Manuscript description

[Page i contains ""2qEs"" (possibly an abbreviation for a price) in ink and the library shelfmark in pencil. It is preceded by two blank modern endpapers.]

Notes

AHalkett

...

All these writ at London 1660 and 1663

[

This is the entire entry.

The note is written in darker ink than Halkett's name.

page Occasional Meditations

[page] 1 Upon the death of my dear child Betty

[page] 19 Upon disbanding the army and the disorder that followed

[page] 30 Upon the fast January 30th 1660/1

[page] 37 Upon my nephew's having the smallpox

[[Halkett calls her nephew ""H.N."" in the meditation itself.]]

[page] 43 Upon the many disappointments I meet with in my business at court

[page] 49 Upon his majesty's coronation Tuesday April 23 1661

[page] 52 Upon the death of my dear son Harry 12 May 1661

[page] 57 Upon making vows

[page] 63 Upon Sir James returning home to Scotland and leaving me at London July 19 1661

[page] 66 Upon a violent distemper of his son James Monday night August 12 1661

[page] 71 Upon a grave maker

[page] 76 Upon a meeting that was to settle the church government Tuesday 3d November 1661

[page] 81 Upon a deliverance Sir James from being drowned in the river Teis in his return home

[page] 85 Upon a dispute with myself New Years Day 1661/2

[[The table of contents lists the next items under the title ""Meditations and prayers"".]]

[page] 97 Upon every several day that is ordained to be kept holy in the Church of England

[page] 256 Meditations upon the 12th Chapter of Isaiah

[page] 297 Meditations upon the 4 first verses of the 34 Psalm

[

This is a partial table of contents.

This leaf is tipped onto a guard and is only half the width of the other leaves in the volume.

Jacob's vow Genesis 28:20

And Jacob vowed a vow saying if God will be with me and help me and keep me in the way that I go

...

of all that thou shall give me I will give the tenth unto thee

[This is not listed in the table of contents: it is on a loose sheet tipped onto a guard.]

January 9 1660

In relieving the fatherless and widows that are in want in giving to the sick what may conduce to their health putting children to school and all this with being as secretly done as can be

[

This is the entire entry.

Like msItem 4, this is not listed in the table of contents: it is on the same loose sheet tipped onto a guard.

Page vi is unpaginated and blank.

1 Occasional meditations upon the death of my dearest child Betty who died of the smallpox upon Tuesday the 13th of November 1660 in Covent Garden and buried in that church

How many variety of ways is the Lord pleased to try me with and now this is a new one which I have never known before

...

which teaches me that princes are not exempt from those distempers incident to the meanest and neither sex nor condition can be secured when death approaches which shall make me use this as a continual prayer Lord teach me so to number my days that I may apply my heart to wisdom

[Halkett writes on p.3 that had Betty lived another 13 days she would have been 4: so her birth date was 26 November 1656. Halkett notes on p.8 that Betty got sick on 2 November 1660. Halkett refers to Henry, Duke of Gloucester's death (pp.16-18), saying that she had "secretly whispered" to her own heart that she would have been "content" to redeem his life with Betty's. A marginal note indicates that she had the same thoughts when Mary, the Princess Royal died. They both died of smallpox in 1660, the same disease that killed Betty. On p.17 Halkett refers to the Duke of Gloucester and the Princess Royal outliving their father's murder and their own exile.]

2 Upon the disbanding of the army

Who is now living that did ever expect to see this day: that so great and so successful an army who gave laws to 3 kingdoms and cut off their lawful king that set up and pulled down who they pleased, that this army should be disbanded without any resistance only by the vote of king and parliament

...

therefore I will not repine at what the Lord thinks fit to suffer for he that hath done so much as he hath done for this king and people will still continue to do us good I will give thanks therefore to the God of gods for his mercy doth endure for ever

[The table of contents gives more detail than the rubric: ""Upon disbanding the army and the disorder that followed"". The disbanding of the army occurred on 2 October 1660.]

