Blessed be God, at the end of the last year I was in very good health, without any sense of my old pain but upon taking of cold. I lived in Axe yard, having my wife and servant Jane, and no more in family than us three. My wife, after the absence of her terms for seven weeks, gave me hopes of her being with child, but on the last day of the year she hath them again.
The condition of the State was thus. Viz. the Rump, after being disturbed by my Lord Lambert, was lately returned to sit again. The officers of the army all forced to yield. Lawson lie still in the River and Monke is with his army in Scotland. Only my Lord Lambert is not yet come in to the Parliament; nor is it expected that he will, without being forced to it. The new Common Council of the City doth speak very high; and hath sent to Monke their sworde-bearer, to acquaint him with their desires for a free and full Parliament, which is at present the desires and the hopes and expectation of all–22 of the old secluded members having been at the House door the last week to demand entrance; but it was denied them, and it is believed that they nor the people will not be satisfied till the House be filled.
My own private condition very handsom; and esteemed rich, but endeed very poor, besides my goods of my house and my office, which at present is somewhat uncertain. Mr. Downing master of my office.
January 1 1659/60
- Lords day. This morning (we lying lately in the garret) I rose, put in my suit with great skirts, having not lately worn any other clothes but them. Went to Mr. Gunnings church at Exeter house, where he made a very good sermon upon these words: that in the fullness of time God sent his Son, made of a woman, &c. shewing that by “made under the law” is meant his circumcision, which is solemnised this day. Dined at home in the garret, where my wife dressed the remains of a turkey, and in the doing of it she burned her hand. I stayed at home all the afternoon, looking over my accounts. Then went with my wife to my father’s, and in so going, observed the great posts which the City hath set up at the Conduit in Fleet street. Supped at my father’s, where in came Mrs. The. Turner and Madam Morris and supped with us. After that, my wife and I went home with them, and so to our own home.
