Good children must: Fear God all day, Love Christ alway, Learn these four lines by Heart: Have communion with few, Three choice Sentences: but I had mett with a prince disguis'd. When we had ridd about an how'r, wee come into a thick swamp, which by reason of a great fogg, very much startled mee, it being now very dark. But nothing dismay'd John. Hee had encountered a thousand and a thousand such swamps, having a universall knowledge in the woods; and readily 10 answered all my inquiries, which were not a few. 1. Praying will make us leave Sin- 20 ning, or Sinning will make us leave Praying. 2. Our Weakness and our Inabilities break not the Bond of our Duties. 3. What we are afraid to speak before men, we should be afraid to think before God. SARAH KEMBLE KNIGHT (1666-1727) From her JOURNAL In about an how'r, or something more, after we left the swamp, we come to Billinges, where I was to lodg. My guide dismounted and very complasantly help't me down and shewd the door, signing to me with his hand to go in; which I gladly did; but had not gone many steps into the room, ere I was interograted by a young lady I understood afterwards was the eldest daughter of the family, with these, or words to this purpose, (viz.): "Law for mee-what in the world brings you here at this time a night?-I never see a woman on the rode so dreadfull late, in all the days of my versall life. Who are you? Where are you going? I'me scar'd out of my witts"-with much 30 more of the same kind. I stood aghast, prepareing to reply, when in comes my guide. To him Madam turn'd, roreing out: "Lawful heart, John, is it you? -how de do! Where in the world are you going with this woman? Who is she?" John made no answer, but sat down in the corner, fumbled out his black junk, and saluted that instead of Debb. She then turned agen to mee and fell anew into her silly questions, without asking me to sitt down. Monday, Octb'r. the second, 1704.About three o'clock afternoon, I begun. my journey from Boston to NewHaven; being about two hundred mile. My kinsman, Capt. Robert Luist, waited on me as farr as Dedham, where 40 I was to meet the western post. [The MS. is mutilated and incomplete.] Thus jogging on with an easy pace, my guide telling mee it was dangero's to ride hard in the night, (which his horse had the sence to avoid,) hee entertained me with the adventurs he had passed by late rideing, and eminent dangers he had escaped; so that, remembring the heros in Parismus and the Knight of the Oracle, I didn't know 50 I told her shee treated me very rudely, and I did not think it my duty to answer her unmannerly questions. But to get ridd of them, I told her I come there to have the post's company with me to-morrow on my journey, etc. Miss star'd awhile, drew a chair, bid me sitt, and then run up stairs and putts on two or three rings, (or else I had not seen them before,) and returning, sett herself just before me, showing the way to Reding, that I might see 1 pipe 1 her ornaments, perhaps to gain the Tuesday, October the third, about 8 2 terrified mee, and caused me to be very circumspect, sitting with my hands fast on each side, my eyes stedy, not daring so much as to lodg my tongue a hair's breadth more on one side of my mouth then tother, nor so much. as think on Lott's wife, for a wry thought would have oversett our wherey. But was soon put out of this pain, by feeling the cannoo on shore, which I as soon almost saluted with my feet; and rewarding my sculler, again mounted and made the best of our way forwards. The rode here was very even and the day pleasant, it being now near sunsett. But the Post told mee we had neer 14 miles to ride to the next stage, (where we were to lodg.) I askt him of the rest of the rode, foreseeing wee must travail in the night. Hee told mee there was a bad river we were to ride thro' which was so very firce a hors could sometimes hardly stem it; but it was but narrow, and wee should soon be over. I cannot express the concern of mind this relation sett me in. No thoughts but those of the dang'ros river could entertain my imagination, and they were as formidable as varios, still tormenting me with blackest ideas of my approching fate; sometimes seeing my self drowning, otherwise drowned, and at the best like a holy Sister just come out of a spiritual bath in dripping garments. . . . Being come to Mr. Havens', I was very civilly received, and courteously entertained, in a clean comfortable house; and the good woman was very 40 active in helping off my riding clothes, and then ask't what I would eat. I told her I had some chocolett, if shee would prepare it; which with the help of some milk, and a little clean brass kettle, she soon effected to my satisfaction. I then betook me to my apartment, which was a little room parted from the kitchen by a single bord partition; where, after I had noted the occurrances of the past day, I went to bed, which, tho' pretty hard, yet neet and handsome. But I could get no sleep, because of the clamor of some of the town tope-ers in next room, who Having here discharged the ordnary for self and guide, (as I understood was the custom,) about three afternoon went on with my third guide, who rode very hard; and having crossed Providence ferry, we come to a river which they generally ride thro'. But I dare not venture; so the Post got a ladd and cannoo to carry me to tother side, and hee rid thro' and