  the  Consideration  of  the  principal 
Gentlemen  in  the  Old  Church.  They  being  satisfied,  in  the 
Character  I  had  given  of  him,  desired  mee,  to  invite  him,  as 
from  myself,  to  make  an  occasional  Visit  unto  this  Town; 
and  my  Father  joining  with  mee,  in  signing  the  Letter  which 
I  thus  wrote  at  their  Desire,  the  cheef  Brethren  of  the  Church, 
who  saw  it,  thank'd  mee  for  it,  exceedingly,  and  for  the 
Generosity  and  Self-denial  we  had  expressed  in  it.  I  left  it 
with  them,  to  show  it,  imto  the  young  Man,  their  present 
Pastor; '  but  that  young  Man,  was  very  angry  with  mee,  and 
with  them,  for  the  Action;  and  stirr'd  up  a  Storm  of  most 
unworthy  Reproaches  on  mee,  from  a  Party  in  the  Town. 
This  was  the  Reward  of  my  sincere  and  zelous  Labours, 
to  save  the  Old  Church  from  a  dreadful  Convulsion,  that  I 
see  hastening  on  them,  and  to  find  them  a  Minister,  by  the 
flocking  to  whose  Ministry,  I  suppose,  my  own  Flock,  will  bee 
sensibly  diminished!  But  I  had  a  secret  Faith,  produced  in 
mee,  on  this  Occasion,  that  God  will  but  smile  on  my  own 
Flock  the  more,  and  on  mee,  [increasing  the]  Numerousness 
of  my  Flock  the  more,  as  the  Reward  of  th[is  act]. 
However  at  the  Desire  of  the  young  man  [eaten  away.] 

>  Benjamin  Wadswortb  (1669-1737),  who  was  associated  with  James  Alien 
(1632-1710). 

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3l8  DIARY  OF   COTTON  MATHER 

Memorandum.  Our  Anabaptists,  (a  People  of  no  good 
Spirit,)  I  am  told,  are  tampering  with  the  Church  of  England 
Party  in  this  Town,  to  do  mee  certain  Mischiefs  if  they  can. 
Their  Provocation  at  mee,  is  this.  I  desired  of  them,  on 
my  own  behalf,  and  the  behalf  of  the  other  Ministers,  that 
they  would  give  mee  a  Meeting.  Whereat  I  would  convict 
the  New-Holder-forth,  which  they  have  sett  up  among  them, 
of  being  a  Cheat,  and  guilty  of  horrible,  and  notorious,  and 
repeated  Lying  against  his  Conscience.  Their  Church  sent 
mee  this  astonishing  Answer,  They  should  not  apprehend 
themselves  concerned  to  take  any  Notice  of  Charge  against 
him.  And  hereupon,  they  fall  into  a  great  Rage  against 
mee,  tho'  I  have  been  more  tender  of  them,  and  civil  to 
them,  as  they  cannot  but  confess,  than  all  the  Ministers 
of  New  England. 

One  of  them  telling  mee,  that  some  certain  Things  (hee 
would  not  say.  What)  began  to  bee  whispered  about  mee; 
I  could  cheerfully  reply.  Thro'  the  Grace  of  Christ,  I  can 
challenge  all  the  Men,  that  ever  were  in  the  world,  to  say  all 
they  know  concerning  mee.  Hee  seeing  my  Cheerfulness, 
and  Security  putt  this  Explication  on  his  words;  Hee  meant, 
that  the  Church  of  England  Men,  were  privately  hatching 
a  Plott,  to  ruine  mee,  as  hee  was  privately  informed.  I 
answered  him,  Go  to  the  Church  of  England  Men,  tell  them 
from  mee,  that  as  for  them,  God  has  made  mee  a  defenced  City, 
an  iron  Pillar,  and  a  brasen  wall;  and  lett  'em  fight  never  so 
cunningly  against  mee,  they  shall  never  prevail  to  do  mee  any 
Harm.  Go  tell  'em  also,  that  tho'  I  am  every  way  little,  yetl  I 
hope,  thro'  the  Help  of  Christ,  I  may  live,  to  do  for  them  the 
same  Kindness,  that  Sampson  did  for  their  PhiUstian  Brethren, 
and  pull  down  their  Temples  about  their  Ears.^ 

18  (f.  8  w.  [October]  Wednesday.   I  sett  apart  this  Day,  for 

'  Cotton  Mather  received  news  about  this  time  of  his  being  joined  in  the  dis- 
posing of  the  funds  of  the  Society  for  Propagating  the  Gospel  among  the  Indians. 
Scwalt,  Diary,  i,  503. 

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OCTOBER,     1699  319 

the  Exercises  of  a  THANKSGIVING,  in  secret  before  the 
Lord.  The  Methods  attended,  and  the  Mercies  confessed, 
this  Day,  were  much  the  Same,  with  those  of  my  last  Exer- 
cise in  this  kind.  And  the  Resolutions,  which  I  took  up, 
for  the  expressing  of  my  Gratitude  unto  the  Lord,  I  defer 
to  mention,  till  the  Opportunities  occurr,  for  the  Execu- 
tions of  them. 

Yett  there  are  two  or  three  peculiar  Favours  of  God 
xmto  mee,  that  must  in  this  Place,  bee  more  particularly 
mentioned. 

I  am  especially  sensible  of  the  Divine  Favour  to  mee  in 
preserving  for  mee,  an  unblemished  Reputation.  I  perceive 
myself  by  some  Circumstances  rendred  so  obnoxious  to 
raging  Envy,  that  if  any  true  Thing  might  bee  reported  unto 
my  Prejudice,  or,  if  any  false  Thing  might  bee  invented, 
that  would  bee  likely  to  stick  upon  mee,  my  Reputation 
would  immediately  find  those  that  would  mine  it.  But  the 
Wonderful  Grace  of  my  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  has  kept  my 
Name  in  Safety,  and  Honour.  Oh!  what  shall  I  do  for  the 
Honour  of  Hist 

I  am  also  very  sensible  of  the  Divine  Favour  to  mee, 
in  the  vast  Auditories,  which  come  every  Lord's-Day  to 
attend  upon  my  poor,  mean,  unworthy  Ministry.  Few 
Ministers  in  the  World,  preach  unto  the  like;  it  would  bee 
beyond  the  Strength  of  a  mortal  Man,  to  preach  unto  much 
bigger.  How  does  this  obhge  mee,  to  preach  as  excellent 
and  well  studied  Sermons  as  ever  I  can  and  contrive  all  my 
public  Exercises  in  the  most  edifying  manner  that  I  am 
able. 

To  Renew  my  pastoral  Visits,  with  more  stated  Exact- 
ness and  prudent  Fervency,  is  one  special  Purpose,  which 
I  am  now  putt  upon,  and  accordingly  the  Divine  Help 
therein,  I  make  one  special  Article  of  my  Supplications. 

23  d.  8  m.  This  Day,  I  receive  Advice  of  the  Death  of 
my  poor  \]nc\t,Mr.John  Cotton,  by  the  same  horrible  plague, 

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320  DIARY  OF  COTTON  MATHER 

that  has  carried  off  multitudes,  at  Carolina.^  I  have  Rea- 
son to  give  great  Thanks  unto  Heaven,  in  that  the  Lord 
accepted  that  poor  Man,  to  dy  in  the  Service  of  the 
Church,  after  the  Death  which  there  had  been  upon  all 
Hopes  of  any  such  matter,  by  his  Abdication  from  his 
work  at  Plymouth.^ 

28  d.  8  m.  Satureday.  I  sett  apart  this  Day  for  Prayer 
with  Fasting  in  my  Study.  Many  Desires  I  carried  unto 
the  Lord,  which  I  beleeve  Hee  did  accept;  and  will  Answer. 
But  especially  concerning  the  Composures,  which  I  have 
sent  into  England:  And  another,  which  I  am  now  going  to 
write. 

When  I  this  Day  considered,  how  strangely  the  Lord 
hath,  beyond  my  Expectation,  prolonged  my  Life,  to  this 
Age,  I  acknowledged  the  Favour  of  Heaven  to  mee.  I  also 
besought  of  the  Lord,  That  notwithstanding  my  Unthank- 
fulness  and  Unfruitfulness  Hee  would  spare  mee  yett  a 
little  Space  longer  to  glorify  Him  upon  Earth.  And  I 
besought  Him,  that  when  my  Time  should  come  to  dy,  I 
may  dy  easily  and  willingly. 

In  the  Close  of  the  Day,  prostrate  on  my  study  Floor, 
I  obtained  some  Assurance  from  Heaven,  that  the  Lord 
would  not  reject  mee  from  serving  Him,  but  yett  employ  mee 
in  eminent  Service  for  Him;  and  give  mee  His  good  Spirit, 
and  send  mee  His  good  Angel,  and  use  mee  in  a  Manner 
that  I  cannot  yett  apprehend. 

Memorandum.  Many  months  ago,  in  my  public  Prayers, 
I  uttered  a  strange,  and  strong  Faith,  for  the  Deliverance  of 
my  Neighbours,  from  their  horrible  Captivity,  in  Zallee;  a 
Captivity  among  the  barbarous  Monsters  of  Africa,  from 
whence  ordinarily  there  is  no  Deliverance. 

Behold,  no  less  than  four  of  them,  are  lately  delivered 

'  Sec  letter  to  Mrs.  Joanna  Cotton,  of  this  date,  in  4  CoUectums,  vni.  403. 
'  Cotton  went  to  Charleston,  S.  C,  in  November,  1698,  and  died  there  Sep- 
tember 17,  1699.     See  letter  of  Hugh  Adams,  in  Sewall,  Diary,  11.  11. 

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NOVEMBER,     1699  32I 

and  some  of  them  with  very  surprising  Circumstances.  I 
have  opportunity  to  give  solemn  Thanks,  imto  God  their 
Saviour,  in  the  very  Place,  where  Prayers  had  been  so  fer- 
vently putt  up,  for  their  Deliverance. 

2  d.  9  w.  [November]  Thursday.  Boslon-LectuTe  was  this 
day  tum'd  into  a  Fast,  for  the  Churches  languishing  under 
a  revived,  and  horrible  Persecution,  in  Europe;  especially 
in  France.^  The  former  part  of  the  Day,  was  carried  on, 
by  the  other  three  Ministers  of  the  Town.  In  the  latter 
Part,  I  prayed,  and  my  Father  preached. 

The  Day  following,  I  spent  in  the  Exercises  of  a  Thanks- 
giving, with  other  Ministers  and  Christians,  at  the  House  of 
a  Gentleman,  happily  deUvered  from  Captivity  in  Barbary. 
At  which  House  wee  had  formerly  pray'd,  for  his  DeUver- 
ance. 

In  the  Exercises  of  both  these  Dayes,  I  enjoy'd  very 
merciful  Assistences  of  Heaven, 

12  d.gm.  Lords-Day.  This  Day,  in  the  Evening,  pros-  ' 
trate  on  my  Study-floor,  with  my  Face  in  the  Dust,  I  \ 
received  a  marvellous  Assurance  from  Heaven,  that  by  the 
Gift  of  God,  the  Righteousness  of  my  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  was 
now  so  made  mine,  that  I  might  rest  on  it,  as  my  Title  to 
heavenly  Blessedness;  and  that  the  Spirit  of  my  Lord  Jesus 
Christ,  wotdd  now  fill  mee,  and  employ  mee,  and  apply  mee, 
to  glorify  His  Name.  The  Time  and  Way  of  my  Death,  I 
did  now  with  a  sweet  Satisfaction  of  Soul,  resign  unto  the 
Lord  Jesus  Christ;  and  considering  Him  also  as  the  Lord 
of  all  Opportunities  that  any  Men  have  to  serve  Him,  and 
His  Church,  I  did  with  a  satisfied  Soul,  make  to  Him  a 
Resignation  of  all  my  future  Opportunities  to  do  that  which 
I  desired  above  all  Things  in  the  World:  but  I  was  here- 
withal  assiured,  that  my  Opportunities  would  yett  bee  very 
glorious. 

'"Fast  is  warned  to  be  next  Thorsday  for  the  Afflicted  church  abroad." 
Sewall,  Diary,  503. 

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322  DIARY  OF  COTTON  MATHER 

After  this,  I  visited  the  young  men's  Meeting,  and  gave 
a  Sermon,  to  invigorate  the  Designs  of  Religion,  too  much 
decaying  among  them.' 

igd.  gm.  Lords-Day.  This  Day  at  Noon,  by  a  strange 
Irradiation  from  Heaven,  I  am  assured  of  several  Things 
to  come. 

23  d.  9  m.  Thursday.  This  Day  was  a  pubUck  THANKS- 
GIVING to  God,  celebrated  throughout  the  Province. 

Among  other  Duties  of  the  Day,  I  judged  it  proper  to 
call  upon  each  of  the  several  Persons  in  my  Family,  to 
recoUect  seriously,  what  special  Favours  of  God,  they  were 
to  bee  thankful  for?  and  by  what  special  Actions  they  were 
to  express  their  Thankfulness.  And  such  of  them,  as  it 
was  more  proper  thus  to  treat,  I  anon  called  upon,  to  give 
mee  a  particular  Account,  of  what  Result  their  Thoughts 
were  come  unto. 

26  d.  9  m.  Lords-Day.  Tho'  SELF-EXAMINATION, 
bee  a  Duty  very  frequently  attended  with  mee,  yett  I 
have  rarely  had  the  Time  or  Strength  to  write,  the  Articles 
of  it. 

I  will  at  this  Time,  amidst  my  other  Laboiu3,  just 
write  such  Things  as  these. 

Q.  I.  What  is  the  greatest,  and  only  Rdeef  of  my  Soul? 

A.  I  have  beheld  the  glorious  and  perfect  Righteousness 
of  my  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  provided  by  the  Grace  of  God, 
for  my  Justification  before  Him;  and  Hee  has,  by  His 
Grace,  helped  mee  to  accept  that  Righteousness,  upon  the 
offer  of  it. 

Q.  2.  What  is  the  cheef  Desire  of  my  Soul? 

A.  li  I  know  any  Thing  of  my  self,  tis,  to  glorify  my 
Lord  Jesus  Christ. 

Q.  3.  What  is  the  cheef  Delight  of  my  Soul? 

^.  I  am  certain,  it  is  to  find  that  I  do  glorify  my  Lord 
Jesus  Christ. 

•  Twelve  lines  followed  which  were  struck  out  by  Mather. 

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DECEMBER,     1699  323 

Q.  4.  What  is  the  cheef  Trouble  of  my  Soul? 

A.  I  feel  none,  like  that  of  the  Sin  remaining  in  mee, 
which  indisposes  mee  to  glorify  my  Lord  Jesus  Christ;  and 
which  grieves  ffis  Holy  Spirit. 

At  this  Time,  having  preached  a  Sermon,  unto  the  Sea- 
faring people,  which  are  a  very  numerous  People,  in  my  Con- 
gregation, it  found  so  much  acceptance  among  them,  that 
they  earnestly  desired  it  might  be  pubUshed,  and  they 
furnished  with  it.  Accordingly,  I  gave  it  unto  them,  and 
the  Bookseller,  who  immediately  putt  it  into  the  Press.  It 
is  entituled.  The  Religious  Mariker.' 

0  my  God,  my  God,  my  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  I  do  with  an 
astonished  Soul,  adore  thy  sovereign  Grace,  which  thus 
makes  use  of  mee,  a  poor,  mean,  vile  Wretch,  to  glorify 
thy  Name,  when  so  many  better  qualified  than  I,  are  laid 
by  as  useless.  My  Soul  is  even  swallowed  up,  in  Astonish- 
ments of  Admirations  at  this  Free-grace  of  Heaven! 

1  am  verily  perswaded,  this  httle  Book  particularly, 
which  was  in  a  Manner  composed  in  one  little  Part  of  a 
Day,  and  consisting  of  no  more  than  two  Sheets  of  an  half, 
will  prove  greatly  serviceable  to  the  Souls  of  many  abroad 
in  the  World. 

7  d.  10  m.  [December.]  I  am  now  to  relate  a  wonderful 
Thing. 

Albeit  I  had  several  Months  ago,  convicted,  that  wicked 
Incendiary,  that  goes  by  the  Name  of  May,  to  bee  a  lying 
Fellow,  and  all  the  judicious  people  of  the  Town,  deserted 
him  and  abhorred  him,  on  my  so  convicting  of  him;  yett  a 
weak,  rash,  ill-spirited  Crue,  continued  still  to  follow  him. 
I  never  saw  a  more  sensible  Energy  of  Satan,  upon  the  Minds 
of  a  Mob,  than  in  this  Instance;  and  God,  for  Holy  End's 
letting  Satan  loose,  the  wicked  Incendiary,  with  the  silly 
Drove,  which  hee  bewitched,  made  it  a  main  Part  of  their 
business,  to  ly  and  rail,  and  rage  against  mee,  on  all  Occa- 

'  Printed  by  B.  Green  and  J.  Allen,  1700. 

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324  DIARY  OF  COTTON  MATHER 

sions;  because  it  seems  they  were  more  afraid  of  mee,  than 
of  some  others.  It  was  on  these  Accounts,  a  Day  of  Temp- 
tation to  mee;  but  God  helped  mee  patiently  and  cheerfully 
to  encounter  the  Evils  of  the  Day.  I  told  the  Wretch  a 
few  weeks  ago;  the  glorious  Lord  Jesus  Christ  mil  certainly 
and  speedily  detect  you,  and  in  your  Confusion,  Hee  will 
make  all  the  Churches  to  know  that  Hee  searches  the  Hearts 
[eaten  away]  of  the  Children  of  Men.  At  last,  the  Wretch 
[eaten  away].  begin  to  forsake  him,  and 

having  chous'd  the  foolish  People  of  a  great  Summ  of 
Money,  hee  ship'd  himself  to  bee  gone  for  England.  Here- 
upon, I  cried  unto  God,  with  ardent  Prayers,  that  if  it 
might  bee  obtained,  and  if  it  might  be  for  His  Glory  and 
the  Welfare  of  His  churches,  this  Wolf  in  Sheeps  Cloathing, 
might  bee  discovered  before  his  going  off.  And  now, 
behold,  by  means  of  my  being  privately  informed,  that 
such  Testimonies  could  bee  had,  there  appear  this  Day, 
several  sober,  modest,  and  virtuous  Women,  who  deposed 
upon  Oath  before  the  Magistrate,  that  this  May,  had 
often  affronted  them  with  lewd,  vile,  unci\-il  jind  lascivious 
Actions,  and  watching  Opportunities  to  gett  them  alone, 
would  offer  them  rude  Things,  which  abundantly  satisfied 
them,  of  his  being  a  great  Rogue,  and  that  if  they  had 
been  for  his  Turn,  hee  would  have  stuck  at  no  villany 
towards  them:  and  some  of  his  abominable  Speeches,  to 
them,  not  fitt  here  to  bee  transcribed,  they  also  testified. 
Thus  the  Wretch,  went  off  with  a  Stink!  And  whereas,  I 
had  signified  unto  the  Anabaptists,  that  the  Impiety  of  their 
Carriage  about  this  Man,  would,  I  beleeve,  be  chastised, 
by  this  very  Man's  proving  thro'  the  Vengeance  of  God,  a 
blemish  and  a  Ruine  imto  them,  tis  now  most  remarkably 
coming  to  pass.' 

Considering  the  marvellous  Providence  of  God,  in  these 

'  Mather  pays  his  respects  to  May  at  some  lengtli  in  .1   Warning  to  Ike 
Flocks,  24-49. 

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DECEMBER,     1699  325 

Occurrences,  and  the  Recompence  that  God  was  giving  to 
my  past  Conduct  under  the  Reproaches  and  Injuries,  which 
I  had  undergone,  for  the  sake  of  this  detected  Wolf,  I 
thought,  it  woxdd  many  Wayes  be  serviceable,  for  mee  to 
preach  imto  my  great  Congregation,  a  Sermon  upon  those 
Words,  in  Job.  13.  9.  Is  it  Good  that  God  should  search 
you  out:  or  one  Man  mocketh  another,  do  yee  so  mock  Him? 
I  did  so,  on  the  Lord's-day  following;  without  mentioning 
the  occasion,  but  yett  managing  the  whole  Discourse  in 
such  a  Manner,  that  every  one  in  the  great  Congregation, 
may  see,  what  was  the  tragical  Occasion  and  Example,  that 
moved  mee,  to  give  them  this  Warning,  that  the  Great  God, 
who  will  not  bee  mocked,  will  thoroughly  discern,  and  terribly 
detect,  those  that  go  to  mock  Him. 

Now,  that  I  might  not  myself,  remain  under  the  Guilt 
of  any  of  my  own  former  Iniquities,  wherein  I  had  been 
myself  so  much  a  Mocker  of  God,  1  sett  apart  the  Satureday 
before,  for  secret  Humiliations  and  Supplications,  in  my 
Study. 

And  on  the  Lord-day  ensuing,  when  I  was  at  Noon,  on 
my  Knees,  before  the  Lord  in  my  Study,  I  begg'd  of  Him, 
to  afford  mee  signal  Assistences,  in  the  pubUc  Services  of 
the  Afternoon.  One  Passage  in  my  Prayer  was,  that  I 
would  humbly  look  on  such  Assistences,  as  a  Sign,  that  the 
Lord  had  mercifully  and  marvellously  thro'  His  Christ,  par- 
doned imto  mee,  all  my  own  former  Iniquities,  wherein  I 
had  mocked  His  infinite  Majesty.  Now,  I  was  remarkably 
favoured  in  this  Point:  I  know  not,  whether  I  have  ever 
been  assisted,  with  more  Influences  from  Heaven,  in  my 
pubUc  Services. 

But  here  was  not  all  the  Occasion,  of  my  being  engaged 
in  the  Duties  of  a  secret  Fast,  on  the  Satureday  mentioned. 
I  see,  another  Day  of  Temptation  begun  upon  the  Town  and 
Land.  A  Company  of  Head-strong  Men  in  the  Town,  the 
cheef  of  whom,  are  fidl  of  maUgnity  to  the  Holy  Wayes  of 
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326  DIARY  or  COTTON  MATHER 

our  Churches,  have  built  in  this  Town,  another  Meeting- 
house. To  delude  many  better-meaning  Men  in  their  own 
Company,  and  the  Churches  in  the  Neighbourhood,  they 
past  a  Vote,  in  the  Foundation  of  their  Proceedings,  that 
they  would  not  vary  from  the  Practice  of  these  Churches, 
except  in  one  httle  Particular.  But  a  yoimg  Man,  bom 
and  bred  here,  and  hence  gone  for  England,  is  now  retum'd 
hither,  at  their  Invitation,  equip'd  with  an  Ordination,  to 
qualify  him,  for  all  that  is  intended.'  On  his  returning  and 
arriving  here,  these  fallacious  People,  desert  their  Vote, 
and  without  the  Advice  or  Knowledge  of  the  Ministers  in 
the  Vicinity  they  have  published,  under  the  Title  of  a  Mani- 
festo, certain  Articles,  that  utterly  subvert  our  Churches, 
and  invite  an  ill  Party  thro'  all  the  Coimtrey,  to  throw  all 
into  Confusion  on  the  first  Opportunities.'  This  drives  the 
Ministers,  that  would  bee  faithful  unto  the  Lord  Jesus 
Christ,  and  His  Interests  in  the  Churches,  into  a  Necessity 
of  appearing  for  their  Defence.  No  Uttle  Part  of  these 
Actions  must  unavoidably  fall  to  my  Share.  I  have  already 
written  a  large  monitory  Letter,  to  these  Innovators,  which 
tho'  most  lovingly  penn'd,  yett  enrages  their  violent  and 
impetuous  Lusts,  to  cany-  on  the  Apostasy.  I  now  cry  to 
God,  that  Hee  will  direct  mee  (and  his  other  Servants)  i'^ 
all  my  future  Steps  about  this  affayr,  and  preserve  mee 
from  all  wrong  ones;  and  inspire  mee,  with  all  the  Courage, 
Patience,  and  Prudence,  needful  to  carry  mee  thro'  my 
Testimonies,  [eaten  away]  unto  Him,  that  is  these  Men, 
bee  [eaten  away].  Enterprise,  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  the 
Lord  of  our  Churches,  would  show  His  Care  of  these  His 
Churches  by  defeating  the  Designs  that  Satan  may  have 
in  the  Enterprise. 

On    the   day   following,   at    Noon   in   my   Study,   as 
I  was  laying  this  Request  before  the  Lord,  I  thought, 

'  Benjamin  Colman. 

"  Published  November  17,  ibgg,  in  a  folio  of  three  pages. 

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DECEMBER,     1699  327 

it  was  assured  mee  from  Heaven  that  it  should  be 
granted. 

One  special  Errand  of  my  Prayers  to  Heaven  on  Sature- 
day,  was  the  Condicon  of  my  Father-in-Law,  in  his  present 
Widow-hood. 

One  of  my  Sisters,  is  for  diverse  weeks  bleeding  to  Death, 
and  has  a  dead  Infant  within  her.  This  day  I  cried  unto 
the  Lord  for  her;  and  behold,  shee  was  wonderfully  delivered 
this  very  day,  beyond  the  reasonable  Fears,  of  those  that 
look'd  upon  her  Deliverance  from  Death,  next  unto  an 
Impossibility. 

On  the  ensuing  Thursday,  I  preached  the  Lecture, 
and  then  handled  that  Subject  (from  Rev.  2.  3.)  What 
are  the  Apprehensions,  and  what  the  Dispositions  wheremth 
all  the  Churches  are  to  consider  Him,  searching  the  Reins  and 
the  Hearts  of  the  Children  of  Men:  Designing  to  have  a 
right  use  made  of  the  wonderful  Providence,  which  had 
lately  detected  the  wicked  Preacher  among  us.' 

23  d.  10  m.  Satureday.  The  same  occasions,  that  invited 
mee,  to  bee  this  Day  fortnight  engaged  in  the  Exercises  of 
a  secret  Fast,  obhged  mee  to  bee  this  Day  labouring  at  the 
like  Exercises. 

And  there  was  this  Addition,  to  the  Occasions  of  my 
being  thus  employed.  Several  Ministers  in  the  Countrey 
here  and  there,  are  languishing  under  great  Infirmities,  and 
especially  those  of  a  crazy  Melancholy.  I  that  by  a  miracle 
of  mercy,  enjoy  so  much  Health,  and  Strength,  and  Serenity, 
as  to  bee  not  unfitted  for  my  public  Work,  altho'  I  am  of 
such  a  feeble  Constitution,  have  imspeakable  Reason  to  pray 
for  such  as  are  more  uneasily  circumstanced. 

^i  d.  10  m.  Lords-Day.  Observing  my  Father,  in  Dis- 
course with  him  Yesterday,  to  bee  under  some  Discourage- 
ment, about  the  Accomplishment  of  the  Particular  Faith, 
which  had  seemed  so  often  infused  from  Heaven  into  our 

'  Printed  in  A  Warning  to  the  Flocks,  54-79. 

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328  DIARY  OF  COTTON  MATHER 

Minds,  about  his  yett  having  an  Opportunity  to  glorify  the 
Lord  Jesus  Christ  in  England;  I  did  this  Day  at  Noon,  in 
my  Study,  lay  that  Matter  before  the  Lord.  And  as  I  was 
concluding  my  Petitions  about  it,  without  any  special  Opera- 
tion from  Heaven  upon  my  mind,  and  just  ready  to  con- 
clude, I  should  have  none,  my  mind  suddenly  felt  a  strange 
and  a  strong  Operation  from  Heaven  upon  it,  which  caused 
mee  to  break  forth  into  Expressions  of  this  Importance; 
The  Lord  will  do  it,  The  Lord  will  do  it,  my  Father  shall  be 
carried  into  England,  and  he  shall  there  have  a  short,  but  a 
great  Opportunity  to  glorify  my  Lord  Jesus  Christ;  In  a  most 
wonderful  Way,  it  shall  bee  brought  about;  And  it  shall  al 
last  appear,  that  the  Faith  which  there  Jias  been  concerning 
it,  was  the  wonderful  Work  of  Heaven;  and  the  Lord  shall 
have  Revenues  of  Glory  from  it ! 

About  this  Time,  there  were  two  special  Services,  which 
I  endeavoured,  for  the  Church  of  my  Lord  Jesus  Christ. 

An  Indian  Primer,  was  ordered  for  to  bee  composed 
and  pubhshed.  The  Gentlemen  that  were  to  translate  it, 
requested  of  mee  to  compose  it.  I  did  so;  and  with  as  much 
Artifice  and  Contrivance  as  I  could,  I  interwove  into  it, 
such  Things,  as  I  thought  it  of  most  Consequence,  for 
young  persons  to  have  their  Minds  tinged  withal,  and  such 
Things  also,  as  were  more  peculiarly  agreeable  to  the  Con- 
ditions and  the  Temptations  of  the  Indians.^ 

Moreover,  considering  what  Impostors  have  sometimes 
come  among  us,  pretending  to  bee  Ministers,  and  unto  what 
Hazards  our  unstable  People  expose  themselves  either  of 
being  seduced  into  damnable  Heresies  by  such  Impostors 
or  of  bringing  the  illustrious  Ordmance  of  preaching  the 
Gospel  into  loathsome  Contempt,  by  suffering  such  Impostors 

'  "The  Savoy-Confession  of  Faith,  Engl[ish]  on  one  side  and  Indian  on  the 
other,  has  been  lately  printed  here;  as  also  several  Sermons  of  the  Presidents 
[Increase  Mather)  have  been  transcribed  into  Indian,  and  printed,  which  I  hope  in 
God's  time  will  have  a  very  good  Effect."  Sewait  to  Sir  Wiliiam  Ashurst,  May  3, 
1700.     Leltcr  Book,  i.  331. 

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JANUARY,     1699-17OO  329 

to  prostitute  it,  I  composed  a  Warning  unto  the  Churches, 
against  these  horrible  Mischiefs.  Into  this  Warning,  I  also 
inwrought  some  Admonition  unto  Ministers  themselves,  to 
frame  well-studied  Sermons;  and  a  Praemonition  imto  the 
people,  concerning  the  Mischiefs,  that  will  ensue,  from  their 
crying  up,  an  unlearned  Ministry.  Laying  this  Instrument 
before  an  Assembly  of  the  neighbouring  Mim'sters,  they  all 
sign'd  it.  And  I  added  unto  it,  that  it  might  come  abroad 
with  greater  Efficacy,  an  History  of  Nine  several  Impostors, 
which  had  appeared  in  our  Churches.  But  the  last  of  these, 
being  the  Fellow,  which  in  the  last  Summer  so  bewitch't  this 
Town,  to  sett  off  the  History  of  him,  with  the  more  Ad- 
vantage, I  drew  it  up,  in  the  form  of  a  large  Letter,  wherein 
also,  I  pursued  some  further  Purposes  of  Service.  This  I 
annexed  unto  the  History;  and  gave  the  whole  \mto  the 
Printer;  under  the  Title  of,  The  Flocks  warned  against 
Wolves  in  Sheeps  Cloathing.  And,  behold  the  remark- 
able Fulfilment,  of  what  I  had  foretold  unto  this  man,  that 
in  him  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ  would  make  the  Churches  know 
that  Hee  searches  the  Reins  and  the  Hearts  t  The  Lecture- 
Sermon,  which  I  preached  from  these  very  Words,  on  the 
Detection  of  this  Wretch,  is  added  unto  this  Little  Book, 
under  the  Title,  of  Something  to  be  known  by  the 
Chxhiches.' 

I  also  wrote  a  large  Letter  unto  the  Anabaptists,  advising 
them  to  repent  of  their  Scandals  in  defending  and  employ- 
ing the  late  Impostor,  and  assuring  them,  that  [if]  they 
did  not,  God  would  manifest  yett  more  of  His  Displeasure 
against  them. 

Sd.  lint.  [January.]  Satureday.  I  see  Solan  beginning  a 
terrible  Shake  imto  the  Churches  of  New  England;  and  the 
Innovators,  that  have  sett  up  a  new  Church  in  Boston,  (a  new 
one  indeed!)  have  made  a  Day  of  Temptation  among  us. 
The  Men  are  ignorant,  arrogant,  obstinate,  and  full  of 

"  Printed  for  the  Booksellers,  1700,  with  the  title  A  Warning  to  the  Flocks. 

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330 


DIARY  or  COTTON  MATHER 


Malice  and  Slander,  and  they  fill  the  Land  with  Lyes,  in  the 
Misrepresentacon  whereof,  I  am  a  very  singular  Sufferer.' 

Wherefore  I  sett  apart  this  Day  again,  for  Prayer  in  my 
Study:  to  cry  mightily  unto  God. 

I  first  besought  of  the  Lord,  that  I  might  bee  made 
very  holy,  watchful,  humble,  patient,  and  faithful,  in  this 
Day  of  Temptation,  and  that  I  might  be  preserved  from  doing 
any  one  Thing,  which  might  be  injurious  to  His  holy  Truths, 
and  wayes,  and  Churches;  a  Thing,  which  I  declared,  I  had 
rather  dy,  than  dol 

I  sett  myself,  to  consider,  what  Sins  of  mine,  might 
contribute  in  one  regard  or  other,  to  the  Mischiefs  in  this 
Day  of  Temptation;  and  especially,  my  not  being  at  Pains 
enough,  to  fortify  the  Churches  throughout  the  Coimtrey, 
in  evangelical  Principles  and  Practices;  and  I  desired  the 
Pardon  of  them,  thro'  the  great  Sacrifice.  I  carried  the 
Churches  imto  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  and  beg'd  of  Him,  to 
rescue  them  from  the  Spirit  of  Apostasy,  that  is  breaking 
in  upon  them,  and  chain  up  the  evil  Spirit,  that  hath  broke 
forth  among  us.  I  spred  before  the  Lord,  the  Designs,  and 
Actions  of  the  Innovators,  and  requested  of  Him,  that  if  the 
Thing  which  these  Men  are  about,  be  displeasing  to  Him, 
His  wonderful  Providence,  might  interpose,  and  make  all 
the  Churches  to  be  sensible  of  it. 

I  also  cried  unto  the  Lord,  for  happy  Tidings  from 
England,  about  my  Composures,  which  I  have  sent  thither 
to  be  published. 

And  I  besought  the  Presence  of  the  Lord  with  mee,  in 
my  whole  Ministry,  and  all  the  Ailayrs  of  it.  But  especially 
because  I  am  going  to  preach  largely  upon  the  Devices  of 
Satan,  and  I  have  by  Experience  found,  that  I  have  then 
eminently  suffer'd  the  Temptacons  of  Satan,  when  I  have 
been  to  preach  on  his  Temptacons.     I  now  thought  it  need- 

'  The  story  of  the  Brattle  Street  Church  is  told  in  Hill,  Bislory  of  Ike  Old 
South  Church,  i.  310. 

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JANUARY,     1699-170O  331 

ful  in  an  extraordinary  manner,  to  implore  the  Help  of 
Heaven,  that  I  may  not  only  handle  the  Matter  wisely,  but 
also  bee  preserved  [from  th]e  Devil  and  the  Bujffetiogs  of 
Satan,  (which  I  mu[st  eaten  oui[    I  am  doing  of  it. 

ig  d.  ij  m.  Friday.  I  sett  apart  this  Day  for  Prayer 
with  Fasting,  before  the  Lord,  on  the  ^me  Occasions,  that 
procured  my  last  Engagement  in  such  Devotions. 

And  inasmuch  as  I  am  now  proceeding  imto  some  signal 
Testimonies,  against  the  Innovations,  that  are  going  to  shake 
our  Churches,  I  bewayled  before  the  Lord,  my  Sins,  that 
had  exceedingly  forfeited  the  high  Favours,  of  being  em- 
ploy'd  in  any  Testimonies  for  Him;  and  I  cried  unto  the 
Lord,  that  Hee  would  please  both  to  direct  my  Testimonies, 
and  accept  them;  and  to  testify  His  Acceptance  thereof,  by 
making  mee  serviceable  unto  His  Interests,  and  by  giving 
mee  Acceptance  among  His  more  faithful  People;  and  by 
sending  mee  Tidings  of  His  having  accepted  the  Com- 
posures that  I  have  sent  unto  London,  for  public  Benefit, 
(which  the  Lord  will  do;  Hee  will  do  it!  Hee  will  do  it  I)  ' 
and  by  filling  mee  with  the  Comforts  and  Graces  of  His 
Holy  Spirit,  so  as  to  make  up  unto  mee,  all  the  Damage  of 
the  Reproaches  that  I  must  suffer  from  an  Apostate-Genera- 
tion. 

In  the  Evening,  I  went  and  preach'd  unto  the  Meeting, 
preparing  for  the  Lord's-Table,  as  I  use  to  do. 

21  d.  11  m.  Lord's-day.  What  signal  Answer,  have  I  re- 
ceived imto  my  Prayers,  for  the  Restoration  and  Confirma- 
tion of  my  Health!  I  have  now  preach'd  a  Sermon,  every 
day,  for  five  Dayes  together.  One  of  them  (yesterday) 
was  to  the  Prisoners,  and  Pyrates  on  Jer.  17.  11.  Hee  getts 
Riches  and  not  by  right;  leaves  them  in  the  midst  of  his  Dayes, 
and  in  his  End  shal  be  a  Fool.  And  these  Labours,  do  not 
oversett  mee:  tho'  indeed  they  afford  one  Reason,  for  my 
recording  so  little  in  these  Memorials. 

'  "From  Heaven  Hee  told  mee  sol"    Written  in  the  margin. 

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332  DIARY  or  COTTON  MATHER 

Memorandum:  I  am  following  the  Lord,  with  hopeful 
Prayers  and  Cries,  that  the  Time  of  Temptation,  begun 
upon  this  place  in  the  Business  of  the  new  Church  may 
not  prove  a  Day  of  Temptation,  but  only  a  short  Hour  of 
Temptation. 

And  now  I  have  an  Opportunity  to  observe  a  Matter 
the  Issue  whereof,  will  in  a  while,  call  for  some  further 
Observation. 

The  people  of  the  new  Church  in  Boston,  who  by  their 
late  Manifesto,  so  assaulted  all  the  Churches  of  New  Eng- 
land went  on  in  an  ill  way,  and  in  a  worse  Frame,  and  the 
Town  was  filled  with  Sin,  and  especially,  with  Slanders, 
(for  grievous  Revolts  must  be  managed  with  Slanders,)  wherein 
especially  my  Father  and  myself  were  Sufferers.  Wee  two, 
with  many  Prayers  and  Studies,  and  with  humble  Resig- 
nation of  our  Names  unto  the  Lord,  prepared  a  faithful 
Antidote  for  our  Churches  against  the  Infection  of  the 
Example,  which  wee  fear'd  this  Company  had  given  them; 
and  wee  putt  it  into  the  Press.  But  when  the  first  Sheet 
was  near  composed  at  the  Press,  I  stop'd  it,  with  a  Desire, 
to  make  one  Attempt  more,  for  the  bringing  of  this  People 
to  Reason.  I  drew  up  a  Proposal,  and  \\'ith  another  Min- 
ister carried  it  imto  them;  who  at  first  rejected  it,  but  after- 
ward so  far  embrac'd  it,  as  to  promise,  that  they  will  the 
next  Week,  publickly  recognize  their  Covenant  with  God, 
and  one  another,  and  therewithal  declare  their  Adherence 
to  the  Heads  of  Agreement,  of  the  United  Brethren  in  England, 
and  request  the  Communion  of  our  Churches  on  that  Founda- 
tion. A  wonderful  Joy  fill'd  the  Hearts  of  our  good  People, 
far  and  near,  that  wee  had  obtained  thus  much  from  them. 
Our  Strife  seem'd  now  at  an  End;  there  was  much  Relent- 
ing in  some  of  their  Spirits,  when  they  saw  our  Condescen- 
sion, our  Charity,  our  Compassion.  Wee  overlook'd  all  past 
Offences.  Wee  kept  the  public  Fast  with  them,  (on  31  d. 
II  m.  Wednesday)  and  my  Father  preached  unto  them, 
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FEBRUARY,     1699-1700  333 

on  Jollowing  Peace  with  Holiness,  and  I  concluded  with 
Prayer.' 

Being  in  so  sudden,  and  surprising  a  Manner  delivered 
from  the  horrid  Encumbrance  and  Vexation  of  our  Strife, 
with  these  Neighbours,  wee  laid  aside  what  was  in  the  Press; 
resolving  in  a  more  comfortable,  and  I  hope,  effectual  Way, 
to  endeavour  the  Establish[ment  of  our]  Churches,  in  their 
Principles  of  'Ev[eaten  away]. 

8  d.  12  m.  [February.]  Thursday.  Considering  that  for 
Men,  even,  good  Men,  to  speak  Evil  one  of  another,  is 
the  special  Vice  of  this  Place,  I  thought  it  would  bee 
a  very  comprehensive  and  considerable  Service,  if  I  could 
give  any  notable  Stroke,  towards  the  Suppression  of  that 
Vice. 

Wherefore,  in  the  first  Place,  I  renewed  my  own  Resolu- 
tions, in  the  Strength  of  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  and  His 
good  Spirit  of  Grace. 

First,  that  I  will  never  speak  falsely  of  any  Man. 

Secondly,  that  if  I  must  speak  what  is  Evil,  of  any  man, 
it  shall  be  imder  these  Limitations,  and  Regulations. 

I.  I  will  keep  a  Charity  for  the  Person  of  whom  I  speak 
wishing  most  heartily,  that  all  Good  might  be  spoken  of 
him;  and  I  will  speak  from  Charity  for  those  to  whom  I 
speak;  alwayes  thinking  when  I  speak,  is  what  I  speak,  for 
the  Good  of  the  Hearers  I 

II.  If  I  speak  what  is  Evil  of  any  Person,  I  will  care- 
fully watch  over  my  Heart,  that  I  don't  speak  it  with 
Delight:  I  will  ever  manage  it,  with  Brevity,  and  Aversion, 
as  a  very  ungrateful  Subject. 

III.  When  I  must  speak  what  is  Evil  of  any  man,  if  I 
know  of  any  Good,  that  can  bee  spoken  of  him,  I  will  be 
sure  to  ballance  the  Evil,  with  the  Mention  of  the  Good. 

rV.  Before  I  speak  Evil  of  a  Man,  I  will  consider, 
whether  I  should  not  first  speak  to  him;  and  be  it  how  it 

'  See  the  entries  in  Sewall,  Diary,  11.  2,  and  in  Hill,  i.  313. 

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334  DIARY  OF  COTTON  MATHER 

will,  I  will  ordinarily  speak  nothing,  but  what  I  could  be 
content  he  were  present  at  my  speaking  of  it. 

V.  I  will  aggravate  nothing,  and  when  I  speak  of  an 
EvU,  not  go  to  make  it  worse  than  it  is. 

Oh,  my  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  I  resign  my  Speech,  unto  the 
Possession  and  Management  of  thy  Holy  Spirit,  that  I  may 
keep  these  Rules  forever. 

I  cannot  express  the  Satisfaction  and  Serenity  of  Soul, 
which  I  have  already  found  in  keeping  them. 

I  now  sett  myself,  to  recommend  these  and  such  Things 
at  the  Lecture;  but  the  extreme  Coldness  of  the  Season, 
hindred  my  dispatching  of  my  Design  in  one  Discourse.'  I 
beleeve,  this  was  of  the  Lord,  that  so,  I  may  with  a  greater 
Enlargement,  and  a  greater  Assembly  and  a  greater  Efficacy, 
at  some  other  time  further  proceed  upon  it.  I  am  verily 
perswaded,  the  Lord  will  be  remarkably  present  with  mee 
in  what  I  have  to  do.^ 

'  Sewall  speaks  of  the  cold  season.  "Febr.  6,  7,  8,  were  reputed  to  be  the 
coldest  days  that  have  been  of  many  years.  Some  say  Brooks  were  frozen  for  carts 
to  pass  over  them,  so  as  has  not  been  seen  these  Ten  years."  Diary,  n.  s-  He 
also  tells  of  Cotton  Mather's  taking  as  his  text  on  January  1 1,  "White  as  the  Snow 
of  Salmon." 

'  Some  leaves  of  this  year's  diary  have  been  torn  away. 


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1700 

THE  XXXVIIlTH  YEAR. 

Nimquid  non  Tentatio  Humana  vita  super  Te. 

Quonam  meo  fato  p.  c.  fieri  dicam,  ut  nemo  his  Annis 
Viginti  Reip.  Hostis  fuerit,  qui  non  Bellum  eodem  Tem- 
pore mihi  quoque  indixerit? 

Cicer.  Philippic  Secimd.  [i.  i.]. 

Ab  Amico  Satis  Adulatore. 

on 

Cotton  Mather. 

For  Grace  and  Act  and  an  Illustrious  Fame  I 

Who  would  not  look  from  such  an  Ominous  Name,  j 
Where  Two  Great  Names  their  Sanctuary  take,  \ 
And  in  a  Third  combined,  a  Greater  make  I 

j  Too  gross  Flattery  for  me  to  Transcribe;  (the'  the 
Poetty_be^ood.  [He  has  struck  out  the  four  lines,  but  in 
such  a  manner  as  permits  them  to  be  easily  read.] 

THE  XXXVIIlTH  YEAR  OF  MY  AGE. 

12  d.  12  m.  1699.  Monday.    Geilerus  in  an  old  Calender, 

where  he  had  noted  several  Things,  did  upon  his  Birth-day, 

write  that  Motto,  Dies  Calamitatis.    Altho'  I  have  seen 

much  Calamity  in  the  world,  yett  I  will  not  write  the  least 

Syllable,  that  shall  complain  of  my  Birth  as  a  Calamity;  for 

the  precious  Opportunities  of  glorifying  the  Lord  Jesus 

Christ,  whereto  I  see  myself  born,  abundantly  make  amends 

for  aU  my  Calamities,  and  cause  mee  to  rejoice  that  ever  I 

was  born. 

[335I 
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336  DIARY  OF  COTTON  MATHEE 

The  Compassion  of  Heaven,  this  Day  consununates  the 
thirty-seventh  Year  of  my  Age.  .1  am  not  fond  of  keeping 
my  Birth-day,  lest  I  fall  into  a  Superstition,  and  tho'  1  find 
some  Exemples  indeed  for  keeping  such  a  Day,  yett  some  of 
them  were  not  the  most  encouraging. 

However,  I  did  this  Day  particularly  address  the  Lord 
with  Praises,  for  the  Favours  of  the  Year  past  and,  with 
Prayers  for  the  Pardon  of  the  Sins  in  that  Year  and,  for 
preserving,  supplying,  and  supporting  Mercy  in  the  Year 
to  come. 

And  the  Wednesday,  following  I  sett  apart  for  Prayer 
with  Fasting,  to  obtain  with  larger  Supplications  the  Par- 
don, and  the  Mercy,  which  I  had  been  seeking  two  Dayes 
before.  On  this  Day  likewise  I  visited  a  Meeting  of  the 
Faithful,  to  whom  I  preached  a  Sermon  on  those  words, 
Luk.  13.  8.     Lord,  lett  it  alone  this  Year  also. 

I  must,  with  some  Sadness  of  Reflection  observe  it, 
that  my  Devotions  of  late  have  had  such  a  Drowsiness  upon 
them,  as  to  make  mee  fear,  lest  some  Afl^ctions  be  near 
mee,  to  rouse  mee  out  of  my  drowsy  Frame. 

And,  behold,  my  Fear  comes  to  pass. 

For,  on  Friday  this  week,  my  only  and  lovely  Son,  a 
Son  given  to  mee  in  answer  to  many  Prayers  among  the 
People  of  God,  and  a  Son  of  much  Observation  and  Expec- 
tation, was  taken  with  Convulsion-Fits.  The  Lord  now  not 
only  called  mee,  but  also  helped  mee,  to  resign  my  Son  unto 
Him.  Nevertheless,  that  I  might  more  effectually  conform 
to  the  Dispensations  of  Heaven,  when  I  saw  an  Angel  of 
Death,  with  a  drawn  Sword  thus  over  my  Family,  I  thought 
it  my  Duty  to  betake  myself  unto  more  than  ordinary 
Supplications.  Wherefore,  altho'  I  have  already  kept  one 
Day  of  Prayer  with  Fasting  this  week,  yett  on  Satureday 
I  kept  another.  I  then  heartily  and  cheerfully  gave  away 
my  Son,  unto  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  professing,  that  if  the 
Child  may  not  be  a  Servant  of  His,  I  was  far  from  desiring 

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FEBRUARY,     1699-170O  337 

the  Life  of  it;  but,  if  the  Child  might  serve  Him  exceed- 
ingly, I  cry'd  unto  him,  to  speak  for  it,  the  Word,  by  which 
it  might  live.  The  Convulsions  of  the  Child,  follow'd  it  this 
Day,  until  a  seventh  Fitt  had  sorely  shaken  it.  This  caused 
mee,  in  my  Study,  thrice  to  repair  unto  the  Prayer-hearing 
Lord,  with  this,  as  the  special  Errand,  of  the  Addresses, 
(besides  what  I  did  in  other  Addresses,)  Father,  if  it  may  be, 
lett  the  Cup  (the  funeral  Cup  for  this  my  Son)  pass  from  mee; 
Yett  not  my  Will,  hut  thine  be  done.  Towards  the  Evening, 
the  Convulsions  left  the  Child. 

2$d.X2m.  Lords-Day.  If  I  had  not  a  very  earthly  Heart, 
how  much  might  I  live  in  Heaven,  while  on  Earth!  Such 
are  the  Concerns  of  my  Ministry,  that  this  Afternoon, 
between  one  a  Clock  and  seven,  I  address  Heaven  with 
Prayers,  no  less  than  ten  several  Times.  First,  there  is  my 
secret  Prayer  in  my  Study,  relating  to  the  Church  of  God, 
and  the  Coming  and  Kingdome  of  Christ,  and  the  great 
Sabbatises,  for  which  I  sett  apart  some  Time,  every  Lord's- 
Day-Noon.  Then  there  is  my  secret  Prayer,  before  my 
public  Labour  and  relating  to  it.  Then  there  is  my  Prayer 
before  the  Sermon  in  the  Congregation.  There  follow,  at 
the  Baptism,  two  Prayers.  Another  Prayer  is  made  with 
the  Church,  who  stay  to  receive  the  Accounts  of  them  that 
are  Candidates  for  our  Communion.  Family-prayer,  with 
Repitition  is  performed,  when  I  come  home.  And  secret 
Prayer.  And  in  visiting  two  sick  Persons,  two  Prayers 
more,  are  called  for. 

1700. 

I  am  at  this  Time  assaulted  with  some  very  particular 
Temptations.  I,  and  yett  not  I,  but  the  Grace  of  God  which 
was  with  mee,  have  newly  done  a  Service  of  some  conse- 
quence to  all  our  Churches,  by  pubUshing,  A  Warning  to 
the  Flocks  against  Wolves  in  Sheeps  Clothing.  The  Devices 
of  Satan  whereby  the  Welfare  of  our  churches,  is  exceed- 

1-22 

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338  DIAEY  OF  COTTON  MATHER 

ingly  threatned,  are,  I  hope,  effectually  and  eternally 
defeated,  by  this  little  Book,  and  the  Holy  Lord  Jesus 
Christ,  is  glorified.  Satan  being  exceedingly  enraged  at 
what  I  have  done,  stirs  up  a  wonderful  Storm  of  Clamour 
and  Slander  against  mee,  from  a  numerous  Crue  in  this 
Town,  which  (tis  astonishing!)  are  not  able  to  bear  the 
Detection  of  the  Folly,  they  discovered  in  following  one 
of  the  Itnposters,  and  the  remarkable  Story  of  whom, 
I  have  laid  before  the  Churches.  And  the  Venome  of 
that  malignant  Company,  who  have  lately  built  a  new 
Church  in  Boston  disposes  them  to  add  imto  the  Storm  of 
my  present  Persecution;  for,  it  may  bee,  never  had  any 
men  more  of  that  Character  of  grievous  Revolters,  to  bee 
walking  with  Slanders,  than  too  many  of  that  poor  People 
have.' 

When  I  heard  the  Defaming  of  many,  I  thought  it  my 
Duty,  to  humble  myself  before  the  Lord,  with  extraordinary 
Supplications.     I  endeavoured  it,  on 

6  d.  I  m.  [March.]  Wednesday.  On  this  Day,  I  laid 
before  the  Lord,  the  Reproaches,  which  I  suffered,  from 
abundance  of  impious  People,  for  the  Sake  of  my  Faithful- 
ness to  His  Churches  and  Interests. 

I  acknowledged  myself  to  bee  viler  before  Him,  than  any 
of  my  causeless  and  cruel  Adversaries  could  make  mee, 
when  they  reviled  mee.  And  I  gave  exceeding  Thanks  unto 
Him,  for  His  praeserving  mee,  from  the  Unhappiness  of  being 
made  obnoxious  to  their  Malice,  by  any  real  Blemish,  whereof 
if  they  could  gett  the  least  Notice,  how  wonderfully  would 
they  aggravate  it! 

I  bewayled  my  many  Miscarriages,  for  which  the  terrible 
Justice  of  God,  might  righteously  and  easily,  make  mee 
loathsome  among  all  ffis  people.    And  among  the  Rest, 

'  "31  d.  I  m.  [March.]  Elizabeth  Ryal,  desiring  to  join  unto  the  New  Church 
in  this  Town,  this  Church  declared  themselves  discharged  from  the  Obliga- 
tions of  the  Covenant  unto  her."  Cotton  Mather's  MS.  Records  of  the  Second 
Church,  II. 

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FEBRUARY,     1699-170O  339 

I  confessed  and  bewayled,  whatever  Injuries,  I  may  have 
done  unto  the  Esteem  of  other  Men. 

I  cried  imto  the  Lord,  that  Hee  would  support  mee 
under  all  the  Reproaches,  which  are  cast  upon  mee;  And 
refresh  mee  with  the  Divine  Consolations  of  a  Name  written 
in  Heaven,  and  precious  among  the  heavenly  Angels:  And 
prevent  my  falling  into  any  Errors  of  Impatience,  by  which 
the  Divel  might  gain  any  of  His  Designs  upon  mee.  And 
assist  mee  to  learn  all  those  Holy  Lessons,  that  I  should 
fetch  out  of  the  exercises  now  upon  mee. 

I  then  did  hiunbly  committ  my  Name  into  the  Hands 
of  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ;  cheerfully  declaring,  that  if  Hee 
had  no  Occasion  for  my  Name,  I  had  none  for  it  myself; 
and  that  if  it  were  for  His  Honour,  for  my  Name  to  be 
reproached,  I  did  freely  resign  it.  But  I  besought  of  the 
Lord,  that  for  the  Sake  of  the  Reproaches  which  my  Lord 
Jesus  Christ  underwent  for  mee,  I  might  bee  delivered 
from  all  Reproaches,  that  might  be  a  Disadvantage  unto 
mee,  in  my  glorifying  of  His  Name,  which  to  do  is  indeed, 
all  my  Salvdcon  and  all  my  Desire. 

I  also  forgave  all  them  that  reproached  mee,  praying 
that  the  Lord  would  forgive  them. 

And  that  I  might  the  more  agreeably  exercise  the  Graces, 
whereto,  I  thought  the  Lord  called  mee,  by  the  Reproaclies 
now  upon  mee,  I  singled  out  many  Strokes,  in  many  Psalms, 
(especially  the  22d,  the  27th,  the  31st,  the  35th,  the  57th,  the 
69th,  the  109th,  the  143d)  which  I  kept  singing  unto  the 
Lord,  for  a  good  Part  of  the  Day.  But  my  Faith  rose  not 
higher  in  any  of  these  Devotions,  than  when  singing  the 
latter  End  of  the  91st  Psalm;  and  most  of  all  that  Clause, 
Because  that  known  my  Name  hath  hee,  I  will  sett  him  on  high. 

Another  thing,  which  brought  mee,  on  my  Knees  this 
Day  before  the  Lord,  is,  that  my  lovely  and  only  Son,  is 
again  the  last  Night  arrested  with  Convulsions,  and  the 
Life  of  the  Infant  is  exceedingly  in  Danger. 
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340  DIARY  OF  COTTON  MATHER 

This  morning,  the  Child  received  ahnost  a  miraculous 
Deliverance  from  Choaking,  by  a  Pin,  which  he  suck'd  out 
of  the  silver  Nipple  of  his  Bottel,  tho'  wee  know  not  how  it 
came  there. 

And  when  I  was  this  Day  (his  Fitts  being  this  Day,  more 
violently  than  ever  again  returned  upon  him)  resigning  the 
Child  imto  the  Lord,  a  strange  Thing  was  from  Heaven  said 
unto  mee:  my  Son  shall  yett  live,  and  after  this,  my  Faith 
was  tried,  by  the  Child's  falling  into  more  Conviilsions: 
but  the  Lord  sent  help  from  Heaven  against  them. 

But  there  was  a  further  Petition,  which  I  had  this 
Day,  to  carry  unto  the  Lord.  It  is  represented  unto  mee,  as 
if  my  Opportunities  to  glorify  my  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  were  like 
to  bee  much  abridged  and  abated,  if  not  almost  wholly 
extinguished:  that  thro'  the  Energy,  and  Subtilty  of  Satan, 
Prejudices  were  like  to  prevail  against  mee,  in  the  aposta- 
tizing Generation,  unto  such  a  Degree,  as  to  take  away  almost 
all  my  Advantages  of  being  serviceable:  that  whereas  I  had 
enjoy'd  singular  Advantages  to  do  good,  by  the  Way  of  the 
Press  People  were  now  prejudiced  against  mee  for  printing 
so  many  Books,  and  it  wUl  be  necessary  for  mee  to  desist 
from  the  Printing  of  any  more: 

For  this  cause,  I  now  cast  myself  prostrate  on  my  Study- 
floor,  with  my  sinful  Mouth,  in  the  Dust  before  the  Lord. 
I  adored  the  Free-Grace,  that  had  been  display'd,  in  grant- 
ing such  precious  and  matchless  Opportunities  of  glorifying 
the  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  unto  mee,  that  am  on  many  Accounts 
the  vilest  Person  in  all  New  England.  I  bewayled  the  Sins 
which  have  attended  mee,  especially  Vain-glory,  in  making 
use  of  my  Opportunities.  I  confessed  that  it  would  be 
every  way  just,  for  Heaven  to  strip  me  of  my  Opportunities. 
But  with  Tears  and  strong  Cries,  I  declared  unto  the  Lord, 
that  Hee  knew,  I  had  no  Desire,  no  Delight,  no  Study 
comparable  to  that  of  glorifying  my  Lord  Jesus  Christ;  I 
have  chosen  it  as  my  very  Heaven,  and  my  All.  I  earnestly 
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MARCH,     1699-1700  341 

besought  Him,  that  this  Desire,  which  His  own  Spirit  had 
produced  in  mee,  might  not  bee  defeated,  and  that  I  might 
not  bee  rejected  from  serving  Him,  in  such  Wayes  as  I  had 
already  served  Him.  It  was  now  told  mee  from  Heaven, 
that  the  Lord  will  yett  make  a  great  Use  of  mee,  and  that 
I  shall  have  greater  Opportunities  to  glorify  my  Lord  Jesus 
Christ,  than  ever  I  had. 

16  d.  I  m.  Satureday.  This  Day,  I  also  sett  apart  for 
the  Exercises  of  a  secret  Fast,  before  the  Lord,  on  the 
same  Occasions,  that  procured  my  being  the  last  week  so 
engaged. 

In  the  close  of  the  Day,  after  black  Dejections,  and  sore 
Discouragements,  I  cried  unto  the  Lord,  that  before  I 
broke  off,  Hee  would  give  mee  some  Token  of  His  accepting 
mee.  I  did  with  bitter  Anguish  of  Soul  confess  unto  the 
Lord,  that  if  I  should  not  be  left  unto  all  sort  of  Sin,  and 
Misery,  and  Confusion,  and  be  made  the  Astonishment  of 
all  the  Churches,  and  be  thrown  in  the  most  horrible  Tor- 
ments of  Hell  after  all,  it  would  bee  a  very  glorious,  and 
marvellous  Display  of  sovereign  Grace!  But  how  much  more 
would  the  Sovereignty  of  Divine  Grace  be  magnified,  if  such 
a  Wretch  as  I  am,  one  all  over  vile,  should  bee  employ'd  in 
eminent  Services  for  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ!  Nevertheless, 
His  Holy  Spirit,  had  inclined  mee,  to  make  choice  of  this, 
as  all  my  Salvation,  and  all  my  Desire.  And  now,  it  was 
again  unto  my  weeping  Soul  assured  from  Heaven,  that  it 
shall  not  be  denied  unto  mee. 

Behold,  how  the  Lord  is  mercifully  confuting  my  Fears 
of  being  imserviceable. 

Three  young  men,  in  our  Neighbourhood,  were  drowned 
about  this  Time.'  Observing  the  dreadful  Judgments  of 
God,  on  the  young  Men  of  New  England,  I  preached  a  Ser- 
mon on  this  Occasion.    The  Sermon  I  give  imto  the  Printers, 

>  Robert  Cunable,  William  Salter  and  Thomas  Comer  were  drowned,  and 
James  Tileston  saved.    The  party  went  gunning  in  a  canoe.    Sewall,  Diary,  n.  9. 

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342  DIARY  OF  COTTON  MATHER 

publish  it,  under  the  Title  of,  Things  that  Young  People 
SHOULD  THINK  UPON.'  I  am  not  without  Hopes,  that  the 
Lord  may  make  this  little  Book,  more  than  a  little  ser- 
viceable. 

Yea  I  understand  already  that  my  Hopes  have  not 
herein  deceived  mee. 

Moreover,  a  Gentleman  comes  to  mee,  with  a  Desire, 
that  I  would  write  a  Sheet  upon  the  horrid  Evil  of  debauch- 
ing the  Indians,  by  selling  Drink  unto  them;  a  Crime  com- 
mitted by  too  many  in  the  Countrey;  a  Crime  fruitful  in 
Wickedness  and  Confusion;  I  answered  his  Desire;  and  it 
is  published  under  the  Title  of,  A  Monitory  and  Hortatory 
Letter,  unto  those  English,  who  debauch  the  Indians,  by  selling 
strong  Drink  unto  them.  It  seems,  this  Letter  is  like  to  do 
more  good,  that  I  at  first  imagined.^ 

3  J.  2  w.  [April]  Wednesday.  This  Day  I  spent  in  the 
Duties  of  a  secret  THANKSGIVING.  The  Occasions, 
and  the  Exercises,  of  this  Day,  were  the  same,  that  I  have 
had  heretofore.  Only  the  peculiar  Character  of  the  Exer- 
cises which  I  this  Day  performed,  was  this.  I  considered 
the  various  and  marvellous  ANSWERS  of  PRAYERS, 
with  which  the  Favours  of  God  unto  mee,  had  been  sig- 
nalized. I  adored  the  Wisdome,  of  God,  in  appointing 
PRAYER,  to  be  the  Method  of  obtaining  and  receiving  His 
Favours,  and  the  Goodness  of  God,  in  bestowing  His  Favours, 
as  Answers  unto  Prayer.  I  bewayled  before  the  Lord,  the 
lamentable  Defects  of  my  own  Prayers,  both  as  to  the 
Frequency  of  them,  and  as  to  the  Fervency  of  them.  I 
ascribed  all  the  Successes  of  my  Prayers  wholly  unto  the 
Mediation,  and  Intercession  of  my  Lord  Jesus  Christ.  I 
gave  Thanks  unto  the  Holy  Spirit,  for  teaching  and  helping 
mee  to  Pray:  and  in  a  special  Manner,  for  the  glorious  and 
heavenly  Operation  of  His,  which  had  often  produced  the 

'  Printed  by  B.  Green  and  J.  Allen,  1700. 

'  No  printer's  name  is  attached  to  this  publication. 

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APRIL,    17  oo  343 

Divine  Raptures  of  a  particular  Faith,  in  my  Mind,  when  I 
have  been  pouring  out  my  Soul  in  Prayer  before  Him. 
I  proceeded  then  to  consider,  more  particular 

ANSWERS  of  PRAYERS. 

In  my  being  preserved  from  Sin,  and  advanced  in  Grace. 

In  the  undeserved  Prolongation  of  my  Life. 

In  the  unexpected  Preser\'ation  of  my  Health. 

In  my  arriving  to  the  Employment  of  a  Minister. 

In  the  miraculous  Freedome  of  my  Speech. 

In  the  vast  Congregations,  whereto  I  have  had  Oppor- 
tunities to  dispense  the  Gospel. 

In  the  remarkable  Assistences,  which  I  have  en  joy 'd 
from  time  to  time,  in  my  Ministrations. 

In  the  PubUcation,  and  Acceptation  which  my  many 
Writings  have  had,  in  both  Englands. 

In  my  extraordinary  Library,  and  the  Possession  of 
several  thousands  of  Books. 

In  a  desireable  Consort,  given  and  spared,  unto  mee  by 
the  great  Favour  of  the  Lord. 

In  three  Daughters,  and  now  at  last,  a  Son;  all  of  them 
wonderfidly  recovered  from  the  Jawes  of  Death. 

In  a  grown  and  a  great  Salary,  and  a  comfortable  Habi- 
tation. 

In  a  Reputation,  preserved  from  ill  Men,  and  embalmed 
with  good  Men. 

In  Mercies  obtained  for  others;  especially  the  Sick,  and 
many  Captives;  and  Salvations  to  the  Public,  in  Cries  to 
Heaven,  for  which,  I  have  been  often,  even  with  a  particular 
Faith,  concerned. 

By  way  of  Return  unto  the  Lord,  for  such  Answers  of 
Prayers,  I  resolved,  with  His  Help,  to  bee  more  abundant, 
more  diligent,  and  more  enlarged,  in  my  Prayers,  than  ever 
heretofore. 

Moreover,  in  the  Close  of  this  Day  the  Family-Meeting 
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344  DIARY  or  COTTON  MATHER 

of  the  Gentlemen  in  our  Neighbourhood,  came  to  be  in 
Course  at  my  House.  I  did  therefore,  without  imparting 
unto  them  in  the  least,  my  present  Employment,  make  the 
Devotions  of  the  Meeting  subservient  unto  the  Designs  of 
Thanksgiving  which  I  was  upon.  I  composed,  and  then 
imto  them  I  uttered  a  Discourse  on  Psal.  138.  3.  In  the  Day 
■when  I  cried,  thou  didst  answer  tnee:  handling  that  Case, 
how  a  Christian  should  make  a  profitable  Observation,  of  the 
Answers  where  with  his  Prayers  are  favoured ! 

4d.  2  m.  Thursday.    I  will  here  enter  an  Observation. 

I  was  many  wayes  tired,  and  spent,  and  faint;  especially 
with  torturing  Pains  in  my  Head,  which  have  diverse  Dayes 
molested  mee;  (such  as  I  have  so  often  foimd  praeludious 
imto  my  doing  some  special  Service  for  my  Lord  Jesus 
Christ,  that  I  cannot  but  have  particiilar  Thoughts  about 
the  Original  of  them.)  I  was  this  Day,  to  preach  Boston- 
Lecture;  but  so  extremely  feeble,  that  I  could  not  see,  how 
1  should  gett  comfortably  through  it. 

But,  thought  I;  the  Work  I  am  to  do  this  Day,  is  in 
a  very  peculiar  Marmer,  to  glorify  my  Lord  Jesus  Christ: 
I  am  to  discourse,  on  the  illustrious  Points,  wherein  the 
Invitation  of  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  is  to  be  endeavoured  by 
a  Christian,  and  therein  to  draw  a  charming  Picture  of  that 
Holy  and  Glorious  Lord.  Now,  certainly,  when  I  am  to 
praise,  and  serve  my  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  my  Lord  Jesus 
Christ  will  help  mee.  His  poor  Servant,  who  depend  wholly 
upon  Him.  His  good  Spirit,  who  deUghts  to  see  Him  glori- 
fied will,  come  and  help  mee;  His  good  Angel  will  with 
Delight,  come,  and  help  mee.  And  if  I  find  it  so,  then  I 
shall  bee  assured,  that  there  is  a  Christ,  and  that  it  is  a 
good  Thing  to  serve  Him. 

On  my  knees  in  my  Study,  before  my  going  abroad,  I  had 

a  strange  Particular  Faith  of  this  matter.    And  now,  when 

I  come  to  my  public  Services,  I  felt  a  wonderful  Force  from 

Heaven,  strengthening,  and  assisting,  and  enlarging  of  mee. 

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APRIL,     17  OO  345 

I  cannot  express,  the  heavenly  Efl&cacy,  that  I  felt  irradiating 
of  mee,  and  inspiring  a  powerful  Vigour  into  my  Ministra- 
tions. The  vast  Assembly,  which  were  come  together,  saw, 
that  the  Lord  was  with  mee  of  a  Truth. 

Now,  O  my  Soul,  feed,  feed  upon  these  Experiences! 

lod.  2  m.  My  httle  and  lovely  and  only  Son  is  visited 
with  a  Return  of  Convulsions,  which  greatly  threaten  his 
Life.  Diverse  Convulsions  do  this  Day  particularly  shake 
our  Hopes  of  the  Child's  Continuance  with  us.  But,  as  I 
was  in  the  Afternoon,  with  Distress  crying  to  the  Lord  for 
the  Child,  it  was  told  mee  from  Heaven,  that  the  Child 
should  yett  live.^ 

12,  d.  2  m.  Satureday.  I  sett  apart  this  Day  for  the 
Exercises  of  a  secret  Fast;  Exercises  indeed,  very  poorly 
managed.  Nothing  of  any  Consequence  for  mee  to  remem- 
ber, occurr'd  in  the  Day.  Only  that,  when  I  was  at  Prayer 
with  my  Family,  I  had  my  Heart  strangely  melted  with 
Assurances,  that  the  Lord  has  great  Blessings  in  store  for  my 
Family. 

14  d.  2  m.  Lord's-day.  At  the  Lord's  Table,  I  foimd  my 
Heart  strangely  transported,  with  a  Meditation  of  this 
Importance. 

I  not  only  desire  to  make  the  Imitation  of  the  Lord  Jesus 
Christ,  the  very  Character  of  my  Life:  but  there  is  a  further 
Article  of  Resemblance  to  Him,  whereto  I  desire  to  aspire 
exceedingly.  This  Town  and  Land,  has  in  it,  many  People, 
that  are  full  of  Enmity,  to  the  Interests  of  the  Lord  Jesus 
Christ;  and  if  Hee  were  on  Earth  again,  as  once  He  was, 
Hee  would  be  persecuted  with  wonderful  Malignity  from 
vast  Nimibers  of  people,  that  now  go  by  the  Name  of 
Christians.  By  my  Faithfulness  to  the  Interests  of  the  Lord 
Jesus  Christ,  and  of  Holiness,  and  of  that  Holy  Evangelical 
Church-state,  which  He  would  have  to  be  mentained,  I  can- 
not but  expose  myself,  to  a  deal  of  raging  and  railing  Malig- 

'  A  line  that  follows  is  struck  out. 

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346  DIARY  OF  COTTON  MATHER 

nity.  Well,  if  now  I  find  myself  hated,  by  them  that  hate 
the  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  or  that  hate  what  is  loved  by  the 
Lord  Jesus  Christ,  and  if  the  Reproaches  of  them,  that  would 
reproach  Him,  fall  upon  mee,  I  will  triumph  in  all  such  Con- 
formity to  Him,  as  being  indeed  good  for  me,  and  in  these 
my  Sufferings,  as  being  really  my  Honours,  and  my  Spirit 
will  gloriously  rejoice  in  God  my  Saviour. 

When  I  was  thus  thinking,  it  was  powerfully  sett  home 
upon  my  Heart,  that  I  have  in  this  Disposition,  an  infallible 
Symptome,  that  my  Lord  Jesus  Christ  will  ere  long  fetch 
me  away  to  heavenly  Glory,  and  that  He  will  glorify  me  with 
Himself  world  without  End. 

Memorandum.  The  Convulsions  upon  my  little  Son 
after  some  Respite,  now  return  upon  him.  There  seems 
very  much  Danger  in  the  Case.  But  in  my  Prayers  before 
the  Lord,  on  this  Occasion,  I  am  assured  from  Heaven,  that 
the  Child  shall  outlive  the  Danger. 

21  d.  2  OT.  Lords-Day.  May  I  make  an  humble  and 
thankful  Mention  of  the  Divine  Favour  to  mee,  the  Chief 
of  Sinners?  Lett  me  be  encouraged  in  contriving  and  labour- 
ing to  do  good  continually.  I  shall  at  some  Time  or  other 
see  the  Fruit  of  it. 

This  Day,  my  Barber  was  admitted  into  the  Communion 
of  my  Church.  But  he  gave  the  Church  this  Account,  that 
his  Attending  upon  mee,  and  my  continual  Dropping  of 
Counsils,  and  Warnings,  and  Lessons  upon  him,  was  the 
great  Means  of  his  Conversion  unto  God.  • 

This  Day,  my  Servant,  was  offered  unto  the  Communion 
of  my  Church.  But  in  the  Account  that  she  gave  to  the 
Church  of  her  Conversion,  she  Declared  her  living  in  my 
Family  to  have  been  the  Means  of  it,  and  that  she  should 
forever  bless  God  for  bringing  her  under  my  Roof.' 
j     Others  of  my  Servants  formerly  (and  almost  all  that  ever 

'  Daniel  Sowtcr  and  Stephen  Arnold  were  admitted  on  this  day. 
'  Sara  Winslcy. 

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APRIL,     1700  347 

lived  with  me,)  have  joined  unto  my  church,  while  they 
have  Uved  with  mee;  and  blessed  God  for  their  Living  in 
my  poor  sinful  Family. 

25  </.  2  OT.  Thursday.  This  Day  was  kept  as  a  pubHc 
Fast,  thro'  the  Province.  I  thought  it  was  intimated  unto 
me  from  Heaven  this  Day,  that  a  terrible  Thing  is  going  to 
be  done  upon  England:  And,  that  a  wonderful  Thing  shall 
yett  be  done  upon  France. 

Memorandum.  I  feared  my  Opportunities  to  be  ser- 
viceable, were  by  the  Devices  of  Satan,  brought  unto  an  End. 
This  poor  Man  cried  unto  the  Lord,  and  the  Lord  from 
Heaven  told  mee,  that  He  would  yett  employ  me  wonder- 
fully, in  service  for  Him.  Well,  I  find  my  Opportunities, 
to  grow  so  fast  upon  mee,  that  I  have  hardly  Strength  and 
Health  enough,  to  answer  them.  For,  besides  my  preach- 
ing to  very  great  Congregations  every  Lord's-Day  at  Home, 
I  am  continually  solUcited,  for  the  emitting  of  Composures 
to  do  good  abroad.  As  I  dispatch  them,  I  may  record 
something  of  them. 

In  this  Place,  I  will  only  record,  that  a  Gentleman  comes 
to  mee,  with  Desires,  that  I  would  write  a  pastoral  Letter 
unto  the  Indians;  apprehending,  that  it  will  be  greatly 
considered  among  them:  and  he  will  be  at  the  Expence  for 
its  being  translated  and  published.  Accordingly,  I  com- 
posed an  Address  to  the  Indians,  comprising  the  Sum  of  the 
glorious  Things  Reveled  unto  them  in  the  Gospel;  and  the 
Godly  Things  which  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ  expected  from 
them;  and  the  Snares  and  Sins  whereof  they  were  most  in 
Danger:  and  the  most  pimgent  Considerations  to  awaken 
them  unto  a  Sense  of  their  Duty  and  Interest.  It  is 
entituled:  An  Epistle  unto  the  Christian  Indians.* 

And  now,  the  next  thing  that  I  have  to  record,  is,  that 
I  had  no  sooner  finished,  a  Discourse  for  the  Lecture,  against 

'  Printed  by  B.  Green  and  J.  Alien,  1700.  The  title  states  it  was  written  at 
the  desire  of  "  an  English  Magistrate." 

Digitized  by  Microsoft® 


348  DIARY     or     COTTON     MATHER 

the  Sins  of  Evil-Speaking,  but  on  the  Evening  before  I 
preached  it,  I  received  a  Letter  from  one  in  Barmudaz, 
desiring  mee,  to  compose  and  publish  a  Discourse,  upon  the 
Sins  of  Evil  Speaking,  and  very  particularly  on  those  Errors, 
which  are  contrary  to  the,  Yea,  Yea,  Nay,  Nay,  required  by 
our  Lord  Jesus  Christ  in  our  Communication;  and  inform- 
ing mee,  that  he  had  sent  Money  to  pay  for  the  Impression. 
Surprized  at  this  Providence,  I  gave  my  Discourse  unto  the 
Bookseller,  adding  another  unto  it,  that  so  I  might  fully 
come  at  the  Sins  of  the  Tongue,  with  a  Cure  for  them. 
Accordingly,  it  is  published,  imder  the  Title  of,  The  Good 
Linguist,  or.  Directions  to  avoid  the  Sins  of  the  Tongue.  And 
the  wonderful  Work  of  God,  in  restoring,  and  enlarging  of 
my  once-fettered  Speech,  is  a  Consideration  that  much 
quickens  mee,  to  do  this  Work,  as  an  Expression  of  my 
Gratitude  unto  Him,  who  has  opened  my  Lips,  that  my 
Mouth  may  shew  forth  His  Praise. 

Memorandum.  The  terrible  Convulsions,  which  threaten 
the  Life  of  my  little,  and  lovely  Son,  do  now  grow  to  that 
Extremity,  as  to  render  his  Cure  little  short  of  desperate: 
all  Means,  and  Hopes  do  fail.  But  when  I  am  carrying 
and  resigning  the  Child  unto  the  Lord,  I  have  it  strangely 
assured  me  from  Heaven,  that  the  Child  shall  recover.  The 
good  Angel  of  the  Lord  has  told  me  so! 

II  d.  im.  [May]  Saturcday.  This  Day  I  am  with  Afflic- 
tion of  Soul,  thro'  Fasting,  at  Prayer,  in  secret  before  the 
Lord. 

The  Blessing  of  Heaven,  on  my  Family;  and  especially 
my  little  Son,  who  is  Visited  with  some  Return  of  his  Ill- 
ness; I  this  day  obtained. 

The  Blessing  of  Heaven,  on  my  Ministry;  especially  my 
Composures  going  to  the  Press,  and  my  Sermon,  at  the  next 
Election ;  I  this  Day  also  obtained. 

I  obtained  likewise  an  Assurance  from  Heaven,  that 
something  shall  befal  the  disorderly  Society  of  Innovators 

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MAY,    1700  349 

(now  causing  much  Temptation  and  Iniquity  in  the  Place,) 
that  shall  confirm  these  Churches  in  the  right  Wayes  of  the 
Lord. 

Finally,  prostrate  on  my  Study-floor,  in  the  Evening, 
I  obtained  Assurance  of  the  Lord,  that  the  Spirit  of  my 
Lord  Jesus  Christ,  will  yett  marvellously  fill  mee,  and 
I  shall  be  employ'd  in  eminent  Services  for  His  glorious 
Name. 

After  I  had  written  these  Things,  Matters  fell  out  a  little 
odly.  Our  Govemour,  the  Earl  of  Bellonwnt,  on  the  Monday 
following,  proposed,  that  (tho'  the  Representatives  of  the 
Province,  had  at  their  last  Session  desired,  that  instead  of 
a  Sermon  on  the  Day  of  the  Anniversary  Election,  there 
might  be  only  the  usual  weekly  Lecture  held  on  the  day  fol- 
lowing, and  preached  by  the  Minister,  to  whom  the  Lecture 
fell  in  Course,)  there  might  be  a  Sermon  according  to  the 
ancient  Custome  at  the  Opening  of  the  General  Court,  and 
that  such  a  Minister,  as  hee  then  (upon  a  particular  Fancy) 
named,  might  preach  it.  The  few  Counsellours  then  present, 
opposed  it  not;  and  so,  the  Secretary  sent  unto  that  Min- 
ister, to  attend  the  Service  expected.  My  Prayers  and 
Thoughts  about  my  Lecture  on  the  Day  after  the  Election, 
were  now  strangely  putt  by;  (the  Lecture  itself,  as  weU  as 
the  Preacher  of  it,  being  laid  aside.)  I  wondred,  what  should 
be  the  meaning  of  this  Thing.  But  retired  immediately, 
and  with  cheerfulness  resigned  all  my  Opportunities  of 
Glorifying  my  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  into  His  glorious  Hands; 
and  requested  of  the  Lord,  that  if  He  directed  the  Minister, 
who  was  desired,  instead  of  mee,  then  to  preach,  for  to 
answer  the  Desire,  Hee  would  graciously  and  mightily  assist 
that  Minister,  to  bring  more  Honour  unto  my  Lord  Jesus 
Christ,  than  I  should  have  done.  I  had  then  a  secret  Appre- 
hension, that  the  Lord  was  only  writing  a  Sentence  of  Death 
upon  my  Opportunity  to  serve  Him,  in  the  Presence  and 
Audience  of  my  whole  Countrey,  that  it  might  arrive  to  me. 
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350  DIARY  OF  COTTON  MATHEE 

in  the  issue,  with  more  significant  Circumstances.  Accord- 
ingly, it  came  to  pass;  the  Minister  applied  unto,  found  him- 
self unable  to  do,  what  was  ask'd  of  Him;  and  the  Govemour 
applied  himself  unto  mee;  making  His  Excuses,  that  he  was 
utterly  ignorant  of  my  having  been  [called]  to  preach  on  the 
Day  after  the  Election,  when  his  Curiosity,  to  hear  one  he 
had  never  heard,  led  him,  to  ask  another  to  preach  on 
the  Day  itself.  Wherefore  he  now  told  mee,  that  Hee,  and 
the  Council  must  come  to  mee  for  it:  Which  they  did. 
And  I  thereupon  prepared  a  Discourse,  to  bespeak  of  my 
Countrey,  our  hearty  Praises  imto  God,  for  His  matchless 
Favours  unto  us. 

Memorandum.  About  this  Time,  some  of  those  who 
had  been  the  scandalous  Disciples  and  Abettors  of  that 
horrid  Impostor,  who  went  from  hence  the  last  Winter,  did 
receive  Letters  from  him  in  London:  where,  t'was  thought, 
by  many,  he  would  have  been  so  conceled,  that  wee  should 
never  have  heard  further  from  him.  Hereupon,  those 
bewitched  Creatures,  began  a  new  Storm  of  Railing,  and 
Raving  against  me,  for  my  Scourging  that  Theef,  out  of  the 
Temple.  But  I  patiently  committed  the  matter  unto  the 
Lord;  entreating  Him,  that  I  might  yett  hear  and  see  some- 
thing, that  should  give  yett  more  Confusion  unto  these  my 
Adversaries. 

25  c?.  3  w.  Satureday.  I  sett  apart  this  Day,  for  Prayer 
with  Fasting  in  my  study;  to  obtain  the  Blessings  of  God 
on  my  Ministry,  and  Family:  and  particularly,  to  obtain 
His  Presence  with  mee,  in  m>'  Sermon  the  next  Week,  at  the 
Opening  of  the  Great  and  General  Assembly.  As  also,  to 
recomend  unto  the  Divine  Compassion,  the  Condition  of 
the  sick  Ministers  in  the  Countrey:  especially,  the  holy  and 
humble,  Mr.  Nch.  Hohart. 

Not  forgetting  my  several  special  Temptacons,  which 
call  for  continual  Cries  to  Heaven. 

This  Day,  considering,  that  it  might  prove  a  great  Ser- 

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MAY,     1700  35^ 

vice  unto  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  and  His  faithful  Ministers, 
and  His  Churches  and  Interests;  I  composed  a  Letter, 
which  I  directed  unto  the  People,  that  Sin  against,  and  Sin 
away  the  Gospel,  by  not  supporting  the  worthy  Preachers 
of  the  Gospel,  as  they  ought  to  be  supported.  Herein,  I 
not  only  expostulated  the  Case,  of  Peoples'  Cheating  and 
Starving  their  Ministers  (which  they  horribly  do,)  with 
somewhat  of  Pungency,  but  I  also  with  some  Artifice,  inter- 
wove Passages,  that  might  render  the  Ministers  themselves 
more  deserving  Persons,  than,  it  may  be,  some  of  them 
are.  I  entituled  it,  A  Monitory  Letter  concerning  the 
Maintainance  of  Able  and  Faithful  Ministers.  And  I  gave 
it  unto  a  Gentleman  in  my  Neighbourhood,  who  is  at  the 
Charge  of  printing  it,  with  particular  Methods,  to  disperse 
it  into  all  Parts  of  the  Coimtrey.' 

28  d.  3  m.  Tuesday.  I  sett  apart  this  Day,  for  solemn 
Thanksgiving  unto  the  Lord  in  secret  Places. 

Especially,  to  glorify  the  Lord,  for  the  precious  Oppor- 
tunities that  the  Lord  hath  given  me  to  glorify  Him. 
Nothing  remarkable  occurr'd. 

Memorandum.  That  vile  Lnpostor,  whose  fascinated 
Followers  have  been  my  outrageous  Enemies,  and  Revilers, 
always  told  us,  that  he  had  been  brought  up  imder  one  Mr. 
John  Earle,  the  worthy  Minister  of  Gosporte,  and  show'd  us 
a  Certificate  sign'd  as  by  that  Minister.  This  Day,  I  receive 
diverse  Letters  from  England,  which  detect  that  Impostor; 
and  one  especially  from  that  Mr.  John  Earle,  who  denies 
that  ever  he  knew  a  Man,  that  went  by  the  Name  of  Sam. 
May;  but  then  he  adds,  this  Fellowes  true  Name,  was,  Sam. 
Axel;  and  he  was  a  Brick-maker,  and  after  detection  in 
Immoralities,  was  gone  out  of  England;  and  he  left  a  Wife 
and  Family  in  deplorable  Circimistances  there,  (bringing  it 
seems  a  whore  with  him  hither,  under  the  Name  of  a  Wife !) 

In  receiving  this  Letter,  I  received  a  marvellous  Answer 

'  Printed  by  B.  Green  and  J.  Alien,  1709. 

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352  DIARY  OF  COTTON  MATHER 

of  Prayer,  The  Arrival  of  it,  was  highly  seasonable,  and 
serviceable. 

29  d.  3  tn.  Wednesday.  After  my  prayers,  and  my  Tears, 
and  my  raised  Faith  for  it,  prostrate  on  my  Study-floor,  I 
went  forth;  and  preached  unto  His  Excellency,  the  Coun- 
cil, and  the  Representatives,  a  Sermon,  on  the  Matchless 
Favours  of  God  unto  my  Countrey. 

Afterwards  on  this  Day,  and  the  day  following,  I  was 
instrumental,  to  do  several  Services,  for  the  Safety  and 
Welfare  of  the  Churches,  in  the  Assembly  of  Ministers  now 
convened. 

Moreover,  having  on  the  aimiversary  Day  of  our  Elec- 
tion, bespoke  the  hearty  Praises  of  my  Coimtrey  unto  the 
Lord,  for  His  matchless  Favours,  I  besought  the  Lord,  that 
Hee  would  manifest  His  Acceptance  of  my  Desires  to  glorify 
Him,  in  this  Essay,  by  making  it  accepted  among  His  People, 
and  bringing  about  such  a  Publication  of  it,  that  my  Coun- 
trey may  further  consider  it. 

Immediately,  the  House  of  Representatives,  voted  me 
Thanks  for  my  Sermon,  and  the  Publication  of  it  found 
Encouragement  among  them. 

So  I  gave  it  unto  the  Bookseller.  It  is  entituled,  A 
Pillar  of  Gratitude.  I  appendiced  unto  it,  an  account 
of  the  Fate  and  great  Success  of  the  Gospel  in  the  East- 
Indies.^ 

^d.  4  m.  [June.]  Tuesday.  Being  sent  by  the  Neighbour- 
ing Ministers,  I  went  unto  the  House  of  Representatives, 
and  made  a  Speech  unto  them,  relating  to  the  Methods  of 
procuring  a  Settlement  for  the  Colledge  which  is  now  lan- 
guishing. I  pen'd  my  Speech,  before  I  spoke  it,  and  giving 
the  Clerk  of  the  House,  a  Copy  of  it,  when  I  had  spoke  it, 
it  found  much  Acceptance,  and  was  of  no  little  Consequence. 

8  d.  4  m.  Satureday.  I  sett  apart  this  Day  for  Prayer, 
with  Fasting,  in  my  Study.    Especially  on  two  occasions. 

'  Printed  by  B.  Green  and  J.  Allen,  1700.    The  day  of  election  was  May  ag. 

Digitized  by  Microsoft® 


JUNE,    1700  3S3 

First,  I  this  Day  putt  up  my  Church-History,  and  pen 
down  Directions  about  the  publishing  of  it.  It  is  a  work  of 
near  300  sheets;  and  has  lain  by  me,  diverse  Years,  for  want 
of  a  fitt  Opportunity  to  send  it.  A  Gentleman,  just  now 
sailing  for  England,  imdertak.es  the  care  of  it;  and  by  his 
Hand  I  send  it  for  London. 

O  my  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  lett  thy  Good  Angels  accom- 
pany it! 

Secondly,  The  General  Assembly,  have  before  them, 
the  Case  of  the  Colledge;  upon  which  will  turn  or  fall  my 
Fathers  Voyage  to  England.  That  has  been  a  Point  of 
Particular  Faith,  marvellously  circimistanced. 

Lord,  Lord,  give  a  good  Issue  to  it. 

12  d.  4  OT.  Wednesday.  This  Day,  the  Lord  so  strength- 
ened mee,  that  I  rode  unto  Newiown,  about  nine  Miles  off, 
and  preached  and  pray'd,  with  a  Flock,  that  kept  a  Fast, 
for  the  Recovery  of  their  worthy  Minister  now  sick,  and  I 
returned  home  in  the  Evening. 

16  d.  4  m.  Lords-Day.  1  am  going  to  relate,  one  of  the 
most  astonishing  Things,  that  ever  befel  me,  in  all  the  Time 
of  my  Pilgrimage. 

A  Particular  Faith,  hath  been  unaccountably  produced, 
in  my  Father's  Heart,  and  in  my  own,  That  God  will  carry 
him  into  England,  and  there  give  him  a  short,  but  great 
Opportvmity,  to  glorify  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  before  his 
Entrance  into  the  heavenly  Kingdome. 

There  appears  no  Possibility  of  my  Fathers  going 
thither,  but  in  an  Agency,  to  obtain  a  Charter  for  our  Col- 
ledge. This  Matter  having  been  for  several  Years  upon 
the  very  Point  of  being  carried,  in  the  General  Assembly, 
hath  strangely  miscarried,  when  it  hath  come  to  the  Birth. 
It  is  now  again  before  the  Assembly,  in  Circumstances, 
wherein,  if  it  succeed  not,  it  is  never  like  to  be  revived  and 
resumed  any  more.  Sundry  Times,  many  Times,  when  I 
have  been  lately  spreading  the  Case  before  the  Lord,  with 
I  •  23  Digitized  by  Microsoft® 


354  DIARV  OF  COTTON  MATHER 

a  Faith  triumphantly  exercised  on  His  Power,  and  Wisdome, 
and  Goodness,  I  have  had  my  Assurances,  that  my  Father 
shall  yett  glorify  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ  in  England,  renewed 
unto  my  Amazement. 

But  the  Matter,  in  the  Assembly  being  likely  now  to 
come  unto  nothing,  I  was  this  Day  in  extreme  Distress  of 
Spirit  concerning  it.  My  Flesh  indeed  would  be  on  all 
Accounts  imaginable  against  my  Father's  Removal  from 
mee :  It  will  doubtless  plunge  mee  into  ten  thousand  Incon- 
veniencies.  But  my  Faith  on  the  other  side,  having  been 
so  supematurally  raised  for  it,  the  Thoughts  of  that's  being 
wholly  disappointed,  were  insupportable. 

After  I  had  finished  all  the  other  Duties  of  the  Day, 
I  did  in  my  Distress,  cast  myself  prostrate  on  my  Study- 
floor  before  the  Lord.  There  I  acknowledged  my  own 
manifold  and  horrible  Sinfulness,  and  my  Worthiness  by 
reason  of  that  Sinfulness  to  be  putt  off  with  Delusions,  and 
have  a  Serpent  given  to  mee,  when  I  ask'd  and  look'd  for 
the  Holy  Spirit.  Nevertheless,  I  that  am  Dust,  and  Ashes, 
and  worthy  to  be  made  so  by  Fire  from  Heaven,  crav'd 
Leave  to  plead  with  Heaven,  concerning  the  Matter  of  the 
Particular  Faith,  which  had  been  wrought  in  my  Mind,  as  I 
thought,  by  the  Lord's  own  holy  Operation.  I  pleaded, 
that  my  Lord  Jesus  Christ  had  invested  me  with  His 
own  glorious  Righteousness,  and  was  now  making  Inter- 
cession for  me  in  the  Holy  of  Holies;  and  because  of  His 
Interest  there,  I  might  approach  to  the  most  High  God, 
with  humble  Boldness,  as  to  a  prayer-hearing  Lord.  I 
spred  before  Him  the  Consequences  of  Things;  and  the 
present  Posture  and  Aspect  of  them;  and  having  told  the 
Lord,  that  I  had  alwayes  taken  a  particular  Faith,  to  be  a 
Work  of  Heaven  on  the  minds  of  the  Faithful:  but  if  it 
should  prove  a  Deceit,  in  that  remarkable  Instance,  which 
was  now  the  Cause  of  my  Agony,  I  should  be  cast  into  a 
most  wonderful  Confusion:  I  then  beg'd  of  the  Lord,  that 
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JUNE,    1700  3SS 

if  my  particular  Faith  about  my  Father's  Voyage  to  Eng- 
land, were  not  a  Delusion,  He  would  please  to  renew  it 
upon  mee. 

