August 5, 1747

1747 September 5 (Saturday).  I devoted the forenoon as much as I could to Such recollections etc. as I have endeavour’d to employ this Day in — but was oblig’d to do what I could in preparing a Sermon for tomorrow.  See Natal. [The following appears in the Natalitia for the date of September 5, 1747.] I could not Spend the Day (being Saturday and when I had been at Boston in the week and so was not prepar’d for the Sabbath) as I Should have been glad to; but mindful in some measure of my Custom on this Day, but more I hope of the infinite Obligations I am under to the great God, who upholds my Soul, I gave myself as I could the fore part of it to recollections and Prayer.  And O that God most gracious and merciful would through the merits of Jesus Christ accept my (though scanty) Penitence, and my imperfect Devotions! O that God would kindle up in me holy affections, and enliven me in this way! Might I be in some fit manner sensible how certainly I must die, and how uncertain the Time when. May the Death of that eminent Man Dr. Colman, whose Funeral I have been this week attending on, rouse me to work the works of him that has Sent me while the Day of Life lasts, and to be ready when the Night shall overspread me! O that I might enter into new Resolutions and may the almighty Grace of God be sufficient for me to enable me to keep them!