N04063:18
Early piety; exemplified in Elizabeth Butcher of Boston
Early piety; exemplified in Elizabeth Butcher of Boston: who was born July 14th, 1709. And died June 13th. 1718. Being just eight years and eleven months old.
Boston: printed by J. Draper for C. Harrison over against the Brazen-Head, 1741
Title page typeset from the transcription.
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
1. ELIZABETH BUTCHER, Daughter to Alvin and Elizabeth Butcher of Boston, was born July 14th 1709. Her Parents gave her up to God from the Womb, and as soon as she was capable of speaking, they began to instruct her in the Things of God.
2. When she was about two Years and an Half old, as she lay in the Cradle, she would ask herself that Question, 'What is my corrupt Nature?' and would make Answer again to herself, ⟨p. 2⟩'It is empty of Grace, bent unto Sin, and only to Sin, and that continually. 'She took great Delight in learning her Catechism, and would not willingly go jo Bed without saying some Part of it.
2. When she was about two Years and an Half old, as she lay in the Cradle, she would ask herself that Question, 'What is my corrupt Nature?' and would make Answer again to herself, ⟨p. 2⟩'It is empty of Grace, bent unto Sin, and only to Sin, and that continually. 'She took great Delight in learning her Catechism, and would not willingly go io Bed without saying some Part of it.
3. She being a weakly Child, her Mother carried her into the Country for her Health: And when she was about three Years old, and at Meeting she would set with her Eyes fixed on the Minister, to the Admiration of all that sat about her, who said that grown up People might learn and take Example of her. She took great Delight in Reading, and was ready and willing to receive Instruction.
3. She being a weakly Child, her Mother carried her into the Country for her Health: And when she was about three Years old, and at Meeting she would set with her Eyes fix'd on the Minister, to the Admiration of all that sat about her, who said that grown up People might learn and take Example of her. She took great Delight in Reading, and was ready and willing to receive Instruction.