All  this  while,  my  Heart  had  the  Coldness  of  a  Stone 
upon  it,  and  the  Straitness  that  is  to  be  expected  from  the 
bare  Exercise  of  Reason.  But  now  all  on  the  Sudden,  I 
felt  an  inexpressible  Force  to  fall  on  my  Mind;  an  Afflattts 
that  cannot  be  described  in  words;  none  knowes  it,  but  he  that 
has  it;  if  an  Angd  from  Heaven  had  spoken  it  articulately 
to  me,  the  Communication  would  not  have  been  more 
powerful  and  perceptible.  It  was  told  mee,  that  the  Lord 
Jesxis  Christ,  lov'd  my  Father,  and  lov'd  me,  and  that  Hee 
took  Delight  in  us,  as  in  two  of  His  faithful  Servants;  and 
that  Hee  had  not  permitted  us  to  be  deceived  in  our  Par- 
ticular Faith;  but  that  my  Father  should  be  carried  into 
England,  and  there  glorify  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  before 
his  passing  into  Glory  and  that  there  shall  be  illustrious 
Revenues  of  Praise  to  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  from  our 
Particular  Faith  about  this  Concern;  and  that  I  shall  also 
live  to  see  it;  and  that  a  Sentence  of  Death  shall  be  written 
on  the  Effect,  and  Success  of  our  Particular  Faith,  but  the 
Lord  Jesus  Christ,  who  raises  the  Dead,  and  is  the  Resurrec- 
tion and  the  Life,  shall  give  a  new  Life  unto  it;  Hee  mil  do 
it,  Hee  will  do  it  I 

Having  left  a  Flood  of  Tears,  fetch'd  from  me  by  these 
Rayes  from  the  invisible  World,  on  my  study-floor,  I  rose 
and  went  unto  my  Chair.  There  I  took  up  my  Bible,  and 
the  first  place  that  I  opened,  was  at  Act.  27.  23,  24,  25. 
There  stood  by  me  the  Angel  of  God,  whose  I  am,  and  whom 
I  serve:  saying.  Fear  not,  thou  must  be  brought  before  Casar: 
I  beleeve  God,  that  it  shall  be  even  as  it  was  told  mee.  A 
new  Flood  of  Tears  immediately  gush'd  from  my  flow- 
ing Eyes;  and  I  broke  out,  into  these  Expressions; 
"What!  Shall  my  Father  yett  appear  before  Ccesar?    Has 

an  Angel  from  Heaven  told  me  so?    And  must  I  beleeve 

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356  DIARY  OF  COTTON  MATHER 

what  has  been  told  mee!    Well  then;  it  shall  be  so;  it 
shall  be  so! ' 

And  now  what  shall  I  say.  When  the  affayr  of  my 
Father's  Agency  after  this,  came  to  a  turning  Point  in  the 
Court,  it  strangely  miscarried:  All  came  to  nothing!  Some 
of  our  Tories,  had  so  wrought  upon  the  Govemour,  that  tho' 
he  had  first  moved  this  matter,  and  had  given  us  also  both 
Directions  and  Promises  about  it,  yett  he  now  (not  without 
base  imhandsomeness)  deserted  it.  The  Lt.  Govemour, 
who  had  formerly  been  for  it,  now  (not  without  great  Ebul- 
htions  of  unaccountable  Praejudice,  and  Ingratitude,)  ap- 
peared with  all  the  httle  Tricks,  imaginable  to  confound  it. 
It  had,  for  all  this,  been  carried,  had  not  some  of  the  Coun- 
cil been  inconveniently  call'd  off,  and  absent.  But  now, 
the  whole  Affayr  of  the  Colledge,  was  left  imto  the  Manage- 
ment of  the  E.  of  Bellomont.  So  that  aU  Expectation  of  a 
Voyage  for  my  Father  into  England  on  any  such  Occasion, 
is  utterly  at  an  End. 

What  shall  I  make  of  this  wonderful  Matter?   Wait !  Wait! 

There  have  been  several  Customes  in  my  Life,  which 
upon  Reflection  I  find,  I  have  not  inserted,  either  at  the 
Time  when  I  first  of  all  took  them  up,  nor  at  any  other 
Time.  And  yett  it  may  be  a  httle  instructive  to  my  Son, 
if  I  leave  some  Hint  concerning  some  of  them;  which  I  may 
do  as  well  in  this  Place,  perhaps  as  in  another,  and  bring  in 
here,  a  small  collection  of  Paralipomena,  under  the  Head  of 
Methods  of  pressing  after  Piety. 

From  my  Youth,  it  has  been  my  Frequent,  my  Daily 
practice,  to  make  occasional  Reflections,  or,  from  Occasions 
which  I  have  seen  in  Occurrences  before  me,  to  raise  Thoughts 
of  Piety,  and  these  mostly  by  finding  Similitudes  to  assist 
and  excite  such  Thoughts  in  those  Occurrences. 

'  Mather  proposed  to  publish  a  sheet  exhorting  masters  to  labor  for  the  con- 
version of  their  slaves,  but  he  did  not  carry  out  his  intention.  Sewall,  at  this  time, 
put  forth  his  5c//i»{  of  Josef  h,  Diary,  11.  16. 

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JULY,   1700  357 

These  occasional  Reflections  do  not  only  serve  me  very 
commonly,  to  carry  on  useful  Conferences,  made  savoury 
with  some  little  sort  of  Witt,  when  I  am  in  Company;  but 
they  are  also  a  delightful  Entertainment  imto  me,  when  I 
am  alone. 

But  at  length,  I  saw,  I  had  one  Opportimity  every  Day 
for  such  occasional  Reflections,  as  it  might  not  be  amiss  for 
me,  to  oblige  myself,  rarely  to  lett  pass  me,  without  them. 

I  was  once  emptying  the  Cistern  of  Nature,  and  making 
Water  at  the  Wall.  At  the  same  Time,  there  came  a  Dog, 
who  did  so  too,  before  me.  Thought  I;  "What  mean,  and 
vile  Things  are  the  Children  of  Men,  in  this  mortal  State! 
How  much  do  our  natural  Necessities  abase  us,  and  place  us 
in  some  regard,  on  the  same  Level  with  the  very  Dogs!" 

My  Thought  proceeded.  "Yett  I  will  be  a  more  noble 
Creature;  and  at  the  very  Time,  when  my  natural  Neces- 
sities debase  me  into  the  Condition  of  the  Beast,  my  Spirit 
shall  (I  say,  at  thai  very  Time  I)  rise  and  soar,  and  fly  up, 
towards  the  Employment  of  the  Angel." 

Accordingly,  I  resolved,  that  it  should  be  my  ordinary 
Practice,  whenever  I  step  to  answer  the  one  or  other  Neces- 
sity of  Nature,  to  make  it  an  Opportimity  of  shaping  in  my 
Mind,  some  holy,  noble,  divine  Thought;  usually,  by  way  of 
occasional  Reflection  on  some  sensible  Object  which  I  either 
then  have  before  me,  or  have  lately  had  so:  a  Thought  that 
may  leave  upon  my  Spirit,  some  further  Tincture  of  Piety  I 

And  I  have  done  according  to  this  Resolution! 

Be  sure,  the  loathsome  and  filthy  Nature  of  Sin,  and  the 
Method  of  Deliverance  from  it,  must  make  an  Article,  in 
some  Thousands  of  Thoughts,  on  these  Occasions. 

4  (f.  5  w.  [July\  Thursday.  This  Day,  in  a  very  great 
Assembly  of  Ministers,  the  Lord  helped  me,  in  a  large 
Speech,  to  bear  my  Testimony,  against  the  Attempts  now 
afoot  in  the  Countrey,  to  unhinge  our  Churches,  and  subvert 
and  confound  the  Order  for  the  Gospel  in  them. 
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358  DIARY  OF  COTTON  MATHER 

On  this  Occasion,  I  saw,  to  my  Sorrow,  that  there  was 
hardly  any  but  my  Father,  and  myself,  to  appear  with 
any  Strength  of  Argument,  or  Fortitude,  in  Defence  of 
our  invaded  Churches.  Wherefore,  I  thought  I  must  cry 
mightily  unto  the  Lord,  that  He  would  mercifully  direct  me, 
and  protect  me,  in  all  my  feeble,  but  faithful.  Endeavours  to 
serve  Him;  and  that  He  would  particularly  furnish  me  with 
Patience,  to  undergo  all  the  Obloquy,  whereto  my  Fidelity 
to  His  Interests  may  expose  me,  in  an  evil  Generation,  and 
preserve  me  from  all  the  Devices  of  Satan  ever  to  blast 
me  with  Reproaches,  that  may  at  all  incapacitate  me  for 
eminent  Serviceableness. 

I  also  thought,  that  if  it  be  the  Purpose  of  Heaven,  that 
the  Apostasy  shall  go  on,  they  that  will  vigorously  and  sig- 
nificantly stand  in  the  Way  of  that  Apostasy,  may  be  in 
danger  of  a  Stroke  from  the  Angel  of  Death,  that  so  a  Way 
may  he  made  for  the  Anger  of  God.  But  then,  I  resolved 
that  I  would  not  from  this  Consideration;  abate  of  my 
Oppositions,  to  the  sinful  Degeneracy,  No,  I  will  oppose 
it,  tho'  it  cost  me  my  Life!  Hereupon,  the  Lord  sent  into 
my  Spirit  a  sweet  Meditation,  and  Consolation,  that  my 
Life,  which  I  am  thus  willing  to  venture,  shall  the  rather  be 
prolonged;  and  my  Name,  which  I  thus  cast  overboard,  shall 
be  the  more  precious  in  the  Churches  of  the  Lord. 

However,  I  thought  it  my  Duty  and  Interest,  now  to 
spread,  my  own  Case,  with  that  of  the  Churches,  before  the 
Lord,  in  extraordinary  Supplications.    And  therefore, 

6d.  $m.  Satureday.  I  Sett  apart  this  Day,  for  Prayer 
with  Fasting,  in  my  Study. 

And  on  this  Day,  besides  the  other  Matters  of  Prayer,  I 
had  this  to  insist  upon;  that  my  Church-History  now  upon 
the  Waters,  may  be  preserved,  prospered,  pubUshed, 
accepted  and  serviceable  among  the  Churches  of  the  Lord. 

In  the  following  Week,  a  sore  Trial  came  upon  mee. 
The  General  Assembly  now  sitting,  did  with  a  wonderful 

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JULY,   17  oo  3S9 

Impetuosity,  demand  my  Father's  Removal  of  his  personal 
Residence  to  Cambridge,  inasmuch  as  they  now  renewed 
their  choice  of  him,  for  Prsesident  of  the  Coliedge  there.* 
He  left  the  Determination  of  the  Matter,  to  the  Vote  of  our 
Church;  and  our  Church,  by  their  Vote,  tho'  they  continued 
his  Relation  to  us,  yett  they  allowed  his  Removal  from  us. 
There  was  a  Coincidence  of  many  things,  to  incline  the 
Church  imto  such  a  Vote;  but  the  cheef  was,  the  Ferment 
and  the  Tumult  of  the  Coimtrey,  about  the  State  of  the  too- 
corrupted  Coliedge,  and  the  Danger  of  its  falling  into  ill 
Hands,  if  my  Father  should  not  have  answered  the  Cry  of 
the  PubUck  about  it.'  And  it  was  the  Apprehension  of  his 
best  Friends,  that  if  my  Father  had  now  declined  going 
to  Cambridge,  the  Clamour  and  Reproach  of  all  the  Land 
against  him,  would  have  been  insupportable;  he  must  have 
died  with  Infamy. 

My  Father,  upon  the  Vote  of  the  Church,  immediately, 
(the  next  week)  hastens  away,  to  reside  at  Cambridge.  But 
I  am  now  plunged  into  Distresses  of  two  sorts. 

1  "July  10.  Waited  on  Mr.  Mather  this  day,  at  three  in  the  Afternoon.  I 
told  him  the  Honor  of  Atbanasius,  Maluit  sedem  quam  Fidei  syllabam  mutare: 
Worthies  of  N.  E.  left  their  Houses  in  England,  and  came  hither  where  there  were 
none  to  preserve  Religion  in  its  Purity.  Put  him  in  mind  how  often'  God  had 
renewed  his  Call  to  this  work  which  was  to  be  consider'd.  That  [there]  were  19 
in  the  Coundl,  and  [he]  had  every  vote."    Sewall,  Diary,  n.  18. 

'"lit/.  5  m.  [July.]  The  Brethren  of  the  Church,  being  assembled  at  the 
Desire  of  the  Governor  and  the  General  Assembly,  and  Messengers  from  both 
Houses  in  the  Assembly  coming  to  them  with  a  motion,  that  they  would  consent 
unto  the  removal  of  their  Teacher's  Residence  to  the  CoUedge  in  Cambridge; 

"The  ensuing  Vote  was  passed. 

"Being  under  the  sense  of  the  great  Benefit  we  have  long  enjoy'd  by  the 
Labours  of  our  Rev'd  Pastor,  Mr.  Increase  Mather,  among  us,  it  must  needs  be 
imreasonable  and  impossible  for  us,  to  consent  that  his  Relation  to  us,  and  our 
enjoyment  of  him  and  them  should  cease. 

"Nevertheless,  the  Respect  we  have  to  the  Desire  and  Welfare  of  the  publick, 
does  compel  us  to  consent,  that  our  said  Pastor  may  so  remove  his  personal  Residence 
to  the  Coliedge  at  Cambridge,  as  may  be  consistent  with  the  continuance  of  his 
Relation  to  us,  and  his  Visits  of  us  with  his  publick  Administrations,  as  often  as 
his  Health  and  Strength  may  allow  it."  Cotton  Mather's  MS.  Records  of  the  Second 
Church,  n. 

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360  DIARY  OF  COTTON  MATHER 

First,  the  strangely  melancholy,  and  disconsolate,  Con- 
dition of  mind,  which  my  Father  has  carried  with  him  to 
Cambridge,  (the  place,  which  of  all  under  Heaven,  was  most 
abominable  to  him,)  fills  me  with  Fear,  what  may  be  the 
Event.  If  he  would  be  cheerful,  all  would  be  easy;  but 
his  Spirit  is  prodigiously  unfram'd,  unhing'd,  and  broken, 
and  if  the  Lord  be  not  very  merciful  to  Him,  the  Name  of 
the  Lord  Jesus  Christ  will  suffer  more  Dishonour  from  his 
Uneasiness,  than  I  am  willing  to  see.  Lord,  rate  off,  and 
Chain  up  the  Tempter,  that  falls  upon  my  poor  Father  with 
such  Molestations. 

Secondly.  I  am  now  left  alone,  in  the  Care  of  a  vast 
Congregation,  the  largest  in  all  these  Parts  of  the  World. 
I  am  afraid,  lest  now  they  grow  foolish,  and  froward,  and 
lest  the  Devices  of  Satan  may  some  way  or  other  prevail  to 
scatter  them,  or  lest  some  Distemper  arise  among  them. 
And,  I  am  feeble;  and  in  this  Town,  I  have  many  Enemies; 
indeed,  all  the  Enemies  of  the  evangeUcal  Interests,  are  mine. 
I  need  a  more  than  ordinary  Prudence,  and  Patience;  and 
the  Defence  of  Heaven. 

On  these  distressing  Occasions,  I  sett  apart, 

20  d.  5  m.  Satureday.  for  Prayer,  with  Fasting,  in  my 
Study. 

As  also,  that  I  might  again  solemnly  commit  into  the 
Hands  of  my  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  my  Church-History. 

Moreover,  having  seriously  considered,  how  useful  it 
might  be,  especially  to  some  sorts  of  People,  and  wanting 
a  little  Book,  to  leave  in  the  Families  of  my  Neighbours, 
where  I  make  my  pastoral  Visits,  I  was  willing  to  give  the 
Publick,  a  brief  Discourse,  demonstrating  to  Reason,  the 
Truth  of  the  Christian  Religion,  and  how  reasonable  a  thing 
tis,  to  conform  unto  the  Praecepts  of  it,  and  what  worse 
than  hruitish  Folly  is  discovered  in  Sinning  against  those 
Praecepts.  Accordingly  I  gave  such  a  Discourse  vmto  the 
Bookseller,   under  the  Title   of,  Reasonable  Religion; 

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ACGUST,     1700  361 

resolving  to  disperse  the  Books  where  I  come,  at  least 
after  the  rate  of  two  per  Week.' 

To  ask  a  Blessing  on  what  I  am  sending  to  the  Press, 
(especially,  my  Church-History,  gone  to  England!)  and  on 
such  Occasions  as  caused  me  to  be  this  day  fortnight  before 
the  Lord,  I  did,  on 

3  (/.  6  fw.  [August.]  Satureday.  Cry  to  the  Lord  with 
Fasting  and  Prayer,  in  my  Study. 

gd.6m.  Friday.  What,  what  shall  I  make,  of  a  Thing 
which  this  day  befel  me?  God  is  chastising  this  poor  Land, 
with  a  burning  Drought:  if  it  proceed  a  very  few  Dayes 
more,  we  cannot  escape  the  terrible  Famine.  I  call'd  for 
^xMxc  Fasting  and  Prayer  the  last  Week;  but,  alas,  thro' 
the  Indisposition  of  one  old  Minister  thereto,  it  could  not 
be  attended.  This  Week,  I  find  the  Heat,  and  my  Slothe, 
prevail  so  far  upon  me,  that  I  also  do  not  attend  what  I 
ought.  But  I  resolved,  that  I  would  sett  apart  this  Day 
for  Fasting  and  Prayer,  pecuharly  on  that  Occasion.  And 
when  I  was  this  Day  pouring  out  my  Supplications  before 
the  Lord,  I  humbly  pleaded  with  Him,  that  He  would,  thro' 
His  Christ,  accept  me,  as  an  Intercessor  for  His  Churches  in 
this  Wilderness,  inasmuch  as  I  had  many  wayes  apeared  for 
the  Defending  and  Preserving  of  His  evangeUcal  Interests 
in  these  Churches  and  suffered  a  world  of  Obloquy,  Calumny, 
and  Malignity  from  an  evil  World  for  my  doing  so.  I 
humbly  begged  of  Him,  that  He  would  permitt  me  to  inter- 
cede, for  the  Deliverance  of  His  Flocks,  from  the  Indigna- 
tion of  not  being  rained  upon,  inasmuch  as  I  had,  especially 
of  late,  bom  a  Testimony  to  the  Coimtrey,  against  that 
Sin  of  Ingratitude  and  Dishonesty  towards  their  Ministers, 
which  exposed  them  to  this  Indignation.  I  cried  unto  Him, 
that  he  would  give  me  a  Token  for  Good:  not  without  Hopes, 
that  my  Cries  were  heard.    Now,  behold  the  Issue!    The 

'  It  was  printed  by  T.  Green  for  B.  Eliot,  1700,  and  reprinted  in  London,  in 
1713,  with  a  preface  by  Dr.  Daniel  Williams. 

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362  DIARY  or  COTTON  MATHER 

Forenoon,  afforded  as  little  Prospect  of  Rain,  as  perhaps 
ever  was.  But  at  Noon  the  Clouds  gathered;  and  the 
Afternoon  was  all  spent  in  sweet  gentle,  soaking  Showers, 
which  were  a  plentiful  Releef  to  our  languishing  and  perish- 
ing Fields.  Qucere;  What  use  now,  should  I  make  of  this 
Experience?  For  better,  and  far  more  holy,  fruitful,  useful, 
and  prayerful  Christians  than  I,  were  elsewhere  praying 
this  Day  before  the  Lord,  as  well  as  I.  And  yett  it  is 
not  amiss  for  me,  humbly  to  receive  the  Consolations  of 
God.' 

After  this,  the  Lord  went  on  still  to  employ  me,  and 
comfort  me.  The  Drought  renewing,  the  Lecture  of  Boston, 
was  tum'd  into  a  Fast;  and  the  Minister  that  should  then 
have  preached,  asked  me  to  take  his  Turn.  Herein  I  had 
an  Opportunity  not  only  to  preach  unto  a  vast  Assembly, 

'  Cf.  Bradford,  History  (Deane),  141  n. 

"lid.  6m.  [Au%ust.]  This  Day  the  Church  had  uncomfortable  Occason  to 
pass  the  ensuing  Vote. 

"Whereas  it  appears,  that  Henry  Dawson  has  been  guilty  of  scandalous 
Drunkenness,  accompanied  with  strong  and  strange  Impoenitency,  and  has  refused 
this  Day  to  attend  upon  the  Church,  when  it  was  demanded  of  him;  it  shall  be 
signified  unto  him,  that  if  he  do  not  in  a  month's  Time  attend  the  Church,  with 
Expressions  of  Submission  and  Repentance,  the  Church  will  proceed  in  the  Name 
of  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ  to  pass  the  highest  Censure  upon  him. 

"This  vote  was  also  then  passed.  Whereas  Mr.  William  Pain  hath  withdrawn 
from  the  Communion  of  this  Church,  and  asked  afterwards  a  Recommendation 
to  the  New  Church  In  this  Town,  tho'  the  Church  cannot  approve  the  manner  of 
his  withdrawing  from  the  Society  wherewith  he  was  in  Covenant,  yett  the  Church  is 
alwayes  willing  to  accommodate  the  Desires  of  those,  who  judge  it  for  their  Edi- 
fication, to  remove  unto  any  other  Church  of  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ :  And  do  declare 
themselves  discharged  from  the  obligations  of  the  Covenant,  wherein  the  said  Mr. 
William  Pain  stood  related  unto  us. 

"  35  d.  6  m.  This  Day  Henry  Davison  appeared  before  the  Church,  expressing 
Sorrow,  both  for  his  Drunkenness  and  for  the  Obstinacy  and  Rebellion  against  the 
Church,  which  he  show'd  in  his  not  appearing  a  week  ago. 

"But  it  being  evident,  that  he  had  aggravated  his  crimes  by  going  to  extenuate 
them  with  Shuffling  and  lying  Evasions,  and  that  he  had  indulged  himself  in  too 
much  of  a  Course  of  excessive  Drinking,  and  it  being  also  generally  complained 
that  Idleness  and  Company-keeping  and  Promise-breaking,  and  evil-speaking,  had 
been  too  much  the  Character  of  his  Conversation,  the  Church  laid  him  under  the 
Censure  of  an  Admonition,  which  the  Pastor  now  dispensed  unto  him."  Cotton 
Mather's  MS.  Records  oj  the  Second  Church,  11. 

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SEPTEMBER,     170O  363 

beyond  what  would  have  been  on  another  Opportunity,  but 
also  to  speak  such  Things,  as  else  I  should  never  have  spoken 
unto  so  many  People.  I  enjoy'd  a  special  Presence  of  the 
Lord  with  me,  in  the  Service  of  the  Day:  and  on  the  Day 
following  I  saw  an  Answer.  Another  most  encouraging 
Return  of  Prayers  we  had,  in  most  plentiful  Showers,  for 
part  of  the  day,  and  all  of  the  Night  ensuing. 

Moreover,  having  preached  a  Sermon,  in  my  Course  on 
the  eleventh  Chapter  to  the  Eebrewes,  upon  the  Grace  dis- 
pensed unto  Rahab  the  Harlot,  the  Sermon  was  desired  by 
the  Hearers;  and  I  gave  it  unto  some  of  them,  who  pub- 
lished it.    The  Title  of  it,  is,  Grace  TRnmPHANx. 

30  d.  6  m.  Friday.  I  sett  apart  this  Day,  for  Cries  imto 
the  Lord;  especially  on  such  Matters  of  Humihation  and 
Supplication,  as  have  caused  me,  to  be  often  thus  of  late 
employ'd. 

But  very  particularly,  that  I  may  obtain  the  manifold 
Smiles  of  Heaven,  upon  a  Journey  unto  the  Northward, 
which  I  have  the  next  week  before  me. 

2d.  7  m.  [September.]  Munday.  This  Day,  I  travelled 
unto  Salem;  attended  with  two  yoimg  Gentlemen,  who 
kindly  offered,  as  my  Sons,  to  wait  upon  me.  On  the  Day 
following,  I  travelled  unto  Ipswich,  where  the  Ministers  of 
that  Vicinity  being  then  convened,  I  had  an  Opportunity 
to  do  several  Services  among  them.  On  the  Thursday,  I 
preached  the  Lecture  at  Ipswich,  to  a  very  great  Assembly 
with  a  very  great  Assistence.  On  Friday  I  retum'd  unto 
Salem.  On  the  Lord's-day,  I  preached  both  parts  of  the 
Day  at  Salem,  to  extraordinary  Auditories.  On  Monday  I 
returned  Home.  In  this  Journey  (even  beyond  what  in 
any  former  one,  that  I  can  remember)  I  have  had  so  much 
Comfort,  and  have  done  so  much  Service,  thro'  the  good 
Hand  of  God  upon  me,  that  I  have  cause  to  be  encouraged 
forever,  in  praying  over  a  Journey  before  I  imdertake  it. 

Moreover,  Observing  how  powerfully  the  Devices  of 

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364  DIARY  or  COTTON  MATHER 

Satan  are  operating,  to  bring  on  Apostasies  and  Innovations 
upon  our  Churches;  and  particularly,  a  Minister  of  some 
Note  in  the  Churches  for  his  Piety,  having  published  a  Book 
of  wretched  Novelties,^  which,  tho'  it  be  offensive  to  the 
generality  of  good  Men,  yett  is  entertain'd  with  Gladness 
by  a  carnal,  giddy,  rising  Generation:  I  thought  it  my  Duty, 
to  defend  the  Churches,  from  these  unhappy  Attempts 
against  them.  Wherefore,  I  wrote  a  Discourse,  entituled, 
A  Defence  of  Evangelical  Churches;  whereto  my 
Father  joined  with  me,  in  setting  his  Name. 

And  because  one  of  the  impious  Opinions,  advanced  by 
the  New-Modellers  of  our  Churches,  who  most  unjustly  call 
themselves  Presbyterians,  is,  that  Persons  who  know  them- 
selves ungodly,  yett  may  and  should  come  to  the  Lord's- 
Tahle,  I  adjoin  a  savoury  httle  Discourse,  of  Mr.  Quick,  a 
Reverend  Presbyterian  in  Ijmdon,  about  A  Claim  to  the 
Sacrament,  as  well  to  confute  our  pretended  Presbyterians, 
as  to  promote  practical  Godliness.  Now,  to  make  all  the 
more  effectual,  I  did  in  my  Journey  to  Salem  and  Ipswich, 
obtain  the  Hands,  of  many  elderly  Ministers,  in  the  County 
of  Essex,  to  approve,  and  attest  my  Undertaking.  So  I 
ga\e  the  Book  unto  the  Bookseller.' 

1 5  d .  7  OT.  Lord's-Day.  This  Day  among  other  Irradia- 
tions from  Heaven  upon  me,  I  had  my  Heart  strangely 
melted  in  my  public  Prayer,  before  the  Sermon,  (whereat  a 
great  Congregation  was  present,)  with  a  strange  and  strong 
Assurance,  which  I  then  expressed,  that  whereas  the  Religion 
of  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  thro'  the  Power  and  Malice  of  its 
Enemies,  and  the  evil  Dispositions  of  its  Professors,  is  in 

'  The  mention  of  Colraan  on  p.  377,  infra,  would  seem  to  point  to  a  volume  by 
him,  but  none  can  be  identified  as  answering  this  description.  It  is  more  likely  to 
have  been  Soloman  Stoddard's  Doctrine  of  Instituted  Churches.  Printed  in  1 700,  in 
London,  by  Ralph  Smith.     See  p.  384,  infra. 

'  John  Quick's  The  Young  Man's  Claim  unto  the  Sacrament  of  the  Lord'sSupper, 
in  a  second  impression,  with  the  minister's  attestation  and  a  defence  of  the  churches 
of  N'ew  England,  was  printed  in  this  year  by  B.  Green  and  J.  Allen,  for  Samuel 
Phillips. 

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SEPTEMBER,     170O  365 

extreme  Hazards,  throughout  Europe,  the  Lord  is  going  to 
do  an  amazing  thing  for  the  Preservation  of  it. 

After  I  had  thus  written  down  this  Thing,  there  did  on 
the  day  following  arrive  an  Article  of  Tidings  from  England, 
which  I  received  with  Astonishment,  as  containing  (I  be- 
leeve)  in  the  Bowels  of  it,  the  Accomphshment  of  all  that 
my  Faith  could  have  Expected.  This  was  the  Death  of  the 
D.  of  Glocester,  the  last  Branch  of  the  Family  of  the  Stuarts, 
and  the  great  Hope,  that  the  Enemies  of  the  Reformation 
had  their  dependence  upon.* 

Heaven  having  dealt  most  familiarly  and  favourably 
with  me,  I  must  expect  some  notable  Buffeting  from  Satan, 
either  in  Reproach,  or  in  Sickness,  or  in  Darkness. 

It  is  a  Time,  wherein  Fimerals  are  daily  celebrated 
and  multiplied  among  us.  Fevers  with  Fluxes  do  carry 
off  many  of  our  Neighbours.  My  Visits  of  the  sick,  do 
extremely  engross  my  Time,  and  threaten  my  Health.  I 
thought,  it  would  be  a  Thing  many  wayes  profitable  to  the 
Town,  if  I  would  preach  a  Sermon  at  the  Lecture,  on  that 
Case,  W/jo/  should  be  the  Carriage  of  a  Christian  at  a  Funeral? 
I  did  so,  (on  19  d.  7  m.  from  Eccl.  12.  5.)  and  the  Lord  made 
my  Labours  acceptable.  But  before  I  slept,  I  had  Cause  to 
fear,  whether  it  would  not  prove  my  own  Funeral-Sermon. 
I  was  that  Evening  taken  very  ill.  My  Blood,  contracting 
perhaps  a  Contagion  from  the  miserable  Chambers  of  the 
Sick,  which  I  had  so  often  visited,  was  cast  into  somewhat 
of  a  Feavour.  My  Spirits  were  strangely  languishing;  and 
I  was  hardly  able  to  do  any  Thing,  but  some  such  Thing  as  to 
read  a  httle  Book,  De  Satana  Colaphizante,  which  I  received 
from  Holland,  the  day  after  I  was  taken  sick.  On  the  Lord's- 
day  I  was  confined.  When  my  Feaver  was  conquered  with 
the  use  of  Antimonium  Diaphoreticum,  I  continued  under 
much  Affiction,  by  a  Tumour  in  my  right  Cheek;  which 

•William  (1689-1700),  son  of  Princess  Anne  (daughter  of  James  11)  and 
Prince  George  of  Denmark,  later  Duke  of  Cumberland. 

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366  DIAKY  OF  COTTON  UATHEE 

broke  not  untU  the  Friday  following.  Then  I  had  Ease; 
and  composed  a  Sermon,  on  Matt.  9.  12.  The  whole  have 
no  need  of  a  Physician,  but  they  that  are  sick.  I  was  not  able 
to  humble  myself  with  Prayer  and  Fasting.  But  in  Prayer 
I  enjoy'd  gracious  Illapses  from  Heaven.  And  I  feel  my 
Soul  filled  with  hvely  Resolutions,  to  glorify  my  Lord  Jesus 
Christ,  more  than  ever  heretofore.  On  the  Lord's-day  fol- 
lowing, I  enjoy'd  my  Father's  Help,  in  the  Administracon 
of  the  Eucharist;  and  I  did  myself  preach  in  the  Afternoon. 

But  behold,  how  it  pleases  my  Good  Lord,  still  to  order 
it,  that  nothing  shall  befal  me,  but  what  shall  be  serviceable 
imto  ffis  Interests!  The  Sermon,  which  I  preached  on  my 
going  abroad,  proved  so  awakening  and  acceptable,  unto 
some  of  my  Neighbours,  that  they  asked  me  for  a  Copy  of 
it.  I  gave  it  unto  them,  and  it  is  immediately  published, 
under  the  Title  of,  The  Great  Physician. 

5  d.  8  w.  [October^  Satureday.  My  charming  little 
Daughter  Nanny,  was  yesterday  taken  with  a  violent,  and 
a  threatening  Feavour,  which  began  with  a  terrible  Con- 
vulsion, whereof  the  Spectators  feared  that  she  never  would 
recover.  ' 

Seeing  the  Angd  of  Death,  to  stand  thus,  with  a  drawn 
Sword,  over  my  Family,  I  sett  apart  this  Day,  for  Prayer, 
with  Fasting,  on  that  Occasion.  When  I  was  resigning  the 
Child  unto  the  Lord,  and  professing  that  if  shee  might  not 
live  to  be  a  Servant  of  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  I  did  not 
ask  for  her  Life,  I  received  an  astonishing  Assurance  from 
Heaven,  that  the  Child  should  recover. 

Moreover,  the  Concern  of  my  Church-History,  that  it 
may  be  published  and  accepted  among  the  Churches  of  the 
Lord,  and  that  I  may  not  be  so  exceeding  unhappy,  as  to  lose 
the  vast  Pains  I  have  taken  in  composing  it,  lies  at  this  Time 
very  much  upon  my  Heart.  I  carry  this  Concern  unto  the 
Lord,  with  my  daily  Cries;  and  on  this  day  I  particularly 
do  so.  I  implore  that  my  Work  may  be  sprinkled  with  the 
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OCTOBER,     1700  367 

Blood  of  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  and  that  so  the  Lord  may 
make  use  of  it,  for  the  advantage  of  His  evangelical  Inter- 
ests, which  I  have  therein,  consulted,  thro'  His  Assistence, 
with  a  great  Variety  of  exquisite,  and  curious  Contrivance. 
I  submitt  imto  the  jtist  and  mse  Will  of  Heaven,  if  the  Lord 
will  make  no  use  of  these  my  poor  Labours,  among  His 
People;  for  He  knowes  what  will  do  most  Good,  and  I  am 
not  worthy  to  do  any  Good.  My  distressed  Mind  keeps  in 
Agonies  before  the  Lord,  pleading  Abundance  of  Things 
before  Him,  with  the  Exercise  of  such  Graces,  as  are  proper 
on  this  Occasion.  This  I  do,  until  I  think,  at  last,  it  is  told 
me  from  Heaven,  that  my  Church-History  shall  be  made 
serviceable  unto  the  Churches  of  the  Lord. 

8d.  8  m.  Tuesday.  This  Day,  I  spend  with  the  South- 
Church,  in  this  Town,  praying  and  Fasting  for  the  Life  of 
their  sick  Minister.' 

Memorandum.  The  Lord  this  Week  mercifully  grants 
a  Recovery  to  my  sick  Daughter;  yea,  and  a  more  speedy 
One,  than  the  Child  has  had,  from  her  two  such  Feavours, 
in  the  two  former  Years.  Thus  has  this  Child,  been 
strangely  several  Times  given  me  from  the  Dead! 

My  Son  also  is  recovered  of  his  Fitts,  diverse  Months 
ago,  and  more  than  so,  is  become  an  healthy  and  an  hearty 
Child. 

i6d.8m.  Wednesday.  This  Day  I  mett  with  an  odd 
Experiment!  I  have  indeed  often  mett  with  Things  not 
imlike  to  this;  but  partly  thro'  Slothfialness,  and  partly 
thro'  Business,  I  have  not  recorded  them,  as  I  should  have 
done,  when  I  observed  them. 

I  was  this  Afternoon  making  my  pastoral  Visits  imto  the 
Families  in  my  Neighbourhood;  a  Service  wherein  I  enjoy 
a  strange  Presence  and  Conduct  of  Heaven,  but  go  thro' 

•  The  fast  was  held  at  the  New  Meeting  house,  for  the  health  of  Dr.  Willard. 
Mather  prayed.  "Pretty  considerable  congregation,  it  being  so  sudden,  and  first 
intended  in  private."    Sewall,  Diary,  n.  23. 

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368  DIARY  OF  COTTON  MATHER 

very  spending  Labour.  In  these  Visits,  after  my  Discourses, 
I  left  Books  in  each  of  the  Families:  and  four  Books  had  I 
thus  given  away  this  Afternoon.  A  Thought  came  into  my 
mind;  Why  should  I  putt  myself  to  this  Expence?  Perhaps  I 
overdo:  no  other  Minister  in  the  Land  would  so  do:  Perhaps 
it  would  not  be  amiss  for  me,  to  forbear  this  expensive  Way 
of  serving  my  Flock  I  I  check'd  this  Thought:  And  I  had 
immediately  an  Impulse  upon  my  mind,  that  I  should 
quickly  see  something,  to  encourage  my  doing  what  I  do, 
and  to  testify  that  God  accepts  it.  Well;  passing  along  the 
Street,  a  sudden  Inclination  took  me,  to  step  into  an  House 
of  a  Gentlewoman,  who  had  been  a  long  time  in  a  disconso- 
late Widowhood;  I  thought  it  would  be  pure  Religion  to 
visit  her.  I  did  so;  and  she  told  mee,  that  she  had  a  Parcel 
of  Books,  which  once  belong'd  unto  the  Library  of  our 
famous  old  Mr.  Chancey; '  and  if  I  would  please  to  take  them, 
she  should  count  herself  highly  gratified,  in  their  being  so 
well  bestowed.  I  singled  out,  about  forty  Books,  and  some 
of  them  large  Ones,  which  were  now  added  imto  my  Library, 
that  has  already  between  two  and  three  thousand  in  it,  and 
several  of  them,  will  be  greatly  useful  to  me,  in  my  Design 
of  writing  Illustrations  upon  the  divine  Oracles.  Behold 
how  the  Lord  smiles  upon  me! 

24  d.  8  m.  Thursday.  I  sett  apart  this  Day,  for  Prayer 
with  Fasting,  in  my  Study.  Besides  the  other  Occasions 
for  my  keeping  this  Day,  which  were  the  same  that  have 
obliged  me  thus  to  keep  some  of  those,  that  I  have  already 
mentioned,  I  was  especially  now  concerned  for  my  Consort. 
She  has  in  some  former  Years  been  terribly  sometimes 
visited  her  with  a  sore  Throat,  and  such  Tumour,  and  such 
Dolour  and  such  Danger  of  Choaking,  and  such  Exhausting 
of  her  Strength  with  it,  as  is  not  common.  She  is  this  week 
languishing  under  that  Malady,  until  it  is  very  near  too 

'  Charles  Chauncy  (1592-1673),  of  Scituate,  and  president  of  Har\'ard  College, 
1654-1672. 

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OCTOBEK,     1700  369 

hard  for  her.  Wherefore  I  sett  myself  this  Day  to  cry  unto 
the  Lord,  on  her  behalf.  And  behold!  I  serve  a  Good  Lord, 
who  will  deny  me  nothing.  On  this  very  Day,  the  Tide  of 
the  Distemper  turned  with  her,  and  she  immediately  and 
comfortably  recovered. 

About  this  Time,  our  Booksellers  reprinting  the  Excel- 
lent Janewayes  Token  for  Children,^  I  was  willing  to  charm 
the  Children  of  New  England  unto  the  Fear  of  God,  with 
the  Exeraples  of  some  Children  that  were  exemplary  for  it, 
in  this  Countrey,  and  being  furnished  with  six  or  seven 
remarkable  Narratives,  I  putt  them  into  shape,  and  gave 
the  little  Book  unto  the  Booksellers.  Tis  Entituled,  A 
Token  for  the  Children  of  New  England.' 

iSd.Sm.  Monday.  This  Evening,  my  Family  received 
an  extraordinary  Deliverance.  My  lovely  Daughter  Nibby, 
was  alone,  and  while  she  was  thus  alone,  the  Candle  some 
how  sett  her  Head-gear  on  a  hght  Fire.  The  Child  was 
neither  able  to  help  herself,  nor  to  cry  out  for  Help;  the 
Flame  consumed  all  before  it  and  was  just  come  as  far  as 
her  Head.  In  one  Quarter  of  a  Minute  more,  the  Child 
had  been  destroy 'd;  but  a  Person  accidentally  then  passing 
by  the  Window,  just  in  the  Nick  of  Time,  saw  thro'  the 
Window  an  unusual  Blaze;  and  running  in  most  happily, 
not  only  v/as  the  Child's  Life  saved,  but  also  she  gott  no 
manner  of  Hurt. 

What  shall  I  render  to  the  Lord,  for  such  a  wonderful 
Salvation?  Truly,  I  will  study  and  contrive  some  special 
Return  of  Gratitude,  unto  the  Saviour  of  my  Child. 

About  this  Time,  I  was  desired  by  one  of  our  Judges,  to 
entertain  our  Churches,  with  an  historical  Accoimt  of  the 
Greek  Churches;  the  Oppressions  and  Corruptions  under 
which  they  are  languishing;  and  the  astonishing  Dispen- 

'  Issued  in  two  parts,  the  first  for  N.  Boone,  and  the  second  for  Benjamin  Eliot, 
by  T.  Green.  James  Janeway  (i636?-i674)  was  a  non-conformist  divine  in 
London.    His  Token  "still  enjoys  a  reputation." 

•Printed  by  Timothy  Green  for  B.  Eliot,  1700. 

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370  DIARY  OP  COTTON  MATHEH 

sations  of  Heaven  towards  them.  The  Composure  cost 
me  some  Study,  but  I  foresaw  an  Opportunity  therein,  to 
bespeak  the  more  lively  Prayers  of  Good  Men,  for  those 
miserable  Churches,  and  caution  our  own  Churches  against 
a  Degeneracy  into  their  woful  Circumstances,  and  glorify 
the  Justice,  the  Power,  the  Wisdome,  and  the  Truth  of  the 
Lord  Jesus  Christ,  in  His  Dispensations,  towards  Churches 
that  have  offended  Him.  Accordingly,  I  composed  the 
Book  under  this  Title,  American  Tears  upon  the  Ruines 
or  the  Greek  Churches:  and  my  Honourable  Friend,  is 
at  the  Charge  of  publishing  it. 

Moreover,  a  very  charming  Relation,  of  Conversion 
made  by  a  Jew,  one  Shalome  Ben  Shalomoh,  at  his  joining 
lately  to  a  Congregational  Church  in  London,  falling  into 
our  Hands,  I  foresaw,  many  Advantages  to  glorify  the 
Lord  Jesus  Christ,  by  the  Reprinting  of  it.  Wherefore 
composing  a  prseface  to  make  the  Transition  agreeable,  I 
procured  this  to  be  added,  as  an  Appendix  to  the  Book  of 
the  Greek  Churches.^ 

And  now  also,  having  lately  preached  a  Sermon,  imto 
one  of  our  Young-mens  Meetings,  on  the  Evening  after  the 
other  Services  of  the  Lords-day  were  ended;  a  Sermon  about, 
and  against  the  Evil  of  Apostasy  from  Good  Beginnings  in 
Religion;  the  young  Men,  were  so  moved  with  what  they 
heard,  that  they  ask'd  me  for  a  Copy  of  my  Sermon,  resolv- 
ing to  publish  it.  It  was  on  Heb.  lo.  39.  Accordingly  I 
gave  it  unto  them;  and  I  entituled  it.  The  young  Mans 
Monitor.' 

15  (f.  9  w.  [November.]  Wednesday.  It  is  a  Time  of  much 
Affliction  in  the  Town,  by  malignant  Colds,  and  Coughs, 
which  are  become  so  epidemical  that  there  is  hardly  a  Family 
free  from  sore  Inconvenience  by  them.'    I  am  creepled  with 

'  Printed  by  B.  Green  and  J.  Allen,  1701,  and  sold  by  Samuel  Sew&U,  Jr.  The 
judge  was  probably  Samuel  Sewall. 

'  Printed  by  B.  Green  and  J.  Allen,  1700. 

'  Sewall,  Diary,  n.  35,  records  a  number  of  deaths. 

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NOVEMBER,     17OO  371 

an  afflictive  share  in  this  common  Calamity;  yet  not  so,  as 
to  be  wholly  taken  off  my  public  Services.  But  in  my 
Family,  we  are  almost  all  sick;  especially  my  Daughter 
Katy,  who  is  arrested  with  a  very  violent  Feavour. 

On  this  Occasion,  I  sett  myself  this  Day,  to  observe  the 
Duties  of  a  Fast  in  secret  before  the  Lord.  And  the  Lord, 
immediately  gave  an  Answer,  by  an  imexpected  Removal 
of  the  Feaver,  from  the  sick  Child;  and  in  the  Abatement 
of  the  Illness  on  the  rest  of  us. 

But  this  was  not  all  the  Occasion  of  my  being  thus  before 
the  Lord.  Some  Years  ago,  a  very  wicked  Sort  of  a  Sad- 
ducee  in  this  Town,  raking  together  a  crue  of  Libels,  which 
he  had  written  at  several  Times,  (especially  relating  to  the 
Wonders  of  the  Invisible  World,  which  have  been  among  us) 
wherein  I  am  the  cheef  Butt  of  his  Malice,  (tho'  many  other 
better  Servants  of  the  Lord,  are  also  most  maliciously 
abused  by  him:)  he  sent  this  vile  Volume  to  London,  to  be 
published.  Now,  tho'  I  had  often,  and  often  cried  unto  the 
Lord,  that  the  Cup,  of  this  Man's  abominable  Bundle  of 
Lies,  written  on  purpose,  with  a  Quil  under  a  special  Energy 
and  Management  of  Satan,  to  damnify  my  precious  Oppor- 
tunities of  Glorifying  my  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  might  pass  from 
me;  Yett,  in  this  point,  the  Lord  has  denied  my  Request: 
the  Book  is  printed,  and  the  Impression  is  this  week  arrived 
here.  The  Books,  that  I  have  sent  over  into  England,  with 
a  Design  to  glorify  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  are  not  published, 
but  strangely  Delayed;  and  the  Books,  that  are  sent  over 
to  viUfy  me,  and  render  me  incapable  to  Glorify  the  Lord 
Jesus  Christ,  these  are  pubhshed.* 

I  sett  myself  to  humble  myself  before  the  Lord  under 
these  humbling,  and  wonderous  Dispensations,  and  obtain 
the  Pardon  of  my  Sins,  that  have  rendred  me  worthy  of  such 
Dispensations.  I  also  sett  myself,  to  beseech  the  Lord, 
that  He  would   assist  me,  with   His  Grace,  to  carry  it 

'Robert  Calef  was  the  "Sadducee." 

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372  DIARY  OF  COTTON  MATHER 

prudently  and  patiently,  and  not  give  way  to  any  Distemper, 
under  the  Buffets,  which  are  now  likely  to  be  given  unto  me, 
but  imitate  and  represent  the  Gentleness  of  my  Saviour. 

And  I  resigned  the  whole  Matter  imto  the  Lord,  pray- 
ing that  my  Opportunities  to  glorify  my  Lord  Jesus  Christ, 
might  not  be  prejudiced. 

Other  Supplications,  proper  on  this  Occasion,  I  carri'd 
before  the  Lord.  And  a  sweet  Calm  was  produced  in  my 
Mind.  I  am  assured,  there  will  faU  out  a  remarkable 
Thing. 

21  d.  gm.  Thursday.  This  was  a  publick  Day  of  Tlianks- 
giving,  throughout  the  Province.  Among  other  Things, 
which  I  did,  and  thought,  in  the  Exercises  of  the  Day,  I 
took  up  this  Resolution. 

That  for  the  Future,  my  Evening-Prayers  both  in  my 
Family,  and  in  my  Study,  every  day,  shall  be  mostly  made 
up  of  Thanksgiving.  It  may  perhaps  be  singularly  accept- 
able to  Heaven,  and  profitable  to  myself,  if  I  make  my 
evening  Sacrifices  for  the  Time  to  come,  to  have  [a]  more 
elevated  Note  of  Thanksgiving  upon  them,  and  consist 
mainly  in  Praising  and  Blessing  of  God. 

I  have  an  Opportunity,  here  to  insert  a  remarkable 
Passage,  which  fell  out,  about  this  Time. 

There  was  an  old  Man,  (called,  Ferdinando  Turyl) 
scarce  known  to  me,  or  but  very  little  in  my  Knowledge. 

On  a  Satureday-night  (28  d.  7  m.)  I  was  very  strongly 
accosted  in  my  Sleep,  with  a  Dream,  of  this  Importance. 
That  this  old  Man  was  brought  into  my  Sight,  and  that  it 
was  (I  know  not  how)  said  unto  me,  take  Notice  of  this  old 
man,  speak  to  him,  do  for  him!  On  the  Day  following,  I 
saw  the  old  Man,  at  our  public  Sermons,  very  attentive; 
(where  I  suppose  he  had  rarely  attended.)  On  the  Day 
after  this,  I  mett  the  old  Man  in  the  Street,  and  I  lett  fall 
some  such  Words  as  these  unto  him;  How  d'  ye  do,  Old  Man! 
I  am  glad  for  to  see  you  still  in  this  World;  I  pray  God,  pra- 

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DECEMBER,     170O  373 

pare  you  for  another!  I  suppose,  it  won't  be  long  before  you 
are  called  away;  Can  I  do  you  no  Service!  And  so  I  turned 
from  him.  On  the  Day  after  that,  the  old  Man  came  to  me, 
at  my  House:  and  I  then  instructed  him,  how  to  praepare 
for  Death;  and  I  gave  him  a  httle  Book,  (of  Grace  Trium- 
phant,) further  to  assist  him  in  it:  adding  a  Peece  of  Money 
to  encourage  him.  Afterwards,  he  came  to  me  several 
Times;  but  in  about  seven  Weeks,  after  our  first  Interview, 
he  dyed  suddenly.  Going  to  his  Funeral,  I  was  told,  (from 
some  who  did  not  understand,  how  much  I  had  been  con- 
cerned for  him,)  and  afterwards,  I  had  it  more  fully  reported 
unto  me,  from  the  People  of  the  House,  where  the  old  Man 
lived,  that  he  had  been  a  poor  carnal  sorry  Old  man,  imtil 
near  seven  Weeks,  before  he  dyed;  but  in  his  last  six  or 
seven  Weeks,  they  had  observed  a  wonderful  Change  upon 
him;  he  spent  his  whole  Time  in  praying  and  reading,  and 
the  little  Book  (of,  Grace  Triumphant,)  was  his  continual 
Companion  Day  and  Night;  they  never  saw  a  man  so 
altered;  and  they  are  verily  perswaded  he  dyed  a  regen- 
erate Man. 

Truly,  I  have  several  Times  observed,  that  God  hath 
strangely  stirred  up  my  Heart  sometimes  to  visit  Persons, 
that  were  Strangers  to  me,  and  employ  very  particular 
Methods  to  excite  and  assist  their  giving  themselves  up  to 
Him,  in  His  Covenant,  And  they  have  presently  after 
dyed  with  great  Symptomes  of  Regeneration  upon  them. 

4  d.  10  m.  [December.]  Wednesday.  My  pious  Neighbours, 
are  so  provoked,  at  the  diabolical  Wickedness,  of  the  Man, 
who  has  pubUshed  a  Volumn  of  Libels  against  my  Father 
and  myself,  that  they  sett  apart  whole  Dayes  of  Prayer,  to 
complain  unto  God  against  him;  and  this  Day  particularly. 

Wherefore  I  also  sett  apart  this  Day  for  Prayer  in  my 
Study,  (but  in  the  Afternoon,  I  went  and  pray'd  and  preach'd 
with  my  Neighbours;)  on  that  Occasion. 

I  hmnbled  myself  before  the  Lord,  and  confessed  and 
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374  DIARY     OF     COTTON     MATHER 

bewayled  my  Sins,  which  gave  a  Triumph  imto  His  Justice, 
in  the  humbhng  Dispensation,  which  was  now  upon  mee; 
and  I  cried  unto  Him,  that  I  might  be  supported  under  it, 
and  it  might  be  sanctified  unto  me;  and  that  my  precious 
Oppwrtimities  to  glorify  my  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  might  be 
preserved.    So  I  left  the  Matter  with  the  Lord. 

My  Consort  also  now  being  near  her  Time,  I  carried 
unto  the  Lord,  her  Condition,  that  all  the  Circimastances  of 
it  might  be  ordered  in  very  Faithfulness.  I  beleeve  I  am 
heard  in  this  Matter. 

11  d.  lo  m.  Wednesday.  I  address'd  the  Lord  again  this 
Day,  with  Prayer  and  Fasting,  as  I  did  this  day  se'nnight; 
and  on  the  same  Occasions. 

On  the  Morning  of  this  Day,  it  was  in  a  manner  imutter- 
able  told  me,  (as  I  suppose,)  by  the  Angel  of  the  Lord,  that 
before  many  Hours  are  out,  I  shall  receive  some  spedal  and 
signal  Tokens  of  the  Divine  Favour  to  me. 

One  Design  of  my  being  thus  before  the  Lord  this  Day, 
was  to  obtain  His  Presence  with  me,  in  my  Lecture  to 
morrow. 

12  d.  lom.  Thursday.  I  en  joy 'd  a  special  Presence  of 
the  Lord  with  me,  in  my  Lecture  this  Day.  A  vast  Assem- 
bly came  together;  and  the  whole  People  of  God,  in  the 
Place,  were  desirous  to  observe  my  Temper,  and  Car- 
riage, and  Conduct  under  my  present  Exercises.  God 
helped  me  this  Day  to  exemplify  the  Spirit  of  the  Lord 
Jesus  Christ,  unto  His  People,  and  represent  that  Patience, 
and  Courage,  and  those  Aspirations  after  universal  Holi- 
ness, in  my  enduring  of  Buffets  from  Satan  for  my  Testi- 
monies to  the  evangelical  Interests,  that,  I  hope,  the  Lord 
is  glorified. 

Now,  on  this  Day,  I  received  also  two  Tokens  more  of 
the  Divine  Favour  to  me. 

First,  I  received  Letters  from  England,  which  advise  me 
of  the  Lords  having  accepted  (and  Published)  some  of  my 
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DECEMBER,     170O  375 

poor  Composures,  which  I  sent  iinto  London  a  long  while 
ago,  and  made  many  Prayers  over,  but  they  have  until  now 
lain  buried  there,  so  that  I  could  not  leam  what  was  become 
of  them. 

Secondly,  I  received  likewise  Letters  from  England,  full 
of  Encouragement,  concerning  the  hopeful  Circumstances  of 
my  Church-History. 

But  this  is  not  all:  for  on  the  Day  following, 

13  (i.  10  m.  Friday.  My  Consort  fell  into  her  Travail. 
It  was  in  the  day  Time,  and  in  a  temperate  and  moder- 
ate Season.  AH  the  Circumstances  of  her  Condition  were 
ordered  in  very  Faithfulness.  The  Lord  gave  her  a  good 
Time;  and  enriched  us  with  the  Birth  of  another  Son,  about 
four  a  clock  in  the  Afternoon;  a  lovely  and  a  lusty  Infant. 

On  the  Lord's  day  following,  I  baptized  him,  and  I 
call'd  his  Name  Samuel,  and  /  gave  him  unto  the  Lord,  as 
long  as  hee  lives. 

About  this  Time,  there  arrives  from  N.  York,  an  Impres- 
sion of  a  Pamphlet,  written,  tis  said  in  the  Title-page,  by 
sundry  Ministers.^  It  is  published  by  certain  People  of  the 
Manifesto-Chuich  in  this  Town;  and  intended  for  their 
Defence,  in  their  Deviations  from  the  Order  of  the  Gospel. 
But  the  wonderful  Judgment  of  God,  has  in  this  Action, 
left  that  miserable  People,  to  a  strange  Infatuation;  for 

'  This  pamphlet  of  forty  pages,  printed  by  William  Bradford  in  New  York, 
carried  the  title  "  Gospel  Order  revived,  being  an  Answer  to  a  Book  lately  set  forth 
by  the  Reverend  Increase  Mather,"  and  an  advertisement:  "The  Reader  is  desired 
to  take  Notice  that  the  Press  in  Boston  is  so  much  under  the  aw  of  the  Reverend 
Author,  whom  we  answer,  and  his  Friends,  that  we  could  not  obtain  of  the  Printer 
there  to  print  the  following  Sheets,  which  is  the  only  true  Reason  why  we  have 
sent  the  Copy  so  far  for  its  Impression  and  where  it  was  printed  with  some  Diffi- 
culty." The  authorship  has  been  attributed  to  the  Rev.  John  Woodbridge, 
Benjamin  Colman  and  Simon  Bradstreet.  It  was  answered  by  a  Printers  Adver- 
tisement, December  21,  1700,  issued  by  Bartholomew  Green,  and  containing 
depositions  by  Thomas  Brattle,  Zechariah  Tuthill,  John  Mico,  Green  and  others, 
with  four  pages  of  "remarlts"  written  but  not  signed  by  Cotton  Mather.  See 
Brinley  Catalogue,  lots  773,  774.  This  controversy  is  described  in  Quincy,  History 
of  Harvard  University,  i.  ch.  vii. 

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376  DIARY  OF  COTTON  MATHER 

their  Pamphlet,  (which  is  against  my  Father  and  myself, 
and  the  Churches  of  New  England)  not  only  violates  the 
third,  the  ninth  and  the  fifth  Commandment  in  most  scan- 
dalous Instances,  but  also  burlesques  the  Holy  Churches 
of  the  Lord,  and  what  is  practised  in  them,  with  most  pro- 
fane, but  yett  siUy,  Scofts,  and  Flouts,  and  the  whole  is 
httle  else,  but  a  most  odious  Mocking  of  the  Religion  of  the 
Country.  This  profane  Folly,  whereto  this  People  are 
thus  left  of  God,  is  likely  to  prove  a  most  ruinous  Thing 
unto  them:  It  makes  'em  loathsome,  and  it  brings  them  to 
Shame. 

However,  it  provides  further  Occasions  for  me  to  humble 
myself  in  Prayer,  and  with  Fasting  before  the  Lord,  which  on 

21  d.  10  m.  Satureday;  I  accordingly  endeavoured. 

And  here  I  have  Opportunity  to  relate,  a  very  particular 
Experience.  My  httle  Daughter  Nanny,  has  been  all  this 
Week,  very  ill,  a  Pain  of  an  unknown  Original  in  her  lower 
Bowels,  whereof  she  has  languished  for  some  Time,  now 
grew  to  an  Extremity.  On  Friday  Morning,  my  Soul  was 
Irradiated  from  Heaven  with  a  Particular  Faith,  for  some 
Help  to  be  sent  from  Heaven  unto  the  dying  Child.  At 
Night  her  Illness,  with  Vomiting  which  then  came  upon  her 
proceeded  so  far,  that  she  would  undoubtedly  have  died 
before  Morning,  if  one  sojourning  in  our  Family,  had  not 
resolutely  called  up  a  Physician,  whose  means  God  blessed 
for  the  stopping  of  it. 

Here  my  Faith  was  tried  exceedingly.  On  Satureday  my 
Assurance  for  the  Child,  was  wonderfully  renewed.  Yett 
the  Illness  of  the  Child  went  on;  and  in  the  Evening  one  of 
the  Physicians,  unable  to  do  any  more,  left  the  Child,  con- 
cluding it  would  certainly  dy.  Behold,  the  Trinl  of  my 
Faith  I  Well,  on  the  Lord's-day  in  the  Forenoon,  the  Child 
was  diverting  herself,  and  nmning  and  laughing  the  whole 
Forenoon,  about  the  House,  and  at  Noon,  sat  at  the  Table 
with  me.    The  Physician  was  astonished,  at  so  sudden  a 

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DECEMBER,     17OO  377 

Recovery  of  the  Child!  And  my  Soul  is  raised  unto  Rap- 
tures of  Thankfulness  unto  my  prayer-hearing  Lord.  The 
Lord  has  made  this  Child,  little  else  unto  me,  but  a  Subject 
whereupon  Prayer  and  Faith,  has  been  gloriously  produced 
and  answered.  And  this  consideration  mightily  endears  the 
Child  unto  me. 

28  d.  10  m.  Satureday.  The  Lord  has  permitted  Satan 
to  Raise  an  extraordinary  Siorm  upon  my  Father,  and  my- 
self. All  the  Rage  of  Satan,  against  the  Holy  Churches  of 
the  Lord,  falls  upon  us.  First  Calfs  Book,  and  then  Cole- 
man's, do  sett  the  People  in  a  mighty  Ferment.  All  the 
Adversaries  of  the  Churches  lay  their  Heads  together,  as  if 
by  Blasting  of  us,  they  hoped  utterly  to  blow  up  all. 

The  Lord  fills  my  Soul  with  Consolacons,  inexpressible 
Consolations,  when  I  think,  on  my  Conformity  to  my  Lord 
Jesus  Christ,  in  the  Injuries  and  Reproaches,  that  are  cast 
upon  me;  and  in  my  being  so  much  forsaken,  by  those 
that  should  appear  with  more  Vigour,  for  the  evangelical 
Interests. 

But  I  think  it  very  necessary,  to  be  much  in  Prayer, 
at  so  critical  a  Time,  as  this;  That  the  Lord  would  now 
stand  by  me  (according  to  Jer.  i.  19.)  and  assist  me  to  an 
exemplary  Patience,  and  Courage,  and  Watchftdness,  under 
the  present  Storm;  and  hasten  the  Period  of  it,  and  wonder- 
fully defeat  and  confound,  the  Enterprizes  of  mine  and  His 
Churches'  Adversaries,  and  bring  out  of  it  vast  Benefits 
imto  me,  and  unto  His  churches. 

Wherefore  I  sett  apart  this  Day  also,  for  Prayer  with 
Fasting  before  the  Lord,  on  this  Occasion. 

The  Devotions  of  the  Day  were  much  carried  on  by  me, 
with  singing  agreeable  Psalms.  But  I  had  one  Circum- 
stance about  it,  that  my  Psalm-book  alwayes  opened  so, 
that  the  first  Psalms  I  cast  my  Eye  upon,  were  still  the 
most  agreeable  perhaps  of  any  that  I  could  have  chosen. 
This  Observacon  may  easily  be  abused  imto  Superstition: 
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378  DIARY  OF  COTTON  MATHER 

but  yett  sometimes,  there  is  an  angelical  Agency  in  those 
Occurrences. 

2d.  iim.  [January.]  Thursday.  On  the  same  Occasion, 
I  did  this  Day  renew  my  Prayer,  with  Fasting,  in  secret 
before  the  Lord.  As  also  because  my  little  Daughter 
Nanny  is  again  taken  very  iU;  and  her  Illness  this  Day 
grew  upon  her  unto  an  Heart-breaking  Extremity. 

I  lay  in  the  Dust,  before  the  Lord,  and  obtained  Mercy 
for  my  poor  Child. 

And  crying  to  the  Lord,  that  He  would  rescue  my 
Opportunities  to  glorify  Him,  from  the  Designs  of  Hell  to 
damnify  them,  /  was  heard  in  the  thing  I  feared. 

Moreover,  the  Adversaries  to  the  Holy  Churches  of  the 
Lord,  having  been  by  a  wonderful  Hand  of  Heaven  upon 
them,  so  infatuated  as  to  publish  a  Book  of  Scurrilities  and 
Impieties  which  renders  them  abominable  to  all  sober  Peo- 
ple, I  thought  it  would  be  a  Service  imto  all  the  Churches, 
and  assist  and  excite  the  Faithful  to  bear  their  Testimonies 
for  the  Churches,  if  I  shovdd  even  in  their  own  words  draw 
up  a  Scheme  of  their  Plott  against  the  Churches,  and 
armex  a  breef  Collection  of  the  vile  Things  in  their  Book 
against  my  Father  and  myself,  barely  to  Recite  which  is 
enough  to  refute  them.  Accordingly  I  did  so;  and  it  was 
published  under  the  Title  of,  A  Collection  of  Some  of  the 
MANY  OFFENSIVE  PASSAGES,  in  a  loie  Pamphlet,  Entituled 
Gospel-order  Revived.' 

gd.iim.  Thursday.  This  Day  the  Lord  helped  me 
exceedingly  to  glorify  Him,  and  edify  and  sanctify  His 
People,  who  much  observe  my  Conduct  and  Spirit  under 
the  Satanic  Assaults  now  made  upon  me.  I  did  it,  in 
preaching  to  a  vast  Assembly,  on  Gen.  50.  20.  As  for  you, 
yee  thought  Evil  against  me,  but  God  meant  it  unto  Good. 

But  that  I  might  further  glorify  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ 
before  all  the  Churches,  and  exemplify  to  them,  the  Thoughts 

'  It  was  printed  by  T.  Green. 

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JANUARY,     1700-01  379 

and  Frames  of  Witnesses  for  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  when 
Sufferers  for  Him,  and  that  I  might  receive  the  Answer  of 
my  Prayer  and  Faith,  to  have  nothing  befalling  me,  but 
what  shall  be  serviceable  imto  the  evangehcal  Interests; 
Behold,  what  comes  to  pass!  The  Sermon  is  by  some  good 
People  carried  unto  the  Press;  and  the  Title  which  I  have 
putt  upon  it,  is,  Trixjmphs  over  Troubles. 

10  d.  II  m.  Friday.  This  Day,  the  Lord  restores  to  me, 
my  dearest  Consort  and  putts  my  Family  again,  into  many 
Circiunstances  of  Comfort.  Wherefore  I  sett  apart  the 
Day,  for  a  THANKSGIVING  in  my  Study. 

Both  in  my  Family,  and  in  my  Retirement,  I  had  my 
Heart  raised  unto  many  Expressions  of  Thankfulness  unto 
the  Lord,  for  His  enumerated  Favours  to  me. 

But  in  the  Afternoon,  I  sett  myself  to  insist  upon  a  very 
peculiar  and  unusual  Article  of  Thankfulness. 

The  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  and  His  holy  Churches  in  this 
Coimtrey,  have  many  Enemies.  And  the  Lord  in  sovereign 
Grace,  hath  called  me  forth  to  be  signalized  in  the  Service 
of  His  Churches  and  Interests.  But  the  Enemies  of  my 
glorious  Lord,  now  spend  upon  me,  the  cheef  Storm  of  all 
their  Fury.  I  bewayled  the  Sin  of  the  reproachful  Enemies; 
but  I  rejoiced  before  the  Lord  exceedingly,  that  the  Re- 
proaches of  them  that  reproached  Him,  are  fallen  upon  me. 
I  gave  Thanks  to  the  Lord,  for  His  bestowing  this  Honour 
upon  me.  His  most  unworthy  Servant.  But  herewithal  I 
received  an  Assiu^ance  from  Heaven,  that  as  I  now  suffer 
with  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  and  for  Him,  so  I  shall  one  Day 
reign  with  Him. 

ij  d.  II  m.   What  Cause  have  I  to  be  thankful  imto  God! 

The  Satanic  Party  in  the  Town,  having  basely  slandered 
me,  and  belyed  me,  in  some  Instances,  I  was  prevailed 
withal,  to  write  a  Letter  unto  a  Gentleman  in  the  Town, 
desiring  him  to  exp>ose  it;  which  he  did,  and  Copies  were 
taken  of  it. 

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380  DIARY  OF  COTTON  MATHER 

That  Letter  I  thus  concluded; 

"I  have  two  Propositions  to  make,  and  I  think,  they  are  fair 
ones. 

"One  is  this;  If  all  they,  that  have  used  so  much  Liberty  to 
express  their  Unkindness  to  me,  will  please  to  produce  with  Evi- 
dence any  one  Instance,  wherein  I  have  wrong'd  or  harm'd  any  one 
of  them  all,  or  done  any  one  thing  misbecoming  a  man  whose  Busi- 
ness it  is  to  do  good  unto  all,  I  submitl  unto  the  hardest  Censure 
my  worst  Adversary  can  impose  upon  me. 

"The  other  is  this;  if  they  that  repwrt  what  they  please  concern- 
ing me,  will  please  first  of  all  to  satisfy  themselves,  as  every  Chris- 
tian or  Gentleman  would,  before  they  take  up  a  defamatory  Report; 
and  they  don't  find,  that  I  have  acted  not  only  blamelessly,  but 
also  suitably,  I  will  again  submitt  unto  Censure.  Thus  do  I  chal- 
lenge all  the  World." 

i8d.  11  m.  Satureday.  I  sett  apart  this  Day,  for  Prayer 
in  my  Study;  on  the  same  Occasions,  that  I  have  so  often 
been  of  late  in  this  way  before  the  Lord. 

Nothing  remarkable  occurr'd  in  it. 

Only  there  is  one  thing,  that  I  have  sett  a  Remark  upon; 
and  I  would  observe  the  Issue. 

My  dear  little  Son  Samuel,  I  have  often  and  often  made 
Essayes,  to  gett  my  Heart  raised,  unto  a  Particular  Faith 
for  that  Child,  that  the  Lord  will  accept  of  the  Child,  for 
the  Service  of  His  Churches  in  this  World:  but  I  never 
could  yett  attain  to  such  a  Faith:  a  man  cannot  beleeve, 
wJien  and  what  he  will.  This  makes  me  live  in  a  continual 
Apprehension  that  the  Child,  (tho'  a  lusty  and  hearty 
Infant)  will  dy  in  its  Infancy.  And  something  imto  this 
Purpose,  I  have  taken  the  Liberty  to  express,  imto  my  Con- 
sort, and  my  Father. 

I  thought  it  would  be  many  Wayes  a  Service  unto  all 
Churches,  (insomuch  as  our  Platform  of  Church-Discipline, 
is  in  few  Hands,  and  little  known,  and  read,  and  yett  un- 
accountable Prejudices  against  it  prevail  in  the  Countrey,) 
for  me,  to  draw  up  the  whole  of  the  Platform,  in  certain 

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JANUARY,     1700-01  381 

Conclusions,  (I  did  it  in  Thirty  Three  Articles,)  Extracted 
from  it,  and  contracting  of  it,  and  all  crowded  into  one 
Sheet  of  Paper.  I  did  this,  adding  four  significant  Remarks, 
at  the  End  of  it,  and  I  gave  it  unto  the  Bookseller,  entituled, 
The  Old  Principles  of  New  England^ 

Moreover,  about  this  Time,  I  gave  unto  the  Booksellers, 
another  Composure,  which  consisted  of  almost  a  dozen 
Sheets  of  paper,  in  my  Writing.  I  considered,  That  the 
Practice  of  making  Occasional  Reflections  on,  and  fetching 
Profitable  Instructions  from,  all  the  Creatures  of  God,  was  a 
very  devout  Practice,  and  would  be  a  Cause,  a  Fniit,  and  a 
Sign  of  exemplary  Spiritual- Mitidedness.  I  considered,  that 
the  Fire  is  one  of  these  Creatures,  wherewith  all  Sorts  of 
Persons  are  very  much  concerned,  especially  for  diverse 
Months  in  the  Year.  I  considered,  that  Lessons  conveyed 
from  this,  or  any  Creatures,  under  theAdvantages  of  a  Simili- 
ttide,  had  a  particular  Charm  in  them,  and  perhaps  would 
never  be  forgotten.  Wherefore,  praefacing  the  rest  of  my 
Meditations  with  a  Discourse,  on  Joh.  18.  18.  They  made  a 
Fire  of  Coals,  {for  it  was  cold)  and  they  warmed  themselves; 
and  Peter  stood  with  them,  and  warmed  himself;  I  then  wrote 
forty  Meditations,  on  the  Fire,  and  fetched  out  of  it,  many 
more  than  forty  Admonitions,  which  I  dressed  up,  so  as  they 
might  afiford  both  Pleasure  and  Profit  unto  a  serious  Reader. 
This  Work  is  entituled,  Christl\nus  per  Ignem;  or  A  Dis- 
ciple Warming  of  himself,  and  owning  of  his  Lord:  with 
Meditations  fetched  out  of  the  Fire,  by  a  Christian  in  a  Cold 
Season,  sitting  before  it.  I  was  in  hopes  this  way,  having 
thus  employ'd  myself,  now  also  to  procure  a  very  grateful 
and  useful  Employment  for  others,  especially  in  the  Liesure 
of  the  Winter,  by  the  Fire-Side. 

I  had  no  sooner  dispatch'd  this  work,  but  I  was  in  a 
Strait  about  the  Publication  of  it:  and  particularly,  I  was 
in  a  Doubt,  whether  any  Bookseller  would  undertake  to 

'  Printed  by  B.  Green  and  J.  Allen,  1700. 

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382  DIARY  OF  COTTON  MATHER 

publish  it.  I  therefore  carried  the  work  unto  the  Lord, 
humbly  beseeching  of  Him,  that  if  He  had  any  Service  to 
be  done  by  it,  upon  the  Souls  of  Men  He  would  please  by 
His  Holy  Providence,  to  bring  it  forth  into  the  World;  and 
so  I  easily  and  cheerfully  left  it  with  Him.  Immediately 
[this  was  on  30  <f.  11  tn.]  a  Gentleman,  came  into  my  Study, 
from  whom  I  had  very  httle  Reason  to  expect  such  an  Offer; 
and  he  seeing  the  MSS.  ly  on  my  Table,  and  having  it  shown 
unto  him,  very  readily  offered,  that  he  would  bear  half  the 
Charges  of  the  Impression.  Under  his  Encouragement  I 
sent  it  unto  one  of  the  Booksellers,  who  readily  undertook 
to  go  on  with  it.' 

7  d.  12  m.  [February.]  Friday.  The  Evil  that  I  feared  is 
come  upon  me.  On  Tuesday  night,  this  week,  my  little  Son 
Samuel,  was  taken  with  very  sad  Convulsions.  They  con- 
tinued all  Wednesday,  incurable,  and  we  were  all  the  day 
in  continual  Expectation  of  his  Expiration.  But  he  lived 
all  Thursday,  too,  and  out-lived  more  than  an  himdred  very 
terrible  Fitts.  The  Convulsions  of  my  own  Mind,  were  all 
this  while,  happily  composed  and  quieted;  and  with  much 
Composure  of  Mind,  I  often  and  often  in  Prayers  resigned 
the  Child  unto  the  Lord.  Preaching  the  Lecture,  on  Thurs- 
day, while  we  were  every  Minute  looking  for  the  Death  of 
the  Child,  I  chose  to  insist  on  that.  Job.  19.  25.  /  know, 
that  my  Redeemer  lives;  as  a  matter  of  Satisfaction  to  us, 
at  the  Sight  of  our  dying  Friends. 

On  Thursday,  about  Midnight,  an  odd  thing  fell  out. 
The  Child  coming  out  of  one  of  its  worst  Fitts,  most  unac- 
countably fell  a  Laughing,  yea,  into  a  very  great  Laughter, 
and  this  held  for  diverse  Minutes;  unto  the  Amazement  of 
the  Spectators,  who  indeed  were  so  amazed,  that  they  codd 
hardly  keep  from  Swooning.  After  this,  it  had  no  more  such 
Fitts  as  before;  but  lingered  along,  till  about  Ten  a  clock, 
this  Morning,  when  one  of  its  Fitts  carried  it  off. 

'  Printed  by  B.  Green  and  J.  Allen,  for  Benjamin  Eliot,  1702. 

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FEBRUARY,     170O-OI  383 

I  sett  apart  (Saiureday,)  the  Day  following,  for  the 
Duties  of  a  secret  Fast,  that  I  might  humble  myself  before 
God  under  the  rebukes  of  His  Providence,  who  at  the  same 
time,  that  wicked  Men  are  from  abroad  assaulting  me  with 
a  Storm  of  Mahgnity,  to  mine  all  my  Opportunities  to 
glorify  Him,  does  Himself  also  visit  me  with  Deaths  and 
Griefs  at  home  in  my  own  Family;  and  that  I  might  obtain 
from  BUm,  Assistences  to  carry  it  patiently  and  cheerfully 
imder  my  Trials,  and  bring  forth  such  Fruits  of  greater 
Serviceableness  (especially  among  the  Children  of  my  Flock) 
as  are  to  be  expected  of  me. 

But  that  I  might  immediately  glorify  the  Lord  Jesus 
Christ,  I  did  on  the  Lords-Day  ensuing,  preach  unto  the 
great  Congregation,  on  Job.  35.  10.  the  Songs,  which  the 
triimiphant  Faith  of  the  Saints,  has  to  utter,  in  the  dark- 
est Night  of  Affliction,  that  can  come  upon  them;  and  I 
beleeve,  my  Lord  Jesus  Christ  had  some  Glory,  from  the 
Things,  and  the  Frames,  which  I  exhibited  unto  His  People 
on  this  Occasion. 

On  Monday,  the  Child  had  a  Funeral,  with  numerous 
Attendents,  and  Respects  beyond  what  Children  use  to 
have. 

On  the  Grave-Stone,  I  caused  that  Motto  to  be  inscribed, 
Not  as  they  that  have  no  Hope. 

In  this  Place,  it  may  not  be  amiss  for  me,  to  Record  one 
.  Passage  more. 

Neither  my  Father,  nor  myself,  thought  it  proper  for 
us,  to  pubUsh  imto  the  Churches  our  own  Vindication  from 
the  vile  Reproaches  and  Calumnies  that  Satan,  by  his 
Instrument  Calf,  had  cast  upon  us.  But  the  Lord  putt  it 
into  the  Hearts  of  a  considerable  Number  of  our  Flock,  who 
are  in  their  temporal  Conditions  more  sequal  unto  our 
Adversary  to  appear  in  our  Vindication.  They  came  to  us, 
desiring  that  we  would  furnish  them,  with  Memorials  and 
Evidences,  concerning  Matters  of  Fact,  which  they  might  pro- 
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384  DIARY  OF  COTTON  MATHER 

duce  on  our  behalf,  and  offering  then  to  write  what  might 
be  for  the  Satisfaction  of  all  good  Men,  concerning  our  Con- 
duct. My  Father  hereupon  gave  them  diverse  Letters  of 
Attestation  from  very  considerable  Persons  to  his  Fidelity 
in  his  Agency,  and  added  a  further  Instrument  under  his 
hand,  relating  to  that  Matter.  I  also  sent  them  a  large 
Letter,  sign'd  by  my  own  Hand,  concerning  the  cheef  of  the 
Points,  wherein  I  had  been  myself  aspersed  and  abused. 
The  Brethren  being  thus  furnished,  composed  an  handsome 
Answer  unto  the  Slanders  and  Libels  of  our  slanderous 
Adversary,  and  inserted  into  their  Answer  the  Memorials, 
which  we  had  given  then.  Seven  of  them,  were  by  the  rest 
pitch'd  upon,  to  sett  their  Names  unto  it.  and  they  did  so. 
The  Book  being  hereupon  printed,  the  Lord  blesses  it 
for  the  Illuminacon  of  His  people,  in  many  Points  of  our 
endeavour  to  serve  them,  whereof  they  had  been  ignorant. 
And  there  is  also  sett  before  all  the  Churches,  a  very  laud- 
able Exemple,  of  a  People,  appearing  to  vindicate  then- 
injured  Pastors,  when  a  Storm  of  Persecution  is  raised  against 
them.  The  Lord  accept,  and  reward,  this  Work  of  our 
faithful  People!    It  is  entituled,  Some  few  Remarks.' 

When  a  Discoiu-se  of  Mr.  St's  offensive  Book,  about 
Churches,  was  introduced,  by  my  Father,  in  a  very  great 
Assembly  of  Ministers,  Boston,  4  d.  $m.,  1700.' 

[After  Leave.] 

Syrs,  all  men  that  have  any  Sense  at  all  in  them  are  sensible,  • 
that  various  Attempts  are  continually  making,  to  unkinge  and  sub- 
vert, the  Holy  Churches  of  New  England.  There  is  a  wonderful 
Sleepiness  upon  us,  (even  such  an  one  as  must  be  among  the  Fore- 
runners to  the  coming  of  our  glorious  Lord.)  if  we  are  not  so  much 
awake,  as  to  be  aware  that  there  are  vigorous  Endeavours  to  bring 
in  a  new  Stak  upon  our  Churches.  These  Churches  of  the  Lord,  are 
not  in  so  good  Terms  with  the  great  Adversary  of  all  Holy  Churches, 

'  Printed  by  T.  Green,  1701.  The  names  of  the  seven  brethren  are  signed  to 
the  introductory  letter. 

'  Stoddard.     Sec  note  on  p.  364,  supra. 

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FEBRUARY,     1700-OI  38$ 

(who,  as  Austin  bid  the  Christians  of  his  Time,  to  beleeve,  is  not 
yett  turned  a  Christian,)  that  he  should  leave  them  unmolested.  But, 
alas,  those  that  are  no  Servants  of  that  Adversary  (but  the  sincere 
Servants  of  our  Heavenly  Lord)  may  be  unhappily  prevailed  upon, 
to  do  him  no  little  Service. 

Among  all  the  Attempts  against  the  State  of  our  Churches  I  know 
none  more  open,  more  daring  or  more  explicit,  than  that  which  has 
been  made  by  a  Book  of  a  reverend  Person,  here  present,  which  is 
lately  pubUshed.  But  upon  the  Occasion  of  these  Attempts,  I  beg 
your  Patience,  and  your  Pardon,  if  I  make  to  you  some  Remarks, 
concerning  the  Nature  of  them. 

And,  first,  you  will  observe,  Syrs,  that  the  Gentlemen,  who  go 
to  unhinge  our  Churches,  would  ravish  from  them,  their  good  Things, 
without  substituting  any  Better,  or  indeed  any  other,  in  the  room  of 
them.  As  now;  they  divest  particular  Churches,  of  their  just  Power 
to  reform  themselves,  and  they  will  have  the  Decrees  of  their  classical 
Pro\'indal,  and  national  Synods,  to  be  the  Orders  that  shall  in  all 
things  govern  the  Churches.  But  they  know  very  well,  that  their 
Decrees  will  signify  little,  except  they  have  a  civil  Magistrate,  that 
will  make  them  cutt.  Whereas  they  are  not  yett  provided  of  a  Magis- 
trate, that  will  be  their  Tool;  no,  nor  ever  \vill  bee.  Again,  they 
leave  us  no  Church-Covenant,  not  so  much  as  an  implicit  one,  whereby 
our  Churches  may  be  distinguished,  that  they  say,  b  wholly  unscrip- 
tural.  But  then,  instead  thereof,  they  provide  us  with  nothing  else, 
that  may  in  any  Measure  serve,  to  distinguish,  or  mentain  and  prae- 
serve,  our  Churches  or  keep  alive  the  Interests  of  Holiness  in  them. 
I  beseech  you,  Syrs,  what  would  you  be  at!  Your  Attempts,  only 
furnish  a  profane  Generation  of  People  in  the  Countrey,  with  Cavils 
against  the  Churches,  and  the  good  Things  observed  in  them,  and 
they  do  what  they  can,  to  release  the  Consciences  of  People,  from 
any  awe  of  religious  Bonds  upon  them,  in  the  Order  of  the  Churches. 
You  cannot  rationally  imagine  to  attain  any  further  Ends,  but  oiJy, 
to  throw  all  into  Confusion  and  Contention.  You  scarce  ojffer  us, 
much  less  can  you  effect  and  produce,  any  Remedy  for  the  Confusion, 
when  you  have  made  it. 

Syrs,  you  will  observe,  secondly,  that  the  Gentlemen,  who  are 
thus  heaving  at  our  Churches,  advance  for  mighty  Points  of  Reforma- 
tion, those  things,  which  indeed  were  no  little  Points  of  the  antichris- 
tian  Depravation  and  Apostasy,  several  Instances  might  be  given; 
I  will  single  out  but  one.  The  Liberty  of  the  Fraternity,  in  things 
of  common  Concernment;   for  the  Fraternity  to  be  Governed,  not 

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386  DIARY  or  COTTON  MATHER 

as  meer  Bruits  or  Mutes:  The  primitive  Churches,  preserved  it,  for 
many  Ages.  The  Loss  of  it,  was  not  the  first,  no,  nor  the  tenth. 
Article  of  the  antichristian  Apostasy.  The  Apostasy  had  proceeded 
unto  horrible  Degrees,  before  the  Churches,  and  the  Brethren  in 
them,  were  utterly  deprived  of  their  Liberty.  Our  Gentlemen  do 
assay  utterly  to  take  away  all  manner  of  Liberty,  from  the  Brethren 
in  our  Churches.  Because  it  may  be,  in  some  Churches  things  may 
have  been  sometimes  carried  in  a  Strain  too  democralical,  these 
Gentlemen  will  do  well  to  remember,  who  they  are,  which, 

dum,  vitant  vitia,  in  contraria  ciirrunt. 
But  they  can't  speak  of  the  People  in  any  other  Terms,  than  the 
Pharisees  did  of  old;  Whereas,  indeed,  Syrs,  this  People,  is  the  Lord's 
Heritage.  They  tell  us,  they  will  reform  our  Churches.  And  then 
they  tell  us,  it  shall  be,  by  pushing  them  from  the  primitive  Church 
State,  wherein  they  at  present  are,  and  by  plunging  them  into  the 
Church-State,  which  the  Romish  Apostasy,  after  some  Centuries  had 
brought  all  into.  A  goodly  Reformation  I  Syrs,  tis  unintelligible,  ds 
unaccountable. 

Give  me  leave,  Syrs,  to  observe,  thirdly;  that  the  Gentlemen  in 
the  Design  against  our  Churches,  will  needs  be  call'd  Presbyterians: 
but  they  very  unjustly  arrogate  that  Name:  (A  Name,  which  I  would 
alwayes  mention  with  Respect  and  Honour!)  They  are  not  Pres- 
byterians: Our  Controversy  with  them  indeed  is,  because  they  will 
not  be  Presbyterians.  Behold,  how  I  demonstrate  it.  Presbyterians 
doe  religiously  submitt  unto  the  Government  of  their  Classes.  Wee 
have  our  Classes;  and  tho'  they  assume  not  all  the  Government, 
which  many  Presbyterians  think  they  might,  yett  their  Advice  at 
least  might  be  taken,  in  things  of  general  Consequence;  lett  us  have 
at  least  so  much  Presbyterianism,  I  pray.  No;  these  Gentlemen  do 
things  of  the  greatest  Consequence  that  can  be,  and  make  Batteries, 
and  Outrages,  upon  all  our  Churches,  and  never  took,  nor  ask'd  the 
Advice  of  any  Classes  under  Heaven,  for  what  they  do.  Once  more; 
In  almost  all  the  Presbyterian  Churches,  on  the  face  of  the  Earth 
the  Rights  of  the  Brethren  are  preserved,  by  a  Consistory  of  Elders. 
Our  Gentlemen  will  mostly  abhor  the  Mention  of  such  Elders.  Indeed, 
some  Holy  Churches  of  Presbyterians,  did  subsist  in  very  feeble  Cir- 
cumstances, under  the  late  Persecution  in  England;  and  have  not 
since  improved  into  a  better,  and  more  hearty  and  vi\-id .  Consti- 
tution ;  they  have  neither  Consistory,  nor  any  Discipline,  of  a  regular 
Proceedurc.  They  would  be  glad,  many  of  them,  if  an  order,  like 
ours,  were  established  among  them.    Our  Gentlemen,  come  now, 

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FEBRUARY,     170O-OI  387 

and  call  for  a  Reformation;  and  thus  explain  themselves,  wee  mil  have 
you  part  with  the  more  compleat  Order  wherein  you  have  been  estab- 
lished, and  putt  yourselves  into  the  feeble  Circumstances  of  Churches 
under  Persecution.  Syrs,  I  can't  see  through  this!  I  will  add:  The 
Presbyterians  have,  with  much  Holy  Reason  written,  to  prove,  that 
Regeneration  is  a  Qualification  of  Communicants  at  the  Table  of  the 
Lord.  But  our  Gentlemen  do  preach  and  print  this  amazing  Paradox, 
that  Persons  who  know  themselves  to  be  unregenerate,  unjustified, 
unsanctified,  not  only  may,  but  should  come  to  the  Holy  Table.  True 
Presbyterians  would  say,  don't  come  to  the  Seals  of  the  Covenant, 
till  you  have  Cause  to  hope,  that  you  have  accepted  the  Terms  of 
the  Covenant.  But  these  Gentlemen  will  have  those  that  know  them- 
selves ungodly  Wretches  come  to  the  dreadful  Mysteries,  if  others 
can't  prove  them  such;  and  then  these,  forsooth,  must  be  our  only 
Presbyterians  I  I  must  I  see,  incorporate  into  this  Observation, 
another.  That  the  Gentlemen  in  the  Plott  of  undermining  the 
Churches,  do  introduce  Principles  most  fatal  to  all  our  Churches. 
That  which  I  last  complained  of,  is  one  of  them.  And,  if  I  mistake 
not,  the  Fancy  of  Provincial,  and  National  Churches,  consisting  only 
of  the  Clergy  too,  to  be  of  divine  Right,  is  another.  The  King  and 
Parliament  know,  that  this  Notion  threatens  the  English  Nation, 
with  all  the  Slavery  of  a.  foreign  Jurisdiction.  Stave  off  the  Authority 
of  an  (Ecumenical  Church,  in  a  general  Coimcil  now,  if  you  can; 
but  Syrs,  I  hope,  you  forgett  not  where  you  have  a  Patriarch  pro- 
vided for  you. 

Upon  the  whole;  I  would  earnestly  entreat  these  Gentlemen,  that 
if  they  will  resolve  to  persist;  in  the  Plott  of  confounding  the  Order 
of  our  Churches,  they  would  seriously  consider  what  they  do.  Syrs, 
you  have  to  do  with  an  Holy  Lord,  who  walks  in  the  Midst  of  His 
Golden  Candlesticks,  and  will  be  offended  at  your  Attempts  to  make 
them  Dross  and  Tin.  The  Lord  of  these  invaded  Churches,  may 
be  more  displeased  at  what  you  do,  than  you  think  for,  and  may 
signalize  His  Displeasure.  If  you  will  needs  turn  His  Churches  into 
Dens  of  Theeves,  and  make  His  Churches  to  cease  representing  the 
Kingdome  of  Heaven,  tis  a  desperate  Action  that  you  venture  upon: 
And,  if  you  will  force  away  from  the  Churches,  the  Rights  that  the 
Lord  has  given  them,  truly,  tis  a  Robbery,  tis  a  Sacriledgel 

And  give  me  leave,  Syrs;  where  will  you  stop?  The  first  Plott 
of  Satan  against  this  Land,  hath  been,  to  extinguish  the  Power  and 
Practice  of  Godliness,  throughout  the  Countrey.  This  point  is  fear- 
fully gain'd  already;  we  feel  it  with  Sorrow  and  Horror.    The  next 

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388  DIARY  OF  COTTON  MATHER 

ploU  of  Satan,  is  to  confound  our  Holy  Church-Order,  and  make  us, 
with  our  own  Hands  pull  down  our  House.  This  is  the  Point  which 
we  are  now  upon;  and  it  naturally  foUowes  upon  the  former.  But, 
Syrs,  we  shall  not  stop  here,  beleeve  me!  The  third  PloU  will  bee 
to  betray  the  Faith  of  the  Churches,  the  Truths  of  the  Gospel,  the 
Doctrines  of  Grace.  Tfiese,  these  will  shortly  be  assaulted.  We 
shall  shortly  be  called  upon,  to  part  with  those  Things,  which  are 
the  very  Life  of  our  Souls;  but,  I  hope,  we  shall  sooner  part  with 
our  Life. 

Yea,  shall  I  say  it,  Syrs?  If  all  wee,  the  Pastors  of  the  Churches 
do  desert  our  Holy  Flock,  and  go  o\er  to,  I  know  not  what  Innova- 
tions, the  Lord  will  have  an  holy  pious,  humble,  praying,  and  faithful 
Generation,  among  our  People,  that  we  shall  never  carry  over  with 
us.  If  we  will  pass  over  to  Gilgal,  they  will  not  hinder  us,  but  they 
will  not  folloiv  us. 

In  fine:  I  am  told,  from  several  abroad,  that  the  Gentleman,  who 
hath  lately  published  his  offensive  Positions,  is  come  down,  to  assert 
them  and  defend  them,  and  that  now  he  is  come,  the  Ministers  will 
all  shrink  before  them,  none  of  them  will  dare  to  encounter  him. 
For  that  cause,  and  for  their  Sake,  Syrs,  I  do  here  make  him  an 
Offer  of  a  Disputation;  I  say,  I  do  offer  him  Disputation,  when  and 
where  he  shall  please  to  appoint  it.  Lett  this  be  remembred  and 
reported. 

I  know,  I  have  extremely  e.xposed  myself  by  what  I  have  said. 
I  know,  the  Prophet  of  the  Lord  has  taught  mee,  that  grievous  Reioll- 
ers  will  walk  with  Slanders.  I  know  that  there  are  grievous  Ravlts 
afoot,  and  all  that  go  to  check  the  Torrait  of  them,  shall  suffer  a 
thousand  Slanders  and  Clammours.  But,  I  hope,  the  Lord  will  teach 
us  Patience  under  them;  yea,  we  shall  count  them  our  Glories. 

My  Publick  Ministry  for  the  Year   1700. 

i8d.  12  m.  1699.  I  preaclied,  on  2.  Cor.  2.  11.  The  Devices  oj 
Satan;  (formerly  begun  to  be  preached  on.)  And  this  Day  I  dis- 
coursed particularly,  on  the  Unices  of  Satan,  to  indispose  men,  for 
Benefits  by  Approaches  to  the  Table  of  the  Lord.  (And  then  I 
administred  the  Eucharist.) 

I  25  d.  12  m.  I  preached,  on  Heb.  it.  24.  The  Refusing  of  Hon- 
ours, in  that  Self-denial,  whereto  Christians  are  called.  Being  in  a 
course  of  Sermons  on  that  Chapter. 

3  d.  I  m.,  1700.  I  preached,  on  2.  Cor.  2.  11.  The  Deinces  of 
Solan  to  dishearten  men  from  the  Duties  of  a  Christian  Convcrsa'con. 

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FEBRUARY,     17OO-OI  389 

"]  <L  1  m.  Thursday.  I  preached  Boston-'Lectuxe,  on  i.  Joh.  2.  6. 
The  Imitation  of  Christ. 

10  d.  I  m.  I  preached  on,  Heb.  11.  24.  The  special  Duties  of 
Persons,  when  they  come  to  Years. 

17  d.  I  m.  I  preached,  on  2.  Cor.  2.  11.  The  Devices  of  Satan, 
to  hinder  men  from  getting  of  Good,  by  the  means  of  Godd. 

24  d.  I  m.  I  preached,  on  Joh.  i.  19.  The  young  Men  are  dead; 
the  Improvement  that  all  men,  especially  young  men,  should  make 
of  the  Death  of  young  Men.  (On  occasion  of  three  young  Men, 
drowned  the  week  before.) 

31  d.  I  w.  I  preached  (the  seventh  Time,)  on  2.  Cor.  2.  11. 
The  Devices  of  Satan,  to  trouble  the  Children  of  God,  and  Pillage 
them  of  their  Peace  and  Joy. 

4  J.  2  m.  Thursday.  I  preached  (the  second  Time,)  the  Lecture 
on  I.  Joh.  2.  6.     The  Imitation  of  Christ. 

