Page:The works of Anne Bradstreet in prose and verse.djvu/88

4 dayly in your remembrance, (Although that is the leaft in my aim in what I now doe) but that yov may gain fome fpiritual Advantage by my experi- ence. I haue not ftudyed in this yov read to fhow my fkill, but to declare the Truth — not to fett forth my- felf, but the Glory of God. If I had minded the former, it had been perhaps better pleafing to yov, — but feing the laft is the beft, let it bee beft pleafing to yov.

The method I will obferve fliall 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 Pa- rents, &c. I avoided it. If at any time I was over- taken with the like evills, it was a great Trouble. I could not be at reft 'till by pra3^er I had confeft it vnto God. I was alfo troubled at the negleft of Private Dutyes, tho: too often tardy that way. I alfo fovnd much comfort in reading the Scriptures, efpecially thofe places I thought moft concerned my Condition, and as I grew to haue more vnderftanding, 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 fup- plication to the moft Pligh who fett me free from that aifli6tion.

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.