3 Upon the fast which by proclamation was kept January 30 1660/1

This is a day on which the greatest murder was committed that ever story mentioned except the crucifying of our saviour and many hath lain under the guilt of it these many years

...

oh that our repentant tears might be such as might be accepted through our mediator and then we may have hope that what remains shall be blessed and preserved and made glorious by their works of piety and virtue

[This fast was to commemorate the execution of Charles I, which occurred on 30 January 1649. On p.33 Halkett writes that the Scots are blamed and surely they deserve it, if only for being too credulous, but everyone in the three kingdoms is guilty.]

4 Upon my nephew H N having the smallpox

What a fatal disease hath this been to many families this year many a one losing the only child they had, or could hope for

...

I will be just to him and faithful to our common master by still putting him in mind to make good his vows in praising God and living like one that had obtained salvation

[Loftis, p.260, says that Halkett had a nephew called Henry Newton, son of her sister Elizabeth and her husband Henry Newton (later Puckering).]

5 Upon the many disappointments I have met with in my business at court

Were there not an overruling providence that sets a time and period to everything under heaven how apt would the frailty of my nature be to repine at the many disappointments that I meet with

...

and if I am but patient I am confident to see a visible reason why the Lord thinks fit to delay the blessings he intends me either to make them better or me fitter for them and so glory shall be the more ascribed to him

[She refers to the king (pp.45-46), saying that she often said that she would be happy to beg all her life if he could be restored to the throne.]

6 Upon his majesty's coronation Tuesday April 23 1661

How long have I wished and prayed for this day and now the Lord is pleased to let me see it, oh that it might be a day of joy and rejoicing to the whole earth that all might sing praises to our God for his goodness to us in crowning of our king

...

he will the more graciously incline to hear and grant my prayers for the king which shall be that the blessings of heaven and earth may crown him with perpetual happiness that the Lord may direct him in the choosing such a wife as he will bless him with seeing children children [sic] and peace upon this our Israel

7 Upon the death of my dear son Harry being the 12 of May 1661

What a sad journey hath this been hitherto to me into England where I expected greatest satisfaction first in seeing the king and royal family restored and then in seeing my relations and friends

...

I shall have reason to bless the Lord for all my crosses if I can but take them up so as to follow him, who foretold us that through many tribulations we must enter into the kingdom of heaven

[Henry Halkett was born on 13 June 1658 (see p.57). Harry died on Sunday night, the same day he was born. If he had lived one month more he would have been 3 years old (p.53).]

8 Upon making vows

Affliction is the time of bringing sins to remembrance as the widow of Zarepheh said to the prophet Eliah when she thought he had slain her son

...

make good these promises though your sins be as scarlet they shall be white like snow though they be red as crimson they shall be like wool I am willing to be obedient; oh let me be partaker of thy grace

[

There is a marginal biblical reference beside the first line to 1 Kings 17:18.

Halkett is mourning the loss of her son Henry born Sunday 13 June 1658. She fears her inability to keep the vow she made at his birth, to keep Sunday holy, was the cause of his death. She also vowed if the king was restored to keep Tuesdays holy, but she forgot half of them. She recalls a vow (p. 60) to which she was once so firmly tied that nothing but death could have broken it, but when she found out deceit was the ground of her vow she was freed from it by all she told of it. She might be referring to her vow to marry Colonel Joseph Bampfield; the deceit on which it was grounded was that he pretended his wife was dead.

9 Upon Sir James his return home and leaving me behind being upon the 19 of July 1661

Which is most subject to change, the world or our own hearts is hard to determine, for this place which I once loved best of any is now become almost hateful to me from the necessity of my staying in it

...