"J  d.  2  m.  I  preached  on  Heb.  11.  25.  Affliction  with  the  People 
of  God,  preferr'd  before  the  temporary  and  the  transitory  Pleasure 
of  Sin. 

14  d.  2m.  I  preached  on  i.  Thess.  i.  7.  That  Church-members 
ought  to  be  Exemples.     (And  I  administred  the  Eucharist.) 

2id.2m.  I  preached  on  Heb.  11.  26.  The  RicJies,  whereto 
men  arrive,  by  embracing  of  reproached  Christianity. 

25  d.  2  m.  Thursday.  On  a  Fast,  thro'  the  Colony,  I  preached 
from  Matth.  21.  43.  About  a  Countreyes  losing  the  Kingdome  of 
God,  by  their  Unfruitfulncss;  deprecating  that  Calamity,  lest  it  over- 
take N.  E. 

29)d.2m.  I  preached  on,  Heb.  11.  26.  A  Respect  unto  the 
Recompence  of  Reward. 

2d.  3m.  Thursday.  I  preached  the  Lecture,  on  Jam.  4.  11. 
Mens'  eiiil  Speaking  one  of  another.     A  Vice  raging  in  the  place. 

5  d.  3  m.  I  preached  on  Heb.  11.  27.  Faith  seeing  the  Invisible 
God,  and  being  therefore  stout  and  strong  in  obedience  to  that  God. 

12  d.  7,m.  I  preached,  on  Luk.  23.  34.  The  first  Word  of  our 
dying  Saviour  on  the  Cross.  Designing  if  the  Lord  please,  to  insist 
on  all  the  Seven,  in  their  Order. 

i()d.2,m.  I  preached  on  Heb.  11.  28.  Christ,  our  Passeover; 
and  the  Sprinkling  of  His  Blood. 

26  d.  2,tn.     I  preached  on  Mat.  23.  23.     Sins  of  Omission. 

29  d.  3  m.     Wednesday.     I  preached,  unto  the  Great  and  Gen- 
eral Assembly,  convened  for  the  Anniversary  Election;  on  Psal.  147. 
20.     God's  dealing  with  N.  E.  as  not  with  any  Nation. 
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390  DIARY   OF  COTTON  MATHER 

2  (/.  4  m.  I  preached,  on  Heb.  ii.  28.  Ordinances,  attended 
in  Faith;  particularly,  the  Hearing  of  the  Word. 

gd.  4  m.  I  preached  on  Heb.  11.  28.  Faith  exercised  in  attend- 
ence  on  Sacraments.     (And  I  administred  the  Eucharist.) 

12  d.  4  m.  Wednesday.  I  preached,  at  Newtown,  on  2.  Thess.  3.  i. 
Prayer,  for  a  free  course,  and  Glory  of  the  Gospel,  and  for  a  Blessing 
on  them  that  preach  it.  (A  Fast  being  this  day  kept,  by  the  Flock 
there,  for  their  sick  Minister.) 

ibd.^m.  I  preached  on  Heb.  11.  29.  Faith,  profitable  to 
others  as  well  as  ourselves,  and  not  terrified  by  the  most  terrible 
Distresses;  and  taking  the  Way  of  Duty,  tho'  full  of  Danger;  and 
being  lively  in  the  Jawes  of  Death;  and  making  Sin,  be  as  tho'  it 
had  not  been;  and  being  useful  to  obtain  a  good  passage  thro'  the 
Sea,  etc. 

23<i.  4»».  I  preach'd  on  Job.  27.  12.  Enforcing  Lessons  of 
Piety,  from  the  Experience  of  the  Neighbourhood;  in  \arious  Instances, 
repeating,  what  they  themselves  have  seen,  to  instruct  them. 

27  d.  4  m.  Thursday.  I  preached  the  Lecture,  on  Phil.  4.  5. 
Moderation.     (The  E.  of  Bellomont,  and  General  Assembly  present) 

30  d.  4  m.  I  preached  on  Heb.  11.  29.  Ungodly  men's  vain 
Confidence  of  Safety;  the  Churches  Adversaries  confounded;  Sin 
retaliated. 

T  d.  $m.  I  preached,  on  Joh.  19.  26.  The  second  Word  of  our 
Saviour  on  the  Cross. 

14  d.  s  m.  I  preached  on  Heb.  11.  30.  The  Destruction  of  the 
Romish  Jericho;  Nothing  too  strong  for  a  strong  Faith;  Comfort  and 
Success  from  the  Presence  of  Christ;  X'ictory  obtained  by  Faith; 
unlikely  means  bringing  about  illustrious  Ends.  Blessings  disp>ensed 
on  the  seventh  Day. 

21  d.  5  m.  I  preached  on  Rev.  2.  3.  Not  Fainting  in  Labour 
for  Christ,  (being  left  here  alone  in  the  Ministry.) 

25  d.  s  m.  Thursday.  I  preached,  on  Joh.  14.  27.  Lett  not  your 
Hearts  be  troubled.     (Being  under  many  E.xercises.) 

2&d.  s  m.  I  preached  on  Heb.  11.  31.  The  Vilest  of  Sinners, 
made  the  Highest  of  Saints,  and  sav'd  by  BeleeN-ing,  etc. 

4  d.  6  wj.  I  preached  on  i.  Joh.  i.  7.  The  Blood  of  Jesus  Christ 
the  Son  of  God,  cleansing  from  all  Sin.  (And  I  administred  the 
Eiicharisl.) 

11  d.  6  m.  I  preached  on  Isa.  26.  g.  Learning  Righteousness  and 
Religion,  from  the  Judgments  of  God.  (Because  many  Judgments, 
especially,  in  early,  sudden,  tragical  Ihatlis,  fell  out,  the  last  week.) 
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FEBRUARY,     170O-OI  391 

i$d.  6m.  Thursday.  The  Lecture  was  turned  into  a  Fast, 
because  of  the  Drought;  and  I  preached  on  Num.  14.  19.  Prayer 
for  the  Pardon  of  a  sinful  People,  and  Mercy  pleaded  in  that  Prayer. 

i8d.6m.  I  preached  on  Heb.  11.  32.  Eminent  Beleevers  not 
recorded  in  the  Scriptures,  and  the  Fulness  of  the  Scriptures;  and 
our  Time  being  little  enough,  yea,  much  too  little,  to  do  all  we  have 
to  do  for  the  Glory  of  God. 

25  d.  6  m.  I  preached  on.  Lev.  19.  17.  Christian  Reproof. 
(And  I  dispensed  publickly,  the  Censure  of  Admonition,  unto  a 
scandalous  Offender.) 

1  d.  T  m.  I  preached,  on  Deut.  26.  17.  Avouching  the  Lord 
for  our  God.     (And  I  administred  the  Eucharist.) 

^d.  T  m.  Thursday.  I  preached  the  Lecture,  at  Ipswich,  on  Joh. 
14.  27. 

8d.  y  m.  I  preached,  both  parts  of  the  Day,  at  Salem,  on  Isa. 
46.  8. 

j^d.  1  m.  I  preached  on  Mar.  10.  21.  The  Insufficiency  of 
meer  Morality,  to  bring  a  man  unto  everlasting  Life. 

igd.  Tm.  Thursday.  I  preached  the  Lecture,  on  Eccl.  12.  5. 
The  Carriage  of  a  Christian  at  a  Funeral.  (Funerals  being  multi- 
plied; and  this  a  Subject  of  Importance  never  handled.) 

29  i.  J  m.  I  preached,  on  Mat.  9.  12.  Christ,  the  Physician 
of  Souls,  diseased  with  Sin,  and  sensible  of  their  Diseases.  (Myself 
Recovering  out  of  Sickness.) 

6d.8m.  I  preached,  on  Rom.  8.  28.  All  things  working  together 
for  the  Good  of  Good  Men. 

13  d.8m.     I  preached,  on  Rom.  8.  21.     Love  to  God. 

17  d.  8  m.  Thursday,  I  preached  the  Lecture,  on  Heb.  2.  18. 
How  a  tempted  Christian  should  address  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  for 
Succour  under  and  against  his  Temptations.     (Expertus  loguor.) 

20  d.8m.  I  preached,  on  Rom.  8.  28.  Effectual  calling,  ac- 
cording to  the  eternal  Purpose  of  God.  (.A.nd  now,  my  Father  is 
returned.) 

27  d.  8  m.  I  preached  on  Luk.  23.  43.  The  third  Word  of  our 
dying  Lord  on  the  Cross.     (And  I  administred  the  Eucharist.) 

3d.  gm.  I  preached,  on  Luk.  23.  43.  and  from  the  Exemple  of 
the  converted  Theef,  discoursed  on  the  wonderful  Grace  of  God,  in 
the  Conversion  and  Salvation  of  the  greatest  Sinners. 

10  d.  gm.  I  preached,  on  Prov.  28.  20.  A  Faithful  Man, 
abounding  with  Blessings 

14  d.  9  m.  Thursday.     I  preached  the  Lecture,  on  Luk.   5.   20. 

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392  DIARY  OF  COTTON  MATHER 

The  Forgiveness  of  Sin,  attaineable;  and  how  declared  and  assured 
unto  the  Forgiven. 

ijd.gm.  I  preached,  Col.  2.  7.  Thanksgiving,  and  an  Abun- 
dance in  it,  and  for  it:  And  the  right  Way  of  celebrating  A  Day  of 
Thanksgiving,  (praeparatory  to  such  a  Day,  at  hand.) 

21  d.  gm.  Thursday.  It  being  a  Day  of  Thanksgiving,  throughout 
the  Province,  I  finished  the  Discourse  about  Abounding  in  Thanks- 
giving, begun  the  last  Lord's-day. 

24  d.  9  m.  I  preached  on  Mat.  27.  46.  The  fourth  Word  of  our 
dying  Lord  on  the  Cross. 

1  d.  10  m.     I  finished,  what  I  began  the  last  Lord's-Day, 

Sd.  10  m.  I  preached  on  Heb.  12.  i  Running  the  Christian 
Race. 

12  d.  10  m.  Thursday.  I  preached  the  Lecture,  on  Joh.  21:  20. 
Disciple  whom  Jesus  loves. 

15  d.  10  m.  I  preached,  on  Heb.  12.  i.  The  Patience  necessary, 
in  running  the  Course  of  Christianity. 

22  d.  10  m.  I  preached,  on  Joh.  19.  28.  The  fifth  Word  of  our 
dying  Lord,  on  the  Cross.     (And  I  adminstred  the  Eucharist.) 

29  d.  10  OT.     I  preached,  on  Heb.  12.  i,  The  Cloud  of  Witnesses. 

sd.  II  m.     I  preached,  on  Heb.  12.  i.     Laying  aside  every  Weight. 

g  d.  II  m.  Thursday.  I  preached,  ■with  a  great  Assistence,  to  a 
great  Assembly,  on  Gen.  50.  20.  The  Good  meant  unto  good  Men, 
by  all  their  Troubles  in  a  troublesome  world. 

i2d.iim.  I  preached  on  Heb.  12.  i.  The  Sin  that  easily 
besets  us. 

19  d.  n  m.     I  preached,  on  Heb.  12.  2.    Looking  unto  Jesus. 

26  d.  II  tn.     I  went  on  with  it. 

2  d.  12  m.  I  preached  both  parts  of  the  Day,  (my  Father  being 
Ul.)  In  the  Forenoon,  on  Heb.  12.  2.  The  Author  and  Finisher  of 
our  Faith.  In  the  Afternoon,  on  Jam.  i.  12.  Enduring  Templacon. 
(It  being  with  myself  a  Time  of  much  Temptation.) 

6d.  12  m.  Thursday.  I  preached  the  Lecture,  on  Job.  19.  25. 
The  Living  Redeemer.     (My  Son  Santutl,  at  this  Time,  lay  a  dying.) 

gd.  12  m.  I  preached,  on  Job.  35.  10.  The  Songs  of  the  Saints 
in  the  darkest  Night  of  Affliction.  (My  Son  Samuel,  at  this  Time 
lying  dead,) 


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lyoi 

THE  XXXrXTH  YEAR  OF  MY  LIFE. 

12  d.  12  m.  Wednesday. 

I  happen  to  begin  this  New  Year  of  my  Life,  with  a 
very  agreeable  Employment. 

The  six  Friends,  who  published  my  Vindication  from  the 
Abuses  of  our  calumnious  and  malicious  Adversary  [the 
first  of  the  seven  is  gone  to  a  better  World,]  being  willing 
to  committ  their  good  Cause  imto  the  Hands  of  the  Lord 
Jesus  Christ,  I  sent  for  them,  and  spent  this  Day  with  them 
in  my  Study,  where  we  fasted,  and  prayed,  and  sang  Psalms: 
and  we  also  putt  over  our  Adversary  imto  the  Hands  of 
our  Almighty  Lord,  with  SuppUcations,  that  He  would  send 
His  Angel,  to  stop  that  Ul  man,  from  going  on  any  further 
in  his  wicked  Enterprises. 

We  had  other  Petitions  to  present  unto  the  Lord;  and 
unto  one  of  them,  we  received,  even  while  we  were  together 
after  Supper  in  the  Evening,  an  immediate  and  remarkable 
Answer. 

The  Lord  putt  it  into  the  Hearts  of  my  Friends,  to 
entreat  of  Him,  that  my  Father  and  myself  might  not  be 
left  alone  in  our  Testimony  to  the  Order  of  the  Gospels  in 
the  Churches,  but  that  He  would  raise  the  Spirits  of  some 
other  faithful  Ministers  to  second  us. 

Now,  I  had  lately  proposed  unto  the  two  most  aged 
Ministers  yett  surviving  in  the  Countrey,  A  Testimony  to 
THE  Order  of  the  Gospel;  and  suggested  the  good  Con- 
sequences of  their  emitting  it.  God  perswaded  them ;  and 
this  Day  I  received  it  from  them,  signed  by  their  aged  Hands : 

[393I 
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394  DIARY  OF  COTTON  MATHER 

which  accordingly  I  forthwith  printed,  and  so  sent  it  abroad 
into  all  the  Land.'  If  the  Lord  smile  upon  this  Action,  it 
will  be  attended  with  an  incredible  Benefit. 

I  am  very  much  concerned  about  one  thing.  My  little 
Daughter  Nanny,  has  her  unknown  Distemper  stUl  hanging 
about  her;  she  languishes,  and  perishes,  under  a  Pain  in  the 
lower  Part  of  her  Belly,  which  the  ablest  physicians  in  the 
Town,  confess  they  do  not  know  how  to  cure.  I  cry  to 
the  Lord  about  it;  yea,  I  have  received  once  and  again  a 
Particular  Faith  from  Heaven  (as  I  thought)  that  the  Child 
shall  be  recovered.  And  yett  the  Malady  proceeds,  even 
to  an  hopeless  Extremity.  Lord !  what  shall  I  think  of  this 
thing! 

1 701 

I  d.  1  m.  [March]  Satureday.  To  obtain  the  Blessing  of 
God,  on  my  Ministry,  and  my  Family;  and  a  Defence 
against  the  Enemies  of  His  Churches  here,  who  are  also 
Enemies  full  of  Malignity  against  myself,  I  sett  apart 
this  Day  for  prayer,  with  Fasting  in  Secret  before  the 
Lord. 

Nothing  remarkable  occurred  in  the  Day.  Only  I 
thought  I  felt  upon  my  Mind  a  Perswasion  from  Heaven, 
that  the  Lord  will  quickly  appear,  with  wonderful  Dispen- 
sations, to  retrieve  and  revive  the  evangehcal  Interests,  in 
the  European  Parts  of  the  World. 

About  this  Time,  I  drew  up,  (at  the  Desire  of  a  General 
Convention  of  the  Ministers  of  the  Pro\-ince),  A  Testimony 
UNTO  THE  Order  of  the  Gospel,  in  the  important  Paint  of, 
the  Consociation  of  Churches. 

14  (f.  I  w.  Friday.  This  Day  again,  I  had  the  Company 
of  my  six  Friends  with  me,  at  my  Study,  engaged  in  the 
Duties  of  Prayer,  with  Fasting,  on  the  same  Occasions  that 
thus  employ 'd  us  a  Month  ago. 

'  John  HiRKinson  and  William  Hubbard  were  the  two  ministers,  and  the  book 
was  printed  by  T.  Green,  1701. 

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MARCH,     1700-01  395 

And  on  this  Day  again,  we  received  a  remarkable  Answer 
of  Prayer. 

These  absurd  and  wicked  Men,  who  are  the  Adversaries 
of  the  Churches,  made  a  grievous  Clamour,  against  the 
Testimony  given  by  the  two  aged  Servants  of  Christ,  unto 
the  Order  of  the  Gospel  among  us,  which  we  received  a  Month 
ago,  as  if  it  were  none  of  theirs  but  a  meer  Trick  of  mine; 
and  the  Speaker  of  the  House  of  Representatives  particularly 
managed  a  Peece  of  MaUce  in  the  House,  to  affront  the 
Testimony,  on  that  Suggestion;  and  they  went  on  to  rail 
and  lye  with  some  further  Calumnies:  but  God  putt  it  into 
the  Heart  of  the  Reverend  old  Mr.  Higginson,  to  write  a 
Letter  imto  the  Deputies  of  the  Province  now  assembled, 
wherein  he  solemnly  declared  the  Testimony  sign'd  by  him, 
to  be  his  own  deUberate  Act  and  Deed,  and  then  added 
his  Reasons  for  emitting  such  a  Testirrumy,  which  Reasons 
were  weighty  and  awful,  and  full  of  Spirit.  This  Letter  was 
dehvered  on  this  Day:  and  upon  the  DeUvery  of  it,  the 
Deputies  voted  Thanks,  to  the  two  old  Gentlemen,  for 
their  Testimony.  Thus  the  Adversaries  of  the  Churches, 
have  overwhelmed  themselves,  and  brought  Confusion 
on  their  own  Cause,  by  their  foolish  Attempts  to  blast 
me,  and  I  at  the  same  Time  receive  a  triumphant  Vin- 
dication. 

It  was  better  than  a  Feast  unto  us,  at  the  End  of 
our  Fast,  for  to  be  entertained  with  the  Tidings  of  this 
Matter. 

About  this  Time,  I  praepared  for,  and  committed  to  the 
Press,  another  Composure.  Having  entertained  a  Company 
of  Christians,  at  a  private  Meeting,  with  a  Discourse,  which 
the  Master  of  the  Family  thought  agreeable;  he  desired  a 
Copy  of  it,  which  I  gave  him;  a  Discourse  containing, 
Lessons  to  be  learn'd  in  the  Schole  of  Affliction.  But  hereto 
I  added  another  Discourse,  formerly  and  more  publickly 
dehvered,  consisting  of.  Cordials  to  be  taken  in  the  Time  of 

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396  DIARY  OF  COTTON  MATHER 

Affliction.    The  whole  I  entituled,  A  Companion  for  the 
Afflicted.' 

Memorandum.  Now  again  I  see,  Faith  is  not  a  Fancy. 
My  little  Daughter  Nanny  is  wonderfully  recovered.  The 
Lord  show'd  us  how  to  encounter  the  Malady.  The  Child 
is  gott  abroad  again;  perfectly  free  from  any  Sign  of  her 
late  Illness;  and  her  Strength  comfortably  returns  unto  her. 

T)d.  2  m.  [April.]  Thursday.  This  Day,  I  had  an  Experi- 
ment of  two  things  which  I  have  often  before  experienced. 
And  tho'  my  great  Employment,  and  greater  Slothfulness, 
does  not  permitt  me,  to  record  abundance  of  such  Passages, 
yett  I  would  compel  myself  now  and  then  to  enter  some  of 
them,  upon  Record,  in  these  Papers. 

First,  I  often  find,  that  when  I  preach  of  the  Angels,  or 
on  a  Subject  (such  as  the  Glory  of  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ,) 
very  singularly  agreeable  to  the  Angels,  I  have  a  more  than 
ordinary  Assistence  in  my  pubUc  Ministrations.  My  ^lind, 
and  Voice  and  Strength,  is  e\'idently  imder  some  special 
Energy  from  the  invisible  World;  and  a  notable  Fervenc}- 
and  Majesty  and  Powerful  pungency  setts  off  mj-  Dis- 
courses. 

Again,  I  often  find,  that  when  I  am  to  do  an)-  singular 
Service  for  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  and  have  any  singular 
Presence  of  His,  in  the  doing  of  it,  I  must  be  prspared  for 
it,  by  sore  Buffetings.  Either  my  Soul  is  much  disturbed, 
and  very  particularly  sick  of  what  I  have  composed:  or 
else  my  Health  is  disturbed,  and  I  am  so  enfeebled  that  I 
think  I  am  able  to  do  nothing  at  all:  and  then,  I  am  wonder- 
fully enlarged,  in  coming  to  do,  what  I  ha\^e  to  do. 

This  Day  in  preaching  on  The  Lord  JESUS  CHRIST, 
as  the  Wonder  of  .Angels,  I  found  those  Things  accomphshed. 

5  rf.  2  m.  Saturcday.  I  find  the  Enemies  of  the  Churches, 
are  sett  with  an  implacable  Enmity  against  myself.  And 
one  vile  Fool,  namely  R.  Co//,  is  employ'd  by  them  to  go  on, 

'  Printed  by  T.  Green  for  Samuel  Sewall,  Jr. 

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APRIL,   1701  397 

with  more  of  his  filthy  Scribbles,  to  hurt  my  precious  Oppor- 
tunities of  glorifying  my  Lord  Jesus  Christ.  I  had  need 
be  much  in  Prayer  unto  my  Glorious  Lord,  that  He  would 
praeserve  His  poor  Servant  from  the  Mahce  of  this  evil 
Generation,  and  of  that  vile  man  particularly. 

I  sett  apart  this  Day,  for  Prayer,  with  Fasting,  before 
the  Lord,  in  this  Occasion.  And  I  obtained  Assurance  from 
Heaven,  that  the  Lord  will  gloriously  Defend  me,  and 
employ  me,  and  rescue  and  encrease  my  Opportunities: 
and  I  shall  quickly  see  a  wonderful  Thing! 

The  Concerns  of  my  Ministry  also,  (wherein  I  am  again 
left  much  alone,  by  my  Father's  Removal  to  Cambridge,) 
and  of  my  Family,  and  of  the  Church,  I  carried  this  Day 
unto  the  Lord. 

II  d.  2  m.  Friday.  Because  I  would  beseech  the  Lord 
thrice,  I  had  my  six  Friends  this  Day  a  third  Time  with  me 
in  my  Study,  spending  it  in  Prayers  (and  Psalms)  with 
Fasting  before  the  Lord:  that  the  Lord  would  send  His 
Angel  to  stop  our  Adversary  in  the  Course  of  his  Wickedness; 
(which  the  Lord  will  do!)  And  that  we  may  obtain  some 
other  Favours  of  Heaven. 

It  was  promised  unto  the  Lord,  that  if  He  would  hear  us 
wee  would  meet  again,  and  spend  a  Day  in  His  Praises: 
(when  we  will  also  consider,  how  we  should  further  praise 
Him.) 

I  did  likewise  promise,  that  I  would  sett  myself  to  do 
some  special  Service,  in  an  Endeavour  that  the  signal 
Providence  of  God,  may  be  observed,  remembred,  and 
improved. 

24  d.  2  m.  Thursday.  T'was  a  pubhc  Fast,  in  which  I 
enjoy'd  considerable  Assistences. 

In  my  Sermon,  I  lett  fall  these  words;  "There  is  much 
Reason  to  suspect,  that  a  War  is  breaking  forth  in  Europe. 
In  the  late  Peace  of  Reswyck,^  the  Wind  came  not  about  the 

'  In  May,  1697,  the  Congress  of  Ryswyk  was  opened,  and  on  September  20 

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398  DIARY  OF  COTTON  MATHER 

right  way;  there  must  be  another  Storm,  and  War,  before 
all  clear  up,  according  to  our  Desires.  If  it  should  be  so, 
there  is  much  Reason  to  suspect,  that  the  French  Oppressor, 
who  wants  nothing  but  New  England,  for  to  render  him  the 
Master  of  all  America,  and  has  been  under  Provocation 
enough  to  fall  foul  upon  us,  may  before  we  do  so  much  as 
hear  of  a  War  proclaimed,  utterly  swallow  us  up." 

Three  Dayes  after  this,  there  arrived  very  surprising 
Intelligence  indeed;  which  represented  unto  us,  all  Europe 
in  a  new  Flame,  on  the  Union  between  France  and  Spain; 
the  Nations  are  in  a  prodigious  Convulsion;  Great  Britain, 
is  particularly  in  an  extreme  Hazard  and  Ferment;  and  the 
Plantations  are  in  a  very  hazardous  CondiCon.' 

Beholding  a  most  astonishing  Security  and  Stupidity, 
on  my  Countrey,  I  made  a  short  Extract,  of  Certain 
Select  Passages,  in  certain  Books  about  the  State  of 
Europe,  and  the  American  Plantations,  now  come  over;  and 
that  I  might  excite  the  Prayers  of  all  men,  and  the  Cares 
of  good  men,  proper  for  the  present  Circumstances,  I  gave 
them  to  some  of  the  Council,  who  printed  it. 

About  the  Beginning  of  the  next  Month,  I  mett  T\ith 
astonishing  Accounts,  of  the  Sufferings  undergone  by  the 
Protestants  in  the  French  Kings  Galleyes;  and  of  the  Lord's 
wonderful  Works,  in  supporting  them  under  their  Suffer- 
ings and  converting  some  at  the  Sight  thereof.  I  thought, 
it  would  be  many  Wayes  a  Service  unto  the  Christians  in 
this  Countrey,  to  be  informed  thereof ;  and  therefore  I  not 
only  commimicated  unto  the  Ministers  at  their  weekly 
IMeeting,  an  Abstract  which  I  had  made  hereof,  but  also 
printed  it,  under  the  Title  of,  A  Letter,  concerjjixg  the 

SUPFERINGS  OF  OUR  PrOTESTANT  BRETHREN. 

10  d.  3  m.  [May.]  Satureday.    To  obtain  Deliverance  for 

a  general  peace  was  concluded,  involving  England,  Holland,  France  and  Spain. 
Under  it,  France  regained  Nova  Scotia. 
'  The  war  of  the  Spanish  succession. 

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MAY,     I  7  O  I  399 

the  Protestant  Religion  and  Interest,  and  for  the  EngHsh 
Nation,  and  for  my  own  poor  Countrey,  now  dreadfidly 
exposed  in  the  Storm  that  is  began  upon  Europe;  and  to 
obtain  a  Blessing  from  God,  on  my  Ministry,  and  on  my 
Family;  and  a  Defence  against  my  implacable  Enemies, 
that  are  seeking  the  Ruine  of  my  precious  Opportunities  to 
glorify  my  Lord  Jesus  Christ:  I  sett  apart  this  Day,  for 
the  Duties  of  a  Secret  Fast;  and  I  was  not  without  some 
comfortable  Tokens  of  the  Lord's  Presence  with  me  in  my 
Duties. 

Especially,  when  I  was  committing  into  His  Hands,  my 
Church-History,  now  in  London. 

15  J.  3  w.  Thursday.  The  Lecture  of  Boston,  was  (upon 
my  Motion)  turned  into  a  Fast;  because  of  the  Difficulties 
upon  the  Church  of  God  abroad,  and  our  own  threatening 
Circumstances.     On  this  Fast,  I  preached  in  the  Afternoon. 

23  (/.  3  w.  I  spent  this  Day,  in  the  Exercises  of  a  Fast, 
on  such  Occasions,  as  formerly. 

On  the  Lord's-day  following,  I  had  a  singular  Entertain- 
ment and  Encouragement.  Having  preached  with  a  great 
Assistence,  in  a  very  great  Assembly  in  the  pubUc,  a  Ser- 
mon, about  shunning  of  bad  Company,  I  appointed  the  young 
Men  that  belong  unto  our  Young-Mens  Meetings,  to  attend 
me,  at  one  of  their  Meetings,  in  the  Evening.  There  came 
together,  I  think,  near  one  hundred  serious  devout  young 
Men,  to  whom  I  further  preached  on  the  Danger  and  Folly 
of  Bad-Covipany.  The  young  Men  desired  a  Copy  of  my 
Sermon,  and  I  gratified  their  Desire,  by  giving  it  unto  the 
Printer  under  the  Title  of.  The  Young  mans  Preservative. 
At  the  End,  I  added,  a  remarkable  History  of  a  young 
Gentleman,  converted  unto  an  Heavenly  Life,  and  rescued 
from  the  Snares  of  evil  Company. 

31  </.  3  m.  Satureday.  I  sett  apart  this  Day,  for  the 
Exercises  of  a  secret  Fast:  especially  referring  to  those 
wonderful  Points  of  my  Particular  Faith,  which  are  not 

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400  DIARY  OF  COTTON  MATHER 

yett  accomplished;  and  which  keept  me  in  Distress,  because 
of  their  not  being  yett  accomplished. 

And,  behold,  while  I  am  himibly  expostulating  with  the 
Lord,  about  it.  He  renewes  the  Particular  Faith  of  those 
very  Points  upon  me. 

6d.  4  m.  [June]  Friday.  I  spent  this  Day  also,  in  the 
like  Exercise,  on  the  same  Occasions. 

Memorandum.  The  Lord  supports  and  comforts  my 
Faith  about  my  Church-History. 

13  (/.  4  OT.  This  Day,  I  received  Letters  from  London, 
which  give  me  still  to  see  that  Faith  is  no  Fancy. 

My  Church-History,  is  a  bulky  thing,  of  about  250 
sheets.  The  Impression  will  cost  about  600  lb.  The  Book- 
sellers in  London  are  cold  about  it.  The  Proposals  for 
Subscriptions,  are  of  an  imcertain  and  a  tedious  Event. 

But  behold,  what  my  Friend  Mr.  Bromfield,  writes  me 
from  London,  March  28,  1701: 

"There  is  one  Mr.  Robert  Hackshaw,  a  very  serious  and  Godly 
man,  who  proposes  to  print  the  Ecclesiastical  History  of  N.  E.  which 
you  intrusted  me  withal.  He  is  willing  to  print  it,  at  his  own 
Charge,  and  give  you  as  many  Books  (I  beleeve)  as  you  desire. 
When  he  proposed  it  to  me,  I  told  him,  Syr,  God  has  answered  Mr. 
Mather's  Prayers.  He  declared  He  did  it  not  with  any  Expectation 
of  Gain  to  himself,  but  for  the  Glory  of  God,  and  that  he  might  be 
a  Means  to  midwife  so  good  a  Work  into  the  World.  And  did  you 
know  him  so  well  as  I  so,  you  would  beleeve  him." 

21  d.  ^m.  Satureday.  That  wonderful  Matter  of  my 
Father's  Agency,  which  had  such  a  Sentence  of  Death  upon 
it,  about  a  year  ago,  is  now  to  my  Astonishment  again 
revived  so  far,  that  there  is  this  week  a  strange  Operation 
of  Things  in  the  General  Assembly  towards  it.' 

Whether  it  will  now  be  brought  about  or  no,  we  know 
not;  but  my  mind  is  in  Distress  about  it.  Wherefore  I 
sett  apart  this  Day,  for  Prayer  with  Fasting  in  my  study, 
to  commit  it  into  the  Hands  of  the  Lord. 

'  Quincy,  History  of  Harvard  University,  l.  144. 

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JULY,     1701  401 

Memorandum.  The  Lord  gives  me  a  Particular  Faith, 
in  Prayer,  that  I  shall  shortly  understand,  that  He  has 
accepted  some  of  my  poor  Composures,  to  glorify  Him,  in 
other  parts  of  the  World. 

lid.  <,m.  {July]  Satureday.  Being  to  preach  about  Holi- 
ness tomorrow,  I  thought  it  proper  for  me,  this  Day  to 
humble  myself  before  the  Lord,  in  the  Sense  of  my  Unholi- 
ness,  and  obtain  from  Him  the  Influences,  that  might  make 
me  very  holy.     I  sett  apart  this  Day,  in  part  for  that  End. 

I  have  also  some  Thoughts  concerning  my  Taking  a 
Journey  to  (Salem  and)  Ipswich,  within  a  week;  or  two; 
and  my  having  there  a  very  great  Opportunity  to  glorify 
my  Saviour,  and  edify  His  People.  I  therefore  carried  the 
whole  affayr  of  that  Journey,  this  Day  before  the  Lord; 
that  all  the  Circumstances  of  it,  may  be  ordered  in  very 
Faithfulness:  And  particularly,  that  the  fond  Expectations 
of  the  People,  flocking  in  great  Multitudes  to  hear  me,  may 
not  provoke  the  Lord,  any  way  to  leave  me  unto  Confusion, 
as  a  Chastisement  for  their  Vanity. 

But  as  I  observed  a  strange  Coldness  in  my  Prayers, 
about  my  Journey  to  Ipswich,  so  there  fell  out  Something 
the  next  week,  which  wholly  putt  by  my  Purposes  of  going 
thither  at  all. 

However,  the  Lord  wiU  not  reject  me,  from  serving  my 
Lord  Jesus  Christ,  I  composed  a  Discourse  on  the  Glories 
and  Wonders,  that  shine  in  the  Lord  JESUS  CHRIST,  I 
discoursed  on  Him,  extoUing  Him  as  the  Wonder  of  Angels. 
And  being  desirous  to  invite  many  others  to  join  with  me 
in  wondring  at  Him,  I  gave  the  httle  Treatise  to  the  Book- 
seller; entituled,  Thaumatographia  Christiana,  or.  The 
Wonders  of  Christianity.' 

Preaching  a  Sermon  at  the  Lecture  about  being  in  the 
Fear  of  God  all  the  day  long,  the  Lord  has  bless'd  my  Sermon 
to  myself,  I  beleeve,  more  than  to  any  one  of  all  my  Hearers. 

*  Printed  by  B.  Green  and  J.  Allen  for  Samuel  Sewall,  Jr.,  1701. 
I  ■  26 

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402  DIARY  or  COTTON  MATHER 

For  it  strangely  revived  and  strengthened,  my  own  Methods 
of  a  daily  Walk  with  God.  And  I  must  humbly  acknowledge, 
that  I  feel  a  strange  Efficacy  and  Serenity  arising  from  such 
a  methodical  Walk  with  God. 

^i  d.  $m.  Ships  arrived  from  England.  And  I  am  en- 
tertained with  especially  two  observeable  Passages,  which 
relates  unto  myself. 

The  first  is  this.  I  received  a  Letter  from  a  Gentleman 
in  London,  in  which  are  these  words:  "Your  Spanish  Faith, 
is  gone  further,  than  it  may  be,  you  thought  for.  Mr. 
Chamberlain,  an  Acquaintance  of  mine,  by  reason  of  his 
being  employed  by  the  religious  Societies,  as  a  Secretary  for 
them,  has  a  Correspondence  with  the  French  and  Dutch 
Ministers  in  Holland.  They  have  now  at  the  Hague  with 
them,  a  considerable  Spanish,  or  Portuguese  Proselyte,  who 
desired  such  a  thing  as  that  was,  and  said,  he  could  make 
great  use  of  it.  Accordingly  we  have  sent  it  to  them,  and 
received  Abundance  of  Thanks.  This  Portuguese  Proselyte, 
is  of  a  very  good  family,  in  his  owia  Countrey,  and  was  in 
orders  there.  And  he  does  declare,  that  Portugal  is  very 
ripe  for  a  Reformation,  if  it  were  well  sett  afoot  there.  I 
pray  God,  hasten  it,  in  its  Time!" 

The  second  is  this.  Many  (it  may  be,  more  than  seven) 
Years  ago,  a  Bookseller  going  from  hence  to  London,  carried 
certain  Manuscripts  of  mine  with  him,  declaring  his  Inten- 
tions to  publish  them.  He  carelessly  left  them  in  the  Hands 
of  Mr.  Cockeril,  a  Bookseller  there;  who  some  time  after 
dyed;  and  I  could  never  hear  what  became  of  my  Manu- 
scripts; but  with  humble  Submission  to  the  Will  of  the 
Lord,  therein,  I  gave  them  over  for  lost.  After  all,  a 
Friend  of  mine  going  the  last  Summer  for  London,  did  the 
last  Winter  enquire  after  my  Manuscripts;  and  strangely 
recovering  of  them,  he  carried  them  unto  another  Book- 
seller, who  published  them;  and  they  are  now,  many  of  them, 
come  over  into  the  Countrey.     The  Book,  wliich  has  had 

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SEPTEMBER,     170I  4O3 

such  a  Resurrection  from  the  Dead,  has  this  Title,  Death 
MADE  Easy  and  Happy. 

2d.  6  m.  [August.]  Satureday.  The  dreadful  Storm,  that 
is  beginning  on  the  Nations  of  Europe,  and  that  is  impend- 
ing over  New  England,  (and  particularly,  the  Destruction  of 
all  our  Charters,  which  is  on  foot  in  the  Parliament,)  gives 
additional  Causes,  besides  my  usual  ones,  to  be  this  Day, 
in  the  Duties  of  a  Secret  Fast  before  the  Lord:  and  I  was 
accordingly. 

23  d.  6  m.  Satureday.  Purposing  a  Journey  to  Salem 
(and  Ipswich)  the  next  week,  I  sett  apart  this  Day,  espe- 
cially to  pray  for  a  Blessing  upon  it,  and  upon  all  the 
Circumstances  of  it. 

On  Tuesday,  26  d.tm.l  travelled  unto  Salem;  and  the 
day  following  unto  Ipswich;  where  on  Thursday  I  preached 
the  Lecture.  On  Friday  I  returned  unto  Salem.  On  the 
Lord's-day,  I  preached  there  both  parts  of  the  Day.  On 
the  Wednesday  I  preached  the  Lecture  there ;  and  on  Thurs- 
day I  returned  Home.  The  Lord  smiled  on  my  Journey, 
and  filled  it  with  Comfort  and  Service. 

Much  about  this  Time,  I  propounded  unto  myself,  some 
Advantage  to  the  evangehcal  Interests,  by  giving  to  the 
pubUck  two  Discourses;  one  directing  a  Christian  in  his 
general  Calling;  another  directing  him  in  his  personal  Call- 
ing. These  Discourses  I  entituled,  A  Christian  at  his 
Calling;  and  gave  them  unto  the  Bookseller.' 

18  i.  7  w.  [September]  Thursday.  This  Day,  was  a  gen- 
eral Fast,  thro'  the  Province. 

One  Day  this  week,  I  mett  with  a  particular  Experience 
(as  I  have  often  done,  tho'  thro'  my  sinful  Sloth,  I  have  not 
recorded  it,)  that  may  serve  to  illustrate  the  Operation  of 
the  Holy  Spirit,  upon  the  Words  of  the  Faithful  on  their 
Prayers,  and  the  great  Occasion  and  Advantage,  which 
there  may  be  of  my  observing,  what  Words  I  am  drawn  to 

'  Printed  by  B.  Green  and  J.  Allen,  for  Samuel  Sewall,  Jr.,  1701. 

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404  DIARY   OF   COTTON  MATHER 

utter,  when  I  am  under  the  most  praying  Energies  of  the 
Lord. 

Wee  received  Advice,  that  the  Husband  of  a  young 
Gentlewoman  a  little  related  unto  me,  was  come  to  a  tragi- 
cal Death,  in  a  Fight  with  a  Zallee-Man  of  War.  In  my 
visit  unto  her  upon  this  Advice,  I  went  to  Prayer  with  her, 
as  it  was  my  Duty.  She  had  a  sister  in  the  Room  who  was 
also  a  young  Widow,  and  had  been  so  for  many  months. 
Now,  in  my  Prayer,  I  found  myself  strangely  diverted  from 
the  Condition  of  the  person  to  whom  only  I  intended  my 
Visit.  I  was  as  it  were  compelled  so  to  Word  my  Prayer, 
as  to  take  in  all  along  the  Condition  of  her  Sister;  even  as 
if  my  Prayer  had  been  cheefly,  if  not  only,  for  her.  I 
wondred  a  little,  at  my  Frame  in  this  Matter. 

But  the  Spirit  of  the  Lord  knew  what  I  did  not  know. 
Within  two  Dayes,  there  arrived  Intelligence,  that  the 
young  Man,  the  Husband  of  the  supposed  Widow,  to  whom 
I  gave  my  Visit,  was  yett  Uving. 

27  (i.  7  m.  Satureday.  I  sett  apart  this  Day,  for  the 
Devotions  of  a  secret  Fast. 

And  this  Day,  I  obtained  from  the  Lord,  great  Per- 
swasions  and  Assurances  of  His  Blessing  upon  my  Church- 
History  (the  PubUcation  whereof  has  been  unhappily  clog'd 
by  some  Dispositions  of  the  Gentleman,  to  whom  I  first 
sent  it.) 

My  Wife's  Father,  being  upon  a  second  Marriage,  and 
it  being,  there  withal  a  Time  of  much  Temptacon,  with  him- 
self and  his  Family;  I  thought  it  needful  to  spread  the  Case, 
this  way  and  this  Day,  before  the  Lord. ' 

3  (i.  8  m.  [October.]  Friday.  I  sett  apart  this  Day,  for 
the  Devotions  of  a  secret  THANKSGIVING  in  my  Study. 

I  spent  it  in  such  Exercises,  and  with  such  Affections, 
as  I  use  to  have  on  such  Dayes. 

But  the  more  special  Favours,  of  Heaven,  which  I  singled 

'  John  Phillips  married  Sarah  Graves,  October  or  November,  1701. 

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OCTOBER,     170I  405 

out,  for  the  more  special  Subjects  of   my  Thanksgiving, 
were; 

1.  The  notable  Answers  of  Prayer,  which  I  have  received, 
as  in  the  Prolongation  of  my  Life,  unto  this  Day,  so  in  the 
Restoration  of  my  Health,  as  it  is  at  this  Day. 

2.  The  wonderful  Defeats,  which  God  has  given  to  all 
the  subtil  and  raging  mahce  of  my  Enemies  who,  tho'  for 
my  FideUty  to  the  evangeUcal  Interests,  they  have  tried  all 
the  Wayes  they  can  to  blast  my  Opportunities  of  servmg 
the  Lord,  all  their  Councils  are  turned  into  Foolishness. 

3.  The  Lord's  carrying  over  my  Church-History  safely 
into  England,  after  He  had  helped  me  to  compose  that,  and 
many  otho'  Works  which  Hee  has  accepted,  and  ordered  to  be 
pubUshed,  and  given  Hopes  for  the  Pubhcation  of  that  also. 

4.  My  continual  Opportunities  to  do  good,  both  by 
Preaching  and  Printing,  above  what  are  enjoyed,  by  most 
of  the  Servants  of  the  Lord,  in  the  World. 

And  on  these  Points,  I  likewise  poured  out  Supplica- 
tions, with  Faith  and  Joy,  for  further  Favours  of  the  Lord. 

But  there  was  another  signal  Article  of  my  Praises  to 
the  Lord,  on  this  Day;  and  this  was,  the  Confluence  of 
Blessings,  which  I  enjoy  in  my  dearest  Consort,  who  bore 
me  Company  in  some  of  the  Duties  of  the  Day.  Her 
Piety,  the  agreeable  Charms  of  her  Person,  her  obUging 
Deportment  unto  me,  her  Discretion  in  ordering  my  and 
her  Affairs,  and  avoiding  every  thing  that  might  be  dis- 
honourable to  either  of  us,  and  the  lovely  Off-Spring  that  I 
have  received  by  her,  and  her  being  spared  imto  me  for 
now  more  than  Fifteen  Years;  these  are  things  that  I  should 
thankfully  acknowledge  before  the  Lord. 

About  this  Time  I  finished  a  Work,  which  cost  me  much 
Time,  and  Care,  and  Study.  I  wrote  in  a  Book  of  above  an 
hundred  pages  in  Quarto,  an  account  of  the  Principles  and 
Practices  in  the  Churches  of  New  England.  But  I  embel- 
lished it  all  along,  with  a  further  Account  of  what  was  done 

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4o6  DIARY  OF  COTTON  MATHER 

in  the  primitive  Churches,  which  required  some  exquisite 
Labor.  I  concluded,  that  a  Book  of  this  Importance, 
would  have  a  mighty  Tendency,  to  preserve  the  holy  Dis- 
cipline in  our  own  Churches,  from  the  Dangers  of  the 
Apostasy  which  may  threaten  it,  and  promote  the  Designs 
of  Reformation  abroad  in  the  world.  I  do,  for  many  Rea- 
sons, contrive  the  Work,  into  the  Form,  of  a  Letter  to  my 
Lord  of  Haversham;  and  I  entitle  it.  Ratio  DisciPLEsriE 
Fratrum  Nov-Anglorum  or,  A  Faithful  Account,  etc. 

And  now  I  send  it  unto  London,  resolving  to  follow  it, 
with  many  Prayers  and  Cries  unto  the  Lord." 

Moreover,  I  thought,  it  might  glorify  my  Lord  JESUS 
CHRIST,  if  I  should  exhibit  His  Exemple  unto  my  Neigh- 
bours, in  publishing  some  evangelical  Discourses,  upon  that 
noble  and  holy  Subject.  Wherefore  I  gave  two  Discourses 
thereupon,  unto  the  Booksellers;  who  publish  them,  under 
the  Title  of  Christianity  to  the  Life.' 

'  It  was  printed  in  Boston  in  1726,  by  S.  Gerrish. 

'  Printed  in  1702. 

"Oct'r  20.  [In  margin:  'Opprobrium.  Mr.  Cotton  Mather  sjjeaks  hard 
words  of  me.']  Mr.  Cotton  Mather  came  to  Mr.  [RichardJ  Wilkins's  shop, and 
there  talked  ven.'  sharply  against  me  as  if  I  had  used  his  father  worse  than  a  Neger; 
spake  .so  loud  that  people  in  the  street  might  hear  him.  Then  went  and  told  Sam, 
that  one  pleaded  much  (or  Negros,  and  he  had  used  his  father  worse  than  a  Negro, 
and  told  him  that  was  his  Father.  I  had  read  in  the  mom  Mr.  Dod's  sa.xdng; 
Sanctified  .^ffictions  are  good  Promotions.  I  found  it  now  a  cordial.  And  this 
caus'd  me  the  rather  to  set  under  my  Father  and  Mother's  Epitaph, —  Psal.  27. 10. 

"It  may  be  it  would  be  arrogance  for  me  to  think  that  I,  as  one  of  Christ's 
Witnesses,  am  slain,  or  ly  dead  in  the  street. 

"Oct'r  9.  I  sent  Mr  Increase  Mather  a  Hanch  of  very  good  Venison;  I 
hope  in  that  I  did  not  treat  him  as  a  Xcgro.  .  .  . 

"October  22,  1701.  1,  with  Major  Walley  and  Capt.  Sam'l  Checkly,  speak 
with  Mr.  Cotton  Mather  at  Mr.  Wilkins's.  I  e.tpostulated  with  him  from  i  Tim. 
5.  1.  Rebuke  not  an  elder.  He  said  he  had  considered  that:  I  told  him  of  his 
book  of  the  Law  of  Kindness  for  the  Tongue,  whether  this  were  correspondent  with 
that.  Whether  correspondent  with  Christ's  Rule:  He  said,  having  spoken  to  me 
before  there  was  no  need  to  speak  to  me  again;  and  so  justified  his  reviling  me 
behind  my  back.  Charg'd  the  Council  with  L\ing,  Hypocrisy,  Tricks,  and  I 
know  not  what  all.  I  ask'd  him  if  it  were  done  with  that  Meekness  as  it  should; 
answer'd  yes.  Charg'd  the  Council  in  (jcneral,  and  then  show'd  my  share,  which 
was  my  sfxich  in  Count  il;  viz.  if  .Mr.  [Increase]  Mather  should  goe  to  Cambridge 
again  to  reside  there  with  a  Resolution  not  to  read  the  Scriptures,  and  expound  in 

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OCTOBER,     I7OI  407 

2$d.  Sm.  Saiureday.  I  sett  apart  this  Day,  for  Prayer 
with  Fasting  before  the  Lord. 

Many  were  the  Occasions  of  it.  But  one,  upon  which  I 
peculiarly  insisted  in  my  SuppHcations,  was  to  ask  for  a 
Blessing  of  God  upon  my  Church-History  now  in  London. 
And  I  think,  the  Lord  favoured  me,  with  the  Consolations 
of  a  particular  Faith,  for  the  Blessing  which  I  desired  of  Him. 

About  this  Time,  as  the  Effect  of  not  small  Pains  nor 
few  Prayers,  I  sent  unto  the  Press,  a  Work  which  is  contrived 
many  wayes  to  serve  the  Church  of  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ, 
and  promote  good  Knowledge  and  Practice  in  the  World. 
I  took  the  New  English  (my  Grandfather  Cotton's)  Cate- 
chism, and  in  twenty  six  Exercises  upon  it  (which  may  be 
twice  gone  over  in  the  52  Sabbaths  of  a  Year)  I  gave  the 
whole  Body  of  Divinity,  in  so  famihar  and  inteUigible  Quces- 
tions,  that  a  bare.  Yes,  or  No,  is  the  whole  Answer  to  them 
all;  and  yett  stUl  asserted  with  pertinent  Scriptures  Hereto 
I  added  the  Assemblies  Catechism  with  the  like  (but  a 
shorter)  Operation  upon  it.  But  I  did  also  fill  up  the  Book, 
with  many  other  Essayes,  tho'  briefer  ones,  with  as  exquisite 
Contrivance  as  I  was  able,  to  advance  the  Interests  of  the 
Christian  Religion,  among  all  sorts  of  Persons.  I  intended 
it,  as  a  Book  of  great  use,  to  all  Christians,  but  especially 
to  Christian  Housholders.  And  the  Lord  in  answer  to  my 
poor  Cries  unto  Him,   inspired  my  Neighbours,   with  a 

the  Hall:  I  fear  the  example  of  it  will  do  more  hurt  than  his  going  thither  will  doe 
good.  This  speech  I  owned.  Said  Mr.  Corwin  at  Reading,  upbraided  him,  saying. 
This  is  the  man  you  dedicate  your  books  to?  I  ask'd  him  If  I  should  suppose  he 
had  done  somthing  amiss  in  his  Church  as  an  Officer;  whether  it  would  be  well  for 
me  to  exclaim  against  him  in  the  street  for  it.  (Mr.  Wilkins  would  fain  have  had 
him  gon  into  the  inner  room,  but  he  would  not.)  I  told  him  I  conceiv'd  he  had 
done  much  unbecoming  a  Minister  of  the  Gospel.  .  .  . 

"Oct'r  24.  I  got  Mr.  Moody  to  copy  out  my  Speech,  and  gave  it  to  Mr. 
Wilkins  that  all  might  see  what  was  the  ground  of  Mr.  Mather's  Anger.  Writ  out 
another  and  gave  it  to  Joshua  Gee.  I  perceive  Mr.  Wilkins  carried  his  to  Mr. 
Mathers;  They  seem  to  grow  calm."  Sewall,  Diary,  n.  43.  See  also  his  Letter 
Book,  I.  263,  264.  Peace  was  had  between  them  at  the  end  of  the  year.  See 
Sewall  to  Mather,  December  31,  1701,  in  Lell'r  Book,  1.  266. 

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408  DIARY  OF  COTTON  MATHER 

mighty  Zeal;  to  forward  the  Publication  of  this  Work.  So 
I  gave  it  unto  the  Booksellers;  entituled,  The  Faithfxjl 
Instructor.    Tis  twelve  Sheets,  in  print.' 

The  Month  of  November  most  of  it  passed  me,  without 
any  remarkable  Experiences.  The  Lord  helped  me  to  go 
on  in  his  comfortable  Service;  and  I  enjoy'd  many  Com- 
forts in  it.' 

On  20  d.  9  m.  [November.]  was  a  Day  of  Public  Thanks- 
giving; in  which  I  enjoyed  the  favourable  Assistences  of  the 
Lord.  And  I  concluded  the  Day,  with  many  Resolutions, 
to  be  yett  more  serviceable,  in  my  Family,  and  in  my  Min- 
istry; whereof  I  may  give  a  further  Account,  when  I  arrive 
to  the  Executions  of  them. 

I  wrote  a  Poem  of  Consolations  under  Blindness,  unto 
an  aged  and  pious  Gentlewoman,  visited  with  total  Blind- 
ness:   Which  her  Son-in-Law  pubUshed. 

6  d.  10  m.  [December.]  Saturcday.  I  doubt,  lest  by  Pros- 
perity, I  fall  into  Security,  I  dare  not  go  any  longer,  with- 
out my  old  IMethods,  of  Praying  with  Fasting  in  secret 
Places.  I  sett  apart  this  Day  for  the  Exercises  of  a  Fast 
in  my  Study;  and  for  extraordinary  Prayer,  tho'  I  had  not 
many  Occasions  but  the  ordinan,'  and  perpetual  Ones,  which 
indeed  are  enough  to  keep  me  perpetually  on  my  Knees 
before  the  Lord. 

I  enjoyed  something  of  the  Divine  Presence  with  me, 
this  Day;  and  this  especially,  when  I  did  in  a  Prayer  pecu- 
liarly for  that  Purpose,  address  the  Lord,  for  His  Blessing 
on  my  Clmrch-IIistory.  My  Faith  used  a  great  ^'a^iety  of 
Argument   in   pleading  with  the  Lord,  that  the  History, 

'  Maschil,  or  Ihr  Faithful  Instructor,  printed  by  B.  Green  and  J.  Allen  in  1702. 

'  " 0  rf.  9  m  (.Votif mftrr.)  Nathanatl  Shaw,  h.Tving  been  convicted  of  many 
Scandals,  as  bcinR  i.  a  notoriou?  cvil-company-keeper;  and  2.  gi\en  up  to  Gaming, 
and  Idleness,  and  Neglect  of  his  calling,  with  his  evil  company;  and  3.  often  omit- 
ting the  worship  of  God  in  his  family;  and  4.  bcinR  frequently  drunk;  but  now  fled 
out  of  the  province;  the  Church  this  day  laid  him  under  Censure,  and  agreed  that 
a  solemn  Admonition  should  be  sent  aftt-r  him."  Cotton  Mather's  MS.  Records  of 
the  Second  Clnir,  h,  II. 

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JANUARY,     1701-02  409 

which  He  has  helped  me  to  write,  of  His  glorious  Works  in 
these  American  Churches  might  not  be  lost,  but  be  pre- 
served and  published  and  prospered,  and  find  Acceptance 
among  His  People.  It  will  be  so!  I  have  prevailed!  I 
have  prevailed! 

20  d.  10  m.  Satureday.  On  the  same  (and  some  other) 
Occasions,  I  sett  apart  this  Day  likewise,  as  a  Day  of  Prayer 
in  my  Study. 

Especially,  to  obtain  a  Blessing  on  my  Church-History. 

2,d.  11  m.  [January.]  Satureday.     I  did  the  like  again. 

And  on  one  of  these  Dayes,  I  imposed  it  as  a  Task  upon 
myself,  to  fill  my  Soul  with  many  humbling  Thoughts  of 
Sin,  and  of  my  own  Sin,  and  of  the  Evil  in  my  Sin;  Thoughts 
raised  from  all  sorts  of  Objects,  occurring  to  me  in  the  Inter- 
vals of  my  more  fixed  Meditations  and  Exercises,  through- 
out the  Day.  I  found  a  singular  and  sanctifying  Vertue 
in  this  way  of  proceeding. 

ij  d.  11  m.  Satureday.  I  repeted  the  like  Exercises,  on 
the  like  Occasions. 

And  the  Lord  raises  my  Faith  concerning  my  Church- 
History,  to  a  considerable  Elevation  and  Satisfaction." 

31  (f.  II  m.  Satureday.  I  was  again  before  the  Lord,  on 
the  same  occasions  that  I  was  a  Fortnight  ago,  praying  and 
fasting  in  my  Study. 

.  When  I  was  this  Day  carrying  my  Church-History  before 
the  Lord,  confessing  the  Sins  of  it,  and  all  my  otiter  Sins, 
by  which  I  have  rendred  myself  worthy,  that  it,  and  /  too, 
should  be  a  Cast-away,  but  applying  to  the  Blood  of  the 
Lord  Jesus  Christ  for  the  Pardon  of  all  my  Sins,  (which 
Blood  being  sprinkled  on  my  poor  Work,  the  Destroyer  shall 

'  "Stephen  Johnson,  having  his  First-borne  child,  bom  si.\  or  seven  weeks  be- 
fore nine  Months  from  his  marriage  were  expired,  and  having  pcenitently  and 
ingenuously  acknowledged  hereupon  that  he  had  sinfully  conversed  with  her  who 
is  now  his  wife,  as  his  wife,  before  she  were  so,  his  Repentance  was  this  Day  offered 
to  the  Church,  and  accepted."  Cotton  Mather's  MS.  Records  of  tlie  Second 
Church,  n. 

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4IO  DIARY  OF  COTTON  MATHER 

not  come  at  it,)  I  received  a  wonderful  Assurance  from 
Heaven,  that  the  Lord  will  accept  this  Work,  and  that  His 
Providence  will  wonderfully  appear  in  and  for  the  Pubhca- 
tion  of  it.  My  Assurance  cast  me  into  Floods  of  Tears,  and 
I  resolved  that  I  would  be  wholly  for  the  Lord,  who  has  thus 
heard  the  Voice  of  my  Supplications. 

But  there  was  another  Matter,  about  which  also  I  made 
this  Day,  my  Addresses  unto  the  Lord. 

lo  d.  12  m.  [FebruM.ry.]  Tuesday.  I  sett  apart  this  Day 
for  THANKSGIVING  in  my  Study.  The  Matter  of  my 
Thanksgiving,  was  much  the  same  with  my  last.  And  the 
Method  of  it  had  not  much  that  was  new.  So  I  enter  no 
more  of  it,  in  these  Records. 

But  I  considered  with  myself,  that  while  I  am  on  every 
side  surrounded  with  mercies  and  Comforts,  the  Church  of 
my  Lord  Jesus  Christ  abroad,  is  harassed  vdih  horrible 
Troubles.  And  it  would  be  some  Expression  of  my  Thank- 
fulness to  the  Lord,  for  my  Comforts,  if  I  did  obtain  in  my- 
self and  promote  in  others,  a  greater  sense  of  the  Troubles 
on  His  Church.  Wherefore  I  digested  into  a  single  Sheet 
of  Paper,  as  exact  and  perfect  and  curious  an  Account 
as  I  could  of  the  deplorable  Condition  in  which  the  Church 
at  this  Time  is  Languishing,  and  with  as  many  Charms 
as  I  could,  I  directed  and  entreated  the  Prayers  of  Good 
Men  for  distressed  Zion.  I  entituled  it,  .Ad\ice  to  the 
Chitrches  of  the  Faithfitl,'  Briefly  Reporting  the  Present 
State  of  the  Church  throughout  tlie  World,  and  bespeaking 
the  Fervent  prayer  for  the  Church,  which  this  Time  alone  caUeth 
for.  And  I  purposed,  that  when  tis  published,  it  shall  be 
scattered  throughout  the  Countrey. 

M>-  NtT)-  dear  Friend,  Mr.  Bromficld,  was  at  the  Charge 
of  publishing  it;  and,  his  charitable  Hand,  gave  two  apeece 
to  each  of  the  Representati\-es  in  the  General  Assembly, 
desiring  them  to  give  one  unto  the  Minister  of  the  Place, 

'  Printed  by  B.  Green  and  J.  Allen  in  170a. 

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FEBRUARY,     1701-02  4II 

where  such  Person  lived.  It  proved  liighly  acceptable  and 
serviceable,  and  many  Ministers  even  had  it  read  in  their 
Several  Congregacons. 

(He  did  the  Like  afterwards,  to  the  General  Assembly  in 
Connecticut.) 

One  thing  that  hath  cost  me  more  than  a  little  Time 
and  Care,  in  the  latter  Part  of  this  Year,  has  been,  to  sett 
up  a  Nimiber  of  reHgious  private  Meetings,  among  the 
Christians  in  my  Neighbourhood,  besides  those  that  are 
already  maintained.  I  considered  with  myself,  that  the 
Spirit  of  ReUgion  was  mightily  preserved  and  promoted, 
by  private  Meetings  well  managed  among  the  People  of  God. 
The  Lord  has  now  so  marvellously  prospered  my  Labours 
for  and  with  such  private  Meetings,  that  I  shall  have  at 
least  thirteen  or  fourteen  of  these  (besides  my  Vast  Con- 
gregation) under  my  Charge.  They  unavoidably  demand  of 
me,  a  deal  of  Time,  and  Care,  and  expensive  Industry: 
nor  do  I  know  any  Minister  upon  Earth  at  this  Day,  that 
has  the  like  Number  to  look  after.  Lord,  assist  me  to  value, 
and  improve  my  precious  Opportunities ! 

All  that  I  have  here  to  add,  is,  that  when  I  am  com- 
mitting my  Church-History  (which  great  Work  runs  great 
Hazards  of  Miscarrying)  into  the  Hands  of  the  Lord  Jesus 
Christ,  I  receive  wonderful  Assurances,  (I  think,  I  know) 
from  Heaven,  that  the  Lord  will  accept  it,  and  preserve  it, 
and  pubUsh  it,  and  that  it  shall  not  be  lost.  An  heavenly 
Afflatus  causes  me  sometimes  to  fall  into  Tears  of  Joy, 
assured,  that  the  Lord  has  heard  my  Supplications  about 
this  Matter.  And  now,  its  having  been  thus  long  delayed, 
and  obstructed  and  clogg'd,  proves  but  an  Opportunity  for 
that  Prayer  and  Faith,  and  for  those  Experiences,  which 
if  I  had  gone  without,  the  Publication  of  that  Book,  would 
not  have  proved  near  so  sweet  a  Mercy  to  me. 

But,  if  it,  should  miscarry  after  all,  O  my  God,  My  God, 
what  Confusion  would  ensue  upon  me! 

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412  DIARY  OF  COTTON  MATHER 

An  Observation. 

Tis  a  Passage,  which  Mr.  Baxter  has  in  his  Christian 
Directory; 

If  you  be  famous  for  any  Grace  or  Good  Work,  expect  to  he 
defamed  for  the  quite  Contrary.  I  have  ktiown  some  that  have 
given  away  almost  all  that  they  had  to  the  poor,  and  hardly  kept 
Necessaries  for  themselves;  yett  these  persons  have  been  accused 
of  Coveteousness,  Unkindness,  Hard-dealing. 

I  have  myself  often  felt  the  Experience  of  this  Obser- 
vation. I  will  here  mention  the  Experience,  in  the  words 
of  a  printed  Letter;  wherein  I  myseK  am  the  very  Person 
intended. 

"  It  has,  in  some  former  Years  commonly  happened  unto 
me,  that  when  I  visited,  in  the  Way  of  my  pastoral  Duty, 
persons  possessed  with  evil  Spirits,  the  Persons,  tho'  they 
knew  every  one  else  in  the  Room,  yett  thro'  the  unaccount- 
able Operation  of  the  evil  Spirits  upon  their  Eyes,  I  must 
appear  so  dirty,  so  ugly,  so  disguised  unto  them,  that  they 
could  have  no  Knowledge  of  me.  I  ha\"e  a  thousand  times 
thought,  that  the  Lord  ordered  this  for  some  Intimation 
unto  me,  that  when  Times  of  Temptation  come,  wherein  evil 
Spirits  have  as  much  Operation  on  the  Minds  of  many 
People  as  they  have  on  the  Eyes  of  Encrgiimais,  a  ^Minister 
of  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ  that  will  be  faithful  unto  His 
Interests,  must  look  to  be  all  over  disguised  by  Misrepre- 
sentations, unto  the  Minds  of  them  that  are  under  the  Powej; 
of  Temptation.  A  Minister  shall  stricth-  impose  that  Law 
of  Kindness  upon  his  Lips,  to  speak  not  one  intemperate  or 
injurious  Word  on  the  greatest  Provocation;  and  yett  be 
represented,  as  a  man  full  of  Bitterness.  He  shall  be  alwayes 
dcvisini^  liberal  Things  to  relcc\-e  the  miserable,  and  spend 
more  than  many  others  do  imagine  possible  to  be  spent  in 
pious  Uses,  and  scorn  to  take  many  little  Gains  that  might 
lawfully  so  be  taken,  and  yett  they  shall  cry  out  of  him 
for   Uncharitableness  and  Incivility.     He  shall  never  once 

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FEBRUARY,     I7OI-O2  4I3 

in  his  Life,  ask  a  Salary,  from  his  Flock,  nor  agree  with 
them  about  a  Salary,  nor  have  his  Dependence  on  the 
Lord's-Day  Collections  for  a  Salary,  nor  be  in  any  Likelihood 
of  seeing  the  Lord's-Day  Collections  to  fail,  and  yett  they 
shall  flout  at  him,  as  one  afraid  of  losing  his  Contribution. 
A  Minister  shall  be  of  such  a  Temper,  that  perceiving  a 
considerable  and  valuable  Part  of  his  Flock,  to  putt  them- 
selves unto  a  deal  of  Trouble,  to  attend  upon  his  Ministry 
(by  passing  a  large  Ferry  every  Lords-Day,)  he  shall  one 
Year  after  another  call  upon  those  beloved  Christians,  to 
leave  his  Ministry,  and  sett  up  a  new  church  by  themselves, 
and  sett  up  a  Worthy  Pastor  over  them,  to  support  whom, 
he  shall  offer  to  contribute  not  a  little,  and  part  with  some 
of  his  own  Salary.'  And  yett  this  Minister  shall  be  repre- 
sented as  afraid  of  nothing  more  than  losing  his  Hearers. 
He  shall  —  but  I  don't  love  to  mention  these  Things.  The 
Lord  of  Heaven  teach  us  by  these  things  to  long  for  Heaven, 
and  even  while  we  are  on  Earth,  to  live  in  Heaven!" 
The  Course  of  my  Public  Ministry. 

ltd.  12m.  [February.]  i-jcx).  I  preached  (in  course)  on  Heb. 
12.  2.  Our  Lord's  exemplary  Patience,  when  He  endured  the  Cross, 
despising  the  Shame.     (And  I  administred  the  Eucharist.) 

23  d.  12  m.  I  preached  on  Heb.  12.  2.  The  Lord  Jesus  Christ, 
silting  on  the  right  Hand  of  the  Throne  of  God. 

1701.  2d.  im.  [March.]  I  preached  on  Heb.  12.  3.  The  con- 
sideration of  our  Lord  enduring  the  Contradiction  of  Sinners;  as  a 
Remedy  against  our  Fainting  under  Temptations. 

bd.im.  Thursday.  I  preached  (the  Lecture)  with  a  great 
Assistence,  to  a  great  Assembly,  on,  Math.  8.  10.  A  great  Faith. 
And  I  hope,  the  Lord  was  greatly  glorified. 

gd.\m.  I  preached,  on  Heb.  12.  3.  and  concluded,  with  an 
Application,  all  my  ten  former  Discourses,  on  this  Paragraph  of 
Scriptures. 

16  d.  im.  I  preached  on  Lev.  10.  3.  The  Sanctifying  of  God, 
by  them  that  come  nigh  unto  Him. 

23  d.im.     I  preached  on  Eph.  i.  3.    The  Duty  of  all  Men,  and 

'  He  is  evidently  speaking  of  himself.    See  p.  180,  supra. 

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414  DIARY  OF  COTTON  MATHER 

the  Character  of  good  Men,  to  bless  God,  for  His  Blessings.  (Begin- 
ning a  Course  of  Sermons,  on  the  two  first  Chapters  to  the  Ephe- 
sians.) 

30  d.  I  m.  I  preached  on  Deut.  32.  5.  The  Spoils  of  them  that 
are  not  the  Children  of  God. 

2,d.  2  m.  [April.]  Thursday.  I  preached  the  Lecture,  to  a  great 
Assembly  again  and  with  a  very  great  Assistence,  on  Psal.  89.  5. 
The  Lord  JESUS  CHRIST,  as  the  Wonder  of  Angels. 

6d.  2  m.  I  preached  on  Eph.  i.  3.  The  God  and  Father,  of 
our  Lord  Jesus  Christ. 

13  d.  2  m.  I  preached  on  Joh.  ig.  30.  The  sixth  Word  of  our 
Lord  on  the  Cross.  (And  I  administred  the  Eucharist.)  This  day 
I  also  baptised  sixteen  Persons. 

20  d.  2tn.     I  preached  on  Eph.  i.  3.    Spiritual  Blessings. 

24  d.  2  m.  Thursday.  A  general  Fast.  I  preached  on  Hos.  8. 
12.    The  woful  Contrition  of  a  People,  from  whom  God  is  departed. 

2-jd.  2vi.  I  discoursed  from  the  same  Text,  on  Methods  to 
obtain  the  Presence  of  God,  with  us  in  our  Undertakings;  and  con- 
cerning Desertions,  etc. 

I  d.  3  m.  [May.]  Thursday.  I  preached  the  Lecture;  but  it  being 
a  great  Storm  on  this  day,  I  preached,  on  Mat.  7.  25.  The  House 
of  the  wise  Builder,  out-standing  the  Storm;  and  I  concluded  with 
Observacons  relating  to  the  present  Storm  among  the  Nations. 

4  rf.  3  m.  I  preached  on,  Eph.  i.  3.  The  Word  {ALL)  spiritual 
Blessings. 

lid.  3  m.  I  preached  on  Psal.  119.  30.  Choosing  the  way  of 
Truth. 

25  (i.  3  w.  Thursday.  I  preached,  (the  Lecture  of  Boston  being 
turned  into  a  Fast)  on  E.xod.  17.  11.  Lifting  up  the  Hands  of  Prayer 
and  Faith,  for  the  distressed  Church. 

18  i.  3  m.     I  preached  on  Eph.  i.  3.    The  heavenly  Places. 

25  d.  T,m.  I  preached,  on  Prov.  9.  6.  Forsaking  foolish  Com- 
pany. (Because  I  saw  great  Mischiefs  befalling  some  of  our  young 
People  especially,  from  that  Occasion.) 

I  rf.  4  m.  [June.]  I  preached  on  Eph.  i.  3.  Its  being  in  Christ, 
that  we  have  all  spiritual  Blessings. 

8  rf.  4  m.  I  preached  on  Luk.  23.  46.  The  last  of  the  seven 
Words  uttered  by  our  Sa\'iour  on  the  Cross.  (And  I  administred  the 
Eucharist.) 

iSd.  4  m.     I  preached  on  Eph.  i.  4.     Election. 

22  d.  4  m.    I  preached  on  Prov.  12.  5.    Right  Thought. 

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FEBRUARY,     I70I-O2  41$ 

26  d.  4  m.  Thursday.  I  preached  the  Lecture,  to  a  great  Assembly 
and  with  a  great  Assistence,  concluding  my  Discourse  on  Psal.  89.  5. 
The  Wonders  of  Christianitie. 

6  d.  5  m.  [July.]  I  preached  on  Eph.  i.  4.  Being  chosen  In 
Christ. 

13  d.  sm.    I  preached  on  Eph.  i.  4.  being  chosen  to  be  Holy. 

20  d.sm.  I  preached  on  Prov.  11.  23.  The  good  Desires  of 
good  Men. 

24  d.  5  »w.  Thursday.  I  preached  the  Lecture  on  Prov.  23.  17. 
Being  in  the  Fear  of  God,  all  the  Day  long. 

27  i.  5  m.     I  preached  on  Eph.  i.  4.     Being  without  Blame. 

3  <f.  6  m.  [August.]  I  preached,  on  Eph.  5.  25.  The  Love  of 
Christ,  giving  Himself.     (And  I  administred  the  Eucharist.) 

5  (i.  6  m.  Tuesday.  I  preached  the  Lecture  at  Roxbury,  on  Eph. 
I.  3.    In  Christ. 

10  d.6m.    I  preached  on  Eph.  i.  4.     Love. 

17  d.6m.  I  preached  on  Psal.  63.  3.  God's  Favour  belter  than 
Life. 

21  d.  6  m.  Thursday.  I  preached  the  Lecture  on,  Gen.  47.  3. 
A  Christian  giving  a  good  Account  of  his  Behaviour,  in  this  particular 
Occupation.      (To  a  great  Assembly,  and  with  a  great  Assistence.) 

24  d.  6  m.     I  preached,  on  Eph.  i.  5.     Adoption. 

28  d.  6  m.  Thursday.  I  preached  the  Lecture,  at  Ipswich,  on 
Luk.  23.  43. 

31  i.  6  w.  I  preached  at  Salem,  A.  M.  on  Ps.  63.  3.  The  Favour 
of  God.     P.  M.  on  Prov.  23.  17.    The  Fear  of  God. 

2,  d.  "]  m.  [September.]  Wednesday.  I  preached  the  Lecture  at 
Salem,  on  Heb.  2.  18.     Temptations. 

T  d.  ■]  m.  I  preached  on  Eph.  i.  5.  Adoption,  being  by  Christ, 
and  for  the  Glory  of  God,  and  from  the  Pleasure  of  God. 

14  d.-jm.  I  preached  on  Prov.  13.  15.  The  Way  of  Trangressors 
hard. 

18  d.  7  m.  Thursday.  A  general  Fast.  I  preached  on  Ezek.  14. 
23.    A  Cause  for  all  the  Judgments  of  God. 

21  d.  J  m.     I  preached  on  Eph.  i.  6.    The  Glory  of  Grace. 

24  d.  7  m.  Wednesday.  I  preached  the  Lecture  at  Reading;  on 
Prov.  12.  5. 

28  d.  "J  m.  I  preached  on  i.  Joh.  i.  3.  Communion  with  God 
and  with  Christ;  (And  I  administred  the  Eucharist.) 

$d.&m.  I  preached,  on  Eph.  i.  6.  Acceptance  with  God,  by 
Grace,  and  thro'  Christ. 

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4l6  DIARY  OF  COTTON  MATHER 

i2d.8m.  I  preached  on  Pro  v.  ii.  i8.  The  deceilftd  Work  of 
the  Wicked. 

ij  d.  8  m.  Thursday.  I  preached  the  Lecture  on  Job.  15.  17. 
Declaring  what  I,  and  my  Hearers,  had  seen,  in  our  daily  Experiences, 
to  confirm  and  commend,  Lessons  of  Religion. 

20  d.  8  m.     I  preached,  on  Eph.  i.  7.     Redemption  by  Christ. 

26d.8m.  I  [ireached  on  Eph.  i.  7.  The  Blood  of  Christ,  the 
Price  of  Redemption. 

id.gm.  [November.]  I  preached  on  Eph.  i.  7.  The  Forgiveness 
of  Sins. 

gd.gm.  I  preached  on  Prov.  15.  24.  The  Way  of  Life  being 
above. 

13  d.  9  m.  Thursday,  I  preached  on,  Col.  i.  3.  Thanksgiving  of 
God ;  and  particularly,  the  Way  of  celebrating  a  Day  of  Thanksgiving. 
(Praeparatory  unto  such  a  Day  to  be  celebrated  this  Day  se'nnight".) 

16  d.gm.     I  preached  on  Eph.  i.  7.    Riches  of  Grace. 

20  d.  9  m.  Thursday.  It  being  a  Day  of  pubhck  Thanksgiving, 
I  preached  again  on  Eph.  i.  7.  An  Exhortation,  to  make  the  Riches 
of  Grace,  the  Subject  of  our  Wonders  and  our  Praises. 

23  d.  9  nt.  I  preached  on  Gal.  5.  24.  The  Crucifying  of  sinful 
Dispositions,  by  them  that  belong  to  a  crucified  Saxiour.  (And  I 
administred  the  Eucharist.) 

30  d.gm.  I  preached,  on  Eph.  2.  8.  Grace  abounding,  particu- 
lar!>■  in  the  Applications  of  the  Benefits  of  Election  and  Redemption. 

■J  d.  10  m.  [December.]  I  preached,  on  Prov.  13.  21.  Evil  pur- 
suing Sinners. 

II  d.  10  m.  Thursday.  It  being  the  shortest  Day  of  the  Year,  I 
preached  the  Lecture,  on  i.  Cor.  7.  29.    The  Time  short. 

14  d.  10  m.  I  preached  on  Eph.  i.  8.  That  word.  Us,  that  they 
who  have  received  the  Forgiveness  of  Sins,  have  peculiar  Cause  to 
celebrate  the  abundant  Grace  of  God. 

21  d.  torn.     I  preached  again  on  the  same  Subject. 

25  d.  10  m.  Thursday.  I  preached  (the  Lecture)  on  Psal.  37.  25. 
God's  providing  Bread  for  the  Rig/tteous,  and  their  Of  spring.  (Be- 
cause, tis  a  Time  of  many  Temptations  in  the  Town,  upon  that 
point,  how  wc  shall  be  provided  for.) 

28  d.  low.  I  preached,  on  Eph.  i.  8.  Wisdome,  or  Knowledge, 
in  Faith. 

4  d.  1 1  m.  [January.]  I  preached  on  Prov.  19.  2.  The  Evil  of 
being  without  Knowledge. 

11  d.  II  m.     I  preached  on  Eph.  i.  8.     Prudence. 

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FEBRUARY,     1701-02  417 

iSd.  11  m.  I  preached,  on  Eph.  i.  8.  [.\LL]  Wisdome  and 
Prudence  in  the  Gifts  of  Grace  to  the  People  of  God.  (And  I  admin- 
istred  the  Eucharist.) 

25  d.  II  m.  I  preached,  on  Eph.  i.  9.  The  Mystery  of  the  Will 
of  God  meled  in  the  Gospel. 

I  d.  12  m.  [February.]  I  preached,  on  Prov.  3.  17.  The  Wayes 
of  Piety,  Wayes  of  Pleasancy. 

5  d.  12  w.  Thursday.  I  preached,  on  Prov.  4.  3,  4.  The  Duty 
of  parental  Catechising.  (A  Subject  highly  seasonable  and  the  Lord 
made  it  highly  acceptable.) 

8d.  12  m.  I  preached,  on  Eph.  i.  9.  The  Dispensation  of  the 
Gospel,  the  great  Instrument  for  the  Conveyance  of  saving  Grace. 

A  good  Note  on  a  Little  Book  entituled:  A  Spiritual 
Legacy. 

Pray  for  those  you  love;  and  assure  yourselves,  you 
shall  never  have  Comfort  of  his  Friendship,  for  whom  you 
pray  not. 


1-87 

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1702 

Annus  Luctuosus. 

Prophetia  quae  dicit  aliquid  tale  futurum,  impletur  per 
aliquid  tale.  Cocceius,  in  Mat.  2.  23. 

THE  XLth  year  OF  MY  LIFE. 

12  d.  12  m.  [Febrtiary.]  1701.  Thursday.  On  a  Thursday 
just  thirty  nine  Years  ago,  I  first  appeared  in  the  World. 

I  cannot  express,  wither  my  Amazements  at  the  Good- 
ness and  Mercy  of  God,  in  sparing  me  thus  far  beyond  my 
Expectation,  to  enter  upon  the  fortieth  Year  of  my  Age: 
(Methinks,/or/>'  sounds  old  and  big!)  Or,  my  Distresses,  in 
reflecting  upon  my  sinful  and  foolish  Mispence  of  my  irrev- 
ocable Time;  (Alas,  how  little,  how  nothing  have  I  done 
in  all  this  Time!) 

I  considered  these  things  a  little  this  Day,  in  my  Suppli- 
cations before  the  Lord.  But  more,  on  the  Day  following 
which  was  with  me  a  Day  of  Prayer,  (albeit  I  did  three  Dayes 
ago  keep  a  Day  of  Thanksgiving  in  my  Study.) 

In  this  Month,  I  happily  accomplished  the  Establish- 
ment of  two  Societies  in  this  Town;  which  two  Societies 
having  much  Dependence  on  me  for  Directions  in  their 
Designs,  and  being  very  ready  to  be  directed  by  mine,  I 
may,  if  the  Lord  continue  me,  enjoy  many  special  and  signal 
Opportunities  to  glorify  Him. 

One  is,  a  Society  for  the  Suppression  of  Disorders.  About 
a  dozen  or  fourteen  good  Men,  whereof  some  are  Justices, 
agree  to  meet,  for  Consultation  upon  that  point,  what  and 
where  Disorders  do  arise,  in  the  Town,  and  how  may  such 

(418I 
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MARCH,     1701-02  419 

Disorders  be  prevented!  I  drew  up  Orders  for  them,  wherein 
they  have  united;  and  I  hope,  I  may  see  considerable 
Things  done  by  them,  towards  the  Reformation  of  the  Place. 
Another  is,  a  Society  for  the  Propagation  of  the  Christian 
Religion.  A  Nimiber  of  our  more  significant  Gentlemen, 
have  combined  with  me,  to  sett  up  a  Conversation  at  each 
others  Houses,  upon  that  Point,  what  is  the  Present  State  of 
the  Christian  Religion,  at  home,  and  abroad;  and  what  we  may 
do  for  the  Service  of  it?  God  knows  whether  here  may  not 
be  laid  a  Foimdation  for  some  Actions  of  a  great  and  good 
Influence,  upon  the  evangelical  Interests. 

1702. 

4  d.  I  w.  [March]  Wednesday.  I  thought  it  proper  to 
sett  apart  this  Day,  for  Prayer  with  Fasting  in  my  Study 
before  the  Lord. 

I  had  many  Occasions  to  do  so.  One  Occasion  was  this : 
The  Lord  hitherto  keeps  me  Ignorant,  what  becomes  of  my 
Church-History,  a  Point  of  extraordinary  Concernment  unto 
me.  We  are  now  expecting  Ships  from  London,  and  I 
desire  in  a  way  of  the  most  solemn  Humiliation  to  be  prae- 
paring  for  what  Advice  may  be  coming  unto  me.  I  keep 
submitting  and  resigning  this  weighty  Matter  unto  the 
Lord,  and  consenting  unto  so  humbling  a  Trial,  as  the  Loss 
of  my  Church-History,  if  the  Lord  shall  order  me  to  be  tried 
with  so  severe  an  Exercise.  But,  behold,  the  Lord  from 
Heaven  assures  me,  that  my  Church-History  shall  not  be 
lost. 

Another  Occasion  was  this.  Having  at  my  Lecture 
about  a  Month  ago,  preached  on  the  Duty  of  parental  Cate- 
chising, I  design  to  morrow,  to  preach  on  the  Duty  of  young 
Persons,  when  they  come  to  those  Years  wherein  they  are  no 
longer  catechised.  Wherefore  I  now  abased  myself  before 
the  Lord,  in  the  Sense  of  my  own  exceeding  Unworthiness, 
that  He  should  make  use  of  me,  thus  from  Time  to  Time, 

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420  DIARY  OF  COTTON  MATHER 

in  addressing  the  young  People  of  N.  E.  with  the  Admoni- 
tions of  Piety;  especially  since  my  own  Youth  had  in  some 
Respects  been  so  very  impious.  And  I  implored  a  mighty 
Assistence  and  Possession  of  the  Holy  Spirit,  that  so  I  may 
to  morrow  glorify  the  Lord  exceedingly : 

Moreover,  the  critical  Condicon  of  the  Church  at  this 
Day,  obhges  me  to  be  more  than  ever  in  Supplications  unto 
the  Lord. 

Memorandum.  I  have  been  much  engaged  both  in 
public  and  in  private  Supplications,  that  the  Lord  would 
open  a  way,  for  the  Access  of  His  glorious  Gospel  into  the 
vast  Regions  of  the  Spanish  America:  and  I  know  no  Min- 
ister but  myself  who  hath  been  so.'  Now,  while  I  was  this 
Day  employing  my  Thoughts,  upon  this  great  Subject 
there  was  brought  unto  my  Hands,  a  most  wonderful 
Thing,  which  was  brought  hither  the  last  Night  from 
England;  namely,  a  Copy  of  the  Articles  concluded  be- 
tween the  Emperour  King  of  England  and  States  of 
Holland:  whereof  the  sixth  is,  that  the  English  and  Dutch 
shall  have  Liberty  to  make  themselves  Masters,  if  they  can, 
of  the  Counlreys  and  Cities,  under  the  Dominion  of  Spain 
in  the  Indies,  and  that  tliey  shall  keep  all  that  they  shall 
conquer.'^  Who  can  tell,  what  may  be  the  Consequence  of 
this  astonishing  Thing? 

The  Day  following,  I  enjo}ed  a  wondrous  Presence  of 
the  Lord  with  me,  in  my  public  Ministrations ;  and  this  unto 
so  vast  an  Auditory,  especially  of  young  Persons,  as  has 
rarely  been  preach'd  unto.  I  did,  by  a  sweet  Experience, 
find  what  it  is,  to  preach  after  solemn  Addresses  to  Heaven 
by  Prayer,  for  heavenly  Influences.     I  must  bear  a  Testi- 

•  Sewall  offered  to  subscribe  five  pounds  towards  printing  the  Bible  in 
Spanish  in  a  fair  octavo.  "Then  you  might  attempt  the  Bombing  of  Santa 
Domingo,  the  Havana,  Porto  Rico,  and  Mexico  itself."     Leller  Book,  I.  297. 

•  The  grand  Alliance  was  formed  September  7,  1701,  having  for  its  object  the 
breaking  up  of  the  FrancoSpanish  monarchy,  by  giving  Italy  to  the  Emperor, 
Joseph  I,  and  the  Indies  to  the  maritime  powers. 

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MARCH,     1701-02  421 

mony  for  the  Lord,  that  He  is  good  unto  the  Soul  that  seeks 
Him ;  and  that  Ministers,  who  pve  up  themselves  unto  the 
Lord  Jesus  Christ,  and  His  Holy  Spirit,  shall  be  made  His 
Mouth  unto  His  People,  after  they  have  been  emptied  of 
themselves  and  buffeted  with  Temptations,  and  cast  into 
the  Dust  before  the  Lord. 

After  this,  I  took  my  two  last  Lectures,  and  giving  the 
httle  Book  this  Title,  Cares  about  the  Nurseries,  I  gave 
it  unto  the  Bookseller; '  with  Resolutions,  that  when  it  is 
published,  I  will  take  off  two  or  three  every  Week,  and 
scatter  them  in  the  Families  where  I  make  my  \lsits  in  the 
Neighbourhood. 

14  d.  I  m.  Saturcday.  It  was  my  Purpose  to  have  sett 
apart  this  Day,  as  I  did  one  the  last  Week,  for  Prayer,  prae- 
paratory  to  the  Celebration  of  the  Eucharist,  which  is  to 
morrow,  by  my  vile  Hand  to  be  administred. 

But  because  I  preached  Yesterday,  and  was  afraid  of 
over-doing,  unto  a  Trespass  against  the  sixth  Command- 
ment, I  omitted  it. 

However,  in  the  Evening,  I  perceived  I  was  able  to  have 
done  more  than  I  thought  I  was. 

Wherefore  I  called  now  to  Mind,  that  the  primitive 
Christians,  in  Obedience  to  that  Commandment  of  Watch- 
ing unto  Prayer,  sometimes  had  their  Vigils,  which  were  of 
great  use  luito  them  in  their  Christianity.  To  spend  a 
good  Part  of  a  Night  sometimes  in  Prayer,  and  so  take  the 
Advantage  of  a  nocturnal  Solitude,  and  abridge  themselves 
of  their  usual  Rest,  for  the  sake  of  a  devout  Conversation 
with  Heaven;  they  found  God  often  rewarding  the  Devo- 
tions of  such  Vigils,  with  a  more  than  ordinary  Degree 
of  heavenly  Consolation.  Accordingly  I  resolved,  that  I 
would  this  Night,  make  some  Essay  towards  a  Vigil.  1 
dismissed  my  dear  Consort  unto  her  own  Repose;  and  in 
the  Dead  of  the  Night,  I  retired  into  my  Study;  and  there 

'  Printed  by  T.  Green  and  B.  Allen,  1702. 

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422  DIARY  OF  COTTON  MATHER 

casting  myself  into  the  Dust,  prostrate  on  my  Study-floor 
before  the  Lord,  I  was  rewarded  with  Communications 
from  Heaven,  that  cannot  be  uttered.  There  I  lay,  a  long 
while  wrestling  with  the  Lord;  and  I  received  some  strange 
Intimations  from  Heaven,  about  the  Time  and  Way  of 
my  Death,  and  about  Mercies  intended  for  my  Family, 
and  about  several  other  Points  about  which  my  Mind  may 
be  too  sollicitous.  Lord!  what  is  Man,  that  thou  shotddest 
thus  visit  Him! 

If  these  be  Vigils,  I  must  (as  far  as  the  sixth  Command- 
ment wiU  allow,)  have  some  more  of  them! 

Now,  as  I  have  often  observed  it,  so  it  still  continues  a 
matter  of  Observation  unto  me,  that  when  I  have  been 
admitted  unto  some  near,  and  sweet  and  intimate  Com- 
munion with  Heaven,  I  must  immediately  upon  it  encounter 
some  Vexation  on  Earth;  either  bodily  Illness  or  popular 
Clamour  or  satanic  Buffet  immediately  followes.  I  expected 
something  on  this  Occasion.  Accordingly,  while  I  was 
preaching  on  the  Day  following,  one  of  my  Chimney's  took 
Fire,  and  my  own  House,  with  my  Neighbours,  was  much 
endangered,  and  our  great  Congregation  ran  out  of  the 
]\Iee ting-house,  unto  the  Releef  of  my  House,  and  I  was 
thus  mark'd  out  for  Talk  all  over. 

In  this  Month,  and  near  this  Time,  the  Lord  inclined 
me,  assisted  me,  accepted  me,  to  do  several  small  Services 
for  His  Name. 

I  did  my  part  in  procuring  the  Justices  and  Select  ISIen 
to  putt  the  Bridewel  into  a  good  Condition,  for  the  Cure 
of  much  Idleness  and  Wickedness. 

I  moved,  that  the  Town  would  \-ote  a  Committee,  to 
consider  on  Methods,  for  setting  the  Poor  to  work.' 

'  Elisha  Hutchinson,  Pcnn  Townscnd,  John  Foster  and  the  overseers  of  the 
poor  formed  this  committee,  which  was  appointed  March  9,  1701-02.  In  May, 
the  sum  of  £to  «as  appropriated  towards  procuring  materials  for  setting  the  poor 
at  work  as  the  overseers  of  the  poor  should  direct.  Boston  Record  Commissioners, 
viii.  23,  2.|. 

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MARCH,     1701-02  423 

I  sett  forward  a  Town- Vote  for  the  rectifying  of  gross 
Abuse  in  the  Choice  of  Jury-men,  which  was  obtained.' 

I  wrote  many  Letters,  to  forward  the  Designs  of  Prayer 
for  the  distressed  Church  of  God. 

I  procured  a  Clause  to  be  putt  into  the  Order  for  the 
general  Fast,  exciting  the  Churches  throughout  the  Province 
unto  successive  Dayes  of  Prayer  to  be  kept  in  particular 
Congregations. 

I  prosecuted  a  Design  of  obtaining  able  and  faithful 
Indians,  to  undertake  the  Work  of  EvangeUzing  the  Sal- 
vages in  the  eastern  Parts  of  the  Countrey. 

And  several  other  Things,  worth  as  much  Mention  as 
these;  that  is  to  say,  worth  none  at  all.  But  it  may  be, 
the  Lord  has  them  in  the  Book  of  His  Remembrance. 

About  this  Time,  I  foresaw  several  great  Advantages 
likely  to  arise  from  it,  (and  particularly  in  my  pastoral 
Visits,)  if  I  would  compose  and  comprise  diverse  brief  Sys- 
tems of  the  Christian  Religion,  with  an  acceptable  \'ariety 
of  Artifice,  whereof  one,  a  compleat  Abridgement  of  the 
Assemblies  Catechism,  all  in  one  Single  Sheet  of  Paper. 
Accordingly  I  did  so,  and  gave  it  unto  the  Printer,  en- 
tituled  Sound  Words,  to  be  held  fast  in  Faith  and 
Love.' 

It  having  been  my  Custome,  to  praeface  my  Evening- 
Prayer  in  My  Family,  with  a  Meditation,  on  some  Text  of 
Scripture,  and  having  in  this  way  gone  thro'  not  only  whole 
Psalms,  and  Chapters,  but  also,  whole  Books  of  the  Scrip- 
tures, I  thought  I  would  now  take  the  Scotch  Commentators, 
who  have  gone  over  many  parts  of  the  Bible  with  Doctrines 

'  "For  the  more  orderly  choyce  of  persons  to  serve  on  Juryes  it  is  ordered,  that 
the  Select  men  do  once  a  year  present  unto  the  Town  a  list  of  all  persons  whom  they 
shall  judge  proper  to  serve  on  Juryes.  And  at  the  Time  of  such  choyce  the  nomi- 
nation shall  be  made  out  of  the  said  List  and  proposed  to  the  vote  of  the  Town  in 
order  to  their  chuszeing  or  refuseing  the  persons  so  nominated,  and  this  methode 
to  continue  and  be  observed  for  the  year  ensueing."  Boston  Record  Commis- 
sioners, vm.  24. 

'  Printed  with  Cares  about  the  Nurseries. 

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424  DIARY  OF  COTTON  MATHER 

raised  out  of  every  Verse  and  read  a  Portion  from  them  in 
my  Family,  before  our  Evening  Prayer,  till  I  have  (if  I 
should  live  so  Long)  dispatch'd  them  all. 

I  begun  with  Ilutcheson  upon  Job.^  And  many  times 
after  I  had  begun,  I  had  this  darted  into  my  Mind;  that  I 
might  expect  some  Trials  (perhaps  of  long  Sickness,)  to  come 
shortly  upon  my  Family;  and  that  the  Lessons  fetch'd  from 
the  Story  of  Job,  were  to  prepare  me  for  those  Trials. 

I  d.  2  m.  [April\  Wednesday.  To  morrow,  is  to  be  kept 
as  a  general  Day  of  Prayer  with  Fasting,  throughout  the 
Province.  It  is  a  Time  of  extraordinary  Calls  to  it.  I 
thought,  I  would  prepare  for  the  Day,  by  a  Vigil  the  Night 
before.  Accordingly  I  spent  good  Part  of  the  Night,  namely 
till  towards  one  a  clock  in  the  Morning,  first  in  singing  of 
Psalms,  and  then  in  making  of  Prayers,  prostrate  in  the  Dust 
on  my  Study-floor  before  the  Lord.  The  Lord  most  favor- 
abl}'  and  familiarly  drew  nigh  to  His  poor  Servant,  and 
acquainted  me,  with  some  of  His  gracious  Purposes  concern- 
ing me. 

