July 8th, 1656. I had a fore fitt of fainting, which lafted 2 or 3 dayes, but not in that extremity which at firft it took me, and fo mvch the forer it was to me because my dear husband was from home (who is my cheifest comforter on Earth); but my God, who never failed me, was not abfent, but helped me, and gratiously manifefted his Love to me, which I dare not passe by without Remembrance, that it may bee a fupport to me when I shall haue occafion to read this hereafter, and to others that shall read it when I fhall poffeffe that I now hope for, that fo they may bee encouragd to truft in him who is the only Portion of his Ser vants. O Lord, let me neuer forgett thy Goodnes, nor question thy faithfullnes to me, for thov art my God: Thou haft faid, and fhall not I beleiue it? Thou haft given me a pledge of that Inheritance thou haft promised to beftow upon me. O, never let Satan prevail against me, but ftrenghten my faith in Thee, 'till I shall attain the end of my hopes, even the Salvation of my Soul. Come, Lord Jefus; come quickly. HAT God is like to him I serve, WH What Saviour like to mine? O, never let me from thee fwerue, My thankfull mouth shall speak thy praise, On High my heart, O, doe thou raise, Goe, Worldlings, to your Vanities, My God he is not like to yours, I find his Love, I know his Pow'r, He is not man that he should lye, His word he plighted hath on high, And for his fake that faithfull is, MY Y foul, rejoice thou in thy God, Walk in his Law, and kiffe his Rod, Cleaue close to him alway. What tho: thy outward Man decay, With Angels-wings thy Soul fhall movnt To Bliffe vnfeen by Eye, And drink at vnexhausted fovnt Of Joy vnto Eternity. Thy teares fhall All bee dryed vp, Thy Sinns fhall ne'r bee fummon'd vp, Nor come in memory. Then fhall I know what thov haft done For me, vnworthy me, And praise thee fhall ev'n as I ovght, ffor wonders that I fee. Bafe World, I trample on thy face, Thy Glory I defpife, No gain I find in ovght below, For God hath made me wife. Come, Jefvs, qvickly, Bleffed Lord, O let me covnt each hour a Day Auguft 28, 1656. A FTER mvch weaknes and ficknes when my spirits were worn out, and many times my faith weak likewife, the Lord was pleafed to vphold my drooping heart, and to manifest his Loue to me; and this is that which stayes my Soul that this condition that I am in is the best for me, for God doth not afflict willingly, nor take delight in greiving the children of men: he hath no benefitt by my adversity, nor is he the better for my prosperity; but he doth it for my Advantage, and that I may bee a Gainer by it. And if he knowes that weaknes and a frail body is the best to make me a veffell fitt for his vfe, why should I not bare it, not only willingly but joyfully? The Lord knowes I dare not defire that health that fomtimes I haue had, least my heart should bee drawn from him, and fett vpon the world. Now I can wait, looking every day when my Saviour fhall call for me. Lord gravnt that while I live I may doe that service I am able in this frail Body, and bee in continuall expectation of my change, and let me never forgett thy great Love to my foul fo lately expreffed, when I could lye down and bequeath my Soul to thee, and Death feem'd no terrible Thing. O let me ever fee Thee that Art invifible, and I fhall not bee vnwilling to come, tho: by fo rovgh a Meffenger. May 11, 1657. I HAD a fore ficknes, and weaknes took hold of me, which hath by fitts lafted all this Spring till this II May, yet hath my God given me many a refpite, and fome ability to perform the Dutyes I owe to him, and the work of my famely. water. Many a refreshment haue I fovnd in this my weary Pilgrimage, and in this valley of Baca* many pools of That which now I cheifly labour for is a contented, thankfull heart vnder my affliction and weaknes, feing it is the will of God it fhould bee thus. Who am I that I fhould repine at his pleasure, efpe "Blessed is the man whose strength is in thee; in whose heart are the ways of them. Who, passing through the valley of Baca, make it a well; the rain also filleth the pools."— PSALM lxxxiv. 5, 6. "Blessed is the man whose strength is in thee; in whose heart are thy ways. Who, going through the vale of misery, use it for a well; and the pools are filled with water."— PSALTER. “· Εἰς τὴν κοιλάδα τοῦ κλαυθμῶνος.” — SEPTUAGINT. “In valle lacrymarum.” — VULGate. The old Genevan Bible (London, 1599) has the following translation and note: e "They going through the vale of Baca, make welles therein: the rain alfo couereth the pooles." -"e That is, of mulbery trees, which was a barren place: fo that they which paffed through muft dig pits for water," &c., &c. The old "Bay Pfalm Book," which she must often have read and sung from, thus quaintly renders the verse: — "Who as they paffe through Baca's Vale, doe make it a fountaine : alfo the pooles that are therin |