led my hors. The 50 cannoo was very small and shallow, so that when we were in she seem'd redy to take in water, which greatly 2 paid the bill 1 lean-to that I could not keep up with them, only as now and then they'd stop till they see mee. This rode was poorly furnished with accommodations for travellers, so that we were forced to ride 22 miles by the post's account, but neerer thirty by mine, before wee could bait so much as our horses, which I exceedingly complained of. But the post 2 were entred into a strong debate concerning the signifycation of the name of their country, (viz.) Narraganset. One said it was named so by the Indians, because there grew a brier there, of a prodigious highth and bigness, the like hardly ever known, called by the Indians Narragansett; and quotes an Indian of so barberous a name for his author, that I could not write it. His 10 encourag'd mee, by saying wee should antagonist replyed, no; it was from a spring it had its name, which hee well. knew where it was; which was extreem cold in summer, and as hott as could be imagined in the winter, which was much resorted too by the natives, and by them called Narragansett, (hott and cold,) and that was the originall of their place's name with a thousand impertinances not worth notice, which 20 he utter'd with such a roreing voice and thundering blows with the fist of wickedness on the table, that it peirced my very head. I heartily fretted, and wish't 'um tongue tyed; but with as little succes as a freind of mine once, who was (as shee said) kept a whole night awake, on a jorny, by a country Left, and a Sergeant, Insigne and a Deacon, contriving how to bring a tri- 30 angle into a square. They kept calling for tother gill, which while they were swallowing, was some intermission. But presently, like oyle to fire, encreased the flame. I set my candle on a chest by the bed side, and setting up, fell to my old way of composing my resentments, in the following manner: 1 I ask thy aid, O potent Rum! To charm these wrangling topers dum. O still their tongues till morning comes! And I know not but my wishes took effect; for the dispute soon ended with 'tother dram; and so, good night! be well accommodated anon at Mr. Devill's, a few miles further. But I questioned whether we ought to go to the Devil to be helpt out of affliction. However, like the rest of deluded souls that post to the infernal denn, wee made all posible speed to this Devil's habitation; where alliting, in full assurance of good accommodation, wee were going in. But meeting his two daughters, as I suposed twins, they so neerly resembled each other, both in features and habit, and look't as old as the Divel himselfe, and quite as ugly. We desired entertainm't, but could hardly get a word out of 'um, till with our importunity, telling them our necesity, necesity, etc. they call'd the old sophister, who was as sparing of his words as his daughters had bin, and no, or none, was the reply's hee made us to our demands. He differed only in this from the old fellow in to'ther Country: hee let us depart. . . . I ridd on very slowly thro' Stoningtown, where the rode was very stony and uneven. I asked the fellow, as we went, divers questions of the place and way, etc. I being arrived at my country 40 Saxtons, at Stonington, was very well accommodated both as to victuals and lodging, the only good of both I had found since my setting out. Here I heard there was an old man and his daughter to come that way, bound to N. London; and being now destitute of a guide, gladly waited for them, being in so good a harbour. And accordingly, Thirsday, Octobr the 5th, about 3 in the afternoon, I sat forward with neighbour Polly and Jemima, a girl about 18 years old, who hee said he had been to fetch out of the Narra Wedensday, Octobr 4th. About four in the morning we set out for Kingston 50 (for so was the town called) with a French docter in our company. Hee and the Post put on very furiously, so 1 lieutenant ' feed gansetts, and said they had rode thirty miles that day, on a sory lean jade, with only a bagg under her for a pillion, which the poor girl often complain'd was very uneasy. Friday, Octor 6th. I got up very early, in order to hire somebody to go with mee to New Haven, being in great parplexity at the thoughts of proceeding alone; which my most hospitable 10 entertainer observing, himselfe went, and soon return'd with a young gentleman of the town, who he could confide in to go with me. And about eight this morning, with Mr. Joshua Wheeler, my new guide, takeing leave of this worthy gentleman, wee advanced on towards Seabrook. Saturday, Oct. 7th, we sett out early in the morning, and being something 20 unaquainted with the way, having ask't it of some wee mett, they told us wee must ride a mile or two and turne down a lane on the right hand; and by their direction wee rode on. But not yet comeing to the turning, we meet a young fellow and ask't him how farr it was to the lane which turn'd down towards Guilford. Hee said wee must Great Being, who made and rules the world, and that there are certain seasons in which this Great Being, in some way or other invisible, comes to her and fills her mind with exceeding sweet delight, and that she hardly cares for anything, except to meditate on himthat she expects after a while to be received up where he is, to be raised up out of the world and caught