On  the  Day  following,  I  enjoyed  a  mighty  Presence  of 
the  Lord  with  me,  in  the  Exercises  of  the  Day,  with  a  vast 
Congregation  of  His  People. 

4  d .  2  m.  Satureday.  I  was  in  much  Distress  upon  my 
Spirit,  concerning  my  Church  History,  and  some  other  elab- 
orate Composures,  that  I  have  sent  unto  London;  about 
the  Progress  towards  the  Publication  whereof,  the  Lord 
still  keeps  me  in  the  Dark.  To  ha\'e  those  Composures 
with  all  my  Labours  and  Prayers  about  them,  lost,  would 
be  a  terrible  Trial  to  me:  but  I  thought  it  my  Duty  to  pre- 
pare for  such  a  Trial.  WTierefore  I  sett  apart  a  Vigil  this 
Night,  peculiarly  for  that  Serxice. 

Accordingly,  in  the  Dead  of  the  Night,  I  first  sang  some 
agreeable  Psalms;  and  then  casting  myself  prostrate  in  the 

'  GcorRc  Iluchcson,  whose  Exposition  upon  Job,  the  sum  of  three  hundred  and 
sixteen  Iccliirrs,  was  published  in  1669. 

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APRIL,     1702  425 

Dust,  on  my  Study-floor  before  the  Lord,  I  confessed  unto 
Him,  the  Sins  for  which  He  might  justly  reject  me,  and  all 
my  Services;  and  I  promised  unto  Him,  that  if  He  would 
reject  those  particular  Services,  which  I  had  been  labouring 
to  do  for  His  Name,  in  my  Church-History,  and  some  other 
Composures  now  in  England,  tho'  my  Calamity  therein 
would  be  very  sensible,  yett  I  would,  with  His  Help,  submitt 
patiently  imto  His  Holy  Will  therein;  and  I  would  not 
be  discouraged  thereby  at  all  from  further  Endeavours  to 
serve  my  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  but  I  would  love  Him  still,  and 
seek  Him  still,  and  serve  Him  still,  and  never  be  weary  of 
doing  so;  but  essay  to  serve  Him  in  other  wayes,  if  He 
would  not  accept  of  these.  Thus  did  I  resign  unto  the  Lord; 
who  thereupon,  answered  me,  that  He  was  my  Father  and 
that  He  took  Delight  in  me,  and  that  He  would  smile  upon 
my  Endeavours  to  serve  Him,  and  that  my  Church-History 
should  be  accepted  and  prospered. 

12  d.  2  w.  Satureday.  I  sett  apart  the  Day,  for  Prayer 
with  Fasting,  in  my  Stud)',  on  such  occasions,  as  have  lately 
putt  me  on  the  same,  or  the  Uke  Exercises. 

I  also  renewed  my  Vigils,  with  some  Frequency. 

In  some  of  these,  my  Mind  is  irradiated  with  caelestial 
and  angeUcal  Influences,  assuring  of  me,  that  my  Church- 
History  shall  not  be  lost,  but  shall  come  abroad,  and  be  made 
serviceable  unto  the  evangelical  Interests,  and  be  of  great 
Use  in  that  great  Work  of  cleansing  the  Temple,  for  which 
the  Lord  wfll  speedily  pour  out  a  Spirit  upon  His  People 
from  on  High. 

In  one  of  my  Vigils,  when  I  sang  the  131st  Psalm,  that 
Passage  exceedingly  affected  me;  My  Soul  is  even  as  a 
weaned  Child,  lett  Israel  hope  in  the  Lord,  from  henceforth. 
I  had  been  wrestling  with  the  Lord,  for  the  good  Success  of 
my  Church-History ;  in  the  midst  of  this  my  wrestling,  I  was 
become  as  a  weaned  Child,  even  resigning  the  whole  matter 
unto  the  Ordering  of  the  Lord,  and  resolving  to  be  satisfied 

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426  DIARY  or   COTTON  MATHER 

with  whatever  He  shall  order!  But  it  was  now  powerfully 
sett  Home  upon  my  Mind,  that  I  might  now  Hope  in  the 
Lord  from  henceforth,  to  see  a  good  Issue  of  the  Matter. 

ibd.  2  w.  Thursday.  This  Day,  I  received  a  short 
Letter  from  an  holy  Servant  of  Christ,  which  had  this  (and 
little  more  than  This)  Passage  in  it. 

"You'l  pardon  my  troubling  you,  with  a  Line,  to  thank 
you  for  your  Maschil,  which  I  think,  may  be  called  Mictam 
as  well  as  Maschil.^  You  help  me  to  this  Thought;  How 
full  of  Excellency  is  the  glorified  Man,  the  Lord  JESUS 
CHRIST,  if  by  His  Holy  Spirit,  He  so  fiUs  one  of  His  Ad- 
mirers, that  he  is  Enabled  to  fill  a  Book  with  such  excellent 
Things!" 

Tis  impossible  for  me  to  express  the  Satisfaction  of  Soul, 
which  the  Sight  of  this  Passage  raised  in  me.  That  holy 
ones,  whose  Hearts  are  sett  upon  glorifying  of  the  Lord 
Jesus  Christ,  should  by  any  Thing  of  Him  in  me,  be  led  unto 
the  Contemplation  of  His  Glories!  This,  this  is  the  highest 
Pitch  of  my  FeUcity;  I  aspire  to  nothing  higher  than  this, 
throughout  eternal  Ages.  Now  my  good  God  has  begun 
to  grant  me  this  Felicity.  I  despise  the  Diadems  of  Em- 
perours,  in  Comparison  of  it.  I  am  happy,  I  am  happy. 
Lord,  I  am  swallowed  up  wath  the  Extasies  of  thy  Love! 

About  this  Time,  I  considered,  that  there  are  in  the 
Skirts  of  our  Colonies,  diverse  Plantations,  that  hve  desti- 
tute of  any  evangelical  Ministry.  Wherefore  I  drew  up  as 
Pungent  an  Address  as  I  could,  unto  those  ungospeUized, 
and  paganizing  Plantations,  to  sett  before  them,  the  Ex- 
cellency and  Necessil}',  of  being  well-accommodated  with 
the  means  of  Grace;  hoping  to  animate  the  Zeal  of  some  at 
least,  of  the  Inhabitants  in  those  wretched  Places,  to  look 
out  for  an  evangelical  Ministry,  to  come  among  them.    The 

'  The  exact  meaning  of  the  two  words,  which  occur  in  the  headings  of  some 
of  the  I's^ilms,  has  never  been  determined.  They  are  due  to  transposition  and 
corruption  of  letters. 

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MAY,     1702  427 

Gentlemen  of  my  Society,  were  at  the  Charge  of  print- 
ing it.  It  is  entituled,  A  Letter  to  Ungospellized 
Plantations.' 

I  d.  3  w.  [Ma}).]  Friday.  And  now,  I  see  once  again, 
that  Faith  is  no  Fancy.  Bless  the  Lord,  O  my  Soul,  and 
rejoice  in  His  wonderful  Goodness  and  Mercy  towards  the 
most  loathsome  Sinner  in  the  World! 

My  Church-History  has  been  in  extreme  Hazard  of  Mis- 
carrying. The  Delay,  given  by  the  nice  Hummours  of  my 
Friend  in  whose  Hands  it  was  left,  unto  the  kind  Offers  and 
Motions  of  the  Gentleman,  that  would  have  published  it  a 
Year  ago,  exposed  it  unto  the  Hazard  of  never  being  pub- 
lished at  all.  God  continued  the  Opportunities  and  In- 
clinations of  that  Gentleman  to  go  on  with  the  Undertaking. 
When  they  began  to  fail,  God  stirr'd  up  a  very  eminent 
Bookseller,'  to  come  in,  with  obliging  Tenders  of  his  Assist- 
ance. Letters  to  Advise  me  of  this,  were  dated  as  long  ago 
as  the  twentieth  of  last  November.  One  Ship  arrives  from 
London  after  another,  and  still  I  am  strangely  kept  in  the 
Dark;  I  have  no  Satisfaction  in  any  of  them.  God  •mil 
have  my  Prayer  and  Faith  employed  unto  the  uttermost  I  At 
last,  on  this  Day,  after  so  long  a  Delay,  comes  in  the  Ship 
that  had  these  Letters ;  which  also  tell  me,  that  they  hoped 
the  Work  would  be  finished,  by  the  Month  of  March,  which 
is  now  past.  But  still.  Prayer  and  Faith,  must  be  kept  at 
work,  for  the  good  Circumstances  of  it. 

gd.  ^m.  Satureday.  I  sett  apart  this  Day,  for  the 
Duties  of  a  Fast,  in  my  Study.  The  Duties  were  very 
poorly  attended.  Yett  not  without  some  Irradiations  from 
Heaven.  Especially,  in  this  point,  that  happy  Tidings 
were  coming  to  me  from  England. 

A  very  religious  young  Minister,  (and  one  doubtless 
of  much  more  Grace  than  myself)  visited  me,  desiring  my 

'  Printed  by  B.  Green  and  J.  Allen,  1702. 

'  Thomas  Parkhurst,  whose  name  appears  on  the  title-page  of  the  Magnalia. 

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428  DIARY  OF  COTTON  MATHER 

Advice,  about  his  distress'd  Case;  for,  he  told  me,  he  was 
fully  convinced  of  his  being  to  this  Day,  an  unconverted  and 
unregenerate  Creature. 

Lord,  {thought  I)  what  cause  have  I  to  examine  seriously 
and  thoroughly  my  own  State,  if  one  so  much  better  than  I 
hath  such  Thoughts  of  his  ? 

Butt  setting  myself  to  comfort  him,  I  found  a  wonder- 
ful Comfort  convey'd  unto  my  own  Soul,  with  a  Dialogue 
of  this  Importance. 

I  pray,  Syr,  what  is  it  that  stands  upon  the  Shelf  before 
you?  A  Repeating  Clock,  and  a  very  curious  One.  What 
use  do  you  think,  I  will  putt  it  to?  Syr,  You'l  assign  it  a 
convenient  and  honourable  Place  in  your  House  and  putt  it 
to  the  noble  Use  of  measuring  your  Time.  How  do  you  know, 
that  I  shall  not  make  it  a  Stool  to  sitt  upon,  a  Block  to 
tread  upon,  a  Backlog  to  be  thrown  into  my  Fire?  Syr,  The 
Workmansliip  of  it,  makes  it  appear  to  be  intended  for  no  such 
miserable  Use.  Well  then:  Have  not  you  upon  your  Soul, 
a  divine  Workmanship,  far  more  excellent,  than  the  most 
curious  Clock-Work  in  the  World?  A  Work  of  Grace,  is  a 
Work  of  God;  even  of  Him,  who  does  nothing  in  Vain. 
You  find  in  yourself,  a  Disposition,  a  strong  Disposition 
and  Inclination  to  glorify  God,  and  ser\'e  the  Interests  of 
the  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  and  slay  all  Sin  as  being  most  con- 
trary unto  Him.  This  is  a  Work  of  Grace.  You  know  no 
delight  comparable  to  that  of  Scr\-ing  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ. 
God  has  wrouglit  this  in  you;  and  herein  He  has  wrought 
you,  for  that  self-same  Thing,  of  being  to  the  Praise  of  His 
Glory  forever.  What  use  can  you  think,  He  will  now  putt 
you  to,  but  that  [of]  serving  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  in  His 
heavenly  World?  Such  a  Peece  of  Workmanship,  {created 
unto  good  Works)  as  what  is  wrought  in  you,  was  never 
intended  for  to  be  thrown  into  the  Fire  of  Hell.  No,  there 
is  no  use  of  it  there.  God  intends  you  for  an  heavenly 
Use,  undoubtedly. 

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MAY  ,     1702  429 

This  Thought  gave  to  me,  an  inexpressible  Consolation, 
whatever  it  gave  to  him,  to  whom  I  directed  it. 

23  d.  3  m.  Satureday.  In  a  Vigil,  I  exceedingly  bewayled 
before  the  Lord,  my  want  of  Love  to  Souls;  and  entreated 
Him  with  my  whole  Heart,  that  the  Vertue  of  Love  to  Souls, 
might  by  His  Holy  Spirit,  be  mightily  working  in  me. 

About  this  Time,  I  considered,  that  there  was  a  very 
destructive  Impiety,  wherein  too  many  of  this  Town  and 
Land  indulged  themselves;  namely  that  of  needless  and  fre- 
quent Absence  from  the  religious  Assemblies.  Now,  because 
a  Sermon  preached,  is  not  so  likely  to  come  at  them,  I 
thought,  the  Writing  and  Printing  of  a  Letter,  to  the  negli- 
gent Neighbours,  on  that  Subject,  might  be  of  use,  to  be 
conveyed  imto  them;  I  did  praepare  a  Sheet  accordingly; 
and  procure  the  Assistence  of  my  Society  for  the  Suppression 
of  Disorders,  to  publish  and  scatter,  the  Letter,  about  the 
Countrey.     It  is  entituled  —  A  monitory  Letter  to  them 

WHO    NEEDLESSLY    AND    FREQUENTLY    ABSENT    THEMSELVES 
FROM  THE  PXJBLICK  WORSHIP  OF  GOD. 

And  at  the  General  Convention  of  our  Ministers,  in 
Boston  (at  the  Election^  the  Lord  accepted  me  to  do  several 
Services  for  Him.  Especially  this:  I  considered,  how  much 
the  glorious  Doctrines  of  Grace  are  depraved,  and  deserted, 
even  in  the  Churches  of  the  Reformation,  and  especially  in 
the  English  Nation:  and,  how  much  Danger  there  is,  lest 
the  Chvirches  of  New  England  and  our  younger  Clergy  in 
them,  should  lose  those  glorious  Doctrines  of  Grace  and  be 
poisoned  by  vile  Pelagian  Books,  that  from  beyond-sea,  are 
vended  among  us.  Wherefore,  I  composed  a  System  of 
those  illustrious  Doctrines;  and  I  composed  it  in  express 
Terms  fetch'd  from  the  Articles  and  Homilies  of  the  Church 
of  England;  foreseeing  a  manifold  Advantage  in  my  doing  so. 

This  my  brief  System,  I  accompanied  with  lively  Warn- 
ings unto  the  Churches,  telling  them,  how  much  the 
Vitals  of  Christianity,  were  concerned,  in  the  Preservation 

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43°  DIARV  OF  COTTON  MATHER 

of  those  Doctrines,  adding  also,  proper  Cautions  against 
Antinomian  Abuses  of  them.  God  so  assisted  and  pros- 
pered my  Speeches  among  the  Ministers,  that  they  voted 
for  the  publishing  of  this  Instrument  unto  the  Churches, 
as  their  Testimony  to  the  Interests  of  the  Gospel. 

It  is  entituled,  A  Seasonable  Testimony  to  the 
Glorious  Doctrines  of  Grace,  now  many  Wayes 
undermined  in  the  world. 

My  dear  Consort,  this  Week,  (25  d.  3  m.)  after  previous 
Illness,  unhappily  miscarried  of  a  Son,  after  being  four  or 
five  Months  with  Child;  and  yett,  it  is  possible,  that  not 
unhappily;  for  she  had  also  a^  false  Conception,  whereof  she 
was  now  dehvered.  She  was  brought  into  Languishments 
of  extreme  and  threatening  Sickness. 

I  thought  it  my  Duty  to  humble  myself  before  the  Lord, 
under  His  Rebukes  upon  my  Family.  And  I  could  find 
sufficient  Occasions  for  Himiiliation.  But  when  I  more 
particularly  examined,  WTiether  I  had  ever  troubled  the 
Churches  of  the  Lord,  with  any  false  Co'nception,  1  could 
not  find  myself  Conscious  to  any  such  Matter. 

My  Consort  having  passed  this  Week,  very  ill,  the  next 
made  her  State,  very  dangerous  and  dubious.  The  dread- 
ful Cloud  hanging  over  my  poor  Family,  caused  me  to  ly  in 
the  Dust  before  the  Lord.     More  particularly  on 

Wednesday,  ^d.  ^m.  [June]  I  sett  myself,  to  attend  the 
Duties  of  a  Fast,  in  my  Study,  on  this  occasion.  But  I  had 
a  sad  Experience,  that  I  can't  beleeve  what  I  will,  or  when 
I  will.  An  uncomfortable  Dullness  accompanied  the  Devo- 
tions of  the  Day.  I  could  not  but  fear,  lest  the  Death  of 
my  Consort,  and  all  the  unhappy  Effects  of  it  upon  a  broken 
Family,  must  overtake  me. 

Instead  of  having  my  Mind  replenished  and  irradiated 
with  the  holy  Spirit,  I  found  the  evil  Spirit  buffetting  of  my 
mind,  with  impure  Thoughts,  which  exceedingly  abased  me 
before  the  Lord. 

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JUNE,     1702  431 

The  Distress  proceeded.  God  awakened  me  to  sett 
apart  another  Day,  namely, 

Saturday,  6  d.  4  w.  before  the  Week  was  out,  for 
Prayer  with  Fasting,  in  my  Study,  that  I  might  obtain  the 
Life  of  my  Consort,  at  His  gracious  Hands. 

And  on  this  Day,  I  mett  with  wonderful  Things.  In  the 
Forenoon,  while  I  was  at  Prayer,  with  my  dying  Wife,  in 
her  Chamber,  pleading  the  Sacrifice  of  my  Lord  Jesus 
Christ,  for  my  Family,  I  began  to  feel  the  blessed  Breezes 
of  a  Particular  Faith,  blowing  from  Heaven  upon  my  mind; 
I  began  to  see  that  my  dear  Consort  should  be  restor'd  unto 
me,  by  the  same  good  Hand  that  bestow'd  her  at  first  upon 
me.  And  I  resolv'd,  that  in  a  Way  of  Gratitude,  I  would 
study  certain  particular  Methods,  to  recommend  the  use  of 
the  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  as  a  Family-Sacrifice,  in  the  Faith 
of  His  People. 

But  in  the  Afternoon,  when  I  was  alone  in  my  Study 
crying  unto  the  Lord,  for  sparing  and  healing  Mercy  to  my 
Consort,  my  Particular  Faith  was  again  renewed,  and  with 
a  Flood  of  Tears,  I  thought  I  recei\ed  an  Assurance  from 
Heaven,  that  she  should  Recover  this  time.  Whereupon  I 
begg'd  of  the  Lord,  that  He  would  by  His  good  Spirit  incUne 
me  to  be  exemplarily  wise,  and  chast  and  holy  in  my  whole 
Conversation,  when  I  should  again  obtain  such  favour  of 
the  Lord,  as  to  have  my  good  Thing  with  me,  in  former 
Circumstances.* 

Rising  off  my  Knees,  I  took  my  Psalm-book,  with  an 
Intention,  to  find  and  sing  some  Psalm,  agreeable  to  what  I 
was  now  upon. 

Unto  my  Surprize  (and  I  am  often  served  so,)  the  first 
Psalm,  at  which  my  Psalm-book  opened,  was  the  Hundred 
and  Eighteenth;  where  I  foimd  and  sang  these  Passages, 

I  did  lift  up  my  Voice  to  Jah, 
From  out  of  Slreighlness  great; 

'  A  marginal  entry  has  been  struck  out. 

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43 2  DIARY  or  COTTON  MATHER 

The  Lord  an  Answer  gave  to  me, 
With  an  enlarged  Seat. 

The  Tabernacles  of  the  Just 

the  Voice  of  Joy  afford, 
And  of  Salvation;  strongly  works 

the  right  Uand  of  the  Lord, 

I  shall  not  dy,  but  live,  and  shall 

the  Works  of  J  ah  declare; 
The  Lord  did  sorely  chasten  me, 
but  me  from  Death  did  spare. 

I  then  went  unto  my  Consort,  and  assured  her,  that  she 
should  live  yett  awhile. 

i\Iy  Wife  still  grew  worse,  and  on  the  Day  following, 
which  was  the  Lord's-Day,  She  was  apprehended  by  those 
about  her,  to  be  actually  struck  with  Death,  and  the  Physi- 
cian was  called  out  of  the  pubUc  Assembly. 

My  Faith  was  now  tried,  but  it  held  out;  and  the  Fitt 
upon  my  Wife  went  over. 

She  lay  yett  so  very  weak,  that  I  was  called  up,  in  the 
middle  of  the  following  Night,  because  they  thought  her 
dying.  I  retired  into  my  Study,  about  one  or  two  a  clock 
in  the  Night,  and  there  had  a  Vigil,  wherein  the  Lord 
renewed  unto  me  my  Assurances  of  His  purpose  to  recover 
her,  and  make  her  to  live,  nor  as  yett  snatch  her  wholly 
from  me. 

The  next  Morning  the  Assurance  was  yett  again  renewed 
unto  me,  with  a  Flood  of  Tears,  and  Hopes  and  Joyes  and 
Wonders,  when  I  was  prajing  with  her,  after  I  had  read  by 
her  the  latter  End  of  the  eighth  Chapter  of  Luke:  (her 
Father,  as  her  Jairus  being  also  present.) 

On  this  very  Day,  a  critical  SaUvation  began  to  sieze 
her,  and  her  Feavour  began  to  go  off. 

But  it  must  not  so  go  off,  as  to  leave  my  Faith  without 
further  Trial. 

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JUNE,    1702  433 

After  a  whole  Weeks  great  Weakness,  partly  by  her 
extream  Salivation,  and  partly  by  the  Feavours  degenerating 
into  a  Character  that  had  much  of  a  certain  Ague  in  it,  she 
was  brought  and  kept  so  low,  that  her  Life  still  was  in 
extreme  Hazard.  Wherefore  I  saw,  I  mxist  beseech  the  Lord 
thrice.    On 

16  d.  4  m.  Tuesday.  I  kept  another  Day  of  Prayer  in 
my  study  on  her  behalf;  and  made  it  an  Opportunity  for 
further  Supplications,  relating  to  Affayrs  in  England.  It 
proved  a  Day  of  no  great  Enjoyments. 

After  this  Day,  she  grew  rather  worse.  On  Friday,  I 
even  suspected  her  of  dying. 

Wonderful  the  Trial  of  my  Faith.  But  it  held  out  com- 
fortably under  the  Trial.  And  by  so  much  the  greater 
Blessing  shall  I  receive  after  it;  and  the  greater  Glory  will 
come  unto  the  Lord. 

Several  Addresses  of  some  Consequence,  especially  one 
to  the  Queen,  did  I  draw  up,  about  this  Time. 

God  continuing  my  Consort's  extreme  Illness,  I  did 
again  on 

24  d.  4  m.  Wednesday.  Sett  apart  this  Day,  for  prayer 
with  Fasting,  to  cry  imto  the  Lord  for  her;  as  also,  to  obtain 
His  Presence  with  me,  to  morrow. 

On  this  Day,  the  Lord  was  pleased  in  a  most  astonish- 
ing Manner  to  renew  my  Particular  Faith,  for  the  Recovery 
of  my  dear  Consort.  God,  and  His  good  Angel,  has  assured 
me  from  Heaven,  that  tho'  my  Consort  be  in  such  dying 
Ciramistances,  yett  she  shall  not  yett  dy,  but  live:  And 
the  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  shall  have  Glory  among  His  People, 
(particularly,  the  Glory  of  His  being  our  Family-Sacrifice,) 
on  the  Occasion  of  the  Experiences,  which  the  present  Con- 
dition of  my  Family  does  aflford  me. 

Several  Times  again  this  Day,  when  I  took  my  Psalm- 
book,  to  sing  some  Psalms  agreeable  to  my  present  Circum- 
stances, to  my  Surprize  I  found,  that  my  Psalmrbook  still  so 
1-28 

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434  DIARY  or  COTTON  MATHER 

opened,  that  the  very  first  Psalms  occurring  to  me,  afforded 
me  the  most  agreeable  Passages  in  the  World,  e.g.  Psal.  66. 
8,  9,  ID,  II,  13,  14,  16,  17,  18,  19,  20.    And  Isa.  12.  etc. 

On  the  Day  following  I  enjoy'd  an  extraordinary  Presence 
of  the  Lord  with  me;  in  preaching  to  the  Govemour,  (newly 
arrived,)  and  the  General  Assembly  and  a  very  great  Audi- 
tory; describing,  A  Good  Man,  with  characters  which  the 
Lord  made  observable  and  acceptable. 

On  the  Friday,  my  Consort's  Illness  grew  still  (if  it  could 
be,)  full  of  more  uneasy  Symptomes.  I  saw  no  Likelihood 
of  any  other  than  Death  after  all.  But  Lord!  how  aggra- 
vated a  Calamity  must  be  her  Death,  if  such  a  Sting,  as  the 
Disappointment  of  my  Particular  Faith,  must  be  added  unto 
it!    Wherefore,  on 

27  d.  4  m.  Satureday.  I  sett  apart  another  Day  for 
Prayer  with  Fasting  on  so  Distressing  an  Occasion. 

And  on  this  Day,  unto  my  Astonishment  again,  the 
Lord,  and  His  Angel,  has  renewed  my  Assurance,  that  my 
Consort  shdl  recover,  and  that  with  a  more  wise  and  chast 
Conversation  than  ever,  I  shall  yett  glorify  the  Lord  Jesus 
Christ,  and  have  a  Family  exemplary  for  the  Service  of  the 
Lord.  Several  Passages,  in  2.  Cor.  i.  3,  4,  5,  6,  7,  8,  9,  10, 
II.  were  of  singular  Use  to  me,  in  the  Contemplations  with 
which  my  Particular  Faith  in  one  Effort  of  it  this  Day,  was 
accompanied. 

In  the  ensuing  Week,  besides  other  Services,  I  accom- 
plish'd  one  of  more  than  ordinary  Consequence. 

Having  drawn  up  certain.  Proposals  for  the  Preserva- 
tion OF  Religion  in  the  Churches,  by  a  due  Trial  of 

THEM  TILAT  STAND  CANDIDATES  OF  THE  MINISTRY;  they  Were 

laid  before  a  Convention  of  near  thirty  of  our  Ministers,  who 
all  concurred  unto  them;  and  I  proceeded  then  to  publish 
a  convenient  Number  of  Copies,  that  so  the  Instrument  may 
be  dispersed  into  all  parts  of  the  Countrey,  for  the  Concur- 
rence and  the  Direction  of  all  concerned. 

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JULY,     17  02  435 

But  I  must  not  lett  this  Week  pass  me,  without  another 
Day  of  Prayer,  on  the  behalf  of  my  Consort,  who  still 
continues  languishing,  without  any  Hope  in  herself  to  be 
restored.    Accordingly, 

4^.  5 m.  [July.] Satureday.  I  kept  this  Day,  as  I  kept 
two  the  last  Week,  in  my  Study.  Both  with  respect  unto 
the  Condition  of  my  Consort;  and  with  respect  unto  the 
Condition  of  the  Town,  where  the  Small-pox  begins  to 
spread;  and  the  Land,  where  a  War  is  now  proclaimed;  and 
other  sad  Circumstances  we  have  in  our  Government.  But 
especially  my  own  poor  Family  I  carried  unto  the  Lord,  by 
Faith  getting  it  sprinkled  with  the  Blood  of  Jesus  Christ, 
that  so  the  Destroyer  may  not,  at  this  evil  Time  have  any 
Commission  to  touch  it. 

But  the  Illness  of  my  Consort  continued  upon  her,  until 
it  came  to  a  great  Extremity;  and  some  great  Symptomes 
and  Actions  of  one  in  the  Agony  of  Death  were  observed  in 
her  on  the  next  Friday  Morning,  and  the  Night  preceding. 
However,  the  Lord  still  stept  in  to  succour  her,  upon  our 
Cries  imto  Him.    And  I  was  desirous  on 

12  d.  $m.  Satureday,  to  keep  a  seventh  Fast  in  my  Study 
for  the  Life  of  my  dear  Consort;  on  which  Day  I  also  made 
seven  several  Addresses  for  her;  wherein  I  resigned  her  unto 
the  Lord  and  submitted  unto  all  the  sorrowful  Consequences, 
of  a  rejected  Prayer,  and  a  defeated  Faith,  and  a  desolate 
broken  Family,  if  He  should  order  them  for  me.  But  while 
I  thus  gave  up  my  dear  Consort,  still  I  could  not  give  her 
over.  I  thought,  I  received  fresh  Assurances  from  Heaven, 
that  she  should  be  restored  unto  me,  and  that  the  Lord 
should  be  exceedingly  glorified  on  that  Occasion. 

About  this  Time,  I  considered,  that  it  might  be  service- 
able more  Wayes  than  one,  unto  the  evangelical  Interest 
for  me  to  publish  the  Sermon  I  preached  lately,  unto  the 
Govemour,  and  the  General  Assembly,  upon  the  Character 
of  a  good  Man.     Wherefore  I  gave  it  imto  the  Booksellers, 

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436  DIARY  OF  COTTON  MATHER 

entituled,  The  Pourtraiture  of  a  Good  Man;  Drawn 
with  the  Pencils  of  the  Sanctuary.^ 

Moreover,  a  Discourse  which  I  delivered  at  our  Lecture, 
when  I  suddenly  diverted  from  the  Subject  I  intended,  and 
but  a  few  Minutes  beforehand  resolved  upon  delivering 
this  Discourse,  proving  so  acceptable  to  some  of  the  Hearers, 
that  they  were  desirous  to  publish  it,  I  gave  it  imto  the 
Booksellers.  It  is  entituled  Necessary  Admonitions,  con- 
taining Just  Thoughts  upon  some  Sins  too  little  thought  of; 
or,  a  brief  Discourse  concerning  Sins  of  omission.^ 

In  the  Preface,  I  have  this  Observation;  that  the  Things 
and  Wayes  from  which  any  Service  to  the  Church  of  God,  is 
least  of  all  expected,  are  they  that  sometimes  prove  the  most 
serviceable. 

I  have  often  found  it  so;  and  here  again  I  find  it  so. 
Little  did  I  imagine,  that  this  poor  Discourse,  would  ever 
have  this  Improvement  made  of  it. 

21  d.  5  m.  Tuesday.  My  Faith  and  my  poor  Consort's 
Patience,  is  mightily  tried,  by  her  continuing  in  a  dubious, 
dangerous,  deplorable  Condition  of  Illness. 

The  Physicians,  this  Evening,  seem  to  have  laid  aside 
all  Expectation  of  her  ever  being  restored,  from  the  wasting 
scorbutic  Feaver,  and  still  continuing  SaUvation,  that  fol- 
lowes  her. 

We  are  to  have  a  Day  of  Prayer  in  our  Congregation, 
on  the  Thursday,  (two  Dayes  hence;)  wherefore  I  chose 
now  to  spread  my  Distress  before  the  Lord,  in  the  way  of 
a  Vigil. 

I  retired  into  my  Bed-Chamber,  and  spent  good  Part  of 
the  Night,  prostrate  on  the  Floor,  (with  so  little  of  Garment 
on  as  to  render  my  lying  there  painful  to  my  tender  Bones), 
crying  to  God  for  the  Life  of  my  poor  Consort,  but  himibly 
committing  her  Case,  and  submitting  my  Will,  to  His 

'  Printed  for  Benjamin  Eliot,  1703. 

'  I'rinted  by  B.  Green  and  J.  Allen,  for  Samuel  Phillips,  1702. 

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AUGUST,     1702  437 

glorious  Providence.  I  think,  before  I  went  unto  my  Rest, 
I  obtained  some  further  Satisfaction,  that  my  God  has  heard 
me!  I  shall  have  a  blessed  Answer,  tho'  I  do  not  as  yett 
foresee  all  the  Circumstances. 

Afterwards  in  this  Week,  I  kept  another  VigU,  on  the 
behalf  of  my  Reverend  Friend,  Mr.  Noyes  at  Salem;  to 
obtain  of  the  Lord,  the  praeservation  of  his  Life  and  Health, 
from  Danger  by  the  contagious  Diseases  broken  into  that 
place.' 

I  d.  6tn.  [August.]  Satureday.  The  Lord  is  now  begin- 
ning a  little  to  restore  my  Consort;  the  Answer  of  Prayer 
and  Faith  has  begun  to  approach  towards  us.  However,  it 
concerns  me  still  to  keep  at  it.  I  sett  apart  this  Day  also 
for  the  Duties  of  a  Fast,  before  the  Lord. 

And  yett,  after  this,  my  poor  Consort  falls  into  new 
Returns  of  Languishment;  yea,  her  Feebleness  growes  again 
to  that  Extremity,  as  to  render  her  Condition,  as  dubious 
perhaps  as  ever.  I  am  kept  up  all  Night,  that  I  may  see 
her  dy,  and  therewith  see  the  terrible  Death  of  my  Prayer 
and  Faith.  But  in  this  Extremity,  when  I  renew  my  Visits 
unto  Heaven,  and  go  to  resign  my  dear  Consort  unto  the 
Lord,  and  consent  that  she  shall  be  taken  from  me,  a  strange 
Irradiation  comes  from  Heaven  upon  my  Spirit,  that  her 
Life  shall  not  as  yett  come  unto  an  End. 

My  Heavenly  Father,  will  still  have  me  attended  with 
some  special  Exercise,  that  shall  keep  my  Prayer  and  Faith 
employ'd.  And  that  which  His  fatherly  Wisdome  has 
ordered  for  me,  in  these  later  weeks,  has  been  the  singular 
Calamity  of  my  poor  Consort;  and  an  Illness  which  none  of 
our  ablest  Physicians  know,  what  to  judge  of  or  what  to 
do  for. 

23  d.  6  m.  Lord's-Day.  In  the  Evening,  after  the  public 
and  private  Services  of  the  Day,  sitting  in  my  Study,  I 
found  a  strange  Impression  on  my  Mind,  intimating  to  me, 

>  Nicholas  Noyes. 

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438  DIARY  OF  COTTON  MATHER 

that  Heaven  was  willing  to  converse  with  me,  after  a  very 
familiar  Manner,  if  I  would  now  look  and  wait  in  a  suitable 
Posture  for  it,  It  was  q.  said  unto  me,  Go  into  your  great 
Chamber  and  I  mil  speak  with  you  I 

So  I  retired  into  a  great  Chamber  of  my  House,  most 
remote  from  all  Disturbance,  and  cast  myself  prostrate  on 
the  Floor  before  the  Lord. 

There  I  cried  unto  the  Lord,  with  himible  and  bitter 
Confessions  of  my  own  Loathsomeness  before  Him,  and 
abhorred  myself  as  worthy  to  be  thunderstruck  into  Dust 
and  Ashes.  For  a  while,  I  had  no  other  Expansions  of  Soul, 
than  in  all  Devotions.  But  at  length,  I  felt  an  inexpressible 
Afflatus  come  from  Heaven  upon  my  Mind,  which  dissolved 
me  into  a  Flood  of  Tears,  that  ran  down  upon  the  Floor, 
and  caused  me  to  speak  such  Things  as  these. 

"And  now  my  Father  is  going  to  tell  me,  what  He  will  do 
for  me.  My  Father  loves  me,  and  will  fill  me  with  His  Love, 
and  will  bring  me  to  everlasting  Life.  My  Father  will  never 
permitt  anything  to  befall  me,  but  what  shall  be  for  His 
Interest.  My  Father,  will  make  me  a  chosen  Vessel,  to  do 
good  in  the  World.  My  Father  will  yett  use  me  to  glorify 
His  Christ,  and  my  Opportunities,  my  precious  Oppor- 
tunities to  do  so,  shall  be  after  a  most  astonishing  Manner 
continued  and  multipUed.  Particularly,  my  Treatise  of, 
Teie  Triumphs  of  Christianity,  my  Father  will  send  His 
Holy  Angels  to  look  after  it,  and  it  shall  not  be  lost.  The 
Condition  of  my  dear  Coitsort,  my  Father  will  give  me  to 
see  His  wonderful  Favour  in  it.  My  Father  will  be  a  Father 
to  my  Children  too;  He  ^^'ill  provide  for  them,  and  they  shall 
every  one  [of]  them  serve  Him  throughout  eternal  Ages." 

I  omitt  some  other  Things.  But  this  Conversation  with 
Heaven,  left  a  sweet  a  calm,  a  considerate,  a  sanctifying, 
an  Heavenly  Impression  upon  my  Soul. 

2j  d.6m.  Thursday.  A  Day  of  Prayer  was  publickly 
kept  in  this  Town;  and  I  was  not  only  present,  but  also 

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AUGUST,     1702  439 

employ'd  in  the  public  Supplications  on  it;  enjoying  thereon, 
a  sensible  Presence  of  the  Lord  with  me. 

Having  therefore  kept  a  public  Day  of  Prayer,  this 
Week,  I  would  lay  aside  my  Purpose  to  keep  a  private  one. 
Instead  thereof, 

29  d.  6  m.  Satureday.  I  kept  a  Day  of  THANKS- 
GIVING in  my  Study.  And  I  enjoy'd  some  intimate 
Communion  with  Heaven;  when  acknowledging  and  glorify- 
ing of  God  the  Father,  and  Son,  and  Spirit,  in  His  infinite 
Perfections;  and  when  mentioning  His  particular  Favours 
to  myself,  on  each  Article  whereof,  I  mentioned  a  particular 
Aggravation  of  my  own  Sinfulness,  to  render  me  more 
imworthy  of  it. 

I  also  kept  myself  in  Tune,  for  the  more  settled  and 
solemn  Services  of  the  Day,  by  Multitudes  of  Ejaculations 
in  a  way  of  Thanksgivings  formed  on  the  Occasion  of  the 
many  and  various  Objects  that  on  every  Side  occurr'd  imto 
me,  all  the  Day  long. 

But  one  special  Intention  of  this  Thanksgiving  was,  the 
Condition  of  my  dear  Consort.  She  has  been  strangely 
upheld,  and  tho^  chast'ned  stfre,  yett  not  given  over  to  Death, 
for  twice  seven  Weeks  together.  I  thought,  that  I  had  kept 
many  Dayes  of  Prayer  for  her  in  this  Time  of  our  Calamity; 
but  it  ought  to  be  a  Matter  of  Praise,  that  we  are  not  con- 
sumed, that  we  have  been  favoured  with  so  much  Support, 
and  Patience,  and  Experience,  under  the  Calamity;  and 
it  may  be,  a  Day  of  Praise,  would  be  followed  with  Salva- 
tions, beyond  what  any  Dayes  of  Prayer  had  yett  obtained. 
I  resolved  on  keeping  this  Day  accordingly.  The  Day  and 
Night  before  it,  there  came  so  ill  a  Turn  upon  my  poor 
Consort,  that  she  terrified  us,  with  extreme  Apprehensions 
of  her  Dissolution.  This  was  a  further  Trial  upon  me,  but 
still  I  kept  my  Resolution.  And  on  this  Day  my  Faith 
relating  to  my  Consort,  revives  at  the  strangest  rate  imagi- 
nable; yea,  she  also  begins  to  have  some  strange  Revivals. 

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440  DIARY  or  COTTON  MATHER 

30  d.  6  m.  Lord's-Day.  Tho'  thro'  a  Slothfulness  truly 
criminal,  I  do  not  record  many  Interviews  with  Heaven, 
with  which  the  Chief  of  Sinners  is  favoured;  yett  I  will  not 
leave  unrecorded,  one  to  which  I  was  this  Day  admitted. 

Having  preached  on  that  glorious  Priviledge  of  being 
sealed  with  the  Holy  Spirit  of  God,  and  being  arrived  imto 
my  last  Prayer;  at  the  following  Administration  of  that 
sealing  Ordinance,  the  Eucharist;  I  felt  an  inexpressible 
Irradiation  from  Heaven,  upon  my  Mind,  which  dissolving 
me  into  Tears,  caused  me  to  begin  the  Prayer,  with  Expres- 
sions to  this  Purpose. 

And  now  surely  Thou  art  our  Father;  else  thou  wouldest  never 
have  inclined  us,  to  repair  unto  thee  as  our  Father,  with  Prayer,  and 
with  Pleasure,  on  all  Occasions;  and  to  desire  nothing  in  this  World 
so  much  as  to  glorify  our  Heavenly  Father.  Surely  thy  Christ,  is 
ours;  or  else,  thou  wouldest  never  have  caused  us  to  accept  of  Him 
in  all  His  OflBces,  and  value  and  admire  all  His  Benefits.  Surely  thy 
Christ  has  loved  us,  and  wash'd  away  our  Sins  in  His  own  Blood;  or 
else  thou  wouldest  never  have  made  our  Sins  to  become  so  bitter, 
and  loathsome  unto  us,  and  made  us  wish  for  nothing  so  much  as 
DeUverance  from  our  Sins.  Surely,  we  stand  before  thee  in  the 
Righteousness  of  thy  Christ;  or  else  thou  wouldst  never  have  made 
us  to  renounce  and  abhor  all  our  own  Righteousness,  and  made  us 
fly  to  Righleousttess  as  our  only  Refuge,  and  make  mention  of  that, 
even  of  that  only.  Surely  Thy  Christ  has  our  Names  written  on  His 
Breast  and  appears  as  our  Advocate  in  the  Heavens;  or  else  thou 
wouldest  not  have  made  us  carry  His  Name  so  much  on  our  Hearts, 
and  be  so  concern 'd  above  all  Things  to  advance  His  Name,  and  be 
so  willing  to  appear  on  Earth  as  Advocates  for  His  labouring  Interests. 
Surely  Thy  Holy  Spirit  has  taken  a  saving  Possession  of  us,  or  else 
we  should  never  have  undergone  such  a  Change  upon  us;  we  should 
never  have  been  so  reconciled  unto  the  most  mortifying  and  self- 
denying  Points  of  Christianity;  we  should  never  have  chosen  rather 
to  be  afflicted  than  to  be  abandoned  unto  Sin  against  thee;  we  should 
never  have  relished  it,  as  the  cheef  Delight  under  Heaven,  yea  a 
very  Heaven  itself,  to  be  alwayes  doing  of  Good.  Surely,  these  are 
the  Seals  of  God  upon  us;  and  they  Seal  us  for  the  heavenly  Inheritance. 
God  uses  not  such  Seals  as  these  upon  Reprobates.  God  would  not 
seal  us  for  Damnation  with  such  Things  as  these  upon  us;  these  are 

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AUGUST,     1702  441 

not  the  Marks  of  those  that  must  go  down  unto  the  Damned.  No, 
our  God  has  now  sealed  us  for  Glory,  and  sett  us  apart  for  eternal 
Blessedness,  and  Happiness.  Oh,  our  God,  our  God;  we  find,  with 
a  mighty  Light,  broke  in  upon  our  Minds,  a  joyful  Perswasion  and 
Assurance,  that  thou  hast  loved  us  with  an  everlasting  Love,  and  that 
our  Sins  are  all  pardoned  in  the  Son  of  thy  Love,  and  that  we  shall  be 
kept  by  thy  mighty  Power,  thro'  Faith  unto  Salvation.  We  are  sure 
this  Perswasion  must  either  be  from  Satan,  and  from  a  deceived  and 
a  deluded  Heart;  or  else  it  must  be  from  the  Holy  Spirit  of  God. 
But  we  are  sure,  the  Perswasion  is  not  from  Satan,  and  from  our  own 
sinful  Heart,  because  we  no  sooner  entertain  it,  but  it  fills  us  with 
Love  to  God,  and  care  to  please  Him  and  serve  Him;  it  makes  all 
Sin  most  hateful  unto  us;  it  leaves  an  heavenly  Impression  upon  us; 
it  causes  us  to  abound  in  the  work  of  the  Lord;  it  inspires  us  with  a 
Zeal  for  thee;  it  constrains  us  to  a  watchful,  useful,  fruitful  and 
humble  wEilk  before  thee.  We  are  sure  then,  that  the  Perswasion 
is  from  the  Holy  Spirit  of  God.  And  now,  behold,  what  manner  of 
Love  is  this  I 

Little  recordeable  occurr'd  unto  me,  in  the  next  Month; 
only  in  several  Vigils  from  Time  to  Time,  I  enjoy'd  some 
intimate  Communions  vnth  Heaven. 

But  such  Thoughts  as  these  now  begin  to  roll  in  my  dis- 
tressed Mind. 

I  suspect,  I  have  been  too  imattentive  unto  the  meaning 
of  the  Holy  Spirit,  and  His  Angel,  in  the  Particular  Faith, 
which  I  have  had  about  my  Consort's  being  restored  unto 
me. 

First,  when  she  has  been  several  Times  in  or  near  the 
last  Agonies  of  Death,  unto  the  Apprehension  of  all  about 
her,  I  cry  to  the  Lord,  that  He  will  yett  spare  her.  He  tells 
me,  that  He  will  do  it.  Accordingly,  to  our  Astonishment 
she  getts  over  that  ill  Turn.  She  stayes  yett  longer  with 
us,  to  employ  our  Prayer  and  Faith,  and  Patience  and 
Resignation.  But  it  may  be,  after  the  Lord  has  given  me 
admirable  Demonstrations,  of  His  being  lothe  to  deny  me 
any  thing  that  I  importunately  ask  of  Him,  and  therefore 
does  one  Month  after  another  delay  the  Thing  which  I  fear; 

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442  DIARY  or  COTTON  MATHER 

yett  I  must  at  last  encounter  the  Death  which  I  have  so 
deprecated,  when  both  my  Wife  and  myself  shall  be  better 
praepared  for  it. 

Secondly,  when  I  am  crying  unto  the  Lord,  that  He  will 
Pitty  me,  and  my  poor  Family,  and  give  me  in  the  Condition 
of  my  dearest  Creature  an  Instance  of  His  Compassion  to 
me.  He  tells  me,  that  He  has  heard  me.  I  interpret  it,  that 
my  wife  shall  certainly  recover.  But  this  may  be  too  hasty 
and  sudden,  and  shortsighted,  an  Interpretation.  The  Lord 
may  have  marvellous  Blessings  in  store  for  me,  and  my  poor 
Family,  beyond  anything  that  I  can  at  present  imagine,  or 
would  indeed  be  willing  to  imagine.  In  those  Things  may 
my  Prayer  and  Hope  have  a  glorious  Accomplishment,  and 
the  Holy  One  must  not  be  limited  unto  the  Sense  which  my 
Folly  and  Fondness,  would  putt  upon  the  Expectations 
which  He  has  given  me. 

26  d.  7  m.  [September.]  Satureday.  That  I  might  yeeld 
myseK  unto  the  Lord,  with  a  profoimd  Submission,  and  that 
I  might  not  faint  in  the  Day  of  Adversity,  I  was  again 
secretly  now  engaged  in  the  Devotions  of  Prayer  with  Fast- 
ing before  the  Lord. 

When  I  was  in  deep  Distress,  about  the  Meaning  and 
Issue  of  the  divine  Dispensations  towards  me,  I  took  my 
Bible  in  my  Hand,  with  a  Design  to  seek  some  divine  Con- 
solations there.  And  the  very  first  Place,  that  was  brought 
unto  me,  at  the  Opening  of  the  Bible,  was  that,  Psal.  71.  20. 
Thou  which  hast  shewed  tne  great  and  sore  Troubles,  slialt 
quicken  me  again,  and  shalt  bring  me  up  again  from  the 
Depths  of  the  Earth. 

The  Lord  laid  me  aside  from  serving  Him  at  Redding, 
where  a  vast  Assembly  came  together  from  the  Towns 
round  about,  in  Expectation  of  my  being  at  the  Lecture 
there.  The  sad  and  sick  State  of  my  Consort,  who  appeared 
even  in  the  Jawes  of  Death,  permitted  not  my  going  from 
her.    I  entertained  this  Rebuke  of  Heaven;  in  Conjunction 

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OUIUBEK,      I7OZ  443 

with  several  more,  I  hope,  not  without  proper,  and  humble, 
and  useful  Reflections.  But  after  this,  the  Lord  Accepted 
me,  to  serve  Him  abroad,  in  some  other  Towns;  particularly 
at  the  Lecture  in  Roxbury;  but  most  especially  at  the  Lec- 
ture in  Dedhatn;  where  the  Spirit  of  the  Lord  (on  which  I 
preached,)  so  accompanied  my  poor  Labours  in  my  preach- 
ing as  to  administer  imto  me,  great  Consolation,  and  Satis- 
faction, that  He  had  not  forsaken  me. 

And  on  the  Day  after  my  Labours  at  Dedham,  namely  on 
8  (f.  8  »t.  Y^ctoher\  Thursday, 

There  was  a  pubUck  Fast  kept  at  the  South  Church,  in 
Boston,  where  the  Lord  helped  me  to  bear  my  part;  partic- 
ularly, it  fell  unto  me,  to  begin  the  Services  of  the  Day, 
with  a  Prayer,  wherein  I  wrestled  with  the  Lord,  for  near 
two  Hours  together,  that  His  Mercies  might  be  vouchsafed. 
It  becomes  me  to  take  some  hmnble  and  thankful  Notice 
of  it,  that  altho'  I  have  had  no  Reason  to  expect,  that 
there  should  be  any  use  made  of  me,  in  the  Dayes  of 
Prayer  successively  kept  by  our  neighbouring  Churches, 
yett  by  particular  Dispositions  of  the  Divine  Providence, 
it  comes  to  pass,  that  I  must  be  very  much  used  on  those 
Occasions, 

22  d.  8  m.  Thursday.  This  Day  the  Lord  graciously 
carried  me,  thro'  the  Duties  of  a  Fast,  which  was  kept 
throughout  the  Province. 

God  helps  me,  not  only  on  this  Day,  but  at  other  Times 
with  great  Frequency,  and  Fervency  to  committ  my  Chil- 
dren into  His  merciful  Hands,  now  the  Small  Pox,  is  on 
every  Side  of  us.' 

And  being  in  extreme  Distress,  about  my  poor,  feeble, 
wasted  Consort,  who  after  more  than  twenty  Week's  Lan- 
guidmient,  is,  for  my  further  Trial,  fallen  into  the  Symptoms 
of  an  hopeless  Consumption.  I  did  the  Night  before  the 
Fast,  keep,  as  far  as  my  Strength  would  permitt,  a  Vigil. 

'  The  disease  raged  in  the  town  until  the  following  March. 

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444  DIARY  OF  COTTON  MATHER 

In  this  Vigil,  after  I  had,  prostrate  in  the  Dust,  left  the 
Case  of  ray  Consort  with  the  Lord,  I  repaired  unto  my  Bed- 
chamber, to  take  some  Rest,  the  latter  Part  of  the  Night. 
But  befpre  my  going  to  Rest,  I  took  my  Psalm-book  into  my 
hand,  that  I  might  sing  Something  for  the  quieting  of  my 
uneasy  mind.  And  unto  my  Surprise,  the  very  first  Verse 
that  at  the  opening  of  the  Book,  my  Eye  was  carried  unto, 
was  that:  Psal.  105.  37. 

And  there  was  not  among  their  Tribes, 
A  Feeble  Person  told. 
Lord,  thought  I!  This  won't  be  fulfill 'd  until  the  Resur- 
rection of  the  Dead.  The  Tribes  of  the  Raised  will  not  have 
one  feeble  Person  among  them.  And  must  I  resign  the  Con- 
dition of  my  Consort,  at  last,  unto  what  shall  be  done  in 
the  future  State?    Lord,  Thy  Will  be  done! 

Behold  a  strange  Thing!  On  the  Night  after  the  Fast, 
my  Consort  had  appearing  to  her,  (she  supposes,  in  her 
sleep)  a  grave  Person,  who  brought  with  him,  a  Woman  in 
the  most  meagre  and  wretched  Circumstances  imaginable. 
My  Consort  fell  into  the  Praises  of  God,  in  that  her  Condi- 
tion was  not  yett  so  miserably  Circumstanced  as  that 
woman's  now  before  her.  The  grave  Person  then  told  her, 
that  inasmuch  as  there  were  at  this  Time,  a  Couple  of 
Symptomes  become  insupportable  to  her,  he  would  propose 
a  Way,  wherein  she  should  obtain  some  Help  for  them. 
First,  for  her  intolerable  Pain  in  her  Breast,  said  he,  Ictt 
them  cutt  the  warm  Wool  from  a  living  Sheep,  and  apply 
it  warm  unto  the  grieved  Pain.  Next,  for  her  Salivation, 
which  hitherto  nothing  had  releeved,  said  he,  take  a  Tankard 
of  Spring-Water,  and  therein  over  the  Fire  dissolve  an  agree- 
able Quantity  of  Mastic's,  and  of  Gum  Idnglass:  Drink  of 
this  Liquor  now  and  then,  to  strengthen  the  Glands,  which 
ought  to  have  been  done  a  great  while  ago. 

She  told  this  on  Friday,  to  her  principal  Physician;  who 
mightily  encouraged  our  trying  the  Exp)eriments.    We  did 

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OCTOBER,     1702  445 

it;  and  unto  our  Astonishment,  my  Consort  revived  at  a 
most  unexpected  Rate;  insomuch,  that  she  came  twice  on 
Satureday  out  of  her  sick  Chamber,  unto  me  in  my  Study; 
and  there  she  asked  me  to  give  Thanks  unto  God  with  her, 
and  for  her,  on  the  Accoxmt  of  the  Recovery  in  so  surprising 
a  Degree  begun  unto  her. 

After  this,  my  dear  Consort  continued  much  refresh'd 
and  yett  feeble.  We  had  great  Hopes  of  her  becoming  a 
strong  Person  again,  and  yett  great  Fears,  lest  some  further 
latent  Mischief  within  her,  prove  after  all  too  hard  for  her. 

30  d.  8  m.  Friday.  Yesterday,  I  first  saw  my  Church- 
History,  since  the  Publication  of  it.  A  Gentleman  arrived 
here,  from  New  Castle  in  England,  that  had  bought  it  there. 
Wherefore,  I  sett  apart  this  Day,  for  solemn  THANKS- 
GIVING unto  God,  for  His  watchful  and  gracious  Provi- 
dence over  that  Work,  and  for  the  Harvest  of  so  many 
Prayers,  and  Cares,  and  Tears,  and  Resignations,  as  I  had 
employ'd  upon  it. 

My  reUgious  Friend,  Mr.  Bromfield,  who  had  been  sin- 
gularly helpful  to  the  Publication  of  that  great  Book,  (of 
twenty  shilUngs  price,  at  London,)  came  to  me  at  the  Close 
of  the  Day,  to  join  with  me,  in  some  of  my  Praises  to  God. 

On  this  Day,  my  little  Daughter  Nibby,  began  to  fall 
sick  of  the  Small-pox.  The  dreadful  Disease,  which  is 
raging  in  the  Neighbourhood,  is  now  gott  into  my  poor 
Family.  God  prepare  me,  God  prepare  me,  for  what  is 
coming  upon  me! 

The  Child,  was  favourably  visited,  in  comparison  of 
what  many  are. 

It  becomes  impossible  for  me  to  record  much  in  these 
Memorials;  the  vast  Numbers  of  the  Sick  among  my  Neigh- 
bours and  the  Duties  which  I  owe  to  the  sick  in  my  own 
Family,  engrossing  my  Time  exceedingly. 

It  being  impossible  for  me,  to  visit  the  many  Scores  of 
sick  Families  in  my  Neighbourhood,  and  yett  it  being  my 

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446  DIARY  OF  COTTON  MATHER 

desire  to  visit  them  as  far  as  tis  possible,  I  composed  a  Sheet 
which  I  entituled,  Wholesome  Words,  or,  A  Visit  of  Advice 
to  Families  visited  with  Sickness. '  I  putt  myself  to  the  small 
Expence  of  printing  it;  and  then  dividing  my  Flock  into 
three  Parts,  I  singled  out  three  honest  Men,  unto  whom  I 
committed  the  care  of  lodging  a  Sheet  in  every  Family,  as 
fast  as  they  should  hear  of  any  faUing  sick  in  it.  The  Lord 
makes  this  my  poor  Essay,  exceeding  acceptable  and  ser- 
viceable. 

The  Month  of  November  coming  on,  I  had  on  my  Mind,  a 
strong  Impression,  to  look  out  some  agreeable  Paragraph 
of  Scripture,  to  be  handled  in  my  pubUc  Ministry,  while  the 
two  dreadful  and  mortal  Sicknesses,  of  the  Small  Pox,  and 
the  Scarlet  Feavour,  should  be  raging  among  us.  After 
earnest  Supplications  to  the  Lord,  for  His  Direction,  I  used 
an  Action,  which  I  would  not  encourage,  ever  to  be  used  in 
any  divinatory  Way.  I  thought,  I  would  observe,  whether 
the  first  Place  that  occurr'd  at  my  opening  of  my  Bible, 
would  prove  suitable  or  no;  or  such  as  might  carry  any  In- 
timation of  angelical  Direction  in  it.  Unto  my  Amazement, 
it  proved,  the  History  of  our  Lords  curing  the  sick  Son  of  the 
Nobleman,  in  the  fourth  Chapter  of  John.  I  saw,  that  the 
whole  Bible  afforded  not  a  more  agreeable  or  profitable 
Paragraph.    So,  I  began  a  course  of  Sermons  upon  it. 

14  d.  9  m.  [November]  Satureday.  The  awful  Circum- 
stances upon  me,  (and  upon  the  Town,)  caused  me  to  ly  in 
the  Dust  this  Day  with  secret  Prayer  and  Fasting  before 
the  Lord. 

In  this  Month,  my  lovely  Consort  again  declines;  and 
some  latent  Mischief  within  her,  brings  on  a  Feebleness,  that 
gives  us  great  Apprehensions  of  a  mortal  Issue. 

21  d.  g  m.  Satureday.  I  obtained,  I  compelled,  the  Lie- 
sure,  for  another  Day  of  Prayer  with  Fasting  in  my  Study; 
to  carry  my  distressed  Family  unto  the  Lord. 

'  Printed  by  B.  Green  and  J.  Allen,  1703. 

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NOVEMBER,      1702  447 

Humiliacons  are  coining  thick  upon  me! 
Ikly  Study,  is  tho'  a  large,  yett  a  warm  chamber,  (the 
hangings  whereof,  are  Boxes  with  between  two  and  three 
thousand  Books  in  them;)  and  we  are  so  circumstanced, 
that  my  House,  tho'  none  of  the  smallest,  caimot  afford  a 
safe  Huspital  now  for  my  sick  Folks,  any  where  so  well  as 
there.  So  I  resigned  my  Study,  for  an  Hospital  to  my  little 
Folks,  that  are  falling  sick  of  a  loathsome  Disease.  God 
sanctified  this,  to  humble  me,  for  my  not  serving  Him  as  I 
should  have  done  in  my  Study;  which  provokes  Him  to 
chase  me  out  of  it. 

First,  my  godly  Maid,  was  carried  into  it;  where  she 
lay  horribly  fidl  of  the  Small-pox,  distracted,  and  hardly 
escaping  with  her  Life. 

24  d.  9  m.  My  Daughter  Nanny  was  taken  Sick.  She 
proved  full  and  blind,  and  very  sore  of  the  Distemper. 

21  d.gm.    My  Son  Increase,  was  taken  sick. 

He  also  proved  pretty  full  and  blind,  and  sore;  tho'  not 
so  bad  as  his  Sister. 

The  Uttle  Creatures  keep  calling  for  me  so  often  to 
pray  with  them,  that  I  can  scarce  do  it  less  than  ten 
or  a  dozen  times  in  a  day;  besides  what  I  do  with  my 
Neighbours. 

But  the  most  exquisite  of  my  Trials,  was  the  Condition 
of  my  lovely  Consort.    It  now  began  to  be  hopeless. 

Lord,  If  thy  poor  Servant  have  any  Grace  in  him,  it  mil 
now  be  tried  unto  the  uttermost! 

How  shall  I  glorify  the  Lord,  in  the  Midst  of  these  Dis- 
tresses, and  Confusions?  Truly,  after  my  sorry  Manner, 
I  did  sett  myself  to  do  it. 

I  spent  much  Time,  with  my  lovely  Consort.  I  pray'd 
with  her  as  agreeably  as  I  could.  I  endeavoured  her  most 
consimimate  Praeparation  for  the  heavenly  World,  by  suit- 
able Questions  and  Proposals.  I  comforted  her,  with  as 
lively  Discourses  upon  the  Glory  of  Heaven,  whereto  she 

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448  DIARY  OF  COTTON  MATHER 

was  going  as  I  could  make  unto  her.     I  disposed  her,  and 
myself,  all  that  I  could,  unto  a  glorious  Resignation. 

At  last,  the  black  Day  arrives:  Tuesday,  the  first  of 
December.  I  had  never  yett  seen  such  a  black  Day,  in  all 
the  Time  of  my  Pilgrimage.  The  Desire  of  my  Eyes  is  this 
Day  to  be  taken  from  me.  Her  Death  is  lingring,  and 
painful.  All  the  Forenoon  of  this  Day,  she  lies  in  the 
Pangs  of  Death;  sensible,  until  the  last  Minute  or  two 
before  her  final  Expiration. 

I  cannot  Remember  the  Discourses  that  passed  between 
us.  Only,  her  devout  Soul  was  full  of  Satisfaction,  about 
her  going  to  a  State  of  Blessedness  with  the  Lord  Jesus 
Christ,  and  as  far  as  my  Distress  would  permitt  me,  I 
studied  how  to  confirm  her  Satisfaction  and  Consolation. 

This  I  remember,  that  a  little  before  she  died,  I  asked  her 
to  tell  me  faithfully,  what  Fault  she  had  seen  in  my  Con- 
versation, that  she  would  advise  me  to  rectify.  She  replied 
(which  I  wondred  at,)  that  she  knew  of  none,  but  that  God 
had  made  what  she  had  observed  in  my  Conversation 
exceeding  serviceable  unto  her,  to  bring  her  much  nearer 
unto  Himself.' 

When  I  saw  to  what  a  Point  of  Resignation,  I  was  now 
I  called  of  the  Lord,  I  resolved,  with  His  Help  therein  to 
I  glorify  Him.  So,  two  Hours  before  my  lovely  Consort 
expired,  I  kneeled  by  her  Bed-Side,  and  I  took  into  my  two 
Hands,  a  dear  Hand,  the  dearest  in  the  World.  With  her 
then  in  my  Hands,  I  solemnly  and  sincerely  gave  her  up 
unto  the  Lord;  and  in  token  of  my  real  RESIGNATION, 
I  gently  putt  her  out  of  my  Hands,  and  laid  away  a  most 
lovely  Hand,  resolving  that  I  would  never  touch  it  any 
more! 

This  was  the  hardest  and  perhaps  the  bravest  Action, 
that  ever  I  did.  She  afterwards  told  me,  that  she  signed 
and  seal'd  my  Act  of  Resignation.    And  tho'  before  that,  she 

'  This  paragraph  is  written  in  the  margin. 

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NOVEMBER,     1702  449 

call'd  for  me,  continually;  she  after  this  never  asked  for  me 
any  more. 

She  continued  until  near  two  a  clock,  in  the  Afternoon. 
And  the  last  sensible  Word,  that  she  spoke,  was  to  her 
weeping  Father,  Heaven,  Heaven  will  make  amends  for  all. 

When  she  was  expired,  I  immediately  prayed  with  her 
Father,  and  the  other  weeping  People  in  the  Chamber,  for 
the  Grace  to  carry  it  well  under  the  present  Calamity,  and 
I  did  consummate  my  Resignation  in  Terms  as  full  of  Glory 
to  the  Wisdome  and  Goodness,  and  Alsufficiency  of  the  Lord, 
as  I  could  utter.' 

She  lived  with  me,  just  as  many  Years  as  she  had  Uved 
in  the  World,  before  she  came  to  me;  with  an  Addition  of 
the  seven  Months,  wherein  her  dying  Languishments  were 
preparing  me  to  part  with  her.  When  I  had  been  married 
unto  her  just  sixteen  Years,  (and  as  near  as  I  can  recollect, 
on  that  very  Week,  sixteen  Years,  that  I  was  married  unto 
her)  God  began  to  take  her  from  me.  I  then  said  imto  my 
Father,  /  seem  to  feel  in  my  Mind,  the  Bodings  of  a  dark 
Clotid  hanging  over  my  Family.  The  Cloud  came  on,  and 
now,  see  what  was  in  it! 

On  the  Friday  following  my  lovely  Consort,  had  a  very 
honourable  Funeral. 

Indeed,  I  do  not  know  of  a  Gentlewoman,  who  has  dyed 
in  this  Land,  these  many  years,  more  generally  esteemed 
and  lamented.    This  was  every  one's  Observation. 

I  sett  myself  to  contrive  Wayes  of  glorifying  my  Lord 
Jesus  Christ,  under  the  Trials  now  upon  me.  But  I  have 
not  the  Time  to  insert  and  record  all  my  Contrivances. 

The  long  Sickness  of  my  Wife,  and  the  late  Sickness  of 
my  Family,  caused  us  to  employ,  first  and  last,  near  one 
hundred  Watchers.  At  the  Fimeral  of  my  Wife,  I  pre- 
sented each  of  these,  with  a  Book,  either  that  entituled. 
Ornaments  for  the  Daughters  of  Zion,  or  that  entituled,  Death 

'  This  paragraph  is  written  in  the  margin. 

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45°  DIARY  OF  COTTON  MATHER 

mcde  Happy  and  Easy:  with  a  Paper  pasted  in  at  the 
Beginning,  which  intimated,  at  whose  Funeral  it  was 
given:  and  had  this  Epigram  added. 

Go  then,  my  Dove,  but  now  no  longer  mine; 

Lea\-e  Earth,  and  now  in  heavenly  Glory  shine. 

Bright  for  thy  Wisdome,  Goodness,  Beauty  here; 

Now  brighter  in  a  more  angelick  Sphere. 

Jesus,  with  whom  thy  Soul  did  long  to  be. 

Into  His  Ark,  and  Arms,  has  taken  thee. 

Dear  Friends,  with  whom  thou  didst  so  dearly  live. 

Feel  thy  one  Death  to  them  a  thousand  give. 

Thy  Prayers  are  done;  thy  Alms  are  spent;  thy  Pains 

Are  ended  now,  in  endless  Joyes  and  Gains. 

I  famt,  till  thy  last  Words  to  Mind  I  call; 

Rich  Words!  Heav'n,  Hzav'n  will  make  amends  for  all. 

Satureday,  the  Day  after  my  Wife's  Funeral,  I  sett 
apart,  for  Prayer  with  Fasting  before  the  Lord;  that  I  may 
obtain  the  Pardon  of  all  the  Sins,  for  which  the  Lord  is  now 
chastising  me ;  and  Grace  and  Help  from  Heaven,  to  glorify 
the  Lord  with  a  wise  Behaviour  under  the  Temptations  of 
the  Condition  which  is  now  come  upon  me ;  and  that  healing 
Mercy  may  be  perfected  unto  my  sick  Family. 

On  the  Lord's  Day,  I  preached  on  the  Death  of  the 
Prophet  EzckicVs  wife;  and  I  studied  that  the  Sorrow  on 
my  Family,  might  prove  an  Occasion  of  Goodness  on  others. 
I  was  greatly  assisted  of  the  Lord,  in  the  composing  of  this 
Discourse,  under  such  Desolations  and  Enciunbrances  as 
were  now  upon  me. 

The  Lord  gave  me  to  see  wondrous  Demonstrations  of 
the  Love,  which  His,  and  my  People  had  for  me,  on  this 
Occasion. 

One  was,  their  Building  a  costly  Tomb,  for  the  Ashes 
of  my  lovely  Consort,  and  of  my  Children,  whereof  there 
were  five  buried,  with  no  more  than  common  grave  Stones. 

E\'ery  Satureday  in  December,  was  devoted  by  me,  unto 

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DECEMBER,     1702  45I 

the  Exercises  of  Prayer  with  Fasting  in  secret  before  the 
Lord.  It  is  easy  to  see,  that  I  had  Occasions  enough  to 
do  so.  And  it  is  as  easy  to  see,  that  my  extreme  Employ- 
ments, would  leave  me  little  of  Leisure,  to  write  Multitudes 
of  Passages,  which  I  would  gladly  have  recorded  on  these 
Occasions. 

jNIy  three  Children  all  came  aUve  out  of  the  Fiery  Furnace 
of  the  Small  pox,  which  almost  consumed  them.  And  tho' 
the  Scarlet-Feavour  now  raged  in  the  Town,  and  particularly 
carried  off  some  Numbers,  who  had  newly  recovered  of  the 
Small  pox,  my  Family  was  in  this  Point  favourably  dealt 
withal.  I  also  myself,  who  spent  much  of  my  Time  in 
venemous,  contagious  loathsome  Chambers,  had  Reason 
to  be  singularly  Thankful  for  my  own  Preservation. 

More  than  fourscore  people,  were  in  this  black  Month 
of  December,  carried  from  this  Town  to  their  long  Home. 

My  poor  Servant,  who  knew  and  lov'd  my  Family,  and 
would  have  been  a  tender  Nurse  to  my  Children,  continued 
so  distracted  after  her  getting  up  from  the  Small-pox,  that 
I  was  under  a  Necessity  of  dismissing  her  out  of  my  Family. 
This  look'd  like  an  Addition  to  my  Calamity.  But  God 
most  mercifully  provided  for  us. 

It  is  now  Time  for  me,  to  look  back  a  little,  on  the  Dis- 
pensations of  Heaven,  that  have  been  roUing  over  me.  Has 
not  the  Death  of  my  Consort,  that  most  astonishing  Sting 
in  it;  a  Miscarriage  of  a  Particular  Faith!  Truly,  nothing 
has  ever  yett  befallen  me,  that  has  come  so  near  it.  But  I 
will  then  insert  some  few  Hints,  from  among  the  Multitude 
of  my  Thoughts  within  me. 

First,  I  cannot  but  acknowledge,  much  of  the  Divine 
Compassion  and  Faithfulness,  (even  unto  me  as  well  as 
unto  her,)  in  the  Removal  of  my  lovely  Consort  unto  a  better 
World.  Had  she  lived,  it  would  probably  have  been,  in 
continual  Weakness,  and  Languor,  and  Sorrow,  that  would 
have  been  at  last  imeasy  to  us  all.    Tho'  I  cheerfully  went 

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452  DIARY  OF  COTTON  MATHER 

thro'  all  the  Fatigues,  which  her  long  Illness  obliged  me  to 
go  through,  and  with  all  possible  Tenderness  to  her;  inso- 
much that  a  few  Dayes  before  she  died,  upon  her  saying  to 
them  about  her,  /  shall  make  you  all  weary!  She  presently 
turned  unto  me,  /  don't  mean  you,  Mr.  Mather!  Never- 
theless, my  Health  would  infallibly  have  been  destroy'd,  if 
she  had  recovered  a  little  more,  and  so  far  that  I  should  have 
run  the  venture  of  sleeping  with  her.  My  feeble  Constitu- 
tion, would  undoubtedly  have  run  into  a  Consumption. 
And  my  Children  would  also  have  suffered  miserably 
in  their  Education.  But  more  than  all  this;  she  was  a 
Gentlewoman  of  a  melancholy  Temper;  and  there  were 
some  dreadful  Changes  on  her  Father's  Family.  He  had 
extremely  broken  her  Spirit,  by  bringing  home  a  Mother- 
in-law,  tho'  he  did  well  in  it.  Her  yoimgest  Brother,  and  a 
considerable  Interest  of  mine  with  him,  (some  hundreds  of 
Pounds  perhaps)  was  newly  fallen  into  the  Hands  of  the 
French  Enemy.  Her  second  Brother,  who  was  her  Darling, 
I  had  almost  said,  her  Idol,  was  dead  in  London,  whither 
he  went  the  last  Winter.'  Her  eldest  Brother  proves  an 
idle,  profane,  drunken,  and  sottish  Fellow,  and  a  Disgrace 
to  all  his  Relatives,  and  hastens  apace  to  Ruine.  She  did 
not  live  to  see  the  Condition  of  her  Brothers;  tho  it  were 
seen  by  all  the  Rest  of  us  before  she  died.  The  Sight  of 
these  Things,  would  without  a  Miracle,  have  brought  such 
a  Disorder  of  Mind  upon  her,  as  would  ha\-e  rendred  my 
Condition  insupportable. 

And  now,  who  can  tell,  what  may  be  made  for  Blessings, 
(even  in  the  very  Kind,)  unto  me,  and  mine,  by  her  Trans- 
lation to  the  Heavenly  world;  tho'  my  extravagant  Fond- 
ness for  her,  would  upon  any  Terms  have  detained  her  here. 

Secondly;  tho'  Heaven,  in  the  Impressions  made  upon 

'  Three  sons  arc  mentioned  in  Wyman,  Charlcslmtm  Cenealogits  and  Eslaks, 
none  of  whom  survivid  the  father:  John,  born  1663,  Anderson,  baptized  1680,  and 
Harry,  baptized  1681. 

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DECEMBER,     1702  453 

my  Mind,  and  in  the  long  Delay  of  the  mortal  Stroke,  which 
was  upon  the  very  Point  of  dispatching  the  Life  of  my 
lovely  Consort,  seven  Months  before,  manifested  an  In- 
clination to  lett  me  have  my  Will,  yett  I  doubt,  that  she 
herself  had  in  the  Court  of  Heaven  putt  in  a  Bar  to  it,  which 
over-mled  the  Effect  of  aU  my  Prayer  and  Hope  concern- 
ing her. 

She  had  a  Brother,  a  fine  yoimg  Gentleman,  a  Merchant 
whom  she  even  doted  upon.  He  went  for  London,  the  last 
Winter;  but  had  upon  him  some  Illness,  which  it  was  hoped 
the  Sea  would  help  to  cure.  After  his  going,  she  said  with  a 
more  than  ordinary  Passion  and  Agony,  that  she  desired,  God 
wovld  never  lett  her  live  to  hear  of  the  Death  of  that  young  man  I 
We  had  the  Advice  of  his  Death,  as  long  ago  as  the  last 
September,  and  my  Family  was  in  a  mourning  Habit  for 
him.  Nevertheless,  by  prudent  Management,  it  was  utterly 
kept  from  the  Knowledge  of  his  feeble  Sister,  for  near  three 
Months  together.  She  never  heard  of  his  Death.  And  it 
was  odd;  that  on  the  very  Day  she  dyed,  and  about  three 
Hours  after  her  Death,  one  brought  unto  my  House  a  Letter 
(which  arrived  a  Fortnight  before)  directed  unto  her,  from 
the  Gentlewoman  in  whose  House  her  Brother  died;  giving 
her  an  Account  of  him,  and  of  the  Maimer  of  his  hopeful 
Death. 

Thirdly.  Within  a  Fortnight  after  the  Death  of  my 
Wife  I  preached  on  Joh.  4.  47.  and  handling  several  Doctrines 
from  thence  in  my  Sermon,  one  of  them  was :  Tho'  Faith  be 
no  Folly,  yett  Faith  may  he  mixed  with  Folly;  and  partictdarly 
with  the  Folly  of  limiting  the  Wisdome  of  God,  unto  our  own 
way  of  answering  it.  In  the  Prosecution  of  it,  I  lett  fall 
these,  among  many  other  Passages. 

"I  can  mention  to  you  a  Mystery  of  practical  Christianity,  relat- 
ing to,  a  Particular  Faith.  Sometimes  we  ask  for  temporal  Blessings, 
or,  for  such  as  are  not  particularly  promised  in  the  Covenant  of  Grace. 
The  Holy  Spirit  of  God  favours  us  with  so  much  of  a  Particular 

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454  DIARY  or  COTTON  MATHER 

Faith,  as  to  say,  the  Lord  hath  heard  the  Voice  of  my  Weeping;  the 
Lord  hath  heard  my  Supplication;  the  Lord  wUl  receive  my  Prayer. 
U'c  may  be  too  ready  to  limit  the  Sense  of  the  Holy  Spirit,  by  our 
own  strong  Affections  to  the  temporal  Blessings,  and  conclude,  the 
Thing  must  be  done  in  just  such  or  such  a  manner.  No;  the  Sense  of 
the  Holy  Spirit,  is  no  more  than  this;  I  will  do  something  towards  that 
temporal  Blessing,  which  may  show  thee,  how  able  I  how  willing  I  am 
to  gratify  thee,  but  then  I'l  carry  the  matter,  unto  another  Channel, 
wherein  thou  shall  have  all  thy  Desires  more  than  answered.  The  bravest 
Effort  of  a  True  and  a  strong  Faith,  is,  To  leave  all  entirely  unto 
the  Lord,  and  be  satisfied  with  the  infinite  Wisdome  of  His  Conduct. 

A  Gentleman,  who  heard  the  Sermon,  and  knew  my 
Sorrow  immediately  sent  me  the  following  Lines. 

Dear  Sir  Heaven's  Favourite,  and  from  Heaven  taught! 

In  Righteousness  yetl  by  dread  A  nswers  brought 

To  the  Doctrine,  which  I  ever  truest  thought! 

Your  second  Doctrine!    That  us  wisely  hath 

Fix'd  on  a  sure,  but  subalternate  Faith; 

That  doth  with  Him  the  Individuals  keep 

WTio's  Faithful,  but  whose  Counsels  are  a  deep: 

With  general  Evidence  who  this  Faith  has  crown'd, 

But  to  mans  Humour  will's  its  being  bound: 

Loving  that  Faith,  which  kindled  by  HIS  Spark, 

Yett  glories  Him  to  follow  in  the  Dark: 

Th'  great  Artists'  Art,  this  Art  is  to  conceal, 

Till  perfect  Patience  does  the  same  Reveal; 

When  once  that  Royal  Point  obtained  is,  Jam.  i.  4. 

NOTHING  at  all  is  wanting;  No,  not  this  I 

Your  whole  Discourse  is  sworn  with  its  own  Praise, 

But  this  fair  Article,  does  wear  the  Bates  I 

It  may  be,  the  Lord  will  ere  long  enable  me,  to  penetrate 
further  into  the  Nature,  Meaning,  and  Mystery  of  a  Particu- 
lar FaiUi.  Howe%cr,  I  have  mett  with  enough,  to  awaken 
in  me  a  more  exquisite  Caution,  than  ever  I  had  in  my 
Life,  concerning  it. 

When  the  next  Month  arrived,  a  new  Trial  came  upon 
me. 

My  pretty  little  Nanny  fell  into  a  \aolent  and  malignant 

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JANUARY,     1702-03  455 

Fever.  It  proceeded  unto  such  a  Degree,  as  to  throw  the 
Child  into  horrible  Convulsions.  Her  Agonies  were  so  very- 
great,  that  I  could  even  have  been  glad,  that  she  might  have 
been  by  Death  Released  out  of  them.    I  sett  apart, 

6  d.  II  w.  {January\  Wednesday,  for  Prayer  with  Fast- 
ing before  the  Lord,  on  purpose  to  humble  myself,  and  resign 
my  Child,  and  obtain  an  easy  and  speedy  Death,  and  ever- 
lasting Life,  rather  than  a  Continuance  of  Life  in  this  world, 
for  her;  for  she  lay  speechless,  and  I  had  no  more  Hope  of 
her  being  restored  unto  me,  than  of  the  Five,  that  now  ly 
in  the  Tomb  with  their  lovely  Mother.  A  most  watchful 
Providence  of  Heaven  saved  the  Child  from  taking  a  Paper 
of  powdered  Cantharides,  which  by  a  Mistake  between  the 
Doctor,  and  one  of  my  Servants,  had  been  given  to  the 
Child,  instead  of  a  paper  of  Ens  Veneris,  if  I  had  been  out 
of  the  way.' 

Tho'  the  Child  lay  speechless  all  Day,  in  the  Evening  she 
recovered  so  much  Speech,  as  to  surprise  all  about  her,  with 
saying;  I  heard  my  Father  give  me  away  to  Day;  but  I  sfiall 
not  dy  this  Time,  for  all  that!  So  she  fell  speechless  again; 
and  lay  two  Dayes  more  in  the  perfect  Jawes  of  Death. 
But  after  all,  imto  the  Astonishment  of  us  all,  the  Child 
recovered. 

I  must  not  forgett  my  fervent  and  zelous  Desire,  that 
whatever  Calamity  befals  me  in  this  present  evil  World,  my 
Lord  JESUS  CHRIST  may  have  Revenues  of  Glory  and 
Service  out  of  it.  I  have  been  most  signally  gratified  in  this 
Desire,  and  a  Calamity  in  some  sort  ceases  to  be  one,  when  I 
am  so. 

I  took  my  funeral  Sermon  for  my  Wife,  (and  that  I 
might  also  do  justice  to  the  Memory  of  that  amiable  Crea- 
ture, I  annexed  an  Elegy  or  two  upon  her;)  I  also  took  the 
Sermons,  which  I  had  preached  upon  the  Deaths  of  my  sev- 
eral Children,  (being  assisted  by  the  Notes  of  some  who  wrote 

'Written  in  the  margin. 

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4S6  DIARY     -.      

Shorthand  after  me;  for  some  of  them  had  been  preach'd 
in  too  great  Sorrow,  and  with  too  small  Warning  for  me  to 
have  any  competent  Notes  of  my  own;)  These  Discourses, 
I  saw  much  accommodated  unto  the  Edification  of  the 
Readers;  and,  I  thought  likewise,  that  the  Temper  of  my 
Spirit  expressed  in  the  Discourses  delivered  on  these  Occa- 
sions, would  further  glorify  my  Lord  Jesus  Christ.  So  I 
pubUshed  them,  and  scattered  them  among  the  People  of 
God.  The  general  Title  of  them  is.  Meat  out  of  the 
Eater;  or  Funeral-Discourses,  occasioned  by  l/ie  Death  of 
several  Relatives.^ 

I  could  not  but  thus  conclude  the  Praeface  to  the  Book. 
"0  Father  of  Mercies;  WTiat  shall  I  render  to  thee  for  thy 
wonderful  Mercies  to  me,  the  Chief  of  Sinners!  WUl  the 
Lord  indeed  make  use  of  sinful  me,  and  not  only  of  my 
Labours,  but  of  my  Sorrowes  also,  to  do  some  little  Good 
among  His  chosen  People;  and  advance  the  Interests  of 
His  holy  Religion  among  them !  If  the  Lord  will  break  me, 
and  my  House  to  peeces,  but  make  it  an  Occasion  to  build 
His  House;  if  the  Lord  will  chasten  me  v.i.th  mournful  Dis- 
pensations but  make  that  Chastening  an  Occasion  for  others 
as  well  as  myself  to  be  the  more  Partakers  of  His  Holiness; 
what  an  astonishing  AUci'iatian  does  this  give  to  all  my 
Afflictions.  Lord,  in  Faithfulness  Thou  hast  afflicted  me. 
Bless  the  Lord,  O  my  Soul,  for  all  His  Benefits! 

In  the  month  of  January,  I  held  on,  as  well  as  I  was  able, 
the  Method  of  December.  I  did  not  lett  one  whole  Week 
of  the  Month  pass  me,  without  setting  apart  a  Day,  for 
Prayer  with  Fasting  before  the  Lord.  M>-  extraordinary 
Circumstances,  I  saw,  upon  many  Accounts  called  me  to  ex- 
traordinary Humiliations,  and  extraordinary'  Supplications. 

And  I  did  also  for  the  most  part  every  Day,  take  Time 
extraordinary,  to  cast  myself  prostrate  on  my  Study- 
floor,  and  cry  to  the  Lord  from  the  Dust,  that  His  Pardon- 

'  Printed  for  B.  Eliot,  1703. 

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.      .         °3  457 

ing,  Praeserving,  directing  Mercies,  might  not  be  witheld 
from  me. 

Before  the  late  weeks  of  my  Life,  I  had  rarely  known  any 
Tears,  except  those  that  were  for  the  Joy  of  the  Salvation 
of  God.  But  now,  scarce  a  Day  passes  me  without  a  Flood 
of  Tears,  and  my  Eyes  even  decay  with  weeping. 

One  Day,  considering  how  frequently  and  foolishly  Wid- 
owers miscarry,  and  by  their  Miscarriage  dishonour  God, 
I  earnestly  with  Tears  besought  the  Lord,  that  He  would 
please  to  favour  me,  so  far  as  to  kill  me,  rather  titan  to  leave 
me  unto  anything  that  might  bring  any  remarkable  Dishonour 
unto  His  Holy  Name.  (Within  a  few  Minutes,  I  found  my- 
self grow  very  ill;  I  thought  myself  arrested  with  an  high 
Feavour;  I  suspected,  that  the  Lord  was  going  to  take  me 
at  my  own  Word.  But  now,  I  perceived  it  was  nothing 
but  Vapours.) 

February  begins  with  a  very  astonishing  Trial. 

There  is  a  young  Gentlewoman  of  incomparable  Accom- 
plishments. No  Gentlewoman  in  the  English  America  has 
had  a  more  polite  Education.  She  is  one  of  rare  Witt  and 
Sense;  and  of  a  comely  Aspect;  and  extremely  Winning  in 
her  Conversation,  and  she  has  a  Mother  of  an  extraordinary 
Character  for  her  Piety. 

This  young  Gentlewoman  first  Addresses  me  with 
diverse  Letters,  and  then  makes  me  a  Visit  at  my  House; 
wherein  she  gives  me  to  understand,  that  she  has  long  had 
a  more  than  ordinary  Value  for  my  Ministry;  and  that  since 
my  present  Condition  has  given  her  more  of  Liberty  to 
think  of  me,  she  must  confess  herself  charmed  with  my 
Person,  to  such  a  Degree,  that  she  could  not  but  break  in 
upon  me,  with  her  most  importunate  Requests,  that  I 
would  make  her  mine;  and  that  the  highest  Consideration 
she  had  in  it,  was  her  eternal  Salvation,  for  if  she  were  mine, 
she  could  not  but  hope  the  Effect  of  it  would  be,  that  she 
should  also  be  Christ's. 

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4S8  DIARY  OF  COTTON  MATHER 

I  endeavoured  faithfully  to  sett  before  her,  all  the  dis- 
couraging Circumstances  attending  me,  that  I  could  think 
of.  She  told  me,  that  she  had  weigh'd  all  those  Discourage- 
ments, but  was  fortified  and  resolved  with  a  strong  Faith 
in  the  mighty  God,  for  to  encounter  them  all.  And  whereas 
I  had  mention'd  my  way  of  Uving,  in  continual  Prayers, 
Tears,  Fasts,  and  macerating  Devotions  and  Reservations, 
to  divert  her  from  her  Proposal,  she  told  me,  that  this  very 
Consideration  was  that  which  animated  her;  for  she  desired 
nothing  so  much  as  a  Share  in  my  way  of  Living. 

I  was  in  a  great  Strait,  how  to  treat  so  polite  a  Gentle- 
woman, thus  applying  herself  unto  me.  I  plainly  told  her, 
that  I  feared,  whether  her  Proposal  would  not  meet  with 
unsurmountable  Oppositions  from  those  who  had  a  great 
Interest  in  disposing  of  me.  However  I  desired,  that  there 
might  be  Time  taken,  to  see  what  would  be  the  wisest  and 
fittest  Resolution. 

In  the  mean  Time,  if  I  could  not  make  her  my  own,  I 
should  be  glad  of  being  any  way  Instnmiental,  to  make  her 
the  Lord's. 

I  turned  my  Discourse,  and  my  Design  into  that  Chaimel; 
and  with  as  exquisite  Artifice  as  I  could  use,  I  made  my 
Essayes  to  engage  her  young  Soul  into  Piety. 

She  is  not  much  more  than  twenty  years  old.  I  know 
she  has  been  a  very  aiery  Person.  Her  Reputation  has  been 
under  some  Disadvantage. 

What  Snares  may  be  laying  for  me,  I  know  not.  Much 
Prayer  with  Fasting  and  Patience,  must  be  m}-  way  to 
encounter  them. 

I  think,  how  would  my  Lord  Jesus  Christ  Himself  treat 
a  returning  Sinner. 

I  shall  shortly  see  more  into  the  Meaning  of  this  odd 
Matter. 

One  of  the  Things  which  befel  me  in  the  Year  past  was 
this. 

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ItJBKUrtKli, 1  y  (J  J  -  u  3  459 

A  poor  Indian,  being  Drunk,  murdered  his  Friend.  He 
was  under  twenty  years  of  Age.  The  Keeper  of  the  Prison 
pray'd  me  to  undertake  the  Instruction  of  him.  I  found 
him  utterly  Ignorant  of  every  Thing.  He  did  not  so  much 
as  know  that  he  had  a  Soul  in  him.  Yea,  he  profess'd  unto 
me,  he  had  never  so  much  as  heard,  that  there  is  a  God. 
It  was  an  incredible  Task  to  convey  the  Notions  of  Religion, 
into  a  Mind,  so  ignorant,  so  desolate,  so  barbarous.  I  took 
a  deal  of  Pains  to  illuminate  this  forlorn  Creature  from  time 
to  time.  God  prospered  me.  He  became  able  to  give  a 
notable  Account  of  the  main  Articles  in  the  Christian  Faith. 
He  express'd  his  Beleeving  on  Christ,  and  Repenting  of  Sin, 
after  an  agreeable  Manner.  The  only  Sermon  that  ever  he 
heard  in  his  Life,  was  one  of  mine,  in  the  month  of  November, 
(at  his  own  Desire)  the  Lord's-Day  before  he  died.  My 
Speech  then  directed  imto  him,  concluded  with  this  Advice, 
that  he  should  Uve  and  dy  with  that  Word  in  his  Heart, 
Jesus  Christ  came  into  the  world,  to  save  the  Cheef  of  Sinners. 
On  the  Wednesday  following  he  was  executed,  and  made  an 
hopeful  End.  I  pray'd  with  him  at  it.  His  last  words,  as 
turning  off  the  Ladder,  were;  Jesus  Christ  came  into  the 
World  to  save  the  Cheef  of  Sinners:  O  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  save 
me,  I  pray  thee  I ' 

The  Course  of  my  Pubuc  Ministry. 

IS  d.  12  m.  [February.]  1701.  I  preached,  on  Prov.  12.  26.  The 
Righteous  more  excellent  than  his  Neighbour. 

'The  murderer  was  named  Sara.  Chapen,  who  went  about  on  crutches;  the 
murdered  was  his  cousin,  Sara,  of  Weymouth.  "It  was  sad  to  see  or  hear  how 
swift  his  wooden  feet  were  to  shed  innocent  Blood,  with  a  short  knife,  wherewith 
he  stabd  his  Neighbour.  He  lived  at  Braintry  and  yet  was  miserably  ignorant  as 
to  Religious  Concerns.  But  by  the  Unwearied  Endeavours  of  Mr.  C.  Mather  and 
others  directed  by  him,  tis  hoped  he  dyed  a  true  Penitent.  Mr.  Mather  went  and 
pray'd  with  him  at  the  place  of  Execution.  I  venturd  to  lay  out  Eleven  Shillings 
to  purchase  his  Qoaths  and  a  CoflBn  of  rough  Boards.  I  hope  this  Humanity  will 
help  to  reconcile  the  Indians  to  the  Justice  done  on  their  Countryman."  Sewall 
to  Sir  William  Ashurst,  December  22,  1702.    LeUer  Book,  l.  276. 

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460  DIARY  OF  COTTON  MATHER 

22d.i2m.  I  preached  (in  course)  on  Eph.  i.  9.  The  Sover- 
eignty of  Grace,  display'd  in  the  Dispensation  of  the  Gospel. 

id.  im.  [March.]  1702.  I  preached  on  Prov.  2.  20.  The  way 
of  good  Men. 

$d.  im.  Thursday,  I  preached  unto  a  great  Assembly,  with  a 
great  Assistence,  on  Heb.  11.  24.  The  Duties  of  Persons,  when  they 
come  to  years. 

8d.  I  m.  I  preached  on  Eph.  i.  10.  The  Dispensation  of  Times 
in  the  Hand  of  God. 

15  d.  I  m.  I  preached,  on  Luk.  10.  42.  The  good  Part  that 
cannot  be  taken  away.  (On  occasion  of  a  Fire  destroying  10  or  12 
Storehouses  in  the  Town,  the  last  week.)  And  I  administred  the 
Eucliarist. 

22d.i.m.  I  preached  on  Eph.  i.  10.  The  Gathering  together 
again  in  one,  all  things,  in  Christ. 

29  d.  1  m.  I  preached,  on  Prov.  14.  9.  Fools  making  a  mock 
at  Sin. 

2d.  2  m.  [.April.]  Thursday.  It  was  a  general  Fast.  I  preached, 
on  Psal.  79.  8.  Flying  to  the  tender  Mercies  of  God,  when  we  are 
brought  very  low. 

^d.  2  m.  I  preached  on  Eph.  i.  10.  and  further  prosecuted, 
the  Gathering  together  of  all  things,  in  Christ. 

12  d.  2  m.  I  preached,  on  Prov.  12.  25.  Good  Words,  for  heavy 
Hearts. 

16  d.  2  m.  Thursday.  I  preached  the  Lecture,  on  Luk.  18.  22. 
The  Necessity,  and  yett  Insufficiency,  of  Morality. 

ig  d.  2  m.  I  preached  on  Eph.  i.  11.  Our  obtaining  an  Inher- 
itatwe,  in  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ. 

26  d.  2  m.  I  preached,  on  Prov.  4.  26.  Pondering  tlie  Path  of 
our  Feet;  tite  Duty  of  Consideration,  to  examine  what  our  Wayes  have 
been,  and  to  determine  what  they  shall  be. 

30  d.  2  m.  Thursday.  I  preached,  the  Lecture,  on  Psal.  103.  14. 
God's  mercifully  considering  the  Frame  of  His  Children;  and  our 
Duty  to  consider  our  own. 

3  d.  3  m.  [May.]  I  preached  on  Eph.  i.  11.  God,  as  working  all 
Things. 

lorf.  3»«.  I  preached,  on  i.  Joh.  3.  14.  .Assurances  of  being 
in  a  Stale  of  Grace,  fctch'd  from  a  Work  of  Grace.  (And  I  administred 
the  Eucharist.) 

lyd.^m.  I  preached  on  Eph.  i.  11.  The  Decree  of  God,  the 
Wisdome  of  it,  and  the  Frcedome  of  it,  the  Counsel  of  His  Will. 