David's conclusion shall be mine if I find favour in the Lord he can grant me what I most desire but if he have no delight in me here I am let him do what seemeth good unto him-----

[Halkett writes that this place (presumably London) which she once loved best is almost hateful to her because she must remain, while that place she abhorred (presumably Pitfirrane) she wishes she could return to. She refers to her many years' absence from her native country (England), and the happy change in it (the Restoration of the monarchy), that led her to expect she might obtain more satisfaction (presumably for her suits) than she has. Her husband left her to deal with her difficulties; she is pregnant so must follow him soon. In more than 5 years of marriage he has never expressed a dissatisfaction with her or mentioned the person (Colonel Joseph Bampfield) who caused her so much trouble, which shows he is not like most men.]

10 Upon a violent distemper of his son James being on Monday night August 12, 1661

How transitory is all the things of this life and how little to be accounted of. When his ague and fever was in a manner gone so that he thought like Agag that the bitterness of death is past

...

therefore I will not repine at this sickness to my son though at the present it brings many inconveniencies upon me; since I hope it will be a means to make him more obedient unto God and those that honour him he will honour and shew them his salvation

[Halkett is referring to her stepson James.]

11 Upon a grave maker that lived against my window in Henrietta Street

It is a usual proverb the nearer the church the further from God and in appearance it seems verified in that man whose dwelling is joining to the church, and his employment the tolling of passing bells and making graves and yet this man whose age might make him look upon himself as half in the grave already yet is he still as full of cursing and swearing and evil speaking

...

Therefore I will no longer admire why that grave maker can be so little mortified but rather reflect upon myself who should know more: and therefore I sin more, in not making all objects serve for helps, to increase humility and devotion

[

""That lived against my window in Henrietta Street"" was added to the rubric later in darker pen

Halkett compares the grave maker with seamen and colliers whose work makes them conversant with death. She also refers to men who were cast by a storm on ""the barbarous Islands"" who thought it miraculous to make it home, but says that the traffic people have now with those islands makes it seem as little terrible to go there as if it were at their own door. This may refer to Barbados, where Halkett had an interest; see NLS MS Acc.6112 and other letters on this.

12 Upon the meeting that was to determine of church government being upon Tuesday 3d of November 1661

This day the Parliament hath appointed to debate and determine of the government of the church or more properly I may say, to determine of those ministers who will not be conform to the government already intended to be established

...

yet I will turn my fears into prayers and make my prayers my practice to live so as not to add to the fuel and if I can obtain no more yet if I can have peace in my own soul, I may thankfully submit the rest to the disposing of my Lord and maker

[In this meditation Halkett credits Episcopacy with being the ancient government of this church and supported by most people. She argues that divisions in the church lead to divisions in the state, and that little separates Episcopalians and Presbyterians (p.78): ""in fundamentals both agree Episcopal and Presbyterian and yet none more violent than they, one against another...""]

13 Upon a deliverance Sir James had from being drowned in the river Teis in his return home

How careful should we be in all our actions if we considered that every step we tread, is towards death, which all at last must meet with, and many times he threatens before he stricks to prepare us to encounter with him

...

I hope my dear husband will be better, and take warning by this; not to venture too rashly into the danger of the swelling waters (which too often he hath done) and will be so mindful of this mercy as not to tempt the Lord who was now his deliverer and will I trust be always from whatsoever may be hurtful to him

[The river is probably the River Tay.]

14. Upon a dispute with myself New Year's Day 1661/2

This is the first day of the new year and that on which I have several times as a freewill offering given myself to God and yet the advantage I propounded to receive I am disappointed in

...

I will seek and knock till I find the door of mercy opened which I will quietly, expect and hope for; since it is only my desire because I would be acceptable to him, with whom it is all one to give a degree of perfection or to pardon the want of it

[She heard a sermon preached by Mr Gaile ""at St James when my mother had the honour to have the care of the Duke of Gloucester and the Princess Elizabeth"". This sermon blamed the whole kingdom for the breach between the king and his people. A marginal note on p.86 describes Mr Gaile as ""Chaplain to the Countess of Devonshire a good man and an excellent preacher" ". Loftis (p.246) gives his name as Robert Gale (1595-1659), chaplain to the Countess of Devonshire, who was Lady Elizabeth Cavendish (nee Cecil; b. c.1620-1689), wife of the fourth earl. This sermon inspired Halkett to pray for particular things at certain times of the day; for example for the king's preservation after dinner, and to remember death (to commemorate her brush with death at Naworth Castle (see her autobiography, ed. Loftis) at 5pm each day. She spent at least four and a half hours per day praying with someone and reading the Bible or another pious book.]

