lest my heart should be drawn from him, and set upon the world.

Now I can wait, looking every day when my Saviour shall call for me. Lord, grant that while I live I may do that service I am able in this frail body, and be in continual expectation of my change. And let me never forget thy great love to my soul so lately expressed, when I could lie down and bequeath my soul to thee, and death seemed no terrible thing. Oh, let me ever see thee that art invisible, and I shall not be unwilling to come, though by so rough a messenger.

May 11, 1657.

I had a sore sickness, and weakness took hold of me, which hath by fits lasted all this spring till this 11th May. Yet hath my God given me many a respite, and some ability to perform the duties I owe to him, and the work of my family.

Many a refreshment have I found in this my weary pilgrimage, and in this valley of Baca many pools of water. That which now I chiefly labor for is a contented, thankful heart under my affliction and weakness, seeing it is the will of God it should be thus. Who am I that I should repine at his pleasure, especially seeing it is for my spiritual advantage? For I hope my soul shall flourish while my body decays, and

the weakness of this outward man shall be a means to strengthen my inner man.

"Yet a little while, and he that shall come will come, and will not tarry."

May 13, 1657.

As spring the winter doth succeed,
And leaves the naked trees do dress,
The earth all black is clothed in green,
At sunshine each their joy express.

My sun's returned with healing wings,
My soul and body do rejoice;
My heart exults, and praises sings

To him that heard my wailing voice.

My winter's past, my storms are gone,

And former clouds seem now all fled;
But if they must eclipse again

I'll run where I was succoréd.

I have a shelter from the storm,
A shadow from the fainting heat;
I have access unto his throne

Who is a God so wondrous great.

Oh, thou hast made my pilgrimage
Thus pleasant, fair, and good;
Blessed me in youth and elder age;

My Baca made a springing flood.

I studious am what I shall do

To show my duty with delight;
All I can give is but thine own,

And at the most a simple mite.

September 30, 1657.

It pleased God to visit me with my old distemper of weakness and fainting, but not in that sore manner sometimes he hath. I desire not only willingly, but thankfully, to submit to him, for I trust it is out of his abundant love to my straying soul which in prosperity is too much in love with the world. I have found by experience I can no more live without correction than without food. Lord, with thy correction give instruction and amendment, and then thy strokes shall be welcome. I have not been refined in

the furnace of affliction as some have been, but have rather been preserved with sugar than brine; yet will he preserve me to his heavenly kingdom.

Thus, dear children, have ye seen the many sicknesses and weaknesses that I have passed through to the end that, if you meet with the like, you may have recourse to the same God who hath heard and delivered me, and will do the like for you if you trust in him. And when he shall deliver you out of distress, forget not to give him thanks, but walk more closely with him than before. your loving mother,

This is the desire of
A. B.

UPON MY SON SAMUEL HIS GOING FOR ENGLAND, NOVEMBER 6, 1657.

Thou mighty God of sea and land,

I here resign into thy hand

The son of prayers, of vows, of tears,
The child I stayed for many years.

Thou heardest me then, and gavest him me;

Hear me again: I give him thee.

He's mine, but more, O Lord, thine own,

For sure thy grace on him is shown.
No friend I have like thee to trust,

For mortal helps are brittle dust.

Preserve, O Lord, from storms and wreck,
Protect him there, and bring him back;
And if thou shalt spare me a space,

That I again may see his face,
Then shall I celebrate thy praise,
And bless thee for it all my days.
If otherwise I go to rest,

Thy will be done, for that is best;
Persuade my heart I shall him see
For ever happified with thee.

May 11, 1661.

It hath pleased God to give me a long time of respite for these four years that I have had no great fit of sickness; but this year, from the middle of January

till May, I have been by fits very ill and weak. The first of this month I had a fever seated upon me which indeed was the longest and sorest that ever I had, lasting four days; and the weather being very hot made it the more tedious. But it pleased the Lord to support my heart in his goodness, and to hear my prayers, and to deliver me out of adversity. But, alas! I cannot render unto the Lord according to all his lovingkindness, nor take the cup of salvation with thanksgiving as I ought to do. Lord, thou that knowest all things knowest that I desire to testify my thankfulness not only in word but in deed, that my conversation may speak that thy vows are upon me.

My thankful heart with glorying tongue.
Shall celebrate thy name

Who hath restored, redeemed, recured,
From sickness, death, and pain.

I cried, "Thou seemest to make some stay!"
I sought more earnestly;

And in due time thou succoredst me,

And sentest me help from high.

Lord, whilst my fleeting time shall last

Thy goodness let me tell,

And new experience I have gained

My future doubts repel.