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FEBRUARY,     1702-03  461 

24  d.  3  m.  I  preached,  on  Lam.  5.  19.  The  Throne  of  the  Lord 
Jesus  Christ  from  Generation  to  Generation.  (Having  heard  this 
Morning,  the  Tidings  of  the  Death  of  the  King.) ' 

31  d.  3  w.     I  preached  on  Prov.  11.  30.    The  Winning  of  Souls. 
7  d.  4  m.  [June.]     I  preached,  on  Eph.  i.  12.     Being  before  others, 
in  Christianity. 

11  d.  4  m.  Thursday.  I  preached  the  Lecture,  on  Mat.  25.  45. 
Sins  of  Omission. 

i^d.^m.  I  preached  on  Eph.  i.  12.  Being,  to  the  Praise  of 
the  Glory  of  God. 

21  d.\m.  I  preached,  on  Prov.  20,  27.  The  Candle  of  the 
Lord;  with  a  great  Assistence. 

25  d.  4  »i.  Thursday.  I  preached  the  Lecture,  on  Prov.  12.  2. 
A  good  Man,  (to  a  great  Assembly  and  with  a  great  Assistence.) 
Intending  to  lett  my  whole  Countrey  see,  that  if  the  Grovemour  did 
not  prove  such  an  one,  it  should  be  none  of  my  Fault. 

28  d.  4  m.     I  preached  on  Eph.  i.  12.     Hoping  in  Christ. 

$d.$m.  [July.]  I  preached,  on  Job.  13.  15.  A  Saint  asserting 
himself  righteous  because  of  the  Face  (the  Christ)  of  God.  (And  I 
administred  the  Eucharist.) 

12  d.$m.  I  preached  on,  Eph.  i.  13.  Vee  also,  His  Gentiles 
coming  to  a  Share  in  Salvation  by  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ. 

19  d.  ^m.  I  preached,  on  Prov.  10.  ^4.  The  Fear  of  the  Wicked, 
and  the  Desire  of  the  Righteous. 

23  d.  5  m.  Thursday.  The  Lecture  was  turned  into  a  Fast  and 
kept  at  our  North-Meeting-house;  where,  I  preached,  on  Heb.  12.  26. 
The  Lord  shaking  both  Heaven  and  Earth. 

26  d.  s  wt.     I  preached,  on  Eph.  i.  13,    The  Word  of  Truth. 

2d.  6  m.  [August.]  I  preached  on  Prov.  14.  12.  The  Way  that 
seems  Right,  but  is  really  wrong  and  ruinous. 

6d.6m.  Thursday.  I  preached  the  Lecture,  on  Mat.  16.  24. 
Bearing  the  Cross. 

gd.6m.  I  preached  on  Eph.  i.  13.  The  Gospel  of  our  Salva- 
tion. 

i6d.6m.  I  preached,  on  Prov.  11.  24.  Witholding  that  which 
is  Right.  Enumerating,  several  Transgressions,  follow'd  with  remark- 
able Chastisements. 

20  d.  6  m.  Thursday.  I  preached,  the  Lecture,  on  Prov.  20.  6. 
A  faithful  Man. 

2^d.()m,     I  preached,  on  Prov.  15.  32.     Refusing  Instruction, 
•  William  III,  who  died  March  8,  1702. 

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462  DIARY  OF  COTTON  MATHER 

and  Despising  the  Soul:  concluding,  with  Caution  against  Despising 
the  Souls,  of  black  Servants.  (After  which  I  admitted  two  aged 
Negroes  into  the  Church.) ' 

30(i.  6wj.  I  preached,  on  Eph.  i.  13.  Being  sealed  with  the 
Spirit;   (And  I  administred  the  Eucharist.) 

2,d.  "]  m.  [September.]  Thursday.  I  preached  the  Lecture  on  Phil. 
2.  12.    Blamelessness. 

6d.jm.  I  preached,  again  on  Eph.  i.  13.  The  Seal  of  the 
Spirit. 

13  d.  "J  m.  I  preached  on  'Prov.  20.  29.  The  Glory  of  young 
Men  and  the  Beauty  of  old  Men. 

17  d.  T  m.  Thursday.  I  preached  the  Lecture,  on  Mat.  10.  16. 
The  Wisdome  of  the  Serpent,  mixed  with  the  Goodness  of  the  Dove. 

20  d.  J  m.     I  preached  on  Eph.  i.  13.     The  holy  Spirit  of  Promise. 

27  d.  "]  m.  I  preached  on  Prov.  24.  10.  Kot  fainting  in  the  Day 
of  Adversity  (It  being  such  a  Day  both  in  my  Family,  and  in  my 
Neighbourhood. ) 

29  d.  7  m.  Tuesday.  I  preached,  the  Lecture  at  Roxbury  on  Prov. 
20.  27. 

4d.8m.  [October.]  I  preached,  again,  on  Eph.  i.  13.  The  holy 
Spirit  of  Promise.  (That  holy  Spirit  happily  preventing  my  finishing 
my  Discourse  in  my  former  Sermon,  and  now  mightily  assisting  me.) 

•J  d.  &  m.  I  preached  the  Lecture  at  Dedham,  deUvering  mostly 
the  same  Things,  (and  with  a  great  Assistence  from  Heaven.) 

11  d.im.  I  preached,  on  Prov.  i.  23.  Turning  to  God,  at  the 
Reproof  of  Christ,  attended  with  the  Pouring  out  of  His  holy  Spirit. 

It,  d.  &  m.  Thursday.  I  preached  the  Lecture,  on  Isa.  26.  9. 
Learning  Righteousness  by  the  Judgmaits  of  God.  (It  being  a  Time 
of  such.) 

i8d.  8  m.  I  preached  on  Eph.  i.  14.  The  Holy  Spirit,  the 
Earnest  of  our  Inheritaiue. 

22  d.  8  m.  Thursday.  A  general  Fast.  I  preached  on,  Gen.  18. 
25  (That  be  far  from  thee.)  How  Pleading  in  Praying  is  to  be  man- 
aged. 

25  cf.  8  OT.  I  preached  on  Eph.  i.  14.  The  Redemption  of  the 
purchased  Possession.  (.*\nd  I  administred  the  Eucharist.)  A  Time 
of  e.xtraordinary  Communion  with  Heaven. 

I  d.  gm.  [Xovember.]  I  preached,  on  Eph.  i.  14.  How  God 
will  have  the  Praise  of  His  Glory,  from  all  that  He  brings  to  Glory. 

'  Samuel,  servant  of  R.  Howard,  and  Katharine,  wife  of  Thomas,  the  chair- 
maker. 

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1  ETHRncnftnEfTr,    i  7  o  :;  -  o  3  463 

id.gm.  I  preached,  on  Prov.  4.  22.  The  Dictates  of  Religion, 
which  have  a  special  Tendency  to  prolong  Life,  and  prcBserve  Health. 
(It  being  a  very  dying  and  sickly  Time.) 

12  d.  g  m.  Thursday.  I  preached  the  Lecture,  on  the  Lord's 
Raising  of  James's  daughter.  (Purposing  while  the  present  Calamity 
of  the  Small-pox  and  Feavour  is  upon  the  Town,  to  entertain  the 
People  with  such  Admonitions,  as  I  may  find  for  them  in  some  of 
our  Lords  healing  Miracles!) 

15  d.  9  m.  And  that  I  may  feed  my  own  Flock,  with  seasonable 
Discourses  at  this  calamitous  Time,  I  began  to  them  a  course  of 
Sermons,  on  the  History,  at,  Joh.  4.  46.  This  Day  handling  that 
point,  that  Sickness  in  a  Family  bespeaks  Duty  from  a  Family. 

2  2d.  gm.  I  preached  on  Joh.  4.  46.  More  Acquaintance  with 
Christ,  the  Fruit  of  much  Affliction  from  God.  (My  Father  being 
sick,  I  also  administred  the  Eucharist.)  A  Time  of  much  Com- 
munion with  Heaven. 

29  d.  g  m.  I  preached  on  Joh.  4.  46.  Friends  of  Christ,  found 
among  all  Ranks  of  Men;  and,  no  Condition  exempting  any  man  from 
great  Affliction.  And,  Sickness  on  Children  a  Distress  to  Parents 
(It  happened,  my  only  Son,  and  my  little  Daughter,  at  this  very 
Time,  lay  ill  and  full  of  the  Small  Pox. 

6  d.  10  m.  [December.]  I  preached  on  Ezek.  24.  16  The  Death 
of  a  desirable  Relative.     (A  funeral  Sermon  for  my  lovely  Consort.) 

10  d.  10  m.  Thursday.  T'was  a  Day  of  Thanksgiving  thro'  the 
Province.  Considering  the  extream  Affliction  upon  the  Town,  and 
upon  my  own  Family,  I  chose  to  preach  on  Hab.  3.  2.  Mercy 
remembred  in  Wrath. 

13  d.  10  m.  I  preached  on,  Joh.  4.  47.  Coming  to  the  Lord 
Jesus  Christ  for  healing  .Mercies.  And,  Faith  mixed  with  the  Folly 
of  Limiting  the  Wisdome  of  God,  unto  our  own  Way  of  answering  it. 
And,  it's  being  a  Point  of  much  Agony,  to  see  one  lying  at  the  Point 
of  Death. 

20  d.  10  m.  I  preached,  on  Joh.  4.  48.  Mercy  in  the  Delay  of 
Mercy.  And,  the  greater  Consequences  to  gett  the  Cure  of  spiritual 
Maladies  than  of  bodily.  And,  the  other  Proofs  of  the  Messiah 
besides  His  healing  miracles.     And,  the  Difficulty  of  Beleeving. 

27  d.  10  m.  I  preached,  on  Joh.  4.  49.  Worldly  Cares  hindring 
mens  Attention  to  the  Word  of  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ.  And  Things 
to  be  done  quickly,  lest  the  Arrival  of  Death  make  'em  too  late  to 
be  done. 

Zd.iim.  [January.]    I  preached  on  Joh.  4.  50.     (The  Death  of 

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464  DIARY  OF  COTTON  MATHER 

Children  to  be  livelily  deprecated;  the  Power  of  Christ  to  do  what 
He  will  with  a  Word.  And  give  Life.  Prayers  answered  in  another 
Manner  than  we  propose.  Bodily  and  spiritual  Healing  together. 
Faith  given  to  some  who  never  asked  for  it. 

•J  d.  11  m.  Thursday.  I  preached  the  Lecture,  on  Luk  2.  15. 
Ecaven,  with  a  very  marvellous  Assistence. 

10 d.  II  m.  I  preached,  on  Joh.  4.  51.  The  Duty  of  Servants, 
ti)  be  concerned  for  the  Welfare  of  their  Masters.  And,  good  Newes 
at  some  time  other  meeting  of  Beleevers. 

ijd.iim.  I  preached  on  Job.  19.  25.  The  litnng  Redeemer. 
(And  I  administred  the  Eucharist.) 

igd.  II  m.  Tuesday.  I  preached  the  Lecture  at  Roxbury.  The 
same  Sermon. 

24^.  iiw.  I  preached  on  Joh.  4.  52.  The  Oi^emwg  of  Remark- 
able Circumstances  in  DiNdne  Dispensations  towards  us;  particularly 
the  observable  Timing  of  them. 

31  (f.  II  w.  I  preached,  on  Joh.  4.  53.  Mens  knowing  at  last 
that  the  Words  of  Christ  have  their  ."Accomplishments.  And  a  Mas- 
ter of  a  Family  bringing  home  to  Christ  the  rest  of  the  Family. 

4  J.  1 2  m.  [February.]  Thursday.  At  the  Lecture  I  made  a  Reca- 
pitulation of  Observations  on  Joh.  46-53. 

■J  d.  12  m.  I  preached,  at  Cliarlestouti  both  parts  of  the  Day. 
A.  ^L  on  Job.  19.  25  The  living  Redeemer.  P.  M.  on  Eph.  i.  12. 
Admonitions  to  Old  and  Young. 

Memor.a.ndt.'m  ' 

June  16.  I  received  a  \'isit  from  Govemour  Dudley. 
Among  other  Things  that  I  said  to  him,  I  used  these  words, 
"Syr,  you  arrive  to  the  Government  of  a  People,  that  have 
their  various  and  their  divided  Apprehensions,  about  many 
things;  and  particularly  about  your  own  Govenmient  over 
them.  I  am  himibly  of  Opinion,  that  it  will  be  your  wis- 
dome,  to  carry  an  indifferent  Hand  towards  all  Parties;  if 
in  our  case,  I  ma>'  use  so  Coarse  a  Word  as  Parties.  And 
give  Occasion  unto  none  to  say,  that  any  have  monopolized, 
you,  or,  that  you  take  your  measures  from  them  alone.  I 
will  explain  myself,  with  the  Freedome,  and  the  Justice, 

'  Written  on  the  last  sheet  of  this  year's  record.  Dudley  became  governor 
June  n. 

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FEBRTnnri;,    1702-03  465 

(perhaps,  with  the  Prudence,)  that  you  may  expect  from  me. 
I  will  do  no  otherwise  than  I  would  be  done  to.  I  should  be 
content  I  would  approve  it,  and  commend  it,  if  any  one 
should  say  to  your  Excellency;  By  no  means  lett  any  People 
have  cause  to  say,  that  you  take  all  your  Measures  from  the 
two  Mr.  Mathers.  By  the  same  Rule,  I  may  say  without 
offence;  by  no  means  lett  any  People  say,  that  you  go  by  no 
Measures  in  your  Conduct,  but  Mr.  Byfield's,  and  Mr. 
Leveret's.  This  I  speak,  not  from  any  personal  Prejudice 
against  the  Gentlemen,  but  from  a  due  Consideration  of  the 
Disposition  of  the  People;  and  as  a  Service  to  your  Excel- 
lency." 

The  Wretch  went  unto  those  Men,  and  told  them,  that 
I  had  advised  him,  to  be  no  ways  advised  by  them:  and 
inflamed  them  into  an  implacable  Rage  against  me. 


I -so 

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1703. 

THE  XLIST    YEAR. 

Qui  bene  vivit,  semper  orat.    Gerson. 

Votum  Christianorum,  confusio  Nationum.     Tert. 

THE  XLIsT  YEAR  OF  MY  LIFE. 

12  d.  12  m.  [February.]  1702.  Friday.  Being  this  Day, 
forty  Years  old;  (How  solemn  a  Word!)  I  sett  apart  the 
Day,  for  the  Duties  of  a  secret  Fast,  before  the  Lord. 

In  the  Devotions  of  this  Day,  my  Spirit  felt  several 
Irradiations  from  Heaven ;  but  among  my  Dissolutions  into 
Tears,  there  was  none  more  sensible,  than  in  this  Thought: 

OhI  the  wondrous  and  glorious  Vertue,  in  the  Blood  of 
my  Lord  Jesus  Christ!  That  all  the  Sins  committed  in  forty 
Years  together,  are  now  pardoned,  thro'  the  atoning  Vertue  of 
that  Blood!  Oh!  what  a  Blessed  Thing  is  the  Righteousness 
of  my  Lord  Jesus  Christ;  that  a  Man  who  has  been  horribly 
sinning  for  forty  Years  together,  may  stand  in  that  Righteous- 
ness before  God,  and  be  treated  and  loved,  as  if  he  had  been 
all  this  while  in  the  exactest  Manner  glorifying  of  the  Lord. 

My  sore  Distresses  and  Temptations,  I  this  day  carried 
unto  the  Lord;  with  Hope  of  His  Compassions,  to  his 
tempted  Servant. 

The  cheef  of  them  lies  in  this.  The  well  accomplished 
Gentlewoman,  mention'd,  (tho'  not  by  Name,)  in  the  Close 
of  the  former  Year;  one  whome  every  body  does  with 
Admiration  confess  to  be,  for  her  charming  Accomplish- 
ments, an  incomparable  Person;    addressing  me  to  make 

(466I 

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FEBRUARY,     1702-03  467 

her  mine;  and  professing  a  Disposition  unto  the  most  Holy 
Flights  of  Religion  to  ly  at  the  Bottom  of  her  Addresses: 
I  am  in  the  greatest  Straits  imaginable,  what  Course  to 
steer.  Nature  itself  causes  in  me,  a  mighty  Tenderness  for 
a  person  so  very  amiable.  Breeding  requires  me  to  treat 
her  with  Honour  and  Respect,  and  very  much  of  Deference, 
to  all  that  she  shaU  at  any  time  ask  of  me.  But  Religion, 
above  all,  obUges  me,  instead  of  a  rash  rejecting  her  Con- 
versation, to  contrive  rather,  how  I  may  imitate  the  Good- 
ness of  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  in  His  Dealing  with  such  as 
are  upon  a  Conversion  unto  Him. 

On  the  other  side;  I  cannot  but  fear  a  fearful  Snare, 
and  that  I  may  soon  fall  into  some  Error  in  my  Conversa- 
tion, if  the  Point  proposed  unto  me,  be  found,  after  all, 
unattaineable,  thro'  the  violent  Storm  of  Opposition,  which 
I  cannot  but  foresee  and  suspect  will  be  made  unto  it. 

The  dreadful  Confusions,  which  I  behold  Heaven,  even 
devising  for  me,  do  exceedingly  break  and  wast  my  spirit. 
I  should  recover  a  wondrous  Degree  of  Health,  if  I  were 
not  broken  by  these  Distresses,  and  grievous  Temptations. 
But  these  things  cause  me  to  spend  more  Time  than  ordi- 
nary for  the  most  part  every  Day,  in  Prayers  and  in  Tears, 
prostrate  on  my  Study-floor  before  the  Lord.  Yea,  and 
they  cause  me  by  Night  also  sometimes  to  hold  my  Vigils, 
m  which  I  cry  to  God,  until,  and  after,  the  Middle  of  the 
Night,  that  He  would  look  down  upon  me,  and  help  me, 
and  save  me,  and  not  cast  me  off. 

18  d.  12  m.  Thursday.  This  Day  was  kept  as  a  Fast, 
thro'  the  Province.  I  enjoy'd  great  Assistences,  in  the  ser- 
vices of  the  Day. 

As  for  my  special  soul-harassing  Point;  I  did  some 
Dayes  ago,  under  my  Hand,  vehemently  beg,  as  for  my 
Life,  that  it  might  be  desisted  from,  and  that  I  might  not 
be  kill'd  by  hearing  any  more  of  it.  Yett  such  was  my 
flexible  Tenderness,  as  to  be  conquered  by  the  Impor- 

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468  DIARY  OF  COTTON  MATHER 

tunities  of  several,  to  allow  some  further  Interviewes.  But 
I  resolved,  that  I  would  make  them  turn  chiefly  upon  the 
most  glorious  Design  in  the  World.  I  did,  accordingly; 
and  once  especially,  I  did,  with  all  the  Charms  I  could 
imagine,  draw  that  witty  Gentlewoman  imto  tearful  Expres- 
sions of  her  Consent,  unto  all  the  Articles  in  the  Covenant 
of  Grace,  the  Articles  of  her  Marriage  and  Union  with  the 
Great  L[ord]  Redeemer.  I  had  Abundance  of  Satisfaction 
in  this  Action;  whatever  may  be  the  Issue  of  our  Conver- 
sation. 

20  d.  12  m.  Satureday.  My  grievous  Distresses,  (occa- 
sion'd  especially  by  the  late  Addresses  made  imto  me,  by 
the  person  formerly  mentioned,  and  the  Opposition  of  her 
Enemies,)  cause  me  to  fall  down  before  the  Lord,  with 
Prayers  and  with  Tears  continually.  And  because  my 
Heart  is  sore  pained  within  me,  to  think,  what  I  shall  do, 
or  what  will  be  the  Issue  of  my  distressing  Affayr,  I  think 
it  proper  to  multiply  my  Vigils  before  the  Lord.  One  of 
them  I  kept  this  Night;  and  as  it  grew  towards  the  Morn- 
ing, after  I  had  cried  imto  the  Lord,  for  my  Releef  and 
Succour,  under  the  Temptations  now  harassing  of  me,  I 
did  again  throw  myself  prostrate  in  the  Dust,  before  the 
Lord;  beseeching  of  Him,  that  if  He  would  not  hear  my 
cries  for  myself.  He  would  yett  hear  my  cries  for  my  Flock; 
and  hereupon  I  wrestled  with  the  Lord  for  my  great  Con- 
gregation, that  the  Interests  of  Religion  might  prevail 
mightily  among  them,  and  especially  in  the  young  People 
of  my  Congregation. 

It  was  a  Consolation  imto  me,  to  think,  that  when  my 
People  were  all  asleep  in  their  Beds,  their  poor  Pastor 
should  be  watching,  and  praying  and  weeping  for  them. 

The  Lord,  in  His  holy  Sovereignity  orders  it,  that  I 
am  left  unto  great  Vexations  from  Satan,  about  this  Time; 
who  fills  me  with  fears,  that  I  am  a  man  rejected  and  ab- 
horred of  God,  and  given  up  to  the  worst  of  Delusions;  and 

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MARCH,     1702-03  469 

that  the  Lord  will  make  no  more  use  of  me  to  glorify  Him. 
I  am  scarce  able  to  live  under  these  doleful  Disconsolations. 

And  that  I  may  be  left  utterly  destitute  of  all  humane 
Support,  my  Relatives,  thro'  their  extreme  Distaste  at  the 
Talk  of  my  Respects  for  the  Person,  above  mentioned;  and 
fear  lest  I  should  over- value  her;  do  treat  me  with  unsup- 
portable  Strangeness  and  Harshness. 

Lord,  I  am  oppressed;  undertake  for  meJ 

2j  d.  12  m.  Satureday.  I  sett  apart  this  Day  for  Prayer 
with  Fasting  in  my  study;  especially  to  commend  my  dis- 
tressing Affayr  unto  the  Lord. 

As  for  the  ingenious  ChUd,  that  sollicits  my  Respects 
imto  her,  I  cry  to  the  Lord,  with  Fervency  and  Agony  and 
Floods  of  Tears,  that  she  may  be  the  Lord's;  and  that  her 
Union  and  Marriage  to  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  may  be  the 
Effect  of  the  Discourses  I  have  had  with  her.  But  I  also 
resign  her,  and  offer  her  up  unto  the  Lord;  and  earnestly 
profess  unto  Him,  that  tho'  I  sett  a  great  Value  upon  her, 
yett  I  can  deny  myself  every  thing  in  the  World,  that  the 
Glory  of  His  Name,  and  my  Service  to  His  Name,  shall 
oblige  me  to  part  withal.  Wherefore,  I  continually  beg  of 
the  Lord,  that  Hee  will  show  me  my  Duty  and  bring  my 
Distress  to  a  comfortable  Issue. 

1703. 

2,d.  im.  [March.]  Wednesday.  My  dreadful  Distresses 
continue  upon  me. 

For  which  Cause,  I  sett  apart  this  Day,  for  the  Duties 
of  a  secret  Fast  before  the  Lord;  that  I  may  obtain  Direc- 
tion in,  and  Deliverance  from,  the  Distresses  which  do  so 
exceedingly  harass  and  buffet  my  Mind,  and  break  my  Soul 
to  Peeces. 

As  also,  that  I  may  obtain  the  Presence  of  the  Lord 
with  me,  in  the  Lecture  to  morrow,  when  I  am  to  do  a 
special  Service,  for  His  Interests. 

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470  DIARY  or  COTTON  MATHER 

6d.  I  m.  Satureday.  Tho'  I  have  kept  one  Fast  in  my 
Study  this  Week  already,  yett  I  must  this  Day  keep  another. 

I  am  a  most  miserable  Man. 

That  young  Gentlewoman  of  so  fine  Accomplishments, 
(that  there  is  none  in  this  Land  in  those  Respects  com- 
parable to  her,)  who  has  with  such  repeated  Importunity 
and  Ingenuity  pressed  my  Respects  to  her,  that  I  have  had 
much  ado  to  steer  clear  of  great  Inconveniencies,  hath  by 
the  Disadvantages  of  the  Company  which  has  continually 
resorted  unto  her  unhappy  Father's  House,  gott  but  a  bad 
Name  among  the  Generality  of  the  People;  and  there 
appears  no  Possibility  of  her  speedy  Recovery  of  it,  be 
her  Carriage  never  so  vertuous,  and  her  Conversion  never 
so  notorious.  By  an  unhappy  Coincidence  of  some  Cir- 
cumstances, there  is  a  Noise,  and  a  mighty  Noise  it  is, 
made  about  the  Town,  that  I  am  engaged  in  a  Courtship 
to  that  young  Gentlewoman;  and  tho'  I  am  so  very  inno- 
cent, (and  have  so  much  aimed  at  a  Conformity  to  my 
Lord  Jesus  Christ,  and  Serviceableness  to  Him,  in  my 
treating  of  her,)  yett  it  is  not  easy  presently  to  confute  the 
Rumour. 

I  am  now  under  incredible  Disadvantages.  The  Design 
of  Satan,  to  entangle  me  in  a  Match  that  might  have  proved 
ruinous  to  my  Family,  or  my  Ministry,  is  defeated,  by  my 
Resolution  totally  to  reject  the  Addresses  of  the  young 
Gentlewoman  to  me;  which  I  do,  for  the  sake  of  the  Lord 
Jesus  Christ,  whose  Name,  I  see  will  suffer,  if  I  accept  her; 
and  I  do  it  cheerfully,  tho'  she  be  so  very  charming  a  Person. 

But  then,  Satan  has  raised  an  horrid  Storm  of  Reproach 
upon  me,  both  for  my  Earliness  in  courting  a  Gentlewoman, 
and  especially  for  my  Courting  of  a  Person  whom  they 
generally  apprehend  so  disagreeable  to  my  Character. 
And  there  is  hazard,  lest  my  Usefulness  be  horribly  Ruined, 
by  the  Clamour  of  the  rash  People  on  this  Occasion,  before 
there  can  be  due  Measures  taken  to  quiet  them;  and  my 

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MARCH,     1702-03  471 

Civility  to  the  Person  who  has  address'd  me,  will  not  lett 
me  utter  what  would  most  effectually  quiet  them. 

I  am  a  man  greatly  assaulted  by  Satan.  Is  it  because  I 
have  done  much  against  that  Enemy?  or,  are  the  Judgments 
of  God  incessantly  pursuing  of  me,  for  my  Miscarriages! 

My  Spirit  is  excessively  broken.  There  is  Danger  of 
my  dying  suddenly,  with  smothered  Griefs  and  Fears.  I 
know  not  what  to  do,  but  to  pour  out  my  Soul  unto  the 
Lord,  and  submitt  unto  His  dreadful  Sovereignity  and 
Righteousness;  but  cry  mightily  imto  Him,  that  He  would 
yett  rescue  my  precious  Opportunities  to  glorify  the  L[ord] 
Jesus  Christ  (the  Apple  of  my  Eye,)  from  the  Mischiefs 
which  do  threaten  them. 

This  is  my  Condition  this  Day;  and  this  the  Occasion 
of  my  being  thus  again  before  the  Lord. 

12  d.  1  m.  Friday.  While  I  am  thus  feeble  and  sore 
broken,  I  have  no  Remedy  but  Prayer,  and  Patience,  and 
profound  Submission  to  the  awful  Sovereignty  of  God. 

Nevertheless,  there  fall  out  several  Things,  to  support 
me  with  some  Hopes,  that  the  Lord  hath  not  wholly  cast 
me  off. 

The  Spirit  of  the  Lord  sometimes  does  visit  me,  with 
Raptures  of  Assurance,  that  He  has  lov'd  me,  and  that  I 
shall  glorify  Him.  I  am  sometimes  even  ready  to  faint 
away,  with  the  rapturous  Praelibations  of  the  Heavenly 
World;  it  makes  me  even  faint  and  sick,  to  enjoy  such 
Beginnings  of  my  being  swallowed  up  with  God,  and  with 
His  Will,  World  without  End. 

Moreover,  my  Lecture  delivered  the  last  Week,  about 
the  Institution  and  Observation  of  the  Lord's-Day,  is  called 
for;  and  it  is  now  in  the  Press,  pubUshing  under  the  Title 
of,  The  Day  which  the  Lord  hath  made  >  I  hope,  it  may 
many  Wayes  prove  serviceable  to  the  Interests  of  Religion: 

'Printed  by  B.  Green  and  J.  Allen,  and  sold  by  Benjamin  Eliot.  It  was 
reprinted  by  B.  Green  in  1707,  with  a  translation  into  the  Indian  language. 

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472  DIARY  OP  COTTON  MATHER 

Blessed  be  the  Holy  Lord  of  the  Sabbath,  who  has  accepted 
from  me,  this  Testimony  for  the  Sabbath. 

About  the  Publication  of  that  Book,  I  may  take  notice 
of  one  thing  very  remarkable.  I  am  given  to  imderstand, 
that  a  wicked  company  of  Manifesto-men,  a  year  or  two 
ago,  procured  a  Press  and  Letters,  to  be  sent  for,  imto 
London,  in  a  special  Manner,  to  print  Libels  against  the 
Churches  of  New  England  and  the  Servants  of  the  Churches, 
and  no  Man  so  much  as  myself.  The  new  Prpss  and  Let- 
ters arrive.  The  Wretches  that  were  mine  and  the  Churches 
Enemies,  find  themselves  in  such  Confusion,  that  they  can 
make  no  Use  of  them.  They  sell  them,  to  my  Printer. 
My  Book  on  the  Lord's  Day,  is  the  first  that  is  printed  with 
them.  Yea,  the  first  use  made  of  them,  is  in  publishing 
several  of  my  Composures.' 

And  now,  a  strange  Thing  is  this  Day  come  to  pass; 
which  tho*  it  may  plimge  me  into  sore  Dbtresses  and  Temp- 
tations, yett  I  see  in  it,  a  Demonstration  of  the  Testimony 
from  Heaven  which  I  have  in  the  Consciences  of  the  People 
throughout  the  Land;  notwithstanding  all  the  Enemies 
which  my  vigorous  Appearing  for  the  evangelical  Interests 
has  procured  for  me.  The  House  of  Representatives,  in 
the  General  Assembly,  and  as  full  an  House  as  has  been 
ordinarily  known,  unanimously,  every  Man  of  them,  voted 
the  most  unworthy  Man  in  the  World,  for  to  be  President 
of  the  Colledge  in  Cambridge.^  God  knowes,  what  further 
Trials  are  coming  upon  me!  Lord,  prepare  and  strengthen 
thy  poor  Servant,  I  pray  thee,  I  pray  thee  I 

12,  d.  im.  Satureday.  I  am  again  this  Day  Isefore  the 
Lord,  as  I  was  twice  the  last  week;  and  on  the  same  dis- 
tressing Occasions;  as  also  to  ask  the  Presence  of  the  Lord 
with  me,  in  some  special  Actions,  and  Services  that  are 
quickly  before  me. 

'  This  paragraph  is  written  in  the  margin. 

'  Quincy,  History  of  Harvard  University,  i.  149. 

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MARCH,     1702-03  473 

iSd.im.  Munday.  Our  Captives  in  Barbary,  have  been 
the  Subjects  of  many  Prayers,  among  the  People  of  God: 
and  poor  I  have  had  a  special  Share  in  those  Prayers: 
wherein  also  I  received  and  uttered  my  Assurances  many 
Years  ago,  that  I  should  also  have  a  Share  in  offering  Praises 
to  oiu:  glorious  Redeemer;  for  the  Answers  of  those  Prayers. 
The  Prayers  are  now  answered;  gloriously  answered.  The 
Captives  have  been  returned.  A  Niunber  of  them  is  now 
in  this  Town.  I  therefore  appointed  them  this  Day,  to 
attend  me  at  my  House;  I  also  sent  for  the  Christians  that 
compose  the  many  Praying-meetings  in  our  Neighbourhood. 
We  kept  a  solemn  Thanksgiving;  and  we  enjoyed  a  sweet 
Presence  of  the  Lord  with  us,  in  the  Exercises  of  it. 

Looking  back,  on  the  XXXIVth  year  of  my  Life,  I 
find,  that  I  had  there  entred  a  Partictdar-Faith  received 
then  from  Heaven,  that  I  should  Uve  to  do  such  an  Action ! ' 

I  preached  on  Rom.  2.  4.  The  Improvement  that  should 
[be]  made  of  the  Divine  Goodness,  and  made  a  Recapitula- 
tion of  the  great,  and  strange  Things  done  by  the  Divine 
Goodness,  for  the  redeemed  Captives. 

I  afterwards  fitted  the  Discourse  for  the  PubUck,  and 
was  willing  to  erect  a  standing  and  lasting  Monument  of 
the  Divine  Goodness  express'd  on  this  Occasion.  I  gave  it 
unto  the  Booksellers,  entituled.   The  Glory  of  Goodness.' 

And  now,  being  after  all  due  Deliberation,  fully  satisfied, 
that  my  Countenancing  the  Proposals  of  coming  one  Day 
to  a  Marriage,  with  the  Gentlewoman  so  often  mentioned 
in  these  Papers,  will  not  be  consistent  with  my  public  Ser- 
viceableness;  but  that  the  Prejudices  in  the  Minds  of  the 
People  of  God  against  it,  are  insuperable,  and  Uttle  short 
of  universal:  I  sett  myself  to  make  unto  the  L[ord]  Jesus 
Christ,  a  Sacrifice  of  a  Person,  who,  for  many  charming 
Accomphshments,  has  not  many  sequals  in  the  English 

'  Written  in  the  margin. 

'  Printed  by  B.  Green  and  J.  Allen,  1703. 

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474  DIARY  or  COTTON  MATHER 

America.  In  making  of  my  Sacrifice,  I  have  not  gone  upon 
any  inferiour  Considerations,  nor  have  I  minded,  but 
sleighted,  the  defamatory  Stories,  which  have  been  uttered 
concerning  her,  as  knowing  how  Uttle  Weight  there  is  to 
be  laid  upon  popular  Slanders.  But  I  have  been  acted 
purely,  by  a  rehgious  Respect  imto  the  Holy  Name  of  the 
L[ord]  Jesus  Christ,  and  my  Serviceableness  to  His  precious 
Interests;  which  I  had  a  thousand  Times  rather  dy,  than 
damnify.  My  Victory  over  Flesh  and  Blood  in  this  Mat- 
ter, was  no  unhappy  Symptom,  I  hope,  of  Regeneration  in 
my  Soul.  I  encouraged  myself  with  Hopes,  that  God 
would  carry  me  well  thro'  my  Sacrifice,  in  preserving  the 
Person  addressing  me  from  any  Damage  by  her  Fondness 
for  me;  (but  I  must  continue  praying  for  her!)  And  that 
I  should  one  Day  meet  with  some  wonderful  Recompences. 

I  struck  my  Knife,  into  the  Heart  of  my  Sacrifice,  by 
a  Letter  to  her  Mother. 

24  d.  I  m.  Wednesday.  The  Lord  accepted  me  this  Day, 
to  glorify  Him. 

The  Flock  at  Woburn,  being  destitute  of  a  Minister 
they  referr'd  it  unto  me,  to  appoint  a  Time,  when  I  would 
come  and  pray  and  fast  with  them,  to  obtain  from  our 
ascended  Lord,  a  Pastor  after  His  own  Heart.  I  did  appoint 
this  Day;  and  it  prov'd  a  very  comfortable  Day.  There 
was  a  vast  Assembly  of  People,  among  whom  I  carried  on 
the  bigger  Part  by  far  of  all  the  Duties  of  the  Day,  with  a 
very  great  Assistence  from  the  Lord.  None  of  all  the 
Devices  of  Satan,  can  prevent  the  Lord's  using  of  me  in 
Services  for  His  dearest  Name,  and  giving  me  to  find  a 
strange  Respect  among  His  People  above  any  Man  in  all 
the  Land. 

Lordl  Accept  me  still  more  and  more,  to  honour  my 
L[ord]  Jesus  Christ! 

It  comes  to  pass,  that  my  little  Book  of  the  Lord's-Day, 
is  presented  unto  every  Member  of  the  General  Assembly 

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APRIL,   1703  475 

now  sitting;  by  which  means,  it  immediately  passes  into 
every  Part  of  the  Province.  This  also  is  a  merciful  Provi- 
dence. 

27  d.  I  w.  Satureday.  Was  ever  man  more  tempted, 
than  the  miserable  Mather  1  Should  I  tell,  in  how  many 
Forms  the  Divel  has  assaulted  me,  and  with  what  Subtilty 
and  Energy,  his  Assaults  have  been  carried  on,  it  would 
strike  my  Friends  with  Horrour. 

Sometimes,  Temptations  to  Impurities;  and  sometimes 
to  Blasphemy,  and  Atheism,  and  the  Abandonment  of  all 
Religion,  as  a  meer  Delusion;  and  sometimes,  to  self- 
Destruction  itself.  These,  even  these,  0  miserable  Mather, 
do  follow  thee,  with  an  astonishing  Fmy.  But  I  fall  down 
into  the  Dust,  on  my  Study-floor,  with  Tears  before  the 
Lord;  and  then  they  quickly  vanish:  tis  fair  Weather  again. 
Lord!  what  wilt  thou  do  with  me  I 

29  d.  I  m.  Munday.  An  astonishing  Dispensation  of 
Providence,  this  day  befalls  me.' 

I  d.  2  m.  [April.]  Thursday.  The  Glorious  Lord,  will  in 
a  most  surprising  Manner  still  accept  me,  and  employ  me, 
to  glorify  Him.  I  had  resigned  my  Lecture  to  my  Father, 
(submitting  to  preach  at  a  more  inconvenient  Season,  a 
Fortnight  ago;)  but  he  is  this  Week  indisposed  with  a 
short  Fitt  of  his  Gout.  I  must  therefore  imexpectedly 
preach  the  Lecture;  and  making,  secret  Prayer,  the  Subject 
of  my  Sermon,  (a  Subject  which  I  thought,  might  prove 
of  great  Service  to  the  Christians  of  the  Town,)  I  had  some 
comfortable  Perswasions,  when  I  was  at  secret  Prayers,  pros- 
trate in  the  Dust  before  the  Lord,  that  He  would  reward 
me  openly  and  make  my  Labour  to  be  useful  among  His 
People.  And  so  tis  like  to  prove.  In  the  Evening  of  this 
Day,  after  the  Lecture,  being  with  a  Society  of  Christians, 
they  unanimously  asked  me  for  the  Notes  of  my  Sermon, 
and  agreed  that  they  would  be  at  the  Charge  of  publishing 

'  The  record  of  the  dispensation  is  wanting. 

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476  DIARY  OF  COTTON  MATHER 

and  dispersing  of  it  thro'  the  Countrey.    I  gratified  their 
Desire;  entituled  the  Sermon,  The  Retired  Christian.' 

3  <f.  2  w.  Satureday.  I  sett  apart  this  Day  for  Prayer, 
with  Fasting  in  my  Study;  to  implore  the  God  of  all  Grace, 
that  He  would  give  me  Grace,  to  carry  it  well  under  my 
Temptations,  and  help  me  to  take  right  Steps  in  my  soli- 
tary Widowhood;  and  I  resigned  my  Heart  imto  His  Holy 
Spirit,  that  so,  if  He  will  in  His  Time  allow  my  Return 
unto  the  married  State,  I  may  be  wholly  directed  by  Him, 
unto  that  which  may  be  most  for  His  Glory  and  Service. 

My  Design  was  also,  to  recommend  unto  the  Conduct 
and  Blessing  of  God,  a  Journey  to  Salem,  which  I  design 
shortly  to  undertake. 

In  the  following  Week,  I  did  not  spend  a  Day  in  the 
Exercises  of  a  secret  Fast,  partly  because  I  was  creepled  with 
rhumatic  Pains  (not  without  some  Symptomes  of  arthritic 
ones,)  for  diverse  Dayes;  and  partly  because  there  was  kept 
a  Day  of  public  Thanksgiving,  for  Successes  against  the 
French  Enemy;  wherein  I  enjoy'd  special  Assistence  and 
Enlargement. 

I  am  under  singular  Distresses.  Wliat  I  would  on  many 
Accounts  prefer,  as  the  most  ehgible  and  honourable  Con- 
dition, would  be  to  continue  all  the  rest  of  my  little  Time, 
in  an  unspotted  Widowhood. 

But  my  Family  suffers  by  it,  in  several  Instances.  And 
yett  I  could  concoct  and  conquer  this  Inconvenience,  much 
easier  than  some  other  Circumstances. 

My  Father  presses  me  frequently  and  fervently,  that  I 
would  by  no  means  take  up  Resolutions  to  continue  in  my 
Widowhood.  My  flexible  Temper  makes  it  not  easy  for 
me  to  resist  his  Exhortations. 

But  I  foresee,  and  already  suffer,  a  worse  Encumbrance. 
The  Applications,  which  the  Gentlewoman  formerly  men- 
tioned in  these  Papers,  has  made  unto  me,  hzxe  occasioned 

'  Printed  by  B.  Green  and  J.  Allen,  1703. 

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APRIL,     1703  477 

very  many  Misrepresentations  of  me,  among  a  foolish 
People.  The  coarse,  tho'  just.  Usage  that  she  has  had 
from  me,  will  also  putt  her  upon  a  thousand  Inventions. 
I  shall  be  continually  every  Week,  persecuted  with  some 
Noise  and  Nonsense  carried  about  the  Town  concerning 
me.  The  Persecution  of  the  Lyes  daily  invented  about  me, 
Yoll  be,  I  see  insupportable.  All  the  Friends  I  have  in  the 
World,  perswade  me,  that  I  shall  have  no  Way  to  gett  from 
under  these  Confusions,  but  by  proceeding  imto  another 
Marriage. 

Lord,  help  me,  what  shall  I  do?    I  am  a  miserable  man. 

13  d.  2  m.  Tuesday,  14.  Wednesday,  15.  Thursday.  The 
Dispensations  of  Heaven  towards  me,  in  and  since,  the 
Death  of  my  lovely  Consort,  have  been  very  awful. 

I  have  lately  waded  thro'  dreadful  Temptations,  and  I 
tremble  to  think,  what  may  be  the  next  Storm,  that  will 
be  raised  upon  me. 

About  eleven  Months  having  passed  since  the  Lord 
began  to  take  away  from  me  the  Desire  of  my  Eyes,  my 
Friends  begin  to  press  my  Thoughts  of  returning  to  the 
married  State.  This  is  a  Point  of  terrible  Consequence. 
I  had  need  use  more  than  ordinary  HumiUations,  and  Suj>- 
plications,  and  Resignations,  upon  an  Occasion  so  full  of 
Agony. 

Tho'  I  have  rarely  lett  a  Week  pass  me,  without  setting 
apart  a  Day  for  Prayer  with  Fasting,  for  now  many,  many 
Months  together;  and  I  have  ever  now  and  then  had  my 
Vigils,  for  a  Conversation  with  Heaven;  and  every  Day 
for  the  most  Part,  I  have  had  one  secret  Prayer  more  than 
I  use  to  have,  and  lain  prostrate,  in  the  Dust,  with  Tears 
before  the  Lord,  because  of  my  Distresses:  Yett  I  thought 
it  necessary  to  do  something  more  than  all  of  this.  I 
resolved  upon  doing  a  thing,  which  I  do  not  know  to  have 
been  done,  by  any  Man  Uving  in  the  World.  I  took  up  a 
Resolution,  to  spend  no  less  than  THREE  DAYES  together, 

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478  DIARY  OF  COTTON  MATHER 

in  Prayer  with  Fasting  in  my  Study;  and  beseech  the  Lord 
thrice,  knocking  at  the  Door  of  Heaven  for  three  Dayes 
together. 

And  now,  the  Lord  has  carried  me  thro'  this  extraordi- 
nary Undertaking;  even  beyond  what  one  of  my  feeble 
Constitution  could  have  look'd  for. 

I  was  desirous  that  each  Day  shoiUd  have  its  peciiliar 
Character;  tho'  there  were  many  general  Strokes  of  Devo- 
tion wherein  each  Day  agreed. 

The  singular  Character  of  \h&  first  Day,  was  Confession 
of,  and  Contrition  for,  the  Sins,  that  exposed  me  to  the 
Displeasure  of  Heaven;  (wherein  I  used  a  Catalogue  of 
Things  forbidden  and  required  in  the  Commandments,  as 
well  as  the  Ingredients  of  original  Sin:)  and  Petition  for 
the  Pardon  of  all,  thro'  the  Blood  of  the  L[ord]  Jesus  Christ. 

The  singular  Character  of  the  second  Day,  was  Resigna- 
tion to  the  Will  of  God,  in  whatever  Sorrowes  had  already 
befallen  me,  and  in  all  the  sorrowful  Things,  which  I  could 
imagine  hereafter  to  be  inflicted  on  me,  by  the  sovereign 
Will  and  Pleasure  of  Heaven. 

Astonishing  Entertainments  from  Heaven,  were  granted 
me,  in  and  from  this  Action.  God  opened  Heaven  to  me, 
after  a  Manner,  that  I  may  not,  and  indeed  cannot  express 
in  any  Writing.  All  I  will  here  insert  is,  that  now  the 
Thought  of  Dying,  (and  going  to  the  heavenly  World)  was 
become  the  most  easy  and  pleasant  Thing  in  the  World 
unto  me.  I  am  now  advised  from  Heaven,  that  God  is 
mine,  and  I  am  His;  and  He  has  wonderful  Things  to  do 
for  me. 

The  singular  Character  of  the  third  Day,  was.  Request 
first  for  Help  under  and  against  all  the  Assaults  of  Tempta- 
tions upon  me,  and  then  for  the  angeUcal  Ministry  to  be 
employ'd  on  my  behalf,  and  for  my  Help  in  those  Cases, 
where  the  Heirs  of  Salvation  use  to  be  befriended,  by  the 
Ministers  who  do  the  Pleasure  of  the  Lord. 

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APRIL,   1703  479 

Extraordinary  Things  were  again  done  for  me,  that  can- 
not be  related.  I  will  only  say,  the  Angels  of  Heaven  are 
at  work  for  me.  And  I  have  my  own  Angel,  who  is  a  better 
Friend  unto  me,  than  any  I  have  upon  Earth. 

The  great  Point  of  my  Return  to  the  married  State,  I 
did  on  each  of  the  three  Dayes,  with  a  Variety  of  tearful 
SuppUcations  plead  before  the  Lord.  I  have  submitted 
unto  all  the  Inconveniencies  of  a  single  State,  if  the  Lord 
will  confine  me  to  it;  only  I  have  begg'd  of  Him,  the  Gifts 
of  Purity  and  Patience.  But  I  have  left  the  Matter  en- 
tirely unto  the  Lord;  who  will  ■mthold  no  good  Thing  from 
me.  I  have  putt  my  Mind  over  into  the  Hands  of  the  Holy 
Spirit,  that  it  may  be  disposed  aright  in  the  Matter.  I 
have  committed  unto  my  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  the  Care  of 
providing  an  agreeable  Consort  for  me,  if  my  support  in 
the  Service  of  His  Church  (which  I  am  daily  espousing 
unto  Him)  render  it  necessary  or  convenient.  I  know,  that 
some  surprising  Thing  will  be  done  for  me. 

My  three  Dayes  left  me,  in  a  very  desireable  Frame, 
very  fearful  of  sinning  against  God;  very  raised  in  my 
Thoughts  of  Christ  and  Heaven;  very  watchful  to  do  good, 
and  bring  forth  much  Fruit  unto  the  Lord. 

But  because  an  Admission  to  extraordinarily  Litimate 
Communion  with  Heaven,  uses  in  my  Experience  to  be  fol- 
lowed with  sore  Buflfetings  from  Satan,  either  by  internal 
Impressions,  or  by  external  Occurrences,  I  had  a  trembling 
Expectation  of  what  might  follow  upon  that  Intercourse 
with  Heaven,  whereto  I  had  newly  been  admitted. 

I  found  within  two  Dayes,  my  Mind  begun  to  be  hor- 
ribly agitated,  with  Vexations,  which  did  somewhat  renew 
an  Experience,  that  I  had  so  often  mett  withal. 

On  the  Lord's-Day  ensuing,  my  public  Sermon  (to  a 
vast  Assembly,)  had  upon  it,  a  sweet  and  strong  Relish,  of 
the  heavenly  Devotions,  thro'  which  I  had  been  passing 
the  Week  before. 

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480  DIARY  or  COTTON  MATHER 

The  next  Week,  I  omitted  keeping  a  Day  of  Prayer, 
because  of  my  Over-doing  the  last  week. 

Nevertheless,  I  did  not  omitt  endeavouring  a  further 
Service  for  the  Lord. 

I  have  all  along,  mightily  desired,  that  whatever  befalls 
me,  may  afford  some  Revenues  of  Glory  to  my  Lord  Jesus 
Christ.  I  have  been  called  lately  unto  sad  and  sore  Trials, 
wherein  my  Resignation  unto  the  Will  of  God,  has  been 
tried  unto  the  uttermost.  I  have  (with  His  Assistence)  a 
little  exemplified  that  Resignation,  and  then  preached  it  in 
a  Sermon,  imto  my  People.  I  saw,  that  this  Resignation 
was  a  point  of  much  Occurrence,  and  of  as  much  Conse- 
quence, in  the  Course  of  Christianity,  among  all  the  People 
of  God.  I  fitted  my  Discourse  for  the  Press,  and  it  is 
hereupon  immediately  printed;  imder  the  Title  of,  The 
High  Attainment.' 

25  d.  2  wi.  Lord's-Day.  After  my  public  Labours  this 
Day,  I  visited  in  the  Evening,  a  Meeting  of  religious  yoimg 
Men,  with  whom  I  pray'd  and  preach'd  for  their  Encourage- 
ment, in  the  good  Wayes  of  Religion. 

But  hereupon  the  young  Men  took  a  Copy  of  the  Dis- 
course and  immediately  committed  it  unto  the  Press.  It 
was  a  Discourse,  upon  the  Advantage  of  going  before  others, 
in  early  Christianity;  (on  Eph.  i.  11.)  and  I  have  entituled 
it.  Agreeable  Admonitions  to  both  Old  and  Young.' 

In  the  Week  ensuing,  I  did  resolve  to  entertain  the 
Town,  with  a  Discourse,  at  the  Lecture,  upon,  A  Family 
Sacrifice;  and  therein  to  glorify  my  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  by 
representing  Him  under  that  Consideration  to  the  Faith  of 
His  People;  and  therewith  to  make  the  late  Dispensations 
of  Heaven  towards  the  Families  of  the  Town,  an  Occasion 
for  the  Quickening  of  all  Family-Religion  in  them. 

That  I  might  obtain  special  Assistences  from  Heaven, 

'  Printed  by  B.  Green  and  J.  Allen,  1703. 
'Ibid. 

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MAY,     1703  481 

for  the  Work  before  me,  I  spent  the  Wednesday  in  Prayers, 
and  Tears,  and  Humiliations,  with  Fasting  before  the  Lord. 
(As  Hkewise,  to  obtain  Help,  in  regard  of  all  my  other 
Distresses.) 

On  the  Thursday,  I  received,  I  enjoyed,  what  I  had 
requested.  The  Glorious  Lord,  was  mightUy  with  me,  in 
what  was  then  before  me. 

The  Discourse,  being  fitted  for  the  Press,  it  is  published, 
imder  the  Title  of,  A  Famtly-Sacrifice  ;  and  intended  for 
to  be,  by  particular  Methods,  dispersed  thro'  the  Countrey, 
and  especially  into  the  unhappy  Families,  where  God  is  not 
worshipped.  1 

Oh!  the  astonishing  Dispensations  of  Heaven,  towards 
one  of  the  greatest  Sinners  upon  Earth!  While  I  have  my 
Spirit  broken  with  sorrowful  Distresses,  and  horrible  Temp- 
tations, and  Satan  is  using  exquisite  Endeavours  to  render 
me  unserviceable,  the  Lord  employes  me  in  more  Service 
for  Him,  than  perhaps  ever  in  my  Life  before.  No  less  than 
six  Books,  do  I  now  publish,  in  about  the  space  of  two 
months;  aU  of  which  will  prove  useful  I  hope,  imto  the 
Interests  of  my  glorious  Lord. 

5  d.  3  »w.  [May.]  Wednesday.  Yesterday  I  was  employed, 
with  some  other  Ministers,  in  hearing,  and  ending  some 
unhappy  Differences  at  Medford. 

And  this  Day,  I  am  employed  in  preaching  the  Lecture 
at  Reading,  to  a  great  Assembly  of  People,  gathered  from 
all  the  Towns  in  the  Vicinity. 

What  shall  I  render  to  the  Lord,  who  continues  thus  to 
make  use  of  me! 

8  J.  3  w.  Satureday.  I  sett  apart  this  Day  for  the  Exer- 
cises of  a  Fast  in  my  study,  on  the  same  Occasions,  that 
have  of  late,  so  often  employ'd  me  in  the  like  Exercises. 

'  Printed  by  B.  Green  and  J.  Allen.  Bibliographers  have  confused  this  tract 
with  one  bearing  the  title  Family  Religion,  first  issued  in  1705,  and  being  a  dis- 
tinct composure.     See  p.  520,  infra. 

'  ■  3 '  Digitized  by  Microsoft® 


482  DIARY  OF  COTTON  MATHER 

I  enjoyed  some  Assurances,  which  I  thought  from 
Heaven,  that  God  would  be  very  merciful  and  wonderful 
in  the  Dispensations  of  His  Providence,  about  my  Return 
to  the  married  Slate;  and  that  for  the  sake  of  the  Lord 
Jesus  Christ,  whose  I  am,  a  desireable  Consort  should  be 
bestow'd  upon  me;  and  a  glorious  Angel  of  the  Lord,  should 
be  concerned  for  me  (as  for  Isaac  of  old,)  in  this  important 
Matter. 

On  this  Day,  (designing  an  Instnmient,  for  to  take 
the  Hearts  of  our  young  People,  and  make  them  to  become 
the  Lord's,)  I  composed  a  Poem,  expressive  of  a  Consent 
unto  the  several  Articles  in  the  glorious  COVENANT  of 
Grace.  This  I  add  unto  a  little  Book,  which  I  have  now  in 
the  Press. 

But  I  this  Day  spread  it  before  the  Lord,  as  my  own 
Act  and  Deed. 

Inexpressible  Satisfaction  filled  my  Soul,  in  my  doing  so. 

I  have  here  annexed  it,  with  my  Hand  signing  of  jt.> 

I  am  extremely  Unhappy!  My  fond  Friends  take  a 
Liberty  of  Discoursing  about  Matches  for  me.  And  the' 
they  are  such  as  I  never  took  any  Step  about  myself,  yett 
presently  a  Discourse  is  raised,  as  if  I  had  been  myself 
concerned  in  the  matters.    This  hurts  me! 

13  d.  3  m.  Thursday.*  One  Day,  after  Prayers,  and 
Floods  of  Tears  before  the  Lord,  and  astonishing  Resigna- 
tions to  and  Satisfactions  in  His  glorious  Will,  I  was  just 
overperswaded  unto  the  taking  of  a  Step,  towards  my 
Return  unto  the  married  State.  But  a  marvellous  Provi- 
dence of  God,  overruled  it.  I  was  diverted  from  doing  a 
Thing,  whereto  my  Friends,  and  such  Friends  as  have  a 
mighty  Ascendent  over  me,  had  mightily  urged  me.'  I 
knew,  that  I  might  on  every  hand,  meet  with  great  Encour- 

'  This  poem,  in  print  and  signed  in  manuscript,  is  in  the  American  Antiquarian 
Society. 

'  This  date  was  struck  out. 

•Words  and  sentences  in  this  paragraph  were  struck  out. 

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MAY,     17  03  483 

agements  unto  a  matter,  and  yett  it  might  prove  a  wrong 
Matter,  if  it  should  be  prosecuted.  So,  I  saw  that  the  best 
of  my  Friends  on  Earth,  are  not  much  to  be  relied  upon. 
My  pliable  and  flexible  Temper,  will  expose  me  to  Ruines, 
in  following  the  Conduct  of  my  wisest  Friends,  if  I  don't 
watch  exceedingly.  I  will  wait  imtil  my  heavenly  Friend 
and  Father,  do  more  plainly  show  me,  what  He  would  have 
me  to  do.  I  will  be  satisfied  in  what  the  Lord  shall  order 
for  me,  tho'  to  me  at  the  Present,  there  may  seem  a  grievous 
Disappointment  in  it. 

15  (/.  3  w.  Satureday.  I  sett  apart  this  Day,  for  the 
Duties  of  Prayer,  with  Fasting,  in  my  Study,  partly  that 
I  might  obtain  the  Presence  of  the  Lord  with  me,  in  several 
important  Actions,  which  are  the  next  Week  before  me: 
But  chiefly,  that  I  might  bespeak  a  good  Issue,  unto  that 
very  great  Afiayr,  namely  my  Return  into  the  married 
State. 

It  was  a  Day  full  of  astonishing  Enjoyments;  a  Day 
filled  with  Resignations,  and  Satisfactions,  and  heavenly 
Astonishments.  Heaven  has  been  opened  unto  me  this 
Day.  Never  did  I  so  long  to  dy,  and  fly  away  into  Heaven. 
I  have  seen  and  felt  unutterable  Things.  I  have  tasted 
that  the  Lord  is  gracious,  I  can  by  no  means  relate  the 
Communications  with  Heaven,  whereto  I  have  been  this 
Day  admitted.  I  am  now  sure,  that  the  Great  God  is  my 
God;  that  I  stand  before  God  in  the  Righteousness  of  my 
Lord  Jesus  Christ;  that  no  good  Thing  shall  be  witheld 
from  me;  that  God  will  make  an  amazing  use  of  me  to 
glorify  Him;  and  that  I  shall  be  an  object  for  the  ever- 
lasting Triumphs  of  sovereign  and  infinite  Grace. 

I  was  not  able  to  bear  the  Extasies  of  the  Divine  Love, 
into  which  I  was  raptured;  They  exhausted  my  Spirits; 
they  made  me  faint  and  sick;  they  were  insupportable;  I 
was  forced,  even  to  withdraw  from  them,  lest  I  should  have 

swoon'd  away  under  the  Raptures. 

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484  DIARY  OF  COTTON  MATHER 

Oh!  what  is  my  God  going  to  do  with  me! 

Is  this  the  Issue  of  the  dreadful  Temptations  which 
have  been  upon  me! 

My  God,  I  am  astonished!    I  am  astonished! 

19  d.  3  w.  Wednesday.  A  Day  of  Prayer  with  Fasting 
was  kept  in  our  Congregation;  especially  to  implore  the 
sanctifying  Grace  of  God,  for  the  rising  Generation  among 
us.  There  was  a  very  Great  Assembly,  such  as  is  rarely 
to  bee  seen  in  the  World  of  People  coming  together  for  the 
Worship  of  God.  And  I  enjoy'd  a  very  great  Assistence 
in  my  part  of  the  Service. 

On  the  Day  following,  tho'  I  had  been  this  Week,  very 
sick  and  faint,  and  was  hard  wrought  yesterday;  yett 
my  Strength  so  strangely  returned,  that  I  undertook  my 
intended  Journey  to  Salem. 

Several  Persons  of  good  Fashion  were  so  very  kind  as 
to  attend  upon  me;  especially  I  had  cause  to  take  notice 
of  Colonel  Hobbies '  kindness  in  offering  to  go  with  me,  for 
no  Reason,  but  that  he  might  keep  me  Company. 

I  enjoy'd  many  Smiles  of  Heaven  upon  my  Journey, 
from  the  Begiiming  to  the  Conclusion  of  it.  One  was  very 
remarkable.  A  fearful  Hurricane  and  Thunderstorm  over- 
took us,  just  as  we  gott  out  of  Winnisimmet  Ferry-boat, 
(a  Ferry  three  miles  wide;)  which  had  it  overtaken  us  four 
or  five  Minutes  earlier,  we  had  unquestionably  perished  in 
the  Waters. 

I  preached  both  parts  of  the  Lord's-Day,  at  Salem;  and 
on  Monday  returned  home. 

In  my  Absence  the  young  Gentlewoman,  to  whom  I 
have  been  so  unkind  many  Weeks  or  Months  ago,  writes 
and  comes  to  my  Father,  and  brings  her  good  Mother  with 
her  and  charms  the  Neighbours  into  her  Interests;  and 
renewes  her  Importunities  (both  before  and  after  my  Jour- 
ney) that  I  would  make  her  mine.     My  Apprehension  of 

'  Charles  Hobby. 

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M  A  Y  ,     I  7  O  3  485 

Damage  to  arise  therefrom  unto  the  holy  Interests  of 
Religion,  fixes  me  still  in  an  unalterable  Resolution,  that 
I  must  never  hearken  to  her  Proposals,  whatever  may  be 
the  Consequence  of  my  being  so  resolved.  I  am  here- 
upon threatened  by  some  with  exquisite  Revenges  and 
Reproaches  from  her  defeated  Love;  and  the  Hazards  of 
her  coming  to  Mischief.  Some  sett  the  Town  into  a  new 
Storm  of  Obloquy  upon  me;  and  threaten  me  with  an 
horrid  Enciunbrance  upon  all  my  Intentions  elsewhere  to 
return  unto  the  married  State. 

Satan  makes  these  Rebukes  of  Heaven  upon  me,  after 
all  my  Prayers,  and  Tears,  and  Fasts  and  Resignations,  to 
be  an  Occasion  of  sore  Temptation  unto  me. 

However,  in  the  midst  of  all  this  Temptation,  my  weep- 
ing Soul,  keeps  humbly  professing  before  the  Lord;  that 
I  wiU  not  give  over  seeking  Him,  tho'  it  appears  as  if  I 
sought  Him  in  vain;  that  I  will  alwayes  love  Him,  and 
serve  Him,  tho'  He  seems  as  if  He  would  lay  me  by  from 
serving  Him;  that  tho'  He  should  not  rescue  my  Oppor- 
tunities of  glorifying  the  L[ord]  Jesus  Christ,  from  the  fine 
Devices  of  Satan  to  hurt  them,  yett  I  will  continue  to 
glorify  Him  as  much  as  ever  I  can  all  my  Dayes;  yea, 
tho'  He  should  leave  me  without  Hopes  of  arrising  to  Glory 
at  the  last.  While  I  am  thus  professing  before  the  Lord, 
He  keeps  reviving  of  my  broken,  drooping  Spirit,  with 
comfortable  Perswasions,  that  He  will  not  cast  mee  of, 
but  that  I  shall  see  a  blessed  Issue  of  all  the  dark  Dispen- 
sacons  that  are  passing  over  me. 

That  it  might  be  so,  I  did  on, 

29  d.  3  m.  Satureday,  Sett  apart  another  Day,  for  Prayer 
with  Fasting  before  the  Lord. 

The  following  Week,  did  not  pass  without  some  further 

Temptations  and  Confusions,  which  it  is  not  worth  my 

while  to  mention;  only  as  they  furnish  me  Occasions  for  new 

Resignations  of  my  self  to  the  Will  of  God,  with  Humili- 

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486  DIARY  or  COTTON  MATHER 

aliens  under  the  Sovereign  and  righteous  Dispensations  of 
His  Providence  towards  me. 

Tis  remarkable  to  me,  that  while  the  Lord  is  other 
wise  laying  me  exceeding  low,  He  yett  gratifies  me  with 
strange  Favours,  in  that  Point,  which  is  the  very  Apple  of 
my  Eye;  and  that  is  my  being  employ 'd  in  Service  for 
His  blessed  Name. 

Being  disconsolate  on  Thursday  in  the  Forenoon,  the 
Minister  that  should  have  preached  the  Lecture,  imder 
Lidisposition  sends  to  me,  that  I  would  preach  it  for  him. 
Tho'  I  had  scarce  an  Hour's  Warning,  yett  I  undertook 
the  Service  and  preached  with  a  mighty  Assistence,  to  a 
mighty  Assembly  (the  Great  and  General  Assembly  of  the 
Province  making  part  of  it,)  a  Sermon,  agreeable  to  such 
an  Auditory,  and  such  an  one  as  the  Lord  made  mightily 
acceptable.  This  was  a  sensible  Smile  of  Heaven,  on  the 
poor  Servant  of  the  Lord! 

Moreover,  my  venerable  Father  publishing  the  Sermon, 
he  preached  on  our  late  Fast;  entituled.  The  Duty  of  Parents 
to  pray  for  their  Children,  my  Sermon  is  annexed  unto  it, 
which  is.  The  Duty  of  Children  whose  Parents  have  pray'd 
for  them:,  or,  Lessons  or  Godliness  for  the  Children 
OF  Godly  Ancestors.'  As  tis  an  Honour  imto  me,  thus 
to  be  joined  with  my  Parent  in  such  a  Service  thus  it  is  a 
charming  and  lovely  Emphasis  upon  the  Points  themselves 
that  are  handled  in  the  Book,  for  two  Persons  thus  Related 
unto  each  other,  to  have  the  Management  of  them. 

5  <f.  4  m.  [June]  Saiureday.  I  sett  apart  this  Day,  for 
Prayer  with  Fasting  in  my  Study,  to  justify  and  glorify 
the  Lord,  under  all  His  holy  Frowns  upon  me,  and  obtain 
Grace  to  carry  it  well  in  my  present  Condition,  and  to 
resign  myself,  and  all  my  Concerns  into  His  glorious  Hands. 

'  They  came  to  a  second  impression  in  1719.  The  first  part  carries  the  names 
of  B.  Green  and  J.  Allen  as  printers;  the  second  part  was  "printed  for  the  Book- 
sellers." 

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JUNE,     1703  487 

12  d.  ^m.  Satureday.    I  attended  the  like  Duties  again. 

The  Holy  Justice  and  Wisdome  of  God,  shines  forth,  in 
His  awful  Dispensations  towards  me. 

A  lying  Spirit  is  gone  forth,  and  the  People  of  the  Town, 
are  strangely  under  the  Influences  of  it. 

I  have  the  Inconvenience  of  being  a  Person,  whom  the 
Eye  and  the  Talk  of  the  People  is  very  much  upran.  My 
present  Circumstances  give  them  Opportunities  to  invent 
and  report  Abundance  of  disadvantageous  Falsehoods,  of 
my  being  engaged  in  such  and  such  Courtships,  wherein  I 
am  really  imconcemed.  But  the  Addresses  which  I  have 
had  from  the  yoimg  Gentlewoman  so  often  mentioned  in 
these  Papers,  and  the  Discourses  thereby  raised  among  the 
dissatisfied  People,  afford  the  greatest  Theme  for  their 
mischievous  and  malicious  Lying  to  turn  upon.  When  all 
Assaults  upon  me  from  that  Quarter,  have  been  hitherto 
xmsuccessful,  at  last,  I  am  unhappily  persecuted  with 
Insinuations,  that  I  had  proceeded  so  far  in  Countenan- 
cing that  matter,  I  could  not  with  Honour  and  Justice  now 
steer  clear  of  it,  as  I  have  done.  God  strangely  appears 
for  me,  in  this  Point  also,  by  disposing  the  young  Gentle- 
woman, with  her  Mother,  to  fiunish  me  with  their  Assertions, 
That  I  have  never  done  any  unworthy  Thing;  but  acted  most 
honourably  and  righteously  towards  them,  and  as  became  a 
Christian,  and  a  Minister;  and  they  will  give  all  the  World 
leave  to  censure  them  after  the  hardest  Manner  in  the  World, 
if  ever  they  should  speak  the  Contrary;  Yea,  they  have  pro- 
ceeded so  far  beyond  all  Boimds  in  my  Vindication,  as  to 

say.  They  verily  look  upon  Mr  M r  to  be  as  great  a  Saint 

of  God,  as  any  upon  Earth.  Nevertheless,  the  Divel  owes 
me  a  Spite,  and  he  inspires  his  People  in  this  Town,  to 
whisper  impertinent  Stories,  which  have  a  Tendency  to 
make  me  Contemptible,  and  hurt  my  Serviceableness,  and 
strike  at,  yea,  strike  out  the  Apple  of  my  Eye.  My  Spirit 
is  on  this  Occasion  too  much  disturbed.  I  am  encountring 
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488  DIARY  or  COTTON  MATHER 

an  Hour  and  Power  of  Darkness.  My  Temptations  from 
the  Clamour  of  many  People,  among  whom  I  hear  the 
Defaming  of  many;  the  desolate  Condition  of  my  Family, 
not  likely  to  be  provided  for;  and  the  Desertions  which 
my  Soul  suffers,  while  I  behold  the  dreadful  Frown  of  God 
upon  my  Prayers,  my  Fasts,  my  Fears,  my  Resignations, 
and  all  my  Endeavours  to  glorify  Him:  these  things  do 
exceedingly  unhinge  me;  and  cause  me  sometimes  to  speak 
unadvisedly  with  my  Lips.  Tis  well,  if  they  do  not  per- 
fectly kill  me. 

Nevertheless,  in  the  Midst  and  in  the  Heighth,  of  all 
these  Temptations,  Difl&culties  and  Discouragements,  I  sett 
apart, 

18  d.  4  m.  Friday,  as  a  Day  of  THANKSGIVING  to 
God,  in  my  Study,  for  His  many  Mercies  to  me. 

On  this  Day,  I  gave  myself  up  unto  the  Lord. 

And,  I  enumerated  before  the  Lord,  all  my  horrible 
Afflictions;  giving  Thanks  to  the  God,  who  afflicted  me 
in  such  a  Point,  and  in  such  a  Point.  For  that,  He  had 
afflicted  me  still  far  less  than  my  Iniquities  deserved;  and 
for  that,  I  hoped.  He  intended  me  good  in  all. 

I  also  acknowledged  the  astonishing  Favours  of  Heaven 
imto  me,  in  preserving  me  from  terrible  and  ruining  Snares, 
more  than  one  or  two,  which  have  been  laid  in  the  late 
Months,  for  the  Ruining  of  me,  and  of  my  Ministry,  and 
of  my  Family.  Tho'  I  am  a  very  rebuked  man,  yett  cer- 
tainly I  am  as  preserved 'a  Man,  as  any  under  Heaven! 
For  which  cause,  Oh!  how  thankful  ought  I  to  be  imto  the 
Lord! 

But  I  exceedingly  sett  myself,  to  consider  ivhal  Revenues 
of  Glory,  may  be  contrived  for  my  Lord  JESUS  CHRIST, 
out  of  my  humbling  Temptations  I 

It  was  a  ravishing  Thought  unto  me,  that  if  my  Lord 
JESUS  CHRIST,  may  ha\'c  Revenues  of  Glory,  out  of  my 
Temptations,  I  did  hardly  care,  what  they  were,  tho'  never 

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JUNE,     1703  489 

SO  many,  never  so  grievous.  I  concluded,  that  surely  my 
Lord  JESUS  CHRIST,  would  support  and  comfort  me 
under  all  my  Temptations,  and  give  me  a  blessed  Issue  of 
them. 

One  of  my  first  Essayes,  was  to  preach  a  Sermon  unto 
my  numerous  Congregation,  (from  Jam.  i.  2.)  on  that 
Point;  That  a  good  Man  may  maintain  a  great  Joy  under  the 
Worst  of  his  Temptations;  yea,  the'  encountred  and  encum- 
bred  with  all  sorts  of  Temptations. 

Another  of  my  Essayes  was  this.  I  thought  of  taking 
an  exemplary  Revenge  upon  the  Divel,  for  all  the  Mischief 
he  has  done  unto  me,  or  endeavoured  to  do.  Wherefore  I 
resolved,  that  at  Boston-Lectme  I  would  entertain  the 
Town  and  Countrey  with  some  Discourses  on,  The  Wiles 
of  the  Divel;  which  Discourses,  might,  if  the  Lord  please, 
prove  more  than  ordinarily  serviceable,  to  xmdermine  the 
Kingdome  and  Interest  of  the  Divel. 

I  expected,  that  I  should  feel  an  unusual  Rage  of  the 
Divel  molesting  me,  while  I  am  doing  this  Action,  and  espe- 
cially when  I  am  entring  upon  it.  But  I  resolved,  that 
with  a  mighty  Faith  in  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  I  would  go 
on  courageously,  beleeving  that  I  shall  shortly  have  Satan 
bruised  imder  my  Feet,  and  see  the  Attempts  of  the  Divel 
against  me  come  to  nothing. 

I  found  Things  fall  out  according  to  my  Expectation. 
And  therefore  I  did,  on, 

23  d.  4  m.  Wednesday,  the  Day  before  my  Lecture,  apply 
myself  to  Prayer  with  Fasting;  for  to  obtain  Help  against 
my  Temptations,  and  a  blessed  Issue  of  the  Storms,  and 
Fears,  and  Cares  that  are  now  upon  me. 

Then,  and  the  Morning  following,  and  all  the  Time  of 
my  Prayer  before  my  Lecture,  I  was  very  sick,  (as  well  as 
otherwise  horribly  buffeted:)  but  in  the  Time  of  singing 
the  Psalm,  I  lifted  up  my  Eyes  and  my  Cries,  unto  my 
Lord  Jesus  Christ,  that  He  would  rate  off  Satan,  and 
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490  DIARY  OF  COTTON  MATHER 

strengthen  me  for,  and  carry  me  thro'  His  work  now  before 
me.  He  did  it  wonderfully!  I  preached  with  mighty 
Assistences,  on  Eph.  6.  ii.  The  wiles  of  the  Divel.  The 
Lord  was  wonderfully  present  with  me. 

After  this,  I  found  the  Tempest  of  Clamour,  which  the 
Gentlewoman,  defeated  of  her  exquisite  Contrivances  to 
obtain  me,  had  occasioned,  by  the  Help  of  some  evil  Women 
against  me,  strangely  going  off.  One  Passage  I  am  willing 
to  mention:  A  Person  of  principal  Quality,  (and  one  who 
was  not  of  principal  Piety)  among  us,  told  me,  on  Friday; 
that  I  was  the  most  beloved  man  in  all  the  Countrey;  and 
that  I  had  a  few  Enemies,  but  they  were  miserable  and 
contemptible  People;  and  that  all  the  late  Impertinences 
that  had  vexed  me,  would  never  do  me  any  Damage  at  all. 

3  <i.  5  m.  [July]  Satureday.  I  sett  apart  this  Day  also, 
as  I  have  already  done  so  many  to  obtain  a  good  Support 
in,  and  a  good  Issue  of,  the  Temptations,  which  are  vexing 
of  me. 

ID  d.  5  m.  Satureday.  I  did  the  like  again.  As  also,  to 
obtain  from  the  Lord,  a  good  Servant  for  my  desolate 
Family;  who  may  be  a  tender  and  prudent  Nurse  for  my 
Children;  she  that  has  been  so,  being  suddenly  to  marry 
away  from  me. 

In  my  Request  for  a  good  Servant,  I  received  an  imme- 
diate Answer.  God  most  mercifully  answered  me,  by  send- 
ing into  the  Family,  the  Servant,  which  had  for  so  many 
Years  been  a  Blessing  imto  me  and  mine,  and  unto  whom 
I  had  been  so  much  a  Father,  until  the  Small-Pox,  and 
the  Distraction  which  it  left  upon  her,  the  last  Winter,  had 
made  her  uncapable  of  serving  me. 

But  God  is  going  to  build  up  my  Family,  in  a  far  more 
important  and  illustrious  Instance. 

He  showes  me  a  Gentlewoman  within  two  Houses  of 
my  own;  a  Gentlewoman  of  Piety  and  Probity,  and  a 
most  imspotted  Reputation;  a  Gentlewoman  of  good  Witt 

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JULY,    1703  491 

and  Sense,  and  Discretion  at  ordering  an  Household; 
a  Gentlewoman  of  incomparable  Sweetness  in  her  Tem- 
per, and  Humour;  a  Gentlewoman  honourably  descended 
and  related;  and  a  very  comely  person.'  Her  Name, 
is  Mrs.  Elizabeth  Hubbard.  She  is  the  Daughter  of 
Dr.  John  Clark,  deceased.  She  was  married,  and  quickly 
left  a  Widow  about  four  years  ago,  and  is  now  near 
thirty  Years  of  Age.* 

She  has  one  Son,  about  the  Age  of  my  own.  But  I 
often  urged  my  departed  Consort  for  to  take  a  Fatherless 
child  into  my  Family,  and  feed  it,  and  cloathe  it,  that  God 
might  bless  my  Children.  Why  then  should  I  think  much 
to  educate  the  Son  of  a  Gentlewoman '  from  whom  I  expect 
so  much  service  to  mine? 

I  am  satisfied,  if  the  Spirit  of  my  departed  Consort  now 
in  the  Kingdome  of  God,  were  advized,  that  her  children 
were  falling  into  the  Hands  of  this  Gentlewoman,  it  would 
be  a  Consolation  unto  her. 

And,  I  perceive,  that  it  would  be  a  more  than  ordinary 
Satisfaction  unto  the  people  of  my  vast  Flock,  more  than 
an  hundred  to  one,  for  me,  to  seek  an  Acquaintance  with 
this  Gentlewoman. 

Finding  my  Spirit  much  disposed  unto  it,  (and  being 
hastened  by  a  Coincidence  of  many  uneasy  Circimistances,) 
I  did 

On  14  rf.  5  w.  Wednesday,  give  my  first  Visit,  imto  that 
lovely  Gentlewoman.  I  was  entertained  with  more  than 
ordinary  Civility,  Affection,  and  Veneration.  And  I  found 
her  to  be  an  abimdantly  more  agreeable  Person,  than  ever 
I  imagined.  I  see,  shee  will  be  a  great  Gift  of  Heaven 
unto  me,  an  astonishing  Reparation  of  my  Loss,  and  Com- 
pensation of  all  the  Grief  I  have  mett  withal.    If  I  may 

'  Two  lines  are  here  struck  out. 

'  The  name  of  her  first  husband  was  Richard  Hubbard,  a  mariner,  of  Boston. 

'Some  words  struck  out. 

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492  DIARY  OF  COTTON  MATHER 

live  to  see  her  illuminating  my  Family,  I  shall  reap  a  rich 
Harvest  of  the  Prayers,  the  Tears,  the  Fasts,  and  the  Resig- 
nations, with  which  I  have  been  so  long  addressing  Heaven, 
imder  the  deplorable  Circumstances,  of  about  fifteen  Months 
together. 

ij  d.  $m.  Satureday.  I  sett  apart  this  Day,  for  Prayer 
with  Fasting,  in  my  Study,  to  obtain  a  good  Progress  and 
Success  of  the  affayr,  which  I  am  now  managing;  and  a 
Deliverance  from  any  further  Vexation,  Temptation,  or 
Encumbrance  by  the  yoimg  Gentlewoman,  that  has  vexed 
me  with  so  many  of  her  Wiles,  and  by  such  exquisite 
Methods  been  trying  to  ensnare  or  trouble  me. 

The  Rage  of  that  yoimg  Gentlewoman,  whom  out  of 
obedience  to  God,  I  have  rejected,  (and  never  more  pleased 
God  than  in  rejecting  of  her  Addresses  to  me,)  is  trans- 
porting her,  to  threaten  that  she  will  be  a  Thorn  in  my 
Side,  and  contrive  all  possible  Wayes  to  vex  me,  affront 
me,  disgrace  me,  in  my  Attempting  a  Return  to  the  mar- 
ried State  with  another  Gentlewoman.  Instead  of  using 
other  Contrivances,  to  quell  the  Rage  of  a  Person,  who  is 
of  so  rare  a  Witt,  but  so  little  Grace,  that  I  may  expect 
unknown  Damages  from  her,  I  carried  her  to  the  Lord 
Jesus  Christ.  I  pleaded,  that  my  Lord  Jesus  Christ  is  able 
to  do  every  thing;  that  He  can  restrain  Satan,  and  all 
Satanic  Influences  at  His  Pleasure;  that  my  Temptations 
had  already  proceeded  a  great  Way;  and  His  Name  would 
suffer,  and  His  poor  Servant  would  sink,  if  He  should  per- 
mitt  them  to  proceed  any  further;  and  that  I  had  out  of 
Obedience  unto  Him,  exposed  myself  unto  the  Rage,  by 
which  I  was  now  likely  to  be  incommoded.  And  I  con- 
cluded still,  with  a  triumphant  Faith  in  my  Lord  Jesus 
Christ,  for  my  Victory  over  the  Mischiefs  which  threatned 
me. 

Behold,  within  a  few  Dayes,  the  Gentlewoman  without 
my  seeking  it,  sent  me  a  Letter,  with  a  Promise  under  her 

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JULY,    17  03  493 

Hand,  that  she  would  offer  me  none  of  those  Disquietments, 
which  in  her  Passion  she  had  threatned.  I  was  astonished 
at  this  work  of  Heaven;  and  with  the  Tears  of  a  raptured 
Soul,  I  offered  up  a  Sacrifice  of  Love  and  Praise  unto  the 
Lord. 

My  Conversation  with  the  lovely  Person,  to  whom 
Heaven  has  directed  me,  goes  on,  with  pure,  chast,  noble 
Strokes,  and  the  Smiles  of  God  upon  it. 

And  the  Universal  Satisfaction  which  it  has  given  to 
the  People  of  God,  thro'  town  and  Countrey,  proclames 
itself,  to  a  Degree  which  perfectly  amazes  me. 

The  extreme  Heat  of  the  Weather  (with  some  other 
Inconveniencies,  by  the  Carpenters  making  some  Addition 
to  my  Habitation,)  putt  me  by,  from  keeping  a  Fast  this 
Week,  as  I  might  else  have  done.     But, 

31  d.  5  OT.  Satureday.    I  sett  apart  for  such  Exercises. 

About  this  Time,  I  was  for  two  or  three  Dayes  followed 
with  a  strong  Fancy,  that  I  should  be  taken  away  by  Death, 
before  my  Return  to  the  married  State.  I  concluded,  this 
Fancy  to  be  ordered  for  my  Trial,  whether  I  could  submitt 
unto  such  a  Dispensation  of  Heaven.  Accordingly,  tho'  I 
have  a  Prospect  of  arriving  speedily  to  the  Enjoyment  of  a 
most  lovely  Creature,  and  of  astonishing  Mercies  to  my 
Family  in  and  with  that  lovely  Person,  yett  when  I  thought 
of  going  away  to  my  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  in  the  heavenly 
World,  I  found  my  Soul  swallow'd  up  in  Triumphs  and 
Raptures  of  Resignation  imto  the  Will  of  God,  if  He  will 
so  order  my  Condition  for  me.  I  did  with  Tears  of  Joy 
consent  unto  such  a  Disp>ensation! 

From  hence  I  gathered  several  comfortable  Things; 
whereof  one  was,  that  I  am  in  very  deed  passed  from  Death 
to  Life. 

The  horrible  Storm  of  Temptations  that  has  been  of 
late  harassing  of  me,  is  after  a  strange  Manner  calm'd  and 
Ceas'd;  and  I  am  now  speedily  returning  to  the  married 
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494  DIARY  OP  COTTON  MATHER 

State,  in  more  happy  Circumstances,  that  I  could  have 
imagined.  I  was  desirous,  that  my  Lord  JESUS  CHRIST, 
should  have  some  special  Revenues  of  Glory,  from  the 
Temptations  (and  all  the  Afflictions)  that  have  befallen  me. 
Wherefore  I  fitted  for  the  Press,  a  Discourse,  which  I 
entituled;  Great  Consolations;  or,  A  brief  Essay  upon 
the  Joy  of  a  Tempted  Christian,  triumphing  over  his  Tempta- 
tions.    And  I  gave  it  unto  the  Printer.' 

14  d.  6  m.  [August]Satureday.  Designing  the  next  Week, 
to  return  irnto  the  married  State,  I  sett  apart  this  Day,  by 
Prayer  with  Fasting  to  seek  the  Blessing  of  God,  upon  me, 
in  that  Affayr;  that  all  my  Sins  may  be  pardoned,  and  that 
no  Guilt  may  accompany  me,  to  procure  me  Chastisements 
from  Heaven  in  the  State  whereinto  I  am  entring;  and  that 
all  the  Circumstances  of  the  next  Week,  may  be  mercifully 
directed  and  ordered  by  the  Lord. 

The  dreadful  Calamities  of  our  poor  Plantations,  upon 
which  the  Indians  are  now  committing  their  cruel  Depre- 
dations, did  also  call  me,  and  cause  me,  to  ly  in  the  Dust 
before  the  Lord. 

i&d.bm.  Wednesday.  THIS  is  the  Day,  the  joyful 
Day,  wherein  my  glorious  Lord  JESUS  CHRIST  brings 
me,  to  the  rich  Harvest  of  my  Prayers,  my  Tears,  my  Resig- 
nations. I  am  in  the  Evening  of  this  Day,  to  receive  a 
most  lovely  Creature,  and  such  a  Gift  of  Heaven  unto 
me,  and  mine,  that  the  Sense  thereof  almost  as  often  as  I 
ponder  thereon,  dissolves  me  into  Tears  of  Joy. 

I  resolved,  that  I  would  spend  the  Day  in  Heaven,  if 
the  Lord  would  please  to  open  unto  me  His  Heaven.  I 
spent  the  whole  Day  in  my  Study,  devoting  it  as  a  solemn 
THANKSGIVING  unto  the  Lord.  I  gave  Thanks  for  the 
various  and  marvellous  mercies  of  God  unto  me,  and  I 
sang  His  Praises,  with  a  Repetition  of  Devotions,  wherein 
my  Soul  melted  into  Tears,  felt  the  Love  of  God  xmto  me, 

'  Printed  by  B.  Green  and  J.  Allen,  1703. 

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AUGUST,   1703  495 

in  all  that  has  befallen  me.  But  I  gave  Thanks  very  par- 
ticularly, for  my  astonishing  Preservations,  from  undoing 
myself,  my  Ministry,  and  my  Family,  under  the  amazing 
Temptations,  which  in  the  Time  of  my  Widowhood,  I  have 
mett  withal;  and  for  my  being  brought  at  length,  so  near 
to  the  Enjoyment  of  a  most  amiable  Person,  and  the  most 
agreeable  Consort  (all  things  considered)  that  all  America 
could  have  afforded  me.  The  forming  and  finding  of  this 
excellent  Creature,  hath  been  a  signal  Work  of  my  Lord 
Jesus  Christ;  and  His  glorious  Angel  has  doubtless  been 
employ'd  about  it! 

God  made  this  Day,  to  be  imto  me,  a  Day  of  more  than 
ordinary  Entertaiimients  from  the  heavenly  World.  I  was 
this  Day  in  the  Spirit,  filled  with  the  Love  and  Joy  of  the 
Lord.  I  now  know,  that  God  has  loved  me  with  an  ever- 
lasting Love,  and  hath  yett  great  Things  to  do  for  me, 
and  by  me. 

In  the  Evening,  my  Father  married  me,  unto  a  Wife, 
in  finding  of  whom,  I  have  to  my  Astonishment  found 
Favour  of  the  Lord. 

I  thought  I  should  glorify  my  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  and 
approve  myself  an  exemplary  Man,  if,  as  I  never  declined 
any  Service  unto  the  Lord,  for  any  Affiction,  so  neither 
should  I  for  any  Enjoyment.  Wherefore,  I  preached  the 
Lecture  on  Thursday,  the  Day  after  my  Marriage;  and  as 
I  preached  to  a  vast  Assembly,  so  I  preached  with  a  great 
Assistence;  I  had  a  more  than  usual  Presence  of  the  Lord 
with  me,  in  all  the  Service  before  me. 

Returning  Home,  as  I  was  alone,  I  had  my  Soul  even 
ravished  with  the  Thoughts  of  the  Divine  Favour  to  me; 
resolving  hereupon  to  lay  myself  out  in  the  Service  of  my 
dear  L[ord]  Jesus  Christ,  and  of  His  Churches,  unto  the 
uttermost. 

I  then  repaired  unto  an  handsome  Entertainment,  which 
the  Brother  of  my  lovely  Consort  made  for  the  Ministers 
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496  DIARY  OF  COTTON  MATHER 

of  this,  and  the  neighbouring  Towns,  as  well  as  our  several 
Relatives;  in  the  close  whereof,  we  sang  the  Close  of  the 
Ninetieth  psalm. 

On  August  24.  Tuesday.  I  brought  my  lovely  Consort 
home;  and  made  an  agreeable  Entertainment  at  my  House, 
for  the  Relatives  of  both. 

28  d.  6  m.  Satureday.  I  spent  this  Day,  in  my  Study; 
devoting  it  imto  the  Exercises  of  a  secret  Fast  before  the 
Lord. 

One  special  Errand  I  had  unto  Heaven  this  Day  was, 
that  inasmuch  as  I  had  enjoy'd  more  than  ordinary  Expe- 
rience, of  the  Lord's  being  the  Hearer  of  Prayer,  I  might 
have  the  Spirit  of  Grace  and  of  Prayer  poured  out  upon  me, 
to  render  me  more  a  Man  of  Prayer  than  ever  I  have  been 
in  my  Life  before. 

I  proposed  also,  with  my  Cries  to  Heaven  for  Mercies 
of  a  more  general  Importance  to  our  own  Land,  and  the 
French  Protestants,  etc.  to  join  my  Cries  for  Blessings  on 
my  recruited  Family,  and  for  Grace  rightly  to  improve  the 
Favours  of  the  Lord. 

These  Papers  do  not  now  fill  so  fast  as  they  did.  The 
Month  of  September  passes  away,  with  little  Matter  afforded 
for  these  Memorials. 

There  are  two  Reasons  for  it. 

First,  I  sacrifice  much  Time,  to  the  Visits  of  my  Friends, 
who  visit  me,  with  Congratulations  of  my  happy  Return 
to  the  married  State. 

But,  then,  that  which  is  more  considerable,  is,  that  in 
my  Return  to  the  married  State,  I  am  reaping  an  aston- 
ishing Harvest,  of  the  Prayers,  and  Fasts,  and  Mortifica- 
tions, which  engrossed  so  much  of  my  Time  in  the  Months 
that  are  past. 

God  has  delivered  me,  from  wonderful  Temptations  and 
Confusions;  and  He  has  bestow'd  upon  me,  a  most  amiable' 

'  The  words  "and  admirable"  have  been  struck  out. 

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OCTOBER,     1703  497 

Consort.  Her  Prudence  and  her  Goodness,  accompanied 
with  a  grateful  Personage,  are  an  astonishing  Answer  to 
the  Supplications,  which  I  have  made  unto  God,  and  which 
His  People  have  also  made  for  me.  I  must  here  enter  this 
Testimony  for  the  Lord,  that  He  is  Good  unto  them  that 
wait  for  Him,  unto  the  Soul  that  seeketh  Him. 

However,  I  am  not  now  in  such  Distresses,  as  caused 
me  and  called  me,  a  while  ago,  to  multiply  my  Dayes  of 
Humiliation. 

Only,  the  Lord  now  awakens  a  just  Fear  in  me,  lest 
my  Prosperity  prove  a  Disadvantage  to  my  Interiour,  and 
lest  a  sensual,  casual,  insipid  Frame  of  Spirit  grow  upon 
me.  Lord  I  make  me,  and  keep  fne  watchful,  I  pray  thee,  I 
pray  thee  I 

23.  d.  7  m.  [September.]  Thursday.  I  should  have  kept  a 
Day  this  week,  in  the  Duties  of  a  secret  Fast.  But  a  public 
One  this  day  took  me.  The  whole  Province  is  this  day 
crying  to  God,  concerning  our  own  Condition,  and  that  of 
the  Church  and  World  abroad  at  this  Day.  And  I  bear 
my  part,  with  my  Congregation,  in  it. 

About  this  Time,  I  have  my  Soul  awakened,  importu- 
nately to  beg  three  Favours  of  the  Lord. 

First,  that  CHRIST  may  appear  to  me,  the  most  glorious 
of  all  Objects. 

Next,  that  SIN  may  appear  to  me,  the  most  odious  of 
all  Objects. 

Thirdly,  that  the  Heavenly  World,  may  be  as  real  to  me 
as  any  thing  upon  Earth. 

14  d.  8  m.  [October.]  Wednesday.  Being  to  morrow  to  con- 
clude my  Lectures  on  The  Wiles  of  the  Divel,  I  thought  it 
proper  for  me,  to  sett  apart  this  Day  for  the  Devotions 
of  Prayer  with  Fasting  before  the  Lord;  that  so  I  may 
obtain  the  Pardon  of  all  my  Follies,  wherein  the  Wiles  of 
the  Divel,  from  time  to  time  have  circumvented  me;  and 
that  I  may  also  obtain  a  Presence  of  the  Lord  with  me, 
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498  DIARYOF  COTTON  MATHER 

tomorrow,  and  the  Acceptance  of  these  and  my  other 
Labours  among  His  people. 

And  it  now  being  a  Time,  that  our  Ships  are  coming  in 
from  London,  I  judg'd  it  proper  for  me,  to  humble  myself 
before  the  Lord,  that  I  may  be  prepared  for  whatever 
Tidings  may  be  coming  to  me  from  thence;  particularly, 
relating  to  the  Books  that  I  have  sent  over  thither  to  be 
pubHshed;  and  that,  if  it  may  be,  I  may  be  comforted  with 
Tidings  concerning  the  Acceptance,  which  my  Labours  find 
among  the  People  of  God. 

On  the  Day  following,  the  Lord  was  mercifully  with  me. 

And  on  this  Day,  I  received  Letters  from  England, 
which  give  me  surprising  Informations  concerning  the  Ac- 
ceptance which  my  Church-History  meets  withal,  from  one 
End  of  England  unto  the  other,  and  of  the  Lrfluence  which 
it  is  like  to  have  upon  the  evangelical  Literests.' 

23  d.  8  m.  Satureday.  I  sett  apart  this  Day  also,  for  the 
Duties  of  a  religious  Fast,  in  my  Study. 

One  special  Errand  upon  which  I  now  went  unto  the 
Lord  was,  that  the  Composures  which  I  have  sent  imto 
London,  may  not  be  lost. 

As  also  that  I  may  be  directed  and  assisted,  in  regard 
of  some  other  Composures,  which  I  ha\e  now  before  me. 

There  was  one  particular  Matter  of  Thought  and  Prayer 
which  I  had  now  to  carry  before  the  Lord. 

