time wherein we may suppose that he had no good design going on. It
is well known that the sun of his life did set on an excellent design,
which was, of sending forth a treatise concerning the ways of the Holy
Ghost's working upon the souls of men, &c.

As he was religious, so he was said to be of a peaceable and friendly
disposition, as not affecting controversy much, so that when speaking of
the differences amongst some brethren, he would say, I am amazed to see
good men thus tear one another in the dark, nor can I understand how
they should have grace in a lively exercise, who value their own
particular designs above the interest of the catholic church, &c. Nor
is it to be forgot what he said to one of his own begotten sons in the
faith, I bless God (said he) that in 15 years time I have never given
any man's credit a thrust behind his back, but when I had ground to
speak well of any man, I did so with faithfulness, and when I wanted a
subject that way, I kept silence.

And according to his practice, his life was a life of worship
extraordinary. His solemn dedication of himself to his God was frequent;
his soliloquies with him almost perpetual; as spending his days and
years after this manner, in order to which we find it was his custom
from the 15th or 16th year of his age, to set apart the first day of
every year for renewing his covenant with God; or if interrupted that
day, to take the next day following. For the first years of his life we
cannot give any particular account of the manner of his doing this; but
we may guess what they have been, from the few instances following.

1691. In the entry of this new year, (as I have now done for many years
most solemnly) I desire again to renew my personal engaging of myself to
the Lord my God, and for him, and with my whole heart and desire to
enter myself into his service, and take on his blessed yoke, and humbly
to lay claim, take and embrace him (O him!) to be my God, my all, my
light and my salvation, my shield and exceeding great reward. _Whom have
I in heaven but thee, O Lord, or in the earth whom I desire besides
thee?_ And now under thy blessed hand my soul desires, and does here
testify my trusting myself and securing my whole interest, my credit, my
conduct, my comfort, my assistance, and my poor children and to leave
myself herein on thy gracious hand, on my dearest Lord, whilst in time,
as I write this the 2d day of January 1691.

R. FLEMING.

1692. In