up into heaven; being assured that he loves her too well to let her remain at a distance from him always. There she is to dwell with him, and to be ravished with his love and delight forever. Therefore, if you present all the world before her, with the richest of its treasures, she disregards it and cares not for it, and is unmindful of any pain or affliction. She has a strange sweetness in her mind, and singular purity in her affections; is most just and conscientious in all her conduct; and you could not persuade her to do any thing wrong or sinful, if you would give her all the world, lest she should offend this Great Being. She is of a wonderful sweetness, calmness and universal benevolence of mind; especially after this ride a little further, and turn down by 30 Great God has manifested himself to the corner of uncle Sam's lott. My guide vented his spleen at the lubber; and we soon after came into the rhode, and keeping still on, without any thing further remarkabell, about two a clock afternoon we arrived at New Haven, where I was received with all posible respects and civility. Here I discharged Mr. Wheeler with a reward to his satisfaction, and took some time to rest 40 after so long and toilsome a journey; and informe'd myselfe of the manners and customs of the place, and at the same time employed myselfe in the afair I went there upon. JONATHAN EDWARDS (1703-1758) [SARAH PIERREPONT] They say there is a young lady in [New Haven] who is beloved of that her mind. She will sometimes go about from place to place, singing sweetly; and seems to be always full of joy and pleasure; and no one knows for what. She loves to be alone, walking in the fields and groves, and seems to have some one invisible always conversing with her. [A PERSONAL NARRATIVE] I had a variety of concerns and exercises about my soul from my childhood; but had two more remarkable seasons of awakening, before I met with that change by which I was brought to those new dispositions, and that new sense of things, that I have since had. The first time was when I 50 was a boy, some years before I went to college, at a time of remarkable awakening in my father's congregation. I was then very much affected for many months, and concerned about the things 10 of religion, and my soul's salvation; struggles and conflicts, and self-reflections. I made seeking my salvation. the main business of my life. But yet, it seems to me I sought after a miserable manner; which has made me sometimes since to question, whether ever it issued in that which was saving; being ready to doubt, whether such miserable seeking ever succeeded. I was indeed brought to seek salvation in a manner that I never was before; I felt a spirit to part with all things in the world, for an interest in Christ. My concern continued and prevailed, with many exercising thoughts and inward struggles; but yet it never seemed to be proper to express that concern by the name of terror. From my childhood up, my mind had been full of objections against the doctrine of God's sovereignty, in choosing whom he would to eternal life, and rejecting whom he pleased; leaving them eternally to perish, and be everlastingly tormented in hell. It used to appear like a horrible doctrine to me. But I remember the time very well, when I seemed to be convinced, and fully satisfied, as to this sovereignty 30 of God, and his justice in thus eternally disposing of men, according to his sovereign pleasure. But I never could give an account how, or by what means, I was thus convinced, not in the least imagining at the time, nor a long time after, that there was any extraordinary influence of God's Spirit in it; but only that now I saw further, and my reason apprehended the justice and reasonableness of it. However, my mind rested in it; and it put an end to all those cavils and objections. And there has been a wonderful alteration in my mind, with respect to the doctrine of God's sovereignty, from that day to this; so that I scarce ever have found so much as the rising of an objection against it, in the most absolute sense, in God's showing mercy to whom he will show mercy, and hardening whom he will. God's absolute sovereignty and justice, with respect to salvation and damnation, is what my mind seems to rest assured of, as much as of any 40 But in process of time, my convictions and affections wore off; and I entirely lost all those affections and delights and left off secret prayer, at least as to any constant performance of it; and returned like a dog to his vomit, and went on in the ways of sin. Indeed I was at times very uneasy, especially towards the latter part of my time at college; when it pleased God to seize me with a pleurisy, in which he brought me nigh to the grave, and shook me over the pit of hell. And yet, it was not long after my recovery, before I fell again into my old ways of sin. But God would not suffer me to go on with any quietness; I had great and violent inward struggles, till, after many conflicts with wicked inclinations, repeated resolutions, and bonds that I laid myself under by a kind of vows to God, I was brought wholly to break off all former wicked ways, and all ways of known outward sin; and to apply myself to seek salvation, and prac- 50 tice many religious duties; but without that kind of affection and delight which I had formerly experienced. My concern now wrought more by inward |