My  fi\-e  Lectures  on  The  Wiles  of  the  Divcl,  are  desired 
by  many  good  people,  to  be  pubhshed  by  the  Press.  I 
thought,  it  might  push  my  Revenge  upon  the  Divel  home, 
and  prove  a  Service  unto  the  Interests  of  Christianity,  if 
I  should  proceed  unto  this  Publication.  But  the  Expence 
was  one  Discouragement.  So  I  carried  the  Matter  imto 
the  Lord;    I  humbled  myself  before  him,  for  my  great 

'  Samuel  Mather  gives  in  the  Life  of  Cotton  Mather,  64,  an  incident  in  Mather's 
life,  when  on  October  10, 1 704,  he  was  sent  for  by  one  George  Fielding,  a  man  notec 
for  his  wickedness  and  for  his  abuse  of  Dr.  Mather,  and  then  lying  on  his  death  bed. 
The  man's  remorse  is  made  an  opportunity  to  picture  Mather's  magnatumity. 

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NOVEMBER,     1703  499 

unworthiness  to  be  used  in  any  Work  for  His  Name,  and 
Church;  and  especially,  for  defeating  the  WUes  of  the  Divel, 
inasmuch  as  I  had  myseK  so  frequently  and  horribly  been 
deluded  by  his  WUes.  Nevertheless,  I  pleaded,  that  the 
same  sovereign  Grace,  which  had  hitherto  made  use  of  me, 
might  still  do  so;  and  the  Lord  HimseK  best  knew,  what 
would  be  of  any  use  imto  His  Interests.  I  entreated  of 
Him,  that,  if  He  would  have  me  to  proceed,  with  an  Offer 
of  my  Lectures,  to  the  public.  He  would  by  some  encour- 
aging Circumstances  make  my  Way  plain  before  me.  So  I 
left  it  with  the  Lord. 

Within  a  few  Hours,  there  came  to  me,  a  Gentleman, 
one  of  the  Council,  (Mr.  Eliakim  Hutchinson)  with  a  Pro- 
posal, that,  I  would  pubUsh  my  Lectures  on  the  Wiles  of 
the  Divel  adding,  that  all  the  Paper  which  the  Impression 
would  call  for,  was  in  his  Storehouse,  and  at  my  Service, 
if  I  would  accept  of  it.     I  wondered  at  this  Occurrence! 

But  now  seeing  my  Way  plain  before  me,  I  went  on  to 
transcribe,  and  fitt  up,  the  poor  Discourses;  which  (tho' 
it  were  a  laborious  Task)  the  Lord  helped  me  to  do.  So 
I  give  the  Book  imto  the  Booksellers,  entituled;  The 
Armour  of  Christianity.* 

Partly  the  Encumbrance  of  my  preparing  so  much 
Work  for  the  press,  and  partly  the  Variety  of  my  other 
Emplo)mient,  hinder  my  entring  of  many  Things  in  these 
Papers,  that  should  have  been  remembred. 

And  many  of  my  Designs  to  serve  Christ,  and  do 
good,  are  only  in  the  Lord's  Book  of  Remembrance.  But 
some  of  them  are  in  the  Memorials  of  the  Societies  with 
which  I  am  continually  contriving  Methods  to  promote 
Religion. 

20  d.  9  m.  {November  \  Satureday.  I  was  again  with 
Prayer  and  Fasting,  in  Secret  before  the  Lord. 

Little  that  was  memorable  occurr'd  unto  me. 

'  Printed  by  Timothy  Green  for  Benjamin  Eliot,  1704. 

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500  DIARY   OF  COTTON  MATHER 

Only  I  perceive,  that  this  Year  is  like  to  be  a  bearing 
Year  with  me. 

Oh !  the  Free-Grace,  the  Favour  of  Heaven,  to  the  Chief 
of  Sinners! 

On  the  Lord's-day  in  the  Evening  {21  d.  g  m)  I  preached 
a  Sermon  unto  our  young  Men,  on  Joh.  21.  20.  The  Dis- 
ciple whom  Jesus  Loved.  The  young  Men  desired  a  Copy 
of  the  Sermon,  that  it  might  be  published.  So  I  gave 
it  'em.  It  is  entituled,  Jedediah.  or,  A  Favourite  of 
Heaven  described.' 

About  this  time  I  endeavoured  several  Services  to  my 
Countrey,  by  writing  Letters,  to  the  Lord-president  of  the 
Queen's  Council,  and  the  Earl  of  Nottingham,  the  Queen's 
Principal  Secretary  of  State,  and  some  other  Persons  of 
Quality. 

18  d.  ID  m.  [December.]  Satureday.  I  sett  apart  the  Day, 
for  Prayer  with  Fasting,  in  my  Study; 

One  special  Errand  unto  Heaven  was,  that  my  Book  of, 
The  Confirmed  Christian,  might  not  be  lost. 

About  this  Time,  I  did  a  Service,  which  tho'  small  for 
the  Labour,  I  hope,  will  prove  great  for  the  Effect  of  it.  I 
composed  a  Sheet,  entituled,  Methods  and  Motives,  for 
A  Society  to  Suppress  Disorders.'  I  have  given  some 
Accounts  of  the  Reforming  Societies  in  the  English  Nation; 
I  have  directed,  how  every  little  Town  may  come  to  have 
such  a  Society  in  it.  I  have  declared,  what  excellent  Things 
may  be  done  by  such  a  Society.  I  have  animated  good 
Men,  to  unite  in  such  an  Undertaking.  And  pubUshing  of 
the  Sheet,  I  contrive  a  Way  to  send  it  into  all  Parts  of  the 
Countrey.  It  may  be,  the  Lord  will  prosper  this  Endeav- 
our, and  some  notable  Things  may  be  done  for  God  and 
Christ,  and  Religion,  from  one  End  of  the  Land  unto  the  other. 

About  this^Time,  the  Death  of  a  vertuous  Gentlewoman, 

'  Printed  by  B.  Green  and  J.  Allen,  1703. 
•  Ibid. 

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JANUARY,     1703-04  501 

and  my  Desire  to  take  such  an  Opportunity  to  make  Poetry 
subservient  unto  the  Designs  of  Vertue,  I  composed  a  large 
Elegy,  upon  her;  entituled,  EvprjKa,  or  A  Virtuous  woman 

FOXJND.i 

The  Gentleman,  her  Husband,  pubUshed  it. 

iSd.  II  m.  [January.]  Saiureday.  Setting  apart  this  Day, 
for  Prayers  with  Fasting,  before  the  Lord,  it  proved  a  Day, 
not  wthout  some  special  Impressions  and  Enjoyments  from 
Heaven  vouchsafed  imto  me. 

Especially  when  I  was  in  one  Part  of  this  Day,  sitting 
as  before  the  Lord,  and  thinking  on  the  Purposes  of  sover- 
eign and  infinite  Grace,  to  make  me  happy,  in  the  Fruition 
of  God  and  of  His  Christ,  forevermore.  I  was  dissolved 
in  Tears,  and  my  Soul  was  transported  with  Raptures  of 
Love  to  God,  and  the  Love  and  Joy  of  God  so  raptured  me, 
that  I  readily  consented  unto  it,  that  if  the  Service  and 
Interest  of  God  required  my  being  either  annihilated  or 
miserable,  it  should  be  so;  I  was  willing  it  should  be  so; 
I  was  wholly  sacrificed  unto  God  in  a  Flame  of  Love;  I  was 
willing  to  be  anything,  yea,  to  be  nothing,  if  the  Great 
God  may  be  glorified.  And  then  an  astonishing  Assurance 
ensued  upon  it,  that  so  far  would  my  God  be  from  order- 
ing my  being  annihilated  or  miserable.  He  would  forever 
take  pleasure  to  glorify  Himself  in  heaping  inconceiveable 
Blessedness  upon  me. 

God  having  in  this  Month,  made  me  victorious  over 
great  and  strong  Temptations,  He  rewards  me  by  raising 
me  to  a  very  intimate  Conversation  with  Heaven.  He 
teaches  me  to  spend  my  Time  unto  better  Advantage,  than 
I  have  often  done.  He  makes  me  very  diligent  in  my 
Studies.  He  helps  me  with  Diligence  to  dispatch  Abun- 
dance of  Services.  He  makes  me  more  prayerful,  more 
fruitful,  and  more  watchful.  He  smiles  upon  my  publick 
Actions.     His  Light  shines  upon  my  Tabernacle. 

'  Her  name  was  Mrs.  Mary  Brown.     Printed  by  B.  Green  and  J.  Allen,  1703. 

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502  DIARY  OF  COTTON  MATHER 

About  this  Time,  I  finished  a  large  Discourse  about  the 
blessed  Chiliad,  at  the  Desire  of  the  Minister  of  Salem.  I 
entituled  it,  Problema  Theologictjm  or,  An  Essay,  con- 
cerning the  Eappy  State  expected  far  the  Church  on  Earth 
in  the  Latter  Dayes;  Endeavouring  to  demonstrate,  that  the 
Second  Coming  of  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  mil  be  at  the  Begin- 
ning of  that  Happy  State;  with  some  Thoughts  about  the 
Characters  and  Approaches  of  it.^ 

I  sent  it  afterwards  unto  a  Bookseller  in  London;  with 
some  Alteration  of  the  Titlepage. 

2d.  12  m.  [February.]  Wednesday.  I  am  to  morrow,  to 
entertain  a  Congregation  (and  perhaps,  a  very  great  one,) 
with  a  Discourse  upon  the  Improvement  that  a  baptised 
Christian  should  make  of  his  Baptism.  That  so  my  Mouth, 
(my  sinful  Mouth,)  may  be  accepted  by  the  Lord,  and 
made  as  His  Mouth  unto  His  People,  I  thought  it  proper 
this  Day  to  lay  my  Mouth  in  the  Dust.  I  humbled  myself 
before  God,  with  Fasting  and  Prayer,  that  I  might  obtain 
the  Pardon  of  all  my  Sins,  and  particvdarly,  my  not  improv- 
ing my  Baptism  as  I  should  have  done,  and  not  having 
lived  in  that  Purity  and  Sanctity,  that  is  required  of  the 
Baptised.  It  seem'd  unto  me,  a  necessary  Preparation  for 
my  preaching  on  common  Sins,  to  gett  the  Pardon  of  my 
own;  and  for  my  pressing  of  Graces  and  of  Dutyes,  to 
bewayl  my,  own  Miscarriages  and  renew  and  revive  my 
Resolutions. 

I  obtained  some  Assurance,  that  the  Lord  wiU  to  morrow 
afford  me  much  of  His  gracious  Presence. 

And  I  spread  before  the  Lord,  the  many  other  Cases, 
which  this  Day  were  proper  to  be  mentioned. 

But  there  fell  out  one  Thing  something  remarkable. 

I  had  some  Thoughts,  that  my  Discourse  of  Baptism. 
if  the  Lord  please,  might  prove  serviceable  unto  the  evan- 
geUcal  Interests,  and  might  serviceably  be  published  unto 

'  See  p.  571,  infra. 

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FEBRUARY,     1703-O4  5O3 

the  Churches  of  the  Lord.  I  laid  the  Matter  before  Him, 
and  ask'd  that  He  would  order  some  Encouragements  for 
it,  if  He  had  any  Service  to  be  done  by  this  Discourse  unto 
His  People. 

Behold,  in  the  Evening  there  was  brought  unto  me  the 
Summ  of  ten  peeces  of  Eight,  from  a  worthy  man,  as  far 
off  as  Rftode  Island,  who  had  understood,  that  a  month 
ago,  I  had  at  the  Lecture  begun  a  Discourse  of  Baptism, 
which  I  am  to  morrow  to  finish;  and  now  presented  me 
with  such  a  Summ  to  forward  the  Impression  of  it. 

On  the  Day  ensuing,  I  preached  to  a  vast  Assembly, 
with  a  great  Assistence. 

My  Discourse,  I  give  to  the  Bookseller,  entituled,  A 
Tree  planted  by  the  Rivers  of  Water;  or,  An  Essay 
upon  the  Godly  and  glorious  Improvements,  which  Baptised 
Christians  are  to  make  of  their  Sacred  Baptism^ 

The  Course  of  my  Public  Miotstry. 

14  d.  12  m.  [February.]  ijoi.  I  preached  on  i.  Cor.  i.  30.  Union 
with  Jesus  Christ. 

18  d.  12  m.  Thursday.  It  was  a  general  Fast.  I  preached  on 
Job.  9.  28.  Sorrowful  Christians  being  afraid  of  all  their  Sorrowes. 
(My  own  sad  Condition.) 

21  d.  12  m.  I  returned  unto  my  Course  of  Sermons,  on  the 
Gospel  to  the  Ephesians.  I  preached  on  Eph.  i.  15.  Handling 
(besides  other  preliminary  Lessons)  Faith  apprehending  of  a  Jesus, 
and  a  Lord. 

28  d.  12  m.  I  preached,  on  Isa.  56.  2.  The  Doctrine  of  the 
Sabbath. 

/[d.im.  [March.]  1703.  Thursday.  I  preached,  on  Rev.  i.  10. 
The  Institution  and  observation  of,  the  LORDS  DAY. 

■jd.  im.     I  preached,  on  Eph.  1.15.    Love  to  all  the  Saints. 

14 d.  int.  I  preached,  on  i.  Cor.  i.  30.  Christ  made  Wisdome 
unto  us.     (And  I  administred  the  Eucharist) 

18  d.  I  m.  Thursday.  I  preached  the  Lecture  on  Rom.  2.  4. 
The  use  to  be  made  of  the  Divine  Goodness.    Applying  it  unto  the 

'  Printed  by  Bartholomew  Green  for  Samuel  Phillips,  1704. 

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504  DIARY  or  COTTON  MATHER 

Condition  of  the  Town,  praeserved  in,  and  restored  from,  the  Sor- 
rowes  of  the  late  Winter. 

21  d.  I  m.     I  preached  on  Eph.  i.  16.    Secret  Prayer. 

24  d.  I  m.  Wednesday.  I  preached,  at  a  Fast  kept  by  the  People 
of  Woburn,  praying  for  Direction  in  their  Choice  of  a  Pastor,  on 
Eph.  I.  9.    The  use  of  the  Disfjcnsacon  of  the  Gospel. 

28  d.  I  tn.     I  preached  on  Psal.  17.  4.    The  Pathes  of  the  Destroyer. 

I  d.  2  m.  [April.]  Thursday.  I  preached  the  Lecture,  on  Philem. 
4.    My  prayers.    Inculcating  of  secret  prayer. 

4(2.  2  m.  I  preached  on  Eph.  i.  17.  Considerations  of  God, 
as  the  God  of  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ  and  the  Father  of  Glory;  in  our 
Prayers  to  Him. 

8d.  2  m.  Thursday.  T'was  a  Thanksgiving  thro'  the  Province, 
for  Successes  against  the  French.  I  preached  on  Isa.  43.  14.  Great 
Things  done  in  the  world,  for  the  Sake  of  the  Church. 

II  d.  2  m.  I  preached  on  Act.  21.  14.  Resignation  to  the  Will 
of  God. 

18  d.  2  m.  I  preached  on  Eph.  i.  17.  The  Spirit  of  Wisdome, 
and  Revelation,  bringing  us  to  the  Kncwledge  of  God  in  our  Lord 
Jesus  Christ.     (With  surprising  Assistences.) 

25  (/.  2  m.  I  preached,  on,  Psal.  30.  [tit.]  The  Dedication  of  our 
Houses  unto  God. 

29  d.  2  m.  Thursday.  I  preached,  the  Lecture,  on  i.  Sam.  20. 
29.     A  Family-Sacrifice.     (Greatly  assisted  of  Heaven.) 

2  (f.  3  m.  [May.]  I  preached,  on  Eph.  i.  18.  The  Eyes  of  the 
Understanding  tnlight'nd,  to  know  the  Hope  of  the  Calling  of  God. 

5  d.  3  m.  Wednesday.  I  preached,  the  Lecture  at  Reading,  on 
Eph.  I.  17. 

9^.  3  w.  I  preached,  on  i.  Cor.  i.  30.  Christ  made  Righteous- 
ness unto  us.     (And  I  administred  the  Eucharist.) 

i6d.  3  m.  I  preached  on  Eph.  i.  18.  The  Riches  of  the  Glory 
in  the  Inheritance  of  God,  in  the  Saints. 

19  d.  3  m.  Wednesday.  A  Fast  was  kept  in  our  Congregation, 
to  obtain  the  Fear  of  God,  for  the  rising  Generation.  I  preached  on 
Exod.  15.  2.  Choosing  the  Great  God,  and  our  Father's  God,  for  our 
Chim  God;  and  providing  an  Habitation  for  Him. 

23  rf.  3  m.  I  preached,  at  Salem,  A.M.  on  Eph.  i.  18.  The 
Riches  of  Glory  in  Heaven.  P.M.  on  Eph.  i.  12.  Inviting  both  old 
and  young,  to  lay  hold  on  it. 

3orf.  3  m.  I  preached  again,  on  Eph.  i.  18.  The  Riches  of 
Glory,  etc. 

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FEBRUARY,     T703-O4  50$ 

3  d.  4  m.  [June.]  Thursday.  I  preached  the  Lecture,  (being  sud- 
denly putt  upon  it,)  on  Hos.  9.  12.  The  sad  State  of  a  people,  from 
whom  God  is  departed. 

6d.  4  m.  I  preached,  on  Rom.  8.  18.  The  Suffering  of  the 
present  Time,  and  the  Glory  of  the  future  State;  and  the  Reckoning 
of  the  former  to  be  of  no  Weight  against  the  latter. 

13  d.  4  m.  I  preached,  on  Eph.  i.  19.  The  exceeding  Greatness 
of  the  Power  of  God. 

20  d.  ^m.  I  preached,  on  Jam.  1.  2.  The  great  Joy,  which  a 
good  Man  may  have  under  all  Sorts  of  Temptations.  (It  being  with 
myself  a  Time  of  sad  and  sore  Temptations.) 

24  d.  4  m.  Thursday.  I  preached,  on  Eph.  6.  11.  The  Wiles  of 
the  Divel. 

27  i.  4  m.  I  preached,  on  Eph.  i.  20.  The  Power  of  God,  in 
the  Resurrection  of  Christ. 

4  (f.  5  m.  [/u/y.]  I  preached,  on  i.  Cor.  i.  30.  Christ,  made 
Holiness  unto  us.     (And  I  administred  the  Eucharist.) 

II  d.  $m.  I  preached,  on  Eph.  i.  20.  God  setting  of  Christ 
at  His  own  right  Hand,  in  heavenly  Places. 

18  d.  <,m.  I  preached,  on  Prov.  28.  26.  Walking  wisely;  gen- 
eral Rules  for  it. 

22  d.  $nt.  Thursday,  I  preached  on  Eph.  6.  11.  The  Wiles  of 
the  Divel;  to  draw  men  into  Sin;  and  to  defeat  the  Good  that  should 
be  gott  by  the  Means  of  Good. 

25  rf.  s  m.  I  preached,  on  Eph.  i.  21.  Christ,  far  above  all 
Things  in  all  Worids. 

id.  6  m.  [August.]  I  preached,  on  Prov.  25.  26.  The  Wisdome 
to  be  exercised  in  a  Christian  Walk  about  making  our  Prayer,  and 
spending  our  Time. 

gd.6m.     I  preached  on  Eph.  i.  21.    The  World  to  come. 

IS  d.  6  m.  I  preached,  on  Prov.  28.  26.  The  Wisdome,  to  be 
expressed,  in  beleeving  in  Christ,  and  in  subduing  of  Sin. 

igd.6m.  Thursday.  I  preached  the  Lecture,  on  Eph.  6.  11. 
The  Wiies  of  the  Divel,  to  hinder  the  Conversion  of  the  Unre- 
generate. 

22  d.6m.  I  preached,  on  Eph.  i.  22.  Christ,  the  Head  of  the 
Church. 

2gd.6m.  I  preached  again,  on  Eph.  i.  22.  Christ  the  Head 
of  the  Church.     (And  I  administred  the  Eucharist.) 

Sd.jm.  [September.]  I  preached,  on  Eph.  i.  22.  The  Church, 
the  Body  and  Fulness  of  Christ. 

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5o6  DIARY  OF  COTTON  MATHER 

12  d.  "J  m.  I  preached,  on  Prov.  28.  26.  The  Wisdome  to  be 
exercised  in  attending  on  Ordinances,  and  observing  of  Providences. 

16  d. -J  m.  Thursday.  I  preached  the  Lecture,  on  Eph.  6.  11. 
The  Wiles  of  the  Divel,  to  hinder  the  Duties  of  a  Christian  Conver- 
sation. 

igd.  J  m.  I  preached,  on  Eph.  2.  i.  Death  in  Trespasses  and 
Sins. 

23  d.  7  m.  Thursday.  A  general  Fast;  I  preached  on  Isa.  42.  24. 
God  ordering  His  People  to  be  spoiled  and  robbed,  for  the  Chastise- 
ment of  their  Sinning  against  Him. 

26  d.  "]  m.  I  preached  on  Prov.  28.  26.  The  Wisdome  to  be 
exercised  in  our  general  Calling,  and  in  our  personal  Calling. 

^d.  8  m.  [October.]  I  preached,  on  Eph.  2.  2.  The  Walk  of  the 
unconverted  Sinner,  and  the  Change  of  the  Converted,  from  what  he 
was  in  Time  past. 

6d.8m.  Wednesday.  I  preached  the  Lecture  at  Dedham,  on 
Eph.  I.  18.    The  Riches  of  Glory,  in  Heaven. 

10  d.  8  m.  I  preached  on  John  5.  2.  The  Purging  of  the  fruitful 
C[hrisltian  to  produce  more  Fruit,  and  the  taking  away  of  the  Fruitless. 

14  d.  8  m.  Thursday.  I  preached  the  Lecture  concluding  my 
Discourses  on  Eph.  6.  11.     The  Wiles  of  the  Divel. 

ij  d.8m.  I  preached  on  Eph.  2.  2.  Walking  after  the  Course 
of  this  World. 

24  «f.  8  m.  I  preached  on  i.  Cor.  i.  30.  Redemption  by  Christ. 
(And  I  administred  the  Eucharist.) 

31  rf.  8  w.  I  preached  on  Eph.  2.  2.  The  Prince  of  the  power 
of  tite  Air,  and  of  the  Spirit  working  in  the  Children  of  Disobe- 
dience. 

T  d.  gm  [November.]  I  preached  on  Jer.  45.  5.  Against  seeking 
for  ourselves,  the  great  Things  of  this  World. 

14  d.  9  w.  I  preached  on  Eph.  2.  3.  The  abasing  Points  wherein 
the  best  of  Men  may  see  themselves  in  the  same  Level  with  the  worst 
of  Men. 

21  d.  g  m.  I  preached  on  Rom.  14.  7.  8.  [Not]  living  or  dying 
unto  ourselves,  but  unto  the  Lord. 

2$d.gm.  Thursday.  I  preached  the  Lecture,  on  Judg.  2.  14. 
The  Condition  of  a  People  delivered  into  the  Hands  of  Spoilers. 

28  d.gm.  I  preached  (it  being  a  very  stormy  Time,)  on  Psal. 
61.  2.    The  Shelter,  in  the  Rock. 

5  d.  10  m.  [December.]  I  preached,  on  Gal.  3.  27.  The  Improve- 
ment which  the  baptised,  should  make  of  their  Baptism. 

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FEBRUARY,     1703-04  507 

9.  d  10  m.  Thursday.  A  Thanksgiving  thro'  the  Province.  I 
preached  on  Jer.  25.  6.    The  Lord's  doing  His  People  no  hurt. 

12  d.  lo  m.     I  preached,  a  second  Time,  on  Gal.  3.  27. 

19  d.  10  m.  I  preached  on  Psal.  89.  6.  The  Incomparableness 
of  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ  and  the  Preference  which  the  Christian 
gives  to  Him.     (And  I  administred  the  Eucharist.) 

26d.  :ow.  I  preached,  on  Job.  22.  29.  The  Tempers  and 
Blessings  of  the  humble.     (It  being  an  himibling  Time.) 

2  d.  II  m.  [January.]     I  preached,  a  third  Time,  on  Gal.  3.  27. 

6d.  II  m.  Thursday.  I  preached  the  Lecture,  on  i.  Pet.  3.  21. 
The  conscientimis  Improvement  of  Baptism. 

gd.  II  m.     I  preached,  on  Eph.  2.  3.    Original  Sin. 

xbd.iim.     I  preached,  on  Psal.  19.  13.     The  Dominion  of  Sin. 

23  (i.  II  TO.  I  preached,  on  Eph.  2.  3.  My  second  Sermon  on 
Original  Sin. 

26  d.  II  m.  Wednesday.  I  preached  the  Lecture  at  Dedham;  on 
I.  Cor.  I.  30.     Redemption  by  Christ. 

30  d.  II  TO.  I  preached,  on  Luk.  i.  38.  A  Consent  unto  the 
glorious  Truths  and  gracious  Tenders,  of  the  Gospel;  and  earnestly 
besf)oke  it. 

2,d.  12  TO.  [February]  Thursday.  I  preached  the  Lecture  on  i.  Pet. 
3.  21.  finishing  my  Discourse,  on  the  Improvement  of  Baptism. 

6d.  12  m.  I  preached,  on  Eph.  2.  3.  Desires  of  the  Flesh,  and 
of  the  Mind. 

To  Samuel  Penhallow.  m.  h.  s. 

Boston,  ^d.  10  to.,  1704. 
Sir,  —  No  ordinary  Essay  can  bring  me  out  of  your  Debt.  I 
am  vastly  endebted  unto  you,  for  your  communicative  Goodness, 
which  multiplies  Kindnesses  upon  me,  I  am  under  a  pleasant  Load 
of  obligations  unto  you;  very  particularly  for  your  imparted  Papers. 
Every  thing  from  you,  would  be  welcome  to  me,  if  there  were  no 
more  to  render  it  so,  but  only  that  it  is  from  you.  But  there  is  also 
an  Intrinsic  usefulness  in  the  Things  themselves,  to  render  them 
yett  more  welcome.  I  beseech  you  to  go  on,  in  this  way  of  grati- 
fying one  of  your  Sincerest  Friends.  I  have  nothing  to  Return  you, 
but  a  few  of  the  latest  Composures,  which  our  Press  has  help'd  into 
the  World.  It  may  be,  some  of  them  will  be  acceptable  to  some  of 
your  lovely  Children:  Especially  to  your  Eldest,  whom  I  more  par- 
ticularly know  and  Love. 

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508  DIARY  OF  COTTON  MATHER 

Her  Companion,  my  Daughter  Katy,  is  yesterday  taken  Danger- 
ously and  Violently  sick  of  the  Scarlet  Feavour;  and  we  are  with  much 
Care  and  Fear  waiting  the  event  of  the  Sickness.  My  next  Daughter, 
was  taken  ill  of  the  same  Distemper,  at  the  same  Time.  And  my 
only  Son,  who  has  been  longer  down  is  yett  very  ill  of  it.  My  Family 
is  on  these  Accounts  very  much  under  the  fatherly  Chastisements  of 
God.  God  make  me  and  mine  Gainers  by  his  chastising  Dispensa- 
tions; and  preserve  our  Neighbourhood,  from  the  spreading  of  a 
Calamity,  which  I  doubt  is  becoming  Epidemical. 

Under  such  Encumbrances,  I  have  scarce  Time  to  write  a  Letter. 

About  our  Friend  Col.  Hobby,  all  that  is  proper  to  be  Spoken,  at 
present,  is,  that  the  principal  Ministers  of  State,  offered  him,  to 
introduce  him  into  the  Government  of  A'.  England,  if  either  he,  or 
the  Gentlemen  of  the  Countrey,  would  prefer  any  Complaints  against 
the  present  Govemour.  He  generously  answered,  that  if  the  Gentle- 
men of  the  Coimtrey  had  no  Complaints  to  make,  for  his  part,  he 
should  make  none;  whereupon  there  was  at  present  no  further  Pro- 
ceeding. I  confess,  herein  he  did  but  follow  my  poor  Advice;  for 
I  had  said  unto  him,  that  I  would  by  no  means  have  him  do  any 
Thing  to  unhinge  the  present  Gentleman.'  [But,  things  were  oper- 
ating; and  C.  H.  chose  to  delay  what  services  he  had  to  do  for  the 
Countrey,  till  our  Ships  were  gone;  for  there  were  some  to  come 
over  in  them,  who  were  very  much  in  the  Interests  of  him  that  is 
now  at  our  Helm;  You  know  them.  etc.  etc.]  ^ 

I  have  nothing  at  this  Time  to  add,  but  that  with  mine  and  my 
Wife's  hearty  Service  to  you  and  yours,  (and  her  Thanks  for  your 
kind  Present,)  I  am.  Sir,  Ever  yours, 

C.  Mather. 

'  See  Hutchinson,  History,  n.  153. 

'  The  sentence  enclosed  in  brackets  was  struck  out,  but  is  clearly  legible, 
indicating  an  intention  on  Mather's  part  that  his  correspondent  should  be  able  to 
read  it. 


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1705 

THE  XLIIlD  YEAR. 

Libera  me,  quaero  Domino,  ex  mortali  illo  carcere;  verum 
tamen  si  adhuc  populo  tuo  sum  necessarius,  non  recuso 
laborem.     So  said  Martin  of  Tours. 

How  the  sons  of  good  Men  prove  useful  to  them,  See 
Lutheri  Quastiones  Sacr.  p.  84. 

THE  XLIIId   year  OF  MY  LIFE. 

12  d.  12  m.  [February.]  1704.  Monday.  Being  this  Day, 
two  and  forty  Years  old,  I  spent  the  Day  in  my  Study,  and  I 
distmguished  it,  with  my  THANKSGIVINGS,  and  Amaze- 
ments, before  the  Lord,  for  His  merciful  Sparing  of  my  Life 
to  this  Age,  and  for  the  astonishing  Mercies,  with  which 
He  has  filled  my  Life. 

About  this  Time,  I  wrote  an  Account  of  the  present 
State  of  Christianity,  among  our  Christianized  Indians; 
which  Accoimt,  having  a  Tendency  to  do  many  good  Ser- 
vices, as  well  as  to  answer  the  Desires  of  the  Corporation 
in  London,  for  whom  several  others,  with  me,  are  Com- 
misioners  to  look  after  that  considerable  Affayr,  it  was, 
by  order  of  the  Commissioners  published.  It  is  entituled : 
A  Letter  about  the  present  State  of  Christianity, 

AMONG  THE   CHRISTIANIZED  INDIANS   OF  NeW  ENGLAND.' 

I  d.  1  m.  [March.]  Thursday.  The  Year  begins  well.  It 
begins  with  a  general  Fast,  throughout  the  Province.  The 
Lord  graciously  assisted  me  in  the  Services  of  the  Day.  And 
He  made  my  Discourses  on.  Pouring  out  the  Soul  before  the 

'  Printed  by  T.  Green.    The  letter  was  addressed  to  Sir  William  Ashurst. 

[509! 

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JIO  DIARY  OF  COTTON  MATHER 

Lord,  a  Cure  of  Sadness,  to  be  exceeding  Serviceable  and 
Acceptable,  unto  Multitudes  that  were  under  Sadness. 

About  this  Time,  I  enjoy'd  some  singular  Consolation 
in  my  Soul,  from  an  Experience,  that  whatever  Dispensa- 
tion of  God  embittered  Sin  into  me,  and  recovered  me  from 
the  Hazards  of  Sin,  tho'  the  Dispensation  were  never  so 
bitter,  my  Soul  took  a  wonderful  Satisfaction  in  it,  was  glad 
of  it,  lov'd  and  bless'd  God  for  it. 

gd.  im.  Friday.  I  sett  apart  this  Day,  for  Prayer  with 
Fasting,  in  secret  Places. 

My  Soul  was  this  Day  full  of  Contritions  and  Abase- 
ments; but  I  arrived  unto  an  astonishing  Experience. 

I  considered  the  Afflictions  which  had  many  Wayes  been 
exercising  of  me.  I  considered  the  Holiness  of  God,  as  glo- 
rified in  chastising  me  with  all  these  Afflictions  for  my  sins 
against  Him.  I  took  part  with  the  Holiness  of  God  against 
myself.  I  think,  I  can  truly  say,  that  I  found  a  Principle 
within  me,  inexpressibly  gratified,  and  satisfied  and  rejoicing, 
that  the  Great  God  was  glorified,  even  by  my  own  being 
broken  with  miserable  Circumstances.  But  then  I  cannot 
express  the  Assurances,  with  which  the  Lord  irradiated  me, 
that  He  would  bring  me  near  imto  Himself,  and  not  pour 
out  His  Wrath,  but  His  Love,  upon  me  forevermore. 

ID  d.  I  m.  Satureday.  Tis  my  Grief  and  Shame,  that 
tho'  I  live  in  the  very  frequent  Practice  of  Self -Examination, 
yett  I  have  so  rarely  recorded  the  Method  and  Result  of 
that  Exercise.  I  hope  I  shall  force  the  Time  so  far,  as  to 
gett  into  my  Memorials,  more  of  such  Proceedings,  than  I 
have  done  heretofore;  and  that  inasmuch  as  my  Death  now 
approaches,  more  of  my  Accurate  Praeparation  ior  it,  will 
be  seen  in  these  reserved  Papers. 

This  Evening,  2d.  4  w.' 

16  d.  im.  Friday.  About  this  time,  the  Holy  Provi- 
dence of  God,  ordered  a  very  strange  Coincidence  of  many 

'  No  entry  was  made  under  this  date. 

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MARCH,     I  704-05  511 

Things,  whereupon  Reproaches  were  multiplied  against  me, 
and  my  Enemies  reproached  me  with  many  Falshoods,  and 
such  things  as  had  a  Tendency  to  hurt  my  Ser\-iceableness, 
and  strike  out  the  Apple  of  my  Eye. 

On  this  Occasion  I  thought  it  proper  to  lay  myself  in 
the  Dust  before  the  Lord,  and  spend  at  least  one  Day  every 
week  in  Humiliations  and  SuppUcations.  I  did  so  this  Day, 
as  I  had  also  done  this  Day  se'nnight. 

I  confessed,  and  bewayled,  my  many  Sins,  before  the 
Lord;  and  such  Sins  especially,  as  my  unjust  Reproaches 
might  lead  me  to  think  of,  and  of  which  I  might  apprehend 
them  to  be  the  just  Chastisements. 

From  the  Dust,  and  from  the  Depths,  I  cried  unto  the 
Lord,  for  the  Pardon,  of  these  my  Sins;  and  pleaded  the 
great  Sacrifice,  as  my  only  Refuge. 

I  cried  unto  the  Lord,  that  my  Opportunities  to  do  good 
might  be  still  rescued  and  praeserved,  from  all  that  may 
threaten  Damage  unto  them. 

And  I  considered,  that  tho'  my  whole  Time  all  the  Day 
long,  and  all  the  Week  long,  is  employ'd  in  a  continual 
Contrivance  of  raptured  Zeal  to  do  good;  yett  few  Men  meet 
with  such  Clogs  in  it,  from  the  Malignity  of  evil  People  as 
I  do;  and,  if  I  had  jogg'd  on  in  an  indiflerent  Manner  as 
others  do  and  less  thwarted  and  vexed  the  Divel  in  his  In- 
terests, I  might  have  been  as  little  envied  and  maligned  as 
they;  but  I  resolved,  that  I  would  not  at  all  abate  of  my 
Endeavours  to  be  universally  serviceable. 

About  this  Time,  among  other  Endeavours  to  be  ser- 
viceable, I  considered,  that  our  Christianized  Indians,  need 
a  better  Acquaintance  with  the  Lawes  of  the  Province 
against  punishable  Wickedness.  An  Abstract  of  the  said 
Lawes,  turned  into  their  Language,  and  printed  for  them, 
to  have  the  same  scattered  among  them,  I  was  advised,  that 
would  be  greatly  beneficial  to  them.  I  composed  such  an 
Abstract,  and  procured  another  to  translate  it,  that  it  might 
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512  DIARY  OF  COTTON  MATHER 

be  accordingly  published.     I  suited  their  Genius  with  this 
Title:  Hatchets  to  hew  down  the  Tree  of  Sin,  which 

BRINGS  forth  THE  FrUIT  OF  DeATH.' 

23  d.  I  m.  Friday.  I  sett  apart  this  Day,  as  I  did  this 
Day  se'nnight,  that  I  might  obtain  the  Pardon  of  my  many 
and  mighty  Sins,  and  the  Rescue  and  Increase  of  my  precious 
Opportunities  to  glorify  my  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  which  my 
Sins  have  horribly  forfeited. 

6d.  2  m.  [April.]  Friday.  I  sett  apart  this  Day  for  Prayer 
with  Fasting  in  my  Study.  That  I  might  obtain  Abundance 
of  Grace,  to  glorify  my  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  and  Acceptance 
in  my  Desires  and  Studies  to  glorify  Him:  and  a  Blessing 
on  many  particular  Services,  which  I  have  now  before  me. 

12  d.  2  OT.  Thursday.  This  Day,  a  solemn  and  public 
Thanksgiving  was  attended,  for  Successes  against  the  com- 
mon Enemy.  I  enjoy'd  considerable  Assistences,  in  the 
Service  of  the  Day. 

But  it  is  with  me  a  Time  of  so  many  and  various 
Employments  that  I  caimot  find  the  Time  to  write  so 
much  in  these  poor  Memorials  as  I  did  use,  and  would 
chuse  to  do.  And  indeed,  those  Employments  do  putt  me 
by,  from  some  Things,  that  would  have  been  proper  Mate- 
rials for  these  Memorials. 

20  d.  2  m.  Friday.  I  sett  apart  this  Day,  for  Prayer 
with  Fasting  before  the  Lord.  And  one  special  Intention 
of  it,  was,  to  obtain  this  Favour  of  Heaven,  that  the  Spirit 
of  the  Lord  (whom  I  have  many  Wayes  grieved)  would  not 
withdraw  from  me,  but  fill  me  and  lead  me,  and  act  me 
wonderfully,  and  that  I  may  particularly  enjoy  His  most 
gracious  Presence  with  me,  in  praeparing  and  uttering  the 
Sermon,  with  which  I  am  to  entertain  His  people,  in  my 
approaching  Lecture. 

My  Soul  was  dissolved  into  Tears,  when  I  was  pouring 
out  these  my  Desires  before  the  Lord. 

'  Printed  by  B.  Green.    The  translation  was  probably  the  work  of  E.  Mayhew. 

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MAY,     1705  513 

26  d.  2  m.  Thursday.  After  many  Resignations  of  my- 
self unto  the  Spirit  of  God,  and  many  Praeparations  of  Soul 
for  it,  I  enjoy'd  some  good  Answer  of  my  Prayers,  in  a 
special  and  signal  Presence  of  God,  accompanying  my 
Endeavours  at  the  Lecture,  to  prophesy  over  the  dry  Bones, 
and  utter  quickening  Words  unto  the  Hearers. 

But  I  had  not  Opportunity  to  finish  what  I  begun. 

4  J.  3  OT.  [May.]  Friday.  I  sett  apart  this  Day,  for 
Prayer  with  Fasting,  in  my  Study.  The  Occasions  were 
such,  as  my  other  such  Dayes  have  lately  been  employed 
upon. 

And  I  had  one  Occasion  more.  For,  my  dear  Uttle 
Nanny  is  again  visited  with  a  violent  Feavour  and  unto  all 
Appearance  now  drawes  near  unto  the  Gates  of  Death. 
God  sanctifies  the  Condition  of  that  pretty  and  lovely 
Child  unto  me.  God  awakens  me  by  her  Sufferings,  to 
mourn  for  my  Sins  against  Him,  and  to  think,  what  special 
Duties  He  calls  me  to.  And  I  cannot  be  at  rest,  until  I  have 
obtained  of  the  Lord,  that  this  Child  shall  in  spiritual  Bless- 
ings have  an  abundant  and  glorious  Compensation  for  all 
her  temporal  Sufferings. 

Unto  the  Surprize  of  us  all  once  again  the  Child  recovered. 

About  this  Time,  the  Minister  of  Taunton  publishing  a 
Sermon,  about  the  Wayes  to  encourage  Goodness,  I  com- 
posed a  Preface  imto  it;  and  therein  embraced  an  Oppor- 
tunity to  anticipate  the  Devices  that  Satan  may  have  to 
hurt  a  glorious  Work  of  God  which  has  lately  been  done, 
in  bringing  that  popular  and  vicious  Town  to  a  wonderful 
Reformation.' 

21  d.  ^  m.  Munday.  The  over-ruling  Providence  of 
Christ,  compelled  me,  even  against  my  Will,  to  take  a  Jour- 
ney unto  Sitdbury.  But  there  the  Lord  made  a  sing\ilar 
Use  of  me,  to  glorify  Him,  in  a  Council  of  eleven  Churches 
(whereof  ours  was  one,)  mett  there  together,  on  a  deplorable 

'  Samuel  Danforth,  Piety  Encouraged,  printed  by  B.  Green,  1705. 

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514  DIARY     OF     COTTON     MATHER 

Occasion.  The  unhappy  Minister  of  the  Place,  was,  before 
this  Council,  convicted  of  many  and  horrid  Scandals;  for 
which  we  censured  him,  and  suspended  him. '  There  was  a 
marvellous  Presence  of  the  Lord  with  us,  in  the  Manage- 
ment of  the  whole  Affair;  but  my  poor  Endeavours  were  by 
our  glorious  Lord,  made  of  special  Service  in  it. 

On  Wednesday  Evening,  I  returned  home,  with  the  good 
Hand  of  God  upon  me.  But  the  Uncertainty  of  my  coming 
home,  caused  me  to  gett  my  Lecture  to  morrow  suppUed  by 
another  Person. 

A  very  wicked  Fellow  in  the  Church  of  Woburn,  exposing 
himself  by  his  Wickedness  to  the  Censure  of  the  Church,  he 
applyed  himself  unto  me,  among  others,  to  consider  his 
Case,  in  hope  of  some  Releef.  When  I  had  considered  it, 
I  rather  approved  the  Proceeding  of  the  Church,  and 
advised  him  unto  Repentence. 

Hereupon,  he  wrote  a  Letter  of  Lyes,  Reproaches,  and 
Calumnies  against  myself  particularly,  unto  some  other 
Pastors  and  Churches,  to  obtain  a  Council.  Some  of  the 
Pastors  had  so  little  Witt  and  Grace,  as  to  read  this  Letter 
in  their  Congregations.  It  was,  at  first,  a  Trouble  to  me, 
and  I  look'd  on  it,  as  an  holy  Rebuke  from  God  upon  me, 
for  my  Unserviceableness  vmto  His  Churches,  that  I  should 
have  any  base  and  false  Representations  of  me,  openly  read 
in  the  Congregations  of  His  People.  I  humbled  myself 
before  the  Lord  on  tliis  Occasion:  but  it  issued  in  a  secret 
Perswasion,  that  God  was  pra;paring  me  for  some  Services, 
•which  He  would  accept  me  to  do  for  Him,  not  in  two  or  three 
Congregations  only,  hut  in  all  His  Congregations  from  one  End 
of  tfie  Countrey  to  tlie  other. 

I  d.  4  m.  [June.]  Friday.  I  sett  apart  this  Day,  for 
Prayer  with  Fasting  in  my  Study. 

'Rev.  James  Sherman.  He  removed  to  Elizabeth  town,  New  Jersey,  1706, 
and  to  Salem,  Massachusetts,  where  he  died  in  1718.  The  cause  of  his  suspension 
is  not  known. 

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JUNE,     1705  Sl5 

2  d.  4  w.  Satureday.  In  the  Evening,  tho'  my  Self- Exam- 
inations are  frequent,  are  daily,  yett  I  now  sett  myself,  with 
a  more  singular  and  exquisite  Measure  of  Consideration, 
to  examine,  what  Marks  I  can  find  in  myself,  that  might 
carry  me  cheerfully  thro'  the  dark  Valley  of  the  Shadow  of 
Death,  if  I  should  be  (which  I  have  Abundance  of  Reason  to 
look  for,)  unmediately  called  into  it. 

I  find,  that  renouncing  all  other  Hope  to  he  forgiven  and 
accepted  of  God,  I  depend  on  a  Glorious  CHRIST,  as  my 
only  Atonement  and  Advocate. 

And  that  which  encourages  me  to  venture  upon  this 
Dependence,  is  not  the  Sight  of  any  thing  laudable  in 
myself,  to  recommend  me  unto  this  Favour  of  Heaven,  but 
the  Free-Grace  of  God,  which  invites  me  to  it,  and  thereby 
fills  me  with  Admiration  and  Astonishment. 

At  the  same  Time,  I  find  myself  so  affected  with  the 
Glory  of  my  Lord  JESUS  CHRIST,  that  if  I  can  be 
the  Instnmient  of  advancing  His  Glory  in  the  world,  and 
bringing  others  to  acknowledge  it,  I  am  raptured  with  inex- 
pressible Consolations.  Especially,  if  by  any  of  His  Image 
on  myself,  others  are  led  unto  an  Acknowledgment  of  His 
Vertues  and  His  Praises,  the  Raptures  of  this  Joy  becomes 
xmspeakable;  I  am  one  arrived  unto  the  very  Top  of  my 
Felicity.  Yea,  a  Conformity  to  Him,  in  Sufferings,  Injuries, 
Reproaches  from  a  malignant  World,  makes  me,  even  to 
rejoice  in  those  Humiliations. 

I  find,  that  I  am  not  without  Sorrow  for  SIN,  and 
Horror  at  it. 

When  strong  Temptations  to  Sin  assault  me,  my  Manner 
is,  to  fly  and  cry  unto  God,  that  for  the  Sake  of  the  Death 
of  my  Saviour,  my  Sin  may  dy;  and  that  I  may  have  the 
Deliverance  from  Sin,  which  the  Blood  of  my  Saviour  has 
purchased  for  me. 

When  sad  Afflictions  have  been  sanctified  for  the  Des- 
troying or  Preventing  of  my  Sin,  I  can  heartily  bless  God 
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5l6  DIARY  OF  COTTON  MATHER 

for  them;  I  look  on  the  most  bitter  Things,  to  be  blessed 
Things,  if  God  thereby  withold  me  from  Sinning  against  Him. 

I  find,  that  I  am  never  easy,  except  I  find  myself  bringing 
forth  some  Fruit  unto  God. 

I  find,  that  I  really  reckon  my  Opportunities  to  serve  God 
and  His  Interests  in  the  world,  the  most  valuable  of  all  my 
Treasures. 

I  find,  that  no  Quality  endears  any  Person  to  me  so 
much  as  the  Fear  of  God,  the  Love  of  Christ,  a  Dread  of 
Sin,  and  a  Concern  to  lay  Hold  on  eternal  Life. 

I  find,  that  I  have  no  Enjoyment,  but  what  I  can  resign 
to  God,  if  He  call  me  to  it,  and  a  Resignation  to,  a  Satis- 
faction in,  the  Will  of  God  in  every  Thing,  is  not  only 
pursued  by  me,  but  in  some  good  Measure  attained. 

I  find,  that  I  have  a  Compassion  for  my  personal  Ene- 
mies, and  am  afraid  of  allowing  in  my  Soul,  a  Wish  of  Evil 
to  the  worst  of  them  all ;  but  I  wish  their  best  Prosperity. 

Q.  Whether  the  Man  that  can  find  these  Marks  upon 
himself,  may  not  conclude  himself  mark'd  out,  for  the  City 
of  God? 

My  poor  Life  is  now  crouded  exceeding  full,  of  Employ- 
ments and  Services.  And  much  of  my  Time,  is  to  my  Grief, 
employed  in  entertaining  Applications  to  me,  from  discom- 
posed Places,  in  many  Parts,  of  the  Countrey. 

Not  a  Day  passes  me,  wherein  I  am  not  employ'd  in 
a  Variety  of  Services;  and  a  continual  Contrivance  to  be 
serviceable,  has  indeed  long  been  the  very  Strain  of  my  Life, 
every  Day  that  comes  over  my  Head. 

I  am  also  a  Member  of  several  Societies,  more  than  one 
or  two,  whose  Business  tis,  to  devise  Good;  and  with  these 
I  still  carry  on  many  Devices  of  a  more  extensive  Influence, 
for  the  Welfare  of  many. 

Our  Society  for  the  Suppression  of  Disorders,  in  this 
Town,  is  composed  from  each  of  our  three  Churches.  But 
their  Number  is  too  large,  to  admitt  any  more.  And  yett 
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JUNE,     1705  517 

there  is  a  considerable  Number  that  would  gladly  engage 
in  the  same  noble  Design  with  them.  Wherefore  I  erected 
two  more  such  Societies;  one  for  the  North  End  of  the  Town; 
one  for  the  South.  With  these  I  have  yett  more  Oppor- 
tunities to  be  fruitful. 

I  am  well  content  that  as  I  have  not  the  Time,  to  record 
an  hundredth  Part  of  the  Methods  to  bring  forth  Fruit, 
wherein  I  am  endeavouring  to  glorify  God,  so  that  they 
should  be  utterly  buried  in  Oblivion,  for  this  world,  and 
that  never  any  Notice  upon  Earth  should  be  taken  of  them. 

About  this  time  died  the  aged  and  holy  Minister  of 
Maldon,  (Mr.  WigglesworthiY  And  having  preached  a 
funeral  Sermon  for  him  at  Maldon,  I  there  mett  with  his 
reserved  Papers.  From  these  I  extracted  some  excellent 
Memorials  of  Piety,  and  added  them  unto  his  funeral  Ser- 
mon. The  Book  I  entituled:  A  FAriHFUL  man  Described 
AND  Rewarded;'  and  I  gave  it  unto  the  Booksellers. 

29  d.  4  m.  Friday.  I  sett  apart  this  Day  for  Prayer  with 
Fasting,  in  my  Study. 

Being  still  desirous,  to  bring  more  Glory  to  my  Lord 
JESUS  CHRIST,  I  fitted  for  the  Press,  a  Sermon  about, 
the  Enjoyment  of  a  Glorious  CHRIST,  as  the  great  Blessed- 
ness which  good  Men  desire,  both  for  themselves  and  for 
their  Children;  whereto  I  appendiced  a  Discourse  by  way 
of  Inference  from  that  glorious  Truth,  which  I  delivered 
unto  a  Meeting  of  young  Men,  on  a  Lord's-Day  Evening. 
I  knew  not  presently  how  to  procure  the  Publication  of  this 
little  Book;  for  the  Method  wherein  I  expected  it,  mett 
with  some  odd  Obstructions.    But  I  committed  it  unto  the 


'  Sewall  notes:  "Lord's  Day,  June  10,  1705.  The  Learned  and  pious  Mr. 
Michael  Wigglesworth  dies  at  Maiden  about  9.  m.  Had  been  sick  about  10.  days 
of  a  Fever;  73  years  and  8  months  old.  He  was  the  Author  of  the  Poem  entituled 
The  Day  of  Doom,  which  has  been  so  often  printed:  and  was  very  useful  as  a 
Physician."     See  note  to  Diary,  11.  132. 

'  Printed  by  B.  Green.  Two  impressions  of  the  title  page  are  known;  the 
one  for  Benjamin  Eliot,  and  the  other  for  Nicholas  Buttolph. 

Digitized  by  Microsoft® 


5l8  DIARY     OF     COTTON     MATHER 

Lord;  and  entreated,  that  He  would  accept  my  Endeavour 
to  serve  Him.  Immediately  the  Obstructions  vanished;  and 
I  gave  the  Book  unto  the  Printer;  tis  entituled,  Parental 
Wishes  and  Charges.'  I  hope,  to  make  special  Use  of  it, 
in  my  pastoral  Visits;  in  which  usually  I  give  away  half  a 
dozen  Books,  more  or  less,  every  Day  that  I  make  them.' 

8d.  $m.  [July.]  Lords-Day.  As  we  were  this  Day  sing- 
ing, in  our  great  Congregation,  those  words,  in  Psal.  18.23. 

With  Persons  merciful  that  are, 
Thou  mercijul  thyself  wilt  show. 

My  mind  make  thyself  this  Reflection: 

I  see  no  Person  miserable,  but  my  Heart  is  very  sensi- 
bly touched  with  their  Miseries,  I  would,  if  I  could,  with  all 
my  Heart,  help  them  in  their  Miseries.  I  have  no  Pleasure 
comparable  to  that  of  doing  Acts  of  Mercy,  Kindness,  Good- 
ness. I  do  them  every  Day,  and  have  an  Heart  insatiably 
disposed  unto  the  doing  of  them.  I  show  Mercy  to  my  very 
Enemies,  and  never  decline  doing  them  any  Good  that  I 
have  any  Opportunity  to  do.  I  beg  of  God,  that  He  would 
show  Mercy  to  them.  WTien  I  see  the  glorious  God  re\enge 
upon  them  with  dreadful  Dispensations,  the  Wrongs  which 
they  have  done  to  me,  I  am  inwardly  troubled  at  their  Con- 
fusions. If  I  should  hear  and  see  the  Lord  oEfering  me,  to 
strike  them  for  my  sake,  I  should  Intercede  for  them,  and 
cry  to  God,  that  He  would  spare  them  and  make  them 
happy. 

Then  thought  I:  All  this  Mercy  in  me,  is  but  a  faint 
Ray,  from  that  vast  and  bright  Sun  of  Mercy,  that  shines 
in  the  Infinite  God.    And  it  is  upon  me  a  Token  for  Good, 

>  Printed  by  T.  Green. 

'  "i  rf.  S  m.  Mary  Dulson,  applying  herself  to  the  Church  vvith  a  poenitent 
Acknowledgement  of  her  OfTcnrcs,  for  which  the  Rebukes  and  Censures  of  the 
Church  had  been  laid  upon  her,  and  with  Testimonies  of  her  laudable  Conversation 
and  Behaviour  in  the  years  that  have  last  passed  over  her,  she  was  this  Day 
released  from  the  Sentence  of  excommunication,  and  restored  unto  the  communion 
of  the  Church."     Ci'llon  Mather's  MS.  Records  oj  the  Second  Church,  n. 

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JULY,    I  70S  519 

that  the  Great  God  wiU  be  infinitely  more  merciftd  to  me, 
than  I  can  be  to  any  of  my  Fellow-Creatures. 

The  Thought  hereof  dissolved  me  into  Tears,  and  filled 
me  with  Joy  unspeakable  and  full  of  Glory. 

2$d.  sm.  As  a  further  Prosecution  of  a  Thought  lately 
entred  in  these  Memorials,  I  may  mention  it,  (only  by  way 
of  Illustration,)  that  this  Day,  a  Thunderstorm  coming  up, 
the  Lightnings  were  very  fierce  and  quick  about  us. 

Thought  I;  for  whose  Preservation  shaU  I  now  make  my 
Prayer.  For  my  own?  Or,  there  are  two  or  three  People 
in  this  Town,  who  persecute  me  with  a  brutish,  divelish, 
unreasonable,  and  unaccountable  MaUgnity:  Shall  it  be 
for  theirs?  My  Heart  immediately  fell  in  with  the  latter. 
And  I  pray'd  imto  God,  that  He  would  preserve  those  poor 
Creatures,  and  pardon  them,  and  not  make  them  Exemples 
of  His  Indignation. 

27  d.  sm.  Friday.  Setting  apart  this  Day,  for  Prayer 
with  Fasting  in  my  Study  I  was  admitted  into  some  near 
Communion  with  Heaven. 

Especially,  when  I  was  making  one  Request  before  the 
Lord.  I  entertained  a  Purpose,  to  attempt  a  Course  of 
Sermons,  that  should,  if  the  Lord  spared  my  Life,  go  thro' 
a  Body  of  Divinity;  with  a  singular  Intention  and  Endeav- 
our, to  consider  a  Glorious  CHRIST  upon  every  Article; 
what  Relation  every  Article  has  to  a  glorious  CHRIST; 
what  Interest  a  glorious  CHRIST  has  in  every  Article; 
and,  what  Illustrations  upon  all  may  be  fetched  from  Him. 
I  proposed  and  purposed  in  this  Matter,  to  do  a  Work, 
that  had  never  yett  been  done,  except  now  and  then  with 
feeble  Essays,  in  the  Church  of  God:  and  hereby  to  help 
forward  the  Arrival  of  the  Church  to  that  State,  whereof 
the  Character  shall  be  a  Fulness  of  CHRIST,  and  the 
Glory  of  CHRIST  shall  be  more  considered  than  formerly. 
Spreading  before  the  Lord,  my  Desire,  to  be  accepted  and 
assisted  in  such  a  Service,  whereof  I  am  so  unworthy,  I 

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520  DIARY  OF  COTTON  MATHER 

had  wonderful  Assurances,  that  He  even  took  Delight  in 
me,  and  that  an  Angel  of  my  Glorious  CHRIST,  had  won- 
derful OflBces,  and  Kindnesses  to  do  for  me. 

There  being  a  great  Want  of  household  Piety  in  many 
Houses  of  the  Countrey,  and  there  being  a  great  Zeal  raised 
in  many  pious  Men,  to  do  or  wish,  for  the  promoting  of  it, 
I  was  willing  to  produce  an  Engine  that  might  be  serviceable 
unto  this  holy  Intention. 

I  composed  a  brief  Discoxirse,  which  consisted  of  two 
Parts.  The  first  Part  contained  some  reasonable  Con- 
siderations, laid  before  the  Reason  and  Conscience  of  a 
prayerless  Householder,  to  awaken  him  unto  his  Duty  of 
praying  with  his  Family.  The  second  Part  contained  some 
Directions,  how  the  Gift  of  Prayer  might  be  obtained  by 
Persons  of  the  most  ordinary  Capacity,  and  so  the  most 
ordinary  Objection  against  Family-prayer  be  effectually 
answered.  I  entituled  this  Discourse,  Family  Religion. 
And  I  printed  a  thousand  of  them.'  These  I  boimd  up  in 
Bundles  that  had  convenient  Parcels  in  them;  and  printed 
a  short  Letter  to  be  added  imto  each  of  the  Bundles;  en- 
treating the  Person,  whose  Name  I  inserted  with  my  Pen, 
to  find  out  what  prayerless  Families  there  may  be  in  the 
Town  where  he  hves,  and  to  lodge  these  Essayes  of  Piety 
in  them.  So  I  concerted  with  some  of  my  Friends  a  way 
to  convey  a  Bimdle  to  every  Town  in  all  these  Colonies, 
and  unto  some  other  Places. 

Lord,  accept  my  poor  Endeavour,  and  lett  there  be  good 
and  great  Effects  of  it;  I  pray  thee!  I  pray  thee!  Thus 
I  see  the  Lord  employing  me  in  Services  for  Him,  not  in  one 
or  two  Congregations  only  but  in  all  His  Congregations,  from 
one  end  of  the  Countrey  to  the  other. 

'  "  It  had  a  second  Edition  in  this  Countrey.  It  was  also  reprinted  in  Lon- 
don." Wrillen  in  the  margin.  The  second  impression,  "  reprinted  by  B.  Green," 
appeared  in  1707,  and  again,  by  the  same  printer,  in  1714,  with  Mayhew's  trans- 
lation into  the  Indian  tongue  it  continued  in  print.  Two  later  Boston  issues 
(i  720  and  1727)  are  known  and  one  of  Newport,  R.  I.,  1740. 

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AUGUST,     1705  521 

10  d.  6  m.  [August.]  Friday.  I  sett  apart  this  Day,  for 
Prayer  with  Fasting  before  the  Lord. 

The  Occasions,  were  much  the  sanae,  that  thus  employ'd 
me  a  Fortnight  ago. 

But  I  was  especially  sollicitous  to  lay  before  the  Lord 
with  suitable  Resignations  and  Supplications,  my  Intentions 
of  a  Journey  to  Salem  the  next  Week;  that  it  may  prove  a 
Serviceable  and  a  comfortable  Journey. 

Some  of  my  bitterest  Confessions  this  Day  before  the 
Lord,  were,  that  a  vast  Variety  of  successive  Temptations 
has  assaulted  me.  But  I  have  alwayes  miscarried  under 
my  Temptations.  Tho'  the  Temptations  have  not  alwayes 
gained  the  Point  pursued  in  them,  yett  my  Miscarriages 
under  them  have  been  great  Provocations  unto  God.  A 
Reflection  upon  the  more  signally  temptational  Part  of  my 
Life;  exceedingly  abased  me  before  the  Lord.  It  caused  me 
mightily  to  fly  imto  the  Sacrifice,  and  the  Righteousness  of 
the  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  who  was  tempted,  and  never  sinned, 
but  alwayes  came  off  a  Conqueror  and  Glorified  God. 

15  rf.  6  nt.  Wednesday.  After  some  Trial  of  my  Resigna- 
tion, both  in  regard  of  my  Health,  and  of  the  Time,  I  enjoy'd 
this  Day,  a  very  comfortable  Journey,  to  Salem:  accom- 
modated with  a  pleasant  Chariot,  and  the  company  of  three 
young  Gentlemen,  who  very  lovingly  attended  on  me.  I 
arrived  at  Salem,  after  the  publick  Assembly  was  mett  for 
the  Lecture;  but  coming  in,  they  made  me  preach  the  Lec- 
ture. On  the  Day  following  I  travelled  unto  Ipswich; 
where  I  also  preached  the  Lecture.  The  next  Day  I 
returned  xmto  Salem.  And  there,  on  the  Lord's-Day,  I 
enjoy'd  a  more  than  ordinary  Presence  of  the  Lord  with 
me.  The  Lord  in  Secret  more  than  once  cast  me  into  a 
Flood  of  Tears,  with  Assurances,  that  He  would  be  mightily 
with  me.  And  I  found  Him  to  be  so;  I  found  and  saw,  a 
Flood  of  Tears,  issuing,  I  hope,  from  quickened  Souls  in  the 

great  Congregation.    I  hope,  that  my  Journey  has  now 

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522  DIARY  OF  COTTON  MATHER 

(as  often  heretofore)  left  a  sensible  Impression  of  Religion 
where  I  have  come.  On  the  Tuesday  I  returned  home,  with 
a  merciful  Providence  of  God  watching  over  me. 

24  d.  6  m.  Friday.  I  sett  apart  this  Day,  for  Prayer  with 
Fasting  in  my  Study.  But  without  any  remarkable  Occur- 
ence in  it. 

In  the  Begiiming  of  September,  pretty  much  of  my  Time 
was  taken  up  in  praeparing  of  Matters,  for  the  Service  of  the 
Churches:  The  Ministers  of  the  several  Associations  in  the 
Province,  having  ordered  their  Delegates,  to  meet  at  Boston, 
that  so  they  might  there  make  Proposals,  for  the  more 
convenient  Management  of  many  Things,  in  the  Churches 
throughout  the  Land;  especially,  when  their  Necessities 
call  for  Councils  to  be  convened. 

13  d.  7  m.  [September.]  Thursday.  What  cause  has  the 
Cheef  of  Siimers,  to  be  astonished,  at  the  Grace  of  Heaven, 
that  continues  to  employ  him,  in  Service  for  the  dear  In- 
terests of  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ! 

I  am  one  of  the  most  foolish  and  filthy  and  forlorn  Sin- 
ners in  the  world;  but  sovereign  Grace  will  still  triumph 
over  my  infinite  Unworthiness. 

It  has  been  desired  of  me,  that  I  would  give  the  PubUck, 
a  Discourse  on  that  Point,  How  Christians  may  so  manage 
their  Visits,  as  to  best  answer  the  noble  Designs  of  Chris- 
tianity? I  did  it  this  Day;  after  I  had  exceedingly  humbled 
myself  before  the  Lord.  The  Lord  was  mightily  present 
with  me ;  (as  indeed  He  has  been  in  the  other  Exercises  of 
my  Ministry  of  later  Time :)  The  Sermon  proved  exceeding 
acceptable  to  the  People  of  God.  In  the  Evening,  the  Pub- 
lication of  it,  was,  by  a  considerable  Number  of  good  Men 
proposed.  So  I  gave  it  them.  It  is  entituled;  The  Rules 
OF  A  Visit.' 

That  the  Mercy  of  the  Lord  unto  me,  in  this  Matter, 
may  be  the  more  signalized,  it  was  putt  into  the  Hearts  of 

'  Printed  by  Timothy  Green. 

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SEPTEMBER,     1705  523 

the  reforming  Societies  in  this  Town,  to  divide  all  the  colonies 
of  New  England  between  them,  and  to  provide,  that  at 
least  a  Couple  of  the  Books,  be  sent  into  every  Town  in  the 
Comitrey;  one  directed  unto  the  Minister  of  the  Place;  the 
other  having  upon  it  this  Inscription,  To  be  Lent.  Thus  I 
shall  have  another  precious  Opportunity,  to  glorify  the 
Lord,  in  every  Town  throughout  New  England.  I  shall 
serve  the  Lord,  in  all  His  Congregations,  from  one  end  of  the 
Countrey  to  the  other. 

I  cannot  wholly  deny,  that  fruitful  Visits,  have  been  a 
special  Article  of  Contrivance  and  Endeavour  in  my  Life. 
And,  I  must  observe  it  imto  the  Glory  of  the  divine  Mercy 
and  Wisdome;  I  have  rarely  made  it  my  Study  to  be 
exemplary  in  any  one  Thing,  but  the  Lord  has  accepted  me 
to  write  some  thing  on  that  Thing,  and  have  my  writings 
read,  and  spred,  and  priz'd  among  His  People. 

29  d.  7  m.  Wednesday.  This  Day,  I  was  carried  unto 
Readding,  with  some  remarkable  Circumstances.  There  I 
preached  the  Lecture,  to  a  great  Assembly  gathered  from 
the  neighbouring  Towns,  with  remarkable  Assistences  of 
Heaven. 

31  d.  7  w.  Friday.  I  sett  apart  this  Day,  for  Prayer 
with  Fasting  in  my  Study,  to  obtain  the  Pardon  of  Sin,  and 
other  Mercies  of  God.  And  in  the  Evening,  I  pray'd  and 
preach'd  with  a  Meeting  of  Christians.  But  without  any- 
thing remarkable. 

Oh!  the  marvellous  Kindness,  which  the  Lord  showes 
imto  me,  before  I  come  to  the  strong  City!  His  Kindness 
in  employing  my  poor  Labours,  to  assist  the  Travel  of  His 
People,  to  the  City! 

I  considered  with  myself,  that  the  Glorious  Lord  would 
be  exceedingly  glorified,  if  His  People  would  entertain  right 
and  sweet  Thoughts,  of  Him,  under  aU  His  afflictive  Deal- 
ings with  them;  and  live  upon  the  Satisfactions  of  afflicted 
Christianity.  I  gave  the  Town  a  Lecture  on  that  noble 
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524  DIARY  OF  COTTON  MATHER 

Subject;  and  so  wrote  my  Sermon  as  to  have  it  ready  for 
publication,  if  it  should  be  desired. 

I  then  mentioned  the  Matter  unto  the  Lord,  and  offer'd 
my  Sermon  vmto  Him,  that  being  sprinkled  with  the  Blood 
of  Jesus,  it  might  be  accepted,  if  He  please,  for  the  Service 
of  Religion  among  His  People.  To  my  Surprize,  my  Notes 
were  immediately  desired  of  me,  by  those,  who  carried  them 
imto  the  Book-seller.  And  they  are  published  imder  the 
Title,  of,  Mare  Paciticum,  A  short  Essay,  upon  those  Noble 
Principles  of  Christianity,  which  may  alwayes  compose  and 
Rejoice  the  Mind  of  the  Afflicted  Christian.^ 

Yea,  more  than  this;  the  Gentleman  who  was  princi- 
pally concerned  in  the  pubUcation,  did  of  his  own  Accord, 
present  one  of  the  Books,  to  every  Town  in  these  Colonies, 
to  be  lent  among  the  Inhabitants.  Thus  have  I  a  strange 
Opportunity  once  again,  to  serve  the  Lord,  in  all  His  Con- 
gregations, from  one  End  of  the  Countrey  to  the  other. 

0  sovereign  GRACE!  What,  what  art  thou  doing  for 
the  Chief  of  Sinners?  Never  was  there  a  Wretch  more 
worthy  to  be  abhorred,  rejected,  and  horribly  destroy'd  of 
Heaven  than  I.  And  yett  the  sovereign  Grace  of  Heaven, 
still  pitties  me,  yea,  still  employes  me. 

1  apprehended,  that  the  Notion  of  a  Christian  considered 
as  a  Temple  of  God,  being  well  culti%'ated,  would  prove  a 
considerable  Service  to  the  Interests  of  Christianity,  in  the 
World.  I  sett  myself  to  prosecute  and  illustrate  this  Notion, 
in  a  Discourse  on  that  Subject,  not  altogether  unaccurate. 
Having  finished  my  Discourse,  I  presented  it,  and  resigned 
it,  unto  the  Lord,  and  entreated  Him,  to  interpose  with  His 
good  Providence,  for  the  Publication  of  it,  if  it  might  be 
useful  unto  the  Designs  of  His  holy  Religion,  that  it  should 
be  published. 

Behold,  a  worthy  Person  more  than  fifty  miles  to  the 
South-ward,  having  on  some  Occasion  a  Sight  of  the  Manu- 

'  Primed  by  T.  Green,  1705. 

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OCTOBER,     1705  525 

script,  sent  Money  unto  the  Printer,  to  bear  good  Part  of 
the  Charges  of  the  Impression.  So  he  undertakes  it.  It 
is  entituled,  The  Christian  Temple.' 

18  d.  8  m.  [October.]  Thursday.  The  Lord  helped  me,  to 
glorify  Him,  with  extended  Praises,  and  with  the  Tears  of 
a  melted  and  a  thankful  Soul,  on  this  Day;  which  was  pub- 
lickly  kept  as  a  Day  of  Thanksgiving  thro'  the  Province. 

About  this  Time,  I  considered  with  myself,  that  within 
a  very  little  while,  no  less  than  seven  young  Ministers, 
brought  up  among  us,  had  been  taken  away  by  the  Stroke  of 
Death.  I  considered,  that  for  me  to  make  the  Death  of  these 
young  Gentlemen,  serviceable  unto  the  same  religious  Pur- 
poses, which  they  would  have  made  the  End  of  their  Life, 
would  many  Wayes  glorify  God.  I  considered,  that  a  public 
Acknowledgment  of  their  good  Character,  might  be  of  great 
Use  to  animate  others  unto  a  Pursuance  of  such  a  Character. 
I  thought  a  Funeral-Sermon  for  these  Persons,  while  our 
General  Court  was  now  sitting,  might  help  to  make  all  the 
Countrey  hear  the  Voice  of  God  in  the  Death  of  the  seven 
Ministers.  I  thought,  the  PubUcation  of  the  Sermon  by  the 
Press  might  be  profitable  to  others,  and  especially  to  the 
Flocks  that  had  sometimes  enjoy'd  those  Ministers. 

Accordingly,  I  preached  such  a  Sermon,  at  the  Lecture; 
about,  Readiness  for  the  coming  of  the  Lord.  I  then  gave  it, 
imto  those  who  undertook  to  publish  it.  It  is  entituled; 
ViGnANTius  or,  a  Servant  of  the  Lord  found  Ready  for  the 
Coming  of  the  Lord.^ 

I  added.  An  Elegy  upon  the  young  Mmisters.  And  the 
Character  of  a  True  Divine,  transcribed  and  translated, 
from  an  Oration  of  the  excellent  Witsius:  to  serve  the 
Designs  of  Piety,  in  the  Ministry  of  the  Coimtrey. 

'  Printed  by  B.  Green,  1706. 

'  The  young  ministers  were  Edward  Tompson,  of  Marshfield;  John  Morse, 
of  Newton;  Jabez  Wakeman,  of  Newark,  N.  J.;  John  Hubbard,  of  Jamaica,  N.  Y.; 
John  Wade,  of  Berwick,  Me.;  Andrew  Gardner,  of  Lancaster;  and  John  Clark,  of 
Exeter,  N.  H.    The  book  was  printed  by  B.  Green,  1706. 

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526  DIARY  OF  COTTON  MATHER 

16  d.  gm.  [November.]  Friday.  I  sett  apart  this  Day, 
for  Prayer  with  Fasting  in  my  Study. 

This  Day,  I  arrived  unto  some  Satisfaction,  that  my 
many  and  horrid  Sins  are  pardoned,  thro'  the  Sacrifice  of 
my  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  imto  which  I  fiy  as  unto  my  only 
Atonement.' 

But  my  Satisfaction  grew  into  yett  more  Serenity,  the 
next  Lords-Day,  at  the  Table  of  the  Lord. 

Self-Examination. 

Designing  to  examine  my  State  before  God,  (and  a  dying  Man, 
as  I  am,  had  need  make  thorough  Work  of  Self-Examination!)  my 
Mind  was  visited  with  such  Thoughts  as  these. 

The  Oracles  of  God,  make  a  Distribution  of  Man,  into  three 
Parts,  the  Spirit,  the  Soul,  and  the  Body.  The  Anatomy  is  admirable; 
the  Consideration  of  the  Distribution  would  be  of  no  Uttle  Conse- 
quence. The  Spirit  is  the  rational  Mind;  created  and  infused,  by 
an  immediate  Operation  of  God.  The  Soul,  is  a  xital  Flame,  con- 
vey'd  from  our  Parents;  the  next  Seat  of  our  Passions;  of  so  fine  a 
Temper  that  it  can  strike  the  Spirit,  and  yett  of  so  gross  a  Temper, 
that  it  can  also  move  the  Body;  tis  the  Soid  by  which  all  meer  Ani- 
mals are  actuated.  The  Body,  is  the  obvious  Receptacle  and  Hab- 
itation of  these  wonderful  Agents. 

A  Man  bitten  with  a  mad-Dog,  has  not  only  his  Body,  but  his 
very  Soul  also  poisoned.  The  Poison  siezes  and  per\'ades  the  nervous 
Fluid;  the  Archaits  is  all  enraged.  The  sensitive  Soul,  has  a  canine 
Fury  now  sensibly  enraging  of  it.  The  Spirit  of  such  a  Man  will 
cause  him  to  say  to  his  Friend;  You  arc  my  Friend,  I  would  not  hurt 
yee;  but  half  an  hour  heme,  my  Fill  will  come  upon  me;  I  shall  then 
bite  ycc,  if  you  are  in  my  way;  I  advise  you  to  bind  mc  fast,  or  keep 
out  of  my  Way.  Notwithstanding  this  Knowledge  of  the  Man,  and 
this  Advice;  yett  when  his  Fitt  arrives,  the  Spirit  must  knock  under 
and  ly  fetter'd;  the  man  will  grin  and  snarl  and  bite  like  a  Dog;  and 
his  Dog-bitirn  Soul  will  show  him  the  Face  of  a  Dog;  in  a  looking 
Glass.     He  has  drunk  water,  in  his  Thirst;  but  the  Water  putt  his 

'  "  'S  <^-  9  ">•  Job  Hiliard  and  Flannah  Totil  having  been  convicted  of  a 
course  of  Drunkenness  and  other  Scandals,  and  being  impoenitent,  after  many 
means  used  with  them,  they  were  this  day,  with  the  most  public  and  solemn  Cir- 
cumstances of  an  Excommunication,  cast  out  of  the  Church."  Cotton  Mather's 
MS.  Records  0/  the  Second  Church,  11. 

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NOVEMBER,     17OS  52/ 

parch'd  and  poison'd  Glands,  to  horrible  Torment.  The  poor  Spitil 
of  the  man  commends  Water  to  him  again;  he  goes  to  drink;  but  the 
Horror  which  his  Dog-hitten  Soul  conceiv'd  at  the  exquisite  pain 
■which  the  Water  had  given  him,  will  by  no  means  permitt  him  to 
touch  it;  he  perishes  in  his  Hydrophobie. 

There  are  nimiberless  Instances,  wherein  both  the  Affections,  and 
the  Aversions  of  the  Soul,  have  the  perfect  mastery  of  the  Spirit. 

The  Soul  of  every  man  is  Dog-hitten,  or,  which  is  as  bad;  Serpent- 
bitten,  or,  Divel-bitten.  Original  Sin  has  depraved  it;  the  Venom  of 
original  Sin  has  over-run  it. 

A  regenerate  Spirit,  a  sanctified  Spirit,  chuses  above  all  Things, 
to  glorify  God,  and  His  Christ;  and  it  has  gotten  an  Empire  over 
the  Soul,  in  doing  of  it. 

As  far  as  the  Spirit  gains  in  its  Empire  over  the  Soul,  by  divine 
Considerations,  thus  far,  and  no  farther,  is  the  Work  of  Sanctification 
carried  on. 

Briefly.  The  Spirit  of  an  ungodly  Man  may  refuse  to  gratify 
the  criminal  Desires  of  his  carnal  Soul,  in  many  Instances.  But  then 
tis  alwayes  upon  Considerations  that  arise  not  above  the  Level  of 
Carnality;  tis  either,  because  the  Things  will  hurt  his  Health,  or 
blast  his  Name,  or  sap  his  Estate,  or  disoblige  the  Friends  on  whom 
he  has  depended  or  perhaps,  as  among  the  Roman  Catholics,  he  may 
propose  to  himself  the  Glory  of  making  himself  Righteousness. 

But  if  once  it  come  to  this;  that  I  may  gratify  the  criminal  Desires 
of  my  Soul,  and  these  also  become  violent  and  impetuous;  and  I  may 
do  it  without  any  praejudice  in  the  World,  unto  any  of  my  sacular 
Interests;  But  now,  my  Spirit  abhors,  rejects,  denies  these  criminal 
Gratiflcations  of  my  Soul,  only  upon  these  Considerations;  No;  the 
Great  God  wiU  see  it,  and  be  offended;  I  shall  ungratefully  abuse  the 
Blood  of  my  Redeemer;  the  Holy  Spirit  that  would  seal  me  for  the  Day 
of  Redemption  will  be  grieved!  I  shall  render  myself  unmeet  for  the 
Inheritance  of  the  Saints  in  Light.  If  by  these  pure  Considerations 
(as  also  without  proposing  to  make  myself  thereby  a  Righteousness,) 
my  Spirit  has  the  Force  to  go  quite  another  way,  then  my  Soul  would 
have  it;  then  I  have  most  certainly  a  regenerate  Spirit.  The  Dis- 
covery of  a  regenerate  Spirit,  is  not  altogether  so  difficult  as  many 
may  imagine  it.  This  one  Trial,  will  plainly  and  surely  discover  it. 
If  my  Spirit  will  fly  Godward  and  Christward,  (as  I  find  it  will)  when 
my  Sotd  raves  to  be  going  Sinward,  and  they  are  not  Considerations 
fetch'd  from  Flesh,  but  from  God  and  Christ,  that  give  my  Spirit 
the  Victory  over  my  Soul,  I  have  then  a  Spirit,  that  is  most  certainly 

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528  DIARY  OF  COTTON  MATHER 

renewed  by  the  Spirit  of  God.  And  the'  there  may  be  particular 
Instances,  in  which  the  Ferment  of  Sin,  in  my  Soul,  enflamed  by 
furious  Temptations  of  Satan,  may  overwhelm  the  Choice  and  Voice 
of  my  Spirit,  yett  the  Spirit  of  God,  will  never  lose  the  hold  He 
has  taken  of  me.  This  Hypothesis  a  little  solves  the  Phenomena 
of  the  Dogtricks  often  found  in  some  whom  we  yett  own  for  Godly 
Men. 

10  d.  10  tn.  [December.]  Monday.  The  miserable  Condi- 
tion of  Walertown  Farms,  calling  for  a  Council  of  the  neigh- 
bour Churches,  I  went  thither  this  Day.'  It  was  a  good 
Providence  of  the  Lord,  that  carried  me  thro'  this  Journey 
of  near  twenty  Miles,  at  such  a  Time  of  the  Year.  My 
Calash  once  oversett  on  the  Road,  and  I  was  thrown  out, 
but  I  received  no  manner  of  Harm.  We  found  affayrs  at 
the  Place  imder  woful  Entanglements,  and  when  the  public 
Hearing  on  Tuesday  was  over,  I  was  extremely  distressed, 
because  I  perceived  the  Council  would  be  mightily  divided. 
In  my  Distress  I  look'd  up  unto  the  Lord,  with  Hopes,  that 
inasmuch  as  we  were  doing  our  Duty,  the  glorious  Head  of 
the  Church  would  now  take  His  Opportunity  to  interpose 
with  His  precious  Influences.  He  did  so!  He  strangely 
irradiated  my  Mind  with  Impressions,  whereof  I  made  a 
Proposal  to  the  Council.  The  Council,  tho'  they  came 
together  full  of  Prejudices  and  Praepossessions,  leading  them 
contrary  Wayes,  did  immediately  imite  in  my  Proposal. 
They  desired  me  to  draw  it  up.  I  did  so,  and  they  voted 
it.  And  on  Wednesday  in  the  Afternoon,  I  returned  home, 
with  a  watchful  Providence  of  the  Lord  concerned  for  me. 

14  d.  10  m.  Friday.  I  sett  apart  this  Day,  for  Prayer 
with  Fasting,  in  my  Study. 

In  the  Afternoon,  I  went  and  preach'd  and  pray'd  with 
a  Meeting  of  the  Neighbours,  who  were  employ'd  in  the  like 
Exercises. 

'  Watertown  Farms,  now  Weston.  The  issue  was  over  Mr.  Joseph  Mors,  who 
had  served  the  church  since  1703.  He  ceased  to  preach,  by  order  of  a  church 
council,  in  April,  1706.    looth  Annivenary,  First  Parish,  Weston,  61. 

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DECEMBER,     170$  529 

Nothing  remarkable  Occurred  in  the  Day. 

Only  this  I  can  testify  for  the  Lord,  that  Cries  to  God 
for  Grace  to  purify  us,  and  glorify  Him,  when  made  with 
fervent  Pleas  that  such  Grace  has  been  purchased  for  us 
by  the  Blood  of  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  alwayes  have  wonder- 
ful Answers,  often  have  immediate  ones. 

26  d.  10  m.  There  came  upon  us  a  very  cold  Season. 
Being  supported  and  surrounded  with  comfortable  Circum- 
stances, at  a  Season  so  uneasy,  I  sett  myself  to  consider  the 
Condition  of  those  who  were  not  so  comfortably  provided 
for.  My  Soul  was  grieved  for  the  Poor !  What  I  could  afford, 
I  sent  abroad  unto  such  necessitous  Ones,  as  I  could  hear 
of  in  the  Neighbourhood;  I  did  it,  by  the  Hand  of  my  Wife, 
because  my  own  want  of  Health  hindred  me  for  three  Dayes, 
from  going  abroad.  But  I  was  distress'd,  because  my  own 
Means  would  not  hold  out,  for  such  a  Diffusion  of  Alms  as 
I  desired.  Behold,  the  Providence  of  Heaven!  While  I 
was  in  this  Distress,  a  young  Gentleman  of  a  liberal  Soul  in 
my  Neighbourhood,  visited  me,  and  supplied  me  with  a 
considerable  Summ  of  Money,  to  be  scattered  among  the 
Indigent.  Being  thus  happily  supplied,  I  went  on  with  my 
Design  of  helping  the  Miserable,  and  caused  the  Hearts  of 
many  to  sing  for  Joy.  And  in  almost  every  Visit  that  I 
made  imto  any  Persons  of  any  Capacity  for  it,  while  the 
sharp  Time  continued,  I  insinuated  into  my  Friends,  my 
Exhortations  to  a  liberal  Consideration  of  the  Poor. 

I  would  not  have  mention 'd  this  Matter;  inasmuch  as 
indeed,  no  httle  Part  of  my  Life,  is  taken  up  in  promoting 
Intentions  of  Charity;  but  only  because  I  would  observe 
how  ready  the  Glorious  Lord  in  His  Providence  is  to  assist 
my  poor  Intentions! 

The  Lord  will  make  His  poor  Servant,  fruitful  in  the 
Winter  too. 

The  Providence  of  Heaven  ordered  it,  that  a  good  Man, 
in  the  southern  Parts  of  the  Countrey,  being  affected  with 
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530  DIARY     OF     COTTON     MATHER 

the  Essay,  which  I  pubUshed  in  the  Summer  about  Family- 
Religion,  desired  me  to  write  another  Essay,  upon  Closelt- 
Dulics,  and  furnished  the  Printer  with  Money  to  bear  a 
good  Part  of  the  Charges  of  the  Impression.  Wherefore, 
I  composed  a  Discourse,  on  the  Employments,  to  be  used 
by  a  Christian  in  his  Retirements,  and  contrived  it  into  as 
profitable  an  Essay  as  most  that  I  have  been  concerned  in. 
Holy  Sup  plications,  and  holy  Meditations,  are  the  Exercises 
commended  in  this  Uttle  Book,  with  both  Arguments  and 
Directions  for  them.    The  Book  is  entituled.  The  Religion 

OF  THE  ClOSETT.^ 

lid.  11  m.  [Jamtary.]  Friday.  I  sett  apart  this  Day,  for 
Prayer  with  Fasting,  in  my  Study.  I  enjoy'd  something  of 
a  gracious  Impression  from  God,  in  the  Duties  of  the  Day. 
I  made  a  Recapitulation  of  the  humbling  Things  that  had 
befallen  me;  and  I  confessed  and  bewayled  the  Special 
Miscarriages,  by  which  I  had  rendred  myself  most  worthy 
to  be  Humbled  with  such  Dispensations  of  Heaven.  I  re- 
paired unto  the  Sacrifice  of  the  Lord  JESUS  CHRIST,  and 
felt  an  Hope  and  Joy  quickened  in  my  Soul,  for  my  Atone- 
ment by  that  Sacrifice.  I  implored  the  Favours  of  God, 
upon  my  Opportimities  to  glorify  Him;  and  commended 
into  His  Hands,  my  particular  Intentions  to  glorify  Him. 

I  still  asked,  for  a  Blessing  on  my  Manuscripts  which 
have  so  long  lain  unpublished  in  England. 

About  this  Time,  That  I  might  invite  well-disposed 
People,  unto  an  Action  of  great  Charity  and  Usefulness,  I 
composed  a  Scheme,  of  erecting  and  supporting,  Charity 
Schools,  for  the  Education  of  poor  Children,  and  I  pub- 
lished the  Proposals,  that  ingenious  and  judicious  Men 
might  consider  of  them. 

24  d.  II  m.  Thursday.  There  was  a  Day  of  Thanksgiv- 
inv,  celebrated,  thro'  the  Province,  for  the  Smile  of  Heaven 
on  the  Arms  of  the  Allies  against  France  in  the  year  past. 

'  Printed  by  T.  Green.     The  work  ran  to  a  fourth  edition  in  1715- 

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FEBRUARY,     1705-06  53I 

On  this  Day,  as  on  some  other  such,  my  public  Addresses 
to  Heaven,  were  carried  on  with  much  Fervour  and  Rapture. 
For  the  best  Part  of  two  Hours  together,  my  Soul  kept 
soarmg  and  flaming  towards  Heaven,  in  the  wondrous 
Praises  of  God. 

Such  Length  in  this  kind  of  Devotions,  being  somewhat 
unusiial,  and  unto  some  Folks  (I  fear'd)  uneasy,  I  took  occa- 
sion in  my  Sermon,  to  make  this  Apology  for  it. 

Preaching,  on  Psal.  136.  26.  I  observed  by  the  by,  that 
the  Word,  which  we  translate,  give  Thanks,  originally  sig- 
nifies (besides  other  things)  to  spread  abroad,  whereupon 
I  added. 

I  will  alwayes  take  leave,  when  I  can,  to  exemplify  this  Expwsi- 
tion,  in  one  Effort  of  Christianity.  In  our  Dayes  of  Humiliation,  we 
are  for  large  and  long  Prayers.  We  will  not  lett  one  Hour  Limit  our 
Prayers.  When  our  Dayes  of  Tkanksgiinng  arrive,  we  are  then  for 
short  Praises.  Contracted  Praises  we  seem  to  think  sufficient:  We 
complain  of  enlarged  Praises.  Brethren,  it  shall  not  be  so.  No; 
we  will  enlarge  and  expand  in  our  Thanksgivings  An  heavenly  Mind 
will  soon  see,  that  in  our  Thanksgivings,  there  is  an  Abundance  to 
be  uttered.  The  longest  Day  in  the  year,  is  too  short,  for  an  heavenly 
Mind,  to  utter  half,  that  comes  pouring  in  upon  it,  when  it  is  rap't 
up  in  the  Praises  of  God.  Our  Minds  are  to  spread  abroad  in  this 
heavenly  Exercise  of  praising  the  God  of  Heaven.  Syrs,  we  have  a 
boundless  ocean  before  us,  on  which  we  may  expatiate  with  Wonders 
and  Praises,  till  we  are  even  swallowed  up! 

6d.  12  m.  [February.]  Wednesday.  The  several  Societies 
for  the  Suppression  of  Disorders,  with  my  Society  for  the  Prop- 
agation of  Religion,  mett  at  my  House  this  Day;  (more 
than  forty  Persons;)  where  we  spent  the  day  in  the  Duties 
of  a  reUgious  Fast;  that  we  might  obtain  a  Blessing  from 
Heaven,  on  our  Essayes  to  do  Good,  and  their  Acceptance 
thro'  the  Blood  of  our  Saviour;  and  Assistence  in  our 
further  Essayes;  and  an  Effusion  of  the  Spirit  of  Grace,  to 
do  that  good,  in  our  own  Land,  and  thro'  the  whole  World, 
which  is  beyond  the  reach  of  our  Essayes. 

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532  DIARY  OF  COTTON  MATHER 

It  was  a  desirable  Day.  And  I  was  desireably  help'd 
of  Heaven,  in  preaching  a  Sermon  about  Zeal;  (tho'  I  had 
sore  Pains  in  my  Head  and  Jaw,  thro'  a  severe  Cold,  afflict- 
ing of  me.) 

My  little  Nanny  is  again  this  week,  brought  nigh  to 
Death,  by  a  violent  Feavour.  But  the  Hearer  of  prayer,  to 
our  Admiration  again  restores  her. 

Memorandum.  I  have  had  of  late  Years,  many  great 
and  strange  Accessions  to  my  Library. 

I  see  a  marvellous  Favour  of  God,  and  Answer  of  Pray'r 
in  this  matter.  I  have  not  indeed  kept  the  Memorials 
thereof,  so  particularly  upon  the  several  Occasions,  as  I 
might  have  done.  But  I  will  not  have  unmention'd,  a 
Present  of  Books  made  me  this  Winter,  from  the  united 
Library  of  our  three  famous  Shepards; '  which  enriched  me, 
not  only  with  printed  Books,  which  ver>'  low  prized,  might 
be  counted  worth  more  than  12  lb.  but  also  with  Manuscripts 
of  each  of  those  three  worthy  Men,  which  are  vastly  more 
valuable  than  all  the  other  Books,  with  which  their  Library 
has  furnished  me. 

The  principal  Reason  of  my  mentioning  this  Matter, 
is  because  of  something,  that  I  find  recorded  in  the  34th 
year  of  these  Memoirs.'^ 

'Thomas  Shepard,  of  Cambridge  (1605-1649);  Samuel,  of  Rowley,  his  son 
(  -1688);  and  Thomas,  of  Charlestown,  another  son  (1635-1677),  are  probably 
intended. 

'  This  matter  is  not  to  be  found  in  the  record  of  the  thirty-fourth  year,  1696, 
and  is  an  illustration  of  the  manner  in  which  Mather  prepared  the  later  from  the 
earlier  records.  The  latter  must  have  been  much  more  voluminous  and  even  more 
wandering  than  the  second  editing;  indeed  there  is  no  way  of  telling  how  often  he 
went  over  his  writings,  and  how  many  times  he  saw  fit  to  recast  the  whole,  or  some 
parts  of  them.  That  he  was  assiduous  in  reading  them  certain  marks  on  the  paper 
show,  as  sentences  are  struck  out  in  a  quite  different  color  of  ink  from  that  used 
in  the  original  entry.  That  a  man  should  so  carefully  work  over  these  attempts 
to  express  what  is  passing  in  his  religious  experience  offers  good  evidence  of  his 
.sclf-absorptiuD  and  morbid  conception  of  his  own  importance. 


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FEBRUARY,     1705-06  533 

The  Dispositions  of  my  Mind,  relating  to  a  great  Repu- 
tation  IN  THE  World. 

Many,  and  many  a  Time,  have  Thoughts  of  this  Importance, 
been  rolling  in  my  Mind;  and  my  Mind,  is,  I  hope,  formed  into  a 
Compliance  with  them. 

There  is  an  horrid  Idolatry  committed,  when  we  take  Notice 
of  this  and  that  considerable  in  any  Man,  and  consider  not  at  the 
same  Time,  the  Great  God,  as  the  Author  and  Fountam  of  all  this 
Excellency.  We  must  look  upon  Man,  as  Nothing,  any  further  than 
what  the  Great  God  makes  him  to  be;  and  when  we  look  upon  any 
thing  that  looks  great  or  good  in  any  man,  it  must  be  with  sensible 
Acknowledgments,  that  all  this  comes  from  GOD. 

The  most  of  Men,  will  celebrate  the  Learning,  the  Vertue  the 
Conduct  of  an  eminent  Person,  without  the  least  Observation  of  the 
Great  GOD  in  all;  much  less  do  they  give  all  the  whole  Glory  of  all 
to  GOD,  and  behold  Man,  as  no  other  than  a  Vessel,  chosen  by  the 
sovereign  Grace  of  God,  to  exhibit  something  of  His  own  Glory,  in 
the  Points  which  render  the  man  observable. 

I  tremble,  I  tremble,  at  the  Thoughts  of  having  a  great  Name, 
in  the  World,  or  being  admired  and  applauded,  and  mightily  talked 
of.  The  only  Reason  of  this  Regret  on  my  Mind,  is,  because  they 
who  talk  of  me,  will  not  have  the  Piety  to  look  further  than  me; 
my  sorry  Name,  will  have  sacrilegiously  lodg'd  upon  it,  some  Regards, 
that  should  be  transferred  unto  the  glorious  Name  of  GOD  alone. 
Indeed,  there  will  be  no  Iniquity  charged  uf)on  me,  for  the  Sacrilege 
which  others  will  thus  fall  into:  but  yett,  it  will  be  my  Infcclicity; 
I  shall  reckon  myself  unhappy  in  being  the  Object,  upon  which  any 
shall  sinfully  terminate  the  Honours  and  Praises,  which  belong  only 
to  GOD:  I  abhor  it  wonderfully! 