15 Upon the fast proclaimed to be kept January 15 1661/2 for the unseasonableness of the weather

That kings should be nursing fathers to his people was the promise God made by his evangelical prophet Isaiah, and he hath graciously been pleased to make it good in many; and particularly now to us in taking away our stepfather and bringing home our true father to be a nurse a careful overseer as well as a king to govern his people

...

The king is the last person that will feel the effects of this which threatens famine and yet he is the first that takes order for the preventing it, which is by fasting and prayer and humbling ourselves before him who can only help who will I hope accept of the devotion of the king and evidence it by granting a blessing to him and to his people

[The king is Charles II and the stepfather is Oliver Cromwell.]

Meditations and prayers upon every several day that is ordained to be kept holy in the Church of England

[This title page marks a new section of the manuscript: this section begins on p.96 with the title page and ends at p.257 (Halkett's pagination, p.255).]

Upon Christmas day

This is a day that is set apart to celebrate the remembrance of the birth of our Lord Jesus Christ and though the keeping of this day be much opposed by some yet there is none that makes profession of his name will deny his being manifest in the flesh

...

Lord as thou wert pleased to give thy son and with him doth promise freely to give all things give me from this meditation of the birth of my redeemer earnest desires after the new birth that through him I may be regenerate and live like one born of the spirit and so free from the law of sin and death

Upon St Steven day

This day is dedicated to the remembrance of that blessed martyr St Steven who was stoned to death for witnessing that Jesus was the son of God and the saviour of the world

...

so shall thy name be greatly exalted when others see thy power working in me and subduing by thy grace those inclination which is prone by nature rather to curse, than bless and pray for those that we think our enemies

[St Steven's day is December 26.]

Upon St John's day the Evangelist

This day the church commemorates the feast of St John the Evangelist who was the blessed penman by whom the holy ghost hath revealed to man those excellent things of God, and his son being manifest in the flesh and highly exalted up on high to draw all men unto him

...

for even in heaven thou hast reserved affections and parts by which thou wilt again be known to be the God that took our nature on, to glorify mortality and make man capable of an eternity in heaven

[St John the Evangelist's day is December 27.]

Upon Innocents' day

This day is kept in memory of those many innocent martyrs that was put to death by the rage of King Herod when he found he was mocked of the wise men who first informed him of the star which appeared at the birth of Christ

...

yet no child by its own innocency can claim a right to heaven, but the fountain that was opened for sin and for uncleanness can make white the sinner of the deepest dye and none so free but needs to be made clean Thanks be to God for this unspeakable gift

[The Feast of the Holy Innocents is December 28.]

Upon the circumcision of Christ

This day is kept holy in commemoration of the circumcision of Christ who did not only take our natures upon him but suffered all those things which were incident to nature sin only excepted

...

Lord teach me so to admire thee for thy immense goodness in putting an end to that Law and fulfilling what was impossible for us to perform that my whole life may be but one continued act of praising thee, and since that law of circumcision is abolished yet give me the true circumcision of the heart and of the spirit whose praise is not of men but of God

[The circumcision of Christ is on January 1.]

Upon Good Friday

This day hath the epithet of good from the general good and benefit that from this day's action did accrue to all mankind being kept to commemorate the death and suffering of our Lord Jesus Christ

...

and save me from the wrath of thy offended father and crucify that sin in me which crucified thee so shall I rise with thee in glory to the praise of thy eternal name

Amen

Upon Easter Even

This was the day betwixt the crucifying and the resurrection of our Lord being the Jewish Sabbath on which they all did rest but ill was the preparation to such a rest when they did imbrue their hands in the most innocent blood of the Lord

...

