SOURCE: Cherniavsky, Eva. “Night Pollution and the Floods of Confession in Michael Wigglesworth's Diary.” Arizona Quarterly 45, no. 2 (summer 1989): 15-33.

In this essay, Cherniavsky applies a psychoanalytic method to interpreting Wigglesworth's autobiographical writings and poetry.

And if a man once go beyond those bounds of Gods speciall appointment, & what nature alloweth or calls for, I know now where he will stay.

—Michael Wigglesworth, untitled sermon

Extravagance! it depends on how you are yarded.

—Thoreau, Walden

The sabbath evening and the next day I was much distressed in conscience, seing a stable dore of Mr. Mitchels beat to and fro with the wind, whither, I should out of duty shut it or not; no temptations perplex me so sorely as such like, when I am not clear concerning my duty … this made me seriously and solemnly cry to heaven for light to my mind, and grace to obey with chearfulness...