Only myself and the two boys at church in the morning, my wife being very ill; the text in the former part of Romans 12:2: “And be not conformed to this world.” From which words we had in my opinion a very fine sermon showing how circumspect we ought to walk in this corrupt and sinful age, not minding the imputation of singularity and affectation if we persevere in a course of godliness.
The widow Smith of Laughton dined with us on a piece of bacon boiled, a raisin suet pudding, turnips and two roast ducks. Myself, maid and Philip at church in the afternoon; the text Exodus 20:8: “Remember the sabbath day, to keep it holy”. From which words we had an excellent sermon showing the danger of breaking the sabbath and also exhorting everyone to spend that day to the glory of God. This afternoon the children of Mr Clinch and Stephen Weller were baptized.
At home all day except being at church. In the evening and in the day read four of Tillotson’s sermons. Mr Porter observed in his sermon this afternoon that if we were to search the annals of Tyburn [the usual place of execution in London], we should find the breaking the , sabbath to be a crime that has made way for more and greater which have at last ended at that unhappy place…