I do beseech thee to put all my sins that they may be buried in thy grave and sealed up there, and if ever they must have a resurrection let it be only to speak the power of thy allsubduing grace that can extend to the pardon of my unlimited transgressions

[Easter Even is Easter Saturday.]

Upon Easter day

This is the great day celebrated to the memory of the resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ being the first day of the week

...

for thou can'st quicken my dead hopes at thy own time appointed and if not here yet hereafter raise me to such joys as shall swallow up all the sorrows of this life and make them as inexpressible as they are eternal

Upon the Ascension day

This day is kept in memory of the ascension of our Lord Jesus Christ which was forty days after he arose from the dead and all that time he continued upon earth

...

but as thy being manifest in the flesh was for the redemption of lost man so let the power of it appear in redeeming me from the power of darkness that so I may ascend to thee

[Ascension day is the 40th day after Easter.]

Upon Whitsunday

This was celebrated for the commemoration of the descending of the holy ghost upon the apostles who were all with one accord in one place

...

oh that I might nevermore grieve this spirit of God but be sealed by him to the day of redemption

[Whitsunday is the 50th day after Easter.]

On St Andrew's day

This day the Church doth keep in memory of that disciple who had the honour of being one that was first called to follow Christ and he presently left his net and followed him

...

and learn me with meekness and contentedness to receive what thou thinks fittest for me that so I may rejoice at what thou bestowest on others and either having or wanting I may still glorify thee

[St Andrew's day is November 30.]

Upon St Thomas day

This day the Church commemorates the memory of St Thomas who was called Didimus of whom we read no remarkable thing during the life of our Lord Christ

...

let me be blessed in being one of those that have not seen and yet have believed to the praise of thy great name though not to the satisfying my desire which make Lord I beseech thee ever conformable to thine

[St Thomas's day is December 21.]

Upon the conversion of St Paul

How memorable is that which the Church this day celebrates being for the conversion of St Paul one who (as he says himself) persecuted beyond measure the Church of God and wasted it

...

when I see run on in sin that they and I may be like to thy servant Paul washed and sanctified by the spirit of our God

[The conversion of St Paul is January 25.]

Upon the purification of St Mary the Virgin recorded in the 2 of Luke 22 24

This day undoubtedly was kept in memory of the purification of the Virgin Mary to shew that the extraordinariness of the conception of her blessed son our saviour did not free her from being subject to the law

...

Lord as thou wert pleased to make choice of a virgin in whose womb thou wouldst be conceived make us all chaste and unblameable that so we may have high conceptions of thee and ever do thy will so shall we be to thee as mother brother or sister

[The purification of the Virgin is February 2.]

Upon St Mathias day

This day was kept by the Church in remembrance of him who was chosen by lot to be numbered with the eleven in the place of Judas who had hanged himself after he had betrayed his master

...

yet if my lot be to be numbered with thy most peculiar servants I may say with the royal prophet the lot is fallen to me in a good ground yea I have a goodly heritage for the hope of what's to come shall sweeten all the embittered cups I meet with here

[St Mathias's day is February 24.]

Upon the Annunciation of the Virgin Mary

This day the Church commemorates the joyful news first prophesied by the prophet Esay and foretold as a promise of mercy to a disobedient King

...

but the incarnation of thy son is the supreme degree of all thy acts by which thou hast manifested thy power love, humility and goodness. For which for ever adoration and praise be ever given to thee

Amen

[The Annunciation of the Virgin Mary is March 25.]

Upon St Mark's Day

This day is kept as a memorial of the evangelist St Mark who was one of the pen men of the Holy Ghost by whom the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ came to be known to the inhabitants of the world

...

o bring me to thy sheepfold to the company of thy servants that may be profitable to others, as others have been to me by thy blessing on both

[St Mark's day is April 25.]

Upon St Philip and James day

This day is to commemorate the remembrance of these two saints and disciples Philip and James the reason why they are joined together in one day's celebration

...

that we might see and hope we might attain by thy grace and our endeavour to that life which is eternal which make us with them partakers of, for thy mercy sake

Amen

[St Philip and St James's day is May 1.]