I  shall  rejoice  in  it,  if  any  Lovers  of  GOD  shall  say,  the  God  of  all 
Grace  has  disposed  that  Servant  of  His,  to  do  vertuously  I  or,  the  Power 
and  Wisdome  of  God,  has  carried  thai  Servant  of  His,  well  through 
Labours  and  Sufferings  I  But  I  cannot  approve  of  it,  that  any  People 
should  say  of  me,  Mr.  Mather  is  a  man  of  such  and  such  Accomplish- 
ments! Or,  Mr.  Mather  has  accomplished  such  and  such  notable  Mat- 
ters, and  acquitted  himself  bravely  in  them  I  —  and  stop  there,  and 
see  not  GOD  in  all,  yea,  see  not  that  GOD  is  all.  Now  the  People 
who  so  stop  in  the  Creature,  are  almost  all  the  World.  And  for 
this  Cause,  I  even  deprecate  a  great  Fame  in  the  World;  I  cannot 
with  Pleasure  think  of  it;  it  is  with  Horror,  if  ever  I  think  of  it. 

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534  DIARY  OF   COTTON  MATHER 

For  this  Cause,  I  am  glad,  my  very  Spirit  is  full  of  Gladness, 
that  there  is  no  more  XoLice  taken  of  me.  And,  when  I  ha\'e  had 
a  Prospect  of  easily  doing  some  Things,  that  would  have  contributed 
not  a  little,  unto  my  having  a  Name  among  the  learned  Men  of  the 
Earth,  but  I  could  not  see  any  direct  Subserviency  to  the  Name 
of  the  Great  GOD,  and  of  His  glorious  CHRIST,  in  the  matters, 
I  have  therefore,  even  for  that  very  Cause  alone,  declined  them. 

An  Encouragement. 

I  have  seen  and  read,  how  some  very  lilUe  Men,  have  been  the 
first  Occasions  and  Instruments  of  great  Things  in  the  World:  as 
a  single  Hair,  applied  unto  a  Flyer,  that  has  other  wheels  depending 
on  it,  may  pull  up  an  Oak,  or  pull  down  an  House.  This  Consider- 
ation has  encouraged  me,  who  am  among  the  most  inconsiderable 
Persons  upon  Earth,  to  be  alwayes  watching,  and  often  thinking, 
what  Good  I  may  do  in  the  World!  I  have  made  it  an  Encourage- 
ment unto  me,  to  be  continually  looking  after  Opportunities,  to  be 
serviceable  unto  the  Interests  of  a  Glorious  CHRIST,  and  of  His 
People,  yea,  and  of  all  People  in  the  World. 

I  have  more  particularly  seen,  how  indefatigable  some  are,  to 
do  Mischief  in  the  World,  and  embroil  Mankind  and  pursue  their 
own  sorry  and  sordid  Interests;  and  how  much  hurt,  one  little  Wretch 
may  do.  I  have  concluded  upon  it,  that  I  ought  to  do  more  for  the 
Interests  of  my  glorious  LORD,  than  any  carnal  Men  can  do  for 
their  own;  and  that  it  might  be  possible  for  me,  to  do  as  much  good 
as  a  Uttle  Wretch,  not  beyond  my  own  Dimensions,  may  do  hurt, 
unto  our  Fellow-Creatures.  This  has  done  much  to  inspire  my 
poor  Activity. 

Some  Special  Points,  relating  to  the  Education 
OF  MY  Children. 

I.  I  pour  out  continual  Prayers  and  Cries  to  the  God  of  all 
Grace  for  them,  that  He  will  be  a  Father  to  my  Children,  and  bestow 
His  Christ  and  His  Grace  upon  them,  and  guide  them  with  His 
Councils,  and  bring  them  to  His  Glory. 

And  in  this  Action,  I  mention  them  distinctly,  every  one  by 
Name  unto  the  Lord. 

II.  I  begin  betimes  to  entertain  them  with  delightful  Stories, 
especially  scriptural  ones.  And  still  conclude  with  some  Lesson  of 
Piety;  bidding  them  to  learn  that  Lesson  from  the  Story. 

And  thus,  every  Day  at  the  Table,  I  have  used  myself  to  tell  a 

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Story  before  I  rise;  and  make  the  Story  useful  to  the  Olive  Plants 
about  the  Table. 

III.  When  the  Children  at  any  time  accidentally  come  in  my 
way,  it  is  my  custome  to  lett  fall  some  Sentence  or  other,  that  may 
be  monitory  and  profitable  to  them. 

This  Matter  proves  to  me,  a  Matter  of  some  Study,  and  Labour, 
and  Contrivance.  But  who  can  tell,  what  may  be  the  Effect  of  a 
continual  Dropping? 

rV.  I  essay  betimes,  to  engage  the  Children,  in  Exercises  of 
Piety;  and  especially  secret  Prayer,  for  which  I  give  them  very  plain 
and  brief  Directions,  and  suggest  unto  them  the  Petitions,  which  I 
would  have  them  to  make  before  the  Lord,  and  which  I  therefore 
explain  to  their  Apprehension  and  Capacity.  And  I  often  call  upon 
them;  Child,  Don't  you  forgett  every  Day,  to  go  alone,  and  pray  as  I 
have  directed  you  I 

V.  Betimes  I  try  to  form  in  the  Children  a  Temper  of  Benignity. 
I  putt  them  upon  doing  of  Services  and  Kindnesses  for  one  another, 
and  for  other  Children.  I  applaud  them,  when  I  see  them  Delight 
in  it.  I  upbraid  all  Aversion  to  it.  I  caudon  them  exquisitely 
against  all  Revenges  of  Injuries.  I  instruct  them,  to  return  good 
Offices  for  evil  Ones.  I  show  them,  how  they  will  by  this  Goodness 
become  like  to  the  Good  GOD,  and  His  Glorious  CHRIST.  I  lett 
them  discern,  that  I  am  not  satisfied,  except  when  they  have  a  Sweet- 
ness of  Temper  shining  in  them. 

VI.  As  soon  as  tis  possible,  I  make  the  Children  learn  to  write. 
And  when  they  can  write,  I  employ  them  in  Writing  out  the  most 
agreeable  and  profitable  Things,  that  I  can  invent  for  them.  In 
this  way,  I  propose  to  fraight  their  minds  with  excellent  Things,  and 
have  a  deep  Impression  made  upon  their  Minds  by  such  Things. 

VII.  I  mightily  endeavour  it,  that  the  Children  may  betimes, 
be  acted  by  Principles  of  Reason  and  Honour. 

I  first  begett  in  them  an  high  Opinion  of  their  Father's  Love  to 
them,  and  of  his  being  best  able  to  judge,  what  shall  be  good  for 
them. 

Then  I  make  them  sensible,  tis  a  Folly  for  them  to  pretend  imto 
any  Witt  and  Will  of  their  own;  they  must  resign  all  to  me,  who 
will  be  sure  to  do  what  is  best;  my  word  must  be  their  Law. 

I  cause  them  to  understand,  that  it  is  an  hurtful  and  a  shameful 
thing  to  do  amiss.  I  aggravate  this,  on  all  Occasions;  and  lett  them 
see  how  amiable  they  will  render  themselves  by  well  doing. 

The  first  Chastisement,  which  I  inflict  for  an  ordinary  Fault,  is, 

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to  lett  the  Child  see  and  hear  me  in  an  Astonishment,  and  hardly 
able  to  beleeve  that  the  Child  could  do  so  base  a  Thing,  but  beleeving 
that  they  will  never  do  it  again. 

I  would  never  come,  to  give  a  child  a  Blow;  except  in  Case  of 
Obstinacy:  or  some  gross  Enormity. 

To  be  chased  for  a  while  out  of  my  Presence,  I  would  make  to 
be  look'd  upon,  as  the  sorest  Punishment  in  the  Family. 

I  would  by  all  possible  Insinuations  gain  this  Point  upon  them, 
that  for  them  to  leam  all  the  brave  Things  in  the  world,  is  the  bravest 
Thing  in  the  world.  I  am  not  fond  of  proposing  Play  to  them,  as  a 
Reward  of  any  diligent  Application  to  leam  what  is  good;  lest  they 
should  think  Diversion  to  be  a  better  and  a  nobler  Thing  than  Dili- 
gence. 

I  would  have  them  come  to  propound  and  expwct,  at  this  rate, 
I  kave  done  well,  and  now  I  will  go  to  my  Father;  He  wiU  leach  me  some 
curious  Thing  for  it.  I  must  have  them  coimt  it  a  Priviledge,  to  be 
taught;  and  I  sometimes  manage  the  Matter  so,  that  my  Refusing 
to  teach  them  Something,  is  their  Punishment. 

The  slavish  way  of  Education,  carried  on  with  raving  and  kicking 
and  scourging  (in  Schools  as  well  as  Families,)  tis  abominable;  and 
a  dreadful  Judgment  of  God  up)on  the  World. 

VIII.  Tho'  I  find  it  a  marvellous  Advantage  to  have  the  Chil- 
dren strongly  biased  by  Principles  of  Reason  and  Honour,  (which, 
I  find,  Children  will  feel  sooner  than  is  commonly  thought  for:)  yett 
I  would  neglect  no  Endeavours,  to  have  higher  Principles  infused 
into  them. 

I  therefore  betimes  awe  them  with  the  Eye  of  God  upon 
them. 

I  show  them,  how  they  must  love  JESUS  CHRIST;  and  show 
it,  by  doing  what  their  Parents  require  of  them. 

I  often  tell  them  of  the  good  Angels,  who  love  them,  and  help 
them,  and  guard  them;  and  who  take  Notice  of  them:  and  therefore 
must  not  be  disobliged. 

Heaven  and  Hell,  I  sett  before  them,  as  the  Consequences  of 
their  Behaviour  here. 

IX.  When  the  Children  are  capable  of  it,  I  take  them  alone,  one 
by  one;  and  after  my  Charges  unto  them,  to  fear  God,  and  serve 
Christ,  and  shun  Sin,  /  pray  with  them  in  my  Study  and  make  them 
the  Witnesses  of  the  Agonies,  with  which  I  address  the  Throne  of 
Grace  on  their  behalf. 

X.  I  find  much  Benefit,  by  a  particular  Method,  as  of  Cate- 

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ckising  the  Children,  so  of  carrying  the  Repetition  of  the  public  Ser- 
mons unto  them. 

The  Answers  of  the  Catechism  I  still  explain  with  abundance  of 
brief  Quaestions,  which  make  them  to  take  in  the  Meaning  of  it,  and 
I  see,  that  they  do  so. 

And  when  the  Sermons  are  to  be  Repeated,  I  chuse  to  putt  every 
Truth,  into  a  Qutestion,  to  be  answered  still,  with,  Yes,  or,  .Vo.  In 
this  way  I  awaken  their  Attention,  as  well  as  enlighten  their  Under- 
standing. And  in  this  way  J  have  an  Opportunity,  to  ask.  Do  you 
desire  such,  or  such  a  Grace  of  God?  and  the  like.  Yea,  I  have  an 
Opportunity  to  demand,  and  perhaps,  to  obtain  their  Consent  unto 
the  glorious  Articles  of  the  New  Covenant.  The  Spirit  of  Grace  may 
fall  upon  them  in  this  Action;  and  they  may  be  siez'd  by  Him,  and 
Held  as  His  Temples,  thro'  eternal  Ages. 

Several  Points  of  Conduct. 

If  I  hear  that  any  Person  has  done  me  Wrong  in  Word  or  Deed, 
I  find  it  is  often  (tho'  not  alwayes,)  the  best  way  in  the  World,  not 
to  left  them  know,  tluU  I  have  any  knowledge  oj  it.  The  best  way  is, 
to  forgive  and  forgett  the  Wrong,  and  bury  it  in  Silence.  For,  besides 
the  Consideration  due  to  the  internal  Advantage  reaped  by  such 
Christianity,  there  is  this  to  be  considered;  such  is  the  Malignity 
in  the  most  of  Men,  that  they  will  hate  you,  only  because  you  know, 
that  they  have  wrong'd  you.  They  will  as  far  as  they  can  justify 
the  Wrong  they  have  done ;  and  because  their  wicked  Hearts  imagine, 
that  you  must  needs  alwayes  bear  a  Spite  unto  them  for  the  Wrong 
you  have  received  from  them,  they  will  bear  a  confirmed  Spile  against 
you  on  that  vile  Account.  Whereas,  I  have  often  found,  that  my 
Concocting  with  Patience  and  Silence,  a  Sleight,  or  an  Hurt,  that 
has  been  ofifered  me,  has  hetn  followed  (and  rewarded  by  God)  with 
this  Consequence,  that  the  very  Persons,  who  have  wrong'd  me,  have 
afterwards  been  made  Instruments  of  signal  Service  unto  me. 

When  any  remarkable  Affliction  befalls  me,  I  sett  myself  to  con- 
sider, what  Advantage  I  may  contrive  to  my  Flock,  and  to  the  People 
of  God,  out  of  this  Affliction.  The  Affliction  awakens  me  to  preach, 
and  perhaps  to  write,  those  Things,  which  may  be  of  general  Advan- 
tage. I  think  with  myself,  it  may  be  the  Lord  intends  now  to  make 
me  bear  some  special  Fruits  for  His  Glory  and  Service,  in  His  Churches, 
which  else  would  never  have  been  found  upon  me.  And  I  can  truly 
say,  that  tho'  Affliction  be  not  joyous  but  grievous,  yett  the  very  Pros- 
pect of  this  Effect  while  I  have  been  but  entring  into  the  Darkness 

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538  DIARY  OF  COTTON  MATHER 

which  I  saw  coming  upon  me,  and  while  I  have  been  yett  in  the 
Dark,  as  to  the  particular  Benefits  and  Revenues  for  the  Service  of 
Religion  which  could  arise  from  it;  it  has  caused  my  Spirit  exceedingly 
to  triumph  over  Troubles;  I  have  with  a  triumphant  Satisfaction 
rejoiced,  in  it,  that  the  Lord  would  please  to  send  Sorrowes,  with 
such  admirable  Designs  upon  me. 

When  I  have  been  persecuted  with  any  Calumny,  or  calumnious 
Malignity,  wherein  I  could  plainly  perceive  Satan  seeking  to  damnify 
my  Opportunities  to  be  serviceable;  or*vhen  any  furious  Tempta- 
tions of  Satan  have  in  a  more  internal  Way  assaulted  me;  I  have 
sett  myself  to  consider,  how  to  prosecute  a  Revenge  -upon  Satan/  It 
has  been  a  Contrivance  of  great  Consequence  in  my  Ministry;  By 
the  Devices  of  Satan  against  me,  to  be  provoked  unto  the  Taking 
of  such  Steps,  and  the  Preaching  and  Writing  of  such  Truths,  as 
may  render  the  Divel  remarkably  a  Loser  by  going  to  meddle  with 
me.  The  God  of  Peace  has  given  me  astonishing  Experiences  of  His 
Favour  to  me  in  this  matter. 

If  I  understand,  that  any  Injury,  either  in  Word  or  Deed  has 
been  offered  unto  me,  instead  of  all  passionate  Excursions,  I  imme- 
diately sitt  myself  to  think,  "What  Benefit  shall  I  fetch  out  of  this 
Injury?  In  what  Vertue,  in  what  Duty,  in  what  good  Action,  shall 
I  now,  upon  this  Provocation,  endeavour  to  shine  more,  that  I  did 
before?"  And  immediately  repair  to  the  God  of  all  Grace,  for  the 
Help  of  His  Grace,  in  a  matter  so  desirable:  Yea,  and  this  not  with- 
out a  Petition  to  God,  that  He  would  pitty  and  pardon,  and  give 
a  better  Mind,  and  with  it  all  Manner  of  Good,  unto  them  who  have 
offered  the  Injury. 

Relating  to  my  Flock. 

Tis  my  watchful  and  constant  Study,  that  never  any  Person 
of  my  Flock,  (or  indeed  any  other,)  comes  fairly  in  my  way,  but  I 
lett  fall  some  Word  or  another,  that  I  design  to  prove  some  way 
serviceable  to  them. 

I  endeavour  generally  to  sett  apart  one  Afternoon  in  a  Week, 
for  pastoral  Visits;  and  in  these  I  address  all  sorts  of  Persons,  good 
and  bad,  old  and  young,  with  as  exquisitely  contrived  Admonitions 
of  Piety,  as  ever  I  can.  I  find  a  marvellous  Presence  and  Blessing 
of  God,  in  these  pastoral  Visits. 

Whenever  I  make  any  occasioruil  Visit,  I  do  not  know,  that  I 
ever  miss  of  contriving  how  to  make  my  Visit  profitable,  serviceable, 
edifying  unto  those  to  whom  I  make  it. 

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I  am  continually  scattering  Books  of  Piety  into  the  Hands  of 
my  Flock;  and  often  do  it,  with  this  Advice;  Remember,  thai  I  am 
speaking  to  you,  all  the  while  you  have  this  Book  before  you  I  so  there 
is  not  a  Day  in  the  year,  in  which  I  am  not  preaching  to  many  of 
them. 

It  is  a  Rule  with  me,  rather  to  suffer,  and  bury  in  Silence,  any 
manner  of  Injuries  and  Abuses,  from  absurd  People  in  the  Flock, 
than  to  manage  any  Contention  with  any  of  them  on  any  Occasion. 

Lett  the  Matter  or  Issue  of  the  Controversy  be  what  it  will,  I 
shall  gain  more,  in  regard  of  the  great  Interest,  by  remitting  of  my 
Right,  than  by  pursxiing  of  it. 

And  in  the  Services  of  Christianity,  I  make  no  manner  of  Differ- 
ence, between  those  that  abuse  me,  and  those  that  value  me.  If  I 
make  any  Difference,  tis  by  being  readier  to  serve  the  former,  than 
the  latter. 

Tis  admirable  to  see,  how  this  Conduct  will  conquer  the  Follies 
and  Humours  of  unreasonable  People. 

In  my  public  Ministry,  if  at  any  Time,  (as  I  do  oftentimes)  I 
go  thro'  a  Course,  either  of  Themes  depending  on  One  another  in 
the  Body  of  Divinity,  or  of  Texts  as  they  lay  together  in  any  Para- 
graph of  the  Scripture;  I  make  much  Prayer  before  the  Lord,  (even 
with  Fasting)  for  His  Direction  and  Assistence,  before  I  undertake 
it.  But  I  still  reserve  myself  a  Liberty,  usually  every  other  Lord's- 
Day,  to  discourse  on  occasional  Subjects;  and  for  my  Direction  in 
these,  I  consider  the  particular  Conditions,  Occurrences,  Tempta- 
tions, of  the  Flock;  and  endeavour  as  well  as  I  can  to  suit  them  with 
the  Word  of  God.' 

The  Course  of  my  Publick  Ministry. 

1704.  8d.  12  m.  [February.]  I  preached  on  Eph.  2.  18.  Access 
to  God,  thro'  the  Christ  of  God,  by  the  Spirit  of  God. 

15  d.  12  m.  I  preached.  Job.  24.  19.  Death,  as  effectually  and 
observably  as  a  Thaw  does  the  Snow,  consuming  the  sinful  Children 
of  Men.     (At  a  Time  of  Thaw.) 

1705.  id.im.  [March.]  Thursday.  A  general  Fast,  thro'  the 
Province.  I  preached  on,  i.  Sam.  i.  15,  18.  Pouring  out  of  the 
Soul  before  the  Lord  under  sad  things,  a  Cure  of  all  the  Sadness. 

^d.im.  I  preached  on  Mat.  23.  3.  They  say,  and  do  not; 
the  Religion  of  some  Folks,  lying  only  in  good  Words. 

'  Elizabeth  Mather,  his  wife,  was  admitted  to  the  Second  Church,  December 
24,  1705- 

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11  d.  1  m.  I  preached,  on,  Gen.  49.  10.  The  Glories  of  our 
Lord  Redeemer,  signified  in  the  Name  of  Shiloh.  (And  I  adminis- 
tred  the  Eucharist.) 

18  d.  I  m.  I  preached,  on  Eph.  2.  19.  All  Saints  having  a  part 
in  the  City  of  God. 

25  d.  I  m.  I  preached,  on  2.  King  4.  26.  All  well,  in  the  Deal- 
ings of  God  with  His  People.  (Because  many  of  my  Neighbours 
have  lately  mett  with  great  Afflictions.) 

29  d.  I  m.  Thursday.  I  preached  the  Lecture;  on  Ps.  90.  16. 
A  Christ  the  glorious  Work  of  God,  and  the  great  Blessing  desired 
by  the  Godly,  for  themselves,  and  for  their  Children. 

I  d.  2  m.  [April.]  I  preached,  on  Eph.  2.  19.  Beleevers  belong- 
ing to  the  Household  of  God. 

id.  zm.  I  preached,  on  i.  Thess.  5.  22.  Abstaining  from  sdl 
Appearance  of  Evil. 

12  d.  2  m.  Thursday.  A  Day  of  Thanksgiving,  thro'  the  Prov- 
ince. I  preached  on  Job.  37.  14.  About,  considering  the  wondrous 
Works  of  God. 

15  (i.  2  m.  I  preached  on  Eph.  2.  20.  Christ  the  Corner-stone 
of  the  Church,  and  the  Word  of  Christ  laid  in  the  Foundation  of  the 
Church. 

22  d.  2  m.  I  preached,  on  2.  Sam.  12.  7.  An  Essay,  to  con- 
vince men  that  they  are  indeed  what  they  are. 

26  d.  2  m.  Thursday.  I  preached  the  Lecture  on  Ezek.  37.  4.  Life 
convey'd  unto  dead  Souls,  by  bringing  the  Word  of  God  unto  them. 

2gd.2m.  I  preached,  on  Eph.  2.  21.  The  Church  being  a 
framed,  and  a  growing,  and  an  holy  Temple;  and  all  thro'  Christ. 

bd.  2,m.  [May.]  I  preached,  on  Eph.  2.  22.  A  particular  Church 
being  a  Temple  of  God.     (And  I  administred  the  Eucharist.) 

13  d.  3  m.  I  preached  on  Eph.  2.  22.  Every  Godly  Person 
being  a  Temple  of  God. 

20  d.  T,m.  I  concluded  the  Discourse  I  began  the  last  Lord's- 
Day.  And  all  my  Sermons,  on  the  Gospel  in  the  two  first  Chapters 
to  the  Ephcsians.     About  105  Sermons. 

27  d.  ^m.  I  preached  on  i.  King  3.  5.  God  giving  the  best  of 
Blessings,  yea,  all  Blessings,  to  them  that  first  Chuse  and  Ask  the 
best  of  Blessings. 

3  (f.  4  m.  [June.]  I  preached,  at  our  Old  Meeting-house;  on  Eph. 
2.  21. 

10  d.  4  m.  I  preached,  on  E.xod.  34.  24.  On  Men's  not  being 
Losers,  by  Obedience  to  God. 

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13  d.  4  w.  Wednesday,  I  preached  [the]  Lecture,  at  Dedham;  on 
Eph.  2.  6.     Beleevers  being  already  saved,  and  by  Grace. 

IT  d.  4  m.  I  preached,  A.  M.  at  the  Old-Meetmg-house,  on  Eph. 
2.  4.  The  Great  Love  of  God,  unto  His  chosen.  And,  P.M.  at  my 
own;  on  Rev.  2.  10.  Faithfulness  to  Death,  rewarded  with  a  Crown 
of  Life. 

21  d.  4  w.  Thursday.  I  preached  the  Lecture,  on  i.  Cor.  3.  16. 
A  Good  Man,  a  Temple  of  God. 

24  d.  4  w.  I  preached  both  parts  of  the  Day,  at  Maiden,  A.M. 
on  Rev.  2.  10.    P.  jM.  on  Eph.  2.  17. 

id.  ^m.  {July.]  I  preached  on,  Isa.  9.  2.  The  Enjoyment  of  a 
Glorious  Christ,  making  amends  for  the  darkest  Afflictions. 

8  d.  s  »».  I  preached  on  Psal.  125.  4.  Who  are  the  Good,  and 
the  Upright,  and  that  God  will  do  good  unto  them. 

15  d.  $m.  I  preached,  on,  Rom.  8.  10.  The  Body  dead  because 
of  Sin,  but,  the  Spirit,  Life  because  of  Righteousness. 

19  d.  5  m.  Thursday,  I  preached  the  Lecture,  on  i.  Cor.  3.  16. 
and  finished  what  I  began  a  Month  ago. 

22  d.  $m.  I  preached,  on  Psal.  125.  5.  Them  who  turn  aside 
unto  crooked  Wayes,  being  led  forth  with  Workers  of  Iniquity 

29  d.  $  m.  I  preached,  on  Phil.  r.  6.  A  good  Work  of  Grace, 
begun,  and  perfected,  by  the  God  of  all  Grace,  upon  His  People. 

$d.6m.  [August.]  I  preached,  on  Luk.  12.  40.  Being  ready  for 
the  coming  of  the  Lord.  (The  Death  of  a  worthy  young  Minister 
quickened  me.) 

12  d.  6  m.  I  preached,  on  Mat.  7.  19.  The  Fate  of  Trees,  which 
do  not  bring  forth  good  Fruit. 

15  d.  6  m.  Wednesday.  I  preached  thp  Lecture,  at  Salem,  on 
Psal.  125.  4. 

16  d.  6  m.  Thursday.  I  preached  the  Lecture,  at  Ipswich;  on 
I.  King.  3.  5. 

19  d.6m.  I  preached  at  Salem,  on  Ezek.  37.  4.  Quickening 
Words,  prophesied  over  dead  SotUs. 

26  d.6m.  I  preached,  on  Joh.  6.  54.  Eating  the  Flesh,  and 
Drinking  the  Blood,  of  Christ.     (And  administred  the  Eucharist.) 

28  d.  6  m.  Tuesday.  I  preached  the  Lecture  at  Roxbury;  on 
Psal.  125.  4. 

2  d.  T  m.  [September.]  I  preached  on  Psal.  119.  165.  Serious 
Religion  lying  in  Love  to  the  Law  of  God;  the  great  Peace  of  them 
that  have  it;  and  their  Freedom  from  offences. 

gd.  7  m.    I  preached  on,  Dan.  5.  27.    The  Confusion  of  being 

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542  DIARY  OF  COTTON  MATHER 

found  wanting,  in  the  Balances  of  God.     (Our  being  driven  to  take 
all  our  Money  daily  by  the  Scale,  raising  these  Meditations.) 

13  d.  7  m.  Thursday.  I  preached,  the  Lecture,  on  Mai.  3.  16. 
How  Christians  are  to  manage  their  Visits. 

16  (f.  7  m.  I  preached  on,  2.  Cor.  13.  14.  The  first  Article  in 
the  Benediction  of  the  N.T.     The  Grace  of  llie  Lord  Jesus  Christ. 

igd.  -J  m.  Wednesday.  I  preached  the  Lecture  at  Redding;  on 
I.  King  3.  5. 

23  d.  J  m.     I  preached  on,  2.  Cor.  13.  14.    The  Loze  of  God. 

30  d.  "J  m.  I  preached  on,  2.  Cor.  13.  14.  The  Communion  of 
the  Holy  Spirit. 

•J  d.  8  m.  [October.]  I  preached,  on  Rom.  i  18.  Holding  the 
Truth,  in  unrighteousness. 

11  d.  &m.  Thursday.  I  preached  the  Lecture,  on  2.  Kings  4.  26. 
The  Satisfactions  of  afflicted  Christianity. 

14  d.  &m.     I  preached,  a  second  time,  on  Rom.  i.  18. 

18  d.  8  m.  Thursday.  A  Day  of  general  Thanksgiving.  I  preached 
on  Psal.  138.  3.  All  the  Perfections  of  God  employed,  for  to  magnify 
the  Truth  of  His  Word. 

2id.Sm.  I  preached  on  Math.  20.  32.  Christ,  offering  a 
Releef  to  all  our  Miseries,  and  inviting  us  to  ask  for  it.  (And  I 
administred  the  Eucharist.) 

28  d.  8  m.  I  preached  on,  Luk.  20.  3.  Those  Qwzstions  of  tlie 
Lord,  which  being  putt  unto  us,  may  putt  us  into  much  Confusion. 

4.d.  g  m.  [November.]  I  preached  on.  Rev.  14.  3.  The  Songs  of 
Piety,  which  can  be  learnt  and  sung  by  none  but  the  truly  Pious. 

8d.  g  m.  Thursday.  I  preached  the  Lecture,  on  Matth.  24.  44. 
Being  Ready  for  the  coming  of  the  Lord.  (.\  Sermon  occasion'd  by 
the  Death  of  seven  young  Ministers;  with  whose  laudable  Characters 
also  I  entertained  the  Auditory.) 

iid.gm.  I  preached,  on  Rom.  13.  14.  Putting  on  the  Lord 
Jesus  Christ.  (It  being  the  Time,  that  we  are  putting  on  our  Gar- 
ments for  the  Winter.) 

18  d.  g  m.  I  preached,  on  Rom.  13.  14.  Not  making  Provision 
for  the  Flesh,  in  the  Lusts  of  it. 

25  d.gm.  I  preached,  on  Prov.  14.  34.  Sin  a  Reproach  to  any 
people.  (On  the  occasion  of  two  E.xcomunicated  by  the  Church, 
for  a  Course  of  Drunkenness.) 

2  d.  10  m.  [December.]  I  preached,  on  Matth.  7.  13.  The  wide 
Gate,  and  broad  Way,  that  leads  to  Destruction. 

td.  10  m.  Thursday.     I   preached   the  Lecture,  on  Job.   31.   6. 

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PEBRUARY,     1705-06  543 

Being  weighed  in  the  even  Balances  of  God.  (From  the  frequent  use 
of  the  Scale,  for  our  Coin.) 

9  d.  10  m.  I  preached,  on  Matth.  7.  14.  The  strait  Gate  and 
narrow  Way,  that  leads  to  Life. 

16  d.  10  m.  I  preached  on,  Psal.  132.  4.  5.  Not  indulging  sin- 
ful DeJjycs,  to  become  an  Habitation,  of  God  ourselves  or  to  seek  and 
serve  the  Habitations  of  God;  His  church.  (And  I  administred  the 
Eucharist.) 

23  d.  10  m.  I  preached,  on  Joh.  i.  48.  Nathanael  under  the 
Figtree.     Closett  Duties. 

sod.  low.  I  preach'd  on,  Isa.  55.  10.  11.  The  Word  of  God, 
like  the  Rain  and  Snow  (whereof  now  much  is  falling,)  not  coming 
for  Nothing. 

S  d.  II  m.  [January.]  Thursday.  I  preached  the  Lecture,  on, 
Luk.  4.  5.  .\  Moment  of  Time,  sufficient  to  survey  all  the  Glory  of 
this  World.  (It  being  a  Time,  the  Coldness  whereof  call'd  for  a 
very  short  Sermon.) 

6d.  iim.  I  preached  on,  Psal.  121.  3.  The  watchful  Providcwe 
of  God,  at  work,  for  the  keeping  of  His  people. 

13  d.  II  m.  I  preached  on  Psal.  132.  15.  God  (both  in  a  literal, 
and  a  spiritual  Sense,)  a  good  Provider  for  Zion,  and  for  the  Poor  of  it. 

2od.  II  m.  I  preached,  on  Psal.  147.  2.  The  Building  of  Jeru- 
salem. To  encourage  my  Neighbours,  to  do  more  in  building  the 
church. 

24  d.  II  m.  Thursday.  A  Day  of  pubUc  Thanksgiving.  I  preached 
on  Psal.  136.  26.  Giving  Thanks  to  the  God  of  Heaven,  because  of 
His  ever-enduring  Mercy. 

2T  d.  II  m.  I  preached,  on  Matth.  22.  13.  Gnashing  of  Teeth 
in  outer  Darkness.  Taking  Advantage  from  the  present  Season,  to 
represent  the  unspeakable  Anguish  of  the  damned. 

$1  d.  II  m.  Thursday.  I  preached,  the  Lecture;  on  Isa.  27.  3. 
The  Lord's  keeping  us  Night  and  Day.  (To  promote  in  the  Town,  a 
due  Thankfulness  for  our  continual  Praeservations.) 

3  (i.  12  w.  [February.]  I  preached,  in  the  Forenoon,  (my  Father 
being  indisposed,)  on  Psal.  48.  14.  The  Lord's  being  our  God,  and 
our  Guide,  and  this  forever.  (To  assist  many  who  are  now  joining 
to  the  Church,  in  the  great  Action  of  entring  into  Covenant  with 
God.) 

I  preached  in  the  Afternoon,  on,  2.  Pet.  i.  10.  Giving  Diligence, 
to  make  our  Calling  and  Election  sure.  (To  assist  them;  in  examin- 
ing of  themselves.) 

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544  DIARY  OF  COTTON  MATHER 

lod.  12  w.  I  preached,  on,  Isa.  55.  i.  Our  Invitation  to  the 
Benefits  of  a  Glorious  Christ,  without  Money;  and  our  Poverty 
and  Wretchedness,  no  Discouragement.  (And  I  administred  the 
Eucharist.) 

God  never  required  or  expressed  any  such  thing  of  any  man, 
that  he  should  Register  every  occurrence  of  his  Life.  For  such  an 
Attempt  were  to  justle  out  more  necessary  and  important  Duties. 
Upon  this  and  many  other  accounts,  it  is  both  unwarrantable  and 
Impertinent. 

Rob.  Fleming,  of  the  ministerial  work. 


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1706 

THE  XLIVth  year. 

How  MY  Time  is  taken  up. 

Alas,  for  a  very  great  Part  of  my  Time,  I  am  dead.  It 
is  consumed  in  Sleep.  Thro'  my  Feebleness,  and,  I  doubt, 
I  may  more  truly  say,  thro  my  Slothftdties^,  I  sweel  away 
the  precious  Morning.  I  rise  not  until  seven  or  eight  a 
Clock. 

1.  Risen,  I  first  sing  my  Hymn,  to  show  forth  the 
Loving-kindness  of  God  in  the  Morning. 

2.  Then  I  write  some  short  Paragraph,  upon  which  I 
had  employ'd  my  rising  Thoughts.  Hereby  sometimes  I 
have  insensibly  praepared  whole  Sermons,  which  ly  by  me, 
to  be  used  upon  Occasion. 

3.  I  proceed  hereupon  to  add  something  unto  my 
Amassment  of  Illustrations,  with  which,  I  hope  one  day 
to  send  out  our  Biblia  Americana,  and  of  which  I  have  gott 
ready  very  many  Thousands. 

4.  Then  I  make  my  morning  Prayers  in  my  Study;  in 
which,  besides  my  constant  Petitions  I  fetch  new  Matter 
of  Supplication,  from  what  I  have  been  writing  just  before. 

Thus  I  do  on  the  Lord's-day  Mornings,  as  well  as  on 
the  rest. 

5.  Going  dow]j  to  my  Family,  I  read  a  Portion  of  the 
sacred  Scriptures,  and  fetch  a  Note  out  of  every  Clause, 
and  then  pray  with  them,  turning  what  I  had  read,  into 
Prayer. 

6.  I  Return  to  my  Study,  and  pursue  what  Work  I 
have  lying  before  me. 

I -35  IS4SJ 

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546  DIAKY     OP     COTTON     MATHER 

7.  At  the  Table,  when  I  come  to  Dinner,  I  am  sollicitous 
to  contrive  some  Discourse,  by  which  the  Minds  of  the 
Family  may  be  edified.  I  rarely  sitt  down,  without  relat- 
ing to  the  Children  some  Story  out  of  the  Bible,  from 
whence  I  inculcate  some  Lesson  upon  them,  or,  it  may  be 
some  other  Story. 

8.  Then  I  return  to  my  Study,  and  usually  pour  out 
some  short  Prayer  unto  the  Lord. 

9.  One  afternoon  in  the  Week,  I  sett  apart  for  Pastoral 
Visits;  a  most  laborious,  but  a  most  profitable  Under- 
taking. 

10.  Sometimes,  in  other  Afternoons,  I  not  only  follow 
my  Studies,  but  also  step  abroad,  upon  Visits  of  Civility. 
Even  in  these  also,  I  perpetually  contrive  to  do  some  Good, 
I  would  be  alwayes  at  Work  for  God  in  them. 

11.  About  the  Shutting  in  of  the  Evening,  I  first,  con- 
stantly hear  the  Children  say  a  part  of  the  Catechism. 
Then  I  take  two  or  three  Verses  of  a  Psalm,  and  read  the 
Paragraph,  with  an  Observation  upon  every  Clause  and 
sing  it,  and  so  pray  with  my  Family.  The  Evening-prayer, 
besides  what  Matter  the  Psalm  afforded  for  it,  I  make 
chiefly  to  consist  of  Thanksgivings. 

12.  After  this,  either  I  Retire  to  my  Study,  or  else  give 
a  Visit  unto  some  agreeable  Neighbour,  wherein  I  ever 
study  to  be  serviceable. 

13.  Coming  to  my  light  Supper  about  ten  a  Clock,  I 
make  it  an  Opportunity  to  sitt  and  talk,  as  edifyingly  as 
I  can,  with  the  adult  Part  of  my  Family. 

14.  Then  I  retire  to  my  Study,  and  I  consider  what 
Mercies  I  have  received  in  the  Day;  and  what  Follies  I 
have  committed  in  the  Day;  which  I  do  on  my  Knees 
acknowledge  before  the  Lord.  And  I  renew  some  Action 
of  Piety,  by  which  the  Welfare  of  my  Spirit  may  be  so 
secured,  that  if  I  dy  this  Night,  I  may  dy  comfortably. 
And,  if  any  one  have  done  me  any  Kindness  (yea,  or  any 

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FEBRUARY,     1705-06  547 

Mischief)  in  the  Day,  or  have  ask'd  a  Remembrance  in 
my  Prayers,  I  mention  these  by  Name,  with  agreeable 
Supplications  before  the  Lord. 

Going  to  Bed,  I  carry  some  agreeable  Book  with  me;  and 
read  until  I  fall  Asleep;  which  is  rarely  much  before  eleven 
a  clock:  oftner  after,  than  before. 

My  Sermons  engross  no  little  Part  of  my  Tune;  and  it 
is  fitt  that  it  should  be  so. 

When  I  begin  to  study  a  Sermon,  I  usually  make  a 
Prayer  to  the  Glorious  Lord,  for  Direction  and  Assistence. 
When  I  finish,  I  retiurn  solemn  Thanks  unto  the  Lord  on 
my  Knees,  and  pray  that  it  may  be  sprinkled  with  the 
Blood  of  the  Lamb. 

17."  The  Education  of  my  Children  to  learn  them  Things, 
and  sett  them  Talks,  which  none  else  can,  spends  me  no 
Uttle  Time. 

18.  The  Care  of  the  Sick,  in  such  a  very  populous  Place, 
as  that  whereof  I  am  the  Servant,  employs  Abundance  of 
Time:  Abundance  of  Time,  truly.  Not  only  my  own  Con- 
gregation, but  the  Rest  in  the  Town,  send  for  me. 

19.  'Tis  an  incredible  Deal  of  Time,  that  I  must  sacri- 
fice, imto  the  Satisfaction,  (and  I  perpetually  endeavour, 
that  it  may  be  unto  the  Edification)  of  those  that  make 
their  Visits  unto  me. 

20.  Not  only  my  Neighbours  repair  to  me,  with  daily 
AppKcations,  but  also  upon  the  Necessities  of  almost  all 
the  Churches  throughout  the  Countrey,  I  am  appUed  imto; 
and  my  Help  to  them  in  their  Difficulties  and  Necessities, 
procures  a  vast  Encumbrance. 

21.  I  am  related  imto  fourteen  or  fifteen  religious  Soci- 
eties. Every  one  of  them  expect  Services  from  me.  I  am 
at  times  with  all  of  them;  every  week  ordinarily  with  sev- 
eral of  them. 

22.  I  write  many  Treatises,  on  a  copious  Variety  of  sub- 
jects; I  compose  and  publish  usually,  as  many  every  Year 

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548  DIARY  OF  COTTON  MATHER 

as  there  are  Months  in  the  year.  And  some  of  them  cost 
more  than  a  little  Study.  The  very  Correction  of  the  Press- 
work,  is  work.  Many  of  these  am  I  continually  giving 
away;  I  suppose,  at  least  six  hundred  Books  in  a  Year. 

23.  Seldome  any  new  Book  of  Consequence  finds  the 
way  from  beyond-Sea,  to  these  Parts  of  America,  but  I 
bestow  the  Perusal  upon  it.  And,  still,  as  I  read,  I  note 
Curiosities  in  my  blank  Books,  which  I  entitle,  Quotidiana. 

24.  I  maintain  many  Correspondencies  by  Letters,  with 
such  as  are  abroad.  But  here,  I  evermore  study  how  to 
make  this  part  of  my  Conversation,  like  the  rest,  useful  to 
those  with  whom  I  am  concerned. 

25.  On  the  Lord's-Day  Noons,  I  read  and  think,  much 
about  the  Prophecies  that  concern  the  Characters  and 
Approaches  of  the  great  Sabbatism,  which  comes  with  the 
Kingdome  of  God;  and  I  usually  in  the  Dust  before 
the  Lord,  make  a  large  Prayer,  about  the  Condition  of  the 
Church  in  the  World :  Zion  in  the  Dust. 

26.  After  my  Return  from  the  pubUck  Service  of  the 
Afternoon,  I  catechise  my  Family,  and  go  over  what  they 
heard  in  the  Pubhc,  and  sing  and  pray  with  them.  When 
tis  dark,  I  go  sitt  with  my  Father. 

27.  I  often  sett  apart  -u.<liolc  Daycs,  either  for  Prayer 
with  Fasting,  or  for  Thanksgiving.  I  rarel}-  lett  a  Fort- 
night pass  without  one  of  them.  Else  Christianity  lan- 
guishes with  me. 

28.  Sometimes  I  ha\e  my  Vigils.  I  watch  deep  in  the 
Night,  with  Supplications  unto  the  Lord,  from  the  Dust, 
where  I  cast  myself  prostrate  before  Him,  on  special  Occa- 
sions. 

29.  As  I  walk  in  the  Streets,  or  sitt  otherwise  unem- 
ploy'd,  especially  at  Funerals,  and  at  Festivals,  I  contrive, 
what  suitable  Blessings,  I  may  ask  of  God,  for  those  that 
are  before  me;  and  1  form  cjaculatory  Prayers  to  Heaven, 
for  those  Blessings  on  their  behalf. 

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FEBRUARY,       1705-06  549 

30.  I  take  frequent  Opportunities  ordinarily  every  day, 
to  fetch  wholesome  Admonitions  for  myself,  by  way  of 
occasional  Reflection  upon  such  Objects  as  occurr  unto  me. 

31.  The  Management  of  the  Discipline  in  the  Church, 
whereof  I  am  a  Servant,  calls  for  very  much  of  my  Time; 
The  Examination  of  such  as  ask  Admission  imto  the  Cove- 
nant, or,  unto  our  Communion;  the  Enquiry  after  their 
Conversation;  And  the  Animadversion  upon  such  who  are 
under  the  Inspection  of  the  Church,  but  fall  into  Mis- 
detneanours  of  one  sort  or  another,  or  have  Contentions 
arising  among  them:  This  is  no  small  Employment,  in 
so  large  a  Congregation,  as  that  which  I  am  to  serve. 

The  Reason  of  my  noting  down  these  Articles  of  Employ- 
ment, which  engross  my  Time,  is,  because  I  doubt,  I  shall 
not  bring  ectch  Action  of  every  Day  under  so  explicit  a  Dedi- 
cation to  the  Great  God,  and  His  Glorious  CHRIST,  as 
were  desireable  in  my  Living  to  Him.  And  therefore,  I 
would  often  look  upon  these  Heads  of  Action,  and  study, 
and  contrive,  and  resolve,  the  Glorifying  of  the  LORD,  in 
all  that  shall  be  done  in  all;  and  so  it  may  still  be  said, 
that  I  am  at  work  for  Him. 

My  Correspondencies.' 
Europaean.  1706. 

In  Holland. 
Dr.  Herman  Witsius;  Professor  of  Theology  at  Leyden. 
Dr.  Melchior  Leydeszker,  Minister  at  Roterdam. 

In  England. 
At  Witney;  My  Brother,  —  To  be  Left  with  Mr.  John  Soden,  at 

the  Twisted  Posts,  in  Token-house-yard;  London. 
At  or  near  London;  Sir  Henry  Asshurst,  at  Kensington. 
Sir  William  Asshurst; 
Sir  Edmund  Harrison. 

Several  Ministers  of  State,  occasionally  written  to. 
Mr  Daniel  Burgess;  (in  Russel-Court,  in  Drury-Lane,  near  the 
Strand.) 
'  This  list  is  on  a  smaller  sheet  of  paper  than  the  Diary,  but  is  attached  by 
wafers  at  this  point. 

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55©  DIARY  OF  COTTON  MATHER 

Mr.  Thomas  Reinolds,  Minister. 
Mr.  John  Spademan,  Minister. 

Dr.  John  Edwards,  to  be  left  with  Mr.  Jonathan  Robinson, 
Bookseller  etc. 
Mr.  Robert  Hackshaw,  Merchant,  at  Hogsdon. 
Richard  Whittingam,  Esq. 
Mr  Richard  Mount,  on  Tower-hill. 

Mr.  Thomas  Parkhurst,  at  the  Bible  and  Three  Crowns,  in 
Cheap  side. 

Mr.  Jonathan  Robinson,  at  the  Golden  Lion,  in  Pauls  Church- 
yard. 

Mr  Richard  Chiswel,  at  the  Rose  and  Crown,  m  Pauls  Church- 
yard. 

Mr.  Brabazon  Aylmer,  at  the  Three  Pigeons  in  Comhil,  over- 
against  the  Royal  Exchange. 
Mr.  Benjamin  Harris;  at  the  Boars  Head, in  Grace-Church-Street. 
In  Lancashire. 
In  Yorkshire 
In  Scotland. 

At  Glasgow;  Mr.  James  Brown,  Minister  of  the  Gospel. 
Some  of    the  Ministers  of    State,   on   certain  special   Occasions; 
particularly, 

The  Earl  of  Southerland. 

The  Earl  of  Forfair. 

In  Portugal.    Mr.  [  ]  Jackson. 

American. 
At  New  York,  Mr.  Elias  Nean; 

Mr.  John  Dupeister. 
On  Long  Island,  Henry  Smith  Esq,  at  Georges  Mannor,  in  Brook- 
haven. 

His  wife,  Mrs.  Anna  Smith. 

His  mother,  M.  Martha  Smith 

Mr  [  ]  Goodhue,  at  Jamaica. 

At  Jersey;  John  Royse,  Esq,  at  Piscataqua. 
At  Pensylvania;  Mr  Jedidiah  Andrewes,  Minister  at  Philadelphia. 
At  Virginia,  Mr  Francis  Makemie;  at  Pocamuk. 
At  Carolina, 

Mr  Archibald  Stobo,  Minister  at  Charlstown. 

Nicolas  Trott,  Esq. 
At  Barbados,  Mr.  James  Aynsworth, 

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MARCH,     1705-06  551 

Mr  William  God-man. 
At  Antigua,  Colonel  John  Byam, 

Major  Walter  Long. 

Captain  James  Porter. 
At  Nevis,  Colonel  Richard  Abbot, 

Thomas  Belman,  Esq. 
At  Christophers,  Colonel  Walter  Hamilton. 
At  Monserrat,  Mr  [  ]  Finch 

At  Barmudaz  Mr.  John  Fowle,  Minister. 
At  Jamaica. 
In  N.  England. 

The  Occasional  Ones,  numberless.    When  any  good  Intention 
is  to  be  promoted,  or,  when  they  address  me  in  their  Difficulties. 

The  more  stated: 

Mr.  Samuel  Mather,  at  Windsor. 

Mr  Nathaniel  Clap,  at  Rhode  Island. 

Mr  John  Sparhawk,  at  Bristol. 

Mrs.  Sarah  Nudigate,  at  Bristol. 

Mr  Roland  Cotton  at  Sandwyche. 

Mr  Nicolas  Noyes  at  Salem 

Stephen  Sewal,  Esq. 

Mr  Edward  Payson,  at  Rowly 

Mr  John  Cotton,  at  Hampton. 

Samuel  Penhallow,  Esq.  at  Portsmouth. 

Mr.  Samuel  Keaies,  at  Portsmouth. 


1705 

THE   XLIIIlTH    YEAR   OF   MY   LIFE. 

12  d.  12  m.  [March.]  Tuesday.  Being  this  Day  to  finish 
the  forty  third  Year  of  my  Barren  Life,  I  sett  apart  this  Day, 
to  be  spent  in  my  Study;  Devoting  it  partly  to  Praises 
unto  the  Glorious  LORD,  for  the  wondrous  Favours,  which 
He  has  been  heaping  on  me,  for  three  and  forty  years 
together;  partly  to  Prayers,  for  the  Pardon  of  the  Sins 
committed  in  these  Years;  which  I  confessed  and  bewayled 
before  the  Lord,  and  pleaded  the  Sacrifice  of  His  Christ, 


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552  DIARY  OF  COTTON  MATHER 

as  my  only  Atonement;  and  for  the  Mercy  which  may  in 
the  little  Time  that  remains,  be  needful  for  me. 

The  Beginning  of  ray  forty-jour th  year,  finds  me  very  full 
of  Employments,  and  every  Day  cheerfully  bringing  forth 
Fruit  unto  God,  in  very  many  Instances. 

It  is  no  little  Satisfaction  unto  me,  to  enjoy  this  Favour 
from  God,  that  tho'  I  have  a  vast  Variety  of  Employments, 
and  I  must  apply  myself  to  every  one  of  them,  with  as 
much  Vivacity,  as  if  I  had  nothing  but  that  one  Thing  to 
do,  yett  the  Lord  comfortably  carries  a  feeble  Creature 
thro'  them  aU. 

I  cannot,  but  mention  my  happy  and  joyful  Experience 
of  one  Matter,  that  my  Children  may  be  quickened  imto 
a  following  of  the  Exemple. 

Retiring  into  my  Study,  every  Night,  the  last  Thing 
I  do,  before  I  go  to  my  Bed,  I  there  on  my  Knees,  confess 
the  Mercies  of  the  Day  past,  with  Wonders  and  Praises,  and 
where  any  of  the  Children  of  men,  have  been  Instruments 
used  in  them,  I  ask  a  particular  Blessing  of  God,  on  those 
Persons;  I  confess  also,  the  Errors  of  the  Day  past,  and 
fly  to  the  Blood  of  a  Glorious  CHRIST  for  the  Pardon  of 
them,  with  Prayers  for  Grace  to  walk  more  exactly  before 
the  Lord.  And  then,  I  renew  my  Choice  of  the  Great 
GOD,  according  to  His  Covenant,  and  give  up  myself  unto 
Him,  and  do  some  Action  that  is  pecuUar  to  the  regenerate 
State;  that  so  if  my  Death  be  now  to  overtake  me,  it  may 
not  find  me  unprepared  for  it. 

The  Consolation  of  making  such  a  Conclusion  to  every 
Day,  truly,  tis  unspeakable  and  full  of  glory.  Children,  do 
thus,  and  you  shall  find  it  so ! 

I  have  not  the  Liesure,  to  write  down  a  thousandth 
Part  of  those  Thoughts,  which  visit  my  Mind,  relating  to 
God  and  Christ  and  the  spiritual  and  heavenly  World. 
Multitudes,  Multitudes  of  them,  especially  in  the  way  of 
making  occasional  Reflections,  are  every  Day  shaped  in  my 

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MARCH,     1705-06  553 

Mind;  which,  tho'  I  remember  them  not,  I  hope,  leave 
some  Impression  upon  me. 

Yett,  if  I  could  find  the  Liesure,  I  would  fain  enter  in 
my  Memorials  now  and  then,  some  Thoughts,  that  carry 
in  them  a  pecuHar  Advancement  of  my  Soul,  towards  the 
Perfection,  after  which  I  am  aspiring. 

One  of  them,  which  has  been  of  late  singularly  useful 
to  me,  in  my  pressing  after  the  true  Temper  of  Christianity, 
is  this. 

I  see  all  Creatures  every  where  full  of  their  Delights. 
The  Birds  are  singing;  the  Fish  are  sporting;  the  Four- 
footed  are  glad  of  what  they  meet  withal;  the  very  Insects 
have  their  Satisfactions.  Tis  a  marvellous  Display  of  in- 
finite Goodness.  The  Good  God  has  made  His  Creatures 
capable  of  Delights;  He  accommodates  them  with  continual 
Delights.  Their  Delights  are  the  delicious  Entertainments 
of  His  infinite  Goodness.  His  Goodness  takes  Pleasure,  and 
is  deUghted,  in  the  Delights  of  His  Creatures. 

Well;  is  there  no  way  for  me  to  resemble  and  imitate, 
this  incomparable  Goodness  of  God!  Yes;  I  see  my  Neigh- 
bours aU  accommodated  with  their  various  Delights.  All 
have  some,  and  some  have  many.  Now,  I  may  honestly 
make  their  Delights  my  own.  I  may  rejoice  in  the  Delights, 
which  I  see  the  Goodness  of  God  bestowing  upon  them.  I 
may  make  their  Prosperity,  not  my  Envy,  but  my  Pleasure. 
I  may  be  glad,  at  all  the  good,  that  I  see  done  unto  them. 
Oh!  the  Glory,  oh,  the  glorious  Joy  of  their  Goodness! 
Lord,  impriiit  this  thy  Image  upon  me. 

Another  Memorial  for  Practice. 

I  would  Uve  xmder  a  mighty  Awe  of  that  word;  Rom. 
2.  I.  Thou  art  inexcusable,  0  Man;  for  thou  that  judgest, 
doest  the  same  Things. 

Tho'  it  should  be  rarely,  and  with  Aversion  and  Modera- 
tion, and  never  but  upon  just  Occasion,  and  for  the  Advan- 

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554  DIARY  OF  COTTON  MATHER 

tage  of  the  Hearers,  that  I  speak  of  any  Evil  observable  in 
any  Person;  yett  sometimes  tis  necessary  to  mention  cen- 
surable Things,  that  are  to  be  observed  in  other  People; 
or  if  I  do  not  myself  speak  of  them,  I  shall  hear  of  them 
from  others. 

Now,  the  Miscarriages  of  other  People,  I  would  never 
have  to  be  mention'd  where  I  am,  and  especially  by  myself, 
without  such  Thoughts  [as]  these  thereupon  formed  in  me. 

Lord!  so  should  I  miscarry,  if  left  unto  myself,  Lord, 
preserve  me,  from  ever  falling  into  such  a  Miscarriage. 

Lord,  give  me  to  eoccell  in  Vertues  and  Praises  just  cottr 
trary  to  this  Miscarriage. 

Which,  what  they  are,  I  woidd  employ  my  best  Ingenu- 
ity to  consider;  and  accordingly  to  shape  my  Resolutions. 

I  am  exercised  in  my  Family,  with  the  want  of  good 
Servants.  This  causes  me,  with  many  Supplications  to 
committ  the  Matter  imto  the  Lord.  I  also  loathe  and 
judge  myself  before  the  Lord,  for  my  serving  Him  so  poorly; 
and  for  the  Defects  in  my  Endeavours,  to  make  my  Ser- 
vants become  the  Lord's.  I  plead,  that  my  Glorious 
CHRIST  appeared  in  the  Form  of  a  Servant;  and  therefore 
the  Lord  would  grant  good  Servants  unto  those  that  were 
alwayes  at  work  for  Him,  and  wanted  the  Assistences  of 
such  living  Instruments.  I  resolve,  that  if  God  bless  me 
with  Good  Servants,  I  will  serve  Him  with  more  Fidelity 
and  Activity;  and  I  will  do  something  that  not  only  my 
own  Servants,  but  other  Servants  in  this  Land,  and  abroad 
in  the  world,  may  come  to  glorify  Him.  I  have  Thoughts, 
to  write  an  Essay,  about,  the  Christianity  of  our  Negro  and 
other  Slaves.    I  must  wait  the  Issue  of  these  Devotions. 

&d.  I  m.  [March.]  Friday.  This  Day,  I  sett  apart  for 
Prayer  with  Fasting,  in  my  Study  to  obtain  a  Blessing  of 
God,  on  my  Ministry,  and  my  Family,  and  on  His  Churches, 
especially  some  very  discomposed  ones  in  the  Countrey,  and 
on  the  Changes  expected  by  the  Countrey. 
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MARCH,     1705-06  5SS 

I  enjoy'd  some  Communion  with,  and  Impression  from, 
Heaven,  in  the  Duties  of  this  Day. 

Memorandum.  In  my  Prayers  for  our  Captives  in  the 
Hands  of  the  French  and  Indians,  tho'  sometimes  I  do 
unaccoimtably,  and  against  my  strongest  and  most  formed 
Resolutions,  forgett  to  mention  them;  which  makes  me 
say  to  some  of  my  Friends,  I  am  afraid  the  Time  of  their 
f\ill  Deliverance  will  not  yett  come:  yett  when  I  am  in 
our  great  Congregation  pouring  out  Supplications  for  them, 
I  do  with  a  Mind  irradiated  from  Heaven,  express,  as  even 
compelled  so  to  do,  my  Assurance,  that  some  of  the  Cap- 
tives will  be  gloriously  delivered,  and  that  we  shall  in  that 
very  Place  have  Opportimity  to  glorify  Him  with  singular 
Praises  on  that  Occasion. 

Tho'  I  have  been  humbled,  with  such  a  wondrous  Defeat 
of  a  Particular  Faith,  in  one  famous  Instance;  which  has 
caused  me  for  diverse  Years,  to  be  rather  shy  than  other- 
wise, of  any  thing  having  such  a  Tendency;  yett,  behold, 
it  will  again  make  its  Illapses  upon  me.  Lett  me  diligently 
observe  the  Consequences! 

22  d.  im.  Friday.  I  sett  apart  this  Day,  for  the  Exer- 
cises of  a  secret  Fast,  in  my  Study;  on  such  Occasions, 
as  procured  my  being  this  Day  fortnight  thus  before  the 
Lord. 

About  this  Time,  sending  my  Uttle  Son  to  School,  where 
the  Child  was  learning  to  read,  I  did  use  every  Morning 
for  diverse  Months,  to  write  in  a  plain  Hand  for  the  Child, 
and  send  thither  by  him,  a  Lesson  in  Verse,  to  be  not  only 
Read,  but  also  gott  by  Heart.  My  Proposal  was,  to  have 
the  Child  improve  in  Goodness  at  the  same  time,  that  he 
improv'd  in  Redding.  Upon  further  Thoughts,  I  appre- 
hended, that  a  Collection  of  some  of  them  would  be  ser- 
viceable to  the  Good  Education  of  other  Children.  So  I 
lett  the  Printer  take  them,  and  print  them,  in  some  hope 
of  some  Help  is  thereby  contributed  unto  that  great  Inten- 
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556  DIARY     OF      COTTON     MATHER 

tion  of  a  good  Education.  The  Book  is  entituled,  Good 
Lessons  for  Children;  or,  Inslructions,  provided  for  a  Utile 
Son  to  learn  at  School,  when  learning  to  read  J 

(It  quickly  has  a  second  Edition.) 

The  sovereign  Grace  of  Heaven,  is  pleased  still  to  con- 
tinue my  Opportunities,  to  bring  forth  Fruit,  for  His  People 
and  Interests.  He  accepts  my  poor  Labours,  and  employes 
them  for  the  Good  of  others,  notwithstanding  my  very 
great  Unworthiness.  A  Sermon  which  I  lately  preached 
unto  our  young  people,  is  by  them  called  for.  So  I  give 
it  unto  the  Printer.  It  is  entitled;  A  Yoi"ng  Follower 
of  a  Great  Saviour,  or,  An  Essay  to  rescue  yming  People 
from  those  Enemies  of  a  Glorious  CHRIST,  tliat  woidd  hinder 
them  from  Following  of  Him. 

$d.  2  m.  [April.]  Friday.  Instead  of  employing  this  Day, 
in  the  Duties  of  a  secret  Fast,  I  sett  the  Day  apart  for  the 
Exercises  of  a  secret  THANKSGIVING. 

I  saw  myself  surrounded  with  Favours  of  Heaven, 
which  indeed  call  me  to  be  aboimding  in  such  Exercises. 

But  in  the  Exercises  of  this  Daj-,  I  had  little  different 
from  what  has  been  ^^•ith  me  formerly  on  such  Occasions. 
The  Raptures  of  a  Soul  fill'd  with  Love  to  the  Great  God 
and  His  Glorious  Christ,  and  rapturous  Contemplations  of 
His  Greatness  and  Glory,  were  this  Day,  no  Strangers  to 
me.  Tho  thro'  my  Sloth,  I  enjoy'd  them  not  in  such  a 
Degree,  as  I  might  haAe  done. 

The  Action  of  this  Day,  which  was  the  most  singular, 
was  this.  In  the  Beginning  of  the  Day,  I  sett  myself,  in 
the  most  abasing  Maimer,  to  acknowledge  and  glorify  the 
Justice  of  God,  in  all  the  Sorrowes  that  I  have  mett  withal; 
to  render  unto  the  Lord,  the  Glory  of  His  Justice  in  all 
my  Sorrowes. 

About  this  Time,  I  was  assisted  of  Heaven,  to  dispatch 
a  Peace  of  Work,  which  I   have  had  many  Thoughts  of 

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APRIL,    17  o6  557 

undertaking  even  for  diverse  Years,  and  which  has  been 
the  Subject  of  many  Prayers  that  I  have  poured  out  unto 
the  Lord;  Tho'  I  have  not  now  managed  it,  just  in  the 
maimer,  and  so  largely,  as  I  had  once  intended. 

I  considered,  that  the  illustrious  Doctrines  of  Grace  have 
many  Enemies  in  the  World,  and  that  the  Enemies  thereof 
increase  among  ourselves.  I  considered,  that  very  many, 
who  profess  the  Doctrines  of  Grace,  do  turn  them  into  Wan- 
tonness, and  many  Wayes  pervert  them.  I  considered,  that 
to  explain  and  maintain  these  Doctrines,  and  at  the  same 
Time  to  rescue  them  from  the  Abuse,  which  the  corrupt 
Hearts  of  Men  often  made  of  them,  would  be  a  sensible 
Service  to  the  Interests  of  Christianity. 

And  I  thought,  the  best  Way  of  handling  these  Doc- 
trines, would  be  with  a  perpetual  Strain  of  Usefulness;  or, 
to  demonstrate  what  holy  and  useful  Doctrines  they  are,  by 
exhibiting  every  Article  of  them  still,  with  such  Demands 
of  Holiness,  as  are  alwayes  to  accompany  them.  I  was 
desirous  to  proceed  with  an  Essay,  of  such  Intentions. 

And  that  my  slothful  Delay  of  my  Essay,  might  no 
longer  continue  upon  me,  the  Lord  ordered  it  in  His  Provi- 
dence that  Letters  come  to  me  from  other  Parts  of  the 
Countrey,  to  putt  me  upon  it. 

Not  I,  but  the  Grace  of  God  with  me,  finished  the  Treaties; 
which  I  have  entituled,  Free-Grace  maintained  .\nd 
IMPROVED,  or,  The  General  Offer  of  the  Gospel,  managed  with 
Considerations  on  the  Great  Things  done  by  special  Grace,  in 
the  Election,  and  Redemption,  and  Vocation  of  them  who 
embrace  the  ofer.  And  the  Illustrious  Doctrines  of  Divine 
Prcedestination  and  Humane  Impotency,  rescu^  from  the 
Abuses,  which  they  too  frequently  meet  withal,  and  rendered 
{as  they  are)  highly  useful  to  the  Designs  of  practical  Piety.^ 

Oh!  that  this  poor  Essay  may  be  accepted  and  pros- 
pered by  my  Glorious  LORD ! 

'  Printed  by  B.  Green,  1706. 

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558  DIARY  OP  COTTON  MATHER 

My  very  dear  Friend,  Mr  Brotnfield,  must  be  mention'd 
by  me  in  these  Memorials,  as  the  great  Instrument  of  pro- 
curing a  Publication  unto  this  Book,  and  unto  many  others 
which  have  served  the  Churches  of  God.  The  Lord  reward 
unto  him,  and  unto  his  Family,  all  the  Service  which  he 
has  in  this  Way,  or  any  other  done,  unto  His  People! 

18  d.  2  m.  Thursday.  This  Day  was  a  public  Fast,  thro' 
the  Province.  I  enjoy'd  a  very  gracious  Presence  of  God 
with  me,  in  the  Duties  of  the  Day. 

My  Heart  was  very  singularly  comforted  this  Day,  in 
Meditations  on  that  Word;  Joh.  15.  7,  8.  //  yee  abide  in 
me,  and  my  words  abide  in  you,  yee  shaU  ask  what  you  will, 
and  it  shall  be  done  unto  you;  herein  is  my  Father  glorified, 
that  yee  bear  much  Fruit.  I  thought,  that  if  I  took  Delight 
in  Serving  of  God,  it  was  an  happy  Token  of  His  taking 
Delight  in  Hearing,  and  Helping  and  Saving  of  me.  I 
thought,  that  if  I  were  a  Man  alwayes  bringing  forth  Fruit 
unto  God,  and  thereby  giving  Demonstration  of  my  Abiding 
in  His  Christ,  and  having  His  Words  alwayes  with  me,  it 
was  an  happy  Symptom  that  my  Prayers  would  be  accepted 
with  Him. 

Now  I  hoped,  He  had  brought  me  to  something  of  that 
character. 

24  d.  2  m.  Wednesday.  Tho'  I  were  the  last  Week 
engag'd  in  a  Public  Fast,  I  thought  it  necessary  now  to 
be  employ'd  in  a  secret  one. 

I  sett  apart  this  Day,  to  humble  myself  before  the  Lord 
in  Prayer  with  Fasting,  and  bewayl  my  own  exceeding 
Sinfulness. 

The  Lord  brought  my  Heart  unto  a  great  Contrition 
before  Him,  in  the  Sense  of  my  Foolishness  and  Filthiness, 
which  is  all  known  unto  Him. 

With  His  Help  I  fled  unto  the  great  Sacrifice  of  a  Glorious 
CHRIST,  for  my  Atonement. 

And  I  found  my  Soul  comforted  with  one  comfortable 

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A  P  R  I  L  ,    I  7  o  6  559 

Symptom  of  my  having  my  Sins  all  forgiven  me.  My 
Lord  JESUS  CHRIST  has  expressly  said,  Matth.  6.  14.  If 
yee  forgive  Men  their  Trespasses,  your  Heavenly  Father  wUl 
also  forgive  you.  Now,  I  found  my  Heart  mightily  under 
the  Power  of  a  most  forgiving  Disposition,  towards  the 
worst  Enemies  I  had  in  the  World.  And  as  a  Proof  and 
Fruit  of  it,  I  cried  unto  God  most  heartily  and  earnestly, 
that  they  might  be  all  of  them  happy,  and  every  one  of 
them  have  Goodness  and  Mercy,  following  of  them,  and 
never  fare  in  any  one  Thing  the  worse  for  all  the  Ills  and 
Wrongs  that  I  may  have  suffered  from  them.  I  found  my 
Heart  really  desirous  of  it. 

One  of  the  SuppUcations,  which  I  saw  unspeakable 
Reason,  this  Day,  with  imspeakable  Ardor  to  insist  upon, 
was;  that  the  Wrath  of  God  may  not  for  my  Sin,  break 
forth  either  against  my  Children,  or  against  my  People. 
I  am  afraid,  I  am  afraid,  lest  my  Sin  may  expose  them,  to 
the  terrible  Strokes  of  Heaven. 

Among  other  points  of  my  Serviceableness  upon  which 
I  this  day  implored  the  Smiles  of  Heaven,  one  was  my 
Essay  to  draw  a  Uvely  and  lovely  Picture  of  primitive  Chris- 
tianity; which  I  am  to  morrow  to  finish  at  the  Lecture. 
I  thought  it  necessary  to  humble  myself  before  the  Lord 
exceedingly,  especially  for  my  own  want  of  the  primitive 
Christianity,  that  so  I  may  have  my  Essay  upon  it,  accepted 
of  the  Lord. 

This  Day,  I  found  my  Spirit,  when  I  lay  prostrate  in 
the  Dust  before  the  Lord,  not  only  desiring  of  but  also  in 
some  desireable  Degree  arriving  to,  these  Attainments. 

The  Great  God,  and  His  Glorious  CHRIST,  have  swal- 
low'd  me  up.  I  wovdd  be  alwayes  thinking  on  Him,  alwayes 
acting  for  Him,  and  reUsh  nothing  any  further  than  I  find 
it  assist  me  in  acknowledging  of  Him. 

I  can  cheerfully  refer  myself  to  Him,  and  be  satisfied 
in  all  His  Dispensations  towards  me,  because  I  am  sure 

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560  DIARY  OF  COTTON  MATHER 

whether  I  see  it  or  no,  that  His  Wisdome  does  consixlt  His 
Glory  in  all  that  befalls  me. 

Hence  my  own  Will  is  now  very  much  abolished;  I 
find  the  Will  of  God  wonderfully  absorbing  of  it.  And  I 
grow  towards  an  Extinction  of  all  my  ovm  Interests;  to 
know  no  Interests  but  the  Lord's. 

My  Love  to  my  Neighbour  improves  to  a  very  sweet 
Serenity.  I  take  an  unspeakeable  Pleasure  in  all  Manner 
of  Beneficence.  If  I  can  see  Opportunities  to  do  good  unto 
any,  I  need  no  Arguments  to  move  me  to  it;  I  do  it  natu- 
rally, deUghtfully,  with  Rapture.  I  seek  for  such  Oppor- 
tunities. I  am  ambitious  of  nothing  so  much  as  to  be 
universally  Serviceable.  I  rejoice  in  the  Prosperity  of  others; 
it  is  pleasant  unto  me,  to  see  the  Smiles  of  God  upon  them. 
I  am  afraid  of  allowing  in  myself,  the  least  ill  Wish  towards 
my  personal  Enemies;  or  such  as  ha\e  done  111  to  me.  It 
would  be  an  Affliction  imto  me,  if  I  should  see  God  afficting 
of  them,  for  my  sake.  It  is  an  easy  thing  unto  me,  to  for gett 
how  unkind  and  unjust  they  have  been,  and  to  lo<id  them 
with  Kindnesses. 

There  is  this  Enjoyment  added  unto  the  rest.  As  I  am 
Nothing  before  God,  so  I  am  willing  to  be  Nothing  among 
Men.  I  ha^•c  no  Fondness  at  all,  for  Applause  and  Honour 
in  the  World.  It  is  with  a  sort  of  Horror,  if  I  percei\e 
myself  applauded.  I  have  a  Dread  of  bemg  honoured.  I 
am  gott  above  Anfj^er  at  those,  who  think  or  speak  meanly 
of  me.  I  take  abundance  of  Shame  to  myself;  I  bear  with 
submission  the  sham  in  11  Rebukes,  that  Heaven  smites  me 
withal.  I  can  submitt  unto  it,  to  be  despised  of  Men.  If 
I  am  grossly  reproached,  I  hardly  durst  appear  in  my  own 
Vindication,  against  the  falsest  Reproaches,  because  I  am 
sensible  of  so  much  Evil  that  might  be  truly  spoken  of  me. 

In  the  midst  of  my  Humiliations,  I  ought  to  give  Thanks, 
for  these  Dispositions.  They  are  precious  Works  of  God, 
produced  by  the  Almighty  Spirit  of  Grace,  in  one  that  is 

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MA  Y  ,     1706  561 

the  Cheef  of  Sinners.  I  note  them  down,  that  I  may  look 
upon  them,  with  Advantage;  especially  if  I  find  the  Vigor 
of  them  at  any  time  abated  in  me. 

I  considered  with  myself,  that  it  was  hardly  possible 
for  me,  to  do  a  more  grateful  or  hopeful  Service  unto  Re- 
Ugion,  than  by  describing  the  primitive  Christianity,  and 
acquainting  the  People  with  such  admirable  Flights  of 
Religion,  as  I  often  find  in  the  Lives  of  the  primitive  Chris- 
tians. I  thought,  that  if  the  Blessing  of  God  accompanied 
such  an  Essay,  it  might  have  some  Tendency  to  revive 
the  primitive  Christianity,  in  many  that  profess  the  Christian 
Religion,  and  are  waiting  upon  God,  for  the  Influences  of 
His  Grace  upon  them.  The  Lord  assisted  me,  to  finish 
my  Picture  of  the  primitive  Christianity  at  three  Sittings, 
in  the  monthly  Lectures  of  Boston.  And  now,  I  proceeded 
hereupon,  at  the  Desire  of  many,  to  cormnitt  my  Essay 
unto  the  Press,  that  so  it  may  gi\'e  to  all  the  Countrey  a 
Collection  of  the  most  sparkling  Passages  in  the  primitive 
Church'History,  and  forward  the  Designs  of  universal  Good- 
ness. It  is  entituled;  The  Good  Old  Way,  or,  Christianity 
described  from  the  Glorious  Lustre  of  it,  appearing  in  the 
Lives  of  the  Primitive  Christians.^ 

3  J.  3  w.  [May.]  Friday.  I  sett  apart  this  Day,  for 
Prayer  with  Fasting  in  my  Study. 

One  special  Employment  for  this  Day,  was  to  obtain 
from  the  Lord,  a  Protection  for  my  Countrey,  against  a 
terrible  French  Fleet,  that  is  now  making  horrible  Desola- 
tions in  the  Islands  of  the  West-Indies,  and  threatens  to 
visit  us  also. 

']  d.  2,m.  Tuesday.  The  Church  of  Maldon,  has  long 
been  embroil'd  with  much  Contention  and  Confusion.  It 
has  pleased  the  Lord,  lately  to  accept  and  prosper  some 
of  my  poor  Endeavours,  to  putt  an  End  imto  the  main 
Occasion  of  their  Contention.    The  Church  by  their  Vote 

'  Printed  by  B.  Green,  for  Benjamin  Eliot,  1706. 

'  ■  ^^  Digitized  by  Microsoft® 


562  DIARY  OF  COTTON  MATHER 

made  Choice  of  me,  that  I  should  go  over  unto  them  this 
Day,  and  be  the  Moderator  of  their  Meeting  (because  they 
are  destitute  of  a  Pastor,)  and  manage  the  Votes  which 
they  were  to  pass,  on  the  thorny  Points  which  they  had 
before  them.  Accordingly  this  Day,  I  went  over  to  Maldon, 
and  with  the  good  Hand  of  God  upon  me,  I  went  thro'  the 
Action,  which  putts  a  just  Period  unto  their  Differences, 
and  also  diverts  the  Trouble  of  an  ecclesiastical  CouncQ, 
which  was  praeparing  to  come  imto  them.  I  addressed 
them,  with  Discourses,  that  seem'd  to  be  bless'd  of  Heaven 
to  bring  the  People  into  a  desireable  Frame.  The  God  of 
all  Grace  keep  them  so!' 

The  Service  I  last  attended  helped  to  bring  upon  me, 
what  was  beginning  before.  A  very  troublesome  Share,  in 
a  most  obstinate  Cough  and  Cold;  which  was  now  affictive 
to  many  about  the  Countrey. 

It  prevailed  so  far  upon  me,  as  to  lay  me  by  from  the 
public  Service  of  the  Lord's-Day  ensuing. 

The  Lord  sanctified  unto  me,  this  Hiuniliation.  It 
made  me  sensible,  of  my  being  too  imthankful,  for  that 
singular  Favour  of  God,  which  I  have  enjoy'd,  in  that  one 
of  my  feeble  Constitution  has  been  so  little  obstructed  from 
the  pubhc  Service  wherein  I  have  been  engaged. 

I  mourned  for  this  my  Unthankfulness,  and  for  all  that 
Unfruitfulness  and  Iniquity,  by  which  I  have  provoked  the 
Lord  justly  to  reject  me  from  serving  Him. 

I  thought,  if  I  Uved  ever  to  serve  the  People  of  God, 
with  any  more  public  Administrations,  I  would  labour  still 
after  more  exquisite  Usefulness  in  them. 

And  the  Lympha  of  my  Blood,  being  tainted  with  those 
Miasmata  of  the  Au:,  which  have  produced  these  ill  effects 

I  After  the  death  of  Michael  Wigglesworth  in  June,  1705,  the  church  at  Maiden 
was  without  a  pastor  for  some  time.  In  May,  1706,  a  town  meeting  decided 
between  Joseph  Metcalf  and  John  Barnard,  in  favor  of  the  former.  Sufficient 
opposition  existed  to  defeat  his  settlement,  and  the  place  remained  unfilled  until 
170Q,  when  David  Parsons  was  chosen.     Corey,  History  of  Maiden,  463-471. 

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M  A  Y  ,     I  7  O  6  563 

upon  my  Health,  it  led  me,  with  new  Acts  of  Contrition, 
to  bewayle  my  Original  Corruption,  wherewith  I  am  uni- 
versally tainted. 

My  Speech  ought  now  to  be  more  useful  than  ever; 
after  a  Cough  that  gives  Interruption  to  it. 

In  these  and  such  Points,  I  was  desirous  to  gett  good 
by  my  Malady,  before  it  left  me:  and  more  desirous  to 
gett  this  good,  than  that  my  Malady  should  leave  me. 

By  a  Blessing  on  proper  Means,  the  Malady  so  asswaged, 
that  I  was  assisted  the  Lord's-day  after,  beyond  my  Expec- 
tation, in  pubUc,  and  various  and  lengthy  Exercises. 

23  d.  3  m.  Thursday.  This  Day  was  kept  by  the  North- 
Church,  (and  the  other  good  People  of  the  Town  joining 
with  them)  as  a  Day  of  Prayer;  and  my  Lecture  transferred, 
from  the  Old  Church  to  ours. 

I  enjoy'd  precious  Assistances  of  Heaven,  in  the  work 
of  the  Day;  tho'  I  had  unhappy  Remainders  of  my  trouble- 
some Cough  yett  upon  me. 

The  distressed  Condition  of  the  American  Islands.  Our 
own  Dangers.  Our  Captives.  The  excessive  Colds  and  Rains 
of  the  Season.  The  desire  of  Grace  from  Heaven  for  the 
rising  Generation.  These  were  the  special  Occasions  of  the 
Day. 

28  <f.  3  w.  Tuesday.  My  Health  has  been  languishing 
for  a  Month  together.  This  awakened  me  to  dispatch  at 
a  great  rate,  a  Work  which  I  have  been  more  than  ordi- 
narily desirous  to  finish  before  I  dy.  Tho'  my  extraordi- 
nary AppUcation  to  that  Work,  upon  this  Excitation,  was 
doubtless  a  Disadvantage  to  my  Health,  yett  the  Lord 
favoured  me  with  a  singular  Success  in  it.  I  dispatched 
that  in  three  Weeks,  which  I  thought  would  have  employ'd 
me  more  than  so  many  Months.  And  on  this  Day  I  fin- 
ished my  BIBLIA  AMERICANA.  So  finished  it,  that 
there  is  no  Necessity  of  my  casting  in  any  more,  to  my 
vast  amassment  of  Illustrations  upon  the  Divine  Oracles; 
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564  DIARY  OF  COTTON  MATHER 

The'  doubtless,  I  may  be  occasionally  and  continually  add- 
ing thereunto,  till  the  Manuscripts  are  dismiss'd  out  of 
my  Hands  for  Publication.  T'wil  be  two  large  Volumes  in 
Folio;  and  I  am  now  to  wait  upon  the  Lord,  for  His  Direc- 
tion, how  to  obtain  a  conveyance  of  the  Manuscripts,  into 
those  Hands,  that  may  publish  them  for  the  Service  of  His 
Churches. 

On  this  Day,  having  so  happily  finished  my  great  Work, 
I  solemnly  gave  Thanks  unto  the  Lord,  for  His  wonderful 
Smiles  on  my  Undertaking,  and  I  sang  Psalms  agreeable 
to  such  a  joyful  Occasion. 

31  ti.  3  m.  Friday.  Tho'  I  am  very  ill  and  low,  with  my 
Cold  and  Cough  yett  prevailing  upon  me,  I  sett  apart  this 
Day,  for  the  Duties  of  a  secret  Fast;  which  after  a  feeble 
Manner  I  attended. 

The  Recovery  of  my  broken  Health,  was  one  special 
Request,  which  this  day,  I  spread  before  the  Lord. 

Li  the  Beginning  of  June,  I  did,  with  the  Help  of  Heaven, 
dispatch  a  Work,  which  my  Heart  was  greatly  sett  upon ;  a 
Work  which  may  prove  of  everlasting  Benefit  unto  many  of 
the  Elect  of  God;  a  Work  which  is  calculated  for  the  Honour 
and  Interest  of  a  Glorious  CHRIST;  and  a  Work,  which 
will  enrage  the  Divel  at  such  a  rate,  that  I  must  expect,  he 
will  immediately  fall  upon  me,  with  a  Storm  of  more  than 
ordinary  Temptations;  I  must  immediately  be  buffeted,  in 
some  singular  maimer,  by  that  revengeful  Adversary.  And 
the  late  Calamities  on  the  American  Islands,  I  thought, 
had  a  Voice  in  them,  to  quicken  my  doing  of  this  Work. 
I  wrote  as  well  contrived  an  Essay  as  I  could,  for  the  ani- 
mating and  facilitating  of  that  Work,  the  Christianizing  of 
the  Negroes.  It  is  entituled,  The  Negro  Christianized. 
An  Essay,  to  excite  and  assist  that  Good  Work;  the  Informa- 
tion of  the  Negroes  in  Christianity.^  And  my  Design  is; 
not  only  to  lodge  one  of  the  Books,  in  every  Family  of 

'  Printed  by  B.  Green. 

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JUNE,    17  o6  565 

Nciv  England,  which  has  a  Negro  in  it,  but  also  to  send 
Numbers  of  them  into  the  Indies;  and  write  such  Letters 
to  the  principal  Inhabitants  of  the  Islands,  as  may  be 
proper  to  accompany  them. 

19  d.  4  m.  [June]  Wednesday.  The  unhappy  and  crim- 
inal Action  of  some  that  are  detected  by  our  General  As- 
sembly, in  carrying  on  an  unlawful  Trade,  with  our  French 
and  Indian  Enemies,  has  begun  a  new  Day  of  Temptation 
upon  the  Land;  and  raised  a  mighty  Flame  among  the 
People.  There  will  be  great  Expectation,  and  Observation, 
of  what  I  shall  say  in  the  Lecture  to  morrow.' 

I  have  also  some  Joumeyes  of  Consequence  before  me; 
particularly,  I  have  some  Thoughts  of  going  next  Week  to 
Atidover,  where  the  People  have  often  sollicited  a  Visit, 
and  a  Lecture,  from  me. 

On  these  (and  many  more)  Occasions,  I  sett  myself  to 
seek  the  Lord  this  Day,  with  Prayer  and  Fasting,  in  my 
Study. 

25  (i.  4  m.  Tuesday.  Having  been  much  sollicited,  by 
the  People  at  Andover,  a  Town  almost  thirty  Miles  ofif,  to 
come  and  preach  a  Lecture  there,  I  did  this  Day  undertake 
the  Journey.  The  Lord  mightily  smiled  upon  mj  Journey, 
in  all  the  Circumstances  of  it;  and  in  praeserving  my  Calash 
from  over-setting,  when  the  bad  Way  brought  me  into 
extreme  Danger  of  it.  Several  young  Gentlemen  very 
kindly  accompanied  me  in  the  Journey  which  added  more 
than  a  Uttle,  to  the  Consolations  of  it.  On  the  Day  follow- 
ing, I  preached  the  Lecture  at  Andover,  to  a  great  Assembly, 
of  that  and  the  neighbour  Towns,  and  with  a  great  Assist- 
ence  from  Heaven.  After  the  Lecture  I  returned  the 
bigger  Part  of  the  Journey  homewards;  and  on  Thursday- 
morning  I  arrived  Home,  with  many  Testimonies  of  the 
Divine  Favour  to  the  Chief  of  Sinners. 

The  Labour  of  this  Journey,  and  the  extreme  Faintness 

'  One  of  Mather's  brothers-in-law  was  involved.    See  pp.  581,  589,  infra. 

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566  DIARY  or  COTTON  MATHER 

of  the  Weather,  on  the  Friday  following,  made  me  omitt, 
such  a  Day  of  Prayer  in  my  Study,  as  I  would  else  have 
then  attended. 

There  was  a  singular  Providence  of  Heaven  over  me,  in 
my  Timing  of  this  Journey.  For  immediately  upon  it,  a 
Descent  of  Indians  from  Canada,  on  this  very  Part  of  the 
Countrey,  rendred  the  Road  so  unsafe,  that  I  durst  by 
no  means  have  travelled  it.  Yea,  being  desirous  to  do 
some  good  on  the  Road  in  the  Woods,  I  called  some  Chil- 
dren to  me  which  I  mett  there,  and  bestowed  some  Instruc- 
tions, with  a  little  Book  upon  them;  which  I  understood 
afterwards,  made  no  Uttle  Impression  on  the  Family.  But 
it  proved  a  Family,  which  in  a  few  Dayes  the  Indian 
visited,  and  murdered  the  Mother,  and  several  of  the 
Children  in  it. 

About  this  Time,  considering  the  great  Advantage,  of 
erecting  and  maintaining  private  Meetings  of  Christians, 
and  these  Meetings  of  several  Sorts,  for  the  carrying  on 
the  Exercises  and  Intentions  of  Religion,  I  was  willing  to 
do  some  special  Thing  for  the  Revival  of  them  about  the 
Covmtrey.  Wherefore  I  wrote  a  Sheet  for  this  Purpose; 
designing  to  send  it  into  the  several  Towns  of  these  Col- 
onies. It  is  entituled;  Private  Meetings  animated  and 
REGULATED.  A  short  Essay  to  praserve  and  revive  the  ancient 
Practice  of  Lesser  Societies,  formed  among  Religious  Peopk, 
to  promote  the  Great  Interests  of  Religion.^ 

lid.  $m.  [July.]  Thursday.  A  Fast  was  kept,  (at  my 
instigation)  by  the  Christians  of  this  Town,  at  the  South- 
church.  I  enjoy'd  a  gracious  Assistence  of  Heaven,  in  carry- 
ing on  part  of  the  Exercises  of  the  Day. 

About  this  time,  to  give  a  further  Stroke  unto  the 
Intentions  of  promoting  early  Piety,  having  preached  a 
Sermon  on  a  Lord's-Day  to  my  Great  Congregation,  with 

'  Printed  by  T.  Green,  in  twenty-three  pages.  Mather's  use  of  the  word 
"sheet"  is  misleading  in  judging  the  size  of  the  publication. 

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AUGUST,     1706  567 

an  Appendix  to  it,  unto  a  great  Meeting  of  young  People 
assembled  on  the  Lord's-day  Evening.  The  Discourse  was 
desired  by  the  young  People,  who  published  it.  It  is 
entituled;  Heavenly  Considerations.  The  Joy  of  Heaven 
over  them  that  answer  the  Call  oj  Heaven,  or,  Powerful  and 
Wonderfvl  Motives  to  Repentance  and  Early  Piety;  fetched 
from  the  Joy  of  Heaven  over  every  Repenting  Sinner  on  Earths 

26  d.  5  m.  Friday.  Altho'  two  Dayes  ago  I  bore  my 
Part  and  pray'd  and  preached  with  a  Society  of  Christians 
who  kept  a  Fast,  in  our  Neighbourhood,  I  sett  apart  this 
Day  for  Prayer  with  Fasting,  in  my  Study. 

One  principal  Request,  which  I  had  to  present  before 
the  Lord,  was,  that  the  Lord  would  please  to  accept  my 
Biblia  Americana,  and  mercifully  direct  me  how  and  when 
to  send  that  Work  over  for  England,  and  raise  up  Encour- 
agement for  the  Publication  of  it.  Such  a  Resignation  to 
the  Will  of  God,  as  was  proper  on  this  Occasion,  I  now 
endeavoured. 

11  d.6m.  [August.]  Lord's-day.  The  Lord  has  lately 
brought  home  imto  us,  between  forty  and  fifty  of  our 
Captives;  tho'  many  more  are  yett  left  behind.  I  am 
visited  by  many  of  them,  every  Day;  and  I  have  Oppor- 
tunity, by  putting  Books  into  their  Hands,  and  otherwise, 
to  do  good  unto  them.  They  agreed  that  they  would  this 
Day  appear  in  our  Congregation;  and  the  Lord,  having 
first  armihilated  me  by  an  ill  Turn  upon  my  Health,  assisted 
me  to  glorify  Him  on  this  Occasion.  We  gave  Thanks 
together,  in  the  great  Congregation;  and  I  preached  unto 
them  a  Sermon,  on  the  great  Things  done  by  the  Lord  for 
them. 

On  the  day  following,  I  composed  a  Collection  of  Mem- 
orables  relating  to  the  Captives;  the  marvellous  displayes 
of  the  Divine  power  and  Goodness,  towards  many  of  them, 
especially  in  Deliverances;   the  Means  of  their  Constancy 

» Printed  by  B.  Green,  1706. 

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568  DIARY  or  COTTON  MATHKR 

under  Temptations  to  Popery;  and  edifying  Poems  written 
by  some  of  them,  to  confirm  their  Children;  and,  a  Copy 
of  a  Pastoral  Letter  written  by  the  worthy  Minister,'  who 
is  now  a  Captive;  (that  so  he  may  be  doing  Service,  even 
when  confined  from  Serviceableness :) 

And  I  gave  this  Collection  to  the  Bookseller,  that  it 
may  be  published,  and  the  Lord  glorified,  and  His  People 
edified.     It  is  entituled.  Good  fetch'd  out  of  Evtl.^ 

In  a  weeks  time,  he  sold  off  a  thousand  of  the  Impres- 
sion. 

I  have  a  stong  Perswasion;  (I  would  say,  a  Particular 
Failh,  but  having  been  once  buffeted  in  that  Experience,  I 
durst  hardly  any  more  countenance  it;)  that  I  shall  yet 
see  more  of  our  Captives  returned,  and  that  I  shall  par- 
ticularly have  Opportunity,  to  sitt  with  the  pious  Minister 
who  is  now  in  Captivity,  and  study  and  contrive,  and  unite 
CounsUs  with  him,  about  Revenues  of  Glory  to  the  Lord, 
from  what  he  has  mett  withal.' 

22  d.  6  m.  Thursday.  A  Day  of  Prayer  with  Fasting, 
is  kept  this  Day  in  the  Old  church.  The  largest  Portion 
in  the  Exercises  of  the  Day  fell  to  my  Share.  I  enjoy'd  a 
great  Assistence  of  Heaven. 

But  the  Labours  of  this  Day,  and  of  the  Week,  diverted 
me  from  spending  the  Day  following  in  the  Devotions  of  a 
secret  Fast,  as  else  I  would  have  done. 

Indeed,  I  have  great  Cause,  to  acknowledge  the  Favour 
and  Power  of  the  Lord,  which  carries  a  feeble  Creature, 
thro'  so  many  Services. 

On  the  Lord's  Day,  I  was  engaged  in  almost  continual 
Speech,  from  two  a  Clock  to  nine;  three  Hours  of  it,  in  a 
vast  Assembly.  Two  Hours  of  it,  with  the  young  Men  in 
the  Evening. 

On  Wednesday  I  travelled  unto  Redding  and  preached 
the  Lecture  there. 

'  John  Williams.  '  Printed  by  B.  Green,  1706.  '  See  p.  S7S.  »»/™- 

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AUGUST,     1706  569 

Yesterday,  was  the  public  Fast.  And  yett  (weary)  I 
outlive  these  Fatigues. 

30  d.  6  m.  Friday.  The  Lord  orders  for  me,  ordinarily 
every  Lord's-Day  a  very  great  Auditory.  In  this  my  great 
Auditory,  I  see  a  Confluence  of  many,  many  most  unde- 
ser\'^ed  Mercies.  O  the  precious  Opportunities  to  do  good, 
granted  imto  the  imworthiest  of  Men! 

I  thought  it  proper  to  sett  apart  a  Day,  to  be  spent  in 
a  secret  Thanksgiving  to  the  Lord,  in  special  for  this  very 
singular  Favour  of  Heaven.  I  did  so.  I  spend  the  Day 
after  my  usual  Maimer  of  spending  such  Dayes.  But  the 
singular  Favour  which  especially  caused  my  being  thus 
before  the  Lord,  I  considered  with  the  many  Aggravations 
and  Circumstances  of  it.  And  I  concluded  with  Resolu- 
tions, in  the  Strength  of  Heaven; 

First,  That  I  will  mightily  study  to  serve  and  feed  such 
a  vast  Congregation ;  which  indeed  has  none  in  all  the  Land 
comparable  to  it;   few  in  the  World. 

Secondly;  that  I  will  proceed  upon  the  noble  Intention 
of  exhibiting  a  Glorious  CHRIST,  unto  the  Congregation, 
with  Discourses  that  shall  rescue  and  ascribe  unto  Him, 
the  Glory  which  belongs  imto  Him  in  all  the  Articles  of 
our  holy  Religion. 

In  the  Beginning  of  September,  the  Lord  enables  me  to 
glorify  Him,  in  many  Services.  But  it  is  a  vast  Satisfac- 
tion unto  me,  to  be  every  Day  doing  a  Variety  of  Ser\ices, 
not  only  in  the  Exercise  of  such  Graces  as  the  Occasions 
of  every  Day  do  call  for,  but  also  in  a  way  of  communicat- 
ing Benefits  to  those  that  are  about  me:  by  Alms,  by 
Books,  by  Letters,  and  by  watchful  Discourses:  and  then  to 
forgett  all  the  Services;  to  lose  all  Remembrance  of  them; 
to  press  after  more,  as  if  I  had  hitherto  done  just  nothing 
at  all:  nil  credens  actum,  dum  quid  super esset  agendum.^ 

'■  "Mary  Cox,  having  abandoned  herself  to  a  Course  of  Drunkenness  and  other 
scandalous  Impieties  and  Enormities,  which  have  procured  her  to  be  sent  unto  the 

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570  DIARY  OF  COTTON  MATHER 

II  d.  7  m.  [September.]  Wednesday.  After  praeparatory 
Hmniliations  and  Resignations,  I  took  this  Day  a  Journey 
to  Salem;  exceedingly  accommodated  both  with  a  Chariot 
and  Company  for  my  Journey. 

