The Diary of Ralph Josselin, 1616-1683Josselin was vicar of Earls Colne, Essex, from 1641 until his death in 1683, and this is the intimate record of his ministry and his private doubts and triumphs as a Christian that give the Diary its shape. As a prosperous farmer, he also noted details of harvests, accounts, the weather and farming methods, which pieces together a picture of yeoman farming at that time. As father and husband he felt impelled to record a series of observations on family life that seem unique for this period. Recognized as one of the great seventeenth-century diaries, ranging over topics from sin and disease, dreams and money to millenarianism and the Civil War, this richly rewarding document reveals Josselin as a sympathetic and entirely human figure, and provides fascinating insights into the thought-world of seventeenth-century life. |
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accept mee bee praised blessed bee busines businesse cheerfull christ church Colchester cold Colne Colne Engaine comfortable condicon continued Cressener daughter dayes desire divers doe mee Earls Colne evill feare fitt freinds gave give mee gods goodnes grace gratious Halsted Harlakenden hath heale heard heart hope intreate thee Jane John jorney Josselin June keepe mee King Lady Honywoods litle London lord bee lord in mercy lord lett manifold mercies Markshall married Mary mercifull to mee mett moneyes morning name bee name sake navel night oh lord outward mercies pardon payd peace prayer preacht preserve mee providence publique quiett raine Ralph Josselin rejoyce returned Sabbath sanctifie season selfe Sept setled shee shoures small pox sonne soule spirit sweet therein things thou trouble trust unto mee wayes weather weeke past weeke the Lord wett wherin White Colne wonderfull word yett