Upon St Barnabas day

The Church this day celebrates the memory of that worthy servant of God who hath the testimony of the spirit that he was a good man full of the holy ghost and of faith

...

so let me be circumspect in all my actions that I may not (to follow my own inclinations) do anything to bring a disrespect upon that truth which leads to thee through the way that is eternal life

[St Barnabas's day is June 11.]

Upon St John Baptist day

This is the day that the Church sets apart to commemorate the memorial of St John Baptist who received that testimony even from the Lord himself that among them that were born of women there had not risen a greater than John the Baptist

...

and both servant and master suffered unjustly to let others see this world was not a place to live in but to die and whatever tribulations we meet with here happy are we if we die in the Lord

[St John the Baptist's day is June 24.]

Upon St Peter's day

This day is kept in memory of that disciple who was most honoured of any except he that lay in Jesus' bosom

...

and if I come either through fear or frailty to deny thee give me such repentance as may evidence my contrition and such grace as may restore me to thy favour again, so shall I make others in love with thee when I declare the mercy thou hast shewed in pardoning my transgressions

[St Peter's day is June 29.]

Upon St James day

The Church having before celebrated a day in remembrance of one of this name joined with Philip dedicates this day to the other disciple who was brother of John

...

Let not the many troubles I meet with make me wish for death nor no prosperous condition make me wish for life but in both let thy spirit guide me in the way that's most agreeable to thee who art my god my glory the lifter up of my head

[St James's day is July 25.]

Upon St Bartholomew's day

This day is by the Church dedicated to the memory of the apostle St Bartholomew who as he was not the first chosen so he was not the last but however first or last happy are they that did attend such a master

...

and though I could not arrive to that high honour of being like thy chief apostle to lie in thy bosom yet if I were admitted but as a door keeper to behold thy beauty I shall be satisfied with it better than to dwell in the tents of wickedness

[

St Bartholomew's day is August 24.

Entry paginated by Halkett pp.230-232.

Upon St Matthew's day

This day is kept in remembrance of the apostle St Matthew who was called by Christ from the receipt of custom to follow him

...

Cover then I beseech thee all my sins under the robe of thy son's righteousness and wash me in his blood then will I teach transgressors thy ways and sinners shall be converted unto thee

[

St Matthew's day is September 21.

Entry paginated by Halkett pp.233-236.

Upon St Michael and all angels

This day is kept by the Church to magnify the God of all spirits who by the death of his son did not only restore lost man but preserved the blessed angels from falling into that lost estate

...

therefore with them will I forever praise thy name, for though theirs may be more perfect yet mine shall be more fervent being like a brand plucked out of the fire kindled for destruction

[

St Michael's day is September 29.

Entry paginated by Halkett pp.237-241.

Upon St Luke the Evangelist

The Church in commemoration of this blessed evangelist sets this day apart and though he was not one of the twelve disciples yet it is very probable he was one of the seventy that was sent two and two in every city and place where the Lord would come as so many harbingers before to make preparations for him

...

and therefore I ought not by my want of charity to exclude any to whom thou hast opened a door of hope for God is no respecter of persons for (of all conditions) he that feareth him and worketh righteousness is accepted with him

[

St Luke the Evangelist's day is October 18.

Entry paginated by Halkett pp.242-244.

Upon Simon and Jude apostles

This day is kept to celebrate the memory of those two apostles Simon and Jude who the Church it seems thought fit to join together and therefore I shall not put them asunder further than to inquire who they were

...

as to this poor Canaanite who without grace had never been admitted to the apostleship nor had Jude continued faithful; so then it is not of him that willeth or of him that runeth but of God that sheweth mercy

[

St Simon and St Jude's day is October 28.

Entry paginated by Halkett pp.245-248.