I  arrived  soon  enough,  to  preach  the  Lecture.  The 
Rest  of  the  Week,  I  spent  in  Conversation  with  many 
Friends,  who  obliged  me  with  very  kind  Entertainments. 

On  the  Lord's-Day,  I  preached  again,  to  a  great  Assembly 
and  with  a  great  Assistence. 

On  Munday  in  the  Afternoon,  being  weary  of  my 
Approaches  toward  Idleness,  I  returned  home;  in  all  Cir- 
cumstances highly  favoured  of  the  Lord. 

20  d.  7  m.  Friday.  I  sett  apart  this  Day,  for  Prayer 
with  Fasting,  in  my  Study.  Nothing  occiur'd,  that  calls 
for  any  special  Record  of  it. 

In  the  latter  End  of  this  month,  and  the  Beginning  of 
the  Next,  I  have  my  Time  exceedingly  swallowed  up,  in 
many  important  Services. 

I  compose  (and  by  the  Fleet  now  going  for  England,  I 
send  over  to  be  published,)  an  Account  of  my  Biblia  Ameri- 
cana; as  Prodromous  and  Engaging  for  that  work;  it  is 
entituled;  An  American  offer  to  serve  the  Great  Interests 
of  Learning  and  Religion  in  Europe. 

Lord,  accept  and  prosper,  this  Design  of  Service  to 
thy  Churches. 

I  write  Letters  unto  diverse  Persons  of  Honour  both  in 
Scotland  and  in  England;  to  procure  Settlements  of  good 
Scotch  Colonies,  to  the  Northward  of  us.  This  may  be  a 
thing  of  great  Consequence. 

I  not  only  write  Letters,  unto  the  most  eminent  Per- 
sons, in  all  the  Islands,  to  promote  the  Design  of  Chris- 
tianizing the  Negroes;  but  I  also  apply  myself   imto   Sir 

work-house;  as  a  disorderly  Liver,  she  had  this  Day  the  Censures  of  the  Church 
passed  upon  her  and  was  rut  off  from  her  standing  among  the  Disciples  and  in 
the  visible  Kingdome  of  the  Lord."  Cotton  Mather's  MS.  Records  of  the  Second 
Church,  u. 

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SEPTEMBER,     1706  571 

WUliatn  Askurst,  and  by  him  unto  the  Parlaiment,  to  pro- 
cure axi  Act  of  Parliament  for  that  Intention. 

I  write  Letters  to  the  General  Assembly  at  Connecticut, 
to  awaken  their  Zeal,  to  Christianize  their  Indians;  and 
our  Commissioners  for  the  Indian-aflfayrs  do  join  with  me, 
in  signing  them. 

But  it  is  an  Impertinence  in  me,  to  remember  these 
Things.  I  omitt  many  more,  that  might  be  mentioned  as 
well  as  these. 

At  this  Time  also,  I  bestow'd  more  adapting  Circimi- 
stances  for  the  Press,  upon  a  Treatise,  which  I  composed 
three  or  four  Years  ago,  about  the  blessed  Kingdome  dread 
Chiliad.  And  I  now  sent  it  away  unto  an  eminent  Book- 
seller in  London,  that  if  the  Lord  of  that  Kingdome  shall 
please,  it  may  be  published.  The  Title  which  I  now  gave 
it,  was  to  this  Purpose;  Problema  Theologicum.  An 
Essay,  to  Demonstrate  a  Truth  of  Great  Importance  in  the 
Hope  and  Life  of  Christianity;  but  hitherto  too  little  received 
or  understood  by  the  Christian  world.  Or,  unanswerable 
Demonstration,  that  the  second  Coming  of  our  Saviour  from 
Heaven,  will  be  at  the  Beginning  of  the  Happy  State,  which 
we  are  to  expect  for  the  Church  upon  Earth.  And  the  true 
Doctrine  of  the  Chiliad  so  explained,  as  to  answer  and  remove 
the  Prejudices  which  have  usually  encumbred  it.^ 

Moreover,  the  wicked  Quakers  having  made  their 
Addresses  and  Complaints  and  Clamours,  at  home  in 
England  against  the  Countrey,  whereof  an  Account  was 
address'd  unto  us,  by  the  Independent  Ministers  in  London; 
as  if  we  had  persecuting  Lawes  among  us:  I  thought  this 
a  good  Opportimity,  not  only  to  vindicate  my  injured 
Countrey,  but  also  to  discover  more  and  more  of  the  wicked 
Spirit  of  Quakerism,  and  to  demonstrate,  that  their  Light 
within  is  a  dark,  feeble,  sinful  Creature,  and  that  to  sett  it 
up  for  Christ  and  God,  which  is  done  in  Quakerism,  is  a 

■  No  such  publication  has  been  found.     See  p.  502,  supra. 

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572  UIARY     or     COTTON     MATHER 

very  horrible  Idolatry.  I  composed  a  Treatise  on  this 
Occasion;  and  sent  it  over  unto  the  Ministers  in  London; 
under  this  Title:  New  and  Remarkable  Discoveries  of 
THE  Spirit  of  Quakerism.' 

About  this  Time,  I  undertook,  and  with  the  Help  of 
Heaven,  I  quickly  finished,  a  Work,  which  cost  me  more 
than  a  httle  Study,  and,  if  Heaven  please  may  do  more 
than  a  little  Service.  The  Apostasy  of  some  few  of  our 
People  to  Popery  in  Canada,  awakened  my  Concern,  to 
have  our  People  better  fortified,  not  only  against  the  Wiles 
of  Popery,  but  also  against  the  Snares  of  all  other  Errors, 
whereby  they  may  be  endangered.  Wherefore,  having 
fitted,  both  the  New  English  Catechism,  and  the  Assem- 
blies Catechism,  to  be  more  easily  conquered  by  our  Chil- 
dren, I  accompanied  these  Composures,  with,  Supplies  from 
the  Tower  oj  David,  or,  A  Catechism,  which  arms  Christians 
of  all  Ages  to  refute  the  Errors,  which  most  commonly  assault 
the  Cause  of  Christianity;  and  to  preserve  tfte  Faith  once 
delivered  unto  the  Saints:  In  seven  ESSAYES;  (namely 
Against  Popery,  and  Quakerism,  and  Socinianism,  and 
Pelagianism,  and  Antinomianism,  and  Anabaptism,  and 
Antisabbatarlanism:)  each  of  the  Answers,  which  have  in 
them  the  Marrow  and  Substance  of  all  the  Volumns  written 
on  controversial  Divinity,  concludes  with  a  pertinent  Scrip- 
ture, which  alone  may  serve  to  Answer  and  to  Defend  tlie 
Quaestion.  And  all  the  Essayes  end  with  Desires,  relating 
to  the  Truths  which  had  been  defended;  such  Desires  as, 
if  the  Hearts  of  men  come  to  be  enflamed  with  them,  they 
will  never  part  with  the  Truths,  which  ha\e  made  such 
Impressions  upon  them.  In  this  Book,  there  are  several 
other  Instruments  of  Piety.  The  Whole  is  entituled,  The 
Man  of  God  furnished.'    My  Design  is,  to  have  it  pub- 

'  In  .ill  prohaliilily  this  was  never  published. 

'  Printed  by  B.  ('irocn  for  Samuel  Phillips.  A  second  edition  appeared  in  1731 
under  the  title  The  Way  of  Truth  laid  out. 

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OCTOBER,     1706  573 

lished,  with  the  Countenance  of  the  Ministers  of  Boston: 
and  Salem.  And  addressed  unto  both  Ministers  and  Hous- 
holders  in  all  parts  of  the  Countrey.  It  is  to  me,  a  Child 
of  many  Prayers;  and  I  am  waitmg  to  see,  how  far  the 
Lord  will  prosper  it. 

ly  d.Sm.  [October.]  Thursday.  It  was  a  Day  of  Thanks- 
giving thro'  the  Province. 

One  of  my  more  special  Actions  in  the  Day  was,  to 
make  my  Children,  four  of  them,  successively  to  come  into 
my  Study,  and  observe  and  mention  to  me,  the  special 
Mercies  which  they  were  sensible  they  had  received  of 
God;  and  then  charge  them  immediately  to  retire,  and 
give  Thanks  imto  the  Lord,  and  give  up  themselves  unto 
the  Lord,  and  beg  to  be  possessed  by  the  Spirit  of  the 
Lord. 

About  this  Time,  I  considered,  that  in  my  continual 
Addresses  unto  People  of  all  sorts,  to  sett  upon  the  Prac- 
tice of  serious  Religion,  I  am  still  answered  by  them,  that 
they  can't.  They  fearfully  abuse  the  Doctrine  of  Man's 
Inability  to  turn  to  God  and  walk  with  Him,  until  super- 
natural Grace  enable  him,  as  if  it  were  a  very  pretty  Apology 
for  their  Continuance  in  their  Slothfulness  and  Wicked- 
ness. I  was  willing  to  furnish  myself,  with  an  Essay,  to 
clinch  the  serious  Advice,  which  I  leave  with  People,  whom 
I  would  see  take  the  Steps  of  Wisdome,  and  the  Well-advised. 
So  I  fitted  for  the  Press,  a  Discourse  on  that  Subject; 
which  was  immediately  printed,  under  this  Title,  A  Con- 
quest OVER  THE  Grand  Excuse  of  Sinfulness  and  Sloth- 
fulness,  or,  The  Cause  of  God  and  Religion,  pleaded  against 
those,  who  make  their  Inability  to  do  Good,  their  plea  for  their 
Continuance  in  a  Way  of  Evil-doing. 

30  d.  8  m.  Wednesday.     This    Evening,    attended    with 

many  favourable  Circimistances,  for  which  the  Lord  had 

been  sought  unto,  my  Consort  fell  into  Travail;  and  after 

a  wondrous  good  and  quick  Time,  was  about  three  quarters 

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574  DIARY  OF  COTTON  MATHER 

of  an  hour  past  gh.  at  Night,  happily  deUvered  of  a  Son; 
to  appearance,  an  hearty  and  an  handsome  Infant. 

On  the  Lord's-day  following,  I  baptised  this  my  Son, 
and  called  him,  Sajitjel.  Tis  my  desire,  to  have  him 
devoted  unto  the  Service  of  the  Lord,  as  long  as  he  lives. 

The  Night  before  this  Lord's-Day,  I  kept  a  Vigil.  I 
spent  good  Part  of  the  late  Night,  in  Praises  and  Prayers 
vmto  the  Lord;  and  prostrate  in  the  Dust  before  Him,  I 
gave  up  this  Child,  with  all  my  other  Children,  unto  Him; 
entreating  Him,  to  make  them  His  Children,  and  provide 
well  for  them,  and  assist  me  in  their  Education,  and  accept 
them  in  Service  for  Him. 

The  ensiling  Week,  was  (as  indeed  every  Week  is  with 
me  thro'  the  Favour  of  God,)  a  Week  fill'd  with  Services. 

But  the  most  Signal  was,  in  the  Lecture,  when  the 
General  Assembly  of  the  Province  was  present. 

There  are  Plantations  within  this  Province,  which  ly 
in  horrid  Paganism  and  Atheism;  they  have  no  religious 
Assemblies  in  them,  no  public  or  social  Acknowledgment  of 
a  God.  I  have  long  been  concem'd  in  several  Essayes,  to 
reduce  these  Plantations  unto  some  Christianity;  and  I 
now  made  a  loud  Cry  in  the  Ears  of  Heaven  and  Earth 
concerning  them;  so  that  the  General  Assembly  are  awa- 
kened to  take  Notice  of  it. 

Preparatory  to  this  Action,  I  kept  a  Vigil,  in  the  Dust 
before  the  Lord.  And  I  enjoy'd  a  gracious  Answer,  in  the 
Presence  of  the  Lord  with  me,  when  I  came  to  stand  among 
His  People. 

i$d.  gm.  [November.]  Friday.  I  sett  apart  this  Day,  for 
Prayer,  with  Fasting,  in  Secret,  before  the  Lord. 

Especially,  to  recommend  unto  the  Lord,  the  Concerns 
of  my  Ministry,  and  my  Family;  and  soUicit  His  Assistence 
and  Countenance  unto  the  many  Services,  wherein  I  am 
engaged. 

One  special  Exercise  of  this  Day  was  this,  writing  a 

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NOVEMBER,     1706  575 

Book,  to  praeserve  our  Churches  from  the  Errors,  which 
may  threaten  them,  I  conclude  each  of  the  seven  Essayes 
which  compose  the  Book,  with  the  DESIRES,  which  a 
Mind  enlightened  with  the  foregoing  Truths  ought  to  be 
inflamed  withal:  Desires,  which  if  they  be  enkindled  in 
the  mind,  the  Truths  of  the  Gospel,  will  in  Spite  of  all 
Seducers,  be  forever  praeserved  there.  All  the  seven  Bun- 
dles of  those  DESIRES,  I  formed  this  Day;  and  still  as  I 
formed  them,  I  then  spread  them  as  my  PRAYERS  before 
the  Lord.  I  thought  this  as  agreeable  a  Devotion  as  I 
could  insist  upon. 

The  next  week,  it  pleased  the  Lord,  to  grant  a  safe  and 
quick  Return,  (an  Harvest  of  many  Prayers,)  unto  near 
threescore  more  of  our  Captives,  and  among  the  rest,  unto 
the  pious  and  worthy  Minister,  Mr.  Williams,  after  he  had 
spent  almost  three  Years  in  a  sad  Captivity.' 

I  now,  satt  with  him,  and  studied  and  contrived  and 
united  Counsils  with  him,  how  the  Lord  might  have  Rev- 
enues of  Glory  from  his  Experiences.  And  I  particularly 
employ'd  him,  to  preach  my  Lecture,  imto  a  great  Auditory 
(the  General  Assembly  then  also  sitting)  and,  directed  him, 
to  show  how  great  Things  God  had  done  imto  him.' 

I  now  also,  (at  the  Desire  of  my  young  Men,)  gave  to 
the  Printer,  a  Discourse  entituled,  The  best  Ornaments 
OF  YOUTH.  An  Essay,  on  the  Good  Things,  that  are  found 
in  some,  and  should  be  found  in  All,  Young  People,  and 
which,  wherever  they  are  found,  Heaven  mil  take  a  favourable 
Notice  of  them.* 

Among  the  many  Trials  and  Sorrowes  and  Humiliations, 
which  the  Holy  One  has  appointed  for  me,  one  of  the  least 

•  Williams,  with  fifty-seven  others,  was  taken  prisoner  by  the  Indians  on 
February  28,  1704.    Sewall  sent  him  some  letters  and  gifts. 

'  See  p.  568,  supra.  The  lecture  is  printed  in  The  Redeemed  Captive  return- 
ing to  Zion,  published  by  B.  Green,  in  1707,  with  a  narrative  of  John  Williams's 
experiences.    The  book  has  been  frequently  reprinted. 

•  Printed  by  Timothy  Green,  1707. 

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576  DIARY  OF  COTTON  MATHER 

has  been,  the  Affliction  of  having  some  very  wicked  Rela- 
ti\cs.  Especially,  I  have  two  Brothers-in-Law,  which  can 
hardly  be  matched  in  all  New  Efigland  for  their  Wickedness; 
namely,  J.  O.  and  J.  P.  'I  have  never  done  these 

Creatures  any  Wrong  in  my  Life;  I  have  essa>''d  number- 
less Wayes  to  do  them  good.  But  Satan  inspires  them, 
even  to  a  Degree  of  sensible  Possession.  A  satanic  Rage 
against  me,  possesses  their  Hearts  and  their  Tongues,  to 
the  Horror  of  all  sober  People,  that  are  acquainted  with  it. 

I  have  thought  it  my  Duty,  not  ordy  to  endeavour  an 
exemplary  Patience  under  their  Outrages;  and  a  Forbear- 
ance of  every  thing  that  might  look  like  a  Revenge  upon 
the  Wretches:  but  also,  to  consider,  what  Use  I  should 
make  of  these  Humiliations,  what  Revenues  of  Glory  may 
arise  to  a  Glorious  Christ,  and  the  Interest  of  His  excellent 
Religion,  from  them. 

It  has  been  an  unspeakable  Satisfaction,  imto  me,  to 
see  some  Conform!  t}'  unto  the  Sufferings  of  my  Lord  Jesus 
Christ,  in  my  .Vfflictions;  for  He  had  Brethren  who  beleeved 
not  on  Him;  Brethren  who  treated  Him  as  if  He  were  an 
Imposter. 

I  have  exceedingly  abased  myself  before  the  Lord,  for 
my  not  having  done  so  much  as  I  should  have  done,  to 
take  all  my  Relatives  in  the  Xetts  of  Salvation.  And  I 
have  resolved,  that  I  would  be  awakened  unto  the  most 
fervent  and  Uvely  Essayes,  to  engage  the  Rest  of  my  Rela- 
tives, in  the  Service  of  the  Lord. 

I  have  thought  of  some  other  Wayes,  to  make  my 
Vexation  serviceable  unto  the  Churches  of  God;  which  I 
shall  not  mention  perhaps,  till  (if  the  Lord  please)  the 
Time  arrives  for  my  Executing  of  them. 

^\^^at  I  am  now  to  take  Notice  of  is  this:  the  first  of  these 
Prodigies,  namely  J.  O.  married  my  lovely  Sister  Hannah. 
A  most    ingenious  and  sweet-named,  and  good-carriaged 

'  John  Oliver  and  John  PhilUps. 

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DECEMBER,     1706  577 

Child;  one  that  would  have  been  a  Wife,  to  have  made 
any  Gentleman  happy;  but  married  unto  a  raving  Bruite. 
The  FeUow,  whom  they  called  her  Husband,  perfectly 
murdered  her,  by  his  base,  and  abusive  Way  of  treating 
her;  and  he  chose  to  employ  in  a  special  manner,  the  Ebul- 
litions of  his  Venome  against  me,  to  weary  and  worry  her, 
out  of  her  Life,  who  loved  me  dearly.  She  has  for  diverse 
Years,  languished  under  incureable  Bleeding  at  the  Nose; 
and  an  universal  ill  Habit  arising  from  it;  and  at  last,  on 

I  d.  10  m.  [December.]  Lord's-Day,  the  pangs  of  Death 
came  upon  her.  Her  Death  was  long,  and  hard,  and  has 
awakened  me,  more  than  ever,  to  pray  for  an  easy  Death. 
She  kept  in  her  dying  Distresses,  much  calling  on  me; 
her  Brother,  her  Brotlier!  As  I  had  heretofore,  used  all 
possible  Diligence  and  Contrivance,  to  prepare  her  for  her 
Death,  so  I  now  assisted  her,  as  well  as  I  could,  in  her  last 
Hours.  I  pray'd  with  her  six  Times  this  Day;  and  in  the 
Night  following  she  died. 

The  Monster,  to  whom  she  owes  her  Death,  now  with 
anguish,  bears  a  most  honourable  Testimony  for  her;  as 
the  best  Wife,  in  the  World;  and  a  great  Exemple  of  Piety. 
And  from  a  convinced  Conscience,  he  now  also  speaks  of 
me,  with  no  little  Pretence  of  Honour  and  Acknowledg- 
ment. 

Indeed,  she  had  cause  to  bless  God  for  this  Wretch; 
for  he  was  a  great  Occasion  of  her  growing  a  serious  and 
gracious  Christian,  weaned  from  this  World,  and  fitted  for 
a  better. 

She  was  buried  in  my  Tomb,  the  Wednesday  following. 

And  on  the  next  Lord's-Day,  I  endeavoured  to  make 
her  Death  serviceable  to  the  living,  by  preaching  on,  Job. 
30.  23.     I  know,  that  thou  wilt  bring  me  to  Death. 

3  d.  10  m.  Tuesday.  Tomorrow  there  is  to  meet  at 
Woburn  a  Council  of  the  Neighbour-Churches,  about  the 
Differences  and  the  Disturbences  arisen  there.    Both  my 

1-37 

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578  DIARY     or      COTTON     MATHER 

Health,  which  has  been  diverse  Weeks  much  impaired  and 
the  Funeral  of  my  Sister  to  morrow  to  be  attended,  will 
not  allow  my  being  there,  as  I  should  have  been.  I  have 
poured  out  many  poor  Prayers  before  the  Lord,  for  that 
Church;  that  Peace  might  be  restored  unto  it,  and  the 
glorious  Gospel  and  Kingdome  of  the  Lord  in  it,  might  be 
freed  from  its  present  Encumbrances.  This  Day  I  sett 
apart  some  time  extraordinary  for  SuppUcations ;  to  obtain 
the  Presence  of  the  glorious  Head  of  our  Churches,  with 
the  Council  to  morrow,  and  a  good  Issue  of  their  Consulta- 
tions. 

And  lest  the  Supplications  of  the  Day  should  not  be 
enough,  I  did  in  the  Night  keep  a  Vigil  before  the  Lord, 
on  that  Occasion;  and  with  solemn  Resignations  putt  the 
whole  Matter  into  His  glorious  Hands. 

It  pleased  the  Lord,  to  interpose  beyond  Expectation, 
and  bring  the  Afifayrs  of  Woburn  into  a  comfortable  Con- 
dition, and  putt  an  End  imto  the  Division  there,  with  the 
Confession  and  Repentance  of  those  that  occasion'd  it. 

12,  d.  10  711.  Friday.  I  sett  apart  this  Da>-,  for  solemn 
TIL\NKSGIVINGS  to  God,  for  His  many  and  marvellous 
Favours  to  me;  especially  in  my  Ministry,  and  in  my 
Family. 

But  above  all,  I  this  Day  singled  out,  especially  two 
comprehensive  Mercies  of  God  unto  me,  which  call  for 
my  wonderful  Acknowledgments. 

The  one,  that  altho'  I  have  been  a  Person  buffeted  with 
extraordinary  Temptations,  wherein  Satan  has  designed 
with  exquisite  Contrivances,  to  spoil  that  work,  which  the 
sovereign  Grace  of  God  has  intended  me  for,  and  I  ha\e 
greatly  miscarried  in  Secret  many  \\^ayes  under  m}-  Temp- 
tations; yett  my  Adversary  has  not  prevailed  so  far,  as  to 
make  me  a  public  Exemple  of  Scandal  and  Hissing  and 
Horror,  and  the  Astonishment  and  Execration  of  all  the 
Churches. 

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DECEMBER,     1706-07  579 

The  other,  (which  is  a  Continuation  of  the  former,) 
that  notwithstanding  my  lothsome  Sinfubess  and  Filthi- 
ness,  the  Lord  has  taken  me,  the  most  unlikely,  and  the 
most  imworthy  Creature,  in  all  my  Generation,  and  used 
me  in  Services  for  His  Name;  such  Services  as  few  in  my 
Generation  have  been  admitted  unto. 

By  way  of  Thankfulness  to  the  Lord,  one  thing  that  I 
resolved,  with  His  Help,  was  this. 

It  was  my  Resolution,  that  I  would  study  some  singular 
Way,  in  which,  my  Sins,  (my  pardoned  and  covered  Sins! 
0  rich  Grace,  towards  the  Chief  of  Sinners!)  may  afford 
some  great  Revenues  of  Glory  to  the  Lord.  This  I  thought, 
might  be,  by  Preaching  (and  perhaps  printing)  a  Discourse 
on  that  Subject:  Unlo  wJiat  special  Flights  of  Piety,  should 
the  Pious  be  awakened,  by  their  being  left  to  stumble  into  any 
Points  of  Iniquity. 

In  the  Afternoon  of  this  Day,  I  visited  a  Society  of 
devout  Women,  who  were  keeping  this,  as  a  Day  of  private 
and  solemn  Thanksgiving  unto  God.  I  prayed  with  them; 
and  I  preached  to  them,  on,  i.  Sam.  2.  i.  It  may  be,  I 
am  the  only  Man  in  the  World,  that  has  preach'd  imto 
such  an  Auditory! 

This  Day,  a  surprising  Thing  befel  me.  Some  Gentle- 
men of  our  Church,  understanding  (without  any  Applica- 
tion of  mine  to  them  for  such  a  Thing,)  that  I  wanted  a 
good  Servant  at  the  expence  of  between  forty  and  fifty 
Povmds,  purchased  for  me,  a  very  likely  Slave;  a  young 
Man,  who  is  a  Negro  of  a  promising  Aspect  and  Temper, 
and  this  Day  they  presented  him  unto  me.  It  seems  to 
be  a  mighty  SmUe  of  Heaven  upon  my  Family;  and  it 
arrives  at  an  observable  Time  unto  me.  I  putt  upon  him 
the  Name  of  Onesimus;  and  I  resolved  with  the  Help  of 
the  Lord,  that  I  would  use  the  best  Endeavours  to  make 
him  a  Servant  of  Christ,  and  also  be  more  serviceable  than 
ever  to  a  Flock,  which  laies  me  under  such  Obligations. 

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580  DIARY     OF     COTTON     MATHER 

In  pursuance  of  my  late  Resolution,  I  presently  com- 
posed a  Discourse,  which  I  entituled,  A  Treacle  fetched 
OUT  OF  A  Viper;  A  brief  Essay  upon  Falls  into  Sins;  direct- 
ing How  a  Recovery  out  of  such  Falls,  may  be  attended,  with 
a  Revenue  of  special  service  and  Glory  to  God  from  the  Fallen 
Sinner.  My  Purpose  is  to  publish  it  speedily,  at  my  own 
Expence;  and  to  disperse  it  especially  among  such  as  I 
may  observe  to  befallen  into  any  Iniquity.* 

4d.  II  m.  [January.]  Satureday.  Tho'  it  would  be  a 
gross  Impertinence  and  Futility  in  me,  to  record  my  Aims- 
Deeds,  wherein  I  would  abound  continually;  No,  tis  a  vast 
Pleasure  unto  me  to  forgett  them.  Yett  now  and  then  to 
mention  a  particular  Contrivance  about  works  of  Liber- 
ality, may  be  profitable  imto  my  Sons,  to  whom  I  lea%e 
these  poor  Memorials.  I  will  therefore  mention  what  I  con- 
trived and  performed  in  the  Week,  which  is  now  concluding. 

I  have  often  taken  some  Care  of  the  more  Godly  Poor, 
as  the  Necessities  and  the  Difl&culties  of  the  Winter  have 
been  coming  on.  But  I  thought  I  would  now  take  some 
care  of  the  Poor,  that  have  not  a  Character  of  Godliness 
upon  them.  So  I  found  out  ten  or  a  dozen  such  People, 
and  I  carried  them  some  Releef  of  Money,  and  I  gave  them 
the  best  Counsil  I  could,  and  I  left  also  a  good  Book  in 
their  Hands  to  direct  and  excite  the  Practice  of  serious 
Religion  in  them.  WTio  can  tell,  but  in  this  Way  of  treat- 
ing such  poor  Creatures,  there  maj-  be  some  of  them  won 
over  to  the  Wayes  of  Piety! 

6d.  II  w.  Munday.  This  Day,  I  thought,  I  would  carry 
on  my  Stroke  at  Alms-deeds,  with  a  Complication  of  Con- 
trivances. 

I  wrap'd  up  seven  little  Distinct  parcels  of  Money.  I 
annexed,  seven  little  Books  about  Repentance.  And  seven 
of  the  Monitory  Letter  against  profane  Absence  from  the 
public  Worship  of  God. 

'  It  was  printed  by  B.  Green,  for  Benjamin  Eliot. 

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JANUARY,     1706-07  581 

There  is  a  Town  in  the  Countrey,  namely,  Salem 
which  has  many  poor  and  bad  People  in  it;  and  such  as 
are  especially  scandalous  for  staying  at  Home  on  the  Lord's- 
dayes.  I  sent  these  Things  with  a  nameless  Letter  to  the 
Minister  of  that  Town.  I  desired  him,  and  empowered 
him,  to  dispense  this  Charity,  in  his  own  Name;  hoping 
thereby  the  more  to  ingratiate  his  Ministry  to  the  people. 
I  entreated  him,  to  find  out  seven  FamiUes  of  People  answer- 
ing the  evil  Character  aforesaid;  and  lodge  with  them,  the 
Charity,  and  the  Books  that  accompanied  it;  and  bestow 
his  own  holy  Counsils  also  upon  them.  WTio  can  tell,  how 
far  the  good  Angels  of  Heaven,  may  co-operate  in  these 
Proceedings!  And  how  far  the  Holy  Spirit  of  God  may 
make  them  serviceable  for  the  best  of  Purposes. 

10  d.  II  m.  Friday.  I  sett  apart  this  Day,  for  Prayer 
with  Fasting  in  my  Study.  And  I  was  without  some  com- 
fortable Symptomes  of  my  being  not  allogcther  forsaken 
of  the  Lord,  in  spreading  my  Supplications  before  Him. 

One  special  Errand,  which  I  had  unto  Heaven  this  Day 
was  this. 

My  Father-in-Law  at  Charleslown,  has  of  late  been  in 
a  very  froward  and  evil  Frame.  The  elder  of  his  two 
wicked  Sons,  has  been  lately  fined  by  the  General  Assembly 
of  the  Province,  for  his  unlawful  Trade  with  the  Enemy.' 
The  Crime  of  the  Traders,  whereof  he  was  one,  fill'd  the 
Countrey  with  a  mighty  Inflamation.  On  that  Occasion 
it  was  necessary  for  me,  to  bear  my  Part  with  the  other 
Ministers,  in  a  faithful  Testimony. 

And  I  did  my  Part,  as  easily,  and  as  modestly,  tho* 
as  faithfully,  as  I  could.  The  humoursome  old  Man,  is 
so  very  imhappy,  as  to  be  enraged  at  me;  and  express 
himself,  as  I  hear,  very  enragedly  and  abusively.  The 
Spirit  of  Eli  seems  lamentably  to  have  taken  possession 
of  him.    His  two  wicked  Sons  do  also  strangely  manage 

'  See  p.  56s,  supra.    John  Phillips  was  the  eldest  son. 

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582  DIARY  OF  COTTON  MATHER 

him.  And,  now,  the'  I  have  studied  so  very  much  to  be  a 
Blessing  unto  his  Family,  yett  he  treats  me  very  unright- 
eously and  ungratefully.  And,  I  have  great  Reason,  to 
apprehend,  that  tho'  I  have  served  him,  with  so  much 
Dutifulness,  yett,  out  of  his  Displeasure  at  me,  for  my 
doing  but  my  Duty  to  God  and  His  People,  and  from  the 
Impression  of  his  two  wicked  Sons  upon  him,  He  will  deal 
unjustly  with  my  Children,  and  forgett  His  Promises  to 
their  dying  Mother. 

In  this  Case,  I  have  but  one  Remedy.  There  is  no 
speaking  to  him.  I  must  go  to  God,  as  Jacob  did,  when  his 
Father-in-Law  had  already  done  him  hurt,  and  he  was 
afraid  of  his  doing  more. 

So,  I  carried  the  Case  unto  the  Lord.  I  humbled 
myself  before  the  Lord,  for  my  Sins,  that  had  procured 
such  afflictions,  as  I  suffer  in  my  Relatives. 

And  especially  my  not  being  so  diligent  as  I  should  have 
been,  to  engage  all  my  Relatives  in  serious  Religion;  tho' 
I  cannot  charge  myself  with  being  altogether  negligent. 
I  also  lamented  the  Sins,  of  my  Conversation  with  the 
Consort  which  I  once  had  from  the  Family,  where  I  am 
now  ill  dealt  withal.  And  I  sought  for  Pardon,  thro'  the 
Blood  of  the  Lamb  of  God. 

I  besought  the  Lord,  that  He  would  show  me,  how  to 
behave  myself  on  this  Occasion. 

And  that  He  would  so  order  the  matter,  that  I  might 
be  made  better,  and  that  good  might  come  to  His  People 
also,  out  of  my  Exercises.  I  thought  I  should  be  glad  of 
my  Exercises,  if  my  Pardon,  and  Wisdome,  and  Useful- 
ness, might  be  the  Effect  of  them. 

I  pray'd  for  a  Blessing  on  each  of  m>-  abusive  Relatives, 
and  pray'd  that  my  Children  may  not  be  damnified. 

And  so,  I  left  the  Matter  with  the  Lord;  waiting  for 
what  Issue  He  will  pi\'c  unto  it. 

I  do  very  frequently  improve  the  Behaviour  and  Condi- 

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JANUARY,     1706-07  583 

tion  of  my  Children,  and  my  own  Way  of  treating  them, 
into  Meditations  on  GOD  and  CHRIST,  and  the  Terms 
wherein  I  stand  before  Him.  I  have  never  had  Oppor- 
tmiity  to  write  these  Meditations,  any  more  than  many 
thousands  of  others,  wherein  my  Mind  is  continually, 
employing,  and  enriching,  and  rectifying  of  me  before  the 
Lord.  But  this  Day  I  will  take  Notice  of  it.  There  fell 
out  a  Uttle  Accident  in  my  Family,  that  so  hvely  expressed 
the  Circumstances  of  my  owa  Transactions  with  Heaven, 
it  really  struck  upon  me,  and  I  improved  it  in  my  Suppli- 
cations. 

IVIy  little  Son  waits  upon  his  Grandfather  every  Day,  for 
his  Instruction,  as  well  as  upon  other  Tutors  and  Teachers 
This  day,  I  sent  him  on  an  Errand,  where  the  Person 
imposing  on  his  flexible  Temper,  detained  him  so  long, 
that  his  Grandfather  w£is  displeased  at  him,  for  coming 
so  late;  and  his  Punishment  was,  that  his  Grandfather, 
did  refuse  to  instruct  him,  as  he  use  to  do.  The  Child 
imable  to  bear  so  hea\y  a  Punishment,  as  that  his  Grand- 
father should  not  look  favourably  upon  him,  repairs  to 
me,  full  of  weeping  Affliction.  Hereupon,  I  appUed  m>self 
with  a  Note,  unto  my  Father,  as  an  Advocate  for  the  Child. 
I  pleaded  aU  that  could  be  said  by  way  of  Apology  for  the 
Infirmity  of  the  Ctuld.  I  asked,  that  I  might  bear  the 
Displeasure  due  for  it,  because  of  what  had  passed  relating 
to  it.  I  assured  my  Father,  the  Child  should  no  more  in 
this  Way  displease  him.  So  the  Child  was  presently 
received  into  Favour  with  my  Father;  my  Father  look'd 
on  him  with  a  pleased  Aspect,  and  bestow'd  agreeable 
Illuminations  upon  him. 

I  thought,  the  Lord  ordered  this  Httle  Accident  this 
Day,  to  raise  in  my  Mind,  the  Thoughts  of  the  Reconcilia- 
tion, which  the  Son  of  God,  who  is  my  Advocate  with  the 
Father,  would  obtain  for  me,  with  God.  And  the  Thoughts 
had  a  mighty  and  a  melting  Impression  upon  me. 

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584  DIARY  OF  COTTON  MATHER 

About  this  Time,  I  finished  another  little  Book  for  the 
Press:  tho'  when  it  will  be  published  (or  whether  ever) 
I  know  not.  The  Sin  of  W orldliness ,  or,  Coveteousness, 
undoes  the  Souls  of  Multitudes,  who  are  not  in  any  measure 
sensible  of  their  Danger  by  that  Sin.  And  it  is  eminently 
the  Sin  of  my  own  Countrey.  Some  have  soUcited  me  to 
write  upon  it;  which  I  have  now  done,  under  this  Title: 
A  VERY  Needful  Caution.  A  brief  Essay,  to  discover  the 
Sin  that  Slayes  its  ten  thousands  and  represent  the  Character 
and  Condition  of  the  Coveteous;  with  some  Antidotes  against 
the  Infection  of  Coveteousness  and  EartJdy-mindedness .^ 

•J  d.  12  m.  [February.]  Friday.  I  sett  apart  this  Day,  to 
humble  myself  deeply  before  the  Lord,  for  my  horrible 
Corruptions  and  Miscarriages.  I  could  plainly  discern  on 
myself,  grievous  Marks  of  a  Man  abhorred  of  the  Lord. 
And  as  one  even  ashamed  to  approach  unto  Heaven,  I  lay 
prostrate  in  the  Dust  afar  oflf,  crying  out,  God  be  merciful 
to  me  a  Sinner.  I  loathed  and  judged  myself  before  the 
Lord  exceedingly.  The  Victories  which  Temptation  had 
obtained  over  me,  filled  me  with  imspeakable  Confusion. 
I  thought,  that  as  vile  as  I  was,  yett  it  was  my  Duty  to 
look  still  imto  the  Lord,  for  Pardon  and  Healing,  so  I 
pleaded  the  Great  Sacrifice.  I  cried  imto  a  Glorious  Christ, 
that  He  would  be  my  Advocate.  I  begg'd  I  begg'd,  that 
an  holy  Heart  might  be  bestowed  upon  me;  because  a 
Glorious  Christ  had  purchased  it  for  me,  and  by  His  Death 
purchased  the  Death  of  my  Sin.  I  begg'd,  that  the  dread- 
ful wrath  of  Heaven,  might  not  break  forth  against  me, 
nor  against  my  Flock,  nor  against  my  poor  Family,  for 
my  Sin.  I  pondered  my  own  Discourse,  about  Fails  into 
Sins;  and  my  Spirit  actually  conformed  unto  c\-er}'  one 
of  the  Articles  in  it,  that  propose  how  a  Recoven,-  out  of 
the  Falls  may  be  attended  with  special  Revenues  of  Glory 
and  Service  to  God. 

'  I'rintcd  liy  Timothy  Green. 

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FEBRUARY,     1706-07  58$ 

I  also  carried  unto  the  Lord,  the  Concerns  of  my  Min- 
istry, and  of  His  People. 

And  in  the  Close  of  the  Day,  I  went  and  preach'd  and 
pray'd,  with  a  Number  of  devout  Families,  who  had  spent 
this  Day  together,  in  Supplications  before  the  Lord. 

I  win  conclude  this  Year  with  the  Mention  of  one 
vmhappy  Experience,  which  I  have  mett  withal. 

Many  poor  Servants  of  God,  have  been  strangely  dis- 
tressed with  Temptations  to  Atheism  and  Blasphemy. 
There  has  been  in  their  Distresses,  an  evident  Energy  of 
Satan,  lett  loose  to  buffet  them,  and  amaze  them,  and 
imhinge  them  wonderfully. 

Temptations  of  another  Importance  have  with  a  won- 
derful Importunity  assaulted  my  sinful  Soul.  Tho'  Satan 
has  not  proposed  any  grosser  Pollution  to  me,  yett  he  has 
made  violent  and  surprising  Assaults  upon  me,  with  a 
certain  impure  and  foolish  Idaea  raised  in  my  Soul;  which 
has  exceedingly  abased  me  before  the  Lord.  It  is  an 
incredible  Force,  with  which  the  Satanic  Energy  hath  at 
certain  Times,  bore  in  upon  my  Soul,  that  wretched  Idaea; 
and  the  Presence  of  it  there  has  made  the  Confusion  of 
my  Mind  unutterable,  and  unsupportable.  In  this  Molesta- 
tion, indeed  I  have  had  infinite  Cause  to  acknowledge  my 
own  wicked  Heart,  as  that  Fountain  of  Sin,  which  gives 
my  great  Adversary  the  Advantage  to  molest  me.  And  I 
must  make  a  bitter  Acknowledgment  of  my  actual  Mis- 
carriages; by  which  I  provoke  the  Holy  One  to  permitt 
the  Evil  One  to  fall  upon  me,  and  I  forfeit  the  gracious 
Assistence  of  the  Lord.  Yett  I  caimot  but  apprehend  a 
more  than  ordinary  Vexation  from  the  fiery  Darts  of  the 
wicked  one,  in  these  Humiliations;  the  special  Seasons 
of  their  being  shott  into  me;  even  when  my  Studies  are 
most  engaged  in  those  Things  that  would  be  a  Disservice 
to  the  Enemy:  and  the  astonishing  Violence  of  the  Injec- 
tions;  rendring  me  for  a  while,  scarce  a  reasonable  Man: 

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586  DIARY  OF  COTTON  MATHER 

these  Things  do  intimate,  from  what  Quarter  they  come 
upon  me. 

And  that  which  more  afflicts  me  is;  that  tho'  I  cry  to 
God  in  the  Battel,  and  plead  the  Sacrifice  of  a  Glorious 
Christ,  and  His  Compassion  and  Ability  to  succour  the 
Tempted,  for  my  Deliverance;  yett  the  Uttermost  that 
I  can  obtain  is,  for  the  Tempter  to  depart  but  for  a  Season; 
returns  again  upon  me,  in  a  Month  or  two,  with  more 
efl&cacy  than  before. 

I  think  it  not  amiss,  to  record  my  Conduct  on  this 
deplorable  Occasion:  that  so  I  may  fix  my  Resolutions,  to 
observe  such  a  Conduct;  and  be  the  better  confirmed  in 
the  Management  of  my  Warfare. 

First.  I  confess  my  own  horrid  Vileness,  with  a  vast 
Contrition,  with  all  possible  Agony.  I  confess  the  Justice 
of  God  in  all  the  Judgments  that  have  ever  come  upon 
me;  I  confess,  how  just  it  would  be  with  God,  for  to  make 
me  an  eternal  Monument  of  His  dreadfullest  Indignation. 
I  mourn  when  I  see  upon  myself,  most  awful  Marks  of  one 
abhorred  of  the  Lord.  I  bear  with  Patience  and  Silence 
all  the  Contempt  which  I  may  suppose  cast  upon  me,  from 
other  Men,  who  may  treat  me  injuriously;  knowing  myself 
to  be  a  most  loathsome  Creature.  I  wonder  at  the  match- 
less and  sovereign  Grace  of  Heaven,  that  I  am  honoured 
with  Improvement  in  any  Service  for  the  Lord. 

Secondly;  yett  I  am  not  utterly  discouraged,  from 
flying  to  a  Glorious  Christ,  as  both  my  Sacrifice  and  my 
Advocate;  that  my  Sin,  tho'  very  black,  may  be  all  par- 
doned, thro'  His  Blood;  that  the  Death  of  my  Sin,  which 
was  on  His  Cross  condemned  to  dy,  may  be  accomplished; 
that  the  Holiness  which  has  been  by  His  Death  purchased 
for  me,  may  be  bestowed  on  me;  and,  that  the  Commission 
granted  unto  Satan  to  annoy  me,  and  destroy  me,  may  be 
revoked.  I  think,  if  I  should  fall  into  Despair,  (which  I 
am  sometimes  ready  to  do,)  as  one  utterly  abandoned  of 

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FEBRUARY,     1706-07  587 

God,  and  having  nothing  to  do,  to  fly  unto  the  Great  Sacri- 
fice, this  would  be,  to  add  Sin  to  Sin;  and  it  cannot  be  my 
Duty,  utterly  to  forsake  the  Lord. 

Thirdly;  tho'  I  am  such  a  filthy  Wretch,  yett  I  must 
not  forbear  my  Testimonies  against  Sin  in  others;  my  con- 
sciousness to  my  own  being  very  sinful,  must  not  make 
me  decline  all  Testimonies  against  other  Sinners.  I  per- 
cei\e  Satan  would  brmg  me  to  this.  But  then,  Oh!  with 
what  Humility,  Modest}-,  Tenderness  towards  the  Infirmi- 
ties and  the  Temptations  of  others,  must  I  bear  my  Testi- 
monies! I  must  not  abate  my  zeal  to  do  good  in  the  World, 
and  wherever  I  come:  tho'  I  am  very  bad;  yett  I  must 
not  neglect  my  Endeavours  that  I  can  use,  to  do  Good 
imto  others.     I  discern  a  working  of  Satan  this  way  upon 


me 


Fourthly;  Besides  my  setting  apart  whole  Dayes,  for 
Prayer  with  Fasting  before  the  Lord,  that  this  wretched 
Man  may  be  dehvered,  I  would  for  a  considerable  while, 
sett  apart  some  Time  extraordinary  every  Day,  in  the  most 
evangelical  Strains  to  cry  unto  the  Lord,  that  He  would 
give  me  a  very  pure  Heart,  and  sanctify  me  wonderfully, 
and  chase  away  all  that  may  be  distastful  to  His  holy 
Spirit  in  my  Soul,  or  disagreeable  to  His  holy  Temple. 
At  last,  The  Lord  will  arise,  and  save. 

Fifthly;  I  have  resolved,  (and  practised  it;)  that  when- 
ever the  vexing  Idea,  begins  to  appear  unto  my  Soul,  m}' 
Spirit  shall  immediately  form  some  holy  Ejaciilation  unto 
Heaven.  I  will  immediately  send  up  some  cry  to  Hea\'en, 
that  shall  be  proper  on  such  an  Exasperation.  I  hope, 
this  Way  quickly  to  tire  out  Satan,  and  fetch  in  those 
Influences  of  Grace,  which  perhaps  at  length  may  make 
Satan  repent  his  vexing  of  me. 

Sixthly;  lest  an  hateful  Idea  should  gain  upon  me,  and 
become  grateful  unto  me,  I  do  and  will  use  myself,  to  awful 
Meditations,  on  the  inexpressible  Evil,  which  there  would 

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588  DIARY  OF  COTTON  MATHER 

be  in  it,  if  one  of  my  peculiar  Circumstances;  one  of  my 
many  and  mighty  Obligations,  to  the  most  unspotted  Sanc- 
tity; should  harbour  or  indulge  in  myself,  any  wicked 
Thing  in  the  World. 

Quaere.  Whether  the  Lord  will  not  pitty  a  vexed  Ser- 
vant of  His,  under  such  uneasy  Temptations! 

Memorandum.  At  the  Table  of  the  Lord,  flying  to  the 
Lord  Jesus  Christ,  for  Salvation,  from  the  Guilt,  and  the 
Power,  yea,  and  the  Presence  of  Sin,  I  ha\e  been  comforted 
with  Hopes,  that  I  shall  yett  see  the  Fa\our  of  the  Lord. 

The  Course  of  my  Public  Ministry. 

1705.  17  d.  12  m.  [February.]  I  preached  on  Matth.  18.  20. 
The  Gracious  Presence  of  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ  with  His  People, 
assembling  in  His  Name. 

24  (f.  12  m.  I  preached  on  Psal.  52.  8.  Being  like  a  Green  Olive 
tree  in  the  House  of  God.  (On  the  Occasion  of  many  and  lovely  Addi- 
tions to  our  Church.) 

28  d.  12  m.  Thursday.  I  preached  the  Lecture,  on  Tit.  2.  10,  11. 
An  Essay  to  draw  the  Picture  of  Primitive  Christianity;  in  that  Article 
of  a  sober  Life.  Designing  wth  the  Leave  and  Help  of  Heaven,  to 
go  on  with  it,  in  the  other  Articles.  (An  historical,  and  an  enter- 
taining Essay,  to  revive  primitive  Christianity.) 

1706.  3  d.  I  m.  [A/arc/i.]  I  preached  on  Mar.  14.  51.  Young 
People  found  among  the  Enemies  of  a  Glorious  CHRIST;  and  these, 
going  to  lay  hold  on  such  as  they  apprehend  the  Followers  of  the 
Lord.  (Enjoying  mighty  Assistences,  and  Encouragements  from 
Heaven.) 

10  d.  1  m.  I  preached  on  Joh.  6.  37.  An  Essay  to  render  the 
Doctrine  of  PrcBdestinalion  useful,  and  rescue  it  from  the  Abuse 
commonly  offered  unto  it.     Being  earnestly  called  uf)on  to  do  so. 

17  d.  I  m.  I  preached,  on  Joh.  6.  37.  Christ  recei\-ing  all  them 
that  come  unto  Him. 

24  d.  I  m.  I  preached  on  Luk.  7.  47.  Forgiveness  for  the  greatest 
of  Sinners;  and  much  Love  to  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  the  E\idence  of  it. 

28  d.  I  m.  Thursday.  At  the  Lecture,  I  carried  on  my  Design 
of  describing  the  primitive  Christianity;  with  the  .\rticle  of  a  righteous 
Life. 

31  d.  I  m.     I  preached  on  Psal.   131.   2.     A  Soul  as  a  weaned 

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Child.  (Beholding  my  Lessons  in  my  own  little  Daughter,  at  this 
Time  weaning.) 

7  d.  2  fft.  [April.]  I  preached  on,  Prov.  9.  i,  2.  The  Church,  a 
stable  and  stately  House,  whereof  Christ  the  Maker  and  Owner;  and 
a  glorious  Feast  provided  for  His  People  there.  (And  I  administred 
the  Eucharist.) 

i^d.im.  I  preached  on,  Prov.  15.  8.  The  Sacrifice  of  the 
Wicked  an  Abomination.  To  rescue  the  Text  from  a  common  Abuse 
of  it.     (And  to  praepare  for  a  general  Fast.) 

18  d.  2  m.  Thursday.  A  general  Fast  thro'  the  Province.  I 
preached  on  Prov.  15.  8.     The  Prayer  of  the  Upright. 

21  d.  2  m.  I  preached  on  Isa.  55.  2.  The  Vanity  of  all  Pretences 
and  Endeavours  to  obtain  Happiness,  without  a  Glorious  CHRIST. 

25  d.  2  m.  Thursday.  At  the  Lecture,  I  finished  my  Picture  of 
primitive  Christianity;  with  the  Article  of  a  Godly  Life. 

28  d.  2  m.  I  preached  on  Psal.  119.  94.  The  Acts  of  Religion, 
by  which  we  may  become  the  Lords,  and  the  Points  of  Salvation  which 
we  may  then  exp>ect  from  the  Lord. 

S  d.  3  w».  [May.]  I  preached  on  2.  Tim.  3.  i.  The  periilous 
Times  in  the  last  Dayes.  (On  the  Occasion  of  the  Desolations  brought 
by  the  French  on  the  Islands,  and  threatned  unto  us  also.) 

19^.  3  w.  I  preached,  on  Ps.  127.  2.  Except  the  Lord  keep  the 
City;  the  Vanity  of  all  Endeavours  for  our  own  Safety  or  Comfort, 
without  the  Blessing  of  God.  (The  Safety  of  this  Town,  being  much 
considered  at  this  Time.) 

23  d.  3  m.  Thursday.  A  Fast,  at  the  North  Church.  I  preached 
on  Zeph.  3.  7.  Lessons  of  Piety  to  be  learn'd  from  Divine  Judgments 
on  the  world. 

26  d.  ^m.  I  preached,  on,  Psal.  37.  3.  Trusting  in  the  Lord, 
and  Doing  of  Good,  the  assured  Way  to  be  well  provided  for  in  the 
worst  of  Times.     (Because  of  the  pecuUar  Temptations  of  this  Time.) 

2  d.  4  m.  [June.]  1  preached.  On  Psal.  no.  i.  Christ,  both 
God  and  Man,  and  the  Lord  of  all  Men.  (And  I  administred  the 
Eucharist.) 

9  d.  4  m.  I  preached  on  i.  Tim.  4.  7.  Exercising  oneself  unto 
Godliness. 

16  d.  4  m.  I  preached,  on,  i.  Tim.  6.  10.  The  Love  of  Money, 
the  Root  of  all  Evil.  (On  the  Occasion  of  the  Discovery  of  some  of 
our  p>eople,  detected  of  a  wicked  and  bloody  Trade,  with  our  Indian 
Enemies.) 

20  d.  4  m.  Thursday.     I  preached  the  Lecture,  on  Prov.  14.  34. 

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590  DIARY  OF  COTTON  MATHER 

Sin  a  Reproach  of  any  People;  and  I  endeavoured,  in  the  most  charm- 
ing and  winning  Wayes  that  I  could,  to  gett  the  Reproach  of  this 
people  rolled  away. 

23  (i.  4  w.  I  preached,  on  Job.  15.  11.  The  Consolations  oj 
God,  not  small 

2(>d.^m.  Wednesday.  I  preached  the  Lecture  at  Andover;  on 
Ezek.  37.  4. 

30  d.  4  m.  I  preached  on  Luk.  15.  7.  Joy  in  Heaven  over  one 
Sinner  that  repenteth. 

J  d.  $m.  [Jtdy.]  I  preached  on  Eph.  5.  5.  The  Idolatry  of 
Coveteousness.  Being  particularly  desired  by  some  inquisitive  Chris- 
tians, to  discourse  on  it. 

14  d.  5  w.  I  preached  on  i.  Chron.  29.  11.  God  the  Owner  of 
all  Things. 

18  d.  5  m.  Thursday.  I  preached  on  Luk.  12.  15.  To  Take  heed 
and  beware  of  Coveteotisness.  But  because  of  the  extreme  Heat  of 
the  Season,  I  did  not  finirh  the  Discourse. 

21  d.  $m.  I  preached  on  2.  Joh.  4.  The  great  Joy  of  seeing 
Children  walking  in  Truth. 

2Sd.$m.  I  preached  on  Psal.  no.  i.  Christ  silting  at  the 
right  Hand  of  God.     (And  I  administred  the  Eucharist.) 

4  (f.  6  m.  [August.]  I  preached  on  Gen.  4.  9.  The  Duty  of 
every  Man  to  be  his  Brother's  Keeper. 

II  d.  6  m.  I  preached,  on  PsaL  126.  3.  The  great  Things  done 
by  the  Lord  for  His  People.  (On  the  Occasion  of  the  redeemed 
Captives  now  mett  in  our  Congregation  to  give  Thanks  unto 
God.) 

i^d.  6  m.  Thursday.  I  preached  the  Lecture  and  finished  the 
Discourse  begun  a  month  ago;  on  Luk.  12.  15.    Coveteousness. 

18  d.  6  m.  I  preached  on  i.  Cor.  7.  35.  All  the  Lessons  of 
GodUness,  being  for  our  Profit. 

21  d.  6  tn.  Wednesday.  I  preached  the  Lecture,  at  Reading,  on 
2.  Joh.  4. 

25  d.tm.  I  preached  on  Joh.  8.  24.  The  miserable  Death  of 
those  who  dy  in  their  Sins. 

I  d.  T  m.  [Septemicr.]  I  preached  on,  Joh.  6.  44.  That  Case, 
what  should  be  said  unto  those,  who  make  this  their  Answer  to  the 
Calls  of  the  glorious  Gospel,  that  they  cannot  obey  the  Calls.  A  Case 
for  which  I  am  entertained  with  daily  and  woful  Occasions. 

4d.  T  m.  Wednesday.  I  preached  the  Lecture  at  Dedham,  on 
2.  Joh.  4. 

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Sd.  T  m.  I  preached,  on  Rom.  15.  11.  Manly  Christianity  the 
Marks  of  one  grown  to  some  Strength  in  Christianity 

lid.  -J  m.  Wednesday.  I  preach'd  the  Lecture  at  Salem,  on  the 
same  Subject. 

i^d.-jm.     I  preached  at  Salem,  on  2.  Joh.  4. 

22  d.  7  OT.  I  preached  on  Psal.  no.  i.  The  Enemies  of  a  Glori- 
ous Christ  made  His  Footstool.     (And  I  administred  the  Eucharist.) 

29  d.-jm.  I  preached  on  i.  Joh.  5.  13.  Our  knowing  from  what 
is  wriUen,  in  the  Word  of  God,  that  there  is  an  Eternal  Life;  and 
whether  we  have  the  Marks  of  a  Part  in  it. 

6  (f.  8  w.  [October.]  I  preached  on,  Jam.  5.  20.  The  Conversion 
of  a  Siimer  from  the  Error  of  a  sinful  way,  and  the  Salvation  of  the 
Soul  of  such  a  Convert  from  Death:  and  the  Blessedness  of  being 
Instrumental  to  such  a  work. 

10  d.  8  m.  Thursday.  I  preached  the  Lecture,  on  Joh.  6.  65. 
The  Doctrine  of  humane  Impotencey;  defended  against  those  who 
deny  it,  and  rescued  from  those  who  abuse  it. 

13  </.  8  m.     I  concluded,  what  I  began  the  last  Lord's-Day. 

17  </.  8  w.  Thursday.  It  was  a  Day  of  general  Thanksgiving  thro' 
the  Province:  I  preached  on  Deut.  32.  3.  How  we  are  to  ascribe 
Greatness  unto  our  God. 

20(f.  8  m.  I  preached,  on  i.  King  14.  13.  Some  good  Thing 
observable  in  young  Persons. 

22  d.  8  m.  Tuesday.  I  preached,  the  Lecture  at  Roxbury,  on 
I.  Joh.  s.  13. 

27  (i.  8  m.  I  preached,  on  Joh.  9.  15.  One  knowing  a  mighty 
and  happy  Change  on  himself,  and  yett  not  knowing  some  Circum- 
stances relating  to  it. 

$d.  gm.  [Xovember.]  I  preached  on,  2.  Tim.  3.  15.  Children 
made  wise  to  Salvation,  by  the  Knowledge  of  the  Holy  Scripture. 
(And  I  baptised  my  Son  Samuel.) 

■J  d.  g  m.  Thursday.  I  preached  the  Lecture,  on  Psal.  52.  8. 
The  Mercies  of  being  iu  the  House  of  God,  and  like  a  green  Olive-tree 
there. 

10  d.  9  tn.  I  preached,  on  i.  Pet.  2.  15.  The  Will  of  God,  thus 
we  should  carry  it  well  in  the  several  Relations  wherein  He  has  placed 
us;  relative  Christianity. 

17  d.gm.  I  preached,  on  Psal.  no.  2.  The  Gospel,  the  Sceptre 
of  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ.  A  Glory  and  a  Strength  in  it;  and  issuing 
forth  from  Zion.     (And  I  administred  the  Eucharist.) 

2^  d.gm.     I  preached,  on  Heb.  12.  11.     The  peaceable  Fruit  of 

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592  DIARY  OF  COTTON  MATHER 

Righteousness,  yeelded  by  Affliction,  (being  under  some  special  Exer- 
cises.) 

1  d.  lom.  [December.]  I  preached  on,  Psal.  126.  5.  The  Joyful 
Harvest,  reap'd  by  them  who  sow  in  Tears.  (With  a  special  Eye  to 
the  Experience  of  it,  by  the  worthy  Minister  now  present  in  our 
Congregation,  return'd  from  a  long  and  sad  Captivity.) 

8  d.  10  m.  I  preached  on.  Job.  30.  23.  How  we  do  know,  and, 
how  we  should  know,  that  God  will  bring  us  to  Death.  (On  the 
Occasion  of  the  Death  of  my  Sister.) 

i^d.iom.  I  preached,  on  Job.  i.  i.  Piety,  the  first,  and 
cheef  of  all  Excellencies. 

19  d.  10  m.  Thursday.  I  preached  the  Lecture  (for  another)  on 
Gal.  3.  27.  Putting  on  Christ.  Fetching  an  Occasion  to  recommend 
a  Glorious  Christ,  from  the  Time  of  our  Putting  on  our  Winter- 
Garments. 

22  d.  lom,  I  preached  on  2.  Cor.  7.  11.  Carefulness  to  recover 
out  of  our  Falls  into  Sin,  with  Advantage  to  the  Service  and  Glory 
of  God.     (For  a  Cause  mention'd  at  13  d.  10  m.  in  these  Memorials.) 

29  d.  10  m.  I  preached  on.  Rev.  3.  19.  Be  zelous.  (To  kindle 
the  Fire  of  Zele,  in  the  cold  Season  of  the  Winter.) 

2  d.  II  m.  [January.]  Thursday.  I  preached  the  Lecture  on, 
2.  Tim.  2.  I.    The  Marks  of  manly  Christianity. 

5  (i.  II  m.  I  preached  on  Gen.  3.  15.  The  willing  and  friendly 
Obedience  of  the  Sinner  to  Satan,  till  God  putt  into  him  an  Enmity 
to  the  Service  of  Satan. 

i2<i.  II  m.  I  preached  on  Psal.  no.  3.  The  Faithful,  being 
the  People  of  Christ.     (And  I  administred  the  Eucharist.) 

19  rf.  II  w.  I  preached  on  Gen.  3.  15.  The  two  Seeds,  the  two 
Sides  and  Sorts,  and  Setts  of  People  in  the  World;  and  characterised 
them. 

26d.iim.  I  preached,  on  Job.  5.  7.  Man  bom  to  Trouble;  a 
Picture  of  the  matter,  in  Sparks  flying  upward.  (,.\  Subject  season- 
able, in  the  Winter.) 

30  d.  II  m.  Thursday.  I  preached  the  Lecture;  on  Isa.  55.  10, 
II.     (Much  Rain,  and  Snow,  falling  this  Day.) 

2  d.  12  m.  [February.]  I  preached  on  Gen.  3.  15.  The  Enmity 
between  "the  two  Seeds. 

gd.iim.  I  preached,  on  Hcb.  10.  26,  (rescuing  it,  from  the 
desperate  Sense  commonly  putt  upon  it).  That  the  Sacrifice  of  a 
Glorious  Christ,  is  the  only  Sacrifice  now  remaining  for  us;  and  how 
to  express  our  Faith  in  that  Sacrifice. 

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1707* 

I  have  now  such  a  vast  Variety  of  Employments,  (which 
indeed  I  have  at  all  Times:)  but  there  does  therewithal 
occur  so  very  httle  observable,  or  extraordinary,  that  these 
Papers,  about  this  Time,  receive  but  few  Memorials. 

One  thing  I  will  mention.  In  a  Prayer  at  a  Meeting  of 
some  Christians,  I  mentioned  the  sad  Condition  of  our 
Frontiers,  that  notwithstanding  the  extreme  ObUgation 
which  their  dangerous  and  afflicted  Scituation  laid  upon 
them,  to  be  a  very  rehgious  People,  yett  there  was  much 
Irreligion  and  Profaneness  and  Disorder  in  many  of  them. 
After  the  Prayer,  some  of  them  that  were  present,  being 
touch'd  with  a  Sense  of  the  Matter,  mov'd  me  to  write 
a  Uttle  Book,  agreeable  to  the  Condition  of  our  exposed 
Plantations;  which  they  would  be  at  the  Expence  to  send 
and  lodge  in  all  their  Families.  I  sett  upon  the  work,  and 
en  joy 'd  a  singular  Assistence  of  Heaven,  in  drawing  up  the 
Admonitions  of  Piety  for  those  Plantations.  It  may  be, 
the  Lord  will  bless  this  Essay,  for  much  good,  imto  many 
poor  People,  in  a  Land  of  unwalled  Villages.  I  gave  it  the 
Printer;  entituled;  Frontiers  well-defended.* 

13  d.  5  m.  [July]  Lord's-Day.  I  know  not  whether  I 
shall  do  well,  to  take  Notice  of  the  Experiment,  tho'  tis  Uke 
what  I  have  several  Times  mett  withal. 

On  the  one  side,  the  Defeat  I  have  once  had  in  a  Particu- 

'  A  fragment  only,  found  among  the  papers  of  Thomas  Wallcut,  presented 
to  the  Massachusetts  Historical  Society,  September,  1879,  by  Rev.  R.  F. 
Wallcut. 

•  "Frontiers  well  Defended.    An  Essay  to  Direct  the  Frontiers  of  a  Countrey 
Exposed  unto  the  Incursions  of  a  Barbarous  Enemy,  How  to  behave  themselves 
in  their  Uneasy  Station."     Boston;  T.  Green,  1707. 
I '38  [593] 

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594  DIARY  OF  COTTON  MATHER 

lar  Faith,  has  long  rendred  me  afraid  of  ill-founded  Enthu- 
siasms; and  it  may  bee,  too  ready,  even  to  shake  off  some 
Impressions  and  Influences  from  the  angelical  Quarter,  on 
my  Mind. 

On  the  other  Side,  it  is  possible,  thafrmy  great  Sinfulness, 
and  Slothfulness,  and  Filthiness,  and  my  forward  Indis- 
position to  attend  unto  such  Things,  may  deprive  me,  of 
many  Communications  from  the  heavenly  World  with  which 
I  might  otherwise  be  favoured. 

However  I  will  mention  what  this  Day  occurr'd  unto  me. 

I  have  a  Brother-in-Law,  Master  of  a  Vessel,  bound  from 
Barbados  to  Virginia.  We  have  Advice  from  Virginia, 
which  renders  it  extremely  suspicious,  that  the  French  have 
taken  him.  The  Owner,  does  perfectly  give  over  the  Vessel 
for  lost ;  and  cannot  be  perswaded  otherwise. 

This  Day,  as  I  was  pouring  out  Prayers  before  the  Lord, 
with  an  Eye  to  this  Matter,  I  felt  an  Afflatus  on  my  mind, 
which  gave  me  some  Assurance,  that  my  Brother-in-Law 
was  yett  safe  and  well;  and  that  his  Relatives  having  on 
this  Occasion  resigned  him,  they  should  now  stand  still,  and 
see  the  Salvation  of  God:  I  express'd  myself  unto  my  Con- 
sort, that  my  Mind  was  well-satisfied,  it  would  be  so. 

Behold,  on  the  seventh  Day  after  this,  there  arriv'd 
unto  us.  Letters  from  him,  of  his  being  well-arrived  a[t] 
Virginia. 

I  considered,  that  it  were  very  desireable  to  have  our 
poor  People  in  our  Frontiers,  well  informed,  and  well  de- 
fended, against  the  Delusions  of  Popery;  lest  any  more  of 
them  should  be  carried  Captives,  as  many  of  them  ha\e  been, 
into  a  Popish  Countrey.  Wherefore,  I  composed  a  Cate- 
chism for  that  Purpose,  to  be  added,  unto  my  little  Book 
for  the  Frontiers.  I  considered,  that  in  Maryland,  a  Colony 
not  very  far  from  us,  there  were  many  Papists;  and  the 
Popish  Clergy  seduced  many  People  on  frequent  Occasions. 
Wherefore  I  printed  some  hundreds  of  this  Catechism  by 

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J  xj  L  Y ,     I  7  o  7  595 

itself,  to  be  dispersed  in  Maryland.  I  considered  also,  that 
it  was  a  Blessedness,  to  do  a  part  in  the  work  of  this  Day,  the 
pulling  down  of  the  Romish  Babylon.  Accordingly,  I  enti- 
tuled  this  little  Peece  of  Work;  The  Fall  of  Babylon.* 

24  d.  5  m.  Thursday.  This  Day  was  kept  as  a  Fast, 
thro'  the  Province;  with  relation  to  the  miserable  Circum- 
stances of  our  Expedition  to  Port-Royal.^ 

I  enjoy'd  gracious  Assistences  from  the  Lord,  in  the 
Work  of  the  Day. 

In  my  Family,  I  sett  my  Children,  to  consider,  what 
Points  they  could  find  in  themselves  that  needed  Amend- 
ment; and  resolve  accordingly  to  amend  themselves,  and 
be  and  do  better  than  formerly;  And  in  the  Evening  to 
declare  imto  me,  what  Resolutions  they  have  taken  up. 

I  resolved,  that  if  the  Lord  would  hear  our  Prayers;  in 
the  Extremity  of  Confusion  which  is  now  threatning  of  us, 
and  grant  a  good  Issue  and  Return  of  our  Expedition,  I 
would  sett  myself  to  do  some  special  Thing,  for  the  glorify- 
ing of  Him,  as  the  Hearer  of  Prayers,  or  for  the  Encouraging 
of  Prayers  among  His  People.' 

'It  is  doubtful  if  there  was  a  separate  issue  made  of  the  Fall  of  Babylon, 
although  its  separate  pagination  suggests  the  possibility. 

'  Although  the  English  clearly  had  the  advantage  in  numbers  and  preparedness 
before  Port  Royal,  and  the  French  commander  there,  Subercase,  had  been  taken  by 
surprise,  nothing  was  done.  The  cause  has  been  laid  to  the  inefficiency  of  the  Eng- 
lish commander,  Colonel  John  March,  and  to  his  want  of  confidence  in  his  troops. 
He  retired  with  his  fleet  to  Casco,  to  the  great  disappointment  and  not  a  little  indig- 
nation of  the  Massachusetts  authorities.  Three  commissioners  were  thereupon 
appointed  to  go  to  Casco:  Elisha  Hutchinson,  Penn  Townsend,  and  John  Leverett. 
Rumors  prevailed  that  the  army  at  Casco  was  mutinous  and  disorderly.  Leverett 
reported  (July  8):  "We  discoursed  with  the  officers  of  the  Army  by  themselves, 
and  opened  our  Commission;  told  them  what  we  expected  from  them,  and  what 
they  ought  to  demand  from  the  Officers  imder  them,  and  they  again  from  the 
Souldiers.  The  Officers  expressed  their  willingness  to  obey.  We  have  also  this 
day  had  the  Captains  with  us,  who  say  they  are  ready  to  go  back  to  Port  Royal, 
and  that  they  were  neither  beat  off,  nor  frighted  away.  We  think  it  not  proper  to 
discourse  of  past  matters,  though  we  see  they  feel  the  Impression  of  our  people's 
talk  at  home."     The  Leverett  Memorial,  133. 

'  "After  the  army  had  lay  there  six  weeks  they  set  saill  againe  for  Port  Royal, 
where  being  arrived  they  did  nothing  worth  remembering.    Where  the  fault  lay, 

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596  DIARY  OF  COTTON  MATHER 

Sd.6m.  [August.]  Friday.  The  Lord,  after  my  humble 
Supplications,  and  Resignations  about  it,  gave  me  this  Day, 
a  comfortable  Journey  to  Salem,  (in  Company  with  my 
Friend  Mr  Makemie,y  where  I  preached  on  the  Lord' s-Day; 
and  returned  home  on  the  Munday. 

22d.  6  m.  Friday.  This  Day,  I  sett  apart,  for  the  Ser- 
vices of  a  secret  Fast  before  the  Lord.  I  enjoyed  somewhat 
more  of  Impression  and  Influence  from  Heaven  upon  me, 
this  Day,  than  at  many  Times.  I  do  this  Day  obtain 
Mercy  for  me,  in  my  Family,  and  in  my  Ministry;  and 
prepare  for  Tidings  from  England,  concerning  the  Com- 
posures I  have  sent  thither.  I  commend  my  whole  Work, 
imto  the  Conduct  and  Blessing  of  Heaven;  and  particu- 
larly some  Journeyes,  that  are  quickly  before  me,  in  the 
Service  of  the  Churches. 

That  I  might  serve  the  Designs  of  Christianity  in  as 
many  Wayes  as  I  could  well  devise,  I  fitted  for  the  Press, 
my  Discourses  on  Manly  Christianity. 

The  Treatise  is  entituled,  Manly  Christianity,  A  brief 
Essay,  on  the  Signs  of  Good  Growth  and  Strength,  in  the  most 
Lovely  Christianity. 

But  I  must  wait  the  Lord's  Time  and  Way  for  the  Pub- 
lication of  it;  not  being  at  this  Instant  in  a  Way  for  it.' 

2d.  T  m.  [September.]  Tuesday.  The  over-ruling  Provi- 
dence of  the  Lord,  carried  me  to  Hull  this  Day;  where  a 
Council  of  several  Churches  assembled,  for  the  composing 
of  grievous  Contentions.'    We  saw  a  surprizing  and  prosper- 

whether  in  officers  or  souldiers,  or  both,  is  not  my  business  to  enquire.  I  shall  only 
rcmarlc  that  the  disappointment  of  that  design  speaks  much  of  divine  anger  of 
which  we  are  generally  too  insensible."  John  Marshall's  Diary,  in  7  Proceedings, 
I.  159.     Sec  The  Leverett  Memorial,  134-143. 

'  Sec  p.  S99i  infra. 

'  "31  d.  6  m.  This  Day,  the  church  voted  that  Mr.  Timothy  Thornton,  Mr. 
John  Goodwyn  (and)  Mr.  Robert  Cumby,  should  join  with  Deacon  Barnard,  in 
managing  the  care  of  the  Scats  in  the  Meeting-house."  CoUon  Mather's  MS. 
Records  of  the  Second  Church,  11. 

*  The  minister  at  (lull  was  Rev.  Zcchariah  Whitman,  ordained  September  13, 

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SEPTEMBER,     1707  597 

ing  Presence  of  the  Lord  with  us  in  our  Undertaking.  The 
Differences  of  that  poor  People  were  most  happily  healed. 
And  my  poor  Tongue  and  Hand,  were  particularly  employ 'd 
in  this  Work.  We  returned  home,  the  Day  following  with 
very  great  Satisfaction. 

10  d.  7  m.  Wednesday.  This  Day,  the  Glorious  Lord 
carried  me  to  the  south  Part  of  Braintree;  where  a  New 
Church  was  gathered,  and  a  Pastor  was  ordained.'  The 
Action  was  carried  on,  with  sensible  Effects,  and  affecting 
Tokens,  of  the  gracious  Presence  of  the  Lord.  On  this 
Occasion,  I  preached  in  the  Great  Assembly;  and  enjoy'd 
a  marvellous  Presence  of  the  Lord  with  me.  Oh !  sovereign 
Grace;  what  shall  I  render  to  thee! 

The  People  of  the  Place  afterwards  much  desired  a  Copy 
of  my  Sermon,  that  it  might  be  published,  and  preserved 
with  them  (and  others)  as  the  perpetual  Monitor  of  their 
Duty.    So  I  gave  it  them ;  entituled,  The  Temple  Opening. 

16  d.  7  m.  Tuesday.  The  Lord  favoured  me,  with  a  com- 
fortable Journey  to  Salem.  On  the  Day  following,  I 
preached  the  Lecture  at  Beverly;  which  was  the  main 
Design  of  this  Journey.  On  the  Thursday  I  returned 
home. 

That  I  might  be  the  more  praepared  for,  and  assisted  in 
the  Service  of  the  Lecture  at  Beverly,  I  was  extremely  broke, 
and  faint  and  ill,  with  an  unconquerable  Pain  in  my  Stomach. 
My  Illness  came  on  me  in  the  Morning,  and  greatly  dis- 
tressed me.  Yett  the  Lord  graciously  carried  me  thro' 
my  Work;  I  preach'd  with  great  Flame  and  Force;  and 
when  my  Service  was  finished,  my  Sickness  also  was 
vanished. 

The  Fatigues  of  this  Journey;  and  the  many  Vigils, 
which  I  have  kept  of  late,  preparatory  to  my  Services;  and 

1670.  He  continued  to  officiate  till  near  the  time  of  his  death,  which  took  place 
November  5,  1726. 

>  The  causes  leading  to  the  new  or  South  Church  are  given  in  Pattee,  History 
of  Old  Braintree  and  Quincy,  206.    Hugh  Adams  was  the  pastor  ordained  this  day. 

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598  DIARY  or  COTTON  MATHER 

some  this  Week  particularly;  excuse  me  from  keeping  a 
Fast  in  my  Study,  as  else  I  would  have  done.' 


To  Samuel  Penhallow.  m.h.s. 

Boston,  6d.  12  m.,  1706-7. 

Sir,  —  Many  months  ago,  I  sent  you,  by  a  Captive-woman 
(who  went  by  water  from  hence;  I  think,  her  Name  was  Jurdain;) 
a  Number  of  Little  Books,  Entituled,  The  Negro  Christianized;  with 
my  Desire  to  know  from  you,  what  Nimiber  of  Christian  Families 
in  your  province,  you  could  Learn  to  have  Negroes  in  them.'  Inas- 
much as  I  have  never  since  heard  from  you,  it  makes  me  suspect, 
whether  my  Packetts  ever  came  to  your  hands;  and  therefore  I 
now  inform  you  thereof. 

It  is  at  present  a  dull  Time  for  Intelligence,  Foreign  or  Domestic; 
and  so  I  do  at  present  forbear  any  further  Communication;  Hoping, 
if  I  Live  a  few  weeks  Longer,  to  Entertain  you  with  Several  things 
that  will  not  be  unacceptable. 

I  heartily  pray  for  your  prospering  in  the  Concerns  of  both 
worlds;  and  subscribe,  Syr,  Your  sincere  Servt. 

Co.  Mather. 

Enclosed,  is  an  Extract  I  made,  of  the  Memorial  and  Petition 
to  the  Q.  and  Council;  which  Procured  the  Destruction  of  the  Illegal 
Commission  against  Cormecticut,  and  their  DeUverance  from  their 
Enemies;  and  a  sore  Disadvantage  to  the  Enemy.  Send  it  me  again. 
As  also,  the  Rhode  Island  papers. 

'  "ipif.  8  m.  [1707.]  John  Barnard,  having  given  Scandal,  by  the  Liberty  he 
took,  of  using  the  scandalous  Game  of  Cords,  when  he  was  lately  a  Chaplain  abroad 
in  the  Army,  he  this  Day  made  his  public  Acknowledgement,  which  gave  Satis- 
faction to  the  People  of  God. 

"  7  d.  10  m.  James  Fowie,  having  been  convicted  of  profane  Swearing,  in  his 
provoked  Passion,  his  pocnitent  Acknowledgement,  was  this  day  presented  to  the 
Church  and  accepted. 

"31  d.  9  m.  (1708.J  Sarah  Bushnel,  having  been  scandalously  overtaken  with 
the  Sin  of  Drunkenness,  her  Confession  and  Repentance  was  this  Day  offered  to  the 
Church  and  accepted."     Cotton  Mather's  MS.  Records  of  the  Second  Church,  11. 

•  Printed  in  1706.     See  564,  supra. 


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SEPTEMBER,     I707  599 

To  Samuel  Penhallow.  m.h.s. 

Boston,  July  8,  1707. 

Sir,  —  You  have  greatly  Renewed  and  Augmented  my  Obliga- 
tions to  you,  by  the  Packets  which  I  Lately  received  from  you.  I 
pray  that  you  will  persist  in  such  Communicative  Goodness,  as 
there  shall  be  opportunity. 

You  are  so  well  infonned,  of  what  passes  of  Public  affairs,  abroad 
in  the  world;  that  you  need  none  of  my  poor  Informations. 

I  shall  therefore  Confine  myself  to  that  Particular  Point,  wherem 
you  have  commanded  me  to  tell  what  I  know.  I  knew  nothing, 
when  I  received  your  Last  Letters.  But  within  these  three  or  four 
Dayes,  we  understand  by  Letters  from  England,  that  the  Point 
aforesd  will  be  certainly  and  suddenly  accomplished.  At  Fides, 
Penes  Scriptores. 

Our  Manner  of  Proceeding  a  Year  ago,  in  that  unprecedented 
way  of  Trying  and  Judging  our  Eastern  Traders,  is  mighty  HI  resented 
with  the  Government  in  England;  and  we  do  not  yett  know  all  the 
Consequences. 

That  brave  man,  Mr.  Makemie,  has  after  a  famous  Trial  at  N. 
York,  bravely  triumphed  over  the  Act  of  Uniformity,  and  the  other 
Poenal  Lawes  for  the  Ch.  of  England.  Without  permitting  the 
Matter  to  come  so  far  as  to  Pleading  the  Act  of  Toleration,  he  has 
compelled  an  Acknowledgment  that  those  Lawes  aforesd,  are  but 
Local  ones,  and  have  nothing  to  do  with  the  Plantations.  The  Non- 
Con[formist]  Religion  and  Interest,  is,  thro'  the  Blessing  of  God  on 
the  Agency  of  that  Excellent  person,  Likely  to  prevail  mightily  in 
the  Southern  Colonies.  I  send  you,  two  or  three  of  Mr  Makemies 
Books,'  to  be  dispersed  among  such  of  your  People,  as  may  need 
them. 

I,  pray,  that  a  glorious  Christ,  may  give  you  very  much  to  know 
Him,  and  Serve  Him.    I  am  Sjrr,  Sincerely  yours, 

Co.  Mathek. 

'  Frands  Makemie  had,  in  1707,  when  on  his  way  to  Boston,  preached  a  ser- 
mon in  a  private  house  in  New  York  without  a  license,  for  which  he  was  arrested 
and  imprisoned  for  two  months.  His  narrative  of  the  incident,  A  Letter  to  Lord 
Cofniury,  was  printed  in  Boston,  in  1707,  and  is  reprinted  in  Force's  Tracts,  rv. 
Since  1684  he  had  held  relations  with  the  Mathers,  and  never  seems  to  have  for- 
feited their  esteem  in  his  somewhat  erratic  career.  Lord  Combury,  not  without 
some  truth,  described  him  as  "a  preacher,  a  doctor  of  physic,  a  merchant,  an 
attorney,  a  counsellor-at-law,  and,  which  is  worst  of  all,  a  disturber  of  governments." 
He  died  in  Virginia,  in  1708. 

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600  DIARY  OF  COTTON  MATHER 

Esquire  Bickerstaff's  PRiEDicnoNS  for  1708.'       a.a.s. 

I  do  not  Lurk  in  the  Dark;  I  am  not  wholly  unknown  in  the 
world:  I  have  sett  my  Name  at  Length,  to  be  a  mark  of  Infamy  to 
mankind,  if  they  shall  find  I  deceive  them. 

My  first  praediction  is  but  a  Trifle;  yett  I  will  mention  it,  to 
show  how  Ignorant  these  sottish  pretenders  to  Astrologers  are; 
It  relates  to  Partridge,  the  Almanack  maker.  He  will  infallibly 
Dye,  on  the  29th  of  March  next,  about  eleven  at  night,  of  a  raving 
Feavour.' 

April  observable  for  the  Death  of  many  great  Persons. 

On  the  4th,  the  A[rch]  B[isho]p  of  Paris: 

On  the  nth,  the  young  prince  of  Asturias,  son  to  the  D[uke] 
of  Anjou. 

On  14th,  a  great  peer  of  this  Realm,  at  his  Countrey-house. 

On  19th,  an  old  Layman  of  great  Fame  for  Learning. 

On  23,  an  Eminent  Goldsmith  in  Lombard-Street. 

I  could  mention  others,  but  it  will  be  of  Little  Instruction  to 
the  world. 

Public  AflFairs;  on  7th,  an  Insurrection  in  DauphitU,  not  quieted 
in  some  months. 

On  isth,  a  violent  storm,  on  the  South-East  of  France,  which 
will  destroy  many  of  their  ships. 

The  19th,  famous  for  the  Revolt  of  a  whole  Province  or  King- 
dome,  Excepting  one  City;  by  which  the  affayrs  of  a  certain  prince 
in  the  Alliance,  will  take  a  better  face. 

May  7,  the  Death  of  the  Dauphin,  after  a  short  sickness,  and 
grievous  Torments  with  the  Strangury.  He  dies  Less  Lamented  by 
the  court,  than  the  Kingdome. 

9,  A  marshal  of  France  will  break  his  leg,  by  a  Fall  from  an  Horse. 
I  have  not  been  able  to  discover,  whether  he  will  then  Dy  or  not. 

II,  Will  begin  a  most  important  Siege,  which  the  Eyes  of  all 
Europe  will  be  upon. 

19,  Three  noble  Ladies  of  this  Kingdome,  will  against  Expecta- 
tion, prove  with  Child,  to  the  great  Joy  of  their  Husbands. 

23,  a  famous  Buffoon  of  a  Play-house,  will  dy  of  a  ridiculous 
Death,  suitable  to  his  vocation. 

'  I  have  not  found  this  skit  in  print  in  any  almanac  of  that  day. 

'The  use  by  Franklin  of  this  same  form  of  wit,  predicting  the  death  of  a 
rival  philomath,  Titan  Leeds,  may  be  read  in  Writings  of  Franklin  (Smyth),  n. 
196,  etc. 

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SEPTEMBER,     I707  60I 

June.  The  utter  despersing  of  those  deluded  Enthusiasts,  com- 
monly called,  The  prophecies. 

I,  A  Fr:  General  kill'd  by  a  Random  shott  of  a  cannon  bal. 

6,  A  Fire  in  the  Suburbs  of  Paris,  will  destroy  above  looo  houses. 

10,  A  great  Battel  fought;  it  will  begin  at  4h  P.M.  and  Last  till 
9h  at  night.  No  Decisive  Event.  The  Commanders  on  each  Left 
Wing,  kill'd;  I  see  Bonfires  and  hear  the  Noise  of  Guns  for  a  victory. 

20,  Cardinal  Porto  Carrero  will  dy  of  a  Dysentery. 

July  12,  A  great  Commander,  will  dy  a  prisoner,  in  the  hands  of 
his  Enmies. 

14,  a  shameful  Discovery  wiU  be  made  of  a  Frfench]  Jesuit, 
giving  Poison,  to  a  great  foreign  general;  and  when  he  is  putt  to  the 
Torture;  will  make  wonderful  Discoveries. 

T'wil  be  a  month  of  great  Action,  if  I  might  have  Liberty  to 
discover  the  particulars. 

15,  The  Death  of  an  old  famous  Senator,  at  his  Coun trey-house; 
worn  with  Age  and  Diseases. 

But,  what  will  make  this  month  memorable,  is  the  Death  of  the 
Fr[ench]  K[ing]  Lewis  XIV.  after  a  weeks  sickness  at  Marli;  which 
will  happen  on  29th  about  6  a  clock  in  the  Evening. 

It  seems  to  be  an  Effect  of  the  Gout  in  his  Stomach,  follow'd 
by  a  Fl\ix. 

Three  dayes  after,  Monsr.  Chamillard^  will  follow  his  M[aste]r, 
dying  suddenly  of  an  Apoplexy. 

In  this  month,  an  Ambassador,  will  dy  in  London.  But  I  can 
not  assign  the  Day. 

Aug[us\t.  I  see  an  Expres  in  mighty  haste;  with  Joy  and  wonder 
on  his  Looks,  arriving  by  break  a  day,  on  the  26th  of  this  month, 
having  travelled  in  3  dayes,  a  prodigious  Journey  by  Land  and  Sea. 
In  the  Evening,  I  hear  Bells,  and  Guns,  and  see  the  Blazings  of  a 
1000  bonfires. 

A  young  Admiral  of  noble  Birth,  does  likewise  this  Month  gain 
immortal  Honour,  by  a  Great  Atchievment. 

September.  Begins  with  a  Surprising  Fitt  of  Frosty  weather, 
which  will  last  near  12  dayes. 

The  Pope  having  Languished  Last  month,  with  Swellings  in  his 
legs  breaking,  and  the  Flesh  mortifying,  will  dy  on  the  nth. 

In  three  weeks  time  succeeded  by  a  cardinal  of  the  Imperial 
Faction,  but  a  Native  of  Tuscany,  who  is  now  about  61  years  old. 

^Michel  de  Cbamillart  (1651-1731),  controller  general  of  finance  and  min- 
ister of  war  under  Louis  XIV. 

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602  DIARY  OF  COTTON  MATHER 

I  shall  add  one  prediction  more,  on  mystical  Terms. 

Alter  eritjam  Tiphys,  et  altera  quae  vehat  Argo  Delectos  Eeroas} 

On  the  2Sth  of  this  month,  the  fulMing  of  this  prediction  will 
be  manifest  to  every  body. 

It  will  be  a  glorious  Campaign  for  the  Allies;  whether  the  English 
will  have  their  full  share  of  Honour. 

Her  Majesty,  Q[ueen]  Ann,  will  continue  in  Health,  and  pros- 
perity. 

No  111  Accident  will  arrive  to  any  in  the  chief  Ministry. 

My  Fortune  has  placed  me  above  the  Little  Regards  of  scrib- 
bling for  a  few  pence. 

I  was  once  of  the  opinion  with  those  who  despise  all  predictions 
from  the  Stars,  till  in  the  year  1686  a  man  of  Quality,  show'd  me 
written  in  his  Album,  That  the  most  Learned  Astronomer  Captain 
H.  assured  him,  he  would  never  beleeve  any  thing  of  the  Stars  influ- 
ence, if  there  were  not  a  great  Revolution  in  England,  in  the  year 
1688.  Since  that  time,  I  began  to  have  other  Thoughts;  and  after 
18  years  diligent  study,  I  have  no  Reason  to  repent  my  pains. 

To  A.A.S. 

Boston,  iid.  "jm.  1708. 

Sir,  —  Your  case  is.  Whether  a  Baptism  received  from  a  Deacon, 
Employed  to  Baptise,  by  a  Society  of  Anabaptists,  and  rigid  Sep- 
aratists, who  also  hold  several  other  Errors,  be  a  valid  Baptism? 

Doubtless,  tis  not  an  orderly  and  regular  Baptism.  Neverthe- 
less the  Answer  which  is  generally  given  by  Protestants,  to  that 
problem.  Whether  the  Baptism  received  from  Laymen,  or  Women, 
in  the  Communion  of  the  Church  of  Rome,  be  so  disallowable  as  to 
make  a  New  Baptism  necessary?  may  serve  on  this  occasion. 

You  know,  they  generally  make  use  of  this  old  Rule;  Midla  fieri 
non  debent,  quae  tamcn  facta  valenl.  The  Army  of  them  who  have 
written  on  this  point,  and  against  the  Repetition  of  a  Baptism,  tho' 
attended  with  such  very  Defective  Circumstances,  is  very  Numerous; 
and  the  Reasons  they  bring,  are  as  powerful,  as  the  Writers  are 
Numerous.  They  are  so  well-known,  there  b  no  need  Repeting 
them  neither. 

Here  was  a  Society  of  Christians,  and  a  Church  tho'  Labouring 
under  very  great  Corruptions.  Here  was  an  Administrator,  author- 
ized, according  unto  their  Opinion,  to  the  work  of  Baptising.    The 

'  Verg.  Ec.  iv.  34. 

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SEPTEMBER,      I707  603 

Popish  Baptism,  which  compells  not  Protestants,  to  Repeat  their 
Baptism,  has  rather  more  Exceptions  against  us  than  this,  in  the 
Case  now  before  us. 

There  is  a  Distinction  to  be  made,  between  a,  Vilium  in  Actu 
Baptismatis,  and  a,  Vitiutn  in  Persona  Baptismatis.  Here  was  a 
Baptism,  a  Sacred  washing,  in  the  Name  of  the  glorious  and  Eternal 
Trinity.  Tho'  he  that  performed  this  washing,  had  not  all  the  Quali- 
fications, that  he  should  have  had.  They  also  distinguish  between 
One  that  has  no  manner  of  Call  at  all,  to  Baptise;  and  another  that 
has  a  Call,  tho'  not  a  Lawful  one.  In  many  Churches  of  the  Reforma- 
tion, those  persons  have  no  manner  of  Call  at  all,  who  are  allow'd 
in  the  church  of  Rome  to  Baptise,  in  a  (pretended)  Necessity.  If  a 
Baptism  have  been  received  from  one  of  those  persons,  then  such 
Reformers  as  Beza  and  Cartwright,  will  affirm,  Ejusmodi  Ablulionem, 
nihil  Magis  ad  Baplisuum  faciunt,  quam  ordinariam  aliam  aliquam 
el  quolidianam  Lavationem.  Certainly,  In  our  Dayes,  and  among 
us,  a  Baptism  of  the  Boyes  of  Alexandria,  would  not  be  judg'd  suflS- 
cient.  It  was  not  so,  in  the  Baptism  we  now  have  to  Consider; 
There  was  a  profession  of  a  Call  and  Power  to  Baptise,  in  the  Admin- 
istrator. Yea,  you  know  who,  besides  Anabaptists,  do  ordain  Deacons, 
to  Baptise. 

But  after  all,  while  the  Baptized  person  has  not  a  Plerophory, 
which  putts  him  out  of  all  Doubt,  that  his  Baptism  is  a  meer  Nullity; 
the  Judgment  and  Custome  of  the  Reformed  Churches,  has  been  to 
commend  the  modesty  of  those,  who  do  not  make  Haste  unto  a  New 
Baptism.  For,  Non  privatio  Sacramenti,  sed  contemptus  damnai. 
And  as  Voetius  observes.  The  Repetition  of  Baptism,  is  usually 
foimded  in  the  same  Error  that  produced  the  Disorders  of  the  First 
Baptism,  that  give  the  occasion  of  desiring  to  have  it  Repeted. 
Namely,  Imaginare  Necessilas  Baptismi  tanquam  medii. 

Syr,  These  Thoughts  have  been  Laid  before  the  pastors  of  several 
Churches,  who  allow  my  transmitting  of  them  to  you;  with  their 
prayers,  that  both  in  your  ministry  and  in  your  Neighbourhood, 
you  may  see  the  glorious  Head  of  our  Churches,  who  is  also  the  God 
of  Order,  smiling  upon  you.  I  am,  Syr,  Your  faithful  Brother  and 
Servt. 

To  Samuel  Penhallow.  m.h.s. 

Boston,  22  d.  gm.  1708. 
Sm,  —  Will  you  give  me  Leave  to  Impose  a  Trouble  on  you? 
I  know,  you  will  count  it  no  Trouble;  partly  because  tis  I  (a  Tried 

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604  DIARY  OF  COTTON  MATHER 

Old  Friend)  that  Impose  it;  partly  because  the  Design  of  it,  will 
Exceedingly  suit  and  please  you. 

I  will  not  then  say,  /  Trouble  you,  but,  I  Furnish  you,  with 
Twenty  Little  Books,  Entituled,  A  Good  Evening.'  My  Desire  is, 
That  by  your  prudent  Care,  there  may  be  One  convey'd  unto  Every 
Counsellour  and  Justice,  and  One  unto  Every  Minister,  in  your 
Province.  If  any  Remains  Lett  One  be  presented  unto  Each  of  your 
Deputies.  When  you  send  one  to  Mr  Cotton  at  Hampton,  oblige  me  so 
far  as  to  write  to  him,  and  Lett  him  know,  I  shall  be  glad  to  hear, 
what  Acceptance  it  finds  with  him. 

I  am  sorry,  that  the  Name  of  the  Author  is  Compelled  to  accom- 
pany the  Treatise.  But  if  That  have  a  Tendency  to  hinder  the  Accept- 
ance of  it  among  your  people,  there  is  a  Little  Ticket  on  the  Backside 
of  the  Title-Page,  from  which  you  may  argue  something  by  way  of 
Antidote. 

However,  the  Name  will  be  no  prejudice  with  you;  who  know 
me  well  and  who  know  that  I  am,  Syr,  Your  hearty  Friend  and 
Servt. 

Co.  Mather. 

'  A  Good  Evening  for  the  Best  of  Dayes.  An  Essay,  to  Manage  an  Action  of 
Trespass,  against  those  who  Mispend  the  Lords-Day  Evening.  It  was  a  sermon 
preached  by  Mather,  November  4,  1708,  before  the  General  Assembly,  and  con- 
tained an  Address  to  the  Reader  by  Increase  Mather.  The  book  was  printed  by 
B.  Green,  in  1708. 


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