Fac-simile of Anne Bradstreet's Manuscript.

For my deare Conne Simon Bradstreet Parents perpetuate their fine. Sposterity,

posterity, and their

maneys in their imitation Children do natureally ruther follow the failing then the ver Jtues of them prodeceffops, but to m per fraded better they some

me

y

in writing that

Lett

thing for y look upon, when you Should be me no more, I could might see think of nothing more fit for you nor of more cafe to my left then these short meditur, ing. Such as they are fregith the you, smal legalys are actoryti by true friends much more, 64 duty full children, I have a voyded in crouching would leave nothing upon others Carceptions because I

though in value

they fuck short of of in this kinde ist I presume they will be better pripl ptiful to you, for the Author's fake. the lord blesse you with grace, heer, and Crown you with glory keer that I with grace meet you with a toy ceing great day of appe is the Continuall

may m

at that

ing,

cod, of

the

pray

your affectionate mother: "#B

For my deare fonne Simon Bradstreet.

ARENTS perpetuate their liues in their pofterity, and their mañers in their imitation. Children do natureally rather follow the failings then the vertues of their predeceffors, but I am perfwaded better things of you. You once defired me to leaue fomething for you in writeing that you might look vpon when you fhould fee me no more. I could think of nothing more fit for you, nor of more ease to my felf, then these fhort meditations following. Such as they are I bequeath to you: fmall legacys are accepted by true friends, much more by duty full children. I haue avoyded incroaching upon others conceptions, because I would leaue you nothing but myne owne, though in value they fall short of all in this kinde, yet I presume they will be better prif'd by you for the Authors fake. the Lord blesse you with grace heer, and crown you with glory heerafter, that I may meet you with rejoyceing at that great day of appearing, which is the continuall prayer, of

your affectionate mother,

March 20, 1664.

A. B.

Meditations Diuine and morall.

I.

HERE is no obiect that we fee; no action that

THE

we doe; no good that we inioy; no evill that we feele, or fear, but we may make fome fpiritu[a]ll aduantage of all: and he that makes fuch improvment is wife, as well as pious.

II.

MANY can speak well, but few can do well.

We

are better scholars in the Theory then the practique part, but he is a true Chriftian that is a proficient in both.

YOUTH

III.

TH is the time of getting, middle age of improuing, and old age of spending; a negligent youth is vfually attended by an ignorant middle age, and both by an empty old age. He that hath nothing

to feed on but vanity and lyes muft needs lye down in the Bed of forrow.

A

IV.

SHIP that beares much faile, and little or no

ballaft, is eafily ouerfet; and that man, whofe head hath great abilities, and his heart little or no grace, is in danger of foundering.

V.

IT

is reported of the peakcock that, prideing himself

in his gay feathers, he ruffles them vp; but, spying his black feet, he foon lets fall his plumes, fo he that glorys in his gifts and adornings, fhould look vpon his Corruptions, and that will damp his high thoughts.

THE

VI.

HE fineft bread hath the leaft bran; the pureft hony, the least wax; and the fincereft chriftian, the leaft felf loue.

VII.

HE hireling that labours all the day, comforts

THE

himself that when night comes he shall both take his reft, and receiue his reward; the painfull christian that hath wrought hard in Gods vineyard, and hath born the heat and drought of the day, when he perceiues his fun apace to decline, and the fhadowes of his euening to be stretched out, lifts vp his head with joy, knowing his refreshing is at hand.

DOWNN

VIII.

OWNNY beds make drofey perfons, but hard lodging keeps the eyes open. A profperous state makes a fecure Chriftian, but adverfity makes him Confider.