Upon All Saints day

This day the Church doth set apart to magnify the Lord in general for all the saints to whom he hath shewed mercy as the other was particularly

...

and all this is to make thy glorious mercy shine more bright for which I will ever adore thee and forever pray that I may walk worthy of thy favour and be partaker of the glory which thou gavest unto all thy saints

[

All Saint's day is November 1.

Entry paginated by Halkett pp.249-255.

Meditations upon the 12 chapter of Isay

[

The six verses of Isaiah 12:1-6 are transcribed on pp.258-259, then a separate meditation exists on each verse.

Entry paginated by Halkett pp.256-296.

Isaiah 12:1-6

1 And in that day thou shalt say O Lord I will praise thee: though thou wast angry with me thy anger is turned away and thou comfortest me

...

6 Cry out and shout thou inhabitant of Sion for great is the holy one of Israel in the midst of thee

[

The first and last lines are the text of Isaiah 12:1 and 12:6.

Entry paginated by Halkett pp.256-257.

An introduction to the meditation

The title of this chapter is a joyful thanksgiving of the faithful for the mercies of God

...

which being considered well may the prophet Isay teach this lesson both as a general and particular instruction

[Entry paginated by Halkett pp.257-258.]

Meditation on Isaiah 12:1

1 And in that day thou shalt say O Lord I will praise thee though thou wast angry with me thy anger is turned away and thou comfortest me

What day can be so proper to praise God as that day or time wherein he is pleased graciously to manifest himself in mercy after the turning away of his anger and giving comfort to his people

...

Let others then be forgetful if they can yet will I ever praise thee for the comfort thou hast given me in this and say

[

The rubric is the text of Isaiah 12:1.

This meditation celebrates the Restoration of Charles II.

Entry paginated by Halkett pp.258-263.

Meditation on Isaiah 12:2

2 Behold God is my salvation: I will trust and not be afraid; for the Lord Jehovah is my strength, and my song he also is become my salvation

What can be so lovely a thing to behold as God giving salvation. This word behold is often and for the most part to express what is wonderful

...

and so becomes my salvation, for he it is that save us from our sins and is the propitiation reconciling God and man

[

The rubric is the text of Isaiah 12:2.

Entry paginated by Halkett pp.263-269.

Meditation on Isaiah 12:3

Therefore with joy shall ye draw water out of the wells of salvation

The former two verses was in the singular but this is in the plural for it is every particular man's faith that must apply salvation

...

to them he becomes salvation and well may they then with joy draw water from the wells from whence it comes

[

The rubric is the text of Isaiah 12:3.

Entry paginated by Halkett pp.269-275.

Meditation on Isaiah 12:4

4 And in that day shall ye say praise the Lord call upon his name declare his doings among the people make mention that his name is exalted

There is no blessing that was ever promised to the Church or people of God but a day hath been prefixed for the accomplishment of it

...

Oh that I could declare the Lord's doings without evidencing other people's sins but however while I have life I will make mention that his name is exalted and will

[

The rubric is the text of Isaiah 12:4.

The final two words of this meditation are meant to be read with the quotation that heads the next biblical verse.

Entry paginated by Halkett pp.276-284.

Meditation on Isaiah 12:5

5 Sing unto the Lord: for he hath done excellent things this is known in all the earth

Another expression of praising the Lord is by singing unto him. And this was the practice of Moses and Miriam and all the Israelites after the Lord had brought them through the Red Sea

...

who ruleth over the kingdom of men and giveth it to whomsoever he will and these are the excellent things that is known in all the earth

[

The rubric is the text of Isaiah 12:5.

Entry paginated by Halkett pp.284-290.

Meditation on Isaiah 12:6

6 Cry out and shout thou inhabitant of Sion: for great is the holy one of Israel in the midst of thee

This crying and shouting is meant as an expression of joy which is most usual amongst soldiers when they get a victory

...

then should we shew the fruits of our chastisements when they had brought us to live like a people who had the holy one of Israel in the midst of us

[

The rubric is the text of Isaiah 12:6.

