ALL that is included under the title "RELIGIOUS EXPERIENCES AND OCCASIONAL PIECES," with the exception of the verses beginning "As weary pilgrim now at reft," is printed from a manuscript copy in the handwriting of Mrs. Bradstreet's son, the Rev. SIMON BRADSTREET, of New London, Connecticut. The following note is prefixed by him: "A true copy of a Book left by my hon'd & dear mother to her children & found among fome papers after her Death."

THIS BOOK by Any yet vnread,
I leaue for yov when I am dead,
That, being gone, here yov may find
What was your liueing mother's mind.
Make vfe of what I leaue in Loue

And God fhall bleffe yov from above.

MY DEAR CHILDREN,

A. B.

fpoke latest

KNOWING by experience that the exhortations of parents take most effect when the speakers leaue to speak, and thofe especially fink deepeft which are and being ignorant whether on my death bed I fhall haue opportvnity to fpeak to any of yov, much leffe to All-thought it the beft, whilft I was able to compofe fome fhort matters, (for what elfe to call them I know not) and bequeath to yov, that when I am no more with yov, yet I may bee

dayly: in your remembrance, (Although that is the least in my aim in what I now doe) but that yov may gain some spiritual Advantage by my experience. I haue not studyed in this yov read to fhow my fkill, but to declare the Truth-not to fett forth myself, but the Glory of God. If I had minded the former, it had been perhaps better pleafing to yov,-but feing the last is the best, let it bee best pleasing to yov.

I

The method I will obferve fhall bee this-I will begin with God's dealing with me from my childhood to this Day. In my yovng years, about 6 or 7 as I take it, I began to make confcience of my wayes, and what I knew was finfull, as lying, difobedience to Parents, &c. I avoided it. If at any time I was overtaken with the like evills, it was a great Trouble. could not be at reft 'till by prayer I had confeft it vnto God. I was alfo troubled at the neglect of Private Dutyes, tho: too often tardy that way. I also fovnd much comfort in reading the Scriptures, efpecially those places I thought most concerned my Condition, and as I grew to haue more vnderstanding, fo the more folace I took in them.

In a long fitt of ficknes which I had on my bed I often commvned with my heart, and made my fupplication to the most High who fett me free from that affliction.

But as I grew vp to bee about 14 or 15 I fovnd my heart more carnall, and fitting loofe from God, vanity and the follyes of youth take hold of me.

About 16, the Lord layd his hand fore vpon me and smott mee with the fmall pox. When I was in my affliction, I befovght the Lord, and confeffed my Pride and Vanity and he was entreated of me, and again restored me. But I rendered not to him according to the benefitt received.

After a short time I changed my condition and was marryed, and came into this Covntry, where I found a new world and new manners, at which my heart rofe. But after I was convinced it was the way of God, I fubmitted to it and joined to the church at Bofton.*

After fome time I fell into a lingering ficknes like a confvmption, together with a lameneffe, which correction I faw the Lord fent to humble and try me and doe mee Good: and it was not altogether ineffectuall.

It pleafed God to keep me a long time without a child, which was a great greif to me, and coft mee many prayers and tears before I obtaind one, and after him gave mee many more, of whom I now take the care, that as I have brovght yov into the world, and with great paines, weaknes, cares, and feares brovght yov to this, I now travail in birth again of yov till Chrift bee formed in yov.

Among all my experiences of God's gratious Dealings with me I haue conftantly obferved this, that he hath never fuffered me long to fitt loose from him,

but by one affliction or other hath made me look home, and fearch what was amiffe-fo vfually thvs it hath been with me that I haue no fooner felt my heart out of order, but I haue expected correction for it, which most commonly hath been vpon my own perfon, in fickneffe, weaknes, paines, fometimes on my foul, in Doubts and feares of God's difpleasure, and my fincerity towards him, fometimes he hath fmott a child with ficknes, fometimes chafftened by loffes in eftate, and thefe Times (thro: his great mercy) haue been the times of my greatest Getting and Advantage, yea I haue fovnd them the Times when the Lord hath manifefted the moft Love to me. Then haue I gone to fearching, and haue faid with David, Lord fearch me and try me, fee what wayes of wickednes are in me, and lead me in the way everlafting and seldome or never but I haue fovnd either fome fin I lay vnder which God would haue reformed, or fome duty neglected which he would haue performed. And by his help I haue layd Vowes and Bonds vpon my Soul to perform his righteous commands.

If at any time yov are chaftened of God, take it as thankfully and Joyfully as in greateft mercyes, for if yee bee his yee fhall reap the greatest benefitt by it. It hath been no fmall fupport to me in times of Darknes when the Almighty hath hid his face from me, that yet I haue had abundance of sweetnes and refreshment after affliction, and more circumfpection