Entry paginated by Halkett pp.290-296.

Meditations upon the 4 first verses of the 34 Psalm

[

The first four verses of Psalm 34 are transcribed on p.299, then a separate meditation exists on each verse. The end of each meditation makes a complete sentence with the verse of the next one.

Entry paginated by Halkett pp.297-323.

Psalm 34:1-4

1 I will bless the Lord at all times his praise shall continually be in my mouth

...

4 I sought the Lord and he heard me and delivered me from all my fears

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The first and last lines are the text of Psalm 34:1 and 34:4.

Entry paginated by Halkett p.297.

An introduction to the meditation

There is none who makes it their business to observe God's ways and their own but will find daily occasions to praise the Lord

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but extraordinary mercies such as I have received deserves extraordinary praise therefore

[Entry paginated by Halkett pp.297-298.]

Meditation on Psalm 34:1

1 I will bless the Lord at all times his praise shall continually be in my mouth

For upon the beginning of this day the Lord was pleased to give me this strength to assist my weakness and made me a joyful mother of another daughter for that he was pleased to take from me

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for he that hath delivered me out of many sicknesses pains and distress can do it still therefore I will quietly wait for the salvation of God

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The rubric is the text of Psalm 34:1.

The first line refers to the birth of her second daughter and fourth child, Jane.

Entry paginated by Halkett p.298-303.

Meditation on Psalm 34:2

2 My soul shall make her boast in the Lord the humble shall hear thereof and be glad

The soul is the chief part of man and that which only makes the body capable of knowing those excellencies which of itself it could not comprehend

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Hear this ye humble and exalted spirits for I desire that all in earth and heaven may hear me say

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The rubric is the text of Psalm 34:2.

In this meditation she discusses her pain, and her fear as she waits for a surgeon to come to make an incision in her breast (p.307). In the previous meditation she mentioned a distemper in her breast.

Entry paginated by Halkett pp.303-308.

Meditation on Psalm 34:3

3 O magnify the Lord with me and let us exalt his name together

It well becometh the just to be thankful and they only are justified who are washed in the blood of the lamb

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but though he never shew me more favour yet what I have received already deserves my continual act of praise for

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The rubric is the text of Psalm 34:3.

She discusses her temporal troubles: reproach, want and exile (from family lands?), and infamy invented by malicious tongues (p.313). She hopes soon to be out of debt, as would only be just (pp.313-314).

Entry paginated by Halkett pp.309-314.

Meditation on Psalm 34:4

4 I sought the Lord and he heard me and delivered me from all my fears

What David spake from his own experience I have found and so shall all that seek the Lord fears and troubles are for the most part the occasions of driving us to seek God

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yet I will still seek to thee who I hope in mercy will hear me and deliver me from all my fears but chiefly from my greatest fear which is displeasing thee

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The rubric is the text of Psalm 34:4.

She describes her ""late trouble"" which was seeing a ""monster"" (a deformed person) before she conceived her child. She thought of it continually and was sure its mother had never transgressed as she had, but the Lord delivered her from a monstrous birth and gave her a pretty child (pp.317-318). She thanks God for her easy labour (p.319).

Entry paginated by Halkett pp.314-323.

Statement about the preceding meditations

Since I ended the meditations upon the festivals of the Church I have seen another book upon the same subject which yet I have not had time to look over.

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Those meditations are public which I never intend these; but if any unexpected occasion should ever bring these to light all I desire is, that as every good motion or desire comes from God, so he may not be dishonored by any reflection upon my incapacity of performing what those of greater parts thought worthy their employment. For though some have ten talents another but one yet from the least is expected an improvement and these endeavours will be I hope accepted of my God who can give more, or pardon what I want.

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This is the entire entry.

The book to which she refers might be Edmund Gayton's The religion of a physician: or, Divine meditations upon the grand and lesser festivals, commanded to be observed in the Church of England by act of Parliament (1663).

Entry unpaginated by Halkett. The final page of the volume is followed by two blank modern endpapers.